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Lily Allen's viral new album, West End Girl, digs deep. It catalogs the unraveling of her marriage and the deeper pain that lives between the lines of her lyrical prose. This isn't tabloid fodder—it's what Pitchfork called her most “brutally candid” work, a rare space where a woman can hold an abuser, a system, and her own art in the same frame.While Allen insists the record is “fictionalized,” it's unmistakably laced with real life—even with the unavoidable layer of my own parasocial projection. The title track name-drops the couple's designer—“Found ourselves a good mortgage / Billy Cotton got sorted”—a pointed nod to their now-infamous Architectural Digest home tour, which, in hindsight, aged about as gracefully as Harbour's opening “bit,” greeting the camera crew like a mistress at the door. (Iconic, for all the wrong reasons…and very worth the watch. Psst. All relevant links are down at the bottom!)With almost no pre-launch marketing, the album shot up the charts, hailed by Variety, The New Yorker, and countless fans as her best work yet. (Personally, I've been devoted since her early-2000s protest anthem “Fuck You,” written about George W. Bush.) Still, West End Girl took over my social feed overnight. Yours too, maybe? This is because it touches something deeper than celebrity gossip or divorce voyeurism.Those of us who have spent years minimizing our needs, over-explaining our emotions in an attempt to have them recognized, or trying to contort ourselves into palatable versions of dominant cultural scripts feel a shock of recognition in every song. Allen articulates the quiet grief of being gas-lit into gratitude for crumbs.West End Girl isn't just about Lily Allen and David Harbour—it's about the way patriarchy teaches women to negotiate with our own erasure to serve the agenda of systems of oppression. She's writing from the same ache that so many of us have been metabolizing privately for generations: the manipulation, the gaslighting, the subtle minimizations that we stomach under the guise of love in an attempt to find it/have it/keep it.And that's exactly what the cultural moment is naming out loud. As Vogue recently asked in its viral essay, “Is It Embarrassing to Have Boyfriends Now?”, there's a growing recognition that heterosexual love has long demanded women trade dignity for proximity. Asa Serasin even coined a word for this in 2019—heterofatalism, or the idea that heterosexual relationships are doomed to fail, because women are too often expected to shrink our brilliance, temper our boundaries, and laugh off harm to keep men comfortable.Enter Left Standing: The PodcastI actually recorded the first episode of my new podcast, Left Standing, before West End Girl dropped—but they're part of the same conversation, and I knew I had to discuss them as such.The show is about the reclamation of our narratives: the language, myths, and cultural scripts that have been rewritten and manipulated to serve the false ideals of systems of oppression. In episode one we will trace the etymology of words like gossip (originally meaning “god-sib,” a woman who stands by you in difficult times), and hysteria (from hystera, the womb). We will also discuss the way in which patriarchy rewrites myth, starting with my favorite goddess, the true, often-erased story of Medusa—a survivor punished for being violated.The first episode unpacks these histories and the lineage of tone-policing that still shapes how we hear women like Lily Allen: as “dramatic,” “unladylike,” or “sharing too much.” In it, I quote Melissa' Febos' book Body Work: The Radical Power of Personal Narrative. She writes:Listen to me: It is not gauche to write about trauma. It is subversive. The stigma of victimhood is a timeworn tool of oppressive powers to gaslight the people they subjugate into believing that by naming their disempowerment they are being dramatic, whining, attention-grabbing, or else beating a dead horse. By convincing us to police our own and one another's stories, they have enlisted us in the project of our own continued disempowerment.Because when survivors tell the truth, someone will call it embarrassing, dramatic, attention-grabbing, unnecessary, not lady-like, or a lie.And every time we tell it anyway, we reclaims our power—and gives others permission to do the same.As this is our first episode, your shares, comments, likes and subscribes mean OH SO much to me!Details and resources below!Thank you Jacquline Burtney for designing this! If you want to know why we went in this direction—listen to the episode for the feminist story of the iconic Medusa!Housekeeping Notes:* What happened to Business Witch? Well…a random woman who said she owned the trademark for “The Business Witch” demanded I rebrand. In lieu of litigating over the matter, I did. And I like this title way better…what about you? That being said, our old episodes have been archived and are available on this platform for paid subscribers only. Additionally, I'll be releasing a mini business lesson in the form of a podcast once per month. To access this content, you also must be a paid subscriber. As a thank you for subscribing, if you join at the annual level you'll get access to my upcoming nervous system regulation class, Regulate To Rise happening on November 18. If you subscribe as “A Real Witch” you'll be entered to win free birth chart readings with me 2x a year PLUS all other paid subscriber benefits. This community space is subscriber-supported. To get access to archived content and exclusive business lessons, upgrade your subscription.* What does this mean for Business Witch: The Course? It will henceforth be known as The Feminist Business Framework. It relaunches in early 2026 and will be getting a make over! I'll be updating all course material, adding a module on Launching, and generally making the entire thing even better. When you Subscribe to this space, not only will you get access to old and archived episodes, you'll get first access to the re-launch and the ability to apply the cost of your Substack subscription to your course enrollment fee. Join the waitlist here.Resources mentioned in this episode:Melissa Febos' Body Work: The Radical Power of Personal NarrativeThe Feminist Origins of Gossip by Ashley D'ArcyThe History of Hysteria by Ada McVeanDemetra George's Mysteries of the Dark MoonVogue Is Having A Boyfriend Embarrassing NowLily Allen's AD Home TourLily Allen's West End GirlNew York Magazine: The Trouble With Wanting MenGo deeper with me…I have a few spots left for birth chart readings for the year. If you want to see where Medusa, or other such goddesses live in your chart, grab a spot before they sell out!I'll be running a special on intensives for coaching for Black Friday—there are limited spots…if you want to grab one before they go live, message me.I am so curious if you have a personal goddess of resonance…let me know if a story has spoken to/through you!What is your favorite track on West End Girl? Comment and let me know! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit carakovacs.substack.com/subscribe
Ask Flora Funga Podcast anything OR Leave a ReviewBenjamin Ashpole is founder of NourishCap.com, the first marketing agency in the United States to focus exclusively on the unique needs of the mushroom sector. He also runs PromoterMotor, a marketing agency that has served the nonprofit sector for over a decade, and an accomplished computer scientist. Personally, Ben is a licensed mushroom forager and gourmet mushroom cultivator who loves all flora and fungi.All resources on www.florafungapodcast.com/190 Zbiotics: "FLORA10"Drink ZBiotics before drinking alcohol-Alcohol produces acetaldehyde, a byproduct that your next daySupport the showGoFundME If you like the podcast please think of donating to Keep the show happening $keenie19 on Cash App Follow my other social media sites to interact and engage with me:Email me to be on the podcast or inperson Interview: floraandfungapodcast@gmail.com FacebookInstagramTwitterTikTokYouTubePatreon --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zbiotics: "FLORA10"Drink ZBiotics before drinking alcohol-Alcohol produces acetaldehyde, a byproduct that your next day SUPPORT THE SHOW: Join my Patreon for only $1/month [THATS only .03 cents a day!] ***I am an affiliate with ENERGYBITS (your daily a...
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2787: Stella Grizont explores how to build emotional resilience by not taking things personally, offering practical tools to shift from reaction to curiosity and compassion. She then shares a heartfelt reflection on unconditional love through a simple yet powerful moment with her daughter, reminding us of the profound healing in being seen and accepted as we are. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.stellagrizont.com/blogs/the-abcs-of-not-taking-things-personally AND https://www.stellagrizont.com/blogs/what-my-daughter-taught-me-about-love Quotes to ponder: "Most of us walk around with a fragile sense of self-worth." "People's behavior is a reflection of their reality, not yours." "Even if someone intends to hurt you, it's still about them and their own pain." Episode references: Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolent-Communication-Language-Life-Changing-Relationships/dp/189200528X The Four Agreements: https://www.amazon.com/Four-Agreements-Practical-Personal-Freedom/dp/1878424319
In this episode, Carl Britton, Jr. joins Nic across the lens to talk about AI and how it can benefit workers in the skilled trades and construction industry.Before Carl ran his own concrete company, now he's training men and women in the trades in how to implement AI in their work and life. He is the founder of Iron Thread Consulting and a family man. One use case Carl's mentions is how to let AI produce a safety briefing, manually verify its accuracy, and save a lot of time in the process.In his trainings Carl shows individuals how to build agents and GPTs to help automate some of the mundane tasks and other time-consuming tasks. Personally, he has uses it to help him improve his diet and nutrition as well as produce images for his presentations.They discuss the barriers to people using AI and recognize how those who know AI will likely be the ones who keep their jobs or replace those who don't know how to use AI.You can reach out to Carl at http://www.ironthread.online/.If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com.---
Welcome to this week's Rainbow Soulstrology forecast. If you've been feeling like you're on an emotional roller coaster lately, you're not alone—and you're not imagining it. This week brings some of the most intense cosmic energy we've experienced in a while, but I promise you: there's healing and breakthrough waiting on the other side.Watch This Week's Full Forecast Video (embedded above)The Week Ahead: A Cosmic Roller CoasterThis week is peak intensity as we navigate:* Mercury Retrograde beginning Friday (shadow period already active since last week at 20° Scorpio)* Mars entering Sagittarius on Tuesday, creating an explosive opposition with Uranus* Full Moon in Taurus on Wednesday* Venus moving into Scorpio on Thursday/Friday* Uranus re-entering Taurus on SaturdayIf you have Scorpio, Sagittarius, Taurus, or Gemini placements, you're probably already feeling this. The shadow part of Mercury retrograde has been warming up, and many of you—especially my fellow Scorpio risings—are dealing with old patterns, intrusive thoughts, and emotions you thought you'd already processed.Here's what I want you to remember: This is all part of the process. The universe is preparing you for your next chapter by helping you shed what no longer serves you.Key Transits This WeekMonday, November 3: Mars Opposite UranusThe week opens with Mars in late Scorpio opposing Uranus in Taurus. This is volatile energy—expect surprises, sudden communications, and potential conflicts. On the world stage, this could manifest as political intensity or market volatility. Personally, someone might say something that catches you completely off guard.Void Moon: 11:20 AM - 4:15 PM MT (almost all day)Tuesday, November 4: Mars Enters SagittariusMars moves into fiery Sagittarius, joining Mercury and creating an even stronger opposition to Uranus. This is explosive energy. Sagittarius Mars has a tendency to blurt things out before the brain filter kicks in—so be mindful of what you say. The void moon most of the day might actually help tame some of this intensity.Void Moon: Most of the day in CapricornWednesday, November 5: Full Moon in TaurusThe Full Moon at 14° Taurus amplifies everything. With Mars freshly in Sagittarius still opposing Uranus, and the Sun-Moon opposition adding emotional intensity, this could be the peak moment of the week. Expect things to bubble over—but remember, full moons bring things to completion and illuminate what's been hidden.This is likely when whatever's been brewing will come to the surface. It might feel overwhelming, but it's meant to happen.Thursday/Friday, November 6-7: Venus Enters Scorpio & Mercury StationsVenus moves from its rulership in Libra into its detriment in Scorpio, while Mercury slows to a standstill before going retrograde on Friday. This is when self-sabotage patterns are most likely to emerge.Venus in Scorpio can bring up issues around relationships, money, and self-worth. There's a yod (finger of fate) pointing at Venus from Neptune and your life path—this could reveal illusions or prompt you to question a vision you've been holding.My advice: Pause. Don't make major communications or decisions Thursday/Friday if you can help it. Wait until Monday if possible. Mercury stationing means anything you say could sabotage you, your relationships, or your financial situation.Saturday, November 8: Uranus Re-enters TaurusUranus moves back into Taurus, where it spent the last eight years (hello, rise of conservatism and “the way we've always done things”). This retrograde motion asks: Are you sure you've released what you needed to release?Sunday, November 9: Grand Trine in Water - HEALINGHere's your light at the end of the tunnel! A beautiful Grand Trine forms between the Moon, Jupiter in Cancer, and the Sun in Scorpio. This is major emotional healing energy. Grand trines in water signs bring emotional blessings, healing, and resolution. After the intensity of the week, Sunday offers a pause—a moment to integrate, heal, and recognize the transformation you've moved through.Your Weekly Horoscopes♈ Aries (March 21 - April 19)Hang in there, Aries! This Mercury retrograde is starting, and with Uranus thrown in opposing Mars and Mercury, it's going to throw in some surprises. You could be surprised by an action you take—and how effective it is.This retrograde is happening in your house of transformation and shadow work. While it's intense, by the end of the week you'll arrive at a blessing, an emotional healing moment where you can see the light at the end of the tunnel.Your advice: Take it one day at a time. This Mercury retrograde will help you discover who you are and clarify your values.♉ Taurus (April 20 - May 20)Taurus, you're definitely not out of this one. With Uranus coming back for a visit and Venus (your ruling planet) entering Scorpio later in the week, you're going to feel some intense stuff around relationships, other people's money, and topics you'd rather not discuss.This will be a roller coaster week, but Sunday brings relief. Plan your self-care day for Sunday—you'll need it and deserve it!Your advice: Watch the main broadcast for tips on managing self-sabotaging behaviors. By Sunday's grand trine, you'll experience healing and release.♊ Gemini (May 21 - June 20)Mercury is about to go retrograde, Gemini, so your communications might have some hiccups this week, especially by Sunday. This is happening in your houses of relationships and day-to-day life—think coworkers and people you see every day.With Mars in your opposing sign, you might find yourself easily frustrated. Try not to say too much on Thursday or Friday. If you can wait until Monday to have that conversation, it will probably go much better.Your advice: Be clear in your communications. The landing is the hard part—once we get past the actual retrograde, there will be a little break.♋ Cancer (June 21 - July 22)Cancer, this retrograde is happening in your house of work and day-to-day life. Communication patterns that aren't working well will prove quite frustrating this week, so try not to let yourself get too worked up.There's some fated energy this week—some things are meant to happen. With Venus moving into Scorpio, there could be self-sabotaging patterns around money or relationships emerging.Your advice: Review what you're saying before you say it, especially Thursday and Friday. Sunday brings ease and release. This Mercury retrograde is transforming your communication at work.♌ Leo (July 23 - August 22)Leo, this Mercury retrograde is happening in your house of children, creativity, and romantic relationships. You might also be dealing with family of origin issues or childhood trauma that you've processed through creative outlets.This won't be super intense for you unless you have Virgo, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Gemini, or Taurus placements. But the world will be on a roller coaster, so you'll be witnessing it.Your advice: Pay attention to what you're saying. You'll be very creative this week and might take quick creative action—that's okay! Just think before you speak. Give others lots of room; they might have emotional outbursts.♍ Virgo (August 23 - September 22)Virgo, this is going deep into your most intimate parts—your childhood home, how you grew up, your community, your neighbors. This Mercury retrograde will keep you on a roller coaster around home, where you're living, and how you're getting on with community.It's leading you to a better place, even if it doesn't feel comfortable. Remember: nothing on planet Earth grows without discomfort.Your advice: Take it easy on what you say, especially Thursday and Friday. Mercury stations on Wednesday/Thursday, so communication might feel like it comes to a halt. Sunday brings relief and the ability to breathe. Major life changes are happening—by December, you'll look back and see how much you've transformed.♎ Libra (September 23 - October 22)Libra, communication is going to be hard this week. Be careful not to communicate in a way that hurts or sabotages you, especially around finances. Don't say anything important on Thursday or Friday—wait until Monday.Something's going to surprise you this week, and you need to be prepared to say, “I don't know. I need to think about it.” Walk away from it. Don't jump in too fast.Your advice: With Venus (your ruling planet) moving into Scorpio on Friday, self-sabotage is a real risk. Go slow. If you must speak, run it by a trusted friend first. This retrograde is transforming your communication around money and community.♏ Scorpio (October 23 - November 21)Scorpio, this Mercury retrograde is happening in YOUR sign, intensifying everything. I know you've already had a really intense week, and now we're heading into another one. It's going to be a roller coaster.Be careful not to sabotage yourself, especially around money or your values, particularly Thursday and Friday. Try to hold back saying anything if you can. Wait until Monday if possible.Your advice: Go slow. Take one day at a time. This is happening in your house of identity and personal shadow. Let thoughts and feelings flow through you, then release them. You're meant to transform into a new person. Sunday brings healing and a breather before the retrograde continues.♐ Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21)Sagittarius, some of this stuff has been coming out of nowhere from your twelfth house—the realm of the unseen, including hospitals, nursing homes, mental health centers, and your spirit guides. Major transformations are happening in your personal identity.There will probably be surprises around your day-to-day life. Don't be afraid to say what you need to say, but try to filter it and slow it down. Try not to blurt it out (although you probably will).Your advice: If you blurt something out, be prepared to apologize if needed. Hold back on Thursday or Friday if you can—wait until Monday. You know you'll land on your feet, Sag. Trust yourself. Sunday's grand trine will help you heal and see what's really on the horizon.♑ Capricorn (December 22 - January 19)Capricorn, this has everything to do with your friends, the people who influence you, and those who have power over you. Be careful what you say because you might explode or blurt out something you didn't mean to say.With Saturn (your ruling planet) retrograde in Pisces, this could come from an emotional place you didn't even recognize you were having. It might involve your creative energy, children, or romantic relationships.Your advice: Stay steady. Hold back on Thursday and Friday, especially with friends, bosses, coworkers, or anyone with influence over you. Wait until Monday if possible. Sunday's grand trine will help you release emotion so you can speak your truth without it being so charged.♒ Aquarius (January 20 - February 18)Aquarius, this is happening right at the top of your sky—your house of career and what you put out in the world. Be careful what you say, particularly Thursday and Friday, because you could easily say something that brings self-sabotage at work.I know Pluto's been direct and you've been making changes all over the place. Now you're ready to speak it out loud. But can we just try to wait until Monday? By Monday, you'll probably feel differently about it.Your advice: Your emotions could easily get in the way, even though you've intellectualized them. With Mercury retrograde in Scorpio at the top of your sky, hesitate before speaking. Wait until Monday—you'll feel completely different.♓ Pisces (February 19 - March 20)Pisces, you've been pushing for a spiritual awakening, and guess what? You're about to have one! This week brings major awakenings and higher learning. It could involve college, the law, or deep spiritual insights.There could be communication issues about this, so take it slow, especially Thursday and Friday. Something's happening behind the scenes that needs to happen. As Mercury goes retrograde on Sunday, you're going to have a huge emotional and spiritual awakening.Your advice: This year marks the end of major transits through Pisces—we're wrapping things up. This Mercury retrograde will help you recognize what you need to say and how communication needs to happen. Talk to someone you trust, someone sensitive and understanding. This involves other people's money, spiritual awakening, and trauma. By Sunday, it'll be like someone took mud off your eyes—you'll see everything differently.Tarot Guidance for the WeekI pulled three cards for us using the Love is Love deck:Past: Death - You already know what you're releasing. What transformation has been on the edge for you? What have you been trying to shed? The universe is reminding you that you know exactly what needs to go.Present: The Chariot - You have a choice to make. This is about movement, taking action, and choosing what's best for YOU. You have everything you need—your intuition, your astrology tool belt, your inner wisdom. Believe in yourself this week. Don't let intrusive thoughts or negative thinking take over.Future: Three of Cups - Celebration, emotional healing, spiritual connection! This card promises that after the intensity, there's coming together—whether with another person, with a solution, or with a healed version of yourself. You'll feel lighter, free from the burden you've been carrying.Survival Tools for This WeekBecause your frontal lobe (logic center) shuts down when you feel threatened, write down your coping strategies NOW and put them where you'll see them when you're upset:Your Crisis Toolkit:* Acknowledge the feeling - “I'm feeling this. This is hard. And that's okay.”* Challenge your story - Debate with yourself. Is there evidence to support that thought?* Catastrophize, then counter - Allow one worst-case scenario, then come up with TWO good scenarios* Move your body - Walk, yoga, dance, breathe deeply* Connect - Call someone you trust, or even talk to yourself out loud* Create - Do your art, play music, journal* Gratitude practice - Write 3-10 things you're grateful forRemember: You deserve to be connected. We all deserve to be connected to each other and to community. We're working on coming back together as a human race, and we WILL come back together.The Bigger Picture: Pluto in AquariusWhile the government and world systems seem to be self-destructing, look at the trines in our charts. Pluto direct in Aquarius is bringing We the People together. The more chaos happens at the top, the more humanity connects at the grassroots level.There's one thing we all share: our basic humanity. And none of us think people should be starving or suffering. Sometimes bad things have to happen for transformation to occur. Pluto in Aquarius must destroy in order to create.We all chose to be here at this time. There's something special calling you forward.Book a Reading with MeIf you're feeling overwhelmed by these transits or want personalized guidance for navigating this Mercury retrograde, I'm here to help.I offer:* Astrology with Mediumship Readings - My signature service combining your birth chart with messages from spirit (90-95% accuracy)* Death Astrology Readings - A unique blend of birth/death charts and mediumship for grief healing and understanding soul contracts* Coaching Sessions - Trauma healing, grief support, spiritual development, shadow work* Mercury Retrograde Navigation Sessions - Let's look at exactly how this retrograde affects YOUR chartBook your session at DivineAndrogyne.comJoin Mystics AcademyWant ongoing support and community as you navigate these cosmic energies? Join us at Mystics Academy, where we gather weekly for:* Cosmic Wisdom Hour & Messages - Tuesdays at 7pm MT (Discord, Facebook, YouTube)* Spirit Talk Tea Time with Mama Cole - Thursdays at 2pm MT* Monthly Readings Parties - Group readings, prize drawings, community connection* Free Learning Circles - All levels welcome!Join our Discord community: discord.gg/qB4BuJCkbqFinal ThoughtsMy friends, we have an intense week ahead. But intensity doesn't mean bad—it means transformational.You know what you've been dealing with. You know what needs to change. And you have everything you need to get through this.Don't worry—prepare. Worrying just makes you suffer twice.By Sunday, you'll be saying: “I survived part one.” And you'll feel lighter, freer, and more aligned with your authentic path.Hold on tight. Use your tools. Trust the process. And remember: the universe is unfolding exactly as it should, leading us all toward our better selves—individually and collectively.With love and light,Hollis Taylor- Divine AndrogyneP.S. - If you're a Scorpio placement like me, I see you. I'm right there with you on this roller coaster. We've got this.
In this episode of the Retirement Made Easy podcast, I delve into 401(k)s: how they work, why they matter, and how to maximize their benefits. I break down the basics in simple terms, just like I always aim to do, because retirement planning shouldn't be confusing. I discuss the differences between good and not-so-great 401(k) plans, the pros and cons of keeping your money in a 401(k) versus rolling it into an IRA, and how changes in providers can impact your investment options. I also share a helpful government site for tracking down old retirement accounts and explain why Roth conversions might be worth considering. My goal is to help you take control of your financial future with clarity and confidence. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in.... (00:00) Intro. (00:27) Overview of 401(k) Plans. (01:40) Resources and Services Offered. (02:48) Deep Dive into 401(k) Plans. (05:13) 401(k) Rollovers and Conversions. (10:53) Employer Contributions and Vesting. (19:52) 401(k) Loans and Company Stock. (22:58) Mega Backdoor Roth and Final Tips. Smart 401(k) Moves: What to Know About Matching, Vesting, and Rollovers I will explain how Roth conversions can be done while you're still working or after retirement, depending on your 401(k) plan's rules. Not all plans allow them, and some require a hefty 20% tax withholding, which could be a drawback. I also break down how employer matching works (some companies offer generous matches, others offer none, and vesting schedules determine how much of that match you actually get to keep). I stress the importance of checking your vesting status before leaving a job. Then I dive into profit-sharing, which can be even more valuable than matching, but it's never guaranteed. I clarify a common misconception: rolling over funds from an old 401(k) or IRA into your current 401(k) won't earn you a match. Finally, I talk about the pros and cons of rolling old 401(k)s into either your current plan or a rollover IRA. Personally, I favor rollover IRAs for their flexibility, investment freedom, and ease of Roth conversions. Unlocking 401(k) Opportunities and Avoiding Pitfalls I caution listeners about 401(k) loans. If you retire or get laid off, that loan must be repaid quickly, or it becomes taxable. Once you leave your employer, you can't take out new loans from your 401(k) or IRA. I also touch on company stock in your 401(k); if you have a large concentration, talk to your financial planner about a tax strategy called net unrealized appreciation (NUA), which could work in your favor. Additionally, I introduce the "mega backdoor Roth," another beneficial strategy that allows high earners to contribute beyond the standard limits if their plan permits it (up to $70,000 annually). Not all plans allow this, but it's worth asking. I also share my frustration that there's no standardized way to compare 401(k) plans across companies. The best thing you can do is request your plan summary document and review it with a fiduciary advisor. Lastly, I offer a tip: some employers let you use unused vacation or PTO payouts as 401(k) contributions, which could help reduce your tax bill. It's a smart move to look into before you retire. Resources & People Mentioned 3 Steps to Retirement Planning FIVE 401(k) Secrets You Must Know Retirement Savings Lost and Found Database | Employee Benefits Security Administration Connect With Gregg Gonzalez Email at: Gregg.gonzalez@lpl.com Podcast: https://RetireStrongFA.com/Podcast Website: https://RetireStrongFA.com/ Follow Gregg on LinkedIn Follow Gregg on Facebook Follow Gregg on YouTube Subscribe to Retirement Made Easy On Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts
In this episode of Personally Speaking Msgr. Jim Lisante is joined by Fox News Channel's Dana Perino. Dana currently co-anchors “America's Newsroom with Bill Hemmer and Dana Perino” and she serves as co-host of “The Five”, one of the most popular shows on cable television. Prior to joining Fox News Channel, Dana served as the White House press secretary for President George W. Bush. Dana is a New York Times bestselling author and her latest book is titled, “I Wish Someone Had Told Me…” She talks about her life, her career, her marriage and the faith and values that matter to her most.Support the show
How To Stop Taking Things Personally - Marcus Aurelius (Stoicism) (Philosophy). In this podcast we will be talking about How To Stop Taking Things Personally from the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius. Marcus Aurelius was a devout student of the philosophy of Stoicism and constructed a series of autobiographical writings, now known as the Meditations. So here are 7 Ways to Stop Taking Things Personally from Marcus Aurelius- 00. Introduction 01. Expect the worst 02. Understand that other people's actions reflect themselves, not you 03. You Control Your Response, Not Their Action 04. Understand that Everything Is Fleeting 05. See yourself as part of a larger whole 06. Focus on Your Own Virtue 07. Reflect on Your Day I hope you enjoyed listening to this podcast and hope you find these insights form Marcus Aurelius will help you stop taking things personally. Even though Marcus Aurelius wrote it 2,000 years ago — his insights on Stoicism still carry strong weight today. Stoicism is a school of Hellenistic philosophy founded by Zeno of Citium in Athens in the early 3rd century BC. Even though it is over 2000 years old, more and more people are discovering how Stoicism is not only relevant to modern times, but can be applied in very simple, yet strong ways.
In this worship Rev. Larry Rice and Pastor Chris Aaron Rice explain the necessity of knowing Jesus. Pastor Chris Aaron compares a relationship with Jesus is like the relationship of a marriage.
Jo has a wealth of knowledge in early years and primary education, she is now using her expertise to specialise in sustainability. Jo designs and creates the most useful, curriculum and bespoke based resources from repurposed, recycled and natural objects. Personally, we are delighted to use Jo's resources in schools and settings we work with and in our own forest play approach sessions. Jo also holds monthly 'creating resources evenings', where you and your team can visit her at the Gloucester Resource Centre and make your own resources to take away to your setting. These are a delightful evening of creating, team building and help to start your sustainable journey. There really is another way to resource your environment and to help the children to respect and understand their natural world. Jo has a fabulous stock of brilliant resources at hand, so before you pop in your next order, we think you should head over to her Instagram and create your environment where the children and adults can celebrate enquiry based learning which doesn't cost the earth!Want to know more head to rr4all_recyclingresources4all Head to www.thrivinglanguage.co.uk to discover more with The Beckies.Training for educators, key note speakers and workshops, one to one sessions for speech language and communication play sessions for children and families.Publications Routledge:Speech Language and Communication in the Early YearsSpeech Language and Communication for Healthy Little MindsEmail Rebecca@thrivinglanguage.co.ukThank you for listening and being part of this awesome Thriving community who empower all children to be understood. Love The Beckies
In this worship Rev. Larry Rice and Pastor Chris Aaron Rice explain the necessity of knowing Jesus. Pastor Chris Aaron compares a relationship with Jesus is like the relationship of a marriage.
In this episode of 'More Than Work,' Rabiah sits down with Freddie Titcombe, co-founder of Evolve Journey. Freddie shares how he and his brother turned their personal journaling practice into a bestselling all-in-one journal and a thriving community focused on reflection, action, and accountability. He discusses the challenges of building discipline, the importance of balancing the four pillars of happiness, and how Evolve Journey helps people move from feeling stuck to making real progress. The conversation covers Freddie's career journey from tech sales to care work to entrepreneurship, the power of community, and practical strategies for building better habits. Plus, Freddie shares his favorite productivity tool, the story behind his “Eat the Frog” method, and answers the Fun Five questions.00:00 Introduction to More Than Work00:26 Meet Freddie Titcombe & Evolve Journey01:08 Freddie's background and the start of Evolve Journey03:10 Journaling, reflection, and building a business with his brother05:07 Why blank-page journaling didn't work—and creating a better system08:07 Developing the all-in-one journal and its unique features10:14 How the journal blends gratitude, habit tracking, and productivity tools12:00 Advice for people who struggle with daily journaling14:16 Launching the Accountability Academy and building community17:00 Coworking, office hours, and the power of accountability20:00 Consistency, discipline, and the value of partnership23:00 Balancing health, wealth, relationships, and freedom—the four pillars of happiness27:00 The “Eat the Frog” productivity method explained29:00 Building confidence and overcoming self-doubt32:00 Freddie's career journey: from tech sales to care work to startups36:00 Sam's background and their complementary skills39:00 The importance of service, helping others, and finding balance43:00 Fun Five Questions48:00 Freddie's inspirations and how to connect with Evolve Journey50:31 Closing thoughts and creditsNote from Host:This episode took me way too long to get from recording day to publish day.i Ihad to deprioritize or maybe just reprioritize the podcast for a little while. The next one will be out soon too and was recorded during the same week.I loved chatting with Freddie. We had fun and he shared a lot of wisdom along the way. Personally, I've started going through the journal he and his brother sell and think that journaling, in some form everyday, is the way to go. It is a form of mindfulness and can really compliment another practice. Check out Evolve Journey after you listen. +++++ Find FreddieInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/evolve.journeyWebsite: https://www.evolvejourney.co.uk/ +++++ More than Work Social Media: @morethanworkpod (Facebook, Instagram) and @rabiahcomedy (TikTok)Please review and follow anywhere you get podcasts. Thank you for listening. Have feedback? Email morethanworkpod(at)gmail.com!
Join Andrew Dunn and Chris Triebel as they discuss Peacemaker Season 2! Then stick around for a review of Birdking by Daniel Freedman, CROM, and Michael David Thomas! Personally, I think Big Bird is the TRUE Birdking. SUBSCRIBE HERE: https://www.youtube.com/c/themedialunchbreak?sub_confirmation=1 BUY SOME MERCH: https://the-media-lunch-break.creator-spring.com Twitter: twitter.com/MediaLunchBreak Patreon: www.patreon.com/TheMediaLunchBreak Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/TheMediaLunchBreak Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheMediaLunchBreak Instagram: @TheMediaLunchBreak Or email us at: TheMediaLunchBreak@gmail.com Listen to and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts! The Media Lunch Break on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/themedialunchbreak Graphic art by: Melinda Filonuk - www.melgraphics.com www.etsy.com/shop/melgraphicscreations Eric Scotolati - https://twitter.com/ericscotolati
If you would like more information about the resources Mona provides through Neurodiverse Love you can check out her website at neurodiverselove.com——————————————————————————During this session from the 2025 Neurodiverse Love Conference Nicole Knowlton, MA, MDR, JD shares information about neurodiverse mediation. Neurodiverse Mediation focuses on resolving conflicts involving neurodivergent individuals, such as those who are autistic, or have ADHD, PTSD or a combination. It addresses challenges like communication differences, emotional dysregulation, and sensory needs, particularly in divorce, parenting, and estate disputes. Specialized mediators help create customized solutions and ensure fairness while managing the unique difficulties neurodivergent people face under stress. An additional part of understanding neurodivergence vulnerabilities includes a closer look at hormonal changes related to premenstrual syndrome (PMS), Premenstrual Dysphoria Disorder (PMDD), and menopause. These changes may have a significant impact on emotional regulation, medication efficacy, and relationship dynamics. By understanding these factors, mediators can foster more compassionate and effective conflict resolution. Nicole would describe herself as a neurodivergent specialist. She has personal and family experience with autism, ADHD, PTSD and PMDD. Her education and training includes a focus on ASD and ADHD assessments, marriage and family therapy, family law, and conflict resolution among neurodivergent individuals, couples and families. Personally, she was diagnosed with ASD and ADHD late in life. It was thanks to her children that she obtained the correct diagnosis. Nicole is divorced after a 13-year neurodiverse relationship and was initially drawn into this area to do her part to spread awareness, help identify other untreated or undiagnosed autistics, and help families and couples separate with a long-term plan of success. Nicole had a very messy divorce and if she had the right information, everyone would have suffered so much less. She is so grateful when families opt to mediate divorce when there are children involved. You can contact Nicole at the link below:NICOLE KNOWLTON | Neurodiverse Couples
When was the last time you wrote yourself a love letter? Not a text. Not a journal entry. But a real, handwritten message of love — sealed, stamped, and sent through the mail — to you.
I just don't understand the Scorpio hate. Personally, I've seen Leos do more damage. Marriage is not just a piece of paper; it's a very expensive legal document, and getting out of this partnership costs even more. This week's reading was for a nurse (00:08:33) looking to get out of her marriage. If you knew that your partner had been hung up on their ex this whole time, would you still feel so sentimental? New love will be on your horizon by the next season after filing for divorce. Libra and Scorpio had the best horoscopes this season. (00:31:42) Make sure to check yours out! I also wrote new sexting cards, and the deck is so big I can hardly handle it. I end with sexy messages from your future soulmate—a little whimsy and heat for your fantasies this week! ♏️ Happy birthday to all my Scorpios out there! Happy Halloween
In this honest and heartfelt conversation, Jeremy and Sid tackle a question every youth worker will face at some point: What do I do when I'm struggling personally (whether it's emotionally, spiritually, or mentally) and I still have to lead?They explore what it means to lead with integrity while feeling emotionally off, how to understand the difference between burnout and being overwhelmed, and how Scripture reframes our emotions as meaningful but not final. With stories from camp, personal leadership failure, and wise encouragement from Scripture, this episode is for every leader who has ever shown up tired, anxious, or unsure whether they should even be there.Have a question or want to dig deeper? You can email jeremy@youthworker.community.
As Pastor Jeff walked through 2 Timothy 4:1-5, we reflected on how to Reach Personally with Conviction, Courage, and Consistency.
Anne shares from Hebrews 8.
Ring True Co. is proving that businesses can be a force for social good. In this episode, we explore how the founders, Shannon and Amanda, are changing the lives of human trafficking survivors one piece of jewelry at a time. Listeners will learn how survivors are not just receiving help, they are gaining real-world skills, leadership opportunities, and confidence. From running internships in the Ring True office to developing their own roles in safe housing programs, these survivors are building futures they never thought possible. This episode is a heartfelt reminder that every small act of support can make a profound difference. Follow Ring True: @ringtrue_co Follow Morgan: @webgirlmorgan Follow Take This Personally: @takethispersonallySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This Graham Platner saga just keeps delivering. Every time I think we've hit the ceiling on oppo drops, the elevator dings and we're in a whole new suite of controversy. It's not that the content was entirely new in tone. We've already seen him refer to himself as an Antifa supersoldier and admit to having an SS tattoo (which, to his credit, he covered up). But the latest batch of Reddit posts that surfaced added a thick layer of ugly homophobia. Explicit posts. Graphic anecdotes. And not from his teenage years or during some misunderstood youthful rebellion. These posts span several years, even continuing into the Biden administration.I've always said that if you're running as an outsider candidate, having some skeletons in your closet isn't necessarily a bad thing. It can actually help. Nobody expects a populist outsider to be perfect. The electorate doesn't want a robot. They want someone who talks like them, even if it means sometimes saying the wrong thing. And even as Platner tests the outer limits of that rule, here's the twist: the polling. A new University of New Hampshire poll of likely voters in Maine had Platner at 58 percent. That's not just a lead. That's a blowout. Janet Mills is at 24 percent. If those numbers hold up, then Chuck Schumer and company are right to be panicking.Politics Politics Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Still, Platner's campaign has been running scared. Apology videos. Zoom interviews. Carefully worded statements about how he doesn't think that way anymore. But from where I sit, this guy is doing everything but what he should. If I were advising his campaign, I'd be yelling: go on offense. The proper response to all of this should be simple — I deleted the posts before you ever knew my name. I deleted them because they didn't reflect who I am anymore. That's growth. That's accountability. And that's all anyone should expect. Instead, we get these soft, hedged statements. You're not going to convince anyone that you're the perfect candidate — stop trying.What kills me is how obvious the pressure is from the Democratic establishment. You can feel Chuck Schumer's fingerprints all over this. They're running the classic drip-drip-drip strategy, hoping to humiliate Platner into dropping out. But if you're Platner — and especially if you believe those polling numbers — why would you flinch? Schumer and Mills are the ones who should be sweating. They've failed to unseat Susan Collins time and time again. They trot out the same kind of “perfect” candidate every cycle and lose. And now, when someone is actually running strong in the polls, they're scrambling to blow it all up.I'm not defending what Platner posted. It was gross. And people are right to be upset. But this is a high-stakes game, and the voters of Maine seem willing to give him a shot. The question now is whether Platner will take the opportunity and run with it — or keep playing defense while the party machine steamrolls him. Personally, I'm tired of watching him take these hits and not swing back. I've been saying it all week. If you want to win, you have to punch. You can't win a Senate seat on your heels. So please, for the love of political strategy — say their names, take their power, and act like you're trying to win this damn thing.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:03:19 - Graham Platner00:17:55 - Update00:18:57 - SNAP00:21:40 - White House East Wing00:28:36 - Beef Prices00:31:08 - Interview with Juliegrace Brufke00:59:39 - Wrap-up This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe
In this episode of Personally Speaking Msgr. Jim Lisante is joined by Green Beret combat veteran, social media host, and politician Nick Freitas. Nick is a member of the Virginia General Assembly serving in the House of Delegates and he talks about the faith and values that matter the most to him.Support the show
Is our medical system truly designed to keep us healthy… or just to treat us when we're sick? Personally, I'm going through a fertility journey, my husband is dealing with ongoing health challenges, and we've both hit wall after wall trying to find real answers in traditional care. If you've ever felt dismissed by a doctor, told your labs are “normal” when you know something's off, or can't get ahead of autoimmune issues and hormone imbalances before they snowball into bigger problems, this conversation will open your eyes. Integrative wellness coach Megan Swan, alum of the Empowered AF 5X Certification program, is joining the podcast for the third time, and we're talking about why “Medicine 2.0” isn't serving us – and that's where Medicine 3.0 comes in. Discover what it really means to take your health into your own hands and the power of tracking your biomarkers and optimizing your lifestyle metrics to shift your energy and longevity. Megan and her partner are bringing this beautiful vision to life in November at Altavita, an advanced diagnostics and personalized healthcare retreat in Chiapas, Mexico. I'll be there with my husband, and you can join us! Use code EUPHORICAF for $500 off your Altavita retreat. IN THIS EPISODE: The radical shift from "Medicine 2.0" (sick care) to "Medicine 3.0,” which is all about empowering people with preventative strategies and personalized data Why “normal” lab results often mean “not sick yet” but NOT actually healthy, and how women especially get overlooked when it comes to diagnostics, research, and treatment Megan's insider scoop on Altavita, the diagnostic health retreat she and her husband are hosting in Mexico Biomarkers, wearable tech, and gut health, plus, what tests could be missing from your doctor's routine (hint: sleep, vitamin deficiencies, and lung capacity matter more than you think!) LINKS/RESOURCES MENTIONED In this episode, Megan mentioned the book Outlive by Dr. Peter Attia, and she talked about the retreat she and her husband are hosting, Altavita, a wellness travel experience that addresses health from every angle in Chiapas, Mexico, this November. Use the code EUPHORICAF for $500 off and I'll see you there! If you know you're meant to help other people change their relationship with alcohol and achieve deep healing (along with their bigger dreams), be sure to get on the waitlist for the Empowered AF 5X Coach Certification Program – and get 5x certified as a world class alcohol-free empowerment coach, mindset coach, success coach, NLP practitioner, and hypnosis practitioner when applications open. This program includes a four-month business mastermind and live experience in Southern California. Check out Euphoric the Club, the premier club for successful women who don't drink (and the women who are becoming them) where you can get access to all my alcohol-free programs and methodology, coaching, and trainings for only $62. Awarded the most empowering book in the sober curious genre, be sure to get your copy of Euphoric: Ditch Alcohol and Gain a Happier, More Confident You today and leave your review. Follow @euphoric.af on Instagram. And as always, rate, review, and subscribe so we can continue spreading our message far and wide.
AI Applied: Covering AI News, Interviews and Tools - ChatGPT, Midjourney, Runway, Poe, Anthropic
In this episode, Jaeden and Conor discuss their favorite AI tools and applications, sharing insights on how they use these technologies in their work. They explore various AI tools like Gemini, ElevenLabs, ChatGPT, and Claude, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. Get the top 40+ AI Models for $20 at AI Box: https://aibox.aiConor's AI Course: https://www.ai-mindset.ai/coursesConor's AI Newsletter: https://www.ai-mindset.ai/Jaeden's AI Hustle Community: https://www.skool.com/aihustle
Members of the House of Strauss community are, as noted, invited to do our NBA season over/unders contest over at Sports Predict. Personally, I am agonizing over the Warriors and their O/U of 46.5. We discuss this in the pod with Steve, plus other NBA trend subjects. Topics include…* Shoutout to Sid Kali for winning last week in NFL picks. Email me at houseofstrauss@substack.com if you wish to collect a prize* What's my overall strategy for making NBA picks now that I'm not deep in the weeds?* Steve is trying to break the NBA with an idea that, in my opinion, broke the MLB* The Rockets' style is gaining traction, but is it good for the sport? * That Houston Rockets O/U* I have a non analytical reason to love the Orlando Magic OVER* Steve and I disagree on the Lakers* Is weather is a HUGE underrated influence on quarterback performance?Oh, and again, details for entering the contest: The NBA Smart Predictor ChallengeThink you've got one of the sharpest NBA minds around?Here's your chance to prove it — and maybe pocket up to $1,000 while doing what you already love: thinking deeply about basketball.How It WorksThis is the Season Win Totals Challenge — a simple but revealing test of who really understands the league.You'll see the projected win totals for all 30 NBA teams for the 2025–26 season.Your job: for each team, pick Over or Under. Before the first game begins of the season begins. That's it.Scoring• Winner: Whoever gets the most correct picks.• Tie-breaker: If multiple people nail the same number of teams, we go to total net wins differential — meaning how right you were and by how much. It's a clean way to separate luck from skill. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.houseofstrauss.com/subscribe
In this episode, Jeremy talks with longtime pastor, professor, and former youth leader Ian Lawson about something every youth worker eventually faces: what do you do when you're just not feeling it?Whether it's emotional exhaustion, spiritual discouragement, or the weight of a busy life, there are days when ministry feels heavy and it's tempting to pull back. Ian brings wisdom from decades of leadership, teaching, and front-line ministry to encourage youth workers not to give up too quickly, and to help us see how God meets us even in our weakness.Here are a few of the practical next steps from Ian's episode…Don't underestimate the power of simply showing upRemember that faithfulness over time is how fruit grows in ministryWhen you feel spiritual resistance or discouragement, text a friend and ask for prayerAsk God to use even your weakness, trusting that His power is made perfect thereHave a question or want to dig deeper? You can email jeremy@youthworker.community.
The Game Changers podcast celebrates true pioneers who inspire us to take the big step forward and up in education and beyond. In episode 203 (Part 3) of Game Changers, Phil Cummins joins in conversation with Dr Adam Fraser! Dr Adam Fraser has a PhD in Biomedical Science and is the author of the bestselling books, “The Third Space” and “Strive”. He is the director of the e-lab, a research company that partners with different universities around the world to solve challenges. In the last 10 years he has delivered more than 1500 presentations to over half a million people Globally. Dr Adam has shared the stage with the Dalai Lama, Steve Wozniak (co-founder of Apple), and Sir Ken Robinson (the most watched Ted Talk in history). But what makes Adam such a valuable voice in education is his work in The Flourish Movement. A program he co-founded that helps school leaders build sustainable leadership practices. Designed by school leaders, for school leaders, this program was first delivered in 2017 and since then over 1,100 school leaders have completed the program. Flourish has earned international recognition including an award from the Academy of Management for Best Action Research Paper in 2020. In 2023, Flourish was also a finalist for the prestigious Carolyn B. Dexter Award for the Best International Paper in Organisational Development and Change. More recently, Adam has completed one of the largest research projects in the world into Secondary Traumatic Stress in Educators in Australia in partnership with Deakin University. Personally, Adam is married and is the father to 2 daughters – a tween and a teen, both of whom he tries not to embarrass but seems to fail miserably! The Game Changers podcast is produced by Evan Phillips supported by a School for tomorrow (aschoolfortomorrow.com), and powered by CIRCLE Education. The podcast is hosted on SoundCloud and distributed through Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts. Please subscribe and tell your friends you like what you are hearing. You can contact us at gamechangers@circle.education, on Twitter and Instagram via @GameChangersPC, and you can also connect with Phil via LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. Let's go!
Anne shares from Hebrews 6.
In this episode, Dr. Ben Young reflects on how his podcast helps him stay connected with patients beyond the office, offering insights into both his professional philosophy and personal life. He shares his belief in gentle, consistent home care and regular checkups as the foundation of oral health, while encouraging patients to face dental fears with courage. Personally, he discusses his involvement in Al-Anon, his love of Airstream travel, and his commitment to reading, faith, and service. Professionally, he highlights his dedication to improving periodontal care through the LANAP laser procedure and making it accessible to more patients. Ultimately, his goal is to promote lifelong gum health and build trust through open communication and education.
Ann Morris Electronic Voice Phenomena: The unwitting manifestation of anomalous sounds on to audio recording equipment. In this episode I am talking to the wonderful Ann Morris who has over a number of years and many hours of sitting late at night recording in prisons, old forts, battlefields and places of trauma. She studies and records EVP – Electronic Voice Phenomena: The unwitting manifestation of anomalous sounds on to audio recording equipment. These voices appear on the recording on playback. These are then meticulously documented and researched. This just happens to be close to Halloween but I have been trying to get Ann on the program for a couple of years so I am really pleased that she could finally make it. This is a brilliant episode Here are Ann's notes to her work. Ok, here goes… I investigate EVP – Electronic Voice Phenomena: The unwitting manifestation of anomalous sounds on to audio recording equipment. I believe that EVP is a link to the disembodied consciousness. • At the time of recording absolutely nothing is heard – it is only upon playback that these sounds (often voices) become apparent. The sounds are of frequencies undetectable by the human ear ‘in the moment'. • These sounds/voices are not echoes. They are not from what we would deem to be ‘the past' – they are very much in the here and now, and right with us. Many of my captures are of an intelligent nature, often using my name, calling out, interacting. Of course I am unaware of this until later, but because I'm a frequent visitor, I can always pop back to the same place and try to encourage interaction at another time. I have several communicators who I recognise – Mr Romeo, as I call him, who's always uttering lovely things. He's not always in the same place, and I've recorded him all over the prison. Then there's ‘Sam' – on 3 separate occasions he was named, and then on my asking, a gent' answered my questions within mere seconds of my speaking. That's 3 different dates, the same man replying, in the same cell. I have called him Frank – I don't know why! • I record alone to minimise audio pollution on location – a double edge sword, because the critics will say that I am at liberty to fake my recordings. I give my absolute 100% guarantee that I never have, and never will, fake anything. All of my work is genuine. • I have been interested in EVP since around 2009 when I first heard of it, and since 2010, actively researching and investigating. • Anyone can do this, and anywhere. You do not have to be in a ‘haunted' environment. At this point, I'd just like to clarify something that bugs me a little. The stereotypical acceptance of what ‘haunted' means. Personally, the word ‘haunted' to me, means a place that consistently produces anomalous phenomena. Weird stuff. Paranormal activity. And, whilst I'm at it, another word that tends to get bandied around as a ‘one size fits all' misnomer, is ‘paranormal', simply meaning something that physics cannot explain. Does this mean that things can't exist beyond the boundaries of science? No! And EVP is just one such example – because I assure you, that it is very real indeed. This also goes for all other forms of anomalous phenomena too, which although may appear different, is I believe, intimately and ultimately connected. (I have had many other experiences that give credence to this!).
Deliverance is a spiritual house cleaning. We are responsible for 3 areas. 1. Personally. 2. Getting witchcraft out of your family. 3. Purging the Land of Evil. God means for witchcraft to be destroyed and completely removed from your life. And it's not just evil that gets us in trouble. It is when we try to mix good and evil together. Comprise or agreement with the enemy at any level leaves an open door for the enemy. In Acts 19 they destroyed all the witchcraft books and objects by fire. Even objects from witchcraft must be removed. God wants and is willing to set you completely free, but witchcraft has to be completely cut out of your life.
This is the second GeriPal podcast we've recorded live using this format, see this link to our prior podcast at the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) meeting in Philadelphia. Also look for our upcoming podcast recorded live from the São Paulo Geriatrics & Gerontology Congress, click here to register. Today we join you from beautiful Banff, Alberta, Canada at the National Palliative Care Research Center (NPCRC) annual Kathleen Foley retreat. This meeting was bittersweet. I've been fortunate to attend every meeting in one capacity or another since 2006. The NPCRC made an enormous impact on the growth and capacity for palliative care research nationally. Personally, NPCRC funding was essential support as I was a new faculty member and had not yet secured longer term career development funding. More than anything, though, I will miss the NPCRC community. I treasure those meals, hikes, sing-alongs with others dedicated to improving care of people with serious illness through research. On today's podcast, we invited Dio Kavalieratos, Prasanna Ananth, and Alexi Wright to join us to talk about three articles that spoke to them. For each I leave you with a teaser of a hard question that was raised that we couldn't really answer. Prasanna chose an article by Abby Rosenberg about being fired in palliative care. We talked about why palliative care clinicians get fired, with Prasanna, a pediatric oncologist, raising the issue that it's more problematic when you're the oncologist providing primary palliative care and you get fired than if the consultant specialty palliative care provider is fired. Dio chose an article about the economic benefits of palliative care internationally, a call to action. We talked about the needs of palliative care internationally, and Alexi raised the question: should the highest standard of palliative care (e.g. in the US) apply to palliative care in every country, a la the Partners in Health model pioneered by the late Paul Farmer? Or should we “settle” for access to affordable opioids? Alexi chose an article about cancer care in prison. Alexi used it as a springboard to talk about other populations at compounded risk for poorer care in the current political environment. We hope you enjoy this one as much as we did, dear listeners. We're always trying to improve, and welcome your suggestions for how to improve upon this new “live” format. So far we've heard we need to be better at summarizing the articles for the audience/listeners, and finding ways to involve our live audience to a greater extent than the occasional question. Please let us know if you have other suggestions! Final note - check out the wonderful video NPCRC created about their impact on the field of palliative care (Eric and I were filmed recording GeriPal). -Alex Smith This episode of the GeriPal Podcast is sponsored by UCSF's Division of Palliative Medicine, an amazing group doing world class palliative care. They are looking for physician faculty to join them in the inpatient and outpatient setting. To learn more about job opportunities, please click here: https://aprecruit.ucsf.edu/apply/JPF05811
In this episode of Personally Speaking, Msgr. Jim Lisante is joined by Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt. She's known to millions as simply ”Sister Jean”, the Loyola College matriarch and college basketball icon who celebrated her 103rd birthday this past August. Sister Jean's new memoir is titled, “Wake Up With Purpose!: What I Learned in my First Hundred Years”. She speaks with us about her life, her faith, and how finding one's purpose can lead to a life of joy and fulfillment at any age.Support the show
Our guest today, Simon Blair, is an ultra-endurance athlete and entrepreneur; who is also the founder of the successful London-based property company SHB He is a husband, and father of three. Diagnosed with ADHD later in life, Simon has turned his diagnosis into a source of strength, using ultra-endurance sport as a tool for personal growth and mental maintenance. Today we discuss the intersection of ADHD, mental health, and extreme sports. Simon shares his journey from being diagnosed with ADHD later in life to using ultra-endurance sports as a tool for personal growth, brain management and mental clarity. The conversation delves into the challenges and triumphs of living with ADHD, the importance of diagnosis, and how Simon's documentary, "Beyond Limits," explores these themes. We're talking resilience, neurodiversity, and the power of pushing beyond perceived limits- enjoy! 01:27 - Introducing and welcome Simon Blair!! 01:55 - ADHD and Ultra-Endurance Sports Dive into his inspiring journey and documentary 'Beyond Limits.' Watch now on Amazon Prime! #ADHD #Endurance #Inspiration 02:43 - Personally speaking.. 05:50 - When were you diagnosed? 06:00 - Influences of ADHD on daily life 09:08 - Finding balance through exercise, aka self-medication 11:51 - Connections between nature and mental health 14:51 - Documentary/learned insights and personal growth 17:41 - The many roles of neurodiversity in society 20:44 - What's next for you Simon? 22:20 - How can we find you? Website: https://shbre.co.uk/about Socials: @ LinkedIN: linkedin.com/in/simon-blair-a4000510 Thank you for being here- give us a shout anytime! https://linktr.ee/petershankman Email: peter@shankman.com Podcast: Faster Than Normal Do you know anyone who is doing wonderful things with #ADHD or their neurodivergent brain? We would love to have them on to learn how they are using their #neurodiversity to their advantage. Shoot me an email and we will get them booked! My link tree is here if you're looking for something specific. https://linktr.ee/petershankman
Today I have Devon Kuntzman, ICF-certified coach on the podcast. She is the founder of Transforming Toddlerhood, and author of the brand-new book, Transforming Toddlerhood: How to Handle Tantrums and Power Struggles, and Raise Resilient Kids Without Losing Your Mind. We're digging into what toddler behavior is really saying, how to set limits without losing the […] The post Stop Taking It Personally: What “I Hate You” Really Means at Age 3 with Devon Kuntzman appeared first on Nutrition for Littles.
One of the great myths of the modern economy is the idea that young people can't afford a house. Now, the facts are that for every house sold, about a quarter of them, sometimes a little bit more, about 27% are in fact first-timers. That figure has been remarkably solid over any number of years in any type of market. Can it be expensive? Yes. Do some people miss out? Yes. Are some areas better or worse than others? Yes. But in a world where the negative sells, if you can convince people that the young are victims, it can become very political very fast. Of course, no government can manipulate the market, and for all the governments that are promised a solution, it more often than not ends and tears. And for every lever you pull, there is a counter reaction elsewhere, which is why it is often best to leave the market to its own devices. Australia though is dabbling in housing as we speak. The latest scheme involves getting first buyers or first time buyers into their own place with a 5% deposit. Any first timer, any salary. Personally, I've always liked the idea of getting, young people into housing, easier entry, the better often the real impediment, and it's true here, of course, is not the mortgage, but the down payment. I mean, 20% of a million bucks, which is basically the equation in a lot of New Zealand is $200,000. That's a mountain for most and an insurmountable one. Even $100,000 is hard work, but what about 50? $50,000 5%, that's not hard. Small town New Zealand, you go to a cheaper place. $600,000 house, $30,000. That's doable. That's your average Kiwi saver. Why aren't we doing that? Do you lose on housing? Really? Is it a good long-term investment? Yes. In Australia, they kept the price to a first home type level. So for example, at the moment in Sydney, it's 1.5 million less in Melbourne, but what it will do is get more people into houses. Do people want that? Yes, they do. The Reserve Bank worries about a price surge, but this is being done ironically in the middle of a price surge. Australian housing is often running. The debate about affordability is raging hot, and yet the government is all for it. And note, it's a labour government. So what about us? Does our housing market need a boost? Yes, it does. The first timers need a leg up, see? What's stopping us? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The MMQB's Albert Breer joins Afternoon Drive on The Fan. He talks about Mike Tomlin's comments about the Browns trading Joe Flacco to the Bengals, if there's a market for Shedeur Sanders, Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski's job security, and more.
Today we're talking about a topic that's really important to me personally: donating and effective giving. Specifically, why donating 10% of your income to the most effective animal charities might be one of the most important things you can do to improve the world.To dive deep into this topic, I'm so excited to have Sjir Hoeijmakers on the show today. Sjir is the CEO of Giving What We Can (GWWC), the global organisation promoting effective giving and the 10% pledge. Even more impressive than this, he donates around 50% of his income to effective charities, so he really puts his money where his mouth is! In our conversation, we talk about the impact your donation can have, why it also makes sense for people who work full-time in the movement and why the act of pledging really matters. We also talk about another important part of Giving What We Can's work: Their evaluation of regrantors and evaluators, including the Effective Altruism Animal Welfare Fund and Animal Charity Evaluators. If anything we talk about today sparks your interest, I really encourage you to consider taking the trial pledge, where you can pledge to give just 1% of your income to effective charities. It's a great way to test it out and see if it works for you. Personally, taking the pledge is one of the things I'm proudest of. Because of this, I'll be donating £50 to Giving What We Can's effective animal advocacy fund for each person who takes the trial pledge or full 10% pledge, up to a total of £1000. So, if you sign up via the links below, there is a special tracker that will let me know how many people take it, and I'll donate accordingly. Take the
Welcome to another episode of Perspective Checks where I sit down with friends and folks from the TTRPG world and discuss what they love about this wonderful hobby! This month's episode is with Kate the Great Cosplays talking about the many, many angles she approaches the TTRPG scene through. Not only a cosplay event coordinator including TTRPG cosplay photo sessions and meet-ups, but an actual play performer and producer of the Don't Kill My Character stream, Kate does a lot in the games world! Personally, I couldn't agree more with her personal motto on games: "We never grow out of our need to play." Too true! The conversation wanders throughout the episode, but Kate shines when talking about the meaningful choices of making a character, how to really inhabit them in play, through conscious choices and ongoing growth like curating music playlists, thinking about their physicality, outfits, etc. If you like Kate's vibes, I highly recommend the Don't Kill My Character backlog of videos on their YouTube and hopping into their live streams! ----more---- Join the DMs After Dark Discord channel! I made a Ko-Fi if you feel absurdly generous and want to help cover podcast hosting costs & all the upkeep. I'm still working on whether I want to offer anything special over there or just give my extreme gratitude (maybe some stickers or something in the mail) to those who donate, but no pressure whatsoever :) Where to Follow Rene Plays Games: LinkTree | BlueSky | Threads | Instagram | Facebook | DMs After Dark Rene's Games: MECH | MECH Cities 2 | One Last Quest email: RenePlaysGamesPod@gmail.com Music in the Episode (in order of appearance): Rene Plays Games Theme written & produced by Dan Pomfret | @danfrombothbands
Welcome to the Celestial Insights Podcast, the show that brings the stars down to Earth! Each week, astrologer, coach, and intuitive Celeste Brooks of Astrology by Celeste will be your guide. Her website is astrologybyceleste.com.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Kelenda Annette Baird. Title: Miss Corporate America Roles: Chief Revenue Officer of Reed’s Hideaway & Founder of Limitless Location: Based in Chelan, WA; works in Monticello, MS
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Kelenda Annette Baird. Title: Miss Corporate America Roles: Chief Revenue Officer of Reed’s Hideaway & Founder of Limitless Location: Based in Chelan, WA; works in Monticello, MS
This week Jackie and MJ are joined by LPN's own TAYporter, Holden McNeely, who despite the sheen of sweat across their head, remain wrapped in their Taylor Swift Fartigan, as he gives his thoughts on "The Life of a Showgirl" and he's ready to throwdown! Then it's on to "KPOP DEMON HUNTERS" and Bad Bunny killin' on SNL in a very emotional way, after that Holden slithers off wrapped in his sweat soaked fartigan so MJ and Jackie can get on to HILARIA gettin' booted from DWTS, and Andy Richters gettin' showered in backhanded compliments, plus even more on this week's Second Helpings! Want even more Page 7? Support us on Patreon! Patreon.com/Page7Podcast Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Page 7 ad-free.Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Prayer for Not Taking Things Personally Anymore for her Daily Spiritual Espresso published on October 9, 2025 which you can access here: https://powerofloveministry.net/your-triggers-are-loves-wake-up-call/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Stephanie welcomes Lynn Rosenberg, an American Bible teacher and non-profit founder living in Jerusalem. Lynn is also married to Joel Rosenberg, a NYT bestselling author who's been featured on Gospel Spice before. Lynn tells us what it's like to live in Jerusalem today – and what it's been like since October 7, 2023. Lynn's story is a testament to faith enduring through turbulence, the importance of spiritual and practical community, and the power of everyday obedience. Her journey challenges us to find courage, unity, and hope in Christ, to love sacrificially, and to embrace the unique callings God has set before us—whatever our context may be. Lynn Rosenberg's journey begins with her upbringing in New Jersey in a church-going but not deeply faith-rooted family. Her personal faith ignited at Syracuse University, where she met both her husband, Joel, and Christ. From early on, Lynn and Joel felt called to cross-cultural missions, particularly with a heart for Israel, inspired by Joel's Jewish background and Lynn's close friendships with Jewish neighbors. After years of preparation and service in Washington, D.C., they moved to Israel 11 years ago with their four sons. They became Israeli citizens, and transitioned to life in Israel to fulfill their call to ministry. The Israeli culture, while appearing Western, is deeply Middle Eastern, characterized by tribal mentalities, bureaucracy, and a need to assert oneself daily. Navigating systems, integrating children into small believing communities, and language barriers all proved significant challenges. Church community, both Israeli and international, became a lifeline for practical and spiritual support, nurturing friendships and communal prayer. Lynn recounts the days surrounding October 7, 2023—a day that marked unprecedented violence and upheaval in Israel. Despite a sense of increasing peace before the attack, the reality of war shattered normalcy. With sirens wailing, families hunkered down in bomb shelters, and friends on the frontlines. The Joshua Fund, the nonprofit organization Lynn and Joel founded, rapidly mobilized, prioritizing humanitarian aid particularly for vulnerable populations near the Gaza border. Believers displayed extraordinary courage, continuing to deliver aid even under rocket fire, standing as beacons of light in darkness. A central focus of the Joshua Fund is supporting both Israel and her neighbors—including Arab Israelis and Palestinians. By investing in local churches, training, and humanitarian aid, they work to build unity and break down suspicion. The war has intensified collaboration among denominations, bringing unprecedented unity, generosity, and boldness among believers. Despite barriers, including limited access to Christians in Gaza, the Joshua Fund continues to support those in need, relying on partnerships and prayer. Personally, Lynn highlights the importance of seeking God's will daily and recognizing that each day holds prepared “good works” for us to walk in. She encourages abiding in prayer and Scripture, trusting God's sovereignty amidst uncertainty, and fostering radical hospitality and simple, loving neighborliness. For the next generation, she underscores the vital need for biblical wisdom and discernment, especially in an era of increasing complexity and deception. Simplifying faith to loving God and loving one's neighbor becomes both a countercultural and effective response. MORE ABOUT THE JOSHUA FUND https://joshuafund.com/ In this famous passage from the book of Genesis, the Lord promised to bless those who bless the children of Abraham and curse those who curse them. In Matthew 19:19, Jesus instructed His followers to “love your neighbor as yourself.” In Matthew 5:44, Jesus told His disciples to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus exhorted His followers to feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, care for strangers, clothe the naked, care for those who are sick, and visit those in prison. Seeking to obey these biblical commands, the Rosenbergs established a non-profit educational and charitable organization that works closely with Jewish and Christian allies in Israel and the Middle East, as well as Christian allies around the world. As an educational organization, The Joshua Fund has sought to engage Christians globally about God's love and plan for Israel and her neighbors. The Joshua Fund has also worked in the Palestinian Territories, as well as in Israel's neighboring countries. DISCOVER THE GOSPEL SPICE MINISTRIES The Gospel Spice Podcast is part of a larger range of tools given to you by Gospel Spice Ministries. In a nutshell, we exist to inspire Christ-followers to delight in God. In more details: we provide resources to empower Christian leaders across generational, social, ethnic and geographical boundaries towards more intimacy with Jesus Christ and discipleship effectiveness through a Biblical Christocentric foundation. The Gospel-Spice Ministries provide a safe environment for spiritual and community growth empowering people to know Christ more intimately, serve one another more powerfully, and reach the world for Jesus. PLAY IT FORWARD by SHARING the link with friends and family. PRAY IT FORWARD by praying for us and those you share it with! PAY IT FORWARD!! Would you consider supporting this show today to help others enjoy it for free? It comes to you completely free, but is labor-intensive to produce, and we want to keep putting it in the ears of people! Gospel Spice Ministries is a non-profit organization registered under the tax-exempt 501c3 status. Your donations are tax-deductible under IRS Section 170. We want to be the best possible stewards of your financial support. All donations above our minimal operating costs go to Christian organizations fighting human trafficking. Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog (*ListenNotes ranking, 2023) Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!
BOSSes, Anne Ganguzza is joined by her superpower co-host, Lau Lapides, to discuss a critical issue in the voiceover industry: brand alignment and navigating controversy. Sparked by the American Eagle/Sydney Sweeney campaign, the hosts explore how a voice actor's ethics and personal brand are intrinsically linked to the clients they represent. They emphasize that in the age of social media, protecting your digital reputation is non-negotiable for long-term career success. 00:00 - Anne (Host) Hey bosses, Anne Ganguzza, you know your journey in voiceover is not just about landing gigs. It's about growing both personally and professionally. At Anne Ganguzza Voice Productions, I focus on coaching and demo production that nurtures your voice and your confidence. Let's grow together. Visit anneganguzza.com to find out more. 00:25 - Speaker 2 (Announcement) It's time to take your business to the next level, the boss level. These are the premier business owner strategies and successes being utilized by the industry's top talent today. Rock your business like a boss a VO boss. Now let's welcome your host, Ganguzza. 00:47 - Anne (Host) Hey everyone, Welcome to the VO Boss podcast and the Boss Superpower Series. I'm your host, Anne Ganguzza, along with my awesome superpower co-host Lollapetas. 00:56 - Lau (Guest) Hello, Annie, it's so good to be back. I love being in this Zoom room with you. Or it's not Zoom, but it's Riverside, but I love being in this space room with you. Or it's not Zoom, but it's Riverside, but I love being in this space with you, I know I look forward to it. 01:10 - Anne (Host) We get to see each other and it's been so long it's fabulous when we get back together because we have so much to catch up on. I know, I know oh my gosh. 01:19 - Lau (Guest) By the way, I love your outfit today. You look great. 01:23 - Anne (Host) Why thank you my, my jean shirt or my denim shirt? No, what's really cool about this is this is kind of well, I should say it's it's. It's deceiving, maybe because it looks like it's denim but it's actually like French Terry, and so it's super, super comfortable. But you know, speaking of jeans, I was going to say what color are your jeans. 01:50 Well, you know, I have good jeans and advertising campaigns for our businesses. I mean gosh, it's all over the news. I mean the American Eagle campaign with Sydney Sweeney. I mean, you know, she's got good jeans, and so it's a really interesting debate. I think it's something that we could absolutely relate to our own voiceover businesses in terms of associating with now, first of all, like associating with a brand that may or may not be controversial or may or may not be on the side of you know where your feelings align. I think that would be a really, really interesting topic. 02:30 - Lau (Guest) Lau I love that topic because we hear that word floating in the industry now for quite a while branding. Branding is connected to marketing, is connected to selling right and how you represent yourself and who you're connected to. That helps you represent yourself as well. And making some of those concerted decisions on who you want to be attached to and connected to, that really help you design your ethos of your business. 02:58 - Anne (Host) Well, they can help you. They can help you be successful in the industry, or maybe not. They can help you be controversial in the industry, or maybe not. They can help you be controversial in the industry. It's such an interesting. Now you know one thing about that campaign for me, when I first saw it, I didn't think anything of it, because I am a woman of a certain age and I remember the Jean campaign with Brooke Shields and Calvin Klein, and I just remember it, with Brooke Shields and Calvin Klein, and I just remember it, you know. And so, as a girl in, I think it was in elementary or high school. I can't remember when that came out, but it was the 80s, right? All I know is that I wanted a pair of Calvin Klein jeans because I wanted to look like Brooke Shields. Now today, didn't we all did not we Right? 03:41 No, I thought nothing of it, right, I thought nothing really horrible of it. But then it did become controversial because obviously she was, you know, she was young when she did that ad and it was a little bit sexually, you know, promiscuous, some people would say. And so, you know, today that type of advertising wouldn't fly and I think people are comparing Sydney Sweeney with that, because of she's got good genes, you've got an attractive female and a pair of jeans, and you know, of course, american Eagle says you know, it was always all about the genes, it's not always not about the, not about the misconception that jeans J-E-A-N-S is similar to G-E-N-E-S, so there's a lot to unpack there. 04:25 I don't know how did you react to it when it first came out? What were your thoughts? 04:29 - Lau (Guest) Well, you know what's so funny about the Brooke Shields thing that you bring up? That's the first thing I thought of is that everyone who's outraged about it is not old enough to remember the Brooke Shields and that's what they were really copying. I think that was a copycat from 45 years ago Going back to the old let's sell. 04:45 Yeah, but if you remember, annie, it was there was another controversy hooked on to Brooke Shields at that time, based on that commercial, because that was right around the time that she had shot Blue Lagoon, blue Lagoon, yeah, and she was only like 11, 11 or 12. 05:05 - Anne (Host) I think it was 13. 05:05 - Lau (Guest) Well, by that time she was about 13. But she was still very young and the mother was managing her and so there was a huge blowup and controversy about this young girl doing these so-called sexually explicit commercials about my sexuality and my body, about my sexuality and my body. And I remember thinking, and when I saw it again I thought wow, how did she get those jeans on without showing us anything, right in front of us, Like I was amazed and, as a young girl, I yeah, it was a Cirque du Soleil act. 05:35 It was amazing. Yeah, you know, as a young girl, media is so influential right. 05:41 - Speaker 2 (Announcement) So, influential. 05:41 - Anne (Host) The thing is that, as voice actors, we really have a part in playing into the media, right, because our voices are representing brands, and for me at the time, I didn't consider anything wrong with it. All I know is that I wanted to look like Brooke Shields in those jeans and therefore I wanted the jeans. And I'll tell you what it was an expressly popular campaign that made Calvin Klein a ton of money, a ton of money. 06:09 - Lau (Guest) But if you look at it now as an adult and you listen from a voiceover perspective, her voice was very, very young very kidlike and very straightforward. She was trying to be, if anything, a little bit smart or intellectual versus overly sexy and centralized, but yet the perception, the visual right Was that was that. 06:34 - Anne (Host) That's exactly it. So there's a lot of, there's a lot of things there, and if you were the voice of a campaign that was controversial, right would. If it was something you believed in or didn't believe in, is that something that, as a voice actor, would you accept? And I think, or an actor, I mean any kind of role right? Do you accept those roles if they align with your belief system or your morals or your ethics or whatever that is, and how can it propel your business forward or not? 07:07 I mean, there's just so much that we have choices in, and as well as influence in, as voice actors, and we think sometimes we're hiding behind this microphone, but no, we're still a very intricate part of a media campaign. And so, really, as a voice actor, how do you decide? Really, is you know, oh, this could really propel my campaign if I decide that I want to align with this brand and be the voice of it, or sometimes it's not even about being the voice of it. It's maybe working with that brand in any capacity. You know, how is that going to affect your business? Because people have opinions, people always have opinions, and gosh aren't they all over the place. 07:56 - Lau (Guest) Now that social media is prevalent, they're the Wild West we like to call it right, Annie, it's the Wild West. 07:59 And I would say in my mind it's likened to all the people, not just women but men too. In my mind it's likened to all the people, not just women but men too, but certainly all the women, who have said for many years you know, I am interested in doing romance novels, exotica work, triple X, adult swim as a voiceover talent, but I'm concerned about how my business is going to be viewed. I'm going to use an AKA, an alter ego, another name, another business name, and so I think that voiceover talent have been making these decisions for a very, very long time. Even though we don't have the visuals for the voiceover talent, we may have the visual for the work and so for the work itself may give visuals and vocals that are not aligned with the talent's vision of their business, and sometimes you don't even know. 08:49 - Anne (Host) Sometimes you don't even know, right. I mean you can tell a lot by the context of the script sometimes, but sometimes you can. You don't know where that's going to end up. And again, now that makes me think of, like, you know deep fakes and AI and you don't know where your voice is going to be used. But if you are, you know, an active participant and you are aware, I think really the best thing you can do if these things are concerning to you, right, the more you know, the more you're educated, the better off you're going to be, because you can make those decisions to determine if you want to be aligned. 09:24 I mean there have been careers ruined by, you know, wrong brand alignment, and gosh knows with today's you know political climate. I mean it comes down to and you know what, laura, it comes down to if you think about it. We're in a business. We need to make money, right, and guess what? So are companies that are advertising, right. They're in the business to make money and so a lot of times our decisions are based on money. Yeah. 09:52 - Lau (Guest) Wake up, smell the coffee right, and it's like who is to judge what one person or one brand identity or one company should or shouldn't be doing. It's really in the eyes and ears of the audience. It's really the perception. So, as many people really disagree, fervently disagree and are angered and outraged by that particular American Eagle campaign, you have a mass swath of people who are buying everything. 10:24 - Anne (Host) That gene that she is, they can't keep. I'm just saying or buying everything that gene, that gene that they can't keep it on the proverbial shelf Exactly. 10:29 Right, Exactly so yeah, and it's interesting because I read a couple of. I read a couple of articles about it and they, of course, american Eagle says it's all about the genes. It's always been about the genes and in reality it kind of is like a return back to marketing. You know, marketing for the last few years has been very concerned with, of course, the shift, notice how the shift in cultural trends, right to making sure inclusivity, diversity, you know, every body type is shown and everybody is represented, which I thought was great. I mean I love that. But apparently, like, if you're in the business, I mean, did it sell? I thought it did. 11:09 Personally, I aligned with it better and I bought, I consumed, just like I did before. However, there is a a huge, there's a huge another aspect to this to unpack, about influencers, right, I mean, in reality, I mean she's a famous actress, right, and so just like Brooke Shields. So if she's going to wear these jeans and feel good in them and look good in them, then that's going to really entice other people to buy and you know, or not, right? And If they, I mean how many times? Lau and I I have very strong ideas about like companies and what they do with their money. So like if they're known to, you know, I don't know, do bad things. I will not support of things that companies do behind the scenes and therefore, when I do find out, I then have a choice, to make a decision whether I want to consume that, you know, buy that or not. And I think that, again, as a consumer and as a voice actor, the more educated we can be, the better decisions we can make to determine if we want to align with that. 12:21 - Lau (Guest) I would totally agree and I would say the irony to me about talking about influencers online is why are they called influencers? Yeah, yeah, they're called influences because they have powerful influence over mass swaths of people who want to look like them, sound like them, live like them, whatever. Of people who want to look like them, sound like them, live like them, whatever. So if we were to make a value judgment, we would have to make it evenly across the board between network television and social media and voiceover and radio and TV, that that is just a no-go, which, of course, no one's going to do. We're not going to do that because you know it's a free country and people are going to run their businesses how they run their businesses girls on Instagram to get that facelift or to get those eyebrows or to get those lash extensions, to feel good about who they are. 13:27 - Anne (Host) Well, oh no, okay, you bring up a really important point here, right To feel good about who you are. So what I do because you know I do a little bit of fashion influencing- I know you are an influencer, actually. 13:39 - Lau (Guest) My well, oh my goodness, put your influencer hat on. 13:42 - Anne (Host) So my influencer hat is and I've been, I've been multiple sizes, I've been big and I've been small, right, I mean, I don't know, I've never considered myself small, but that's a whole nother podcast. So, depending on the size right, I followed different influencers. I found and for the most part, if you think about it, when I was a little bit bigger, I had an influencer who I loved her because she was bigger and she was confident and she was beautiful. And I said, gosh, if I could just be confident. And you know, and as a matter of fact, people in my life I've known, I'm like gosh, she's bigger and she's confident. I wish I could be confident like that. I could be confident like that. And then when I, when I started to lose weight, then I it's funny because I switched, following the one influencer who her body type was a little bit bigger, to an influence it was a little bit more my, my body type size, or maybe even smaller, because it was then helpful, it was motivating for me, or inspiring to me. 14:36 And so, in reality and in every instance, right, the influencer made me feel better about myself. Right, I was either motivated or inspired. To well, people are going to say it might be healthy if you say, oh, I want to look like them. But in reality, when it came to my weight, my body size, it was more about becoming healthy. I needed to become healthy, right. And yeah, the clothes were pretty. I didn't have that option with these clothes at this particular size. So, yeah, there was something inspirational and motivational. And then there was the girl who I still follow. She's a bigger girl who is just beautiful at whatever size she's at, and it's really the message that she's saying. That's really the most important thing. 15:17 - Lau (Guest) But I have a question about that, annie, and I know we're getting a little farther away from the voiceover aspect, but from a performance and business aspect, voiceovers need to be thinking about all of this and how you represent your brand and how you think about what you do. Well, absolutely, my question is you have a lot of these people, including, like Lizzo, for instance she was the first one that came to my mind, yeah who made it very public that they lost a ton of weight and that they are very happy they did that and very happy that they're healthier and very happy at whatever they're at. 15:51 - Anne (Host) Yeah. 15:52 - Lau (Guest) So it makes you question well, wait a second, is this for branding sake, to have those brands out there because they know, like a big part of the population is, say, has a certain look or a certain size or a certain sound? Well, yeah, the biggest demographic, the biggest demographic, right? Yeah, versus the reality of the person actually feeling good in their life, I'm going to argue that they're performers and they're performing and that many of them don't feel good about some of the choices they've made in their life and therefore they go and change it. Or their company representatives say you need to change this brand because it is not resonating with the majority of our audiences and we will never know. 16:38 Never know how much influence comes from which direction. We will really not know, that right. 16:44 - Anne (Host) Absolutely. I mean and again this is I mean for bosses out there if you think we're going off topic, in reality we're not, because we're not talking about marketing and advertising, which directly affects us. I mean, that's where we I mean our voices are representing brands that have fluctuations in the way that they advertise and in the way that they market their products, and it's important for us to understand where it's headed, where the trends are and really what is it that matters. And then, what is it that matters to you as an actor, being a part of that campaign, resonating with a brand that may or may not be controversial? Right, Brands change. 17:26 - Lau (Guest) This is where you have to forgive yourself they shift and change trends over time, because that's the natural state of being a human being, is that you age, you change, trends change whatever. Another one that comes to my mind one of my favorite original rappers and then became actress was Queen Latifah. Yeah, yeah. Who I loved for so many reasons. Yeah she's awesome Right. 17:50 - Speaker 2 (Announcement) Rubenesque woman beautiful woman. 17:52 - Lau (Guest) Well, she went on a whole campaign I can't remember what it was, whether it was Jenny Craig or Nutrisystem or whatever it was, but she became the brand ambassador of them to lose weight and she had trouble doing it and she never reached the target weight. When she didn't, they dropped her. Yeah, yeah, okay. So my point is was that her and it made you feel like, it made me feel like you know, when you use Tide or use a laundry detergent and then, all of a sudden, you've been using it and it's been good for years, and then it's like no, all new developed. You think, what have I been using that whole time? It wasn't really good. That's how it made me feel. 18:31 - Anne (Host) Well influencing you know and marketing advertising, influencing in their way influencing right as opposed to, and I think that's why influencers became really popular, because it was real people, it wasn't companies. Well, it was the illusion of real people, right? 18:47 Well, they are real people Right right, oh look, I'm not being paid for this but a lot of times, influencers, they get a little bit of a cut. I mean I, you know, hey, I got a little bit of a cut. I'm encouraged to, you know, try this top or this, you know, this pants set or whatever, and then talk about it so that I can get a little bit of a break or a deal. But I creatively love to curate outfits and, to be quite honest, the amount of time I spend at this point because I don't do it full time the amount of time that I spend, you know, putting together videos and stuff, it takes a lot of time. That's my, that's like a, that's a day of my weekend in reality, and I don't make I don't make half as much money as I do when I'm doing voiceover. So for me that's just like a passion project. 19:31 But what is it that voice actors you know need to do? I mean, I think that you either don't realize that you are an intrinsic part of a brand that could or could not be, you know, I mean, you probably know if they're controversial. It's the same thing with political voiceover, Right, we talked about this like not so long ago. What's you know? Are you on a particular side of the fence? Are you? Is your voice, your voice being speaking things that align with your, what you believe in and your morals and your ethics? Or are you just voicing things to make money, because it happens to be something that pays the bills? 20:09 - Lau (Guest) Right and really paying attention to what your audience is identifying your value as. Like I can come in and say, well, I'm going to provide this, I'm going to do this, but I may not have the calling for that. I have to pay attention. Where is the calling of the audience? 20:27 And then go to the. If I want to go to the full extent of that brand, give them awareness of what it is, awareness of my, you know, professionalism, my ethos in it. Whatever that is, it's not always what I'm starting out to be is what it's going to be. I see that all the time like a mismatch of brand knowledge. Someone would say, well, I do this all the time, I play this all the time and I say, right, but what are you being hired for? What you're being hired for might be very different than what you do in your side life. 21:01 - Anne (Host) And if you think about it, like if you align yourself with a style of voiceover that is, you know, has a message, right, that may or it on levels with brands that I've been associated with, where, if you're not careful and you know I mean with the VO Boss podcast, right, if you're not careful people will associate you with those brands as well, and you know that can be detrimental to your career, to your livelihood, and that is something it's sometimes. It's not an easy decision. It's not an easy decision to make. It's not an easy decision. 21:42 - Lau (Guest) It's not an easy decision to make. It's not an easy decision. You have to realize you're performing a part. So whenever you are in that what I call the awareness zone that's like the industry awareness of who you are Like I feel like I play two parts. One is the real person in the larger world, who may or may not know me, and then the person, the mama, who knows me, who people know me in the larger world, who may or may not know me, and then the person, the mama, who knows me, who people know me in the industry. And when I play that role, I know I'm always to some degree on, you're always on and having that awareness that there is a performance value to what you do. How? 22:15 - Anne (Host) interesting because your brand, since I've known you, has evolved into Mama Lau, which you know what I mean. Because I want to say it's because I started calling you Mama Lau, because that's what I called my mother, and then it turned into Mama Lau, but now as Mama Lau, known as Mama Lau in the industry. Right, you now need to be considerate of. Okay, what does this brand speak about me? And if you were to do something, that would not be Mama Lau. 22:42 - Lau (Guest) Right, so I'm not going to go to Vegas and become a stripper anytime soon. Are you going to? 22:47 - Anne (Host) be an erotic. I mean, would you be an erotica audiobook narrator? I mean, well, maybe not under Mama Lau but, here, you are here you are with. Unless you're going to be a character voice, right, here you are, I know your voice. And unless you're going to be a character voice and I don't recognize that voice, right, our voices are recognizable. 23:07 I mean, some of us have immediately, like I know, this person's voice from you know long you know, far, far away, I can tell that voice and I have that with some of my students that have distinctly unique voices, right, I'm thinking they probably can't go into you know erotica character work if they don't want to know other people to know about it. Yes, you know, if you want other people to know about it, that's fine. But for you, under that brand, you have to. There's a responsibility to that brand, right? 23:34 - Lau (Guest) Yes, there is. 23:34 - Anne (Host) In what you do. It reminds me of. It reminds me of oh my gosh, who was it? Who was it? He was a comedian. He was fired in 2011 due to offensive tweets he made about the Japan earthquake and the tsunami. And it is, oh my gosh, gilbert Gottfried. There you go. 23:50 - Lau (Guest) Oh wow, how could we not? 23:52 - Anne (Host) remember that, yes. I know right Gilbert Gottfried. 23:55 - Lau (Guest) I didn't know that. 23:56 - Anne (Host) Yeah, oh yeah, and it was. It was. That was, I think, when it first, at least when I was in the industry, when it first became evident that social media and what you do outside of your job in voice acting, will have a direct effect, if it's offensive enough, right On your job. And you know, nowadays people have to be careful on social media what they're posting. And because companies can now go check out your social media, because companies can now go check out your social media, and so for you as a voice actor, again, it has to come to mind that if you are known, or if you are known in social media, now your actions, if people were to look you up on social media and find that you're associated with a brand or find that you are, you've done something that I don't know is not something that aligns with their ethics right, it can affect your business. 24:52 - Lau (Guest) So in a way, annie, it's kind of like we're blurring the lines of our real reality of living a life as a person, with our business and our performance career, that there is kind of that expectation that you sort of represent it all of your life, all of your life, and you're not going to go through anything. That's antithetical to that image that is being put out there, which I mean. For me it's easy because I'm kind of like, I'm a mama type anyway, but for the average person I think that would be hard, that would be a challenge. 25:27 Mama Lau as mama Lau would not go to a Coldplay concert and get yourself caught on the probably not. I'd be the person standing outside with food, waving my hand, going what did you do in there? What did you do? 25:37 - Anne (Host) And we should bring that up, because yet there's another like CEO of you know, of a company, and then the director of HR, the director of the people I forget what they call it now. I'm like director of HR, no people, ceo of people. Forgive me for not knowing what her title was. She was HR, wasn't she? 25:55 - Lau (Guest) The head of HR. Yes, Like top HR, you know? Executive. 26:00 - Anne (Host) I think PMO is a people. I forget what it is, but anyways, see it, you know. So, really, if you think about it, what did that do those actions do to the brand? Right To the brand. Yes, they say all all, what is it? All publicity is good publicity, but do you think that this was good publicity for the company? 26:24 - Lau (Guest) No, no, I don't either. I don't think there was any redeeming value to that and that felt to me it could have been happenstance, but it felt like a setup. It felt like someone tipped someone off to put them on the jumbotron. 26:37 - Anne (Host) Oh interesting, I didn't think that it didn't just feel random. 26:40 - Lau (Guest) There was like, like, how many people were there? 26:44 - Anne (Host) 50,000? I don't know. I think I, I didn't think it, I don't think they were set up, I mean, unless you have somebody in the company that's like. Well, I mean, first of all you have to, you have to know the person that's, you know, focusing on the Jumbotron and say, oh my God, wouldn't it be funny if you know I hate that guy or whatever? But think about it? 27:01 - Speaker 2 (Announcement) I don't know. 27:02 - Anne (Host) Your actions in life right can be directly affected these days because of social media, because of the now back in the day when I had to walk to school 10 miles up a hill in the snow. When there wasn't social media, it was a little easier to get away with, I would say, indiscretions like that. 27:24 - Lau (Guest) But now, maybe even now with being a voiceover talent. You've got that anonymity to some degree. 27:31 - Anne (Host) But not as much anymore. I'm saying not as much anymore, remember, because voice actors, we're all about social media, aren't we? Because, guess what we need to get work and what are we doing? We're trying to showcase're all about social media, aren't we? Because guess what we need to get work and what are we doing? We're trying to showcase our brand on social media, and when you do that, you really have to be prepared for repercussions. If you are going to voice a campaign, associate yourself with a brand that may be controversial, and you know something that is a concern for your business. That may not have been so much of a concern maybe 20, 30 years ago. 28:06 - Lau (Guest) It's true, because I think with probably the third generation now, or what would we say, maybe the second generation now, millennials and Gen Zers, who are digital natives, growing, up online on social media like their life online on social media like they didn't see the commercial. 28:23 Their life- is on social media. So their lines are very blurred, like I would say, arguably our generation x not as blurred like I know. When I was younger I used to think, oh, the Brady kids are really like that. Now I realize they're separate people, right, they're separate people than what they did in the sitcom. But nowadays it's like oh, everyone thinks that anything you do online is you, is really you, and so it puts a lot of pressure on those people to say okay, am I in alignment with the kind of brand that I want to have out there or not? 29:02 And a lot of people will say well, you know what do they say? All good, all press, bad press, negative press is still good, press, it's still good. I don't know about that. I don't know about that. I don't think that's true. Yeah, I don't think that's true. 29:15 - Anne (Host) I mean in a way. I mean in a way who said? 29:19 - Lau (Guest) that. Beyonce, who said that Someone big said that I don't even remember, but in a way, american Eagle is benefiting from the controversy. 29:27 - Anne (Host) However, there's really good arguments on either side of it. Again, they're promoting to a crowd you know who are their best sellers. Do you know what I mean? Because, as I and you also talked about in the beginning, we have a certain familiarness with advertising from 30 years ago, right 40 years ago, and so for us, maybe that ad was like oh okay, I didn't think anything of it, but then all of a sudden, because of the younger generation, right, who are like hey, what is this? Or you know, or why, especially with political things going on, what do you mean? Genes like G-E-N-E-S Is that? Then it became a political thing. So I think that we have to be really, really careful, as voice actors on social media, to make sure that we're aware, be aware, educate yourself and be aware of what your voice, what your presence, what your social presence means to your business. 30:33 - Lau (Guest) And I also would add on to that, annie, that we just had a discussion because my group was in New York showcasing of actors and I was really tough, talk about mama, tough. I was really tough and saying listen, I'm just going to tell you this right now If you don't go into your social media right now, before you audition for those agents, those casting directors, those producers, and clean it up and scrub your stuff, scrub it. 30:57 Get reputation defenders. Do whatever you need to do to scrub it. Keep your ideas and ideals separate, because you don't want to alienate people and their whole audience before you even meet them and audition for them, do you? I mean, do you to be a really good note to leave on Digital Digital? 31:25 - Anne (Host) We are digital. We are digital. 31:27 - Speaker 2 (Announcement) Your footprint's there. 31:28 - Anne (Host) Digital is traceable, just saying Digital is traceable, you are. Have you ever tried to? And again, we've never really covered this in depth, but if you think about it, if you ever tried to make a comment and then delete it and then it didn't really delete or did, how many people took a screenshot of that? Yeah, you know, before you deleted it. 31:48 So again, things are digital and things, and because we've gotten again on your phone, on your computer, just assume that people are tracing and I know, yes, you can get it's not right and I get that, but just assume and just you know, honestly, just be aware, be aware and protect your business, protect your voice, protect your business and protect your bossness. Guys, be a bossness. 32:16 - Lau (Guest) And I'll leave on this note in saying yes, and I'll piggyback by saying, even just for who you are as a person, be happy and content with the brand you're creating. Because, you're going to have to live with that for a long time. As long as you have your business, you'll have to live with it. 32:34 - Anne (Host) I have people. 32:35 - Lau (Guest) Annie when I go to a conference or something screaming across the room hey mama, how are you? If I didn't like that, I didn't want that, I'd have to change it. I'd have to really change it and make a concerted effort to do that so be happy with what you're selecting and what you're choosing and what your audience is giving to you and, if not, strategize elsewhere, redirect it. 32:59 - Anne (Host) Good stuff, good stuff, amazing Bosses. We would love to hear your thoughts honestly. So you know, write us at theboss, annaviobosscom. We'd love to hear from you right in our community Facebook page. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this. So, Lau, it's been amazing, amazing, as always. Big shout out to our sponsor, ipdtl. You too can connect and network like bosses. Find out more at IPDTLcom. Bosses have an amazing week and we'll see you next week. 33:30 - Speaker 2 (Announcement) Bye, see you next time. Join us next week for another edition of VO Boss with your host, anne Ganguzza, and take your business to the next level. Sign up for our mailing list at vobosscom and receive exclusive content industry revolutionizing tips and strategies and new ways to rock your business like a boss. Redistribution with permission. Coast to coast connectivity via IPDTL.
Welcome to the Celestial Insights Podcast, the show that brings the stars down to Earth! Each week, astrologer, coach, and intuitive Celeste Brooks of Astrology by Celeste will be your guide. Her website is astrologybyceleste.com.
Today I want to talk about why we shouldn't take things personally. We are so quick to start a fight with friends, families, and even strangers. I used to take things so personally, and ever since I have stopped life has been so much better! So please, join me! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Bulwark Capital https://KnowYourRiskPodcast.comHear directly from Zach Abraham as he shares insights in this FREE “Back To Basics” Webinar, THIS THURSDAY at 3:30 Pacific. Register now at Know Your Risk Podcast dot com. Bizable https://GoBizable.comUntie your business exposure from your personal exposure with BiZABLE. Schedule your FREE consultation at GoBizAble.com today. Renue Healthcare https://Renue.Healthcare/ToddYour journey to a better life starts at Renue Healthcare. Visit https://Renue.Healthcare/Todd Alan's Soaps https://www.AlansArtisanSoaps.comUse coupon code TODD to save an additional 10% off the bundle price.Bonefrog https://BonefrogCoffee.com/toddThe new GOLDEN AGE is here! Use code TODD at checkout to receive 10% off your first purchase and 15% on subscriptions.LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE at:The Todd Herman Show - Podcast - Apple PodcastsThe Todd Herman Show | Podcast on SpotifyWATCH and SUBSCRIBE at: Todd Herman - The Todd Herman Show - YouTubeThere is a problem with Democrat women in leadership. They're gross. So what do we do with this information? Episode Links:Hillary Clinton continues to demonize white Christian men.KAMALA: “We have to remember nobody gives us our light. It's ours … Don't let them extinguish our light.”Emma Watson finally breaks her silence and shares her truth about the rift with JK Rowling. Spoiler alert- You may need some vinaigrette to consume this.Emma Watson is struggling with her cognitive dissonance. She knows JK Rowling is speaking the truth but wants to cling onto the lies of trans ideology regardless.If only there was someone who could have warned Emma Watson that nothing short of total & absolute surrendering to trans ideology is enough for them.NEW: Serena Williams speaks out against a cotton decoration at a New York City hotel, says it doesn't make her "feel great." -- "Personally, for me, it doesn't feel great," she said on IGThis woman is baffled because she found out a person she works with is conservativeWhat Does God's Word Say?Acts 16:16-20 Paul and Silas in Prison16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.
One of the most destructive things we do is ignore the signs. The signs about the times. Accepting reality that things are going to change. It's no surprise. The pendulum of life swings back and forth, but for some reason, we get caught in continuing to believe the lies. The best thing you can do is to be wlling to surrender to the inevitable...... Change will always be a part of life. Personally and professionally, you will continue to be called to pivot. Make changes. Sacrifices. Sit with failures and gather the courage to come up with a plan. But here's the secret...... Everything you're trying to figure out has already been figured out...... That's if you trust in the plan God has created for you. All you have to do is be willing to pivot when the time comes. About the ReWire Podcast The ReWire Podcast with Ryan Stewman – Dive into powerful insights as Ryan Stewman, the HardCore Closer, breaks down mental barriers and shares actionable steps to rewire your thoughts. Each episode is a fast-paced journey designed to reshape your mindset, align your actions, and guide you toward becoming the best version of yourself. Join in for a daily dose of real talk that empowers you to embrace change and unlock your full potential. Learn how you can become a member of a powerful community consistently rewiring itself for success at https://www.jointheapex.com/ Rise Above