Podcasts about recognize

Some of the richest founders don't run trendy companies. They run dirty ones. The kind of work you'd never brag about at a dinner party, but that quietly throws off real money because it's hard, risky, and most people won't do it.      This Built to Sell Radio episode follows Shenar Wood, who built an underground power business by taking on personal risk, earning trust job by job, and eventually selling when he hit a ceiling that had nothing to do with demand, you discover how to:    Recognize the hidden ceiling that has nothing to do with demand and everything to do with your balance sheet  Stop confusing "more revenue" with "more value" when margin and risk aren't improving  Build a reputation flywheel where customers feed you better work because they trust how you operate  Separate assets from value so you don't overestimate what a buyer will pay for "stuff"  Fix the financial story before a buyer forces an expensive cleanup under pressure  Negotiate earn-out terms so the buyer can't hit your results by moving costs onto your books  Decide when it's smarter to sell now than grind for years just to add a rounding error to valuation 

This episode offers a practical, case-based overview of evaluating and managing anastomotic leaks in colorectal surgery. It highlights early clinical warning signs, optimal imaging, and a framework for choosing nonoperative versus operative strategies, including when to drain, divert, repair, or revise an anastomosis. The discussion also covers management considerations in diverted patients and those with Crohn's disease, as well as long-term issues such as chronic leak–related complications and planning for stoma reversal. Join Drs. Jared Hendren, Elissa Dabaghi, Joseph Trunzo, Ajaratu Keshinro, and David Rosen as they discuss this clinical challenge in colorectal surgery.Hosts: - Jared Hendren, MDο      Institution: Department of General Surgery, Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio- Elissa Dabaghi, MDο      Institution: Department of General Surgery, Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio- Joseph Trunzo, MDο      Institution: Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohioο      Social Media Handle: X/Twitter @joseph_trunzo- Ajaratu Keshinro, MDο      Institution: Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohioο      Social Media Handle: X/Twitter- @AJKesh-  David Rosen, MDο      Institution: Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio- Social Media Handle: X/Twitter- @davidrrosenmdLearning Objectives: By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to: Assess postoperative changes that warrant imaging and/or intervention in suspected anastomotic leaks. Apply a structured decision-making approach to determine when nonoperative management, drainage, diversion, or operative intervention is most appropriate. Recognize key considerations in managing leaks in diverted patients and those with Crohn's disease, including long-term complications and factors influencing stoma reversal planning. Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.  If you liked this episode, check out our recent episodes here: https://behindtheknife.org/listenBehind the Knife Premium:General Surgery Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/general-surgery-oral-board-reviewTrauma Surgery Video Atlas: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/trauma-surgery-video-atlasDominate Surgery: A High-Yield Guide to Your Surgery Clerkship: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/dominate-surgery-a-high-yield-guide-to-your-surgery-clerkshipDominate Surgery for APPs: A High-Yield Guide to Your Surgery Rotation: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/dominate-surgery-for-apps-a-high-yield-guide-to-your-surgery-rotationVascular Surgery Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/vascular-surgery-oral-board-audio-reviewColorectal Surgery Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/colorectal-surgery-oral-board-audio-reviewSurgical Oncology Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/surgical-oncology-oral-board-audio-reviewCardiothoracic Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/cardiothoracic-surgery-oral-board-audio-reviewDownload our App:Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/behind-the-knife/id1672420049Android/Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.btk.app&hl=en_US

This week, our hosts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dave Bittner⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joe Carrigan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Maria Varmazis⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (also host of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠T-Minus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Space Daily show) are sharing the latest in social engineering scams, phishing schemes, and criminal exploits that are making headlines. We start with some follow up on a big honor for Dave, recognized by SANS as a Difference Maker in Media—plus a quick chicken update, a newly named rooster, and construction officially getting underway on the new run. Maria has the story on a congressional warning about a surge in winter holiday travel scams, as fake booking sites and airline impersonators drive millions in losses during peak travel season. Dave has two stories this week, one on a friend who received a suspicious email appearing to come from the chair of a nonprofit, and the other on a BBC investigation uncovering how fraudulent crowdfunding campaigns exploited children with cancer and their families, siphoning off millions meant for life-saving treatment. Joe's story covers a warning from the IRS on how to spot and avoid tax scams, highlighting red flags like too-good-to-be-true refunds, urgent threats, fake websites, and impersonators pressuring victims for money or personal information. For our Catch of the Day, it turns out Aquaman isn't just ruling the seas — he's apparently sliding into fans' texts, proving once again that when a celebrity starts sounding a little too approachable, it's probably not Hollywood calling. Resources and links to stories: ALERT: Winter Holidays Travel Scams Children with cancer scammed out of millions fundraised for their treatment, BBC finds Recognize tax scams and fraud How to know it's the IRS ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hackinghumans@n2k.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Send me a question or story!Recurrent infections can be so difficult in our allergic patients. Learn how to minimize severity of frequency of pyoderma on this week's episode of The Derm Vet podcast!1. Work up the underlying allergies2. Support the skin barrier3. Adjust topical therapy accordingly4. Recognize historical patterns5. Refer to a dermatologist early in the disease00:00 – Intro02:24 – Working up the underlying allergies04:53 – Support the skin barrier07:36 – Adjust your topical therapy accordingly10:27 – Recognize historical patterns13:02 – Referring these patients early13:56 – Overview14:32 – Outro

In a culture that glorifies hustle, productivity, and "doing more," it can be hard to know the difference between healthy striving and overexertion that leads to burnout. In this episode I explore what it truly means to strive in a way that supports both growth and well-being. Healthy striving isn't about lowering your standards or giving up on your goals—it's about learning how to move toward what matters without abandoning yourself along the way.  In this episode, you'll explore: What healthy striving actually looks like and ways to practice it The difference between growth motivated by values vs. fear or self-criticism A simple reflection to help you recalibrate effort, rest, and intention The biggest mindset needed to start the year You'll learn how to: Set goals without tying your worth to outcomes Balance ambition with self-compassion Recognize when it's time to pause, soften, or adjust Cultivate sustainable motivation that supports long-term well-being This episode is especially supportive if you: Feel driven but exhausted Struggle with perfectionism or self-criticism Want to grow without pushing yourself past your limits Are craving a healthier relationship with ambition and productivity   Share your takeaways with me on Instagram @OneWade or send me a note at Wadebrill.com/connect.    Curious to explore more self-love and confidence from the inside out for your 2026? Sign up for a complimentary Connection Call to explore if working together gets to be a fit. [ https://calendly.com/wadebrill/connectioncall?]   Want a 1:1 Intention Setting Session? SIgn up here: https://calendly.com/wadebrill/intention-setting-session?

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You can admire spiritual maturity from a distance, or you can take your formation journey seriously. Many of us prefer the former. We outsource growth to personalities, call delayed obedience "wisdom," and bargain with God when surrender would cost too much. This week on Win Today, Dr. Eric Mason joins me to confront the quiet drift that hollows discipleship: the consumer posture that fuels bad teaching, the spiritual immaturity that bargains with God, and the confusion that happens when we make our assignment our purpose. If your faith has been built around sermons more than Scripture, preferences more than practices, or outcomes more than obedience, this conversation is your invitation to grow up on purpose, with the Spirit, for the long road of holiness. Guest Bio Dr. Eric Mason is the founder and lead pastor of Epiphany Fellowship in Philadelphia and the founder/president of Thriving, an urban ministry training leaders for city contexts. A pastor-theologian for nearly three decades, he has preached and trained nationally and internationally and authored several books. He holds a B.S. in Psychology (Bowie State), a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary—where he was mentored by Dr. Tony Evans at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship—and a D.Min. from Gordon-Conwell. Eric and his wife, Yvette, live in Philadelphia with their four children: Immanuel, Nehemiah, Ephraim, and Amalyah. Show Partner We spend a third of our lives asleep, so stop treating your bed like an afterthought. Cozy Earth's Bamboo Sheets are a game-changer. They're silky smooth, breathable, and cool to the touch. And they're more than bedding; Cozy Earth also makes bath essentials, pajamas, and men's and women's loungewear designed to bring calm and comfort to everyday life. Try their sheets risk-free with a 100-Night Sleep Trial and a 10-Year Warranty. Start the New Year right. Head to cozyearth.com and use code WINTODAY for up to 20% off. And if you see a post-purchase survey, tell them you heard about Cozy Earth on Win Today. Episode Links Show Notes Buy my NEW BOOK "Healing What You Can't Erase" here! Invite me to speak at your church or event. Connect with me @WINTODAYChris on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Take the next step in your veterinary dentistry journey — discover how you can join Dr. Beckman's elite training community! https://ivdi.org/inv ------------------------------------------ Host: Dr. Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM In this episode of The Vet Dental Show, Dr. Brett Beckman shares actionable strategies to elevate your veterinary dentistry service. He emphasizes the financial benefits of investing in dental equipment, training, and team development, highlighting a study where practices doubled their revenue within a year. Dr. Beckman also outlines the essential components of a top-notch dental service—team, operatory, and a standardized plan. What You'll Learn:  ✅ Discover the key strategies for building a cohesive and passionate veterinary dental team.  ✅ Understand how investing in dental equipment and training can significantly boost practice revenue.  ✅ Master the three main components of a top-notch dental service: team, operatory, and step-by-step plan.  ✅ Simplify the process of standardizing a dental game plan to increase speed and confidence.  ✅ Apply proven techniques to identify and cultivate a passion for dentistry within your staff.  ✅ Recognize the impressive return on investment (ROI) that dentistry can provide compared to other veterinary services. Key Takeaways:  ✅ Focus on keeping the dental team small and specialized to foster expertise.  ✅ Identify staff members with a genuine passion for dentistry to build a motivated team.  ✅ Standardize the dental game plan with step-by-step procedures for consistency and efficiency.  ✅ Highlight the financial benefits of dentistry to persuade decision-makers to invest in the service.  ✅ Cross-training the entire staff is not the best approach for dentistry. Questions This Episode Answers: ❓ Why is veterinary dentistry often underprioritized despite being one of the most profitable services in a practice? ❓ How can investing in dental equipment, training, and education dramatically increase practice revenue? ❓ What real-world evidence shows that dentistry can deliver a strong return on investment in a short timeframe? ❓ How can veterinary teams use ROI data to persuade practice owners or decision-makers to invest in dentistry? ❓ What are the three essential components of a top-notch veterinary dental service? ❓ Why is keeping the dental team small and specialized more effective than cross-training the entire staff? ❓ How does standardizing dental workflows improve efficiency, speed, and team confidence? ❓ What role does passion and motivation play in building a successful dental team? ❓ How can consistent repetition and mastery elevate the quality of dental care delivered in practice? ❓ What mindset shifts are necessary to successfully grow and sustain a profitable dental service? ------------------------------------------ Transform your dental practice today — request your invite to the Veterinary Dental Practitioner Program: https://ivdi.org/inv Explore Dr. Beckman's complete library of veterinary dentistry courses and CE resources! https://veterinarydentistry.net/ ------------------------------------------ Questions? Leave a comment below with your thoughts, experiences, or cases related to veterinary dentistry! ------------------------------------------ KEYWORDS: Veterinary Dentistry, IVDI, Brett Beckman, Dog Dental Care, Cat Dental Care, VetTech Tips, Animal Health, Veterinary Education, Veterinary Dental Practitioner Program, Vet Dental Show, Dental Revenue, Veterinary Team Training, Dental Equipment ROI, Standardized Dental Plan, Veterinary Practice Profitability

The MOST expensive thing that your business could do in 2026 is NOT grow to your potential. In this episode of the Remarkable CEO Podcast, Dr. Stephen and Dr. Pete reveal the 2026 Theme of the Year and explain why every chiropractic business will face predictable breakpoints as it grows. They walk through how constraints show up in marketing, conversion, operations, team, and collections, and why seeing those constraints early determines whether a practice stalls or accelerates. This conversation reframes growth challenges as signals, not failures, and shows how operationalizing systems, professionalizing people, and committing to optimization creates the momentum needed to move through the next level of practice growth with clarity and confidence.In this episode you will:Understand why predictable breakpoints show up as a practice grows Recognize how constraints form across marketing, operations, team, and collections See the difference between a breakpoint that stalls growth and one that creates momentum Clarify what operationalizing and professionalizing actually change at the next level Walk away knowing why not growing is the most expensive decision in 2026Episode Highlights01:38 – Why choosing a yearly theme creates focus before planning even begins.02:01 – How separating the practice side from the business side changes growth decisions.06:38 – Discover what shifts when assessment and vision casting are done together.07:11 – Understand how toxicity and deficiency interfere with growth inside a business.09:03 – Why constraints quietly turn into breakpoints that slow momentum.10:27 – Learn how seeing the next breakpoint early changes the outcome.11:12 – Discover where predictable revenue breakpoints show up as a business scales.12:03 – Why 2026 is framed as a year of breakthrough rather than maintenance.12:20 – Understand how momentum is built through repeated daily decisions.15:29 – Learn what optimization adds after systems and people are in place.16:39 – Discover how missed attraction goals create ripple effects across the business.18:16 – Why accountability reveals where growth actually broke down.21:26 – Understand what shifts as businesses move through the one, three, and eight million levels.24:18 – Learn how capacity exposes the real size of the growth problem.25:22 – Discover why choosing not to grow carries the highest cost heading into 2026.26:09 – Dr. Pete is joined by Success Partner, Dr. Roger Sahoury from SprintSet, to show how practice owners can add a proven lifestyle system that drives retention, referrals, and new revenue. You'll learn how SprintSet fills the lifestyle gap, supports patients with real coaching and technology, and helps practices stay in the conversation beyond pain care. The discussion breaks down impact, scalability, and what it takes to implement without overloading your team. Resources MentionedLearn more about the TRP Remarkable Business Immersion March 6 - 7, 2026 in Phoenix, AZ and March 20 - 21, 2026 in Brisbane, AUS - https://theremarkablepractice.com/upcoming-events/To learn more about the REM CEO Program, please visit:  http://www.theremarkablepractice.com/rem-ceoFor more information about SprintSet please visit: https://sprintset.com/Book a Strategy Session with Dr. Pete - https://go.oncehub.com/PodcastPCPrefer to watch? Catch the podcast on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRemarkablePractice1To listen to more episodes, visit https://theremarkablepractice.com/podcast or follow on your favorite podcast app.

What draws someone with a big heart and endless curiosity into the narrowing path of medicine, and how do they reclaim their multifaceted self amid burnout and systemic challenges?In this Echo Episode, Dr. Andrea Austin talks with Dr. Amanda River about her unconventional journey in emergency medicine, from medical school friendships to leading a cannabis clinic and pursuing lifestyle medicine. Amanda reflects on her sister's Ewing sarcoma diagnosis that sparked her interest in medicine, the sacrifices of medical training, and the pride and frustrations of EM practice. They discuss the pathology of long hours, sleep deprivation myths, understaffing, and metrics that prioritize billing over patient care, while exploring ways to align personal values with professional life.You'll hear how they:Unpack the roots of burnout in EM, from value misalignments to unsafe staffing ratiosChallenge limiting beliefs in medical training, like 80-hour weeks and "scut work" that wastes physician expertiseAdvocate for system redesigns that empower teams, respect boundaries, and integrate patient voices for better outcomesFind hope in diverse career paths, from rural locums to cannabis and lifestyle medicine, to sustain joy in healthcareIf you're an EM physician questioning the status quo or seeking ways to realign your practice, this honest conversation offers insights into building a more humane system.About the Guest:“Emergency medicine is a mindset, not a place.” – Dr. Amanda RiverDr. Amanda River is an emergency medicine physician credentialing at a critical access hospital in rural Iowa, with locums experience in Oregon and Guam's public hospital. A former owner and medical director of a private cannabis medicine clinic, she is also board-certified in lifestyle medicine and passionate about integrating holistic approaches into EM. Her journey reflects a commitment to values-driven care, from farm roots to global practice.

Austin shares 7 networking tips that are so effective, they will help you get in with any CEO, founder, or VIP that you want to connect with!Time Stamped Show Notes:[0:30] - Networking is important but hard![1:30] - Advice recognition & The advice triangle[4:18] - Engage with their content & Ask to interview them[6:33] - Set up a speaking engagement & Recognize them for a career change[8:15] - Make a helpful introductionWant To Level Up Your Job Search?Click here to learn more about 1:1 career coaching to help you land your dream job without applying online.Check out Austin's courses and, as a thank you for listening to the show, use the code PODCAST to get 5% off any digital course:The Interview Preparation System - Austin's proven, all-in-one process for turning your next job interview into a job offer.Value Validation Project Starter Kit - Everything you need to create a job-winning VVP that will blow hiring managers away and set you apart from the competition.No Experience, No Problem - Austin's proven framework for building the skills and experience you need to break into a new industry (even if you have *zero* experience right now).Try Austin's Job Search ToolsResyBuild.io - Build a beautiful, job-winning resume in minutes.ResyMatch.io - Score your resume vs. your target job description and get feedback.ResyBullet.io - Learn how to write attention grabbing resume bullets.Mailscoop.io - Find anyone's professional email in seconds.Connect with Austin for daily job search content:Cultivated CultureLinkedInTwitterThanks for listening!

This year we are building a strong 12 step plan so that by the end of the year you are a low stakes poker crusher. 1.Tilt is responsible for more losses than bad strategy — it can cost you many buy-ins. 2.Recognize early emotional triggers: losing big pots, loud players, running cold. 3.Practical tilt cures: timed breaks, folding a full orbit, reset rituals, stack rebuild mindset. Brand New! Free content monthly just for signing up as. Free follower. Articles, videos and more. It's 100% free to sign up and follow me here:https://lowlimitcashgames.com Fans of the Pod get ad free, fluff free episode every single Sunday: https://lowlimitcashgames.com Save 10% when you choose the annual option Targeted Low Stakes poker training with hundreds of hours of audio and video teaching exclusively how to crush 1/2 and 1/3 no limit: https://lowlimitcashgames.com Save 10% when you choose the annual option. Hate AK? How to Play AK Master Class For only $49 get this 88 minute training video of me showing you exactly how to play AK, particularly when out of position. https://www.patreon.com/lowlim... The best way to ramp your game up and know how to play any hand in any spot by drilling it over and over again. This is the only product I endorses. Make sure to use my code for a 25% discount at checkout: https://advancedpokertraining.... Use code: lowlimit Free episode on variable, run bad, and tilt. Free for anyone who is a free member and high on my Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/posts/... Want more details on everything that is offered with the training package on Patreon? I go into great detail about it all here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/...

What if the biggest obstacle to your miracle is the way you think?Transformation is actually possible, but the secret isn't your power it's God's power. Ryan kicks off the year with a powerful message from Proverbs 3 and challenges us to stop leaning on our own understanding and start trusting God's way.

Rob and Trish MacGregor, along with producer and “disembodied voice” of Jon, talk with Colorado artist and author Ken Elliott, whose book *Manifesting 1-2-3… and you don't need 3* is based on more than two decades of collecting real-world stories that show how thoughts literally take form in the non-physical and then materialize in our lives. Ken shares how out-of-body explorer William Buhlman and the extraordinarily gifted Judy Goodman opened his eyes to what he calls the “behind-the-scenes” mechanics of manifestation, including Judy's ability to actually see thought-forms building on the other side like wisps of smoke congealing into solid objects. Ken explains why repeated thoughts, whether loving intentions or persistent worries, start as vaporous constructs in the non-physical, gradually becoming more three-dimensional until they “cross over” into physical experience, and how gratitude acts like a power boost that clears fear and accelerates these creations. He tells some remarkable stories: sending Judy a simple yellow rose in a silver vase in thought that arrived to her in spirit, “dipped in gold”; watching a business plan on the other side revert from nearly complete form back to smoke when he gave up on it; children effortlessly manifesting what they want, like a golden retriever that appeared in the family's life within a week. The conversation dives into health and “miracles,” including cases where glaucoma, officially labeled “not curable” on mainstream medical sites, simply disappeared after people created clear inner “movies” of a future where the condition was no longer a problem. Ken also talks about near-impossible misses in car accidents, why there's “no time” in the non-physical and what that means for future creation, and how communities and belief systems on the other side can mirror what people cling to here. Ken breaks down his simple framework: 1: Make a vivid movie of your desired future, without over-specifying every detail so the energy can find the most efficient path to you. 2: Take real-world action on your fears so they don't tangle up your intentions “like a spider web” over your manifestations. 3: Recognize that you actually don't need “step three” because you already are the power—far larger and more loving on the other side than you can imagine here. From Paris café daydreams to life plans, past lives, and why “you're always in your plan” even when life feels off the rails, this episode offers both practical tools and mind-bending stories about how consciously directing thought can change health, money, stress, and everyday experience. Learn more about Ken's work, his newsletter, and hundreds of manifestation stories at https://www.manifesting123.com, and see his art at https://www.kenelliott.com

What if 2026 was the year you stopped leaning on your own understanding and started getting into Gods word and trying things God's way? Start your year with us as we kick it off with 21 days of prayer and fasting. There is nothing God cannot do when we put our lives in His hands. You might not even recognize yourself by the end of the year.

What if 2026 was the year you stopped leaning on your own understanding and started getting into Gods word and trying things God's way? Start your year with us as we kick it off with 21 days of prayer and fasting. There is nothing God cannot do when we put our lives in His hands. You might not even recognize yourself by the end of the year.

Do you realize that John the Baptist speaks to us at every single Mass? When the priest lifts up the Eucharist and proclaims, “Behold the Lamb of God,” those words are straight from John 1:29. In that moment, John the Baptist introduces Jesus to us just as he once did at the Jordan River — pointing to Him as the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world. The Mass is overflowing with Sacred Scripture: • John the Baptist • John the Evangelist • The Book of Revelation • The Passover Lamb • The Wedding Supper of the Lamb All woven together in one sacred moment. This reflection, on the 10th day of Christmas, invites us to listen more closely at Mass — to hear Scripture come alive, and to encounter Jesus truly present in the Eucharist. If you've ever wondered how deeply biblical the Mass really is, this is for you. Let's get to Mass… and find Jesus. Happy Christmas. Amen.   #PeaceOnEarth #CatholicMass #BeholdTheLambOfGod #JohnTheBaptist

When we meet someone we feel excited about, “love bombing” can feel like everything we've ever wanted. Someone we're attracted to showering us with intensity and attention who is also happy to introduce us to their close friends and family . . . let's be honest, it feels really good. Life suddenly transforms into our very own romantic movie. Sure, the pace of it might feel a little rushed and intense . . . but isn't that what happens when you meet “the One”? But then, like clockwork, it happens. The texts stop coming in fast like they used to and we feel them pulling away until eventually, as quickly as they came, they're gone. The harsh contrast between the avalanche of attention they gave us in the beginning and the cold one-line texts we're now receiving can leave us in a state of withdrawal, wondering whether any of it was even real. This might sound familiar to you . . . it's certainly a story I've heard over and over. But why do people do this? This episode will help you automatically sift out the love bombers so you can just focus on enjoying the process of dating people who share a healthy mindset and an open mind to finding a real relationship.---►► Every Friday, Matthew Hussey writes a personal letter to help you strengthen the three most important relationships in your life—with others, with yourself, and with life itself. Sign up for free at TheThreeRelationships.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“We are a culture addicted to our ‘Christian crack,'” says Shane Idleman, the lead pastor of Westside Christian Fellowship. As the author of I Almost Quit: My Journey of Leading Through the Landmines of Ministry, Shane has been through the highs and lows of Christian ministry. He discusses the positive impact that prayer and fasting have had on his life and advocates for the routine use of fasting in our Christian walk to seek a closer relationship with the Lord. Shane also talks about the relationship between a healthy lifestyle and how it honors the Lord, as well as how we tend to, as Christians, still cling to worldly and comfortable addictions - whether it's caffeine, fried food, or a bad habit. “Fasting doesn't kill you,” he says. “Overconsumption does.”TAKEAWAYSFasting allows Christians to focus on CHRIST rather than their desiresCaffeine overstimulates the central nervous systemThe more you're filled with the Holy Spirit, the easier it will be to push discouragement out of your lifeWe can't be disobedient in stewarding our health and expect physical miracles at the same time

“Recognize your superpower” on the Daily Grind ☕️, your weekly goal-driven podcast. This episode features Kelly Johnson @kellyfastruns and special guest Robin Goad @fiftyfavoredfiguringitout, who is a powerhouse technology executive at Amazon Web Services (AWS), speaker, and coach who helps ambitious women master the corporate game without losing themselves. Your listeners who are professionals and industry experts would love Robin's insights on the "unwritten rulebook" of corporate success. She shares concrete strategies on Career Acceleration and how to build "Money, Power & Options".S8 Episode 30: 1/1/2025Featuring Kelly Johnson with Special Guest Robin GoadFollow Our Podcast:Instagram: @dailygrindpod https://www.instagram.com/dailygrindpod/  X: @dailygrindpod https://x.com/dailygrindpod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dailygrindpodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dailygrindpodPodcast Website: https://direct.me/dailygrindpod   Follow Our Special Guest:Website: https://www.therealrobingoad.com/Instagram: @fiftyfavoredfiguringitout

This guided Reiki journey helps clarify your path by working with Eagle Vision, Mouse Vision, and Inner Vision together. Reiki supports you in seeing the larger landscape of your life, understanding what is directly in front of you, and listening to your inner guidance so direction and next steps become clear. This journey is useful during times of transition, reflection, or decision-making. It can be used at the end of a year, during seasonal changes, or anytime you want clarity about direction, timing, and choice. Reiki supports both spiritual insight and grounded awareness so your next step becomes easier to recognize. In this guided Reiki journey, you will:• View your life through Eagle Vision, Mouse Vision, and Inner Vision • Release what no longer belongs on your path • Explore possible directions with clarity • Recognize opportunities and supportive timing • Gain insight into your next practical step This journey is part of the Reiki Lifestyle Distance Reiki Share series and is offered as Reiki education and spiritual support for everyday life. For more guided Reiki journeys, Reiki teachings, and Distance Reiki Shares, visit www.reikilifestyle.com and subscribe to the channel. ✨Connect with Colleen and Robyn  Colleen Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReikiLifestyle Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reikilifestyleofficialempo **DISCLAIMER** This episode is not a substitute for seeking professional medical care but is offered for relaxation and stress reduction which support the body's natural healing capabilities. Reiki is a complement to and never a replacement for professional medical care. Colleen and Robyn are not licensed professional health care providers and urge you to always seek out the appropriate physical and mental help professional health care providers may offer. Results vary by individual.

Testimony Tuesdays with Bill & Cara — Special Episode: Prophetic Outlook 2026 Step into a night of revelation, clarity, and divine alignment as Bill and Cara open the vault of Heaven's perspective for the year ahead. In this special episode, Prophetic Outlook 2026, they unpack what the Spirit of God is highlighting for individuals, families, ministries, and the Body of Christ at large. This isn't prediction. This is prophetic positioning—a call to rise, to discern the times, and to step boldly into the assignments God is releasing for 2026. Through testimonies, prophetic insight, and Spirit‑led conversation, Bill and Cara will help you: • Recognize the emerging moves of God already stirring beneath the surface • Discern the shifts coming to the Church, the nations, and the spiritual landscape • Prepare your heart for breakthrough, expansion, and divine strategy • Align your faith with Heaven's blueprint for the new year If you've been sensing change, hunger, or holy anticipation, this episode will confirm, ignite, and empower you. Come ready to receive. Come ready to hear. Come ready to step into 2026 with clarity and courage. This is your prophetic briefing for the year ahead—don't miss it.   Share this broadcast with your friends and get ready to experience the unlimited power of God! Get connected with us and watch "Greater Glory" on the High Tower Ministries, Int. Facebook Page! Sundays at 9 AM and Wednesdays at 7 PM for inspiring messages that will raise your faith and grow you in the Word! Don't miss a message, Follow Us on Facebook: https://linktr.ee/hightowerministries Bookings/ Churches / Conferences: Bookings@HighTowerMinistry.org  FREE DOWNLOAD / Website: www.HighTowerMinistry.org   Unlocking Glory and the Unlocking Glory Study Guide are available on our website (signed copy with free shipping within the US). Also available on Amazon and Barnes and Nobles.

“Happy New Year” is a wish, but not by any means a prediction. Whether it will prove to be a healthy, productive and prosperous one for Americans will depend in part on circumstances beyond our control, both domestically and externally.  Here are a few ways in which we can improve the prospects for the twelve months ahead:  Get right with God. With His Grace, all things are possible. Prize this amazing country as we celebrate its first two-hundred-and-fifty years. We must devote ourselves to protecting and practicing our constitutional freedoms so that they can be enjoyed as well by future generations. Recognize that there are those, both here at home and globally, whose aspirations for this year conflict with ours. Their hostile ideologies drive quests for power, control and dominance over us that must be deterred and, where necessary, resisted.  This is Frank Gaffney.

Oprah sits down with the Rev. Ed Bacon, a retired priest from the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles and the author of the book "8 Habits of Love." Saying that we often obscure our ability to identify grace in our lives, the Rev. Bacon reveals how to recognize grace in your life, especially during the toughest times. He tells Oprah that people operate from a place of either fear or love when it comes to their relationship with God, and explains why he believes there is a bit of God in all of us and why we should embrace it. Plus, the Rev. Bacon offers a surprising and enlightening answer to the question of whether religion and spirituality can work together. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

8 Ways to Reduce Stress in the Workplace Episode Summary Workplace stress steals joy, drains productivity, and harms overall well being. In this episode, we break down eight practical strategies employees and leaders can use to reduce stress, rebuild clarity, and create healthier work environments. If left unchecked, stress can impact performance, morale, and mental health, but the right habits and boundaries can change everything. The Hidden Cost of Workplace Stress Stress is one of the biggest barriers to engagement and performance. Millions of workdays are lost each year due to stress, anxiety, and depression. Tight deadlines, heavy workloads, and lack of support are often the biggest contributors. Ignoring stress hurts people and companies. Addressing it helps everyone thrive. 8 Ways to Reduce Workplace Stress 1. Recognize the Early Signs Irritability, worry, trouble sleeping, shallow breathing, and trouble focusing are often the first signals. Understanding how stress shows up emotionally, physically, and behaviorally helps you catch it before it escalates. 2. Identify the Source Is it workload? Expectations? A demanding boss? Interpersonal conflict? Clarity helps you respond more intentionally and set healthier boundaries. 3. Set Clear Boundaries Boundaries communicate what is acceptable and sustainable. Whether it is availability, workload, or working hours, defining your limits reduces overload and protects your well being. 4. Evaluate Life Outside of Work Your routines matter. Poor sleep, rushed mornings, and lack of recovery time amplify workplace stress. Incorporate activities that reset your nervous system like yoga, exercise, or quiet mornings. 5. Practice Mindfulness Staying grounded in the present moment reduces anxiety about yesterday's mistakes or tomorrow's deadlines. Mindfulness, breathwork, and even aromatherapy can help calm the mind and increase clarity. 6. Stay Connected Strong relationships act as a buffer against stress. Talking with trusted friends, colleagues, or family helps you problem solve, feel supported, and maintain perspective. 7. Avoid Unhealthy Coping Habits Alcohol, junk food, caffeine overload, and smoking increase stress long term. Choose healthier outlets like movement, meditation, and nourishing routines to support your mental and physical health. 8. Work Smarter, Not Harder Multitasking increases errors and stress. Focus on single tasking, prioritizing what matters most, and organizing your workload in a manageable way. Efficiency reduces pressure. Why Employers Should Care Healthy employees perform better. Organizations that prioritize well being experience higher morale, stronger retention, and greater productivity. Flexible work options, reasonable expectations, appreciation, and opportunities for connection all reduce workplace stress. Final Takeaway Stress does not have to dominate your work life. When employees understand the signals, identify the root causes, and take proactive steps to manage stress, everyone benefits. When leaders support this effort, workplace culture transforms. Reducing stress is possible – and it starts with awareness, boundaries, connection, and smarter working habits.

Don't miss out — elevate your skills and save $100 on any online course with code START26! Join our library of live and on-demand veterinary dental courses here: https://internationalveterinarydentistryinstitute.org/veterinary-dental-online-webinars-courses-discount/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcastlink&utm_campaign=start26  —------------------------------------------------------------------- Host: Dr. Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM In this episode of The Vet Dental Show, Dr. Victoria Lukasik, DVM, DACVAA, tackles the complexities of managing high-risk dental cases. Through detailed case studies, they discuss anesthetic protocols for patients with hepatic portal shunts and chronic heart failure. Learn how to navigate potential complications like hypoglycemia, hemorrhage, and ventricular tachycardia, while ensuring patient safety and optimizing recovery. What You'll Learn:  ✅ Understand anesthetic considerations for patients with hepatic portal shunts.  ✅ Discover strategies for managing hypoglycemia and electrolyte imbalances.  ✅ Simplify anesthetic protocols for patients with chronic heart failure.  ✅ Apply techniques for recognizing and treating ventricular tachycardia.  ✅ Master the use of short-acting and reversible drugs in high-risk patients.  ✅ Recognize and address delayed recovery in the post-anesthetic period. Key Takeaways:  ✅ Patients with hepatic portal shunts require short-acting, reversible drugs to minimize liver burden.  ✅ Intermittent hemorrhage in patients with hepatic dysfunction may lead to platelet consumption and anemia.  ✅ Bounding femoral pulses can indicate dehydration; adjust fluid therapy accordingly in cardiac patients.  ✅ Lidocaine has centrally depressing effects; anticipate mental dullness or sedation post-administration.  ✅ Early intervention with lidocaine is crucial for managing ventricular tachycardia and preventing further complications. Questions This Episode Answers: ❓ How should anesthetic protocols be adjusted for patients with hepatic portal shunts? ❓ Which anesthetic and analgesic drugs are safest for patients with true hepatic dysfunction? ❓ When should dextrose supplementation be considered in dental patients with liver disease? ❓ How do you manage intermittent hemorrhage, anemia, and low platelets during dental procedures? ❓ What causes delayed anesthetic recovery—and how do you systematically troubleshoot it? ❓ How should cardiac medications be handled on the morning of anesthesia for heart failure patients? ❓ What do bounding femoral pulses indicate, and how should fluid therapy be adjusted? ❓ Why can lidocaine cause deep sedation and delayed recovery after anesthesia? ❓ How do you recognize ventricular tachycardia intraoperatively—and when should you intervene? ❓ What recovery expectations should you have after treating ventricular tachycardia with lidocaine? —------------------------------------------------------------------- Explore Dr. Beckman's complete library of veterinary dentistry courses and CE resources! Save $100 on any online course with code START26! https://internationalveterinarydentistryinstitute.org/veterinary-dental-online-webinars-courses-discount/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcastlink&utm_campaign=start26  —------------------------------------------------------------------- Questions? Leave a comment below with your thoughts, experiences, or cases related to veterinary dentistry! —------------------------------------------------------------------- KEYWORDS: Veterinary Dentistry, IVDI, Brett Beckman, Dog Dental Care, Cat Dental Care, VetTech Tips, Animal Health, Veterinary Education, Veterinary Dental Practitioner Program, Vet Dental Show, Anesthesia, High-Risk Patients, Hepatic Portal Shunt, Chronic Heart Failure, Ventricular Tachycardia, Lidocaine, Hypoglycemia, Electrolyte Imbalance, Delayed Recovery

In this episode, the focus is on clergy abuse—a topic made even more pressing by recent headlines. The featured guest, Sandy Phillips Kirkham, shares her harrowing ordeal of being abused by a charismatic youth pastor starting at the age of 16. Sandy discusses the grooming process, the five years of abuse, and how she was ultimately expelled from her church while her abuser was merely relocated. She delves into the long-lasting impact of the abuse on her life and her spiritual journey, how she concealed her trauma for 27 years, and how she ultimately confronted her abuser. Sandy also provides valuable insights and actionable advice for preventing abuse and supporting victims within church communities. Her story is also detailed in her book, ‘Let Me Prey on You,' which offers a detailed account of her journey from victim to advocate. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:47 Welcome to the Podcast 01:32 Introducing Today's Topic: Clergy Abuse 02:17 Sandy Phillips Kirkham's Early Life and Church Involvement 06:22 Meeting the Abuser: The Charismatic Youth Pastor 08:43 Red Flags and Grooming Tactics 13:51 The First Inappropriate Act 16:37 The Abuse Escalates 21:06 The Aftermath and Church's Response 28:15 Life After Abuse: Marriage and Keeping Secrets 32:09 Protecting Future Generations 35:17 The Importance of Sex Education in the Church 36:32 Techniques for Discussing Sex with Children 37:22 Personal Experiences with Sex Education 38:20 Triggering Memories and Emotional Breakdown 40:13 The Journey of Healing Begins 41:31 Understanding Clergy Abuse and Self-Forgiveness 43:52 Confronting the Abuser 47:07 Challenges in Seeking Justice 54:47 Preventing Abuse in the Church 01:00:31 Supporting Victims of Clergy Abuse 01:05:07 Final Thoughts and Resources Sandy Kirkham and her husband Bill enjoy life with their two grown children, two beautiful granddaughters, and two fairly well-behaved dogs. Sandy continues to use her voice to help victims of clergy abuse. She currently serves on the board of Council Against Child Abuse. Sandy has spoken before the Ohio Senate, a Maryland court, and appeared on a local television show in Boston. Her story, “Stolen Innocence,” was told in a documentary produced by The Hope of Survivors. Sandy works with survivors conducting victim support conferences. She has participated in The Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) panels moderated by SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests), sharing her perspective from the non-Catholic point of view. Sandy has been a presenter/speaker at major events on clergy abuse including the Hope & Healing Conference. Sandy has earned a certificate of completion from the Faith Trust Institute entitled, “A Sacred Trust: Boundary Issues for Clergy and Spiritual Teachers.” https://sandyphillipskirkham.com/ https://www.facebook.com/KirkhamAuthor/  sandykirkhamauthor@gmail.com  Purchase her book “Let Me Prey Upon You” on amazon: https://sandyphillipskirkham.com/shop/let-me-prey-upon-you/   Link Tree   Website: https://dswministries.org Subscribe to the podcast: https://dswministries.org/subscribe-to-podcast/ Social media links: Join our Private Wounds of the Faithful FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1603903730020136 Twitter: https://twitter.com/DswMinistries YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxgIpWVQCmjqog0PMK4khDw/playlists Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dswministries/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DSW-Ministries-230135337033879 Keep in touch with me! Email subscribe to get my handpicked list of the best resources for abuse survivors! https://thoughtful-composer-4268.ck.page #abuse #trauma Affiliate links: Our Sponsor: 753 Academy: https://www.753academy.com/ Can't travel to The Holy Land right now? The next best thing is Walking The Bible Lands! Get a free video sample of the Bible lands here! https://www.walkingthebiblelands.com/a/18410/hN8u6LQP An easy way to help my ministry: https://dswministries.org/product/buy-me-a-cup-of-tea/ A donation link: https://dswministries.org/donate/   Sandy Phillips Kirkham [00:00:00] Special thanks to 7 5 3 Academy for sponsoring this episode. No matter where you are in your fitness and health journey, they've got you covered. They specialize in helping you exceed your health and fitness goals, whether that is losing body fat, gaining muscle, or nutritional coaching to match your fitness levels. They do it all with a written guarantee for results so you don't waste time and money on a program that doesn't exceed your goals. There are martial arts programs. Specialize in anti-bullying programs for kids to combat proven Filipino martial arts. They take a holistic, fun, and innovative approach that simply works. Sign up for your free class now. It's 7 5 3 academy.com. Find the link in the show notes. Welcome to the Wounds of the Faithful Podcast, brought to you by DSW Ministries. Your host is singer songwriter, speaker and domestic violence advocate, [00:01:00] Diana Winkler. She is passionate about helping survivors in the church heal from domestic violence and abuse and trauma. This podcast is not a substitute for professional counseling or qualified medical help. Now here is Diana. Hello. Welcome everyone. Welcome to my regular listeners, as well as some new listeners that have joined us today. I have a great guest for you today. We're going to be talking about clergy abuse today. Religious leader, abuse. Pastor, youth leader. You've seen this in the news recently with all these preachers being arrested or charged with sexual misconduct or rape or [00:02:00] pedophilia. I'm sure you've seen the news. Well, today we're going to hear a story about a woman who's been victimized in that way and she's fighting back. So let me read her bio for you. A church is where an insecure 16-year-old girl should feel welcome, happy, and most importantly, safe tragically. For some, the church can become a place of great harm. Sandy Phillips Kirkham details her account of how charismatic youth minister preyed upon her, a betrayal which left her broken with a shattered faith and the ultimate shame of being blamed enforced from the church she loved. Despite a successful and happy life, is a wife, mother, and friend. Sandy successfully concealed her abuse for [00:03:00] 27 years until a trigger forced her to face the truth. Sandy's story will take you on her journey of healing. Her strength and courage will inspire you. Let me pray upon you her book details. Sandy's journey from innocent 16-year-old, a victim to a survivor, and advocate. We please welcome Sandy Phillips. Kirk, welcome Sandy to the show. Thanks so much for coming on. Well, thank you for having me. I'm glad to be here. Wow. So I've been listening to you on the Preacher Boys podcast and thought you had a really great story, and so I wanted to come and bring you on so my listeners can hear your story as well. Mm-hmm. So tell us a little bit about your home and your church environment growing up. Let's [00:04:00] start from the beginning here. Okay. I'm the oldest of five. My parents were divorced when I was about seven, which that was really the impact of my life, of just how it altered everything about that time in my life. Then my mother remarried and we moved in with my stepfather shortly after my father remarried, and so I was dealing with these blended families and it was just very confusing for me at the time, my parents and stepfather did not attend church. So I, I wasn't a part of a church until I was about eight, and that's when my best friend who lived up the street invited me to go with their family, and I went with them and I went every Sunday after that, I absolutely fell in love with church. It was a place that I felt safe. I think it provided for me a place away from home that I felt comfortable and I got attention there. I was very active even as a small child. I went to vacation Bible school, church camp, love Sunday School. I sang in a junior choir. Really, it was a just a great place for me to [00:05:00] be. When I was 13, I was baptized and then my faith really deepened and my involvement in the church became even more so, started teaching Sunday school and teaching vacation Bible school. I started serving on committees with adults and doing more of the activities that would, , just be more in depth than just typical youth group activities. So, it's just no exaggeration to say that if the doors of the church were open, I was there and I loved it. I loved serving God. I felt that was the place for me, and everything about it was brought me joy and peace in the church. Wow. You really, were very sincere in your faith. It was not a fake one. I hear a lot of stories of. Being brought up in the church and being made to go to church and, you just go through the motions kind of thing. But it sounds like it was the opposite for you. It was that you really believed this with all your heart. Was that a fundamental Baptist church you were going [00:06:00] to or what? It was a church, Christ Christian Church, which is similar to the Baptist. It's an independent church. Yeah, that's the church. That was so something happened while you were serving the Lord and loving God. You met your abuser? Yes. Shortly after I turned 16, our church hired a new youth pastor, and from the moment he arrived, he was totally different than anyone we'd ever seen before. He was very charismatic, very dynamic. His sermons were really like nothing we'd ever heard before, and people were just drawn to him. He had a personality that people found themselves wanting to be around him. They wanted to please him. So he was very good at asking people to do things and they didn't hesitate. It, it was just a different kind of atmosphere. When he came to the church, the youth group exploded in numbers. We went from like 25 to almost 200 in a very short time. Even the [00:07:00] adult church was growing because people just came to hear him preach because he was so good at what he did. He was 30, married with two children, but he really acted more like our age group. He dressed like we did. He. Went to our football games at school, he knew our music. So he just, he really, he was tuned into us and in return we found ourselves, all of us being willing to please him and wanna do anything we could to make the youth group and the church better. So when people think of a profile of a child abuser, they usually think, oh, some dirty old man, that his roaming fingers or what have you, but this youth pastor sounded like, okay, he was really good looking and hip and really loved the young people. Mm-hmm. Is that typical of. Well, it's, it's typical in the sense that it's not the, dirty old man hiding in the bushes. Most abusers [00:08:00] are people we know. They're people that we like. They're usually people that, connect with people very well, and that's what makes them so dangerous because they're not obvious with what they do, and they're very good at that. They pretend to be one of us. They pretend to care, but in reality, their goal is to find a way to take advantage of the most vulnerable in, in the group. And so, predators are usually drawn to places where they will find vulnerable people. The gymnastics team is an example of that. The Boy Scouts, anywhere where you can, and certainly the church because we are welcoming into people who are in need. Oftentimes. Then there are many people in the church who are vulnerable to these types of men, and sometimes women. Were there any red flags? That you should have seen or noticed when you were around this youth pastor? Well, he came with so many different ideas and different ways of doing things. And one of the things that he was doing now, this was in the [00:09:00] seventies, so cultures were changing and it was free love and kind of thing. But he came into our church and he expected everyone to hug each other. So we were always hugging each other. And he also expected us to say how much we loved each other and that we love you and not just that I love you in Christ. He would simply walk up, give you a hug and say, I love you. Now you know, that may seem innocent, but that's a little odd for that pastor to be saying those kinds of things. And it also blurs the lines because when you say to someone, I love you, that can be confusing to. Young teenagers and even to vulnerable adults. So, but he did that with everybody. It wasn't like he picked someone else special, but, so the hugging in the contact was kind of a red flag in the beginning. But for me personally, I babysat for his family. His wife worked evenings. Mm-hmm. So one night after he came home, he asked me to go to his basement and listen to a song by Neil Diamond. [00:10:00] Well, it felt a little weird 'cause I'd never. I've been around a pastor that wanted to talk to me about anything but church in the Bible. But I went to the basement. Yeah. I mean a Neil Diamond song. So I went to the basement. I know, but that's a trigger factor for me sometimes. So anyway, I went to the basement and he put this record on and I sat down on the couch and instead of sitting in a chair or another place, he came on the couch and sat very close to me. And I remember feeling uncomfortable, but I didn't say anything. 'cause I thought, well, he is just sitting next to me. It's no big deal. But that's a red flag that I felt because it felt uncomfortable to me. And then the other times that I would babysit for him. His wife wouldn't come home till late in the evening, so he would come home around seven or eight and after the kids were in bed, instead of taking me home, he wanted me to sit and talk with him all evening. So we'd talk about the Bible or we'd talk about church, and sometimes he'd ask me what I thought of his [00:11:00] sermon, which at age 16, I'm flattered that this man has any idea that I would have some opinion about this great sermon that he just gave. So I didn't see anything wrong with that because he's my pastor. But had that occurred with my 30-year-old neighbor down the street, every time I went to babysit, I know I would've come home to my mother and said, okay, this is weird. Mm-hmm. Every time I babysit, this man wants to sit and talk to me all evening. I mean, what interest would I have as a teenager wanting to talk to this 30-year-old married man? But because my pastor was who he was and he tapped into our common connection of the church and God, and again, many times he would give me books to read 'cause he wanted me to get better in my deep, in my spirituality. So I didn't see anything wrong with it because of who he was. And so I just accepted that behavior, which is another tool and technique. They look for ways to get into you. Mm-hmm. [00:12:00] That don't seem obvious. And that was, so those were two red flags for me. Now as far as the congregation goes, I was in his office a lot by myself, but so were other kids, because he would actually call us into his office and say, I want you to come in and tell me what's going on in your life. Talk to me about your problems. Instead of us going to him, he would encourage us to come into his office. So while that probably wasn't a good thing, no one saw it as a bad thing. It seemed normal, but he called me into his office a lot more than the other kids. And later on there were people who did say to me, there were times when I wondered why he said something to you like that, or I noticed something one time. And so I think people notice some things, but no one thought enough of it to say, okay, there's something going on that doesn't seem right. So those were the red flags that I think in the beginning were very subtle. But they were hard to see, [00:13:00] and this is really important to distinguish these things because I was groomed by a guidance counselor in seventh grade. Mm-hmm. But he was one of those dirty old men that, he was doing creepy stuff. Yeah. But I never would have seen myself. A pastor and he's talking about spiritual things and he's talking about God and mm-hmm. He's not talking about sex. He's not watching, you're not watching dirty movies together. No, he's not, buying you sexy lingerie. It's, Hey, he's doing spiritual things. Mm-hmm. It's a setup. It's that grooming process you're talking about. It's pulling someone in to gain their trust, in a very di diabolical way, because he's using the church to do that. That's really scary. That scares mm-hmm. Scares me to death. What were the first times that he did something really inappropriate that you were just like, whoa? Well, the very [00:14:00] first time, was after a youth group meeting that was held in my home. I was the song leader. He put me in a leadership position, and it was very important to him that the evening always go well and that we were to make people feel welcome. And so at the end of the evening, I was nervous because I wanted to make sure that he thought everything went well. And he came up to me in my hallway and began telling me how great the evening was and how proud he was of me. And I was on Cloud nine. I was flattered that he felt that way. I felt good that the evening went so well. And then he just slowly bent down and he kissed me. And it wasn't, it was a kiss, but it seemed somewhat innocent to some extent. And I, I remember thinking, I think he just kissed me. Then my next thought was, well, he's my pastor and I don't think he would be doing anything he shouldn't be doing. And it was just a quick kiss. And he's always hugging people. And so maybe this is just his way of showing his appreciation for the evening. It was really [00:15:00] the only way in my 16-year-old mind that I could justify it because I couldn't think about this man doing anything he shouldn't be doing. And this was a person that everyone loved and thought so highly of, so how could I think he was doing something he shouldn't be doing? So I just let it go. I didn't think anything more about it. I mean, did you have any sex ed or anything? Did you know the birds and bees? Nine. Well, yeah, I'm 16. I did. Yeah, I did. But I wasn't, I hadn't dated much. I wasn't allowed to date till I was 16, so I hadn't had any dating experience. I had one kiss before this with a boy at camp. So I wasn't. Worldly or knowledgeable about all those things. But, and again, it was such a quick innocent type kiss. He didn't grab me, he didn't push me against the wall. I just, and again, I think for me it was okay if he's, if this is more than just a kiss, then what do I do with it? So therefore I'm just gonna say it's [00:16:00] nothing because I don't know what else to do. Um, wow. I let it go. I let it go. But as I babysat for him, he, sometimes when I would leave, he would kiss me and sometimes he wouldn't. So, I didn't see it as a con, kind of a continual thing that he was always wanting to kiss me. He always hugged me. But the kissing became more intense as it went along. So it, it would be another year, before he would have sex with me. And so that grooming process and kind of pushing the boundaries each time he was with me, finally ended with him having sex with me. Oh, wow. Now, some of us listening are like an adult having sex with a child or 16-year-old. Can you unpack that a little bit more, the process of how he got to that point? I mean, that the first time you had intercourse, I mean, did he, you know, go to a hotel with you and you had a candlelight dinner, or was it in the backseat of the car?[00:17:00] Was it an accident? It wasn't an accident. He was very deliberate and I had every intentions of having sex with me that night. I babysat, I was babysitting, I put the kids to bed, I walked down the steps. I assumed that we would go into the living room. Or the family room, sit on the couch and talk about the things we always talked about. But instead, he stopped me at the bottom of the stairs and he took me into the living room, and immediately put me on the floor and began undressing me. Um, and wow, I froze. I, I literally froze and I kept thinking to myself, he's going to stop. He's going to stop. And that the entire time he's whispering into my ear how much he loves me, that he would never hurt me, and that he can, I can trust him. And then he kept asking me, do you love me? Do you love me? And I, of course, I'm answering yes, because well, yes I do, because that's what I've told him for the past year. I, I, I just, I was so confused and what my real reaction was, I froze. Mm-hmm. Um, he, he sort of pushed my head under the [00:18:00] stereo. And so when he is starting to get farther than I thought he would ever go. I blocked, I just blocked it out and I started reading the serial numbers underneath the stereo. Oh my goodness. Just to be thinking of anything else. Um, at one point he then just picked me up and took me upstairs. He literally put me on the bed, penetrated me, and that was it. And I was horrified. I was absolutely horrified. I, I wanted to cry. I didn't know what to say. I didn't know what to do. Um, he left the room, told me to get dressed, and he would take me home. And I remember sitting on the bed and I put the bedspread around me because I was so embarrassed that I didn't have my clothes on. Mm-hmm. Oh, wow. Um, and then I just remember thinking I just had sex. I'm no longer a virgin. I just had sex with this man and. He took me home. Now, in the [00:19:00] book, of course, I go into a little bit more detail, but Right, he took me home and just before I got outta the car, he said to me, now, you know, this is something between the two of us, you can't tell anyone. And of course I'm thinking, who would I tell? I, I don't want anybody to know. I just did this. So, that was the first time. And then I think I, at that point I kept thinking, you know, I've had sex with him. So now I'm committed to him again. I'm at this point, I'm 17 years old. I'm still like, what do I do with this? I don't, I don't know what to do with this. Um, and he was convincing me that he loved me. He was convincing me that he needed me in his ministry and that God, this was God's will in our lives. He threw that at me. Eventually he would say to me that we were married in God's eyes. I mean, twisting the scripture and using God as a reason that we should be together. And so. I started to accept that. There were a couple times I went to him and told him that I couldn't do this anymore. I felt [00:20:00] guilty. He would respond in one of two ways. One, he would say to me how much he needed me, how much he loved me, and that he couldn't live without me. So that was the guilt part of it. Or he would respond and by saying to me, you know, you're no longer a virgin. No one else is gonna want you. I'm the only one that knows how to love you, and you are committed to me, and this is gonna be the way it is. And I saw no way out. I didn't see a way out. And so the relationship continued for five years. Wow. Five years. It went on for five years. That is a long time. And it, during that time, he became more aggressive physically. Uh, he hit me. He became sexually more deviant. It just progressed. It got worse and worse. And to a point that I finally, I was, my self-esteem was so low. I hated myself for what I'd been doing. So I finally just accepted that this was my life. I knew [00:21:00] I'd never get married. I knew I'd never have children, and this wouldn't be over until he said it was over. This went on for five years and nobody in the church noticed it. Your parents didn't notice it. You know, people say, well, where were your parents? Well, first of all, my parents were thrilled. I was in church. I mean, this was a time in the seventies when drugs were. Prevalent girls were, having free sex. So for them, what safer place could there be than to be in church? So, and they saw his intention toward me and his involvement with me as a good thing. I mean, he would take me on hospital visits with him. I mean, they saw this as being positive. And they knew how much I loved being there and that it was a place that I liked to go. So they didn't see it. And many in the church didn't see it began because who suspects the pastor of such behavior. Mm-hmm. Yeah. And especially in the seventies when this wasn't an open topic like it is now, you wouldn't have dared thought anything like that. And so [00:22:00] it's not uncommon for people in the church, to miss the signs and to ignore what they really do see, because they just can't believe that it would be something that would be happening in their church because then they'd have to do something about it. Yes, exactly. When did it all come crumbling down? It does crumble. Eventually it does. Two elders became suspicious and followed him one night and found us together in a hotel room. And then from then on, the next month and a half was an absolute nightmare for me. Hmm. It was initially hoped that they could keep what he had done, quiet and keep it from the congregation. Now, I have to say one thing before I forget. This wasn't his first incident of sexual misconduct. Oh. Prior to and just after he was awri, he arrived at our church. A young woman from his first church came forward and accused him of sexual misconduct. When he was [00:23:00] confronted by my elders, he didn't deny it. He said it was true. He asked for forgiveness, that it would never happen again. It was a mistake. So within six months. That's when he was kissing me in my hallway. So this, so these elders were aware that this was the second time that there had been an incident with this man of sexual abuse and misconduct. But in spite of that, they tried to keep it quiet in hopes of moving him to another church. And so I was told during that time where I was to sit, how I was to respond to questions. I wasn't to talk to anyone. I wasn't to tell anyone about what had happened, including my parents. And this was all in an effort to keep it quiet. Well, that effort failed. And so it was determined that he should address the congregation. He did it in a very vague way, just simply said that he'd sinned. He'd sinned against God, and he'd sinned against his wife. And that was his confession. That was it. Two days later, he had me meet [00:24:00] him in a hotel room after that confession in front of the congregation. Now. He was moved to the next church. He was given a going away party. There was actually a vote to maybe keep him, but the vote failed and they decided to move him to the next church. About, two weeks, three weeks later, I was called in by the elders, and this is probably the hardest part of my story for me. Mm-hmm. I was called in by the elders and I was told that because of my behavior I was to leave the church. I was devastated. I loved that church. It was the only church I knew, and here I was being told by these two elders that I wasn't fit to worship there any longer. Mm-hmm. He could be forgiven and given a second, third chance. I couldn't be, I was told that to leave the church. I wasn't given any counseling. I wasn't helped in any way. I was simply told to leave and I did. I left. [00:25:00] And that I told people many times, as horrific as the abuse was, having been told to leave, that church had a greater impact on me spiritually than the actual abuse did. I don't think I ever recovered from that. It still haunts me to this day to some extent. That response of the church really devastated me. So that was the crumbling, as you called it? It came crashing down and I would, I left the church. So did that change your perception of God? What was your relationship with God this time? Yes. You were kicked outta the church, but. Well, I felt a disconnect from God. I never blamed God. I never felt like God caused this to happen. I, in fact, I carry the blame and the shame. I felt guilty for what I had done. And so I never blamed God, but because of the relationship being tied in with God and the [00:26:00] prayers that this man would give, and then, you know, he'd give these wonderful sermons about marriage and sanctity of marriage on a Sunday morning after having sex with me the night before. I had difficulty separating all of that, and there were so many trigger factors associated with the church and prayer that God really did. It was hard for me to have any kind of relationship with God. I did. I didn't become an atheist like a lot of victims do, and who become angry at God. I simply just. I just put him on the back burner. I knew he existed, but I didn't have a connection with him any longer. So for 27 years, I, I never prayed. I never opened my Bible. I went to church because when I met my husband, he was a Methodist. And I thought, well, I'll go to the Methodist Church. It's a different denomination. Mm-hmm. I'll just go on. It should be fine. It didn't work that way. I had anxiety attacks in church. I, his [00:27:00] reminders of him were constant, but I forced myself to go. I made sure that I went because I knew when we had children, I wanted them to have that church experience. But every time I walked past the minister's office, I got a knot in my stomach. Oh yeah. It had nothing to do with that minister. But you understand that. I mean, it, but I did that for 27 years. It became my norm. I just knew that when I walked past that office, I was gonna get a knock my stomach, certain hymns. I can tell you what his favorite hymn was, and every time that was played, that's who I thought of. I couldn't pray. It was so, I did have a deep, deep disconnect for 27 years, and I have to tell you, I missed it. I actually mourn that loss of my spiritual life, but I didn't know how to get it back. Because I'm keeping this secret. I'm still carrying guilt and shame. I couldn't forgive myself. I didn't feel worthy to be in church. So with all of that mixed in, I just put myself on autopilot and said, [00:28:00] well, this is the way my life will be and I'll just have to accept it. It just sounds so unfair. Somebody that loves the Lord so much and served in the church and so innocent and being kicked out. Oh, but it sounded like maybe meeting your husband would've been a positive thing for you. How did you guys meet? I actually worked at his office, so I met him there. We dated for about two years, and I just found him to be a kind, loving soul. He was very unassuming. He wasn't arrogant. He didn't, he wasn't a boastful type of person. He didn't like taking credit for things, even though he deserved it sometimes. He was just a good hearted person, and I just, I fell in love with him immediately. I really did. I thought this was a great, great guy. I mean, I will tell you, I have said many times because before I met him, I was on a destructive path. I did not have any self-esteem. [00:29:00] I saw myself just simply as some sex object that, I was only good for that. And so when I met him, he saved my life because he loved me for who I was and showed me that I was worthy. So I've often said to him, you saved my life, and he will respond back with you made mine, and you can't get any better than that. So meeting him was a turning point for me, but I kept a secret from him for 27 years, and I lived in fear that he'd always find out that I'd had this affair with a married man. And I know in my heart that it wouldn't have made a difference to him. But people who've been abused never forget the words, don't ever tell. And I never forgot those words. And I never forgot what the consequences could be if I were to tell someone. Because when my elders found out, they blamed me. And I, I couldn't bear the thought that if I were to tell him. [00:30:00] Somehow he would find fault with me, or I wondered, would he wonder why I didn't feel confident enough to tell him? Would he feel betrayed that I kept a secret? Would he see me differently sexually? All those fears that I had while unfounded were still present in my mind. And so I never could tell him. And I had to do a lot of play acting and pretending, through our married life in the sense that the times I was having trigger factors, I had to hide them. And I know he would've been supportive, but I couldn't see that. Because while trauma affects you at the time of the abuse, it's lifelong. It doesn't leave you. And so I lived with that for 27 years. So did you have. Intimacy issues when you were together? Was that what you're talking about? The triggering? No, I, know a lot of victims do, and that's understandable. I really didn't, because he was so different from my abuser [00:31:00] and I recognized that my abuser was emotionally violent mm-hmm. And physically, he just wasn't loving in any sense of the word. I was simply used for sex. Mm-hmm. And I didn't have that with my husband. And so I could separate that a little bit. But I think the guilt of hiding the secret had an impact on our marriage as far as my able to be intimate with him in an emotional way. I'm really glad to hear that. I, you are not the first person that I've heard that. The victim has hidden a secret from her husband. I passed her and a pastor's wife and her husband did not know. Mm-hmm. Children didn't know, and it was a family member that was the abuser. And I kept telling her, you've got to tell him. Mm-hmm. You know why? It's because, and I was thinking this when I was listening to your, the other shows that you were on. I'm thinking about your children and your grandchildren. If I was abused, [00:32:00] I would be like. How do I keep my children and grandchildren from going through what I just went through, you know? Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Well, that's an interesting thing because most people would assume that my daughter, I would've been all over it and worried sick every time she left the house. Yeah. But I actually had the opposite, reaction because keep in mind, I didn't see myself as an abuse victim. I saw myself as someone who participated, who willingly went into this relationship and stayed in it willingly, which is not the case when you're abused. There's the control, the manipulation, all of those things that play into keeping a victim in a relationship and they see no way out. So for me, I just assumed I got one bad apple in the whole barrel, that this didn't happen to other people and that I had an affair. But my daughter, who I knew, she would never have an affair with a married man, I just knew that. So I. Sent her on [00:33:00] retreats. I sent her to church camp without fear because again, I'm thinking, okay, this just doesn't happen to other people and this is not something I need to be concerned about with her. However, with my granddaughters, it's totally different because now I understand what really occurred and the damage that can occur when you've been abused. And so with my granddaughters, her mom and dad have talked to them, about good touch, bad touch. And I too have talked about to her, but I've been a little bit more probably detailed about it. Mm-hmm. And as she gets older, these men, the techniques change as you get older and they, after they go after teenage girls, so mm-hmm. Hopefully I'll be able to help her understand, what happens when someone's grooming. I want her to understand her personal space, that if you're not comfortable when someone hugs you, it's okay. That's right. Say I, I don't want you to touch me that way. Mm-hmm. Or say if they don't feel comfortable and we put a lot on kids to do that. 'cause here [00:34:00] we're asking a child to say to an adult, no. Mm-hmm. So it's okay to go to your mother or your mom and say, can you tell so and so Uncle Jimmy or whoever it is, I don't wanna be hugged. So we need to make sure our kids understand that their personal space is their space. And if they don't want someone in that space, it's okay to say no. I also think it's important to tell kids that good people can do bad things. Yeah. Because, as we talked about earlier, our abusers are not strangers. They're not mean people. Mm-hmm. They're usually good people. They're usually people who've given us gifts. They're people who help us. They're people who tell us how wonderful we are. So it's hard for children, even adults, to see this individual who. Who on one side is a good individual who does a lot in the church, who's done all these wonderful things. And so we, we have to tell these kids, just because they're a good person doesn't mean they can't do bad things. And so that's kind of the message I hope to get to my granddaughters that I didn't give to my [00:35:00] daughter. And fortunately she didn't have any issues with church or any, anybody abusing her. But I certainly did not, guide her in the right way in that sense because I just, like I said, I just assumed that I was the only one that this would ever have happened to. Well, I think, I hear a lot in the church that they don't teach sex ed because they don't want the kids to go out and have sex. Mm-hmm. And so a lot of these kids are like ignorant as to, what is healthy and what is not proper, yeah. We need to teach 'em that our bodies or are going to respond. They were built that way. God intended us to have feelings. You know, when we are around the opposite sex, that's normal. Mm-hmm. So we need to make sure kids understand. But there are barriers and there are boundaries that need to be taken. But you're absolutely right when we don't talk at it, then we figure it out on their own. And we could, we can all imagine when you're leaving teenagers to [00:36:00] their own devices to figure out things. That's probably not gonna lead in a good spot. No, we have the internet now, which when we, right. When you and I were younger, we didn't have the internet. We didn't have cell phones. No. If you wanted a Playboy magazine, you had to go to that kind of a neighborhood to get something. Yes. You know? Yes. It was a lot more difficult. Yes, absolutely. But too many parents are embarrassed to talk to their children about sex and, you know, everybody listening needs to listen. You need to find a way to talk to them about these things. And one of the techniques that I use with my daughter, just in talking about sex in general, kids don't want to hear their mom and dad talk to 'em about this. So what I did would say, I read a magazine article about this girl who did such and such so that I put it off on something else that's, a non-entity of a person. And I'll say, or Have you ever heard of this? And of course I know she's got a little embarrassed, but I, it opened the dialogue without me coming [00:37:00] out and saying, have you heard of oral sex? Instead, I would talk to her and say, I heard this about this. This is what kids are doing, blah, blah, blah. So you kind of have to find techniques and ways to sneak around it sometimes, but you absolutely need to talk to, because they know it's out there and they're going to experiment. That's just part of being a teenager. Yeah, my parents chickened out. They just gave me a book to read. Same, probably the same book. I got, I forget what it was called. Where did I come from? Or something. It was a cartoon book. Mm-hmm. And I'm grateful for that. And, they just, after I finished the book, do you have any questions? Yeah, yeah. I had a lot of, older people that were friends and I would actually go to my older. Senior citizen friends and ask them questions rather than ask my parents. Right? Yeah, yeah. It's more comfortable that way for sure. Like I said, it's not the topic that we like to talk to with our kids and our kids don't wanna hear it, but being uncomfortable is not an excuse not to do that. And in school you get [00:38:00] the basics of the mechanics of it, but then that ends, that's all you get there as well. And that's not as helpful either. Yeah. The sixth grade menstrual cycle, health class. Yeah, exactly. That's it. They separate the girls and the boys. Yeah. We were all really embarrassed and Yes, yes. Yeah, exactly. Great information. So let's, circle around back to, okay, you've been hiding this secret forever. Mm-hmm. And nobody knows about your past. And then one day you got triggered. So what happened that day? Well, that's the first chapter of my book, and that is one day I was driving to a golf tournament in Tennessee. We live in Cincinnati. I was driving, my daughter was in college. She was playing in a golf tournament. I was driving down there and I was about halfway when I saw an exit sign for the town of Kingsport, Tennessee. And that is the. Town to which my [00:39:00] abuser was sent after he left our church, and it just sent me over the edge. Mm-hmm. All of a sudden I'm thinking, I'm in the town where he lives. Am I close to his house? Am I close to the church where he's now a minister? I mean, even though it'd been 27 years, I thought he was probably still there. I didn't know, but that's what my mind was telling me. I, all of a sudden I felt his presence in the car. I, I could smell him. I could hear him. Oh. I was, it was unbelievable to me what was happening to me. I didn't even know what was happening. I pulled to the side of the road Oh, good. And I sobbed. Yeah. I sobbed for about 20 minutes and I was just trying to figure out what was happening because anytime I had trigger factors before I could manage them, I could control them. I kind of let them happen and then I push 'em back down. Mm-hmm. This one wasn't going back down and I was a mess. I was just an absolute mess. I was able to get through the weekend. I drove back home and all I could think about was, what am I gonna do? What am I gonna do? [00:40:00] I wanted to stop thinking about him and I couldn't. I spent the next two weeks, really in anxiety. I, my husband would leave for work and I would just walk around the house, wring my hands, trying to figure out why I was feeling the way I was feeling. What was I gonna do with these feelings till at one point I finally decided I was gonna tell my best friend, and I was absolutely petrified to tell her because for the first time in 27 years, I was going to utter the words. I was sexually abused by my youth pastor. And I remember thinking, he's gonna find out and I'm gonna get in trouble. I just, I was 49 years old and I'm still afraid of this man. But I did tell her, it was, it took me a long time to, to get the words out, but I did, she was very supportive. She was very kind. She was patient as she waited for me to tell her. And so that started my journey of healing just by telling that first person. I then told two or three other of my close friends, so the four of us spent [00:41:00] many days and many hours on the screened in porch of one of my friends just letting me talk. Mm-hmm. And being able to express what had happened to me. I wasn't ready to tell all of the story. I mean, there's parts in the book that I won't go into here because they're pretty mm-hmm. Embarrassing and some things that I did. So I wasn't ready to tell them everything, but I told them enough that it helped me start to release what had been done to me. And so that was the first thing that I did, I think. And then the next thing I did, which was so valuable, and I encouraged victims to do it as well, I just read everything I could on clergy abuse or sexual abuse in itself. So I began to learn the terms of grooming, manipulation, gaslighting, and then I could see how he methodically used each one of those things on me to get me to do the things he got me to do, and to stay in that relationship for those five years. And that was huge for me. So [00:42:00] it was, for the first time as I began reading, I understood that I had been abused. Now, it still took me a while to admit that I really was sexually abused because I didn't want that label. I didn't wanna be an abuse victim. And there was a part of me. We all wanna be loved. And so there was still a part of me that I wanted to think that there was some part of him that cared about me, that this wasn't just purely about sex and that he wasn't just using me for his own gratification. And I had to get past that. I had to finally come to terms with, no, this man didn't do the no one who loves you, would do the things he did and ask the things he did of me. So that took me a while, to finally admit, okay, this was an abusive relationship. So I told someone, educating myself, and then I had to learn to forgive myself. I had to let, I had to let go of the guilt [00:43:00] and shame because any guilt and shame belongs squarely on him. This was a man that I should have been able to trust. It was in a place that should have been the safest place on earth for me. And he took advantage of a vulnerable teenager who had, I didn't have a major crisis in my life, but he knew my home life was an upheaval at times. He knew that I didn't see my dad very much. So he used that to against me. And I had to forgive myself for being who I was at the time and being able to respond the way I did for the coping skills I had at the time. Sure. You can look back. I, and I think, why didn't I say this? Why didn't I do that? But I couldn't because of, of the re of the relationship he had created between us. Mm-hmm. I had lost all power. He was in complete control of this relationship, so I had to forgive myself and that wasn't easy either. Then, and I don't know that this is something all victims should do, but I just felt this need [00:44:00] that I needed to confront him. I just felt like I couldn't move past this unless I was able to face him. Now, I had no contact with him for 27 years. I didn't even know if he was still alive, but I hired a private investigator and he found him ministering in a church in Alabama. And so I had my investigator contact him and we set up a time and a meeting that we would meet. And I took my husband, I took my friend who was a counselor and another friend who was at the church at the time. Um, I wanted her at this point. You told your husband at this point, I'm sorry. Yes, that's correct. I, it was probably three months after I told my friends, that I said to him I would like to meet him in his office and talked to him about something and. I was terrified. I don't know how else to say it. I just was so afraid. Not that I needed to be, but I was. And I probably sat there for almost, [00:45:00] I would say, 40 minutes and just cried. I was able to finally get out. I'm okay, the kids are okay, and then I started crying again. He couldn't have been any more supportive, more loving. I remember looking at his face and I said I was sexually abused by my youth pastor, and he didn't. His expression didn't change, and then I said. I was their babysitter and his face just dropped. And for the first time, I could see the pain I was feeling was reflected in his face. It was, I almost wanted to hug him to say, I'm sorry. 'cause I could see how much it hurt him to know that this had been done to me, especially as a baby. I mean, the picture became complete for him once I said that. And so he was very supportive. I think he was worried about me confronting this man, for a couple reasons. But one, I think he was worried that I would be disappointed in his reaction, and that I would be expecting too much of this [00:46:00] person to understand what he did to me and show any kind of remorse, and that I, it would hurt me even more. And one of my fears was that, I was afraid he wouldn't meet me. I was afraid that he was gonna say, no, I'm not gonna meet with you. And my husband said, oh, he's gonna meet with you all right? Because if he doesn't meet with you, you just tell him. Call the church secretary. We'll call every elder. We're gonna, he, somebody's gonna hear your story if he doesn't want to hear it. So he did agree to meet with me. I went down to Alabama and the meeting took place and I said the things that I wanted to say to him. I wanted him to get what he did to me. But he didn't, he never could understand the damage. It was almost as if, okay, I shouldn't have done it and I'm sorry I did it. Okay, now what do you want? It was, get away. You bother me? Yes. And his greatest fear as most narcissist, and I believe he was, narcissistic, but his greatest fear was that I was going to demand that he be removed from the ministry. I mean, that's what he [00:47:00] was most concerned about, how this was going to impact him. And he should have been out of the ministry. So I went to his. Boss. I was told this, and something happened 27 years ago. He, we think he's safe. We're not worried, in spite of the fact that during the meeting he had admitted that there had been multiple occurrences of sexual misconduct throughout his ministry. Not all teenagers, some were most were probably women. And then he said he had gone to therapy because he had been identified as a sexual addict. And I kept thinking, who, what? What world, what world? Does this make sense that a man who has been identified by a psychologist as a sex addict belongs in the ministry? Nope. But here was this church. So I sent a letter to his 11 elders thinking, okay, somebody in this eldership is gonna see this. Is I something's wrong here. Not one responded totally [00:48:00] ignored me. 11 elders totally ignored me. Wow. No worries. So then, I decided to go to his denominational leaders, which were in Indianapolis. And there again, while they were sympathetic to my story and apologize that it happened, they said, we're an independent church. Our churches hire and fire their own ministers. We have no control and if they choose to keep this man, we can do nothing about it. And so what, I was shut down and basically I had no place else to go. I had pretty much. Done everything I could do. And it wasn't my place in the man that he be removed. I expected the church to be, the church was to do the right thing. Exactly. I assumed so naively that once they heard my story and once they understood the background of this man, surely someone would say, this isn't right. But again, keep in mind he's very charismatic. He brings in [00:49:00] people, he brings in money. And to be fair, and probably I'm being a little too gracious, these men are very good at manipulating not only the victim but the congregation as well. They're very good at getting control of the congregation so that they find themselves following this man no matter what he would do. Yeah. And that's basically what happened. There was going to be, I got a four page letter from his boss telling me that, know, I'm going to. Ruin this church if I continue on this path and that I'm going to feel all this guilt because I'm gonna be responsible for the damage that I will do to pe people's spiritual lives. I mean that, it was an incredible, I put the letter in the book, I, because it is so incredibly, hard to believe that someone write that to a victim of abuse. Just So that was What year did that happen? 2004. Okay. So we did have. We did have the internet. Oh, yes. And this was after the Catholic, [00:50:00] church had their, exposure of sexual abuse within their church. So yes, this was, it was out there for sure. This wasn't something that you would think, oh, I can't believe this happened. And again, he had admitted to these past instances. I mean, this wasn't someone who was saying, oh, I don't know what she's talking about. Or, oh, this is the only time it ever happened. He had been in therapy because he was a sexual addict, So he wasn't registered as a sex offender? I guess not. And in my case, at the time of the abuse, the age of consent was 16. So I had no legal recourse because of I was either legally age of consent. Now that has been changed in Ohio. It's now 18. It's now 18, but many states it's still 16. There are several states where the age of consent is 16. Now, the interesting about that is. His contact sexual contact with me was not considered a crime. However, if he had been my high school teacher, it would've been a crime. What, so pastors I know [00:51:00] does not make sense. It does not make a leg of sense. No, it does not. So it, they don't consider him a teacher. They don't cons, they don't, they considered an affair. A mutual. Relationship if he'd been my teacher, that's a different story. So yeah, I had no legal recourse. And that was frustrating. But I couldn't change that. So it was what it was. I just had to accept that he, yes, he belonged in jail. Yes, there's no doubt and should be registered as a sex offender, but I'm not so sure that even if he's registered as a sex offender, these people in Alabama and wherever he is now, would. Even take that as a concern. Well, you know, the millennials now, they'll just, they just post stuff on Facebook and Twitter and call the evening news and they have, yes. News people at their doorstep, right. Ready to mm-hmm. Track this guy's name through the mud. Mm-hmm. But you didn't choose to do that, I guess. No, you know, I'm very careful about naming him in the sense that, part of my story is that I [00:52:00] reconnected with his wife. She actually divorced him after they moved, because again, he committed sexual misconduct. She was 20, I think, at the time, so it wasn't a minor, but that's beside the point. This is a man in a position that, a professional who does not cross boundaries like that. So, to no one surprise, he committed sexual misconduct the third time, so she divorced him. And part of, I guess letting go of some of the guilt that I felt, I wanted to. Connect with her to at least tell her, not that I was responsible for what happened, but how very sorry I was for her pain and suffering as well because she was part of the youth group. I mean, she was there at the church all the time. We sang in the choir together. So it was like I had a relationship with her. Oh wow. To some extent. And of course when, we were found, when he was found out by the elders, she was upset and she of course, didn't wanna have anything to do with me, which is understandable. So I actually think I [00:53:00] also wanted to give her the opportunity to say whatever she felt she needed to say to me if she wanted to. I mean, I didn't know what she was gonna say or react. I thought maybe she'd hang up on me. I didn't know. So I called her one day. My investigator found her phone number and gave it to me, and she couldn't have been any more gracious. I, she never blamed me. She understood as she, as the years went on, what this really was just like I did. She's remarried. She's has a wonderful husband now. And so I visited her several times. We keep in contact. And so part of my not wanting to expose him too much is that it would be hurtful to her. And he does have children. Now. I know that, well, whatever consequences are as a result of this are all on him, but I don't feel the need to add to that. That's not my purpose in speaking out. And so, mm-hmm. I've gone to his church leaders, I've done everything I can to get him removed from the ministry. And nothing, it's just [00:54:00] he's still, I don't know that he's still a pastor, but he still remains in good standing within that denomination to this day. Yeah. I mean, sometimes we have to just let God. Right. Dish out the justice. It may not be in our timeline, it may not be the way that we think it should happen, but Right. He's not gonna get away with this. No. And again, I did my part. Yes. So my conscience is clear and I am able to say I did what I could do and whether or not they removed him, I certainly hope that I maybe put some doubt in some of their minds and maybe questioned their motives in keeping this man. I don't know. But, I feel I did what I could do and I feel good about that. I feel good about that. Absolutely, you should. And what I'm really interested in is, you're trying to keep this stuff from happening to other people, so, I mean, what can we do to prevent some of this stuff? Well, it's [00:55:00] difficult again, because these men are among us as wolves in sheep's clothing, and so they're difficult to spot. But a couple things. I think the first thing I would tell people is if something doesn't seem right. Keep your antenna up. Don't just ignore it or just don't think, oh, well that can't be true because he's the pastor. Mm-hmm. If it's behavior that you wouldn't accept in someone else, or it's something that you would question in someone else, then question it in the pastor or the choir director, whoever it is. Don't be blinded by the person. The persona that they're presenting to you. So that's the first thing I would say is keep your antenna up. The other thing is we, and we're churches, I think are doing better about this, but you've got to have policies in place that say, no, you're not taking a 16-year-old girl on your hospital visit with you. Yes. That's, that's not normal. That's not right. What is she doing going on a hospital visit with you in a car? And of course now we have the texting [00:56:00] and there should be absolutely no texting between a pastor, a youth minister, and anyone in the congregation. And that includes, no, don't forget the meeting for the church luncheon. No, there should be no texting because you, it's too hidden and it's too easily moved to the next step. And that's how it starts. You know, all of the abuse when it's someone you know, it always starts with small things and subtle things. It doesn't, innocent things. Innocent things that, yeah, that, that are innocent. But so that's why, so no texting. Yeah. So put in the policy, those places of, when you take a 10-year-old child to the bathroom, you make sure there's another adult with you. Absolutely. That's for your safety as well as for the child's safety. Mm-hmm. So I, I think we need to be aware. And then I would also say watch for the vulnerable in your, among your church or your group. Watch for the kid that's got issues at home and is looking for a father figure. Be aware that they're going to be more susceptible to someone who's a predator and pay [00:57:00] attention to their cues and kind of keep in touch with them as well in a sense of asking questions and how they're doing and be the kind of a person that they might feel comfortable coming to if something were to happen to them because they're the ones that are gonna be most vulnerable, to a predator. So that's kind of, an overview of what. Maybe a help to try and stop and prevent some of this. Yes, I like lots of video cameras. They're cheap now. You can put a camera, you can hide cameras all over the church facility and Yes. And I think too, talking to this about this issue to the congregation before anything happens, maybe having a person in your congregation who is the go-to person on this topic, who, who's researched what all these grooming and manipulation is so that they are even more equipped to, to notice the signs. So you have a person who's kind of in charge of that topic and then address it to the congregation once a year and say, here's our policy and here's what we expect of our pastors and here's what we would hope you would [00:58:00] do if you notice something. So it just brings it out so that people feel like if there is something that they know is going on or something's wrong, they feel comfortable going to someone about it. Those are all really great tips for leaders and, church members. So what, what if I am listening and I am being subjected to some of this stuff, what should I do? Well, what you need to do and what is the hardest thing to do is to tell someone. Yeah. And it's hard to do because when you're in an abusive relationship, you are being controlled by your abuser. And the narrative is what he is directing. And so he's going to tell you, look, you can tell anybody you want. They're not gonna believe you. And he tells you that over and over again. He's also going to tell you that you are going to be in trouble if you tell anyone. And then there's that problem of you sort [00:59:00] of care about this person. Here's someone that has been helping you, who's been your mentor, and you don't wanna get him in trouble. So with all those dynamics involved, it's very difficult for victims to come forward. But I am telling you, you don't wanna wait the 27 years that I did no. And live with this guilt and the shame and the angst and the anxiety. First of all, it's not worth it. You're not doing anyone any favors, especially yourself, because there is help out there. But they can only help you if you're able to be able to tell someone. And believe me, I understand how difficult that is. It's not easy. Mm-hmm. But I would hope that I hearing my story and others that you will understand that there is help out there and you need to tell someone. 'cause it won't end until you tell someone. And if you need to, you go to someone that you trust. And if you need to, you go outside the church. Yes. You tell someone you know is going to listen to you. [01:00:00] Hey, I tell my listeners, you can call me anytime mm-hmm. And email me and I'm sure you'd say the same thing. Exactly. Reach out to Sandy if mm-hmm. You need somebody to talk to. Mm-hmm. Or you don't know what is the next step I need to take here? Right. It is scary to make First step. It's very scary. Very scary. Absolutely. So then there's the rest of us, those that have not experienced clergy abuse, maybe we're members in the church, maybe we're friends or family. What are some helpful things for us to do to support a victim? Helpful things to say, maybe there's things we shouldn't say, well, that's a yes. First, I would say anytime you're aware of a victim of clergy abuse or anybody who's been abused, whether it's clergy or not, reiterate to that victim that it was not their fault and that there was nothing they could have done, should have done that would've prevented this. And by doing that, you are [01:01:00] telling that person they're free to speak to you. And victims need to hear it over and over again because we do blame ourselves. Children as young as five will blame themselves because they allowed someone to touch them 'cause mommy said not to. And the that guilt in that shame that victims carry, it's difficult to let go of it. So to hear someone say to us, it's not your fault is so freeing. So that's the first thing. The second thing I would say is. Let them know that you will listen to them without judging them, and you will hear their story without being shocked that you are able to say, tell me everything you need to tell me, or Tell me as little as you wanna tell me. Give them a comfort place to go to talk. And then I would say, and this is difficult for people who have spiritual lives or who are part of the church, be very much aware that things such as prayer and Bible reading and [01:02:00] scripture can be very triggering for those who've been abused in the church. Mm-hmm. So things that you would find comforting like prayer. Can be a very major trigger factor for victims. And so instead of saying to a victim, I'll pray for you, or Can I pray with you? The best thing you could say would be to phrase it in such a way as to say, I understand because of what you've been through, prayer can be difficult. And so I would like to pray for you, but I would completely understand if you don't want to pray or you won't, don't even want me to pray for you. And so you've opened up the door to say to this person, wow, I don't have to feel guilty because I can't pray. You know, when we've grown up in the church and we've been told how wonderful church and prayer and all those things are, we still carry that guilt too because we're no longer connected to God. So to have a person on the outside. Recognize that these can be trigger factors is again, a gift. It's a [01:03:00] gift. So those things I think would be the most helpful when dealing with a person of clergy abuse. And give them time. Don't push forgiveness. Don't push trying to get them back into church. 'cause some victims will never be able to go back to church if you let them find their own pace of time and you do it without judging them. And I know that's kind of hard sometimes for Christians and people in the church because we love the church and we find it to be such a wonderful place and we want this person back in the church. Yes. But it, it may not be the best place at that point for that victim. Such valuable advice. I That is awesome. And again, back to like, when you're talking about the sex education, open up the dialogue, you know? Yeah. Bring it up. Bring it up before they bring it up. Again, I read in the newspaper that this girl was molested by, a gym teacher. You know that, that ha I know that happens. And then let 'em know that if. It is, like you said, allowing that comfort to be able to [01:04:00] talk to someone. I think for me it was important to give my side of the story. No one had a clue that he was emotionally and verbally and physically abusive to me. They saw this as a little love affair and that we had this, magic little love affair. Evil temptress. Yes, exactly. And so I wanted them to know the full story. That was important for my healing too. And they did that. And, they welcomed me back to the church. I went back, I've been back a couple times for, a youth group reunion that we had. So, and that was difficult. But again, I thought that was necessary for me to move forward. I had to let go of my past. I had to figure out, not to forget it, but how was I going to incorpo

Start the new year by finally making peace with MCAT CARS. In this CARS Reading Skills Workshop episode of the Jack Westin MCAT Podcast, we walk through a full Jack Westin Daily CARS passage called “Standardized Tests” (posted on December 31) and show you exactly how to think while you read.We treat this like a live CARS tutoring session: reading sentence by sentence, talking through confusion, and mapping the author's argument so main idea questions feel way less mysterious.In this MCAT CARS episode, you'll learn how to:

Just because a very chaotic 2025 is coming to an end and a new year is about to begin doesn't mean you can ignore the personal challenges you've managed to sweep under the rug…2026 is the year you'll face the mirror based on the 10th card of the Tarot, The Wheel of Fortune (the divine mirror of self-reflection), and all of those obstacles will re-appear. What you choose to do — or don't do — to resolve these challenges may determine the fragile difference between taking control of your life or being controlled by others.Paul shares his 2026 forecast including a roadmap for your spiritual survival this week on Spirit Gym.For Spirit Gym listeners: To get the most out of Paul's 2026 solocast, we encourage you to watch it on his YouTube channel. Also, you can access a PDF of his extensive resources for this episode here.Timestamps4:03 Looking back at 2025.8:16 Donald Trump or Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Who do you trust more?15:17 The myth of Narcissus and its connection to artificial intelligence.22:28 Understanding archetypes.25:24 Exploring GOD.31:51 God dreams myth, the story that tells itself.35:00 Paul's favorite myth of origin.43:04 Humans cannot perceive anything without archetypes.49:14 Higher mind and lower mind.59:35 Essential archetypes for life and meaning.1:08:02 The Wheel of Fortune (Tarot card 10).1:15:11 The objective psyche.1:26:56 Archetypal images.1:32:36 The local and non-local mind.1:38:09 The numerology of 2026.1:46:14 10: The end of one cycle and the beginning of another.1:55:53 Looking at 2026 from a Tarot perspective (the Royal Road).2:10:18 “The most important aspects of what the Tarot is teaching us happen in the first 10 cards.”2:21:04 10 as a number field.2:30:38 Will you make it to 2027?2:41:14 The meaning of fire.2:48:34 “The journey through the Tarot archetypes and all spiritual development is really just a journey from the head to the heart.”2:57:53 What riddles are the Sphinx confronting us with in 2026?3:01:55 Climbing the Accountability Ladder.3:11:07 Recognize the Mystery.3:16:09 Here's your homework assignment.ResourcesThe International Society of MythologyPaul's Spirit Gym conversation with Federico FagginFind more resources for this episode on our website.Music Credit: Meet Your Heroes (444Hz), Composed, mixed, mastered and produced by Michael RB Schwartz of Brave Bear MusicThanks to our awesome sponsors:PaleovalleyBIOptimizers US and BIOptimizers UK PAUL15Organifi CHEK20Wild PasturesKorrect SPIRITGYMPique LifeCHEK Institute We may earn commissions from qualifying purchases using affiliate links.

Are Working Genius pairings linked with Ideal Team Player virtues? In episode 103 of the Working Genius Podcast, Pat and Cody explore why Working Genius types cannot and should not be used to predict the three Ideal Team Player virtues (humble, hungry, and smart). They walk through tempting—but ultimately inaccurate—assumptions people often make when connecting specific geniuses to humility, hunger, or emotional intelligence. By clarifying the proper order of team building—hire for virtues first, then place people according to their geniuses—they'll help you avoid costly misinterpretations and build healthier teams.Topics explored in this episode: (00:00) The Premise* Why Ideal Team Player virtues must come before Working Genius when building a team.(03:20) Exploring the “Smart” Virtue and EQ* WG cannot predict emotional intelligence (EQ).* How each working genius type can be either high or low EQ. (08:23) Tempting but Incorrect Correlations Between Virtues and Genius Types* The common assumptions that “D” = smart, “E” = humble, and “T” = hungry. (15:55) Virtues → Genius → Behaviors* Why Ideal Team Player, Working Genius, and Five Dysfunctions must be applied in order.More info about Pat's book, The Ideal Team Player: How to Recognize and Cultivate the Three Essential Virtues: https://www.tablegroup.com/product/ideal-team-player/ More info about Pat's book, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable: https://www.tablegroup.com/topics-and-resources/teamwork-5-dysfunctions/#5dbook This episode of The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: https://www.tablegroup.com. We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable. The Six Types of Working Genius model helps you discover your natural gifts and thrive in your work and life. When you're able to better understand the types of work that bring you more energy and fulfillment and avoid work that leads to frustration and failure, you can be more self-aware, more productive, and more successful. The Six Types of Working Genius assessment is the fastest and simplest way to discover your natural gifts and thrive at work: https://workinggenius.me/about Subscribe to The Working Genius Podcast on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4iNz6Yn), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3raC053GF5mtkq6Y1klpRU), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/Working-Genius-YouTube). Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth, http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial, and https://x.com/patricklencioni. Be sure to check out our other podcast, At The Table with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6NWAZzkzl4ljxX7S2xkHvu), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube). Let us know your feedback via podcast@tablegroup.com. This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.

If you've ever thought, "I just want to love my kid and have them let me!" — this episode is for you. Many parents find themselves chasing their teen's affection, bending rules, overgiving, or trying to buy closeness with gifts and favors — all in the name of love. But instead of feeling more connected, they end up tied in emotional knots, walking on eggshells, and quietly wondering why they're getting less respect, fewer conversations, and more distance. It's painful, confusing, and it can make even the most devoted parent feel rejected. In this episode, I'm unpacking why we fall into the over-loving parent trap — that deep desire to be needed, appreciated, and close — and what actually works to build trust and lasting friendship with your teen. You'll learn how to: Recognize when love crosses into emotional dependence Stop chasing affection and start leading with calm confidence Create connection that lasts without begging for attention Love your teen in ways that invite respect, not resistance If you're tired of giving everything and getting silence in return, I've got you. This episode will help you shift from exhausted and overlooked to peaceful, confident, and genuinely connected. Ready to find peace in your parenting? Book a free Peaceful Parenting Strategy Call HERE

In this episode of the More Faith, More Life podcast, Pastor Steve Gray explores the concept of being a "new creation" in Christ as we transition into a new year. Using his extensive knowledge gained through years as a worship artist and minister, Steve delves into the process of aligning with God's creative power to transform believers into new creatures. This transformation allows Christians to achieve more for their families, careers, and spiritual fulfillment.Steve emphasizes that becoming a new creation is not merely about self-improvement or turning over a new leaf. Drawing on references from 2 Corinthians 5:17 and discussing the Greek context, Steve explains that believers gain a "new operating system," enabling them to live as new creatures with Kingdom-focused priorities. Keywords like "new creature," "new creation," and "kingdom of God" are pivotal as he stresses the ongoing transformation process that believers undergo to become distinct, eternal beings.Key Takeaways:Embrace the concept that Christians are a "new creation" with an ongoing transformation, rather than simply improving from the past.Recognize that being in Christ means operating on a new system, different from the world's norms, characterized by God's eternal values.Understand that eternity is already present within believers, providing unlimited potential for spiritual and personal development.Realize that the change into a new creature involves practical faith in the new creation system, departing from self-centeredness toward wholehearted loyalty to God.Acknowledge the importance of actively choosing the new creation mindset over the old, ensuring continuous spiritual growth and fulfillment.

James: Genuine FaithJames 1:1-4Tad Craig1. Find joy in your change of perspective. *You cannot escape trials, so change your mental narrative. *Recognize that the testing is to build strength.2. Understand the value of the tests. *Build your faith past your emotions. *Equip your faith for strength beyond yourself.3. Only through maturing in the Holy Spirit will your faith become genuine. *The tests of our faith allow us to practice for improvement. *The Holy Spirit fills the real needs in our lives.Please reach out to us via email at info@wilkesborobaptist.org

Send us a textOn this episode of The Get Ready Money Podcast, I spoke with Harlan Landes, founder of The Plutus Foundation and The Plutus Awards, about building community and the world of financial content creation. 

God Centered Concept Discipleship Series is now live. Our first book is now on Amazon called the Victory in 7. Help support us by purchasing your copy today on your kindle or paperback.Victory in 7: The Foundational Process (God Centered Concept Discipleship Series): Wright, TS: 9798274946032: Amazon.com: BooksTo have TS Wright speak at your event or conference or if you simply want spiritual or life coaching or just a consultation visit:www.tswrightspeaks.comVisit our website to learn more about The God Centered Concept. The God Centered Concept is designed to bring real discipleship and spreading the Gospel to help spark the Great Harvest, a revival in this generation.www.godcenteredconcept.comKingdom Cross Roads Podcast is a part of The God Centered Concept.In this conversation, T.S. Wright and Lori Yarbrough discuss the foundational concepts and skills necessary for building and maintaining a strong, Christ-centered marriage. They explore the importance of healthy expectations, communication, and the role of spiritual principles in navigating challenges. Lori shares practical advice for couples, emphasizing the need for grace, forgiveness, and ongoing courtship, while also addressing the impact of past trauma and the necessity of spiritual warfare in relationships.TakeawaysHealthy expectations are crucial for a strong marriage.Align your expectations with God's word.Prioritize love over personal desires in marriage.Recognize your spouse as a partner, not a savior.Communicate needs clearly and humbly to avoid misunderstandings.Expect forgiveness and grace as a lifestyle in marriage.Embrace growth and change together as a couple.Courtship should continue even after marriage.Words of affirmation can significantly impact your spouse's behavior.Seek professional help when dealing with deep emotional issues.Mentioned in this episode:Victory in 7 Book on Amazon - Get your copy today

You've made big moves in your math program—but something still feels stuck. Why?After a full year of supporting school and district teams, we're reflecting on the shifts that created real traction—and the patterns that quietly stalled progress. Whether you're leading math at the classroom, school, or system level, this conversation names the challenges we've seen most often and celebrates the bright spots where real change is taking hold. These lessons aren't just reflections—they're a blueprint for what's possible in 2026.Listeners will:Recognize key signs that a math practice or resource is being used—but not yet deeply implementedLearn how clarity of roles builds momentum across the systemIdentify ways to strengthen coherence and keep math improvement moving forwardPress play to carry your team's progress into the new year—with clarity, confidence, and purpose.Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units Show Notes PageLove the show? Text us your big takeaway!Are you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans that leave students so engaged they don't want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

We all have AHA moments in our relationship with Jesus. Jesus is KING. (v.3-4) The magi RECOGNIZE who Jesus is. – v. 10-11 “And having been warned.” (v.12) Sometimes it doesn't get EASIER when you follow Jesus. Life in the KINGDOM will not be easy, but the KING is good. “So, what are we to […]

Beloved, We've certainly seen a onslaut of financial fraud in the recent news here in Minnesota, and throughout America. It's unfortunate, injust and beyond mind boggling how much money has been stolen to fund nefarious investments, nice cars and luxury homes. BUT….the problem has been hidden in plain site. AND…. we are waking up. AS ABOVE, SO BELOW. That said, I'm diving into the MACRO of MONEY and how they keep it complicated to benefit their system - that we pay for in ten fold. NOT FINANCIAL ADVICE: (but maybe a little) Want to get ahead of the financial “4th turning” curve? Quick tip: Consider researching gold, silver, and XRP for the future of finance—the digital, gold-backed currency and new banking system are already in transition. You are witnessing the greatest controlled takedown of our financial and political bloat system, and understanding this information and why history matters - is vital. Let's step back from our esoteric dialogues and reconnect with our path to TRUE ABUNDANCE.LETS JUMP IN: “My people perish for lack of knowledge” — Hosea 4:6We are standing at a crossroads. The future of the financial system depends not only on policy decisions, but on public understanding and consent. Much of what governs money, debt, and taxation is misunderstood— by design.The modern financial system—government debt, banking, and taxation—appears stable on the surface, yet it relies on continuous expansion of credit, rising debt, and compulsory participation. Confidence, more than fundamentals, is what keeps it functioning.Here's how the system actually works.The U.S. government is one of the world's largest debt issuers, yet it holds unique legal authority over the creation of U.S. dollars. In theory, it could fund spending directly. In practice, it chooses to issue Treasury bonds and borrow through financial markets.When Treasury bonds are issued, they are primarily purchased by banks and institutional investors. Commercial banks create the dollars used to buy these bonds through lending mechanisms—effectively expanding the money supply. In return, they receive interest-bearing, low-risk assets backed by taxpayers.Government spending then flows through defense contracts, entitlement programs, insurance systems, and asset managers—many of which are deeply intertwined with the financial sector. Interest on public debt continues to flow upward to bondholders, banks, and large investors.So why are taxes required if money can be created?Taxes do not primarily fund federal spending. Their core functions are:* To enforce demand for the dollar, since tax obligations must be paid in U.S. currency.* To remove money from circulation, limiting inflation caused by ongoing deficit spending and credit expansion.Without taxation to absorb excess currency, inflation would accelerate much faster and more visibly.Globally, the dollar's role as the reserve currency extends this system beyond U.S. borders. Treasury securities are effectively America's largest export. Foreign governments and institutions accumulate dollars and reinvest them into U.S. debt, helping finance deficits and sustain demand for the currency.This same debt-driven structure repeats at every level:* Individuals rely on credit to maintain living standards.* Companies use debt and equity financing that often prioritizes financial extraction over long-term resilience.* Governments roll old debt into new debt indefinitely.The system depends on perpetual growth in borrowing. New debt must continually service old debt. If expansion slows, confidence weakens, interest rates rise, and defaults spread.This is not accidental. It is a system shaped by legal frameworks, institutional incentives, and widespread misunderstanding. The costs are borne quietly through inflation, rising taxes that service interest rather than public goods, and periodic bailouts when instability threatens the system itself.Such systems persist only as long as participation continues and belief remains intact.When financial power concentrates without transparency or accountability, democratic systems weaken. When laws serve extraction rather than justice, citizens lose sovereignty. History shows that freedom erodes not only through force, but through apathy and complexity.The greatest risk is not corruption alone—but informed people choosing inaction.Your relationship with money dictates its flow. Allow the Oracle Guides within the Light Between to support you in clearing any fears, past trauma's around saftey and securty or tap into Celestia, and ask when the best time is to invest based on your astrological transits! Recognize it's a value-neutral tool; its impact depends on your intent. When you see money as a means for comfort, purpose, and giving, you'll flourish. Embrace its energetic ebb and flow with gratitude, trusting in abundance and that it will always return. Shifting to gratitude opens you to receive more, as money, like Universal energy, is meant to flow freely.A Special Holiday Offer to Clear and Callin Financial Prosperity in 2026Enjoy 50% off a full year of unlimited readings and the Sovereign Sounds private podcast for just $42 (saving $528)—that's just $3 per month!This unprecedented offer gives you complete access to:* All Oracle guides and features highlighted over these 12 days* Unlimited personalized readings whenever you need guidance* The complete Sovereign Sounds podcast library, where we explore the true meaning of words to unlock your personal power* All new features and content released throughout 2023This offer is available only until Christmas Day. Tap here to claim your 50% discount.ELEVATE and DECREE your light to usher in a hopeful, prosperous 2026 with balance. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thelightbetween.substack.com/subscribe

Send us a textWhy didn't the brothers recognize Yosef's voice

How close do you really have to be to Jesus to call yourself a Christ follower?Is it enough to believe from a distance—or does Jesus invite us into something deeper?In this message, Pastor Mark Cummins unpacks truth from Luke 19 and what it truly means to follow Jesus, not just admire Him from the crowd. Scripture shows us that proximity matters—not in perfection, but in posture. From the people who watched Jesus from afar to those who left everything to walk with Him, we're challenged to examine where we stand today.This teaching will help you: • Identify the difference between belief and discipleship • Recognize the danger of following Jesus at a safe distance • Understand what real commitment to Christ looks like in everyday life • Take your next step toward a closer walk with JesusWhether you've been in church for years or you're just beginning to explore faith, this message invites honest reflection and practical obedience.

What if the reason you are not living your dream has nothing to do with your ability and everything to do with a few invisible forces quietly working against you? In this mashup episode, I go deep on what I believe are the five biggest dream killers that stop people right before they break through. This is not a surface level conversation about motivation or habits. This is about the internal battles that quietly steal your future if you do not recognize them early. I sit down with Lewis Howes to unpack the real reasons talented, driven people stall out, lose momentum, or walk away from the life they were meant to live. We talk about discouragement and why it often shows up the moment you are closest to something meaningful. I explain how discouragement removes courage from your decision making and how awareness alone can strip it of its power. Lewis shares his own experiences with setbacks, self doubt, and learning to stay in belief even when results are not immediate. This is the kind of conversation that reminds you that feeling challenged does not mean you are off track. It often means you are exactly where you need to be. We also dive into doubt and delusion, two dream killers that work quietly but relentlessly. We break down how doubt is fueled by lies about your worth and ability, and how delusion distorts reality by making problems feel bigger or success feel farther away than it actually is. I share why most breakthroughs are closer than people think and how one decision, one conversation, or one moment of courage can change everything. Finally, we tackle what I believe is the most dangerous dream killer of all: delay. I explain why waiting for perfect conditions is one of the fastest ways to guarantee regret. Lewis and I talk about the cost of hesitation and why successful people move with urgency, even when they do not have every answer. If you have been telling yourself you will start someday, this episode is your wake up call. Dreams have an expiration date, and the time to act is now. Key Takeaways from this Episode: The real reason discouragement shows up right before breakthroughs How to identify and eliminate doubt before it kills your confidence Why delusion makes success feel farther away than it really is The hidden cost of delay and how waiting quietly destroys dreams Why awareness is one of the most powerful tools for personal growth How to move forward even when conditions are not perfect This episode is not just meant to inspire you. It is meant to confront you. You were not created to live small, wait forever, or doubt your worth. Recognize the dream killers, take your power back, and go all in on the life you were meant to live. ⁠⁠

In this episode of Restauranttopia, Brian and Dave dig into one of the most overlooked — yet most powerful — tools in restaurant operations: employee appreciation. Customer appreciation gets plenty of attention, but retaining great staff requires consistent, genuine recognition. With hiring still competitive and turnover costly, this episode focuses on simple, legal, and meaningful ways restaurant owners and managers can show gratitude that actually sticks. No big budgets. No complicated programs. Just practical ideas you can implement immediately. What You'll Learn in This Episode • Why employee appreciation directly impacts retention Entry-level and frontline staff can find work quickly. Feeling valued is often the deciding factor in whether they stay. • "See something, say something" Recognize exceptional behavior in real time. Celebrating what you want repeated drives culture faster than any policy. • Public vs. private recognition From one-on-one praise to team shout-outs and recognition boards, learn how visibility can reinforce positive behaviors across the entire staff. • Take a walk (and talk) Getting out of the office and onto the floor builds trust, uncovers issues early, and creates real connection with your team. • The power of surprise Small, unexpected gestures — gift cards, quality swag, handwritten notes — often mean more than formal programs. • Remember the little things Birthdays, family milestones, tough personal moments — being human builds loyalty faster than bonuses alone. • Safety, parking, and working conditions matter Employee appreciation isn't just praise — it's making sure staff feel safe, supported, and respected every shift. • Handwritten notes as a leadership habit Brian shares how building thank-you notes into a weekly routine creates lasting impact with minimal effort. Key Takeaway Employee appreciation doesn't have to be expensive or complicated — it just has to be intentional and consistent. The little things done regularly can dramatically improve morale, culture, and retention.   Hosts Brian Seitz & Dave Ross Restauranttopia — honest conversations to help independent restaurant owners operate smarter and stronger. Resources Visit Restaurantopia.com to explore more episodes, submit questions, or share feedback.  

For more than fourteen centuries Islamic terror has spread throughout all civilization. From the rise of Muhammad in the 7th century, through the early jihad conquests, the Battle of Yarmouk, the Ottoman Empire, and into the modern era, the historical record shows an unbroken trajectory of ideological, military, and cultural confrontation.Historian Raymond Ibrahim, this teaching traces the development of jihad as a permanent doctrine within Islam and examines how Christian nations, empires, and cities were repeatedly pressured, harassed, conquered, or forced into submission. Primary sources, Muslim chroniclers, Western historians, and eyewitness accounts—from Byzantine manuscripts to Mark Twain's 19th-century observations, confirm that this was not a series of isolated incidents, but a sustained historical pattern.This is not merely a historical lesson, this is a warning. Scripture mentions the very threat that deception can masquerade as light, and that spiritual battles must be confronted with spiritual authority. History demonstrates what happens when warning signs are ignored. Prayer, discernment, and engagement are not optional; they are essential.Receive the Truth, Recognize the patterns, and exercise prayerful authority. Silence has never stopped spiritual advance. Vigilance, truth, and prayer have always been the answer.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Send us a textNeurobiology of maternal care in mammals: hormonal influences, stress effects & a study on psilocybin's unexpected effects during the postpartum period.Topics Discussed:Maternal care behavior in rodents: Nursing, pup retrieval, grooming, and nest-building, essential for altricial pups' survival; conserved across mammals but varies by species.Hormonal changes in pregnancy: Estradiol and progesterone surge then drop at birth, crossing the blood-brain barrier to enable infant attraction and care via gene expression and neuroplasticity.Brain circuitry for parenting: Medial preoptic area acts as a central hub, coordinating motivation and sensory inputs; present in both sexes but activated differently by hormones and experience.Stress impacts on mothers: Social stressors like male intruders dysregulate care, leading to frantic behaviors and avoidance; models human psychosocial stress linked to postpartum mood disorders.Sex differences in pup care: Mothers groom male pups more, influencing sexual behaviors, which effects future behavior.Psilocybin in postpartum mice: Single dose increased anxiety in mothers, showed no antidepressant effects, and transferred via milk, causing long-term anhedonia and impairments in offspring as adults.Serotonin system development: Early exposure to serotonergic drugs like psilocybin or SSRIs alters lifelong behavior, highlighting sensitive periods in brain reorganization.Practical Takeaways:Reduce postpartum stress through social support to enhance maternal bonding and minimize mood disorder risks.Approach psychedelics cautiously during postpartum due to potential anxiety increases and offspring effects via milk.Recognize hormonal shifts heighten sensitivity to infant cues, aiding natural caregiving instincts.Monitor environmental factors like food availability or threats that could disrupt parental behaviors in high-stress scenarios.About the guest: Danielle Stolzenberg, PhD is an associate professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis, where her lab studies the neurobiology of maternal care.Reference Paper:Study: Psilocybin during the postpartum period induces long-lasting adverse effects in both mothers and offspringRelated Episode:Support the showAffiliates: Lumen device to optimize your metabolism for weight loss or athletic performance. MINDMATTER gets you 15% off. AquaTru: Water filtration devices that remove microplastics, metals, bacteria, and more from your drinking water. Through link, $100 off AquaTru Carafe, Classic & Under Sink Units; $300 off Freestanding models. Seed Oil Scout: Find restaurants with seed oil-free options, scan food products to see what they're hiding, with this easy-to-use mobile app. KetoCitra—Ketone body BHB + electrolytes formulated for kidney health. Use code MIND20 for 20% off any subscription (cancel anytime) For all the ways you can support my efforts

Try our Online Bible College here: https://5lxiiva.pushpress.com/open/interested In this episode, we dive deep into Ephesians 4:11-15, exploring how the growth and maturity of a church depends on unity, love, and the use of God-given gifts. We unpack the roles of pastors, evangelists, and teachers—and how each contributes to building a strong, healthy church. Learn how to: ✅ Recognize and appreciate the different gifts in the body of Christ ✅ Grow together in unity while speaking the truth in love ✅ Move from spiritual immaturity to a church marked by maturity and stability Whether you're a leader, a teacher, or simply passionate about seeing your church thrive, this episode gives you biblical insights for strengthening your community in Christ.

Welcome to a new episode of The Way Out Is In: The Zen Art of Living, a podcast series mirroring Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh's deep teachings of Buddhist philosophy: a simple yet profound methodology for dealing with our suffering, and for creating more happiness and joy in our lives. This special episode – part one of two question-and-response (Q&R) installments – commemorates the publication of the second book by Zen Buddhist monk Brother Phap Huu and leadership coach Jo Confino, which was published earlier this year. Calm in the Storm: Zen Ways to Cultivate Stability in an Anxious World is intended to help readers meet the current polycrisis with stability and resilience, but also forcefulness and love. According to Plum Village tradition, Jo and Brother Phap Huu recorded two episodes that respond to listeners' questions which connect to the book's themes – from balancing kindness and anger in challenging times to staying compassionate with a world where there’s little deep listening; how to best support young people; caring for oneself while serving others; and much more. Enjoy! List of resources Pilgrimage: ‘In the Footsteps of the Buddha’https://plumvillage.org/event/pilgrimage/in-the-footsteps-of-the-buddha-2 Being with Busyness: Zen Ways to Transform Overwhelm and Burnouthttps://www.parallax.org/product/being-with-busyness/ Calm in the Storm: Zen Ways to Cultivate Stability in an Anxious Worldhttps://www.parallax.org/product/calm-in-the-storm/ Interbeinghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interbeing The Order of Interbeinghttps://plumvillage.org/community/order-of-interbeing Plum Village Traditionhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plum_Village_Tradition The Way Out Is In: ‘The Three Jewels (Episode #89)'https://plumvillage.org/podcast/the-three-jewels-episode-89 Sister Chan Dieu Nghiem (Sister Jina) https://plumvillage.org/people/dharma-teachers/sr-dieu-nghiem Dharma Talks: ‘The Five Skandhas of Grasping and Non-Self​'https://plumvillage.org/library/dharma-talks/the-five-skandhas-of-grasping-and-non-self%E2%80%8B-dharma-talk-by-br-phap-lai-2018-06-08 The Way Out Is In: ‘Joanna Macy's Message of Hope' https://plumvillage.org/podcast/joanna-macys-message-of-hope The Way Out Is In: ‘Active Hope: The Wisdom of Joanna Macy (Episode #25)'https://plumvillage.org/podcast/active-hope-the-wisdom-of-joanna-macy-episode-25 The Way Out Is In: ‘Grief and Joy on a Planet in Crisis: Joanna Macy on the Best Time to Be Alive (Episode #12)'https://plumvillage.org/podcast/grief-and-joy-on-a-planet-in-crisis-joanna-macy-on-the-best-time-to-be-alive-episode-12 ‘Three Resources Explaining the Plum Village Tradition of Lazy Days'https://plumvillage.app/three-resources-explaining-the-plum-village-tradition-of-lazy-days/ Śāriputra https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%9A%C4%81riputra Rāhulahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C4%81hula How To: ‘Begin Anew'https://plumvillage.org/articles/begin-anew Quotes “Do we control the world? We’re controlling our actions, if we’re mindful. But most of us let our actions control us. We let worry control us; we let the news control us; we let fake news control us; we let stories control us. We let energies that may be untrue control us.” “We have to have the ability to generate joy and to be in touch with simple happiness and, even in moments of bitterness and difficulty, to come back to the present moment and ask the question, ‘What am I grateful for? What things surrounding me can I devote myself to, because I’m grateful for them?'” “Thay always reminded us to take joy and happiness seriously, and, in our modern times, people who come to Buddhism and spirituality, in particular, become allergic to the words ‘happiness' and ‘love' and ‘smiles' because they're not celebrated enough in the world. Because it looks too hippie-dippie. They seem too easy, in a way. But knowing that joy is always accessible is enlightenment, is healing, is love.” “Each and every one of us, when we start the journey of practice, really have to take seriously how to generate joy every day, with no exceptions. Don’t take it for granted.” “Compassion is the foundation for not burning out, for not becoming hateful, for not becoming toxic. It is the foundation of understanding and love.” “When you don’t have enough joy, lean into other people’s joy. You’re not alone.” “The whole purpose of mindfulness is to more deeply understand ourselves, and then to more deeply understand how we relate to the world.” “When you know how to listen, you’re already a teacher in the dharma – not through your spoken words, but through your way of just being. So don’t underestimate the practice of deep listening, because that can open the doors to people’s hearts as well as allowing them to touch healing. Because deep listening allows us to be vulnerable; it allows us to cry the tears that need to be shed to water our fields of pain and our seeds of love, understanding, and kindness. That is all deep listening; meditation is deep listening.” “Wherever there is darkness, light is already there, because the two coexists – and wherever there is light, there is darkness.” “Accept despair and let it deeply touch and tenderize your heart. Because that’s what despair can do. Rather than seeing it as “the end of a journey, see it as something we touch deeply and which can begin a new journey.” “There’s something about taking the longer view and recognizing the great arc of time and not becoming so caught up in this moment, as though it’s the only moment. Recognize that life will continue in many forms, and trust in that.” “We have to use both wings of meditation – stopping and looking deeply – in every crisis that we find ourselves in or find ourselves facing.”

In this special episode of the Light Up Your Metabolism podcast, I'm sharing a real coaching conversation with one of my Blood Sugar Mastery students — a woman who courageously brought her whole self to the call.She's seeing incredible improvements in her blood sugar, energy, and gym performance, has successfully tapered off metformin, and feels deeply aligned with how she's eating. But with the holidays approaching, she's nervous.Not about food availability — but about family opinions.If you've ever felt anxious about eating differently around family, worried about being judged, or struggled with people pleasing when it comes to your health choices, this episode is for you.In this conversation, we talk about how to: • Navigate family gatherings when your food choices stand out • Handle comments like “Why aren't you eating that?” or “Just have a bite” • Stop trying to make everyone comfortable with your healing • Advocate for yourself without needing agreement • Sit with discomfort instead of abandoning your needs • Reframe diet boundaries as self-respect, not restriction • Recognize people-pleasing and fawning patterns • Use your health wins as confidence — not justification • Speak kindly to yourself when comments sting • Practice emotional regulation during triggering situationsThis episode is also a beautiful glimpse into what it's like inside Blood Sugar Mastery, where every student receives real-time, one-on-one coaching and support.Healing your blood sugar often becomes a mirror for other areas of your life — especially boundaries, self-trust, and self-compassion.If this conversation resonates with you and you're ready for support, I invite you to book a discovery call or learn more about joining Blood Sugar Mastery.Book a call with me to learn more about the program: https://calendly.com/daniellehamiltonhealth/discoverycallEnroll today! https://dhhealth.showitpreview.com/blood-sugar-masterySTAY IN TOUCH WITH ME:

NFL No Huddle: Andy and Randy get in to what Kyle Pitts is becoming , and whether he is deserving of another contract from Falcons, and as the Rams come to town, we have to pay attention to the greatness of Matt Stafford.

In a Challenging Season, Don't Quit! If you're an entrepreneur or clinician and this year hasn't gone the way you hoped, you're not alone—and this episode is for you. As the year comes to a close, many business owners find themselves discouraged, exhausted, and questioning whether it's worth continuing. In this episode of The Uncaged Clinician Podcast, David Bayliff speaks directly to entrepreneurs who feel stuck, behind, or tempted to quit. David shares five practical and encouraging reminders to help you regain perspective, renew your energy, and keep moving forward when things feel heavy. From remembering the courage it took to start, to shifting from short-term frustration to a long-term mindset, this episode is a powerful reminder that a tough season does not define your calling—or your future. You'll be encouraged to: Recognize the courage and grit you already possess Reflect on how far you've come (even if it doesn't feel like enough) Reconnect with your "why" and what's truly at stake Stop despising small beginnings and play the long game Embrace rest as a necessary part of sustainable growth If you're feeling worn down, discouraged, or questioning your next step, this episode will remind you why you started—and why quitting now may cost you the very freedom you're working toward. Make the next 90 days count. Apply to UNCAGED UNIVERSITY and receive the roadmap, plus optional 1:1 support by clicking the link below. Book your APPLICATION CALL: https://uncagedclinician.com/schedule Explore our programs and other offerings at uncagedclinician.com Tune in, get encouraged, and remember: don't quit—you may be closer than you think.  

While regret anchors you to past failures, reflection acts as a catalyst for future sales growth. This article and Sales Gravy Money Monday Podcast episode explores how to break the "if-only" loop and provides a step-by-step year-end debrief to help you extract lessons from your wins and losses, ensuring you start the new year with clarity and a proven system for success.   Explore: How to get out of your regret loop The power of reflection How reflection creates awareness A system for achieving your sales goals 7 Steps to year-end sales reflection Ways to Look Back at Your Sales Year For me, the last two weeks of the year have always been the chance to pause, take a break from the grind of selling, and really think about what happened over the past year—the good, the bad, and the ugly. If you are anything like me and do the same, there are two ways to look back on your last twelve months. You can do so with regret or reflection. These two opposing lenses are vastly different in the way they affect your view of where you've been and where you are going. The Trouble With Regret Let's start by unpacking regret. Some of you are already feeling regret about goals you missed, deals you lost, opportunities that slipped through your fingers, or the people in your life you may have let down. Regret is that feeling you get when you look back on something you did (or didn't do) and wish you could change it. In many ways, regret is similar to worry, except it's focused on the past instead of the future. Worry is about what might happen; regret is about what already happened. That's a big distinction. Although you can turn worry into action and change the future, you cannot rewrite the past. No amount of regret changes history. All it does is create a feedback loop in your mind where you keep reliving your mistakes, misses, and failures over and over again. Why Sales Professionals Get Stuck in a Regret Loop I've observed so many people get stuck in this endless loop of regret. They keep lamenting, "If only I had . . ." "made that call.” “handled that prospect differently.” “taken that chance.” “been there or done that.” Those “if onlys” can paralyze you. They sap your energy, crush your confidence, and keep you from moving forward. On one hand, regret can push you to change—you don't want to feel that kind of pain again, so you work hard to avoid repeating the same mistakes. On the other hand, regret can become a debilitating emotion that drags you into an exhausting and useless mental loop of “would've, could've, should've.” But no matter how many times you complete that loop, it doesn't change the outcome. It becomes an emotional anchor that weighs you down as you start the new year. The Power of Reflection Reflection, on the other hand, is entirely different—and far more productive. When you reflect, you detach from your emotions with objectivity to look at your entire body of work from the past year. You're asking the questions, “What went well? What didn't go so well? What did I learn?” You consider the wins that made you proud and the moments you'd rather forget. You figure out why you won so you can repeat those winning behaviors. You extract value from the lessons of failure. Reflection isn't about punishing yourself for what went wrong. It's about gaining clarity on why it went wrong—and what you can do about it next time. How Reflection Creates Awareness Reflection also helps you find gratitude in unexpected places. Maybe there's a hidden lesson in overcoming an obstacle, or perhaps you gained a new perspective because a challenging person came into your life. It's important to realize that each decision you made over the past year shaped your present circumstances. But you are not defined by these circumstances, only by how you respond to them. Reflection creates awareness. Where there is awareness, there is the potential for change. Awareness is like the sun; anything it touches has a tendency to transform. The bottom line is that reflection is about learning, growing, and transforming. Regret is stagnation. Why Reflection Matters at Year-End The reason I'm talking about the impact of reflection as we close out this year is because, for most of us, the slate really does feel clean come January 1st. In the sales world, we get a brand-new quota and brand-new targets. There's an air of possibility as we think: “This year is going to be different. “This year, I'm going to crush my numbers.” “Hit my income targets.” “Make it to President's club.” “Get a promotion.” “Finally, close that dream account I've been chasing.” But if you don't take a moment to reflect on what worked and what didn't, you're likely to find yourself repeating the same missteps. Reflection is like an internal debrief—a chance to say, “Here's what happened, here's why, and here's how I'm going to fix it.” Why Clarity Arises From Reflection Let me give you a personal example. A the beginning of last year, I set a goal for my sales training company, Sales Gravy. This was a big, bold, visionary goal that would transform our organization and ultimately double our sales. I proudly and confidently told my team that it was going to happen. And then, in an embarrassing crash and burn, I failed miserably. Certainly, I could have stewed in regret, beating myself up and allowing my self-talk to run wild about how I fell short. But that would have been a waste of time and energy. Instead, I chose reflection. I asked myself, “What happened and why didn't I achieve this goal?” As I mulled over those questions, the answers came more clearly than I expected. One of the biggest insights I gained was that I'd set this big goal, but didn't establish a system or plan to make it happen. You see, a goal without a system is basically just a wish—as they say, “hope is not a strategy.” Build a System that Supports Your Goals If, for example, you set a goal to prospect a hundred potential customers per week, but you haven't built a disciplined daily routine, built targeted lists, set aside specific times for calls, and created accountability checkpoints, it's not going to stick. Life will get in the way. Sooner or later, your big, bold goal gets overshadowed by a million other tasks. Without a system for achieving the goal, you quickly succumb to discipline fatigue. This is exactly why reflection can be your best friend at year's end. It allows you to own your failures without letting them define you, and it helps you leverage your successes by pinpointing what you did right. Regret says: “You messed up. You'll never fix this. It's too late.” Reflection says: “You messed up. Now let's find out why, learn from it, and do better next time.” How to Conduct a Year-End Sales Reflection To turn past performance into future growth, follow this 7-step systematic reflection process: Seek Silence: Carve out 30 minutes in a quiet environment without digital distractions to ensure deep focus. Audit the Timeline: Mentally journey through the year, month-by-month, starting from January, to recall specific goals and market conditions. Celebrate Wins: Identify specific deals and relationships that succeeded. Recognize the personal milestones that boosted your confidence. Isolate Winning Behaviors: Determine the exact habits and mindsets that led to your successes so you can turn them into repeatable systems. Analyze Failures Objectively: Pinpoint the goals that stayed out of reach. Ask "Why?" to uncover the root cause of the miss without self-judgment. Build Systems, Not Just Goals: Replace "hope-based" strategies with disciplined routines, targeted lists, and accountability checkpoints. Practice Gratitude: Identify the "silver linings" and lessons learned from challenges to maintain an optimistic outlook for the new sales season. Here's the big takeaway: Regret is the enemy of progress; Reflection is the catalyst for growth. Get your New Year off to a winning start with Jeb Blount's popular on-demand course: The Essentials of Setting Winning Goals