Podcasts about Planning

(00:00) — Welcome and guest credentials: Dr. Gray introduces Dr. Christine Crispin and frames the workshop.(02:10) — Redefining “premed”: Shift from “I'm going to med school” to ongoing career exploration.(05:40) — First‑year success: Why freshman year should prioritize academics and campus adjustment.(08:45) — Dip, don't dive: A toe‑dip into service or shadowing without hurting grades.(12:00) — Do first‑years need advising?: One early meeting to avoid wrong turns and set expectations.(13:40) — Map your courses to MCAT: Align chem/bio/phys/biochem sequencing with your test timeline.(14:58) — Planning the first summer: Add clinical, service, research, or EMT/MA training.(18:05) — Getting certified as an MA: Capier mention and how CCMA can open clinical roles.(19:53) — Work hours that work: Balance school first; per diem and single weekly shifts count.(22:05) — Small hours, big totals: Why 2–4 weekly hours compound into strong experience.(23:40) — Non‑clinical options and impact: Alternatives when sites won't take volunteers and creating your own service.(26:10) — Research reality check: Useful skills, not the centerpiece unless MD‑PhD.(28:10) — Why clinical and shadowing matter: Test fit for patient care and physician responsibilities.(31:46) — What counts as clinical: Direct patient interaction vs adjacent roles that don't qualify.(32:43) — Shadowing continuity: Avoid one‑and‑done; keep modest, ongoing exposure.(34:50) — Sophomore advising focus: Decide timeline, identify gaps, and meet each semester.(36:34) — Recovering from GPA dips: Diagnose causes, seek help, and build an upward trend.(39:13) — Summer before junior year: MCAT study or rinse‑and‑repeat on experiences.(40:10) — The gap year decision: Experiences, GPA trajectory, goals, and bandwidth.(43:23) — Readiness check: Confirm hours, recency, MCAT timing, and letters before applying.(45:58) — MCAT score myths: Why you don't need a 520 and sane score ranges.(48:45) — Letters of rec strategy: Cultivate relationships early; ask for strong letters in spring.(52:01) — Committee letters cautions: Consider expectations but watch harmful timing delays.(53:38) — Storing and QA'ing letters: Using a letter service to reduce technical errors.(54:36) — When advising crosses lines: Schools pre‑screening letters and why that's problematic.(55:24) — Activities recap and risk: Consistency across core experiences and avoiding “late.”(56:48) — Rolling admissions timing: Complete files earlier to lower risk of being overlooked.(59:09) — Not day‑one or bust: Early enough beats first‑minute submission.(01:00:10) — Strong apps are reflective: Authentic, integrated stories over forced themes.What makes a “successful premed” isn't a checklist—it's an exploration mindset. Dr. Ryan Gray and Dr. Christine Crispin break down a realistic path from freshman year through application season. First year, be a college student: master study habits, time management, and campus life. Then add experiences gradually—a toe‑dip into service or shadowing—without sacrificing grades. Map your courses to the MCAT at your institution, and use advising sparingly but strategically to avoid wrong turns. Learn how small, consistent hours in clinical work, non‑clinical service, and shadowing compound over time and why research is valuable but not required unless you're MD‑PhD bound. They clarify what truly counts as clinical, how to choose non‑clinical service when options are limited, and why reflection and authenticity—not themes and checkboxes—elevate your application. You'll also hear how to decide on a gap year, the real risk of applying later in a rolling admissions process, and a practical plan for letters of recommendation, including committee letter pitfalls. This conversation replaces pressure with...

Kiera takes listeners through specific actions the most successful dentistry minds have incorporated into their day-to-day to stay elevated. She touches on: Planning out an ideal week Reviewing these numbers weekly Fostering problem-solvers And more! Episode resources: Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Schedule a Practice Assessment Leave us a review Transcript:   The Dental A Team (00:00) Hello, Dental A Team listeners, this is Kiera and I hope that you guys are having an amazing day today. I hope you're loving dentistry. I hope you're loving your opportunities. I hope that you are remembering that we have one life and I hope that you're making it the absolute best life you can. There's a song that I recently heard called Time's a Ticken and it's like, so call your mom, love your babies, talk to your friends and...   I just think about it and another thing I saw were like, if your mom and dad are still able to call you, how blessed are we? And I know some people have strained relationships, but I think as much love that we can give and as much as we can foster great relationships in our lives and realize how much goodness we have, I think that's an amazing space for us. just hopefully you know how much I love and appreciate you and how much I'm rooting for you, whether I know you personally or whether...   you are someone in our Dental A Team family, or if you are in our podcast family, or if you're new to this, just know I'm rooting for you. Even if I don't know you personally, ⁓ you're doing better than you think you are today. Guys, it's going to be fun. I want to talk about CEO habits for next level, like what top practice leaders are doing and just some tips for you. As we're rolling into a 2026, I love looking at habits and not necessarily fads, but habits. And so what do things do? And I believe that habits, not just hustle,   are going to help you with success. ⁓ So many times it's like, well, what made the success successful? And it's like really consistency on doing the best things and the highest priority things consistently. And so giving a couple of three core habits that I think growth-minded leaders, practice owners have versus overwhelmed operators. And so really being able to give you that guidance and at Dental A Team we're obsessed with helping dentists become CEOs of their practices and having amazing teams thrive around them and.   ⁓ Giving you guys all of that today is really what it is and we want you guys to feel clarity, confidence and consistency. And I know sometimes when you're in the whirlwind of the day-to-day business, it can feel very hard to have this. But I will say, if you can build these as a building blocks, the noise can lessen. I'm not gonna promise it will go away, but it can definitely lessen and doing it over time. Just like with front office team members were like, I just don't have time, Kiera. And we're like, great, let's put in a power hour. And they're like, it's never enough time.   You're right. Today is not enough time, but if you do one hour a week blocked with no interruptions and you work on the highest level things, I've watched teams over and over and over again, be like, I actually don't need this hour anymore. And we get our recare calls done and we get our unscheduled treatment calls done and we block that and we do it. And office managers, they block that time and billers block the time to do insurance verification. It does not need to be a lot of time, but it does need to be consistent. So with that, you guys, this is going to be something that's a   a habit, ⁓ daily and weekly habits that you can create that you can really just put into your life now. So number one is, this sounds so silly and I do this often, it's creating and committing to an ideal week. ⁓ And so that's being able to have a rhythm and not reaction. so what I noticed and it's crazy because as my company evolves, my life and my business and my schedule needs to evolve as well.   When the business was smaller, I used to be able to run back to back to back to back meetings. There wasn't as much strategy that I needed to think about. There weren't as many hard decisions. There weren't as many like complex decisions that I used to be able to run a week like back to back to back. And then I realized like, I can't run like that anymore. I need to have like on time and off time, on time, off time. And then there's presenting like podcasts. Like you try to put meetings on a podcast day. You guys, am in podcast is creative land and I'm on presenting mode. And I'm like here hanging out with you guys and having a good time.   don't put meetings where I'm trying to like figure out a budget that is such a different mind than a creative mind. And so really being able to block this where we have it and color coding your calendar. What I really do believe is as a CEO of a practice, you're going to have clinician time, right? You're going to have being a dentist. Then you're going to have leader time where you're developing your leaders. And then you're going to have visionary CEO time. And if you can block this in there and you don't have to have it perfect. So do I have   leader time where I'm like developing my leaders and I'm spending time figuring out leadership pieces for them and investing in my leaders and coaching my leaders. Do I have that blocked in there? And then do I have this deep work visionary CEO time where I'm reviewing the financials and I'm answering questions from my office manager and doctors sometimes they even recommend you have another block of am I getting like all the busy work like the labs and the clin checks and the cases and looking at all the scheduling coming up. Do I have time to work on that? And   blocking this and it sounds like, gosh, there's so much and there is, this is why you feel overwhelmed and you feel radical. So having my doctor dentists in time, my leadership development time, my CEO time, and then if you need any other time, great. I also put in my personal time. So am I working out and taking care of my body? And we did this with our mastermind group where I learned a thing called rapid planning method from Tony Robbins and I really enjoyed it. And then I took it of course, ended Kiera spin to it.   But what I really loved is Tony actually had us rename our categories. So instead of saying workout time, it's my honoring my body time. And that was so much more fulfilling for me. And I also have buckets in there that are color coded of date time. Like I call it mine and Jason's forever love story. And what do I put into my calendar that's blocked specifically for that? And what's lovely is when you have colors around it, ⁓ you can actually make it to where you then are working on those specific areas.   and you're able to see them very, very easily. So when we look at this, I think about my colors and my favorite color is pink. So I always have my Kiera section where I'm honoring myself. It's in pink in my calendar. When I'm working on Dental A Team and I used to like call it just Dental A Team. Now it's my passion project and it's blue. Honoring my body is orange. I needed that like vibrant orange, like getting excited about it. And I have that in there.   my leadership visionary time, that's going to be a different color. For me, that's more of this like blue turquoise color. It's more serene, it's calm. So whatever that is for you, just having those color coordinated things and like I popped into my RPM planner. So I have my ⁓ ROASIS ⁓ is our home. And so working on my home, wealth, genius, fun, that's curious thing. And I always make sure I have fun built into my calendar. But I think like you can make it as complex or as simple as you want, but I would really recommend we've got our dentist time.   our leader time, so maybe that's like our give back time or our development time or our like my first team time and then my visionary, my exciting time. What does that look like and really blocking that in your calendar? And so then we audit our week at the end of the week and I remember I was taught like many times like the most productive thing is to go back and look where did I win my week? Where did I like lose the week and what do need to change for this? And   Even me going into a new year, actually have a new EA joining me pretty soon. So that's thrill. If any of you had a personal assistant EA that's been with you for a long time and you're getting a new one, let's ⁓ just say it's a thrill. And I'm really excited for Marissa to join as Shelbi's getting ready to have some life changes. And I'm so, so, so excited for her. ⁓ And going through that and being able to experience it, I realized I needed a different calendar.   What I've been doing is not going to get me to where I need to go. And so we've been working on it and I like built it. You guys, I like to like really mass and like if I'm in podcast mode, I'm in podcast mode. And if I'm in coaching call mode, I'm in coaching call mode. And if I'm in business mode, I'm in business mode. ⁓ but I realized what I was doing is I was business mode. I was coaching call AKA dentists thing that I was in heavy meetings and then I was in podcasting. And I think sometimes when we run that heavy, it's very hard to have like downtime. And so for you looking, you're working as a dentist all four days.   So could we block maybe Wednesday mornings where you have a catch up time or do we have a CEO day where it's a Friday and you actually have that block for four hours and you work on that. I have a dentist, he works Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursdays are always off and he works Friday. And I'm like, that is the weirdest schedule. He's like, Keira, I love it. I get all my admin stuff done when people are still there. I have time to think that's when I'm gonna work on my decisions. And then I go in and have a great Friday where I've got nothing on me and I produce my highest amount. And this doctor is a very high producing doctor but he's very regimented in how he does it.   And that's how he's been operating for the last like 30 years. So when you implement this and you commit, so I'm like, okay, let's break it down. guys know I like to make it easy. I like to make it tactical for you. You got to block these areas. What am I done to seeing? When am I leading? And when am I thinking about the greater big like CEOing of the company? And if I'm only going to do one, I'm going to block a two hour block every single week to work on high level of the business. Just like I recommended for our leaders blocking one hour minimum per week of deep work time.   and doing it at your prime optimal time. For me, it's early mornings. I operate so good from like 6 a.m. lately, it's been like 3 a.m. until about 11 and then like I'm out. I don't want to be thinking heavy. I don't like hard things. That's my operating. Just like I run on protein, Jason runs on carbs. Like it's just operating in how we function, but really making sure you do that. Again, this is a habit. It's a discipline. It's reviewing it. And I had a doctor who was really high level. We coached together for about a year and he said, Kiera, coaching with you was one of the most impactful years of my life.   because you taught me to prioritize my calendar, to review my calendar, to work on my family relationships, to work on my leadership, to delegate, to see what things were in my calendar that I could delegate. And this person has grown and added multi-multi-practices and I'm so proud of him. But truly, this is going to be your best thing. So action on this of getting this habit into place is block two hours as your CEO time, no operations, no calls. You are just fully focused on the business and commit to doing that.   for the next four months. Whoa, four months, can you imagine? Just try it. Test it out, tell me, Kiera, I'm trying the experiment. Email me, Hello@TheDentalATeam.com. I'm committed to it and I want you to not break that promise to yourself. You hold it strong. I had a doctor who did this. She put a like sign on her door and she said, do not interrupt me at all. Now you have to hold this strong because if someone's like, hey doc, I just have a quick question. Nope, right now is my time and I need you to respect my time. I'll be available at this time.   You call that one or two times and your team will not interrupt you again because they know you are dead serious on this. So review it. Now you're already doing that. I want you to take it one level further and I want you to add in your date time, your workout time, something that you are also adding in that needs to be blocked. And I want you to ramp it up one more. Okay, that's number one habit. Number two habit is reviewing your KPIs and your financials every single week. And you're making decisions based on data, not on feeling. So we all know that what we measure improves, right? All of that is there.   So what it is is KPIs, you gotta be looking at those, whether you're using dental Intel, we recommend Addit. Practice by numbers, I don't care. All of our clients do get Addit. So if you're like, hey, I'm thinking about consulting, but I'm not sure about cost or guess what, we cover that cost for you and it's free for you and we also have other perks for you. So ⁓ definitely cost savings that way. And we help you build a scorecard and a dashboard and we teach your team to look at this. But you as a CEO of your practice, this is how you become a CEO. CEOs make decisions based on numbers and metrics, not on feeling and gut.   but you have to take time to review the data to sift through the data. We have an amazing CRO on our team that's a chief revenue officer. didn't even know that was a position. And I have been begging our marketing team to go through our podcast data to figure out what did the listeners want? have, guys, oh my gosh, we're moving into, think our, we started in 2019. So this year, seven years on the pod, guys. I cannot believe that. Lucky seven over here. But thinking about it, I was like, go look at the data. want to,   not just what Kiera feels and what I think you guys, are 1,100 episodes in by now. Like we should be able to have great data of what you guys want. And you're gonna hear a change this year because we actually went through Paul kudos to him. He went through and he looked at all the data and he said, all right, Kiera, here are the episodes doing well here. The episodes not doing well. Here are the things that listeners want. Here's how we need to revamp it. And I was so proud of him and so grateful because now we're building content based on what the data is telling us. But you know how long that took him? It took him like three months to go through it all, sift through it all. And for you,   You've got data, you've got case acceptance data, you've got new patient call conversion data, you've got our billing, our AR data, you've got diagnosis of doctors, we've got hygiene period data. That is the stuff you need to be looking at to see how are we doing? You've got how long is it to our next appointment? We see how far out are we booking our new patients? We see how far out are we booking our six month appointments? Are we staying at six months? How much money are we losing? A doctor had me come in and I looked and saw it, you're booking your patients eight months out. It was about a million dollars worth of revenue that they were leaving on the table.   just by not having enough hygiene available. That is gold if you will take the time. So this is another step that we're gonna add in. So you've already got your CEO block. You can add this into it where we commit to reviewing our KPIs and our PNLs every single week and making adjustments to that. Now work in tandem with your office manager. Office managers, should be doing this as well. Every single week, where are we off and what do we need to do next? Every week. And we train our teams to use numbers, not feelings. And this is how we're going to lead.   So team members should be looking at the numbers. They should know their department. Are we on track? Are we off track? We have scorecards every single week. All of our departments are reporting. Where are we on? Where are we off of? Where do we need to pivot? We need lead measures and we need lag measures. We need to make sure we're looking at both of those. And you literally start looking at this. And I just told you like people who do this, I have an office and she was like, Garo, we need to increase. I want to increase it. And I was like, we are profit and production. That's all we're looking at, period. I cut out all the noise.   Profit production, what are the levers that are hitting that? How are we diagnosing? How are we block scheduling? How is our case acceptance? How are our new patients and how are we filling the schedule? Profit production, that's all we're hitting. And guess what? That doctor is the most profitable they have ever been. But it was because we had them laser focus. We focus on these numbers every single week. And this doctor was doing it, but they weren't optimizing and making decisions on where they really needed to go and focus on the most important thing. And I think even though you might look at the KPIs and data, are you focusing on the most important things that are gonna drive and move your practice forward?   So I want you profit and production are the number two that I go after. One and two, you've got to look at those two always. And then you use the other ones to boost those two up. And if you're struggling with that, hi, I'm Kiera. We work at Dental A Team. We're a consulting company committed to making you financially free, blissfully happy in your practice and getting the best life you want. So reach out, Hello@TheDentalATeam.com Okay, so let's have it number two. Habit number three is developing your people to solve problems instead of you always solving them. So.   This is something where it's like, what's leadership versus what's firefighting. And you guys, I'm not perfect at this. I do a lot of firefighting. I do a lot of problem solving for teams. And I'm like, my gosh, I'll just give you the answer. But the goal is we need to fix it. And we need to start asking the question. So I'm like, hey, here's a problem. Instead of being like, here's the answer. Then we train them that we're the person that they come to. Hey, what do you think is a solution? You can roll it out. It's a three solution company. If you've got a problem, you bring me three solutions, one of which does not cost money. We have one-on-ones that focus on development, not just updates.   I need to develop you as a leader. I need to work with you. I need to grow you. Where are we at? This is the things we need. Like, let's work through this. Is this really the best use of our time? Is this really the best KPI for us to be tracking? Is this really how we're gonna lead? You focusing and developing your leaders and coaching them, you don't wait for things to break. So like, let's look at the KPIs. All these, you can tell build upon each other. Let's look at the KPIs. Let's look at what you guys are needing. And then let's coach to that. But truly,   If you will coach your team, there's a practice that I have known for gosh, seven years. The doctors are working in there one day a week and their office manager is running the organization and they have leaders. They have people that are following up on issues. They have the team solving their own problems. They're a solution oriented organization rather than a problem like centric like, Hey, here's your problem. Go fix it. If you need a good book, ⁓ gosh, it's the monkey book. The one minute manager meets the monkey.   It's like a good little fable of don't let people put the monkey, like their monkey on your back and leave it. Another friend described it as a fridge with a magnet and like someone was like, here's this problem, here's this problem. We're like Post-it notes, right? Like they just put it all on you. Tiff and I did a video a long time ago where it's like Post-it notes all over you and you're just drowning in Post-it notes. Well, that's like draining your energy too. And if we can teach our team to solve problems and this is a habit, this is going to be, ⁓ this is going to be something that you work through.   So just letting you know, like, this is where it's at. This is how we do it. These are three habits for you. So how do we take action on this one of developing it is you're going to have monthly coaching one-on-one with each of your leaders and figuring out their gaps of where they need to grow and giving honest feedback to them. ⁓ There's some great things of, you guys know we run on EOS and we absolutely love EOS and there's quarterly conversations that you can have. it's like, how are they on core values? How are they on their position? How are they rating themselves?   ⁓ We are having the conversations and we're being direct with them and we're giving mutual reflection on things and how are we doing on our quarterly pieces and how's our team doing and what are the moving forward actions that we're doing and having these as consistent monthly and quarterly check-ins with our team, but growing them into leaders is going to be critical and pivotal for your team. So these are three, you guys, three quick habits that you can implement now.   If you need to read the book Atomic Habits, how do I stack things? How do I make this easy? Like, okay, I need to block CEO time. So CEO time sounds like C, I'm gonna C on Thursdays or C on Fridays. Like, I don't know, C, maybe at C2, I'm trying to think of like an alliteration for you. I need my CEO time, my power time. There's no P in the alphabet, in the Monday, Tuesday, So maybe it's like top time on Tuesday or Thursday. I'm gonna do my top time Tuesday or Thursday or like Focus Friday.   There you go, there's some alliterations for you, but I'm gonna block this and I'm gonna block my calendar. Then I'm also gonna commit to KPIs or numbers. So winning Wednesdays, that's when I'm always gonna look at my numbers. Or magic Mondays, I'm gonna look at my numbers. Or money Mondays, there you go. Money Mondays, I'm gonna look at my KPIs and I'm gonna make decisions and me and my OM are gonna meet on that. And then I'm going to have leaders that are solution oriented. So we roll that as a culture thing and I'm gonna set it to where once a month I meet with all of my leaders now.   Maybe we work on weekly in the future, ⁓ but I'm gonna make sure that I'm meeting with them once a month and that's where I'm putting my most important time. And I could add that as CEO time, that's fine, because you are working on leadership at that part, but you're gonna commit to one, two or three of these habits and you're gonna hold strong for at least four months and let me know how your life looks. Now, if you're like me, I have to have a gym trainer, otherwise I don't work out. I got all the workouts, I got all the things, I hear it, I see it, I see it on Instagram, I see how to make the good food.   But unless I have it booked, scheduled, and someone's holding me accountable to it, I don't do it. So if you're that person, hi, I'm Kiera. We have the Dental A Team and this is what I'm obsessed with. Second to sending you a carrier pigeon, we make sure that you stay accountable to this. Let's help you do that. Reach out Hello@TheDentalATeam.com because you deserve to be the CEO and sometimes just being redirected and getting a new habit and a new operating system is going to get you to where you want to be. So reach out Hello@TheDentalATeam.com and commit to this. I want you guys to act like the CEO of your practice.   and start with these three habits this week. Reach out, we're here to help. And as always, thanks for listening. I'll catch you next time on the Dental A Team Podcast.  

In this episode, I sit down with Triad members Matt Dixon and Byron Hurren to break down how True North evolved from a founder-led advisory firm into a scalable, system-driven business.Just a few years ago, Matt was still running client appointments, and growth flowed almost entirely through him. Byron was another advisor on the team, trying to keep up inside a model that relied heavily on individual talent. Today, Matt is fully out of client meetings, Byron is leading and training a five-person sales team, and the firm is pacing for over $200M in new assets this year.We unpack exactly what changed — how they replaced personality-driven selling with a repeatable sales process, why conversations are replicated nearly word-for-word, and how training, accountability, and culture turned individual production into firm-wide scale. This episode is a clear look at what it actually takes to grow beyond the founder without losing control of the business. 3 of the biggest insights from Matt Dixon & Byron Hurren… #1.) Scaling Requires One Process, Not Multiple StylesTrue North didn't grow by hiring more talented closers. They grew by eliminating variation. Once every advisor followed the same repeatable process, results became predictable, coachable, and scalable. #2.) Selling the Plan Changed EverythingThe shift from pitching products to selling an ongoing planning process created clarity for clients and confidence for advisors. Planning became the product, and the team became the value. #3.) Accountability Is the Growth MultiplierWeekly training, recorded meetings, and direct feedback created a culture where improvement was non-negotiable. Advisors either followed the process or self-selected out.SHOW NOTEShttps://bradleyjohnson.com/152FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIALTwitterInstagramLinkedInFOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL:YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebookDISCLOSURE DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations. The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today's episode, I break down why 20 minutes of action will always outperform 20 hours of planning when it comes to your concrete professional goals. Inspired by a Mel Robbins quote, I share a personal "real-time" experiment where I stopped overthinking a dinner for HR leaders and instead spent 30 minutes sending targeted LinkedIn messages. The result? Immediate interest and a surprising "yes" from a high-profile influencer I almost didn't reach out to. If you've been stuck in the "thinking" phase of a project, this is your sign that movement creates its own map—stop planning and start doing.I hope you enjoy it! As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon.

As leaders, we want to make wise, Spirit-led decisions that move our ministries forward. But without realizing it, we often fall into patterns of planning that keep us stuck—repeating the same mistakes year after year.In this episode, Pete Scazzero gets painfully honest about the five planning mistakes that hindered him for years—and how these missteps continue to trap leaders today:Insufficiently preparingFlippantly defining successIgnoring the most important work—listening to Jesus togetherSkimming on developmentFailing to anchor vision in calendars, limits, and next stepsPete shares the lessons he's learned the hard way through decades of leadership in the local church and Emotionally Healthy Discipleship. With clarity, candor, and practical wisdom, he offers a better way forward—one that's rooted in prayerful discernment, emotional maturity, and thoughtful preparation.If you're tired of spinning your wheels and ready to do the deeper work of strategic planning in God's way, this episode is for you.Listen now and take your next step toward leading with greater clarity, peace, and purpose.Resources & Links Mentioned:Free EH Leader Planning & Decision-Making Guide: https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/leaderEH School of Leadership: https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/schoolNext EH Webinar: https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/webinar

Last time we spoke about the climax of the battle of Lake Khasan. In August, the Lake Khasan region became a tense theater of combat as Soviet and Japanese forces clashed around Changkufeng and Hill 52. The Soviets pushed a multi-front offensive, bolstered by artillery, tanks, and air power, yet the Japanese defenders held firm, aided by engineers, machine guns, and heavy guns. By the ninth and tenth, a stubborn Japanese resilience kept Hill 52 and Changkufeng in Japanese hands, though the price was steep and the field was littered with the costs of battle. Diplomatically, both sides aimed to confine the fighting and avoid a larger war. Negotiations trudged on, culminating in a tentative cease-fire draft for August eleventh: a halt to hostilities, positions to be held as of midnight on the tenth, and the creation of a border-demarcation commission. Moscow pressed for a neutral umpire; Tokyo resisted, accepting a Japanese participant but rejecting a neutral referee. The cease-fire was imperfect, with miscommunications and differing interpretations persisting.    #185 Operation Hainan Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. After what seemed like a lifetime over in the northern border between the USSR and Japan, today we are returning to the Second Sino-Japanese War. Now I thought it might be a bit jarring to dive into it, so let me do a brief summary of where we are at, in the year of 1939. As the calendar turned to 1939, the Second Sino-Japanese War, which had erupted in July 1937 with the Marco Polo Bridge Incident and escalated into full-scale conflict, had evolved into a protracted quagmire for the Empire of Japan. What began as a swift campaign to subjugate the Republic of China under Chiang Kai-shek had, by the close of 1938, transformed into a war of attrition. Japanese forces, under the command of generals like Shunroku Hata and Yasuji Okamura, had achieved stunning territorial gains: the fall of Shanghai in November 1937 after a brutal three-month battle that cost over 200,000 Chinese lives; the infamous capture of Nanjing in December 1937, marked by the Nanjing Massacre where an estimated 300,000 civilians and disarmed soldiers were killed in a six-week orgy of violence; and the sequential occupations of Xuzhou in May 1938, Wuhan in October 1938, and Guangzhou that same month.  These victories secured Japan's control over China's eastern seaboard, major riverine arteries like the Yangtze, and key industrial centers, effectively stripping the Nationalists of much of their economic base. Yet, despite these advances, China refused to capitulate. Chiang's government had retreated inland to the mountainous stronghold of Chongqing in Sichuan province, where it regrouped amid the fog-laden gorges, drawing on the vast human reserves of China's interior and the resilient spirit of its people. By late 1938, Japanese casualties had mounted to approximately 50,000 killed and 200,000 wounded annually, straining the Imperial Japanese Army's resources and exposing the vulnerabilities of overextended supply lines deep into hostile territory. In Tokyo, the corridors of the Imperial General Headquarters and the Army Ministry buzzed with urgent deliberations during the winter of 1938-1939. The initial doctrine of "quick victory" through decisive battles, epitomized by the massive offensives of 1937 and 1938, had proven illusory. Japan's military planners, influenced by the Kwantung Army's experiences in Manchuria and the ongoing stalemate, recognized that China's sheer size, with its 4 million square miles and over 400 million inhabitants, rendered total conquest unfeasible without unacceptable costs. Intelligence reports highlighted the persistence of Chinese guerrilla warfare, particularly in the north where Communist forces under Mao Zedong's Eighth Route Army conducted hit-and-run operations from bases in Shanxi and Shaanxi, sabotaging railways and ambushing convoys. The Japanese response included brutal pacification campaigns, such as the early iterations of what would later formalize as the "Three Alls Policy" (kill all, burn all, loot all), aimed at devastating rural economies and isolating resistance pockets. But these measures only fueled further defiance. By early 1939, a strategic pivot was formalized: away from direct annihilation of Chinese armies toward a policy of economic strangulation. This "blockade and interdiction" approach sought to sever China's lifelines to external aid, choking off the flow of weapons, fuel, and materiel that sustained the Nationalist war effort. As one Japanese staff officer noted in internal memos, the goal was to "starve the dragon in its lair," acknowledging the limits of Japanese manpower, total forces in China numbered around 1 million by 1939, against China's inexhaustible reserves. Central to this new strategy were the three primary overland supply corridors that had emerged as China's backdoors to the world, compensating for the Japanese naval blockade that had sealed off most coastal ports since late 1937. The first and most iconic was the Burma Road, a 717-mile engineering marvel hastily constructed between 1937 and 1938 by over 200,000 Chinese and Burmese laborers under the direction of engineers like Chih-Ping Chen. Stretching from the railhead at Lashio in British Burma (modern Myanmar) through treacherous mountain passes and dense jungles to Kunming in Yunnan province, the road navigated elevations up to 7,000 feet with hundreds of hairpin turns and precarious bridges. By early 1939, it was operational, albeit plagued by monsoonal mudslides, banditry, and mechanical breakdowns of the imported trucks, many Ford and Chevrolet models supplied via British Rangoon. Despite these challenges, it funneled an increasing volume of aid: in 1939 alone, estimates suggest up to 10,000 tons per month of munitions, gasoline, and aircraft parts from Allied sources, including early Lend-Lease precursors from the United States. The road's completion in 1938 had been a direct response to the loss of southern ports, and its vulnerability to aerial interdiction made it a prime target in Japanese planning documents. The second lifeline was the Indochina route, centered on the French-built Yunnan-Vietnam Railway (also known as the Hanoi-Kunming Railway), a 465-mile narrow-gauge line completed in 1910 that linked the port of Haiphong in French Indochina to Kunming via Hanoi and Lao Cai. This colonial artery, supplemented by parallel roads and river transport along the Red River, became China's most efficient supply conduit in 1938-1939, exploiting France's uneasy neutrality. French authorities, under Governor-General Pierre Pasquier and later Georges Catroux, turned a blind eye to transshipments, allowing an average of 15,000 to 20,000 tons monthly in early 1939, far surpassing the Burma Road's initial capacity. Cargoes included Soviet arms rerouted via Vladivostok and American oil, with French complicity driven by anti-Japanese sentiment and profitable tolls. However, Japanese reconnaissance flights from bases in Guangdong noted the vulnerability of bridges and rail yards, leading to initial bombing raids by mid-1939. Diplomatic pressure mounted, with Tokyo issuing protests to Paris, foreshadowing the 1940 closure under Vichy France after the fall of France in Europe. The route's proximity to the South China Sea made it a focal point for Japanese naval strategists, who viewed it as a "leak in the blockade." The third corridor, often overlooked but critical, was the Northwest Highway through Soviet Central Asia and Xinjiang province. This overland network, upgraded between 1937 and 1941 with Soviet assistance, connected the Turkestan-Siberian Railway at Almaty (then Alma-Ata) to Lanzhou in Gansu via Urumqi, utilizing a mix of trucks, camel caravans, and rudimentary roads across the Gobi Desert and Tian Shan mountains. Under the Sino-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact of August 1937 and subsequent aid agreements, Moscow supplied China with over 900 aircraft, 82 tanks, 1,300 artillery pieces, and vast quantities of ammunition and fuel between 1937 and 1941—much of it traversing this route. In 1938-1939, volumes peaked, with Soviet pilots and advisors even establishing air bases in Lanzhou. The highway's construction involved tens of thousands of Chinese laborers, facing harsh winters and logistical hurdles, but it delivered up to 2,000 tons monthly, including entire fighter squadrons like the Polikarpov I-16. Japanese intelligence, aware of this "Red lifeline," planned disruptions but were constrained by the ongoing Nomonhan Incident on the Manchurian-Soviet border in 1939, which diverted resources and highlighted the risks of provoking Moscow. These routes collectively sustained China's resistance, prompting Japan's high command to prioritize their severance. In March 1939, the South China Area Army was established under General Rikichi Andō (later succeeded by Field Marshal Hisaichi Terauchi), headquartered in Guangzhou, with explicit orders to disrupt southern communications. Aerial campaigns intensified, with Mitsubishi G3M "Nell" bombers from Wuhan and Guangzhou targeting Kunming's airfields and the Red River bridges, while diplomatic maneuvers pressured colonial powers: Britain faced demands during the June 1939 Tientsin Crisis to close the Burma Road, and France received ultimatums that culminated in the 1940 occupation of northern Indochina. Yet, direct assaults on Yunnan or Guangxi were deemed too arduous due to rugged terrain and disease risks. Instead, planners eyed peripheral objectives to encircle these arteries. This strategic calculus set the stage for the invasion of Hainan Island, a 13,000-square-mile landmass off Guangdong's southern coast, rich in iron and copper but strategically priceless for its position astride the Indochina route and proximity to Hong Kong. By February 1939, Japanese admirals like Nobutake Kondō of the 5th Fleet advocated seizure to establish air and naval bases, plugging blockade gaps and enabling raids on Haiphong and Kunming, a prelude to broader southern expansion that would echo into the Pacific War. Now after the fall campaign around Canton in autumn 1938, the Japanese 21st Army found itself embedded in a relentless effort to sever the enemy's lifelines. Its primary objective shifted from mere battlefield engagements to tightening the choke points of enemy supply, especially along the Canton–Hankou railway. Recognizing that war materiel continued to flow into the enemy's hands, the Imperial General Headquarters ordered the 21st Army to strike at every other supply route, one by one, until the arteries of logistics were stifled. The 21st Army undertook a series of decisive occupations to disrupt transport and provisioning from multiple directions. To sustain these difficult campaigns, Imperial General Headquarters reinforced the south China command, enabling greater operational depth and endurance. The 21st Army benefited from a series of reinforcements during 1939, which allowed a reorganization of assignments and missions: In late January, the Iida Detachment was reorganized into the Formosa Mixed Brigade and took part in the invasion of Hainan Island.  Hainan, just 15 miles across the Qiongzhou Strait from the mainland, represented a critical "loophole": it lay astride the Gulf of Tonkin, enabling smuggling of arms and materiel from Haiphong to Kunming, and offered potential airfields for bombing raids deep into Yunnan. Japanese interest in Hainan dated to the 1920s, driven by the Taiwan Governor-General's Office, which eyed the island's tropical resources (rubber, iron, copper) and naval potential at ports like Sanya (Samah). Prewar surveys by Japanese firms, such as those documented in Ide Kiwata's Minami Shina no Sangyō to Keizai (1939), highlighted mineral wealth and strategic harbors. The fall of Guangzhou in October 1938 provided the perfect launchpad, but direct invasion was delayed until early 1939 amid debates between the IJA (favoring mainland advances) and IJN (prioritizing naval encirclement). The operation would also heavily align with broader "southward advance" (Nanshin-ron) doctrine foreshadowing invasions of French Indochina (1940) and the Pacific War. On the Chinese side, Hainan was lightly defended as part of Guangdong's "peace preservation" under General Yu Hanmou. Two security regiments, six guard battalions, and a self-defense corps, totaling around 7,000–10,000 poorly equipped troops guarded the island, supplemented by roughly 300 Communist guerrillas under Feng Baiju, who operated independently in the interior. The indigenous Li (Hlai) people in the mountainous south, alienated by Nationalist taxes, provided uneven support but later allied with Communists. The Imperial General Headquarters ordered the 21st Army, in cooperation with the Navy, to occupy and hold strategic points on the island near Haikou-Shih. The 21st Army commander assigned the Formosa Mixed Brigade to carry out this mission. Planning began in late 1938 under the IJN's Fifth Fleet, with IJA support from the 21st Army. The objective: secure northern and southern landing sites to bisect the island, establish air/naval bases, and exploit resources. Vice Admiral Nobutake Kondō, commanding the fleet, emphasized surprise and air superiority. The invasion began under the cover of darkness on February 9, 1939, when Kondō's convoy entered Tsinghai Bay on the northern shore of Hainan and anchored at midnight. Japanese troops swiftly disembarked, encountering minimal initial resistance from the surprised Chinese defenders, and secured a beachhead in the northern zone. At 0300 hours on 10 February, the Formosa Mixed Brigade, operating in close cooperation with naval units, executed a surprise landing at the northeastern point of Tengmai Bay in north Hainan. By 04:30, the right flank reached the main road leading to Fengyingshih, while the left flank reached a position two kilometers south of Tienwei. By 07:00, the right flank unit had overcome light enemy resistance near Yehli and occupied Chiungshan. At that moment there were approximately 1,000 elements of the enemy's 5th Infantry Brigade (militia) at Chiungshan; about half of these troops were destroyed, and the remainder fled into the hills south of Tengmai in a state of disarray. Around 08:30 that same day, the left flank unit advanced to the vicinity of Shuchang and seized Hsiuying Heights. By 12:00, it occupied Haikou, the island's northern port city and administrative center, beginning around noon. Army and navy forces coordinated to mop up remaining pockets of resistance in the northern areas, overwhelming the scattered Chinese security units through superior firepower and organization. No large-scale battles are recorded in primary accounts; instead, the engagements were characterized by rapid advances and localized skirmishes, as the Chinese forces, lacking heavy artillery or air support, could not mount a sustained defense. By the end of the day, Japanese control over the north was consolidating, with Haikou falling under their occupation.Also on 10 February, the Brigade pushed forward to seize Cingang. Wenchang would be taken on the 22nd, followed by Chinglan Port on the 23rd. On February 11, the operation expanded southward when land combat units amphibiously assaulted Samah (now Sanya) at the island's southern tip. This landing allowed them to quickly seize key positions, including the port of Yulin (Yulinkang) and the town of Yai-Hsien (Yaxian, now part of Sanya). With these southern footholds secured, Japanese forces fanned out to subjugate the rest of the island, capturing inland areas and infrastructure with little organized opposition. Meanwhile, the landing party of the South China Navy Expeditionary Force, which had joined with the Army to secure Haikou, began landing on the island's southern shore at dawn on 14 February. They operated under the protection of naval and air units. By the same morning, the landing force had advanced to Sa-Riya and, by 12:00 hours, had captured Yulin Port. Chinese casualties were significant in the brief fighting; from January to May 1939, reports indicate the 11th security regiment alone suffered 8 officers and 162 soldiers killed, 3 officers and 16 wounded, and 5 officers and 68 missing, though figures for other units are unclear. Japanese losses were not publicly detailed but appear to have been light.  When crisis pressed upon them, Nationalist forces withdrew from coastal Haikou, shepherding the last civilians toward the sheltering embrace of the Wuzhi mountain range that bands the central spine of Hainan. From that high ground they sought to endure the storm, praying that the rugged hills might shield their families from the reach of war. Yet the Li country's mountains did not deliver a sanctuary free of conflict. Later in August of 1943, an uprising erupted among the Li,Wang Guoxing, a figure of local authority and stubborn resolve. His rebellion was swiftly crushed; in reprisal, the Nationalists executed a seizure of vengeance that extended far beyond the moment of defeat, claiming seven thousand members of Wang Guoxing's kin in his village. The episode was grim testimony to the brutal calculus of war, where retaliation and fear indelibly etched the landscape of family histories. Against this backdrop, the Communists under Feng Baiju and the native Li communities forged a vigorous guerrilla war against the occupiers. The struggle was not confined to partisan skirmishes alone; it unfolded as a broader contest of survival and resistance. The Japanese response was relentless and punitive, and it fell upon Li communities in western Hainan with particular ferocity, Sanya and Danzhou bore the brunt of violence, as did the many foreign laborers conscripted into service by the occupying power. The toll of these reprisals was stark: among hundreds of thousands of slave laborers pressed into service, tens of thousands perished. Of the 100,000 laborers drawn from Hong Kong, only about 20,000 survived the war's trials, a haunting reminder of the human cost embedded in the occupation. Strategically, the island of Hainan took on a new if coercive purpose. Portions of the island were designated as a naval administrative district, with the Hainan Guard District Headquarters established at Samah, signaling its role as a forward air base and as an operational flank for broader anti-Chiang Kai-shek efforts. In parallel, the island's rich iron and copper resources were exploited to sustain the war economy of the occupiers. The control of certain areas on Hainan provided a base of operations for incursions into Guangdong and French Indochina, while the airbases that dotted the island enabled long-range air raids that threaded routes from French Indochina and Burma into the heart of China. The island thus assumed a grim dual character: a frontier fortress for the occupiers and a ground for the prolonged suffering of its inhabitants. Hainan then served as a launchpad for later incursions into Guangdong and Indochina. Meanwhile after Wuhan's collapse, the Nationalist government's frontline strength remained formidable, even as attrition gnawed at its edges. By the winter of 1938–1939, the front line had swelled to 261 divisions of infantry and cavalry, complemented by 50 independent brigades. Yet the political and military fissures within the Kuomintang suggested fragility beneath the apparent depth of manpower. The most conspicuous rupture came with Wang Jingwei's defection, the vice president and chairman of the National Political Council, who fled to Hanoi on December 18, 1938, leading a procession of more than ten other KMT officials, including Chen Gongbo, Zhou Fohai, Chu Minqi, and Zeng Zhongming. In the harsh arithmetic of war, defections could not erase the country's common resolve to resist Japanese aggression, and the anti-Japanese national united front still served as a powerful instrument, rallying the Chinese populace to "face the national crisis together." Amid this political drama, Japan's strategy moved into a phase that sought to convert battlefield endurance into political consolidation. As early as January 11, 1938, Tokyo had convened an Imperial Conference and issued a framework for handling the China Incident that would shape the theater for years. The "Outline of Army Operations Guidance" and "Continental Order No. 241" designated the occupied territories as strategic assets to be held with minimal expansion beyond essential needs. The instruction mapped an operational zone that compressed action to a corridor between Anqing, Xinyang, Yuezhou, and Nanchang, while the broader line of occupation east of a line tracing West Sunit, Baotou, and the major river basins would be treated as pacified space. This was a doctrine of attrition, patience, and selective pressure—enough to hold ground, deny resources to the Chinese, and await a more opportune political rupture. Yet even as Japan sought political attrition, the war's tactical center of gravity drifted toward consolidation around Wuhan and the pathways that fed the Yangtze. In October 1938, after reducing Wuhan to a fortressed crescent of contested ground, the Japanese General Headquarters acknowledged the imperative to adapt to a protracted war. The new calculus prioritized political strategy alongside military operations: "We should attach importance to the offensive of political strategy, cultivate and strengthen the new regime, and make the National Government decline, which will be effective." If the National Government trembled under coercive pressure, it risked collapse, and if not immediately, then gradually through a staged series of operations. In practice, this meant reinforcing a centralized center while allowing peripheral fronts to be leveraged against Chongqing's grip on the war's moral economy. In the immediate post-Wuhan period, Japan divided its responsibilities and aimed at a standoff that would enable future offensives. The 11th Army Group, stationed in the Wuhan theater, became the spearhead of field attacks on China's interior, occupying a strategic triangle that included Hunan, Jiangxi, and Guangxi, and protecting the rear of southwest China's line of defense. The central objective was not merely to seize territory, but to deny Chinese forces the capacity to maneuver along the critical rail and river corridors that fed the Nanjing–Jiujiang line and the Zhejiang–Jiangxi Railway. Central to this plan was Wuhan's security and the ability to constrain Jiujiang's access to the Yangtze, preserving a corridor for air power and logistics. The pre-war arrangement in early 1939 was a tableau of layered defenses and multiple war zones, designed to anticipate and blunt Japanese maneuver. By February 1939, the Ninth War Zone under Xue Yue stood in a tense standoff with the Japanese 11th Army along the Jiangxi and Hubei front south of the Yangtze. The Ninth War Zone's order of battle, Luo Zhuoying's 19th Army Group defending the northern Nanchang front, Wang Lingji's 30th Army Group near Wuning, Fan Songfu's 8th and 73rd Armies along Henglu, Tang Enbo's 31st Army Group guarding southern Hubei and northern Hunan, and Lu Han's 1st Army Group in reserve near Changsha and Liuyang, was a carefully calibrated attempt to absorb, delay, and disrupt any Xiushui major Japanese thrust toward Nanchang, a city whose strategic significance stretched beyond its own bounds. In the spring of 1939, Nanchang was the one city in southern China that Tokyo could not leave in Chinese hands. It was not simply another provincial capital; it was the beating heart of whatever remained of China's war effort south of the Yangtze, and the Japanese knew it. High above the Gan River, on the flat plains west of Poyang Lake, lay three of the finest airfields China had ever built: Qingyunpu, Daxiaochang, and Xiangtang. Constructed only a few years earlier with Soviet engineers and American loans, they were long, hard-surfaced, and ringed with hangars and fuel dumps. Here the Chinese Air Force had pulled back after the fall of Wuhan, and here the red-starred fighters and bombers of the Soviet volunteer groups still flew. From Nanchang's runways a determined pilot could reach Japanese-held Wuhan in twenty minutes, Guangzhou in less than an hour, and even strike the docks at Hong Kong if he pushed his range. Every week Japanese reconnaissance planes returned with photographs of fresh craters patched, new aircraft parked wing-to-wing, and Soviet pilots sunning themselves beside their I-16s. As long as those fields remained Chinese, Japan could never claim the sky. The city was more than airfields. It sat exactly where the Zhejiang–Jiangxi Railway met the line running north to Jiujiang and the Yangtze, a knot that tied together three provinces. Barges crowded Poyang Lake's western shore, unloading crates of Soviet ammunition and aviation fuel that had come up the river from the Indochina railway. Warehouses along the tracks bulged with shells and rice. To the Japanese staff officers plotting in Wuhan and Guangzhou, Nanchang looked less like a city and more like a loaded spring: if Chiang Kai-shek ever found the strength for a counteroffensive to retake the middle Yangtze, this would be the place from which it would leap. And so, in the cold March of 1939, the Imperial General Headquarters marked Nanchang in red on every map and gave General Okamura the order he had been waiting for: take it, whatever the cost. Capturing the city would do three things at once. It would blind the Chinese Air Force in the south by seizing or destroying the only bases from which it could still seriously operate. It would tear a hole in the last east–west rail line still feeding Free China. And it would shove the Nationalist armies another two hundred kilometers farther into the interior, buying Japan precious time to digest its earlier conquests and tighten the blockade. Above all, Nanchang was the final piece in a great aerial ring Japan was closing around southern China. Hainan had fallen in February, giving the navy its southern airfields. Wuhan and Guangzhou already belonged to the army. Once Nanchang was taken, Japanese aircraft would sit on a continuous arc of bases from the tropical beaches of the South China Sea to the banks of the Yangtze, and nothing (neither the Burma Road convoys nor the French railway from Hanoi) would move without their permission. Chiang Kai-shek's decision to strike first in the Nanchang region in March 1939 reflected both urgency and a desire to seize initiative before Japanese modernization of the battlefield could fully consolidate. On March 8, Chiang directed Xue Yue to prepare a preemptive attack intended to seize the offensive by March 15, focusing the Ninth War Zone's efforts on preventing a river-crossing assault and pinning Japanese forces in place. The plan called for a sequence of coordinated actions: the 19th Army Group to hold the northern front of Nanchang; the Hunan-Hubei-Jiangxi Border Advance Army (the 8th and 73rd Armies) to strike the enemy's left flank from Wuning toward De'an and Ruichang; the 30th and 27th Army Groups to consolidate near Wuning; and the 1st Army Group to push toward Xiushui and Sandu, opening routes for subsequent operations. Yet even as Xue Yue pressed for action, the weather of logistics and training reminded observers that no victory could be taken for granted. By March 9–10, Xue Yue warned Chiang that troops were not adequately trained, supplies were scarce, and preparations were insufficient, requesting a postponement to March 24. Chiang's reply was resolute: the attack must commence no later than the 24th, for the aim was preemption and the desire to tether the enemy's forces before they could consolidate. When the moment of decision arrived, the Chinese army began to tense, and the Japanese, no strangers to rapid shifts in tempo—moved to exploit any hesitation or fog of mobilization. The Ninth War Zone's response crystallized into a defensive posture as the Japanese pressed forward, marking a transition from preemption to standoff as both sides tested the limits of resilience. The Japanese plan for what would become known as Operation Ren, aimed at severing the Zhejiang–Jiangxi Railway, breaking the enemy's line of communication, and isolating Nanchang, reflected a calculated synthesis of air power, armored mobility, and canalized ground offensives. On February 6, 1939, the Central China Expeditionary Army issued a set of precise directives: capture Nanchang to cut the Zhejiang–Jiangxi Railway and disrupt the southern reach of Anhui and Zhejiang provinces; seize Nanchang along the Nanchang–Xunyi axis to split enemy lines and "crush" Chinese resistance south of that zone; secure rear lines immediately after the city's fall; coordinate with naval air support to threaten Chinese logistics and airfields beyond the rear lines. The plan anticipated contingencies by pre-positioning heavy artillery and tanks in formations that could strike with speed and depth, a tactical evolution from previous frontal assaults. Okamura Yasuji, commander of the 11th Army, undertook a comprehensive program of reconnaissance, refining the assault plan with a renewed emphasis on speed and surprise. Aerial reconnaissance underlined the terrain, fortifications, and the disposition of Chinese forces, informing the selection of the Xiushui River crossing and the route of the main axis of attack. Okamura's decision to reorganize artillery and armor into concentrated tank groups, flanked by air support and advanced by long-range maneuver, marked a departure from the earlier method of distributing heavy weapons along the infantry front. Sumita Laishiro commanded the 6th Field Heavy Artillery Brigade, with more than 300 artillery pieces, while Hirokichi Ishii directed a force of 135 tanks and armored vehicles. This blended arms approach promised a breakthrough that would outpace the Chinese defenders and open routes for the main force. By mid-February 1939, Japanese preparations had taken on a high tempo. The 101st and 106th Divisions, along with attached artillery, assembled south of De'an, while tank contingents gathered north of De'an. The 6th Division began moving toward Ruoxi and Wuning, the Inoue Detachment took aim at the waterways of Poyang Lake, and the 16th and 9th Divisions conducted feints on the Han River's left bank. The orchestration of these movements—feints, riverine actions, and armored flanking, was designed to reduce the Chinese capacity to concentrate forces around Nanchang and to force the defenders into a less secure posture along the Nanchang–Jiujiang axis. Japan's southward strategy reframed the war: no longer a sprint to reduce Chinese forces in open fields, but a patient siege of lifelines, railways, and airbases. Hainan's seizure, the control of Nanchang's airfields, and the disruption of the Zhejiang–Jiangxi Railway exemplified a shift from large-scale battles to coercive pressure that sought to cripple Nationalist mobilization and erode Chongqing's capacity to sustain resistance. For China, the spring of 1939 underscored resilience amid mounting attrition. Chiang Kai-shek's insistence on offensive means to seize the initiative demonstrated strategic audacity, even as shortages and uneven training slowed tempo. The Ninth War Zone's defense, bolstered by makeshift airpower from Soviet and Allied lendings, kept open critical corridors and delayed Japan's consolidation. The war's human cost—massive casualties, forced labor, and the Li uprising on Hainan—illuminates the brutality that fueled both sides' resolve. In retrospect, the period around Canton, Wuhan, and Nanchang crystallizes a grim truth: the Sino-Japanese war was less a single crescendo of battles than a protracted contest of endurance, logistics, and political stamina. The early 1940s would widen these fault lines, but the groundwork laid in 1939, competition over supply routes, air control, and strategic rail nodes, would shape the war's pace and, ultimately, its outcome. The conflict's memory lies not only in the clashes' flash but in the stubborn persistence of a nation fighting to outlast a formidable adversary. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. The Japanese invasion of Hainan and proceeding operations to stop logistical leaks into Nationalist China, showcased the complexity and scale of the growing Second Sino-Japanese War. It would not merely be a war of territorial conquest, Japan would have to strangle the colossus using every means necessary.  

一位生活在首都的委内瑞拉青年，在美军突袭那晚经历了一场怎样的惊心动魄？从小到大，他又如何见证了国家从石油时代的繁荣巅峰，一步步坠入动荡与贫困的深渊 ？ 2026 年 1 月 3 号，美军突袭委内瑞拉首都并抓捕其总统马杜罗的消息震惊全球。而这场突如其来的巨变，也让这个命运多舛的国家再次被推到了命运的十字路口。 这期节目，我们采访了从小生活在首都加拉加斯的委内瑞拉青年 Andrés，他回忆了自己在 1 月 3 日凌晨亲历的恐怖时刻，也通过回忆带我们穿过了他所感受到的，委内瑞拉这二十多年来的繁荣与崩塌、希望与离散。 希望这个来自加拉加斯的声音，能为你理解委内瑞拉，提供一些真实、有温度的线索。 *特别感谢：杰米、星斗、小冯、蔓蔓 本期人物 Andrés Viloria，一位生活在加拉加斯的委内瑞拉青年 赛德，中文配音、「声东击西」后期制作人 可宣，「声东击西」监制 徐涛，声动活泼联合创始人 主要话题 [01:37] 1 月 3 日的凌晨，加拉加斯发生了什么？ [11:03] 童年记忆中，委内瑞拉曾经的繁荣 [15:46] 查韦斯的去世和马杜罗时代的到来 [19:38] 委内瑞拉何以至今：过去十几年发生了什么 [28:40] 委内瑞拉的此刻，和人民期望的未来 延伸阅读 Mene Grande：委内瑞拉第一口真正商业产油的油井是 Zumaque I，位于 Mene Grande地区（wikipedia：Zumaque I (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zumaque_I)） Misión Vivienda（Gran Misión Vivienda Venezuela）：是委内瑞拉政府玻利瓦尔使命的一项计划，旨在为生活在不稳定条件下的人们提供住房（wiki：Great Mission Housing Venezuela (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Mission_Housing_Venezuela)） Chamba Juvenil：一项针对15至35岁青年群体的全面保护政策。该政策由国家政府制定，旨在通过培训和融入劳动力市场来保障青年的发展。（Minister of the Popular Power for Planning (https://www.mpppst.gob.ve/mpppstweb/index.php/2017/09/26/conozca-el-plan-chamba-juvenil/#)） Repsol 雷普索尔是西班牙的能源与石化公司（Repsol (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repsol)）。2025 年 3 月，美国告知 Repsol 其授予该公司在委内瑞拉运营的许可证已被撤销。根据之前的许可，雷普索尔同意接收委内瑞拉国家石油公司（PDVSA）的石油作为债务偿还。雷普索尔表示，委内瑞拉欠其 5.86 亿欧元（6.8363 亿美元）。 Chevron 目前还在委内瑞拉正常运营。 国家企业 PDVSA（委内瑞拉国家石油公司 Petróleos de Venezuela）还在运营 (https://abc.az/en/news/193838/venezuela-restores-oil-production-and-exports) 给声东击西投稿 「声东击西」一直在寻找来自不同社会和群体的真实声音。我们曾经采访过为特朗普竞选生产 MAGA 帽子的中国制造商、记录过七位在美国大选中经历起伏的华人个体，也讲述了委内瑞拉青年的故事。 如果你也有一些特别的经历、观察或想法，不论是亲身体验的故事，还是你在某个行业、社区中的所见所闻，都欢迎你向我们投稿。 你的声音可能出现在未来的节目当中，我们非常期待你的分享！ 投稿入口 (https://eg76rdcl6g.feishu.cn/share/base/form/shrcne1CGVaSeJwtBriW6yNT2dg) 你也可以直接通过邮箱直接联系节目组：kexuan@shengfm.cn 加入我们 声动活泼目前开放【商业发展经理、节目监制，以及内容实习生（可远程）、早咖啡实习生、商业实习生和运营实习生】岗位，详情点击招聘入口：加入声动活泼（在招职位速览） (https://eg76rdcl6g.feishu.cn/docx/XO6bd12aGoI4j0xmAMoc4vS7nBh)，点击相应链接即可查看岗位详情及投递指南。 招聘 https://media24.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads-2024/images/8/8dd8a56f-9636-415a-8c00-f9ca6778e511/1TCNqViU.jpg 幕后制作 监制：可宣 后期：赛德 实习生：梁梁 运营：George 设计：饭团 商务合作 声动活泼商业化小队，点击链接可直达商务会客厅（商务会客厅链接：https://sourl.cn/QDhnEc ），也可发送邮件至 business@shengfm.cn 联系我们。 关于声动活泼 「用声音碰撞世界」，声动活泼致力于为人们提供源源不断的思考养料。 我们还有这些播客：不止金钱（2024 全新发布） (https://www.xiaoyuzhoufm.com/podcast/65a625966d045a7f5e0b5640)、跳进兔子洞第三季（2024 全新发布） (https://www.xiaoyuzhoufm.com/podcast/666c0ad1c26e396a36c6ee2a)、声东击西 (https://etw.fm/episodes)、声动早咖啡 (https://sheng-espresso.fireside.fm/)、What's Next｜科技早知道 (https://guiguzaozhidao.fireside.fm/episodes)、反潮流俱乐部 (https://fanchaoliuclub.fireside.fm/)、泡腾 VC (https://popvc.fireside.fm/)、商业WHY酱 (https://msbussinesswhy.fireside.fm/) 欢迎在即刻 (https://okjk.co/Qd43ia)、微博等社交媒体上与我们互动，搜索 声动活泼 即可找到我们。 也欢迎你写邮件和我们联系，邮箱地址是：ting@sheng.fm 获取更多和声动活泼有关的讯息，你也可以扫码添加声小音，在节目之外和我们保持联系！ 声东击西 https://media24.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads-2024/images/8/8dd8a56f-9636-415a-8c00-f9ca6778e511/wEYE7jJa.jpg Special Guests: Andrés Viloria and 赛德.

We visit the esteemed halls of the Just Sayin' Institute find out the safest countries to travel to. Planning your summer vacation? (00:00:00) News & Sports(00:12:00) Entertainment Report(00:43:39) Weekend Arctic Blast(01:07:47) Bizarre File(01:22:20) Just Sayin' Institute (02:01:31) Least/Most Safe Countries for Travel(02:40:56) Bizarre File(02:49:31) Hollywood Trash & Music News(02:56:44) Wrap UpSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to Barn Talk! Today, we're excited to welcome back Jesse Bounds, a hay export entrepreneur and coach whose last episode quickly became a listener favorite. Join Tork, Sawyer, and Jesse Bounds as they unpack the big challenges facing agriculture—from razor-thin profit margins and financial troubleshooting, to the disruptive impacts of technology and AI.Jesse shares his journey building a business from scratch, lessons learned through tough years, and why community and coaching are game-changers right now. The conversation hits on survival strategies in Ag, the realities of succession planning, and the importance of balancing hustle with personal wellbeing.Packed with honest stories, actionable advice, and a look at the future of farming, this episode is a must-listen for anyone in the business or looking to level up. Tune in, share the show, and enjoy another deep dive in the barn!SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST ➱ https://bit.ly/3a7r3nR  SUBSCRIBE TO THIS'LL DO FARM ➱ https://bit.ly/2X8g45c LISTEN ON:SPOTIFY ➱ https://open.spotify.com/show/3icVr4KWq4eUDl7Oy60YMY APPLE ➱ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/barn-talk/id1574395049Follow Behind The Scenes

JLR and his family are planning their next road trip. Duji thinks Rover should watch a show on National Geographic featuring Will Smith. Rover wore a pair of shoes with no tread and slipped on the sidewalk. An 11-year -old boy fatally shot his father after he took away his Nintendo Switch. Rover makes controversial statements about adopted kids.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Math is hard. Does JLR have the 8 traits of a person who backs into parking spots? A cancer doctor in Virgina has been suspended over allegations of being inappropriate with a female medical student visiting from another country. JLR and his family are planning their next road trip. Duji thinks Rover should watch a show on National Geographic featuring Will Smith. Rover wore a pair of shoes with no tread and slipped on the sidewalk. An 11-year -old boy fatally shot his father after he took away his Nintendo Switch. Rover makes controversial statements about adopted kids. A gym owner tried to convince Rover to come workout. Vibration plate. Duji has been paying for a beach body app she doesn't use. Nick Fuentes, Andrew Tate and a few others were seen dancing to Kanye West's "Heil Hitler" song. Face control. Charlie's snowboarding trip. Krystle cries after talking about water coming in through her kitchen ceiling. DraftKings bets. Rover tries something new. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Math is hard. Does JLR have the 8 traits of a person who backs into parking spots? A cancer doctor in Virgina has been suspended over allegations of being inappropriate with a female medical student visiting from another country. JLR and his family are planning their next road trip. Duji thinks Rover should watch a show on National Geographic featuring Will Smith. Rover wore a pair of shoes with no tread and slipped on the sidewalk. An 11-year -old boy fatally shot his father after he took away his Nintendo Switch. Rover makes controversial statements about adopted kids. A gym owner tried to convince Rover to come workout. Vibration plate. Duji has been paying for a beach body app she doesn't use. Nick Fuentes, Andrew Tate and a few others were seen dancing to Kanye West's "Heil Hitler" song. Face control. Charlie's snowboarding trip. Krystle cries after talking about water coming in through her kitchen ceiling. DraftKings bets. Rover tries something new.

JLR and his family are planning their next road trip. Duji thinks Rover should watch a show on National Geographic featuring Will Smith. Rover wore a pair of shoes with no tread and slipped on the sidewalk. An 11-year -old boy fatally shot his father after he took away his Nintendo Switch. Rover makes controversial statements about adopted kids.

In today's episode, Sarah chats about the evolution of her own fitness goals and interviews Meg Oleander, personal trainer and certified group fitness coach. Meg has years of experience helping people with their fitness goals, and in today's episode, she shares her favorite strategies for success in fitness goals, from planning and prioritizing to avoiding optimization to accountability.You can find more from Meg at https://fitfedfeelinggood.com and her podcast, Redesigning Health & HomeDisclaimer: This episode is for entertainment and informational purposes only. Always consult your physician before starting or changing any exercise program, especially with any health conditions or concerns. Your safety comes first! Episode Sponsors: PrepDish: Start the year off with healthy meal plans from prep dish! Get your free two-week trial at ⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠ IXL: Visit ⁠⁠www.ixl.com/plans⁠⁠ to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price (20% off!) Organize 365: Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠organize365.com/sunday-basket⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to check out the Sunday Basket® today Green Chef: Visit ⁠⁠greenchef.com/bestlaidgraza⁠⁠ and use code bestlaidgraza to get started with 50% off Green Chef + FREE Graza Olive Oil Set in your 2nd and 3rd boxes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever gone into a closing meeting, a sales presentation, or even a prospecting call with total confidence? That mindset and feeling that everything’s going to go your way, that nothing can go wrong, that you’re absolutely going to win? I’ve been there. I know you have too. It’s one of the greatest feelings ever. But let’s juxtapose that against going into a meeting feeling insecure, where your focus is on everything that could go wrong versus everything that could go right. And then, as soon as something does go wrong, everything starts to spiral downward. There is absolutely nothing that can make or break a deal like confidence. In this Sales Gravy podcast episode, we’re going to explore exactly where confidence comes from, why it matters so much in sales, and most importantly, what you can do to build the unshakeable confidence that closes deals. The Insecurity Death Spiral Recently, I learned a profound lesson about confidence. I was invited to play golf with a group of businesspeople in Florida. Beautiful day, sunshine, great course. It should have been perfect. Except I’m not a very good golfer. And these guys? They were good. Really good. The kind of golfers who carry single-digit handicaps and talk about their swing plane like it’s a science project. So I’m standing on the first tee, watching them stripe their drives straight down the middle, and I can feel it happening. That little voice in my head starts whispering: “You don’t belong here. You’re going to embarrass yourself. Everyone’s going to see how bad you are.” I started strong enough. Made it through the first couple of holes without humiliating myself. But then I hit a bad shot. Then another. And instead of shaking it off like I normally would, I started fixating on those bad shots. That’s when the downward spiral began. Every swing became an exercise in anxiety. I was so focused on not messing up that I couldn’t help but mess up. My mechanics fell apart. My rhythm disappeared. By the end of the round, I had played one of the worst games of golf in my life. Not because I suddenly forgot how to swing a club, but because I let insecurity take over. Now, I managed to keep a smile on my face. We were playing golf in the Florida sunshine, after all. But inside, I was frustrated because I knew what had happened. I let my insecurity about being the weakest player in the group sabotage my entire game. And here’s what hit me on the plane home: That’s exactly what I see happen in sales all the time. One moment of uncertainty, one unexpected challenge, and suddenly, a salesperson who is perfectly capable starts spiraling. Their confidence evaporates. And with it goes their ability to perform. Why Confidence Matters in Sales In sales, there is nothing that sells like confidence. Nothing. Buyers lean into confidence. They’re attracted to it. They trust it. And because of emotional contagion—your ability to transfer your emotions to another person—you basically take your confidence and hand it to the buyer, who then gains more confidence in you. Think about it. When you walk into a meeting radiating confidence, the buyer thinks, “This person knows what they’re doing. They believe in what they’re selling. I can trust them.” But when you walk in feeling insecure, the buyer picks up on that too. They start thinking, “Why is this person nervous? What aren’t they telling me? Maybe this isn’t the right solution.” In sales, because we can’t always control the playing field and because we don’t always feel like we should be where we are—especially when we’re dealing with the C-suite or high-level decision makers, when we’re in super competitive situations, or when we don’t really know what we’re talking about—one thing that goes wrong can create a cascade of other problems, creating a downward insecurity spiral that is real and deadly. The Ultimate Source of Confidence So the question is: Where does confidence come from? Where do you get it? Well, confidence by its very nature comes from the inside. It’s a mindset. It’s something that you believe, just like insecurity is a mindset that comes from the inside. Confidence is mostly created by certainty. When you feel certain that you can control the outcome, you feel more confident. When you’re in situations that feel familiar, or you’re talking about a product, your service, or some part of your offering that you totally understand, you feel more confident. When you’ve executed the sales process perfectly and built deep relationships with your customers, you feel more confident that they’re going to buy from you. When you’ve practiced your presentation multiple times and know it by rote, you feel more confident. By the way, the same thing works in reverse. Uncertainty begets insecurity. When you walk into a situation, and you feel uncertain—and this happens to a lot of brand-new salespeople who don’t know what to say or feel like they don’t really understand the product offering, their industry, or their customer’s business—it creates a level of insecurity. So the answer, if we want to be more confident, is to create more certainty. Certainty Creates Confidence Let me give you an example from my horrible, awful, terrible round of golf. In the middle of that terrible round, I got desperate for anything that would give me confidence. So I started playing entire holes with my 7-iron because that was the one club I felt I was certain I could hit. Except for putting, I would hit the 7-iron off the tee, on the fairway, and chip with it around the green. 150 yards at a time with my 7-iron, I could make it go straight down the fairway and hit the green. That certainty in that particular club helped me feel more confident, and my game actually improved when I stuck with what I knew worked. Now, in sales like golf, there is nothing you can be 100% certain about, simply because there are too many variables. We’re dealing with human beings, nasty competitors, and a shifting landscape. Even in accounts that are in our pipeline, things are always changing. So for us as sales professionals, there’s no absolute certainty. But there are ways you can boost certainty in order to gain more confidence. Four Ways to Create Certainty and Boost Confidence 1. Invest in Yourself Through Education If you get insecure when you’re talking about things in your industry or about your product that you don’t understand, then go educate yourself. Take the time to learn. Take classes. Go to your LMS and take e-learning. Read everything about your product. Become an expert—not just in your product, but in your industry. Also, learn about business. The more you can educate yourself about business, the more you gain business acumen, which makes you feel more confident in conversations with executives. When you know your stuff cold, understand your product inside and out, and can speak intelligently about your industry and your customer’s business challenges, uncertainty evaporates, and with it, goes insecurity. 2. Plan Every Single Call Winging it is wickedly stupid on sales calls because when you wing it, you create uncertainty. So sit down and think about every single call. What am I going to do? What questions am I going to ask? What’s my objective for being there? What am I going to close for at the end (targeted next step)? Build a plan, write it down, and review it in advance of your meeting. Planning creates certainty. 3. Murder Board Your Big Meetings Along with planning comes the concept of murder boarding, red teaming, or scenario playing. Murder boarding creates certainty around handling the unexpected. Especially in large presentations and closing calls, you need to start pulling the thread on everything that could possibly go wrong. Every objection you could get. Every pushback. Every hard question. Think about the different stakeholders who are going to be around the table, and the types of questions they’re going to ask, and the potential things they may say. Then find somebody on your team or somebody in your household to role-play all those scenarios with. I’ve found that nothing gives me more confidence in big sales meetings than murder boarding. Because when I get into those situations—especially with objections or negotiations that can be super intimidating—the more I role-play those things, the better I am at them and the easier they are to deal with. In fact, they’re far less difficult in real life than they were in the role-playing. 4. Keep a Full Pipeline This is powerful: There’s nothing that makes you more confident than being able to sell like you don’t have to sell. When you are fanatical about prospecting and build a full pipeline, it gives you lots of options. You know you can walk away from anything. You’re detached from the outcome. When it doesn’t make a difference if you win or lose, you gain immense confidence, which is why a full pipeline is the ultimate confidence builder. With Confidence, Mindset Matters When it comes to confidence, mindset matters. If you are obsessed with how you might fail or what you might do wrong, there’s a tendency to get the thing you’re focused on. It’s called target obsession. Whatever we focus on, we tend to attract and move toward. So be careful what you’re focused on. One of the things I do—and I know this is kind of weird, but it works—is before I walk into a sales meeting, I look into the mirror and tell myself, “I’m a great salesperson.” I actually say the words out loud. It’s a little bit cheesy. But by saying those words, changing my body language, pushing my shoulders up, my chin out—the power pose, as some would say—that actually begins to change my mindset and makes me feel more confident. Add to that eating well, getting plenty of sleep (sleep really does wonders for your confidence), exercising, and making sure, before you go into a big presentation, that you’re not going in on an empty stomach. How to Overcome Insecurity in the Moment I sell every single day, and I’ve been doing this for 30 years. I know what it’s like to walk into a meeting with a prospect or customer and feel insecure. It happens to me still. But here’s the thing: I’m very careful not to let people see me sweat because insecurity and sales make a poor mixture. Because emotions are contagious and people have a tendency to respond in kind, I want to avoid transferring my insecurity to them, causing them to feel uncertain about me. So I’m very careful with my body language, eye contact, voice inflection, and how fast I speak. One tactic I use when I feel insecure is to slow down, pause, and ask a question. This gives me a moment to regain my composure and manage my body language. Build Confidence with Knowledge, Planning, Practice, and Pipeline Confidence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build through preparation, knowledge, practice, and a full pipeline. The good news is that all of these things are within your control. You can choose to educate yourself, to plan, practice, and prospect. Here’s what I want you to do this week: First, identify your gaps. Where do you feel uncertain in your sales process? Is it product knowledge? Industry knowledge? Objection handling? Closing? Write it down. Second, create a learning plan. For each gap you identified, create a specific plan to fill it. What books will you read? What training will you take? Who will you shadow or learn from? Third, plan your next three calls. Don’t wing another call this week. Sit down and plan your next three sales conversations. Write out your objectives, your questions, and your close. Fourth, murder board your biggest opportunity. If you’ve got a major presentation or closing call coming up, spend an hour this week role-playing every possible scenario with a colleague. Fifth, evaluate your pipeline. Is it full enough that you can sell without desperation? If not, block time this week for serious prospecting. This is how you build the kind of unshakeable confidence that buyers respond to, competitors fear, and that feels so good. And remember, when it’s time to go home, and you’re tired and worn out, always stop and make one more call. Because that one more call gives you the confidence that you can walk in any door, anytime, stand toe to toe with any buyer, and have a winning sales conversation. Over a million sales professionals and sales teams have become more confident prospectors with the Fanatical Prospecting system. Learn more here.

466 - Planning your first Walt Disney World vacation or looking for insider tips to make the most of your next trip? In this episode, Rob and Kerri answer the most frequently asked questions they receive from clients, covering everything from budgeting strategies to crowd calendars. Let us help you plan your Disney Vacation - GO HERE TO GET STARTED Discover the best (and worst) times to visit Disney World, including why September is consistently the slowest month and which weeks to avoid for lower crowds. Learn about the game-changing 60+10 rule for resort guests and why staying on Disney property offers significant advantages for dining reservations and experiences. Rob and Kerri share practical budgeting tips, explain the 3-2-1 rule for planning magical park days without overwhelm, and reveal their favorite club level experience at Coronado Springs' Chronos Club. Plus, they discuss how to maximize vacation days around Monday holidays and why their travel business now books more non-Disney trips than Disney vacations. In this episode: Best and worst times to visit Disney World for crowds and weather How to budget and save for your Disney vacation The 60+10 dining reservation advantage for resort guests Spring break dates to avoid (March 16-23, 2026) The 3-2-1 rule for stress-free park days Club level review: Chronos Club at Gran Destino Tower Why September offers the lowest crowds (with caveats) Tips for maximizing vacation days with holiday weekends Don't forget to subscribe and follow us on social media KEYWORDS: Disney World vacation tips, best time to visit Disney World, Disney World planning guide, Disney resort benefits, Disney vacation budget, Disney crowd calendar, Walt Disney World tips

Most retirement advice is designed for married couples. But planning for retirement when you're single comes with a very different set of risks and decisions. In this first episode of a five-part series, we explain why retirement planning changes when there's no spouse to share income, benefits, caregiving, or decision-making. We define what "single" really means in retirement, explore the lack of financial and personal backup, and outline how this affects Social Security, taxes, investment risk, long-term care, and estate planning. This episode isn't about tactics. It's about mindset. When you're planning alone, the goal isn't perfection. It's resilience. In Part 2, we begin with Social Security, the foundation for many single retirees. Although this show does not provide specific tax, legal, or financial advice, you can engage Devin or John through their individual firms. 

This week on Monday Matters, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to discuss second semester PD planning. This topic comes from this question: A common “Catch-22” is when the principal feels staff needs a particular PD, but staff says, “Just let me go to my room, close my door, and teach.” How can […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Planning PD appeared first on Principal Matters.

Episode Summary In this episode of the Work at Home Rockstar Podcast, Tim Melanson sits down with Carol Tice, founder of Community Growth Academy. Carol shares how she built a paid online community for freelance writers that grew to 1,500 members and generated over $6 million in revenue before selling it for life-changing money. They talk openly about the realities of scaling a community, hard lessons around team management, selling a digital business, and why Carol believes paid communities offer one of the most sustainable business models for coaches and experts today. Who is Carol Tice? Carol Tice is the founder of Community Growth Academy, where she helps coaches, experts, and passionate hobbyists launch and grow paid online communities. She previously built and sold a highly successful membership community for freelance writers and now teaches others how to create ethical, sustainable, and scalable community-based businesses while working from anywhere. Connect with Carol Tice Website: https://www.skool.com/community-growth-academy/about LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/business-book-ghostwriter-community-entrepreneur-carol-tice/ Host Contact Details Website: https://workathomerockstar.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/workathomerockstar Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workathomerockstar LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timmelanson YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WorkAtHomeRockStarPodcast X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/workathomestar Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:27 Success Story: Building a Paid Community 01:32 Challenges and Lessons Learned 03:40 The Importance of Team Dynamics 08:51 Transitioning and Selling the Business 19:32 Life After Selling the Business 21:21 Planning for the Future: Selling the House 22:42 Mentorship and Blogging Beginnings 24:21 Community Growth Academy: A New Venture 28:09 The Power of Free Communities 33:57 Ethical Business Practices and AI Concerns 41:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, I'm talking about capacity and why so many ADHD/AuDHD humans feel blocked from doing the things they genuinely care about. It covers the Fresh Start Effect, and how dopamine spikes when we look forward to things more than when we're actually doing them, which is why January motivation fades so quickly. I get into the difference between wanting to create, connect, or rest, and having the space, energy, or setup to actually do it. This year, I'm still figuring out daily goal-setting, realistic planning, and building to-do lists, because what no one really ever tells us is that planning and researching drain our battery — and we have to work with that reality. Show Notes: My podcast webpage is another place to listen, along with an easy-to-read blog that expands on ADHD/AuDHD topics from the show — with pins you can save to Pinterest. Read my FAQ page if you want to access diagnostic tests for ADHD/AuDHD, find a therapist or coach in your area, and get info from ADHD organizations.  Join Jen's Accountability Club!  - A highly interactive monthly membership where you meet with me live every week for accountability, body-double sessions, journaling, and monthly Q&A. It's designed for ADHD/AuDHD brains that need connection and support taking action — so you're not doing it all alone. Membership is $19.99/month, with an annual option currently available at 31% off (that's over three months free) with code 2AD87. Offer expires 2/1/26. Brain.fm — A Focus Tool I Use Every Day - It's not music, or binaural beats. Brain.fm is science-backed sound made for ADHD brains and it's genius! I listen while I work and I can feel my brain lock in, no distractions. I want you to try it for 30 days free, with my link! No catch. Cancel anytime.  Hugimals — Weighted Comfort for Kids & Adults - I own Hugimals, give them as gifts, and love that they're made by a neurodivergent founder who understands nervous system needs. These weighted stuffed animals and pillows help with anxiety and overwhelm, and you can get 15% off anytime using my link and code JENKIRKMAN (it never expires) Appointed — Planners, Notebooks & Desk Goods - Appointed notebooks are my go-to — I buy my spiral notebooks and Le Pen pens from them and use them daily for lists, journaling, and planning. You can get notebooks monogrammed and save 15% off with my link and code JENKIRKMAN. Bookshop.org — Books I Recommend - I love Bookshop.org because every purchase supports independent bookstores, not Amazon, while still shipping directly to you. I've curated book lists on ADHD/AuDHD and mental health, and you can get 20% off everything when you shop using my link. UnHide — Soft, Weighted Comfort - I love UnHide's products — their vegan weighted blankets, pillows, robes, and socks are incredibly soft and calming, especially if you're neurodivergent and soothed by gentle weight and cozy textures. You can get 20% off with my link and code JEN20. The Time Timer - a Cute Visual Time Tool! - I use my Time Timer every single day. I have a pink one from the MOD collection. I use it to help me visualize time during work blocks, breaks, and completing tasks. There's no discount, but when you use my link I earn a percentage that goes directly into supporting this podcast.  

The “Billion-Dollar Asset” That Still Had to Be Sold A story Bruce shares in our retirement class teaching always stops people in their tracks. A family inherited an NFL team worth just under a billion dollars. The asset was valuable. The legacy was real. But the planning wasn't there. When estate taxes came due, the heirs didn't have the liquidity to pay the bill. And because the wealth was tied up in an illiquid asset, they had to sell the team. https://www.youtube.com/live/6lCgo4y3LYs Most families will never own an NFL franchise. But plenty of families do own a business, a portfolio of real estate, land that's been in the family for generations, or investments that look substantial on paper but aren't easy to convert into cash quickly. And that's where this topic becomes personal: if you don't plan ahead, your family may be forced into decisions you never intended—simply to satisfy a tax obligation. This is why we're talking about how to avoid estate tax legally—so your wealth can serve your heirs and your purpose, not become a burden or a fire sale. The “Billion-Dollar Asset” That Still Had to Be SoldWhat You'll Learn About How to Avoid Estate Tax LegallyThe Practical Building Blocks of Estate Tax PlanningEstate Tax vs Inheritance Tax Difference: Start With the Right DefinitionsFederal Estate Tax Exemption 2026 and Why the Rules Don't Stay PutEstate Tax Exemption 2025 vs 2026: Timing MattersEstate Tax Rate 40 Percent: The “One-Time Loss” That Creates Long-Term DamageWhy Do Estate Tax Planning Strategies Matter Even If You're Under the Exemption Today?Estate Planning for Married Couples vs Surviving Spouse: The Quiet ShiftHow to Avoid Estate Tax Legally With Annual GiftingDo I Have to Report Gifts Under 19,000?When Do You Have to File Form 709 Gift Tax Return?Lifetime Gift Tax Exemption 2026: Larger Gifts and Long-Term TrackingGiving With Warm Hands: Why Legacy Planning Is Bigger Than Tax PlanningEstate Liquidity Planning: What Happens if an Estate Is Mostly Real Estate and Taxes Are Due?How Can Life Insurance Provide Liquidity for Estate Taxes?Irrevocable Trust Estate Planning StrategiesHow to Avoid Estate Tax Legally: Life Insurance for Banking vs Life Insurance for Estate Tax529 Plan Superfunding: Gifting to Reduce Estate Size (and the Control Question)The Most Important Takeaway on How to Avoid Estate Tax LegallyListen to the Full Episode on How to Avoid Estate Tax LegallyBook A Strategy CallFAQWhat is the difference between estate tax and inheritance tax?How does the estate tax exemption work?Should I do estate tax planning if I'm under the exemption today?What is the annual gift tax exclusion?Do I have to report gifts under the gift tax exclusion?When do you have to file Form 709?What happens if an estate is mostly real estate and taxes are due?How can life insurance provide liquidity for estate taxes?Which states have estate or inheritance taxes? What You'll Learn About How to Avoid Estate Tax Legally If you've ever wondered, “Will my legacy go to my family…or to the IRS?” you're asking the right question. In this blog, we're going to walk you through the core ideas from our podcast episode on estate and inheritance taxes—what they are, how exemptions work, why the rules change, and what families can do now to protect generational wealth. You'll learn: The estate tax vs inheritance tax difference (and why it matters) How the federal estate tax exemption 2026 conversation impacts planning today Why a married couple's plan can change dramatically when one spouse dies How annual gifting works (and why people confuse it) When Form 709 may come into play Why estate liquidity planning can be the difference between preserving an asset and losing it How life insurance and trusts are commonly used to create options and control Quick note: we're not attorneys. We sit in these meetings with attorneys. We collaborate with estate planning professionals constantly. Our goal is to give you a clear framework so you can make wise decisions and ask better questions with your CPA and attorney. The Practical Building Blocks of Estate Tax Planning Estate Tax vs Inheritance Tax Difference: Start With the Right Definitions One of the biggest sources of confusion we see is people using “estate tax” and “inheritance tax” like they're interchangeable. They're not. Here's the simple distinction: Estate taxes are settled by the estate. The money comes out of the estate before everything is fully distributed. Inheritance taxes are settled by the beneficiaries. The tax bill is tied to what they receive. There's also the state-level reality: not every state has inheritance tax, and state estate taxes can be entirely different from federal rules. That's why one of the first questions we encourage families to answer is: “Which taxes apply in my state, and which apply federally?” When you get the definitions right, you avoid planning in the wrong direction. Federal Estate Tax Exemption 2026 and Why the Rules Don't Stay Put When we recorded this episode, we were in December 2025, and Congress had just changed a tax bill that was expected to sunset at the start of 2026. That shift is a perfect example of why families can't build a legacy plan on the assumption that today's rules will remain tomorrow's rules. Here's what matters more than any single number: tax law can change quickly, and thresholds can move. That's why planning is less about guessing the future and more about building a structure that is resilient no matter what Congress does next. Estate Tax Exemption 2025 vs 2026: Timing Matters A detail that surprises many families is that timing can change what exemption applies. If someone passes away in one year, that year's rules apply. If they pass away the next year, the next year's exemption applies. We don't control the timing of life. But we can control the readiness of our plan. Estate Tax Rate 40 Percent: The “One-Time Loss” That Creates Long-Term Damage A federal estate tax hit can be significant. In our conversation, we referenced how quickly the dollars add up when large estates exceed the exemption threshold. But the bigger point we want you to see is this: It's not just the dollars paid in tax once. It's the generational opportunity cost of losing that capital. When your family loses money to unnecessary taxes, your family also loses what that money could have produced across decades: businesses that could have been started real estate acquisitions that could have created cash flow education and training that could have expanded a child's capacity family philanthropy that could have multiplied impact economic stability that could have protected future generations Bruce tells clients: when the money is gone, you can't make money on that money anymore. That's not just a financial statement. It's a legacy statement. Why Do Estate Tax Planning Strategies Matter Even If You're Under the Exemption Today? This is where most families get lulled to sleep. They see a high exemption and think, “We don't need to worry about estate taxes.” Two realities can make that assumption dangerous: Exemptions can change Your plan changes when one spouse dies Estate Planning for Married Couples vs Surviving Spouse: The Quiet Shift Even if you don't consider yourself “ultra-wealthy,” your planning needs to account for the fact that most couples will not pass away at the same time. A couple may look comfortably under a combined exemption threshold—then one spouse dies and the surviving spouse's position changes. Planning that felt safe becomes exposed. We see this across many areas of tax planning, not just estate taxes. The financial world often treats “married” and “single” very differently. That's why it's so important to build your plan while you still have options, flexibility, and time. How to Avoid Estate Tax Legally With Annual Gifting One of the simplest tools families can use is consistent, intentional gifting. In our episode, we talked about an annual gifting amount of $19,000 per person, per recipient, per year. The specific number can change over time, so always confirm the current annual exclusion with your CPA. But the concept is what matters. Here's why annual gifting is so powerful: It reduces the size of your estate over time It can move assets into the next generation in a planned way It can be used to build capability, not entitlement—if you pair it with purpose and guidance Do I Have to Report Gifts Under 19,000? In many situations, gifts under the annual exclusion amount don't require filing a gift tax return. That's why families like it: it's simple and consistent. Where it gets complicated is when you go above the annual threshold. When Do You Have to File Form 709 Gift Tax Return? If you exceed the annual exclusion amount, you may need to file a gift tax return (often IRS Form 709). Filing doesn't necessarily mean you owe tax immediately. It can mean the gift is tracked against lifetime gifting limits. Your CPA is the right person to guide you on the reporting mechanics for your situation. The takeaway: gifting can be one of the cleanest ways to reduce your estate—especially when you do it proactively and consistently. Lifetime Gift Tax Exemption 2026: Larger Gifts and Long-Term Tracking Beyond annual gifting, there is typically a lifetime gifting framework that tracks larger transfers. This is where families often say, “I'm confused,” and they're not alone. The important part isn't memorizing every detail—it's understanding the two-tier structure: annual gifting can be simple and repeatable larger gifts may require reporting and coordination with lifetime limits Again, this is why we encourage families to coordinate with their CPA and estate planning attorney.

Welcome to the The Achievers Podcast. I'm your host Amber Deibert, Performance Coach. I help enterprise sellers unlock their full potential by aligning their work with how they workout and cleaning up mindset trash, so they can sell more, stress less, and take back control of their time and success.   If you've ever felt like your to-do list is never-ending, your brain is overloaded, or you're spinning your wheels without real progress, you're not alone.  In this episode, I'm walking you through the exact planning system I use to stay focused, reduce overwhelm, and actually move the needle forward (yes, even with ADHD).  Whether you struggle with day-to-day chaos or long-term goal clarity, this framework will give you a clear path out of the mess and into momentum.  

Juggling everything and don't feel like you have time for anything? Your work from home and homeschool mom superpower is planning in the cracks. What are the margins in your day? The little micro-cracks of time throughout your day are going to make it possible for you to accomplish big and little things. Show notes and links: https://lifeunboxed.blog/what-are-the-margins/ Shop the Homeschool StoreFind your tribe. Join the online community: Rebel Moms Club for Working Homeschool Mom:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/rebelmomsclub Grab your guide today! The Momtrepreneur's Guide to Homeschool Curriculum: https://lifeunboxed.blog/homeschool-curriculum/ RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW:Demystifying Time Blocking: https://youtu.be/-fqFiap8jAcChecklist Notebook: https://www.amazon.com/Checklist-Planning-Notebook-Jodie-Mom/dp/B0F6LVZK46Homeschooling Kindergarten: https://youtu.be/EzCmCfxStfoHomeschooling High School: https://youtu.be/djFCJe15kyQHomeschooling Online: https://youtu.be/rkOPFZ2m2-MHomeschool All-in-One Curriculum: https://youtu.be/jtTWm4rdxfQMomtrepreneur Success: https://youtu.be/hOl4iw89sYIHiring Your Kids: https://youtu.be/a1EMvQS5w08To Do List Overwhelm: https://youtu.be/Rm49wHjMEns ~~~REBEL MOM CHECKLIST: A NO NONSENSE GUIDE TO WORKING FROM HOME AND HOMESCHOOLINGDitch the overwhelm and struggle. It is possible to work from home and homeschool confidently. Get actionable suggestions and practical help. https://lifeunboxed.blog/homeschool-and-work-from-home/ MOMS RUN ON COFFEE. BUY JODIE THE MOM ONE.https://ko-fi.com/lifeunboxedblogTo learn more about Life Unboxed blog, visit: https://lifeunboxed.blog/about-the-blog-working-from-home-with-kids/FOLLOW JODIE:Website: https://lifeunboxed.blog/Business: https://www.jodierperry.com/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/LifeUnboxedFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LifeunboxedblogInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeunboxedblog/Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-647543YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lifeunboxedblogMusic for the intro/outro is Like it Hot by Tenoaxehttp://teknoaxe.com/Link_Code_3.php?q=1579Disclaimer: This video and description contain affiliate links. If you purchase using one of these links, I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps me keeps things free for you, and who doesn't love free stuff.Support the show

Episode 383 applies Napoleon Hill's timeless principles to sales, showing how decision, persistence, and the mastermind turn inner preparation into consistent results. Learn practical, neuroscience-backed actions to make clear decisions, sustain effort through resistance, and multiply success by aligning with the right people. Welcome back to Season 15 of The Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast — where we bridge the science behind social and emotional learning, emotional intelligence, and practical neuroscience to create measurable improvements in well-being, achievement, productivity, and results. I'm Andrea Samadi. And seven years ago, when we launched this podcast, it was driven by a question I had never been taught to ask — either in school, in business, or in life: If productivity and results matter — and they matter now more than ever — how exactly are we using our brain to make them happen? Most of us were never taught how to work with our brain instead of against it. We were taught what to do — but not how to think, decide, persist, or align with others in ways that produce consistent results. That question pulled me into a decade-long exploration of the mind–brain–results connection — and how neuroscience can be applied to everyday decisions, conversations, and performance. That's why this podcast exists. Each week, I bring you the world's leading experts so we can break down complex science — and turn it into practical strategies you can apply immediately for predictable, science-backed outcomes. And that brings us to today's Episode 383 — where we are going back to reconnect to a powerful 6-part series we originally recorded in 2022 around a book that has shaped achievement for generations: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. Connecting Back to Our 6-Part Think and Grow Rich Series[i] We used that book as a framework to launch our year, back in 2022, walking chapter by chapter through the principles my mentor, Bob Proctor, studied for over 50 years of his life. Not casually. Not occasionally. But as a daily discipline for creating results — in business, health, relationships, and purpose. That 6-part series was about the basics — the inner mechanics that govern all achievement. And those basics still matter just as much today. What we're doing now is not revisiting this material because it's old. We're revisiting it because it's timeless. PART 3 — From Decision to Momentum Decision • Persistence • The Power of the Mastermind In Part 3 today, of our Think and Grow Rich for Sales study, we move from inner preparation to outer execution. Up to this point, the earlier chapters have shaped belief, certainty, vision, and authority. But results are not created by preparation alone. They are created when inner mastery is followed by decisive action, sustained effort, and collective intelligence. This is where most people stall—and where sales mastery is forged. Decision We begin with Decision, the moment where intention becomes irreversible. Indecision leaks certainty. Decision creates momentum. Successful people decide quickly and change course slowly. In sales, this means committing to your value, your process, and your outcome before the conversation begins—so hesitation never enters the room. Persistence Next comes Persistence, the force that carries decisions through resistance, delay, and rejection. Persistence is not intensity—it is refusal to quit when progress is invisible. In sales, persistence keeps conversations alive, turns “no” into information, and allows momentum to compound long after others have disengaged. The Power of the Mastermind Finally, we arrive at The Power of the Mastermind—where individual effort becomes exponential. When two or more minds unite in harmony around a definite purpose, a third force emerges: clarity, creativity, and certainty launch beyond individual thinking. This chapter reveals why no great achievement—and no sustained sales success—is built alone. Decision commits you. Persistence carries you. The Mastermind multiplies you. Together, these three principles turn vision into execution and effort into inevitable results. EP 383 — Think and Grow Rich for Sales where we're applying those same principles through a very specific lens — one I've wanted to explore for a long time. Sales. Not sales as tactics. Not sales as scripts. But sales as the external expression of inner mastery. Because here's the truth: You don't need to be in sales for these principles to work — but if you are in sales, they become a powerful advantage. Why Part 3 Matters Today we're covering Decision, Persistence, and The Power of the Mastermind — the principles that separate intention from execution. Up until now in this series, (PART 1 and PART 2) we've been building the inner foundation: Thought Desire Faith Autosuggestion Specialized Knowledge Imagination Organized Planning Those chapters shape belief, certainty, authority, and vision. But Part 3 is where things get real. Because: Decision is where hesitation ends. Persistence is where most people quit. The Mastermind is where momentum multiplies. This is the phase where inner mastery must turn into consistent action, even when results are delayed, resistance appears, or confidence wavers. How the 6-Part Series Maps Directly to Sales Mastery Every principle we covered in 2022 becomes a sales advantage when applied intentionally. Each chapter: Upgrades your inner state Shapes how you show up in conversations Influences the certainty others feel around you And determines whether opportunities compound… or stall That's why this series is called: Think and Grow Rich for Sales How Inner Mastery Becomes Sales Results Inspired by Think and Grow Rich — through a modern neuroscience + sales lens So today, as we move into Decision, Persistence, and The Power of the Mastermind, ask yourself one question: Where in your life — or your sales process — have you been preparing… but not fully deciding? Because once a decision is made — and backed by persistence and you've got the right people to support you — everything begins to move. Let's begin PART 3. Chapter VIII: Decision Core Idea Decision is the moment where intention becomes irreversible. Success is not delayed by lack of ability, knowledge, or opportunity—it is delayed by indecision. Those who succeed decide quickly, commit fully, and change course slowly. In sales (and life), certainty follows decision, not the other way around.   Sales Application Decide before the call who you are, what you stand for, and the value you bring. This starts with you on the inside, and reflects to others on the outside. Eliminate hesitation by committing to the outcome, not the comfort Stop outsourcing decisions to opinions, objections, or fear of rejection Make decisions promptly, then execute consistently without reopening the question Understand that most stalled deals are not about price or timing—they're about your certainty When you (as the leader) decide fully: Your tone steadies Your message sharpens Your presence communicates leadership Buyers feel that decisiveness immediately. Listener Takeaway Indecision leaks certainty. Decision creates forward momentum. You don't get stuck because you chose the wrong path. You get stuck because you never fully chose one at all. Once a decision is made—and all other options are removed—behavior aligns, confidence follows, and results begin to compound.   The Moment Where Commitment Creates Momentum Napoleon Hill opens Chapter 8 on Decision with a striking conclusion drawn from an accurate analysis of over 25,000 men and women who had experienced failure: “Lack of decision was near the head of the list of the 30 major causes of failure.” (CH 8, p. 157, Think and Grow Rich) Hill is clear—this is not theory. It is fact. Those who succeed, he explains, “had the habit of reaching decisions promptly and of changing these decisions slowly, if and when they were changed.” (CH 8, p. 157) In contrast, those who fail hesitate, (have you ever heard a LEADER say “I don't know?) NEVER! They never second-guess, or remain trapped in indecision—and others often mistake their delay for being cautious. Decision Is a Habit, Not a Moment Hill points to Henry Ford as a living example of decisiveness in action. One of Ford's most outstanding qualities, Hill writes, was “his habit of reaching decisions quickly and definitely, and changing them slowly.” (CH 8, p. 158) This distinction matters. Successful people are not reckless—but once they decide, they commit. They do not constantly reopen the question. They move forward. Hill challenges the reader directly: “You have a brain and mind of your own. Use it, and reach your own decisions.” (CH 8, p. 159) Indecision, he argues, is often the result of allowing the opinions of others to dilute our own thinking. The more people we consult, the more fragmented our certainty becomes. Decision Requires Courage Decision, by its nature, demands courage. Hill reminds us that “the great decisions which served as the foundation of civilization were reached by assuming great risks.” (CH 8, p. 160) History is filled with individuals who stepped forward before there was certainty—people who acted without guarantees, yet changed the course of their lives and the world. This truth resonated deeply with me years ago, before I made the decision to move from Toronto to the United States. Around that time, I purchased a poster that still hangs in my office today. It's on the top of my bookshelf, to the right of my desk in my field of view. At the top of this picture is the word COURAGE, followed by a poem attributed to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: The poster says- *“The moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.” Make your decisions and NEVER look back. Closing Thought — Chapter VIII: Decision Clarity does not come before the decision. Clarity comes because of the decision. The moment you decide—fully, cleanly, and without retreat—your behavior changes, your energy stabilizes, and your certainty becomes visible to others. That certainty is what moves conversations forward, closes deals, and creates momentum. Indecision keeps you negotiating with fear. Decision puts you back in leadership. Once a decision is made, the path begins to reveal itself—and persistence becomes possible. And that's where we're headed next. Chapter IX: Persistence The Force That Turns Intention Into Inevitability Core Idea Persistence is the sustained application of will over time. It is not intensity. It is not motivation. It is refusal to quit when progress is invisible. This is where we need our belief, our faith and imagination to come into play. Napoleon Hill describes persistence as “to character, what carbon is to steel.” (CH 9, p. 178, TAGR) Without it, even the strongest ideas collapse. With it, ordinary effort becomes extraordinary. Those who succeed are often misunderstood—not because they are reckless, but because they are unwilling to stop. Hill writes that successful people are often seen as “cold-blooded or ruthless,” when in reality, “what they have is willpower, which they mix with persistence.” (CH 9, p. 175) Persistence is the bridge between decision and the results that you attain. Sales Application In sales, persistence is not pressure—it is professional resolve. Persistence keeps you in the conversation after the first “no” It transforms rejection into information to uncover more It replaces emotional reaction with strategic and timely follow-up It conditions you to ask better questions instead of walking away A persistent salesperson does not hear “no” as rejection—they hear it as: “Not now” “Not this way” “Not with this information” So they ask: What changed? What would need to be true for this to move forward? Is timing, budget, or authority the real obstacle? Persistence is what allows a salesperson to: Maintain relationships when deals stall To be able to re-enter conversations when conditions change Be remembered when others disappear Without persistence, opportunities die quietly. With persistence, doors reopen. Strengthening Your Persistence Muscle Persistence is not a personality trait—it is a trained discipline. One of the most powerful exercises I learned while working with Bob Proctor was designed specifically to build persistence into habit. The assignment was simple: Read Chapter 9 Persistence from Think and Grow Rich — every day, for 14 days in a row. Miss one day? You start over at Day 1. Years later, in 2019, Paul Martinelli issued the same challenge to me. I thought it would be easy. It wasn't. Life intervenes. Schedules shift. Distractions will appear during your reading time. One morning, as I was reading early in my office, one of my kids came in not feeling well. I put the book down to help her. The day began—and I missed the chapter. What happened next mattered: I had to remove something else from my schedule to stay committed. That's the lesson. Persistence isn't tested when things are convenient. It's tested when something reasonable tries to knock it off course. Try this challenge yourself. Track every day. Notice what shows up to distract you. You'll learn more about yourself in those 14 days than you ever could have expected. Listener Takeaway Persistence compounds quietly. It doesn't announce itself. It doesn't feel dramatic. But over time, it becomes unbeatable. Most people stop just before momentum begins. Persistence is staying in motion long enough for the tide to turn. When to Let Go Persistence is not stubbornness. There are moments when walking away is appropriate—but only after your best effort has been applied. My Dad used to say: “Andrea, what's for you won't go by you.” I've found that to be true. When persistence has been honored—when you've shown up fully, asked the hard questions, followed through consistently—clarity eventually arrives. Sometimes the answer is not yet. Sometimes it's not this. Sometimes it's something better. Force negates. Persistence clarifies. Final Thought — Chapter IX: Persistence Persistence is not heroic in the moment. It is heroic in hindsight. It is the quiet decision to show up again— to follow through again— to believe again— long after most people would have stopped. Without persistence, talent fades. With persistence, effort compounds. And once persistence is in place, the power of the Mastermind becomes unstoppable. That's where we go next. Chapter X: The Power of the Mastermind Why Sales Is Never a Solo Game Collective intelligence multiplies results. Core Idea A Mastermind is not a meeting. It is not networking. It is not collaboration for convenience. A Mastermind is the creation of a third force. Napoleon Hill defines it clearly: “No two minds ever come together without thereby creating a third, invisible, intangible force that may be likened to a third mind.” (CH 10, p. 195, Think and Grow Rich) This chapter reveals that achievement accelerates when two or more minds unite in harmony around a definite purpose. What emerges is a form of collective intelligence—greater than any one individual's thinking. Hill calls this power: “The Master Mind may be defined as coordinated knowledge and effort, in a spirit of harmony, between two or more people, for the attainment of a definite purpose.” (CH 10, p. 195) This is where vision gains momentum—and plans finally move. Sales Application In sales, the Mastermind is a force multiplier. It sharpens thinking beyond individual blind spots It accelerates problem-solving when deals stall It stabilizes certainty when confidence wavers It prevents isolation, which quietly erodes persistence Sales is often practiced alone—but mastery is built together. High-performing sales professionals: Test ideas with trusted thinking partners Debrief losses without ego Share language, patterns, objections, and breakthroughs Borrow certainty when needed—and lend it when others falter When you bring your challenges into the right room, clarity emerges faster. As Hill reminds us: “Plans are inert and useless without sufficient power to translate them into action.” (CH 10, p. 193) The Mastermind is that power. Why the Mastermind Works Hill explains this principle through energy: “The human mind is a form of energy.” (CH 10, p. 196) When minds align, energy compounds. I first felt this power in May of 2001, working in the seminar industry, listening to the late Doug Wead speak on what he called “The Third-Party Principle.” He described it as a triple-braided cord—a force formed when two or more people come together around a shared aim. If you've ever been part of a true Mastermind, you know the feeling: Ideas flow differently Certainty increases Problems shrink Creativity replaces competition You don't leave the same way you arrived. Listener Takeaway You do not need to be the smartest person in the room. You need to be in the right room. Progress accelerates when you stop trying to think your way forward alone. One plus one does not equal two. In a Mastermind, one plus one equals three. Have you ever felt this? The creation of a third mind, when speaking with two or more people? It's a powerful experience. How to Create Your Own Mastermind WHO to Invite People who share your values and beliefs People who think differently than you People who challenge assumptions without attacking identity Hill even notes: “Some of the best sources for creating your own Mastermind are your own employees.” (CH 10, p. 200) Seek harmony, not sameness. WHEN to Meet Commit to a consistent cadence (monthly or quarterly) Meet for at least one year Treat it as non-negotiable Momentum requires continuity. WHAT to Notice Over time, you'll observe: A calm certainty replacing mental noise Creativity emerging where frustration once lived New pathways revealed where you saw roadblocks Others will see progress when you see obstacles. That's the power. Historical Proof Hill reminds us: “Henry Ford began his business career under the handicap of poverty, illiteracy, and ignorance…” (CH 10, p. 197) Ford's most rapid growth began when he aligned with Thomas Edison. Modern examples echo the same truth: Bill Gates Steve Jobs Jeff Bezos None built alone. All relied on thinking partners. Final Thought — Chapter X: The Power of the Mastermind No great achievement is the result of isolated brilliance. It is the result of aligned minds, sustained harmony, and shared purpose. Decision commits you. Persistence carries you. But the Mastermind multiplies you. When the right minds come together, progress no longer depends on force— it becomes inevitable. And with that, the formula is complete.

2026-01-18 | UPDATES #106 | Popcorn in the Kremlin, as the world wonders whether Trump will order his troops to invade Greenland, a fellow NATO member on the one hand, or invade the U.S. instead – Minneapolis. Is the military to be deployed to support ICE thugs in a crisis manufactured by Trump. Two battalions. On alert and could potentially move within hours. From the 11th Airborne Division — the “Arctic Angels” — based in Alaska, built for extreme cold, rapid force projection and now reportedly queued up for Minnesota. It is winter, but this does seem like overkill. Joking, not joking. This is insanity. A quick question: are they preparing to “restore order” in Minneapolis or just warming up the engines for an Arctic strong-arm play in Greenland? Either scenario is as mad as the other – but what's madder, is how many people are still lining up to ‘sane wash' Trump's weaponised lunacy, or even to support it. The unit trained for the Arctic is being readied for a domestic flashpoint at the exact moment Washington is torching alliance norms over an Arctic territory that belongs to a NATO ally. And Moscow has a front-row seat, watching the geopolitical show unfold with relish.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: Associated Press — Pentagon orders ~1,500 soldiers on standby for possible Minnesota deployment (Jan 18, 2026). Wall Street Journal — Pentagon places 1,500 soldiers on alert for possible Minnesota deployment (Jan 18, 2026). Washington Post — Pentagon readies 1,500 soldiers to possibly deploy to Minnesota (Jan 18, 2026).CNN transcript (State of the Union) — Mayor Jacob Frey interview on troop alert & intimidation claim (Jan 18, 2026). Fox News — Sean Parnell statement quoted (“Department of War…”) (Jan 18, 2026). Reuters — EU warns of “dangerous downward spiral”; Kaja Kallas warns divisions benefit Russia/China (Jan 17, 2026). Reuters — Spain's PM Sánchez: Greenland invasion would make Putin “the happiest man on earth” (Jan 18, 2026). AP — European leaders warn of spiral after Trump's Greenland tariff threats (Jan 18, 2026). Financial Times — Macron urges EU response; anti-coercion instrument discussion (Jan 18, 2026).Kyiv Independent — Russia welcomes Greenland tariffs as NATO “collapse”; Dmitriev “transatlantic alliance is over” (Jan 18, 2026). Anadolu Agency — Dmitriev mocks Europe (“1% per soldier”; “daddy”) (Jan 18, 2026). Reuters (background) — Russia calls NATO Greenland threat narrative a “myth” (Jan 15, 2026).----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------

Randy Hux is the Founder and President of Hux Capital Management, a fiduciary financial planning firm headquartered in Lafayette, Louisiana. With over two decades of experience in the financial services industry, Randy is known for his passion, integrity, and deeply personalized approach to retirement and investment planning.As a licensed fiduciary, Randy upholds the highest legal and ethical standards, always putting clients' best interests first. His philosophy is simple: financial planning should be transparent, easy to understand, and results-driven—not filled with confusing jargon or sales pressure. Clients describe Randy as personable, trustworthy, and refreshingly honest—qualities that have earned him a loyal following throughout Louisiana and beyond.Under Randy's leadership, Hux Capital Management offers a holistic suite of services including proactive money management, retirement income strategies, tax-efficient investing, insurance planning, Social Security optimization, and family legacy and estate planning. His approach blends math, science, and human empathy to build custom financial plans that are designed to last a lifetime—and beyond.Randy is frequently called upon for expert commentary on retirement planning, fiduciary responsibility, and investor education. His mission remains clear: to empower individuals and families with the clarity, confidence, and control they need to enjoy their financial future on their terms.Learn more: http://www.huxcapitalmanagement.com/Investment advisory and financial planning services are offered through Simplicity Wealth, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of the firm nor does it indicate that the adviser has attained a particular level of skill or ability. Investing involves the risk of loss. Insurance, Consulting and Education services offered through Hux Capital Management. Hux Capital Management is a separate and unaffiliated entity from Simplicity Wealth.Influential Entrepreneurs with Mike Saundershttps://businessinnovatorsradio.com/influential-entrepreneurs-with-mike-saunders/Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/interview-with-randy-hux-founder-and-president-of-hux-capital-management-discussing-securing-financial-future-through-holistic-planning

What would you risk to escape a totalitarian state—and how long would you be willing to wait? In this gripping episode, Peter Kasl, author of Escaping the Grip of Eastern European Communism, tells the extraordinary true story of his family's escape from behind the Iron Curtain. Born into a country transformed by repression after the 1968 Prague Spring and the Soviet invasion, Peter grew up in a world of fear, surveillance, and whispered conversations. He recounts how his uncle's defection marked the entire family as enemies of the state, triggering interrogations, lost opportunities, and constant pressure to conform. As a child, Peter learned early what could—and could not—be said, even at school. Over 13 long years, his parents quietly and meticulously planned their escape, knowing that a single mistake could mean prison, separation, or worse. Peter describes the deception, the danger, and the emotional cost of leaving everything behind—family, home, and country—in a desperate bid for freedom. This is a powerful firsthand account of life under communism, the courage it takes to resist it, and the life-changing journey from oppression to opportunity. A story of fear, faith, resilience, and the pursuit of freedom—this is Cold War history told by someone who lived it Episode extras ⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/episode439 The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You'll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you'll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to ⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/⁠ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link. Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to ⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/store/⁠ CONTINUE  THE COLD WAR CONVERSATION Follow us on BlueSky ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social⁠ Follow us on Threads ⁠https://www.threads.net/@coldwarconversations⁠ Follow us on Twitter ⁠https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod⁠ Facebook ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/⁠ Instagram ⁠https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/⁠ Youtube ⁠https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations⁠   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From January 17-19, we're hosting the Teacher Winter Talks event on the Teacher Approved podcast feed. Grab your free ticket for the full experience: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/teacherwintertalks✨ Each session will be available for 24 hours. Upgrade to the Max Pass to get lifetime access to all the sessions, plus over $500 worth of mid-year bonus resources like templates, workshops, and bundles!About the Session: Juggling separate lessons for reading, writing, and grammar feeling like too much right now? Jessica Ivey-Smith shares a simple four-step process for giving your ELA block a midyear makeover using picture books you already own. Instead of planning everything separately, she shows you how to identify the most teachable moments, pull craft-rich sentences, and design writing tasks that grow naturally from the text. The result? Cohesive, connected lessons that actually simplify your planning. If your ELA block has started to feel scattered and joyless... this repeatable routine might be exactly the reset you need.Links/Resources:Mid-Year Teaching Reset: https://www.ideasbyjivey.com/mid-year-teaching-reset/Ideas by Jivey: www.ideasbyjivey.comShare your takeaways and join the summit fun in the Teacher Winter Talks Facebook group!Teacher Winter Talks is sponsored by the Teacher Approved Club and Fashion Fix.

Want to share our last week's episode? Here is the link!Want to send a voice note for our 3 year episode? Here!News[security] Go 1.26 Release Candidate 2 is released[security] Go 1.25.6 and Go 1.24.12 are releasedGophercamp 2026Lightning RoundHow to Get Consistent Classification From Inconsistent LLMs?Yet another Nginx Web UIAd breakWant to send a voice note for our 3 year episode? Here!Go Rumours: Meetup in San Francisco || Hosted by QuantcastSF Go Meetup March '26 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Hans and Robby are back again this week with a brand new episode! This week, they discuss state and federal regulations of long-term care insurance.  Don't forget to get your copy of "The Complete Cardinal Guide to Planning for and Living in Retirement" on Amazon or on CardinalGuide.com for free! You can contact Hans and Cardinal by emailing hans@cardinalguide.com or calling 919-535-8261. Learn more at CardinalGuide.com. Find us on YouTube: Cardinal Advisors.

Marccus Hendricks, associate professor at the University of Maryland and director of the Stormwater Infrastructure Resilience and Justice Lab, joins People Behind the Plans for a wide-ranging conversation on disaster resilience, environmental justice, and the current challenges facing the planning profession. Drawing on his upbringing in Dallas, his scholarship on flood risk and infrastructure inequity, and his experience as a senior adviser for Climate and Community Resilience in the Biden administration, Hendricks explores the roots of social vulnerability and the role planning plays in shaping health, safety, and opportunity. He also shares a path to planning via public health and emergency medicine, and namechecks some of his planning heroes, like Shannon Van Zandt, Walt Peacock, Lori Peek, Dennis Mileti, Norma and Bill Anderson, John T. Cooper Jr., and Philip Berke. “My mentors were studying the aftermath of disasters and I wanted to get after the root causes of how we got here. Individuals and groups who live at the social and economic margins of our society are the least likely to be able to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from environmental hazards. “ — Marccus Hendricks Hendricks shares how cuts to federal planning programs and research funding are affecting planners, students, and academic institutions, and why retreating from hard truths poses a risk to the future of the field. And he offers candid advice to students and local planners navigating uncertainty, emphasizing the enduring power of community-centered work and action at the local level. Episode URL: https://planning.org/podcast/marccus-hendricks-on-infrastructural-justice-and-staying-true-to-your-values/

Chris Markowski delves into the critical distinction between financial preparation and financial planning. He emphasizes the importance of being prepared for the uncertainties of life rather than relying on rigid plans that may not hold up over time. Drawing on personal anecdotes and experiences, Markowski illustrates how mastering the fundamentals of investing can lead to success, regardless of market fluctuations. He also critiques the conventional wisdom propagated by financial institutions and the media, urging listeners to recognize the narratives that may hinder their financial freedom. Markowski further discusses the current economic landscape, highlighting the disconnect between reported economic growth and the realities faced by everyday Americans. He warns against complacency and encourages listeners to adopt a proactive approach to their finances, emphasizing the need for courage and patience in investing. The episode serves as a call to action for individuals to take control of their financial futures through informed decision-making and preparation, rather than blind adherence to outdated financial planning models.

Is Hawaii still worth visiting in 2026, or are you setting yourself up for sticker shock and sold-out reservations?Hawaii hasn't lost its magic, but the way you need to plan for it has completely changed, and understanding that shift is what separates a stressful trip from an unforgettable one.

Jamie and Larissa share their plans for the upcoming Defender Kentucky Three Day Event and we hear more about Larissa's new horse. Auditor Mandi joins us to review OEQ Women's Winter Riding Tights (hint, they're amazing AND ON SALE). Then, it's all laughs to the end with Jamie + Ashley + ReAllI BaD Adz, Happy Friday Horseworld! Listen in… HORSES IN THE MORNING Episode 3864 – Show Notes and Links:Hosts: Jamie Jennings of Flyover Farm and Ashley Winch, Director of Podcast Operations at Horse Radio NetworkGuest: Larissa BowkerGuest: Auditor MandiTitle Sponsor: Kentucky Performance Products - AirwiseProduct Review: OEQ Women's Winter Riding TightsAdditional support for this podcast provided by: Equestrian+ and Listeners Like YouTimestamps:Daily Whinnies: 02:25Larissa Interview: 12:45Product review with Mandi: 23:45Really Bad Ads: 31:35

Welcome to Day 3 of the Drop Five Pounds While Life Is Life-ing Challenge — the day we stop pretending life is ever going to calm down.Day one was about creating a solid plan. Day two was about anchoring that plan to compelling reasons that actually move you. Today is where it gets real. Because a plan without a plan for when life blows up… isn't a real plan.In this episode, we're talking about what *actually* happens when life is life-ing — when schedules implode, stress spikes, kids melt down, cravings hit, and your brain starts offering “helpful” excuses like, “Screw it, I'll start Monday.” Instead of waiting for a perfect, imaginary window where nothing goes wrong, we build the skill of honoring your plan *inside* the chaos.I walk you through how to identify your personal obstacles — not vague ones, but stupid-specific ones — and how to create strategies ahead of time so you're not relying on willpower in the moment. We talk about how your lower brain works, why it defaults to pleasure and avoidance, and how to pre-program responses that actually support the version of you you're becoming.This is the difference between wishful thinking and real commitment. Not white-knuckling. Not perfection. Devotion. Planning for mistakes. Learning instead of shaming. And building trust with yourself when life doesn't cooperate.In this episode, you'll hear:- Why waiting for a “perfect time” guarantees you stay stuck- What “life is life-ing” actually looks like (and why it's normal)- How your lower brain sabotages plans through pleasure-seeking and avoidance- Why a plan without obstacle strategies isn't a real plan- How to identify your exact personal triggers (stress, PMS, parties, exhaustion, leftovers, etc.)- The two types of strategies you need: thought strategies and do strategies- How to stop shame spirals and “look back with love” after a mistake- Why mistakes only become failures when you don't extract the lessonYour homework for today:On the left side of a page, list 10 very specific situations where life tends to derail your plan. On the right side, write your strategies — what you'll think, say, or do instead when those moments happen. Set a 5–7 minute timer and get it done, even if your brain throws a tantrum.If you want support, feedback, or coaching, email me at laura@lauraconley.com.And if you're ready to stop relying on motivation and start building skills that last, come join me inside the Yummy Mummy Experience — my six-month group coaching program that guarantees you lose weight for the last time or your money back. Learn more or sign up at lauraconley.com.Love you, babes. I'll see you tomorrow for Day 4.

In this episode, I'm breaking down something that should be simple but often isn't: how to plan your fertility future. You don't need to be a fertility specialist or have a science degree to understand the basics of fertility planning. I want everyone to approach this the same way you'd plan a vacation: with intention, research, and realistic expectations. The most important thing I want you to know? Humans ovulate just one egg per month, and that egg only has about a 15% chance of being genetically healthy, even in our twenties. This fundamental truth changes everything about how we should approach family planning. Throughout this episode, I share my three-rule framework that I live by:  What do I want?  What is it going to take to get what I want?  And am I willing to do it?  When applied to fertility, these questions help you get concrete and honest about your timeline, your options, and the steps you need to take now to avoid struggle later. I explain why fertility treatment is really about "egg rescue" - saving eggs from being lost forever - and why planning your fertility deserves at least as much attention as planning that dream vacation to the Maldives. In this episode, we cover: Understanding that we ovulate only one egg per month with a 15% chance of genetic viability at best The reality of conception timelines: why it can take 6-12 months for healthy couples to conceive Miscarriage statistics and why 20-30% of pregnancies end in the first trimester through no fault of your own The three-question framework for planning your fertility future: what you want, what it takes, and your willingness to act How egg freezing works as "IVF without the F" and why it's about rescuing eggs, not depleting them Age-related fertility decline: why your chances at 41 (10% viable eggs) are dramatically different than in your twenties Preparing for pregnancy like you'd prepare for a vacation: getting medically ready, addressing health issues, and genetic carrier screening Do you have questions about IVF? Click here to join Dr. Aimee for The IVF Class. The next live class call is on Monday, February 9, 2026, at 4 pm PST, where Dr. Aimee will explain IVF and Egg Freezing, and there will be time to ask her your questions live on Zoom. Other ways to follow Dr. Aimee: Visit my YouTube channel for more fertility tipsSubscribe to the newsletter to get updatesJoin The Egg Whisperer SchoolRequest a Consultation with Dr. Aimee  Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh is one of America's most well‑known fertility doctors. Her success rate at baby‑making gives future parents hope when all hope is lost. She pioneered the TUSHY Method and BALLS Method to decrease your time to pregnancy. Learn more about the TUSHY Method and find a wealth of fertility resources at www.draimee.org. If you listen closely, you may hear the faint sound of "Light Touch" by Podington Bear in the background. You can find out more about this music here:  http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Thoughtful/LightTouch key words: egg freezing, IVF, IVF doctor, fertility treatment, infertility treatment, trying to conceive, trying to conceive after 30, trying to conceive after 40

In this engaging conversation, Natalie and Heather explore various themes related to self-care, equine care, and personal growth. They discuss the challenges of equine expos, the importance of morning routines, and the balance between work and personal life. The conversation also delves into riding techniques, understanding horse behavior, and the significance of setting boundaries. With a light-hearted tone, they share personal anecdotes and insights, emphasizing the joy found in simple things and the power of authenticity.Keywordsself-care, equine expos, horse riding, personal growth, boundaries, adulting wins, bitless riding, mare energy, confidence, sleep, work-life balanceTakeawaysMorning routines set the tone for the day.Equine expos can be overwhelming but rewarding.Riding techniques can improve with practice and patience.Balancing work and personal life is essential for well-being.Sleep is crucial for productivity and mental health.Understanding horse behavior enhances riding experience.Confidence in riding comes from practice and self-awareness.Adulting wins can be found in small achievements.Setting boundaries is important for personal growth.Embracing the energy of mares can inspire strength and determination.Chapters00:00 Morning Routines and Self-Care02:57 The Challenges of Equine Expos06:01 Understanding Horse Behavior and Circadian Rhythms09:03 Balancing Work and Personal Life12:05 Planning for Family Adventures14:57 Exploring Bitless Riding and Training Techniques19:57 Understanding Riding Dynamics27:55 The Importance of Body Positioning32:15 Managing Anxiety and Riding Confidence40:53 Living Arrangements and Personal Space41:49 Building Confidence Through Horses42:18 Learning Boundaries from Horses43:24 Listening to Horses: A Case Study44:48 Embracing Mare Energy47:31 The Power of Mares in Performance49:58 Adulting Wins and Personal Growth52:00 Exciting Life Updates and Future Plans54:38 Finding Joy in Simple Pleasures56:56 Authenticity in PodcastingLinks:www.adultingwithhorsespodcast.comInstagram @adultingwithhorsespodcastTwitter @AdultingHorsesFacebook Group, The Clubhouse: https://www.facebook.com/groups/adultingwithhorsespodcast/Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AdultingWithHorsesPodcastThank you for being a little weird with us, horse girl! If you like what you hear make sure to subscribe to the podcast on your player of choice, join our Adulting with Horses Clubhouse on Facebook where you can become part of the show! Also, it's a great place to meet other horse crazy women. Thanks and see you next time!If you like what you hear but want a little more, become a Patreon member for extra bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes content with video, and more!

Jamie and Larissa share their plans for the upcoming Defender Kentucky Three Day Event and we hear more about Larissa's new horse. Auditor Mandi joins us to review OEQ Women's Winter Riding Tights (hint, they're amazing AND ON SALE). Then, it's all laughs to the end with Jamie + Ashley + ReAllI BaD Adz, Happy Friday Horseworld! Listen in… HORSES IN THE MORNING Episode 3864 – Show Notes and Links:Hosts: Jamie Jennings of Flyover Farm and Ashley Winch, Director of Podcast Operations at Horse Radio NetworkGuest: Larissa BowkerGuest: Auditor MandiTitle Sponsor: Kentucky Performance Products - AirwiseProduct Review: OEQ Women's Winter Riding TightsAdditional support for this podcast provided by: Equestrian+ and Listeners Like YouTimestamps:Daily Whinnies: 02:25Larissa Interview: 12:45Product review with Mandi: 23:45Really Bad Ads: 31:35

Fan Mail: Tell Wendy how you're saying yes to yourself!Say YES to a Space to Dream Solo Retreat at the Phineas Wright House. Learn more and save your date here. Explore other opportunities to say YES to yourself here. Welcome to the Say YES to Yourself! Podcast—the show for midlife women, empty nesters, and anyone navigating life after divorce, burnout, or big transitions. If you're ready to shed cultural expectations, reconnect with your true self, and put your joy first—you're in the right place.In this episode, Wendy is joined by Ashley Hamic, rare disease mom and founder of Wishwear Accessories. What started as a wheelchair blanket for a friend has grown into a joyful, functional brand, proving that when you say yes to yourself, beautiful things unfold.They explore:Why joy needs to be planned, engaged with, and celebratedHow rare disease families find meaning in the smallest glimmersThe power of setting intentional rhythms in your relationshipThis is a conversation about embracing chaos, leaning into what you love, and discovering that if you set the intention for joy, it will come to you. Press play and discover how contrast can deepen your capacity for joy.Connect with Ashley:Instagram @wishwearaccessoriesFacebookLinkedInTikTokWishWearAccessories.comReferenced in this Episode:The Kind of Leadership That Sparks Innovation | Elizabeth BieniekFrom Life Sentence to Second Chances: A Story of Freedom & Redemption | Judy HendersonOnce Upon a Gene PodcastThe Plated Prisoner Series________________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Wendy: LinkedinInstagram: @phineaswrighthouseFacebook: Phineas Wright House Website: Phineas Wright House PWH Farm StaysPWH Curated Experience and Travel Interested in being a guest on the show? Send your pitch to podcast@phineaswrighthouse.com Podcast Production By Shannon Warner of Resonant Collective Want to start your own podcast? Let's chat! If this episode resonated, follow Say YES to Yourself! and leave a 5-star review. It helps more women in midlife discover the tools, stories, and community that make saying YES not only possible, but powerful.

Gags and Grizz are back and perplexed as to why Liverpool haven't moved in the market when there are obvious requirements in the squad. They discuss all of this, look ahead to Burnley and a whole lot more on Chat G&G! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick Cellini and Chris Dimino talk everything Atlanta Sports, the National Sports picture and the current (and WAY back when) in pop culture! Get the latest and your fill of Atlanta Braves, Georgia Bulldogs, Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Hawks daily from two "Southern" Yankees daily Mon-Fri from 10a-2p! The 11 o'clock hour is brought to you by TRAJAN WEALTH; Planning for tomorrow starts today. Visit Trajan Wealth dot com to learn more about retirement and state planning RedZone - Divisional Weekend is here! Drive Around The Sports World Braves nemesis at it again! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Disney's live-action strategy, a surprisingly exclusive D23 merch sale, and a 65-year-old animated classic all collide on this episode of I Want That Too. Jim and Lauren break down why a new casting announcement for Tangled matters far beyond the movie itself, how Disney is quietly rewarding its most dedicated fans, and why 101 Dalmatians feels more relevant today than ever. Along the way, they connect the dots between animation history, modern merchandising, and the business decisions still shaping Disney in 2025. NEWS • Why the newly announced Tangled live-action leads are a smart, generation-spanning choice for Disney • How Disney's live-action remakes reduce risk and supercharge future merchandise lines • The Twice Upon a Year Sale that most fans know - and the D23-only version many do not • Why D23 memberships are suddenly looking more valuable heading into a busy 2025 FEATURE • How Sleeping Beauty's box office failure nearly sank Disney animation • The technology shift that made 101 Dalmatians possible with a drastically smaller animation staff • Why Cruella de Vil became the template for Disney villains going forward • How a cost-saving experiment ended up saving Walt Disney Animation Studios HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Lauren Hersey - IG: @lauren_hersey_ | X: @laurenhersey2 FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR This episode is brought to you by UnlockedMagic. Planning a future Disney or Universal trip? Lock in great ticket deals without the stress at UnlockedMagic.com. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Betsy Helmuth discusses her pregnancy and family dynamics, shares tips for planning a baby party, and emphasizes the importance of deadlines for design motivation. She answers a listener's question about designing a multifunctional room and announces updates for Affordable Interior Design's YouTube channel and social media. Timestamps: 0:00 Become a premium member for bonus episodes 1:17 Introduction and welcome by Betsy Helmuth 1:31 Betsy's pregnancy and family dynamics 2:38 Planning a baby party and design challenges 7:50 Listener questions 20:13 Penny from the UK seeking advice for a multifunctional room 29:59 Announcement for YouTube channel and social media 31:25 Closing remarks and thanks to sponsors - Hosting an event can be a great motivator to finalize home design decisions and push through lingering projects. - When a room serves multiple functions, it's essential to prioritize one primary purpose to guide the design and maintain cohesion. - Using an inspiration piece to establish a cohesive color palette and style can transform a disjointed space into a harmonious environment. Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Uploft.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AffordableInteriorDesign.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Submit your design questions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to be featured on the show ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a Premium Member⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and access the bonus episodes Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to become an interior designer with Uploft's Interior Design Academy. Get Betsy's book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠betsyhelmuth.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠For more about our residential interior design services, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ModernInteriorDesign.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For our commercial interior design services, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OfficeInteriorDesign.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Us: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@uploftinteriordesign⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/UploftIntDes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tiktok.com/@uploftinteriordesign⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/company/uploft-interior-design⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you enjoy the show, please spread the word and leave a review on iTunes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Click HERE to learn how to earn $10K/month in rental income & access 50% discount on RTR Academyhttps://landing.renttoretirement.com/evg-masterclass-replayReal estate success isn't accidental—it's planned.In this solo episode of the Rent To Retirement Podcast, host Matthew Seyoum breaks down how to strategically game-plan your real estate investments for 2026. From timing your purchases for tax advantages to reverse-engineering your savings and financing strategy, this episode is a practical roadmap for investors at every stage.Whether you're preparing for your first rental property or scaling a multi-property portfolio, this episode will help you avoid last-minute scrambles and move with clarity, confidence, and intention.⏱️ Episode Timestamps00:00 – Why 2026 planning starts now00:28 – Setting your purchase timeline (January–December strategy)00:54 – Buying for tax benefits vs. consistent quarterly acquisitions01:40 – Understanding your “reload” capability (saving & capital planning)02:56 – Pre-approval timelines and how long they last03:34 – LLC setup: realistic timelines and lender requirements04:42 – Why early planning creates flexibility and leverage05:28 – One property per year vs. scaling faster06:29 – Why acting sooner can unlock better tax outcomes07:15 – First-time investors: learning by doing vs. analysis paralysis08:03 – The full Rent To Retirement support team explained08:30 – Best next steps to prepare for your next deal10:05 – Final advice and how to access inventory & strategy calls

358. Simple Goals That Actually Work for Moms Series: Stop Setting Goals That Don't Fit Your Life. | Routines, Schedules, Time Blocking, Time Management, Habits, Plan, Productivity, Yearly, Planning, Quarterly, Monthly, Weekly, Daily, Planner, Purpose, Intentional, Self Care, Self Improvement358. Simple Goals for Moms Series: (Ep. 2 of 3)"Stop Setting Goals That Don't Fit Your Life".Have you ever hit a goal and still felt empty? Or quit a goal and felt like you failed - even though it never fit your season to begin with? That's not a discipline issue, it's misalignment. In today's episode we're diving into what misalignment is in order to help us better see and understand what true alignment looks and feels like, why it's important to filter all of our goals through the core of who we are, and how to make it happen. So if you have found yourself caught in the trap of guilt, comparison, pressure and more… don't worry friend, you're not alone - we all face these challenges when setting goals each year. Listen closely - goals simply just don't stick when they aren't directly connected to our IDENTITY. When we start setting goals that are identity focused and NOT for us to become just like “Suzie down the street” - that's where the magic happens. So if you're ready to get in alignment, true alignment with the core of who you really are and the woman you're striving to become - then grab that pen and paper, pop those ear buds in and let's dive into the second episode in the “Simple Goals That Actually Work for Moms” Series. P.S. Keep tuning in to hear what's coming up this year and the BIG NEWS we are about to leak out on the podcast! Get excited for something spectacular to happen for High Five Motherhood!Keep on Thriving Mama!XO, Kim Website: www.highfivemotherhood.com

I'm back with Allison Mercer, my correspondent on everything, and we start with the most important news of the week: I apparently lost another award, and I am not interested in being reminded about 2025 when we are already deep into 2026.From there we get into World Cross Country Championships, which somehow had a full Florida theme including obstacle chaos, heat, and a crowd that sounded like 10,000 people yelling nonstop. We talk about what made the broadcast work, why team scoring makes the whole field matter, and why cross country in the Winter Olympics would be the best kind of mess.Then we pivot to the trail world heating up early, with Olympians popping over to trails, Burrito League spreading like a virus, and the golden ticket chase being the kind of storyline we actually want more of. We end with ideas for how running media can get better fast: less six-month pre-race content, more post-race coverage, more crew perspective, and please, for the love of everything, mic people up.If you want the sport to be more fun, more human, and more watchable, this is the blueprint. Or at least a rant disguised as a blueprint.Chapters00:00 The Award Dilemma and New Beginnings08:02 World Cross Country Championships: A Florida Experience11:03 The Evolution of Cross Country Broadcasting14:10 The Future of Cross Country in the Olympics17:00 Trail Running: New Faces and Fresh Perspectives20:11 The Shift from Road to Trail Running23:37 The Burrito League Phenomenon26:26 Molly Seidel's Transition to Ultra Running29:38 The Importance of Community in Running32:26 Future Trends in Endurance Sports36:48 Exciting Developments in Running Events38:21 Training for the 100K Championship Team39:59 Planning for Success in Ultra Running42:05 Exploring Potential in Ultra Running44:32 The Future of Trail Running Events48:10 Humanizing Athletes in the Sport53:11 Innovative Coverage in Trail Running54:14 The Roach Approach and Its Impact58:06 Post-Race Coverage and Athlete ReflectionsSupport our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffeeGarage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8abSubscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.comSupport this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutsideBuy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSFEmail me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.comWatch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outsideWebsite: www.Freeoutside.comInstagram: thefreeoutsidefacebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

Most CEOs don't fail because they aim too low. They burn out because they keep setting bigger goals on top of broken systems. In this episode of the WholeCEO Podcast, Lisa Goldenthal breaks down why ambition without infrastructure leads to exhaustion — and what elite leaders are doing differently as they prepare for 2026. In this conversation, you'll discover:

Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:17532056201798502,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-9437-3289"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");pt> Click On Picture To See Larger PictureConspiracy no more, the D’s in Mass want to limit miles people can drive because of climate change. Biden/Obama forces electrical prices higher, Trump is now bringing the prices down and AI datacenters will be powered separately. The [CB] awakening has begun. Sometime you need to show the people the truth. The world is changing, Trump has shutdown the money supply around the world, the [DS] is in a deep panic and soon the people of Iran will take back their own country. As the [DS] criminal syndicate falls apart are they planning an armed civil war? Trump admin designates the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization, other chapters to follow. In the end the Patriots have full control, once the chaos begins the partios will round them all up, it will be clean and swift. Economy https://twitter.com/libsoftiktok/status/2010831605430976627?s=20  Telecommunications, Utilities, & Energy and now heads to the Senate Ways and Means Committee (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:18510697282300316,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-8599-9832"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");    major changes beginning this week to ensure that Americans don't “pick up the tab” for their POWER consumption, in the form of paying higher Utility bills. We are the “HOTTEST” Country in the World, and Number One in AI. Data Centers are key to that boom, and keeping Americans FREE and SECURE but, the big Technology Companies who build them must “pay their own way.” Thank you, and congratulations to Microsoft. More to come soon! President DJT Trump Will Request to Limit Credit Card Interest Rates to 10% for One Year to Combat the Scams of the Big Financial Companies   Trump Administration. Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP This initiative is a great for reversing the damage caused by leftist policies that prioritized uncontrolled spending and galloping inflation over the well-being of the working people. Under the Biden administration, credit card interest rates skyrocketed, reaching an average of 21.5 % in 2024, according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank, exacerbated by inflation that reached peaks of 9 % in 2022. This escalation was not an accident, but the direct result of Democratic policies that injected trillions in unnecessary stimuli, increasing the national debt and forcing the Fed to raise base rates to contain the crisis. Source:  gatewayhispanic.com  https://twitter.com/truflation/status/2011071380175860037?s=20   price data has been showing  https://twitter.com/julie_kelly2/status/2010924086981984640?s=20 https://twitter.com/DrJStrategy/status/2011032604313518251?s=20  a hoax. What Powell actually did •Powell chose to go public with a dramatic video statement saying DOJ subpoenas “threatened a criminal indictment” over his testimony on the Fed's multibillion‑dollar building renovations. •He explicitly framed the subpoenas as “pretexts” and cast them as retaliation for the Fed setting rates independently of the president, elevating a renovation/cost‑overrun inquiry into an existential attack on central bank independence. The framing of criminal indictment came from Powell! In what look liked a scripted response, all of the Fed acolytes on Wall St cried foul, they bought in hook line and sinker!!! What the U.S. Attorney is saying •The U.S. Attorney's Office for D.C. has stated they contacted the Fed “on multiple occasions” about cost overruns and Powell's congressional testimony, were ignored, and therefore resorted to formal legal process, which they stress “is not a threat.” •Jeanine Pirro has been explicit that “the word ‘indictment' has come out of Mr. Powell's mouth, no one else's,” and that “none of this would have happened if they had just responded to our outreach.” “Above the law” behaviour. •Powell now publicly insists “no one is above the law,” even as the record shows the Fed disregarded informal outreach and only engaged once grand jury subpoenas landed, which is the opposite of transparent cooperation. Recall Choke Point 2.0 and the unbanking of individuals. •By recasting a straightforward question of cost overruns and possible misstatements to Congress as an illegitimate “criminal indictment threat,” Powell is effectively demanding a special zone of immunity wrapped in the rhetoric of independence. Why central bankers are “charging the hill” •Former Fed chairs and global monetary grandees have rushed out statements condemning the probe as an attack on Fed independence, treating any prosecutorial look at a central banker as inherently out of bounds. The former Fed officials' statement is doing exactly what the “51 intel officials” letter did on the Hunter Biden laptop: using elite signatures to launder a political narrative into institutional dogma and declare scrutiny itself illegitimate. Powell and his allies are recasting a narrow DOJ inquiry into cost overruns and testimony accuracy as an existential assault on “independence,” and an all‑too‑willing media is once again treating the letter as revealed truth instead of asking hard questions This closes ranks around the idea that central banks sit on a higher plane than normal agencies, immune not only from political pressure on rates, which is legitimate, but also from standard legal and fiscal oversight, which is not. MSM and the death of the 4th estate •Much of legacy media has adopted Powell's framing almost verbatim: “unprecedented attack on independence,” “monetary policy under assault,” while relegating the core factual dispute,ignored outreach, cost overruns, accuracy of testimony, to secondary status. Powell and the central banking crowd are behaving in a way that is frankly odd: they stonewall basic oversight, scream “independence” the moment anyone reaches for legal tools, and act as though they stand above the law—while a compliant MSM gladly carries their narrative, proof the fourth estate has checked out. All of this does not meet the smell test. Is the Fed above the US Constitution? Why did Powell go public and choose the framing that he did? Why did MSM and so called objective pundits not do any objective analysis. Smells like elements of a Russia Russia Russia hoax strategy to me. https://twitter.com/MetaLawMan/status/2010816276508082343?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2010816276508082343%7Ctwgr%5E6585e9ff019ea8191354a3bf06c918cdfd10f00c%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fjoehoft.com%2Fcorrupt-fed-head-jerome-powell-added-trillions-in-unnecessary-us-debt%2F   service of a subpoena on the Fed is not a threat to indict him. Subpoenas are investigative tools. It's possible that the government separately advised Powell that he was a “target” of the investigation, but he didn't say that. 3. Nowhere in the statement does Powell say his testimony to Congress about the Fed construction project was truthful and accurate. https://twitter.com/USAttyPirro/status/2010886969518170452?s=20  Powell's mouth, no one else's. None of this would have happened if they had just responded to our outreach. This office makes decisions based on the merits, nothing more and nothing less. We agree with the chairman of the Federal Reserve that no one is above the law, and that is why we expect his full cooperation. Political/Rights https://twitter.com/DailyCaller/status/2011107269585616922?s=20 https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2011108530842108290?s=20 https://twitter.com/DHSgov/status/2010742739562901678?s=20   Procedure is same used in any location, such as hospital etc. https://twitter.com/nicksortor/status/2011067479603257616?s=20 https://twitter.com/CynicalPublius/status/2011085032606102012?s=20  American law and the accompanying reduction in crime. However, there are a few certain locations where law enforcement refuses to assist in law enforcement, and the local politicians and a base of Marxist-organized civilians actively oppose (sometimes violently) ICE’s lawful operations. It’s those latter locations, few in number but outsized in media reporting–all run by Democrats–that give a false impression as to how much Americans appreciate getting what they voted for. https://twitter.com/KCPayTreeIt/status/2010475982038147336?s=20 DOGE Geopolitical https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/2010965644867485898?s=20   Tehran, according to the Wall Street Journal https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/2011029585161568307?s=20 lowballing. In 2019 they said 230 died, Reuters reported 1,500. Iran International estimated 2,000+ last week based on hospital reports and morgue footage. Now the regime’s confirming it. But they’re framing it as “terrorists killed these people” not “we shot 2,000 protesters.” That’s the setup for mass trials and executions. 2,000 dead in 2 weeks. That’s 140+ per day. During a communications blackout. In a country claiming it has “total control.” Source: Reuters, Iranian official https://twitter.com/IranIntl_En/status/2011018647255322754?s=20   a coordinated blackout aimed not only at security control but at concealing the truth, reflected in internet cuts, crippled communications, media shutdowns, and the intimidation of journalists and witnesses. Publication was delayed until the evidence converged. The assessment is based on a multi-stage review of information from a source close to the Supreme National Security Council; two sources in the presidential office; accounts from several sources within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Mashhad, Kermanshah and Isfahan; testimonies from eyewitnesses and families of those killed; field reports; data linked to medical centers; and information provided by doctors and nurses in multiple cities.  Trump administration designates 3 Muslim Brotherhood branches as terrorist organizations   The Trump administration labeled three Muslim Brotherhood branches as terrorist organizations on Tuesday, imposing sanctions on them and their members. The Lebanese, Jordanian and Egyptian chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood pose a risk to the United States and American interests, according to the Treasury and State departments. “These designations reflect the opening actions of an ongoing, sustained effort to thwart Muslim Brotherhood chapters' violence and destabilization wherever it occurs,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement obtained by The Associated Press. “The United States will use all available tools to deprive these Muslim Brotherhood chapters of the resources to engage in or support terrorism.” The Jordanian and Egyptian branches were designated by the Treasury as specifically designated global terrorists for providing support to Hamas. The Lebanese branch was labeled a foreign terrorist organization, which is the most severe, meaning it is a criminal offense to provide material support to the group. Source;  wsbt.com  Rubio Designates Egyptian, Jordanian and Lebanese Chapters of Muslim Brotherhood as Foreign Terrorist Organizations Keep in mind the Muslim Brotherhood is the fabric on the umbrella of political Islam. Each faction represents and individual spline on the umbrella construct, but the Muslim Brotherhood overall is a political extremist system for various levels of authentic Islam. The regional chapters that really matter, the difficult ones to navigate will be in Qatar, Syria and especially the Turkish factions. These are more politically connected to the home government interests. Source: theconservativetreehouse.com 1237 Apr 22, 2018 1:31:31 AM EDT Q !xowAT4Z3VQ ID: 3e4934 No. 1141069  “The process of settlement is a ‘Civilization-Jihadist Process' with all the word means. The Ikhwan [MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD] must understand that their work in America is a kind of grand jihad in eliminating and destroying the Western civilization from within and ‘sabotaging' its miserable house by their hands and the hands of the believers…” https://clarionproject.org/muslim_brotherhood_explanatory_memorandum/ Q 3881 Q !!Hs1Jq13jV6 ID: b03e04 No.8238822 Feb 24 2020 20:36:43 (EST) EMHyS2xXkAA8JrB.png https://twitter.com/cain_nate/status/1231066589996318720 Listen carefully. Think: re: why [no] arrests (justice) yet? What if (almost) every critical position [sr] within the US GOV apparatus was infiltrated? WHAT MUST BE DONE FIRST? THE SWAMP RUNS DEEP. +Sleepers Backgrounds are important. Muslim Brotherhood List of ‘in the news now [names]‘ w/ known ties to Islam? THIS IS NOT ANOTHER 4-YEAR ELECTION. [assumptions correct – package well rec [known]] Q https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/2010902536757162398?s=20 765 Feb 15, 2018 1:08:41 AM EST Q !UW.yye1fxo ID: 276796 No. 382161  WATCH THE WATER. Q War/Peace Medical/False Flags [DS] Agenda https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/2010746570853990773?s=20 https://twitter.com/EndWokeness/status/2010419447987937370?s=20 Antifa TikTok Agitator Urges Armed Leftist Militias to ‘Fight' ICE Agents Radical TikTok agitator Danesh Noshirvan has crossed a dangerous line. The Antifa-aligned mega influencer is now openly calling for organized, armed left-wing militias to confront ICE agents and federal law enforcement in America's largest cities. Danesh Noshirvan is directly linked to Scott Dworkin, founder of the Democratic Coalition Against Donald Trump. According to reports, Dworkin and even foreign interests bankroll Noshirvan's activities. Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/libsoftiktok/status/2010988104853659986?s=20 https://twitter.com/nicksortor/status/2010833162151346316?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2010833162151346316%7Ctwgr%5Ec535903544267d9392f4466181097498d09593a1%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegatewaypundit.com%2F2026%2F01%2Fnew-minnesota-ag-keith-ellison-minneapolis-mayor-jacob%2F   should be in JAIL. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Says There Are “DISTURBING TAPES” of Minnesota AG Keith Ellison Taking Money to Stop Investigations Into Somali Fraud   the U.S. Treasury Secretary confirmed that federal authorities are aggressively “following the money” amid explosive fraud investigations tied to Minnesota's sprawling Somali-linked financial networks. According to Bessent, the Treasury Department has launched multiple enforcement actions focused on suspicious financial flows between Minnesota residents and businesses and overseas destinations, including East Africa, as the federal government intensifies its immigration and fraud crackdown in the state. But the real bombshell dropped during an interview with Blaze: Scott Bessent:“It's hard to follow the money. There are evidently some disturbing tapes of AG Ellison in meetings with people who donated to him—calling for political favors to stop the investigations. We'll see. I don't want to get out ahead of the investigation. It's going to be very methodical. But I can guarantee you—when the bear trap snaps, we're going to get these folks. We're going to follow the money, whether it's here in Minneapolis and St. Paul or over in East Africa. There are tons of luxury properties and cars that have been bought over there.” WATCH: Source: thegatewaypundit.com    Countries who illegally entered the USA though Sleepy Joe Biden's HORRIBLE Open Border's Policy. Every place we go, crime comes down. In Chicago, despite a weak and incompetent Governor and Mayor fighting us all the way, a big improvement was made. Thousands of Criminals were removed! Minnesota Democrats love the unrest that anarchists and professional agitators are causing because it gets the spotlight off of the 19 Billion Dollars that was stolen by really bad and deranged people. FEAR NOT, GREAT PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA, THE DAY OF RECKONING & RETRIBUTION IS COMING! Minnesota’s total population as of July 1, 2024, is estimated at 5,793,151.  Approximately 8% of the state’s population is foreign-born, meaning about 463,452 individuals, while 92% (around 5,329,699) are native-born (U.S.-born). Minnesota is home to the largest Somali-American population in the United States, with people of Somali descent making up a notable ethnic group.  Recent estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) for 2024 put the number of individuals of Somali descent in Minnesota at around 107,000 to 108,000, representing about 1.85% of the state’s total population.  (Note: Some sources provide slightly varying figures, such as 76,000 as a lower estimate, but the ACS data consistently points to the higher range. )Breakdown Within the Somali Population in MinnesotaThe Somali community in Minnesota includes both U.S.-born individuals and foreign-born immigrants or refugees. Here’s a detailed split based on nativity and citizenship status:  https://twitter.com/DataRepublican/status/1919002207896174765?s=20  or his NGOs appeared in the Journal of Democracy. It’s the flagship journal of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), the same organization featured prominently in that widely circulated “Uniparty NGO” network diagrams below. NED is a U.S. government-funded outfit. It includes currently sitting members of Congress on its board… from both parties, not just former officials. Soros's involvement is deep. He has co-chaired NED conferences abroad and his Open Society NGOs regularly partner with NED operations, especially in countries undergoing “transitions” (read: regime change or soft power penetration). Together, Soros and US-backed NGOs have shaped funding pipelines, media narratives, and even foreign electoral strategies. So when people ask, “Why isn't Soros banned?” … they need to understand: he’s not an outsider. He’s part of our government. The Uniparty protects and partners with him, because he helps carry out a shared foreign policy vision… the same one that labels President Trump as a threat to democracy. NED members include:    Victoria Nuland – Director of the National Endowment for Democracy; Acting United States Deputy Secretary of State under Biden (served in both parties).   Karen Bass – Vice Chair of the National Endowment for Democracy; former U.S. Representative and current Mayor of Los Angeles (Democrat).    Todd Young – Honorary at the National Endowment for Democracy; U.S. Senator from Indiana (Republican).    Elise Stefanik – Director at the National Endowment for Democracy; U.S. Representative from New York and House GOP Conference Chair (Republican).   Mel Martinez – Director at the National Endowment for Democracy; former U.S. Senator from Florida (Republican).   Steve Biegun – Director at the National Endowment for Democracy; former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State (Republican).    Todd Young – Honorary at the National Endowment for Democracy; US Senator from Indiana (Republican). https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/2011165232815882294?s=20 Just In: Bill and Hillary Clinton Refuse To Testify in Front of House Oversight Committee, Daring Chairman Comer To Hold Them in Contempt of Congress After months of dispute against House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, Bill and Hillary Clinton have today (13) REFUSED to testify in the House's Jeffrey Epstein investigation. This escalates the battle with Comer, Republican of Kentucky, and the former U.S. President and Secretary of State are effectively daring him to hold them in contempt of Congress. The New York Times reported: Source: thegatewaypundit.com President Trump's Plan Lefty DOJ Lawyers Rage-Quit After Harmeet Dhillon Blocks ICE Witch Hunt A group of lawyers in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) have reportedly resigned after Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon declined to investigate the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer involved in last week’s shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The group had apparently pushed Dhillon to let a DOJ delegation fly to Minneapolis to investigate the January 7 shooting death of far-left agitator Renee Nicole Good, who was shot after she used her two-ton Honda Pilot as a weapon against the officer. Despite pressure from the lefty lawyers – described as “career prosecutors” – to initiate a witch hunt against the officer, Dhillon put a kibosh on their plans. They were apparently informed of the decision not to move forward with an investigation of the ICE agent last Friday.  After being told “no,” a group of “top leaders” in the criminal section of the Civil Rights Division “have left their jobs to register their frustration with the department.” Shock, horror. Sounds like the DOJ is well rid of this cabal, and these departures could be part of a trend of mass resignations amongst the old guard. This, of course, also saves Dhillon the trouble of having to draw up their pink slips.  Source: redstate.com  https://twitter.com/amuse/status/2010791586980933826?s=20   later. This is a system built for abuse by design https://twitter.com/CynicalPublius/status/2010886531838595278?s=20 https://twitter.com/ElectionWiz/status/2010777023673999531?s=20 https://twitter.com/USDOL/status/2010771852696617401?s=20 (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:13499335648425062,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-7164-1323"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="//cdn2.customads.co/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");