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Leave an Amazon Rating or Review for my New York Times Bestselling book, Make Money Easy!Check out the full episode: https://greatness.lnk.to/1170"The way to visualize properly is to visualize the bridge between where you are and where you need to go... and particularly the horrible stuff." - Mel RobbinsMel Robbins drops a truth bomb that flips everything you know about manifesting upside down. Picture this: you're sitting in your studio apartment, cat box hasn't been changed in two weeks, no food in the fridge, and you're staring at a vision board covered with mansions and dream cars. That massive gap between where you are and where you want to be? It's not inspiring you. It's making you feel like a loser. Research shows that when you only visualize the endgame, it's actually demotivating. Your brain sees that distance and starts the negative self-talk spiral. Mel gets brutally specific here, breaking down exactly why that gorgeous collage you made after a bottle of wine isn't doing what you thought it would.Here's where it gets good. Mel teaches you to visualize the bridge, not the destination. And not the pretty parts of the bridge either. The horrible stuff. What's it like at mile 13 of your marathon when it's sleeting rain and you're asking yourself why you're doing this? What happens when your earbuds die at mile 12 or your shoelace breaks at mile 17 and you've got a blood blister forming? If you're building a business, visualize making those cold calls and hearing no. Visualize staying home on Saturday night while your friends are out, because you're putting in the work. Visualize your first course failing. When you train your mind and nervous system for the actual hard work, you're not blindsided when it shows up. You've already mentally pushed through it. You're building resilience like a muscle, preparing your body so you're not resistant when difficulty comes. That's how you actually do the work instead of just dreaming about the results.Sign up for the Greatness newsletter: http://www.greatness.com/newsletter Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Picture this: the gods have come and gone, dynasties have risen and face-planted, cities have popped up and crumbled, tourists have come, posed, and posted a million thirst traps on Instagram… but the Sphinx is still just sitting there like, “Yeah, I'll wait.”Today we're heading to Giza to talk about the world's most famous stone cat with a people head: the Great Sphinx of Egypt. It's massive, it's mysterious, it's eroding faster than our faith in humanity, and it sits at the crossroads of legit science, wild speculation, and whatever the hell Edgar Cayce was doing.We're going to walk through what the Sphinx actually is, what we think we know about its history, how old it might be, why people keep insisting there's a secret Atlantean library under its paws, what modern tech like ground-penetrating radar and fancy satellite scans are actually showing under the Giza plateau, and why so many folks see Dr. Zahi Hawass as the final boss of “Nothing To See Here, Move Along.”Strap on the sunscreen, adjust your tinfoil nemes, and get ready for Hysteria 51.Special thanks to this week's research sources:Main References Mentioned in the EpisodeLehner, Mark.The Complete Pyramids: Solving the Ancient Mysteries.London: Thames & Hudson, 1997.Hawass, Zahi.The Secrets of the Sphinx: Restoration Past and Present.Cairo: American University in Cairo Press, 1998.Jordan, Paul.Riddles of the Sphinx.New York: New York University Press, 1998.Gauri, K. Lal, John J. Sinai, and Jayanta K. Bandyopadhyay.“Geologic Weathering and Its Implications on the Age of the Sphinx.”Geoarchaeology 10, no. 2 (1995): 119–133.Schoch, Robert M.Voices of the Rocks: A Scientist Looks at Catastrophes and Ancient Civilizations.New York: Harmony Books, 1999.Reader, Colin.“A Geomorphological Study of the Giza Necropolis, with Implications for the Development of the Site.”Archaeometry 43, no. 1 (2001): 149–159.Sharafeldin, S. M., K. S. Essa, M. A. S. Youssef, H. Karsli, Z. E. Diab, and N. Sayil.“Shallow Geophysical Techniques to Investigate the Groundwater Table at the Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt.”Geoscientific Instrumentation, Methods and Data Systems 8 (2019): 29–43.https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-8-29-2019Biondi, Filippo, and Corrado Malanga.“Synthetic Aperture Radar Doppler Tomography Reveals Details of Undiscovered High-Resolution Internal Structure of the Great Pyramid of Giza.”Remote Sensing 14, no. 20 (2022): 5231.https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14205231Hancock, Graham, and Robert Bauval.The Message of the Sphinx: A Quest for the Hidden Legacy of Mankind.New York: Crown, 1996.Cayce, Edgar Evans, and Edgar Cayce.Edgar Cayce on Atlantis.New York: Hawthorn Books, 1968.Geology, Weathering & Age of the SphinxGauri, K. Lal.“Geologic Study of the Sphinx.”Newsletter of the American Research Center in Egypt 127 (1984): 24–43.Gauri, K. Lal.“Geologic Features and the Durability of Limestone at the Sphinx.”Environmental Geology and Water Science 16 (1990): 57–62.Chowdhury, A. N., A. R. Punuru, and K. L. Gauri.“Weathering of Limestone Beds at the Great Sphinx.”Environmental Geology and Water Science 15 (1990): 217–223.Harrell, James A.“The Sphinx Controversy: Another Look at the Geological Evidence.”KMT: A Modern Journal of Ancient Egypt 5, no. 3 (1994): 70–74.Matthusen, August.“A Rebuttal to Robert Schoch on the Weathering of the Great Sphinx.”(Online article, catchpenny.org, c. 1999.)Harrell, James A.“Comments on the Geological Evidence for the Sphinx's Age.”(Online article, Hall of Ma'at, 2000s.)Liritzis, Ioannis, and Asimina Vafiadou.“Surface Luminescence Dating of Some Egyptian Monuments.”Journal of Cultural Heritage 16, no. 2 (2015): 134–150.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2014.05.007Geophysics, Groundwater & Subsurface ScansSharafeldin, S. M., et al.“Shallow Geophysical Techniques to Investigate the Groundwater Table at the Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt.”Geoscientific Instrumentation, Methods and Data Systems 8 (2019): 29–43.Sato, Motoyuki, et al.“GPR and ERT Exploration in the Western Cemetery in Giza, Egypt.”Archaeological Prospection (2024).(Ground-penetrating radar and electrical resistivity tomography survey west of the pyramids.)Biondi, Filippo, and Corrado Malanga.“Synthetic Aperture Radar Doppler Tomography…” (as above).(Satellite SAR micro-motion tomography on Khufu's pyramid.)Lehner, Mark.“ARCE Sphinx Project 1979–1983 Archive.”American Research Center in Egypt / OpenContext.(Field notes and geological collaboration with K. Lal Gauri and T. Aigner.)Alternative Chronologies, Orion / Leo & “As Above, So Below”West, John Anthony.Serpent in the Sky: The High Wisdom of Ancient Egypt.Wheaton, IL: Quest Books, 1993 (rev. ed.).Schoch, Robert M., and Robert Bauval.Origins of the Sphinx: Celestial Guardian of Pre-Pharaonic Civilization.Rochester, VT: Inner Traditions, 2017.Bauval, Robert, and Adrian Gilbert.The Orion Mystery: Unlocking the Secrets of the Pyramids.New York: Crown, 1994.Hancock, Graham, and Robert Bauval.The Message of the Sphinx (as above).Esoteric, Hall of Records & Atlantis MaterialCayce, Edgar Evans, and Edgar Cayce.Edgar Cayce on Atlantis.New York: Hawthorn Books, 1968.Todeschi, Kevin J.Edgar Cayce on the Akashic Records: The Book of Life.Virginia Beach: A.R.E. Press, 1998.Todeschi, Kevin J.Edgar Cayce's Atlantis.Charlottesville, VA: 4th Dimension Press, 2014.Blavatsky, Helena P.The Secret Doctrine: The Synthesis of Science, Religion, and Philosophy.London: Theosophical Publishing Company, 1888.Lewis, Harvey Spencer.Rosicrucian monographs and AMORC publications on hidden chambers at Giza (early 20th century).Zahi Hawass, Antiquities Politics & ControversiesHawass, Zahi.The Secrets of the Sphinx (as above).Murphy, Kim.“Getty Institute Probes Riddle of the Deteriorating Sphinx.”Los Angeles Times, May 16, 1990.Borger, Julian.“The Fall of Zahi Hawass.”Smithsonian Magazine, July 17, 2011.“Zahi Hawass Fired.”The History Blog, July 18, 2011.“History Catches Up to Famous Egyptologist Zahi Hawass.”The World (PRI), August 1, 2016.Egyptomania & Cultural ContextFritze, Ronald H.Egyptomania: A History of Fascination, Obsession and Fantasy.London: Reaktion Books, 2016.Email us your favorite WEIRD news stories:weird@hysteria51.comSupport the ShowGet exclusive content & perks as well as an ad and sponsor free experience at https://www.patreon.com/Hysteria51 from just $1ShopBe the Best Dressed at your Cult Meeting!https://www.teepublic.com/stores/hysteria51?ref_id=9022See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Picture this: you're navigating the lively streets of Rome, reflecting on the friendships, quirks, and unexpected encounters that have colored our travels and conversations over the years. From memorable moments abroad to the stories that marked our earliest episodes, we trace the path that brought us to our podcast's 10-year milestone and the approach of our 400th show. It's a whirlwind of anecdotes, insights, and nostalgia for how it all began. Amid the laughter, we turn to the heart of Italian American life with co-hosts John Viola, Patrick O'Boyle, and Dolores Alfieri Taranto. Our unscripted conversations span family traditions, the quest for the perfect rum cake, and the small but meaningful rituals that keep cultural identity alive. From humorous community stories to reflections on media portrayals, we explore how Italian American heritage continues to evolve while staying rooted in what matters most. Whether you love the bustle of dinner dances or prefer quiet nights at home, there's something here for every listener charting their own path through a changing cultural landscape. From unexpected anniversary interruptions to the deep gratitude we feel for the bonds forged along the way, this episode becomes a celebration of resilience, humor, and shared experience. We revisit family dynamics, societal observations, and a fair share of comedic mishaps, marveling at the journey that carried us to this moment. As we toast to a decade of podcasting, we offer heartfelt thanks to our listeners and the vibrant community that continues to grow with us—proof that the adventure is far from over.   HOSTS: John M. Viola Patrick O'Boyle Dolores Alfieri Taranto   PRODUCER: Nicholas Calvello-Macchia   DOLORES SOCIALS: Instagram: @dolores_alfieri_taranto

Neko the cat joins Magenta & Bernard for a special, calm, soothing instalment of the show. Picture a waterfall... WATCH THE NEXT LIVESTREAM ON YOUTUBE - 7 DEC DONATE HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Picture masked figures appearing at your door on a dark winter's evening, their faces hidden behind soot and disguise, ready to perform ancient rituals of death and resurrection. This is mumming, a tradition stretching back centuries. From medieval Europe to its journey across the Atlantic to its dramatic transformation in modern Philadelphia, this episode brings you the story of Christmas mumming and how folk traditions are constantly remade.Researched, written, and produced by Corinne Wieben with original music by Purple Planet.Episode sourcesSupport the showEnchantedPodcast.netBluesky/enchantedpodcast.net

There has been a lot happening around Donald Trump's time in court, so let's jump straight into the action from the listener's point of view, with an eye on the last several days and the broader arc those days fit into.Picture walking into a courthouse where a former president, now again President Donald Trump, is not just a political figure but a criminal and civil defendant in multiple jurisdictions. In New York, listeners have watched Trump fight civil claims over the way his business valued properties and represented its finances, a saga that has turned routine numbers on balance sheets into front-page drama. Judges there have heard testimony about Trump Organization practices, property valuations, and internal emails, all while Trump alternates between sitting stone-faced in court and stepping outside to attack prosecutors and judges in front of cameras. In those hallways, reporters cluster around, noting every word as Trump calls the cases witch hunts and insists that the real verdict will come from voters, not juries.At the same time, federal criminal cases have loomed in the background, especially those tied to efforts to overturn the 2020 election and Trump's conduct around January 6 at the United States Capitol. Listeners have heard references to sprawling indictments that describe fake electors, pressure campaigns on state officials, and efforts to use the machinery of government to cling to power. In those cases, the legal fight in recent days has often been less about witnesses on the stand and more about high‑stakes motions: Trump's lawyers arguing that a president should enjoy broad immunity for acts in office, and prosecutors countering that no one, not even a president, is above the law. Judges have been pressed to decide whether Trump's status as a current president changes how quickly these trials should move or how far immunity should stretch over his past conduct.Layered on top of that are cases over classified documents found at Mar‑a‑Lago, where federal prosecutors have claimed Trump mishandled national security secrets and obstructed efforts to retrieve them. In hearings linked to that prosecution, lawyers have clashed over how sensitive evidence is handled, whether the government is overreaching, and whether the case can realistically be brought to trial while Secret Service details, political schedules, and national security clearances all hover over every practical decision. Listeners are reminded again and again that the same man at the defense table is commanding federal agencies from the Oval Office.Recent days have also kept attention on the political and legal collision course these trials represent. Court calendars have brushed up against campaign rallies and official events, raising the question of whether judges should delay proceedings to avoid interfering with a sitting president's duties, or whether delay would itself be a kind of special treatment no other defendant would receive. Prosecutors have argued that justice delayed is justice denied, while Trump's team has claimed that rushing to trial would amount to election interference by other means. Outside the courthouses, supporters shout that the system is rigged, while critics insist that accountability is finally catching up with decades of behavior.All of this has turned the courts into a kind of second campaign trail, one paved with subpoenas instead of yard signs. Listeners have watched as familiar names—prosecutors, former aides, state attorneys general, and federal judges—become recurring characters in an unfolding story about power, responsibility, and consequence. Every filing, every ruling, and every brief hearing becomes another data point in the question that hangs over all of this: can the United States legal system put a sitting president to the test in the same way it would any other citizen.Thanks for tuning in and staying with this unfolding story of Donald Trump's trials in America's courts. Come back next week for more as these cases develop and new chapters are written in real time. This has been a Quiet Please production, and for more, check out QuietPlease dot A I.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.aiThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Send us a textJoin Drake and Marie as they explore how to write interiority using a 12 layer model. We go over everything from showing, to telling, to worldview and more! Writer's room (50% off for lifetime membership): https://writersroom.mn.co/plans/338439?bundle_token=196fd3965307a65eee0d1bf2bc6fa5a6&utm_source=manualMembership for Just In Time Worlds: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxvBH0EkwuHsQ9ryHHQNi2Q/joinGive us feedback at releasingyourinnerdragon(at)gmail(dot)comDiscord: https://discord.gg/vMrmBsF5fhMagicfall: http://magicfallnovel.com/ReleasingYourInnerDragon@gmail.comDrake's Contact Details:Starving Writer Studio: https://www.starvingwriterstudio.com/Drake-U: https://class.drakeu.com/  - Use RYID25 for 25% off!Writer's Room: https://writersroom.mn.co/Marie's contact details:Books: https://mariemullany.com/booksJust In Time Worlds: https://www.youtube.com/c/JustInTimeWorlds?sub_confirmation=1

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In this story a man is cought in a storm and finds what looks like an abandon house. However the house is not what it appears to be. Read by Robert Crandall. Any reproduction of Robert Crandall's voice for any reason including AI is prohibited. Thank you for listening.

The latest wave of delayed government data is finally in, and it's helping the CRE community reestablish a clearer view of the economy heading into 2026. Join Omar and Cole as they interpret new banking, retail, PPI, and sentiment indicators, translating them into implications for capital availability, demand, and development pipelines. Key Moments:01:12 Quarterly Banking Profile insights05:49 Commercial real estate lending trends10:36 Retail sales and economic indicators13:02 Producer Price Index analysis15:07 Federal Reserve's Beige Book highlights22:42 Consumer Confidence and GDP Nowcast28:11 Upcoming data releases and final thoughts Resources Mentioned:FDIC Quarterly Banking Profile - https://www.fdic.gov/quarterly-banking-profileUS Bureau of Labor and Statistics Producer Price Index - https://www.bls.gov/pPI/US Census Bureau Advance Retail Trade Report - https://www.census.gov/retail/sales.htmlFederal Reserve Beige Book - https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/publications/beige-book-default.htmThe Conference Board US Consumer Confidence Index - https://www.conference-board.org/topics/consumer-confidence/index.cfmGDP Now - https://www.atlantafed.org/cqer/research/gdpnowUS Commercial Real Estate Transaction Analysis – Q3 2025 - https://www.altusgroup.com/insights/us-commercial-real-estate-transaction-analysis-q3-2025Email us: altusresearch@altusgroup.comThanks for listening to the “CRE Exchange” podcast, powered by Altus Group. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review to help get the word out about the show. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss another insightful conversation.#CRE #CommercialRealEstate #Property

Friend of the podcast Thomas Gleaton of The Trojan Wall is back to discuss where we think each Sun Belt team is going for Bowl Season. Follow The Trojan Wall on X!:https://x.com/trojanwallf5Visit the Trojan Wall Website!:https://thetrojanwall.comFollow Thomas on X!:https://x.com/thomasjgleaton

Discover how Kate Wik, CMO of Las Vegas, drives bold innovation and storytelling to transform the city into a global destination brand. Episode TranscriptPlease note, this transcript  may contain minor inconsistencies compared to the episode audio. Damian Fowler (00:00):I'm Damian Fowler.Ilyse Liffreing (00:01):And I'm Ilyse Liffreing.Damian Fowler (00:02):And welcome to this edition of The Big Impression.Ilyse Liffreing (00:09):Today we're joined by Kate Wik, chief Marketing Officer at the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. The team behind the city's newest brand campaign, which launched in September,Damian Fowler (00:20):Las Vegas, is known around the world for its energy, its entertainment, and its edge. But this ladies' campaign takes a closer look at what the city means today beyond the casinos and into its growing identity as a cultural and sports destination.Ilyse Liffreing (00:34):We'll talk with Kate about the ideas behind the campaign, how Vegas is connecting with new audiences, and what it takes to evolve one of the most recognizable brands in the world. Q,Damian Fowler (00:45):Frank Sinatra. It's okay. You have an unusual role in that you represent a city as an iconic one, but could you tell us about the role?Kate Wik (00:56):That's exactly right. So I work for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Nobody knows what that is or what that means. So really, I shorthand it and I say I am the CMO of four Las Vegas. Las Vegas is my product, which is very unique. It is a city, it's a destination. It's unbelievably dynamic. And what's so unique and thrilling for a CMO of Las Vegas is that our product is always changing, always evolving. If you think back, we were known as the gaming destination. We've evolved into, we're the number one hospitality destination in the US with more hotel rooms than any other destination. And we are the entertainment capital of the world. You've got the world's best artists coming and performing on stages across destination every single night. And we've worked really hard to evolve ourselves into the sports destination as well through a lot of recent things. So really the exciting thing for me in this role is no one day is ever the same. Our product is constantly iterating and evolving, and that is a marketer's dream come true.Damian Fowler (02:10):Just on that point about the evolution of the city and the perception of it, how fast has that happened in the last, say, five, 10 years?Kate Wik (02:20):Yeah, absolutely. Incredibly fast. And so today we are known as the sports and entertainment capital of the world, but less than 10 years ago, we did not have any sports teams. Yes, sports has kind of always been in our DNA. We'd host major boxing matches in the eighties, NFR we've had for decades. NBA, we hosted their in-season tournament, NBA Summer League, but really it was through infrastructure development that really led to the explosion of sports today. So what I mean by that is we had T-Mobile Arena, which was a joint venture between MGM resorts and a EG that enabled NHL to come to town with the Vegas Golden Knights in 20 17, 20 18, we purchased the WNBA team, which we renamed the Las Vegas ACEs. And so now we've got A-W-N-B-A team. And then in 2020, of course with Allegiant Stadium, we welcome the Raiders. And so now we've got the Las Vegas Raiders, and we are, so actually in four years, we went from having zero professional sports teams to having three, and we're actively working to bring our fourth to town, which is the major league baseball. We're welcoming the Las Vegas a,Damian Fowler (03:34):Not to mention Formula One.Kate Wik (03:36):Yes, exactly. And Formula One now an annual event on our calendar. So it's a lot. It's a lot. And it creates new reasons to come to Las Vegas for our visitors. And what we found through research actually, is that the sports traveler, number one, we know sports tourism has just exploded the sports traveler. Through our research, we found that it creates a new reason to come to Las Vegas for those that haven't been here before. It creates a reason to explore the destination, see it, consider it, and then ultimately come. And then most importantly, we find that they spend more money than the average leisure traveler. So it's a really rich new audience for Las Vegas. And F1 has definitely exploded that for us too.Ilyse Liffreing (04:24):Do you know by just how much more do they spend?Kate Wik (04:27):It's usually anywhere from 500 to 800 more per trip.Ilyse Liffreing (04:31):Wow, that's a lot. And the rest on gambling,Kate Wik (04:36):AnythingIlyse Liffreing (04:36):Extra? It'sKate Wik (04:37):Funny. Gambling hasn't been, revenue from gaming hasn't been the primary source of how consumers are spending their budget while they're in town. Hasn't been that for over a decade.Ilyse Liffreing (04:51):AndKate Wik (04:51):I think it speaks to the diversification of the experience in Las Vegas. And when I say we're the entertainment capital of the world, we absolutely are. People come here to see shows, to see comedians, to experience not just like a touring show, but unbelievable residencies where our property resorts will build these amazing theaters where Lady Gaga performs, Bruno Mars performs, Adele performs, they'll create these residencies, which is unlike nowhere else in the US or world.Damian Fowler (05:26):I mean, I've been aware of that. I mean, obviously it goes right back to the Rat Pack, but more recently, like Sting had a residency there. I've been aware, IKate Wik (05:34):Just saw Backstreet Boys at the Spear, which was probably mind blowing, which was mind blowing. That's a whole nother level to the entertainment experience where it's just completely immersive that has changed the game for live music.Damian Fowler (05:48):The perception of Vegas has changed or is changing, and maybe that teases up to talk a little bit now about the new brand campaign and why this is the right moment to do it.Kate Wik (06:00):Yeah, absolutely. So we just launched a new campaign September of this year, so just a couple of weeks ago really. And the intent behind it is this notion that there are so many different reasons to come to Vegas, but there are also so many different vacation options. What we wanted to do was break through the noise and make sure that people understood that Vegas is the ultimate destination regardless of the experience you're looking for. We have it all, the breadth and depth that exists within our destination iss, it's uncomparable to any other destination. So we needed to get out there and get that message out there in big form. And why now what we found was through a lack of big brand messaging over the summer, we actually took a hit with a lot of negative headlines. And so we needed to get in front of that. And I think one of the big takeaways for marketers out there is that if you're not actively talking about your brand day in and day out, you create room for others to create their own narrative. And so after we launched the campaign, it's been about a month in market, we've seen a lot of that negativity drop because now everybody's covering, oh, here's the new elements, here are the new promotions they're doing, here are the new experiences that you can find. So it's really about driving the narrative that you want for your brand.Ilyse Liffreing (07:29):Very cool. And could you tell us a little bit about the campaign itself, maybe the creative, and then what channels are you leaning into?Kate Wik (07:36):Yeah, absolutely. In looking at how we were going to develop the work around this new brand campaign, what we wanted first and foremost was to be really authentic about Las Vegas and be very unique to a message that only Las Vegas can deliver. And so we took inspiration from our iconic welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign. So it's the sign that exists literally on Las Vegas Boulevard as you drive into town. And that sign, it's 65 years old today, but it is more iconic. And the awareness on that is it puts it as one of the highest elements assets within our portfolio. So you think Las Vegas, you think of Bellagio, you think of Wynn, even Luxor or all these amazing resorts. When we show that sign, the amount of awareness of what that is and where it is and what it's for just exceeds every other asset that we have out there. So we took inspiration from that. We took the neon, the lights, the really, the notion of setting the example of fabulous Las Vegas. That's the experience that our visitors can come to expect when they come to Las Vegas. So it truly has been our brand promise for over 65 years. So that's the inspiration behind the campaign.Damian Fowler (08:57):Yeah, I can see that sign now.Ilyse Liffreing (08:59):Yes,Kate Wik (08:59):That's right.Ilyse Liffreing (09:00):Yeah, that's right. Do you have a sense of the audience that you're trying to reach and through, I guess, which channels are you trying to reach them?Kate Wik (09:10):Yeah, so we have a really diverse audience set, which is very unique for a marketer, which usually has a single product or they've got a very specific audience for that product. Vegas is really the 21 and older adult playground. And so if you look at just an average audience, it's like a 45-year-old split, 50 50 male, female, et cetera. But what we offer is an unbelievable unbeatable experience at every single price point. So we absolutely cater to that high-end luxury market, that luxury traveler, all the way down to the entry level budget conscious traveler. And so we've got products from a circus circus all the way up to a win Las Vegas. And so for us, our audience is very broad, but generally it's adult travelers, people that have traveled in the past year looking to travel again,Ilyse Liffreing (10:11):We just had Marriott on the podcast and we were talking about how more travelers now are singles and single people. And I would think that might be particularly true for Vegas. For some reason, people are coming for a new experience and to get away.Kate Wik (10:28):I think that's exactly right. Not necessarily single travelers, but the idea of it's a getaway, it's a new experience. What we find from our visitors is number one, it's really high repeat visitation because every time they come, they're finding something new. So we usually get at least 80% repeat visitation from our visitors and really high satisfaction rate, but it's that mindset of wanting to try something new. For sure. Yeah.Damian Fowler (10:56):One thing that just occurs to me as we are talking is how the awareness of Las Vegas has been so kind of embodied in so many movies and TV shows. I was just thinking, I watched the studio recently, the Seth RoganKate Wik (11:09):Show,Damian Fowler (11:09):Which I think that has a combination in Vegas whileKate Wik (11:12):I actually haven't seen it yet. So no spoilers on my list.Damian Fowler (11:16):I mean, I was thinking about Oceans 11, you can go back and back. I have to see it. But that is all kind of part of the kind of braided cultural iconography as it were of the city, I guess.Kate Wik (11:27):Yeah, I think movies represent, you almost have to think of it as a channel for marketing. It represents an amazing opportunity to penetrate culture, reach new audiences that you wouldn't normally get to talk to. And so we have a history of iconic movies. Actually this past summer, you might've seen it, but the F1 movie, that was a partnership that we did with them to make sure that they filmed in Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Grand Prix circuit. That was really important. But again, reaching new audiences, keeping us sort of at the pinnacle and sort of leading culture. Also really awesome to have Brad Pitt lead in that. I'm not going to lie. That was pretty awesome. But a ton of movies. And it's kind of interesting to think of it as almost like a marketing channel, not a traditionalIlyse Liffreing (12:17):One, but yes. Yeah, like free marketing too sometimes, because a lot of things are based in Vegas,Kate Wik (12:22):Right? On the marketing channel front, I know you had sort of asked about how do we launch the campaign, and it was very much an integrated multi-channel approach. We did everything from brand marketing, product marketing, I call it value, but it's really promotional as well as experiential. So of course, from a brand marketing point of view, TV or movies are wonderful, but there's also tv. And we launched the campaign actually with NFL kickoff, so September 4th. We know that when people tune into tv, they're tuning in really into an NFL game. That's where the most eyeballs are at any single time. So from a marketing point of view, it's great return on your investment there. So we launched with a 62nd ad on September 4th on kickoff, but really it was about making sure that this is not just a TV campaign, but it's a platform that reaches the consumer at every different touch point throughout their travel journey or through their daily life.(13:27):And so we maximized the viewership by making sure that, yes, we had a TV spot, but we partnered with the Raiders to actually take over the tunnel walk. And so when players arrive at the stadium, any stadium across the us, it's usually sort of this gray back of house space. And what we did was we installed neon all over the wall as the backdrop. And so it gave our players the sense of pride as they're walking in where they see this huge fabulous Las Vegas neon sign, and then they get a bit of a swagger. And then we partnered with GQ to cover sort of the fit that the players are wearing because that's a whole thing, this sort of new cultural moment where you've got the intersection of professional sports and these athletes in fashion. And so GQ wants to cover that. And so now the backdrop for all of this is the fabulous Las Vegas neon sign that we installed.(14:22):And so then CVS and ESPN want to cover it because they're like, oh, what's going on with the Vegas tunnel walk? And so every time Vegas shows up, we want to make sure that we're sort of breaking through the clutter. We're doing something very unique, bold and different, and whatever we do, it's sort of Vegas worthy. So I guess another channel is outdoor. We don't just buy outdoor. We worked with media partners to find these super high impact spectacular units that just command attention. So around the corner, in Times Square, we have this huge 3D board where you've got a 3D view of the iconic welcome to Las Vegas sign that rotates and dice come out, chips come out, an F1 race car comes out, right? It's a showstopper. And when you walk into Times Square, you see people taking pictures of advertising and that blows your mind.(15:21):And then on the other side of the country, we've got an actual neon installation on Sunset Boulevard. So we took, quite frankly, one of the ideas behind the campaign is let's take the neon and export it. Let's take our Neon National. And so we've got these big neon relics all across the us and so this one on Sunset Boulevard is spectacular. And then you walk across any of our resorts in Las Vegas and you see our Neon Signs Launch week. We took over all of our, well in our top 10 markets, we took over our digital outdoor boards and we had a roadblock for the whole week of launch. So just doing these big spectacular moments to capture the attention of our viewers. Wow,Damian Fowler (16:08):That's a lot that you're doing a tremendous amount, but on the other side of it, how are you kind of measuring and tracking all of these moments that you've created?Kate Wik (16:18):Yeah, I think measurement is incredibly important for any brand. We are actually consistently in market every single week with a research tracker, a brand health tracker. We've been doing it for decades. Making sure that we're keeping a finger on the pulse of our consumer is really important to us. So before we launched the campaign, obviously we tested it to see, number one, does it break through? Does it resonate? Does it deliver on the message of escape? Does it make people want to go to Las Vegas? It actually tested stronger than any other campaign that we've tested, and we test all of our campaigns. So that was pretty exciting. And then post-launch, again, we're in the market every single week. We found that we continue to uptick in terms of likability of the campaign, the campaign that makes you want to travel to Las Vegas. Those metrics are really important to us, intent to travel, and so it's continued to climb every single week since we've been in market. That's really strong. I think outside of traditional campaign testing, something that we consistently do is social listening, and so understanding what the current conversation is on social, I had mentioned this summer was a little bit rough. There was a lot of negativity out there for us. What we found was we had peaked in terms of negativity online in, gosh, in August. We launched Campaign in September, and that number has dramatically reduced, which is fantastic. It goes back to this point of you have to constantly be talking and driving your own narrative.(18:01):Otherwise if there's a void, others are going to fill it for you. That's was aIlyse Liffreing (18:05):Quick turnaround time too fromKate Wik (18:07):InIlyse Liffreing (18:07):August to launching inKate Wik (18:08):September. Absolutely. So a couple weeks. So I would say early August was peak and then Campaign formally launched September 4th, but working with our property partners to seed components of the campaign before, that was a big part of it as well. And then I think a very tactical measurement is we launched actually the first ever destination wide sale, so we called it the Fabulous Five Day Sale. Our campaign is Welcome to Fabulous, so fabulous five day sale. We wanted to make sure that we were putting a spotlight on the value that exists across the destination. And what we found was we drove four times the amount of website volume that we normally do to visit las vegas.com and that we actually were driving more referrals, so people were coming in to see what these deals were, what the sale was, this first ever limited sale, and then the traffic, the referral traffic that we were sending out to the booking engines of each of our property partners. That was 120 times the normal weekly average that we have in terms of, oh my gosh, yeah, referral, wait. So really unbelievable. It was kind of mind blowing for us in terms of the results of that. Nice.Ilyse Liffreing (19:28):And what was the reception from businesses in Las Vegas too, because that involved all of them?Kate Wik (19:34):Absolutely. Yeah. We don't launch a campaign without the support of our property partners. The reception was fabulous to use a cliche, incredibly fabulous. They leaned into it, you'll see part of the campaign. We created these neon elements and literally handed over this toolkit to our property partners so they can push out on all of their digital signage, on all of their marketing elements, sort of reflections of the campaign work as well and tie into it.Damian Fowler (20:05):Great. Just out of curiosity, is the campaign driven from the ground up by businesses or does it come top down as it were, from what your office, what's the kind of interaction?Kate Wik (20:19):Yeah. Well, the interaction is we are the DMO, the destination marketing organization for Las Vegas. So what we do is we work closely with our property partners to understand what's the business needs, what are the trends they're seeing. We do research and provide them top level trends, and then we work with them on what do we need the advertising to accomplish, and then we develop the campaigns. We're funded by them. We're actually funded by a room tax, which is paid by our visitors. And so there is complete coordination with our property partners, and we really do all of the upper funnel marketing for them. That's kind of the role we play for them.Damian Fowler (21:00):Interesting. Yeah. Yeah. I want to ask you, actually, I guess this is a big picture question. Are there other big cities that kind of have similar outreach or similar marketing campaigns, or are you unique in lots of ways?Kate Wik (21:15):I think the big destinations like New York, la, they will have a tourism authority within their destination that we'll do it for them. I think what's unique about Las Vegas is how we're funded. Again, it is through this room tax. And so generally, I'm not out there every day trying to drum up membership funds or anything. Our job is to go market the destination 365 days a year. That is why we exist. And so I think other destinations have something similar, but not quite the structure or the support behind it. And I think what is unique for Las Vegas is tourism is the number one economic driver for southern Nevada, and so we're the engine behind that. We have to make sure we're continuing to fuel that. Tourism represents 55 million or 55 billion, excuse me, in direct economic impact. That's visitors coming, spending fueling the local economy. And so the role we play matters. The advertising that we do matters because it fuels the entire ecosystem and the economic climate for Southern Nevada. Wow.Damian Fowler (22:33):Another quick question, follow up question there because you keep making me think of things. You have a lot of international visitors. Do you have a sense of where the majority of them are comingKate Wik (22:42):From? Yeah. Yeah. So international visitors are really important to us. Interesting. Canada's typically is our number one market. We have seen a decrease this year from our Canadian visitors. That's true for the US overall. We love our neighbors to the north and we welcome them back. But Canada is generally number one. Mexico is number two. Mexico is still going strong. They've actually seen growth year over year. UK is our number three market. We love our UK visitors and our partnership with F1 continues to grow that, which is phenomenal. And then interesting, our fourth market is actually Australia, and we don't have a direct flight there today, but it's an easy stopover from la. But the Australians and the Aussies, they love coming to Las Vegas. Great cultural alignment, but in general, we love all of our international visitors, and it's about anywhere from 10 to 15% of our overall visitor mix,Damian Fowler (23:46):So Cool.Ilyse Liffreing (23:47):Well, so along with just how many changes Las Vegas has seen, how would you, I guess, describe the expectations around hospitality and how that has changed over the years?Kate Wik (23:59):Gosh, hospitality, not unlike marketing, it's really fueled by tech innovation. Everything from keyless check-in, you can check in on your phone, you can use your phone as your key. All of these things have been unbelievable accelerants to a great experience, but that's across the board in every city, across the world. Technology has fueled that. I think what's unique for Las Vegas is actually doubling down on the core of who we are. And that's about service, and that's about kind of going back to the brand promise of the campaign where the welcome to fabulous Las Vegas isn't just a sign. It is the brand promise of the experience you're going to have here. And before we launched the campaign, we actually went around to all the CEOs and all the presidents of all our resort property partners to say and to remind them, we're going to launch this campaign, we're going to go back to the roots of Las Vegas. And the roots of that is hospitality, and it's about making every individual feel like somebody special that is so uniquely Las Vegas. You can walk into a circus, circus, an Excalibur, and have this mind blowing unbelievable experience. You could also walk into a Bellagio, an aria, a fountain blue, and have a mind blowing unbelievable experience. It's not based on your economic value or your financial worth. It's based on who you are as a visitor coming. We're going to deliver that unbelievable experience, and that is service related, hospitality related for us.Ilyse Liffreing (25:39):Very cool. So what's next then? How are you planning to build on the success?Kate Wik (25:44):I think for us, welcome to Fabulous is not just like an A Flash in the Pan ad campaign. What we intended to do was create a marketing platform that will just stand the test of time that will continue to iterate off of it. We have three big announcements, not yet announced, but still coming out later this year that just continue to build on this platform. So it's a platform for us as the DMO, but it's also a platform for our property partners to continue to iterate because it is so unique to us.Damian Fowler (26:20):Now we've got some kind of quickfire questions now we've looked at that bigKate Wik (26:24):Picture.Damian Fowler (26:25):What are you obsessed with figuring out right now?Kate Wik (26:29):I am obsessed with figuring out how you hack the social algorithms. And I think what's super interesting is something that can go viral that isn't necessarily representative of the brand or the experience that you have. And so really making sure that for us, it's fueling a ton of content out there to make sure that we're dominating what that narrative is. And that's not just from brand voice, it's influencers or whatever, but that social algorithms I think is really important forDamian Fowler (27:05):Brands. Yeah, absolutely. I would love to figure that out too. It seems like a kind of a magic unlock.Ilyse Liffreing (27:11):Yes. Right.Damian Fowler (27:14):Okay.Ilyse Liffreing (27:15):This year you are included on the Forbes list of 50 Fierce Global leaders.Kate Wik (27:20):Yes.Ilyse Liffreing (27:20):Congratulations. Thank you. What is one piece of wisdom you'd pass on to other marketers?Kate Wik (27:27):Oh gosh. Constant learning, constant iteration. Nothing is ever done, right? You put something out in the world, there's always a chance to continue to iterate and learn and get feedback and continue to push it further. Yeah.Damian Fowler (27:44):Another is ai, a marketer's friend.Kate Wik (27:46):Yeah, absolutely. But actually, let's be careful with that. It's a friend, but it's like a starting point, right? I think using it as information, as research, as sort of an input but not a final output is really important.Damian Fowler (28:01):I like that. That distinction is important.Ilyse Liffreing (28:03):One last fun one for you, maybe outside of the Brad Pitt movie from the summer. What's your favorite movie set in LasKate Wik (28:12):Vegas? Oh, gosh. I love Oceans 11. I mean, how can you not? I mean, it's still Brad Pitt, butDamian Fowler (28:20):Oh, yeah.Kate Wik (28:20):But it's an icon. He can be at anything, everything.Ilyse Liffreing (28:27):And that'sDamian Fowler (28:27):It for this edition of The Big Impression.Ilyse Liffreing (28:29):This show is produced by Molten Hart. Our theme is by Love and caliber, and our associate producer is Sydney Cairns.Damian Fowler (28:36):And remember,Kate Wik (28:37):If you're not actively talking about your brand day in and day out, you create room for others to create their own narrative.Damian Fowler (28:45):I'm Damian, and I'm Ilyse, and we'll see you next time. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It is the best way to start your NFL Sunday! Join Matt Watson and the Sunday Morning Slants crew as they break down all things NFL. X/Twitter: @MattWatsonMedia @MasonGreene01 @KyleFennimore @LukeHarker @Pkell22 @EthanRappleye

Championship Weekend is here, and the stakes couldn't be higher. On this episode of All 4 Downs, we break down the current College Football Playoff picture heading into the conference title games. Who controls their destiny? Which teams are on upset alert? And if chaos erupts, will the most deserving teams still make the field?We dive into all the biggest “what if” scenarios, debate brand power vs. résumé wins, and discuss whether this year's drama will once again fuel the playoff expansion conversation. This is where legacies are made, seasons are defined, and heartbreak is guaranteed.Strap in—Championship Weekend always delivers.   #All4Downs #CollegeFootball #CFP #CFPPlayoff #ChampionshipWeekend #ConferenceChampionships #SEC #BigTen #ACC #Big12 #CollegeFootballTalk #PlayoffDebate #CFPChaos #DeservingVsBest #FootballPodcast 

Welcome to episode 539 of the Outdoor Adventure Lifestyle Podcast. Today, on this replay episode, I'm talking with Casey Hanisko. Casey is a distinguished leader in adventure travel. She's the former President of the Adventure Travel Trade Association and an executive coach helping tourism leaders navigate change. Recognized among the "50 Most Important Women in Travel," she shares her expertise through media, speaking engagements, and her "Leading Naturally" newsletter. Show Notes Casey Hanisko Linkedin Guest Focus Instagram Adventure Travel Trade Association The Leap That Terrified Me More Than Any Business Decision (And What It Taught Me About Leadership) Ever stood at the edge of something terrifying—knowing the only way forward is to leap, but every cell in your body is screaming, Nope? That was me on a canyon swing in Interlaken. Spoiler: I needed a push. You think making high-stakes decisions in business is tough? Try standing on the edge of a 300-foot drop, debating whether plummeting into the abyss is a good idea. There's a moment in adventure—and in leadership—where hesitation creeps in. Your palms sweat. Your mind races. And sometimes, you need someone to give you that push. What Happened: I'd like to think I'm pretty fearless. I've hiked, biked, and paddled my way through some of the world's most stunning (and challenging) landscapes. But nothing—not rock climbing, not waterfall jumping, not even running a business—prepared me for the sheer terror of standing on the edge of a canyon swing in Interlaken. Picture this: I'm perched on the platform, strapped in, heart pounding. My entire executive team—yes, the people I work with—are watching. The guy running the swing looks at me and asks, "Need a push?" ABSOLUTELY NOT! I sit there for two full minutes, locked in a battle with my own fear. Every rational thought in my brain says, Just do it. But my body? Oh, my body says, Are you out of your mind?! Then, the guy places a hand on my back. Just enough pressure to remind me: I either take the leap myself, or I'm going anyway. And that was it. I went. Terrified. Screaming. And, once I hit the swing… laughing. Principle: That moment on the canyon swing? It's leadership in a nutshell. Leadership requires courage. Sometimes, you're at the edge of a big decision, knowing you need to move—but fear holds you back. Sometimes, you need support. That guiding hand (or well-placed nudge) from someone who sees your potential, even when you doubt yourself. And often, the thing you dread most? Turns out to be the most exhilarating experience of your life. Whether it's taking the leap into a leadership role, starting that business, or stepping into unknown territory—you're going to feel fear. That's normal. The key is to recognize it, hold it, and move forward anyway. Transition: The problem is, most people let fear stop them. They overthink. They hesitate. They tell themselves they need more time, more preparation, more certainty. But here's the truth: the perfect moment? It doesn't exist. Too many outdoor entrepreneurs and leaders stall out waiting for the "right time" to make their next move—whether that's scaling a business, stepping into leadership, or launching that dream trip. That's Why: That's why, in this episode of The Outdoor Adventure Lifestyle Podcast, I sat down with Casey Esco—executive coach, adventure leader, and all-around expert on navigating uncertainty in business and the outdoors. She shares exactly how adventure can teach us to embrace risk, push through hesitation, and build the courage to lead (even when you're scared out of your mind). Call to Action: If fear has ever held you back from making a move—whether in your career, your business, or even your next adventure—you need to hear this episode. Because courage isn't about being fearless, it's about taking the leap anyway. #Outdoor Adventure, #Podcast, #Adventure Travel, #Leadership, #Coaching, #Outdoor Activities, #Nature, #Curiosity, #Camping, #Hiking, #Strategic Planning, #Storytelling, #Diversity, #Women Leaders, #Inclusivity, #Nature Inspired Coaching, #Outdoor Brands, #Business Strategy, #Personal Growth, #Passion, #Wellness, #Travel Experiences, #Adventure Community, #Outdoor Lifestyle, #Networking, #Conservation, #Adventure Stories

Top Stories for December 2nd Publish Date: December 2nd PRE-ROLL: BUFORD HOLIDAY FESTIVAL From the BG AD Group Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. Today is Tuesday, December 2nd and Happy Birthday to Nelly Furtado I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by KIA Mall of Georgia. Coca-Cola Caravan coming to Lanier Islands Resort Suwanee’s new ‘Bookshelf’: A mural that lets you judge a wall by its cover Gwinnett native Brandon Brigman changes life through CrossFit All of this and more is coming up on the Gwinnett Daily Post podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen daily and subscribe! Break 1: Kia Mall of Georgia - Downtown Lawrenceville Holiday STORY 1: Coca-Cola Caravan coming to Lanier Islands Resort The Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan is rolling back into Lanier Islands Resort on Saturday, Dec. 13, lighting up the night alongside the resort’s Magical Nights of Lights. Picture it: a glowing 18-wheeler, mile after mile of twinkling displays, and all the holiday vibes you can handle. From 5 to 8:30 p.m., the Caravan will park outside Game Changer, where you can snap pics with Santa, sample new Coke flavors, and browse holiday merch. Beyond the Caravan, there’s Game Changer—an indoor playground with arcade games, axe throwing, and festive cocktails—and License to Chill Snow Island, featuring snow tubing, skating, and carnival rides. Magical Nights of Lights runs nightly through Jan. 4, with carload pricing starting at $35. Discounts are available for military, first responders, educators, and toy or food donors on select nights. For details, call 770-945-8787. STORY 2: Suwanee’s new ‘Bookshelf’: A mural that lets you judge a wall by its cover A bold new mural now greets visitors at Suwanee’s Town Center on Main, and it’s a stunner. Titled “Bookshelf,” the piece was created by renowned artist Pat Perry, whose jaw-dropping, photorealistic murals have popped up all over the globe. Back in early 2025, Suwanee put out a call for artists, and nearly 90 submissions poured in. Perry’s work stood out—his knack for blending realism with thoughtful, site-specific designs won over the Suwanee Public Arts Commission (with a little help from the Gwinnett Creativity Fund). Over two and a half weeks, Perry turned the walls outside the Suwanee branch of the Gwinnett Public Library into a vibrant tribute to storytelling. The mural’s placement—right by the pedestrian bridge—was no accident. It ties together the library, the park, and the new Town Center on Main. But here’s the cool part: “Bookshelf” isn’t just a mural. It’s a puzzle for book lovers. Perry didn’t paint books or readers; instead, he filled the piece with objects that hint at famous works of literature. A pearl for Steinbeck’s The Pearl. Chewing gum for To Kill a Mockingbird. Matches for McCarthy’s The Road. Over 20 literary Easter eggs are hidden in the mural, waiting for sharp-eyed readers to uncover them. It’s not just art—it’s a celebration of imagination, curiosity, and the stories that shape us. STORY 3: Gwinnett native Brandon Brigman changes life through CrossFit For Brandon Brigman, CrossFit isn’t just a workout—it’s his whole world. It’s where he transformed his body, met his wife, and found his calling. Back in 2010, Brandon, a former 270-pound offensive lineman from West Georgia, stumbled into NoExcuses CrossFit in Suwanee. He was bored of treadmills and marathon training, so he gave CrossFit a shot. Ten minutes into his first workout, he was wrecked. “I thought I was in shape—I’d just run a marathon. Nope.” Fast forward: he became a trainer, then the gym’s general manager, and in 2018, he bought the place. Now, NoExcuses is thriving, with 100 members, six employees, and a whole lot of heart. “It’s not just fitness,” Brandon says. “It’s accountability, community, and people who actually care if you show up.” We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.874.3200 for more info. We’ll be right back Break 2: Ingles Markets - Sugar Hill Holiday STORY 4: McClure High senior earns statewide recognition for leadership Jasmine Osorio-Antonio is already making waves—and she’s just getting started. A senior at McClure Health Science High in Duluth, Jasmine juggles more than most adults. Coding Club founder? Check. DECA leader? Yep. Junior Achievement honoree? Absolutely. In October, she was named one of Junior Achievement of Georgia’s Nineteen Under Nineteen, a recognition for students who are shaking things up with leadership and innovation. Her résumé is stacked: Horatio Alger Scholar, Alexander Hamilton Scholar, NCWIT Honorable Mention, and finalist in the Girls Who Code AI + Sustainability Challenge. Oh, and she’s in the top 10% of her class. But Jasmine’s not just about accolades. She’s hands-on. Her Coding Club, which she started with a teacher, gives students real-world experience—projects they can actually show off. And somehow, she still finds time to work three jobs: as a “FANgineer” at Georgia Tech games, a parking lot ambassador near Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and helping with her mom’s cleaning business. Her future? Computer science and business. STORY 5: Strickland says Georgia’s future ‘on the line’ in attorney general race State Sen. Brian Strickland is running for Georgia attorney general, and he’s got a lot to say about why. “I want my boys to grow up in the same Georgia I did,” he said. “We’ve got a good thing going here, but it’s a pivotal time. The wrong person in this seat could change everything.” Strickland, who’s been in the General Assembly since 2012, has a packed résumé: chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, former floor leader for two governors, and now a candidate to replace Chris Carr. His campaign? Focused on public safety, defending state laws, and tackling new threats like AI-driven crime. But it’s not all politics. Strickland’s a dad of two young boys, one of whom is autistic. He wears a faded autism awareness bracelet daily, a reminder of the work still needed. His campaign is grounded in what he calls “common sense” values: supporting law enforcement, protecting families, and ensuring Georgia stays a place people want to call home. We’ll be right back. Break 3: Sugar Hill Ice Skating Rink STORY 6: GCPS sets new calendars, but religious holiday debate lingers Gwinnett County Public Schools just rolled out its calendars for the next two school years, and, well, not everyone’s thrilled. Board member Tarece Johnson-Morgan called it “disappointing” and “non-inclusive,” pointing out that the calendar still leans heavily on Christian holidays while leaving out major ones from other faiths, like Ramadan or Rosh Hashanah. The district says they surveyed families, and most prioritized longer breaks and fewer digital learning days over adding religious holidays. But Johnson-Morgan argues there’s room for a “Yes/And” approach—keeping the current structure while recognizing key non-Christian holidays. It’s a debate that’s not going away anytime soon in one of the nation’s most diverse districts. STORY 7: Gwinnett schools preparing to adopt cell phone ban policy Gwinnett parents, it’s time to weigh in: should cell phones be banned in schools? The school board is considering a new policy—Policy JCDAF—that would ban personal devices like phones, smartwatches, and tablets starting in the 2026-2027 school year. Exceptions? Only for students with medical or learning plans. This isn’t just a local idea. It’s tied to Georgia’s new Distraction-Free Education Act, which requires elementary and middle schools to ban phones by 2026. Gwinnett’s proposal goes further, extending restrictions to high schools. For younger students, the ban would last all day—class, recess, assemblies, everything. High schoolers? They’d get a little more freedom, with phones allowed during lunch. The district says the goal is to cut distractions and reduce bullying, citing studies showing phone bans can lower bullying by nearly 45%. Parents, students, and staff can share their thoughts by emailing myschoolboard@gcpsk12.org. We’ll have closing comments after this Break 4: GCPS Hiring Signoff – Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger podcast, the Marietta Daily Journal, or the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at www.gwinnettdailypost.com Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our community and telling great stories are what we do. Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Produced by the BG Podcast Network Show Sponsors: www.ingles-markets.com www.kiamallofga.com Ice Rink – Downtown Sugar Hill Strand Marietta – Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre Holiday Celebration 2025 – City of Sugar Hill 2025 Buford Holiday Festival & Parade All-In-One Flyer NewsPodcast, CurrentEvents, TopHeadlines, BreakingNews, PodcastDiscussion, PodcastNews, InDepthAnalysis, NewsAnalysis, PodcastTrending, WorldNews, LocalNews, GlobalNews, PodcastInsights, NewsBrief, PodcastUpdate, NewsRoundup, WeeklyNews, DailyNews, PodcastInterviews, HotTopics, PodcastOpinions, InvestigativeJournalism, BehindTheHeadlines, PodcastMedia, NewsStories, PodcastReports, JournalismMatters, PodcastPerspectives, NewsCommentary, PodcastListeners, NewsPodcastCommunity, NewsSource, PodcastCuration, WorldAffairs, PodcastUpdates, AudioNews, PodcastJournalism, EmergingStories, NewsFlash, PodcastConversations See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former controller of the currency Eugene Ludwig has written a book called The Mismeasurement of America that lays out the shortcomings of the standard economic data that U.S. government and businesses use to make decisions, and how this data obscures the truth about how low-income Americans are actually faring.

The former NFL OL on Penn State trying to lure Kalani Sitake away from BYU, College Football Playoff rankings + more

Following their sold-out ‘Home for Christmas' shows this December, Picture This are live in studio for a very special performance.

This week on the show, we brought you live music from Gorillaz' anniversary Copper Box Arena show, reviewed the new debut album by Picture Parlour and brought you details on cool shows coming up around (read: within a 4h drive of) Kingston by our artists. Music this week byGorillaz, Rachel Chinouriri, Buzzcocks, Enabling Behaviour, Chest, Cardinals, Cowboy Hunters, swim school, DEADLETTER, Picture Parlour, NOISY, Tara Lily, ENNY, The Clockworks, Nubiyan Twist, eniola, Bebe and Oona, Heaven For Real, TRAITRS, fanclubwallet.Find this week's show playlist here. CFRC Fundraiser events here!Try and support artists independently through buying their music, merch, going to shows! Bandcamps/websites linked above.Touch that dial and tune in live! CFRC 101.9 FM in Kingston or cfrc.ca⁠, Sundays 8-9:30 PM! Full shows in the linked archive for 3 months from broadcast.Like what we do? CFRC's Funding Drive is on until 31 December. ⁠Donate⁠ to help keep our 102-year old radio station going!Get in touch with the show: email ⁠yellowbritroad@gmail.com⁠, IG @⁠⁠yellowbritroad⁠⁠.PS: submissions, cc ⁠music@cfrc.ca⁠ if you'd like other CFRC DJs to spin your music on their shows as well.

This episode digs into Proverbs 1, God's timing, and the surprising ways wisdom shows up—sometimes in the form of perfectly toasted Ezekiel bread. If you're searching for biblical wisdom, practical faith lessons, and a story proving that God hears even your carb-related desires, this Proverbs 1 breakdown is for you.Picture this: I'm sitting there, gearing up to dive into Proverbs 1, doing my best to look wise… and then Brooklyn pushes open the door like a breakfast superhero holding the exact thing I mentioned wanting yesterday—Ezekiel bread, toasted, buttered, warm, and absolutely on time. Day = made.Proverbs 1 reminds us that God hears us and invites us to voice our desires—not because He needs the reminder, but because we do. That way, when the blessing shows up (even in toast form), we know exactly where it came from.If you want wisdom, instruction, understanding, insight, prudence, righteous behavior, knowledge, discretion, discernment, guidance, and the ability to interpret the parables and riddles of the wise—Proverbs is your daily bread. Spending time with God is the foundation, the starter, the sourdough of spiritual life.And heads up: foolishness is coming. Slowly. Predictably. Like every villain in every movie running in slow motion. Filling up with wisdom now means you'll spot it before it even gets close.And that nagging thought—“Who am I to…?”Yeah, God wants that gone. He hears your desires, big and small, spoken and written, and He delivers them right on time.Just like Brooklyn did—Ezekiel bread, toasted to perfection, butter shining like it was crafted in heaven's test kitchen.Brooklyn, thank you for being a real-life example of God's timing and love in motion.If this episode encourages you, entertains you, or makes you crave toast—even a little—hit that subscribe button and stay locked in. More wisdom, more stories, more VIBE coming your way.

A few weeks ago our 14-year-old daughter ordered a $30 item online with her own hard-earned cash. She was proud of herself—until a notice popped up: the product was coming from overseas and a tariff of roughly $30 would be due at delivery. She looked at me, stunned. “Wait… I have to pay double to get it?” She paused, thought, and said, “I still want it.” https://www.youtube.com/live/gV_EvvpiXww That tiny moment shows a big reality: taxes aren't just something you deal with in April. They show up everywhere, often without warning, and every one of them is a leak in your wealth bucket. It's also a simple picture of why taxes and wealth creation are tied together in ways most families never see. The Real Link Between Taxes and Wealth CreationTaxes and wealth creation: Why taxes are the biggest wealth leakThe compounding cost of taxesTaxes and wealth creation: 95% of the tax code is about how not to pay taxes“Is this deductible?” vs “How do I make this deductible?”Taxes and wealth creation: Tax planning is not tax preparationTaxes and wealth creation: The SECURE Act and a silent inheritance taxThe 10-year inherited IRA ruleTaxes and wealth creation: Roth conversions as a legacy moveTaxes and wealth creation: Positioning money where compounding can keep workingReal estate incentivesCharitable givingWhole life insurance for tax-efficient legacyTaxes and wealth creation: Thinking past your lifetimeHere's the point: taxes and wealth creation rise and fall together.Book A Strategy CallFAQWhat is the connection between taxes and wealth creation?Why do taxes feel invisible to most families?What did the SECURE Act change for inherited retirement accounts?Are Roth conversions a good strategy for generational wealth?How does real estate help with tax-efficient wealth building?Why is tax planning different from tax preparation?How does whole life insurance fit into tax-efficient legacy planning? The Real Link Between Taxes and Wealth Creation This topic matters because taxes quietly take more from most families than any other expense. Not your mortgage. Not your lifestyle. Taxes. In this article we're going to pull taxes out of the “yearly chore” box and put them where they belong—in the center of your wealth plan. You'll see why taxes are such a drag on compounding, how the tax code rewards certain behaviors, what the SECURE Act changed for retirement accounts and heirs, and why Roth conversions and other strategies can protect wealth for your lifetime and beyond. The goal is simple: help you keep more dollars in your control so they can grow and bless your family for generations. Taxes and wealth creation: Why taxes are the biggest wealth leak Most people think about taxes as a single event: file your return, see if you owe or get a refund, and move on. But Bruce made a point that changes everything: we pay taxes on almost every transaction. Federal and state income taxes are just the obvious ones. Add sales tax, gasoline taxes, property taxes, and the taxes baked into your phone and internet bill—and the true cost is enormous. Even when you don't see it, you pay it. And the dollars you lose to taxes don't just disappear today. You lose what those dollars could have become after decades of compounding. Once money leaves your control, the future of that money is gone forever. The compounding cost of taxes I love pictures, so here's one we used. Imagine your money as water in a five-gallon bucket. If there are leaks in the bottom, you don't arrive anywhere with a full bucket. Taxes are one of the biggest leaks. You can earn more and work harder, but if you don't seal the leaks, your progress is always slower than it should be. Think about the penny-doubling example. A penny doubled daily for 30 days becomes millions, but for the first week it still feels tiny. That's why people underestimate compounding. Taxes interrupt that curve. They pull dollars out before they ever reach the steep part of growth. Wealth isn't only about what you earn. It's about what you keep and control long enough for compounding to do its job. That's why taxes and wealth creation are inseparable. Taxes and wealth creation: 95% of the tax code is about how not to pay taxes Bruce shared something that shaped his whole view. A former IRS auditor once told him: only about 5% of the tax code explains how you pay taxes. The other 95% explains how you don't have to pay taxes. That surprised me at first, but it's true. Congress uses the tax code to steer behavior. If they want more housing, they reward people who provide housing. If they want investment in certain industries, they create incentives there. The incentives exist on purpose. If lawmakers didn't want people to use them, they wouldn't be written into law. “Is this deductible?” vs “How do I make this deductible?” Tax strategist Tom Wheelwright says the wrong question is, “Is this deductible?” The right question is, “How do I make this deductible?” Example: if you travel to evaluate real estate deals and your primary purpose is legitimate business, documented properly, the tax code may allow deductions. The key isn't being clever. The key is following the rules clearly. We never recommend gray areas. Good tax strategies are black-and-white and well documented. Taxes and wealth creation: Tax planning is not tax preparation The tax code is thousands of pages long and changes constantly. Many CPAs are overloaded with compliance work—paperwork, deadlines, filing logistics. So a lot of families get tax preparation, not tax planning. Preparation reports what happened and tells you what you owe. Planning helps you shape what you owe before the year ends. If you want to build wealth, you can't treat planning like an afterthought. You may need a professional whose mindset is: “My job is to help your family pay the least amount of tax legally possible.” Not because taxes are bad, but because every dollar saved is a dollar that can compound, be invested, or be given with purpose. Taxes and wealth creation: The SECURE Act and a silent inheritance tax If you have tax-deferred retirement accounts—401(k)s, IRAs, 403(b)s, SEP IRAs, deferred annuities—you need to understand what changed. Older rules required minimum distributions (RMDs) at age 70½. The SECURE Act pushed that age to 75. That sounds like a gift, but it has a catch: more years of growth means a larger account, which often leads to larger taxable withdrawals later. But the bigger change hits your heirs. The 10-year inherited IRA rule If a tax-deferred account passes to a spouse, they can keep deferring. If it passes to your kids or grandkids, most beneficiaries must empty the account within 10 years. Picture a 45-year-old inheriting a $1 million IRA. Under old stretch rules, they could take small withdrawals over a lifetime. Now many will take around 10% per year—about $100,000 annually—stacked on top of their working income, often in their highest-earning years. That pushes those inherited dollars into their top tax bracket. So the SECURE Act didn't remove taxes. It concentrated them. If you do nothing, your children may pay far more tax on your retirement savings than you ever expected. Taxes and wealth creation: Roth conversions as a legacy move This is where Roth conversions come in. We're not giving advice here—your personal facts matter—but the principle is powerful. A Roth conversion means paying tax on some tax-deferred dollars now so they move into a Roth account. Later withdrawals are tax-free. When the Roth passes to heirs, they still follow the 10-year rule, but distributions are generally income-tax-free. When we run numbers with families, we often find that paying some tax earlier can reduce the total tax bite over two lifetimes—yours and your kids'. For families who care about legacy, that's a big deal. Taxes and wealth creation: Positioning money where compounding can keep working Bruce listed several straightforward ways families can keep more dollars compounding without needing complex structures. Real estate incentives Real estate is a clear example of Congress rewarding behavior. The U.S. needs more housing, so the tax code offers depreciation and, in some cases, bonus depreciation for certain investments. Those deductions can offset taxable income and free up cash flow for more investment. The rules are specific, so strategy and documentation matter. Charitable giving If generosity is already part of your family culture, don't ignore how charitable strategies can lower taxes while letting you support what matters most. Whole life insurance for tax-efficient legacy This is a place where our work often connects the dots. Properly designed whole life insurance has a unique tax profile: cash value grows tax-deferred, you can access it through policy loans without triggering income tax, and the death benefit passes to heirs income-tax-free. We like to say that every tax dollar you save is another dollar you can reposition into assets that serve generations. Whole life often becomes a family gold reserve—liquid in your lifetime, leveraged at death, and protected from future tax surprises. Taxes and wealth creation: Thinking past your lifetime During the episode I shared a golf analogy. Your wealth plan is like a golf swing. Most people only focus on the backswing—everything that happens until you hit the ball. In life, that's “my lifetime.” But legacy is the follow-through. Where does the ball go after contact? What trajectory does your wealth take after you're gone? When you plan only for your life, you miss the biggest multiplier in tax planning: time across generations. When you plan with follow-through, you make different choices today—like paying some taxes sooner—because you see how that can protect your children from a heavier burden later.

A Picture of Grace Ephesians 5:21-32 by Dr. Jeff Meyers, Senior Pastor

Steiny & Guru debate whether the 49ers got action in a loaded NFC playoff picture that with one more win they are likely a part of.

In this episode, I catch you up on everything that's been keeping me busy around the NFB of Pennsylvania. As convention chair for our 2025 convention in Harrisburg, I walk through how the weekend went—sponsors, auction totals, banquet fundraising, Family Feud night with Amazon gift cards and consolation candy bars, and the great support we got from the Best Western Premier staff. I talk about how grateful I am for Jane's help running things behind the scenes and how I'm emailing every attendee to say thanks and gather honest feedback. Of course, it wouldn't be an episode without travel drama: a tense run-in with a Harrisburg red cap, a creepy pitch-black train station, and a long rideshare wait getting home from Malvern. I wrap up with what's next, why I'm hoping to get back to weekly episodes, and how you can hear more convention content over on White Canes Connect. Show notes at https://www.iCantCU.com/292 Links Mentioned Product links are affiliate links so that I may earn a commission. Ray-Ban Meta Glasses, Wayfarer: https://amzn.to/42EU0Sy Like the sunglasses Jane bought for me? https://amzn.to/4oGWLfx Another big dog toy that may be on Ziggy's Christmas list: https://amzn.to/4nWcib1 Federation Focus on the NFB of PA YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@nfbofpa I edit the show with Descript and love it!: https://www.iCantCU.com/descript/ Be My Eyes app (free): https://www.bemyeyes.com/  Seeing AI app (free): https://www.seeingai.com/  AI Killed Santa? That Real Blind Tech Show ep 191: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-191-a-i-has-killed-santa-but-dont-tell-all/id1526258077?i=1000737946828 Index of That Real Blind Tech Show episodes: https://www.icantcu.com/trbts/  Watch iCantCU episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iCantCU Support iCantCU When shopping at Amazon, I would appreciate it if you clicked on this link to make your purchases: https://www.iCantCU.com/amazon. I participate in the Amazon Associate Program and earn commissions on qualifying purchases. The best part is, you don't pay extra for doing this! White Canes Connect Podcast Episode 146 In Episode 146 of White Canes Connect, we share the 2025 NFB of Pennsylvania State Convention banquet keynote delivered by National Federation of the Blind Executive Director of Blindness Initiatives, Anil Lewis. With humor, honesty, and warmth, Anil traces his journey from sudden blindness and early misconceptions about rehabilitation to discovering the Federation's philosophy of high expectations, love, and accountability. Find this episode at: Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/anil-lewis-keynote-address-at-pa-state-convention/id1592248709?i=1000738772303 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/1uUuORnubQC3pCa9sOYUqR YouTube https://youtu.be/M_fjMoBG5tE?si=nnJl7cU1kUmdYOBe White Canes Connect Website https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/146/      My Podcast Gear Here is all my gear and links to it on Amazon. I participate in the Amazon Associates Program and earn a commission on qualifying purchases. Zoom Podtrak P4: https://amzn.to/33Ymjkt Zoom ZDM Mic & Headphone Pack: https://amzn.to/33vLn2s Zoom H1n Recorder: https://amzn.to/3zBxJ9O  Gator Frameworks Desk Mounted Boom Arm: https://amzn.to/3AjJuBK Shure SM58 S Mic: https://amzn.to/3JOzofg  Sony ZV-E10 camera : https://amzn.to/4fFBSxM  GoPro Hero 11 Black: https://amzn.to/3SKI7WX Rode Video Micro (used on GoPro): https://amzn.to/4kVMJWI Sennheiser Headset (1st 162 episodes): https://amzn.to/3fM0Hu0  Follow iCantCU on your favorite podcast directory! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/icantcu-podcast/id1445801370/  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3nck2D5HgD9ckSaUQaWwW2  Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/iCantCU-Podcast-Podcast/B08JJM26BT  IHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-icantcu-podcast-31157111/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iCantCU   Connect on Social Media Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/davidbenj Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidbenj Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidbenj LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbenj Are You or Do You Know A Blind Boss? If you or someone you know is crushing it in their field and is also blind, I want to hear from you! Call me at (646) 926-6350 and leave a message. Please include your name and town, and tell me who the Blind Boss is and why I need to have them on an upcoming episode. You can also email the show at iCantCUPodcast@gmail.com.

Did you know there's MAGIC in your Meditation Practice? Say Goodbye to Anxiety and Hello to More Peace & More Prosperity! Here Are the 5 Secrets on How to Unleash Your Meditation Magic https://womensmeditationnetwork.com/5secrets Join Premium! Ready for an ad-free meditation experience? Join Premium now and get every episode from ALL of our podcasts completely ad-free now! Just a few clicks makes it easy for you to listen on your favorite podcast player. Become a PREMIUM member today by going to --> https://WomensMeditationNetwork.com/premium You're here… Which means something in you is ready to rest. Ready to release the tension, To return to center. To let the energy settle. Just lie back and receive. PAUSE Let's begin by coming home to your body. Wiggle your fingers. Soften your jaw. Let your tongue rest gently behind your teeth. Lower your shoulders. And give your whole body permission to melt… Right here, right now. LONG PAUSE As you relax deeper into this moment, Picture yourself resting inside a soft cocoon of twilight-blue light. Safe. Held. Connected to your breath… Connected to something greater. Join our Premium Sleep for Women Channel on Apple Podcasts and get ALL 5 of our Sleep podcasts completely ad-free! Join Premium now on Apple here --> https://bit.ly/sleepforwomen Join our Premium Meditation for Kids Channel on Apple Podcasts and get ALL 5 of our Kids podcasts completely ad-free! Join Premium now on Apple here → https://bit.ly/meditationforkidsapple Hey, I'm so glad you're taking the time to be with us today. My team and I are dedicated to making sure you have all the meditations you need throughout all the seasons of your life. If there's a meditation you desire, but can't find, email us at Katie Krimitsos to make a request. We'd love to create what you want! Namaste, Beautiful,

John 12:1-8,Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 3 Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”And the Lord, in verse 7, defends the way Mary of Bethany expresses her devotion to him.What Mary does in verse 3 is good and right, and I think we can learn from her. So that's the goal of this sermon. All last week, my prayer for today has been that through Mary's example in John 12, the Spirit would reawaken in us Mary-like devotion to Jesus. I want us to learn from Mary how to be more like Mary for the glory of Jesus. To that end, this morning I want to show you seven truths of Mary-like devotion.1. Mary-like devotion is surprising. Verse 1 opens with the setting: we are six days away from Passover, and Jesus has come back to Bethany. Now remember that Bethany is where he raised Lazarus from the dead in Chapter 11, verse 43, but then when the Jewish leaders plotted to kill Jesus, John tells us in verse 54 that Jesus “no longer walked openly” among them, because they were looking for him. The Pharisees wanted to arrest him. So Jesus left that area and went to Ephraim, which gave him more distance from Jerusalem. (Bethany was 2 miles outside Jerusalem, Ephraim was about 15 miles). So by the end of Chapter 11, Jesus is laying low.But Chapter 12 opens here and he's back in Bethany, where news travels quickly to Jerusalem, which means this is dangerous — why would he do it? Why would he come back to Bethany now? It's because Passover is six days away. Remember Jesus has a purpose to accomplish in Jerusalem, and now he's getting closer. But since Jesus is in Bethany they throw a special dinner for him. And because it's Bethany, we would expect our favorite Bethany family to be there. We saw these three siblings in Chapter 11 — Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Now, John knows we'd expect their attendance, so he takes roll in verse 2. Look what he says:“So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served [check her name off — she's there], and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him as table [check his name off — he's just happy to be in the room].And right away that's Martha and Lazarus. Which sibling is missing?Mary. Now look at verse 3 (verse 2 was just a build up to this):“Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair.”The first thing I want you to see is that this was not expected. This is a dinner! People are sharing a meal. Martha is staying busy like she does. Lazarus is at the table (you know he's getting seconds). And then Mary, finally, enters into this dining room with a bottle of ointment (or perfume) and she does this extravagant display of worship.Most of us had big dinners a few days ago. Imagine for a minute if something like this happened! It was not on the menu. It's never happened before. This was a surprise! That's the first thing to know about Mary-like devotion. This is not what most people would expect — because it responds in the moment to the glory of Jesus regardless of the context.2. Mary-like devotion is costly.We can see in verse 3 that this perfume was expensive. John tells us that plainly. But he also gives us two details that explain why. It has to do with quantity and quality.First, with quality, this perfume was made from “pure nard.” That's a plant that's grown in India. The root of this plant produced an oil that was collected to make this perfume.So it's a product derived from nature, created by a process, imported from far away — that sounds expensive. (This is why many scholars believe this Bethany family was well off — this perfume would have only been owned by the luxury class of the Mediterranean world.)Second, notice the quantity. John tells us it was a pound — and that's a Roman pound. The Greek word is litra — and it's equivalent to about 12 ounces. So imagine the American pop can. (I don't know the last time you turned a can of pop upside down to pour it out, but it takes a little longer to empty it than you might think.)Twelve ounces is not a little bit. And Mary doesn't have pop, it's perfume — 12 ounces of perfume — that's a lot of a really nice thing. And to give us more of an idea of how precious it is, John tells us the number value in verse 5. Judas says it's worth 300 denarii — which is about a year's wages.So to draw a parallel to our day, this is what we'd call an annual salary, and the average annual salary in the Twin Cities, Google says, is between $80,000–$90,000. So translate this in your imagination... Picture this: Someone at dinner this past week walks into the dining room and pours out $90,000 on somebody else's feet … Again, this is stunning. And the costliness amplifies the surprise! Those two things go together in Mary-like devotion. It's surprising because it's costly.3. Mary-like devotion is humble.Now, for our imagination's sake, it helps to know how people ate together at this culture and time. They didn't use raised tables and chairs like we do, but they used low tables, and sat on cushions on the floor. They “reclined” on the table, like verse 2 says, and their feet were stretched out behind them, away from the table. So Mary approached Jesus, verse 3, while he was sitting like that, and she anointed his feet.This is a key detail. Because with the extravagance of her gift, we might imagine Mary's actions to be surrounded by pomp. Like maybe Mary enters the room and first clears her throat, and makes sure somebody's getting the video, and then she does it. But it's just the opposite.Mary comes into the room, and stays at the feet's distance away from the table. She's not the center of attention. Nobody was probably even looking in her direction, and then she pours the perfume on Jesus's feet and wipes his feet with her hair. This is borderline undignified. She definitely looked a little silly. To everyone's surprise, with likely the costliest thing she's got, she humbles herself at the feet of Jesus in worship — but then the most vivid display of her humility is the use of her hair.In the ancient world, a woman's hair was her glory. It was her honor. This was Mary's strength, but here she turns her strength into a servant's towel … Her radiance into a rag. Her splendor into a sponge. Her crown becomes a cloth. … to wipe feet.Which means, Mary gives the best part of herself for the least part of Jesus. The highest aspect of her presentation (hair) is submitted to the lowest aspect of his (feet).This is profound humility.Mary is not even audacious enough to pray here: “Jesus, take my utmost for your highest.” She just says, “Jesus, take my utmost!” — And I don't care what anybody else thinks. I'm not concerned about appearance. It doesn't matter what people might say. This is all about Jesus. Mary shows us a marvelous self-forgetfulness. Mary-like devotion is humble.4. Mary-like devotion is fitting.This is #4 of 7, and it really is the central truth in Mary's example.So far we've seen that Mary-like devotion is surprising, costly, and humble, but here's where we need to be clear that the only reason any of this makes sense is because of Jesus. And Jesus doesn't just make Mary's actions make sense, he makes them right. Because of who he is, what Mary does is fitting. John calls her act an “anointing,” which is something done to set someone apart for a certain office. The examples we have in the Old Testament are individuals anointed as a priest or king, and we should think especially of kings in the Gospel of John. If you remember, way back in Chapter 1, when Nathaniel first met Jesus he confessed right away that Jesus is the Son of God and the King of Israel (1:49). Then in Chapter 6, verse 15, after Jesus fed the five thousand, the crowd wanted to take him by force and make him king.So we've seen a kingship theme already.But then right here in Chapter 12, the very next day after Mary anoints Jesus, Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a young donkey, and the crowd paves the way for him with palm branches, and they say — in verse 13 — “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!”So we have every reason to see that Mary's anointing of Jesus is anointing him as King.Because that is who he is. It'll be explicit and public tomorrow in this story, in Jesus's ‘triumphal entry,' but tonight, at this dinner, with Mary, it's implicit and private. In the moment, even Mary doesn't know the full extent of what she's doing, but we as readers can see it. In Chapter 11, we saw her fall at Jesus's feet in grief, here she bows at Jesus's feet in worship.Last chapter she came to Jesus needing his help; now she comes to him just giving him glory.This doesn't mean we ever stop coming to Jesus for help — we do! We always need his help! But sometimes we can also just come to him in simple worship.This is when we come to him, not to ask him for things, but to give him whatever we can because he is worthy — just because he's our king and he's a good king! It is fitting to worship him!Think about this: When was the last time your heart moved toward Jesus, not for what he gives, but for who he is? When was the last time you were simply compelled by the worth of Jesus?The Little Drummer BoyMary's devotion here in Chapter 12 actually reminds me of what used to be one of my least favorite Christmas songs. “Santa Baby” is dead bottom, but not far from there used to be “The Little Drummer Boy.” And the reason I didn't like the song is because for years it didn't make sense to me, and it was kinda irritating. The pa-RUM-pa-pum-pums are distracting. But if we can get rid of that part and focus on the real words in the song, it's actually beautiful. It's a song about a boy who is invited to meet the newborn Jesus (and it's fictional; didn't really happen; we're supposed to use our imaginations). The boy starts the song by saying:Come, they told meA newborn king to see, Our finest gifts to bring,To lay before the king,So to honor himWhen we come You get it? The boy is invited to come meet Jesus, so he does. And in the second stanza he's at the manger, and he speaks to the infant Jesus:Little baby,I am a poor boy tooI have no gifts to bringThat's fit to give a KingShall I play for you on my drum?See, I imagine that's what Mary of Bethany thought. While Martha was busy serving and Lazarus was sitting at the table, Mary thought: The king is here. He's in the room. What do I have that's fit to give a King?And the technical answer is nothing. Nothing we have is enough to match the glory of this King, but Mary thinks I've got that bottle of perfume — just like the boy thought, I've got this drum. And the boy says, “Shall I play the drum?” Mary thinks, “Shall I pour the perfume?” So the boy plays his best, and Mary pours it all. I don't have enough to give you, but I'll give you my best because you're worthy.That's what the song is about. That's what Mary does here. And it's fitting because of the King!And John tells us that the fragrance of her worship fills the entire house. Which means: her personal reverence and self-forgetfulness in recognizing the glory of Jesus becomes uncontainable. Everybody around her can literally sense her devotion for Jesus.5. Mary-like devotion is criticized. This is verses 4–5: But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”Apparently, Judas caught the aroma, but instead of recognizing Mary's act as a surprising, costly, humble, and fitting act of devotion, he criticized her. He immediately liquidated the value of the ointment in his head, and he corrected her decision. That could have been used for something better! That could have been a lot of money to help poor people! Mary is being unwise!Now, before we look closer into the criticism, I just want to note that it happened, and right away, because that's just how things go — even things as wholesome as Mary's devotion.The Bible gives us no impression that devotion to Jesus will be easy — it actually ensures the opposite. There's a Forest Frank lyric my younger boys love. It goes: Jesus promised that the bad would come along, ‘Cause if life is always easyProbably doin' something wrong.That's true. I want everybody to know: when your devotion to Jesus meets difficulty, that's a good sign. The question for us is about our willingness to endure difficulty. Are we willing to be criticized? Are we willing to express devotion to Jesus that others would call wasteful but Jesus calls beautiful?6. Mary-like devotion is vindicated.Let's look closer at what Judas said in verse 5.At face-value, we might think Judas is onto something, because what he says is not untrue. That perfume was worth a lot of money — three hundred denarii/$80–90K — that's a lot of money you can do a lot with. Judas names one possibility. The problem, though, is that he's thinking about it all the wrong way. See, he's thinking about gifts from the giver's perspective, not from God's perspective. He's thinking about everything from earth looking around, not from heaven looking down.In his mindset — the ‘Judas mindset' — all value is monetary, and all that is monetary is a zero-sum category: which means I'm always thinking, “whatever I give here is what I cannot give there.” And see, Judas is so caught up in this mindset — he cares so much about the optimal management of the gift — that he's blind to the One the gift is for. That is what is most striking about verse 5 — it's the absence of anything to do with Jesus. Judas says nothing about him. So Judas not only rebukes Mary here, but he also registers how little he thinks of Who she worships.And if that wasn't clear, John adds in verse 6. He wants us to know that Judas said what he said:“…not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.”Judas was part of a program called ‘Feeding Our Future' …Greed is an ancient sin — it's the root of all evil, and it ruined Judas. (And it's behind the ruin of our state. God help us.)In verse 7, Mary doesn't say anything back to Judas, but Jesus speaks up on her behalf, and he says, first, “Leave her alone.”Which is amazing. Jesus doesn't argue with Judas. He doesn't explain why his mindset is wrong, he first just tells him to stop. Jesus defends Mary, and he makes the issue about himself, because it is!With this perfume Mary has prepared Jesus for the day of his burial, because, verse 8:“…the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”And it's clear now, with the mention of his burial and that he won't always be here, Jesus is talking about his death. Which raises the question for us: Was Mary anointing Jesus as king or preparing him for his death? And the answer is Yes.Again, Mary is doing more here than she realized. She is anointing Jesus as King — it's just that he's a king who will sacrifice his life for his people.He's a King who has come to die. His reign will conquer the grave for good — remember Lazarus — but first Jesus's reign will come through the grave. Our triumphant King will also be a slain Lamb. And John wants us so badly to get this! He gives us hints here in Mary's devotion, but then later in the Book of Revelation he tells us about a vision when saints and angels together pour out their praise to Jesus, and they say, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (Revelation 5:12)Listen: I want you to know that the final vindication of our every sincere act of devotion to Jesus will come on that day when we see him. If it's Mary-like devotion, it is never wasted. Jesus is worth it. And this brings us to the last point.7. Mary-like devotion is instructive. We're gonna finish how we started: I think we can learn from our sister Mary. It is a gift to us to be able to see her gift to Jesus, and I want us to be more like her. That's been my prayer: that the Spirit would reawaken or awaken in us Mary-like devotion to Jesus.Devotion that is surprising because it responds to Jesus in the moment, even if it doesn't fit the setting. Costly because it brings Jesus our best, humble because it doesn't worry about what others might think, fitting because Jesus is the King and nothing given to him is too much, criticized because it's not supposed to be easy, and vindicated because the King who Mary worshiped is the Lamb who was slain and one day we will see his worth with our own eyes.Mary's devotion is instructive because it shows us what it looks like when a heart is overcome by the worth of Jesus.And what's incredible for us, is that we know more about Jesus's worth than Mary does here. We already know the end of the story! That Jesus who has come will die, will be resurrected, and will come again.So in closing, I want to invite you to ask yourself this: For Advent, in this season of waiting, what is Jesus calling you to do that would simply reflect his worth?That's what brings us to the Table.The TableWe come here to this Table to rest in the worth of Jesus Christ. Let his glory be your comfort by taking refuge in him. That's what it means to trust in Jesus, and that is who this table is for. If you're here and you have put your faith in Jesus, we invite you to eat and drink with us and give him thanks.

Isaiah -- Pastor Tim Gosselin preaching from Isaiah 19-20 on November 30th, 2025 at Oakhurst Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC.

For more than forty years, Franklin Delano Floyd hid behind fake identities, forged documents, and stolen children. His crimes began in the 1970s when he kidnapped five-year-old Suzanne Sevakis from her mother and raised her under a series of false names. As the years passed, Suzanne was forced into new identities, new locations, and a life built entirely on Floyd's control. By the time she died in 1990, no one even knew who she really was.The case exploded years later when investigators uncovered disturbing photographs linked to the disappearance of 19-year-old Cheryl Ann Commesso. Those images, along with the discovery of her remains in Florida, connected Floyd to her murder and raised new questions about Suzanne's life, death, and the people Floyd had targeted.The truth grew darker when Floyd abducted six-year-old Michael Hughes from his elementary school in 1994. Floyd later admitted he killed Michael, but his body has never been found.It took decades of DNA testing, investigative journalism, and renewed public interest, including the book and Netflix documentary Girl in the Picture, for Suzanne Sevakis to finally reclaim her real name and identity. Franklin Delano Floyd died in prison in 2023, leaving behind unanswered questions and a lifetime of devastation.Follow True Crime Recaps for more cases where new clues rewrite everything we thought we knew.

Aujourd'hui, on fait le point sur la découverte d'un boa constrictor mort à Mauvezin-sur-Gupie. Today, we take stock of the discovery of a dead boa constrictor in Mauvezin-sur-Gupie.Que s'est-il passé exactement ? What exactly happened?Imaginez la scène. Picture the scene.Un chasseur tombe sur un serpent de 2 mètres au bord d'un étang dans le Lot-et-Garonne. A hunter comes across a 2-meter snake on the edge of a pond in Lot-et-Garonne.Un boa constrictor, mort, la tête écrasée. A boa constrictor, dead, its head crushed.Forcément, ça a tout de suite déclenché une enquête de l'Office national de la biodiversité. Naturally, this immediately triggered an investigation by the National Biodiversity Office.D'où venait-il ? Where did it come from?L'hypothèse la plus probable, c'est un abandon volontaire. The most probable hypothesis is voluntary abandonment.Ce boa, c'était un animal domestique hein, il n'aurait eu aucune chance de survivre seul dans notre climat. This boa was a domestic animal, you know, it would have had no chance of surviving alone in our climate.Donc une simple fugue est jugée quasi impossible. Therefore, a simple escape is considered almost impossible.Les enquêteurs suspectent que son propriétaire s'en est délibérément débarrassé.Investigators suspect that its owner deliberately got rid of it. Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy pour plus d'informations.

Since this interview, Coach Knipp accepted a position as an assistant coach at Ironton HS. Coaches are you ready to revolutionize your game preparation? For the past 5 seasons coaches across the nation have been using the ultimate scout team game-changer: The Coachpad!Imagine this: no more scrambling on weekends to prep scout cards, no more fumbling with paper and binders. Whether you're drawing your cards digitally with a computer program or sketching them by hand, The Coachpad is your all-in-one solution!Picture yourself on the practice field, effortlessly managing your scout team, or standing on the sidelines during game day, syncing adjustments from the press box to your coaches on the sideline and back. With The Coachpad, you can clearly see your scout cards even in the brightest sunlight—no more squinting or dealing with the wind blowing clear vinyl sleeves everywhere!This offseason, take your coaching to the next level. Get your Coachpad today at TheCoachpad.com and gear up for a winning season ahead!0:13 The CoachPad3:00 gun rocket transition4:40 playoff rocket6:10 opening up pass game in gun rocket7:30 opponent defenses9:20 practice / install schedule12:30 qb camps / development14:25 consultation (wing based)16:30 opponent prep18:20 snag / y cornertodd knippx: tknipp9email: Todd.knipp9@gmail.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChW7UyLcMH6QDwCS295w9aQ/joinGoogle Sheethttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Dohuyci5dx36k4IFQUuX8XmuJsAIJ6JbYdcXrkcJ-4s/edit?usp=sharingNicholas BandstraX: https://twitter.com/CoachBandstraCoachtube: https://coachtube.com/users/coachbandstraMain Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/NicholasBandstraLinktree: https://linktr.ee/CoachBandstraTik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coachbandstra?_t=ZT-8vTQEmgfP3u&_r=1

FREE Master Class:   The Farm Marketing Fix   Sign Up HERE    Ever feel like a failure because you can't keep up with everything on your plate?   Picture a farmer homeschooling three kids (including a two-year-old), milking cows at dawn, moving 400 sheep, tending chickens, making every meal from scratch—and wondering why the farm wasn't profitable.   When I asked her what she wanted, she gave me ONE word: "Less."   Oof. I felt that in my soul.   Here's what we uncovered in this coaching session: - The brutal math - She had the equivalent of three 40-hour-a-week jobs. No wonder she felt crushed. - The focus revelation - We used my method to figure out how much she could actually take on (spoiler: not all of it) - The clarity moment - After one call, she chose her ONE thing (sheep), ditched the rest, and you could literally HEAR the relief in her voice   This isn't just about doing less work. It's about doing the RIGHT work so you can stop being busy but broke, overwhelmed but not profitable.   If you're running yourself into the ground trying to do ALL the things, this episode is your permission slip to choose differently.   Click HERE and Let's Meet!    Chat with us to see if Farm Marketing Mastery can break you out of marketing misery.

Ever caught yourself defending a dumb idea just to look smart? That's your ego controlling your brain. Cognitive biases and ego team up to screw your decisions daily. Picture this: confirmation bias has you cherry-picking facts that stroke your self-image, while ego whispers you're too smart for mistakes. Spot the traps like Dunning-Kruger (overestimating skill) or sunk cost fallacy (throwing good money after bad). Takehomes: Point at one bias daily: "Am I ignoring counter-evidence like a muscly Irishman blocking the door?" Test decisions: Can you drop it on your foot? If abstract, make it concrete now. Audit ego weekly: List three "wins" that were actually luck—kill the illusion. Hit play and arm yourself against yourself today. SPONSORS

Ever feel like you're running on empty? Sam and Jeff are finally taking that much-needed break, with Sam jetting off to the Dominican Republic for some well-deserved rest (because apparently saying you'll take breaks and actually taking them are two different things).But before the vacation, there was Miles' birthday dinner at Prescott Provisions. The strip steaks with roasted fingerling potatoes were excellent, and the brown butter pistachio cake with sea salt caramel gelato? Memorable. Though the server's oddly dismissive attitude did put a damper on the evening.Between falling asleep during the Bills game and a weekend of pure junk food indulgence—mac and cheese, pizza, Doritos, the works—they somehow squeezed in two gym sessions and caught a Buffalo Sabres hockey game where the team actually scored. From theater talk about how Broadway's Wicked outshines the movie to praising the turkey club wrap at Wellington Pub, this week was packed. They also dive into some compelling entertainment recommendations, including the documentary Girl in the Picture and the Netflix series The Beast in Me starring Claire Danes.

Growing cost consciousness is a key reason why retailers are offering more deals more frequently, says Shelly Antoniewicz. She explains how a "K-shaped economy" and the record government shutdown factor into consumer consideration for prices. Don't discount the jobs picture either, says Shelly, as she makes the case that a softening labor front plays into retail skittishness. ======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Subscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

Did you know there's MAGIC in your Meditation Practice? Say Goodbye to Anxiety and Hello to More Peace & More Prosperity! Here Are the 5 Secrets on How to Unleash Your Meditation Magic https://womensmeditationnetwork.com/5secrets Join Premium! Ready for an ad-free meditation experience? Join Premium now and get every episode from ALL of our podcasts completely ad-free now! Just a few clicks makes it easy for you to listen on your favorite podcast player. Become a PREMIUM member today by going to --> https://WomensMeditationNetwork.com/premium You're here… Which means something in you is ready to rest. Ready to release the tension, To return to center. To let the energy settle. Just lie back and receive. PAUSE Let's begin by coming home to your body. Wiggle your fingers. Soften your jaw. Let your tongue rest gently behind your teeth. Lower your shoulders. And give your whole body permission to melt… Right here, right now. LONG PAUSE As you relax deeper into this moment, Picture yourself resting inside a soft cocoon of twilight-blue light. Safe. Held. Connected to your breath… Connected to something greater. Join our Premium Sleep for Women Channel on Apple Podcasts and get ALL 5 of our Sleep podcasts completely ad-free! Join Premium now on Apple here --> https://bit.ly/sleepforwomen Join our Premium Meditation for Kids Channel on Apple Podcasts and get ALL 5 of our Kids podcasts completely ad-free! Join Premium now on Apple here → https://bit.ly/meditationforkidsapple Hey, I'm so glad you're taking the time to be with us today. My team and I are dedicated to making sure you have all the meditations you need throughout all the seasons of your life. If there's a meditation you desire, but can't find, email us at Katie Krimitsos to make a request. We'd love to create what you want! Namaste, Beautiful,

An Underrated Section: How to Become Zion…and Heaven by Autumn Dickson With Joseph and Hyrum martyred, Brigham Young was now the prophet. After the Saints were expelled from Nauvoo, Brigham was in charge of finding them a permanent home in the mountains of the west. Though the westward movement of the Saints was among the most impressive immigrations of Americans, it did not start out that way. The Saints were starving and freezing along the trail. Muddy quagmires kept the Saints from reaching their goal to plant crops ahead of everyone coming. Brigham described feeling like he was dragging around a 25 ton weight. He felt like he had a large family with no way of taking care of them. At Winter Quarters in Nebraska, he turned to the Lord for guidance. The Lord told Brigham how to organize the company, but He taught Brigham much more important things that would turn the tide for the Saints' ability to make it to their destination. Here is the verse that introduces the important concept that turned things around. Doctrine and Covenants 136:2 Let all the people of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and those who journey with them, be organized into companies, with a covenant and promise to keep all the commandments and statutes of the Lord our God. The Saints were to be organized into companies that would stick together, and they entered into those companies by making covenants to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord. There were two major principles at work here that changed the game. Principle one. When people normally made their way across towards the west (Saints and non-Saints alike), it was done very loosely with every man vying for his own family. They often travelled together for safety, but companies broke apart and came together with different members more than once. That is the first principle: Brigham Young organized them into companies with leadership at different levels, and each company was expected to stick together throughout the entire journey. If one made it, they were all going to make it. The second principle was to focus on spirituality again. Not only were they to focus on the eternal nature of their work, but they were to focus on the fact that they believed in the same God who helped many groups of people travel to new destinations, the God of Israel. This becomes even more significant when you recognize what the Lord was preparing Brigham for. In 1877, Brigham Young organized the priesthood structure of the church. After travelling around Utah, he found that there were many people scattered and not enrolled in wards. There were overlapping authorities where spiritual jurisdictions were confusing, and it was unclear who would have the responsibility of showing their stewardship to the Lord. There were bishops who had never been ordained, and this was setting the stage for people to become more vulnerable as they were travelling the covenant path. The Saints had now grown large enough that they needed to be organized or two things would happen: losing people and losing the doctrine that had been restored with such difficulty. So that's what Brigham did. Under the direction of the apostles, Saints scattered across Utah were better organized into stakes and wards. Bishops were set apart. Every member found themselves in a ward with a leader who would watch over them. Priesthood roles were clarified so that everyone understood what they were in charge of. This would lessen the gaps in which people could fall through with no one to watch over them, and it would also serve to help the Lord speak to His entire church when He revealed something rather than sending word out and hoping everyone was able to receive it. It's hard to overstate the unglamorous importance of what Brigham did. Let's tie it back to what we talked about in the beginning, and let's talk about it from the perspective of an imaginary Saint who could have lived it A widow is trying to get her kids across the plains to gather with the Saints. Her oldest child is 10 years old and he helps, but he is still only 10. She started out with one company as she began her journey across the plains only to have fallen behind and found herself in a new company. As she tries to nurse her sick baby back to health, they fall behind again as the 10 year old can only get the wagon going so far. She finds herself in a new company once again. At this point, she is simply hoping that she gets to their destination before she reaches the end of the line of companies. Organizing the Saints into companies that cared for each other changed the game. No one got left behind. This is powerful for the widow, but it's also powerful for the ones who are watching out for the widow. It's powerful for the entire company who works together, mourns together, lifts one another. If you can cry with someone, you are very likely to rejoice with each other as well. Everything changes when you're not alone. The widow cries as she holds her baby and a 16 year old from another family has stepped up to drive her wagon along. Her 10 year old looks up at the 16 year old with something akin to hero-worship. This is the beginning of hope. The widow finds renewed faith in her ability to make it, and the 16 year old is changed too. This doesn't even mention the fact that all of this hope and change invites the Lord to rain down manna on the heads of the Saints. Now let's fast forward. The Saints are in the valley, and it is now 1877. There is a young family whose father has broken his leg in a wagon accident. Mother and teenage daughter are doing everything they can to keep the farm and home running, but it's not going well. What will winter look like if they can't finish the work? But then a man shows up and knocks on their door. He sees the ragged family and introduces himself as their bishop. Over the course of the next few weeks, there are rotations of brethren coming in to harvest the family's crop. There are young women who come in and help mother prepare the crop to last through the winter. This is all good and beautiful and inspiring, but I want to fast-forward again. We are accustomed to living in wards and stakes with leadership that enables lightning fast communication from our beloved prophet to each member. If there is a change wanted by the Lord, it is implemented overnight if that's what He wants. We are organized, and we enter into a covenant in order to become part of the organization. It changes the game when this kind of organization is used effectively. It didn't do much good if the companies that were travelling the plains stayed in the same geographical area but still found themselves laboring alone. When was the last time you looked around your ward and saw a family? When was the last time you made a valiant attempt to make it a ward family? When was the last time you ministered to make sure no one was lost out on the plains, physically or spiritually? When it comes to the Lord's work, it's not just about the widow who is being served. It's about how we change when we forget our own problems, and we all work together towards common purposes. Picture the vast difference between the beginning of the Saints journey towards Utah and the end of it. That's the difference we will find in our own lives if we recognize what the Lord has given us in His organization of the church. I testify that wards and stakes and leadership and priesthood organization are gifts from the Lord. I don't believe we recognize the full power of what we've been given. I worry that we won't recognize the full power until we're ready to bring everyone along the covenant path together. Zion is available everywhere; we do not have to wait. The Lord wants us to experience those blessings today, but He can't force us to find them. He can simply offer the opportunity and wait for us to step into those blessings. I testify that He loves us and gave us organizations to protect us and lift us. Autumn Dickson was born and raised in a small town in Texas. She served a mission in the Indianapolis Indiana mission. She studied elementary education but has found a particular passion in teaching the gospel. Her desire for her content is to inspire people to feel confident, peaceful, and joyful about their relationship with Jesus Christ and to allow that relationship to touch every aspect of their lives. Autumn was the recipient of FAIR's 2024 John Taylor Defender of the Faith Award. The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 135–136 – Part 2 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

How much do our family dynamics shape our lives?Today we recognize more than ever that from our earliest, most impressionable years, the attitudes and environment of our homes—whether positive or negative—leave a deep imprint on our psyches. Picture a warm ball of wax: every experience, every word, every gesture becomes etched into it as it cools and hardens, accompanying us into adulthood.Our childhood traumas…Our moments of beauty…The nurturing we received, and the nurturing we didn't…The functionality—and the dysfunctionality—of our homes…All of these weave themselves into the fabric of our lives in profound ways.As we approach Thanksgiving—a time when many gather with family—it's worth pausing to reflect. Family can be a source of immense warmth, connection, and joy. But it can also stir discomfort, tension, and old wounds.So let's explore this together. Let's dig deeper into what family really means, how these dynamics shape us, and what we can do to navigate them with greater awareness and healing.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for this important conversation: When Family Hurts: The Hidden Emotions Around the Family Table.

Ukrainian cultural heritage is not something that quietly settles into national archives. In reality, it is the result of a dramatic struggle against destruction and oblivion. This makes this heritage so magnetic—precisely because it is not always visible or accessible, yet can be reconstructed like a lost mosaic. In this episode, we talk about what the Ukrainian cultural heritage is, and how we can understand it. And also about the role of cultural institutions during Russia's genocidal war against Ukraine. *** Guest: Olesia Ostrovska-Liuta, a prominent Ukrainian public intellectual and art manager, director of the Art Arsenal (Mystetskyi Arsenal), one of Ukraine's major cultural institutions. Olesia regularly appears on lists of the most influential figures in the Ukrainian cultural sphere compiled by various media and rankings. Host: Tetyana Ogarkova, a Ukrainian literary scholar at the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and the head of the international department at Ukraine Crisis Media Centre. She also runs the French-language podcast L'Ukraine face à la guerre. *** Explaining Ukraine is a podcast by UkraineWorld, an English-language media platform about Ukraine, run by Internews Ukraine. Listen on various platforms: https://li.sten.to/explaining-ukraine UkraineWorld: https://ukraineworld.org/en *** SUPPORT: You can support our work on https://www.patreon.com/c/ukraineworld Your help is crucial, as we rely heavily on crowdfunding. You can also contribute to our volunteer missions to frontline areas in Ukraine, where we deliver aid to both soldiers and civilians. Donations are welcome via PayPal at: ukraine.resisting@gmail.com. *** This episode is made in partnership with Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and under the framework of the project “HER-UKR: Challenges and opportunities for EU heritage diplomacy in Ukraine”, co-funded by the EU within the ERASMUS+ Jean Monnet Policy Debate action.

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports on a stunning new image from space.

This episode is powered by The Move to Millions Ascension Archetype Quiz , your first step in uncovering how to leverage your divine wiring to lead with alignment as you stop sabotaging your next level of success. Discover your divine wiring and uncover what's REALLY keeping YOU from millions. The MTM Minute is a quick dose of inspiration with a powerful affirmation based on our weekly full-length episode.  And beginning this season, the MTM Minute will include a prayer of the week for 7 figure CEOs and 7 figure CEOs in the making.  That's right, you don't have to choose – you can love God AND make millions. This week's MTM Minute is a REWIND from an episode that ran earlier this season.  This week's 7 Figure CEO Affirmation is "Something big is about to happen in my life and business, and I am ready to receive it with open arms. I trust that the universe is aligning the perfect opportunities, people, and circumstances to elevate me to new heights. I am prepared, capable, and worthy of the breakthroughs coming my way. Every step I've taken has led me to this moment, and I confidently step into the abundance and success that is unfolding. I am excited for what's next, knowing that this shift will bring growth, impact, and prosperity in ways I've never imagined."   Here are three tips to anchor in the affirmation: Practice Daily Visualization: Set aside a few minutes each day to visualize the "big thing" happening in your life or business. Picture yourself experiencing this breakthrough—how it feels, looks, and how it impacts your life. Engaging in this practice will help you stay open to receiving it and increase your belief that it's on its way. Cultivate a Mindset of Expectancy: Begin each day with the belief that something big is already in motion for you. Throughout your day, look for signs and opportunities that align with this belief. Remind yourself that you're worthy of massive success and that it's only a matter of time before it arrives. Take Inspired Action: Stay proactive by taking small steps that align with your vision for the big shift. Whether it's working on new strategies, connecting with new opportunities, or pushing past any comfort zones, taking consistent action will help solidify your readiness for the breakthrough that's about to come. Affirm with me: "Something big is about to happen in my life and business, and I am ready to receive it with open arms. I trust that the universe is aligning the perfect opportunities, people, and circumstances to elevate me to new heights. I am prepared, capable, and worthy of the breakthroughs coming my way. Every step I've taken has led me to this moment, and I confidently step into the abundance and success that is unfolding. I am excited for what's next, knowing that this shift will bring growth, impact, and prosperity in ways I've never imagined." Here are three journal prompts based on the affirmation: "I am open to receiving something big in my life, and I am preparing for it by..." "The breakthrough I am about to experience will transform my life in the following ways..." "I am ready for this shift because I have already shown myself that I am capable of..." I know these three journal prompts will enhance how you finish this week. Want more of Darnyelle? Personal Brand Website: https://www.drdarnyelle.com Company Website: https://www.incredibleoneenterprises.com Move to Millions Website: https://www.movetomillions.com   Social Media Links: Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/darnyellejerveyharmon Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/darnyellejerveyharmon Twitter/X: http://www.twitter.com/darnyellejervey LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/darnyellejerveyharmon    Links Mentioned in the Episode: Movetomillions.com MovetoMillionsGroup.com HausofMillions.com Move to Millions Continuum Episode Move to Millions Live 2025   Subscribe to the Move to Millions Podcast: Listen on iTunes Listen on Google Play Listen on Stitcher Listen on iHeartRadio Listen on Pandora   Leave us a review Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you're not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don't want you to miss an episode. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix and if you're not subscribed there's a good chance you'll miss out on those. Now if you're feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find my podcast and they're also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

Carl Quintanilla, Sara Eisen, and David Faber began the hour with key takeaways from the latest batch of earnings - before diving into the state of markets with former PIMCO CEO and longtime economist Mohamed El-Erian... Later on, Moody's Chief Economist Mark Zandi joined the team to break down what he's calling America's "affordability squeeze" - and the team discussed what's next in the tech trade (along with some top picks) with Evercore's Head of Internet Research.  Also in focus: Staggering numbers out of a new MIT study analyzing AI's impact on the jobs market - hear the details, this hour... Plus - the stock implications of new Medicare pricing, sending Novo Nordisk shares higher in the early trade. Squawk on the Street Disclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The WIP Morning Team previews the game on Friday night against the Chicago Bears. They talk about if the Eagles offense can lead them to a Super Bowl. Joe DeCamara said he thinks that the Eagles have had more strong games than games with poor performances from the offensive line. He shares that he wants the Eagles to win another Super Bowl but it's not make or break following the success of last season.

Picture this: You tell a straight person you're going through something difficult. How do they respond? This is only one of the many scenarios we explore in today's groundbreaking ep with Liva Pierce! Plus: Is Lady Gaga the ultimate empath? Does being surrounded by women as a toddler make you gay? Is it okay to occasionally be happy about something? How about you stop asking so many questions and hit play... before it's too late. Follow Liva at @choppedliva! GEORGE'S SPECIAL RELEASE SHOW AT THE BELL HOUSE ON DEC. 3: https://www.ticketmaster.com/george-civeris-special-release-show-brooklyn-new-york-12-03-2025/event/3000635B3E4D54BC CALL US at 385-GAY-GUYS to leave questions and comments for our next surprise call-in show and you just might hear your call on your favorite podcast. STRAIGHTIOLAB MERCH: cottonbureau.com/people/straightiolab SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON at patreon.com/straightiolab for bonus episodes twice a month and don't forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Picture this: you're scaling your business without burning out. Actually, let me be more specific—you're scaling with the help of a team that never sleeps, never needs a vacation, and costs you almost nothing. Sound impossible? It's not. And today's guest is here to show you exactly how. Natalie MacNeil is an Emmy Award-winning media entrepreneur, a futurist, and a visionary when it comes to AI and entrepreneurship. She's actively reshaping how we build businesses with her AI Dream Team™, a system of 40+ custom GPTs designed to support every core function of a business. If you've been drowning in the day-to-day, if you're tired of being the bottleneck in your own business, or if you're curious about how to use AI with integrity and strategy, this conversation is going to change how you work. Curious about having an AI Dream Team of your own? Check out https://www.jennakutcher.com/AI! If you embrace your AI partnership, and follow Natalie's proven framework, it will amplify your reach and multiply your impact as a transformational leader. And the more of us using AI ethically and for good, the brighter our collective future will be! Visit https://www.jennakutcher.com/AI to learn more. Goal Digger Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/goaldiggerpodcast/ Goal Digger Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goaldiggerpodcast/ Goal Digger Show Notes: https://jennakutcherblog.com/build-your-ai-dream-team  Thanks to our Goal Digger Sponsors: Sign up for your $1/month Shopify trial period at http://shopify.com/goaldigger. Find a co-host today at http://airbnb.com/host. Check out What Should I Do With My Money? from Morgan Stanley. Listen now at https://mgstnly.lnk.to/bqe8HiAC!GD.  Visit http://www.spectrum.com/freeforlife to learn how you can get Business Internet Free Forever. Experience the power of a Dell PC with Intel Inside®, backed by Dell's price match guarantee. Shop now at https://www.dell.com/deals. Your dream wardrobe's one click away. Visit https://www.revolve.com/goaldigger for 15% off your first order with code GOALDIGGER.

This is The Briefing, a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview.Part I (00:14 – 08:48)A New Urgent Ceasefire Proposal? The Trump Administration Presents President Zelensky with 28-Point Ceasefire PlanPart II (08:48 – 20:03)Foreign Policy Realism in Ukraine, Part One: Russia Has Always Considered Ukraine Essential to Its National InterestPart III (20:03 – 25:22)Foreign Policy Realism in Ukraine, Part Two: No NATO Country Will March its Own Army to Defeat Russia in Ukraine – The Least Worst End in Ukraine is the Best Real OptionPart IV (25:22 – 26:59)The Picture of Nuclear War Grows More Complex: It is Now a Three Way Contest Between the U.S., Russia, and ChinaThe Nuclear-Arms Race Is Now a Three-Way Contest by The Wall Street Journal (Yaroslav Trofimov)Sign up to receive The Briefing in your inbox every weekday morning.Follow Dr. Mohler:X | Instagram | Facebook | YouTubeFor more information on The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, go to sbts.edu.For more information on Boyce College, just go to BoyceCollege.com.To write Dr. Mohler or submit a question for The Mailbox, go here.

Hey HBs! We've got a special book for American Thanksgiving this year! Thank you to HB Caroline for the delicious recommendation and hilarious Embrace Reason for choosing it! We loved WAKING UP WITH THE DUKE by Lorraine Heath. Picture it: an Earl looks at a Duke and tells him that he'd be very grateful if he got his wife pregnant for him. Except the Duke has sort of loved her for years and she HATES him. Bonus Content: Mel's loose cannon parenting, Sabrina's newest rabbit hole, pls Caroline how pronounce name?, and so much more. This Friday on we will not be posting a bonus episode on Patreon and our Apple Podcast subscription, because we're participating in the weeklong boycott BLACKOUT THE SYSTEM from Nov 25 - Dec 2nd! Sending a message to corporations, oligarchs, and the ruling class that working people have immense power could be a game-changer! Our episode next week will be impacted, too, so expect next week's episodes on Dec 3rd and 4th (Wednesday and Thursday). Next week we'll be back with a two week event covering HEATED RIVALRY by Rachel Reid. Curious about the ridiculous faces we make? Subscribe and watch us on YOUTUBE! Want to tell us a story, ask about advertising, or anything else? Email: heavingbosomspodcast (at) gmail  Follow our socials:  Instagram @heavingbosoms | Tiktok @heaving_bosoms | Bluesky: @heavingbosoms.com | Threads: @heavingbosoms   Facebook group: the Heaving Bosoms Geriatric Friendship Cult Credits: Theme Music: Brittany Pfantz  Art: Author Kate Prior The above contains affiliate links, which means that when purchasing through them, the podcast gets a small percentage without costing you a penny more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the vast expanse of human understanding, there exists a peculiar phenomenon that has puzzled philosophers and scientists alike for millennia. Picture, if you will, a substrate of reality so fundamental, so pervasive, that it escapes detection precisely because it encompasses all detection itself.  The matrix—though we shall call it by this crude approximation of a name—is not unlike the electromagnetic field that surrounds a charged particle. Just as that field shapes the behavior of other particles in its vicinity, the matrix shapes the very fabric of perception and cognition. It is a self-reinforcing system of information patterns, probability cascades, and feedback loops that creates what we experience as the boundaries of the possible.  Consider the curious case of the laboratory mouse, raised from birth within walls of glass and steel. To this creature, the laboratory represents the totality of existence. The mouse develops elaborate theories about the nature of reality based entirely on the patterns it observes within its enclosure—the regular arrival of food pellets, the cycle of artificial day and night, the maze-like corridors it navigates. Yet beyond those walls lies an entirely different order of existence that the mouse cannot even conceive of, not due to lack of intelligence, but due to the systematic nature of its containment.  The matrix operates on similar principles, but with far greater sophistication. It is not a prison of walls and barriers, but rather a prison of assumptions, neural pathways, linguistic structures, and consensus reality. Each thought we think, each perception we process, each memory we form, operates within its parameters. The matrix is simultaneously the lens through which we see and the very act of seeing itself.