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What happens when providing for someone you love starts feeling less like an act of love and more like a job?In this episode of The Cognac Room, we explore the difference between being a provider and feeling used. Many people enter relationships willing to give, support, and sacrifice for their partner, but what happens when that effort isn't reciprocated, appreciated, or respected?We discuss why some providers become resentful, how entitlement can quietly creep into relationships, and the warning signs that a partnership may have become one-sided. Is the problem the money, the effort, or the feeling that your value is tied solely to what you can provide?Join us as we unpack the role of appreciation, reciprocity, expectations, and accountability in healthy relationships.In this episode:• Provider vs. being used• The difference between support and obligation• Why resentment builds in relationships• When appreciation disappears• Financial expectations in modern dating• Reciprocity, respect, and partnership• Knowing when you're valued versus utilizedPull up a chair, pour up a glass, and let's discuss.This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp Cognac Room listeners get 10% off of your first month at https://www.betterhelp.com/cognacroom
When Tina Roth Eisenberg moved to New York in 1999 as a new designer, she kept asking herself the same question: where are my people? Eighteen years ago, she answered it by starting Creative Mornings—a free breakfast lecture series that has since grown into what she describes as the world's largest face-to-face creative community: 252 cities, 70 countries, and more than a thousand volunteers gathering with around 25,000 people every month. Or, as she puts it, “church for creativity.” Visit our Susbtack for bonus content and more: https://designbetterpodcast.com/p/tina-roth-eisenberg-creative-mornings But Creative Mornings is just one thread in Tina's story. She's the voice behind Swiss Miss, the beloved design blog she's kept up for 21 years; the founder of FRIENDS, a creative coworking community in Brooklyn; and the creator of Tattly, the designer temporary tattoo company that started as a joke and turned into a business. In our conversation, Tina shares what she's learned about building communities that scale on trust rather than control, why she measures success in “return on friendship,” and how playful side projects increase “the surface area for luck to find you.” We also talk about commitment as a creative practice, raising creative kids, and why she believes the future isn't lonely—it's hyperlocal. Bio Tina Roth Eisenberg is a Swiss-born, Brooklyn-based designer and serial founder—though many know her simply as "swissmiss," after the design blog she started in 2005 as a personal visual archive, which grew into a popular design journal drawing an average of a million unique visitors a month. Raised in Speicher, Switzerland, and shaped by Swiss design (and, as she puts it, a lot of fresh mountain air), she completed her design studies in Geneva and Munich before moving to New York in 1999. She is the founder of CreativeMornings, the world's largest face-to-face creative community, with monthly talks in 252 cities across 70 countries; the founder of Tattly, the designy temporary tattoo company; co-creator of the to-do app TeuxDeux; and founder of FRIENDS, a creative coworking space in Brooklyn. She lives in beautiful Fort Greene, Brooklyn, with her two children, Ella and Tilo, who teach her about current memes and TikTok. Books & Links mentioned: CreativeMornings.com Creative Quests, Sam Furness Dark Forest,Yancey Strickler Nanowrimo Swissmiss Yancey Strickler: Creative Mornings talk from May 2025 Vacation With An Artist Creative Mornings Field Trips Creative Morning Clubs The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World *** Premium Episodes on Design Better This ad-supported episode is available to everyone. If you'd like to hear it ad-free, upgrade to our premium subscription, where you'll get an additional 2 ad-free episodes per month (4 total). Premium subscribers also get access to the documentary Design Disruptors and our growing library of books. New premium subscriber benefit: we've launched a private Slack workspace…join now to connect with designers, product leaders & creative practitioners in our community. And get a behind-the-scenes pass to every episode with The Roundup, where each week we bring you insights and actionable tactics from recent episodes. You'll also get access to our monthly AMAs with former guests, ad-free episodes, discounts and early access to workshops, and our monthly newsletter The Brief that compiles salient insights, quotes, readings, and creative processes uncovered in the show. And subscribers at the annual level now get access to the Design Better Toolkit, which gets you major discounts and free access to tools and courses that will help you unlock new skills, make your workflow more efficient, and take your creativity further. Upgrade to paid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode of the Open Bedroom Podcast, My husband Scott and I discuss why people often don't get a second date, identifying 5 problematic dater archetypes: Chatty Cathy, Negative Nancy, Pillow Princess, Boring Brenda, and Free Date Fran. Our central message is simple: show genuine curiosity about your date. We emphasize that mutual engagement, both conversationally and intimately, is essential for meaningful connection, and that self-awareness is key to improving your dating life.Why You're Not Getting a Second Date (00:01:16)Jen and Scott introduce the central theme: why people often don't get called back for a second date.The Self-Absorbed Dater (00:03:32)Scott shares a story about a woman from his past who talked endlessly about herself without ever asking about him.Giving Feedback to Bad Daters (00:09:30)The hosts discuss the dilemma of whether to give direct, compassionate feedback to people after a bad date.The Common Theme: Lack of Reciprocity (00:10:09)Scott describes the recurring pattern of dates who talk at them for hours without showing any curiosity about their lives.Frustration with Self-Centered Dates (00:14:25)Jen expresses her exhaustion and frustration with the consistent lack of reciprocal engagement from the people they date.Archetype 1: Chatty Cathy (00:17:33)Jen introduces the first archetype of a bad dater: the person who talks nonstop and never asks any questions.Archetype 2: Negative Nancy (00:18:07)The hosts discuss the second archetype, using a recent date who complained constantly and ran up a large bill.Archetype 3: The Pillow Princess (00:20:09)Jen describes a selfish sexual partner who expects to receive pleasure without reciprocating, tying it to the same problematic date.Archetype 4: Boring Brenda (00:26:34)The hosts discuss dates who are uninteresting, lack hobbies or identity, and have a flat, disengaged emotional affect.Reasons for Poor Dating Behavior (00:28:38)Scott explores potential reasons for these behaviors, such as self-absorption, nervousness, or a simple lack of conversational skills.The Importance of Meaningful Connection (00:30:31)Scott explains his approach to dating, which involves seeking genuine connection and understanding who a person truly is.Asking Deeper Questions (00:34:16)The hosts share insightful questions they ask on dates to encourage deeper conversation and reveal a person's character.Becoming an Interesting Person (00:39:08)Jen advises listeners who might be "boring" to develop hobbies and interests before re-entering the dating scene.Aligning Your Profile with Your Goals (00:41:29)The hosts discuss the importance of ensuring your dating profile accurately reflects what you are actually looking for in a partner.Archetype 5: Free Date Franny (00:48:19)Jen introduces the final archetype: the person who seems to only want a free meal or night out.Final Thoughts on Self-Awareness (00:51:10)Scott concludes that having self-awareness and showing genuine curiosity in others is crucial for successful and fulfilling dating experiences.Follow The Open Bedroom Podcast:https://www.instagram.com/theopenbedroompodcast/
On this episode of The Randy Forcier Podcast, Randy sits down with Craig Pendleton, Chairman of the Community Advisory Council for the Biddeford Gazette, to discuss the launch of Project Reciprocity and the future of local journalism in Biddeford.Craig shares the story behind the Gazette, how it has grown over the past 18 months, and why now is the right time to ask the community for support. The conversation explores the challenges of sustaining local news, the importance of fact-based reporting, and the critical role the Gazette plays in covering city government, schools, local businesses, sports, and the stories that make Biddeford unique.They also discuss the Gazette's long-term vision, plans for growth, opportunities for community involvement, and how residents can help ensure local journalism continues to thrive.If you've ever wondered what it takes to build a community news organization from the ground up, or why local journalism matters, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.
When comparing toxic relationships vs. healthy relationships, there are many differences. Boundaries are handled differently. Reciprocity is one-way in one and two-way in the other. One has mutual understanding; the other doesn't. Only one has mutual goodwill and cooperation. Another difference is how ruptures and repairs are handled. All relationships have conflict and disagreements. All relationships have ups and downs, but not all know how to fix those issues and heal the wounds. Knowing how to recognize the differences can help you identify dysfunctional, toxic relationships, adjust your expectations, and plan your response. All of these strategies will help you make decisions to protect yourself now and in the future. Toxic and healthy relationships have ruptures, but only healthy ones have repairs. Watch this video to get insight into how to identify toxic people and healthy people in the way they handle this difference. Karla Downing's passion is to see individuals, marriages, and families set free from dysfunction, scriptural misunderstanding, and emotional pain personally and relationally. Her Christian relationship advice includes messages, books, and classes that provide practical solutions grounded in biblical truths, bringing balance and clarity to life and relationship issues. She also desires to equip ministry leaders and counselors to reach out more effectively to those struggling with difficult relationships, including abuse. #toxicrelationships #toxicpeople #christianrelationshipadvice #dysfunctionalrelationship #conflict #healthyrelationship Website: https://www.changemyrelationship.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChangeMyRelationship YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@changemyrelationship Watch this video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/whZtxafdOdY
In this episode of Connecting the Dots, Matt sits down with Jill Vitale-Aussem, President and CEO of Christian Living Communities, to explore a powerful shift in senior living: moving from a hospitality-driven model to a citizenship model rooted in purpose, belonging, reciprocity, and shared ownership.Jill reflects on her early experiences in nursing homes, the moment she began questioning the “we'll do everything for you” promise often found in senior living, and why true community is built when residents are seen not just as customers, but as citizens with gifts, agency, and something meaningful to contribute.Together, Matt and Jill discuss how this model changes daily life inside communities, how residents and team members care for one another, and why leaders should begin with better questions instead of ready-made answers.Guest Bio:Jill Vitale-Aussem is the President and CEO of Christian Living Communities, where she leads the organization's vision, culture, and growth across a continuum of services for older adults. With more than 30 years of experience in senior living, Jill has served in leadership roles across nursing homes, assisted living communities, and life plan communities. She previously served as President and CEO of the Eden Alternative, advancing a global movement focused on improving quality of life for older adults and their care partners.Jill is a licensed nursing home administrator, reframing aging facilitator, Eden Alternative educator, and graduate of the LeadingAge Leadership Academy. She is also the author of Disrupting the Status Quo of Senior Living: A Mindshift and speaks internationally on leadership, culture change, and ageism.Chapters:02:00 — Introduction to Jill Vitale-Aussem03:14 — Jill's path into senior living06:07 — Questioning the hospitality model07:14 — Purpose, independence, and ageism09:06 — What citizenship means in senior living10:18 — Citizenship in everyday community life13:07 — Doing things with residents, not for residents15:15 — Purpose in action17:02 — Helping people recognize their gifts19:02 — Resident ownership of team member experience22:01 — How citizenship reshapes leadership23:34 — Reciprocity between residents and team members25:34 — Where leaders should begin27:45 — Closing reflections
YOUR STORY = HOW TO MAKE YOUR SPIRITUAL BUSINESS TANGIBLE SIMPLE & SCALABLEFree Masterclass: As a psychic business strategist I do not teach the game of business. I teach roots. Reciprocity. Rest. Relationships. A completely different way of doing business built from your actual story, your actual lineage, your actual lived experience.You have a skill that makes money, but also a story, lived experience, and cultural roots that changes BLOODLINES You hear all the time "share your story" but you don't see the connection between your skills (that you lead with) and your storySo you share tips, you know your good at what you do, but people don't buy vibes without clear specific tangible results.& they don't buy results without feelings & connection..you need both. connected. clear. in one sentence.Your story is not the warm up to your business. It is not the inspiring caption before the real content. It is not the vulnerability post you share once a month to seem relatable. The pain you survived is the exact pain your client is sitting in right now. The thing you figured out the hard way is the transformation they are paying for. The way you see the world because of what you have lived through is the lens that makes your work uncopyable. Nobody else has your story. Which means nobody else can build your business.How to excavate the specific lived experience that becomes your methodology. Not your whole life story. The exact pieces that map directly to the result you create.How to turn that story into one clear tangible result that your entire business is built around. One result. One through line. Everything else attaches to it.How to make your spiritual gifts, your psychic abilities, your healing work, your lineage simple enough that someone who has never heard of you understands exactly what you do and why they need it in the first 30 seconds.How to build a scalable business from that. Not more 1:1. Not more hours. A model that grows without you grinding.And the energetic piece of making your business simple, scalable, & tangible without it you don't become a match for the business you are building or the strategy will collapse every single time.Are you next? You are a healer, coach, psychic, guide, or spiritual entrepreneur who knows your work is sacred and intimate so you don't think it can scale without losing that pieceYou have been in this industry for years and keep starting over.You are done leading with buzz words and ready to lead with your actual story.You want a business that feels like an extension of youA model that lets you LIVE your life not be strapped to being a business owner more than doing what you LOVE
This week, Reverend Ken Daigle invites three members of the community, Tylor Krueger, Shaun Kelly, and Kate Thornton, to lead everyone through a deep conversation on the spiritual practice of giving and receiving. Rev. Ken and the three speakers explore how to move beyond the common pressure of "church tithing" to foster a genuine, sacred cycle of generosity using one's time, talent, and treasure. This talk was recorded live at Unity San Francisco on May 17th, 2026.
In this episode of Divine Union™, Nicola sits down with embodied evolution mentor and New Earth business guide Chenisse Ouellette for an expansive conversation on conscious leadership, reciprocity, collaboration, and the deeper patterns shaping how we live, love, create, and lead.Together, they explore the hidden wounds beneath scarcity, control, over-performing, and perfectionism, and how reconnecting to the body, embracing authenticity, and learning to co-create from trust can transform the way we show up in business, relationships, creativity, and community.This conversation dives into:Healing the “too much” and “not enough” woundsScarcity, urgency marketing, and reclaiming sovereigntyReciprocity vs extraction in business and relationshipsConscious collaboration and co-creationBuilding businesses rooted in resonance, authenticity, and connectionMoving beyond performance and creating from alignmentThis episode is an invitation to soften hustle culture, reconnect with your humanity, and create a life, business, and relationships rooted in truth, reciprocity, and embodied connection.Connect with Chenisse on InstagramSubscribe to Nicola's Newsletter for intimacy and communication content, along with exclusive special offers.Connect with Nicola on InstagramSubscribe to Nicola's YouTube Channel Browse Nicola's offerings on her WebsiteBecause we love to reward effort, email a screenshot of your review of Divine Union to info@nicolanavon.com to receive a free gift. Looking to start your own podcast?Nicola's Top Podcast Tools:Power Up Podcasting CourseBuzzsprout Podcast Hosting Platform*Nicola is an Affiliate for these productsBy accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that the entire contents are the property of Nicole Navon, or used by Nicole Navon with permission, and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except as otherwise provided herein, users of this Podcast may save and use the Podcast only for personal or other non-commercial, educational purposes. No other use of this Podcast may be made, including, without limitation, reproduction, retransmission, or editing.This podcast is for educationa...
Somewhere along the way, modern dating stopped being about connection and started becoming a marketplace.Everybody is “high value.”Everybody thinks they deserve better.Everybody is ranking humans like stocks.And somehow… nobody is happy.In this episode, we're talking about how the internet's obsession with “high value men” and “high value women” is destroying dating, inflating egos, confusing standards with entitlement, and keeping people disconnected from reality.This isn't about “settling.”It's about self-awareness.Compatibility.Reciprocity.And dating people who actually align with you instead of chasing status, validation, or fantasy.Because dating on your level isn't an insult.It's usually where real relationships begin.
“Trees have all of this medicine…fruits, the bark is medicine, the leaves. All of that is waiting; it's potent, it's dormant.”Jason Grechanik has spent more than 25 years immersed in the study and practice of plants as medicine. As a tabaquero, he guides plant medicine dietas in Peru and internationally, weaving Amazonian tobacco traditions with Celtic tree wisdom. He facilitated for many years at the healing center Temple of the Way of Light and is the host of Universe Within Podcast.In this conversation, we hear about Jason's path, from learning with Shipibo healers to training with a mestizo tabaquero, and eventually working with the medicine of North American trees and Celtic traditions. We highlight the importance of respect and reciprocity when learning from wisdom traditions from around the world. We speak about plant diets — especially with tobacco — and the practices involved like fasting, isolation and ingestion. Jason explains that dieting with a single plant can open a deeper connection to its spirit and describes the dreams during dieta as a “gateway to experience the teachings of the plant.”Timestamps:(00:00) Welcome and Opening(02:45) How They Met in Peru(05:37) Temple of the Way of Light(08:35) Ayahuasca, Female Healers + Podcasting(12:00) Working With Local Flora Abroad(14:40) Reciprocity and Respect(16:56) Plant Diets or Dietas(20:38) Dreams While Dieting Plants (23:44) Other Plant Teachers + Tree Medicine (Europe)(31:01) Dieting With Tabacco + Tobacco Varieties (34:46) Inside A Dieta Retreat(36:22) Purging & Dosing Safety(36:37) Diagnostic Tools + Further Training (41:30) Jason's Tabaquero Teacher(45:25) Learning from Nature's Patterns (52:53) How to Follow Jason's Work
It is hard to be human. And right now, it is even harder to be humane, to ourselves and to others.And so many high-achieving, deeply caring leaders are under pressure to stay regulated, calm, and adaptable, no matter what they're facing. They look serene on the outside, but internally? They feel like a hot mess. They mask what they're feeling and push through so they can try to be the person, friend, leader they want to be. They fake regulation at the expense of their actual wellbeing.As the language of modalities like IFS and polyvagal theory has spread into the culture, the concepts have been distorted and even weaponized to police others and encourage self-editing, silencing, and hypervigilance. The exact opposite of cultivating the safety, connection, and practices that support a resilient nervous system.Today, polyvagal-theory expert Deb Dana is back to talk with me about what the culture so often gets wrong about nervous system regulation, why we need to plan for how to approach repair and reconnection when we inevitably make mistakes, and how to protect our compassion and curiosity about all the other kinds of nervous systems we encounter out in the world.Deb Dana, LCSW, is a clinician, consultant, author, and international lecturer on polyvagal theory-informed work with trauma survivors and is the leading translator of this scientific work to the public and mental health professionals. She's a founding member of the Polyvagal Institute and creator of the signature Rhythm of Regulation® clinical training series.Deb's work shows us how understanding polyvagal theory applies across the board to relationships, mental health, and trauma. She delves into the intricacies of how we can all use and understand the organizing principles of polyvagal theory to change the ways we navigate our daily lives.Listen to the full episode to hear:Why we can't ignore our fundamental need for connection and co-regulationHow leaders can take steps to acknowledge and normalize the diversity of nervous systems and needs on their teamsHow to plan ahead for moments when you feel disconnected or dysregulatedWhy the goal is not to be regulated at all times and shifting states is just dataWhy identifying the worries underlying our patterns of states and behaviors is the first step to shifting themWhy leaders need to tend to their own systems, both for their wellbeing and to model safety for othersLearn more about Deb Dana:Rhythm of RegulationLearn more about Rebecca:rebeccaching.comWork With RebeccaThe Unburdened Leader on SubstackSign up for the weekly Unburdened Leader EmailResources:The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth, Amy C. EdmondsonStephen PorgesPolyvagal-Informed Restorative Movement: Psychotherapy Roots, Rhythm, and Reciprocity, Amber Elizabeth GrayProject Hail MaryField of DreamsChapters:(00:07) - Introduction (06:36) - Meet Deb Dana (08:57) - The Fundamentals of Co-Regulation (13:42) - Survival vs. Safety (17:36) - Leading Diverse Nervous Systems (19:34) - Two AM Connection Plans (22:55) - Polyvagal Hierarchy Explained (25:36) - Build Your Regulation Menu (34:05) - Micro Moments And Glimmers (37:28) - Safe Enough And Curiosity (40:41) - Protecting Curiosity Under Stress (42:45) - Neck Up Trauma Patterns (47:27) - Home Away From Home and Our Nervous System (55:24) - Safety for Leaders Today (01:01:00) - Quick Fire Favorites (01:06:09) - How To Connect (01:06:51) - Closing Thoughts
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I'm joined once again by Dr. Alexander Cummins — historian of magic, diviner, and teacher of early modern cunning craft—for a deep and grounded conversation on working with spirits as allies in magical and divinatory practice.Together, we explore what it really means to work with ancestral practitioners—the spirits of the magical dead—and how these relationships were understood historically, as well as how they can be approached with clarity and integrity today.In This Episode, We Discuss:- What “ancestral practitioners” are, and how they differ from general ancestor work- Historical examples of working with the magical dead- Reciprocity, obligation, and relationship in spirit work- What it actually means to test spirits in practice- Geomancy and the role of appropriate questions in spirit contactLinks and More:TempleFest (New England, September 2026) – where both Dr. Al and I will be presenting this year. https://templefest.templeofwitchcraft.org/ Dr. Al's Website: https://www.alexandercummins.com/Classes and Courses with Dr. Al: https://www.alexandercummins.com/classbundlesAbout the Show, and JoAnna: The Diviner's Path: A Nature-Led Approach to Divination with Tarot, Runes & Pendulums, by JoAnna, is now available for pre-order: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0738782432/Pre-orders make a huge difference in helping a book reach more readers, so if you've been planning to pick up a copy, this is a wonderful way to support the work.You can find all details on my website or on Instagram: @coffeeanddivinationWebsite: http://www.coffeeanddivination.comThank you for listening — and as always, see you between the worlds.
Hello to you listening in Muhos, Finland! Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Wednesdays on Whidbey and your host, Diane Wyzga. We've had days of continuous rain; but I've discovered an antidote to cabin fever: walking the deep woods on my island. In the forest I'm reminded of the reciprocity of the universe - the give and take between us and the highest of powers. In her book Native: Identity, Belonging, and Rediscovering God Kaitlin B. Curtice asks: “What is it about a walk in the woods to remind us about the reciprocity of the universe? What do I mean? The bloodline of God is connected to everything . . . shells on the ocean shore, the mushrooms growing in the forest, the trees stretching to the clouds, the tiniest speck of snow in the winter, and our dust-to-dustness—we are all connected and tethered to this sacred gift of creation.” [Kaitlin B. Curtice, Native: Identity, Belonging, and Rediscovering God] Question: How does it feel when you are deeply connected, when you know that where you are is where you belong? You're always invited: “Come for the stories - stay for the magic!” Speaking of magic, would you please subscribe, spread the word with a generous 5-star review and comment - it helps us all - and join us next time! Meanwhile, stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website to: ✓ Arrange your no-sales Discovery Call ✓ Stay current with Diane on Substack Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts Music: Mer's Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music All content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.
Dr. Benjamin Freud is Head of School and Strategic Lead, Regenerative Education at Green School Bali. He founded the Biomimicry for Regenerative Design (BiRD) Lab, K-12 programme built on the recognition that life has been designing for 3.8 billion years longer than we have. Students learn to look closely at how the living world works and to bring what they find into the things and processes they design. He holds a PhD in History, along with an MSc in Education, an MBA, and an MA in International Relations. His background in sociology, philosophy, and history shapes how he thinks about schools, as places where students learn to contribute to the wider community, human and other-than-human. Reciprocity sits at the centre of his work: the idea that learning should gift back to the people, places, and forms of life it draws from, rather than take from them.
Welcome back, empowered fam! In this week's episode of The Empowered w/ Deanna Merlino Podcast, I'm talking about what it really means to give unconditionally, trust the timing of the Universe, and show up as your most authentic self - even when the support and love you offer isn't always reciprocated. I'm sharing stories from real-life chats with dear friends, personal lessons from investing in my own growth, and a powerful synchronicity that connected me to my late father's legacy. If you've ever felt unappreciated, burned out, or discouraged when things don't go as planned, this episode is for you. I'll walk you through the importance of energetic alignment and trusting that what you give from the heart will, in time, always come back to you. Tune in for practical wisdom, soulful reminders, and a dose of inspiration to keep you moving forward on your journey!--Let's connect! To see what else I'm up to, get more info on my latest offerings, and updates on my life and the podcast, follow me on Instagram: @thedeannamerlinoClick here to receive my FREE & potent Manifestation Vault with 15 tools!Sign up for my hybrid group mentorship - The Expansion Room *waitlist* here before doors reopen!Info and enrollment for WildFire, Quantum recalibration & Alchemical Immersion Retreat. All other programs/offerings: www.deannamerlino.com
After 100 episodes, what has the China Desk revealed about the Chinese Communist Party, U.S. strategy, and the future of global competition? In this special milestone edition of The China Desk, the roles are reversed. Host Steve Yates becomes the guest, while Andrew Langer, host of the Lunch Hour Podcast, steps in to lead the conversation — reflecting on the biggest lessons, themes, and takeaways from the first 100 episodes. Since launching in 2023, China Desk has featured conversations with policymakers, analysts, and subject matter experts across the spectrum of U.S.-China relations. In this episode, Yates steps back to examine what those discussions reveal about where the relationship stands today — and where it is headed. A major theme is the idea of reciprocity — a principle that has shaped many China Desk conversations. Yates explains why the U.S. should rethink policies that grant China access and advantages not reciprocated in return, and how this concept is beginning to influence broader trade and geopolitical thinking. The discussion also covers: • What Steve Yates has learned from 100 episodes of China Desk • Why listening — not talking — is key to meaningful policy conversations • The origins and impact of the U.S. “engagement” strategy with China • Why the “China will become like us” assumption failed • How CCP power structures shape behavior at home and abroad • The concept of reciprocity in trade, policy, and diplomacy • How China's system differs fundamentally from Western governance • The evolving U.S.–China strategic and economic relationship • The role of China in global conflicts, including Iran and Ukraine • The complex relationship between China, Russia, and authoritarian regimes • Why authoritarian systems can endure despite internal weaknesses • How economic growth reinforced CCP control over the population The conversation also explores the human dimension of China policy — including how decades of political control, economic transformation, and social upheaval have shaped the Chinese population's relationship with the state. Looking forward, Yates outlines three core priorities for U.S. policy: • Rebalancing the economic relationship with China • Reinforcing deterrence and demonstrating American strength • Strengthening and realigning global alliances The episode closes on a more personal note, as Yates reflects on family, loss, and the importance of stepping away from policy work to reconnect with what matters most. After 100 episodes, one message is clear: understanding China requires not just analysis — but listening, perspective, and a willingness to challenge long-held assumptions. 00:00 — Intro + 100th episode special format 00:08 — Andrew Langer guest hosts the China Desk 00:35 — Celebrating 100 episodes and show impact 00:57 — Steve Yates introduction and background 02:28 — What Steve Yates has learned from 100 episodes 03:15 — Why listening matters more than talking 04:02 — Building trust with guests and audience 06:11 — Has anything changed his perspective? 07:08 — Bipartisan conversations and policy framing 07:58 — Where U.S.–China relations stand today 08:16 — The concept of reciprocity explained 10:04 — Why engagement with China failed 11:03 — The “fatal conceit” of Western assumptions 13:53 — China–Russia relationship and strategic alignment 15:32 — Lessons from the Cold War and Soviet Union 16:48 — CCP control over Chinese society 18:02 — Information control and political power 19:02 — Why authoritarian systems persist 19:56 — Historical trauma and CCP legitimacy 21:02 — Economic growth vs political control 22:10 — Three priorities for U.S. policy moving forward 22:32 — Rebalancing the economic relationship 23:57 — Reinforcing deterrence and American strength 24:39 — Rethinking alliances and global priorities 25:44 — Outside interests: family, outdoors, and faith 27:33 — Where to find the China Desk podcast 28:24 — Closing Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@ChinaDeskFNW
Hey Yo! This week on the show we had a look at the recent offerings from AEW and WWE. Adam did a great job with the recaps as I was out of town for the weekend. So, the notes were minimal, but I crammed in what I could! We also kept the Smackdown 2002 train rolling as they are heading into Judgement Day in a couple of weeks with Hulk Hogan as the Undisputed Champion. Speaking of Hogan, we chat a little about the recent Netflix documentary, as well as hit briefly on the releases made by the WWE. As always, thanks for spending a little time with us each week. We appreciate it so much. Cheers!
April felt like things were being ripped at the seams, but May 2026 brings a different kind of intensity. It is a month of deep embodiment, psychological complexity, and intuitive awakening. While the tone is softer than last month, it is far from simple. In this episode, we dive into the Universal 6 Month (in a 1 Year) and explore how to navigate three massive energetic themes: Reciprocity, Limitations, and Intuition. With Pluto stationing retrograde and Mars entering a harsh square with Pluto at the end of the month, May is a call to put on your own oxygen mask first so you can show up without resentment. In this forecast, we discuss: The Power of the 6 & 1 Numerology: Why personal responsibility is the key to your health and happiness this month. Astrology Deep Dive: Navigating the Scorpio Full Moon, Uranus in Gemini’s impact on your nervous system, and the "lay low" dates for the Mars-Pluto square (May 25–27). Relationship Discernment: How to identify where you are over-giving and how to invite true symbiosis and joy back into your life. Honoring Limitations: Why your boundaries aren't failures—they are instructions for your future self. May is the month to be the "Oak Tree": Deeply rooted in the earth, yet reaching toward the sky. Join us as we explore how to simplify to amplify and meet yourself in a higher frequency. Additional Resources: Ready to go deeper? Join Amanda’s Conscious Community for May: The Frequency Field How to Metabolize Energy for Strong Energetic Boundaries (listen here) Sacral Chakra: Are You Leaking Energy? (watch here) Solar Plexus: What Are You Unconsciously Broadcasting? (watch here) Host: Amanda Rieger Green Subscribe to Amanda's YouTube HERE! Follow Amanda on Instagram: @soulpathology Check out Amanda's Website: SoulPathology.com Send Amanda an Email: Podcast@soulsessions.meFollow Amanda on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulpathology/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Forester and scientist Suzanne Simard is well known for her landmark 1997 paper, which demonstrated that two distinct species of trees could share resources. At the time, it turned traditional Western forestry thinking on its head. Instead of the Darwinian view of trees as being in competition with each other, it introduced the idea that these trees may actually help each other, and that industrial logging practices may be missing the forest for the trees. In recent years, Simard has been advocating for Indigenous knowledge as the only way to save the Earth and its forests. Environmental reporter Erica Gies spent some time in the field with Simard and her colleagues, looking into her latest project, The Mother Tree Project, which seeks to find the most sustainable form of forestry for both people and ecosystems. Gies joins the Mongabay Newscast to explain what she learned from Simard and why she advocates Indigenous knowledge and systems, which are governed by rules of reciprocity. A shift in her thinking occurred when she read the dissertation of fisheries ecologist Teresa Sm'hayetsk Ryan, who now works with Simard. "She realized that, you know, the people were also a very important part of the complex forest relationships," Gies says. "Which is much more of a reciprocity kind of mentality. If you take, you also give back. There is a responsibility to care for the system. Because if you don't, and if you overexploit it, it would be really easy to starve, right?" Please take a minute to let us know what you think of our podcast, here. Listen to our previous conversation with Erica Gies here. Mike DiGirolamo is the host & producer for the Mongabay Newscast based in Sydney. Find him on LinkedIn and Bluesky. Image Credit: Goose Island Archipelago is a cluster of tree-covered islands with wild, rocky beaches located off the central coast of British Columbia. Image courtesy of Alex Harris. —— Timecodes (00:00) The 'wood-wide web' (15:49) The Mother Tree Project (19:33) Why reciprocity is needed (30:27) Questions that remain
Is “China” as we understand it today really a continuous civilization — or a modern political construction? In this episode of The China Desk, host Steve Yates sits down with Bill Hayton, journalist and author of The Invention of China, to unpack one of the most provocative ideas in China studies: that many core concepts of modern China — including its identity, history, and territorial claims — are far more recent than commonly believed. Drawing on his research, Hayton explains how ideas like Chinese nationalism, sovereignty, and even the concept of “China” itself were shaped in the late 19th and early 20th centuries — often influenced by foreign thinkers, political pressures, and the collapse of the imperial system. A major focus of the conversation is how these constructed narratives continue to shape modern Chinese policy, propaganda, and global strategy. The discussion covers: • Why the term “China” was not historically used by Chinese rulers • How modern Chinese identity emerged in the late imperial and early republican periods • The origins of the “5,000 years of history” narrative • How nationalism was constructed to unify diverse populations • The invention and political use of Han ethnic identity • Why historical narratives are used to legitimize CCP authority • The concept of “national humiliation” and its political function • How myths about history influence modern Chinese foreign policy • The South China Sea and the origins of China's maritime claims • Why many widely accepted historical claims lack solid evidence • Taiwan's complex historical relationship with mainland China • Why Taiwan has only been governed alongside China for brief periods • How WWII decisions shaped modern territorial claims • Xi Jinping's consolidation of power and rise of hardline nationalism • The role of ideology in shaping CCP domestic and foreign policy • Reciprocity and how the U.S. should approach China strategically Hayton also explains how these narratives are actively reinforced today — from education campaigns to political messaging — to create cohesion, justify policy, and shape how both Chinese citizens and the outside world understand China. The conversation highlights a critical takeaway: without questioning these foundational assumptions, policymakers risk misunderstanding China's intentions, overestimating historical inevitabilities, and limiting strategic flexibility. 00:00 — Intro + Bill Hayton joins the China Desk 00:33 — Background and journalism career 05:04 — How The Invention of China came together 06:06 — South China Sea research and historical gaps 07:09 — Questioning accepted historical narratives 08:20 — The invention of “China” as a concept 10:59 — Why “China” wasn't historically a unified nation 12:16 — Dynasties vs modern nation-state thinking 14:01 — Foreign influence on Chinese nationalism 16:23 — The “5,000 years of history” narrative explained 17:18 — Race, identity, and the Yellow Emperor myth 19:25 — National humiliation as a unifying tool 21:28 — Why historical narratives bind populations 24:19 — The invention of Han ethnicity 26:39 — Political motivations behind ethnic identity 28:55 — Reception and backlash to the book 32:34 — Taiwan: history vs modern claims 34:17 — Why Taiwan wasn't central to China historically 36:37 — WWII and shifting territorial narratives 37:50 — Modern CCP narratives on Taiwan 39:34 — Xi Jinping and rising nationalism 41:17 — Ideology, control, and state power 42:10 — Reciprocity and U.S.–China strategy 45:43 — Final thoughts + where to follow Bill Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@ChinaDeskFNW
Most leaders think negotiation begins when both sides sit down to talk numbers. By then, trust, incentives, timing, internal alignment, and first impressions have already shaped the outcome. That is why smart founders, executives, investors, and board members can have the right facts and still walk away with the wrong result.In this episode of Beginner's Mind, Stefanie Schubert explains why negotiation is not a last-minute performance at the table. It is a leadership capability that starts much earlier, in the way people prepare, build trust, frame value, listen, manage emotions, and understand what the other side truly needs.Stefanie is a Professor of Economics at SRH University Heidelberg, a Negotiation Advisor, Keynote Speaker, and ICF-certified Executive Coach. Her work combines behavioral economics, game theory, negotiation, executive coaching, and real-world business practice, with experience in complex business environments, alliance management, and biopharma. This conversation moves from the practical to the profound: why intelligent people still make weak decisions, why preparation often matters more than persuasion, why pushing people creates resistance, how ballroom dancing explains negotiation better than many textbooks, and why investors, scientists, founders, and corporate leaders often speak past each other without realizing it.We also explore John Nash, A Beautiful Mind, first offers, anchoring, emotional decision-making, AI-driven profiling, trust in virtual environments, and why rejection in fundraising is not necessarily the end of the negotiation.As Stefanie puts it:(01:50:33) “You bring in something. It's not that you beg for money with the investor.”That may be the core lesson of the episode.Good negotiation is not domination. It is not theatre. It is not a bag of tricks. It is the discipline of understanding value, shaping the game, and entering the room with enough clarity to build something useful with another person.Selected moments(00:00:00) Why smart people lose negotiations early(00:04:24) Negotiation starts before the table(00:07:57) Why smart people still decide poorly(00:13:25) Influence creates value not manipulation(00:18:21) Human shortcuts quietly kill opportunities(00:25:08) Ballroom dancing reveals negotiation resistance(00:28:44) Active listening creates leadership leverage(00:34:06) Authenticity beats dominance in leadership(00:37:05) How to de-escalate emotional negotiations(00:45:05) Game theory without mathematical intimidation(00:52:57) A Beautiful Mind and collaboration traps(01:00:47) First offers and anchoring pressure(01:06:37) Internal alignment before external negotiation(01:12:25) Why emotions can be rational(01:17:20) Fast thinking versus sustainable judgment(01:32:25) AI profiling can poison first impressions(01:40:59) Trust building before formal deals(01:45:04) Why investor rejection is not final(01:47:24) Designing negotiations from first contact(01:48:11) Create value before dividing value(01:50:28) Confidence before asking for Send us Fan Mail Join Christian Soschner for expert coaching. 50% Off - With 35+ years in deep tech, startups/scaleups, and public companies, Christian offers power video sessions. Elevate strategy, execution, and leadership. Book Now.Support the showJoin the Podcast Newsletter: Link
Preview: Cliff May examines the Lebanon ceasefire, critiquing the lack of reciprocity from Iran's rulers. He notes that Hezbollah remains committed to Israel's destruction despite Israeli military efforts to secure its northern borders.
In a world flooded with AI-generated content, standing out is harder than ever. Which is exactly why understanding why people make decisions matters more now than ever before. In this episode of the Opportunity Podcast, we're joined by Nancy Harhut, co-founder and Creative Director of HBT Marketing. Nancy specializes in blending marketing with behavioral science to uncover what actually drives customer action.It's simpler than you might think. People rely on mental shortcuts to make decisions. Instead of carefully weighing every option, we act on instinct, often without realizing it. This impacts our purchasing decisions. Nancy explains that this is why tactics like loss aversion (avoiding mistakes), reciprocity (giving before asking), and autonomy (offering choice) are so effective. Small tweaks, like framing an offer as something to avoid losing, or giving two options instead of one, can have a big impact on conversions. An added challenge is that AI has made content faster and cheaper to produce, which makes standing out harder than ever. That's where the Von Restorff Effect comes in. People notice what's different. And as more businesses rely on AI, differentiation becomes your biggest advantage. Nancy believes we're in a transitional moment. AI is changing how content is created, but human psychology still determines what sells. The businesses that win won't be the ones producing the most content. They'll be the ones who understand how people think, feel, and decide. Topics Discussed in this episode: 04:33 - What neuromarketing is and why you should use it 07:30 - Loss aversion in action 10:30 - Reciprocity and influence 16:30 - Autonomy bias and choice 25:00 - Decision-making and "liminal spaces" 30:30 - Pricing psychology tactics 35:30 - The impact of AI on marketing 44:00 - Risks of over-relying on AI 52:00 - How to stand out (Von Restorff Effect) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our newsletter Using Behavioural Science in Marketing - Nancy's book HBT Marketing Nancy's LinkedIn Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to boost your sales and stand out from the crowd using neuromarketing!
Welcome to episode 382 of Growers Daily! We cover: today we're taking on a TRUE whale of a tale (and learning reciprocity), and we're gonna cover contamination in municipal compost, and do you need a soil probe? We are a Non-Profit!
In a world flooded with AI-generated content, standing out is harder than ever. Which is exactly why understanding why people make decisions matters more now than ever before. In this episode of the Opportunity Podcast, we're joined by Nancy Harhut, co-founder and Creative Director of HBT Marketing. Nancy specializes in blending marketing with behavioral science to uncover what actually drives customer action.It's simpler than you might think. People rely on mental shortcuts to make decisions. Instead of carefully weighing every option, we act on instinct, often without realizing it. This impacts our purchasing decisions. Nancy explains that this is why tactics like loss aversion (avoiding mistakes), reciprocity (giving before asking), and autonomy (offering choice) are so effective. Small tweaks, like framing an offer as something to avoid losing, or giving two options instead of one, can have a big impact on conversions. An added challenge is that AI has made content faster and cheaper to produce, which makes standing out harder than ever. That's where the Von Restorff Effect comes in. People notice what's different. And as more businesses rely on AI, differentiation becomes your biggest advantage. Nancy believes we're in a transitional moment. AI is changing how content is created, but human psychology still determines what sells. The businesses that win won't be the ones producing the most content. They'll be the ones who understand how people think, feel, and decide. Topics Discussed in this episode: 04:33 - What neuromarketing is and why you should use it 07:30 - Loss aversion in action 10:30 - Reciprocity and influence 16:30 - Autonomy bias and choice 25:00 - Decision-making and "liminal spaces" 30:30 - Pricing psychology tactics 35:30 - The impact of AI on marketing 44:00 - Risks of over-relying on AI 52:00 - How to stand out (Von Restorff Effect) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our newsletter Using Behavioural Science in Marketing - Nancy's book HBT Marketing Nancy's LinkedIn Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to boost your sales and stand out from the crowd using neuromarketing!
By Dan Dowd - What is Grace? If grace is a one-sided gift from God, then how do we grow in it? What favor or kindness do we give to God?
Where do you see communication happening?...Today, Abbie is joined by Hannah, Sine, and Jotte of TU Delf's Systemic Design Lab (D-SDL) to talk about life and design as playful experiments. They introduce the four core practices articulated by members of the D-SDL: Framing Complexity, Meaningful Formgiving, Building Relationships, and Nurturing Reflexivity; and discuss centering relationality, moving from extracting to reciprocity, and embracing "doing less" in design. ...Hannah Goss is Assistant Professor of Transition Design at the Human-Centered Design department at TU Delft's Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering. Her research focuses on how designers can stage their expertise to foster societal transitions, developing tools and methods to help designers understand and navigate complex systems change. Her PhD focused specifically on using design to foster the transition of the Dutch food system towards reducing food waste. Hannah is a member of the TU Delft Systemic Design Lab and the Food and Eating Design Lab, contributes to systemic and transition design education, and is part of the production team of Contexts—The Systemic Design Journal.Dr. Sine Celik is an architect and design researcher. Currently, Sine is Assistant Professor of Network-driven Systemic Change at the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering at TU Delft. Sine's research is situated at the intersection of systemic design, innovation research and network studies. Her work focuses on the role of social dynamics when designing for and with complex societal challenges. She earned her PhD degree from TU Delft with a thesis on the development of innovation ecosystems from a network perspective. After her PhD, she joined Aalto University Design Factory in Finland for her postdoctoral studies, where she continued exploring ecosystems and design cultures. Sine has been actively engaging with the RSD and SDA community for over a decade and was one of the organisers of RSD10 in Delft.Jotte de Koning is an assistant professor of design for sustainability at Delft University of Technology (TUD). Her expertise lies in the field of participatory design and sustainability. Her research is focused on co-creation processes between different actors in the transition process. She explores how methods from the field of participatory design and approaches of design thinking are relevant for different stakeholders in sustainability transitions....Stories Lived. Stories Told. is created, produced & hosted by Abbie VanMeter.Stories Lived. Stories Told. is an initiative of the CMM Institute for Personal and Social Evolution....Music for Stories Lived. Stories Told. is created by Rik Spann....CMM Institute SubstackCMM Institute Events Page…Explore all things Stories Lived. Stories Told. here.Explore all things CMM Institute here.
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After decades of failed negotiations and a rapidly shifting reality on the ground, is it time to rethink the framework for peace?In this episode, we're joined by Professor Yossi Mekelberg (Chatham House, University of Roehampton) to explore the idea of an Israeli–Palestinian confederation — a model that seeks to reconcile the increasingly entrenched one-state reality with the enduring need for two states.Drawing on decades of research and policy engagement, Yossi examines why past peace efforts have stalled, what has changed since Oslo, and whether a new political structure could offer a more realistic path forward. In this episode, we explore:Why the traditional two-state model is becoming harder to implementThe “one-state reality” on the ground — and what it means in practiceWhat an Israeli–Palestinian confederation could look likeHow shared governance, open borders and joint institutions might functionThe role of settlements, refugees, and Jerusalem in any future agreementWhy trust, reconciliation and public buy-in are essential to any solutionWhether political leadership — on either side — is capable of delivering change Key takeawaysThe status quo is unsustainable: The current trajectory is worsening conditions on the ground and making traditional solutions harder to achieve.A confederation bridges realities: It attempts to combine two-state principles with the lived reality of deep territorial and demographic entanglement.Reciprocity is key: Any viable solution must balance rights — including for settlers and refugees — in a way both sides can accept.Peace is not just technical: Political agreements alone are not enough — rebuilding trust and humanising the “other” is essential.Leadership matters — but so do people: Change may depend as much on public pressure and shifting narratives as on formal negotiations.
This month on Laura Flanders and Friends, we're revisiting conversations around the earth, the natural world and climate justice in action. This week, a call to ecological action that's about more than planting with 'plant whisperer', ecologist, Robin Wall Kimmerer. Make a tax deductible donation and become a member at LauraFlanders.org/donate. This show is made possible by you! Description: When was the last time you listened to the plants? Plant ecologist Robin Wall Kimmerer, a self-proclaimed “student of the plants,” has dedicated her life to helping people of all ages understand the symbiotic relationship between humans and nature. Her latest initiative “Plant Baby Plant” does exactly that, by mobilizing communities to restore plants while building collective power for the Earth. Kimmerer is a distinguished professor, MacArthur Fellow, mother and an enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. Her 2013 book “Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants” emerged as a surprise bestseller with almost three million copies sold across 20 languages. In this enlightening episode, Robin Wall Kimmerer and Laura Flanders explore how nature can inform our language, our economy, our movements and more. As you'll hear, our survival depends on it. Plus, a commentary from Laura on what it took to separate people from nature. Hint: it wasn't peaceful. “I think it is so important that we embrace ecological grief rather than look away . . . When we recognize that pain we feel for our relationships with the natural world is also the measure of our love for the living world. It's that love which is mirrored in the grief that makes you get back up and say, ‘Not on my watch.'” - Robin Wall Kimmerer Guest: Robin Wall Kimmerer, Plant Ecologist, Writer, Professor; Founder, Plant Baby Plant; Author, Braiding Sweetgrass *Recommended book: Bookshop: “The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World” by Robin Wall Kimmerer: Get the book* And to accompany the book: (*Bookshop is an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores. The LF Show is an affiliate of bookshop.org and will receive a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.) Watch the episode released on YouTube; PBS World Channel nationally airing Sundays at 11:30am ET and on over 300 public stations across the country (check your listings, or search here via zipcode). Listen: Episode airing on community radio (check here to see if your station airs the show) & available as a podcast. Full Episode Notes are located HERE. Related Podcast: Full uncut conversation is available in the podcast feed. Music Credit: “Ode to Nature” by Hover Fly from the Climate Soundtrack Compilation produced by DJ's for Climate Action, "Steppin" by Podington Bear, and original sound design by Jeannie Hopper Support Laura Flanders and Friends by becoming a member at https://www.patreon.com/c/lauraflandersandfriends RESOURCES: Related Laura Flanders Show Episodes: • Survival Guide for Humans Learned from Marine Mammals with Alexis Pauline Gumbs: Watch / Listen: Episode Cut and Full Uncut Conversation • Ecology: The Infrastructure of the Future?: Watch / Listen: Episode Cut • Peter Linebaugh on International Workers' "May Day" Origins. Plus, Commentary: 19th Century Anarchist Lucy Parsons, Listen • Yellowstone at 150: Can Indigenous Stewardship Save Our Parks?: Watch / Listen: Episode Cut Related Articles and Resources: • Speaking of Nature: Finding language that affirms our kinship with the natural world, by Robin Wall Kimmerer, Orion Nature and Culture • Watch: Gifts of the Land: A Guided Nature Tour with Robin Wall Kimmerer, The Commons KU • The Braiding Sweetgrass' Author Wants Us to Give Thanks Everyday, by Alexander Alter, November 29, 2024, New York Times • Fishing in a superfund site: Onondaga Lake's road to recovery, by Bee Kavanaugh, SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry, January 2, 2025, Planet Forward Laura Flanders and Friends Crew: Laura Flanders-Executive Producer, Writer; Sabrina Artel-Supervising Producer; Jeremiah Cothren-Senior Producer; Veronica Delgado-Video Editor, Janet Hernandez-Communications Director; Jeannie Hopper-Audio Director, Podcast & Radio Producer, Audio Editor, Sound Design, Narrator; Sarah Miller-Development Director, Nat Needham-Editor, Graphic Design emeritus; David Neuman-Senior Video Editor, and Rory O'Conner-Senior Consulting Producer. 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Brian grew up in Detroit believing that if you mastered your plumbing craft, the money would automatically follow. He quickly realized the highest-paid technicians weren't the best wrench-turners—they were the best communicators. After mastering the art of persuasion, Brian stepped in as GM of Benjamin Franklin Plumbing and skyrocketed their revenue to $6.2 million in just two years by tripling their average ticket size to $1,600.In this episode, Brian shares his exact framework for Business growth in the Home Services industry. You will learn the psychological triggers that close deals, why you must avoid "cortisol-producing" words, and how to apply the Law of Reciprocity before the pitch even starts. Whether you are scaling a local crew or offering Business consulting, this episode is a will teach you how to confidently ask for the sale without feeling pushy.In this episode, you'll learn:The 85% Failure: Why the vast majority of presentations end without anyone asking for the sale, and the exact low-pressure script Brian uses to close.Cortisol-Producing Words: Why saying "sign here" or "contract" subconsciously kills trust, and the specific replacement words (like "endorsement" and "paperwork") you must use instead.The Law of Pre-Suasion: How handing out a simple dog-waste bag dispenser on the front porch leverages the law of reciprocity and drastically increases customer loyalty.The "Palms Up" Hack: The single body-language adjustment—proven by TED Talk data—that instantly increases your trustworthiness and close rate.Mirroring Objections: How to use FBI hostage negotiation tactics to effortlessly disarm the dreaded "that's too expensive" objection without getting defensive.Tags: Home Services, Service & Consulting, Business growth, Business skills, Business leadership, SalesResources:Grow your business today: https://links.upflip.com/the-business-startup-and-growth-blueprint-podcast Follow Our Second Channel Here: https://next.upflip.com/spotify Connect with Brian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-burton-b1276415a/
Andrew Lister's Justice and Reciprocity (Oxford University Press, 2024) examines the place of reciprocity in egalitarianism, focusing on John Rawls's conception of "justice as fairness." Reciprocity was a central to justice as fairness, but Rawls wasn't explicit about the different forms of reciprocity, nor the diverse roles reciprocity played in his theory. The book's main thesis is threefold. First, reciprocity is not simply a fact of human psychology or a duty, but a limiting condition on other duties. Second, such conditions are a natural consequence of thinking of equality as a relational value. However, third, we can identify limits on this conditionality, which explains how some duties of justice can be unconditional. The book explores the ramifications of this argument in a series of debates about distributive justice: productive incentives, duties to future generations, unconditional basic income, and global justice. In each domain, thinking about reciprocity as a limiting condition helps explain otherwise puzzling aspects of justice as fairness, in some cases making the view more plausible, but in others underlining limits that will be unappealing to egalitarians of a more unilateral bent. Lister ultimately shows that reciprocity involves more than returning benefits, and that limiting justice with reciprocity conditions need not make justice implausibly undemanding. In this way, the book rehabilitates reciprocity for egalitarianism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
Andrew Lister's Justice and Reciprocity (Oxford University Press, 2024) examines the place of reciprocity in egalitarianism, focusing on John Rawls's conception of "justice as fairness." Reciprocity was a central to justice as fairness, but Rawls wasn't explicit about the different forms of reciprocity, nor the diverse roles reciprocity played in his theory. The book's main thesis is threefold. First, reciprocity is not simply a fact of human psychology or a duty, but a limiting condition on other duties. Second, such conditions are a natural consequence of thinking of equality as a relational value. However, third, we can identify limits on this conditionality, which explains how some duties of justice can be unconditional. The book explores the ramifications of this argument in a series of debates about distributive justice: productive incentives, duties to future generations, unconditional basic income, and global justice. In each domain, thinking about reciprocity as a limiting condition helps explain otherwise puzzling aspects of justice as fairness, in some cases making the view more plausible, but in others underlining limits that will be unappealing to egalitarians of a more unilateral bent. Lister ultimately shows that reciprocity involves more than returning benefits, and that limiting justice with reciprocity conditions need not make justice implausibly undemanding. In this way, the book rehabilitates reciprocity for egalitarianism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/philosophy
Andrew Lister's Justice and Reciprocity (Oxford University Press, 2024) examines the place of reciprocity in egalitarianism, focusing on John Rawls's conception of "justice as fairness." Reciprocity was a central to justice as fairness, but Rawls wasn't explicit about the different forms of reciprocity, nor the diverse roles reciprocity played in his theory. The book's main thesis is threefold. First, reciprocity is not simply a fact of human psychology or a duty, but a limiting condition on other duties. Second, such conditions are a natural consequence of thinking of equality as a relational value. However, third, we can identify limits on this conditionality, which explains how some duties of justice can be unconditional. The book explores the ramifications of this argument in a series of debates about distributive justice: productive incentives, duties to future generations, unconditional basic income, and global justice. In each domain, thinking about reciprocity as a limiting condition helps explain otherwise puzzling aspects of justice as fairness, in some cases making the view more plausible, but in others underlining limits that will be unappealing to egalitarians of a more unilateral bent. Lister ultimately shows that reciprocity involves more than returning benefits, and that limiting justice with reciprocity conditions need not make justice implausibly undemanding. In this way, the book rehabilitates reciprocity for egalitarianism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory
This month on Laura Flanders and Friends, we're revisiting conversations around the earth, the natural world and climate justice in action. This week, A call to ecological action that's about more than planting with Braiding Sweetgrass' Robin Wall Kimmerer. Make a tax deductible YEAR END DONATION and become a member go to LauraFlanders.org/donate. This show is made possible by you! Description [Full Uncut Conversation]: When was the last time you listened to the plants? Plant ecologist Robin Wall Kimmerer, a self-proclaimed “student of the plants,” has dedicated her life to helping people of all ages understand the symbiotic relationship between humans and nature. Her latest initiative “Plant Baby Plant” does exactly that, by mobilizing communities to restore plants while building collective power for the Earth. Kimmerer is a distinguished professor, MacArthur Fellow, mother and an enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. Her 2013 book “Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants” emerged as a surprise bestseller with almost three million copies sold across 20 languages. In this enlightening episode, Robin Wall Kimmerer and Laura Flanders explore how nature can inform our language, our economy, our movements and more. As you'll hear, our survival depends on it. Plus, a commentary from Laura on what it took to separate people from nature. Hint: it wasn't peaceful. [original release date January 7th, 2026] “I think it is so important that we embrace ecological grief rather than look away . . . When we recognize that pain we feel for our relationships with the natural world is also the measure of our love for the living world. It's that love which is mirrored in the grief that makes you get back up and say, ‘Not on my watch.'” - Robin Wall Kimmerer Guest: Robin Wall Kimmerer, Plant Ecologist, Writer, Professor; Founder, Plant Baby Plant; Author, Braiding Sweetgrass *Recommended book: Bookshop: “The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World” by Robin Wall Kimmerer: Get the book* (*Bookshop is an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores. The LF Show is an affiliate of bookshop.org and will receive a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.) Watch the episode released on YouTube; PBS World Channel Sundays 11:30am ET and on over 300 public stations across the country (check your listings, or search here via zipcode). Listen: Episode airing on community radio (check here to see if your station airs the show) & available as a podcast.. Full Episode Notes are located HERE. Full Conversation Release: While our weekly shows are edited to time for broadcast on Public TV and community radio, we offer to our members and podcast subscribers the full uncut conversation. Music Credit: 'Thrum of Soil' by Bluedot Sessions, 'Steppin' by Podington Bear, and original sound design by Jeannie Hopper Support Laura Flanders and Friends by becoming a member at https://www.patreon.com/c/lauraflandersandfriends RESOURCES: Related Laura Flanders Show Episodes: • Survival Guide for Humans Learned from Marine Mammals with Alexis Pauline Gumbs: Watch / Listen: Episode Cut and Full Uncut Conversation • Ecology: The Infrastructure of the Future?: Watch / Listen: Episode Cut • Peter Linebaugh on International Workers' "May Day" Origins. Plus, Commentary: 19th Century Anarchist Lucy Parsons, Listen • Yellowstone at 150: Can Indigenous Stewardship Save Our Parks?: Watch / Listen: Episode Cut Related Articles and Resources: • Speaking of Nature: Finding language that affirms our kinship with the natural world, by Robin Wall Kimmerer, Orion Nature and Culture • Watch: Gifts of the Land: A Guided Nature Tour with Robin Wall Kimmerer, The Commons KU • The Braiding Sweetgrass' Author Wants Us to Give Thanks Everyday, by Alexander Alter, November 29, 2024, New York Times • Fishing in a superfund site: Onondaga Lake's road to recovery, by Bee Kavanaugh, SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry, January 2, 2025, Planet Forward Laura Flanders and Friends Crew: Laura Flanders-Executive Producer, Writer; Sabrina Artel-Supervising Producer; Jeremiah Cothren-Senior Producer; Veronica Delgado-Video Editor, Janet Hernandez-Communications Director; Jeannie Hopper-Audio Director, Podcast & Radio Producer, Audio Editor, Sound Design, Narrator; Sarah Miller-Development Director, Nat Needham-Editor, Graphic Design emeritus; David Neuman-Senior Video Editor, and Rory O'Conner-Senior Consulting Producer. 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What does authentic leadership mean amid rapid change and digital noise? On this week's episode of the Do Good to Leac Well podcast, I speak with Laura Paglia, CEO of the Canadian Forum for Financial Markets, who draws from her experience leading Canada's top financial markets think tank and decades in private practice to answer this question. Her answers challenge the myth that ethics are just slogans, showing how integrity and transparency must guide every decision, even with the toughest choices.We also explore how to bring together diverse perspectives and contentious viewpoints, leveraging empathy without sacrificing progress and accountability. She also shares how she keeps herself and her team resilient by focusing on controllable outcomes. We also have a candid discussion about the impacts and opportunities of AI ranging from increased efficiency to navigating job disruption. Laura emphasizes the importance of maintaining our critical thinking and curiosity, even as technology transforms the informational and decision-making landscape.The conversation closes with an empowering message focused on the importance of stepping back, not personalizing setbacks, and always bringing your best self to work and life. This is the key to transformational growth and success. Tune in for an insightful journey from personal values to organizational change.What You'll Learn- Lead by example: ethics and integrity must be lived, not just discussed.- Authenticity builds trust and effectiveness.- Mistakes are learning opportunities—be honest, be open.- Empathy, resilience, and perspective help navigate tough conversations and uncertainty.- Prepare for change (especially AI), but keep critical human insight at the forefront.- Value merit and reciprocity: invest in the people who uplift your organization.Podcast Timestamps(00:00) – Welcome to the Podcast(04:06) – What Are the Essential Leadership Qualities?(05:42) - Authentic Leadership & Integrity(10:03) - Building Ethical Cultures(13:34) – How Honesty, Diplomacy & Directness Can Co-exist(17:51) - Openness About Mistakes and Uncertainty(23:08) - Navigating Diverse Perspectives and Conflict(26:03) - Empathy in Leadership(31:38) - Personal and Organizational Resilience(38:31) - AI Impact & Adaptation(42:41) - Leading Through AI UncertaintyKEYWORDSPositive Leadership, Authenticity, Honesty, Ethics, Integrity, Organizational Culture, Communication, Transparency, Diplomacy, Emotional Intelligence, Listening, Empathy, Resilience, Adaptability, Self-Awareness, Continuous Learning, Meritocracy, Reciprocity, Teamwork, Empowerment, Critical Thinking, AI, Artificial Intelligence), Change Management, Personal Growth, Work-Life Balance, CEO Success
Trust and Inspire is the leadership model redefining how great leaders unlock the best in their people — so why are so many organisations still stuck in command and control?This episode is sponsored by Deel. Hire, manage and pay – anyone, anywhere: https://www.deel.com/nickdayhr/In this episode of @thehrldpodcast Nick Day is joined by Stephen M.R. Covey, bestselling author of The Speed of Trust and Trust and Inspire, and former President and CEO of the Covey Leadership Center, to explore why the old model of leadership has reached its expiration date and what it takes to build the kind of high trust culture that attracts, retains and inspires the best people.Drawing on decades of research and work with organisations across 55 countries, Stephen breaks down why trust is a learnable skill and not a personality trait, what it actually looks like to extend trust in remote and hybrid teams without losing control, and how leaders can move from merely motivating people to truly inspiring them.This conversation explores how inspired employees outperform engaged ones by 56%, why the shift from command and control to trust and inspire is the most important leadership move of our time, and what Warren Buffett, Satya Nadella and Eric Yuan all have in common as leaders.A must listen for HR leaders, people managers, L&D professionals, and anyone responsible for building culture and developing leadership capability inside their organisation.Enjoyed this? Check out our sister podcast @thepayrollpodcast for more great content!Connect with Stephen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-m-r-covey-6400191a5Nick Day's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/ Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/919cf6b9ea Sign up to the HR L&D Newsletter: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/23e7b153e7Timestamps:(00:00) Preview(01:02) Introduction and Guest Welcome(03:43) What Human Resources Really Means(05:21) Is Trust a Learnable Skill(08:54) Why Leadership Styles Have Not Kept Up With the World(12:51) The Two Epic Imperatives of Modern Leadership(15:18) How to Extend Trust in Remote and Hybrid Teams(19:07) The Stewardship Agreement and Clarifying Expectations(22:04) What Being Trusted Does to Human Performance(26:33) The 3M Post It Note and the Reciprocity of Trust(29:12) Inspiration vs Motivation and the Highest Form of Human Drive (36:40) See Communicate Develop Unleash(43:15) How to Restore Trust After You Have Lost It(48:20) What Trust and Inspire Is Not(54:10) Where Leadership Is Going Next
The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals appears skeptical of a truck driver's position that Minnesota's refusal to recognize his GA and FL carry permits violates his 2A rights, but as Cam points out, one of the best arguments in the plaintiffs' favor was never raised during oral arguments.
The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals appears skeptical of a truck driver's position that Minnesota's refusal to recognize his GA and FL carry permits violates his 2A rights, but as Cam points out, one of the best arguments in the plaintiffs' favor was never raised during oral arguments.
Episode Highlights With MikiHer amazing story, growing up half Indian and half Japanese and the winding journey of her entrepreneurial successHow she went from being a professional athlete to opening a gluten-free restaurant in NYC, to other start-ups as wellEvery baby goes through up to 6,000 diapers that take hundreds of years to break downHer revelation with diapers and baby poop and how this led to a product that's helping address the plastic problemThe unique way that fungi can break down plastic in a completely safe way!Diapers are actually the #1 source of plastic waste91% of plastic is not recycled and ends up in landfills and oceans The planet is running a fever, and humans are the viruses it's trying to get rid of if we don't fix the problemWhat ecosystem consciousness is and how we can shift our thinking How they're shifting from reduce, reuse, and recycle to reduce and regenerate, and how this shifts thingsWhat sacred reciprocity is and how this shifts the modelHer audacious mission in life is to elevate people and the planet What new paradigm parenting is and how this framework shifts things for familiesOther ways we can make small shifts that contribute to sacred reciprocity 24% of all landfill waste is food waste! How home composting can helpTrees are the greatest technology of our timeWhy she's so anti-toilet paper, and what to try instead! Emergence and Cultivation in parenting and what we can learn from natureNature is our greatest technology, and it can even shape the way we parentThe very real way that fungi have the potential to reverse some of these massive planetary problemsResources MentionedFollow Miki on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Follow Hiro Diapers on InstagramHiro Diapers - get a discount at this linkTushy BidetLMNTI talk often about the health benefits of salt and electrolytes and I am a big fan of LMNT canned drinks and packets. Go to drinklmnt.com/wellnessmana for a special offer.HiyaHiya created a super powered chewable vitamin for kids that packs twelve organic fruits and vegetables plus fifteen essential vitamins and minerals into every dose. Try it at hiyahealth.com/wellnessmama for 50% off your first order.
In Ghana, much as in other parts of the Global South, postcolonial leaders aimed for industrial growth through the establishment of affordable hydroelectric power. However, in the current rapidly changing climate, many nations face recurring droughts, which hinder electricity production just when demand is on the rise. This situation has led to challenges like load shedding and unplanned power outages, which have strained the bond between citizens and the government. Negotiating Power and Inequality in Ghana: Electricity and Citizenship as Reciprocity (Indiana UP, 2026) aims to unravel the puzzling reality that, despite enduring increasing difficulties from these electricity shortages, the Ghanaian citizens who suffer most harshly are also the least likely to demand political accountability from the state. Drawing on archival evidence, focus groups, qualitative interviews, survey data, and contemporary art and music, author Lauren M. MacLean explains how this disparity in experience—fueled by differences in income and geographical location—has led lower- and higher-income Ghanaians to form contrasting perspectives on their social rights regarding public services and to adopt varying approaches to political involvement. Rather than relying on a predetermined social contract, citizens in Ghana develop a more fluid relationship with the state, shaped by their histories, identities, and personal experiences. This reciprocity highlights their awareness of how climate change and the global shift toward green energy can significantly impact their lives while also underscoring the necessity for the government to take the lead and engage with Ghanaians to promote climate justice. Lauren M. MacLean is the Thomas P. O'Neill Chair of Public Life and Department Chair of Political Science at Northeastern University. Her research focuses on the politics of electricity access and the everyday practice of citizenship in Africa. She conducts fieldwork in Ghana and Kenya, collecting survey data from individuals, conducting focus group discussions, doing archival work, and carrying out qualitative interviews with politicians, policymakers, practitioners, and ordinary people. MacLean has published award-winning books and articles, including: Informal Institutions and Citizenship in Rural Africa (Cambridge, 2010), The Politics of Non-State Social Welfare in the Global South (Cornell, 2014), co-edited with Cammett, and Field Research in Political Science (Cambridge, 2015), coauthored with Kapiszewski and Read. Her research has been published in a wide range of journals and supported by grants, including NSF, SSRC, RWJ, Fulbright-Hays, and Carnegie. She was the recipient of the APSA QMMR 2016 David Collier Mid-Career Achievement Award. You can learn more about her work here. Afua Baafi Quarshie is a Ph.D. candidate in history at the Johns Hopkins University. Her research focuses on mothering and childhood in post-independence Ghana. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
In Ghana, much as in other parts of the Global South, postcolonial leaders aimed for industrial growth through the establishment of affordable hydroelectric power. However, in the current rapidly changing climate, many nations face recurring droughts, which hinder electricity production just when demand is on the rise. This situation has led to challenges like load shedding and unplanned power outages, which have strained the bond between citizens and the government. Negotiating Power and Inequality in Ghana: Electricity and Citizenship as Reciprocity (Indiana UP, 2026) aims to unravel the puzzling reality that, despite enduring increasing difficulties from these electricity shortages, the Ghanaian citizens who suffer most harshly are also the least likely to demand political accountability from the state. Drawing on archival evidence, focus groups, qualitative interviews, survey data, and contemporary art and music, author Lauren M. MacLean explains how this disparity in experience—fueled by differences in income and geographical location—has led lower- and higher-income Ghanaians to form contrasting perspectives on their social rights regarding public services and to adopt varying approaches to political involvement. Rather than relying on a predetermined social contract, citizens in Ghana develop a more fluid relationship with the state, shaped by their histories, identities, and personal experiences. This reciprocity highlights their awareness of how climate change and the global shift toward green energy can significantly impact their lives while also underscoring the necessity for the government to take the lead and engage with Ghanaians to promote climate justice. Lauren M. MacLean is the Thomas P. O'Neill Chair of Public Life and Department Chair of Political Science at Northeastern University. Her research focuses on the politics of electricity access and the everyday practice of citizenship in Africa. She conducts fieldwork in Ghana and Kenya, collecting survey data from individuals, conducting focus group discussions, doing archival work, and carrying out qualitative interviews with politicians, policymakers, practitioners, and ordinary people. MacLean has published award-winning books and articles, including: Informal Institutions and Citizenship in Rural Africa (Cambridge, 2010), The Politics of Non-State Social Welfare in the Global South (Cornell, 2014), co-edited with Cammett, and Field Research in Political Science (Cambridge, 2015), coauthored with Kapiszewski and Read. Her research has been published in a wide range of journals and supported by grants, including NSF, SSRC, RWJ, Fulbright-Hays, and Carnegie. She was the recipient of the APSA QMMR 2016 David Collier Mid-Career Achievement Award. You can learn more about her work here. Afua Baafi Quarshie is a Ph.D. candidate in history at the Johns Hopkins University. Her research focuses on mothering and childhood in post-independence Ghana. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/political-science
The conversation with formulator Matt Legge pulls back the curtain on the supplement industry, framing it as a metaphysical struggle between genuine intent and the corporate Machine. Matt's journey is a hero's exile from structures like Metagenics, which prioritize efficiency over the soul of the product. This machine churns out soulless, AI-generated formulas that chase "white space," utterly neglecting the deep clinical insight of Root Cause Analysis—a meditation of the pulse. The founder's sacrifice creates the Pearl of Reciprocity, the organizational soul. The primary struggle is protecting this soul from "middle management" by constantly acting as the Chief Reminding Officer (CRO). The ultimate takeaway is a profound choice: to ethically play the regulatory puzzle with a full-spectrum approach and prioritize being the most respected—the "early bird gets the worm"—over merely being the biggest. CORE INSIGHTS: [1:00-1:50] The Formulator's "Exile" and the Call to Invent: Deemed "unemployable" by a major practitioner brand due to his excess of innovative ideas, Matt Legge was effectively pushed to start his own supplement brand. [2:30-3:30] Critique of Claim-Driven Formulation: The core problem in the supplement industry is formulating for claims using single, trademarked extracts, disregarding the natural synergy of multi-ingredient or whole-herb formulations. [5:30-6:30] The Threat of AI-Generated Formulas: New brands often use AI or agencies to formulate identical, "soulless" products (e.g., Ashwagandha, B6, Magnesium Glycinate) based on market "white space," which sidesteps genuine root cause analysis. [9:30-10:30] Root Cause as Clinical "Meditation": Identifying the true root cause is subjective, requiring deep clinical insight—like a "meditation" of the pulse—that goes beyond generic university diagnoses. [11:30-13:00] The Limitations of RCTs in Natural Medicine: The parachute analogy to argue that natural medicine, with thousands of years of traditional use, does not always require modern RCTs that often exclude the sick people the medicine is meant to help. [14:00-15:30] The "Pearl of Reciprocity" and Organizational Soul: Mason views a founder's genuine intent and sacrifice as creating the "Pearl of Reciprocity"—a metaphysical, organizational soul that guides the company toward its purpose of "health and harmony." [29:00-30:00] The Chief Reminding Officer (CRO): To combat high staff turnover ("The Wiggles Theory"), the founder must act as the "Chief Reminding Officer" (CRO), perpetually repeating the brand's foundational ethos and "campfire stories" to maintain its core cultural spirit. [35:30-36:30] Innovation Stifled by Middle Management: Middle management, lacking the company's ethos, stifled innovation by rejecting Matt's inventions because a market segment for the original ideas did not yet exist. [54:30-56:00] The Ethical Full-Spectrum Formulation Approach: Modern ethical formulation uses a nuanced approach: combining standardized extracts (for regulatory claims) with full-spectrum whole herbs to ensure nature's full synergy. RESOURCE: Instagram: leggylegge. LINKEDIN: Matt Legge
In this urgent solo episode, Darin breaks down what may be the most dangerous fatal convenience of our time: the digital algorithms quietly hijacking our attention, biology, and sovereignty. Billions of dollars are being spent to keep you scrolling by triggering fear, shame, comparison, and low-grade stress, and the cost is your presence, peace, and power. Drawing from neuroscience, public health data, indigenous wisdom, and lived experience, Darin exposes how the modern digital environment is engineered to extract from us, and why reclaiming your attention is one of the most powerful acts of self-protection available today. This episode is a call to stop outsourcing your life to algorithms, and start consciously designing your own. What You'll Learn Why your attention is the most valuable real estate on Earth How algorithms are designed to exploit fear, shame, and comparison Why digital addiction is now considered a global public health crisis The biological cost of constant scrolling and notification overload How distraction prevents you from choosing your own life Why willpower fails against billion-dollar attention economies The concept of the "toxic digital environment" Indigenous wisdom as an antidote to modern extractive systems What it means to build your algorithm for life How intentional friction restores focus and freedom The science behind lost concentration and attention recovery Why psychological richness matters more than happiness Simple, actionable steps to reclaim your time and sovereignty Chapters 00:00:00 – Welcome to SuperLife and the sovereignty mission 00:00:33 – Sponsor: Our Place and non-toxic cookware 00:03:08 – The most expensive real estate on Earth: your attention 00:03:27 – How algorithms hijack fear, shame, and comparison 00:03:56 – The toxic digital environment as a fatal convenience 00:04:21 – What convenience is really costing you 00:04:28 – Breaking the loop and building your own algorithm 00:04:41 – Digital addiction as a global public health crisis 00:04:58 – Why countries are banning social media for kids 00:05:12 – Biological harm: sleep loss, cortisol, and focus collapse 00:05:18 – Big Tech lawsuits and internal documents 00:05:39 – Dopamine delivery systems and low-grade stress 00:06:02 – When you're distracted, you're not choosing your life 00:06:25 – Why more tech isn't the solution 00:06:35 – Indigenous cultures and a different algorithm for life 00:06:48 – The medicine wheel and solving for balance 00:06:59 – Feeding the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual 00:07:11 – Dadirri: deep listening and stillness 00:07:27 – Reciprocity vs extraction 00:07:37 – Rebalancing time between digital and nature 00:07:53 – Get in the dirt: movement and stillness 00:08:04 – Sponsor: Mana Vitality and frequency-based wellness 00:09:59 – Why willpower doesn't work against AI 00:10:14 – Creating intentional friction 00:10:29 – Removing apps and notifications 00:10:50 – The 23-minute attention recovery rule 00:11:18 – Psychological richness vs endless stimulation 00:11:24 – Why novelty and variety expand life 00:11:45 – Seeking the unknown instead of more of the same 00:12:05 – Nature as the ultimate algorithm 00:12:15 – Auditing your digital environment 00:12:28 – Deleting one app that makes you feel less than 00:12:46 – Why the best things in life aren't convenient 00:13:06 – Taking back attention restores health on every level 00:13:19 – From user to creator of your life 00:13:29 – Why you're not missing anything by not scrolling 00:13:41 – Reclaiming sovereignty together as a community 00:14:24 – Put the phone down. Go outside. Be in your life. 00:14:52 – Final message: this is our power Thank You to Our Sponsors Our Place: Toxic-free, durable cookware that supports healthy cooking. Go to their website at fromourplace.com/darin and get 35% off sitewide in their largest sale of the year. Manna Vitality: Go to mannavitality.com/ and use code DARIN12 for 12% off your order. Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences Join the SuperLife Patreon: This is where Darin now shares the deeper work: - weekly voice notes - ingredient trackers - wellness challenges - extended conversations - community accountability - sovereignty practices Join now for only $7.49/month at https://patreon.com/darinolien Key Takeaway When you take back your attention, you take back your life.
Healthy boundaries are essential - but most men don't know what they actually look like. In this episode of Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler breaks down eight practical boundaries every man must establish in his personal, professional, and romantic relationships to build respect, alignment, and long-term success. These boundaries aren't about control or ultimatums - they're about clarity, self-respect, and creating relationships that truly work. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Why Boundaries Matter 01:10 - Why Men Struggle with Boundaries 02:38 - Grace, Communication, and Relationships 03:05 - High Fences Make Great Neighbors 05:05 - Alignment in Healthy Relationships 06:15 - Boundary #1: Reciprocity 07:26 - Boundary #2: Initiation 08:50 - Boundary #3: Flow 10:55 - Boundary #4: Capacity 12:08 - Boundary #5: Self-Abandonment 14:45 - Boundary #6: Regulation 17:30 - Boundary #7: Exit Boundary 22:55 - Boundary #8: Potential 24:10 - Identifying Triggered Boundaries 26:05 - Communicating Boundaries Effectively 28:40 - Join Iron Council 30:05 - Final Thoughts & Sign-Off Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready
In this Ask Me Anything episode, Ryan and Kipp tackle some of the most misunderstood challenges men face today. They break down how to establish clear and healthy boundaries - especially the role of reciprocity in relationships - and why unspoken expectations often lead to resentment. The conversation also explores the importance of physical touch between men and how appropriate, grounded connections build trust and brotherhood. Finally, they address jealousy, comparison, and social media, offering practical strategies for cultivating gratitude while still pursuing growth. This episode is a tactical, honest discussion on showing up as a grounded, intentional man in every area of life. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Opening 06:57 - UFC Commentary and Attention Spans 12:07 - Taking Ownership Around Authority Figures 19:42 - Carrot vs. Stick in Self-Discipline 26:20 - Physical Touch and Connection Between Men 31:47 - Choosing a Word or Theme for the Year 37:04 - Boundaries, Reciprocity, and Resentment 48:50 - Discipling and Mentoring Young Men 56:50 - Overcoming Jealousy and Social Comparison 01:03:51 - Raising Boys and Recommended Resources Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready