Podcasts about PTO

In this episode of the Time for Teachership Podcast, Lindsay Lyons talks with Christina Hidek, founder of PTO Answers and author of The Principal's Parent Group Playbook, about how schools are overlooking one of their greatest assets: parent groups. Christina shares why PTOs and PTAs are often misunderstood, under-leveraged, and poorly supported—and how school leaders and teachers can transform family engagement by building true partnerships with parent organizations. If you've ever felt frustrated by family involvement, struggled to connect with your PTO, or wondered how to move beyond fundraisers and carnival themes, this episode is your roadmap to a healthier, more impactful school-family collaboration. You'll walk away with practical strategies for shared goal setting, communication, leadership mindset shifts, and ways to align parent groups with your school's strategic plan.   Key Topics Covered Why parent groups are the "third pillar" of school leadership The mindset shifts families and educators both need The difference between a PTO and a PTA (and why it matters) How to align PTO work with your school's strategic plan Why many parent groups struggle with institutional knowledge loss What principals and teachers can do to cultivate healthy partnerships How PTOs can go far beyond parties, fundraisers, and event planning Real examples of PTOs funding meaningful school initiatives like STEM programs Practical next steps for parents, teachers, and school leaders   Get Your Episode Freebie & More Resources On My Website: https://www.lindsaybethlyons.com/blog/262   Connect with guest Christina Hidek Website: https://ptoanswers.com/ 

A government-issued patent is supposed to be a shield for innovation. But in today's AI economy, it may be more like a temporary passport into a legal war zone. In this episode of The Valley Current®, host Jack Russo unpacks the growing divide between the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the federal courts. While the PTO is rolling out a more founder-friendly approach to AI and software patents, judges continue striking many of those same patents down as abstract ideas. The result is a fractured two-track system where patents are easier to win but harder to defend. For startups, investors, and tech builders racing to secure an edge in artificial intelligence, the stakes could not be higher. Is America fueling the next wave of innovation or issuing paper assets destined for courtroom collapse? Jack Russo Managing Partner Jrusso@computerlaw.com www.computerlaw.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackrusso "Every Entrepreneur Imagines a Better World"®️  

The perk trap is costing organizations thousands while leaving teams burned out. Yolanda Fraction, author of the book Joyful Workplaces, joins us to share how leaders can move past surface-level culture and design systems that deliver both joy and results. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why multi-billion dollar corporate perks like unlimited PTO and cold brew fail to fix the root causes of team burnout The critical operational shift from viewing talent development as a cost center to treating it as a core business driver What it means to lead as a steward of people rather than a controller, and how that impacts daily management decisions How to utilize tactical self-leadership tools like the Johari Window and 360-degree feedback to expose your own leadership blind spots Why corporate culture is never a kickoff project and how to accurately diagnose your workplace using the culture iceberg Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (00:33) The Reality of the Perk Trap (03:15) Designing Systems for Joy and Performance (05:48) Shifting From Controller to Steward of People (08:53) The True Human Cost of Broken Systems (13:51) Using Self Leadership to Drive Team Clarity (19:01) Uncovering Blind Spots and Reflective Leadership (21:20) Diagnosing Culture Beyond the Surface (25:31) A Brand That Makes Yolanda Smile (27:38) Where to Connect with Yolanda Fraction About Yolanda Fraction Yolanda Fraction, M.Ed., is an organizational development consultant, leadership advisor, and corporate trainer with more than two decades of experience helping executives build healthier, high performing workplaces. Currently pursuing her PhD in industrial organizational psychology, Yolanda holds a graduate degree in adult and organizational learning, bringing a deeply practical and human centered approach to talent management across corporate, nonprofit, academic, and government sectors. She is the author of Joyful Workplaces: How People and Systems Create Energy, Resilience, and Results, and she hosts the Teamwork Sandbox podcast, where she explores the direct ways leaders influence and shape modern organizational culture. What Brand Has Made Yolanda Smile Recently? Yolanda shared a powerful story about Marriott that perfectly illustrated care beyond measure. While managing a hectic work travel schedule and undergoing IVF treatments, she arrived well before check-in at a Marriott property needing a safe place to store her temperature-sensitive medications. Instead of sticking strictly to standard front desk policy, an empathetic employee stepped up, securely stored the medication in a staff refrigerator, and personally ensured it safely reached her room later. For Yolanda, this moment of going above and beyond proved that a culture of genuine care is truly embedded within the Marriott brand. Resources & Links Connect with Yolanda on LinkedIn. Learn more about Yolanda Fraction and her work at her website. Listen & Support the Show Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I'll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amanda's financial journey began in college, where unexpected expenses pushed her to balance multiple responsibilities while managing student loan debt. Early on, she learned how quickly financial decisions can shape the future (and how little room there can be for missteps when money is tight).   As a working parent, she navigated tight finances, high childcare costs, and the strain of an unsupportive partner. Her story highlights how money challenges are often shaped by the realities of caregiving, relationships, and the demands of everyday life.  Over time, Amanda built more stability for herself and her family. Through persistence and self-advocacy, she improved her credit, purchased a home, and moved forward in her career—steps that reflect both financial progress and growing confidence.  Even through setbacks, including job loss, Amanda continued to adapt and redefine her relationship with money. Her story is one of resilience, resourcefulness, and building a life on her own terms while staying connected to what matters most.  Key Moments 2:49 Amanda reflects on her positive early experiences with money.  4:32 With money tight in college, she learned how to juggle competing priorities.  7:48 Amanda shares how taking out a private student loan with her father became a long-term financial burden.  13:12 She speaks candidly about navigating money as a new parent.  16:25 She shares practical strategies for stretching her budget with a young family.  19:35 Amanda reflects on the financial impact of being in an abusive relationship.  21:52 She recounts her journey to homeownership.  24:21 Amanda shares how she took steps to substantially increase her salary.  27:02 After being laid off, she relied on her PTO payout to help weather the financial uncertainty.  30:30 After co-signing a loan to help a family member buy furniture, Amanda learned a lasting financial lesson.  33:13 As an indie filmmaker, she has found passion in her work while continuing to navigate the challenge of funding a sustainable lifestyle.  37:30 She shares some of her favorite budgeting advice.  41:25 Our co-hosts reflect on the key themes that emerge from Amanda's story.  GreenPath Financial Service GreenPath, A Financial Resource If you're interested in building healthy financial habits, paying down debt, or saving for what matters most, take a look at these free financial tools. Free Resources Free Resources

Last month the UK was hit by a record-breaking heatwave, part of a wider climate event that affected much of Europe, whilst a subsequent and more severe heatwave hit South Asia. To talk through the politics of heatwaves, I was joined by Adrienne Buller, editor of The Breakdown. We talked the differential impacts of heatwaves, and why it is that focus on climate in the media has declined at the same time as the global climate situation has never been more severe. We also talked about climate adaptation - in both more and less benign guises - and finally we talked about the prospect of geoengineering and how close we might be to corporate and state actors deploying technologies such as Stratospheric Aerosol Injection that aim to reduce inbound solar radiation. Notes: Adrienne's article in The Breakdown: https://www.break-down.org/reflections-on-a-heatwave-2/ Sofia Menemenlis' PTO interview: https://www.patreon.com/poltheoryother/posts/sunlight-w-sofia-142819236

Think you can't take a real vacation as a solopreneur? Carly and Joe are calling it what it is: a design flaw, not a workload problem.In this episode, they break down why time off feels impossible when you work for yourself, why solopreneur PTO is really UPTO (unpaid time off), and how the ownership trap convinces you that the business leaves when you do. Then they get practical with a step-by-step pre-vacation runway that starts four to six weeks out, not four to six days.You'll learn how to set client expectations from the start of every relationship, how to decide between going fully dark and scheduling limited check-ins, and why your re-entry plan matters just as much as your prep. Plus, Joe makes the case for the hybrid "have laptop, will travel" approach, and Carly shares the buffer day trick that protects your post-vacation glow from inbox overwhelm.What you'll learn in this episode:Why your business surviving a week without you is a design question, not an effort questionThe vacation readiness audit every solopreneur should run before booking a tripHow to build vacation boundaries into your scope of work from day oneGoing dark vs. scheduled availability, and how to choose what fits youThe hybrid vacation model for extending trips without losing incomeHow to design a re-entry plan with a buffer day so you don't kill your vacation highThis week's challenge: What is the one thing that would need to be true for you to take a full week off in the next six months? If it doesn't exist in your business yet, can you build it?If this isn't the worst episode you've ever heard, leave us a five-star review. It helps us reach more solopreneurs building a life-first business.Subscribe to The Aspiring Solopreneur on your favorite podcast platform, including YouTube.Life First. Then Business.Life F

June 10, 2026 ~ USA Today columnist Ingrid Jacques discusses her op-ed criticizing proposals that would require PTO policies for menstrual cramps. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In 2023, Maggie Taylor wrote an article for Growing for Market Magazine about several projects she had started as part of a grant program incorporating agroforestry into Delight Flower Farm in Illinois. Since many of the projects were on a three-year timeline, we thought this would be a great time to check in and see how they turned out! The projects included alley cropping, windbreak renovation, wildlife structures, cover cropping and adding an additional high tunnel through the NRCS EQUIP program.  You can read her original article in the link above or show notes below. Then, hear what Maggie wishes she knew before starting her alley cropping project, how having perennials mixed in with annuals affects both, and why it's a good idea to give yourself more time than you think you need for USDA grant projects. We also cover intercropping ideas so you can make some revenue off your perennial beds before they are mature, and talk about how having multiple programs on your NRCS application can improve the chances of getting your grant approved. Connect With Guest: Instagram: @delightflowerfarm Website: delightflowerfarm.com Read Maggie's GFM article (discussed in the interview) : Flower farm incorporates agroforestry Podcast Sponsors: Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support: Seven Springs Farm Supply is a farm-based supply company focused on serving market gardeners and has been in business for 35 years. Their catalog includes a comprehensive selection of approved-for-organic fertilizers, pest & disease controls, growing mixes, cover crop seed, and more. They offer custom fertilizer blending and seasonal cooperative purchasing opportunities, and their experienced team is ready to help guide you to the best solution for your farm's needs. Growing For Market listeners are eligible for an exclusive discount. Visit 7springsfarm.com/GFM or give them a call at (540) 651-3228. BCS two-wheel tractors are designed and built in Italy where small-scale farming has been a way of life for generations. Discover the beauty of BCS on your farm with PTO-driven implements for soil-working, shredding cover crops, spreading compost, mowing under fences, clearing snow, and more – all powered by a single, gear-driven machine that's tailored to the size and scale of your operation. To learn more, view sale pricing, or locate your nearest dealer, visit BCS America. Nifty Hoops builds complete gothic high tunnels that are easy to install and built to last.  Their bolt-together construction makes setup straightforward and efficient, whether it's a small backyard hoophouse, or a dozen large production-scale high tunnels- especially through their community build option, where professional builders work alongside your crew, family, or neighbors to build each structure -- usually in a single day.Visit niftyhoops.com to learn more. Farming is hard. Running it shouldn't be. Tend helps you plan your season, map your farm, and track every task from seed to sale. No spreadsheets, no guesswork, just seamless workflows. Tend is the all-in-one farm management platform that brings together planning, field mapping, fulfillment, real-time inventory, sales, labor, traceability, and accounting in one easy platform. Built for small market gardens, CSAs, and large diversified farms. Get started with a free account at Tend.com. No credit card required. If you grow for market, you know performance is everything. That's why so many farmers are turning to Burpee's Farmers Market. Dedicated to professional growers, Burpee is now offering non-GMO seeds in larger quantities – bred and selected for standout flavor, strong yields, and the kind of visual appeal your customers crave. Burpee's been doing this for 150 years, and they're still creating new varieties with growers like you in mind. You can check out the full lineup at Burpee.com/FarmersMarket. There are a lot of farm sales platforms out there, but there's only one that's cooperatively owned by farmers. That's GrownBy — your all-in-one solution to simplify farm sales. GrownBy makes online farm sales easy and affordable; setting up your shop is free, and you only pay when you sell. Join over 900 farms who have already signed up for GrownBy, at grownby.com. For more on veg and flower market farming, subscribe to Growing for Market Magazine!

One employee asks for time off and you say yes. Another asks three weeks later and you say no. Neither of you realizes you just created a discrimination claim. In Part 6 of the HR Foundations series, Kerri breaks down leave management — the operational area where she sees the most lawsuits.Leave management isn't the flashiest HR topic, but it's where Kerri sees the most lawsuits land on small and mid-sized businesses — and almost always unintentionally.In this episode, she walks through everything an owner, operator, or manager needs to know to handle leave without creating legal exposure:What you'll learn:The federal and state leave laws that apply to your business — and the threshold calculations small employers get wrongFMLA basics: who qualifies, what it actually covers, and the three most common mistakes Kerri sees in the fieldWhy she recommends one leave bank instead of two (and what happens to honesty when you split them)How the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and ADA quietly apply at just 15 employeesIntermittent FMLA — the hardest leave to track and the easiest to mess upWhy inconsistent leave decisions are the fastest path to a discrimination claim, even when you mean wellThe interactive process under ADA, explained without the legal jargonWhat to document for every leave event (and why benefits records stay separate from performance files)The bereavement policy fix you can put in place this weekYour one action this week: Look at your bereavement policy. How many days? For which relationships? Who approves it? If you can't answer consistently, that's your first leave policy to write.This is Part 6 of the 13-part HR Foundations series. If you're just joining, go back to Part 1 — Kerri's building your HR foundation episode by episode.Key topicsFMLA, ADA, Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, USERRA, jury duty leave, voting leave, sick leave laws, PTO policy, bereavement, intermittent leave, reasonable accommodations, retaliation claims, discrimination claims, leave documentation, manager accountabilityResources mentionedBook: The HR Easy Button by Kerri Roberts — available on AmazonCourse: HR Foundations — saltandlightadvisors.com/hr-foundationsFree Mini HR Audit:saltandlightadvisors.com/hr-auditWork with Kerri:saltandlightadvisors.com/contactComing up nextPart 7 — Performance & Feedback: Setting expectations, giving real feedback, and handling underperformance before it becomes a termination.Connect with KerriWebsite: https://saltandlightadvisors.comBook a call: https://saltandlightadvisors.com/contactDon't forget to subscribe wherever you listen — Apple, Spotify, or YouTube — and share this episode with a peer or office manager who's helping run HR at a small business.Support the show

AFH: Season 2, Episode 15Featuring Holly HowardAbout the Guest:Holly Howard is the founder and CEO of Pyramid.Work, an AI-powered strategic growth engine for the entrepreneurial economy.Pyramid is the culmination of Holly's lifelong pursuit: integrating artist, scientist, healer, business builder, and teacher—and using that integration to create technology that helps people realize their own visions.Holly's journey began in 1996 at the Joffrey Ballet Training Program. At 18, she danced with the Ruth Page Ballet's Nutcracker and joined the American Guild of Musical Artists.In 1999, she entered Berklee College of Music to study Music Therapy and Bassoon, where she discovered neuroscience and neuroplasticity—that creativity can literally rewire the brain. She created an internship at the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function under Dr. Concetta Tomaino, longtime collaborator of Oliver Sacks. That experience taught her how to invent what doesn't exist.After three years as a Board-Certified Music Therapist in New York, Holly took a detour into Brooklyn's restaurant scene—working at Marlow & Sons, where she was photographed by Roe Ethridge (now in ICA Boston and MOCA). She also recorded on bassoon with The Pierces. Later, she managed egg restaurant that she made profitable enough to offer PTO and health insurance to every employee in 2009. That work led to a congressional briefing for Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and influenced the Healthy Families Act.During those years, Holly earned her premedical certificate at Columbia University while conducting orthopedic research at Lenox Hill Hospital. After publishing in the Journal of Arthroplasty, she chose not to pursue medicine and pivoted back to creativity.In 2012, Holly founded Ask Holly How, her consulting practice. By 2014, her programs were sponsored by JPMorgan Chase and economic development corporations. She has since worked with over 1,000 small businesses, become a professor at Pratt Institute, joined the faculty at RISD, and launched the podcast Cultures Within Capitalism. Her work has been cited in the New York Times, The Cut, Fast Company, and Bustle.In 2023, Holly completed her Master's Certificate in Religions of the World at Harvard, integrating the spiritual and philosophical roots of everything she builds.Through Pyramid, Holly is uniting all of these disciplines—art, science, service, and spirit—to help entrepreneurs build from their own foundations, not someone else's framework.Guest Info:https://www.pyramid.work/aboutFollow Me:Instagram: @afinehuman Shop Dame: dame.com This podcast was produced by aurielle sayeh, filmed by @thetellychannel, and powered by @dameproducts.

The company's been taken over by vampires, and we're getting the chomp! We know you love working in a soulsucking office building with a permanent yellow hue, so we've brought you BLOODSUCKING BASTARDS (2015)! Starring a ragtag group of slackers trying not to be drained by Pedro Pascal.It might be a good day to use your PTO. Instagram: @bmoviebeatFacebook: The B Movie BeatdownEmail: thebmoviebeatdown@gmail.com Letterboxd: @Absolute_trash @SlenderJames @Petedown

Send us Fan MailIn this episode: Christi Powell and Angela Gardner interview Breanna Howard, an estimator and business development professional at Palmetto State Roofing and co-owner of Eastern Waste Solutions, about balancing industry work, entrepreneurship, and raising a one- and two-year-old. Brianna explains how negative workplace experiences shaped her focus on creating a welcoming culture by building trust with field crews through jobsite engagement and employee appreciation. She shares Eastern Waste Solutions' community efforts, including a charity dumpster filled with donated toys for Secret Santa of Simpsonville and a planned summer donation drive for women's and children's shelters. Brianna describes flexible workforce practices such as allowing time off without PTO, emphasizing networking beyond one's role, encouraging women to pursue construction despite social expectations, and discussing managing a learning disability by rereading and double-checking work while using it as motivation to succeed.Support the show

When employees hear “employee benefits,” they might think of healthcare, perks, wellness programs, PTO, 401(k) plans or disability coverage. But when HR professionals hear “employee benefits,” they're likely thinking about cost management, compensation strategies, open enrollment, and—most importantly—compliance. Compliance is a cornerstone of today's insurance landscape. With that in mind, let's dive into your June 2026 breakdown of Compliance in Minutes.

For decades in much of Europe far-right opinion has had electoral expression in political parties that can command millions of votes, but until relatively recently in Britain anti-migrant and racist views - though prevalent - did not result in electoral vehicles with truly mass support. This all changed with the rise first of UKIP - and then its successors the Brexit Party and Reform - who can now command a degree of popular support that earlier far-right political formations could not. Britain has also seen a major increase in far-right protest and violence with 2025 seeing the biggest far-right rally in Britain's history after a summer of flag waving protests that was preceded by violent attacks on mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers. To talk about how we got here - to a situation where the most plausible outcome at the next general election is a Reform-led government PTO is joined by Daniel Trilling, who has spent more than fifteen years researching and writing about the far-right in Britain.

An investigation shows some school boards are destroying records. Plus, meet a not-so-good parent to have on the PTO.

It's hot, school's out, put your PTO in - summer's here! And that means Brittany's back for It's Been a Minute's annual summer books episode! This time around authors Sasha Bonét (The Waterbearers) and Cindy Pham (The Secret World of Briar Rose) join the show to give their summer reading recommendations. From wanderlust to first time love - there's something for everyone. Want more summer book recommendations?Sexy & Spiteful: the best books to read this summerSimmering over summer booksSupport Public Media. Join NPR Plus.Follow Brittany on Instagram: @bmluseFor handpicked podcast recommendations every week, subscribe to NPR's Pod Club newsletter at npr.org/podclub.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HEREWhat happens when two successful law firm owners take the exact opposite stance on unlimited PTO and both have the results to back it up?In this episode, Tyson Mutrux sits down with Kevin Cheney and Billie Tarascio separately, so neither hears the other's answers to get the real, unfiltered truth about unlimited paid time off in law firms.Kevin Cheney has run unlimited PTO at his 37-person firm for 8 years. He's never denied a single vacation request. Zero abuse. Eight figures in revenue. He'll tell you exactly how he makes it work with KPIs, trust, and the right hiring strategy.Billie Tarascio tried it. She watched roughly 25% of her team take advantage of the policy, her A-players got fed up, and she eventually scrapped it entirely, replacing it with a progressive PTO system that gives employees up to 6 weeks off and a full sabbatical at 10 years.Same policy. Completely different outcomes. So who's right?In this episode, you'll learn:How Kevin built a culture where 100% of vacation requests get approved  and no one abuses itThe 3 accountability pillars Kevin uses instead of tracking days: KPIs, client satisfaction scores, and anonymous peer reviewsWhy Billie says unlimited PTO attracted the wrong candidates and created a "cushiest job" reputationWhat actually caused Billie's A-players to revolt  and how she handled taking the benefit awayWhether a tiered PTO system (unlimited for lawyers, structured for staff) is actually legalWhat both owners wish they'd known before implementing the policyWhether you're building your first firm or rethinking your benefits structure, this conversation will sharpen how you think about freedom, accountability, and culture.Highlights00:00 – Introduction: The Great Unlimited PTO Debate01:06 – Kevin Cheney: Why He's Been All-In for 8 Years03:39 – How Kevin Defines "Crazy" (Hint: He Doesn't Write It Down)07:18 – Why Employees Don't Always Believe It's Real10:05 – How Much Vacation Do People Actually Take?12:32 – Tracking PTO as a KPI?15:15 – The Hidden Advantage: No Payroll Tracking Headaches18:00 – Zero Abuses in 10 Years, Seriously19:06 – Has Kevin Ever Doubted the Policy?25:13 – The 3 Accountability Pillars That Replace Day Counting28:58 – What Kevin Would Do Differently31:21 – Kevin's Advice to Someone Who Tried It and Failed34:18 – Part 2: Billie Tarascio's Story36:02 – When Unlimited PTO Worked for Billie38:44 – When the A-Players Revolted42:19 – How Bad Did the Freeloader Problem Get? (~25%)43:07 – The Attraction Problem: Were You Hiring the Wrong People?48:04 – How Hard Was It to Take the Benefit Away?51:06 – What Billie Replaced It With (Up to 6 Weeks + Sabbatical)56:45 – Is Billie Ever Going Back to Unlimited PTO?58:00 – Billie's Message to Kevin1:06:01 – Final Advice for Anyone Considering Unlimited PTO

Planning a vacation should be exciting—not overwhelming. But between choosing a destination, booking flights, creating an itinerary, and figuring out logistics, it's easy to feel stressed before your trip even begins. At The Travel Brats, we've planned everything from last-minute city getaways to international adventures booked nearly a year in advance. Over time, we've learned that the best trips happen when you focus on smart planning without overplanning every minute. Here's our step-by-step guide to planning a vacation the right way.   1. Start With Your "Why" Before choosing a destination, ask yourself: Do I want relaxation or adventure? Am I traveling for food, culture, nature, or nightlife? Am I recharging or packing my schedule? Your answer determines everything from budget to destination to daily activities. Helpful questions to research: Is this destination better for couples, friends, or families? Is it good for digital nomads? Can I visit without renting a car? Does it offer more adventure or relaxation? The clearer your travel goals, the easier every other decision becomes.   2. Set Your Dates and Budget You don't need an exact budget, but you need a realistic one. Consider: Number of travel days Flight costs Hotel or Airbnb costs Food and drinks Transportation Activities and excursions Most importantly, leave room for unexpected expenses. A good vacation budget includes a buffer because travel rarely goes exactly as planned. Also factor in important deadlines such as: PTO approval School breaks Weddings Special events   3. Choose Your Destination Strategically Timing can completely change your experience. Ask yourself: What's in season during my travel dates? Will weather affect the trip? Is it peak tourist season? How long is the travel time? Is the destination easy to navigate? If you only have a few vacation days, shorter flights often win. We've seen travelers hate destinations during crowded peak seasons and fall in love with the same places during shoulder season. Research matters.   4. Book the Big Stuff First Follow this order: ✈️ Flights

Chip and Susan Planck ran Wheatland Farms growing vegetables in Virginia for 37 years, and in this interview, we talk with them about what worked, what didn't and what changed in market farming over almost four decades. We talk about founding farmers markets, and then how they pulled off 10-15 farmers markets every week during the season. That involved employing hundreds of people over the years, and we talk about why it was important to hire people and not have them work as apprentices or interns. We also talk about narrowing down your crop list, the group farmland purchase that started the farm, and how they now live in a “hamlet” on their farm. We discuss advice for new farmers, how they rewarded workers who returned, and the business logic they used to build their farm steadily over the years. A lot of this is in Chip's new book, Sky Blue Trades: Essays and epiphanies from thirty-seven years of vegetable farming. Connect With Guest: Book: Sky Blue Trades: Essays and epiphanies from thirty-seven years of vegetable farming Podcast Sponsors: Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support: BCS two-wheel tractors are designed and built in Italy where small-scale farming has been a way of life for generations. Discover the beauty of BCS on your farm with PTO-driven implements for soil-working, shredding cover crops, spreading compost, mowing under fences, clearing snow, and more – all powered by a single, gear-driven machine that's tailored to the size and scale of your operation. To learn more, view sale pricing, or locate your nearest dealer, visit BCS America. Nifty Hoops builds complete gothic high tunnels that are easy to install and built to last.  Their bolt-together construction makes setup straightforward and efficient, whether it's a small backyard hoophouse, or a dozen large production-scale high tunnels- especially through their community build option, where professional builders work alongside your crew, family, or neighbors to build each structure -- usually in a single day.Visit niftyhoops.com to learn more. Farming is hard. Running it shouldn't be. Tend helps you plan your season, map your farm, and track every task from seed to sale. No spreadsheets, no guesswork, just seamless workflows. Tend is the all-in-one farm management platform that brings together planning, field mapping, fulfillment, real-time inventory, sales, labor, traceability, and accounting in one easy platform. Built for small market gardens, CSAs, and large diversified farms. Get started with a free account at Tend.com. No credit card required. If you grow for market, you know performance is everything. That's why so many farmers are turning to Burpee's Farmers Market. Dedicated to professional growers, Burpee is now offering non-GMO seeds in larger quantities – bred and selected for standout flavor, strong yields, and the kind of visual appeal your customers crave. Burpee's been doing this for 150 years, and they're still creating new varieties with growers like you in mind. You can check out the full lineup at Burpee.com/FarmersMarket. There are a lot of farm sales platforms out there, but there's only one that's cooperatively owned by farmers. That's GrownBy — your all-in-one solution to simplify farm sales. GrownBy makes online farm sales easy and affordable; setting up your shop is free, and you only pay when you sell. Join over 900 farms who have already signed up for GrownBy, at grownby.com. For more on veg and flower market farming, subscribe to Growing for Market Magazine!

Massive Monday. The Knicks will face the Spurs in the NBA Finals. The Browns traded the best defensive player in football. The Brewers have a new ace and betting age should be 21 everywhere. That and more today on PTO. 

Joyce talks about :Illegal immigrants and Asylum Fraud cases . Democrats defending Graham Platner. Democratic supported for the HER group, that seeks 12 PTO days for mensuration, and other provisions for women health issues. Investigative journalist Nick Shirley, no longer about to do the type of journalism he used to because the media has made him a target. The war with Iran. Congress woman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz a victim of race related politics after seeking to represent heavily black community following the redistricting of her district, which will most likely now go to a Republican. Bias report coming out of Minnesota. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Get ready for another unforgettable adventure through fatherhood, fandom, and hilarious life lessons as Charles and Joe roll the dice and let fate decide the path of this episode of Wise_N_Nerdy. The episode opens with the always entertaining Question of the Week: “Which video game world would be the most difficult to survive in for a month?” What begins as a fun hypothetical quickly turns into a survival challenge worthy of gaming legends. The hosts and community throw around brutal worlds and impossible odds, discussing nightmare scenarios from Duke Nukem and the monster-filled chaos of Resident Evil. Between alien invasions, zombie outbreaks, and impossible odds, Charles and Joe debate whether surviving would come down to skill, luck, or simply accepting defeat immediately. As tradition demands, the dice determine the next destination—and naturally they summon a barrage of Bad Dad Jokes, courtesy of Joe's middle child, Bob. Groans echo across the kingdom as joke after joke lands with the perfect blend of cringe, chaos, and dad-approved comedy. The dice roll again and land on the always insightful “Parliament of Papas” segment. This time, the hosts react to a workplace dilemma involving someone who took PTO specifically to enjoy a newly released video game, only to have an entitled coworker pressure them into giving up their day off so she could visit family instead. Charles and Joe unpack expectations around personal time, respecting boundaries, and why rest, hobbies, and recreation are not somehow less valuable simply because they look different from someone else's priorities. Next, fate leads into the reflective “Daddy, Tell Me A Story” segment, where Charles and Joe discuss those unforgettable moments in life when they realized adults don't actually have everything figured out. Through personal stories and honest reflection, they explore how growing up often means discovering that the people you looked up to were simply doing their best. The conversation becomes an unexpectedly meaningful reminder that uncertainty doesn't make someone incapable—it makes them human. The dice continue their journey into the practical “How Do I…?” segment, where the hosts tackle a challenge that becomes surprisingly difficult as life gets busier: How do you make friends as an adult? Charles and Joe explore ways to build meaningful relationships through shared interests, intentional effort, showing up consistently, and creating space for connection. Whether through hobbies, gaming groups, parenting circles, conventions, or simply reaching out first, the discussion offers encouraging advice for anyone trying to expand their community and deepen friendships. Finally, the episode closes with “What Are You Nerding Out About?” Charles shares his excitement over the Netflix adaptation of Devil May Cry, talking about how thoroughly he's enjoying the action, style, and energy of the series. Meanwhile, Joe reflects on quality family time spent introducing his youngest son to Super Mario World—proving once again that some gaming experiences never lose their magic. Joe also talks about completing his first randomizer experience with The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, discovering a fresh new appreciation for a classic adventure through unexpected twists and discoveries. This episode delivers everything Wise_N_Nerdy fans love: gaming discussions, thoughtful conversations, nostalgic stories, practical advice, and enough dad jokes to cause emotional damage. Whether you're here for the fandom, the fatherhood, or the friendship, there's a seat waiting for you. So gather your party, roll the dice, and don't forget to Find your FAMdom. Wise_N_Nerdy: Where Fatherhood Meets Fandom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hope you are mentally hungry, because I'm unloading a lot of food for thought. Greg and I were in the car discussing the perception of a vacation vs. a trip. And that of course led to the time you take off for said vacation/trip. And that got me thinking overall about how transformational this summer is going to be for me. Good news! You have a front seat to all of it!  Vacation vs. a Trip Ok, so we're in the car talking about vacations vs. trips. And Greg joked "You never take vacations." And he's kind of right because in my life I guess I couldn't really take a vacation. When I was a stay at home mom, we just went to FL. I didn't have to submit vacation time. As a teacher, I just always worked and thought of summer as my vacation time. If you are a teacher you know it's quite the contrary!!  And when we do go to FL I do more work than at home. I turn into a 1950's wife so Greg can fully enjoy his vacation. And I love doing that for him and the kids. Greg thinks it's a vacation because he's with his family, gets to go fishing, and go to the beach. I will say London felt like a vacation to me. We had no expectations, I didn't do any laundry or cooking, and we had fun.  When my parents took us to Disney, we attended an art class. Yep, went to Disney to attend school. But we took a lot of trips in my childhood where we learned about thing and places and now that's what I enjoy too. My trips feel like vacation more to me but again Greg jokes they are trips. But I do think in reflection of this summer being so transformational with the PhD coming to an end and Greg thinking about retirement, I'd like to go on more vacations.  PTO, Sick Days, Retirement This led us to talking about PTO, sick days and Greg wanting to retire. His mom fell a little while back and he was the closest primary care giver. It was funny to watch him go through it. When you take someone else to the Dr. you should just take a half day and use your sick time. Greg was like "But I wasn't sick." Right but it was a medical appointment. I always took the kids to the dr. so Greg never had to think about that. Then he asked what exactly was PTO. So we talked about how many hours he has accrued and how neither of us take sick time or PTO. We are hearty and we work. But what about when Greg doesn't work and I still want to? Will I take advantage of some PTO? I don't know but these are questions I want to start asking myself as the household CEO.   Welcome To My Transformational Summer I took advantage of a lot of planned neglect and worked a lot of hours pursuing my PhD. Now that it's done, I want to decide what things I will let back in or not. There will be a lot of open time now and I want to think about how I will use that time. I decided on one thing and that was my Paper Solution™ Binders.  I feel like I neglected them a little so I'd like to really spend time getting them up to par. I never did the workbooks so I am doing them now. Before the PhD Abby was pregnant, now she has two children. Greg wants to retire. All of this has financial implications on our budget. I feel like I need some CEO time. So I decided in the middle of the month I will set aside two hours to just think about our household financial goals and I came up with seven questions which will help me decide if I am taking care of me in a way that fills my cup so I can continue to take care of my house and family too. Yes, I am going to offer this "co-working" time once a month. You too deserve time to think without your family around. And you too deserve time to take care of things for your household manager responsibilities that need to be done Monday- Friday, 9am -5pm. I want this household CEO time, to be a time for you to be able to really think through your household management, through a leadership lens, to make sure that you are stewarding all of the resources you have, well. And that you are taking care of yourself so you can be of service to all of those around you, for as long as possible, and in the best health as possible.  I hope you'll join me June 15th from 9am - 11am.  EPISODE RESOURCES: The Sunday Basket® The Paper Solution® Sign Up for the Organize 365® Newsletter  Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Share this episode with a friend and be sure to tag Organize 365® when you share on social media

This week Bill and 3 Beer Zach talk about a wild week of professional wrestling as JCB is off on some PTO. The 1 count is a breakdown of AEW's Double Or Nothing and the fallout of the show. Another interaction between Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay on Dynamite. More Owen Hart tournament matches. Kevin Knight explains why he turned on Darby Allin. The boys give their letter grade for DON as well. The 2 count is WWE. A quick review of Saturday Night's Main Event; how did the boys think SNME did compared to DON? Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes finally cross paths. Sami Zayn leaves Cody Rhodes for dead as Gunther attacks. Brock says he's still retired but wants to face Oba anyways. Hear how the boys react to the build for Brock/Oba 1. The 3 count has the Clash In Italy predictions. Odds and ends to close the pod! Available on all audio podcast platforms. Listen Share Subscribe Repeat! Rate and review on Apple and Spotify! AEW WWE 1:04:35 Clash 1:25:15

This week Bill and 3 Beer Zach talk about a wild week of professional wrestling as JCB is off on some PTO. The 1 count is a breakdown of AEW's Double Or Nothing and the fallout of the show. Another interaction between Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay on Dynamite. More Owen Hart tournament matches. Kevin Knight explains why he turned on Darby Allin. The boys give their letter grade for DON as well. The 2 count is WWE. A quick review of Saturday Night's Main Event; how did the boys think SNME compared to DON? Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes finally cross paths. Sami Zayn leaves Cody Rhodes for dead as Gunther attacks. Brock says he's still retired but wants to face Oba anyways. Hear how the boys react to the build for Brock/Oba 2. The 3 count has the Clash In Italy predictions. Odds and ends to close the pod! Available on all audio podcast platforms. Listen Share Subscribe Repeat! Rate and review on Apple and Spotify!AEWWWE 1:04:35Clash 1:25:15

This week Bill and 3 Beer Zach talk about a wild week of professional wrestling as JCB is off on some PTO. The 1 count is a breakdown of AEW's Double Or Nothing and the fallout of the show. Another interaction between Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay on Dynamite. More Owen Hart tournament matches. Kevin Knight explains why he turned on Darby Allin. The boys give their letter grade for DON as well, The 2 count is WWE. A quick review of Saturday Night's Main Event; how did the boys think SNME compared to DON? Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes finally cross paths. Sami Zayn leaves Cody Rhodes for dead as Gunther attacks. Brock says he's still retired but wants to face Oba anyways. Hear how the boys react to the build for Brock/Oba 2. The 3 count has the Clash In Italy predictions. Odds and ends to close the pod!Available on all audio podcast platfomrs. Listen Share Subscribe Repeat! Rate and review on Apple and Spotify!AEWWWE 1:04:35Clash 1:25:15

This week Bill and 3 Beer Zach talk about a wild week of professional wrestling as JCB is off on some PTO. The 1 count is a breakdown of AEW's Double Or Nothing and the fallout of the show. Another interaction between Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay on Dynamite. More Owen Hart tournament matches. Kevin Knight explains why he turned on Darby Allin. The boys give their letter grade for DON as well. The 2 count is WWE. A quick review of Saturday Night's Main Event; how did the boys think SNME compared to DON? Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes finally cross paths. Sami Zayn leaves Cody Rhodes for dead as Gunther attacks. Brock says he's still retired but wants to face Oba anyways. Hear how the boys react to the build for Brock/Oba 2. The 3 count has the Clash In Italy predictions. Odds and ends to close the pod! Available on all audio podcast platforms. Listen Share Subscribe Repeat! Rate and review on Apple and Spotify!AEWWWE 1:04:35Clash 1:25:15

Send us Fan MailThe data is clear: staying loyal to one employer rarely keeps pace with what strategic career moves can do for your income. But what does "smart" job hopping actually look like, and when does loyalty still win?In this episode, Jessica and Brandon get real about the job hopping vs. loyalty debate. They share firsthand experience navigating layoffs, negotiate their way through six-figure compensation packages, and break down the framework listeners can use to make career decisions that actually build wealth.Topics covered:Why piddly 1.5–3% annual raises are costing you serious long-term wealthHow to use competing offers to negotiate with your current employer without quittingThe right and wrong reasons to make a lateral moveVesting schedules, RSUs, and benefits you should never leave on the tableThe 15–20% rule: the number that makes a job switch worth the disruptionWhy interviewing is a skill you must keep sharp — even when you're happyHow to build a network that works for you before you need itWhat a client negotiated by simply asking ($30K base increase + doubled equity)Beyond salary: education stipends, PTO, remote work, fertility benefits, and moreClosed mouths don't get fed. This episode gives you the tools to start asking.Subscribe to The Sugar Daddy Podcast newsletterExplore The Sugar Daddy Podcast Stan Store — Downloadables, tools, and more to level up your money game together!Head over to our YouTube channel to catch this episode in full video form.Apply to be a guest on the show.You can also email us at: hello@thesugardaddypodcast.comConnect with us on Instagram We're most active over at @thesugardaddypodcastChat with BrandonWant to work together? Learn more about BrandonBook a free 30-min call to see if it's a fit.Show us some love, hit subscribe, leave a five star rating, and drop a quick review!Money, relationships, and the mindset to master both. Hosted by financial advisor Brandon and his wife Jessica, The Sugar Daddy Podcast breaks down how to build wealth, unpack old money beliefs, and have real conversations about love and finances. Their mission? To help couples and individuals grow rich in every sense of the word: emotionally, relationally and financially....

ESG StuffBP removes chairman Albert Manifold over governance issues 9The board said the decision was unanimous. In a statement, Amanda Blanc, BP's senior independent director, described the board as having been caught off guard by what it found: "The board has been surprised and disappointed to learn of governance oversight and conduct issues it deems unacceptable and has taken decisive action."The company did not elaborate on the specific nature of the concerns.Ian Tyler has been named interim chair, BP said, with the board set to begin a formal process to identify a permanent successor: "The Board and leadership team have deep conviction in the strategic direction we have laid out, and the company is moving at pace to deliver it."Manifold took up the chairmanship just last October. At last month's annual general meeting, just 81.8% of shareholders backed his electionAmong the most consequential decisions of Manifold's short tenure: pushing out former CEO Murray Auchincloss and overseeing the selection of Meg O'Neill to succeed him — a hire that marked the first time BP had recruited an external CEO and the first time a woman had led one of the oil industry's largest players.Tulsi Gabbard Exit Marks Fourth Woman to Leave Trump Cabinet 0Apology TourBank boss sorry after describing workers as 'lower value human capital' 7Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters triggered a massive PR firestorm by describing the bank's plan to replace back-office staff with automation as replacing "lower-value human capital" with financial investmentStandard Chartered is cutting roughly 7,800 jobs—representing about 15% of its global back-office corporate support roles—over the next four years to make room for AIAfter internal anger and blistering public criticism, Winters posted a formal apology for his "choice of words." However, he initially fueled the fire by attaching the full interview transcript to justify his broader context, drawing further criticism for being defensiveIn his first attempt to quiet the storm, Winters leaned heavily into the corporate strategy rather than apologizing for the specific phrasing: "I said that lower-value roles are more vulnerable to automation, and that we have a responsibility to help colleagues move into higher-value roles. That is what a responsible employer should do. We will continue to speak honestly about the impact of technological change, and we will continue to act responsibly in helping our people to adapt and succeed."After a barrage of negative comments on his first post, Winters returned to LinkedIn later that day to offer an explicit apology for his phrasing: "I have received a lot of support for the messages in my previous post but still get questions about my choice of words, which I know has caused upset to some colleagues. For that I am sorry.""I think the transcript makes it clear that I value our colleagues – all of them – most highly and that we are totally committed to helping them to cope with the accelerating pace of change in our industry."JPMorgan's Jamie Dimon says bank chief's viral AI comment was 'inartful' Dimon downplayed the viral backlash against Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters—who drew fire for saying his bank would replace "lower-value human capital" with technology—calling it an "inartful" slip-of-the-tongue from a friend.Neopbabies and Dropout babiesJames Murdoch to acquire New York Magazine and Vox Media Podcast Network -1Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn't exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go' 6Bolt CEO Ryan Breslow justified firing his entire Human Resources department by claiming they actively manufactured internal frictionThe aggressive purge follows a brutal 97% collapse in Bolt's valuation—crashing from an $11 billion peak in 2022 down to $300 millionTraditional HR has been entirely swapped for a skeletal "people operations" team, shifting the focus away from employee complaints and internal processes toward basic compliance training and empowering managers to make split-second decisionsAlongside gutting HR, Breslow rolled back employee-friendly benefits like four-day workweeks and unlimited PTO, claiming a culture of complacency had taken over and that 99% of his legacy workforce was simply unwilling to work hardRyan dropped out of Stanford in 2014 to launch BoltThe Middle School Boy Man Babies Rule the WorldMan Drives Cybertruck Into Lake to Test Elon Musk's “Boat” Claims, and It Went About as Well as You'd Guess -10"The passengers abandoned the vehicle and the driver was arrested."Tesla CEO Elon Musk:randomly tweeted that the vehicle would function as a rudimentary flotation device.“It will even float for a while.”“[The vehicle would be able to] traverse at least 100m [330 feet] of water as a boat.”“Cybertruck will be waterproof enough to serve briefly as a boat, so it can cross rivers, lakes and even seas that aren't too choppy.”Jeff Bezos urges US government to stop taxing 50% of America — and claims doubling his taxes won't help ‘that teacher in Queens' 400Jeff Bezos backs Mamdani's tax on luxury second homes, but says Ken Griffin isn't the villainJeff Bezos on Zohran Mamdani's big mistake: ‘When you don't know how to solve a problem, create a villain, blame them'Jeff Bezos says there is ‘no truth' to the ‘buy borrow die' tax strategyBillionaires Openly Use It: Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison has historically pledged over $30 billion worth of his Oracle stock as collateral for personal bank loans. Elon Musk has similarly pledged tens of billions of dollars in Tesla shares to secure lines of credit over the yearsHe said he was "skeptical that that's a true loophole," but added, "If it is, and we can fix it, then we should. I don't think such a loophole should exist."Jeff Bezos Praises Trump's Second Term as ‘More Mature' Jeff Bezos Says AI Will 'Elevate' Workers — Despite Amazon's 30,000 Job Cuts Amid $100 Billion AI PushElon Musk compares his company's work to that of Jesus 0In an interview on Monday, the billionaire said his Neuralink brain-implant company is progressing in its development of ‘Jesus-like technologies'Although brain-computer interface (BCI) as a concept has been around since at least the 1970s, the push to commercialize the technology is more recent. According to data from market-intelligence firm Tracxn, more than 130 BCI startups have been launched since 2016.Why Is Mark Zuckerberg Taunting His Employees Before Firing Them? 20Back in April, Meta announced it was laying off 10 percent of its workforce, or around some 7,800 workers. Unlike traditional layoffs, which are enacted relatively quickly, Meta gave its employees a nearly month-long warning period without announcing who exactly would be headed for the unemployment line.In newly leaked audio from an all-hands meeting at Meta, released by More Perfect Union, the Meta CEO seems to actually be taunting the thousands of workers who were about to be let go by pointing to how the company was harvesting employee data to train its in-house AI models ahead of the massive layoffs.“So we're in a phase where basically the AI models learn from heaving real, from watching really smart people do things. And if you're trying to get it to be able to be able to do certain capabilities, having [AI] be able to observe really smart people doing those things is, is very important.”Going on, Zuckerberg explained that it was better to train AI on soon-to-be-former Meta employees, rather than “contract companies.”“In general, the average intelligence of the people who are at this company is significantly higher than the average set of people that you can get to do tasks if you're working through… contractors,” Zuckerberg stammered. “So if we're trying to teach the models coding, for example, then having people internally, um, build tools that, or, or solve tasks that, um, that help teach the model how to code, we think is going to dramatically increase our models coding ability faster than what others in the industry have the capability to do.”Intuit to Cut 17% of Staff, Invest in ‘Big Bets' 3The restructuring cost is estimated at about $300 million to $340 millionAbout 3,100 employees: and invest the savings in “big bets” as it makes artificial intelligence a centerpiece of its business.Woke WarsTexas AG Sues ISS Over ESG Considerations 0Texas AG Ken Paxton (in a senate race) is suing ISS for allegedly “misleading” customers by pushing “radical political agendas” through its proxy adviceNotably, ISS has attempted to obstruct ExxonMobil's planned reincorporation from New Jersey to Texas“ISS has enormous influence over how billions of dollars are invested and managed across this country, and they have abused that influence in order to push woke ideology”Iowa AG Brenna Bird sues ISS, says advice risks retirement savingsIowa Attorney General Brenna Bird is suing the world's largest proxy-advice firm for abusing its influence and threatening Iowans' retirement savings by "lying" to investors.Stakeholders Rule!Wells Fargo must pay $100M to help homebuyers after discrimination lawsuit — 51 cities are eligible 7The settlement, which was recently approved by a federal judge in California, comes after four years of legal disputes involving Wells Fargo shareholders, former employees and job applicants who accused the bank of systemic problems in both lending and hiring practices.While Wells Fargo denied wrongdoing, the company agreed to the deal to avoid prolonged litigation and mounting legal costs.The case centered on allegations that Wells Fargo's board failed to maintain adequate oversight of the bank's mortgage lending operations, exposing the company to regulatory scrutiny and accusations of discriminatory practices.According to reporting from Realtor.com, plaintiffs accused the bank of “widespread and systematic discrimination in lending” and cited concerns over lending algorithms and refinancing approval patterns.The lawsuit stated that Wells Fargo was allegedly the only major lender in 2020 to reject more refinancing applications from Black homeowners than it approved.Airbus, Air France Hit With Manslaughter Charges Over Pilot Training Failures in Deadly 2009 Flight 447 Crash 1A Paris appeals court delivered a dramatic verdict in one of the longest-running and most complex legal sagas in aviation history. The court overturned a 2023 acquittal and found both Airbus and Air France guilty of corporate manslaughter for the tragic 2009 crash of Flight AF447.The ruling marks a massive victory for the victims' families after a 17-year legal battle. A lower court had previously cleared the European planemaker and the French airline in 2023, ruling that while errors were made, a direct causal link to the crash couldn't be proven. The appeals court completely rejected that logic, declaring the companies "solely and entirely responsible" for the disaster.Ride-Share Drivers in Massachusetts Formally Unionize 100The App Drivers Union said it was the first organization in the country to be formally certified to represent drivers for apps such as Uber and Lyft.In a news release, the organization, the App Drivers Union, said it would represent nearly 70,000 workers in Massachusetts who now have the power to collectively bargain.MATTA very special “who do we blame for SpaceX IPO governance” gameFirst, some S-1 highlights:“Starlink internet is what's being used to pay for humanity getting to Mars.” - MuskTranslation: We don't care much about Starlink, it's just paying our AI billsHe's not kidding: $3.2bn revenue for Starlink, net income of $1.2m$0.6bn revenue for rocket ship, net income of -$0.6bn$0.8bn revenue for AI, net income of -$2.5bnThis isn't a space company - it's classic Musk - you buy the vision (“To build the systems and technologies necessary to make life multiplanetary, to understand the true nature of the universe, and to extend the light of consciousness to the stars.”), but what you're really buying is an internet company that spends all its money on AI and does some rockets on the sideLet someone else invent the car (Tesla) and make them sexy with “big visions” for “humanity”Let someone else invent the rockets, build new ones using someone else's moneyLet someone else invent the satellites, put a whole bunch in space (and buy more satellites from someone else)Musk initially took the role of “Chief Engineer”, but every engineering task seems to have been the other employees - he supplied the moneyShoehorned AI into space exploration because…?Grok is designed as a truth-seeking AI model, built on our founder Elon Musk's mission to enable humanity to understand the universe. We believe that accomplishing this mission requires a truth-seeking approach to AI. We define truth seeking as the active, relentless pursuit of what is objectively true about reality, and grounded in evidence, logic, empirical data, and first principles thinking.AI's ability to revolutionize human potential is directly dependent on meeting exponentially increasing resource demands.We now must go to space to get more resources for AI so we can get to spaceNow the governance who do you blame gameMusk will get:85% voting power (dual class, he owns 94% of Class B 10 vote shares and 12% of Class A shares)The ability to nominate and vote exclusively on >50% of the boardA board which currently includes..TWO execs - Gwynne Shotwell (President) and Musk (three titles)Tesla mafia: Ira Ehreinpreis, Tesla board sycophant, director at the Boring Company and xAI, and longtime Musk hanger on, added Feb 2026Antonio Gracias, ex Tesla director who was explicitly called out in the Tornetta decision as corrupted, cross party transactions with Musk, on boards of Neuralink and Boring Company, added Oct 2010TWO VC bros from DFJ - Randy Glein (SpaceX board observer for 16 years, directors since Feb 2026) and Steve Jurvestson (former Tesla director, director since March 2009) who was ousted from the VC firm with his name on it for sexual harassmentPaypal mafia:Luke Nosek, co founder of PayPal, one of the founders of Founders Fund with Thiel and Ken Howery, invested in DeepMind, director since July 2008Donald Harrison - managed Google purchase of DeepMind, relationship with Nosek, director since Feb 2015Director relationship tenures to Musk: Shotwell: 24 yearsEhreinpreis: 21 yearsGracias: 21 yearsJurvetson: 17 yearsGlein: 16 yearsNosek: 26 yearsHarrison: 11 years (+1 if Nosek/Deepmind connection counts)Texas jurisdiction exclusively (judge shopped) - 3% to sue them, mandatory arbitration, anti-takeover statutes, special meetings ONLY CALLED BY MUSK (no one less than 50% of stock can call a meeting or vote)No written consent - no prior noticeAdvance notice bylaws for the zero shareholder proposals allowedFull omission of board liability - including a provision that automatically allows whatever the conflicts of interest they want with directorsWHO (WHEN) DO YOU BLAME?The US GovernmentDepartment of Energy - in 2010, the DoE gave Tesla a $465m loan, which basically paid for the Model S and helped it buy a factory 6 months before it went public - Musk has said Tesla would not have survived without the loanNevada - in 2014, Nevada gave Musk $1.3bn to build a factory, the most everNASA - spent more than $15bn over years on SpaceX and programs with themThe IRS/Congress - the EV tax credit for $7,500 single handedly pushed Tesla from losing money in 2020 to making money (they effectively got $1.6bn from the US government in 2020), and showing its first profit, which sparked the memefest during COVID and made Musk the richest man on earth - Musk then went on and called for an end to the tax credit since his “competitors” needed it more than Tesla. Tesla made ~$11bn from tax credits aloneThe DoD - started paying SpaceX in 2003 for concept work - and even when the rockets didn't work, the DoD and NASA awarded the company massive contracts anywayJeff Bezos said in 2016 that, “Elon's real superpower is getting government money.”FOMOSpaceX LOSES MONEY - it does not make moneyIf it were a satellite internet company - and NOT THE FIRST - the first was HughesNet in 1996, and Viasat offered it in 2012 - it would make money ($1.2m in income!)Instead, investors are valuing SpaceX as THE LARGEST IPO IN THE HISTORY OF EVER despite the fact that they are burning money on AI, and arguably the worst AIIncluding spending the most on R&D, marketing, and acquisition of Cursor to make up for the fact that Grok suckedIn exchange for FOMO, investors have ENTIRELY GIVEN UP THEIR RIGHTSIt is 100% a private companyTornettaIf Tornetta hadn't sued for Musk's pay, would SpaceX be structured this way?The banks underwriting the dealWho AGREED TO BUY GROK as a term of getting the underwriting, because everyone bends the knee to moneyThe boardI guess

What if travel stopped being something you only squeezed into PTO… and became part of how you got paid? In today's episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on what becoming a modern travel advisor ACTUALLY looks like in 2026 — including how travel advisors make money, how beginners get clients, and why you do NOT need to quit your job to get started. I'm also sharing my own story of going from full-time teacher constantly counting down to breaks… to building a travel agency and helping other women create flexible income through travel. Inside this episode: ✈️ What nobody tells you about becoming a travel advisor

In this episode, we're sharing more of the behind-the-scenes details of what's happening in our business as we continue to grow. From creating an employee handbook to implementing PTO and sick-time policies in our payroll system, we're diving into some of the important foundational pieces that come with building a company. We also share some insight into how young entrepreneurs and business owners should be thinking when making key decisions that shape the future of their business. We share all that and more in this episode!Email your questions to us ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠!Our Vlog on YouTube:⁠https://urlgeni.us/youtube/channel/EE_Podcast_YouTube⁠Free EE Vision Board Template Link:⁠https://urlgeni.us/EE_Podcast_FreeVisionBoard⁠Everything Envy Links:Amazon Store: ⁠https://urlgeni.us/amzn/podcast_storefront_EE⁠Instagram: ⁠https://urlgeni.us/instagram/podcast_IG_EE⁠TikTok:  ⁠https://urlgeni.us/tiktok/podcast_tiktok_EE⁠Pinterest:  ⁠https://urlgeni.us/pinterest/podcast_pinterest_⁠Sign up for our newsletter:  ⁠https://urlgeni.us/podcast_newsletter_EE⁠Our website:  ⁠https://urlgeni.us/podcast_website_⁠The TECH tools we use in our podcast recording studio: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://urlgeni.us/amazon/podcast_influencertools_EE⁠Click here to get our vision board template: ⁠https://urlgeni.us/podcast_visionboard_EE⁠Below are affiliate links to some really cool tools that we use in our business. We do earn a tiny commission if you click any of our affiliate links so THANK YOU in advance! :)Collecting all the data is probably one of the most important things you should do for your business! We use URLgenius to easily track ours!⁠https://app.urlgeni.us/signup?urlg_referrer=everything_envy⁠FloDesk is what we use to create our beautiful newsletters and emails: ⁠https://partners.flodesk.com/x7detoz05nk1⁠Interested in the tool we use to collect email addresses and send them straight to FloDesk? Check out AppSumo using our affiliate link!  ⁠https://urlgeni.us/podcast_appsumo_EE⁠

This week on the Oakley Podcast, Jeremy Kellett talks sits down with Todd Venable, General Manager at MHC Kenworth in Little Rock, to break down the current truck market, from how COVID, fuel prices, interest rates, and freight rates have impacted new and used truck values to why now may be a better time to trade than a year ago. They cover the Kenworth order board and pent-up demand, owner-operators tied to strong carriers versus independents struggling with freight and fuel, and how being leased to a company like Oakley helps with financing approvals. Todd explains the upcoming 2027 EPA emissions changes, new technology in trucks (safety systems, digital dashes, video mirrors), and the importance of dealer training and communication. They also dive into warranties and extended coverage, modern maintenance intervals, common mistakes when spec'ing a truck (especially PTO capability), the appeal of models like the W900 and T880, and how MHC, as a family-owned dealer group, is investing for the future while supporting Oakley's owner-operators. Key topics in today's conversation include: Welcome to Today's Episode with Todd Venable (0:43) State of the Truck Market, Order Board, and Demand (3:50) New Truck Orders, Fleets vs Owner-Operators, and Pent-Up Demand (5:28) Trading Out of High-Payment Trucks and Used Market Recovery (9:54) Independent Owner-Operators vs Leased-On with a Carrier (11:19) Financing Realities, Credit, Down Payments, and Lender Options (15:20) 2027 EPA Emissions Changes and What They Mean (18:26) Cummins Gas Medium-Duty Engines and Technology Shifts (21:19) Favorite and Most Hated New Safety Tech (Bendix Wingman, Alerts) (24:40) Warranties, Real-World Warranty Wins, and Why They Matter (29:08) Spec'ing a Truck: Common Mistakes and Factory Options (35:09) Making Spec'ing Less Intimidating with Line-By-Line Reviews (38:23) Best-Selling Kenworth Models: W900, T880, and Market Favorites (42:38) Future of MHC Kenworth, Alternative Powertrains, and Investment (46:07) How Oakley Owner-Operators Should Approach MHC and Contacts (51:43) Final Thoughts and Takeaways (52:12) Oakley Trucking is a family-owned and operated trucking company headquartered in North Little Rock, Arkansas. For more information, check out our show website: podcast.bruceoakley.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A buyout offer can feel like a gift, but it can also quietly wreck a retirement plan if you treat the severance cheque like a finish line. Let's walk through the real-world decisions behind Microsoft's recent reported voluntary retirement style separation package and why moves like this matter to anyone working at a large company. When one major employer offers early exits, the idea spreads fast, and the next offer could land on your desk with a deadline and a surge of emotion.The five biggest mistakes I see when people accept an early retirement package: Overvaluing the payout instead of building a durable retirement income plan, underestimating healthcare costs and the Medicare gap, claiming Social Security too early out of fear, forgetting how brutal taxes can be in a package year (salary, PTO, bonus, RSUs, and severance piling up at once), and retiring from something without a clear purpose to retire to. We also talk through why companies do this, from payroll reduction and reshaping the workforce to freeing capital for priorities like AI and infrastructure.To help you decide without panic, I share three grounding questions: Are you financially independent already, does the offer truly improve your position, and what is your best alternative if you stay or work longer? If you're within five years of retirement and want clarity on income, taxes, Social Security timing, and healthcare, subscribe, share this with someone weighing a buyout, and leave a review so more people can find it.

The Beard Gang is back in rare form for this one… and this ain't your granddaddy's rye.

What does it take to build a thriving, high-performance culture inside one of the fastest-growing tech companies in the world, without ever requiring a college degree to get in the door? Mandy Mekhail, Chief of Staff of People at ClickUp, went from teaching in a classroom to leading the people function at a 1,200-person global company, and her journey is anything but conventional. In this episode, Mandy pulls back the curtain on ClickUp's non-traditional hiring philosophy, their obsession with onboarding excellence, and how they're turning AI agents into literal coworkers on the org chart. Whether you're an HR professional, a people leader, or simply curious about where work is headed, this conversation will challenge the way you think about hiring, culture, and the role of AI in your organization. Don't miss it. Key Timestamps [00:00:00] — Introduction: Mandy's Unconventional Path to People Leadership From educator to customer support to Chief of Staff of People at ClickUp, Mandy shares the leap of faith that started it all and the mindset that carried her through. [00:03:00] — Joining ClickUp at Employee #110 Mandy reflects on what it was like to join ClickUp when it had fewer than 100 functional employees and what it's meant to watch it scale to 1,200 people globally. [00:04:00] — The Role That Shaped Everything: Building the Quality Team Six months into ClickUp, Mandy was tasked with building the customer support quality function — and it became the role that fused her education background with her passion for people impact. [00:05:00] — Recruiting Power Users: ClickUp's Unconventional Hiring Strategy Forget job boards. ClickUp finds top talent by recruiting passionate product users from online forums and communities — and it's still a core part of their strategy today. [00:07:00] — Why ClickUp Dropped the Degree Requirement From Day One CEO Zeb Evans made a deliberate call early on: if a bachelor's degree isn't the real signal of capability, don't require it. Mandy explains how skills, integrity, and passion took its place. [00:09:00] — The Interview Question That Reveals Everything One question ClickUp asks every candidate regardless of role: "Give me an example of when you showed fortitude." Mandy explains why resilience is the great equalizer in hiring. [00:10:00] — Onboarding 500 Employees with a 99% KPI Success Rate Within 90 Days Mandy breaks down the layered, outcome-first onboarding framework that got new hires fully productive in weeks — by embedding them in the product from day one. [00:13:00] — Maintaining Culture Across Time Zones, Countries, and Hub Offices With teams spanning San Diego, Dublin, Sydney, Manila, and beyond, Mandy shares how a shared mission and core values become the unifying force across global subcultures. [00:15:00] — Preventing Burnout in a High-Growth, Fast-Shipping Environment High expectations don't have to mean burnout. Mandy explains why clear communication and respectful manager relationships are the real guardrails — not just PTO policies. [00:17:00] — Practical Boundaries in a Always-On World Mandy shares her personal rule: the ClickUp mobile app gets turned off at 5 PM. A small habit with a big message about modeling the boundaries you want your team to keep. [00:18:00] — Inclusion at Scale: How ClickUp Runs Global All-Hands Meetings Rotating time zones, recorded sessions, and a commitment to giving every employee the opportunity to attend live — Mandy breaks down what operational inclusion actually looks like. [00:19:00] — Why Every Single Communication at ClickUp Lives Inside ClickUp No side channels. No email threads. Every conversation, every message, every decision — all in ClickUp. Here's why that radical commitment powers both inclusion and AI at scale. [00:22:00] — The AI Agent Hour: One Hour a Week That's Changing Everything ClickUp gives employees one dedicated hour per week to play with AI Super Agents — no agenda, no expectations. Mandy explains how this structured playtime is dismantling fear and unlocking innovation. [00:27:00] — Advice for HR Leaders Who Are Afraid of AI Mandy's message to people leaders sitting on the fence: don't let your own fear set the tone for the rest of your organization. Start by understanding it yourself — and lean into your compliance and legal superpowers along the way. [00:29:00] — Where AI Has Made the Biggest Impact in the People Function Tier-one operational tasks are the obvious win, but Mandy points to something most HR teams are still missing: using AI for sentiment analysis of HR processes — and why that's the next frontier. [00:31:00] — AI as a Multiplier, Not a Replacement On the noise around AI layoffs, Mandy is clear: ClickUp treats AI agents as coworkers, not substitutes. They even appear on the org chart with the same data architecture as human employees. [00:33:00] — 5,000 AI Agents for 1,200 Employees Inside ClickUp's internal "agent wins" channel and Help Wanted Board — a grassroots knowledge-sharing system that has resulted in more AI agents than people at the company. [00:36:00] — Closing Thoughts: Don't Be Afraid to Try Something for the First Time Mandy's parting challenge to every listener — whether you're in tech or not: dive in, explore, and trust that understanding AI will transform how you see your role, your team, and your future. A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR Host: Brandon Laws In Brandon's own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders." About Xenium HR Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience. Discover how Xenium can transform your workplace: Learn more Connect with Brandon Laws: LinkedIn | Instagram | About Connect with Xenium HR: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Law firm owners don't struggle because they lack an employee handbook... they struggle because the wrong handbook, inconsistent policies, and poor enforcement can quietly create lawsuits. In this episode, Molly sits down with business and employment attorney Danielle Maya to break down how outdated handbook policies, PTO mistakes, weak documentation, and operational blind spots expose law firms to employment liability. You'll learn why copied templates, AI-generated policies, and unenforced workplace rules create legal risk, the hidden dangers behind vacation and at-will employment policies, and how stronger systems and proactive policies help protect law firms from unnecessary lawsuits.   Key Takeaways: Vague policies, copied templates, AI-generated language, and unenforced rules can actually increase legal liability. One of the biggest mistakes employers make is improperly handling PTO, sick time, and vacation accruals. Danielle emphasizes that state-specific employment laws matter — especially in employee-friendly states like Colorado. If policies are violated, leaders must document issues consistently and properly. Emails and verbal conversations are not enough. Ignoring red flags often leads to bigger operational, emotional, and legal problems later. Great leadership requires discernment, not desperation. Proactive systems, clear policies, legal guidance, and operational structure are far less expensive than lawsuits, employment disputes, and years of reactive cleanup. Quote for the Show:  "If your policies say one thing and your team does another, that's where liability starts. The problem is not just having the handbook... it's whether you actually enforce it consistently." — Danielle Maya Connect with Danielle:  Website: https://peak1.law/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellemaya/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561111 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peakonelaw/  Links: Website: https://hiringandempowering.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hiringandempowering Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hiringandempowering LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hiring&empoweringsolutions/ The Law Firm Admin Bootcamp + Academy™ : https://www.lawfirmadminbootcamp.com/ Get Fix My Boss Book: https://amzn.to/3PCeEhk   Ways to Tune In: Amazon Music - https://www.amazon.com/Hiring-and-Empowering-Solutions/dp/B08JJSLJ7N Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hiring-and-empowering-solutions/id1460184599 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3oIfsDDnEDDkcumTCygHDH Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/show/hiring-and-empowering-solutions YouTube - https://youtu.be/DtNXf_bSr5s 

China experts Tobita Chow and Jake Werner join PTO to talk about the recently concluded summit in Beijing between the United States and the People's Republic of China. We chatted about whether or not the relative thaw in relations (and the continuation of the tariff truce) is durable. We went on to talk about China's approach to Taiwan, and how realistic or otherwise the idea of a Chinese blockade or military assault on the island really are. And Jake and Toby explained what they see as potential crises on the horizon that might worsen relations between the two most powerful states in the global system.

In this long overdue episode of Quick Charge, the commercial trucking and logistics space is racing to electrify in the face of an ongoing oil crunch while homeowners race to claim the 30% solar tax credit by July 4th! We've also got electric semi truck news from Volvo, a seriously substantial new electric forklift from Kalmar that defies belief, and a new solar-powered trailer concept from Nivalis. All that, plus an ACT roundup AND an all-new sponsor on today's show. Today's episode is sponsored by GM Energy. If you want to experience more resilience and control over your home energy, the GM Energy Home System adds stationary battery power for always-ready backup energy for your home, and the GM Energy PowerBank takes in energy from the grid and stores it for when you need it most. Learn more at gmenergy.gm.com. Source Links ACT Expo roundup Zeem celebrates 350,000th successful charging session at LAX REALLY Quick Charge with Range Energy electric trailer at ACT Expo 2026 REALLY Quick Charge: The Mobility House, V2G, and building up the grid REALLY Quick Charge: Slate Auto CCO talks affordability, flexibility, and more REALLY Quick Charge: Greenlane CEO talks expansion, deals, and more Toyota Hino debut new Le Series electric MD trucks at ACT Expo Toyota announces new hydrogen collab with Nikola fueling spinoff Volvo Trucks adds electric PTO to VNR Electric semi lineup E-quipment highlight: Kalmar li-ion Super Heavy electric forklifts Nivalis buys SolarEdge, paving the way for solar powered reefer trailers in the US If you still want that 30% solar tax credit, the new panic date is July 4 Prefer listening to your podcasts? Audio-only versions of Quick Charge are now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, and our RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. New episodes of Quick Charge are (allegedly) recorded several times per week, most weeks. We'll be posting bonus audio content from time to time as well, so be sure to follow and subscribe so you don't miss a minute of Electrek's high-voltage podcast series. Got news? Let us know!Drop us a line at tips@electrek.co. You can also rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show. If you're considering going solar, it's always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it's free to use, and you won't get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.  Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you'll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

Summer is a stress test for your operational architecture. Every gap that exists in April becomes visible in July. Overlapping PTO. Clients disappearing and reappearing in a surge. A founder who wants to actually rest — and a team that doesn't know how to hold the business without her.In the final episode of May's three-part arc, Sheena lands the conversation where it belongs: in the practical, near-term work of getting ready for summer. She walks through five readiness checks — team coverage, client communication, summer-conditions decision rights, information and access, and your own willingness to actually step away — and gives you a specific four-week build plan to execute between now and Memorial Day.This is also the episode where Sheena shares that she's taking the last week of May off for her birthday — no show, no content, no client calls — and names it as a live demonstration of the architecture she's teaching. The show returns the first Monday of June with a new multi-episode series: The Pricing Problem.KEY TOPICS COVEREDWhy summer is a stress test for your operational architectureTeam coverage — how to build a shared summer PTO and coverage planClient communication — the proactive May outreach that prevents July apologiesDecision rights under summer conditions — making authority explicit before someone needs itInformation and access — what lives only with you that needs to be documented nowYour own readiness — the internal architecture of actually unpluggingA week-by-week May build plan leading up to Memorial DayWhy the architecture you build for summer is the same architecture that lets you scaleKEY TAKEAWAYSIf your business cannot run without you for a week, you have an architecture problem, not a vacation problem.Summer is a forcing function. The work you do in May becomes the architecture of the whole business.The number of decisions that truly need the founder is almost always smaller than the founder thinks it is.A real vacation requires you to let small things break rather than jumping in to save them.Taking a real break is a practice run for what scale actually feels like.RESOURCES MENTIONEDStrategic Discovery Audit — thedevaincollective.comFull TDC service ladder: Optimize Leadership, Optimize Operations, Elevate & Lead VIP Day, Leadership Sprint, Impact CoachingPROGRAMMING NOTEThe podcast is on break the last week of May. Episode 78 drops the first Monday of June, kicking off a new multi-episode series called The Pricing Problem — on why service-based founders underprice, how to raise rates without losing your best clients, and how to build pricing that supports the business you actually want.CONNECT WITH THE DEVAIN COLLECTIVE:LinkedInInstagramWebsite: thedevaincollective.comCONNECT WITH SHEENA:LinkedInInstagramABOUT BEYOND FOUNDER-LEDBeyond Founder-Led is the podcast for mission-driven founders — primarily women scaling service-based businesses from $500K to $5M — who are ready to move beyond being the bottleneck in every decision. Hosted by Sheena Hunt, founder of The DeVain Collective, each episode delivers frameworks, honest reflection, and practical tools for building a business that grows without sacrificing the founder or the mission.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/beautifullycomplicated-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Joshua Escalante Troesh CFP® and Amelie Riendl AFC® break down each section of a paycheck—what the numbers mean, why they matter, and how understanding them can help you avoid surprises and make smarter financial decisions. They explore required and optional deductions, tax withholdings, employer‑provided benefits, PTO tracking, and common paycheck misconceptions. The conversation empowers listeners to confidently read their pay stubs, spot errors, and use HR and financial professionals as resources. Top takeaways: Why it matters: Understanding your paycheck helps you anticipate taxes, bonuses, and benefits—and avoid surprises. Required deductions: Federal and state tax withholding, Social Security, Medicare, unemployment insurance (UI), and disability insurance (DI) all appear on your pay stub, often under confusing acronyms. Bonuses aren't taxed more: They feel heavily taxed because withholding formulas differ, not the tax rate itself. Your W‑4 is powerful: Adjusting it can prevent big tax bills or oversized refunds; many never revisit it after being hired. You pay for Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Disability Insurance (DI): These aren't “government handouts”—the insurance premiums are deducted from your paycheck. Using them when you need them is no different than filing a claim with your car insurance after an accident. Optional deductions: 401(k) contributions, employer stock plans, life and disability insurance, and other benefits may impact taxable income. PTO tracking matters: Vacation and sick time accruals are often miscalculated—monitoring them protects benefits you've earned. Paycheck fluctuations: Changes often come from hitting the Social Security cap, maxing out 401(k) contributions, benefit changes, PTO payout, or reimbursement timing. Red flags: Hours worked not matching the pay stub, PTO not accruing correctly, or unexplained swings in deductions. HR/Payroll is your ally: Most issues are simple system errors, and HR teams want to help employees understand their benefits and deductions (they may even be excited to share it with you). Want help building or growing a successful financial coaching business? Start here: Exploring financial coaching? Join our free community of 6,000+ coaches:https://www.facebook.com/groups/financialcoachescommunity Ready to learn more? Get our free 8‑part email series with 30+ tips:https://www.financialcoachesnetwork.com/pre-launch-email-series Launching your business? Check out FCN Biz DIY, our step‑by‑step program:https://www.financialcoachesnetwork.com/biz-diy Love coaching but not running a business? Beta test MoneyCoach Network:https://form.jotform.com/231063470154043

Thanks to our partners Promotive, WickedFile, Maverick Shop Owners, and OverdryveAre your PTO policies scaring off the technicians you actually want? Could a $100-a-week tool allowance or a reimbursed truck payment beat a $10,000 raise — and cost you less? In today's tight labor market, the shops winning top talent aren't always paying the most. They're being the smartest.Recorded live at the Vision Hi-Tech Training & Expo in Kansas City, Hunt Demarest sits down with Lisa Coyle and Sam Freeman from Promotive — the auto industry's leading recruiting firm — to break down the real reasons shops are losing candidates before the first interview ends. From outdated PTO structures to tone-deaf job ads, Lisa and Sam pull back the curtain on what technicians are actually looking for, what's working in 2026, and how shop owners can compete with Rivian, Tesla, and municipalities without blowing up their payroll. Whether you're running two bays or twenty, this episode is a field guide to building a shop people choose — and stay at.What You'll Learn...(03:03) PTO reality check — why one week after year one is a dealbreaker in 2026(06:58) How flat-rate shops should actually calculate paid time off(10:38) Why shops are their own worst enemy when it comes to hiring timelines(14:37) The A-tech unicorn problem — and the better hire you're walking past(15:44) The training model the industry has backwards — and the fix that grows your whole team(16:39) Always be recruiting — why two weeks notice is not enough runway(36:34) The 3-day interview rule and why speed is the only hiring strategy that matters(40:22) Creative comp that wins top techs without blowing up payroll(43:25) The fringe benefit rules every shop owner needs to know before getting creative(51:37) Job hopping — tech problem or shop problem? The answer might surprise youIf you're ready to stop losing top techs to shops with smarter benefit packages, start competing with Tesla and Rivian on PTO without blowing up your payroll, and finally understand why the candidate who applied Sunday is already hired somewhere else by Thursday — this episode is essential listening.VISION Hi-Tech Training & Expo: https://visionkc.com/Promotive: https://gopromotive.com/Thanks to our partner, PromotivePromotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit https://gopromotive.com/Thanks to our partner, WickedFileTurn chaos into clarity with WickedFile, the AI for auto repair shops. Transform invoices into insights, protect cash flow, and stop losing parts, cores, or credits to maximize your bottom line. visit https://info.wickedfile.com/Thanks to our partner, Maverick Shop OwnersYou're working on growing a more profitable shop - that's critical. That's exactly what the 24-video Blueprint course by Maverick Shop Owners addresses - customers, sales, profit, people, systems, and freedom. Get free access for our listeners only at https://maverickshopowners.com/blueprintThanks to our partner, OverdryveOverdryve is your AI-powered marketing operating system. It predicts slow weeks before they happen, automatically launches revenue-driving campaigns, tracks ROI down to the dollar, and optimizes performance in real time. Visit https://overdryvemarketing.com/

We review the racing from IRONMAN 70.3 Gulf Coast and that world record breaking dominant bike performance from Sam Long. Kate Bevilaqua has been following the recent Ultraman in Australia. Plus, we review the racing from Challenge Salou The state of professional prize pools – are there athlete payment issues within the PTO? The evolving technology in cycling including gear ratios and 3D-printed components. Upcoming races to watch – IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga and IRONMAN 70.3 Aix en Provence. Jack shares with us how he would tackle that hilly bike course in Aix. Kevin Hunt discusses his race at IRONMAN 70.3 Western Sydney   CHAPTERS 0:03:40 – Jacks last run training session before Hawkes Bay Marathon 0:10:17 – Ultraman Australia recap 0:13:12 – IRONMAN 70.3 race review and Sam Long's bike split 0:23:16 - 3D Printing in bike design 0:28:46 – IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga this weekend 0:29:19 – Challenge Salou recap 0:33:46 – PTO athlete payout concerns 0:40:21 – Chattanooga race insights and Chris Beckmans 0:45:48 – IRONMAN 70.3 Aix en Provence 0:56:26 – Bike course at IRONMAN 70.3 Aix en Provence 0:58:21 – Kevin Hunt and IRONMAN 70.3 Western Sydney LINKS: Jack Moody at https://www.instagram.com/jacktmoody/ Kate Bevilaqua at https://www.instagram.com/katebevilaqua/ Guy Crawford at https://www.instagram.com/guyrcrawford/ IM703 Gulf Coast at https://www.ironman.com/races/im703-gulf-coast Sam Long at https://www.instagram.com/samgolong/ IM703 Western Sydney at https://www.ironman.com/races/im703-western-sydney Hawkes Bay Marathon at https://hawkesbaymarathon.co.nz/ Ultraman Australia at https://ultramanoz.com.au/ IM703 Aix en Provence at https://www.ironman.com/races/im703-aix-en-provence IM703 Chattanooga at https://www.ironman.com/races/im703-chattanooga Challenge Salou at https://challenge-salou.com/en/

Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium get a lot of attention, but there are other nutrients that are just as important for soil and plant health. In this week's interview, we talk with Gregg Forster of Wisconsin Mineral Solutions about some of those other nutrients, including the role of calcium as the “truck” that helps move other nutrients in the plant, the role of boron as the “wheels” on the truck, and the role calcium plays in improving soil texture. But like most things in life there can be too much of a good thing, so we also talk about how much calcium is too much. We also talk about why cation nutrients are expressed in ratios instead of parts per million, what those ratios should be and recommended PPM for other micronutrients. We also discuss why iron should be in a ratio of 2.5 times more than manganese, the many reasons soil should be slightly acidic, and lots more in this week's Growing for Market Podcast interview. Connect With Guest: Website: wisconsinmineralsolutions.com Podcast Sponsors: Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support: Seven Springs Farm Supply is a farm-based supply company focused on serving market gardeners and has been in business for 35 years. Their catalog includes a comprehensive selection of approved-for-organic fertilizers, pest & disease controls, growing mixes, cover crop seed, and more. They offer custom fertilizer blending and seasonal cooperative purchasing opportunities, and their experienced team is ready to help guide you to the best solution for your farm's needs. Growing For Market listeners are eligible for an exclusive discount. Visit 7springsfarm.com/GFM or give them a call at (540) 651-3228. Nifty Hoops builds complete gothic high tunnels that are easy to install and built to last.  Their bolt-together construction makes setup straightforward and efficient, whether it's a small backyard hoophouse, or a dozen large production-scale high tunnels- especially through their community build option, where professional builders work alongside your crew, family, or neighbors to build each structure -- usually in a single day.Visit niftyhoops.com to learn more. Farming is hard. Running it shouldn't be. Tend helps you plan your season, map your farm, and track every task from seed to sale. No spreadsheets, no guesswork, just seamless workflows. Tend is the all-in-one farm management platform that brings together planning, field mapping, fulfillment, real-time inventory, sales, labor, traceability, and accounting in one easy platform. Built for small market gardens, CSAs, and large diversified farms. Get started with a free account at Tend.com. No credit card required. If you grow for market, you know performance is everything. That's why so many farmers are turning to Burpee's Farmers Market. Dedicated to professional growers, Burpee is now offering non-GMO seeds in larger quantities – bred and selected for standout flavor, strong yields, and the kind of visual appeal your customers crave. Burpee's been doing this for 150 years, and they're still creating new varieties with growers like you in mind. You can check out the full lineup at Burpee.com/FarmersMarket. BCS two-wheel tractors are designed and built in Italy where small-scale farming has been a way of life for generations. Discover the beauty of BCS on your farm with PTO-driven implements for soil-working, shredding cover crops, spreading compost, mowing under fences, clearing snow, and more – all powered by a single, gear-driven machine that's tailored to the size and scale of your operation. To learn more, view sale pricing, or locate your nearest dealer, visit BCS America. There are a lot of farm sales platforms out there, but there's only one that's cooperatively owned by farmers. That's GrownBy — your all-in-one solution to simplify farm sales. GrownBy makes online farm sales easy and affordable; setting up your shop is free, and you only pay when you sell. Join over 900 farms who have already signed up for GrownBy, at grownby.com. For more on veg and flower market farming, subscribe to Growing for Market Magazine!

In this episode, Dr. Bray explores the quiet workplace shift happening inside many companies right now. Paid time off is being reduced, parental leave is shrinking, flexibility is tightening, and performance expectations are rising. These may look like small policy changes, but together they reveal a major shift in how organizations view people, power, and productivity. You will learn why this is happening now, the hidden brain science behind how employees respond when support is taken away, and why some companies may be creating long-term performance problems while chasing short-term savings. If you want to understand where work culture is headed next, this is an episode you do not want to miss. This podcast was inspired by a Business Insider article written by Sarah E. Needleman.  "PTO, parental leave, pensions: Even the most prized benefits are on the chopping block." Quotes by Dr. Bray "Benefits were never just perks—they were signals of partnership." "One of the most powerful forces in motivation is perceived fairness." "Continuous output without recovery degrades judgment, patience, and decision-making." "People don't give their best because they're paid—they give their best when they feel safe, valued, and fairly treated."

Phil Burton-Cartledge joins PTO to talk about the recent local elections in England and the parliamentary elections in Wales and Scotland in which the Labour Party suffered an historic defeat. We talked about what the results mean for Starmer's leadership and for the long-term trajectory of the party. We also chatted about the Greens and what can be done to respond to media smears against Zack Polanski and the Green Party more broadly. Finally, we talked about the remarkable results in Wales and Scotland where both the Welsh Senedd and the Scottish parliament will now be led by nationalist parties.

Send us Fan MailQuiet Cracking, AI Trust, and Training the Next GenerationAfter an unexpected week off, the hosts catch up on a kitchen remodel and debate gas versus electric cooking, then touch on Cinco de Mayo drinks and missed Star Wars Day plans. They shift to workplace trends, defining “quiet cracking” as employees who are burned out and disengaged but staying due to an unstable job market, alongside “job hugging,” and discuss low applicant flow, burnout at big tech, and the need for real PTO. The conversation turns to AI-driven layoffs, distrust and unclear use cases for AI at work, and tools like Copilot, Gemini, Cowork, NotebookLM, and Spark AI for planning, coaching managers, role-playing difficult conversations, and studying—while warning about hallucinations and cringe-worthy copy-paste AI emails. They also discuss kids' screen-heavy schooling, Gen Z tech skill gaps in onboarding, IBM tripling entry-level roles, and the value of interns and early-career training, ending with a note about launching their first YouTube episode.Support the showWant to:* Share a dumb employee question* Share a crazy story* Ask us a question* Share a  best practice * Give us feedbackOur Link Tree below has links to our social media sites,  Patreon, Apple podcasts, Spotify & more.Please leave a review on your favorite podcast player and interact with us online!Linktree - https://linktr.ee/jadedhrFollow Cee Cee on IG - BoozyHR @ https://www.instagram.com/boozy_hr/

Episode 228 of the Channel 23 podcast covers fleet news, shout-outs, and lighthearted banter alongside serious conversations about driver safety, distracted driving, parking rules at Yard 23, blackout days and PTO challenges, and avoiding emotional hijacking on the job. The hosts share practical tips, messages of support, and real incident highlights to help drivers stay safe, work as a team, and maintain the JFW culture.

Segments Weird Space Facts Trek Propaganda 121 Years of Forest Service Doctrine, Undone. What Comes Next? By Katie Jackson A Billionaire Game Developer Has Been Buying Up Thousands of Acres in North Carolina. Why? By Katie Jackson QOTD:  Would you rather have every September off — fully paid, no PTO touched, or be able to thrive off 4 hours of sleep? Triple Crown of BBQ foods One-Minute Gear Reviews Listener Voicemail Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee. Sign up for the Trek's newsletter Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.  Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Bob Peoples Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, Jason Kiser, Jason "The Snail" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, The Saint Louis Shaman, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jak Hoquat, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lloyd Harris, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Claire "Marmot" Dumont, a mapmaker, writer at The Trek, and thru-hiker who has completed the AT, Mountains to Sea Trail, Oregon Coast Trail, JMT, and more. In this one, Marmot walks us through what it's like to spend three months on trail with your dad, how a Fulbright fellowship brought her to Jordan to research land ethics and outdoor recreation, and what happened when COVID shut down the borders and kicked her off the Jordan Trail mid-hike. She also shares the story of assisting a rescue on Mount Washington and hitching out to town in the ambulance, what it meant to find a queer trail family on the AT and how she thinks about femininity and queer identity in spaces that have traditionally skewed pretty dude-bro, and why she will never apologize for hiking in a dress with an AeroPress in her pack. We wrap the show with a new YouTube channel from The Trek, some kick ass trail days we'll be hosting, how a billionaire game developer has been buying up thousands of acres of wilderness in North Carolina, asking whether we'd rather be able to thrive off of 4 hours of sleep, or have the full month of September off each year, the triple crown of BBQ foods, why Chaunce now likes inflatable sleeping pads, we reignite the gas station bathroom debate, and we opine on whether a listener should hike the AT as a flip flop or NOBO. [divider] LISTEN Download this episode. [divider] Topo Athletic: Use code "TREK15TOPO" at topoathletic.com. Gossamer Gear: Use code "backpackerradio" for 20% off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com.  Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Use code "BPRADIO15" for 15% of hyperlitemountaingear.com [divider] Interview with Claire "Marmot" Dumont Claire's Instagram Claire's Trek Author Page Time stamps & Questions 00:05:35 - Reminders: Subscribe to The Trek's Youtube and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon! 00:11:45 - Introducing Marmot 00:14:04 - How did you get into backpacking? 00:18:15 - What is the Manaslu Circuit? 00:20:30 - How did you find the gap year program? 00:22:40 - What did you do after the gap year? 00:24:30 - Were you the youngest person you knew on the JMT? 00:29:45 - Do you have any advice for a younger person who wants to get into thru-hiking? 00:33:45 - How did you decide to do the Tahoe Rim Trail next? 00:36:00 - How did the Tahoe Rim Trail compare to JMT in terms of people? 00:38:30 - What is your career? 00:41:15 - What makes a good map? 00:44:15 - Tell us about the Oregon Coast Trail and Bigfoot Trail attempts 00:59:22 - Did you like the parts of the trail that you did see? 01:02:15 - Tell us about hiking the Long Trail 01:04:35 - Tell us about your Fulbright and the Jordan Trail 01:10:45 - Discussion about being abroad when Covid started 01:15:30 - Tell us about getting on the Long Trail 01:17:55 - Give us the elevator pitch on the Jordan Trail 01:23:45 - Tell us about the Mountains to Sea Trail 01:30:13 - Are they aiming to get the trail all on single track? 01:35:20 - How did you decide to hike the MST? 01:36:50 - What was it like to start the AT? 01:39:10 - Tell us about your tramily experience on the AT 01:42:45 - Did being queer impact you on your hikes before the AT? 01:45:25 - What were your takeaways about intentional community building? 01:48:24 - What are the biggest differences between hiking with men versus women? 01:49:44 - Tell us about hiking in a dress and practicing femininity on trail 01:52:53 - Tell us about your article, Four Things I Will Never Hike Without Again 01:56:30 - Any other standout stories from the AT? 02:05:25 - Tell us about the Teton Crest Trail 02:09:35 - Tell us about your article, Actually No, the Trail Won't Always Be There: Why You Should Thru-Hike Now 02:12:15 - Peak Performance Question: What is your top performance-enhancing or backpacking hack? Segments Trek Propaganda 121 Years of Forest Service Doctrine, Undone. What Comes Next? By Katie Jackson A Billionaire Game Developer Has Been Buying Up Thousands of Acres in North Carolina. Why? By Katie Jackson QOTD:  Would you rather have every September off — fully paid, no PTO touched, or be able to thrive off 4 hours of sleep? Triple Crown of BBQ foods One-Minute Gear Reviews Listener Voicemail Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee. Sign up for the Trek's newsletter Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.  Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Bob Peoples Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, Jason Kiser, Jason "The Snail" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, The Saint Louis Shaman, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jak Hoquat, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lloyd Harris, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.