Podcasts about PPE

Surviving Civil Unrest in Your Neighborhood

In this episode of the Arc Junkies Podcast, Jason sits down with George Rolla, a pipe welder, inspector, educator, and industry leader with over 50 years of hands-on experience in the welding trade. George shares his journey from welding in the Canadian Arctic and North Dakota oil fields to becoming an AWS Senior Certified Welding Inspector, Certified Welding Engineer, and founder of the California Welding Institute. Together, Jason and George have an honest, in-depth conversation about what's broken in welding education, why instructor quality matters more than ever, and how poor training creates ripple effects throughout fabrication, inspection, and code compliance. They also discuss fast-track training done the right way, the realities of workforce development, the challenges of welding codes becoming law, and why documentation, ethics, and real-world experience still matter in a rapidly changing industry. This is a must-listen episode for welders, inspectors, educators, and anyone who cares about protecting the integrity of the trade.    

Matthew Lysy is a Firefighter/Paramedic with the Prince George's County, MD Fire and EMS Department and 10 year veteran of the emergency services.  As a second generation firefighter and continuous student of the profession, Matthew has come to recognize the need to incorporate the human element into operations. With the advancements in technology, apparatus, and PPE the human response is still largely removed from operations. Hailing from New Jersey and growing up along the beach has helped to shape an active and disciplined lifestyle. It is Matthew's belief that although we are a high performance profession in many ways there is still a lot we can learn from in the advancements of other high performing industries. Matthew holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Psychology from King's College and is a State of Maryland Level II fire instructor. Matthew is a lead fire instructor with Task Force 1 Inc and an assistant instructor with O2x Human performance. For fun Matthew enjoys spending time with family and exploring new places. Matthew currently lives outside of Baltimore, MD.  @matthewlysy12 Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy  Editing: @bradshea Marketing: @m.pletz Administration: @haileygreenfitness Partnership: @firefighternationhq

Personal protective equipment, or PPE, has faced challenges in fitting a diverse workforce – research shows that 36% of women in the UK and 45% of women globally are supplied PPE that doesn't fit properly.Poorly fitting PPE isn't just uncomfortable – in sectors like construction, healthcare, and policing, it can create serious safety risks, reduce job satisfaction, and even drive skilled workers from industries already experiencing labour shortages.BS 30417, the new standard for inclusive PPE, provides practical guidance to ensure all employees are properly protected, regardless of gender, ethnicity, body shape, age, or disability.In this episode, we hear from key voices at the Westminster launch of BS 30417, including MPs, industry leaders, and the standards-makers themselves, discussing how the standard enhances safety, inclusivity, and workforce well-being. Guests also share insights on its development, practical applications, and how organizations are preparing to implement it.Find out more about the issues raised in this episodeBS 30417 | Provision of inclusive PPEStandards in 10 Minutes | BS 30417Get involved with standardsGet in touch with The Standards Showeducation@bsigroup.comsend a voice messageFind and follow on social mediaX @StandardsShowInstagram @thestandardsshowLinkedIn | The Standards Show

Send us a textIn this episode: Christi and Angela discuss the crucial role of safety and culture in the construction industry. They highlight how companies like Brasfield & Gory, Holder Construction, DPR Construction, Skanska, and others are transforming safety from mere compliance to a core value integrated into their operations. Through methods like micro-learning, mentorship, and the use of advanced PPE, these firms are fostering environments where safety is a shared responsibility from executives to new hires. Special guest Kate Badey, President and CEO of Safety Consultants USA, shares insights on how cultivating a safety culture can become a competitive advantage. The episode also touches on the importance of proper fitting PPE, the integration of heat illness prevention measures, and the increasing role of dedicated safety leadership.Sponsored by: NPKSupport the show

Clint Buffington is a hunter. He hauls his trophies back to his lab, covers himself in PPE and studies each specimen with pathological scrutiny. However, Clint is not the sort of hunter you might think. Based in Utah USA, the self-titled 'Message In a Bottle Hunter', Clint hunts for bottles on beaches all over the world.

Ross Boeker, Manager of Safety Services at Vulcan Materials, joins Emily to discuss shifting safety leadership from "command and control" to a growth mindset. Exploring how "humble inquiry" and experimentation bridge the gap between corporate policy and field reality, Ross shares how a failed PPE mandate and a successful road project demonstrated that involving workers builds the trust and ownership necessary for better safety results and compliance. Main Themes: From Clarity in Chaos by Megan Tranter: "A crucial element of leading with a growth mindset is encouraging experimentation." From Next Generation Safety Leadership by Clive Lloyd: Trust doesn't exist outside of a relationship. Trust is relational, not structural. Trust is the primary currency for leaders. Without trust, even the best programs and initiatives will not be embraced. Workers don't "own" problems when they aren't involved in solving them. Ways to Build Trust: Develop a relationship, even if it is just a few moments in the field, to develop a "micro-relationship" and build some rapport. Understand that simply saying your door is open is not effective if you have not made it safe for people to bring you problems. Also, "open door" suggests people must come to you, rather than you actually engaging them where they are at. Be humble, solicit input, and accept input even if you haven't asked for it. Your eyes may be opened to obstacles you did not know existed. Don't show up as the "knower of things." Engaging in what Ed Schein called "Humble Inquiry" builds trust, shows that you don't have all the answers, but are genuinely interested in learning and pursuing mutual gains. When asked for guidance or assistance that you aren't necessarily able to provide, offer to work through it together (and LEARN together). Toolbox Talk Discussion Questions: In this episode, Emily and Ross talk about leadership perspectives on safety and health, and what a growth mindset can mean when working in this field. Do you feel like we have a culture where people can suggest process improvements to safety and health policies? Ross shares an example of a policy that was written with boots on the ground input, shelved at the management level, then later implemented. What does this example show us about the benefits of policies that start with the people on the ground? Does anyone have a story they would like to share about a leadership interaction that made them feel their input was valuable? Key Takeaways: "When you allow stakeholders to experiment and have input, that leads to innovation and really a greater sense of ownership." "A leader with a growth mindset knows the importance of modeling vulnerability. Showing that you don't have all the answers... demonstrates authenticity and openness, which creates trust." Links: National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association website Take Control: Prevent Serious Injuries and Fatalities: https://www.nssga.org/industry-priorities/health-safety/take-control-prevent-serious-injuries-and-fatalities Ross Boeker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ross-boeker-csp-meng-3017a813/ Clarity and Chaos by Megan Tranter: https://megantranter.com/book/ Next Generation Safety Leadership by Clive Lloyd: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/next-generation-safety-leadership-from-compliance-to-care/9780367509569.html Humble Inquiry by Edgar Schein: https://www.amazon.ca/HUMBLE-INQUIRY-SCHEIN-EDGAR-H/dp/1626562547  

Send us a textSeason 3 kicks off with a timely and critical conversation on site safety assessments and why they are more than just a procedural checkbox—they're a fundamental part of the fire investigation process. Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens open the new year by reflecting on recent cases, near-misses, and real-world examples that highlight how quickly an investigation can become dangerous when scene hazards aren't properly assessed, mitigated, and documented. From energized electrical systems in fire-damaged structures to compromised floors, structural instability, soot exposure, and unauthorized occupants, this episode underscores that investigators must actively verify scene safety rather than rely on assumptions or third-party assurances.The discussion dives into what governing documents actually require, breaking down how NFPA 921, NFPA 1033, and NFPA 1321 address site safety assessments and why the word “shall” matters—especially in court. Scott and Chasity explain how failing to document a safety assessment in your report becomes low-hanging fruit for attorneys, even when the assessment was performed. They also explore the differences between public and private scene control, how safety officers and incident command influence access, and why investigators must continually reassess hazards as conditions change. The episode closes with training opportunities related to investigator safety, a practical explanation of what a white paper is (and how it differs from a technical report), and a challenge for listeners to define SOPs—and distinguish them from SOGs—before the next episode.Trainings & Conferences MentionedFire Investigation Safety Officer TrainingMesa, Arizona — February 9–10, 2026New Hampton, New York — February 11–12, 2026(Future offerings also mentioned in Illinois, April–May 2026; exact dates TBD)Kansas IAAI Annual ConferenceWichita — February 3–5, 2026New Mexico IAAI Annual Training ConferenceAlbuquerque — February 23–27, 2026California Conference of Arson Investigators (CCAI) TrainingCalifornia — February 23–26, 2026Scott and Chasity will be teaching at this conferenceGeorgia Fire Investigators Association – Spring ConferenceMarietta — March 16–19, 2026(Held at Cobb County location)Scientific Advisory Work Group (SAW Group) – Mock Report ChallengeOregon — January 2026Exact dates not specified during the episodeThank you for listening! If you enjoyed the episode, give us 5 stars, hit the follow button, and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere you are listening in from. Follow us on social media!Instagram: @infocusfire_podcastLinkedIn: INFOCUS podcastFacebook: INFOCUS podcastTikTok: @infocus_podcast

In this episode of Transmission Interrupted, host Jill Morgan sits down with Abbey Lowe, Associate Professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the lead for the Special Pathogens Research Network (SPRN) Work Group One. Together, they break down the often-overlooked world of clinical research in special pathogens response—demystifying everything from Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) to the essential preparedness required for rapid research and ethical problem-solving during outbreaks.Whether you're a healthcare professional, researcher, or just curious about what happens “behind the scenes” when new pathogens emerge, this episode is packed with insight. Abby Lowe offers a candid look at how networks like NETEC and SPRN prepare to blend the slow, methodical processes of research oversight with the urgent demands of outbreak response. The conversation also highlights the importance of ethics, patient consent, rapid protocol development, and how future expansion to more treatment centers might change the game.Tune in to learn how unglamorous but vital groundwork in research and ethics lays the foundation for saving lives—and improving care—when it matters most.GuestAbbey Lowe, PhDAbbey Lowe, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the College of Allied Health Professions, Department of Allied Health Professions Education, Research, and Practice, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and a UNMC Global Center for Health Security Scholar.She is affiliate faculty of Medical Humanities at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Abbey's interests are at the intersection of ethics, health policy, and health security, and her research focuses on ethics in public health emergencies. Her research is grounded in mixed methods research leveraging her expertise in conducting structured and semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and facilitation. Abbey's work has been published in the AMA Journal of Ethics, the Journal of Law, Medicine and Ethics, and the Journal of Public Health Policy, among others.HostJill Morgan, RNEmory Healthcare, Atlanta, GAJill Morgan is a registered nurse and a subject matter expert in personal protective equipment (PPE) for NETEC. For 35 years, Jill has been an emergency department and critical care nurse, and now splits her time between education for NETEC and clinical research, most of it centering around infection prevention and personal protective equipment. She is a member of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), ASTM International, and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI).ResourcesNETEC Special Pathogens Research NetworkNETEC Resource Library: Research Design ResourcesTransmission Interrupted PodcastNETEC YouTubeNETEC Email NewsletterAbout NETECA Partnership for PreparednessThe National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center's mission is to set the gold standard for special pathogen...

At Fabtech, host Beau Wigington sits down with Anthony James aka “Meltin Metal Anthony” for a straight-shooting talk on where new and growing welding businesses burn cash, and what to buy instead. From grinders and torches to hoods, PPE, and shop layout, Anthony shares the gear that survives abuse, the stuff that fails fast, and practical ways to vet products at a trade show. They also dig into laser welding, automation, and how to prep your skills (and team) for the next decade.Key Topics DiscussedTools that pay for themselves vs. tools that fail: why cheap grinders and bargain rods often cost more long-term; when a low-cost flux-core box can still earn its keep.Welders & try-before-you-buy: using shows like Fabtech to demo MIG/TIG/stick, and the limits of testing engine drives on the floor.Torches that stay true: hard-earned opinions on Victor and older Smith gear; why some newer replacements disappointed.PPE that protects (and fits): pitfalls of bargain-bin clothing; the case for US-made textiles and consistent QC.Hoods that survive abuse: long-term experience with an auto-dark model (Optrel mentioned) vs. thin shells and short-lived lenses.Shop-build mistakes: poor layout planning, forgetting utilities (power, heat, downdraft, 3-phase alternatives), and failing to size for tables, forklifts, and workflow.Hiring & weld tests: “mess up the settings” as a practical screen for true competence.Laser welding & automation: what's impressive now, code limitations today, and why technicians who can dial in machines will thrive.Mindset for growth: adapt or get left behind—how risk sports, preparation, and owning your quirks translate to business.Save 20% On Related American Welding Program Courses With WELD20Use code WELD20 at checkout for eligible courses - https://foxly.link/9T3dtcConnect with Anthony JamesInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/meltinmetalmobile/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@MeltinMetalAnthony Website - https://meltinmetal.net/ Connect with Beau WigingtonInstagram: @beaudiditwelding — https://www.instagram.com/beaudiditwelding LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beauwigington E-mail: beauw@weld.com

******Support the channel******Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thedissenterPayPal: paypal.me/thedissenterPayPal Subscription 1 Dollar: https://tinyurl.com/yb3acuuyPayPal Subscription 3 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/ybn6bg9lPayPal Subscription 5 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/ycmr9gpzPayPal Subscription 10 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/y9r3fc9mPayPal Subscription 20 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/y95uvkao ******Follow me on******Website: https://www.thedissenter.net/The Dissenter Goodreads list: https://shorturl.at/7BMoBFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedissenteryt/Twitter: https://x.com/TheDissenterYT This show is sponsored by Enlites, Learning & Development done differently. Check the website here: http://enlites.com/ Dr. Walter Veit is a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Philosophy at the University of Reading, where he is also the director of the PPE program as well as the philosophy MA program. His interests are broad, but he works primarily in and at the intersections of (i) the Philosophy of Cognitive and Biological Sciences, (ii) the Philosophy of Mind, and (iii) Applied Ethics. Much of his recent writing has been on animal minds, welfare, and ethics, as well as evolution. He is the author of A Philosophy for the Science of Animal Consciousness. In this episode, we focus on A Philosophy for the Science of Animal Consciousness. We talk about what the science of consciousness is lacking, and a Darwinian approach to consciousness. We discuss phenomenological complexity, and how we can explore the phenomenology of other animals. We discuss whether the hard problem of consciousness can be solved by science. We talk about the example of gastropods, and the challenge of arthropods. We discuss whether any current theory of consciousness is right.Finally, we talk about biopsychism.--A HUGE THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS/SUPPORTERS: PER HELGE LARSEN, JERRY MULLER, BERNARDO SEIXAS, ADAM KESSEL, MATTHEW WHITINGBIRD, ARNAUD WOLFF, TIM HOLLOSY, HENRIK AHLENIUS, ROBERT WINDHAGER, RUI INACIO, ZOOP, MARCO NEVES, COLIN HOLBROOK, PHIL KAVANAGH, SAMUEL ANDREEFF, FRANCIS FORDE, TIAGO NUNES, FERGAL CUSSEN, HAL HERZOG, NUNO MACHADO, JONATHAN LEIBRANT, JOÃO LINHARES, STANTON T, SAMUEL CORREA, ERIK HAINES, MARK SMITH, JOÃO EIRA, TOM HUMMEL, SARDUS FRANCE, DAVID SLOAN WILSON, YACILA DEZA-ARAUJO, ROMAIN ROCH, YANICK PUNTER, CHARLOTTE BLEASE, NICOLE BARBARO, ADAM HUNT, PAWEL OSTASZEWSKI, NELLEKE BAK, GUY MADISON, GARY G HELLMANN, SAIMA AFZAL, ADRIAN JAEGGI, PAULO TOLENTINO, JOÃO BARBOSA, JULIAN PRICE, HEDIN BRØNNER, FRANCA BORTOLOTTI, GABRIEL PONS CORTÈS, URSULA LITZCKE, SCOTT, ZACHARY FISH, TIM DUFFY, SUNNY SMITH, JON WISMAN, WILLIAM BUCKNER, LUKE GLOWACKI, GEORGIOS THEOPHANOUS, CHRIS WILLIAMSON, PETER WOLOSZYN, DAVID WILLIAMS, DIOGO COSTA, ALEX CHAU, CORALIE CHEVALLIER, BANGALORE ATHEISTS, LARRY D. LEE JR., OLD HERRINGBONE, MICHAEL BAILEY, DAN SPERBER, ROBERT GRESSIS, JEFF MCMAHAN, JAKE ZUEHL, MARK CAMPBELL, TOMAS DAUBNER, LUKE NISSEN, KIMBERLY JOHNSON, JESSICA NOWICKI, LINDA BRANDIN, VALENTIN STEINMANN, ALEXANDER HUBBARD, BR, JONAS HERTNER, URSULA GOODENOUGH, DAVID PINSOF, SEAN NELSON, MIKE LAVIGNE, JOS KNECHT, LUCY, MANVIR SINGH, PETRA WEIMANN, CAROLA FEEST, MAURO JÚNIOR, 航 豊川, TONY BARRETT, NIKOLAI VISHNEVSKY, STEVEN GANGESTAD, TED FARRIS, HUGO B., JAMES, JORDAN MANSFIELD, CHARLOTTE ALLEN, PETER STOYKO, DAVID TONNER, LEE BECK, PATRICK DALTON-HOLMES, NICK KRASNEY, RACHEL ZAK, AND DENNIS XAVIER!A SPECIAL THANKS TO MY PRODUCERS, YZAR WEHBE, JIM FRANK, ŁUKASZ STAFINIAK, TOM VANEGDOM, BERNARD HUGUENEY, CURTIS DIXON, BENEDIKT MUELLER, THOMAS TRUMBLE, KATHRINE AND PATRICK TOBIN, JONCARLO MONTENEGRO, NICK GOLDEN, CHRISTINE GLASS, IGOR NIKIFOROVSKI, AND PER KRAULIS!AND TO MY EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS, MATTHEW LAVENDER, SERGIU CODREANU, AND GREGORY HASTINGS!

Marty here with Warehouse and Operations as a Career. This has always been my favorite time of year. Not just because of the holidays, although I do enjoy a little time off and getting to spend some quality time with family and friends. It’s always been my reset or reboot time of year. I know a lot of people that look at spring as their reboot season. I don't know, maybe because one year is closing and another one is opening, for me, reflecting on the last 52 weeks and planning on the next 52 just gives me pause, and I look forward to it! So, let’s see, we've been at this now for what, just over 7 sets of 52 weeks, or a little over 7 years. When I started the podcast I envisioned doing 50 episodes, and here we are at 347! OK, 2025, what a year right. This year we covered a wide range of topics, we've talked about 32 different light industrial task or positions. We've learned a little about our handling our finances, a lot about the supply chain, and spoke about the many different career opportunities in this industry. I hope we're all a little better off, or more prepared for and in our careers for it! I'd like to make this first episode of 2026 about reflection, planning, professionalism, and purpose. I was telling a group of managers and facility managers yesterday that purpose is going to be my go to word for the 1st quarter. I'm making Purpose about ethics and commitment. It's about doing the job right, even when the job isn't glamorous. And most importantly, it's about understanding that this is a long game, and the end goal for all of us is retirement, not burnout, definitely not injury, and not regret in any form or fashion. This year I've had the fortune to see at least 3 people advance to executive management positions. And I think 2 directors move up to V.P. roles. Well over 14 team members from the floor promoted to supervisors, and I think 9 individuals move into lead roles. And a wealth of associates moved into other departments or tasks. And on the negative side, no that’s the wrong word, not negative. Let's say there was also a lot of us still finding our footing and growing. I heard of a few instances where management had terminated associates, probably no more than 10 or 20 though. And every year we hear of several hundred that terminate or fire themselves. Remember how we've talked about those attendance rules, tardy rules, safety rules, and how insubordination, losing our tempers, or just accepting a position that isn’t a good fit for us, what else, oh, the NCNS. Things like that I think we can all agree we kind of ended our position on our own. But you know what. That’s OK. I'm sure we learned from it, and we'll take that knowledge to our next opportunity. Every job isent for everybody. So those situations aren’t even close to being a negative, we learned something about ourselves so its a positive in my eyes. A few things I ask myself this time of year is did I show up consistently? I don't mean daily or on time. I mean was I there mentally, and focused on my job every day. And did I follow direction, or did I cut corners? Every position in our field of light industrial work has some type of regulatory, safety, record documentation or reporting we're responsible for. It's so easy to cut a corner here and there. That’s one I really work on every year. And here's my favorite one, did I take ownership of my role? This is a hard one, and I'd like to say I did a good job with it this year!  And of course I have to ask myself, did I improve my skills every month, or did I just repeat the same month 12 times? I've definitely learned that growth doesn't come from activity alone, it comes from intentional improvement. You can work hard and still stand still if you're not learning, listening, and adjusting when necessary. And as we've learned, that's especially true in the light industrial world. Warehousing, manufacturing, and transportation demand discipline, precision, and trust. This isn't a place where chaos survives for long. Another word I've taught to this year was ethics. Ethics aren't just about stealing or dishonesty. Ethics show up in whether you follow safety procedures even when a supervisor isn't nearby, whether you handle equipment responsibly, and whether you raise your hand when something goes wrong. Ethics are about doing the right thing when it would be easier not to. In our industry, ethical shortcuts can get people hurt. They damage equipment. They cost jobs. They end careers early. And they don't stay hidden for long. The associates who last, the ones who get promoted, trusted, and grow, are the ones management never has to worry about regarding rules and procedures being followed. And that makes me think about commitment. I made like 25 commitment forms this year for a host of different positions. I think, somewhere along the way, the idea of job commitment got twisted. Now, commitment doesn't mean giving your life to a company. It simply means doing what we said we'd do, showing up when we said we would, being dependable, taking responsibility for our role, and understanding that our actions affect others. Sounds simple right? In a warehouse, one person not doing their job can create downstream chaos. Missed picks, delayed trucks, overtime, safety risks, all because someone decided their role wasn't that important. We learned this year that they are all important. I forgot what episode we said, Every role matters. Every shift matters. Every decision matters. Commitment isn't old-fashioned, we just need to bring it back into the fold! Oh, here's one, I hear it all the time, and you know it makes me frown. It's just a warehouse job. No, it's a professional environment with real risk, real responsibility, and real opportunity. Professionalism shows up in how we speak to our coworkers and supervisors. How we handle feedback, how we accept and wear our PPE, and how you treat equipment and safety procedures. One thing I shared with an unloader this week was, you don't become professional after you get promoted. Professionalism is what earns you that promotion. People notice the associate who listens, adapts, and carries themselves with respect. They also notice the ones who complain, argue, and resist direction. In the light industrial world, following instructions isn't about control, it's about safety, efficiency, and consistency. We learned this year that procedures are written because someone got hurt, or something was damaged, time was lost, or money was wasted. You don't need to like every instruction. And you don't need to agree with every process. But we do need to follow them. As long as there legal and safe. I have a picture hanging in my office, a quote from Vince Lombardy that says, The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will. I read that every Monday morning! Another thing we learned this year is that If you're doing the same job the same way you did two years ago, you're falling behind, even if you're good at it. Technology changes. Equipment changes. Expectations change. Learning doesn't always mean formal training. It can mean us asking better questions or more questions, watching how the top performers work, and understanding the why behind the process, oh and accepting coaching without getting defensive. I think the most career damaging words in any operation are, that's how we've always done it. For me, constant improvement is a mindset. Improvement doesn't require massive changes. It just needs small, consistent adjustments. Better communication. Better time management. And better focus. Those small improvements compound over time. And over a 20-, 30-, or 40-year career, they make a massive difference. I'm living proof of that! OK, enough of 2025! And although this is my magical time of year, goals don't magically work because the calendar changes. If you and I want 2026 to be different, you and I need, Clear expectations, Measurable goals, and to hold ourselves accountable, even when it's uncomfortable and gets tough. We need to ask ourselves, what skill do I need to improve? What habit do I need to change? What behavior is holding me back? I write those answers down and talk about them, and I revisit them monthly. And I want to talk about the part nobody explains clearly enough to us. The end goal of this game isn't just a paycheck. The end goal is retirement with health, dignity, and options. That means protecting your body, avoiding injuries, managing stress, saving consistently, and making smart career moves. You don't wake up one day ready to retire, we have to build toward it slowly, intentionally, and patiently. Another way to put it is plan for it! Every safe shift, every certification, every promotion, every smart financial decision gets you closer. As we close out 2025, remember this, You don't have to be perfect, but you do have to be intentional. Ethics matter. Commitment matters. Professionalism matters. And learning matters. And the choices we make today shape the options we'll have tomorrow. So lets all plan with purpose. Work with pride. And never forget, this isn't just a job. It's a career, and it's leading us somewhere. So welcome to 2026, another 52 weeks to change what we want! Let's have fun with it, be safe doing it, and make it the best and safest work year yet.

This podcast is the audio version of the Gear Garage Live Show, where we answer submitted questions and talk all things whitewater. Episode Summary In this end-of-year edition, Zach tackles the nitty-gritty of personal rescue equipment (PRE), specifically nerding out on the materials and dimensions of fliplines. The show moves into a masterclass on cataraft frame setup and a high-stakes discussion on the realities of recovering heavy gear boats in swift water—a scenario Zach describes as "a marathon, not a sprint." To wrap things up, Zach clarifies the often-confused vocabulary between Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Personal Rescue Equipment (PRE). Highlights The 5mm Flipline Debate: A deep dive into whether ultra-thin Dyneema is practical for flipping rafts. While it saves space, Zach explains why "grabbability" often trumps strength and weight. Cataraft Rigging Theory: Zach discusses the "center of mass" vs. "center of pivot" debate when setting up an oar frame and why your seating position should change based on whether you're pushing through big waves or dropping into technical holes. The "Bulldozing" Technique: When an 18-foot gear boat flips in 15 mph current, towing with a rope is often a recipe for disaster. Zach breaks down why pushing (bulldozing) the boat is safer and more effective. PPE vs. PRE: A vocabulary lesson for guides. PPE is what protects you (helmet, PFD, knife), while PR is the gear used to rescue others (throw bags, pin kits, fliplines). Technical Deep Dive: Fliplines and Towing Nerd-Out: Flipline Materials A viewer asked about making a custom flipline from 5mm braided HMPE (Dyneema). While the material is incredibly strong (often stronger than the carabiners it's attached to), Zach warns that thin diameter rope is punishing on the hands. A flipline's primary job is to be grabbed under duress. Zach's preference is a slightly wider, low-friction webbing that slides easily over carabiners for mechanical advantage systems but remains easy to grip when you're standing on an overturned floor. The Reality of Gear Boat Recovery Recovering a flipped gear boat in continuous, swift water (like the Alsek or certain sections of the Grand Canyon) is one of the most exhausting tasks in rafting. Zach emphasizes: Avoid Lines: Tying two boats together in swift current can lead to a tangled, hazardous mess. Downstream Safety: If a boat flips, someone needs to "bomb down" immediately to act as a catcher's mitt with a rope from shore. Communication: The best recovery happens during the scout. If the recovery looks brutal, talk about the plan before anyone flips. Gear Mentioned River Hardware Flipline: A 14mm ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene line designed for low friction and high grabbability. SOTAR Legend Cataraft: Discussed in the context of frame setup and how to rig for day trips vs. loaded overnights.

In this episode of the Landscape Ontario Podcast, I'm talking with Dianne Finnigan, the founder of Dirty Seahorse, a company dedicated to creating functional, well-fitting workwear for women in trades. Dianne shares how her daughter Chantel's experience in the trades highlighted the lack of suitable clothing for women, which led to Dianne coming out of retirement to create Dirty Seahorse stitch by stitch. She discusses the rigorous process of researching, designing, and prototyping workwear with the help of women in various trades. Discover the unique features of their products and adaptable designs for different body types and weather conditions. Learn about the challenges of manufacturing technical workwear, the importance of proper fitting clothing for safety and efficiency, and Dirty Seahorse's advocacy for a PPE rebate for women. Dianne's journey from retirement to becoming a brand ambassador is truly inspiring. Watch this episode to gain insights into the evolution of women's workwear in the trades industry. Resources Episode Transcription thedirtyseahorse.com

Kyle Ellis and Boel Hammarstrand share their arborist journeys and dive into Solidur's evolution from a post-WWII French footwear company to a modern, eco-responsible PPE manufacturer. The episode highlights Solidur's newest tree climbing boot, designed specifically for SRT, featuring an innovative rope-through-the-sole system, EU-made materials, waterproof construction, and customizable fit—built and tested by working arborists for real-world climbing.

I feel Looking for Work Is Hard Work. One of the biggest misunderstandings about unemployment or career change is the idea that looking for work is something you do casually, or in between other things. A few clicks here, a few applications there, maybe scrolling on some job boards late at night from the couch. And then the frustration sets in when the phone doesn't start ringing.  The truth is simple, and sometimes uncomfortable to hear but looking for work is hard work. And I think if we don't treat it like a job, it rarely is going to produce job level results.  We need to remember that finding work requires structure, discipline, preparation, and accountability, just like any role on the warehouse floor, in operations, or in leadership. The people who land jobs consistently aren't lucky. They're intentional. They are working a plan.  I'm Marty and today on Warehouse and Operations as a Career I wanted to expand on how hard looking for a job is. We spoke on a few of the topics back in week 37, what was that title, oh, week 37 & Jobs, and I mentioned the phrase on last weeks show. I received a couple of questions on it so I thought we'd spend a few minutes on it today.    I always say treat the job search like our present job. If you were scheduled to work a shift, you wouldn't roll out of bed whenever you felt like it. You wouldn't decide halfway through the day whether you felt motivated enough to show up. You'd get up, get ready, and get started. Our job search deserves the same respect! We still need set our alarm. Start our day with purpose and block out time or schedule what hours we're going to spend specifically for job searching.  That means planning for things like reviewing the online job boards, checking local classified ads, monitoring all your local Facebook job groups, following company career pages, and planning time to make phone calls, sending out follow-ups, and networking.  This isn't something you squeeze in when you have time. This is our work. I mentioned job boards, I see too many people rely on a single job board and assume that's enough, and its not! We need to check those things multiple times a day or throughout our scheduled hours for the day. Oh, and it's proven that our friends are an excellent resource. They have jobs and they can share the good and the bad about them. Maybe we can even get a referral from them. We'll want to be careful there though, in our industry, sometimes hiring relatives or friends are frowned on. But I've always found them to be a great resource.   Ok, where was I, I think I skipped a few bullet points there, oh, and I wanted to say you'd be surprised how many job openings never make it to the job boards and are hired through word of mouth.  I think we have to network like our career depends on it.  Just let people know what kind of work you're looking for and what experience we bring to the table.  We need to mention what shift or role we're open to and when we're available. I've found a short, honest conversation can open doors faster than 100 online applications.  Next is our resume, your resume must match the job you want. And please remember a resume isn't a life story. It's more of sales document. Its sole job is to clearly show what you can do, where you've done it, and how that experience matches the job you're applying for. If you're applying for a forklift position, your resume should highlight equipment types, years of experience, and the different environments you've worked in, things like narrow aisle, the outside yards, ramps, coolers or freezers, those types of things. And keywords like safety training and any certifications we've had and productivity expectations we've worked with. If you're applying for leadership role, it should mention your team oversight and training responsibilities, any metrics you managed and the accountability you were held to. One generic resume for every job rarely works. Tailor it to the position you're applying for.   And please only apply for jobs you can actually succeed at. This is one of the most important, and most ignored points. One-click apply buttons have created bad habits. Clicking apply on dozens of jobs you aren't qualified for doesn't increase your chances. It actually hurts them. It wastes your time, and the recruiter or the hiring manager's time.  Remember recruiters are reviewing hundreds of resumes. When they see applicants who clearly don't meet basic requirements, it creates frustration, and it lowers the quality of the process for everyone. Our resume may end up in a discard pile just because we have no experiences for that position. Even if we'd be a great fit for something else they have open.   Apply for jobs where you meet the basic core qualifications, where you have experience in the position and you can realistically perform the work. In our light industrial world quality beats quantity every time.  Another biggie, be honest with recruiters. Recruiters aren't the enemy. Think of them as the gatekeepers. We should be honest about our experience, our availability, our  transportation, our work history, and very important, what you want, and what you don't want. Overselling yourself may get you a phone call, but it rarely gets you called in for the face to face or hired long-term. Worse, it can damage our reputation with a company or an agency.  And if you schedule an appointment, show up. Nothing ends a job opportunity faster than a no-show interview. If something comes up, communicate. Life happens. But our silence looks like irresponsibility.  I won't harp too much on this one, I get several emails every time I bring it up, but clean up your social media, they can and will look. This part surprises people, but it shouldn't. Social media is public, and right or wrong, opinions can be formed from it. Recruiters and hiring managers often check social media. Not to judge your personal life, but to look for red flags. At least ask yourself. Is my profile public? And by the way locked profile may be considered a red flag. What would an employer see in 10 seconds? Do my posts reflect maturity and professionalism? Offensive language, threats, constant negativity, or posts bragging about skipping work don't help your case. You don't need to erase who you are, just be smart about what you display publicly. Ok, enough on that!  Moving on, lets be ready for the phone interview. And this is important. The phone interview is not casual. It's often the most important 5 minutes of the entire process. You may have only 30 seconds to make an impression. By the time the recruiter calls they've reviewed dozens, maybe hundreds of resumes. They're deciding quickly who moves forward.  Now this is going to be a cold call. If we are busy, watching the children, or outside, or maybe driving, we can share that, and ask if we could give them a call back at so and so time. They do not mind that. They want us focused, and ready to speak with them. We need to be ready when they call or we call them back. That means have your resume in front of you, be in a quiet place, be focused, answer clearly and confidently. Be ready know how to explain our experience, why we're a good fit, and what we're looking for or why we answered this ad. Preparation matters. This is our one shot at getting that face to face interview.  When you walk into that interview, you're already being evaluated, before you say a word. Remember to dress for the role. If the position requires steel-toe footwear wear them, dress in warehouse attire, look ready, and talk about PPE awareness, show and state what you know. You don't need to overdress, but you do need to show you understand the environment and are prepared to work in it. It sends a clear message, I'm ready to go to work today.  Now if we like the job and are offered it, when we say yes or accept it, show up. There is nothing wrong with saying this position isn't going to be for me. We shouldn't shake our head yes if inside we know we're saying no. Of course, things may come up, and all we have to do is communicate that. Don't burn bridges. If another place has called us and we're accepting that job, just call and let the hiring agent know.   Like I mentioned earlier, discipline wins the job search. Looking for work can be exhausting. It's easy to get discouraged, especially after rejections or silence. But the people who succeed are the ones who stay the course, and stay disciplined.  They treat the search like a job, stay organized, follow up, show up, prepare, and are confident.  All that makes it sound easy, it's not, but it will happen. I've always felt that a job search isn't about luck, It's about effort and consistency.  If you're serious about finding work, treat the process with the same seriousness you would expect from an employer. Show up for it, prepare for it, and respect it. Because looking for work is hard work, and when you do it right, it leads to something even harder, and much more rewarding.  A career.  Well, there's a bit on the subject. If you know of anyone seeking employment, please recommend the episode to them, and as always please feel free to send us a message with any thoughts or comments. We love getting questions and topics from the group. On top of all that, please be safe out there, our loved ones need us happy and well this time of year and always. 

About 80 percent of female firefighters say that their personal protective clothing doesn't fit right, and studies show that ill-fitting gear puts women at greater risk of being injured on the job. In this podcast from 2023, Jesse talks to two textile researchers working on multi-year project to better understand the issue and to gather the data needed to design female-specific turnout gear.  Before the episode, Jesse gives a quick update on the project, which has now moved onto a crucial second phase. Researchers are now gathering measurements from thousands of women in the fire service, which they will use to design the first prototypes of female specific personal protective clothing. Researchers are looking for female firefighters who are willing share their measurement data. This can be done by yourself with an app on your phone and takes only a few minutes. Visit, nfpa.org/femaleppe to learn how to help.  Links: 
 Visit the research page to learn more about the project and how to submit measurement data Read and NFPA Journal feature story about the project to understand and solve the problem of ill-fitting PPE for female firefighters. Watch a webinar presentation with researchers Cassandra Kwon and Meredith McQuerry

Send us a textWhen the lights are flashing and the clock is ticking, we train for everything—except the weight we carry home. We sit down with Coast Guard veteran and grief coach Justin Jacobs to unpack the invisible load of moral injury, the shock of losing the uniform, and the quiet ways unprocessed grief leaks into performance, relationships, and health. From the chaos of capsized boats to the stillness after a tough outcome, Justin names what many feel and few say out loud.We explore how grief hides inside anxiety, depression, and burnout, and why so many transitions—retirement, reassignment, even a “first civilian job”—feel harder than expected. Justin explains decision fatigue after service, when structure vanishes and every choice suddenly feels permanent. He offers a simple reframe: plan early, expect detours, and treat course corrections as progress, not failure. Along the way, we draw clear parallels between the Coast Guard and first responders—rapid action, limited bench strength, and constant pressure to move on to the next call.Most importantly, we get practical. Think “mental PPE”: a shared vocabulary for moral injury, short decompressions after hard calls, peer check-ins that don't try to fix but do make space to feel. We talk about what genuinely helps the bereaved—curiosity, presence, honest permission to tell the whole truth about the person who's gone—and what to retire forever, including hollow platitudes that minimize real pain. Justin's own story of loss and growth brings empathy and precision to every tool he shares.If you serve, lead, or love someone who does, this conversation is a field guide for staying human under pressure and building a culture that protects people as fiercely as it protects the mission. Listen, share with your crew, and tell us what “mental PPE” looks like in your world. If this resonates, follow, rate, and review so more first responders can find it—and subscribe for more candid, actionable conversations.His Instagram is @manlygrief His Website is: http://www.manlygrief.com Support the showYouTube Channel For The Podcast

In this episode of THINK Business LIVE, Jon Dwoskin talks with Lisa Rothberger, Chief Talent Officer of Jan Pro and Jan Supply, about the importance of HR in company growth and retention. They discuss the evolution of HR practices, attracting and retaining talent, and how Jan Pro has adapted its recruitment strategies and employee benefits over the last decade. Lisa highlights the challenges and successes of growing the business, the role of company culture, and the importance of doing the right thing in leadership and business ethics. Lisa Rothberger is the Chief Talent Officer at Jan-Pro & Jan-Supply. She manages recruitment, on-boarding and employee relations at Jan-Pro's office in Southfield, MI. Jan-Pro Detroit is a commercial janitorial services company Jan-Supply Detroit sells janitorial supplies, PPE and consumables for businesses. Connect with Jon Dwoskin: Twitter: @jdwoskin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejondwoskinexperience/ Website: https://jondwoskin.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondwoskin/ Email: jon@jondwoskin.com Get Jon's Book: The Think Big Movement: Grow your business big. Very Big!   Connect with Lisa Rothberger:Website: https://jan-pro.com/detroit/                                                                                     *E – explicit language may be used in this podcast.

La Eurodiputada del PPE celebra la rectificación de la UE en automoción

Allen, Joel, and Yolanda recap the UK Offshore Wind Supply Chain Spotlight in Edinburgh and Great British Energy’s £1 billion manufacturing push. Plus Ørsted’s European onshore wind sale, Xocean’s unmanned survey tech at Moray West, and why small suppliers must scale or risk being left behind. Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email update on all things wind technology. This episode is sponsored by Weather Guard Lightning Tech. Learn more about Weather Guard’s StrikeTape Wind Turbine LPS retrofit. Follow the show on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Linkedin and visit Weather Guard on the web. And subscribe to Rosemary Barnes’ YouTube channel here. Have a question we can answer on the show? Email us! You are listening to the Uptime Wind Energy Podcast brought to you by build turbines.com. Learn, train, and be a part of the Clean Energy Revolution. Visit build turbines.com today. Now, here’s your host. Allen Hall, Joel Saxon, Phil Totaro, and Rosemary Barnes. Allen Hall: Welcome to the Uptime Wind Energy Podcast. I’m your host Allen Hall in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Queen City. I have Yolanda Pone and Joel Saxon back in Austin, Texas. Rosemary Barnes is taking the week off. We just got back from Scotland, Joel and I did, and we had a really great experience at the UK offshore wind supply chain spotlight 2025 in Edinburgh, where we met with a number of wind energy suppliers and technology advocates. A Joel Saxum: lot going on there, Joel. Yeah. One of the really cool things I enjoyed about that, um, get together the innovation spotlight. [00:01:00] One, the way they had it set up kind of an exhibition space, but not really an exhibition. It was like just a place to gather and everybody kind of had their own stand, but it was more how can we facilitate this conversation And then in the same spot, kind of like we’ve seen in other conferences, the speaking slots. So you could be kind of one in ear, oh one in year here, listening to all the great things that they’re doing. But having those technical conversations. And I guess the second thing I wanted to share was. Thank you to all of the, the UK companies, right? So the, all the Scottish people that we met over there, all the people from, from England and, and around, uh, the whole island there, everybody was very, very open and wanting to have conversations and wanting to share their technology, their solutions. Um, how they’re helping the industry or, or what other people can do to collaborate with them to help the industry. That’s what a lot of this, uh, spotlight was about. So from our, our seat, um, that’s something that we, you know, of course with the podcast, we’re always trying to share collaboration, kind of breed success for everybody. So kudos to the ORE [00:02:00] Catapult for putting that event on. Allen Hall: Yeah, a big thing. So, or Catapult, it was a great event. I’ve met a lot of people that I’ve only known through LinkedIn, so it’s good to see them face to face and. Something that we’ve had on the podcast. So we did a number of podcast recordings while we’re there. They’ll be coming out over the next several weeks, so stay tuned for it. You know, one of the main topics at that event in Edinburg was the great British Energy announcement. This is huge, Joel. Uh, so, you know, you know, the United Kingdoms has been really pushing offshore wind ambitions for years, but they don’t have a lot of manufacturing in country. Well, that’s all about the change. Uh, great British energy. Which is a government backed energy company just unveiled a 1 billion pound program called Energy Engineered in the uk, and their mission is pretty straightforward. Build it in the uk, employ people in the uk, and keep the economic benefits of the clean energy transition on British soil. 300 million pounds of that is really [00:03:00] going to be focused on supply chain immediately. That can happen in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England. It’s a big promotion for the UK on the wind energy side. I see good things coming out of this. What were your thoughts when you heard that Joel Saxum: announcement, Joel? The offshore wind play. Right. It’s like something like this doesn’t happen to economies very often. Right. It’s not very often that we have like this just new industry that pops outta nowhere. Right. We’re, we’re not making, you know, it’s like when, when. Automotive industry popped up in the, you know, the early 19 hundreds. Like that was this crazy new thing. It’s an industrial revolution. It’s all this new opportunity. So offshore wind in, in my idea, same kind of play, right? It’s this new thing or newer thing. Um, and as a government, um, coming together to say, Hey, this is happening. We have the resources here. We’re gonna be deploying these things here. Why would we not take advantage of building this here? I mean. Any politician that says I’m bringing jobs or I’m bringing in, you [00:04:00] know, um, bringing in funds to be able to prop up an industry or to, uh, you know, start a manufacturing facility here or support an engineering department here, um, to be able to take advantage of something like this. Absolutely right. Why offshore this stuff when you can do it Here, you’ve got the people, you have the engineering expertise. It’s your coastline. You’ve operated offshore. You know how to build them, operate ’em, all of these different things. Keep as much of that in-house as you can. I, I mean, we’ve, we’ve watched it in the US over the last few years. Kind of try to prop up a supply chain here as well. But, you know, with regulations and everything changing, it’s too risky to invest. What the, it looks like what the UK has seen over there is, well, we might as well invest here. We’ll throw the money at it. Let’s, let’s make it happen on our shores. The Allen Hall: comparison’s obvious to the IRA Bill Yolanda and the IRA bill came out, what, A little over two years ago, three years ago, roughly. We didn’t see a lot of activity [00:05:00] on the manufacturing side of building new factories to do wind. In fact, there was a lot of talk about it initially and then it. It really died down within probably a year or so. Uh, you know, obviously it’s not a universal statement. There were some industries model piles and some steelworks and that kind of thing that would would happen. But sometimes these exercises are a little treacherous and hard to walk down. What’s your thoughts on the UK government stepping in and really. Putting their money where the mouth is. Yolanda Padron: I think it’s, I mean, it’s, it’s great, right? It’s great for the industry. It’ll, it’ll be a great case, I think, for us to look at just moving forward and to, like you said, government’s putting their money where their mouth is and what exactly that means. You know, not something where it’s a short term promise and then things get stalled, or corporations start looking [00:06:00] elsewhere. If every player works the way that they’re, it’s looking like they’re going to play right now, then it, it could be a really good thing for the industry. Allen Hall: Well, the, the United States always did it in a complicated way through tax policy, which means it runs through the IRS. So any bill that passes Congress and gets signed by the president, they like to run through the IRS, and then they make the tax regulations, which takes six months to 12 months, and then when they come out, need a tax attorney to tell you what is actually written and what it means. Joel, when we went through the IRA bill, we went through it a couple of times actually, and we were looking for those great investments in new technology companies. I just remember seeing it. That isn’t part of the issue, the complexity, and maybe that’s where GB Energy is trying to do something different where there’s trying to simplify the process. Joel Saxum: Yeah. The complexity of the problem over here is like that. With any. Business type stuff, right? Even when you get to the stage of, um, oh, this is a write off, this is this [00:07:00] for small businesses and those things, so it’s like a delayed benefit. You gotta plan for this thing. Or there’s a tax credit here, there. Even when we had the, um, the electric vehicle tax credits for, uh, individuals, right? That wasn’t not something you got right away. It was something you had to apply for and that was like later on and like could be. 15 months from now before you see anything of it. And so it’s all kind of like a difficult muddy water thing in the i a bill. You’re a hundred percent correct. Right. Then we passed that thing. We didn’t have the, the rules locked down for like two years. Right. And I remember we had, we had a couple experts on the podcast talking about that, and it was like, oh, the 45 x and the 45 y and the, the C this and the be that, and it was like. You needed to have a degree in this thing to figure it out, whereas the, what it sounds like to me, right, and I’m not on the inside of this policy, I dunno exactly how it’s getting executed. What it sounds like to me is this is more grant based or, and or loan program based. So it’s kinda like, hey, apply and we’ll give you the money, or we’ll fund a loan that supports some money of with low interest, zero [00:08:00] interest, whatever that may be. Um, that seems like a more direct way, one to measure ROI. Right, and or to get things done. Just just to get things done. Right. If someone said, Hey, hey, weather guard, lightning Tech. We have a grant here. We’d like to give you a hundred grand to do this. Or it was like, yeah, if you put this much effort in and then next year tax season you might see this and this and this. It’s like, I don’t have time to deal with that. Yolanda Padron: Yeah. We might also just change the rules on you a little bit, and then maybe down the line we’ll see where we go. Yeah. It does seem like they’re, they’re setting up the dominoes to fall in place a bit better. This way. Yeah, absolutely. Joel Saxum: That’s a, that’s a great way to put it, Yolanda. Let’s setting up the dominoes to fall in place. So it’s kinda like, Hey. These are the things we want to get done. This is what we wanna do as an industry. Here’s a pool of money for it, and here’s how you get access to it. Allen Hall: A lot’s gonna change. I remember, was it a couple of months ago, maybe, maybe a year ago, time flies guys. Uh, we were just talking about. That on the way home from [00:09:00]Scotland, like how many people have had in the podcast? It’s a lot over 60 have been on the podcast as guests. Uh, one of the people we want to have on is, uh, Dan McGrail, who’s the CEO of Great British Energy because, uh, we had talked about with Rosemary the possibility of building turbines all in. The uk, they have blade factories. All this stuff is doable, right? They have technology. This is not complicated work. It just needs to be set up and run. And maybe this is the goal is to just run, it may maybe not be OEM focused. I I, that’s what I’m trying to sort through right now as, is it vestas focused? Is it GE focused? Is it Siemens Keesa focused? Is there a focus or will these turbines have GB energy? Stamped on the side of them. I would Joel Saxum: see love to see support for sub-component suppliers. Yeah, I would too. Yeah. The reason being is, is like that’s, that’s more near and dear to my heart. That’s what [00:10:00] I’ve done in my career, is been a part of a lot of different, smaller businesses that are really making a difference by putting in, you know, great engineering comes from small businesses. That’s one of my, my things that I’ve always seen. It seems to be easier to get things done. In a different way with a small business than it does to engineering by committee with 50 people on a team faster, sometimes better. Uh, that’s just my experience, right? So I would like to see these smaller businesses propped up, because again, we need the OEMs. Yes, absolutely. But also spread it around, right? Spread the wealth a little bit. Uh, you know, a, a factory here, a factory there, a engineering facility here. The, uh, you know, an execution plant here. Some things like that. I would love to see more of these kind of, uh, spread around like the, like GB energy’s money spreads around, like fairy dust. Just kind of plant a little here, plant a little in this city, make a little here, instead of just lumping it to one or lumping it into one big, um, OEM. And that doesn’t necessarily [00:11:00] have to be an OEM, right? It could be a blade manufacturer that I’m talking about, or. Or a big, big gearbox thing or something like that. We need those things, and I, I’m all for support for them, but I just don’t think that all of its support should go to them. Speaker 7: Australia’s wind farms are growing fast, but are your operations keeping up? Join us February 17th and 18th at Melbourne’s Poolman on the park for Wind Energy o and M Australia 2026, where you’ll connect with the experts solving real problems in maintenance asset management. And OEM relations. Walk away with practical strategies to cut costs and boost uptime that you can use the moment you’re back on site. Register now at W OM a 2020 six.com. Wind Energy o and m Australia is created by Wind Professionals for wind professionals because this industry needs solutions, not speeches. Allen Hall: If you haven’t booked your tickets to Wind Energy o and m Australia 2026, you need to be doing [00:12:00] that. Today, uh, the event is on February 17th and 18th in Melbourne, Australia. Uh, we’ll have experts from around the world talking everything o and m, and there’s so many good people are gonna be on the agenda, Joel, and a lot of big companies sponsoring this Joel Saxum: year. Allen Hall: You want to give us a highlight? Joel Saxum: Yeah, so like you said, Alan, we have a ton of sponsors going to be there and, and I’d like to say the sponsors. Thank you ahead of time. Of course. Right. We’re, we’re, we’re super excited for them to get involved because as we’ve put this event together. We’re trying to do this no sales pitches, right? So we wanna do this, not pay to play. We want people here that are going to actually share and learn from each other. And the sponsors have been kind enough to get on board with that message and follow through with it. So, like our lead industry sponsor Tilt, uh, Brandon, the team over there, fantastic. Um, they have, they’re, they’re the, their key sponsor here and they’re supporting a lot of this. So the money’s going to applying in experts from all over the [00:13:00] world, putting this thing together. Uh, so we have an, uh. A forum to be able to talk at, uh, C-I-C-N-D-T. From here in the States, uh, we’ve got Palisades, who’s another operator in the, uh, Australian market, uh, rig com. ISP over there doing blade work and it just keeps rolling down. We’ve got squadron on board, squadron’s gonna do one of the coffee carts. Um, so I know that we’ve got a limited bit of tickets left. I think we are 250 in the venue and that’s what the plan is. I think we’re sitting at about half of that leftover. Allen Hall: Yeah, it’s getting close to running out. And I know in Australia everybody likes to purchase their tickets at the last minute. That’s great. And but you don’t wanna miss out because there is limited seating to this event. And you wanna go to WMA w om a 2020 six.com. Look at all the activities. Book some tickets. Plan to book your travel if you’re traveling from the United States or elsewhere. You need a couple of weeks [00:14:00]hopefully to do that ’cause that’s when the airline prices are lower. If you can book a a couple of weeks ahead of time. So now’s the time to go on Woma 2020 six.com. Check out the conference, get your tickets purchased, start buying your airline tickets, and get in your hotel arranged. Now’s the time to do that. Well, as you know, war has been selling off pieces of itself after setbacks in the America market. Uh, sounds like two heavyweight bidders are looking for one of those pieces. Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and ENG G are allegedly competing for Seds European. Onshore Wind business, a portfolio valued at roughly 1 billion euros. Supposedly the bids are gonna be due this week, although nothing is certain in a billion dollar deals. This is a little bit odd. I understand why Stead is doing it, because they’re, they’re trying to fundraise, but if they do this. They will be essentially European offshore wind only [00:15:00] with some American onshore and a little bit American offshore. Not much. Uh, that will be their future. Are they gonna stay with America one onshore or, and American offshore? Is that a thing? Or they just could, could be all European offshore wind. Is that where Osted is headed? It’s a complicated mix because, you know, they’re, they’re, they’ve negotiated a couple of other deals. Most recently to raise cash. They’re supposedly selling, uh, another set of wind farms. I dunno how official that is, but it’s, it seems like there’s some news stories percolating up out there trying to raise more cash by selling large percentages of offshore wind farms. Where does Joel Saxum: this all end? I don’t know. The interesting thing is like if you looked at Ted, uh, man, two years ago, like if you Googled anything or used a jet, GPT or whatever it was like, gimme the. Three largest wind operators in the world. They were the top three all the time. Right. And, and most valuable. At one point in time, they were worth like, [00:16:00] uh, I don’t wanna say the wrong number, but I, I thought, I thought 25 billion or something like that. They were worth. ATS at one point in time. Market share. Allen Hall: Yeah, Joel Saxum: I think that seems right. So like they, they were huge and it just seems like, yeah, they’re trying to survive, but in survival mode, they’ve just kind, they’re just dwindling themselves down to being just o just a small offshore company. And, or not small, but a small, just a, just a siloed offshore company. A large offshore company. Yeah. Yeah. But I mean, like, even just, there was, there’s another article, um. Today we’re, we’re talking here, CIP and Engie looking to buy their European onshore business. They’ve also are putting up like, uh, was it greater Ang of four in Taiwan for, for sale as well. So, I mean, like you said, where does it stop? I don’t know. Um, CIP is an interesting play. Uh, an Eng, CIP and Engie kind of battling this one out ’cause the CIP management team is a bunch of ex or said people, so they know that play very well. Um, ENGIE of course, being a big French [00:17:00] utility. So that one will sell, right? They’re, their European offshore or onshore assets will be gone shortly. Uh, they’ll be sitting with a bunch of offshore assets that they own and partially own around the world. Uh, and of course their, their, I think their US onshore fleet is about a gigawatt, maybe a and a half. Um, that could be the next domino to fall. You don’t, I, sorry, Yolanda, I used your, your, your, uh, euphemism from before, but, um. That they’re actively parting ways with some stuff. I don’t know when it stops. Allen Hall: It is odd, right? EOR has basically stopped a lot of renewables. Stat Craft has pulled back quite a bit. Another Norwegian company. A lot of the nor Northern European companies are slowing down in wind altogether, trying to stick to onshore for the most part. Offshore will still be developed, but just not at the pace that it needed to be developed. There is a lot of money moving around. Billions [00:18:00] and billions of, of euros and dollars moving. And I guess my, my thought is, I’m not sure from a market standpoint where Orid is headed, or even Ecuador for that matter, besides maybe moving back into oil and gas. They never really left it. The direction of the company is a little unknown because these, uh, news articles about sales. Are not really prefaced, right? It’s just like, all right, Taiwan, we’re selling more than 50% of the projects in Taiwan. We’re out, we’re selling European onshore pow, which there’d been some rumors about that, that I had heard, but nothing was really locked in, obviously, until you really start seeing some reliable news sources. Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners is an interesting play just because it kind of keeps it. Up in Denmark and not in France with Engie. That’s what I’m, in my [00:19:00] head. I’m thinking Sted is not likely to sell it to Engie just because they’re French. This is a national, uh, security issue for Denmark Sted. Is it, I I how Engie is involved in this maybe to help set a, a baseline of what the valuation is so that CIP can then purchase it. Do you see CIP losing this, Joel? Joel Saxum: No, I don’t think so. I think, yeah, I think CCIP has to land with this one and, and CI P’s been building a portfolio quietly, building a, not, I guess not quietly, they’ve been building a portfolio for the last few years. It’s pretty stout, uh, pretty fairly sizable. Right? And it, it’s an interesting play watching this for me because you, you see all these people kind of rotating out. And it, and it has to do with the, the, in my opinion, it has to do with the macroeconomics of things, right? Once, when you develop something and you get through, like in, into the teething pain cycle and all that kind of stuff. [00:20:00] The asset is not designed to have a 50, 70%, you know, margin, right? That’s not how wind works. Wind, wind operates of small margins and a lot of times in the early, a early stages of a project, you end up running into issues that eat those margins away. So when you’re talking about small margins, they’re six to 10% is what you kind of see. Um, and it’s pretty easy to eat away a 6% or a 10% margin. If you have some kind of serial defect you have to deal with, uh, or that, that the OEM’s fighting you on and, and you know, whether or not they take responsibility for it or you have to pay for it. A lot of times those processes can drag out for 12, 24, 36 months until you get made whole. So the early state, the first, you know, five years of a lot of these projects, five to eight years, are very expensive. And then once you get through kind of those things and the thing starts just chugging. Then you actually are starting to make money, and that’s where CIP P’S buying these assets is in that years after it’s gone through its teething pains and the company that developed it is like, man, [00:21:00] we need to get outta this thing. We’ve just been burning through cash. Then CI P’s kinda swooping in and grabbing ’em. And I think that this is another one of those plays. Allen Hall: So they’re gonna live with a smaller margin or they’re gonna operate the assets differently. Joel Saxum: The assets may be being operated better now than they were when they started, just in that, in, they exist, the starting company simply because the, some of the issues have been solved. They’ve been sorted through the things where you have early, early failures of bearings or some stuff like the early fairings of gearboxes. Those things have been sorted out, so then CIP swoops in and grabs them after the, the teething issues that have been gone. Allen Hall: Does evaluation change greatly because of the way horse did, manages their assets? Up or down? Joel Saxum: I would say generally it would go up. Yeah. I don’t necessarily think it’s dependent on o and m right now. I think it’s just a, it’s a time to buy cheap assets, right? Like you see, you see over here in the States, you see a lot of acquisitions going on. People divesting, they’re not divesting because they’re like, oh, we’re gonna make a ton of money off this. They may need the cash. They’re [00:22:00] divesting in, in, um, what’s the term, like under duress? A lot of them, it may not look like it from the outside in a big way, but that’s kind of what’s happening. Yolanda Padron: Yeah, I think it’ll be really interesting to see, uh, you know, there were a lot of layoffs in Ted and Europe as well, so seeing if maybe some of the people who can make those assets perform better. Come back just with a different t-shirt on. Allen Hall: As wind energy professionals staying informed is crucial, and let’s face it difficult. That’s why the Uptime podcast recommends PES Wind Magazine. PES Wind offers a diverse range of in-depth articles and expert insights that dive into the most pressing issues facing our energy future. Whether you’re an industry veteran or new to wind, PES wind has the high quality content you need. Don’t miss out. Visit PES wind.com today in this quarter’s, PES Wind Magazine, which you can download a copy at PES [00:23:00] wind.com. There’s an article by Xan and they were, uh, contracted by Ocean Winds to evaluate the sea floor from. The sea floor at Moray West, which is way, way, way up north on the northern end of Scotland. A pretty rough area, Joel. And, but what ex Ocean did was they used unmanned survey equipment to monitor the ocean floor where the mono piles were gonna replace for the Moey West Wind Farm. That is a really difficult area to operate any sort of boat, but. Uh, the reason we’re doing this remotely unmanned was that it, it gave them sort of a, a less costly way to get high resolution images of the sea bottom. This is interesting because ocean wind was developing more a West apparently hadn’t used anything like this before, but the results, at [00:24:00] least from what I can see in PS win, look Joel Saxum: great. Yeah. This is a technology that’s been, um. Man, it’s been under development by a lot of companies in the last six, eight years. And now it’s starting to get to the point where it is, I mean, we’re, we’re TRL nine plus, right? There’s a lot of these solutions out there that are commercially ready. Xans been a top of this list since, man, since I was playing in that oil and gas world, to be honest with you. Like 20 18, 20 17, uh, really cool looking boats. That’s besides the point. Uh, but when they show up at trade shows and stuff with ’em, you’re like, ah, oh, that thing’s neat looking. Um, but it, it, it, it solves all kinds of problems, right? So when you go offshore and you’re just gonna do, say you’re just gonna go out there and do multibeam, so you’re just gonna do echo sound where you’re just looking to see depths and what’s on the sea floor. The minimum kind of vessel you need for that is 10 to 15 meters long. You need probably two to six people on that vessel. And that’s just, if you’re going out doing shift work, if you’re staying out there [00:25:00] and working 24 7, that vessel grows to. 30 meters instantly, right? So now you’re burning thousands and thousands of dollars in fuel. You’ve got food on board. You got all, it’s just a pain to put this vessel out there. You take all of those people out of harm’s way. You take all the costs away and they, and you put two of them, or one or two of them on shore in a facility, and then you put this three meter vessel out there that’s fully autonomous. No people, but collects the same style of data. I mean, it’s a no brainer, right? So you’re getting the same style of data and if, and the thing’s working 24 7, there is no need to have someone sleep. There’s a not a technician issue. There’s not, none of this is, is a problem anymore. Nobody’s getting seasick, right? So you’re sitting, you’re, you’re sitting back on shore, uh, going to work, uh, with no PPE on, um, having a, having a coffee from Starbucks down the street. And you’re running this thing 24 7, you’re collecting all [00:26:00] that fantastic data. Uh, it is just, like I said, it’s a no brainer. Now, now they’re getting to the stage where they’re putting ’em out as swarms, so you can cover whole fields. You’re doing live cable inspections. It’s, it’s pretty fantastic. So Exo ocean’s really making the next generation of robotics o offshore. Allen Hall: Yeah. And that’s gonna drive down the cost of energy. These kind of developments make huge strides in lowering costs, and this is why you need to read PES Win Magazine. So there’s a. Great articles all throughout the magazine. This quarter’s issue is, is Heavy with articles. Get your free copy@pswin.com today. As you know, in the wind industry, survival has always belonged to those who can keep up, uh, and Sorn freeze. Nuon knows better than most with his decades of experience at LM Wind Power and Uzon. He now chairs two Danish subcontractors, Polytech and Jupiter. Bach. Uh, his message to smaller suppliers in, in a recent article is. Pretty blunt. It [00:27:00]says the manufacturers, big OEMs want fewer partners and larger partners who can take on more responsibility. And if you cannot invest and grow with those manufacturers, you’ll be left behind the winners. It says it will be those who stay close to the turbine makers and adapt as the industry evolves. Joel, this is a really interesting discussion that, uh, Soren put out there. Obviously he’s invested in Polytech and Jupiter, Bach, uh, to great suppliers obviously, but small businesses are where a lot of the key technologies have been driven over the last five, six years. In wind, or more broadly the last 20 years in wind, a lot of great technology has come out of places that you wouldn’t have thought of. The OEMs have not been the bastion of innovation. I would say it [00:28:00] is necessary. You have both, wouldn’t you think? You have to have the small business innovation to prove out ideas and to show that they work, but you also have to have the large manufacturers to implement those ideas more broadly without either one of them, nobody wins. Joel Saxum: I fully agree and I think that one of the things that’s a little bit, uh, more of a granular comment there is. I think sometimes you need the OEMs and the other suppliers within the supply chain to open their doors a little bit, right? So this is, this is me wearing my, my small business, small innovative business, uh, in the wind industry cap. And that is, man, sometimes it is hard to get a conversation with a large subsupplier or with an OEM when you have something that can help them. And they just don’t want to communicate, don’t want to help. It’s just our way or the highway kind of thing. And if you watch, like we, so the podcast gives us an kind of, or not [00:29:00] gives us, it forces us to have kind of an op, an opportunity to look at, you know, what are the, what are the financial statements of some of these OEMs? What are the financial statements of some of their large sub-suppliers? You know? ’cause if they’re located in countries where that stuff is public knowledge, you can see how and what they’re doing. And if you, if you look at business in a general way where you rely on one customer or two customers to, for your whole business, you’re gonna be hurting. Um, especially in the way we look at things or what we’re seeing in the wind industry right now is if you’re, if you are a large company to say you do a hundred million in revenue and your customers are ge Vestas. Depending on what happens regulatory wise, in some random country somewhere your a hundred million dollars could shrink to 50 real quick. Um, so I don’t think that that’s a great way to do business. I think, you know, having a bit of diversification probably helps you a little bit. The OEMs Allen Hall: have a particular job to do. They need to deliver turbines onsite on time and create power for their customer. That’s our main [00:30:00] focus. They are a generator. Driven company, they make generators on steel towers with a propeller system basically. Right. Just simplify it way, way down. There’s not a lot of technology in that itself. Obviously there’s control systems, obviously there’s electronics involved, but the concept from this basic fundamentals is not difficult to to grasp. The difficulty is in execution. Showing that that product can last for 20 years, and that product can last in different environments. Australia, United States, up in Scandinavia, Canada, way down south and Brazil. There’s some really rough environments there and the OEMs are relying upon in industry, uh, guidance from like the IECs and then the dvs, uh, uls Tube. Nord. Uh. Bvs where they’re trying to make these turbines comply to a [00:31:00] set of essentially regulations, which just simplify it. You can do that. But as we have seen historically in the wind industry, if you make a turbine that just meets those requirements, you do not necessarily have a successful product. You have a product that is marginal, and as Yolanda has pointed out to me numerous times, there’s a lot of real issues in wind turbines. That probably could have been solved five years ago by small mobile companies with outside of the box ideas that could have given the OEMs a huge advantage, especially in blades. Yolanda Padron: Yeah, and I think a lot of these companies are, they’re looking at things from a different point of view, right? They’re smaller companies. You have people who could know the product, they know the real issue that’s going on on the ground. They know. Kind of what they need to do, what the next step is to move forward in their solution.[00:32:00] Right? But it’s not like it’s a, a company where you need 30 people to sign off before you can go onto the next stage, and then you need 30 more people to sign off before you can get funding to do something else. And so yes, the OEMs are doing a good job in their scope. If they’re meeting their scope, they are doing a good job. You know, if I, if I take like bread and cheese, then yes, I have a sandwich, right? Like, it might not be the best sandwich in the world, but I have a sandwich. So like, they’re making the sandwich and that’s great. But if you want something to, to actually work and to last and to, to give everybody else the, the idea that. You know, wind is profitable and we can all benefit from it. You have to get all those different layers in there, right? You have to make [00:33:00] sure that you know, if you have a big lightning issue, then you get the right people in the room to get that retrofit in there to solve your lightning issue. If you have a big leading edge erosion issue, then you get those right people in the room to solve everything, and it’s not always going to be a one size fits all. Right, but you do need those smaller companies to, to be in the room with you. Joel Saxum: I’m a hundred percent agreeing with you, Yolanda, and I think that this is the issue here is that at some level then an OEM, an OEM engineering head would have to admit that they’re not the end all be all, and that they may have got a couple of things wrong. And what, what I would love to see and who, and maybe maybe ask you this question, who of the major four Western OEMs. Do you think would be open to like an industry advisory board? Nordex, you think it’s Nordex? I think Yolanda Padron: that’s the closest one so far that we’ve seen. Right? Joel Saxum: Yeah. I, I, I agree with you, and I’m saying that because I don’t think any of the other ones would ever admit that they have an [00:34:00] issue, right? They have attorneys and they have problems, Allen Hall: so they really can’t, but I, I think internally they know that they haven’t optimized their production, they haven’t optimized their performance out in the field. They’re trying to improve availability, that’s for sure. Estes has spent a great deal of time over the last year or two improving availability so that the money is being spent. The question is, do they have all the right answers or the overspending to get to the availability that they want to deliver to their customers? That’s a great question because I do think that we we’re just in Scotland and there’s a number of technology companies in the UK that I think, wow, they should be implementing some of these. Ideas and these products that have been proven, especially the ones that have been out for a couple of years, they should be implemented tomorrow, but they’re not yet because they can’t get through the door of an OEM because the OEM doesn’t want to hear it. Joel Saxum: Yeah, agreed. Agreed. Right. Well, well, like I, the, the, the example that keeps popping into my mind is Pete Andrews and the team over [00:35:00] at Echo Bolt, simply because they have a solution that works. It’s simple. They’ve done the legwork to make sure that this thing can be optimized and utilized by technicians in the field around the world. But they, it just like, they haven’t gotten the buy-in from, from whoever, uh, that it seems to be, you know, there’s a hurdle here. Uh, and that hurdle may be the Atlantic Ocean. I don’t know. Uh, but I would love to see, I would love to see their, uh, solution for bolted connections, uh, and monitoring bolted connections kicked around the world because I think you could save. Uh, the wind industry a ton, a ton, a ton of money. And that is an example of a small business full of subject matter experts that made a solution that can solve a problem, whether you’re an OEM or you’re an operator or whatever. There’s there that’s there, utilize them, right? Those are the kind of things that we need in this industry. Yolanda Padron: And it’s also those smaller companies too that will look at your feedback and then they’ll say, oh. Okay, do I need to adjust here? [00:36:00] Did I not focus on this one parameter that your specific site has? Right. And you don’t see that from the OEMs ’cause they have so, uh, they have so many problems that they’re trying to tackle at once that it gets really difficult to, not just to hone in on one, but to, to tell everybody, oh, I, I have this perfect solution for everything. Here you go. Allen Hall: Right. I think there’s an internal conflict in the engineering departments and manufacturing departments of any OEM, regardless if it’s in wind or in any other industry, is that they have a system to make this product and they’re pretty confident in it, otherwise they wouldn’t be doing it. They don’t want to hear outside noise is I, I would describe it as noise. Like, uh, if you have a great solution that would help out their manufacturing process. But I work here, I know how, I know the ins and outs that that new idea by a small company won’t work here. Those [00:37:00] barriers have to be knocked down internally in the OEMs. The OEM management should be going through and saying, Hey, look, if I find me the manager of this operation, if I find a company that could help us and save us money, and you’re being a roadblock, guess what? See ya. Hit the road because there is no way you can let those opportunities pass you by. In today’s marketplace, you need to be grabbing hold of every opportunity to lower your cost, to improve your product availability, to improve your relationship with your customers. How do you do that? Quickly, you look at the companies that are providing solutions and you grab them, grab them, and hold on for your life and listen to what they have to say because they have probably done more research into your product than your people have. That wraps up another episode of the Uptime Wind Energy Podcast. If today’s discussion sparked any questions or ideas, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to us on LinkedIn and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If you [00:38:00] found value in today’s discussion, please leave us a review. It really helps other wind energy professionals discover the show and we’ll catch you here next week on the Uptime Wind Energy Podcast.

durée : 00:05:38 - Le Journal de l'éco - par : Anne-Laure Chouin - La France va-t-elle enfin sortir du flou sur sa stratégie en matière de transition énergétique ? Cela fait plus de deux ans que notre pays n'a plus de programmation pluriannuelle de l'énergie (PPE), ce texte qui fixe les objectifs et les moyens en termes de production et de consommation. - invités : Andreas Rudinger Chercheur Climat et énergie à l'IDDRI

Dems' Latest Trump/Epstein Hoax Fizzles! PLUS, GOP Investigates $79 BILLION TAX DOLLARS Stolen by PPE Applicants…AND J6 Chair Claims Pipe Bomb Videos Outside RNC/DNC ‘Don't Exist

In this episode, Adam Daigle, Business Editor of The Acadiana Advocate, returns to break down Lafayette and Acadiana's top five business stories of 2025. With years of experience tracking economic trends, major developments, and the people shaping our community, Adam offers an inside look at what's driving growth—and what challenges remain. From the long-awaited arrival of Trader Joe's to manufacturing growth, real estate trends, and the future of North Lafayette, this conversation is packed with insight. A Post-Covid Economy: Stabilizing but Still Shifting Adam notes that Acadiana has mostly returned to pre-pandemic normalcy, but some sectors continue to adjust: Restaurants: Sales are outpacing inflation overall, but performance is uneven. High-traffic corridors like Kaliste Saloom are thriving, while many locally-owned restaurants still struggle with tight margins, rising costs, and increased competition. Retail: Still strong—people are spending, and parish retail sales continue to grow. Manufacturing: One of the region's most promising economic bright spots. Well-paying jobs, steady growth, and diversification beyond oil and gas continue to strengthen the sector. Manufacturing Momentum—Even After Setbacks While Acadiana added thousands of manufacturing jobs since 2020, the closure of SafeSource Direct was a painful blow. The PPE manufacturer, built during the pandemic, couldn't compete with ultra-low-cost Chinese imports. The result: 700 local jobs lost, many held by women and graduates of drug court programs. Even so, Adam emphasizes that manufacturing remains a major growth engine. Companies continue to diversify away from oil and gas, and Louisiana's industrial corridor—from I-49 to Hwy 90—remains active and expanding. Real Estate & Housing Trends Adam continues to follow Lafayette's housing market closely: Higher-end homes that once sat on the market are now moving again. Sales volume is rising month-to-month. Rental demand remains extremely high, driven by population growth and a historic low in first-time homebuyers (just 21% nationally, with the average of a first-time homebuyer being 40 years of age nationally). Lafayette continues to see brisk apartment construction to meet demand. The market is tight—but not dangerously overbuilt. Adam Daigle's Top Five Business Stories of 2025 1. Trader Joe's Is (Finally) Coming to Lafayette The biggest story of the year: Trader Joe's is officially in the works for the corner of Bluebird Drive and Camellia Blvd. in Lafayette. Because the company is notoriously secretive, even the appearance of a permit created excitement. The land deal is expected to be finalized soon, with construction likely leading to an opening in late 2026 or early 2027. Fun fact: Lafayette will become one of only three cities in the U. S. that have both a Buc-ee's and a Trader Joe's. 2. Northgate Mall Sold to Local Investor Jacoby Landry North Lafayette's aging Northgate Mall has new life ahead. Entrepreneur Jacoby Landry purchased the property with a long-term vision for transforming the site—not simply filling it with retail, but creating a mixed-use redevelopment with potential for office, residential, and community uses. Jacoby is rebranding Northgate Mall as “The Hub,” inspired by Lafayette's nickname, Hub City, and the I-10/I-49 cloverleaf, which will be reflected in its new logo. The redevelopment will focus on mixed-use commerce, green spaces, and lighting to ensure safety and create a welcoming atmosphere. Years of deferred maintenance mean slow, steady work ahead, but the project is finally backed by a local owner committed to revitalization. The first major opening recently announced is Xtreme Health Club, a full-service fitness facility taking over the former Planet Fitness space. Owned and operated by Jacoby Landry’s sister, Rachel McCorvey, the facility will feature a nutritionist, weight management services, Botox, IV drips, sauna, hot tub, salt room, cold plunge, a health bar, and two indoor pickleball courts. Pilates and boxing fitness will also be offered, bringing Red's Health Club-like amenities to North Lafayette on a smaller, community-focused scale. It's expected to open in early 2026. 3. Buc-ee's Delayed… Again The massive travel center planned for I-10 is still happening, but Buc-ee's has pushed back construction. The company is re-evaluating store designs nationwide, impacting multiple projects—not just Lafayette's. The new projected opening is 2028. Even with delays, the development will be a major economic catalyst, generating hundreds of jobs and significant sales-tax revenue. 4. SafeSource Direct Closure One of the biggest economic losses of the year was the shutdown of SafeSource Direct's facilities in Broussard and Lafayette Parish. Global PPE competition, especially from China, made U.S. glove manufacturing unsustainable. Key impacts: 700 local jobs lost Loss of a major employer of graduates from local drug court programs Decrease in regional PPE manufacturing capacity 5. The Passing of Red Lerille Lafayette lost an icon with the death of Red Lerille, founder of Red Lerille's Health & Racquet Club and beloved community figure. Adam reflected on: Red's unmatched work ethic His legacy as Mr. America in his youth His lifelong devotion to improving Lafayette The enormous public response to stories about him Red's influence on local fitness, business, and civic life is irreplaceable. Yet, his family follows in his loving footsteps and Red Lerille’s Health Club will remain a bedrock of our local fitness community. Community Leaders to Watch: Mandi Mitchell of LEDA Adam highlights Mandi Mitchell, CEO of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority, as one of the region's most impactful leaders. “She’s got an incredible background working as an Assistant Secretary with the Louisiana Economic Development. It was a great grab to get her back here in Lafayette.” Her accomplishments include: Reviving the long-stalled Buc-ee's project Supporting the Northgate Mall redevelopment and mentoring owner Jacoby Landry to achieve great success Recruiting new business and manufacturing opportunities Expanding LEDA's role into urban planning and talent development Empowering local entrepreneurs through mentorship programs Mandi Mitchell’s philosophy that has inspired Adam Daigle and his favorite quote of the year: “If you want to change Lafayette, you have to build the people here to do it. The cavalry's not coming.” What's Ahead for 2026 Adam anticipates several big developments in the coming year: • Major Youngsville Mega-Development A massive mixed-use expansion planned south of Chemin Metairie—bigger than Sugar Mill Pond. • Continued Manufacturing Expansion Projects like First Solar's facility in New Iberia and partnerships with companies such as Noble Plastics will bring hundreds of new jobs and long-term growth. • New Downtown Hotel An 84-room boutique hotel breaking ground at the former Don's Seafood site—adding much-needed lodging to downtown Lafayette. • Drone Technology Hub Two drone companies, DMR Technologies and Drone Institute, LLC, are moving into the former Reptile Tannery Facility which was originally the L. A. Frey Meat packing plant building at 105 Dorset Avenue, positioning Lafayette as a future leader in drone manufacturing, training, and emergency-response tech. • Proposed Indoor Sports Complex A public–private partnership near the Cajundome and Cajun Field could bring a regional-scale sports facility to Lafayette, boosting tourism and event hosting. Restaurant Closures & Market Saturation Lafayette continues to lose 20–30 restaurants per year—a typical number, but Adam notes rising oversaturation and operating costs. Fast-casual and takeout remain strong, but dine-in restaurants face higher risk and shrinking margins. Even kitchen-ready restaurant spaces are sitting vacant longer than usual. Pinhook Road & Redevelopment Questions Despite frequent headlines about dilapidated hotels and blighted property, Adam does not expect major redevelopment along Pinhook Road in the short term. LCG is focusing instead on stabilizing the city's expanding “empty urban core,” particularly the Evangeline Thruway and Johnson Street corridor near UL Where to Read More from Adam Adam continues to document Acadiana's economic story through: The Acadiana Advocate The Advocate Business Newsletter Regular digital reporting at theadvocate.com You can subscribe to the Acadiana Advocate either digitally and/or print editions here. Adam Daigle’s work combines hard data with human stories—spotlighting the entrepreneurs, workers, and leaders shaping Lafayette's future. We thank him and the Acadiana Advocate for our valued partnership. Each Monday morning, the Business online newsletter shares Discover Lafayette’s latest podcast news.

A packaging company donates $360k in PPE to the city of Aurora for use in its temporary overnight warming center. WBBM's Bernie Tafoya reports...

A packaging company donates $360k in PPE to the city of Aurora for use in its temporary overnight warming center. WBBM's Bernie Tafoya reports...

A packaging company donates $360k in PPE to the city of Aurora for use in its temporary overnight warming center. WBBM's Bernie Tafoya reports...

Welcome back to Warehouse and Operations as a Career, I'm Marty, and today I thought we'd have another Ask Me Anything episode. I always like these because the questions don't come from textbooks, supervisors, or managers, they come directly from real associates and warehouse workers with real concerns. Our industry welcomes so many first time job seekers, and those wanting to change career paths. Some of its rules and regulations just aren't found in other industries and I hope talking about them helps us slow down a bit, and put in the time. Alright, we received three really good questions for today, and honestly, if these three people asked them, I'm confident a hundred others are thinking the same thing, so let's jump in. First up, my boss wants me to work overtime several times a week, even on Saturdays getting ready for the holidays. I want work-life balance, but it feels like all we do is work. First, I want to say, yes, work-life balance is extremely important, and I encourage everyone in this industry to protect that balance. Our mental health, physical health, and family lives matter. But at the same time, we also need to understand the industry we chose to work in. Light industrial, warehousing, distribution, logistics, these sectors live and breathe on production and shipping. That's not just a management saying. It's literally the foundation of how the supply chain operates. Most companies don't schedule overtime because they like spending more money on labor. Technically, overtime costs them more. Time-and-a-half adds up quick. So why do they do it? Because freight keeps moving. Product keeps arriving. Orders keep coming in. Your customers keep shopping. Especially around peak seasons. Here's something I've shared with new associates many times. The supply chain doesn't care what day of the week it is. Transportation doesn't stop. Warehouses don't stop. Retail stores don't stop. People don't stop buying things. Now we absolutely deserve balance, but balance doesn't always mean every week looks the same. Sometimes balance looks like working a few heavier months out of the year, and lighter months later. Some of the best operators, selectors, receivers, I mean the real professionals, use peak season as an opportunity. I had one guy tell me how he plans for his peak season. More hours. more pay. more learning, and more exposure. And remember If you're wanting advancement, leadership looks for who's stepping up. Overtime shouldn't be looked at as punishment, it's opportunity. No, we shouldn't work seven days a week every week of the year. But during heavy shipping periods, stepping up is part of being in this field. And honestly, it's part of being valuable. Nobody likes mandatory overtime, but everybody likes having a job, and that job depends on productivity and meeting the needs of our customers. You're not working more hours because someone likes it, you're working more hours because our industry requires it from time to time. Use overtime as a career tool, not as a pain point. If you want promotions, forklift certification, lead roles, better assignments, full-time status or long-term job stability. Then be the person your boss can count on when the workload is highest. We all get worn out from time to time, keeping our eye on the long-term goal will help us stay focused, we'll get through it. Question #2, why are corrective actions taken so seriously? It feels like you get 1 verbal, 1 written, and then you're terminated. Why so strict? This is another great question. I hear this complaint a lot, especially from new associates. Here's the truth. Yes, many companies use a progressive corrective action system. Verbal, written, and a final or termination. Some use a point system, some use write-ups, but the purpose is the same, behavior correction, not punishment. You've heard me talk about coaching. I prefer that word instead of correcting or warning. Sometimes those coaching's are in regards to Safety. Warehouses are dangerous. Not maybe dangerous. They are dangerous. As we discussed last week, every rule you've ever been told exists because, someone got hurt or something went seriously wrong. Corrective Action can mean Prevention. Corrective action isn't about protecting the company, it's about protecting people. If you get coached on attendance, PPE, equipment rules, dock safety, stacking pallets etc, …it's not because management is strict. It's because it's the right thing to do. OSHA standards are there to protect us. The insurance company has rules. Liability is real and Injuries are expensive for our company and us as individuals. We all know warehouse environment can go from safe to serious in seconds. And Productivity matters too. We are in a productivity-driven industry. Pieces per hour, pallets per hour, inbound receiving time, dock turnaround. Every minute counts. Every delay costs money. So rules are there for productivity and safety.  And please keep in mind, no matter what else you hear, safety is your priority one in any task. Period Ok, Let's be honest. Many corrective actions start because our attendance is inconsistent, or we repeatedly ignore safety instructions. Most write-ups aren't about big dramatic incidents, they're about repeated small behaviors that impact safety or production. If you were running a business with forklift traffic, heavy freight, metrics and deadlines, you would expect consistency too. The good news? Stay safe, follow direction, communicate, and show up on time…and you'll never get close to corrective action. Corrective actions exist to protect careers, not end them. Alright, and I picked this next question because it comes up at least once a month out in the field. Why don't companies offer more training on forklifts and EPJs? I want to learn, but it seems like nobody wants to take the time to train me. This is one of my favorite questions because I've trained a lot of equipment operators and trainers, and I've been on both sides of that frustration. Here's the big picture. There are no quick training courses. Forklifts and rider pallet jacks cause the majority of damages and injuries in warehouses. When a new operator climbs on equipment too early, bad things can happen fast. Certification is not a reward, it's a responsibility. Experience matters. You're not just learning how to drive. You're learning, balance, center of gravity, safety, spotting, loading, rack structure, pallet weight, equipment limitations, battery versus propane rules and about a hundred other dangers. You're learning how to see things before they happen. And that takes time, and experiences. And yes, the sad truth is that companies want trained equipment operators. They need more operators, they want productivity. And they have to have safety. They need people who show up consistently, are safe on the floor, have good work habits, follow rules, can communicate well and take direction. If you want to be trained on equipment, be that person. You earn it by being dependable. Think about it from management's point of view. Who are they going to invest in and spend time training on a forklift? Someone who is absent twice a week, or someone who is early every day? Someone who argues, or someone who listens? Someone who complains or someone who volunteers? PIT or powered industrial trucks are not like video games. Forklifts don't forgive mistakes. Electric rider pallet jacks can be very unforgiving. One accident or incident can change a life. So yes, training takes time. Yes, it's slow. But slow means safe. My advice. And it's a time proven opinion. Be patient. Be present. And be consistent. Ask for learning opportunities, but also show that you're ready for them. If you want to be a forklift operator, start by being a great warehouse employee first. That is what opens doors. Everyone catch how all three of these questions have something in common? The warehouse environment is demanding, it's productivity driven, safety is paramount, expectations are real and experience matters. And I think most of us know that deep down, even when we don't like the answers. But here's the good news! If you, show up, listen, learn, work safely, and treat others professionally. Our industry will reward you. Every single time. You'll grow. The opportunities and pay will come. Because the supply chain doesn't stop, distribution doesn't stop, and operations never stop. So wrapping it up I guess the question is, are you going to be the employee that helps keep it moving? I hope these answers helped someone today. And please keep the questions coming, I love doing these Ask Me Anything episodes, and every time you ask a question, someone else learns as well. Until next time, stay safe, work smart, keep learning, and remember, you are building careers out there.

What if a few simple changes could dramatically upgrade safety at your practice, starting today? In this episode, Anne Duffy sits down with Deanna Otts-Whitfield, a Marine Corps veteran turned dental safety leader. They explore the journey, grit, and daily practices behind safer dental care. Deanna opens up about her transition from military service to her pivotal role in dentistry, revealing how discipline, resilience, and a commitment to service shaped her unique path. Her story is filled with insights into the challenges she faced, the lessons she learned, and the passion that drives her to improve safety protocols across the dental industry. Through candid conversation, Deanna explains why proper PPE use is more than a box to check (it's a responsibility that every dental professional holds.) She spotlights frequent missteps, shares practical tips for boosting safety and compliance, and makes the case for ongoing education in an ever-changing field. Whether you're a seasoned dentist, a dental hygienist, or just starting in the profession, this episode offers real-world ways to heighten patient safety and protect your team. What You'll Learn in This Episode: The key lessons Deanna learned transitioning from the Marine Corps to dentistry Common PPE mistakes and straightforward fixes to strengthen dental safety Why compliance is a mindset, not just a checklist, in modern dental practices How to implement up-to-date infection prevention protocols in your workplace The value of ongoing education for dental professionals in a shifting landscape Inspiration to take pride and responsibility in maintaining safety standards Where to go for reliable resources and expert guidance on dental compliance Press play to uncover Deanna's inspiring career insight that can transform your approach to dental safety, starting today! Learn More About Deanna Otts-Whitfield Here! Website: https://www.copperpennyconsulting.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deannardh/ Don't Forget to Sign Up for the Next DeW Retreat: Secure your spot by clicking here! Love the podcast? Please leave us a review! It will help us help more entrepreneurs just like you ❤️ Want to get more involved? Join our membership and community below for exclusive perks! Join the DeW Life movement by becoming a member using this link.Join the Dental Entrepreneur movement by becoming a member using this link.Read the most recent edition of DeW Life Magazine here.Just DeW It Podcast is the official podcast of Dental Entrepreneur Women (DeW), founded by Anne Duffy, RDH. The mission of DeW is to inspire, highlight, empower, and connect all women in dentistry. To join the movement or to learn more, please visit dew.life. Together, we can DeW amazing things! References: Events:DeW Retreat 2026 People:Amy Wood Organizations:Association for Dental Safety

The CWB Association brings you a weekly podcast that connects to welding professionals around the world to share their passion and give you the right tips to stay on top of what's happening in the welding industry. Subscribe, listen, and stay connected to the people who keep the world welded together.Sparks definitely weren't flying when Phil Garland bought his dad a welding machine they couldn't even plug in, but that “useless” machine kicked off a journey he never expected. From a curious mind to becoming Fronius Canada's National Product Expert, Phil's path shows how networking conversations can become career-changing connections. We're not gatekeeping any secrets in this episode, so put on your PPE and get ready to level up our welding skills! Follow Phil: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theweldingphilosopher/ Thank you to our Podcast Advertisers:Canada Welding Supply: https://canadaweldingsupply.ca/Josef Gases: https://josefgases.com/There is no better time to be a member! The CWB Association membership is new, improved and focused on you. We offer a FREE membership with a full suite of benefits to build your career, stay informed, and support the Canadian welding industry.  https://www.cwbgroup.org/association/become-a-member What did you think about this episode? Send a text message to the show!

We've got stupidity, sociopathy, TikTok fame hunger, forged insurance papers, designer handbags, mouldy weed plants, and the most bungled murder plot since Cain and Abel discovered DIY.Lucy and Oliver the Bonnie & Clyde for people who can't read instructions decide they want to be rich and famous and not work and not be held accountable for the death of that lad Oliver killed in a drink-driving crash. So they reinvest, rebrand, and re-delude themselves into a PPE empire, a nightclub in the Bahamas, and a plan to get a half-million dollars from a cocaine kingpin without ever paying him back.Enter: Tyler and Jordan the coke-dealing entrepreneur and his pregnant girlfriend who should have been their business allies… except Lucy had a better plan, which was: kill them for their money and somehow get away with it through the power of vibes.

Birth Wars — How Photojournalist Janet Jarman Uses Visual Storytelling to Transform Maternal Health Meta Description: Janet Jarman, award‑winning photojournalist and MacArthur Fellow, reveals how she moved from analog photography to long‑term multimedia projects, culminating in the powerful documentary Birth Wars and its companion book. Learn about her early career, the role of midwives in Mexico & Guatemala, grant‑writing tips, and why visual storytelling matters for social change. Primary Keywords: photojournalism, Janet Jarman, Birth Wars, maternal health, midwives, placenta prints, MacArthur Foundation, documentary filmmaking, long‑term projects, analog photography, multimedia journalism

Hemorrhagic Stroke Patients Recovery: Jonathan's Journey Through Chaos and Renewal When the clock struck midnight on January 1st, 2021, most people were celebrating a fresh start. Jonathan, at just 35 years old, was unknowingly entering the most challenging chapter of his life. His speech had begun to slur, his head pulsed with pain he couldn't explain, and within hours he was rushed to the hospital during the height of COVID restrictions. That moment was the dividing line between the life he once knew and the life he would rebuild from the ground up. This is a story about what hemorrhagic stroke patients recovery really looks like, the kind that forces you to confront who you used to be and decide who you're going to become next. Before the Stroke — A Life Built on Momentum Before everything changed, Jonathan was thriving. He worked in food science — a field he loved, filled with global imports, inspections, and ensuring food safety for the public. He enjoyed hiking, biking, dinners with friends, and a vibrant social life in the city. He'd finally built independence, moved into his own space, and was exploring a new relationship. His life had rhythm, structure, forward motion. But as many survivors later recognize, stroke doesn't appear at a convenient time. It arrives abruptly, often when everything seems stable. And for people seeking to understand hemorrhagic stroke patients recovery, this contrast before and after becomes a core part of the journey. When the Body Sends Signals In the days before the stroke, something felt off. Jonathan experienced intense migraines, stronger and stranger than anything he'd felt before. But like so many young survivors, he didn't recognize them as warning signs. Then, on New Year’s Eve, his speech began to fall apart. Words wouldn't line up. Sounds emerged out of order. His girlfriend noticed instantly: something was horribly wrong. In minutes, Jonathan went from preparing to welcome the new year to being rushed through hospital doors under strict pandemic protocols. He had no idea this day would reshape him forever. Early symptoms often become the first chapter of hemorrhagic stroke patients recovery, because they reveal how quickly life can break open. The Diagnosis No One Expects at 35 Doctors discovered an AVM — an arteriovenous malformation on the left side of Jonathan's brain. It had ruptured, causing a hemorrhagic stroke. The bleed had stopped on its own and even drained naturally, something his neurologists called miraculous. Still, the damage was significant: His speech was severely impaired His mobility weakened His memory disrupted His emotional world destabilised He heard the words “hemorrhagic stroke” and “AVM rupture,” but they didn't make sense at the time. Many survivors describe this moment as surreal, as if the diagnosis is happening to someone else. “When your own words disappear, your whole identity feels like it's gone with them.” Recovery in Isolation — A Stroke During COVID After only seven days in the hospital, Jonathan was sent home in a wheelchair. There were no open rehabilitation centres, no inpatient programs, and no in-person speech therapy available. Therapists arrived at his family home wearing full PPE, “like a movie scene.” Everything felt unreal. Occupational therapy Physiotherapy Cognitive rehabilitation Speech therapy (virtual for an entire year) Social work support Nutrition guidance All delivered at home, all while the world was shut down. This is the reality for many navigating hemorrhagic stroke patients recovery during unpredictable times: healing becomes a collaboration between professionals, family, and faith. Losing Everything — And Feeling All of It The physical deficits were challenging, but the emotional costs cut deepest. Jonathan lost: His job His independence His ability to drive His long-term relationship His financial stability His sense of identity Anger, sadness, frustration, and confusion were constant companions. These emotional injuries rarely show up on scans, but they shape recovery just as strongly as the physical ones. And like many survivors, he wondered: Who am I now? Will I ever get myself back? This is where recovery becomes something deeper than rehab. It becomes a reorientation of the self. The Turning Point — Gratitude and Mindset Shift One of the most powerful moments in Jonathan's story came when he realized he could walk again. And speak again. And see his family. And simply breathe. He realized: I am still here. I have another chance. Gratitude is rarely the first emotion during a stroke recovery. But eventually, it becomes one of the most transformative. Mindset is one of the greatest predictors of hemorrhagic stroke patients recovery, not because positivity fixes everything, but because a resilient mindset helps survivors keep trying even when the path is uncertain. I've been there myself. When I experienced my strokes, I knew instantly that certain habits and patterns in my life had to change. Not because anyone told me to, but because something inside me shifted. You begin to recognize what no longer serves you. And you begin to aim your life differently. Faith, Identity, and Rebuilding From the Inside Out For Jonathan, faith became a compass. He studied scripture. He leaned into prayer. He found community in his church and mentorship in his pastor. Whether someone practices religion or not, the principle is universal: Recovery requires trust — in yourself, in the process, in the possibility of your future. Faith, in its many forms, becomes a stabilizing force in chaos. From Survivor to Guide — Serving Others Through His Pain As Jonathan regained strength, he realized he wanted to give back. He became a volunteer with: March of Dimes Canada Heart & Stroke Canada He now supports survivors aged 20–80 in both English and Spanish, one of the most unique and powerful aspects of his journey. The moment a survivor steps into service, their recovery deepens. Helping others expands meaning, connection, and purpose. I saw this in my own journey when I became a stroke advocate and launched this podcast. Jonathan discovered a simple truth: Helping others helps you heal too. Visit: recoveryafterstroke.com/book patreon.com/recoveryafterstroke Building a New Life — Marriage, Mentorship, and Hope In 2024, against all expectations, Jonathan got married. He started his own mentorship initiative for survivors, still volunteers across Canada, and continues to rebuild his life with clarity and gratitude. His story is less about “getting back to normal” and more about discovering a new, purposeful version of himself. What Jonathan Teaches Us About Hemorrhagic Stroke Patients Recovery Recovery is not linear. Identity gets rebuilt, not restored. You don't need to do this alone. Emotional healing is just as real as physical healing. Gratitude can shift your entire experience. Community accelerates recovery. Most importantly, your life didn't end with your stroke — a new one began. A Young Man's Fight Back: Jonathan's Hemorrhagic Stroke Story A young survivor's journey shows what hemorrhagic stroke patients recovery can look like — courage, faith, and rebuilding life step by step. Instagram Youtube Facebook TikTok Website Support The Recovery After Stroke Podcast on Patreon Highlights: 00:00 Introduction to Jonathan’s Journey 01:31 Life Before the Stroke 05:41 The Day of the Stroke 14:02 Hemorrhagic Stroke Patients Recovery 23:05 Emotional Challenges Post-Stroke 31:38 Overcoming Bad Habits and Health Challenges 37:38 Finding Purpose Through Volunteering 45:31 The Role of Faith in Recovery 55:32 Understanding Suffering and Connection to God 01:01:01 Building Community and Fellowship 01:05:31 Future Goals and New Beginnings Transcript: Introduction to Jonathan’s Journey Bill Gasiamis (00:00) Today’s episode is one that really stayed with me long after we finished recording. You’re going to meet Jonathan, a young stroke survivor whose life changed in a moment he never expected. And what makes this conversation so powerful isn’t just what happened to him, but how he tried to make sense of it, rebuild from it, and eventually find direction again. I won’t give away the details. That’s Jonathan’s story to tell. But I will say this. If you’ve ever struggled with the fear, uncertainty, or emotional weight that comes after a stroke, You may hear something in this journey that feels uncomfortably familiar and surprisingly reassuring. Now, before we get into it, I want to mention something quickly. Everything you hear, the interviews, the hosting, the editing, exists because listeners like you keep this going. When you visit patreon.com/recoveryafterstroke, you’re supporting my goal of recording a thousand episodes so no stroke survivor ever has to feel like they’re navigating this alone. And if you’re looking for something you can lean on, throughout your recovery or while supporting someone you love, my book, The Unexpected Way That a Stroke Became the Best Thing That Happened is available at recoveryafterstroke.com/book. It’s the resource I wish I had had when I was trying to find my way. All right, let’s dive into my conversation with Jonathan now. Jonathan Arevalo, welcome to the podcast. Jonathan Arevalo (01:23) Yes, hi there Bill. Bill Gasiamis (01:26) Jonathan, tell me a little bit about what life was like before the stroke. Life Before the Stroke Jonathan Arevalo (01:31) Well, life before stroke at 35 years old was good. It was really good. I had the opportunity to travel a lot and also I worked for a company related in foods. And it was something that I had a passion for since I studied that in university when it came to studying chemistry. biology and also food sciences. And during that time is what led prior to my stroke, which was in January 1st, 2021. Bill Gasiamis (02:14) So you did, ⁓ you worked in food sciences. What kind of work did that involve? What does a food scientist do? Jonathan Arevalo (02:24) So for that type of job, worked as ⁓ specifically, it was QA coordinator, which I was in charge of all food products that come from all over the world into Canada, where I had to do audit checks, inspections, and make sure that every single fruits and vegetables had to meet the requirements, which are government requirements, and also meeting specifications. for the safety, the safety before it goes out to the public. Bill Gasiamis (02:57) Wow. Was that a government job? Jonathan Arevalo (03:00) It was not a government job. It was more of a food company that is known all over North America. Bill Gasiamis (03:11) So just a very popular food importer for example that brings different products in and you’ve got to check them and inspect them So what do you do you opening boxes and looking literally at the food before? ⁓ gets the tick Jonathan Arevalo (03:26) Yes. So before anything gets accepted, ⁓ I receive C of As, which are certificate of analysis that come from different countries. And I need to go through all of those to make sure it meets government regulations and at the same time for the health and safety. So all of that, ⁓ I had to make sure both reading it and as well physically inspecting myself. Yeah. Bill Gasiamis (04:01) I understood. What about home life? What was that like? How were you? Where were you living? Who were you living with? Jonathan Arevalo (04:08) Yes. So when it came to that, I was living in the city and I was living with ⁓ an ex-girlfriend who I was during that time. And what it was, it was a different change in life where I started to adjust a new relationship. And at the same time, I was adjusting in building my independence outside from home. and starting like my own life differently. But everything went well until things started to change when it came to relationships and also work and also other things that came along with it over time. Bill Gasiamis (04:58) What did you do for downtime? Do you have some hobbies or are there some things that you enjoy doing after work or on the weekend? Jonathan Arevalo (05:07) Yes, yes. Usually, ⁓ would mostly hang out with friends, go out to meet up with friends to different places. We’d go out for dinner, out in the city. And also, I was very active, so we would go to different trails to do hiking. ⁓ Or also biking, like riding the bike and all that. So different activities like that to stay active. The Day of the Stroke Bill Gasiamis (05:41) Do you remember the day of the stroke? did you start noticing something going wrong? What happened on that particular day? What was different about that day? Jonathan Arevalo (05:52) Yes, well leading to the stroke, was more during Christmas time. So in ⁓ this exact same time in December, where it was leading to my stroke that I started to get certain signs of, I wasn’t too sure what it was though, because I was getting some headaches and something very intense that I never had before, which are migraines. And that was leading prior to the stroke and starting the new year. so then pretty much like on the 31st, leading to January the 1st, was the moment that I had my stroke. And then my ex-girlfriend who I was with during that time, which is already almost five years, ⁓ she noticed that my speech was, was, was going off. I had a lot of slurs in my words. I was getting like very intense headaches and it just didn’t seem normal. So she started to question and ask me questions that didn’t, didn’t make sense. So she automatically ended up calling emergency and I got rushed, ⁓ through emergency to, the hospital. starting the new year. Bill Gasiamis (07:22) Well, so first of January 2021, was it? Jonathan Arevalo (07:27) Yes, January 1st, 2021. Correct. Bill Gasiamis (07:30) Wow, man. First day of the new year, straight into hospital. Jonathan Arevalo (07:34) straight to the hospital, but not only straight to the hospital, but it was also during the time of COVID. And so that made it even more complicated because in the hospital, there was different cases going on at the same time. And whether it’s doctors, nurses, or different people entering and going out, ⁓ there was Bill Gasiamis (07:42) Uh-huh. Jonathan Arevalo (08:04) a lot of restrictions that was going on that certain people weren’t allowed to go in unless it was an emergency purposes. And also I had to wear a mask and all that because they weren’t sure whether I had COVID or it was something else. Bill Gasiamis (08:26) So do you, is this a story that you remember or somebody has told you about what happened that day? Because sometimes people hear the story from others, but they don’t remember going through it or what they were thinking or what they were feeling. What were you thinking or feeling during this whole thing with the strange migraine and then being taken to the hospital? Jonathan Arevalo (08:49) Yeah, for me, I slightly remember since I had ⁓ very, very like, like vague ⁓ scenarios that I was ⁓ that I still remember. But there’s other occasions that I don’t remember anymore. Like I lost a lot of that memory during that period of time because it happened so quickly that that it was also a first time experiencing having a stroke. But I do remember like certain scenarios of being picked up from paramedics and then being rushed to the hospital. And then from there, not that much what happened afterwards, are certain things that I’ve forgotten or it’s hard to remember. Bill Gasiamis (09:46) Yeah, so you’re in the hospital. Do you understand when they tell you that we’ve discovered that you’ve had a hemorrhagic stroke? Like, are you aware of that? Or is it just noise? What’s it like to be told that you ever had a bleed on the brain? Jonathan Arevalo (10:04) Yeah, I find it that it’s very hard to understand that because I didn’t know what a stroke was in that time. And not only a stroke in general, but also the type of stroke that I had, which was a hemorrhagic stroke. But not only was it hemorrhagic stroke, it was as like the couple of days passed by, I was also transferred to another hospital since the hospital where I was at, didn’t have the adequate ⁓ neurologist and specialist for stroke. So I believe it was on the third day or something like that. I was taken to another hospital where they do have specialists, neurologists and all that related to stroke. So they took my case because it was something very important. And at the same time, they didn’t understand how I survived it as well because it wasn’t just a stroke on the left side of my brain. They found that it was an AVM. So it’s called anterior venous malformation, which could be caused from childbirth. As you get older, it could start to develop where you really don’t know because it’s internal. So what triggered it was an aneurysm that made it rupture. Bill Gasiamis (11:43) We’ll be back to Jonathan’s story in just a moment. wanna pause for a second and ask you something important. Why do you listen to this podcast? For many people, it’s because they finally hear someone who understands what they’re going through or because they learn something that helps them feel less alone in their recovery. And here’s the part most listeners never think about. This show only stays alive because of people like you help it keep it going. There’s no big company funding it, no medical organization covering the costs. It’s just me, a fellow survivor doing everything I can to make sure these episodes exist for the next person who wakes up after a stroke and has no idea what happens next. When you support the podcast, you’re making sure these conversations stay online. You’re helping cover hosting and production fees, and you’re making it possible for new survivors months or even years from now to find hope when they need it most. Hemorrhagic Stroke Patients Recovery Some people think my support won’t make a difference, but that’s a misunderstanding. Every single contribution is what keeps this podcast available for free to the people who need it most. And if you want to go even deeper on your recovery, you can also grab a copy of my book, The Unexpected Way That a Stroke Became the Best Thing That Happened at recoveryafterstroke.com/book. Yeah, I know all about arteriovenous malformations. That’s why I’m… talking to you on this podcast because I had one of those in my head on the right side, near the cerebellum and it bled for the first time in November, in February 2012 was the first time my one bled. ⁓ But ⁓ I had numbness on my left side, the entire left side for a whole week before I went to the hospital. And then when they scanned my head, they said, we found a… a shadow on your brain. The shadow on my brain is the white part on the brain scan on the MRI that reveals the bleed and the bleed. The bleed was caused by this blood vessel, faulty blood vessel that they called an AVM that burst and then created a lot of trouble, right? And then the whole journey begins and then it’s just, you know, starting out. So, with mine, eventually they removed it from my head with brain surgery. How did they rectify the bleed in your brain? What did they do to stop it bleeding? Jonathan Arevalo (14:15) Well, it didn’t, it stopped on its own actually. ⁓ Bill Gasiamis (14:19) Sometimes they do that. I was told that sometimes they stop on their own and they don’t have to take any further action. But with mine, it bled another two times and they had to have brain surgery. But with yours, luckily, it stopped bleeding on its own. Jonathan Arevalo (14:34) Yes, Bill. So in reality, it was a miracle. It was a miracle behind it because it stopped the bleeding, but it also drained the bleeding that was inside. So it was like a drainage on its own. And that’s the miracle itself. And the doctors had a team of 10 in the hospital trying to monitor me. and see exactly how did it happen and at a young age and someone that’s healthy and doesn’t have a history of being in the hospital or anything such as that. So that was the miracle itself. So the neurologist ended up ⁓ with their team. They ended up having, I had an angiogram. And the angiogram was done through the side of the groin that goes up to your head, which they tried to ⁓ detect exactly the AVM. And that’s how they were able to find only one specific one that ruptured. Bill Gasiamis (15:53) Yeah, I had the same procedure through the groin and ⁓ they put the the contrast into the brain and then they take photos of that and it shows exactly where it’s bleeding. And that’s an interesting experience because you’re awake the whole time and they go past your heart and they go up into through your neck and then they go into your brain. Jonathan Arevalo (16:11) Yes. Yes, it is. was like an experience that it’s hard to explain, but I felt like electricity in my body. And I don’t know why I felt electricity in my body, but I felt like shocks in my brain or like fireworks. And I was thinking, what’s happening? Bill Gasiamis (16:19) Pretty crazy. Fireworks. Jonathan Arevalo (16:47) But the hardest part, Bill, was the fact that I had lot of difficulties in speaking. So words wouldn’t come out. For me, was like I tried to explain myself through, I don’t know how to say it, emotion. So like facial, facial expression, kind of like when you feel in pain or something like that, or you’re trying to say things. So I had a lot of difficulty for that period of time. And also, since it happened on the left side of my brain, on the opposite side from arm to leg, I had ⁓ difficulty with my mobility. And also with my memory, my memory was affected. ⁓ about a percentage amount. it was very hard ⁓ my first year. It was very difficult. Bill Gasiamis (17:59) I was 37 when I had mine and you were 35. Jonathan Arevalo (18:04) 35. Bill Gasiamis (18:07) Yeah, very young, very young age and then a lot of challenges. So who was supporting you when you were at hospital? Was it your girlfriend at the time and other family members or nobody able to come because of the lockdowns? Jonathan Arevalo (18:21) Yes. So because of the lockdowns and all that, the only person that I had the permission ⁓ for that support was my sister, my older sister. So she ⁓ would be the only one that just by phone, so not in person, because ⁓ my family lived two hours away from the city. And since they live very far away, ⁓ ⁓ My sister was the only one that had communication with the doctors, with the nurses and any specialist when it came to my case. Bill Gasiamis (19:02) Wow. After surgery, after you woke up from hospital, the first seven days, you said the better week you’re in ⁓ that situation. Jonathan Arevalo (19:17) Yes, for a week. ⁓ so they ended up not doing anything. I’m not too sure why. And they let me go home. Bill Gasiamis (19:29) Wow, so they had drained the blood already out of your head and then just sent you home Jonathan Arevalo (19:35) They sent me home on a wheelchair. So what happened was that I ended up getting picked up by my sister and I didn’t go back to where I was currently living in the city. Instead, I went back to the countryside with my parents who ended up becoming my caregivers. Bill Gasiamis (19:59) So you had a, they sent you home in a wheelchair. Did that mean you couldn’t walk when you were sent home? Jonathan Arevalo (20:08) I could walk a bit, but not too well. Bill Gasiamis (20:12) So there was no rehabilitation option, you didn’t get rehabilitated, they didn’t give you occupational therapy or anything? Jonathan Arevalo (20:19) They did that at home as well. Because of COVID, I ended up receiving rehabilitation at home. ⁓ When it came to walking, speaking, understanding, cognitive, and social worker, and nutritionist, all of those types of therapists, ⁓ they had to dress up in a suit as if… As if they’re going to see someone who’s with a virus or something. So it was like watching a movie. Bill Gasiamis (20:55) Wow Yeah, pretty crazy times. So you did get rehabilitation. They did ⁓ support you with therapy for speech and all that kind of stuff. ⁓ How long did all of those therapies last? Was it? Jonathan Arevalo (21:16) Yes, that lasted for seven months. Bill Gasiamis (21:20) Wow man, all at home. Jonathan Arevalo (21:23) all at home, ⁓ in person, and also virtually the way we’re doing right now. Bill Gasiamis (21:29) Yeah, was it virtually for speech therapy? Jonathan Arevalo (21:34) Yes, virtually it lasted longer than seven months for speech therapy. It lasted a year. Bill Gasiamis (21:40) Wow, Yeah, that that’s kind of cool that even though they were going through a really difficult time in Canada, with lockdowns with all the stuff that ⁓ happened because of COVID that you still got access to all of the necessary tools to help you overcome what it was that you went home with. Jonathan Arevalo (22:02) Yes, yes, I’m very thankful. I’m very thankful that I received the support that I needed and also the support of my caregivers, my parents and my older sister, because mainly my older sister was the one that was on top of everything. So that way I may receive everything the moment that I got released from the hospital. she ended up getting everything that I needed, so that way I get that support automatically right away, over the time, yeah. Bill Gasiamis (22:40) Wow, that’s excellent. So, however, now you’re living in different circumstances under lockdown, very difficult to access all these things, like things are seriously have gone wrong for you, know, quote unquote, in your health journey, okay? What is it like dealing with the emotional side of that? Emotional Challenges Post-Stroke Jonathan Arevalo (23:05) Very difficult. I was very angry. I was very frustrated. I was very upset. I was confused. Those are the different emotions that I felt. And I believe that many other stroke survivors would feel the same way. Because I find it that whenever something has been taken away from you, then it hurts a lot. And it hurts you a lot because it’s kind of like not being yourself anymore. So you have something that’s been taken away from you. And so I did lose quite a lot. I lost my job. I lost the ability to drive. So I had to sell my car. And I also ⁓ lost that relationship that I was in. that relationship ended. And I also wasn’t earning any money as well. So the only caregivers were my parents. had to live with them again. And for the past four years of recovery, which I’m still in that recovery stage of stroke, but I’ve improved a lot though. I’ve improved a lot and which I’m very, very thankful. And that just goes based on just having faith. And that’s where I started to change my life. I started to change my life the moment I started to change my mindset, the way I think. And because the moment I started to change the way I think, it was the moment that I was just much more grateful for even though I lost everything. I was simply grateful to be alive. And that was much, much more meaningful than everything that I had. Bill Gasiamis (25:08) than being grateful for a car, for example. Jonathan Arevalo (25:11) Being much grateful for having the second opportunity to live when possibly I wouldn’t be here telling my story. Bill Gasiamis (25:20) Yeah, I totally get that. I went through a similar experience, know, gratitude. Even if you’re not able to come up with something that’s as meaningful as I’m grateful to be alive, like maybe you’re grateful because, I don’t know, there’s a roof over your head or, I don’t know, somebody said something nice to you or whatever. Like you can be grateful about many things, but- being grateful to be alive. Well, that was an easy one for me as well. I totally get it. That’s what I went through. And I had another opportunity to make things right, to support ⁓ myself in a different way, to think in a different way, have it, to try different things and experience things that I’d never experienced before. What, what was the thing that kind of made you feel grateful to be alive? I know that Do you know what I mean? There’s a layer beneath that. is, I’m alive, okay, but what does that mean that you’re grateful to be alive? I get it, but there’s more to that. Jonathan Arevalo (26:33) Yes, of course. Yes. I’m grateful for being alive because I have a second opportunity to change my life to something even better when it comes to helping others, when it comes to being a difference from our old self. Sometimes we don’t get a second opportunity to reflect, but I had… four years, and it’s going to be almost five years, of the opportunity to reflect, of being thankful for, as you said, a place to live, for having my parents, for having my sister, and for having other loved ones that were there praying for me so that way I may live and not die. And at the same time, ⁓ Just being able to walk, to see, to speak, to understand. I was able to regain all of that that was lost. those were the reasons why I was grateful for. Bill Gasiamis (27:48) Yeah, your, ⁓ so your mindset and who you were and how you acted and how you behaved. Like, are you a very different person than the person beforehand? Like, what were the issues with your mindset? What were the issues with the way that you turned up in the world that you needed to tweak to be a better version of yourself back then? Now, I say that because many stroke survivors will say, I want to go back to how things were before stroke. And I’m like, I didn’t want to do that. Like, that’s not a good place to go. You’re smiling. So I’m imagining that you think a similar way. Jonathan Arevalo (28:30) Yes, agree with you, Bill. I find it that sometimes we don’t change our old habits, let’s say. Sometimes we carry habits or cycles in our life that we think it’s good, but in reality, it’s not something good that actually ⁓ represents us. or does good for others or even for ourselves. So myself, I can say that I had everything that I wanted and I had the opportunity to do pretty much everything that I wanted. But at the same time, I wasn’t completely happy. And at the same time, we carry certain bad habits because we think according to society, where society will will accept you based on the things and the patterns that you follow society. When it comes to doing certain bad habits that you think that’s good, but in reality, it’s not really good because you’re actually hurting and damaging who? Yourself. Which is something internally, both mentally, physically, and emotionally. But over time, When you start to reflect on your old habits that weren’t completely fulfilling or bringing that happiness or that peace or that joy, then in reality, it’s nothing good. It’s only for the moment. And sometimes we keep on rushing and doing things for the moment to get that pleasure. But that pleasure only lasts for a moment. So I had to change. And this recovery over these almost five years was a recovery not to just change myself, but to change the way I think, the way I speak and the way I act, because it’s a full connection. And that full connection is the reason why now what I’m currently doing is helping other people, other stroke survivors and other people with disability and also mental health, because we find it that each day The world is getting worse, not better, but worse. Why? Because we live in a broken world. And the fact that we live in a broken world is a reason why there’s many, many men and women that are looking for pleasure, but for the moment. And that’s something that I had to learn for myself the hard way. Even though I wasn’t in drugs, even though I wasn’t an alcoholic, even though I wasn’t doing harm to people, but I would still have bad vices or certain things that still didn’t make me happy. So that’s the main reason why. Overcoming Bad Habits and Health Challenges Bill Gasiamis (31:38) Yeah, it’s exactly my experience as well. Like I had some bad vices that were not ideal. They seemed minor, but the behavior, the habit behind it was not minor. It was major because it was there for many, many years. And if it continued to go on, wouldn’t be helping in a positive way. It wouldn’t be achieving a positive outcome. will be achieving something that my head thought was a good idea at the time, but not really something that is meaningful, purposeful, useful in life. Smoking was one of those things I used to smoke. And people, often I had a friend of mine who would say that that thing will kill you if you keep doing it. And I was like, yeah, don’t worry about it. That’s a problem for Bill in the future. It’s not a problem for Bill today. However, Bill of the future had a bloody brain and… a brain AVM bleed in his head. that became a 37. Really, that became a problem for Bill. Now. And I was smoking from about the age of 13, something like that, on and off. And my friend was telling me that from probably the age of 17, 18, 19, 20, 21. It didn’t take a lot of years to get to 37 and then be experiencing you know, negative impact of a health situation. And I realized that I’ve got to make some massive changes. And obviously, to me at least, it was the most obvious thing that I have to give up smoking. Also alcohol, even though I wasn’t an alcoholic, I had to stop drinking alcohol. And now I very, very rarely drink alcohol. Even 13, 14 years past the first bleed, I very rarely have an alcoholic drink. ⁓ So it’s amazing what came to my mind. I immediately knew the things that I had to change. No one had to tell me, ⁓ well, since you’re ⁓ having a stroke, since you can’t walk properly yet, since your left arm doesn’t work correctly, why don’t you think about fixing this, changing that, doing this, doing that? No one had to tell me. Inside of me, instinctively, I knew what I was doing that was not supporting me, was not supporting my mission in life and my goal in life. And it was the easiest thing to change. ⁓ I did receive some help though. I didn’t do it alone, right? So I had a counselor, I had a coach, a life coach. ⁓ I sought out the wisdom of people that were older than me, smarter than me, know, been on the planet longer than me whatever. And I did it together with other people, not just on my own, because change is not very easy, especially when you remove an old habit and then you have to replace it with something. Initially, replacing it with something feels a bit strange and you don’t know if it’s the right thing that you’ve replaced it with and how that’s going to look like in six months or 12 months. So that’s what I found was that in order to help me find the right things to replace the things that needed to be left behind. I needed to seek the support of other people, counselors, coaches, et cetera. Did you have some support in that part of your recovery so that you can kind of make sense of all the changes that were happening in your body, in your emotions and in your life? Jonathan Arevalo (35:15) Yes. So I ended up joining a nonprofit organization here in Canada called March of Dimes. And March of Dimes provides support for stroke survivors, people with disability, and they have peer support. And it’s a form of counseling with other stroke survivors. And they do this within all of Canada. And also through Heart and Stroke as well, which is another nonprofit organization, Heart and Stroke. So both of them, would do this virtually where I would seek support to talk to someone based on what I’m going through, my thoughts, my emotions, and also telling my story. And from that moment, I said to myself, I want to do the same. I want to give back to the community and to other survivors. So I ended up becoming a volunteer. And for the past three years, I’ve been a volunteer at ⁓ March of Dimes and also Heart and Stroke, where I ended up becoming an advocate. for both nonprofit organizations. And you can also see me on their website on both of them where it tells my story, but also the fact that I volunteer helping out people from the ages of 20 to the ages of 80 years old in two languages now. So I do it in English and Spanish. And it feels really, really good. It really does. Bill Gasiamis (37:09) Yeah, we have very similar stories and journeys. So I went and connected with the Stroke Foundation here in Australia and then provided became an advocate so that we can raise awareness about stroke and then started doing some speaking on their behalf at different organizations. And and like you said, like it gives you a lot of purpose and meaning. It makes what happened to you worthwhile. You know, it’s a very important part of, well, why did this happen to me? I don’t know. You could come up with a lot of negative reasons why something bad happened to you, but what am I going to do about this? And how can I transform this in a way that can help other people? Well, that is a better question to ask. And then volunteering is the best way to do that. I volunteered probably from 2013 through to about 2019. Finding Purpose Through Volunteering For about six years I volunteered. And at the same time I was running the podcast, I started the podcast in 2015. ⁓ And it was just ⁓ meeting other people who had understood me as well in those communities. That was fantastic. Being able to connect with people like that and feeling like, you know, this person really understands what happened to me because it happened to them in a different way, but they have a similar kind of recovery. And… we are aligned in our mission to support others and make a difference and not to make it just about us because that’s a really difficult thing to ⁓ do is you you become anxious and depressed when you just make it about yourself so making it about other people’s stops that thinking pattern ⁓ and I just love the journey that you’re on because you’re very early on in the journey and I can see it’s going to continue ⁓ to be that kind of meaning making journey. I found that I said that I discovered my purpose after the stroke. Now you would have thought that somebody who was married had two children, had plenty of purpose in their life, plenty of meaning. Why do I exist for my children? To support them, to teach them, to make them great men, to ⁓ give them the opportunities in the world, in the community, except They move out of home eventually, and then they become independent. And then your purpose and meaning has to shift. It cannot just be about them. You can include them in your purpose and meaning because you love them, they’re your children, et cetera, in my case. But, you know, they don’t need me now to be the guy that shows them the way of the world and… educate them and prepare them and all that kind of stuff. They are doing it on their own. When they do need me, they come for five minutes or 10 minutes. We have a conversation and they’re done. So it’s important to shift that energy that I had as a parent to other people who need support in the early days of their experience when they have a negative health experience so that we can help guide them through that adversity and overcome and then maybe grow and be a better version of themselves in a few years down the track. Jonathan Arevalo (40:41) Yes, I think that it’s important to be a good example, a good leader, whether it’s at home or everywhere we go. We always need to be a good testimony. And the way I’ve learned that is also through my dad, which he taught me at a young age to be to be a man of righteousness, where he shows a good example through his good actions, but not only through words, but through actions, right? Because sometimes we may speak and say a lot of things, but we don’t live it. But when you live it, it makes a huge difference. And whenever we show those examples, whether it’s… to anyone, any family members, strangers, or anything like that. We need to be like that everywhere we go. And that’s something that I’ve learned a lot, that we need to be a good example to anyone. Bill Gasiamis (41:47) Yeah, I imagine that in the last five years you would have had some setbacks as well. What was the hardest challenge to overcome, do you think, for you? Was it physically or was it emotionally? Jonathan Arevalo (41:59) ⁓ I think it was more emotionally than physically. But it’s something that I was able to work on because even myself, ended up seeking support. And not only through these nonprofit organizations, but also within the church. So I ended up going to church and I had one of the pastors being my mentor ⁓ for a year and a half, and he ended up helping me out a lot. And it was a big amount of support that I received also from my dad and my mom and my sister. So I always had ⁓ a close family support. Yeah. Bill Gasiamis (42:54) Yeah, the church is very common in people’s recovery. You hear a lot about people reconnecting with their church or even if they were still connected with their church, getting supported and having people turn up, ⁓ provide food, provide counseling, provide encouragement, all sorts of things. ⁓ And it sounds like it’s a fantastic community. And then you also hear from people who had ⁓ non-church type of. communities who come forward, support them and give them ⁓ the things that they need to kind of get them settled and in some kind of routine where they can continue recovery in their own way. ⁓ But there would have also been hard times, right? Where, because most people, and on my podcast, we talk about all the amazing things that stroke survivors do and they overcome, et cetera, but there’s also a… really, really hard times. I went through what I would call rock bottom moments, found myself in the abyss. Did you find yourself there at all? Had you experienced kind of that really down negative part of stroke ⁓ in your mental state and your emotional state as well? Jonathan Arevalo (44:09) Yes, ⁓ within the first year. So the first year was everything like I mentioned earlier about feeling angry, frustrated, ⁓ sad and all that. The first year was the hardest part of ⁓ just not knowing what to do. And the only support was ⁓ through my parents that helped me a lot to kind of take away those negative thoughts. And also getting into the church where I had support with the pastor. And then myself just changing my mindset where I had to start looking more into, more to God because I find it that without God we’re nothing. And based on my faith, that’s what gave me the strength, the encouragement, and the joy that was taken away the moment I had my stroke. So my faith in God was what gave me the strength and gave me the encouragement to move on forward. The Role of Faith in Recovery Bill Gasiamis (45:31) Let’s talk about faith for a moment because people may not believe in God. Some people may not believe in God, a God, their God, whatever. faith on its own as a experience is something that we, if we practice, ⁓ is really supportive of recovery. So faith in ourselves, faith in the medical system, faith in any situation where We have to put our kind of our life in the hands of other people. That’s what we’re practicing for people who don’t have faith in God or who don’t have a God or don’t believe in God. You still have to practice faith and you practice faith every single day. ⁓ I wanna go and receive one of my medications. You have to have faith in the medication that is going to work for you and it’s going to actually do the job. that it’s meant to do. Keep your blood pressure down, for example. I’m on blood pressure medication. ⁓ When I drive my car, I have to have faith that the other person is gonna stay on their side of the road and they’re not gonna come on my side of the road. And you know, 99.999 times out of 100, that’s exactly what happens. know, ⁓ when I have, when I’m driving the car, once again, I have to have faith that the lights that I stop at are going to, in fact, when it’s red on my side, it’s going to be green on the other side. And at some point it’s going to switch and it’s going to go green on my side and it will definitely go red on the other side so that we don’t collide. You know, there’s faith. We practice faith all the time throughout our day, throughout our whole life without even really knowing it and without needing to practice faith in a religious way. ⁓ And that’s what I’ve kind of got out of my whole, my whole journey is I didn’t find God so much in that I see God differently these days. I kind of believe that God is me. I am God, God is within me. So when I request a solution, if I use the word God in the sentence, God guide me to find the answer to this difficult question, what I’m actually doing is I’m having an internal conversation with myself. And I’m asking myself, my unconscious self to guide me to find the answer in this particular way. And that way I can combine God, the non-religious version of God, we’ll call it spirit or our creator or whatever you want to call it. And I can embody that and then make it part of me. And then in the right context, I can access the wisdom of God, the creator, nature, whoever, and I can be guided instinctively to follow my gut to an answer. And then if I go down a particular path that was not that way, and I find the wrong path, I can redirect, go back in, redirect and go again. So I became I suppose more, maybe the word is spiritual, it’s probably not the right word, but it’s how I kind of practice my, what you might call connection to God and faith. That’s how I practice it. How does that sound to you? Jonathan Arevalo (49:08) Yes, for me, it’s having faith is believing without seeing. And whenever you build a relationship with God is the moment that you start to learn who God is. And when you read God’s Word, God’s Word teaches us about His promises. His promises that He has for each one of His children, which God created, heaven and earth and everything that we see. And the fact that we breathe and and all that, that’s God who does that. there was this, the other day I was reading and it’s ⁓ in the Bible in the book of Isaiah, who’s a prophet. And it was based on the story of a king and the king is his name is Hezekiah. And Hezekiah had an illness, but not only that, it said, actually, can I read it in? in a second. So it says in his book that It says in Isaiah 38, it says, In those days, Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah, son of Amoz, went to him and said, What is what the Lord says? Put your house in order, because you are going to die. You will not recover. Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord. Remember, Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes. And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah. Go and tell Hezekiah, this is what the Lord, the God of your father, David, says. I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will add 15 years to your life and I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Azariah. I will defend this city. This is the Lord’s sign to you that the Lord will do what he has promised.” So when I read that, I said, wow, how amazing God is that not only does he give promises to either kings and all of that during 2000 years ago in history and how God is still faithful to each one of us. Why? Because each one of us have a purpose and because God has created us with purpose is the reason why his love and mercy is so great. And that’s why I’m thankful for it I know that God is faithful and because his faithfulness He’s given me a second opportunity to live. Bill Gasiamis (52:16) Yeah. So you you take your Bible everywhere now. Jonathan Arevalo (52:21) I take his word everywhere in my heart and I find it that his word is real and is truthful because without God’s word, there’s no life. Bill Gasiamis (52:28) Yeah. So what about before stroke? Were you somebody that knew the scripture? Were you somebody that ⁓ had that type of connection to the word? Jonathan Arevalo (52:47) I didn’t have that connection as much as I have it now. Bill Gasiamis (52:51) Yeah. That’s cool. Jonathan Arevalo (52:53) And that goes based on like we spoke earlier about having a relationship. It’s not really following a religion. It’s knowing that there’s something greater than us. That’s the difference. Bill Gasiamis (53:05) Yeah. I agree with that. Jonathan Arevalo (53:09) And when we know that there’s something greater than us, then we can see that things change. But only things change only if we change ourselves in the inside. Because remember, this world that we live in, as I said earlier, we live in a broken world, right? A broken world where we find a lot of chaos and a lot of things going on. But without that love, without that peace, without that joy, that can only come. through the creator, which is God. And that’s the only way that you can actually be molded to the righteous man of who God has created in us. But we just need to know how to find that. And that way is through His word. His word teaches us that. And the moment that we apply that to our lives, day by day, the same way like with our health, our sickness, our weakness, our insecurities, How can we change that? We can only change it the moment that we apply it into our lives, little by little. And through that is the moment that we can see transformation and a step of moving forward and also breakthrough. Breakthrough is only done through changing our old selves. Because our old self is very hard to break, because we still carry that. Understanding Suffering and Connection to God Bill Gasiamis (54:35) Yeah, I agree with a lot of what you’re saying. Some people will be listening and going, well, if God is so good, why did God do this to me? You know, some people are far more injured because of stroke than you or I, even though your injuries and mine are all valid. There’s people who won’t walk again. There’s people who lose their memory, who can’t remember anymore. There’s people who cannot get their speech back. There’s people who’s… left arm, right leg won’t work again, then there’s people who will pass away. And then some of those people find that they’ve been harshly treated by God, by their maker, their creator. How do you talk to people like that to make them feel like it’s not personal? God, your creator, your maker has not gone after you and ⁓ is not punishing you. Like what do you say to people who lose connection with spirit, with God, with their creator? Jonathan Arevalo (55:40) Yeah, well, what I can say is that that God is so merciful, right? And because God is so merciful and through His love, we see in God’s Word that He died for us in the cross for our sins and is due to sin that we go through all these challenges. And that’s the connection through a broken world that we live in. is because everything comes from sin. And sometimes it’s hard to say, why is this happening to me? Or why am I not getting better? Well, everything goes back to sin. And because until we kind of, until we accept Jesus Christ, but not only accept Jesus Christ, but at the same time, God allows certain things that we have to go through. We have to go through certain challenges or obstacles, right? But it’s really hard to say. I find it. Maybe to answer that question. Bill Gasiamis (56:47) Yeah. I actually don’t mind the word sin when you use the word sin, because I’ve recently discovered ⁓ some people’s meaning of the word sin is to take that an incorrect aim to aim in the wrong direction. And I really relate to that. So when I sin, I don’t kind of see it as a, ⁓ you good, me bad. Like, do you know, don’t, I don’t sort of see that type of thing. It’s just aiming in the wrong direction. For example, previously my life was led by my head. It was my head that was telling me this sounds like a good idea. Yeah, we should have three cars. We should have the biggest house possible. We should do all of that. My head was guiding my life, whereas now my head is supporting my heart to guide my life. That’s why the podcast exists, because the podcast is not about what my head thinks is a good idea. Because if my head thought it was a good idea, this podcast should be making a shitload of money and it’s not making a ton of money. That’s why I request support from Patreon. That’s why I wrote a book to make a little bit of money so that I can ⁓ cover the costs of recording, editing, uploading, hosting a podcast. Like that’s the reason why it needs to make money, but it doesn’t need to make hundreds of thousands or millions and millions of dollars. My head in the old days would be going, dude. Don’t ever do 400 episodes of stroke survivors podcast. I’m not interested in that. And I, and I would be going, okay, what do I need to do? And my head would be going, you need to 24 hours a day, seven days a week and make as much money as you can. So you can have all the things that we’re told by the marketing companies that you need to have. I see that as a sin. Do you understand? That is the wrong aim. I’ve taken aim. dude and I’m putting all my energy into the wrong things. Whereas now I’ve taken aim and adjusted and now I think I’m aiming in the right direction. It’s about purpose, meaning, connecting with other people, helping other people, supporting other people. I’m no longer sinning in that particular way. That’s the literal description of the word sin. So it’s really important that I learned that because if I didn’t learn that I would be taking when I hear the word sin as a me bad, everyone else good. And that’s definitely not what it is. And that’s what I think the, the bleeding in my brain helped me adjust the aim, redirect where I was heading in my life, who was important, why they were important to me. ⁓ and, and my community is not a church. but I’m creating my own community on this podcast, know, 400 interviews, people who reach out from you all around the world. It’s the same kind of community, giving community as a church community is. We support each other, we help each other, we give people information, we connect other people with ⁓ doctors and conditions and solutions. So it’s like, yeah, that’s what I was lacking. I was lacking community. Jonathan Arevalo (1:00:01) community. Bill Gasiamis (1:00:02) I was lacking people who understood me and who were similarly aligned to me. You know, I was connecting with people who were sinning in their own way because their direction was all wrong and we were finding each other and we were making life harder for ourselves by being all in our heads and not connected to our body and our heart, right? Jonathan Arevalo (1:00:23) Yeah, that’s right. Bill Gasiamis (1:00:25) That’s kind of my religious journey without connecting it to a religion or to a religious chapter or to a church in a particular location. But I still feel like it’s a religious journey, you know? Jonathan Arevalo (1:00:39) Yes, like the moment that you build fellowship as we’re doing right now, we’re sharing our stories and we’re sharing our journey as stroke survivors. And through this story is what shows which is what shows purpose and also can leave an impact to others, survivors. Because if we don’t show a difference and if we don’t help support other people, then what purpose do we have on this earth? Right? We’re here to help one another and to be different in a good way. Building Community and Fellowship Because every single time we’re always going to be going through different challenges. Whether it’s negative thoughts or everything that we see on TV. Because every single time that we’re looking at the news is always bad news, So all those negative thoughts are something that we are affected day by day. And the only way that we’re able to overcome those negative thoughts is by putting ourselves surrounded in other things. Other things that can help us strengthen our mind, our body, and emotions. But that’s something that takes day by day. Bill Gasiamis (1:02:14) Yeah, I love it. I love your journey. I love how similar we are in our path, even though we talk about it in a slightly different way. ⁓ Leading a good example is something that was very important to me. I want to be a good example for my kids. In my book, ⁓ the dedication says to all the stroke survivors who are dealing with the aftermath of stroke. and despite it all are seeking transformation and growth. And that’s the first part of the dedication. And the second part of the dedication says to my family, I hope that that I have set a good example. I mean, my only goal, my only goal is to set a good example, to show them when adversity comes, how you can respond. There’s a Jonathan Arevalo (1:02:59) Thank Bill Gasiamis (1:03:10) I think there’s a way to respond that’s wrong. And then there’s many ways to respond that are right. There’s a one, there’s unfortunately, you know, responding by going back to the way that you were before, think is the wrong way to respond. then finding a new path forward, taking aim and choosing the wrong direction, sinning, and then readjusting, and then going again in another direction, I believe. like is the example that we need to set for other people just so that my kids can see in the future when they go through a tough time, they go, I think I remember one way that my dad did it that might be supportive of my recovery down the path and see, okay, this is what dad did. I don’t need to do what dad did, but this is kind of how he thought about that and how he approached that. That’s really. what I was sitting out to achieve. And I think I’ve achieved that and I feel really good about that, you know. Jonathan Arevalo (1:04:17) Yeah, no, I think that’s excellent, Bill. I’m glad that you were able to create a podcast. And ⁓ thank you for this opportunity because I never thought I’d be able to share my story. And as well for the fact that your sharing was called, ⁓ that you created a book to tell about your stroke survival. And I think that that’s going to impact many, many, many other survivors. They’re going through difficult times and I think that’s amazing. Bill Gasiamis (1:04:52) Yeah, thank you. A lot of people have bought it. I think there’s at least 600 copies being sold at this stage. And that’s not a lot. It’s not a million copies, but ⁓ it was never about the number. It was just about having it available just so that people can come across it if they need to and ⁓ read it and just see a different perspective of how you can approach your recovery. ⁓ You can get the book at recoveryafterstroke.com/book for anyone that’s watching and listening. So as we kind of get to the end of this interview, tell me what’s next for you. What’s on the to-do list? What goals do you have that you want to achieve? Future Goals and New Beginnings Jonathan Arevalo (1:05:31) Yes, well, what I’ve been able to achieve ⁓ was that I ended up getting married this year. Thank you. It wasn’t something expected because I thought maybe it’s not going to be possible to meet someone based on my condition and everything, but… Everything changed. And so I got married on April 11th of this year. So I’m now married. And the other thing that I started this year was besides the volunteering, I also created ⁓ my own like small business when it comes to mentorship to help other people, which are people that are either stroke survivors. People with disability and also mental health. And I created my website on that to help a lot of people. And it’s ⁓ non-profit at the moment, which is donation-based. And I’m still helping in the community. I still volunteer. And I still ⁓ help out in the church and many other places. So those are the things that I’m still currently doing. Bill Gasiamis (1:07:02) Fantastic, man. So the website, we will have the links to all of the different social media and your website, et cetera, for people to follow if they want to connect with you. ⁓ The journey that you’re on, you’re calling it the 20, the project 21. Jonathan Arevalo (1:07:28) Yes. The reason I called it Project 21, because this journey that I’m going through is like a form of a project. And everything started in 2021. So that’s why I decided to pick something unique and different and call it Project 21. Bill Gasiamis (1:07:51) Yeah, fantastic, Jonathan. I really appreciate our conversation. Thank you for reaching out and joining me on the podcast. I love the work that you’re doing and will continue to do. There’s many, many years ahead of you of doing fantastic work and I look forward to keeping in touch and finding out how your journey unfolds. Jonathan Arevalo (1:08:14) Yes, thank you, Bill. I appreciate it. Bill Gasiamis (1:08:17) Well, thanks so much for listening to this episode of the Recovery After Stroke podcast. And thank you to Jonathan for sharing a story that takes a lot of courage to revisit. One thing I hope you take from this conversation is that recovery is never just physical. It’s emotional, it’s messy, it’s confusing, but it is also an opportunity to rediscover who you can become. Jonathan’s journey shows that healing doesn’t always look like we expect. And sometimes the smaller steps forward end up becoming the most meaningful ones. If this episode helped you feel understood or gave you something to think about on your recovery path, remember to visit patreon.com/recoveryafterstroke. Some people believe their support won’t make a difference, but that’s an assumption that simply isn’t true. Every contribution helps me continue producing these episodes, keep them online and moving toward my goal of recording a thousand conversations. So no stroke survivor ever has to feel like they’re going through this alone. And if you haven’t already, you can also order my book, The Unexpected Way That a Stroke Became the Best Thing That Happened at recoveryafterstroke.com/book. Many listeners expect it to be just my personal story, but it’s actually something much more useful. It’s the guide I wish existed when I was confused, overwhelmed, and trying to figure out how to rebuild my life after stroke. Thank you again for being here, for listening, and for supporting the work in whatever way you can. You’re not alone in this. and I’ll see you on the next episode. Importantly, we present many podcasts designed to give you an insight and understanding into the experiences of other individuals. Opinions and treatment protocols discussed during any podcast are the individual’s own experience and we do not necessarily share the same opinion nor do we recommend any treatment protocol discussed. All content on this website and any linked blog, podcast or video material controlled this website or content is created and produced for informational purposes only and is largely based on the personal experience of Bill Gassiamus. The content is intended to complement your medical treatment and support healing. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health advice. The information is general and may not be suitable for your personal injuries, circumstances or health objectives. Do not use our content as a standalone resource to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease for therapeutic purposes or as a subst

Arjun is back for his third game! Join in, play along, and find out if Arjun will be coming back again next week! Here are today's clues:  1. steal, cab company, Florida, Cream song.  2. flying, Spaceman, hole, Federer feat.  3. hockey, Iron, halloween, PPE.  4. luck, waiter, mute, play. 

Tony Kirkham has a mission, one that will resonate with many arborists across the UK: "I'd like to get rid of the term 'tree planting'".The former Kew arboretum head says: "Our success rate of establishing trees isn't good in this country... I'd sooner see less trees planted and established rather than planting big numbers that fail to establish." In his conversation with HortWeek editor Matthew Appleby, Kirkham gives his thoughts on the "exotics" versus "natives" debate and reveals his "top future trees" which include his favourite "hard-working trees".On pest and disease threats to trees, Kirkham issues a stark warning. Experts say it is a case of "not if but when" Xylella enters the UK, and Kirkham says, with more than 400 host plants identified so far: "I think every woody plant is vulnerable. We really need to crank up our biosecurity."Other than Xylella, his the top concern is plane wilt, which "is spread by arborists" via tools, machinery, PPE and clothing, and which is "coming towards us pretty quick...we need to keep that out at ALL costs".He also talks about how arborists can handle the rising frequency and intensity of storms, recalling how he got Kew back up and running in the wake of the storm of 1987 that brought down so many trees that he considered "old friends".But despite the devastation that took three years to clear, he now says it is "the best thing that could have happened" - getting rid of unsafe trees, giving the Kew team a chance to replant and refresh the arboretum, revolutionising tree-planting practice. Make sure you never miss a HortWeek podcast! Subscribe to or Follow HortWeek podcasts via Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your preferred podcast platform. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us a textWhat does it take to chase Ultraman while working 12-hour shifts in emergency care? We sit down with Erica Riley—critical care nurse, coach, and multi-time ultradistance triathlete—to unpack the systems, habits, and mindset that make high performance sustainable in a busy life.  From 3 a.m. Zwift rides to meticulous time boxing, she shows exactly how to build consistency without sacrificing your health, your job, or your relationships.Erica takes us inside the toughest days of lockdown, when PPE, quarantine hotels, and strict radius rules forced radical creativity: ocean swims inside a five-kilometer bubble, stacked run commutes, and eight-hour trainer marathons. That crucible led her to Ultraman and a new goal—to not only finish but compete—under coach Tim Franklin of KOA Sports. We explore the art of crew selection, live-stream storytelling, and keeping a tight bond with the UM Australia Ohana.Nutrition and strength become Erica's quiet superpowers. Longtime plant-based, she refined protein intake, embraced whole foods, and saw clear changes in lean mass and visceral fat. Race fuel is simple and effective: Infinite custom blends, salty chips when the gut turns, and a well-timed orange Fanta for mood and carbs. Off the course, her secret weapon is reformer Pilates—45 minutes that deliver strength, mobility, posture, and injury prevention for time-poor athletes who need durability as much as speed.We also dig into coaching. With Synergy Sports Coaching, Erica builds plans for real people—shift workers, parents, and professionals—using TrainingPeaks as a living diary. She treats sessions like meetings you won't miss, teaches sleep hygiene around rotating rosters, and helps athletes fit training into life, not the other way around. Along the way, she shares favorite races (hello, Cairns and Nha Trang), a brutal and beautiful lead-in at Alpine Ascent Extreme, and the mindset work that turned perfectionism from procrastination into fuel.If you want practical tools to train smarter, eat better, and perform under pressure, you'll find tangible tactics you can use today. Subscribe, share this with a friend who's juggling big goals, and leave a review to help more athletes discover the show.Contact Erica : @synergysportscoaching on InstagramResources mentioned in this episode:UM AustraliaUltra 355 AustraliaKOA Sports CoachingThe Proof PodcastAustralian Alpine Ascent Extreme TriathlonHappy Thoughts Tri TeamTraining PeaksChallenge Nha TrangIM CairnsIM BusseltonInfinite NutritionKenilworth Country BakeryUM New ZealandKing's Canyon CruiseShout outs and mentions in this episode:Nestor Alejandro Ochoa RiveraTim Franklin Simon HillHayley FryJackson Gash Andrew Trout  Simon CochraneSupport the showShow Contributors:Host : Larry RyanContributing Raconteur : Steve KingAnnouncer : Mary Jo DionneProduction : 5Five EnterprisesMusic : Run by 331 For show notes and past guests, please visit the Podcast Website: https://515theultrapodcast.buzzsprout.comFacebook: @515TheUltraPodcastInsta : @515theultrapodcastYoutube : @515TheUltraPodcastEmail : 515Ultraman@gmail.com

Send us a textThis episode features Josh Blum, Scott Williams and John Vance.Sample Roadway incident SOG: https://bshifter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Sample-Roadway-Incident-SOG-December-2025.pdfTraffic Incident Management Training HereFor Waldorf University Blue Card credit and discounts: https://www.waldorf.edu/blue-card/For free command and leadership support, check out bshifter.comSign up for the B Shifter Buckslip, our free weekly newsletter here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/fmgs92N/BuckslipShop B Shifter here: https://bshifter.myshopify.comAll of our links here: https://linktr.ee/BShifterContact Scott Williams here.We dig into why roadway incidents are an IDLH and how to protect crews with smart blocking, better PPE, and interagency alignment. Case studies from Ohio, Kentucky, Texas, and Lubbock anchor the lessons and lead to concrete steps any department can use today.• Applying a fireground risk model to highways • The Ohio near miss  • Springdale LODD, grief, and culture change • Lubbock fatalities and helmet side-impact protection • Best-practice blocking and positioning • Send more apparatus, leave together, clear quick • TIM training options and regional coordination • Breakaway ANSI vests, rescue helmets, seat belts • Assigning a lookout and marine horn alerts • Digital alerting with HAAS Alert Safety Cloud • Writing, teaching, and enforcing the roadway SOP • Accountability, buy-in, and police partnershipsAbout Scott Williams: Scott has been in the fire service for 30 years and is a certified Ohio State Fire and Emergency Service Instructor II and a Live Fire Instructor.  He is a Blue Card Instructor, a national registered paramedic, and a trained IAFF Peer Supporter.  He is the Assistant Fire Chief for the Springdale Fire Department (OH).  He has served the City of Springdale for 23 years and held the ranks of Firefighter/Paramedic, Chief Fire Inspector, and Fire Captain prior to his current position.He oversees the operations of the fire department and develops the department's standard operating guidelines.  Chief Williams is always looking to better himself and the fire service.  He believes in continuous improvement of fireground skills and operations through regular and consistent training.  He is known for his honest approach and teaching others through his first-hand experiences.

With the new season of RHOBH premiering tomorrow night, PK slams Dorit as a liar and remains in the dark as far as what to expect this season from Dorit, Mo, Kyle and more as his divorce remains front and center for another season. Kyle runs into Lisa Vanderpump. LVP avoids the RHOBH cast. The VPR OG cast avoids LVP but she does not seem to care as lighting may have struck twice with her new cast of hotties already bringing it and we are only one episode in. Erika's attorney allegedly used PPE loans to fund her lavish lifestyle. Here we go again. Gia wins big in a move we never saw coming. Last, but not least, the new RHONY cast becomes clear and is expected to be announced any day now.  @behindvelvetrope @davidyontef BONUS & AD FREE EPISODES Available at - www.patreon.com/behindthevelvetrope  BROUGHT TO YOU BY: RO - ro.co/velvet (For Prescription Compounded GLP-1s and Your Free Insurance Check) MICROPERFUMES - microperfumes.com/velvet (Up To 60% Your Favorite Perfumes In Pocket Sized Vials) RAKUTEN - rakuten.co.uk (Go To Rakuten.co.uk, Download The App Or Install The Browser Extension To Earn Cash Back While You Shop At All Your Favorite Stores) PROGRESSIVE - www.progressive.com (Visit Progressive.com To See If You Could Save On Car Insurance) ADVERTISING INQUIRIES - Please contact David@advertising-execs.com MERCH Available at - https://www.teepublic.com/stores/behind-the-velvet-rope?ref_id=13198 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Transmission Interrupted, host Jill Morgan explores the high-stakes world of EMS preparedness with guests Matt Sasser and Alex Isakoff. Get an inside look at what it really takes to be ready for anything—from unexpected emergencies on the road to transporting patients with high-consequence infectious diseases.The team shares real stories, expert insights, and lessons learned from hands-on drills, large-scale exercises, and unique scenarios. Discover the importance of the "staff, stuff, and space" mantra, why iterative training makes the difference in crisis moments, and how building a culture of preparedness through practice ultimately keeps both EMS providers and patients safe.Whether you're a frontline responder, hospital clinician, or simply interested in public health, this conversation unpacks the challenges and triumphs of special pathogen preparedness—and why cultivating expertise, collaboration, and ongoing support is essential for communities everywhere.Questions or comments for NETEC? Contact us at info@netec.org.Visit Transmission Interrupted on the web at netec.org/podcast.GuestsAlex Isakov, MD, MPH, FACEP, FAEMSNETEC EMS Workgroup Co-Lead Executive Director for Health SecurityProfessor of Emergency MedicineEmory School of MedicineAlex Isakov's Emory University ProfileMatt Sasser, MDMedical Director, MedSTAR TransportMedical Director, Baltimore Ravens M&T Bank StadiumEmergency Physician, MedStar Union Memorial HospitalMatt Sasser's MedStar Health ProfileHostJill Morgan, RNEmory Healthcare, Atlanta, GAJill Morgan is a registered nurse and a subject matter expert in personal protective equipment (PPE) for NETEC. For 35 years, Jill has been an emergency department and critical care nurse, and now splits her time between education for NETEC and clinical research, most of it centering around infection prevention and personal protective equipment. She is a member of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), ASTM International, and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI).ResourcesNETEC EMS Biosafety Transport for Operators online courseNETEC Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Featured ResourcesNETEC Special Pathogen Operational Readiness Assessment for Emergency Medical Services (EMS)ASPR TRACIE EMS Infectious Disease PlaybooEMS Model Procedural Guidelines for Special PathogensNETEC Resource...

In Episode 92 of The Power Element Podcast, we're recording live from the 2025 International Lineman's Rodeo. Joining the show is Steve Sarnocinski. Steve is the Senior Vice President of Jobsite Solutions at Milwaukee Tool. Steve discusses the latest advancements in safety and productivity and shares more on Milwaukee Tools' journey of disruptive innovation, especially their commitment to developing industry-leading PPE and safety helmets. Thank you, Steve "Sarno" Sarnocinski and Milwaukee Tool.Contact Mike Dumoit at Michael.dumoit@milwaukeetool.comfor the Helmet Presentation and for more informationThis podcast is powered by Sturgeon Electric and MYR Group.Check out and support our promotional partners: Milwaukee Tool, Klein Tools, Wye Delta, and High Voltage Industries.Ad music provided by: Daniel Sanchez @d.s.s._beats @DSSbeats Follow us on Instagram @ CaliforniaLineWorksMay we all continue to guide and support those in need. Please continue the conversation about mental health and well-being within your community. Be your Brother's Keeper. Visit www.lineco.org for assistance through LineCo. Suicide, crisis, and lifeline Dial 988.#podcast #leadership #construction

durée : 00:01:38 - Le vrai ou faux - Le général Christophe Gomart, eurodéputé PPE, a déclaré qu'il y avait une cinquantaine de conflits armés en ce moment en Afrique, alors que la France s'interroge sur sa résilience si un conflit éclatait. Vous aimez ce podcast ? Pour écouter tous les autres épisodes sans limite, rendez-vous sur Radio France.

Michelle is trying to enjoy her five-star honeymoon. But it's difficult when her phone won't stop ringing. A Guardian journalist is on her case. He's digging into claims she's involved in a company who made millions selling unusable PPE to the government. Michelle can't sit back and enjoy her cocktail - it's not in her nature to stay silent. She's going to tell her side of the story.Do you have a suggestion for a scandal you would like us to cover? Or perhaps you have a question you would like to ask our hosts? Email us at britishscandal@wondery.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With artificial intelligence stepping off the laptop and out onto job sites, factory floors, and flight decks, are we preparing students for the AI that sees, senses, and acts in the real world, not just the kind that chats back?Matt Kirchner sits down with Lieutenant General Brian Cavanaugh, USMC (Ret.), CEO of VigilanteX. After decades commanding Marines and integrating emerging tech into national defense, Cavanaugh now leads a company building applied AI platforms at the edge: solar- and Starlink-powered trailers with cameras and compute that monitor sites 24/7 and turn video into real-time safety, security and efficiency intelligence.Together, Matt and Brian unpack what “applied AI” really means across the edge-to-cloud continuum. They discuss AI agents running on the edge, natural language search over video, and systems that close the loop from sensor to decision in seconds. They also explore why simply teaching students to prompt chatbots isn't enough, and how K-12, CTE, and higher education can catch up to a world where AI is baked into every system, every site, and every mission.Listen to learn:How VigilanteX combines solar power, Starlink, cameras, and edge compute into their tech.The difference between AI at the edge and AI in the cloud, and why latency, bandwidth, and resilience matter for safety-critical environments.How AI agents work at the edge, and why they can work faster and more efficiently than humans (freeing up humans to do more interesting work).Why Cavanaugh believes every student should understand how data moves from sensors to the edge, to the cloud, and back into real-time control.What China's national push for AI education signals about global competition and how U.S. educators should respond with applied AI in the classroom.➡️ Watch the Full Episode on YouTube3 Big Takeaways from this Episode:1. AI at the edge is becoming a digital teammate. VigilanteX's platforms use cameras, connectivity, and on-site compute to watch for fall risks, PPE issues, intrusions, and abnormal conditions across construction, manufacturing, logistics, and energy sites. The system flags events in real time, routes the right video to supervisors, and builds a data trail leaders can use to change procedures before accidents happen.2. Edge-to-cloud literacy is a new baseline skill for technical careers. Cavanaugh and Kirchner break down how raw sensor and video data is processed locally, filtered, and then pushed to the cloud for storage, analytics, and dashboards. Understanding where computation lives, what data moves, and how AI agents plug into that pipeline prepares students for roles in automation, OT/IT, robotics, and cyber-physical systems in any industry.3. We need to teach applied AI, not just chatbots. While large language models are powerful, the episode shows how AI is part of the edge-to-cloud continuum. Giving students hands-on experience with autonomous systems, computer vision, and industrial data flows helps them see AI as something they can design, deploy, and govern rather than a black box that only lives in a browser.Find links & more resources on the episode page! We want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

In this episode of The Eric Coffie Show, Eric reconnects with Randy Ward, a longtime student-turned-partner who went from asking questions in 2017 to closing $22 million in PPE contracts during the 2020 shutdown. Together, they share the highs and lows of that experience — the excitement of massive wins, the painful lessons of unfilled orders, and the resilience that defines every true GovCon entrepreneur. With another government shutdown now matching the longest in history, Eric and Randy reveal a major pivot: their upcoming GovCon Mastermind has been transformed into a two-day virtual Boot Camp—"Surviving with Certifications." Set for November 15–16, the event will stream live for Federal Help Center Pro members, offering insider strategies to thrive when others freeze. Whether you're intimidated, uncertain, or just not "ready" yet, this session will show how shutdowns can become your biggest growth opportunity. Key Takeaways Learn how Randy turned shutdown chaos into $22M in contracts — and what went wrong. Why fear and inaction keep small businesses from GovCon success. How to join the Surviving with Certifications boot camp and turn uncertainty into opportunity. Learn more: https://federalhelpcenter.com/ https://govcongiants.org/  Watch the full Youtube Live here: https://www.youtube.com/live/xEQKIP4wIrE?si=x9oU8ENE4Y74H98T 

Send us a textWe unpack fiber fundamentals, smarter Wi‑Fi design, and the practical gear that makes field work safer and faster. We also cover tester calibration, useful labeling, and how to hire and keep technicians who grow with the company.• fiber core and cladding roles and refractive index• starter toolkits and personal PPE for installers• right-sizing home and data center Wi‑Fi with heat maps• certifier calibration cycles and warranty requirements• velcro vs tie wraps and airflow awareness• pricing fixed bids with explicit assumptions• mentoring new techs on safe fusion splicing• conduit fill variables and de-rating• standards-based labeling for faster maintenance• predictive and validation surveys for reliable networks• hiring for attitude, growth, and retentionMake sure that you send me questions for next week. DM me and I'll do that one video for the Cat 6 cables through a two‑inch pipe, and I'll make a YouTube video for it as wellSupport the showKnowledge is power! Make sure to stop by the webpage to buy me a cup of coffee or support the show at https://linktr.ee/letstalkcabling . Also if you would like to be a guest on the show or have a topic for discussion send me an email at chuck@letstalkcabling.com Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH#CBRCDD #RCDD

Michelle throws herself into politics. The Scottish Independence referendum is on the horizon and Michelle becomes a key figure in David Cameron's ‘Better Together' campaign and is handed the key to the House of Lords. Just after 'Baroness More of Mayfair' moves in with her new boyfriend Doug, Covid hits the nation. When she hears that the NHS is facing a shortage of PPE, Michelle has an idea.Do you have a suggestion for a scandal you would like us to cover? Or perhaps you have a question you would like to ask our hosts? Email us at britishscandal@wondery.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For episode 227, we're excited to welcome Joe Agoada, CEO of Sostento. Joe has spent his career fighting to ensure that no one falls through the cracks of the healthcare system, and under his leadership, Sostento has helped more than 350,000 people access care and supported over 4,000 frontline health workers across the country.We explore today's nonprofit challenges, how Web3 can help close care gaps, the future of blockchain in healthcare, and the vision behind Sostento's new Crypto Advisory Board that brings together a cross-disciplinary group of builders to explore how blockchain can remove barriers to care and help more people access the healthcare they deserve.In today's episode you'll learn:

Lissy Alden is CEO + Founder of MYNDY, a pioneering Organizational + Mental Fitness company built to beat employee burnout. Recognizing stress as a multifaceted challenge, she's engineered two proven frameworks addressing psychological, physiological, and organizational factors that simultaneously empower organizations to achieve ambitious goals while maintaining employee wellbeing. She went to Cornell and has her graduate degree from MIT, where she began the foundational research for MYNDY. Additionally, I donate to and raise awareness for the charity or organization of my guest's choice with each episode. In this episode, the organization is called Streetwise. Please take the time to donate at least $1.    StreetWise is a community that honors the dignity of each individual. They assist with basic needs by distributing emergency and seasonal clothing, hygiene kits, PPE, pre-packaged meals and pantry items, and shine a light on the issues that matter most in our city—homelessness, poverty, injustice, inequality, and everyday life in Chicago—while serving as a platform for people with lived experience to share their stories and their views as writers and more You can connect with Lissy on: Website: https://www.myndy.co/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MYNDY_Mental_Fitness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lissy-alden/ To connect with me: Become a Patreon member of the Search For Meaning Community: https://www.patreon.com/c/mikessearchformeaning/membership LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-trugman-37863246/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mytrugofchoice/?hl=en   Website - https://miketrugmancoaching.com/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUPyP3vEWc-oDlGASe2XIUg Please leave a review for this podcast on Apple Podcasts! - https://podcasts.apple.com/vg/podcast/mike-s-search-for-meaning/id1593087650?utm_source=Mike+Trugman&utm_campaign=dcbd0b11b0-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_03_08_12_14&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_33d78ffe68-dcbd0b11b0-510678693   Resources/People Mentioned: Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance - Angela Duckworth  Mindset: The New Psychology of Success - Carol S. S. Dweck Man's Search For Meaning - Viktor E Frankl Atomic Habits - James Clear 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People - Covey, Stephen The Happiness Hypothesis - Jonathan Haidt

In this episode, we talk with Joe McClaran, a millennial talent acquisition manager who's passionate about changing perceptions of the skilled trades. Joe shares his journey from mortgage collections and food service to becoming a skilled trades advocate, and discusses the real challenges and opportunities in recruiting and retaining young talent in the construction industry.Joe reveals the truth about recruiting in construction: the six-month reality check when weather extremes separate the committed from the curious, managing wage compression with experienced workers, and why workers will leave for just 25 cents more per hour. He also shares what's working like using accredited apprenticeship programs to bridge the gap between parents who want their kids in college and kids who want to work with their hands.We dig into the office versus field divide, the coming leadership shift as boomers retire, and why Joe's approach to new hires starts with "I work for you. Without you, they don't need me." Plus, hear about the 23-year-old electrical foreman who was running work before he even graduated his apprenticeship program.HighlightsThe Six-Month Test: Highest attrition happens in the first six months when new hires experience their first extreme weather conditions transparency upfront is critical.Free Accredited Education: Four-year NCCER apprenticeship programs provide the perfect answer for parents demanding college while kids want the trades.Young Leaders Rising: Meet the 23-year-old electrical foreman running major projects and why the industry will see a massive leadership shift in just 3-5 years.Total Compensation Matters: Starter tool sets, PPE, medical insurance, and free training help combat workers leaving for small wage increases elsewhere.Get Parents On Board: The biggest barrier isn't the students—it's their parents who still believe the "college or bust" mentality.Don't miss future episodes of Blue Collar BS! Subscribe now and be part of the conversation changing how we think about careers in the skilled trades. Know someone who needs to hear this? Hit that share button.Get in Touch with Joe:LinkedInGet in touch with us:Check out the Blue Collar BS website.Steve Doyle:WebsiteLinkedInEmailBrad Herda:WebsiteLinkedInEmailThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrpOP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy