Podcasts about Polished

Text Analysis - Forgiveness and Illusions: Jevon Perra and Soo Kim review a section of "The Song of Prayer," focusing on the nature of forgiveness and how it relates to illusions. They discuss the text's assertion that one should not dictate the form forgiveness takes, noting that the form of illusions does not actually matter, although they acknowledge that humans often struggle because they are attached to specific outcomes and the forms their lives take.Spiritual Pursuits and Morality: Jevon Perra contrasts their previous religious experiences, which were based on moral codes and the avoidance of punishment, with their current understanding. They define the new perspective as a shift away from "deserving" punishment toward pursuing contentment, noting that if current methods for finding happiness are not working, they can be abandoned.Suffering and Attachment: Jevon Perra notes that suffering often stems from an attachment to specific forms, whether the suffering arises from desiring things one does not have or fearing the loss of things one currently possesses. They conclude that being committed to the "form" of life leads to a cycle of suffering, regardless of whether the person has the desired outcome or not.Navigating Projection and Judgments: Soo Kim shares an experience from a medical office where a classmate expressed a desire to live in isolation to avoid people and specific regional groups. Soo Kim reflects on how they previously would have tried to "fix" or lecture the classmate about projections, but instead, they were able to observe the classmate's perspective as a puzzle, choosing to release the need to change the other person.Life Challenges as Polishing: Jevon Perra references the Sufi poet Rumi, discussing how life challenges act as a "rub" that polishes the individual, removing rough spots. They note that resistance to these difficulties—such as complaining about family members or people in conversations—is a failure to embrace the process of personal development.Acceptance of Family and Friends: The participants discuss the difficulty of interacting with family or friends who hold different beliefs or act in ways they perceive as "wrong". Jevon Perra suggests that rather than trying to change these individuals or fix their problems, one can choose to simply be present with them and let go of the need for the other person to be different.Identity, Image, and Projection: Jevon Perra identifies a personal tendency to worry about how they appear to others, which they define as an ego-driven desire for status or respect. They observe that viewing others as "buffoons" or embarrassing is a projection of their own concern about their own image, which causes them significant discomfort.The Trap of Saving Others: Soo Kim and Jevon Perra discuss the "savior" complex, where they feel the need to fix or save others. Jevon Perra acknowledges that for years they were caught in the mind, believing they were freeing others while actually attempting to validate their own righteousness and prove they were worthy of love.Defining Forgiveness as a Function: Continuing their reading, the participants identify that their only true function is to forgive. They discuss how they frequently confuse this function with other actions, such as trying to save, fix, or overpower others, which are all methods of maintaining separation and control.Personality Dynamics and Conflict: Jevon Perra discusses Enneagram type 8 behaviors, noting that these individuals may use their power and anger to "defend the defenseless" or suppress others they view as weak. They observe that this often manifests as a constant need to fight and poke at others to test their worthiness to be heard.Scarcity and the Illusion of Time: The participants analyze how business environments, specifically sales, are structured around self-imposed scarcity. Soo Kim mentions a previous discussion regarding time as an illusion and observes that while their classmate used this concept to dismiss professional concerns, they recognize that time—along with other limits—is essential to the current existence and the "game" of the personality.Energy and the Personality: Jevon Perra suggests that individuals spend an immense amount of energy maintaining the "personality," which they describe as a tiny peephole through which the larger self views reality. They note that this intense focus intentionally blinds people to the broader "happening" of life, as if they are orchestrating a complex, precise operation through a narrow aperture.Somatic Experiences and Sound Bath: Soo Kim recounts a recent experience playing a new gong, describing how they were able to enter a state where time seemed to disappear. They note that after this intense meditative state, they felt disconnected from social norms and had difficulty engaging in typical linear conversations.Flow States and Social Engagement: Jevon Perra compares spiritual "out of body" flow states to stage fright, noting that stage fright involves being hyper-aware of the body, while flow involves being hyper-detached. They observe that when one identifies with the "bigger self" and lets go of the personality, it becomes difficult to maintain the distinct boundaries of right and wrong, good and bad, which makes social interactions more challenging.Final Text Review and Forgiveness: The participants complete their reading of the section, emphasizing that forgiveness is the key to opening the door to the "shining face of Christ" and seeing one's brother as they were created. Jevon Perra reiterates that the people who cause the most internal resistance are the very ones triggering the projection of separation, and the goal is to stop projecting these judgments.Reframing Life Circumstances: Jevon Perra concludes that life situations, such as dealing with a spouse or community, are not meant to make one "happy" in the conventional sense, but rather serve as opportunities to surface internal judgments. They argue that the focus should be on recognizing these judgments and the subsequent discomfort to release them, rather than trying to fix the world.Conclusion of Study and Reflection: The participants determine they have been studying this material for 11 months, noting that they began the process around last July. Soo Kim expresses appreciation for Jevon Perra's patience and the journey they have shared, and Jevon Perra confirms the value of the partnership in their own process of forgiveness and seeing beauty

Polished creative work starts with messy, uncomfortable first attempts. This episode is one, and that's entirely the point. What would it take for you to pick up a creative practice you've been avoiding live, on mic, in front of your audience? In this raw, unfiltered episode, Izolda does exactly that. She returns to guitar after months away, mid-episode, imperfect and unpolished. She reflects on grief, creative accountability, and why complacency quietly kills a well-lived life. You'll walk away with one practical strategy for restarting a stalled creative practice: the accountability promise made publicly. Whether you're a writer, musician, or multi-passionate creative entrepreneur rebuilding momentum after burnout, this episode meets you where you are. Because the return matters more than the absence.   Connect with Izolda Website: https://IzoldaT.com Book Your Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/izoldat/discovery-call New Play Exchange: https://newplayexchange.org/users/90481/izolda-trakhtenberg What you need to know today. Choose your Functional Tarot card here. This episode is brought to you by Brain.fm.* I love and use brain.fm! It combines music and neuroscience to help me focus, meditate, and even sleep! Because you listen to this show, you can get a free trial and 20% off with this exclusive coupon code: innovativemindset. (affiliate link) URL: https://brain.fm/innovativemindset Listen on These Channels Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Podbean | MyTuner | iHeart Radio | TuneIn | Deezer | Overcast | PodChaser | Listen Notes | Player FM | Podcast Addict | Podcast Republic | *Affiliate Link  

Welcome back to Tom Ferry's Outliers Series—where we study the disciplines of agents who are doing extraordinary things.   What does it take to go from no clients and no money to leading the top-producing medium-sized team in the country at Real Broker? In this episode, Tom Ferry sits down with Shannon Gillette to unpack her remarkable journey of growth and the leadership principles that fuel her 300+ transaction-a-year business. Shannon shares a candid look at the mistake that cost her a $2 million listing and the specific communication systems she implemented to ensure it never happens again. She also explains why she is abandoning "polished" video trends for a more authentic, "talk to a friend" approach that is already winning her multi-million dollar listings before they even officially launch.   If you are feeling the burnout of being a solo agent, struggling to stay consistent with your content, or looking for a way to stand out in a crowded market, this conversation is your blueprint for the next level.   In this episode, you'll learn: The Communication Reset: How using automated, detailed seller reports can prevent you from getting fired and prove your value every week. The Content Rebrand: Why big captions, speed ramps, and "sales voices" are dying, and what the new era of authentic storytelling looks like. The Culture Code: Why Shannon considers gossiping or complaining a form of "stealing" from the team and how to hire only those who align with your core values. The YouTube Advantage: How to leverage the world's second-largest search engine for listing marketing that attracts buyers who aren't even actively looking. The Reality of Scaling: The first move you must make to transition from a solo agent in a panic to a team leader who actually experiences traditional weekends. Ready to build a business that serves your life instead of consuming it? The most successful agents don't just work harder; they build better systems and surround themselves with the right mentors. Discover how Tom Ferry coaching can help you find your path to 300+ deals while reclaiming your time.   Schedule a free coaching consultation today:

This orb of broken dreams and twisted promise

In today's episode of The Life of a Bon Vivant podcast, Beeta shares practical style habits that can help you look more polished in everyday life without feeling overly done or trying to become someone you're not. Inspired by the effortless elegance she has observed in French style, she reflects on the small details that make the biggest difference, from fit and grooming to outfit formulas, color, accessories, and caring for your clothes. This episode is a helpful conversation about dressing with more intention, creating a refined everyday look, and using simple style habits to feel more confident, elegant, and beautifully put together.To get more weekly style inspo, join us inside of our online membership community: https://EverydayFrance.com

Most losing proposals are not terrible. They're just neutral. Polished and professional and still losing - because they gave evaluators nothing specific to score. In this episode, I break down the single biggest misunderstanding in proposal development: most companies treat proposals as a writing problem. They focus on sounding professional, telling their story, and making a great impression. But proposals are not scored on how impressive they sound. They are scored against evaluation criteria. And those are not the same thing. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:Why evaluators are building a scoring record — not reading for entertainment What neutral content is and why it costs you contracts you were qualified to win The difference between a paragraph that describes your company and a paragraph that earns a strength The one question to ask about every paragraph in your next proposal draft Why winning proposals are built — not written SHARE THIS EPISODE: If this episode made you think about your proposals differently, share it with someone on your team who needs to hear it. There are a lot of companies working hard on proposals that are losing for reasons that are completely fixable.The Book — A Field Guide to Winning Proposals: Nine steps that turn proposal writing into easy "bite size" chunks that result in higher scoring proposals. A complete method — from RFP to a proposal that scores. Click here to get it on Amazon Available in Paperback and for Kindle. 

Such An Episode!  On Deck we have Jane Stanford, born Jane Lathrop out of Albany New York, she married her lawyer husband who lost everything in a fire, went west to seek his fortune in the Gold Rush and found it selling supplies to miners and settlers.  When his wife joined him in San Francisco, he had become a railroad baron.  Eventually they had a child and Jane doted on the boy.  We won't tell you more here, but there's a death, a poisoning, a university being founded and not necessarily in that order in this powerful episode of the Family Plot Podcast!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/family-plot--4670465/support.

Hello, World!Most education brands know email should be their strongest channel and yet it rarely delivers on its potential. Between inconsistent sends, generic copy, and the pressure to sound “professional,” messages that could build real connection often end up sounding like noise.Email strategist Liz Wilcox joins Elana to share how education organizations can shift from transactional messaging to meaningful communication. She breaks down why simplicity outperforms polish, how to build trust through steady, human touchpoints, and what the best senders are doing differently.She outlines her “follower, friend, customer” framework, a 20-minute approach to writing newsletters that actually get read, and the mindset shift from selling to serving. Liz also explains how a strong onboarding sequence sets the tone for every future interaction—and why owning your mistakes in email can make people trust you more, not less.If you've ever hesitated to hit send or wondered what to say next, this episode will reset how you think about email.What You'll LearnWhy email should be the backbone of your marketing strategy—not an afterthoughtHow to turn your list into a community through consistency and simplicityThe “follower, friend, customer” model for long-term trust and engagementThe 20-minute newsletter framework that makes authentic communication sustainableHow to balance professionalism with personality (and why both matter)Why transparency, even in mistakes, builds loyalty faster than polishQuick Wins from the Lightning RoundShort, conversational subject lines outperform everything elseThe best send time is whenever you'll actually send—consistency matters mostAlways use a P.S., it's prime real estateKeep stories short and usefulStop overcomplicating; simple emails build trust fasterWhy It MattersThe difference between noise and connection isn't design or frequency; it's trust. Liz reminds us that effective email marketing comes from showing up consistently, sounding like a real person, and making every message worth opening. When we stop chasing perfection and start focusing on relationships, email becomes less of a tactic and more of a long-term advantage.

Lynn Friesth spent 41 years at John Deere before stepping into what he calls an "encore career" — and now he helps other retiring professionals do the same. In this conversation, we dig into why story is the most underrated strategy in any business, how to draw real moments out of people who don't think they have a story, and the surprising market opportunity for filmmakers willing to serve the 65-and-older crowd. Plus, Lynn shares why "not done yet" might be the most powerful mindset shift you can make at any age. Key Takeaways Your story isn't just nice-to-have content — it's the thing that makes clients choose you over everyone else with similar skills Polished doesn't beat real anymore; the unscripted moments are what actually connect with viewers Retiring professionals are a massive, underserved market for filmmakers — they have the wisdom, the budget, and the need Testimonial videos from past colleagues and clients are way more believable than anything you could say about yourself About Lynn Friesth Lynn coached high-achieving executives 55+ to reinvent their identity, leverage their expertise, and create meaningful income—without getting lost in the noise of endless options. With his unique Human Wisdom + AI Toolkit approach, powered by LynnAI, they combine your hard-earned experience with the leverage of modern tools—helping you design an Encore Career that's both impactful and sustainable. Results he helped clients achieve: Turn decades of corporate leadership into a thriving advisory business Replace a corporate salary with a flexible, meaningful consulting practice Launch a personal brand that attracted clients in under 6 weeks In This Episode   [00:00] Welcome to the show! [05:08] Meet Lynn Friesth [09:35] The Five Stages of Manhood [18:04] Don't Overcomplicate Things [18:59] Being Real [24:34] Ask Questions [33:40] Lynn AI [35:47] Lynn's Book [36:57] Connect with Lynn [38:47] Outro   Quotes "Don't just drift into your encore life. Get started and design what you want to do. Don't drift, just design." - Lynn Friesth  "Your story is what's gonna make you different than the person next to you. Your story is gonna be the thing that's gonna make people want to work with you or not." - Ryan Koral  "I always tried to have a really tight script and follow it. But then I found out the most views I got were a couple of podcasts where I just riffed and stumbled over words and wasn't very polished at all — but I was real." - Lynn Friesth "Often high achievers want to talk about what should I be doing, when in fact what they really need to find out is who do I want to be." - Lynn Friesth Guest Links Check out Lynn's Website  Not sure what's next after corporate life? Meet Lynn AI — Lynn's virtual coaching assistant. He'll help you find your purpose, build your brand, and create a life of impact.  Links Find out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Join the Studio Sherpas newsletter

Send us Fan MailEmily Lynn Paulson joins us on Bookish Flights to talk about her latest novel, The Revenge Party, a dark and twisty psychological thriller about power, manipulation, revenge, and the masks people wear behind polished lives. Known for exploring the tension between image and reality in both her fiction and nonfiction, Emily shares what it was like stepping into thriller writing after writing so personally in memoir and investigative nonfiction.We also talk about creativity, motherhood, online identity, and the freedom, and the vulnerability that comes with different forms of storytelling. Plus, Emily brings a fascinating book flight centered around influencer families and curated lives.Episode Highlights:Transitioning from nonfiction into fictionWriting thrillers with emotional and thematic depthThe freedom of fictional storytellingWhy writing unlikeable characters can be difficultBalancing writing with motherhood and everyday lifeConnect with Emily:InstagramWebsiteSome links are affiliate links, which are no extra cost to you but do help to support the show.Books and authors mentioned in the episode:Strangers by Belle BurdenAmerican Fantasy by Emma StraubBook FlightLike, Follow, Subscribe by Fortesa LatifiA Well-Trained Wife by Tia LevingsYesteryear by Caro Claire Burke✨ Find Your Next Great Read! We just hit 175 episodes of Bookish Flights, and to celebrate, I created the Bookish Flights Roadmap — a guide to all 175 podcast episodes, sorted by genre to help you find your next great read faster.Explore it here → www.bookishflights.com/read/roadmapSupport the showBe sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!InstagramFacebookWebsite

There's a moment a lot of professionals know well. You put real thought into a LinkedIn post, hit publish, and watch the likes trickle in. Five. Maybe six. One comment from a colleague you personally recruited into the thread. Meanwhile, your feed has started to look like it was written by the same person. Polished, vaguely inspirational, and somehow saying nothing at all. In this episode, I sit down with Jessi Hempel, senior editor-at-large at LinkedIn and host of the award-winning podcast Hello Monday, to get inside what's actually happening on the platform right now. Jessi has spent 25 years in tech journalism and eight years at LinkedIn, and she has a front-row seat to how AI is reshaping what it means to have a voice, both on the platform and in your career more broadly. We talk about why your LinkedIn profile is doing more heavy lifting than any post you'll ever write, how to approach content in a way that builds real conversation rather than chasing reach, and what the rise of AI-generated posts actually means for anyone trying to show up as themselves online. If you've been feeling like something's off with how your content is landing lately, this conversation will give you some much-needed clarity. Jessi and I discuss: The part of your LinkedIn profile that matters far more than your posts (and that most people ignore) Why Jessi's posting advice runs counter to what most social media gurus will tell you The one habit that has made the biggest difference to how Jessi's own posts find reach What AI-generated content is doing to trust on LinkedIn, and where Jessi thinks it's all heading The creator who has built one of the most engaged communities on the platform, and what makes her strategy work Why Jessi thinks a major career shift is becoming the smarter move for mid-career professionals right now The skill that no bootcamp can teach you, and why it matters more than ever in the age of AI Key quotes "If I get off of this conversation and I jump onto LinkedIn and I read a post from you and it sounds like an LLM wrote it, I'm gonna really have distaste in my mouth." "Success is being in real conversations that matter with people who have the potential to elevate the issues of concern for you in your career." Connect with Jessi Hempel on Instagram and LinkedIn. Check out her newsletter and listen to her podcast Hello Monday. My latest book The Energy Game is out on July 7, 2026. You can order a copy here: https://amzn.to/48ID29M Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/amanthai) If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple to apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at https://amantha.substack.com/ Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au Credits: Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: The Podcast Butler See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I knew that Danielle Hughes and I were kindred spirits the first time I saw the name of her company More Than Words Copywriting. Clearly, we had the same attitude about words, but our bond was stronger than that. We agreed on so many things in marketing that it has been an absolute pleasure to get to know her over the years. And so I could not dive into my archives without sharing at least one of our conversations, this one about creating a bio that makes people want to get to know you is my favorite.  Ever read a bio that sounded like a LinkedIn résumé in a tuxedo? Polished, proper, and completely forgettable. That's exactly what we set out to fix in this conversation. I sat down with Danielle Hughes to talk about how to turn your bio into something people actually want to read and more importantly, someone they want to work with. Danielle helps entrepreneurs and organizations uncover their personality brand so their message feels natural, not forced, and actually connects. Here's where the conversation really landed: Your bio isn't about you, it's for them Yes, it's your story, but your reader is scanning for one thing. Can you help me? Shift the focus from “here's everything I've done” to “here's how I make your life easier.” Personality beats perfection A great bio makes someone feel like they already know you. Danielle calls it becoming a “fully formed human on the page.” That means sharing just enough of who you are to spark a connection, not your entire life story. You have permission to leave things out This one hit home. Just because you did it doesn't mean it belongs in your bio. If you don't want to do it again, don't highlight it. Your bio should point toward where you're going, not where you've been. Give them something to grab onto A hobby, a quirky detail, something you love to talk about. It doesn't have to be relevant to your work. It just has to be interesting enough to start a conversation. Make it easy to skim Most people won't read every word. Front-load the good stuff, break it up, and don't be shy about including results or even a well-placed humblebrag. If your bio is making people yawn before they meet you, it's time for a rewrite. Wake it up with a little personality, a dash of honesty, and just enough of you to make someone think, “Okay, I want to talk to her.”

https://www.gethookd.ai/learn/7-best-ugc-video-ads-examples-to-try-in-2026/Learn why UGC video ads outperform polished content, explore seven winning formats from unboxing to tutorials, and understand how authenticity drives conversions up to 161% higher. Trust beats production value every time. GetHookd LLC City: Miami Address: 40 SW 13th street Website: https://www.gethookd.ai/

On launch day of the long-anticipated 1/32 Sea Fury kit, we sit down with the owners of DBMK for an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation about what it took to bring this flagship release to life.In this interview, they open up about the journey from concept to production—covering the challenges of developing a large-scale kit, the design decisions that shaped the final product, and the passion that drives the brand forward. From tooling hurdles to community feedback, nothing is off the table as they reflect on the realities of running a modern model company in a demanding hobby space.We also dig into the identity of DBMK as a business: where they see themselves in the industry, how they balance ambition with sustainability, and what sets their approach apart in an increasingly competitive market.Looking ahead, the conversation turns to the future. What's next after the Sea Fury? Are more large-scale kits on the horizon? Will they expand into new subjects, scales, or even new directions entirely? The answers offer an exciting glimpse into what modelers can expect from DBMK in the months and years to come.Whether you're here for the aircraft, the craftsmanship, or the story behind the brand, this is a must-watch discussion that captures a pivotal moment in DBMK's journey.Watch Now: ⁠https://youtu.be/4Dmtz4iCd5o⁠      Listen Now : ⁠https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/justmakingconversation/episodes/They-thing-its-all-over-Episode-9-Season-4-e2r3l5m⁠

Smooth! Powerful and Polished! You can relax and exhale with this one. Packed with just the amount of energy needed to get you through the weekend. Enjoy!Set 1:Charles A. Kelly-Focus On PurposeOli Silk ft. Jeff Ryan-Yessir!Nils-Joy And PainTony G. Turner-Sweet SpotHArold Dawson-ClockworkSet 2:Leon Pressley-Up Close And PersonalSir Spencer-Espresso NoirDavid Margam-Sun On The RunBrad Alexander ft. Elan Trotman-Can We TalkSet 3:Nathan Mitchell-Summer Time Summer VibesAdrian Crutchfiled ft. Nicholas Cole-HypnoticJay Rowe-The Next Step Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After starting with a formal apology for last week's experimentation, Sam and Max dive into new music with features from some Aussie favourites and DM sliders alike. Then it's a look at Raye's latest album "This Music May Contain Hope", a look forward at Coachella's two upcoming weekends, and a look back at some of Max's unloved artists.Follow along with all the songs we discuss with this week's Spotify Playlist.Discover more new music and hear your favourite artists with 78 Amped on Instagram and TikTok.Watch episodes on our YouTube channel and don't forget to like and subscribe.

This conversation with Ruth is such an inspirational insight into what can happen when we build our work out of our intrinsic sense of purpose whilst giving others that very "human permission" to change too. (we're also both passionate marathon runneres!) With over a decade of dedicated experience in education and wellbeing, Ruth has honed her expertise in crafting and leading initiatives that promote holistic health. As the Founder and Director of Looking After Me, Ruth's mission resonates with the organisation's ethos of nurturing individual wellness. Ruth's work is driven by a commitment to innovation in health education, ensuring her strategies align with her culture of care and empowerment. At Looking After Me, Ruth has been pioneering wellness programs since January 2022, leveraging her background in nutrition and sports science. Her role encompasses designing and implementing comprehensive wellbeing curricula, drawing on her previous experience.  Her team's approach is rooted in evidence-based practices, aiming to transform lives through personalised support and education. I hope you enjoy this as much as I enjoyed creating it! Linkedin  Looking After Me

Rob sits down with Kina and Sha-Ron, the duo behind the Polished Playbook Pod, to talk about what it really takes to build a credible sports media platform as minority women in Kansas City.From scoring press credentials at the Big 12 Women's Tournament to working inside the Kansas City Chiefs organization, these two aren't just fans — they're becoming a trusted voice in the sports media space.In this episode:How they landed media credentials by simply shooting their shotNavigating male-dominated sports spaces with facts and stats to back it upTheir honest take on Justin Fields stepping in for MahomesSha-Ron's Super Bowl experience with the ChiefsKina's pursuit of Lakers media credentialsTheir long-term vision for the Polished Playbook PodIf you love sports, podcasting, or watching women take up space they've earned — this one's worth your time.Follow the Polished Playbook Pod on all platforms and connect with Kina at @nailzandnovelz and Sha-Ron at @DJDiamondDiva.

主播：Meimei（中国）+ Maelle（法国） 音乐：昨夜风今宵月《逐玉》爆火背后：为什么大家都在讨论“粉底液将军”？今天就让我们一起聊聊那些荧幕上不同风格的男主角们。01. Foundation General？“粉底液将军”到底是什么梗？最近，一部中国古装偶像剧《逐玉》突然爆火。开播仅 3 天，播放量就已经超过 11 亿。但比剧情更出圈的，是男主角——谢征。他是武安侯，也是一位battlefield general（战场将军）。这位“将军”，看起来有点不一样。很多中国网友注意到，这位将军在战场上的形象非常精致。 皮肤白皙、妆容干净，甚至连受伤的时候，都看起来像是化了“战损妆”。于是，中国网友给他起了一个非常好玩的外号：粉底液将军（Foundation General）。主播Meimei也总结到：“His makeup (妆容) looks so perfect.”甚至还有网友调侃：六点打仗，四点起床化妆。这也引出了一个有趣的问题：观众期待下的一个将军到底长什么样子？02. Polished vs Battle-hardened 精致型vs 久经沙场型一部分观众觉得，这样的形象有点太polished (精致的)。不太像一个久经沙场的将军。Polished：精致的、打磨过的Battle-hardened：久经沙场的在英语里，battle-hardened这个词通常用来形容一个人：经历过很多战斗（experienced），外表粗粝（rough），并且带着疲惫感（tired）。但与此同时，也有观众表示：这种“精致感”其实可以接受。因为这是一个 costume drama (古装剧), 而不是一个 historical drama (历史正剧)。这里有一个非常重要的概念：Suspension of disbelief：暂时放下对“真实性”的要求也就是暂时把形象的真实性放到一边， 愿意接受更好看的视觉设定。Viewers accept things that are not fully realistic, in order to enjoy the story.（观众为了享受剧情，会接受一些不完全真实的设定。）有些人觉得这个形象虽然不一定 historically accurate（完全符合历史），但它符合这类电视剧的风格。03. What do Overseas Viewers Think? 海外观众怎么看？有意思的是，《逐玉》不仅在国内火，在海外也引发了很多讨论。甚至有国家用剧中形象做征兵宣传：“想像武安侯一样帅气骑马吗？”那海外观众是怎么评价这个角色的？他们用了很多关键词：Polished (精致的)Elegant (优雅的) Visually striking (视觉冲击力强)Heartthrob (万人迷)Someone who attracts (吸引) a lot of admiration (欣赏). 但也有观众提出不同看法：他们觉得真实的将军应该更加：Rugged：粗犷的、坚韧的可以不那么精致，更自然，更接近真实战场。有的甚至带着伤痕和疲惫感。04. What's the Expectations? 期待的是什么？Different genres (作品类型) create different expectations (期待) .比如：在战争电影（war movie）中，观众通常期待角色呈现出的样子是tired (疲惫), dirty (脏)，并且 battle-hardened (久经沙场)的。但在古装偶像剧中，观众的期待会发生变化。角色可以更精致，甚至带一点“少年感”。Boyish：少年感的这个词并非意味着没有力量感，而是describes someone who looks youthful (年轻) or gentle (温润)。这些词其实只是描述不同风格，并没有绝对的好坏。有的人喜欢 rugged (粗犷的) 的风格，有的人喜欢 polished (精致)的形象。Some overseas fans described him as a pretty boy, in a positive (积极的) way.还有人叫他pretty boy,其实在很多情况下，pretty boy 并不一定是贬义，有时候只是表示长相精致、五官好看。在娱乐圈（entertainment industry）里总有不同类型的男性角色，这些角色有些 are rugged, some are polished, and some are somewhere in between。欢迎在评论区留言：Have you watched 《逐玉》 recently?正在收听节目的你有看过《逐玉》吗？

In this powerful episode of The Lunchtime Series, Kevin Britz and Craig Paige unpack a major shift happening in marketing right now — the decline of polished, AI-generated content and the explosive rise of raw, human-centered storytelling.As audiences become more aware of the “AI content flood,” trust in overly polished content is rapidly declining. In fact, research shows that consumers are significantly less likely to engage with or buy from brands that rely heavily on AI-generated messaging.So what's replacing it?

Why do people run 100 miles and keep coming back to ultra running even after it hurts, slows them down, and offers no obvious reward? If you've ever been curious about ultra running or felt the pull toward doing something hard without fully understanding why, this conversation is for you.In this episode, Billy Yang helps unpack what draws people into ultra running and what they're actually searching for out there. It's less about racing and more about identity, suffering, and the deeper reasons people choose to keep going.For runners and anyone trying to understand why we choose hard things.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.Topics / Timestamps00:00 Why Would ANYONE Run 100 Miles05:55 The Journey of the Soul in Ultra Running09:01 The Power of Storytelling in Sports16:08 Exploring the Stories Behind the Sport23:02 Why Do We Keep Going Back to the 100 Mile Starting Line28:11 Reframing Your 'Why'30:30 Ultra Running is the Great EqualizerResources / LinksThe Why by Billy Yang"Nike Boys" DocI Finally Conquered 100 MilesRelated EpisodesNils Arend, TSP FounderScott Jurek, Has Ultra Running Become too Polished?Presented by Kiprun.----Find us at Borderlands.cc and sign up for the newsletter.Want to run in the Salt Lake area? Check out the Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races happening May 30, 2026.And if you haven't checked out Wylder yet, it's worth a look. iOS or Android

Season 7 of Embracing Enough is about saying what'salready being said in the group chat - out loud.And today? We're talking to the woman who has done all the work.Therapy? Check.Books? Highlighted.Podcasts? Saved.Breathwork app? Downloaded.You know the language.You can explain nervous system regulation in a meeting.You've taught other people about boundaries.And you are still tired.Not collapsing-on-the-floor tired.High-functioning tired.Polished tired.“Of course I can take that on” tired.I'm joined by Paul Lubicz, executive and transformationalcoach, and we go straight at the question most leaders avoid:What happens when resilience turns into self-abandonment?When discipline becomes disconnection?When “doing it right” slowly becomes overriding yourself?Because here's the uncomfortable truth:A lot of self-aware leaders are not actually connected.They know the tools. They just don't trust their own signal. They still call exhaustion commitment. They still call hyper-control maturity. They still confuse self-control with self-trust.And no one's calling it out because from the outside? You look great. This conversation is not about becoming a better version of yourself.It's about admitting that somewhere along the way,productivity replaced presence - and you left part of yourself behind.We talk about:The difference between understanding yourself and actually listening to yourselfHow urgency drowns out intuition - especially in leadershipThe emotional labor successful people carry but rarely nameThe truth high-achievers are afraid to admit: “I don't actually feel connected to what I'm building.”And what rebuilding self-trust looks like - without turning it into another optimization projectIf you've ever walked out of a meeting replaying everythingyou said - even though everyone else thinks you're confident…If you're tired of performing wellness while privatelywhite-knuckling it…If you know, deep down, that your body has been trying toget your attention…This episode is not about fixing yourself. It's about finally listening.To learn more about Paul Lubicz, visit ⁠⁠https://www.thewellbeingmanager.com/⁠⁠or follow him on Instagram at @thewellbeingmanager.

Perfectionism is not excellence. It's fear in a tuxedo. Polished. Responsible. High-achieving. Impressive. And quietly terrified. If you've ever told yourself: “I just need a little more time.” “It's not quite ready yet.” “I want it to be perfect.” This episode is for you. Because perfectionism doesn't come from high standards. It comes from protection. Your brain treats mistakes like threats. Criticism like danger. Rejection like physical pain. So it builds armor. “If it's flawless, I'm safe.” “If I don't ship it, I can't fail.” “If I wait, I can't be judged.” But here's the cost: Perfectionism reduces output. Reduces visibility. Reduces risk. Reduces growth. And growth is what builds confidence. In this final episode of the Confidence Series, Leah Roling dismantles one of the most socially rewarded forms of self-sabotage and introduces the concept of the Imperfection Injection ....deliberate, small doses of imperfect action that retrain your nervous system and expand your emotional tolerance. You'll learn: • Why your brain treats imperfection like a survival threat • The neuroscience of social pain and avoidance • How perfectionism disguises itself as productivity • Why A+ work that never ships builds zero confidence • The exposure-based method that dissolves perfectionism over time Confidence is not: “I am perfect.” Confidence is: “I can handle imperfection.” If you are tired of polishing ideas that never launch… If you are done hiding behind “not ready”… If you feel the weight of potential sitting on your chest… This is your invitation to send it. To ship it. To speak. To move. Because the version of you that you want to become? She does not wait for perfect. Press play. Your momentum is on the other side of imperfection.

Trophies? Polished. Audience? Seated. Shrimp? Cocktailed. The inaugural Comic Sans Awards are about to begin… but where are the hosts?! Don't tell me they're running around the alleyways of 1950s Singapore, busting crooks and solving crimes with "The Five-Foot-Way Detective" by Joshua Chiang! Please, somebody call them… our venue deposit — and season finale — are on the line!---In this episode, Nat reads pages 1–17.Show notes and bibliography coming soon.Hear an interesting ad? Learn more about our advertisers here.If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon! You'll get access to the exclusive Comic Sans Aftershow, ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more.Tag us @comicsanspod on Instagram and Bluesky — we'd love to hear from you!---00:00 - Preamble06:44 - Introducing "The Five-Foot-Way Detective"09:41 - Nat's Three Words & Yan's Recap13:19 - Discussion27:55 - Yan's Usual Questions31:56 - The Inaugural Comic Sans Awards!56:27 - Reflections on Season Four---Comic Sans is an Andas Productions podcast hosted by Myle Yan Tay and Nathaniel Mah, produced by Scott Lee Chua and Roshan Singh Sambhi. Edited by Maddy Searle (audio) and Kit Ling Leong (video). Cover art by Isabel Fang. Motion graphics animation by Knikni Studio (Maryana Rudakova).And a huge thank you to the members of our Patreon Inner Circle: Eugene Choo, Melody Lau, and Smith Chua — your support makes this show possible!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Alex dives into a high-profile “humanitarian” trip to Cuba, where influencers and activists traveled to deliver aid and protest U.S. sanctions amid a deepening national crisis marked by blackouts, fuel shortages, and collapsing infrastructure. Drawing on Paul Hollander's idea of “political pilgrims,” it explores how figures like Hasan Piker may have entered a tightly controlled environment already primed to see what they wanted—while the Cuban government carefully curated what they could see. The convoy brought food, medicine, and solar panels to an island producing only a fraction of its energy needs, but critics argue the trip also echoed decades-old patterns of selective exposure and ideological projection. The result: a mission meant to highlight suffering that may have instead helped sanitize the system behind it.

In a world where everything looks clean, polished, and technically perfect, why does so much of it feel forgettable? In this solo episode, Nick Longo breaks down the growing tension in the design industry, where great-looking work is no longer enough, and audiences are starting to question what's real, what's human, and what actually stands out.Pulling from current industry conversations and real creative trends, this episode explores why showing your process, your thinking, and even your imperfections is becoming a serious advantage. From the rise of mixed-media and raw aesthetics to the increasing skepticism around AI-generated work, Nick dives into what it really takes to build trust, stand out, and create work that actually connects.If you've ever felt like your work is getting lost in a sea of “pretty good,” this episode is your wake-up call. Because in today's landscape, authenticity isn't just a nice-to-have, it's the edge.

Relationships can carry subtle pressure and exhaustion when everyone feels slightly “on.” If you've left good rooms feeling tense or responsible, this may not be social failure but identity misalignment shaping culture.Have you ever walked into a meeting, a small group, a leadership room, or even a dinner with friends and felt like everyone was performing just a little?Not fake.Not insincere.Just slightly managed.This episode explores why relationships can feel quietly performative — even in healthy environments — and what that says about group culture, nervous system regulation, and identity misalignment.When high-capacity adults carry responsibility well, regulate others emotionally, and over-function to keep stability, rooms can appear strong on the surface. But beneath that strength, subtle performance pressure accumulates. Micro-bracing becomes normal. Polished composure becomes expected. And no one fully exhales.This is not about blame. It's about clarity.We explore:How performance contagion spreads through group regulation patternsWhy over-functioning can unintentionally reinforce status hierarchyThe difference between healthy leadership and emotional compensationWhat happens when one person softens firstHow identity-level recalibration reshapes culture without forceIf you've ever wondered:Why do I leave “good” rooms tired?Why does leadership feel heavier than it looks?Why does everyone seem slightly guarded?This episode helps you recognize that unrecalibrated identity quietly becomes culture — and that your internal alignment influences more than you realize.We are not trying to fix rooms.We are noticing what our steadiness permits.Horizontal Alignment reminds us that relationships mirror identity. When you stop over-carrying, you don't destabilize healthy systems — you reveal what was dependent on your performance.And that revelation is not failure. It's maturity.Today's Micro Recalibration:In your next group setting, notice whether you are scanning, stabilizing, or subtly performing steadiness. Then soften five percent. Not to provoke change. Simply to observe what happens — inside you first.Presence spreads more quietly than pressure ever did.Explore Identity-Level Recalibration→ Schedule a conversation with Julie to see if The Recalibration is a fit for you→ Learn about The Recalibration Cohort→ Join the next Friday Recalibration Live experience → Take your listening deeper! Subscribe to The Weekly Recalibration Companion to receive reflections and extensions to each week's podcast episodes.→ Follow Julie Holly on LinkedIn for more recalibration insights→ Download the Misalignment Audit→ Subscribe to the weekly newsletter→ Books to read  (Tidy categories on Amazon- I've read/listened to each recommended title.)→  One link to all things...

Polished work can hide uncertainty and slow teams down. Lisa Rothstein explains how rough sketches spark honest discussion, cut overthinking, and speed decisions from months to minutes. “AI-perfect” outputs may hinder clarity, while visible imperfection builds trust. Even non-artists can use simple sketching to unlock stuck conversations and drive action.Beyond Confidence is broadcast live Tuesdays at 10AM ET on W4WN Radio - Women 4 Women Network (www.w4wn.com) part of Talk 4 Radio (www.talk4radio.com) on the Talk 4 Media Network (www.talk4media.com). Beyond Confidence TV Show is viewed on Talk 4 TV (www.talk4tv.com).Beyond Confidence Podcast is also available on Talk 4 Media (www.talk4media.com), Talk 4 Podcasting (www.talk4podcasting.com), iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, Pandora, Spotify, Audible, and over 100 other podcast outlets.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beyond-confidence--1885197/support.

Send Vikki any questions you'd like answered on the show!One of the most annoying phrases I hear is “my supervisor only gives feedback on polished drafts”. This is usually accompanied by stories of wasting weeks stressing about whether the work is polished enough, only for the supervisor to later declare it “missing the point” or other such criticisms. In this episode I discuss (ok, I rant about) why waiting for a polished draft is a fundamentally flawed policy and what we should do instead. I give advice for supervisors who think that this is the easiest/best way (I know you're not doing it to be unhelpful!) and for students whose supervisors still do this. Check it out if you're in this position, or if you just want to hear me get a bit feisty! If you liked this episode, you should check out my episode on how to edit your work without hating yourself. ****I'm Dr Vikki Wright, ex-Professor and certified life coach and I help everyone from PhD students to full Professors to get a bit less overwhelmed and thrive in academia. Please make sure you subscribe, and I would love it if you could find time to rate, review and tell your friends! You can send them this universal link that will work whatever the podcast app they use. http://pod.link/1650551306?i=1000695434464 I also host a free online community for academics at every level. You can sign up on my website, The PhD Life Coach. com - you'll receive regular emails with helpful tips and access to free online group coaching every single month! Come join and get the support you need.

Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies.  This week, we dive into the Timothée Chalamet "high art" discourse, the ongoing beef between fast-food giants, and a ten-year-old taking Paris by storm. Plus, we're revisiting the ‘90s through the lens of modern TV and questionable finance interviews. On This Week's Menu: • The Chalamet Controversy: We break down Timothée's recent comments regarding the ballet and opera. Was it a sincere and rare misstep or a moment where his true colors truly come out? We look at how the internet turned his low-brow take into a high-brow meme. • The Burger Wars Heat Up: Following the McDonald's CEO's "faux pas" last week, the "Burger CEOs" have entered the chat. We analyze their strategic responses and the surprising consumer trends emerging from the corporate shade. • The 4th Grade Prodigy: Meet Max Alexander. At just 10 years old, this Los Angeles native is the youngest designer at Paris Fashion Week. We discuss his meteoric rise and why the fashion elite are actually taking him seriously. • Interview Magazine's Finance Bro Era: We take a peek into the recent feature on "Finance Bros" and the... interesting fashion choices they showcased. Is it satire, or just a stark look at a certain tax bracket? • 90s Nostalgia & Love Story: The aesthetic of JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy is back in a big way. We also discuss Daryl Hannah's candid response to how she was portrayed in the hit show Love Story and why we can't stop looking backward. Daryl Hannah's OpEd in the NYT (gifted article): https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/06/opinion/daryl-hannah-love-story-jfk-jr.html?unlocked_article_code=1.SVA.j39h.--K5DMnOXB7i&smid=nytcore-ios-share This week's newsletter: https://popculturemondays.com/2026/03/09/arias-on-pointe/

Greetings Glocal Citizens! Next up in our Women's Herstories Month series is our first trip to Botswana. I met this week's guest, a native Motswana and globe trotter--Caroline Modise, in Accra earlier this year representing in her role as the Sustainability Engagements Manager at De Beers Group. At De Beers she plays a key role in socialising and amplifying the company's social impact programs across a diverse ecosystem of stakeholders. The how of our meeting is the Stanford Seed program where De Beers participates as a key partner in Botswana. Caroline built her early career managing relationships with some of the world's leading diamond jewellery retailers and later became a founding board member and Head of Strategy for the Botswana Careers Roundtable, a pioneering networking platform designed to bridge experienced professionals with emerging talent across corporate Botswana. As an alumna and former board member of the African Leadership Academy—an institution committed to transforming Africa by developing a network of future-ready young leaders—she remains passionate about Africa's developmental journey, with particular interest in social enterprises and sustainability strategies for grassroots organisations. Listenandlearn more about how her experiences with women in leadership inspire her professionally and creatively, then get to know Caroline the artiste! Where to find Caroline? On LinkedIn On Instagram On Facebook What's Caroling reading? The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese What's Caroline listening to? Anything Beyoncé Kaytranada Other topics of interest: My local for this conversation - Nanyuki, Kenya About Gaborone and Palapye in Botswana From Debswana to About the Okavango Basin, the National Geographic's Okavango Project and watch the film About the Nkashi Storytellers Traditional cuisine in Botswana Treehaus BotswanaSpecial Guest: Caroline Modise.

With a recent tik-tok video about Black Men's appearance at a Ruth Chris Steakhouse going viral, it would be a perfect time to talk about Black Male etiquette. In a world where perception can open doors—or quietly close them—Black men often find themselves navigating an unspoken standard: be excellent, but also be exceptional. Be confident, but not intimidating. Be authentic, but not "too much." So the question becomes: Are we required to be twice as polished just to receive half the opportunity? We will discuss this important topic with James B Wingo, author of "The Manners Playbook: Essential Lessons for African-American Boys on Confidence, Self-Awareness and Etiquette". You can purchase The Manners Playbook: Essential Lessons for Young African-American Boys on Self-Awareness, Confidence and Etiquette here or email him at wingojam@sbcglobal.net for an autographed copy.   

Welcome to WORK!! Today we're so back unpacking our firstly monthly instalment of State of Social Media!! We'll be unpacking what's working in March 2026 on social media, Instagram new features, content inso, creator economy news & more! CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS00:00 Intro 3:15 Polished casual content is still in 4:25 Tess' theory: The two types of creator in 2026 5:00 Expert personal brand + examples7:09 Chaotic personal brand + examples8:07 Influencers aren't influential anymore 9:38 Niche audiences in 2026 are essential 10:26 Instagram updates: Stickers, Carousels & Adam Mosseri corner lol 12:15 YouTube updates: Voicenote comments & quizzes14:18 Podcasting news: Apple video & Jake Shane on Netflix 16:24 Average creator income & it's not too late 20:30 Podcasts are the new late night22:04 The future of this channel & this podcast Check out Storyblocks at https://www.storyblocks.com/tessbarclay to level-up your content!ARTICLES + LINKS MENTIONEDAverage creator incomeFintech created for influencersVanity Fair the new late nightSubstack articles: https://mufarodawn.substack.com/p/the-rise-of-the-expert-influencerSubstack article 2: https://curatedbyamritasingh.substack.com/p/the-difference-between-being-an-influencerReddit thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/influencermarketing/comments/1rg8k7d/ive_spent_millions_on_influencer_marketing_ama/

Have you ever gone to make an ad annd then hit the wall of... "What should this actually look like?" Reel? Carousel? Static image? Polished and professional? Or more scrappy, behind-the-scenes? Here's the thing... It doesn't matter how good your targeting is. It doesn't matter how good your copy is. It doesn't matter how brilliant the thing is that you're promoting. If your ad creative doesn't stop the scroll, nothing else gets a chance to work. In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly what's working right now when it comes to Meta (Facebook & Instagram) ad creatives - and what might be quietly sabotaging your results. We cover: The types of ad creatives currently getting the most clicks What's looking polished… but underperforming When to use reels vs carousels vs static images Why warm audiences and cold audiences need different visuals How your creative should change depending on whether you're promoting a lead magnet, masterclass, service, retreat or nurture ad What metrics to watch in the first few days to know if your creative is working If you've dabbled with ads before and felt like something wasn't landing. Or you're curious about ads but always stall at "what should it look like?"… This episode is for you!

Some of the ads that make the most money don't look impressive at all — and I explain why that is actually a good thing.   ‍‍ ‍‍Get the 48-Hour Ad Fix Audit I share how low-production, “ugly” ads can outperform polished ones because they blend into the feed, feel more relatable, and are faster to produce and test. You hear how one client agreed to try this approach for retargeting ads and ended up with creatives that deliver positive ROAS. If perfectionism has been slowing you down, this episode shows why testing more simple ideas often beats waiting for the “perfect” ad.‍‍ ‍‍ ‍‍‍‍Watch this episode on YouTube!Please click here to give an honest Rating/Review for the show on iTunes! Thanks for your support!‍‍ ‍‍ ‍‍Kwadwo [QUĀY.jo] Sampany-Kessie's Links:Get 1:1 Meta Ads Coaching from Kwadwo!Get Done For You Facebook AdsSay hi to Kwadwo on InstagramSubscribe to The Art of Online Business's YouTube Channel

This is the third episode in my series on falling in love with short form video, and today we're diving into the question everyone's been waiting for: how do I make my videos actually look good? I'm breaking down everything from filming locations to finding your signature style. These are the exact questions I've been answering for clients for over a year now, and I'm sharing all the systems we've built at my agency to help you create polished content without overthinking it. Content studios work great if video is a primary growth channel and you have a solid batching system. But honestly? Filming at home is totally viable and way more flexible. I share my exact setup with tips to create an elevated filming corner or two in your space. Because the truth is, you don't need a $20,000 setup. You just need a natural window light and your phone! The secret is layering.  Next, we'll talk about the art of b-roll. You don't need to be filming constantly in order to keep up with content. I'll share the strategy I've used as a homebody who doesn't like to spend all of her time filming while she's out with friends!   The Elevation Rule This is huge. Your videos need to be elevated in at least 1 of these 3 ways: Place intentional background, visual interest Personal Presentation outfit, hair, makeup, accessories Production lighting, camera quality, editing You don't need all three! Pick 1-2 that feel sustainable for you. And finally, we'll chat a bit about finding your signature style so people cn't help but keep coming back for me.  Video feels harder than it needs to be because we're overthinking the setup, the aesthetics, the editing. Make decisions ahead of time, keep it simple, and remember: the message matters more than having a perfect setup. Connect with me:  Website Join our email list! Instagram Pinterest Become the celebrity of your niche and learn how to turn your marketing into a campaign that actually sells out. In the Campaign Crash Course™, you'll learn how to build anticipation and sell your offers with the same strategy behind brands like SKIMS, Poppi, and Rhode — all in just 60 minutes. https://highflierpowerhouse.com/course Get creative support to turn your content into sales before, during and after your launches. From content classes to learn new campaign marketing skills, to custom designed assets completely done for you, we've thought of it all inside Sales Studio. Join today: https://highflierpowerhouse.com/retainer  Triple your audience, demand and sales with a 90-day marketing reinvention designed to position you as the #1 choice in your industry and change the way you show up online. Apply for The Industry's Choice https://highflierpowerhouse.com/industrys-choice   

Think you're safe because you never downloaded TikTok? We unpack why that's a myth, how a tiny pixel follows you across unrelated sites, and what to do right now to shut it down. From there we dig into a subtler dilemma hiding in your camera roll: computational photography that quietly invents detail, polishes your face, and reshapes memories. It looks great—until it doesn't. We trade quick tips for getting more honest photos, including RAW capture, disabled scene “optimizations,” and when to favor control over convenience.The conversation then turns to surveillance on your street. A glossy Ring ad promised neighborly teamwork; what many saw instead was a blueprint for crowdsourced tracking layered on top of license plate readers and a standing law enforcement portal. We walk the line between investigative value and normalized monitoring, and share concrete steps communities can take—warrants where appropriate, tighter retention windows, clear opt‑in controls, and public transparency logs.We also open our mailbag for three scams worth saving to muscle memory: a fake Netflix billing email that leads to a sketchy multi‑service “store,” a highly convincing invoice from a compromised vendor account, and an Amazon credential harvester that ends with a fake password‑changed screen. Our playbook is simple and effective: never pay from an email link, verify invoices by phone using a known number, enable multi‑factor authentication, and avoid ACH unless absolutely necessary. Then a hard lesson from the Odido breach in the Netherlands, where millions had full identity records exposed—why port‑out PINs, credit freezes, and vigilant monitoring matter more than ever.Yes, we still make room for pleasure: a Weller Full Proof tasting and a chuckle at a drone‑powered umbrella that follows you around. Through it all, our goal stays the same—decode the tech shaping daily life and hand you tools you can use. If this helped you spot a tracker, dodge a phish, or rethink your camera settings, tap follow, share the show with a friend, and drop us a review with the one privacy step you're taking this week.Support the show

  In this episode of the Soundcentric Podcast, Adam sits down with Don Chenz for a wide ranging and unfiltered conversation about the current state of hip hop. They break down J. Cole's long awaited album after an eight year tease, debating Disc 1 versus Disc 2, KOD versus Might Delete Later, and whether Cole's technical brilliance sometimes works against him. The discussion expands into the Grammys conversation, including Kendrick Lamar's dominance and whether Tyler, The Creator has become the Academy's new favorite. From there, they dive into producer GOAT debates featuring Alchemist and DJ Premier, the evolving sound of the 2020s, and whether modern rap has become too polished. They also explore marketing in the streaming era, mysterious artist branding, snippet culture, short form versus long form content, and the thrill of discovering artists early like Trevor Spitta, Doechii, and Jack Harlow. It is a passionate and layered discussion about rap nostalgia, algorithms, artistry, and where hip hop is headed next.   Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundcentricmus Instagram:https://https://www.instagram.com/soundcentricmusic/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@soundcentricmusic Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundCentricmusic Website: https://soundcentricmusic.com Podcast: https://www.soundcentricmusic.com   00:00:00 NYC Apartment Studio Setup, Audio Horror Stories & Podcast Production Talk   00:00:50 Welcome to the Soundcentric Podcast + John Wall Dougie Intro   00:02:00 J. Cole “The Fall Off” Expectations After 8-Year Tease   00:03:00 “This Might Be My Favorite Album Ever” – First Reactions to J. Cole   00:05:30 Disc 1 vs Disc 2 Debate – Burna Boy Feature & Red Velvet Cake Line   00:08:30 Hip-Hop Interpolations – Nas, Common & Storytelling Comparisons   00:09:50 High School Nostalgia, Blog Era Rap & Jersey Shore Memories   00:12:30 JID, Ab-Soul & Meeting Rappers Stories   00:15:00 Best Songs Breakdown – Bun B Road, Alchemist Beat & Future Feature   00:18:00 6-Minute Songs vs TikTok Brain – Attention Spans in 2026   00:20:00 Concert Volume, Headphone Culture & “I Can't Hear the Person I'm Talking To”   00:22:30 Album Rollouts & Marketing Strategy – Teasing vs Dropping Immediately   00:24:30 Mysterious Artist Era – Playboi Carti, Snippet Culture & Fan Hype   00:27:00 KOD vs Might Delete Later – Ranking J. Cole Albums   00:28:37 Grammys Debate – Kendrick Lamar, Drake Line & Rap Album of the Year   00:30:00 Tyler, The Creator Early Era – “Nobody Knew Who He Was”   00:32:00 Tyler's Grammy Run – IGOR, Chromakopia & Don't Tap The Glass Debate   00:34:00 Clipse vs Tyler vs Kendrick – Who Really Deserved the Grammy?   00:35:50 What Is the “2020s Sound”? Rage Beats, Distorted Vocals & Genre Blending   00:38:30 Late 2000s Rap vs Blog Era – Why Some Music Doesn't Age Well   00:40:30 Is Rap Too Perfect Now? Nas, Eminem & Technical Rapping Debate   00:41:00 Producer GOAT Debate – Alchemist, DJ Premier & Schoolboy Q   00:43:30 Tyler as Producer – Should He Produce a Lil Wayne Album?   00:45:00 Long Form vs Short Form Content – Podcast Growth in 2026   00:46:10 “Would I Even Watch My Own Content?” – Creator Self-Awareness   00:48:30 Building a Recognizable Brand in Music Media   00:50:00 Jack Harlow Doesn't Get the Love – Baby Keem & Next Rap Star Debate  00:52:00 Brent Faiyaz, The Weeknd & Modern R&B Sound   00:54:00 Discovering New Artists – PR Emails, Music Submissions & Gatekeeping  00:56:00 Being Early on Trevor Spitta & Doechii   00:58:00 Why Discovering Music Feels Elite in Hip-Hop Culture   01:00:00 Final Thoughts on Rap, Algorithms & The Future of Music

Brand Clarity Beats Polished Marketing  EP337 of Profit With A Plan Podcast Released February 17, 2026 Guest: Rob Genovesi, brand strategist and founder of Build Strong Brands Host: Marcia Riner, CEO Infinite Profit® and business growth strategist

We here at the NHC are BIG fans of The Last Jedi - but we know that it's a pretty polarizing film within the Star Wars fanbase. It got us thinking... are there any changes we would suggest in order to make the movie more palatable - or even downright enjoyable! - for the haters?

Strong performances across the board carry this slick, modern heist thriller— Despite a long runtime, the film never drags, using its length wisely to show character depth instead of relying on exposition dumps. Every major player—Mike, Sharon, and the worn-down detective—gets a clear, emotionally grounded arc that plays out naturally on screen. The finale is tense and gripping, keeping you guessing right up to the end. The direction and cinematography are sharp and polished, though that polish slightly works against it—the heists feel more “movie-clean” than gritty or dangerous, lacking the raw edge of classics like Heat. Still, the storytelling, performances, and tension outweigh those minor drawbacks. #MovieReview #HeistMovie #BarryKeoghan #FilmReview #CrimeThriller #MustWatch #MovieTalk #CinemaLovers #ThrillerMovie #FilmCommunity

Guests: Husain Haqqani and Bill Roggio. Al-Qaeda veteran Ahmed al-Shara's presidency in Syria highlights the group's diplomatic manipulation and Western naivety in accepting jihadists who adopt modern suits and polished personas.1924 ALEPPO

On today's page, Menachot 25, we discover a ritual object so powerful it can purify even the defiled. The Tzitz, the golden front plate worn by the High Priest, serves as a bridge between human failure and Divine acceptance, acting almost like a spiritual lie detector for the soul. How can a single piece of gold help atone for the "tough-mindedness" of our own pride and vanity? Listen and find out.

In this episode, I'm joined by Sophie Bell, Managing Director at Toast, to talk about what authentic brand storytelling really looks like in practice. We explore why keeping your message simple matters, how to connect with your audience in a genuine way, and why trying to say too much often dilutes your impact.Sophie shares her experience of working with brands across documentaries, advertising, and branded content, and explains the idea of story finding, identifying real voices and real stories that naturally align with your brand. We discuss how to avoid overwhelming your audience, the role of honesty and transparency in building trust, and why letting go of control can actually strengthen your message.We also talk about the pressure to create constant content, particularly video, how to focus on quality without burning out, and how AI can support creativity for small businesses, not replace it.If you want to strengthen your content, clarify your message, and approach authentic brand storytelling with more confidence, this episode will give you practical insight and reassurance.Chapters00:00 Introduction and meet Sophie Bell01:00 What story telling means for brands02:20 How successful brands tell simple, effective stories04:30 Choosing one clear message for your content07:10 What authenticity really looks like in brand storytelling09:20 Polished versus informal content and what works best11:40 Creating quality content without burnout14:40 Quality versus quantity in brand content18:45 Why AI is not just for big companies22:05 How AI can elevate creativity and storytelling27:05 First steps for experimenting with AIFind Sophie here:Website Instagram LinkedInLET'S CONNECTFollow me on YouTubeFind me on InstagramWork with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To LifeIf you enjoy this podcast, and you'd like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/supportMentioned in this episode:Support this podcast for the price of a coffeeif you loved this episode please consider sending me a one-off tip. It helps me to keep bringing this podcast to you, for free. If you'd like to support this podcast, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/supportGetting Started on Amazon ChecklistIf you're planning to start selling on Amazon, this free checklist covers the key things you need in place before you list your products. It's a simple way to make sure you haven't missed anything important. Download it here: https://mailchi.mp/72c24952cf50/amazon_checklist

Guest: He's not your typical politician—and that's exactly the point. Rob McClelland is running for Hays County Commissioner in Precinct 4 with a mission to bulldoze the bureaucratic BS and bring some real-deal accountability back to local government. In this episode, we talk about what's broken in county politics, why your property taxes keep climbing while your roads keep crumbling, and what it's going to take to flip the script. Whether you're fired up or fed up, Rob's got a message for you—straight from the gut, no teleprompter required.Monologue:Cedar Fever Invades Dripping SpringsFirst Conspiracy of 2026 is a DOOZY! City of Dripping Springs Update_______________Stories worth telling! Loud, honest, and a little unfiltered. Based in Dripping Springs, Steve Mallett and Michelle Lewis pull up a chair and hand the mic to people with sharp perspectives, big personalities, and stories that actually stick. They roam freely from life's absurd moments to the quirks of small-town living, mixing humor, insight, and just enough bold candor to keep it real.Think Hill Country grit meets front-porch storytelling—the funny neighbors who say what everyone's thinking and back it up with a great story. This podcast proves you don't need fame to be fascinating—just a voice, a point of view, and the guts to share it. Every episode delivers laughs, perspective, and that feeling you get when a conversation runs long because no one wants to leave.Send us a textSupport the show Looking for the best Realtor in Dripping Springs? The #1 choice is the Mallett Integrity Team, led by Steve Mallett. Local expertise, integrity, and results-driven service— Cedric Mills, Carlisle Kennedy, Maury Boyd, and Michelle Lewis. SouthStar Bank a tradition of full-service community banking for over 100 years. Your neighborhood Bank. www.southstarbank.com The Deep Eddy Vodka Tasting Room is in the Texas Hill Country just outside Austin, TX. The venue welcomes over 75,000 visitors annually and sits within the former bottling plant. Family Friendly Fun in the Hill Country! events@deepeddyvodka.com Jovie Belterra-Nestled within the Belterra community, discover your path to joy and wellness at the exquisite 55+ apartment community. Follow us, leave a review, TELL A FRIEND!AppleInstagramWebsite...

This week @adafruit we're taking a look at our working prototype of a color sensing MP3 player. Chatting about polishing metal prints. This week's time lapse features a sea slug with articulating parts. Feather PropMaker RP2040 https://www.adafruit.com/product/5768 RTC Adalogger FeatherWing https://www.adafruit.com/product/2922 AS7341 Color Sensor https://www.adafruit.com/product/4698 Timelapse Tuesday Valentines Glaucus Sea Slug By Taikounou https://makerworld.com/en/models/1005897-valentines-glaucus-sea-slug-flexi https://youtu.be/uWsIznlI7Go Community Makes https://www.printables.com/model/1560374-euchner-rotary-macropad https://www.printables.com/make/3151391?comment_id=3151391

Growing a premium home service brand is not just about better marketing. It is about trust, craftsmanship, and building real relationships. In this special Member Spotlight episode of The Better Than Rich Show, host Mike Abramowitz sits down with Brian Danque, owner of The Lighting Lizards in Cocoa, Florida, to unpack how a design-focused approach to outdoor lighting is helping him scale with confidence.  Brian shares how he went from running an electrical contracting business to building a standout landscape lighting brand rooted in artistry, emotion, and client experience. He explains what separates true luxury outdoor lighting from box lights and quick installs, and why intentional design and how you treat people from the very first phone call create fans, referrals, and long-term growth.  Timestamps  [00:00] Intro Mike welcomes Brian and sets the stage for a Member Spotlight [01:23] From electrical contracting to lighting as an art form [02:20] Why lighting work creates emotion, pride, and extended living space [04:07] What makes luxury lighting different than handyman installs [04:45] Credentials that build authority certifications, publishing, and licensing [05:25] Scaling challenge delivering high-touch experiences at every price point [10:10] Brian's best year yet and growth levers that drove momentum [10:33] Freeing time through Better Than Rich support and adopting stronger principles [12:36] Bottlenecks before BTR tech stress, slow execution, and admin overload [13:25] Polished systems mindset and how the team accelerated implementation [16:12] 2026 vision: more help, more design focus, more partnerships [18:34] Year-over-year growth: 70% increase [19:22] Reviews and referrals relationships, humility, and being a real human [33:59] Better Than Rich means time back to live a joyful life [34:56] How to contact The Lighting Lizards [36:22] Brian's $10,000 idea: offload what you are not good at to grow faster  Key Quotes “It allowed me to be somewhat of an artist and use my imagination a little bit more.” “We're thinking about it as an image, as a piece of artwork.” “The numbers don't lie, and we are growing at a lot faster pace than I ever thought.” “Just being kind and humble to people is really what can help generate tons of business.” “What it means to me is to have time back in my life to do the things that I like to do and want to do.”  Key Takeaways  ● Luxury lighting is design, not placement — The difference is artistry, intention, and how immersive the final experience feels. ● Client experience starts at the first phone call — Make people feel appreciated immediately and confirm you're a good fit. ● Credentials create brand authority — Licensing, certifications, and published work help buyers choose confidence over cheap installs. ● Treat every client like your biggest client — A $5K job still deserves care, intention, and respect. ● Rebranding is costly—but can unlock premium growth — Early failures are part of the process; strong anchors + consistency build momentum. ● Admin overload quietly limits growth — Offloading systems and tech work can free you to focus on what you do best. ● Relationships drive reviews and referrals — When clients feel a human connection, they naturally become promoters. ● Investing in yourself creates the “hustle effect” — Making the investment forces action—and often returns far more than it costs. ● Surround yourself with the right rooms — Events, certifications, and peer groups recharge motivation and expand what you believe is possible. ● Better Than Rich is time and joy — Success isn't just money—it's having time back for family, hobbies, and the life you want.  Links Mentioned  ● The Lighting Lizards website and contact form ● AOLP Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals ● International Landscape Lighting Institute ● Ryan Lee Landscape Lighting Secrets ● Better Than Rich BTR 

Links & Mentions: Consult booking link: www.dryazdancoaching.com/consult Email me: DrDYazdan@gmail.com Make more money video: www.dryazdancoaching.com/MDM Follow me for more tips: (@DrYazdan) www.instagram.com/dryazdan and (@DrYazdanCoaching) www.Instagram.com/dryazdancoaching Episode Summary: Instagram has changed — and so has your audience. In this episode, Dr. Yazdan breaks down exactly what kind of content will actually grow your account in 2026. Whether you're new to social media or you've been posting consistently without seeing results, this episode will help you reconnect with your purpose, attract the right patients, and turn your practice into a powerful personal brand. Dr. Yazdan shares what's working now — from storytelling and authenticity to short-form video strategies — and explains why the secret to Instagram growth isn't hacks or algorithms… it's connection.

I'm Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling System. I've spent decades in the industry, building, scaling, and coaching restaurants to become more profitable and sustainable. On this show, I cut through the noise to give you real, actionable strategies that help independent restaurant owners run smarter, more successful businesses.In this episode, I dig into what real storytelling looks like and why so many brands get it wrong. Authenticity is not a vibe, it is evidence. Your audience can feel the difference between polished propaganda and the truth. I explain why showing your process builds more trust than any perfect promo ever could and how behind the scenes content can change the way people see your business. If you are trying to reconnect with your audience or rebuild credibility, this is the place to start.  TakeawaysShop floor storytelling can rebuild credibility.Authenticity is evidence, not just a vibe.Polished content without process appears as propaganda.Identical restaurant marketing leads to audience distrust.Behind-the-scenes content increases engagement.People crave permission to trust brands.Stripping back promotional content can boost engagement.Engagement can triple with authentic content.Social media feeds are often overly polished.Transparency is key to audience connection.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Hospitality Insights00:56 Building Credibility Through Process and ProofIf you've got a marketing or profitability related question for me, email me directly at josh@joshkopel.com and include Office Hours in the subject line. If you'd like to scale the profitability of your restaurant in only 5 days, sign up for our FREE 5 Day Restaurant Profitability Challenge by visiting https://joshkopel.com.