Podcasts about publishers

EPISODE 648 - Chester L Richards - From The Potato to Star Trek and Beyond, Smithsonian Institution, Being A MonsterChester L. RichardsAerospace Engineer (Ret.), Inventor, Adventurer, Author, Storyteller, RomanticThe philosophy developed by Chester L. Richards, aerospace engineer, adventurer and inventor (19 patents), has indeed caused him to view all that comes his way as an adventure. Even a visit to the hospital! (Look for stories about these surprisingly entertaining forays into Deep Space Medical soon in his blog, "Stories.")That attitude took shape early. In college, a bit after those early escapes from being thoroughly roasted by The Great Potato's molten lead flinging tricks, Chester and friend Judy Burns co-authored a spec script for “Star Trek” on a lark. The story, “The Tholian Web,” became one of the series' most popular episodes. A veteran writer advised the young man, “You should write….write your passions.” “But I have nothing to say,” Chester thought. That was the moment he decided the real message was to fill his life with adventures. And he did — adventures in surfing, learning and performing music, travel to exotic places for river rafting, and his work as a rocket scientist. Along the way, he's always met fascinating characters. He did write — essays (over 50 have been published so far). At the house in Thousand Oaks he and his late beloved  Sarah once shared, he brought himself back from the brink of despair by writing the hair-raising adventures Sarah loved, and that continue to occur, though as the author says, he no longer has much hair.Book: From The Potato to Star Trek and BeyondBook: The Trek Continues: More Memoirs of a Rocket Scientisthttps://www.chesterlrichards.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

Nach dem ersten Teil des Jahresrückblicks in Folge 69 geht es in Affiliate TalkxX – Folge 69 weiter mit den spannendsten Themen aus der zweiten Jahreshälfte 2025. Ob Affiliate-Events, KI, Tracking-Herausforderungen oder der Wandel in der Suche – die Hosts liefern Insights, die für Advertiser, Publisher und Agenturen gleichermaßen relevant sind.

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A MODERN MAGAZINE EDITOR IN A POST-MAGAZINE WORLD—In the media storm that is 2025, the person you want captaining your ship is smart, decisive, and cool, calm, and collected—in other words, she's Nikki Ogunnaike.The editor-in-chief of Marie Claire, whom we got to know when we worked together at Elle, is the very model of a modern magazine editor, in that—unlike the lifers of old—she hopscotched through a ton of jobs, accruing skills as a writer, a fashion editor, a digital editor and a print editor, and, oh yeah, a social-media savvy multi-platform operator—to become what she is now: someone uniquely equipped to lead a new era of Marie Claire.We talked to Nikki about what it's like to run a modern media brand in a post-magazine world—what does the job of “magazine editor” even mean now? Also: how is the post-Hearst Marie Claire evolving to meet a new reader, or should we say “follower,” and which parts of its original DNA Nikki is working to preserve. Also: Is the “girlboss” back?—This episode is made possible by our friends at Commercial Type and Freeport Press. A production of Magazeum LLC ©2021–2025

EPISODE 647 - Christine Devane - Elephant Beach - A Children's Book That Talks About Being Shy and Being Open to Others About the author Christine grew up in North Andover, MA with her parents Tony and Joyce and brothers Anthony and Eddie. She was very shy when she was young and spent a lot of time reading. Throughout her childhood Christine loved animals, especially elephants. People started to buy them for her as a collection. Her grandparents, Eddie and Ginger, as well as her parents would bring her back lucky elephants from their trips. Throughout her childhood Christine always enjoyed trips to the beach with her family and grandparents. In 2006 Christine graduated from Merrimack College with a bachelor's degree in English and a minor in Elementary Education. In 2008 she received her master's degree in Elementary Education from Merrimack College. Christine would then go on to teach elementary school for the next 13 years. Her favorite part of the day was reading to her students. It was during reading time that she connected with her students through books. They learned, laughed and felt a range of emotions together. Christine decided that she wanted to write her own book for students to engage with, while learning and laughing. Since elephants have always been her favorite animal, she found it fitting to include them in her story. In 2017 Christine traveled to Africa with her mother and husband where she was able to see elephants living in the wild, which was always a lifelong dream. Many of the elephants were playing in the water and seemed to be having fun as they appear to in her book. Christine and her husband John have 3 children- Joey, Nick and Adeline and a dog named Sophie with whom she loves to read with. They laugh at her stories and enjoy trips to the beach together as a family. Book: Elephant Beach - A young girl is expecting a quiet, peaceful beach day of reading—but she's in for some disappointment. It turns out elephants love to play, especially at the beach! At first, the girl is annoyed when the elephants break her beach chair. Then, they block her sun amidst other loud and distracting shenanigans. Soon, though, the girl becomes intrigued by the elephants' playful nature. She still tries to read, but their games continue and can't be ignored. Having a change of heart, the young girl joins in when the elephants play volleyball. She surfs huge waves and even helps the elephants when they are scared. The young girl came to the beach to be alone, but she now finds herself surrounded by new friends. The silliness of these gentle giants amuse her, and what was once a plan to find some peace turns into a feast of fun! Come along to Elephant Beach, where distractions are welcome and adventure arrives with each and every wave.https://www.christine-devane.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR “HUMANITY?” with Dr. Sister Jenna & Gina Mazza  SISTER DR. JENNA Sister Dr. Jenna is a spiritual leader, author, and speaker whose life's work has been dedicated to elevating human consciousness and fostering peace worldwide. She is the director of the Meditation Museum in the metropolitan Washington D.C. area and was host of the popular America Meditating Radio Show for nearly 12 years—hosting more than 1,700 show and engaging a wide audience in discussions on mindfulness, peace, and personal growth. She currently hosts the Next Normal TV show on YouTube. Sister Jenna is the author of Meditation: Intimate Experiences with the Divine through Contemplative Practices and a contributor to Mr. President: Interfaith Perspectives on the Historic Presidency of Barack H. Obama, offering her unique spiritual insights on leadership and unity. Sister Jenna's dedication to service and unity is further demonstrated by her initiatives to plant trees for peace on Capitol Hill and on the grounds of the Pentagon, symbolizing her commitment to healing and environmental stewardship as pathways to global peace. She and her team spearheaded 21 initiatives fostering resilience and values. Sister Jenna can be seen on The Housewives of Atlanta offering meditation and spiritual support for the wives. She presented the “Illuminating the Light Within” fashion show for the Paris 2024 Olympic Gala for the African Olympians. Her profound impact on society has been recognized with the President's Lifetime National Community Service Award under President Barack Obama. She is a proud member of the Evolutionary Leaders Circle, where she joins other thought leaders in promoting conscious evolution. Sister Jenna's collaborative work with the Oprah Winfrey Network and Values Partnerships on the Belief Team highlights her role as a bridge-builder across diverse spiritual and cultural landscapes. An Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from St. Thomas Aquinas College acknowledges her tireless dedication to solving critical societal issues. Sister Jenna's influence reaches into the highest echelons of power, evident in her contributions to diversity and inclusion conferences at the Pentagon, the United States Coast Guard, and various federal agencies. Her initiatives, such as producing the “Off to Work” Meditation CD for the Coast Guard and speaking at their historic Diversity Summit, underscore her commitment to fostering inclusive environments. She has graced the cover of various global magazines, and produced the Om Shanti Album with Grammy winner and composer Ricky Kej. Sister Jenna's mission remains as relevant as ever—to build bridges, foster trust, and offer clarity and inner strength in challenging times. Her voice is a beacon of hope and healing, drawing together people from all walks of life in a shared journey towards a more peaceful and enlightened world. She is light, easy, and full of love. Americameditating.org press@americameditating.org GINA MAZZA Gina Mazza has been living her passion as a word provocateur and sacred scribe for more than three decades. She is the author of four books in the personal growth category, including Everything Matters, Nothing Matters, which was praised in Publisher's Weekly. As an indie journalist, Gina's byline can be spotted in media outlets around the world. She has profiled a diversity of thought leaders—physicians, PhDs, research scientists, theologians, politicians, mythologists, conscious evolutionists, CEOs, pro athletes, and change agents—as well as everyday people of extraordinary faith who do good works and help us envision a beautiful future. In her core work as a writing coach, creative muse, book editor, communications pro and publishing consultant, Gina has helped hundreds of individuals refine and launch their writing projects. Her clients have gone onto secure literary agents, land book/film deals, build successful brands and enjoy exciting literary careers. Gina also has a solid background in entrepreneurship, PR, corporate marketing, event planning, and the use of intuitive guidance to elucidate one's life mission and soul purpose. She graduated cum laude from Florida State University and has taught as an adjunct lecturer in creative writing at several universities. One of Gina's main fascinations—in her work and in general—is dissecting life's mysteries to expose its grandeur. Her inward path has led her around the world—including Italy, England, France, Ireland, Chile, Patagonia, Bosnia, Canada and across the United States—exploring and working within intentional and eco-communities, sacred sites and creative incubators with others in the realms of quantum storytelling, the healing arts and ancient wisdom traditions. As a trained intuitionist, Gina adores communing with the Holy Muse, luring ever closer to it through incisive words, verse and discourse. Her mystic poetry contained within her latest book, Essential Astonishments, offers a taste of this expressed God-locution. Gina is a proud mother of two and grandmother of two. She remains perpetually grateful that all of her cherished loved ones are thriving and living life to the fullest—giving all praise and glory to God. ginamazza.com ginamazza@me.com Call In and Chat with Deborah during Live Show: 833-220-1200 or 319-527-2638 Learn more about Deborah here:  www.lovebyintuition.com

It's another throwback episode!Usually books and math don't mix. The book people sit in one spot, the math in another, with their calculators and abacuses. But Microcosm founder and CEO Joe Biel is a known champion of combining the two!This week on the pod, Joe and Elly talk about the math that goes into publishing, from finances, to calculating print runs, and everything in between.************Thank you for catching the People's Guide to Publishing vlogcast!  We post new episodes every Thursday about publishing, authors, and the book industry. You can also listen via your preferred podcast app, or by visiting linktree.com/microcosmGet the book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/3663Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/10031More from Microcosm: http://microcosmpublishing.comMore by Joe Biel: http://joebiel.netMore by Elly Blue: http://takingthelane.comSubscribe to our monthly email newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gIXT6vFind us on social media:Facebook: http://facebook.com/microcosmpublishingBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/microcosm.bsky.socialInstagram: http://instagram.com/microcosm_pub************

KI & Online-Kurse: So unterstützt dich künstliche Intelligenz von der Idee bis zum fertigen Video   Ob du noch überlegst, ob ein Online-Kurs für dich Sinn macht oder bereits mitten in der Produktion steckst – die KI kann dich in jeder Phase massiv unterstützen. In dieser Podcastfolge erfährst du, wie du mit künstlicher Intelligenz schneller Klarheit findest, Inhalte strukturierst, komplette Module erstellst und sogar professionelle Videos produzierst – ohne selbst vor der Kamera zu stehen.   Torsten Körting auf LinkedIn: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/torstenkoerting/   Von der Idee zur Klarheit: Wie KI dich bei der Kursentscheidung unterstützt Viele Selbstständige stehen vor der Frage: Soll ich überhaupt einen Online-Kurs machen? Und wenn ja – zu welchem Thema? Genau hier beginnt die Reise mit der KI. Sie hilft dir im Sparring, Ideen zu sortieren, Zielgruppenrelevanz zu prüfen und erste Kurskonzepte zu entwickeln. Ob Personal Branding, Fachthemen oder interne Mitarbeiterschulung – KI-Tools geben dir Impulse, liefern Beispiele und bringen Struktur in dein Gedankenchaos. Struktur, Module, Inhalte: Die KI als Architekt deines Online-Kurses Sobald die Idee steht, geht es an die Ausarbeitung: Aufbau, Dramaturgie, Modultitel, Inhalte. Hier kann künstliche Intelligenz dir nicht nur helfen, sondern richtige Arbeit abnehmen. Sie unterstützt bei der Definition von Modulen, Lernzielen, Übergängen und sogar bei der Ausarbeitung einzelner Lektionen. Das Ergebnis: ein stringenter, didaktisch sinnvoller Aufbau, der deine Zielgruppe abholt, ohne dass du selbst jedes Detail durchdenken musst. Workbooks, Skripte & Video: Wie KI den Kurs zur Produktion bringt Ein Kurs ist mehr als nur Inhalt, er lebt von professionellen Materialien. Auch hier spielt die KI ihre Stärken aus: Sie generiert dir Workbooks, Sprecherskripte und unterstützende Materialien fast automatisch. Und wenn du willst, geht's noch weiter: Mit KI-Avataren, automatisch generierten Videos und sogar automatisierter Postproduktion brauchst du kaum noch vor die Kamera zu treten. Du bist plötzlich nicht nur der Kursautor, sondern auch Produzent und Publisher in einem. Fazit: Dein Online-Kurs in Rekordzeit – mit KI als Co-Pilot Ob Ideenfindung, Strukturierung, Materialerstellung oder Videoproduktion, mit künstlicher Intelligenz an deiner Seite verkürzt du nicht nur den Prozess, sondern hebst auch die Qualität deines Online-Kurses. Du musst nicht mehr alles selbst machen, aber du bleibst jederzeit der kreative Kopf. Nutze die Möglichkeiten, die dir KI heute schon bietet – und starte deinen Online-Kurs schneller und professioneller als je zuvor.   Noch mehr von den Koertings ...  Das KI-Café ... jede Woche Mittwoch (>350 Teilnehmer) von 08:30 bis 10:00 Uhr ... online via Zoom .. kostenlos und nicht umsonstJede Woche Mittwoch um 08:30 Uhr öffnet das KI-Café seine Online-Pforten ... wir lösen KI-Anwendungsfälle live auf der Bühne ... moderieren Expertenpanel zu speziellen Themen (bspw. KI im Recruiting ... KI in der Qualitätssicherung ... KI im Projektmanagement ... und vieles mehr) ... ordnen die neuen Entwicklungen in der KI-Welt ein und geben einen Ausblick ... und laden Experten ein für spezielle Themen ... und gehen auch mal in die Tiefe und durchdringen bestimmte Bereiche ganz konkret ... alles für dein Weiterkommen. Melde dich kostenfrei an ... www.koerting-institute.com/ki-cafe/   Mit jedem Prompt ein WOW! ... für Selbstständige und Unternehmer Ein klarer Leitfaden für Unternehmer, Selbstständige und Entscheider, die Künstliche Intelligenz nicht nur verstehen, sondern wirksam einsetzen wollen. Dieses Buch zeigt dir, wie du relevante KI-Anwendungsfälle erkennst und die KI als echten Sparringspartner nutzt, um diese Realität werden zu lassen. Praxisnah, mit echten Beispielen und vollständig umsetzungsorientiert. Das Buch ist ein Geschenk, nur Versandkosten von 9,95 € fallen an. Perfekt für Anfänger und Fortgeschrittene, die mit KI ihr Potenzial ausschöpfen möchten. Das Buch in deinen Briefkasten ... https://koerting-institute.com/shop/buch-mit-jedem-prompt-ein-wow/   Die KI-Lounge ... unsere Community für den Einstieg in die KI (>2800 Mitglieder) Die KI-Lounge ist eine Community für alle, die mehr über generative KI erfahren und anwenden möchten. Mitglieder erhalten exklusive monatliche KI-Updates, Experten-Interviews, Vorträge des KI-Speaker-Slams, KI-Café-Aufzeichnungen und einen 3-stündigen ChatGPT-Kurs. Tausche dich mit über 2800 KI-Enthusiasten aus, stelle Fragen und starte durch. Initiiert von Torsten & Birgit Koerting, bietet die KI-Lounge Orientierung und Inspiration für den Einstieg in die KI-Revolution. Hier findet der Austausch statt ... www.koerting-institute.com/ki-lounge/   Starte mit uns in die 1:1 Zusammenarbeit Wenn du direkt mit uns arbeiten und KI in deinem Business integrieren möchtest, buche dir einen Termin für ein persönliches Gespräch. Gemeinsam finden wir Antworten auf deine Fragen und finden heraus, wie wir dich unterstützen können. Klicke hier, um einen Termin zu buchen und deine Fragen zu klären. Buche dir jetzt deinen Termin mit uns ... www.koerting-institute.com/termin/   Weitere Impulse im Netflix Stil ... Wenn du auf der Suche nach weiteren spannenden Impulsen für deine Selbstständigkeit bist, dann gehe jetzt auf unsere Impulseseite und lass die zahlreichen spannenden Impulse auf dich wirken. Inspiration pur ... www.koerting-institute.com/impulse/   Die Koertings auf die Ohren ... Wenn dir diese Podcastfolge gefallen hat, dann höre dir jetzt noch weitere informative und spannende Folgen an ... über 440 Folgen findest du hier ... www.koerting-institute.com/podcast/   Wir freuen uns darauf, dich auf deinem Weg zu begleiten!

HR3 - Kyle Pitts & Darnell Mooney must be focal points in Falcons offense tonight In hour three Mike Johnson, Ali Mac, and Mark Zinno spend some time with the Co-Owner and Publisher of Dawgs HQ and Co-Host of The Steakhouse, Rusty Mansell! Ali, Mike, Mark, and Rusty discuss this year's SEC Championship having a different feel to it because both teams were playing with house money, Georgia being dangerous to play in a one game playoff setting because of how they will beat you up physically, how they are feeling about the different College Football Playoff matchups, if Rusty thinks Gunner Stockton got snubbed from being a Heisman Trophy finalist, and Fernando Mendoza nearly going to Georgia. Then, Mike, Mark, and Ali continue to preview the Atlanta Falcons matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night Football tonight, talk about how the other Falcons receivers and pass catchers must make contested catches tonight with Falcons top wide receiver Drake London out, talk about Mark going to the Army-Navy game this weekend, and then closes out hour three by giving their final thoughts on the Falcons matchup with the Buccaneers on Thursday night Football tonight with Beau “Squidbilly” Morgan who joins the show live from Tampa Bay. The Morning Shift crew talks about how Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans is still a major threat despite being in the back half of his career.

Mike Johnson, Ali Mac, and Mark Zinno spend some time with the Co-Owner and Publisher of Dawgs HQ and Co-Host of The Steakhouse, Rusty Mansell! Ali, Mike, Mark, and Rusty discuss this year's SEC Championship having a different feel to it because both teams were playing with house money, Georgia being dangerous to play in a one game playoff setting because of how they will beat you up physically, how they are feeling about the different College Football Playoff matchups, if Rusty thinks Gunner Stockton got snubbed from being a Heisman Trophy finalist, and Fernando Mendoza nearly going to Georgia.

Johnnie Putman and Steve King are in for a super short show featuring our favorite car guru, Tom Appel, whom also happens to be the Publisher of Consumer Guide Automotive and Host of the Car Stuff Podcast to highlight the latest auto industry news, test drives and recalls, including the Trump’s decision to roll back […]

Ep. 246: Tennis champion and Adidas shoe icon is joined by the President of Stan Smith Events, to share how leaders can Win Trust. With clients ranging from Fortune 100 companies to Olympic legends and Michelin-starred chefs, they reveal how thoughtfully crafted moments create lasting impact. Our BONUS RESOURCE for this episode includes Don's favorite quotes from today's episode and a reflection question so you can apply today's insights.  Do you want to write a book? In my new role as Publisher at Forbes Books and with the incredible resources and expertise of their team, we're making it easier than ever to help YOU to tell your story. Send us a message here to get started: https://books.forbes.com/don/  Looking for a speaker for your next event? From more than 30 years of interviewing and studying the greatest winners of all time Don offers these live and virtual presentations built to inspire your team towards personal and professional greatness.  Special thanks to Abbie Brandt and Andrew Levin for making this episode possible.  

What do employees actually want from their leaders during the holidays? In this episode, Hall of Fame keynote speaker Joe Mull, CSP, CPAE, looks at why many familiar holiday standbys—like parties, swag, and gift exchanges—don't always deliver the boost in employee engagement, morale, or workplace culture that leaders hope for. Instead, he explains how to make choices that genuinely reduce burnout, support real employee appreciation, and improve your team's quality of life during an already demanding season. Joe also shares the common missteps leaders make this time of year and how thoughtful communication can protect trust and motivation heading into the new year. If you want your people to feel valued, supported, and energized this season, this episode offers practical guidance you can put to work right away. To subscribe to Joe Mull's BossBetter Email newsletter, visit https://BossBetterNow.com For more info on working with Joe Mull, visit https://joemull.com For more info on Boss Hero School, visit https://bossheroschool.com To email the podcast, use bossbetternow@gmail.com #transformativeleadership #workplaceculture #companyculture #talentretention #employeeengagement #employeeretention #bossheroschool #employalty Joe Mull is on a mission to help leaders and business owners create the conditions where commitment takes root—and the entire workplace thrives. A dynamic and deeply relatable speaker, Joe combines compelling research, magnetic storytelling, and practical strategies to show exactly how to cultivate loyalty, ignite effort, and build people-first workplaces where both performance and morale flourish. His message is clear: when commitment is activated, engagement rises, teams gel, retention improves, and business outcomes soar. Joe is the founder of Boss Hero School™ and the creator of the acclaimed Employalty™ framework, a roadmap for creating thriving workplaces in a new era of work. He's the author of three books, including Employalty, named a top business book of the year by Publisher's Weekly, and his popular podcast, Boss Better Now, ranks in the top 1% of management shows globally. A former head of learning and development at one of the largest healthcare systems in the U.S., Joe has spent nearly two decades equipping leaders—from Fortune 500 companies like State Farm, Siemens, and Choice Hotels to hospitals, agencies, and small firms—with the tools to lead better, inspire commitment, and build more humane workplace cultures. His insights have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Harvard Business Review, and more. In 2025, Joe was inducted into the Professional Speakers Hall of Fame (CPAE). This is the speaking profession's highest honor, a distinction granted to less than 1% of professional speakers worldwide. It's awarded to speakers who demonstrate exceptional talent, integrity, and influence in the speaking profession For more information visit joemull.com.

References & Affiliates

This episode featuring a conversation with Jacqueline Strum, President & Publisher of Wine Enthusiast Media, as the second generation of her family's business. She began her career in marketing and public relations, working with agencies such as Hunter PR and Mission Media, before moving into digital media at UrbanDaddy. She later founded ThirstyNest, the first wine and spirits registry for the modern couple, as a subsidiary of Wine Enthusiast Companies. In 2019, she became Associate Publisher of Wine Enthusiast Media, where she spearheaded the development of innovative digital products, multi-channel media programs, and helped define a new style and voice for the publishing team. In 2024, Strum expanded the brand's reach by launching Wine Enthusiast Travel, which encompasses the Tasting Room Directory and consumer tourism experiences through Cork+Compass Travel. She holds a degree in International Business with a minor in Fine Arts from George Washington University and an Advanced Certificate from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. You'll hear her thoughtful insights about the business side of the wine industry, the inspiration behind new projects, and her behind-the-scenes perspective of wine media - and what that even entails - as we get ready to roll into the new year. You'll love her holiday wine recommendations as well! You can follow @wineenthusiast and @jackistrum on Instagram, and you can check out www.winenthusiast.com to learn more about the business.Recorded December 5, 2025 -----------------*NEW* Check out our ⁠⁠MERCH SHOP⁠⁠ to support the show

EPISODE 646 - Chef Franck Desplechin - Relentless Growth - Cultivating a Chef's Mindset for Professional FulfillmentMost people simply know me as or simply call me Chef Franck; and that is exactly how I like it. Over time, "Chef Franck" has become more than just a name; it is a reflection of the way I show up in everything I do, with heart, passion, and a relentless commitment to grow and improve. Behind the title is a lifetime dedicated to the craft of hospitality: My career began in the kitchens of Brittany, France, where I trained under Michelin-starred chefs who demanded nothing short of excellence. Those early years forged a deep respect for precision, discipline, and creativity. As I grew, my path took me beyond the kitchen, leading and mentoring teams, building businesses, and evolving with one constant: a love for creating meaningful connections. From fine dining restaurants to luxury hotels and entrepreneurial ventures, every chapter has been a pursuit of one thing: creating meaningful experiences that stand the test of time. It has become so much more than food or leadership. It is about connection, transformation, influence and the pursuit of something greater than the work itself. It is the energy you bring into a room, the standard you set without saying a word, and the respect you earn by how you show up day after day.Cheffranck.com was created as an extension of that spirit, a way to connect directly, without layers or filters. A place where craft, leadership, and authenticity meet opportunity. Whether it is building unforgettable workplace culture, strengthening teams, or guiding personal and professional growth, my mission remains the exact same: to elevate, to inspire, and to leave every place - and every person - better than I found them.This is not just what I do. It is who I am.I have never been one to follow a straight path; mine has been forged through pressure, uncertainty, reinvention, and an obsession with meaningful growth. What began in a small kitchen in Brittany at the age of 15 has become a lifelong pursuit of mastery, resilience, and purposeful leadership. From chasing Michelin stars in France to leading five-star operations across the Pacific and the U.S. I have learned that excellence is not found in the title, the awards, or the prestige; it is in the process. I have “failed”, started over, worked in languages I did not speak, and rebuilt my identity more than once. Along the way, I have grown from an apprentice with a dream to a chef tested by fire, an hospitality executive with a broader vision, and now, a founder, CEO and author driven by the same hunger I had on day one; but with far more perspective. Today, my work lives at the intersection of precision, purpose, and transformation; guiding teams, leaders, and organizations to rise, evolve, and deliver at the highest level. Not because it is easy, but because it is worth it.Book: Relentless Growth - Cultivating a chef's mindset for professional fulfillmentWhat if the only thing standing between you and true professional fulfillment was your mindset? Relentless Growth: Cultivating a Chef's Mindset for Professional Fulfillment is my answer to this problem, offering a bold and practical blueprint for both emerging and seasoned hospitality professionals who want to thrive—not just survive—in one of the most demanding industries in the world.Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

Ask Flora Funga Podcast anything OR Leave a ReviewWe chat with Britt Bunyard the Co-director of Telluride Mushroom Festival, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Fungi Magazine. He has studied the interactions and co-evolution of higher fungi (primarily mushroom fungi) with insects (primarily true flies). A recent book I published "Lives of the Fungi" We get some updates on what 2026 TMF consists of...All resources on florafungapodcast.com/195Zbiotics: "FLORA10"Drink ZBiotics before drinking alcohol-Alcohol produces acetaldehyde, a byproduct that your next daySupport the showGoFundME If you like the podcast please think of donating to Keep the show happening $keenie19 on Cash App Follow my other social media sites to interact and engage with me:Email me to be on the podcast or inperson Interview: floraandfungapodcast@gmail.com FacebookInstagramTwitterTikTokYouTubePatreon --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zbiotics: "FLORA10"Drink ZBiotics before drinking alcohol-Alcohol produces acetaldehyde, a byproduct that your next day SUPPORT THE SHOW: Join my Patreon for only $1/month [THATS only .03 cents a day!] ***I am an affiliate with ENERGYBITS (your daily a...

A power struggle looks to be brewing at NZ Cricket over the future of the domestic game. NZ Cricket chief executive Scott Weenink is understood to be taking a break from his day-to-day duties, ahead of talks about his future in the role. But cricket isn't the only national sport where rumours are swirling, Netball NZ also seems to be in disarray. Publisher of the Bounce Substack newsletter, Dylan Cleaver joins Jesse to discuss.

Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins Wendy Snyder, filling in for John Williams, to talk about this weekend’s Songs of Good Cheer event at The Old Town School of Folk Music (get tickets here), his favorite Christmas songs, and why he’s in favor of the medical aid in dying bill that is still sitting on […]

Four sonnets from 2025 Poetry Contest winner Angie Minkin.Support the show

Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins Wendy Snyder, filling in for John Williams, to talk about this weekend’s Songs of Good Cheer event at The Old Town School of Folk Music (get tickets here), his favorite Christmas songs, and why he’s in favor of the medical aid in dying bill that is still sitting on […]

At the Fall '25 vCon in Washington, D.C., Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, spoke with Jon Arnold, Principal of J Arnold & Associates, about why vCon matters, how it fits into the broader AI and communications landscape, and why legal frameworks around compliance and consent are as important as the technology itself. Arnold situates vCon—“virtual conversations”—as a response to a world where interactions are no longer just human-to-human, but also human-to-bot and bot-to-bot, generating vast amounts of conversational data that most organizations are not yet capturing or using effectively. Arnold explains that vCon is not a product but a standard—much like SIP was for VoIP—designed to create an open, interoperable ecosystem for conversational data. By encapsulating both data and metadata from calls, chats, and other interactions into a secure, portable container, vCon can help enterprises manage and analyze conversations across multiple channels, platforms, and use cases. This, he notes, is critical for domains such as UC, customer service, and broader AI-driven applications where structured and unstructured conversational data is becoming a strategic asset. A distinguishing feature of this event, Arnold observes, is the strong presence of legal and policy experts. With AI amplifying both innovation and risk, he underscores the centrality of compliance and consent. Without clear regulatory frameworks and governance, vCon-style capabilities could accelerate a slide toward a “surveillance society,” where every interaction is recorded and tracked without adequate safeguards. Getting lawyers and regulators involved early, Arnold suggests, improves the odds that vCon will scale in a way that balances innovation with consumer protection and trust. On the question of monetization, Arnold draws parallels to the early days of hosted voice and UCaaS: the ecosystem is still forming, a few players are close to real revenue, and many potential use cases are only now being discovered. As with other major technology shifts, he expects some of the most valuable applications to emerge “off-label,” driven by users who find unexpected value once the tools are in their hands. With an open standard, an emerging community, and early traction among sponsors and innovators, Arnold sees strong potential for vCon to become a foundational layer in the next era of AI-enabled communications. To learn more about Jon Arnold's research and analysis, visit https://www.jarnoldassociates.com/.

In this episode, we welcome Abby Martin, a journalist and filmmaker known for her anti-imperialist vision. She has done on-the-ground investigative reports and documentary films in places like Palestine, Venezuela, the Amazon Rainforest. We explore the profound environmental impacts of U.S. militarism, connecting the dots between war and ecological devastation. Support the Podcast via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url Abby sheds light on the military's role as the world's largest polluter, the real enemy of the people, the land, the rivers, the sea, in this story. She speaks on her uncovering of the military operations toxic legacy, and the urgent need for a collective response against these destructive forces. Join us as we uncover the truth about how militarism and environmental degradation are intertwined, and what we can do to combat this crisis. For an extended interview and other benefits, become an EcoJustice Radio patron at https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio Resources/Articles: Earth's Greatest Enemy Website: https://earthsgreatestenemy.com/ Abby Martin is a journalist, filmmaker, activist who hosts, directs, and writes the YouTube show The Empire Files [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG29FnXZm4F5U8xpqs1cs1Q], an independent documentary & interview series with her husband Mike Prysner - reporting on war & inequality from the heart of Empire. She is director of the film Gaza Fights for Freedom [https://gazafightsforfreedom.com/] and the documentary Earth's Greatest Enemy [https://earthsgreatestenemy.com/]. She also co-hosts Media Roots Radio [https://soundcloud.com/media-roots]. Jack Eidt is an urban planner, environmental journalist, and climate organizer, as well as award-winning fiction writer. He is Co-Founder of SoCal 350 Climate Action and Executive Producer of EcoJustice Radio. He writes for a PBS SoCal Artbound project called High & Dry [https://www.pbssocal.org/people/high-dry]. He is also Founder and Publisher of WilderUtopia [https://wilderutopia.com], a website dedicated to the question of Earth sustainability, finding society-level solutions to environmental, community, economic, transportation and energy needs. Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/ Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/ Support the Podcast: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url Executive Producer and Host: Jack Eidt Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats Episode 274 Photo credit: Abby Martin

Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins Wendy Snyder, filling in for John Williams, to talk about this weekend’s Songs of Good Cheer event at The Old Town School of Folk Music (get tickets here), his favorite Christmas songs, and why he’s in favor of the medical aid in dying bill that is still sitting on […]

Hometown Radio 12/08/25 3:30p: Guest host Gary J. Freiberg talks to Steve Gurney, publisher and Founder of the Solo Aging Club

The Author Quill Associate Publisher guest Marie Whittaker author Katie Cross

Chris Karpman joins Wolf and Mitch Vareldzis to discuss the future at the quarterback position for Arizona State and ASU's game at the Sun Bowl against Duke.

Send us a textHave you ever been part of a weekend that you know you'll carry with you forever?In this conversation, Nathan is joined by Dr. Linda and Brian Schubring to reflect on their time in Brussels celebrating the 20th anniversary of Serve the City International—a global movement built on a simple idea: many people doing small things together can make a big difference.Leaders from 35 countries across 6 continents gathered to mark two decades of kindness in action. Linda and Brian opened the event with their keynote experience, “Unfolded: The Transformative Power of Serving,” and led a breakout session on how to approach challenge, change, and uncertainty as leaders who serve.In this episode, they talk about:The energy of bringing together leaders from around the world who are deeply committed to serving their citiesWhy they began the conference with a mindfulness practice—a shared moment of stillness, open hands, and collective breathingHow acts of service shape leadership: rolling up your sleeves, being in need, and receiving helpWhat 3.5 million volunteer hours and 10 million lives impacted in 2024 say about the power of consistent, small actionsHow Carleton Deal and the Serve the City team use simple, repeatable phrases (“serving revolution,” “cross the line,” “know them by name”) to create a scalable, sustainable movementThe idea of volunteers as “hope artists” in a world filled with uncertainty and negativityTheir breakout session on challenge, change, and uncertainty, and how to help leaders remember the internal certainty they already carryWhy serving outside the office can unlock deeper compassion and care inside the workplaceWhat it takes to sustain a volunteer movement for 20+ years—and why the Serve the City vision will continue long after its foundersThe episode culminates with a powerful quote Brian and Linda wrote in a Paris café as they prepared for their time in Brussels:“When we serve with open hands, we create a space for something to land.”Key Themes & Topics:Serve the City International – 20-year anniversaryServing with open handsLeadership and serviceChallenge, change, and uncertaintyGlobal volunteer movementsSustainable vision beyond the founderCompassion, kindness, and team cultureMindfulness and preparation to serveThe “map” metaphor for navigat

Lisa Endo Cooper and Bremond Berry MacDougall met on the first day of seventh grade and quickly discovered their shared love for books. Decades later, they founded Quite Literally Books, a women-owned small heritage press reprinting forgotten books by American women authors to share with new generations of lit lovers. As publishers, they are dedicated to creating new editions of ought-to-be in print books and, in doing so, hope to be a part of ongoing conversations about essential questions. Learn more about Quite Literally Books here: https://quiteliterallybooks.comNovelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol. Check out his novels here: https://snip.ly/yz18noWrite to Mike Consol at novelistspotlight@gmail.com

EPISODE 645 - Anthony Dyer - Moon Child - Roots and Wings of a USAF Combat Special MissionsANTHONY DYER grew up in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, where adventure and resilience were woven into his very being. That same spirit of fearlessness carried him into a life of service, leading to an extraordinary career in Special Operations Aviation as a USAF Combat Special Missions Aviator. Over the course of more than a decade, Anthony flew into some of the most dangerous and unpredictable environments on the planet, executing high-risk missions that demanded precision, courage, and an unbreakable will.His exceptional skill and unwavering commitment to his team earned him numerous accolades, including the Air Force's Jolly Green Rescue Mission of the Year award in 2018 for his role in a daring, life-saving operation. Throughout his career, he witnessed both the triumphs and the burdens of combat, experiencing firsthand the weight that warriors carry long after the missions end.When he's not writing or speaking on behalf of those who have walked a similar path, Anthony finds solace in fishing, basketball, and the simple joys of family life. Above all, he is a devoted father and husband, embracing the adventure of parenthood with the same passion and intensity that defined his military career. Now residing in New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment, Anthony continues his journey—one that is no longer defined by combatBook - Moon Child: The Roots and Wings of a USAF Combat Special Missions AviatorBorn in the rugged Appalachian town of Sylva, North Carolina, Anthony Dyer was raised in a world of untamed adventure, where resilience was a way of life. That same fearless spirit propelled him into the elite realm of Special Operations Aviation, where he spent over a decade as a USAF Combat Special Missions Aviator, flying into the world's most volatile war zones. Tasked with executing high-risk missions under relentless pressure, Anthony's career was defined by precision, courage, and sacrifice. But what happens when the mission ends?In Moon Child, Anthony delivers a raw, unfiltered account of his life in combat-the triumphs, burdens, and unseen wounds that follow Warriors home. He shares the harrowing details of his most dangerous operations, including the 2018 Jolly Green Rescue Mission of the Year, where split-second decisions meant the difference between life and death. Yet, beyond the battlefield, Anthony faced a far deadlier enemy: the silent battles of addiction, trauma, and the search for purpose beyond war.For those who have known war, for those who have battled addiction, and for those still finding their way-Moon Child is your story, too.https://www.traitmarkermedia.com/moonchildSupport the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

Thank you so much for listening to the Bob Harden Show, celebrating over 14 years broadcasting on the internet. On Monday's show, we discuss current global events, including Trump's U.S. Security Doctrine and developments in Israel, Ukraine, China, Venezuela and Iran with Marc Schulman, Founder and Publisher of HistoryCentral.com. We visit with American Institute for Economic Research Senior Editor Jon Miltimore about California's pass on “Abundance.” We also visit with author Jim McTague about rising electric bills, the electric grid, and alternative energy sources. We have terrific guests for tomorrow's show, including Florida State Senator Kathleen Passidomo, Maggie Anders from FEE.org, former Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund, and Linda Harden. Access this or past shows at your convenience on my web site, social media platforms or podcast platforms.

Send us a textIn this episode of Performance Marketing Spotlight, host Marshall Nyman sits down with Reid Webb, Director of Shopping Revenue Strategy at Apartment Therapy Media, to explore how publishers can adapt and grow in a rapidly changing performance landscape. Reid shares his journey from agency-side beginnings to building commerce revenue programs across major publishers including Apartment Therapy, The Kitchn, Cubby, and Dorm Therapy.We discuss:How AI and shifting search traffic are reshaping publisher monetizationWhy off-site and social commerce are becoming essential revenue channelsThe challenges and opportunities of managing affiliate programs across multiple brandsWhat metrics publishers should prioritize in an AI-driven environmentReid's upcoming panel at Affiliate Summit West 2026, featuring voices from Opinary and other industry leadersWhether you're a publisher, brand, or performance marketer, this episode delivers practical insights on how to future-proof your commerce strategy.

Thank you so much for listening to the Bob Harden Show, celebrating over 14 years broadcasting on the internet. On Monday's show, we discuss current global events, including Trump's U.S. Security Doctrine and developments in Israel, Ukraine, China, Venezuela and Iran with Marc Schulman, Founder and Publisher of HistoryCentral.com. We visit with American Institute for … The post California Takes a Pass on “Abundance” appeared first on Bob Harden Show.

With AI integrated into nearly every platform and hybrid work firmly established, it's crucial to cut through the noise and understand what truly drives value.Join Sara Barr, Learning and Development Director at Nuwave Communications, as she puts Rob Scott, Founder and Publisher of UC Today, in the hot seat for an unfiltered “UC Reality Check 2026.” This candid conversation reframes UC not just as a technology purchase, but as a critical driver for employee experience and business outcomes.In this video, you'll discover:AI: The New Vendor Lock-in? Rob Scott shares his insights on how AI can either genuinely enhance your platform or subtly trap you. Learn what questions buyers should be asking vendors about their AI stack and integration.Hybrid Work & Real Collaboration: Why are so many companies still struggling with hybrid work? We dive into what true collaboration looks like beyond endless video calls and where UC platforms should be showing up that they aren't.The Human Element: Explore the critical link between UC adoption, employee experience (EX), and talent retention. Discover why HR and IT collaboration is key for successful rollouts and how bad UC tech can become a “resignation trigger.”2026 Belongs to Smart Channel Partners: Get actionable advice for channel partners on how to differentiate, find new opportunities, and build vendor relationships that drive transformational value, not just transactional sales.The market is shifting from UCaaS to what we're calling UCaaS Plus, where value comes from the services, the AI, the analytics, the workflow integration, not just seats and licenses.Thanks for watching! Let's make 2026 the year we stop talking about UC like it's 2019.

Malcolm Margolin (1940-2025), the long-time publisher of Heyday Books in Berkeley, who died on August 20, 2025 at the age of 84, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky in the KPFA Studios on November 21, 2014. Malcolm Margolin founded Heyday Books, the renownedy non-profit publishing house located in Berkeley, in 1974 and stayed until he retired in 2015. He was the author and editor of several books, most notably The Ohlone Way: Indian Life in the San Francisco – Monterey Bay Area, along with magazines and other periodicals. This interview was recorded November 21, 2014 upon the publication of his memoir/history, The Heyday of Malcolm Margolin: The Damned Good Times of a Fiercely Independent Publisher.  Malcolm Margolin retired in 2015 but continued to work until his death. His final book, Deep Hanging Out: Wanderings and Wonderment in Native California. was published by Heyday in 2021. The post Malcolm Margolin (1940-2025), Legendary Publisher of Heyday Books in Berkeley appeared first on KPFA.

THE PURPOSE OF TRAVEL—The world is adrift in travel magazines that tell you to go here and stay there, to order certain foods at “of-the-moment” restaurants. And when you go to these places you find yourself surrounded by other travelers like you, and the only locals you interact with are, maybe, the waiter, or your Airbnb host, or the tour guide taking you on a generic definitely-not-what-the-locals-do tour of the trendiest neighborhood in town. Or you might not even meet a local. Or ever stop looking at the screen on your phone.You will have ticked items off your travel bucket list, but will you have actually traveled? Travel becomes consumption and as with all manner of consumption, you are never quite sated, and hey, there's a media ecosystem out there to help you along.And then there's Ori. Founded by journalist Kade Krichko, Ori bills itself as a “travel, art and education platform” that allows local storytellers to tell their stories on a global scale. It is a magazine that understands travel is an experience first and foremost, and that traveling well means an immersion into people and places, an opportunity to grow and to heal.It's a magazine that assumes you should think about and experience the world around you, and that if you think about it and experience it enough, the world becomes a more interconnected and better place; it becomes a place of wonder.And isn't that why we travel?—This episode is made possible by our friends at Freeport Press. A production of Magazeum LLC ©2021–2025

Stories have a way of helping us recognize ourselves, and that's exactly what happened in my conversation with Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond. Nana shares what it was like to grow up in Queens, then suddenly move to a boarding school in Ghana, and how that experience shaped her identity in ways she's still uncovering today. As Nana describes her path from writer to author, her years of persistence, and the curiosity that led to books like Powder Necklace and Blue, I felt a deep connection to her commitment to keep creating even when the process feels uncertain. We also explored trust, partnership, and the lessons my guide dogs have taught me—all ideas that tie into the heart of Nana's storytelling. This conversation is an invitation to see your own life with more clarity, courage, and compassion. Highlights: 00:00:10 – Step into a conversation that explores how stories shape courage and connection. 00:01:41 – See how early environments influence identity and spark deeper questions about belonging. 00:02:55 – Learn how a major cultural shift can expand perspective and redefine personal truth. 00:23:05 – Discover what creative persistence looks like when the path is long and uncertain. 00:27:45 – Understand what distinguishes writing from fully embracing authorship. 00:33:22 – Explore how powerful storytelling draws people into a moment rather than just describing it. 00:46:45 – Follow how curiosity about history can unlock unexpected creative direction. 00:59:31 – Gain insight into why treating a publisher as a partner strengthens both the work and the audience reach. About the Guest: Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond is the author of Powder Necklace: A Novel, the award-winning children's picture book Blue: A History of the Color as Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky, the collection Relations: An Anthology of African and Diaspora Voices, and My Parents' Marriage: A Novel.  Tapped for her passion about Africa's rich fashion traditions and techniques, Brew-Hammond was commissioned by the curators of Brooklyn Museum's "Africa Fashion" exhibit to pen and perform an original poem for the museum's companion short film of the same name. In the clip, she wore a look from the made-in-Ghana lifestyle line she co-founded with her mother and sister, Exit 14. The brand was featured on Vogue.com. Every month, Brew-Hammond co-leads the Redeemed Writers Group whose mission is to write light into the darkness. Learn more about it here.Learn more at nanabrewhammond.com. Ways to connect with Nana**:** Instagram, Facebook and Threads: @nanaekuawriter Twitter: @nanaekua  www.NanaBrewHammond.com  ORDER my new novel   MY PARENTS' MARRIAGE Read 2023 NCTE Award Winner & NAACP Image Award Nominee   BLUE: A History of the Color as Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky   Read RELATIONS: An Anthology of African and Diaspora Voices , stories, essays & poems by new and established Black writers   Shop Exit 14 , all weather, uniquely designed, 100% cotton apparel sustainably made in Ghana About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards. https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/ accessiBe Links https://accessibe.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/accessiBe https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibe/mycompany/ https://www.facebook.com/accessibe/ Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can subscribe in your favorite podcast app. You can also support our podcast through our tip jar https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/unstoppable-mindset . Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Transcription Notes: Michael Hingson  00:00 Access Cast and accessiBe Initiative presents Unstoppable Mindset. The podcast where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet. Hi, I'm Michael Hingson, Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe and the author of the number one New York Times bestselling book, Thunder dog, the story of a blind man, his guide dog and the triumph of trust. Thanks for joining me on my podcast as we explore our own blinding fears of inclusion unacceptance and our resistance to change. We will discover the idea that no matter the situation, or the people we encounter, our own fears, and prejudices often are our strongest barriers to moving forward. The unstoppable mindset podcast is sponsored by accessiBe, that's a c c e s s i capital B e. Visit www.accessibe.com to learn how you can make your website accessible for persons with disabilities. And to help make the internet fully inclusive by the year 2025. Glad you dropped by we're happy to meet you and to have you here with us. Michael Hingson  01:20 And a pleasant, Good day to you all, wherever you happen to be, I would like to welcome you to another episode of unstoppable mindset. Today, we get to have a conversation with Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond And Nana has a lot of interesting things to talk about. She's written books, she's done a variety of different things, and rather than me giving it all away, it'll be more fun to let her tell the stories and get a chance for us to listen to her. She is in Oakland, California, so she's at the other end of the state for me, and we were just comparing the weather. It's a lot colder where she is than where I live down here in Victorville, where today it's 104 degrees outside. And Nana, you said it was like, what, somewhere around 70. Yeah, it's 68 There you go. See lovely weather. Well, Nana, I want to welcome you to unstoppable mindset. We're really glad you're here, and I want to thank you for taking the time to be with us. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  02:23 I feel the same way. Thank you for having me on your amazing show. And it's so wonderful to be in conversation with you. Michael Hingson  02:30 Well, I'm glad we get a chance to spend some time together and we can, we can talk about whatever we want to talk about and make it relevant and interesting. So we'll do that. Why don't we start with what I love to do at the beginning of these is to talk about the early Nana growing up and all that. So take us back as close to the beginning as your memory allows. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  02:52 Oh gosh, as my memory allows. Um, I so I was born in Plattsburgh, New York, which is upstate near Montreal, Canada. Michael Hingson  03:06 Been there. Oh, cool in the winter. I even crossed the lake in an icebreaker. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  03:12 But yeah, oh my gosh, wow. Okay, yeah. Bring back memories. Well, I was only there for till I was, like two years old. So, but I do, I have gone up there in the winter and it is cold. Yes, it is cold, yeah. So I was born there, but I grew up in New York City and had that really was sort of my life. I lived in New York, grew up in Queens, New York, and then at 12 years old, my parents decided to send me to Ghana to go to school. And that was sort of like a big, the biggest change of my life, like I know that there was a before Ghana and an after Ghana, Nana and so, yeah, wow. Michael Hingson  04:02 So, so when was that? What year was that that you went to Ghana? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  04:06 That was 1990 August of 1990 actually. Michael Hingson  04:11 So what did you think about going to Ghana? I mean, clearly that was a major change. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  04:15 Yeah, you know, I, you know, my parents are from Ghana originally. So when, you know, they would always talk about it. We, you know, back then phones, long distance phone calls to Ghana. I, you know, that was, that was the extent of my sort of understanding of Ghana, the food that we ate at home, etc. So going to Ghana was just sort of mind blowing to me, to sort of be crossing, you know, getting on a plane and all of that, and then being in the country that my parents had left to come to the United States, was just sort of like, oh, wow, connecting with family members. It was just, it was a lot. To process, because life was very, very, very, very different. So yeah, it was just sort of a wild eye opening experience about just the world and myself and my family that ultimately inspired me to write a book about it, because it was just, I just, it was a lot to process. Michael Hingson  05:25 Why did they want you to go to to Ghana to study? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  05:30 Yeah, so in the 90s, in New York City or and in the late 80s, there was the crack epidemic was happening, and we, you know, I mean, I remember, we lived in a house in Queens, and when we would, you know, part of our chores was to sweep in front of the house, you know, rake the leaves, that kind of thing in the fall. And we would, all the time there would be crack files, you know, like as we're sweeping up, and I didn't get there where we were young. My sister was, you know, a teenager. I was 12, and my, you know, my younger brother had just been born. He was just like a, like, a little under a year old. And I think my parents just didn't feel that it was a safe place for us as kids to grow up. And so, yeah, they wanted to kind of give us an opportunity to get out of, you know, that environment for a while. Michael Hingson  06:33 What did you think of it? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  06:35 I mean, you know, as a kid, you never want to leave what to you. So it was, I would say it was, it was, it was interesting. Because initially I loved it. I was like, I actually campaigned, you know, I was like, I really, you know, would like to stay in Ghana, but I didn't want to stay for, you know, the three years, which is what I what happened? I wanted to stay for maybe, like a year, kind of try it, you know, go to school for a year. I found it this really cool adventure, go to boarding school and on all of that. But my parents made the decision that we should just sort of ride it out and finish like I had to finish high school. And, yeah, so, so great for me. Michael Hingson  07:25 So you were there for three years, yes. So by you were 12, so by 15, you had finished high Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  07:32 school, yeah, because the system there is different. It's it was at the time the British system. So it was like a form system where I saw I entered in form three, because it was, it wasn't quite the equivalent in the sense that I probably should have started in form two or form one, but I was also an advanced student, and and they, the way the system there works is you have to take a common entrance exam from primary school to get into secondary school. So it's very difficult to get into school midstream there. So we had to go through all of these hoops. And, you know, there was an opening in form three, and that was higher than my, you know, than where I should have been, but I was advanced, so I was able to get into that school that way. You did okay. I assume I did. I mean, I struggled, which was interesting, because I was a very, you know, good, strong student in the States, but I struggled mightily when I first got there, and throughout, it was never easy, but I was able to manage. Michael Hingson  08:49 Now, did your sister also go to Ghana? She Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  08:52 did, and she was hopping mad. Michael Hingson  08:55 How old was she when you were 12, she was Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  08:59 17, so she Okay, yeah, almost about to go to college. She was really excited about, like, that portion of life. And then it was like, okay, she's in Ghana. She was hopping mad. Michael Hingson  09:13 Well, how long did she stay? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  09:16 Well, so she stayed for two years. Because what Ghana has is sort of like, at the time it was something called sixth form, which is, again, the British system. So it's sort of like a college prep in between the equivalent of that. So she basically did that in Ghana. Michael Hingson  09:38 Okay, well, and your little brother didn't go to Ghana, Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  09:44 not yet, not not yet. You Michael Hingson  09:47 mean they didn't send him over at one year? No, okay, well, that's probably a good idea. Well, so looking back on it, what do you think about having spent three years in. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  10:00 Ghana, looking back on it, I think it was actually really, really good for me. I mean, it was that doesn't take away from the fact that it was very difficult. It was very, very challenging, not only academically. It was I was bullied really hard at this boarding school that I went to. The girls just kind of made my life hell. But what was amazing about it for me was that I had, I had exposure to Ghanaian culture in a way that I would never have had in the States. As I mentioned to you, Ghana was sort of that country over there when I lived in America. And you know, it existed as you know, family members coming to visit, long distance phone calls, the food that we ate, that you know, the accents that we had, things that made us different, and at the time, that was not cool. You know, as a kid, you just want to fit in and you don't want to be different. And going to Ghana was my opportunity to learn that, wow, I didn't have to be embarrassed or ashamed of that difference. There was so much to be proud of. You know, my family was, you know, a sprawling family, you know, my my grandmother owned a business, my grandfather owned a business, you know, it was, it was really, it was eye opening, just to sort of be in another environment. People knew how to, you know, pronounce my name, and I didn't have to, you know, just explain things. And that was really affirming for a 12 year old and a 13 year old when you're going through that, you know. So it was really good for me. And in Ghana is where I came to know Christ. I became a Christian, and it was something that spiritually, I was not really, I don't know, I just didn't really think about spiritual. I did on some level. But going to Ghana, it everything just felt so palpable. It was really like we're praying for this. And it happened, you know what I mean, like, yeah. It felt very Yeah. It was just a time in my life when life really felt very the mysteries of life really felt like they were open to me, Michael Hingson  12:37 interesting and so you clearly gained a lot of insight and knowledge and experience over there that you were able to bring back with you when you came Yes, yes. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  12:55 When I returned to the States, I was just, I think of myself, I guess, as a weirdo. Like, when I came back, I just felt so weird because I couldn't really, fully, you know, connect with my friends, because I had missed out on three years of culture, you know. And you You don't realize how much culture means, like, until, like, you know, you don't have those references anymore. I didn't know the songs that were popular. I didn't, you know, know about, I forget, there was some sort of genes that were really popular while I was gone. I didn't know what they were. I didn't have a pair of them. So it was just sort of this, this interesting time. And I was also young, because I had finished high school, and I was 15, yeah, my friends were, you know, sophomores, yeah, you know, and I was beginning the process of looking into college. So it was just a really isolating time for me and I, but also, you know, interesting and I, again, I say it was, it was ultimately in the in the wash of it. I think it was good because it enabled me to sort of, I guess, mature in a way that enabled me to start college earlier. And, you know, sort of see the world in a much different way. Michael Hingson  14:26 So when you went to college, what did you want to do? Or had you had you decided to start laying plans for a major and what you wanted to do post college, Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  14:36 I did not know what I wanted to do. I kind of, I mean, I kind of thought I wanted to be a doctor. I thought I wanted to be a doctor. Like, all my life, growing up, I was like, I'm going to be a doctor. And I was a science student in Ghana, but I struggled mightily. But still, I went. I entered college with us. You know, the plans? To become a bio psychology major. And you know, I took two, three classes, well more than that, I did, like, a year of classes. And I was just like, This is not for me, not for me at all. But yeah, yeah. So it was, it was that was a little rough. Michael Hingson  15:21 Things happen. So what did? What did you go off and do? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  15:25 Then I ended up majoring in political science and Africana Studies, and it was, I remember taking a political science class my freshman year, and I, my my professor was amazing, but it was, it was interesting to me. I think looking back now, being able to think about the world in a way that was sort of linking history and politics and culture together. And I think that was interesting to me, because I had just come from Ghana and had been exposed to, like, sort of this completely different culture, completely different political system, and, you know, kind of having that, I that thinking, or that wonderment of like, wow, you can Life can be so different somewhere else, but it's still life, and it's still happening, but also having that connection as an American to America and what's happening there. And so holding both of those things in my hands when I got to college, I think I was, I just what I was really sort of intrigued by the idea of studying politics and studying culture and society, Michael Hingson  16:48 and that's what you did. Yes, I did. So you got a degree in political science. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  16:54 Yes, a double degree political science and Africana Studies. Michael Hingson  16:57 Africana Studies, okay, and again, that that's probably pretty interesting, because the the Ghana influence had to help with the Africana Studies, and the desire to to do that, and you certainly came with a good amount of knowledge that had to help in getting that as a part of your major. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  17:16 Well, interestingly, my focus was on African American Studies, because I really growing up as an immigrant, like with immigrant parents, their understanding or their their thought process wasn't necessarily, I don't know they weren't. They didn't really raise us to think about race or being black, because their consciousness wasn't about that. It was they were immigrants. You know what? I mean, they weren't thinking about that. So I was actually quite curious, because I did grow up in America and I was black, but I didn't understand, you know, the history of America in that way. And I remember, actually, when I was in was it the third or maybe it was the second or third grade, or maybe it was fifth grade. I did a project on the Civil War, and I remember being so interested in it, because I had, I just didn't, you know, it wasn't. I was so fascinated by American history because I really wasn't. I didn't, I didn't understand it in the way that maybe somebody who wasn't the child of immigrants, you know, might, you know, connect with it. So I was just Yeah, so I was really fascinated by African American history, so I ended up double majoring in it and concentrating on African American politics, which was really fascinating to me. Michael Hingson  18:55 Yeah, and there certainly has been a fair amount of that over the years, hasn't there? Yes, there has, but you can, you can cope with it and and again. But did your time in Ghana, kind of influence any of what you did in terms of African American Studies? Did it help you at all? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  19:15 Um, I, I don't know, because I don't because, because I think what, what I what, what Ghana helped me with was, I remember, I'll say this. I remember one time in Ghana, in class, we were reading a book by an author who had we were reading a play, actually by a Ghanaian writer who was writing about a Ghanian man who married an African American woman and brought her to his home. And there was a lot of clash between them, because, you know, they were both black, but they had different sort of backgrounds. Yeah, and I remember the teacher asking, because the. The the wife that he brought home, the African American woman, mentioned certain things about America, and no one in the classroom could answer any questions about America, and I was the only one who could. And I was, you know, very, very sort of shy in that in that school and in that context. But I remember that day feeling so emboldened, like I was, like, I can actually contribute to this conversation. And so maybe, you know, in on some level, when I got back to the states, maybe there was some interest in linking those two things together. But it wasn't as as is in life. It wasn't obvious to me. Then it was sort of just kind of me following my interest and curiosity. And I ended up, I didn't set out to be an Africana Studies double major, but I ended up taking so many classes that I had the credits. And, you know, I was like, Okay, I guess I'm I have two degrees now, or two, two concentrations, Michael Hingson  21:02 yeah, did you go and do any advanced work beyond getting bachelor's degrees? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  21:08 No, I did not. When I graduated, I initially thought I might get interested, get in, go to law school. But this was me again, following my muse. I realized that my real interest was in writing papers when I was in college. You know, give me a 15 page paper, 20 page paper, I was ecstatic. I loved writing papers. And I think that's one of the reasons, too, why I loved political science and Africana Studies, because we were assigned tons of papers, and it enabled me to sort of, you know, writing these papers enabled me to kind of think through questions that I had, or process what I was reading or thinking about or feeling. And so when I graduated from college, you know, I got, you know, a job, and was working, trying to figure out, Okay, do I want to go to law school? But at the time that I graduated, that was also during the time of, like, the.com boom, and there were a lot of online magazines that were looking for writers, and so I started, kind of, you know, submitting, and I got some some things published. And as that was happening, I was like, I think this is what I want to focus on. Michael Hingson  22:30 So when did you really know that you were a writer? Then? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  22:34 I mean, I don't I think that when I got back, when I started working, so I, ultimately, I got a job in advertising, and I was working, you know, as an assistant in the on the account side of things, but there was this whole creative department that, you know, got to, you know, come up with all of the, you know, the the taglines and write commercials and write jingles and all that kind of stuff. And I was, like, so fascinated by that, and that's what I thought, okay, I could if you know, I need a job, I need money, and I want to write, so maybe this is what I need to be doing. And so I ultimately did get a job as a copywriter and and I still, you know, do that work today, but I think I always knew that I needed to write, and I wanted to actually write about my experience in Ghana. So I remember, you know, I started kind of very fledgling. Would began to write into that, and I ultimately started writing that the book that became my first book, powder necklace, on the subway to and from work. Every morning I would wake up very early, write what I could get ready for work, right on the bus, right on the subway, you know, get to work after work. You know, repeat. And it took me many years, but that's what I did. And I wrote my first book, Michael Hingson  24:14 and that was published in 2010 right? Yes, it was, did you self publish? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  24:18 Or I well, I did not self publish. I was published by Simon and Schuster. Simon and Schuster's Atria Books, Washington Square press. And part of my process was I started just kind of, you know, the Internet. The Internet was new. It was something that was available to me. So I started just kind of Googling, how do you get published? And they said you needed a literary agent. So I started looking online for literary agents. And because I lived in New York City at the time, I would literally write my my query letters and like, hand deliver them different agencies. 90s, and one woman, after four years of looking, said, Okay, this sounds interesting. I'd love to meet with you. And I didn't believe. I was like, wow, I've been rejected for four years, and somebody actually wants this, and she was able to sell the book. And I was shocked. I was like, Simon and sister, okay? And at the time they bought it, the, you know, the America, the US, was going through the whole financial, you know, crisis, the recession, in 2008 so they held my book for a year, and then we began the process in 2009 and then they, you know, we were on track to publish it in 2010 Michael Hingson  25:46 Wow. Well, tell me about that book. Yeah. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  25:51 Powder necklace is a novel. It's a fictionalized account of my experience going to high school in Ghana. I when I went to school in Ghana. I went to a girls boarding school in the mountains of Ghana central region, and that school was going through a major water crisis. We did not, I mean, we the short story is that, I guess, because of we were on the mountain, the water pressure was very low, and so it was really difficult to get the water up that mountain. And they didn't have like enough, you know, tanks around the school and what have you. So we had one artificial well, and then we had, like, an underground well, and that was it. And the underground well wasn't always, you know, full of water to service the whole school. It was really difficult. So, you know, we had to bring in our own water, some. And then it became, if you had money, you could bring water. But if you didn't have money, you didn't and it was a very desperate time for for young girls without being not being able to take a shower on demand. And it was, it was wild. Michael Hingson  27:15 Where does the title powder necklace come from? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  27:19 So the title, I named it powder necklace, because, as I mentioned, taking a shower became this like symbol of the haves and the have nots. And, you know, all of this having water, really. And if so, what, what the girls, what we would do is, you know, after you've taken a bath, people would put tons of powder on their necks. And it was sometimes it was okay we didn't take a bath, so we're going to put powder on our necks to scented powder to cover the odor. But it was also a way, like if you had bathed, to sort of, you know, show off that you'd bathed. So for me, it was as I was reflecting on the on this as I was writing this story and reflecting on that whole experience, I thought, wow, it was sort of our way of holding our heads up, you know, in the difficult situation, and kind of making the best of it. So that's why I called it powder necklace, Michael Hingson  28:17 okay? And that was for children. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  28:20 Well, it was for young adults, young adults, but Michael Hingson  28:25 it was more writing than pictures. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  28:27 Yeah, it was a young adult novel. I actually, I mean, this was my first book. I really didn't know what I was doing. I just, I wrote the book and I didn't know that it was a young adult novel, until people were like, Yeah, you wrote a young adult novel. I'm like, okay, Michael Hingson  28:47 works for me. Well, what does, what does being a writer mean to you? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  28:54 Um, I think being a writer means to me being able to articulate. A time, a place, a mood, a moment, being able to articulate it, one for myself, but also to create a record that helps people who don't necessarily have that gift to be able to sort of put words to the experience of living at a time place, having a certain feeling about something. Michael Hingson  29:34 Do you think there's a difference between being considered a writer and being an author, are they the same, or are they really different? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  29:45 I do think that there is a difference, and not in a sort of, you know, highfalutin way. I think the difference is the fact that when you I think, like, when you asked me initially, like, when do you think that you you became. Became a writer. My My instinct is to say that I think I was always a writer, because I think if you write, you're a writer. And whether you're published or not, you're a writer. If you have that inclination, that gift, and you sort of invest in that gift, and invest and develop it. I think you're a writer, but I think with an author, I think then that's to me. I think of it as the business of being a writer, or the business of being, yeah, you are now sort of in business with your publisher. Publisher has invested a certain amount in you, and it then becomes a more sort of public facing thing. The work is not just for you anymore. The work is now being disseminated to a group and hopefully to as many people as possible, and you as the writer now have to figure out, like, how do I get to my audience? How do I maximize or expand the reach of this thing that I wrote? How do I connect with people around the story and build build a readership. And how do I ultimately, you know, the my desire and goal would be to live off of this. How do I make turn this into something that I can, I can do, you know, full time and live off of Michael Hingson  31:38 so you turn from a writer to being an author. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  31:42 I'm, yes, I am an author, and I'm and I'm hoping to get to the to the, you know, the point where I can do it 100% full time, and it be, you know, 100% lucrative in that way. Michael Hingson  31:56 So what are you doing now? In addition to doing books, I Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  32:01 also freelance as a copywriter, so I'm still copywriting, Michael Hingson  32:05 okay, I was wondering what you what you did? So you're doing, still marketing and jingles and all those things, yeah, well, I Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  32:13 I'm my focus. I do do that, but my focus is mainly in the digital space. So I write lots of websites and web ads and social media copy, and, you know, things of that nature, campaign work. Michael Hingson  32:33 Well, that's, is there anything that you've written or copy written that we would all know, Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  32:42 yeah, I mean, I did. I've done a lot. I guess the maybe the most recent thing that I've done that people might be aware of, or some people might be aware of, is the Brooklyn Museum in New York, did a an exhibition called Africa fashion. And I, they created a short film to promote it, and I, they commissioned me to write an original piece for it. And so I wrote that piece and and performed it in the film. So, you know, people who are into that kind of thing a museum, that that museum might be aware of it. But I've also written for, I did a lot of work for L'Oreal Paris, USA, and I've just done a lot of beauty work. So many of the beauty brands you might be aware, you know, you might know, I've done some work for them, cool. Michael Hingson  33:45 Well, that, you know, you do have to do things to earn an income to to be able to afford to write until you can do it full time. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  33:53 Yeah, yeah. And I actually really love copywriting. I think it's an it's been an incredible teacher in the sense of how to how to crystallize an idea in very short, you know, in just a few words, how to convey emotion in just a few words. And also that storytelling is not just the words, it's how you deliver the story that's all part of it. So I think it's been an incredible teacher in that way. Michael Hingson  34:28 I know for me as a speaker, it is how you tell the story. And I've learned over 23 and a half years of speaking how to take people inside the World Trade Center and actually have them travel with me and do all the things that, and experience all the things that that I went through, and then come out of the other side and I and I say that because so many people after I speak somewhere, well. Come up and say, we were with you in the building. We were with you with everything that you did. And I appreciate that there is a real significant art to storytelling, and part of it is also, and I'm sure that this is true for you as a writer and an author, that part of it has to be that you have to actually connect with the audience. You've got to understand the audience. You've got to connect with them, and you have to bring them along, because they're not expecting to go with you. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  35:33 Absolutely, absolutely. And I will say that I started one of your books just the beginning of it, and I was just running with Roselle, and I was so taken, so absorbed by the first few pages of it. You really do immerse us. And I think that that's the best kind of of writing. You know, when you're able to kind of present material that people may or may not be familiar with, and make it riveting and really bring us into it, and then have us invest being, feel invested well. Michael Hingson  36:16 And I think the last book that we did last year live like a guide dog. I worked really hard to make sure that we were drawing people into the experiences, because every chapter is actually taking lessons from one of my guide dogs and also from Fantasia, which who is my wife's service dog, but each chapter relates to one of those dogs, and I wanted them to be environments where people again were drawn in and appreciate the dogs for what they are and what they do, not just some dumb Animal that comes along. Yeah. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  37:00 Yeah, absolutely. I mean, yeah, so interesting. I think there's, there's so much, I guess. I don't want to use the word, I guess what I want to say, there's a lot of mystery in in the sort of human animal interaction, and people just aren't aware of how powerful it is, and I can, I'm saying that I speak for myself, because growing up, actually, I was really, really scared of dogs and animals, all animals, and I so there's, there's two, there's kind of two stories I'll share. But one is when we were, when we were growing up, my parents, you know, were from Ghana. They wanted to eat goat meat. And at the time, you couldn't just go to a supermarket goat meat. So we used to go to a farm out in New Jersey that had goats, and we would have to go and have the goat, you know, slaughtered and, you know, cut up and all that kind of stuff for the meat. And I remember that whenever the hand would go into, you know, the pen where the goats were, the goats would just were. They would be so stressed out, they would like, you know, part like the ocean walked in, and if he picked, when he picked one out. There would be other people, other goats in the pen that would start screaming in agony, along with the goat that had been picked out. And I was just like, Oh my gosh. That must be his family members, like, or his loved ones. And it was so I remember that was so eye opening to me, like, wow. So I ended up years, years later, I wrote a short story, and I actually did some research on goats and how brilliant they are, and I was just like, wow, oh my goodness, I remember that so well. But I have a cat right now, and my kitty cat is just such a such a joy, like just sort of to build that relationship with, with my with my pet, is just such a beautiful thing, and how she just kind of, because I grew up really scared of pets, and I sort of inherited her when I got when I got married, you know, she's been very patient with me, like, because at first I was so skittish around her, and I could see her, kind of like rolling her eyes, like, I mean, you no harm. You can pick me up. It's all good. And she's just been so wonderfully patient with me. We've built that bond over time. Michael Hingson  39:31 Well, yeah, I have, of course, my my eighth guy, dog, Alamo, and stitch the cat. Stitch is 15 and a half and a real cutie pie. We rescued her. Actually, there were people who were living next to us, and he was moving out. His wife had died, and he just told the people who were moving all of his stuff out, take the cat to the pound. I don't want anything to do with it. And we, we said, Absolutely not. We'll find it a home. And then I asked, What the. Cat's name was, and they told me the cat's name was stitch. And I knew that this cat wasn't going to go anywhere because my wife had been, well, my wife had been a quilter since 1994 and a quilter is never going to give away a cat named stitch. Yes. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  40:14 Oh, I'm so glad stitch found a home with you. Michael Hingson  40:18 Oh, yeah. Well, we found a stitch. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  40:20 Oh, that's right, that's right. Michael Hingson  40:23 And, and, and so she's, she's got lots of personality. And so it really works out pretty well. No, no complaints. And I've always said, Whenever I get a guide dog, because my wife has always had cats, when I get a new guide dog, I've always said, and will continue to say, it has to be a dog that's been raised around cats and has no problems with cats. I have seen a couple of Guide Dogs, actually, that hated cats, and one almost killed a cat, and that's I will never tolerate that. Yeah, they have to get along. Yeah, absolutely, absolutely now, when we brought Alamo home, stitch had a few concerns about this dog in her house. She got over it when she decided that Alamo wasn't going to do anything to bother her and they they talk all the time now and rub noses and all that sort of stuff. Oh, that's so cool, yeah, but, but it's, it is great, and they, they bring so much joy and so many lessons to us that I think it was really important to learn. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  41:34 Yeah, yeah. You're reminding me the first dog, because my grandmother actually loves animals, and when I went to Ghana, she got a dog, and, you know, as a kid, so we got a puppy. And I remember the puppy was initially supposed to be a guard dog, but we I, I would feed the I would hand feed the dog sausages and just spoil the dog so much. Could not be a guard dog, so I loved that dog. Joshua, yeah, Joshua, Michael Hingson  42:07 well, but you and Joshua got along really well. On we got along great. One of the things that people sometimes ask me is if my dog trained to protect and the answer is no, they're not trained, and then they've said, Well, what would happen if somebody were to decide to attack you with the dog around? And my response will always be and rightly so, I wouldn't want to be the person to try that and find out what will happen, because much more than guarding, there's love. And I've always believed that dogs love unconditionally. I think trusting is a different story. They are open to trust, but, but you have to earn their trust. They'll love you, but will they trust you? That depends on you. And so it's it's really pretty cool, but I would not want to be the person to ever decide to try to attack us, because I, I am sure that Alamo would not tolerate that at all. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  43:10 Oh, not at all. How do, how do you or how have you built trust with your your pets? Michael Hingson  43:17 Well, a lot of it has to do with they want us to be the pack leaders. They want us to be their team leader. And so I have to set the ground rules. So, for example, no jumping on the furniture and all that. But again, it's also how you convey that. So if my dog is going to jump up on something and I don't want that, I'll say, leave it. And as soon as the dog obeys, I'll give the dog a food reward, a kibble, to let the dog know, and I'll also use a clicker, but I'll let the dog know I approve of what you did, not punishing them for, you know, something else. Yeah, so it's not punishment, it's positive rewards. I think that's extremely important, but also it is in the stressful times being very focused and calm. So if we're walking somewhere and we get lost, that is not the dog's fault, because it's my job to know where to go and how to get where I'm going, and it's the dog's job to make sure that we walk safely to get there, so if we get lost, that's on me. And what I can't do, or shouldn't do, is panic and become very fearful and upset, because the dog will sense that I have to stop and figure it out and continue to praise the dog, saying what a good job you're doing, and so on. And those kinds of things are the things that will, over time, build that trust. I think it takes a good year to truly build a trusting relationship that is second. To none. And that's the kind of teaming relationship that you want, whether it's a guide dog or any dog. And even as far as that goes, although they're different cats, yeah, but it's, it's all about building that relationship and conveying the command and conveying that you want to trust and be trusted? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  45:24 Yeah, yeah. I think you're you. What you said that really resonated with me is that they want to know. They want you to be the pack leader and the and part of that is, you know, you lay down the ground rules, but also you're responsible for them and their well being. And, yeah, that really, that really resonated with me. Michael Hingson  45:48 Well, so you wrote your first book, and then when did you write your second book? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  45:55 My second book came out in 2022, so it was a 12 year spread in my first book and my second book, Why so long? Oh my gosh, my book, I was the book I was working on, like to sort of follow, was just rejected for, for all that whole time, and I was, you know, in more and more distraught, and, you know, in despair about it. I didn't know what to do about it. And I actually, you know, I was actually reading the Bible, and I came across the fact that there was a curtain, a blue curtain, in King Solomon's temple. And I was like, why does it matter that the curtain was blue? And so I just started googling casually, and I discovered that there was a snail in antiquity that was harvested for the blue drops that it it secreted, or it secreted drops that were ultimately oxidized to turn blue. And I was like, what I've never heard about this? I started doing some more research, and I realized, like, oh my gosh, the color blue has such a fascinating history. Kids need to know about this. And so I wrote it really as a poem initially, but then I thought, you know, I really want to see if I can get this published. And I was able to get it published, and that became my children's book blue, which was such a bomb to my soul, because after sort of a decade of getting, you know, rejected, and, you know, close to a decade of getting rejected, this, this sort of beautiful, like, sort of knowledge, you know, I came across, But I was able to create a book, and it's just been a wonderful experience with the children's Michael Hingson  47:45 book, wow, so the full title of blue is, Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  47:51 it's blue a history of the color as deep as the sea and as wide as the sky. Wow. Michael Hingson  47:57 That should be enough to get the book sold. But as you point out, there's, there's a lot of history, yes, and that, that's pretty cool. So it was, it was released in 2022 and they finally, the publishers finally bought into that, huh? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  48:16 Well, yeah, I mean, that wasn't the novel that I've been working on. So I was still working. I ultimately, I did sell the novel, but that was its own journey, and I ended up writing another book that became the book is called my parents marriage, and it is not about my actual parents marriage. It's a novel about a young woman for adult readers. It's my first book for adult readers, and it is about a young woman whose parents are in a polygamous union, and how they're they have a really turbulent polygamous union, and how that relationship kind of kind of cast a shadow on this woman's, you know, choices in relationships and marriage for herself. Michael Hingson  49:10 So you you publish that my parents marriage. You also did a collection relations. Tell me about relationships. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  49:18 I did. Yeah, so relations is an anthology of its stories, essays and poems that are by writers from all across the continent of Africa. So I have Egyptian poets and Libyan you know essayists and you know, Nigerian storytellers, just it was, it was a really amazing project to work on. I started working on it during August of 2020, which was sort of like I've heard it described as peak pandemic, right? You know, we were several months. Into lockdown, and you know, it became this wonderful way for me to kind of connect while I was sort of holed up in my apartment in New York. Michael Hingson  50:15 Okay, now, were you married by then? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  50:18 No, I was not. I had just started dating my now husband, and I was like, Am I ever gonna see this man again? Because he lived in California, so at that time, the planes were grounded. I remember we were, like, on the first, very first flights that were able to start, you know, that started and be on planes, there'd be like, four people on the entire plane. Michael Hingson  50:42 Yeah, hopefully you both weren't on planes going against each other at the same time. No, you did communicate a little more than that. Oh, good. Well, so you published. So when was well? What was relations published? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  51:02 Relations came out in 2023 okay, February of 2023, and my parents marriage came out in July of 2024. Just came out in July of 2025, Michael Hingson  51:14 which one the paperback of the paperback? Oh, okay. Have any of them been converted to audio Yes, Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  51:23 all, but my first book, are audio books. So blue is an audio book, beautifully read, and then their relations, the stories and essays and poems are read by two speaking artists, and then my parents, marriage is is also wonderfully performed. So, yeah, they're all an audience. Michael Hingson  51:50 That's cool, yeah. So when you're writing, what, what's kind of the difference, or, how do you differentiate between writing for young people and writing for adults. There must be differences. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  52:07 Yeah, I think, I think with for young people, and the practical thing that I try to do is make sure that the vocabulary is are is familiar to them, mostly familiar. I like to put in a stretch word now and then to kind of get them to, like, get to the dictionary and find out what. But if I'm right, when I when I wrote blue, for example, knowing that, you know, the the age group is, the age spread is four to 888, year olds are in third grade. Four year olds are in pre K, so that's that's pretty big spread. So my sweet spot is first and second grade vocabulary words. Okay, it has to be something that they've been exposed to. So thinking of it in that way, the other thing too is breaking down concepts that are, you know, as adults, you know, we just assume that you know, or you can go look it up, but just kind of thinking it through. So if I'm talking about, instead of saying that, you know, there was a snail in antiquity who, you know, heart, you know, dyers were harvesting blue dye from these snails through after a process of oxidation. I wouldn't use any of those words. I would say, snail produced some drops that when exposed to the air and the sun turned blue. And so just sort of really, kind of being mindful of that, and also thinking very visually, writing, very visually. How can I create pictures with words that would be familiar to a child, that can sort of ignite their imagination? Michael Hingson  53:53 Yeah, I think it's extremely important to to deal with the visual aspects of it, but using words and really drawing again, drawing people in because if you just say, well, you can see this in this picture. That doesn't mean a lot, and you're also, I would think, helping to teach or create the concept that some people might some children might want to go off and write because they like how you say and what you say Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  54:24 absolutely and when I when I talk to kids, I go or visit schools, I invite them like I wrote about the color blue. What's your favorite color? These are some some things that I did to kind of learn about it. You can do these things to learn about your favorite color and write your own book? Michael Hingson  54:42 Yeah, yeah, it's, I think, so important to really draw people in and get them to think. And I think it's so much fun for me, I do some of that, but I have probably more of a chance. Challenge, because kids want to play with the dog. Yeah, it's all about the dog. I did a lecture at a K through six elementary school in San Francisco several years ago. I'm trying to remember what school it was anyway, and the teacher said you can only talk for about 10 or 12 minutes, because they just won't pay attention any longer than that. 35 minutes later, I finally ended the discussion, because they were so fascinated to hear me talk about what my dog did. And then I carried that over to how blind people work and function and all that. And the fact is, they were fascinated. The teachers couldn't believe it, but for me, it was a great lesson to know that it's all about creating these pictures that people can follow, Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  55:53 yeah, and also to extending those pictures or those words into an experience for kids. Yeah, they really, they really appreciate, sort of like seeing it, kind of, you know, see if the having the concept come to life, yeah, way. And so I'm sure when they see your dog, or are able to interact with your dog, that must be so wonderful for them, Michael Hingson  56:22 but it's important for them to understand what the dog is all about. So by the time they get to interact with the dog, we've talked about things like, you never pet a guide dog in harness. This is what a guide dog does, and this is what they don't do. There are a lot of things to to cover. So it's great when I have the opportunity to really teach them. And sometimes we'll walk around a classroom and I'll show them what he does. Yeah, it's important to be able to do that. Oh, I love that. I love that. And he loves it, of course, all the way. So no question about that. He's you haven't lived until you've seen two or 300 kids all wanting to pet this dog. And the dog knows what to do. He's down on the floor with every appendage stretched out as far as he can go to maximize petting places, petting. Oh, it is so funny. I love that. He loves it. He's, he's, he's so happy. He doesn't care whether he'll do it more with kids even than adults, but, yeah, he'll do it with everybody. It's all about petting me and just remembering I'm the dog. I love that. Well, you've gone through a fair amount of time between books, and I'm sort of curious, what do you think about all the various kinds of changes and ebbs and flows that have come along in the book business, in the book publishing business and so on. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  57:56 Yeah, there have been a lot of changes. Um, I think, um, when my first book came out, like things like, you know, Instagram Bookstagram did not exist. There weren't many sort of podcasts or things of that nature. So I think that there is, there's definitely, there are more venues and more platforms to, you know, get the message out about the book. But I think also there is, it's also just hard. It's in some ways, it also feels in some ways more challenging to get the word out, because in addition to, like, yes, there are more venues in that way, regard, there are fewer book reviewers and fewer places to get a book reviewed, and there's a whole kind of interesting business about around getting reviews. So it's just not the same in that way. But then at the same time. I think what remains the same is connecting with readers. I think the most effective thing is, you know, writing a book that's good and then getting people who have read it and liked it to evangelize, to tell people I liked it, please buy it, or you should have you heard of and because at the end of the day, you know, that's what's going to, you know, give it some wind Michael Hingson  59:30 when thunder dog came out, and we did mention about reviews, and it actually has had, like well over 1600 reviews since it came out in 2011 live like a guide dog hasn't had, of course, so many yet, but every time I get a chance to talk about that book, I ask people to go review it and tell them why it's so important, because potential readers want to know what people think of the book. Yeah, for sure. For sure, it's. It really is important for readers to review and just be honest and say what you think. It's fine, but people should do that. For me, I think one of the biggest things that I see that publishers are doing less of is in a lot of ways, true marketing. You don't, you know, you don't see them doing nearly as much. Of course, I know it's more expensive, but to help create book tours or anything like that, they focus only on social media, and that's not the way to market the book. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  1:00:33 Yeah, I think, I mean, I've never worked inside a publishing office, so I don't know what actually, how they make these decisions and what goes on, but I do. I think what I have come to sort of think, how I've come to think of it, is the publisher is my business partner, sort of invested in terms of, they've given me an advance. They're going to do the turn key things like, you know, make sure the book gets reviewed by Publishers Weekly, or, sorry, Publishers Marketplace, or no Publishers Weekly. I was correct, and Kirkus review, Kirkus right, and all those kinds of things. And maybe they'll do a mailing to you know who they believe are the people that they need to mail it to. But outside of that, unless you know you, you know it's stipulated in your contract, or you know you are that high, yeah, you know that that celebrity author, or that that best selling author that they you know, are willing to put that money behind. You're working with some your publicist, who's been assigned to your book has is probably working on 10 other books. Can devote so much to it. And so what I've learned is thankful. I'm thankful that, you know, I have this publisher, but I also know that I need to do a lot of work on my own to get Michael Hingson  1:02:04 you've got to be your best marketer, yes, but, but there's value in that too, because you can tell the story whatever it is, like no one else, exactly, exactly. And so that's that's really pretty important, yeah, Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  1:02:18 for sure, for sure. And you can be, you know that I think, also giving yourself permission to be creative, yeah, you know, how can you get the word out in really creative ways, like, again, the publisher. These are things that like, if there was, you know, people, there were many people dedicated to your book for this amount of time, they could kind of sit there and brainstorm and do all those things. But, you know, the reality is, in most cases, it's a small it's a lean and mean team. They don't have that bandwidth, so yeah, just kind of coming up with creative ways. And at times, what I have learned to do is, how can I, if I have an idea that is maybe low cost and but I can't necessarily do it on my own? How can I ask them for support, because they do have, you know, a little bit more resources, Michael Hingson  1:03:16 yeah, and, and the how is really pretty simple. Actually, you just ask exactly, exactly, and you know either they will or they won't, or you'll share it, or whatever. And I have found that same thing to be true. Well, Nana, if people want to reach out to you, how do they do that? If they might want to talk about you doing copywriting for them or whatever, how can people find you? Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  1:03:41 So my website is Nana brew-hammond.com, can you spell please? It's n, a n, a, b, r, e, w, H, A, M, M, O, N, d.com, and I have a newsletter there. So a newsletter sign up. So they can sign up to be a part of my newsletter and connect with me that way. They can also find me on Instagram, I'm at n, a, n, a, e, K, U, a writer on Instagram, and I'm also on Facebook at that same name, and then on Twitter, I am that without the writer. So, n, a, n, a, e, K, U, a, Michael Hingson  1:04:28 okay, cool. Well, I hope people will reach out and and I hope that they will read your books and like them and review them. I hope the same thing. Well, I want to thank you for being here, and I want to thank all of you for listening and watching us today. We really appreciate you being here with us. I'd love to hear what you think. Please feel free to email me. I'm reachable at Michael H, I m, I C, H, A, E, L, H i at accessibe, A, C, C, E, S, S, I. B, e.com, Michael H i@accessibe.com love to hear your thoughts and love to get your your opinions. I would really appreciate it if you would give us a five star rating when you have the opportunity to review this podcast. We really value your ratings and reviews very highly, and definitely want to know what you think, but please give us a great rating. We love that. If you know anyone who wants to be a guest on a podcast, or you think ought to be a guest, we're always looking for guests. And Nana you as well. If you know anyone, we're always looking for more people to come on the podcast and tell their stories. So we appreciate it. If you'd let us know. By the way, you can also go to my podcast page, www dot Michael hingson, M, I C, H, A, E, L, H, I N, G, s o n.com/podcast, that's another way to reach out to me as well. But definitely anything you can do to bring more folks to us, we value it very highly. And so with that, once again, Nana, I want to thank you for being here. This has been great. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond  1:06:01 Thank you so much. I really appreciate you having me on, and you are such an inspiration. And thank you. Michael Hingson  1:06:13 You have been listening to the Unstoppable Mindset podcast. Thanks for dropping by. I hope that you'll join us again next week, and in future weeks for upcoming episodes. To subscribe to our podcast and to learn about upcoming episodes, please visit www dot Michael hingson.com slash podcast. Michael Hingson is spelled m i c h a e l h i n g s o n. While you're on the site., please use the form there to recommend people who we ought to interview in upcoming editions of the show. And also, we ask you and urge you to invite your friends to join us in the future. If you know of any one or any organization needing a speaker for an event, please email me at speaker at Michael hingson.com. I appreciate it very much. To learn more about the concept of blinded by fear, please visit www dot Michael hingson.com forward slash blinded by fear and while you're there, feel free to pick up a copy of my free eBook entitled blinded by fear. The unstoppable mindset podcast is provided by access cast an initiative of accessiBe and is sponsored by accessiBe. Please visit www.accessibe.com . AccessiBe is spelled a c c e s s i b e. There you can learn all about how you can make your website inclusive for all persons with disabilities and how you can help make the internet fully inclusive by 2025. Thanks again for Listening. Please come back and visit us again next week.

At the Fall '25 vCon conference in Washington, D.C., Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, sat down with Dan Petrie, CEO & President of SIPez, to talk about the origins, purpose, and practical future of vCon technology. Petrie, who co-authored the original vCon draft and brought it to the IETF in 2003, describes vCon as a “standard container for capturing conversations” across voice, video, messaging, email, web chat, and more—bringing structure and consistency to interaction data that has long been fragmented across proprietary platforms. Drawing an analogy to Adobe's breakthrough with PDF, Petrie explains that just as PDF standardized how documents are represented and shared regardless of word processor or device, vCon does the same for conversational data. By abstracting common elements like parties, metadata, transcripts, and even AI-generated analytics into a unified format, vCons allow enterprises to capture, store, and analyze interactions from call centers, UCaaS platforms, and messaging systems in a consistent way. This unlocks deeper analysis—such as customer sentiment, agent performance, product feedback, and workflow optimization—without having to wrestle with dozens of incompatible APIs. Petrie stresses that vCon is especially valuable in an AI-driven world, where structured, well-labeled data is essential. “To get real value from AI, you need structured data,” he notes, pointing out that large language models like ChatGPT can only work on limited context windows and rely on upstream systems to extract, segment, and feed the right portions of conversation data. vCons provide that layer: a rich, extensible container that supports encryption, signing, redaction, amendments, and complex scenarios such as multi-leg call transfers and agent handoffs. Much of Petrie's advice is practical: don't try to build everything from scratch. SIPez maintains open-source vCon projects (such as PyvCon) and also offers a commercial vCon recording and AI analysis solution for the NetSapiens platform, giving service providers and MSPs a faster on-ramp. As more vendors add vCon interfaces and as small and mid-sized providers adopt these tools, Petrie believes 2026 will be a pivotal year for MSPs and channel partners to start monetizing vCon-based analytics and services across horizontal markets—from healthcare to customer support and beyond. To learn more about SIPez's vCon tools, open-source projects, and consulting services, visit http://sipez.com/.

EPISODE 644 - Marshall Fine - Journalist, Critic, Historian, Filmmaker, and Author of Hemlock LaneAbout the authorAfter a fifty-year career as an award-winning journalist, critic, and filmmaker, Minneapolis native Marshall Fine made the transition to writing fiction in 2024 with the Kindle best-selling novel, "The Autumn of Ruth Winters." Fine has written biographies of filmmakers John Cassavetes and Sam Peckinpah, directed documentaries about film critic Rex Reed and comedian Robert Klein, conducted the Playboy Interview with Howard Stern, and chaired the New York Film Critics Circle four times. The author currently lives in Ossining, New York. His second novel, "Hemlock Lane," will be published in November 2025.Book: Hemlock LaneIn this riveting story of family bonds and buried truths, a young woman's homecoming becomes a reckoning as four days together threaten to shatter the comfortable lies that have held her family together.In the summer of 1967, the Levitsky family convenes for a long weekend at their home in the suburbs―an idyllic holiday for the perfect family.But Nora has always known better.Growing up, she learned to tiptoe around her mother Lillian's explosive temper. Her father did the same. Nora's sole confidante was their housekeeper, Clara, and their bond has only strengthened through the years. In fact, it's all that's keeping Nora together for her homecoming. But under that lifetime of pressure, the facade is beginning to splinter.Over the next four days, everyone's secrets are at risk. None more so than what Nora really wants for her life, how Clara has helped her get it…and how they've orchestrated it all behind Lillian's back.As the family grapples with the complex ties that bind them, Nora discovers that facing the truth―however painful―might be the key to finally breaking free. This weekend, Nora's bravest act may be in knowing which bonds to cherish and which ones need to be gently set aside, making room for a future of her own choosing.https://www.marshallfine.com/https://amzn.to/4n9ZIEDSupport the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

Watch this episode a full video episodeKesia Lupo is the commissioning editor at MacMillan Children's Books, as well as being a former agent and author of three YA books.We had a great chat with Kesia, learning about how she first got started in the publishing industry, and the differences between working for a smaller and larger publisher, and the impact that has on acquisition decisions. Plus, we discuss the differences in the US and UK markets, talk about the all-important query letter to agents, and hear about times that authors have pushed back against editing suggestions.NOTE: We know Marco's audio is bad on this one - he unwittingly used the wrong mic when recording - we have cleaned the audio up as much as we can, but fortunately you are here for Kesia, not him!Links:Follow Kesia on BlueskyVisit Kesia's Substack Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Appel, Publisher, Consumer Guide Automotive and host of the Consumer Guide Car Stuff podcast, joins John Williams to talk about the Trump administration rolling back fuel economy standards. Tom breaks down what this means.

Crafting Genuine Connections and Building Thought Leadership on LinkedIn with Owen Sammarone In this episode of the All Things Book Marketing podcast by Smith Publicity, this episode's host Marissa Eigenbrood, Smith Publicity's President, interviews Owen Sammarone, founder of Unleash the Knowledge—a personal branding and ghostwriting agency. Owen shares his journey from a non-reader to an influential content creator with a 200,000-follower community. The discussion centers on how founders, executives, and authors can leverage LinkedIn to build their brands, emphasizing the importance of authentic, value-driven content and genuine human connections. Owen also offers practical tips on avoiding automated 'pitch slapping,' using AI judiciously, and nurturing relationships through personalized engagement. As they reflect on their longstanding professional relationship, Marissa and Owen explore actionable strategies to enhance online presence and drive business growth, stressing the significance of maintaining a human touch in the increasingly digital landscape.00:00 Welcome and Introduction01:00 Meet Owen Sammarone : Founder of Unleash the Knowledge04:17 Owen's Journey: From Non-Reader to Book Enthusiast05:13 Building a Community and Personal Brand15:00 The Power of Niching Down18:27 Effective LinkedIn Strategies24:03 The Value of Giving Without Expectation25:11 Personalized Outreach Strategies27:35 The Role of AI in LinkedIn Engagement29:14 Maximizing LinkedIn's Potential34:37 Effective Connection Requests38:33 The Billboard Analogy for LinkedIn Profiles44:24 Looking Ahead to 2026: Staying Human in a Digital WorldOwen Sammarone is the founder and CEO of Unleash The Knowledge, a personal-branding and thought-leadership agency that helps B2B founders, consultants, and executives turn their LinkedIn presence into a powerful, consistent driver of authority. He's become known in the industry as a go-to “LinkedIn Growth Guy,” offering insights on how to turn content into consistent inbound demand, build authority, and scale influence — whether you're an author, consultant, or executive looking to expand your impact Smith Publicity is an international book publicity firm specializing in non-fiction, business, lifestyle and thought-leadership projects. Since 1997, they have helped authors and experts amplify their voices, reach the right audiences, and make a meaningful impact through media placements, strategic campaigns, and expert guidance. For more information visit Smith Publicity.  

Dressing the Part With Kate Breen: The Power of Personal Style in Thought LeadershipIn this episode of 'All Things Book Marketing with Smith Publicity,' CEO Sandy Smith interviews Kate Breen, the owner of Get Dressed Go, a top personal styling service in Washington, DC.Kate shares her experience styling executives, speakers, and professionals whose work demands an exceptional visual presence on stage and on camera.Discussing the importance of thoughtful clothing choices, Kate highlights common wardrobe mistakes and provides actionable advice on how to dress authentically and powerfully for professional events.Kate's process for working with clients involves deep dives into personal history, brand goals, and practical styling sessions that ensure clients look and feel their best.This episode offers valuable insights for authors, thought leaders, and speakers seeking to elevate their brand through their visual presence.00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction01:30 Meeting Kate Breen: First Impressions02:36 The Importance of Visual Presence04:00 Dressing for Your Brand08:01 Common Mistakes in Professional Attire17:13 The Power of Authentic Style19:22 Commanding Attention Through Style23:18 Introduction to Working with Clients23:48 The Importance of Understanding Personal Style25:21 Gathering Client Information and Assets26:22 Creating a Personalized Style Plan27:49 Shopping and Outfit Coordination29:44 The Role of Authenticity in Style31:53 Empowering Clients Through Style36:25 Final Thoughts and Contact InformationAbout Kate BreenKate Breen is the owner of GetDressedGo, Washington, D.C.'s top-ranking private personal styling business. She has built a reputation for helping executives, speakers, and high-performing professionals look and feel their best in every setting. Through focused, productive styling sessions, Kate delivers immediate results for all aspects of her clients' lives—from high-stakes presentations and keynote stages to charity events and casual weekends.About Smith PublicitySmith Publicity is an international book publicity firm specializing in non-fiction, business, lifestyle and thought-leadership projects. Since 1997, they have helped authors and experts amplify their voices, reach the right audiences, and make a meaningful impact through media placements, strategic campaigns, and expert guidance. For more information visit Smith Publicity.  

Tom Appel, Publisher, Consumer Guide Automotive and host of the Consumer Guide Car Stuff podcast, joins John Williams to talk about the Trump administration rolling back fuel economy standards. Tom breaks down what this means.

Mike Johnson, Ali Mac, and Beau Morgan spend some time with the Co-Owner and Publisher of Dawgs HQ and Co-Host of The Steakhouse, Rusty Mansell! Ali, Mike, Beau, and Rusty discuss when he finally got to crash after a busy National Signing Day yesterday, how losing a quarterback in recruiting isn't the same as losing an offensive lineman, Kirby Smart and his coaches having to focus on preparing for the SEC Championship game and stay on top of recruiting at the same time, using the money they were going to give Jared Curtis in the transfer portal now, the biggest thing Georgia has to do to beat Alabama in the SEC Championship game on Saturday, how important the loss of Drew Bobo is, Mike Bobo playing to Gunner Stockton's strengths, if the Falcons should pursue Todd Monken if they end up firing Raheem Morris, tells his favorite Stetson Bennett story, and talks about how Stetson Bennett is in a great place right now.

HR3 - Georgia's defense slowing down Ty Simpson will be key to beating Alabama In hour three Mike Johnson, Ali Mac, and Beau Morgan spend some time with the Co-Owner and Publisher of Dawgs HQ and Co-Host of The Steakhouse, Rusty Mansell! Ali, Mike, Beau, and Rusty discuss when he finally got to crash after a busy National Signing Day yesterday, how losing a quarterback in recruiting isn't the same as losing an offensive lineman, Kirby Smart and his coaches having to focus on preparing for the SEC Championship game and stay on top of recruiting at the same time, using the money they were going to give Jared Curtis in the transfer portal now, the biggest thing Georgia has to do to beat Alabama in the SEC Championship game on Saturday, how important the loss of Drew Bobo is, Mike Bobo playing to Gunner Stockton's strengths, if the Falcons should pursue Todd Monken if they end up firing Raheem Morris, tells his favorite Stetson Bennett story, and talks about how Stetson Bennett is in a great place right now. Then, Mike, Ali, and Beau Morgan talk about their crutch phrases, let you hear Atlanta Falcons Head Coach Raheem Morris talk about how wide receivers that perform the best in practice will play in the games, react to what Coach Morris had to say, talk about how Raheem Morris knows that the Falcons need more home run hitters on their offense, recap and react to the Atlanta Hawks' 115-92 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers last night, explain why they think there's no excuse for the Hawks to get blown out by the Clippers last night, even being without Jalen Johnson last night, and then close out hour three by diving into the life of Beau “Squidbilly” Morgan in The Life of Squid!

Why do employees stay loyal—and why do they walk out the door? In this episode, leadership expert Joe Mull breaks down the real reasons employees stay committed long-term, revealing what truly drives employee loyalty, retention, engagement, and workplace commitment in today's workplace. Most leaders assume loyalty is about pay, perks, or incentives. But real employee loyalty comes from deeper experiences—beliefs about purpose, trust, leadership integrity, and whether a company genuinely cares about its people. Joe explains how these experiences shape retention, influence turnover, and determine whether employees feel connected enough to stay for the long haul. You'll learn how leaders and organizations can build loyalty by creating meaningful work experiences, demonstrating strong organizational values, and supporting employees as whole human beings—not just workers. Joe shares stories, examples, and practical insights that help leaders strengthen culture, reduce turnover, and activate commitment on their teams. If you're trying to improve employee retention, build a loyal workforce, or create a healthy, high-trust workplace culture, this episode gives you a clear roadmap for becoming the kind of leader people believe in—and choose to stay with. To subscribe to Joe Mull's BossBetter Email newsletter, visit https://BossBetterNow.com For more info on working with Joe Mull, visit https://joemull.com For more info on Boss Hero School, visit https://bossheroschool.com To email the podcast, use bossbetternow@gmail.com #transformativeleadership #workplaceculture #companyculture #talentretention #employeeengagement #employeeretention #bossheroschool #employalty Joe Mull is on a mission to help leaders and business owners create the conditions where commitment takes root—and the entire workplace thrives. A dynamic and deeply relatable speaker, Joe combines compelling research, magnetic storytelling, and practical strategies to show exactly how to cultivate loyalty, ignite effort, and build people-first workplaces where both performance and morale flourish. His message is clear: when commitment is activated, engagement rises, teams gel, retention improves, and business outcomes soar. Joe is the founder of Boss Hero School™ and the creator of the acclaimed Employalty™ framework, a roadmap for creating thriving workplaces in a new era of work. He's the author of three books, including Employalty, named a top business book of the year by Publisher's Weekly, and his popular podcast, Boss Better Now, ranks in the top 1% of management shows globally. A former head of learning and development at one of the largest healthcare systems in the U.S., Joe has spent nearly two decades equipping leaders—from Fortune 500 companies like State Farm, Siemens, and Choice Hotels to hospitals, agencies, and small firms—with the tools to lead better, inspire commitment, and build more humane workplace cultures. His insights have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Harvard Business Review, and more. In 2025, Joe was inducted into the Professional Speakers Hall of Fame (CPAE). This is the speaking profession's highest honor, a distinction granted to less than 1% of professional speakers worldwide. It's awarded to speakers who demonstrate exceptional talent, integrity, and influence in the speaking profession For more information visit joemull.com.

Hutt and Chad break down how crazy Kiffin treated his team and Ole Miss during the search process, but yet has so many voices making excuses for how it played out, then they begged Ole Miss on gameday to let him continue coaching the rebels and did LSU not learn anything from hiring Brian Kelly and offering him a massive buyout? Plus, HawgSports.com Publisher, Trey Biddy on the state of college football heading into Conference Championship weekend. And OutKick College Sports Senior Reporter, Trey Wallace on Lane Kiffin's move to LSU and what's next for Ole Miss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices