Podcasts about Reconnected

Danny and George are back after a brief summer break

What if better management starts with seeing connections that were there all along? In this conversation, Balaji Reddie and Andrew Stotz unpack one of the most powerful and overlooked ideas in management: that everything is connected. Drawing on Dr. W. Edwards Deming's systems thinking, he explains why the problems we face today were set in motion long before we noticed them, and why the solutions are rarely where we think to look.    Along the way, a cup of coffee becomes a window into five years of invisible effort, hydrogen and oxygen defy everything we'd expect, and a classroom game reveals that cooperation isn't a soft ideal — it might just be human nature. Whether you run a team of two or a global organization, this episode will quietly shift the way you read a situation, ask a question, or respond to a problem. TRANSCRIPT 0:00:02.2 Andrew Stotz: My name is Andrew Stotz, and I'll be your host as we dive deeper into the teachings of Dr. W. Edwards Deming. Today, I'm continuing my discussions with Balaji Reddie, an educator and trainer in the teachings of Dr. Deming and quality management generally. The topic for today is connectedness, which will help you see things you normally would not see. Balaji, how are you?   0:00:30.7 Balaji Reddie: I'm good, I'm fine.   0:00:32.5 Andrew Stotz: Nice to connect with you.   0:00:34.1 Balaji Reddie: Yes, same here.   0:00:35.3 Andrew Stotz: Connectedness day.   0:00:36.5 Balaji Reddie: Yeah, connectedness, absolutely. Yeah, we chose this term very carefully, right?   0:00:42.6 Andrew Stotz: I suspect you have, given your precision.   [laughter]   0:00:47.4 Balaji Reddie: Yeah, to see things that you normally would not see, let me attribute this to Henry Neave, who said that he heard Deming say this during his last three or four seminars in England, right? In Britain rather. Yeah, I think it was mostly in England. And he said, when he heard him say that, he said, "I am not here to teach you anything new. I'm here to make you see things that you normally would not see." And I would like to just expand on that and say when you see things differently, obviously, you observe, you record different things. And when you record different things, you ask different questions. When you ask different questions, you get different answers. And when you get different answers, you draw different conclusions. When you draw different conclusions, you take different decisions. And when you take different decisions, you get different results. It's insanity to expect different results by asking the same questions every single time. So management is not so much about giving the right answers as much as it is about asking the correct questions. And I think Dr. Deming helps you do that. He helps you ask the correct questions.   0:02:02.2 Balaji Reddie: Now coming to the word connectedness. We spoke about the System of Profound Knowledge, a unified theory of leadership and management, where Dr. Deming brings together four sciences. And the first one he says about systems thinking, or what he called as appreciation for a system, appreciation for a fact that everything is systemic. There's nothing that happens in isolation, right? And the second one, of course, he said was understanding variation, then understanding theory of knowledge and understanding psychology. But he said, all four are equally important, et cetera. And then comes the, I won't say contradictory, but a chapter before Profound Knowledge on systems especially. So that's where I decided to use the word connectedness, that all these are connected. What did he mean by that? So I believe he wanted people to learn about connectedness and systems first.   0:03:01.6 Balaji Reddie: So let's dive right there. What did he always say about systems, or connectedness as we say here? And let's get into his definition for system. And he says that "a system is a network," right, "of interdependent components that work together to achieve the aim of the system." And then he says "every system must have an aim. Without an aim, there is no system." And very well articulated throughout this book which he wrote, he always began with aim of the chapter. Even in Out of the Crisis, he always started with aim of a chapter. So network of interdependent components. So let's just break it down, because the three important words are network, interdependent, and aim. And he says aim comes first because without the aim, there is no system.   0:04:00.6 Balaji Reddie: Right. And he goes on to tell us what the aim of a system should be. Okay. He says here that the recommended aim should be for everybody to gain. Now, in one of the paragraphs there, management's job, where he says should be to make it clear, the first step is clarification. Everyone in the organization must understand the aim and how to direct their efforts towards the aim, right? And everyone must understand, okay, this is important. The danger and loss to the whole organization from a team that seeks to become a selfish, independent profit center. Right. So he says here we need to give both, why we need to do what we need to do. And he says the aim precedes the system. Now, I would like to leave this discussion right here. We will cover this in our 14 Points, our session on the 14 Points, because I believe the word aim and purpose are, they go hand in hand. Aim gives us a direction and purpose gives us the reason why we exist, right? And so the direction of all the efforts, you can see the development. He says here, he gives some examples that the system must create something of value. In other words, results. The intended results along with consideration of recipients and of cost mold the aim of the system. So he said it should be something that makes life better for everyone.   0:05:39.8 Balaji Reddie: Now, he was talking about a man-made system here. Remember, he wrote this for organizations, but I think I mentioned this before that this can equally be applied to natural systems, if you want to really study them in detail. I remember talking to Barbara Lawton about this, and I said, "Natural systems, they do have an aim. It's just that we've not understood it." The purpose and aim of, in fact, that was the basis for my paper, which I delivered at the Deming Research Seminar in 2002. And the title of my paper was Deming and Ecology. And I was trying to put together the thoughts of the physicist Fritjof Capra, who wrote some wonderful books like The Tao of Physics, The Turning Point, The Web of Life, and The Hidden Connections. And The Systems View of Life is also one of the sub-books or booklets that he came out with. But these were his wonderful books. At the time, he had not yet written The Hidden Connections, right? So based on his three books that I had read up until then, of course, one was called Uncommon Wisdom, where he reproduced some of the interviews he had with some systems thinkers in the world, including people not from conventional systems thinking. For example, he also reproduced his interaction with the then Prime Minister or the ex-Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, and how he spent time with her, because he was over here in India for quite some time studying the language Sanskrit and studying the texts over here, because he learned about systems thinking even deeper.   0:07:25.1 Balaji Reddie: So over there, he wanted to, he raised a question, what is the purpose? So I wanted to use Dr. Deming's theories to understand the purpose of a natural system and what is the purpose of man [laughter] in this natural system. So that was my theory. And that's when this aim thing became more and more clear. And Barbara said, "No, you're right. There is an aim. It's just that we're trying to understand it. Without that, you won't have the system working so beautifully. There is something that is at work." Right. And he says here, management of a system. And then he says that a system includes the future. And now here's where, when you talk about system includes the future, he mentions Peter Senge in his book, if you know about The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization. And that's where this fantastic statement comes in because he says delayed effects. So although, Deming never used these words directly, but here I am putting among the first principles of systems thinking is that cause and effect are not closely related in time or space. Right. And that gives a lot of frightening conclusions, or inferences that you can draw from this. If I say that, by the way, that cause and effect are not closely related in time or space, and if I ask you what you understand by this statement, your first knee-jerk reaction would be what I do today, the consequences would be felt in another time at another place. Absolutely right. That's exactly what this means. But the converse is also true. What we get to see in front of our eyes, the origins are at another time and another place.   0:09:15.9 Balaji Reddie: So we only see the event, but systems thinking teaches us there are no events in this world. There are only eventualities. Now, this comes into play when you start doing a study, typically when people learn about quality, and then the first thing they learn is to, okay, identify a problem and try to solve it, right? And then they start asking the question, "Why did this happen?" And then you draw a fishbone diagram, which is, you know, one of the most popular tools. But the problem there is you need to arrange the causes logically and not categorically. And you also need to take into account that these causes are also related to each other. You can't isolate them. And the fact that, there could be an element of time over here, right, that this is a delayed effect that you're seeing. So the effect comes much later. And sometimes it could be weeks and months. So you have to take that into account, right? So the cause and effect are not true, which means then the next corollary from this statement is that seemingly disconnected events turn out to be connected. And so when you are studying something that's happening in front of your eyes, very quickly you ask the question, "What else happened a month ago, a week ago, that we seem to have missed? Are we missing something here?" So that's one of those things that we need to get into, right? We need to go backwards in time and not look at the localized stuff here. We need to look in space all around and try to figure out where and how we need to change things.   0:11:06.1 Andrew Stotz: It's also interesting to think about all the things that have to have happened for an outcome to occur today the way you want it, that is the right outcome.   0:11:19.8 Balaji Reddie: Yes.   0:11:21.4 Andrew Stotz: And a good example I use for that, and I was just talking two different times this week with my team, is coffee. Coffee is a really interesting one, because when you go to a coffee shop, they make you a cup of coffee, they give you a cup of coffee, but what you don't realize is that there was a farmer, took him five years to grow that tree. And then they had to pick it at the right time. You pick it at the wrong time, it goes wrong.   0:11:47.4 Balaji Reddie: Oh, yeah.   0:11:48.3 Andrew Stotz: They put it into some water. They leave it in too long, it's fermented. They leave it in too short, it doesn't, the shell doesn't come off. And then if they, once they've worked on it, if they have their grinders that are getting off the mucilage off of it, if they're too tight, well, then you're going to get a little slice off the top of the bean. And then when that goes to the roasting machine, that's going to burn right there because there's no protection in that area. But they got to get all of those things right all the way to that barista. And if that barista just basically doesn't check the water temperature, it's done.   0:12:29.5 Balaji Reddie: It's done. [laughter]   0:12:29.9 Andrew Stotz: You throw it away. And when you think about it, I have another lesson that I give to young people about capitalism, that how all of these decisions are happening all along the way. And when that happens, there's waste in the system. And that waste goes back all the way back to the effort of the farmer five years ago when they planted that tree.   0:12:51.8 Balaji Reddie: That's right.   0:12:52.3 Andrew Stotz: And so reducing waste is not only good for you and good for costs in general, but it has a respect for the process, a respect for the system.   0:13:04.0 Balaji Reddie: Yes. Connectedness. Reconnected. [laughter]   0:13:07.6 Andrew Stotz: Well, and the other thing I tell them is I say, and here you have a coffee bean coming from this country that's then being shipped to this country. They never met.   0:13:16.8 Balaji Reddie: Yeah.   0:13:17.1 Andrew Stotz: And that's capitalism. You trade. In fact, they may not speak the same language.   0:13:23.1 Balaji Reddie: Absolutely.   0:13:23.5 Andrew Stotz: Or they may even be enemies. They may hate each other.   0:13:26.9 Balaji Reddie: Yeah.   0:13:27.4 Andrew Stotz: And yet they trade.   0:13:29.5 Balaji Reddie: Yeah.   0:13:31.1 Andrew Stotz: And so it's a voluntary connectedness that happens through capitalism. Anyways.   0:13:37.2 Balaji Reddie: Yeah. The right quality and uniformity are foundations for commerce, prosperity, and peace. [laughter] That's Deming for you.   0:13:46.1 Andrew Stotz: Yeah.   0:13:46.3 Balaji Reddie: I think he chose that sentence so beautifully. It goes into the Deming Medal. He knew what he was talking about. So he was talking about systems, and I think profound knowledge came towards the end of his life, and rightly so. It came as a revelation, as a catharsis. I think he went through all of that, especially, I think it was between '88 and '89, if I'm not mistaken. Jaki Graham talks about this very, very funnily. She says that they were giving him pure oxygen and maybe that made his brain cells go alive. [laughter] And he could think so clearly. He was getting pure oxygen. And so his thought process...   0:14:31.0 Andrew Stotz: By the way, for the listeners out there, you may feel like I feel when I think about how Dr. Deming didn't really come out with the System of Profound Knowledge until he was, early '90s, let's say, '90s. You think to yourself, okay, I still have time to come up with my incredible insight on...   0:14:52.4 Balaji Reddie: Correct.   0:14:52.9 Andrew Stotz: Bringing together all my experience.   0:14:55.1 Balaji Reddie: Yeah. So because I think I shared this with you before that when you read Mary Walton's book and he says, "No, I don't think I'm ready to establish an institute," and he only did it one month before he passed. So I think by that time he was quite sure what he created was quite amazing, and it'll stand the test of time, right? And although, the title of the book is The New Economics for Industry, Government, Education, I believe it is industry, government, education, and healthcare. Because when he was in Japan, he said Japan must see itself as a system. And when he got the Deming Medal, that's what he said. Oh, sorry, when he got the Emperor's Medal, the Second Order of the Sacred Treasure. And he was talking to the Japanese Prime Minister. And he said, "You all must see yourselves as a system." And the four sectors of industry, government, education, and healthcare must work together. So he meant it as in the broadest sense of the term, right? And that's why this word system. So the first thing, of course, cause and effect are not closely related. Seemingly disconnected events turn out to be connected. The third important thing here in systems thinking is the reductionist thinking that we have.   0:16:12.0 Balaji Reddie: We believe the word analysis means dissection. And if you look deeply and read the book Mind and the World Order, what is the purpose of analysis? The purpose of analysis is not dissection. That's just the act of breaking a system down. But the purpose of analysis is interrelationships, establishing the interrelationships or understanding the connectedness. And I find it quite funny because people say analysis is dissection, and so they came up with a new term, really not necessary, synthesis, bringing it all together. There was no need for that term. You're not engaging in what, tautology? [laughter] You didn't need that. Analysis itself means dissecting and understanding relationships, right?   0:17:02.2 Andrew Stotz: Hmm.   0:17:03.3 Balaji Reddie: And so he said here, we have that reductionist thinking, but we forget that in a system, you have what are called synergistic relationships. You cannot understand a system by breaking it down into its components and studying the components separately and then believing that the components and their attributes and what they do gives the output of what we see. No, you could be completely wrong here. It's not what they do separately. Okay, it's a good thing to understand the components of a system and study them and maybe even establish connectedness, but sometimes what the results you see are quite contrary to what they could be giving separately. I'll give you an example here. Take the case of water. Water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen. You cannot study and draw conclusions about water by studying the attributes of hydrogen and oxygen separately. You'd be making a mistake, a grave error. Okay, let's do that. Hydrogen, a highly inflammable gas, catches fire like this. Oxygen feeds fire. But you put them together and they give you something that quenches fire. Hydrogen is not wet. Oxygen is not wet. But water is wet. [laughter] How do you explain this?   0:18:25.9 Balaji Reddie: All right. If you take the case of sugar, it's a hydrocarbon. Try tasting hydrogen. All right, try tasting carbon. Now put them together and see what you get. Now, can it not be then that you are studying a system and when you break things down and you're studying the components separately, you could be making the same error? It's not what they do separately, it's what they do together. It's the same with sections in a company, departments in a company, companies themselves. Today, we use this sophisticated term, supply chain, call it what you will. I love to use the word provider network. I don't like using the word supplier any longer. I like to use the word provider, because today we're living in a different world. We're getting activities done by someone else, and you can't say he's supplying me this activity. He's providing me this service, right? So provider is a better term to use than supplier. And it's no longer a chain. It's a network, right? It's more lateral. It's all over the place. It's not linear. You're doing a huge disservice by using the term supply chain, because it's not bringing out what exactly is happening right there.   0:19:38.3 Balaji Reddie: And today's supply chains or provider networks are globally dispersed. So you need to have something that connects them. You just said that, the farmer could be in a different country, speaking a different language, maybe he didn't even know where it is being used, and they could hate each other, but they have to work, [laughter] you need to work together. So there's some kind of connectedness that comes in once again. But here's where people make mistakes. So you're talking about synergistic relationships. So sometimes in a team, now here's where all that incentive pay and choosing employee of the month can destroy a system.   0:20:18.8 Balaji Reddie: It could have been the entire team that did well, and they did well because they worked as a team. And it was synergistic, where some components had to, I can't use the right word, but maybe had to underperform so that the system came out ahead. It's like the organs of the human body, right? That's an interconnected, interdependent system. You have a primary function of each of the organs, but there are many other functions we are still discovering, right? For example, if you take the case of ears, besides hearing, they're responsible for balance in our body, right? Eyes, besides sight, they are also responsible for balance in our body. If you try this yoga position, you know, there's a yoga, so to say, yeah, you stand on one leg. And then you lift one leg off the ground and put the ball of your heel on the knee, the other leg's knee. And then you hold your hands above your head to form like a namaste or a triangle. As long as your eyes are open, you stand upright. Shut your eyes, you fall. It's a system and we don't even realize it, right? So this is something we're still...   0:21:38.3 Andrew Stotz: You also fall in that posture when your teacher says, as mine did once, "Now you're in the position. Now raise your other leg."   [laughter]   0:21:54.5 Andrew Stotz: My yoga teacher didn't come yesterday, but I did my sessions every day. But I haven't been able to do that one yet.   0:22:03.6 Balaji Reddie: We had that joke in school. Why does the crane stand on one leg? [laughter] 'Cause if it raised the other leg, it'd fall. [laughter] So it continues standing on one leg. So yes. So you have the synergistic relationships which exist, all right? And it's so difficult then to establish these interrelationships. And sometimes they're visible, sometimes they're not, all right? And sometimes you get to see the results right up front. Sometimes you get to see them in time delay. And that is why Deming said continual improvement. It never stops. Continual learning. You can never say you have complete knowledge of a process or a system. You can never say that, right? And now comes the best part. When you say here that all these are interconnected and there's synergy and then there's cause and effect not closely related in time and space, the output of a system, that is why, is subject to variation. And that's why the study of variation becomes important, right?   0:23:16.2 Balaji Reddie: And when you draw a diagram saying, suppose you say this is a system and all the components are there and you draw the interconnectedness and you draw an arrow and you say, "Okay, you're getting the system is subject to variation," right? Can you with absolute certainty say that because here, because the funny thing is each of the component's performance is also subject to variation, right? So can you say that, this combination gave me this output? You can never say that. You can only say it's probable, might be somewhere here. And so I think Walter Shewhart's greatness was in recognizing that what is natural to a system and what is not natural. When do you start asking the question, "What do I know about this?" When you cannot predict. When you can predict with a certain amount of certainty that this is going to happen.   0:24:14.6 Balaji Reddie: It is between these two limits. Well, then that's when you say, "Okay, I think I know quite a bit about this, but I don't know much. I want to reduce those limits, because I want to be as certain as possible when I make a prediction." And that was what was continual learning. It was not so much about cost. It was as much as it had to do about understanding and predicting. I know what's going to happen next. To a certain extent, this will happen. This will happen, right? And that's where the understanding of variation comes in. Okay, and then he brought in the third, that in variation, you saw that there were what he called as random variation and assignable variation, or what Deming had common and special cause variation. Common causes belong to the system and special causes are alien to the system under study, right? And so say it's easier to identify the special causes because they tell you something is not right. And so you can say, "I know it happened." You can isolate and say, "This is the cause," right? It makes it easier for you then to isolate that, study it, but...   0:25:30.1 Andrew Stotz: I just had that happen this morning.   0:25:32.4 Balaji Reddie: Okay.   0:25:33.7 Andrew Stotz: I'll give you an example.   0:25:35.2 Balaji Reddie: Yeah, sure.   0:25:36.0 Andrew Stotz: I've been working with my accounting team and what we're trying to do is make sure we have on-time and accurate monthly financial statements. And I've chosen those words very, very carefully. And what I've done with the team is ask them, there's no pressure in this. All I'm asking you to do is pick a day that you think we will be able to have on-time and accurate monthly financial statements. And then they pick their days for each month to the end of the year, which pretty much certainty accounting is a repeating of a similar function. And so then as I was talking with them throughout that day, I said, "Why are these boxes piled up around here?" And they said, "Well, the room that we store them in is getting full." The paper, 'cause you have a regulation in Thailand, you have to have your accounting documents for up to six or eight years on premises in case the revenue department comes. So I said, "Well, show me that room." And we went to the room and it was an absolute mess. It's like people have been dumping boxes and papers in there for five years.   0:26:51.6 Balaji Reddie: Wow.   0:26:52.6 Andrew Stotz: And I said, "Okay. You got to clean up this room this month." They're like, "Ah, it's going to take us two months." I said, "Look, this is critical." And they agreed. And so they have now completed that task, but it consumed so much of their time to do that. And it looks beautiful now. But they're two days late on the on-time and accurate monthly financials. And if we were to look at that on a control chart, we would see that it's a big deviation from what they've been able to do. But that special cause is almost meaningless, just as meaningless as the random variation in the sense that this was just a simple situation where there was a trade-off, they made the trade-off, and it's an acceptable trade-off.   0:27:43.1 Balaji Reddie: Yeah, I'd like to put it this way. When you know why it has happened, it's not that harmful, right? As long as you can predict when we do something. It's the unpredictability that makes a special cause harmful. And that's why when I used the term that Deming's thinking was about reducing or eliminating harmful variation, that is things which get out of your hand and you usually don't know why it's happening. So once you get to know, I believe that this could be connected, yeah, that's a good place to start, right?   0:28:15.7 Andrew Stotz: Yeah. Now, someone that doesn't understand the situation and look back over time may not understand what that cause was, which I'm thinking that I want to develop kind of a note-taking system where we actually write down what was that so that we have a record and an understanding of it. But...   0:28:37.1 Balaji Reddie: Yeah. And so when you say here that there's so many, that complete knowledge is not possible, and that's where you start thinking that was Deming being a pessimist to say complete knowledge is not possible, unknown and unknowable. But no, he was just being realistic. But he did not leave us right there. He said the way you can make the unknown as known as possible is through the theory of knowledge. And that's how the whole thing is. It's beautifully done, what the theory of knowledge is. But he says here, very simply, one of those exercises which you see in the new edition of The New Economics on page 58. But if you go to the old edition, right? That's, I believe, on... Where would that be? Page 84. The example he gives there, effect, the plans and their effect, area A, B, and C, the matrix diagram, if you see that?   0:29:50.0 Andrew Stotz: Yeah.   0:29:50.5 Balaji Reddie: That he says was devised by Henry. And then, of course, he picked on that and put it into his book. I got a chance to actually work on this in the form of a game. And the game, I would break up the audience into four or five groups of five people each and then say, "You're department A, department B, department C," and then have a host of projects lined up for them. And I say, "Now you're going to be ranked and rated based on how you do as a department." And so they would choose those projects where only they were benefiting, right? And obviously, that's what you see in the first table. A chooses three projects, and B chooses two projects, and C chooses three projects. And you see the plus signs there indicating that it's for them, for them alone. And then they are exposed to the fact that, wait a minute, now we're going to give you some extra information. You chose these projects because they were good for you, but now we're going to tell you that these were bad for the others, right? And only one of them was good.   0:30:59.9 Balaji Reddie: And I say, "Okay, now here's this extra information you've been given. Now what are you going to do?" All right. And I said, "I'm giving you five minutes to... Because the company is going to do badly, right? And even though you get a good rating, but the company does badly and eventually the company might have to shut down. So what would you want to do now? I'm giving you five minutes to rectify this." You know, Andrew, not even five minutes was necessary. They would come back within two or three minutes and say, "Let's just choose those projects where everyone gains." And I was surprised the first time that happened. And that's why Deming said cooperation is the key and it is natural. It's just that we have brought in this competition thing. So competition is not natural. He says cooperation is natural. [laughter]   0:31:53.9 Andrew Stotz: And that, in Asia, and I can speak to Thailand, what I like to tell people here in Thailand for managers and people running business is that the core strength of Thai people is that they want to work together. So when you break them up and you put them into groups and then you incentivize them either by group or by individual, you destroy one of their core strengths.   0:32:28.7 Balaji Reddie: Right.   0:32:29.1 Andrew Stotz: That's not a core strength of American. A lot of Americans don't want to work together. They just want to do their own thing. Right? They've been trained to be independent and they don't want that hassle. But in Asia, particularly in Thailand, where we're struggling to bring more and more value, what's happened is the KPI mentality of divide and conquer really is damaging. And it brings me to another point or question that I wanted to mention, and that is about the natural... My mom has a saying, and it's "inch by inch, it's a cinch, yard by yard, it's hard." And what she was telling me was to break things down into manageable parts and then work on the next right part, and then you will start to make progress. And we have studied under Adam Smith and the concept of how division of labor brings value, can increase output. And so there's a whole side of things. And then we're incentivized as individuals, particularly in the West, but let's say generally that, if it's to be, it's going to be up to you and you got to make yourself performance and your department's performance. I don't care about the others. I care about what you're doing with yours.   0:32:54.6 Andrew Stotz: So there's an accountability aspect and it all comes together to give people the perception that, hey, I need to break this down into smaller parts. And so there's just this natural inclination to do that. And if you were to say to people, you can't break it down into individual parts, that also doesn't work. You have to be able to understand the different parts and their interconnectedness, going back to what you're saying.   0:34:26.8 Balaji Reddie: Yes.   0:34:27.1 Andrew Stotz: But there's a lot of different things that I'm saying here. But I think the thing that I'm saying is that the pressure on most people is to divide and conquer, to say, "I'm going to go and look at this department and you and your performance." And what Deming was saying was, you've got to look wider than that if you're really going to be successful. Tell me where I'm right or wrong or give me some guidance.   0:34:53.5 Balaji Reddie: Yeah. I mean, that's exactly how it is. And I just told you that when I saw this happen, it was like an eye-opener. And then what happened after that was, okay, there were some other projects which where we were not going to do well, but the company's going to come out ahead. So why don't we choose those? And that's exactly what you see in the table, that they choose certain projects where they themselves are... Now that's real optimization, right? That's getting the best for everyone.   0:35:23.4 Andrew Stotz: Yeah.   0:35:24.8 Balaji Reddie: And today it's become an overused and abused term. For anything they use the word optimize. I think Deming was way very clear about this 30 years ago when he came up with this idea. And he said it's for everybody to gain. It's not compromise, it's optimization. Right? So I, of course, have a different take on optimize and we'll see that next week when we come into four parts of profound knowledge. So I'd like to end here with talking about cooperation is the key and I think we realized why.   0:35:59.1 Andrew Stotz: Okay.   0:35:59.8 Balaji Reddie: Deming says it's not about each other, it's win-win. The system should... And he gives that lovely example in the same chapter, the last example, where he talks about the truck company, the two truckers who used to keep their establishment open. Alternately overnight so that both could gain and they would use each other's resources. He said, "I was surprised when I called the pickup truck and I saw that the truck was from his competitor. He sent his competitor's truck to pick up my car." That was a classic case of cooperation. So since he ends with that, he ends that chapter, I'd like to also speak about that. Cooperation is the key because we are dealing with something very complex, right? And none of us is as strong as all of us. It's not just about, like you said, because cause and effect are not closely related, it is imperative now that we need to work together. So that was with systems thinking. Cause and effect are not closely related. There exist synergistic relationships. Seemingly disconnected events turn out to be connected. And outputs are the result of a myriad of inputs. You can never say you know everything. So that was systems thinking for you as they apply to the elements of profound knowledge as well.   0:37:33.3 Andrew Stotz: Great.   0:37:33.7 Balaji Reddie: Next week, we'll get into profound knowledge.   0:37:37.1 Andrew Stotz: You know, I think my ending thought on this goes back to the concept of meditation.   0:37:45.4 Balaji Reddie: Okay.   0:37:45.9 Andrew Stotz: Concept of insight meditation or Vipassana or...   0:37:52.6 Balaji Reddie: Vipassana.   0:37:53.7 Andrew Stotz: Yeah. So part of what I understand about meditation is the idea of clearing our mind in this moment. It may also be just observing our mind and just observing all that's happening and going on, which is fine. And let's say that a meditation master may be able to clear their mind. But let's just say that what we're trying to do is come down to this instant, this moment. And I remember during COVID when a lot of pressures were on in my business and stuff, I used to meditate and focus on one saying, which is, "I'm okay right now at this moment."   0:38:36.7 Balaji Reddie: Right.   0:38:37.1 Andrew Stotz: And why this is interesting is because let's say this moment is time zero. What you've just explained is that there's about 50 million things before time zero that have been connected in one way or another that got you to time zero.   0:38:55.1 Balaji Reddie: Yes.   0:38:55.3 Andrew Stotz: And you also said that a system, as Deming said, is a system includes the future.   0:39:00.2 Balaji Reddie: Future.   0:39:01.2 Andrew Stotz: And that's going to be a function of all the different things that happen after time zero, the interconnected things. And it just made me realize, ah, so the value of meditation, I can see it even more now when I think about all the connections on both the future side and the past side. And so it just helped me think about it from that perspective, a little bit different, but anyways.   0:39:23.4 Balaji Reddie: Yep.   0:39:24.9 Andrew Stotz: So I just want to thank you for taking the time. And in fact, what I was thinking is that I need to do more interviews with our advisors and other board members of the Institute, including yourself, because they've all got a lot to say. And I've got some discussions going on with that right now. So I'm looking forward to that. And so I appreciate the discussion and the journey that you're taking us on. And just for the listeners out there, remember to go to deming.org and jump into DemingNEXT to continue your journey.   0:40:03.8 Balaji Reddie: Yes, absolutely.   0:40:05.3 Andrew Stotz: There's so much, so much to learn and explore. So I'm going to wrap it up there. This is your host, Andrew Stotz, and I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes from Dr. Deming, and that is, "People are entitled," that includes you...   0:40:21.7 Balaji Reddie: Yes.   0:40:22.4 Andrew Stotz: Are entitled to joy in work.

This episode is one from the archives where I'm joined by Emma and Eleanor, founders of The Reconnected, to explore one of the most overlooked aspects of healing: the nervous system.This conversation was recorded when What Heals was Raw Health Rebel Podcast, but in many ways it feels even more relevant now.We talk about parenting, trauma, breathwork, connected play and why so many of us spend years trying to heal our children whilst completely neglecting ourselves.Emma and Eleanor share how they came to this work, why they believe the parent's nervous system is central to the wellbeing of the whole family, and how healing ourselves can create profound shifts in those around us.We also explore why parenting can be so triggering, what our children may be reflecting back to us, and how conscious connection can transform family relationships.This is not about becoming a perfect parent. It is about understanding that healing is relational, that our bodies remember more than we consciously realise, and that there are simple, powerful ways to reconnect with ourselves and our children.If you've ever felt burnt out, overwhelmed by parenting, curious about nervous system healing, or wondered why your child seems to trigger every unresolved part of you, this is a conversation worth listening to.Key takeawaysWhy the parent's nervous system matters so muchHow breathwork can support emotional healing and regulationThe difference between intellectual understanding and nervous system healingWhy parenting can be one of life's greatest catalysts for growthHow our bodies hold experiences, even when we can't consciously remember themWhy healing ourselves often creates change in our childrenThe importance of co-regulation within familiesHow connected play can deepen understanding between parent and childWe also talk aboutConscious parenting and family healingStrong-willed and sensitive childrenWhy modern parenting can feel so overwhelmingThe limitations of talk therapy for some peopleStored stress, trauma and the nervous systemHow children communicate through playWhy children need to feel truly seenThe connection between parenting, self-awareness and healingHow community supports nervous system healingResources mentionedThe Reconnectedhttps://www.thereconnected.com/The Reconnected on InstagramSend us Fan MailJoin Lisa's new global homeopathy community, The Atrium, here. Monthly live teaching with world-class homeopaths, curated by Lisa Strbac, plus courses, conversation and resources to support ongoing study.Enrolment for the 2027 PIHAP Cohort is now open! Places are strictly limited and 2026 sold out early. To learn more click and secure your spot click here.

Jay talked to some old friends for the first time in forever!

A timeless EPCOT icon becomes the center of a modern debate about how communication continues to evolve in the age of AI. This week, Stephen reimagines the final act of Spaceship Earth, restoring its physical storytelling roots while introducing a new interactive layer that reflects how technology is reshaping human connection in real time.The result is a grounded, thoughtful update that stays true to the attraction's core thesis: bringing people closer together across distance, language, and time. From classic communication scenes to a carefully constrained AI-driven personalization system, the pitch explores what it means for Disney storytelling to remain human in an increasingly automated world.Plus, Brett of Ride Creator joins the Idiots live to pitch Mission to Mars…Needs Moms!, a chaotic crossover that combines the infamous Disney film with the classic Tomorrowland attraction in a way that somehow makes perfect sense. Don't forget to check us out on Instagram!

This is a Grave Talks CLASSIC EPISODE! PART TWOChildhood friends Eric Paquette and Charles Caron grew up exploring the world side by side—riding bikes, sharing stories, and building a bond that felt unbreakable. But as life often does, it pulled them in different directions. Years later, after each endured the profound loss of loved ones, they found themselves searching for something more—something beyond what could be seen or explained.Grief became the catalyst that brought them back together. Reunited by their shared curiosity about what lies beyond death, Eric and Charles stepped into the world of paranormal investigation. What began as a personal quest for answers soon evolved into something much deeper—an exploration of spirits, energy, and the possibility that death is not the end.Their journey into the unexplained would challenge their beliefs, test their courage, and change their lives forever.Are the dead truly gone—or are they waiting for us to listen?#TheGraveTalks #ParanormalPodcast #GhostStories #ParanormalInvestigation #LifeAfterDeath #HauntedEncounters #SupernaturalJourney #ParanormalResearchers #SpiritCommunication #GriefAndTheAfterlife #UnexplainedMysteries #GhostHuntersLove real ghost stories? Want even more?Become a supporter and unlock exclusive extras, ad-free episodes, and advanced access:

This is a Grave Talks CLASSIC EPISODE!Childhood friends Eric Paquette and Charles Caron grew up exploring the world side by side—riding bikes, sharing stories, and building a bond that felt unbreakable. But as life often does, it pulled them in different directions. Years later, after each endured the profound loss of loved ones, they found themselves searching for something more—something beyond what could be seen or explained.Grief became the catalyst that brought them back together. Reunited by their shared curiosity about what lies beyond death, Eric and Charles stepped into the world of paranormal investigation. What began as a personal quest for answers soon evolved into something much deeper—an exploration of spirits, energy, and the possibility that death is not the end.Their journey into the unexplained would challenge their beliefs, test their courage, and change their lives forever.Are the dead truly gone—or are they waiting for us to listen?#TheGraveTalks #ParanormalPodcast #GhostStories #ParanormalInvestigation #LifeAfterDeath #HauntedEncounters #SupernaturalJourney #ParanormalResearchers #SpiritCommunication #GriefAndTheAfterlife #UnexplainedMysteries #GhostHuntersLove real ghost stories? Want even more?Become a supporter and unlock exclusive extras, ad-free episodes, and advanced access:

What up guys! This is a just real and honest solo podcast of me talking about my next step in building Reconnected Health. I love when different entrepreneurs build something from the ground up and share the process in public! And that is exactly what I intend to do in building Reconnected Health.The good, the bad, and the ugly. That's exactly what this podcast episode is. Enjoy!

Visit loadboost.com and use code erotic for 10% off or click the link below.https://vb.health/discount/Erotic?utm_source=eroticshortstoriesOur sponsor, FLESHLIGHT, can help you reach new heights with your self-pleasure. FLESHLIGHT is the #1 selling male sex toy in the world.Looking for your next pocket pal? Save 10% on your next fleshlight with Promo Code: 10EROTIC at fleshlight.com fleshlight.comfleshlight.comPlease support our show and get discounts on our favorite brands by using our sponsors' links here!EroticStoriesPodcast.comAdvertising/Collabs/Stories: sensualroleplayasmr@gmail.comIf you enjoy this podcast, remember to leave a review on your favourite listening platform.See you next week.Mia xErotic Stories: Where you can Immerse yourself in sensual storytelling, intimate roleplay, and immersive soundscapes. From whispers to wild fantasies, each episode is designed to ignite your imagination and heighten your senses. #Erotica #EroticStories #SexyStories #AdultStories #AudioErotica #EroticPodcast #EroticFiction #SpicyStories #SensualStories #NSFW #Podcasts #Storytelling #RomancePodcast #SexyAudio #SpicyAudio #EroticASMR #ASMRRoleplay #RoleplayPodcast #AudioRoleplay #WhisperAudio #ASMRCommunity #SoundFX #AudioDrama #ImmersiveAudio #FantasyAudio #SexyWhispers #EroticRoleplay #IntimateAudio

This is a Grave Talks CLASSIC EPISODE! PART TWOChildhood friends Eric Paquette and Charles Caron grew up exploring the world side by side—riding bikes, sharing stories, and building a bond that felt unbreakable. But as life often does, it pulled them in different directions. Years later, after each endured the profound loss of loved ones, they found themselves searching for something more—something beyond what could be seen or explained.Grief became the catalyst that brought them back together. Reunited by their shared curiosity about what lies beyond death, Eric and Charles stepped into the world of paranormal investigation. What began as a personal quest for answers soon evolved into something much deeper—an exploration of spirits, energy, and the possibility that death is not the end.Their journey into the unexplained would challenge their beliefs, test their courage, and change their lives forever.Are the dead truly gone—or are they waiting for us to listen?#TheGraveTalks #ParanormalPodcast #GhostStories #ParanormalInvestigation #LifeAfterDeath #HauntedEncounters #SupernaturalJourney #ParanormalResearchers #SpiritCommunication #GriefAndTheAfterlife #UnexplainedMysteries #GhostHuntersLove real ghost stories? Want even more?Become a supporter and unlock exclusive extras, ad-free episodes, and advanced access:

This is a Grave Talks CLASSIC EPISODE!Childhood friends Eric Paquette and Charles Caron grew up exploring the world side by side—riding bikes, sharing stories, and building a bond that felt unbreakable. But as life often does, it pulled them in different directions. Years later, after each endured the profound loss of loved ones, they found themselves searching for something more—something beyond what could be seen or explained.Grief became the catalyst that brought them back together. Reunited by their shared curiosity about what lies beyond death, Eric and Charles stepped into the world of paranormal investigation. What began as a personal quest for answers soon evolved into something much deeper—an exploration of spirits, energy, and the possibility that death is not the end.Their journey into the unexplained would challenge their beliefs, test their courage, and change their lives forever.Are the dead truly gone—or are they waiting for us to listen?#TheGraveTalks #ParanormalPodcast #GhostStories #ParanormalInvestigation #LifeAfterDeath #HauntedEncounters #SupernaturalJourney #ParanormalResearchers #SpiritCommunication #GriefAndTheAfterlife #UnexplainedMysteries #GhostHuntersLove real ghost stories? Want even more?Become a supporter and unlock exclusive extras, ad-free episodes, and advanced access:

In this episode, I invite you into Day 1 of my three-day end-of-January Alcohol Reset, where I share the “third way” of being around alcohol—beyond the old binary of either “miserably sober” or “happily drinking with constant regret.” Speaking from both my professional training and my lived experience, I talk about how I went from a chaotic, booze-fuelled life to a genuinely take-it-or-leave-it relationship with alcohol, where it now has no emotional pull and feels about as interesting as a cheese sandwich. I walk you through why this unique time of year—especially here in Australia, with kids going back to school and summer socialising still in full swing—is actually a powerful moment to pause and reflect before the rest of the year sweeps you away. Rather than pushing you to “just stop drinking,” I introduce the concept of the Pause: taking a break from taking a break, staying curious, and using your current drinking as valuable data instead of a reason to beat yourself up. We explore how self-trust, self-awareness, and self-compassion sit at the heart of sustainable change. I share stories from my own life—from wild nights in London media culture to exhausted contract work, neurodivergent parenting, and those 3am shame spirals—to show you that the real issue isn't alcohol itself, but why we're using it. You'll hear how I now live happily alcohol-free by choice, while still holding space for a million different ways to be around alcohol for others. If you've ever felt like alcohol is your reward, your way to decompress, your “me time,” or simply something that has more control over you than you'd like—this episode will help you feel less alone, more understood, and much better equipped to start changing your relationship with alcohol in a kind, non-judgmental way. Key Takeaways (from Emma) I don't teach “quit or fail”; I teach a third way of being with alcohol that's based on curiosity, not willpower or white-knuckling. A take-it-or-leave-it relationship with alcohol is possible—where booze has no pull, no drama, and becomes a genuine non-issue. The real problem usually isn't alcohol itself; it's the underlying needs we're trying to meet—stress relief, social ease, escape, rest, sensory regulation, or “me time.” The Pause means taking a break from taking a break: you can keep drinking while you learn, observe, and gather data about your patterns instead of attacking yourself. Beating ourselves up (“I'm weak, I have no willpower”) doesn't create change; it just dysregulates our nervous system and makes us more likely to drink again. Everything shifts on the other side of awareness: noticing when you first think about alcohol, your rituals, how it tastes and feels, and the true after-effects. My awareness worksheets help you track your thoughts, feelings, routines, and the aftermath of drinking with a non-judgmental, “Martian researcher” mindset. Self-compassion is the antidote to shame and the heart of sustainable change:- Self-kindness instead of self-attack- Common humanity (“I'm not the only one who struggles like this”)- Mindfulness instead of catastrophising and over-identifying with every feeling Many of us drink because being inside our own heads feels like an abusive relationship; the work is to become a soft place to land for ourselves. You do not have to stop drinking to start this work. If you've already stopped, great—stay stopped. If you haven't, you're still in exactly the right place. My Great Aussie Alcohol Experiment builds on these ideas in a small, trauma-informed, neuro-affirming group, helping you move from “stuck in the cycle” to genuine freedom and choice around alcohol.

Check out the January Top Ten Leadership List. And our guest is CARLOS WHITTAKER, a Best-selling author of multiple books, including his most recent book Reconnected. Carlos is a speaker, curator of the InstaFamilia community on Instagram, host of the Carlos Whittaker Podcast, and now a filmmaker and documentary creator with his most recent RECONNECTED Documentary. We discuss his latest recommend items, being a philanthropist, learning golf, weddings, Atlanta Falcons, Human School, and much more. Plus, check out the January Top Ten Leadership List. Make sure to visit http://h3leadership.com to access the list and all the show notes. Share them with your team, repost the lists, and follow and subscribe. Thanks again to our partners for this episode: FOSTER THE CITY – Foster the City was launched out of Echo Church in CA, and now over 350 churches are raising up Foster Families and Support Teams to take on the thousands of kids needing a foster family. Learn more at http://fosterthecity.org. Be part around the country in this national movement. Working towards a day when there will be a waiting list of churches instead of a waiting list of children in need of a home. Foster the City believes there is a church for every child. Learn how you and your church can partner and get involved at http://fosterthecity.org. And COME and SEE FOUNDATION – reaching a billion people with the story of Jesus. Visit http://comeandseefoundation.org. Come and See Foundation is on a mission to ensure that all 7 seasons of The Chosen are produced, translated into 600 languages, globally distributed, and kept FREE for all. From Michigan to Madagascar, people are encountering Jesus through The Chosen, Join Come and See in inviting a billion people to find and follow Jesus. You can play a supporting role in introducing the world to Jesus. Lean more and get involved at http://comeandseefoundation.org.

Welcome back to The Viall Files: Reality Recap!  IT'S 2026!!! And we're so back!!! Today, we welcome Fancy Hagood to get into everything RHOSLC… including, but not limited to, Lisa loving trees, whisper fighting, Todd being a housewife, and more! Meanwhile, we get into what our New Year's resolutions are, Kyle and Mauricio getting back together, Alix Earle hanging out with Tom Brady, plus so much more. Later, we get into the most recent episode of VPR. You won't want to start the new year off any other way! "I am rock hard for the Hard Rock Cafe"  Buy Our Merch: https://shop.viallfiles.com/  Are you interested in being a part of a dating docuseries, with the opportunity of meeting your one? Fill out our casting call! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8_echsNPYsFZZ1tIpyY_aMD75tB3kZwKWCfgVZuYeS-xJQg/viewform Subscribe to The ENVY Media Newsletter Today: https://www.viallfiles.com/newsletter  Listen to Humble Brag with Cynthia Bailey and Crystal Kung Minkoff. Available wherever you get your podcasts and YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@humblebragpod https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/humble-brag-with-crystal-and-cynthia/id1774286896 Start your 7 Day Free Trial of Viall Files + here: https://viallfiles.supportingcast.fm/  We've partnered with Mint Mobile to open a hot takes hotline to hear your scorching hot opinions! Give us your hot takes, thoughts and theories and we'll read and react to the best ones on an upcoming Reality Recap episode! All you have to do is call 1-855-MINT-TLK or, if you prefer the numbers, that's 1-855-646-8855 and leave us a message. Please make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode and as always send in your relationship questions to asknick@theviallfiles.com to be a part of our Monday episodes. Follow us on X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheViallFiles Listen To Disrespectfully now! Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disrespectfully/id1516710301 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0J6DW1KeDX6SpoVEuQpl7z?si=c35995a56b8d4038 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCh8MqSsiGkfJcWhkan0D0w To Order Nick's Book Go To: http://www.viallfiles.com  If you would like to get some texting advice on Office Hours send an email to asknick@theviallfiles.com with "Texting Office Hours" in the subject line! To advertise on this podcast please email: ad-sales@libsyn.com or go to: https://advertising.libsyn.com/theviallfiles     THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: Quo - Make this the year where no opportunity — and no customer — slips away. Try QUO for free PLUS get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to https://quo.com/viall  Better Help - BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up and get 10% off at https://betterhelp.com/viall  Clearstem - Discover the CLEARSTEM difference — Because CLEAR SKIN CHANGES EVERYTHING. Go to https://clearstem.com/viall and use code VIALL at checkout for 15% off your first order. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 02:00 - NYE 08:58 - New Year's Resolutions 10:01 - Household Headlines 21:18 - Fancy Joins / RHOSLC 59:09 - VPR 01:09:23 - Outro Episode Socials:  @viallfiles @nickviall @nnataliejjoy @fancyhagood @ciaracrobinson @justinkaphillips @leahgsilberstein @the_mare_bare

I should have developed emotional armor, but I'd gone the other way.Stunned, I leaned hard on the doorjamb, knuckles white on suitcase handle, nerves frozen as they did when gut feelings proved true.Eloise Currie lives in Raleigh, North Carolina. She has kept a journal for 30 years and uses it as source material for short stories and nonfiction. Since retiring, she has been a member of a number of writers groups. She has tutored high school and adult students in Language Arts. She has edited two books as well as short stories. She has had pieces published in the Personal Story Publishing Project as well as the Old Mountain Press anthology.

Ashley Roberts chats with Josh Golden, chief marketing officer of Quad, about the fascinating findings of The Harris Poll's "The Return of Touch: Holiday Shopping, Reconnected" survey, presented by Quad.

-Reconnected with my linemates son... 16 years later, after we won it all

In this session, I guide you through grounding practices, explore why so much of what we believe about alcohol (and ourselves) simply isn't true, and share how shifting your beliefs can change your relationship with drinking without willpower, shame, or self‑punishment. I talk about the myths around alcohol “relaxing” us, why we reach for the buzz when life feels overwhelming, and how dopamine and dinorphin actually keep us stuck in a cycle of stress, anxiety, and disappointment. We also look at how cultural conditioning, patriarchy, trauma, and people‑pleasing shape our drinking, and why self‑soothing with alcohol is an intelligent adaptation, not a moral failing. This is an invitation to step out of fear and scarcity and into choice, abundance, and deep self‑compassion as you move toward a take‑it‑or‑leave‑it relationship with alcohol. Episode Highlights This series is a reset, not a reprimand - it's designed for the wobbly space between Christmas and New Year to help you repair, reconnect, and refresh before stepping into 2026. Grounding is essential, not optional - simple practices like feeling your feet, placing a hand on your chest and tummy, and breathing slowly can regulate your nervous system and bring you back into your body. Beliefs run the show - most of our drinking is driven by unconscious beliefs at three levels: Substance: “Alcohol relaxes me,” “It's a treat,” “It helps me switch off.”Society: “You can't celebrate or socialise without booze,” “A proper meal needs wine.” Self: “There's something wrong with me,” “I'm weak,” “I should have more willpower.” Much of what we believe about alcohol is the opposite of the truth - science shows alcohol floods us with dopamine once, then leaves us with cortisol, adrenaline, and dinorphin, increasing anxiety, low mood, poor sleep, and the urge to drink again. The ‘buzz' isn't what you think - it's not calm or happiness; it's a dopamine‑fuelled seeking state that makes us chase more, even when the drink doesn't actually taste or feel that good. You didn't “make” yourself - your patterns are intelligent adaptations to your upbringing, culture, trauma (big T and small t), and the roles society expects midlife women to play. Compulsive drinking is self‑soothing, not lack of character - as the holistic psychologist says, soothing is instinctual, not moral. You drink because it works… until it doesn't. Alcohol keeps us small and compliant - it helps us tolerate the intolerable: over‑functioning, people‑pleasing, exhaustion, loneliness, and suppressing our true needs and desires. Real rebellion is going against the drinking norm - in a culture that normalises a toxic substance, choosing to question alcohol and listen to your intuition is deeply counter‑cultural. Dopamine needs to be scaled to effort - quick, high dopamine hits (like alcohol) come with a cost; joy and contentment grow from effortful, value‑aligned actions and genuine connection. Shame and drill‑sergeant tactics don't create sustainable change - research shows long‑term change comes from kindness, curiosity, and self‑compassion, not punishment and fear. The path to change is threefold: knowledge → emotion → action Learn how alcohol truly affects your brain, body, and nervous system. Imagine how you want to feel (freedom, peace, self‑trust, ease) and let that pull you forward. Then experiment with behaviour (pauses, breaks, new rituals) from a place of choice, not deprivation. A take‑it‑or‑leave‑it relationship with alcohol is possible - when your beliefs shift and the desire softens, you're no longer fighting yourself; you're simply choosing what genuinely serves you.

If you've been feeling disconnected lately from your partner, your home, yourself this episode is going to meet you exactly where you are.This week on The Zen Effect Show, we're unpacking the practices most couples skip that could dissolve 80% of relationship tension before you ever step into a counselor's office. We're talking real, embodied connection the kind our nervous system craves and our culture rarely teaches.

Our matrimony app: https://app.nripelligola.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nripelligola/ Disclaimer:The views and experiences shared in this podcast are personal to the guest.They are her own opinions, memories, and perspectives based on her life journey.This content is created for storytelling and discussion purposes only.We have no intention to harm, insult, or defame any person, community, or organization mentioned or implied in the conversation.Names, timelines, or events discussed are purely her personal experiences.Any resemblance to real persons or situations is coincidental and unintentional.This podcast is meant for learning, reflection, and entertainment.

In this episode of More Than Roommates, Derek, Gabrielle, and Scott have a candid, biblical conversation about the “sexless marriage”—why it happens, how pornography, busyness, medical issues, and poor communication play a role, and what couples can do to rebuild connection. They offer practical steps so you can move from roommates back to one-flesh intimacy. Questions to Discuss: 1. In our season right now, does sex feel more like a thermometer (just reporting our temperature) or a thermostat (able to change it)? Why?2. When was the last time we each felt truly pursued and enjoyed by the other? What specific actions helped?3. What would make it safer for us to share desires, preferences, and fears about sex?4. How can we renew the covenant this week in a way that is tender, unhurried, and mutually honoring? Scriptures:Ephesians 4:271 Corinthians 7:3-5 Resources:Book - Secrets of Sex and Marriage: 8 Surprises That Make All the Difference by Shaunti Feldhahn & Michael SytsmaArticle – The Sex RecessionBook – Reconnected – Greg & Erin SmalleyMore Than Roommates Interviews with Juli Slattery – Surrendered Sexuality & Sexual Abuse

In this episode, Jake & Callan sit down with the team behind The Reconnected, exploring their journey of building a community focused on conscious parenting, breathwork, and helping families reconnect to what really matters. They share how The Reconnected came to life, what it takes to grow something with love and persistence, and why showing up with energy and consistency is more important than quick success. The conversation covers the challenges of balancing masculine and feminine roles, the importance of speaking truth in relationships, and how breathwork and stillness can create space for real transformation. The group also touches on conscious parenting, discipline, and questioning traditional systems like schooling, reflecting on how each child needs different support to thrive. Through personal stories, they reveal how truth-telling, resilience, and presence in parenting shape both adults and children alike. ✨ To Learn More About Eleanor & Emma | The Reconnected 

Angie shares her extraordinary journey from being born and raised in a polygamist fundamentalist Latter-day Saints cult to finding freedom and building a new life in the outside world.• Born in a small FLDS community in Canada with minimal interaction with the outside world• Pulled out of school at age 16 for cutting her hair, which was against religious rules• Arranged marriage at 16 to a man she barely knew• No access to basic education about history, science, or human relationships• Describes the religious control through fear and shame – "we were God's chosen children"• One uncle had 26 wives and over 150 biological children• Left the religion as a teenager, losing all family and community connections• Reconnected with her husband outside the religion and built a new life together• Both pursued education – she now has a master's degree in nursing, he's a life flight helicopter pilot• Focuses on "glimmers" – finding small moments of joy and gratitude as the opposite of triggers• Breaking generational cycles by creating a safe environment for their children to question and challengeYou can find Angie on Instagram @angemfj and on TikTok @CadesBabe. She also runs a company called Glimmers focused on bringing joy through clothing she designed to spark happiness.Send us a text Support the showAdditionally, you can now also watch the full video version of your favourite episode here on YouTube. Please subscribe, like or drop a comment letting us know your thoughts on the episode and if you'd like more stories going forward!If you would like to offer any feedback on our show or get in touch with us, you can also contact us on the following platforms: Website: www.multispective.org Email: info@multispective.org Instagram: www.instagram.com/multispectivepodcast Facebook: www.facebook.com/multispectiveorg Reddit: www.reddit.com/r/multispective Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/multispectiveProducer & Host: Jennica SadhwaniEditing: Stephan MenzelMarketing: Lucas Phiri Fatty15 promotes healthy metabolism, balanced immunity, and heart health. 2 out of 3 customers report near-term benefits, including calmer mood, deeper sleep or less snacking, within 6 weeks. 20% off on purchases link and code: ...

When Hurricane Katrina made landfall 20 years ago, New Orleans East was especially hard hit. This part of the city is home to a large Vietnamese population, many of whom had experienced fleeing their home in the aftermath of the Fall of Saigon. Yet the Vietnamese community bounced back, in larger numbers, and at a faster rate than many other enclaves. Cyndi Nguyen is a New Orleans East resident and former city council woman who currently serves as the community outreach strategist for New Orleans Regional Transit Authority.  She tells us more about how this community recovered.In the immediate aftermath of Katrina, thousands of displaced people were looking for their missing relatives. Queries popped up on various websites, like Craigslist and Yahoo, but the posts were too scattered to be useful. That's when a group of tech-savvy volunteers came in, led by David Geilhufe. They compiled the information to create one centralized database to find the missing, called PeopleFinder. David joins us from California to discuss PeopleFinder and his work in the aftermath of the storm.Many people displaced from Hurricane Katrina came to Baton Rouge en masse. Faith groups of all kinds took the call to help their needs both spiritually and physically. Report for America corps member Alex Cox spoke with retired interfaith federation executive director Reverend Robin McCullough-Bade about how Katrina weighs on people's spirits to this day. ___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Bob Pavlovich. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you!  Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

In today's episode I got to sit down with my friend, Carlos Whittaker, and a live audience! Carlos is one of the most life-giving people I know. He is honest, hilarious and always full of hope.  We chat about ways we can reconnect with God, what he's learned about welcoming grief into his life since losing his dad to dementia almost 6 months ago and the challenges (and joys) of parenting older children. Carlos also shares how he stays young both physically and at heart (it's probably not what you think!) and we discuss something he does better than anyone I know - bridging gaps between people who are divided.  Listen to Carlos' last interview on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/carlos-whittaker-7-weeks-without-a-screen/id1119318768?i=1000665223233  Grab a copy of Reconnected: https://amzn.to/3HoajMZ  Want to Reconnect with God? Check out the message Carlos shared at Embrace Church: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wtw_M24wa1w  Thanks to our amazing partners on this episode: Tommy John & Vern Eide Tommy John has thousands of five star reviews for a reason! They sell the most comfortable undershirts, modern polos, and loungewear you'll find. I promise you are gonna love it! Check them out today at tommyjohn.com Vern Eide Motorcars is a growing employee-owned company that offers sales, service, and financing of automotive, motorcycle, and power sports lines, including Acura, Ford, Chevy, GMC, Honda, Hyundai and Mitsubishi brands. Whether you live locally or across the country, visit verneide.com Subscribe to The Conversation on YouTube and watch the full interview with Carlos: youtube.com/@adamaweber  Sign up for The Crew: adamweber.com/thecrew  

Check out our sponsors: ✅ Patriot Mobile - https://patriotmobile.com/partners/chad Episode Description: Are you showing all the signs of being “plugged in” spiritually…going to church, reading your Bible, doing all the right things, but still feeling tired, dry, and powerless?  In this soul-stirring teaching, we unpack what it really means to abide in Christ, why religious routines aren't enough, and how to reconnect to the true Source of power: the Holy Spirit. With deep biblical insight, original Greek word studies, and practical takeaways, this message will challenge, convict, and charge your spiritual life like never before. Don't just look alive…BE alive. Plug back in. The power is waiting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a textJohnny Heim, pet artist extraordinaire, shares his journey from childhood drawings of Snoopy to creating art that has raised thousands of dollars for animal rescues worldwide.• Started drawing as a child in Winnipeg, perfecting his Snoopy technique during long winters• Won a shrine circus poster contest in grade six, realizing art could bring tangible rewards• Drew attention with his "Shark Attack" clothing line while in university• Used drawing skills in advertising career to help visualize concepts for clients• Reconnected with art during COVID and began focusing on pet portraits• Raised over $10,000 with his "We're All Made of Stars" portrait series in memory of Kuno• Creates all artwork traditionally with ink and paper, no digital tools• Lives by the motto "I draw because they can't" as motivation for his work• Collaborates with rescue organizations to raise funds through his artwork• Helps tell the stories of rescue animals through projects like "Unleashing Tales" books• Currently lives with Olive, his 8-year-old French Bulldog who "lets him live in her house"• Finds the most joy when people connect emotionally with his portraits of their petsEmail johnny.heim@gmail.com to inquire about commissions. Find his work on X @JohnHeim or Instagram @art_by_heim.Our links:Our Website!  www.bunsenbernerbmd.comSign up for our Weekly Newsletter!Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokSupport the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd

What if stepping away from your screen could help you reconnect with your soul?In this raw and powerful season premiere of The Make, Trevor sits down with Carlos Whittaker—best-selling author, speaker, and “hope dealer”—to talk about grief, therapy, midlife transformation, and the journey of truly seeing and being seen. Carlos opens up about losing his father, helping his mother find new purpose, and how seven weeks with monks and Amish farmers reshaped his entire life.

Welcome back to the Jess Connolly Podcast. Today, Jess is getting real about friendships and shares five unfiltered truths about what makes friendships thrive. Then she's joined by Carlos Whittaker to talk about digital distraction, wonder, and the heart behind his book Reconnected. From bold online shifts to tech-free living with monks and the Amish, Carlos shares powerful wisdom for staying present, grounded, and fully awake.Let's go.Don't Miss:Connect with Carlos Whittaker + pick up his book ReconnectedBecome a part of the Fully Awake Women's Club! Calling all women who have ever felt weary, defeated, heavy, or tired. We're starting a club, and you're invited. Join Here.Interested in having Jess come to speak at your event? Book Jess today!Connect further with Jess:https://jessconnolly.com | Instagram | hello@jessconnolly.com

Learn more about our upcoming Women's Hiking Retreat in Moab, Utah: https://sunandmoonsoberliving.com/moab-retreat/Access a free mindfulness meditation to help manage cravings and regulate emotions: https://pages.sunandmoonsoberliving.com/easemeditationFollow along on Instagram: @sunandmoon.soberliving ___Robert Shearon is the Founder and Executive Director of RECONNECTED Foundation, which is a nonprofit recovery community based in Vail, Colorado dedicated to providing peer support services, social events, community education, and ending the stigma surrounding addiction. He's passionate about combining the outdoors with recovery, and has organized everything from camping trips to national skiathons. Rob's mission is to help others realize that recovery is not only possible, but that it can be fun!Topics discussed in this episode include:Rob's addiction recovery storySocial anxietyGetting sober as a college studentPersonal growth in recoveryThe importance of communityDiscovering new hobbiesThe benefits of taking on challengesHarm reductionEmbracing progress over perfection#TheWeightWeCarry FundraiserFind out more about RECONNECTED Foundation: https://reconnected.org/Support #TheWeightWeCarry Fundraiser: https://donate.vailhealthfoundation.org/campaign/reconnected-the-weight-we-carry/c689856__Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

In this episode, I'm diving into what it feels like when your intuition goes quiet. Sometimes it can seem like your guides have gone on a coffee break or the messages you're receiving are softer than usual. I've been in this place myself, and I'm actually in it right now. Whether you're shifting into a new energy, overwhelmed by stress, or entering a pause before a big upgrade, this quieter phase is common. It's not a sign that you're disconnected. It's an invitation to trust the timing, slow down, and notice the subtle nudges that are still coming through. I'll share personal stories, including the time this happened during my pregnancy with Noah, and offer gentle guidance on how to move through these quiet spells. You'll hear what to do and what not to do when your intuition feels dimmed, and how to care for yourself while waiting for clarity to return. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjessicarachel Website: https://www.jessicarachel.co/ 

Nelly & Ashanti Get Candid on Marriage, Parenting, The Moment They Reconnected, 'Church Rub' + MoreSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We get an email about welcoming new people to the community, and have lots to say.Our website is HERE:  System Speak Podcast.You can submit an email to the podcast HERE.You can JOIN THE COMMUNITY HERE.  Once you are in, you can use a non-Apple device or non-safari browser to join groups HERE. Once you are set up, then the website and app work on any device just fine.  We have peer support check-in groups, an art group, movie groups, social events, and classes.  Additional zoom groups are optional, but only available by joining the groups. Join us!Content Note: Content on this website and in the podcasts is assumed to be trauma and/or dissociative related due to the nature of what is being shared here in general.  Content descriptors are generally given in each episode.  Specific trigger warnings are not given due to research reporting this makes triggers worse.  Please use appropriate self-care and your own safety plan while exploring this website and during your listening experience.  Natural pauses due to dissociation have not been edited out of the podcast, and have been left for authenticity.  While some professional material may be referenced for educational purposes, Emma and her system are not your therapist nor offering professional advice.  Any informational material shared or referenced is simply part of our own learning process, and not guaranteed to be the latest research or best method for you.  Please contact your therapist or nearest emergency room in case of any emergency.  This website does not provide any medical, mental health, or social support services. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 299 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. Full show notes with photos can be found on my website. This week's segments included: Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins From the Armchair Crafty Adventures Knitting in Passing In my Travels KAL News Events Life in Focus On a Happy Note Quote of the Week   Thank you to this episode's sponsors: Bella Fio and Wild Violet Fibers   Visit us at wildvioletfibers.com to shop our latest collections and sign up for shop updates. Splash Pad Party participants can use discount code SPLASH25 for 15% off their order.   Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins   103 Hat Pattern: 103 Hat by Jennifer Lassonde. $5 Knitting Pattern available on  Ravelry & LoveCrafts Yarn: Malabrigo Rios (worsted) in 845 Cirrus Gray Needles: US 5 & US 7 (3.75 & 4.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page 115.2 meters (126.0 yards), 60 grams used.   Ebb & Flow Socks Yarn: Woolens & Nosh SW Targhee Sock in the Ebb & Flow colorway Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page This is the repeatable version of the 2023 Advent, with 16 of the original 24 colors. 259.3 meters (283.5 yards). 70 grams   Granny square top Yarn: MC- Cloudbourn Fibers Wool Fingering Twist in Natural (1 skeins), Advent Mini Skeins from Legacy Fiber Artz (Steel Toes Base) & Fibernymph Dye Works (Bounce Base)- both from 2024. Hook: D (3.25 mm) Pattern: none Ravelry Project Page 3 round granny squares: Round 1= more tonal color, Round 2= speckled, Round 3= natural Yarn organization: I put 2 sets of colors in each mostly clear zippered pouch from my Yarnable Subscription kits. It keeps the yarn from the mini skeins from getting tangled. Check out this Instagram reel which highlights. 60 squares total Cloudborn 371.7 meters (406.5 yards), 101 grams Legacy Fiber Artz- 162.9 meters (178.1 yards), 38 grams Fibernymph Dye Works- 60.4 meters (66.0 yards), 16 grams Total: 595 meters. 155 grams   Ball Band with a Twist Cozy Pattern: Ball Band with a Twist by Jennifer Lassonde. $2 Crochet pattern available on Ravelry & LoveCrafts Hooks: F (3.75 mm) & G (4.25 mm) Yarn: Loops & Thread Classic Cotton in Pewter, Midnight Blue and Bubblegum Ravelry Project Page Stash Dash: 40.3 meters You may also be interested in my more basic jar cozy pattern: Ball Band- Ravelry | LoveCrafts (free)   Stash Dash total for this episode- 1,009.8 meters   On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins   Boss A$$ B|tc# Socks Yarn: Woolens & Nosh Superwash Targhee Fingering in the Boss A$$ B|tc# Colorway (purposely not spelled out here, though it is on the label) Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page 90g of yarn to start About the Yarn: Self striping with yellow, tan, peach, pink, light aqua, teal & navy Progress: All but the toe of sock 2 is done   Miles' Montessori Toy Pattern: Montessori Colour Sorter by Lexie Warren. Free crochet pattern available on Ravelry & on Crochet River) Hook: D (3.25 mm) Yarn: Big Twist Value Solids in Purple, Orange, Teal and Cyan. Knit Picks Brava in Canary, Rouge and White. Ravelry Project Page I've gotten some great ideas in the Toy Cabana chat thread on Ravelry Progress: 6 cups and 4 balls are done. Need to do white for center (basket and ball)- then seam together. Clever pattern.   Felici Granny Stripe Blanket Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in Colorways: Punky, Whatits Galore (50g), Space Disco, Carrot Cake, Base Jump, Game Over, Secret Garden, Fiesta Pattern: Granny Stripe by Attic 24 Hook: I (5.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page 7 colorways with 100g, 1 with 50g. I have another 50g skein I could add in (more of a pain because you have to wind off half). I am matching up stripes so they end at same time or as close as possible. Foundation half-double crochet 101. 1 row of dc (probably could have skipped).   Four Leaf Clover Granny Square Blanket Pattern: Four Leaf Clover Granny Square by by Apinya Roszko Hook: H (5.0 mm) Yarn: Knit Picks Brava 500 in colorway Mint & Loops and Threads Impeccable in Colorway 01808 Size:  6 inch squares. Planning 5x7 blanket (30x42”) before border. Modification- the pattern calls for attaching new yarn (at the end of the square) to make the stem for the clover. I just chain to get to the center, make the stem and cut the yarn. I find it easy to crochet the granny square around it in Mint. No issues and one less end to weave in. I am joining squares as I go. I used this YouTube tutorial to remind me how to do this. Progress: Last time I had seamed 7 full squares. Now I have 14 (of 35) squares done and seamed.   716 Splash Pad Socks Yarn 716 Knit Sock Set  in the 716sock base in the colorway: It needs to be ok with getting on a boat with Levar Burton and never coming back. Ravelry Project Page About the yarn: stripe of black, stripe of bright poolside colors. Cast on June 1 for SPP Kick off. Jenna of 716 also sent me the mini skein set which is part of her SPP Exclusives. What should I do with my minis?? Progress: Leg of first sock nearly finished   From the Armchair   Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall.  Amazon Affiliate Link. Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty. Amazon Affiliate Link. The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue. Amazon Affiliate Link.   Crafty Adventures I came home from a massage dying to paint. I pulled out my watercolors and painted the sensations of my pain and the colors I associated with each. I'll be playing with this concept more in the future (hopefully next time on actual watercolor paper and maybe using other media too).   Knitting in Passing A nice gentleman said my crochet was beautiful and that he crochets. I showed him my tank top which was nearly done at the time. We went to a grad party for my SIL and a friend of hers remembered me from Zach's birthday. She wants to crochet so we talked about resources etc. Reconnected with some of Dan's cousins recently. His cousin Melissa and I often talk books, so that was fun but she also said she'd like to learn to knit and/or crochet. Hoping to get together with her for lunch in Boston soon. Thank you to Suzanne- Sew Run It for the beautiful handknit hat and three knit hearts for my birthday. She started it shortly after my mom passed. Her notes say "The colors screamed Diane! The pattern is called Pair of Hearts and it too felt like a connection with her. I know you were and will remain close." Pattern= Pair of Hearts is by Chit Chat Knits and is available on Ravelry for $4.50. Lauren lbeth21 messaged me with Jess from Stitched by Jessalu at Central NY Fiber Fest Susie of The Huckleberry Girl offered to send me a bag. I was thinking of summer and Splash Pad when looking at her shop and she had a bag with Blueberries and Butterflies which made me think of Mom. So special. Thank you, Susie.   KAL News Splash Pad Party Registration is open View Stats and/or Verify Registration here. Check out our Sponsor List Splash Pad Official Rules Enter your FOs using the Summer Celebration Form. Then come over to this Ravelry Thread to share pics and let us ooh and ahh with you! Submit something incorrectly? Need help? Fill out this Support Form & we'll be in touch.   Splash Pad RAVELRY Links Start Here Thread Pro Shop Exclusive Items Thread Coupon Codes Thread Questions Thread   Events Stash Dash hosted by the Knit Girllls- May 29th-August 30th Summer Bingo with the Craft Cook Read Repeat Podcast . Get your Bingo Card on Instagram. Sock Week hosted by Knitty Natty- July 20-27 Goal is to complete 1 adult sock during Sock Week Tour de Fleece: July 5-July 27 . Tour de Fleece Ravelry Group. Rest Days: Tuesday, July 15 and Monday, July 21. Challenge Days: The first one is Stage 10, on Monday, July 14. The second is Stage 15, on Sunday, July 20. Summer Spin In hosted by Marsha & Kelly of Two Ewes Fiber Adventure. May 31- September 1. All spinning and making with handspun yarn counts. Preparing fleeces also counts. Let's go! Flock Fiber Festival in Seattle, WA- August 8-10 Fiber Revival in Newbury, MA- August 16th   Life in Focus   I shared about my Summer Bucket List and the graphic/template I created for my Patrons. Do you have any ideas for me? My Word of the Year for 2025 is Welcome. I recently received a beautiful cross stitched piece with the word Welcome on it from Heidi, Yarnitheidi on Instagram and Ravelry. Thank you, Heidi!   On a Happy Note   The Splash Pad Kick Off Virtual sessions were so much fun! The Waitress at the North Shore Music Theater (closes 6/15) Cellar clean out, using new shelves and bins to organize. We also gathered a lot of items to donate. Playing Five Crowns, totally exhausted, crushing the guys (had a score of 3 then 7 for most of the game) and then going home to sleep. Quality time at the nail salon with Riley Knitting by the pool as Riley, Garret & Millie took their first dip. Will's high school graduation party. Flowers for my birthday Red Sox game with my Dad. A stressful work project really ramped up on my birthday. My friend got yummy pastries for us to share in the office. Celebrating my birthday with Dan, Dad, Riley Garret and Millie. Really funny birthday videos from Gabriella & Zachary. Audible sale. I got a ton of great books and I'm really excited about reading again. Daisies are finally starting to come in. They grow wild in our yard but they're late this year.   Quote of the Week “A well-composed book is a magic carpet on which we are wafted to a world that we cannot enter in any other way.”   ― Caroline Gordon     Thank you for tuning in!   Contact Information: Check out the Down Cellar Studio Patreon! Ravelry: BostonJen & Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group Instagram: BostonJen1 YouTube: Down Cellar Studio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downcellarstudio Sign up for my email newsletter to get the latest on everything happening in the Down Cellar Studio Check out my Down Cellar Studio YouTube Channel Knit Picks Affiliate Link Bookshop Affiliate Link Yarnable Subscription Box Affiliate Link FearLESS Living Fund to benefit the Blind Center of Nevada Music -"Soft Orange Glow" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/ Note: Some links are listed as Amazon Affiliate Links. If you click those, please know that I am an Amazon Associate and I earn money from qualifying purchases.  

This week's episode is a little different. No guest. No interview. Just me, catching you up on my life. I'm sharing honestly about what it's been like navigating the loss of my dad, stepping into the new role of caring for my mom, and figuring out what boundaries look like in this season of shifting family dynamics. I also talk about the disappointment that comes when people say they'll show up—and don't. If you've ever found yourself holding more than you thought you could carry, this one's for you. Class is still in session… just a little more personal today. . . . . . Have a secretly extraordinary life? Apply to be a guest on my podcast in 2025 here: https://forms.gle/Z13WGj63oEfgmtjJ9 . . . . . Order your copy of my latest book Reconnected. Let's keep in touch! Sign up for my newsletter to be the first to hear ALL my updates.  Interested in advertising with us? Reach out here. Book me to speak. . . . . . AQUATRU: Get 20% off any AquaTru purifier! Visit aquatru.com and use the code CARLOS at checkout. DOSE: Go to dosedaily.co/CARLOS and get 30% off your first month's subscription! HIYA HEALTH: Receive 50% off your first order at hiyahealth.com/HUMANHOPE SHOPIFY: Go to shopify.com/CARLOS to take your business to the next level today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a Grave Talks CLASSIC EPISODE! Childhood friends Eric Paquette and Charles Caron spent their early years riding bikes and exploring the world around them. But life took them in different directions as they grew older, each dealing with the loss of loved ones in their own way. Through their shared grief, they discovered a deep passion for the paranormal—a passion that led them back to one another. Reconnected by their love for the unexplained, Eric and Charles embarked on a life-changing journey to investigate the undead, uncovering mysteries that would forever change their lives. This is Part Two of our conversation. Become a GRAVE KEEPER and get access to ALL of our EPISODES - AD FREE, BONUS EPISODES & ADVANCE EPISODES!!! Sign up through Apple Podcast Channel or Patreon. Sign up through Apple Podcasts or Patreon http://www.patreon.com/thegravetalks 

This is a Grave Talks CLASSIC EPISODE! Childhood friends Eric Paquette and Charles Caron spent their early years riding bikes and exploring the world around them. But life took them in different directions as they grew older, each dealing with the loss of loved ones in their own way. Through their shared grief, they discovered a deep passion for the paranormal—a passion that led them back to one another. Reconnected by their love for the unexplained, Eric and Charles embarked on a life-changing journey to investigate the undead, uncovering mysteries that would forever change their lives. Become a GRAVE KEEPER and get access to ALL of our EPISODES - AD FREE, BONUS EPISODES & ADVANCE EPISODES!!! Sign up through Apple Podcast Channel or Patreon. Sign up through Apple Podcasts or Patreon http://www.patreon.com/thegravetalks 

That's right. I'm the guest this week. LOL.  If you've been online this week, you'll know that I launched an online course called Human School. However, what you don't know is how anxious it has made me feel. As an online creator, I battle all kinds of feelings like anxiety, imposter syndrome, and fear of failure. Selling anything online feels like a huge risk. So today I'm pulling back the curtain and giving you a peek into my brain.  AND I'm sharing about why I believe in the content that I create. Here's a tip: Believing in what you're doing is the antidote to imposter syndrome. Class is in session. Let's get curious! . . . . . Want to join Human School? Email whitney@carloswhittaker.com before April 14th for exclusive access! . . . . . Have a secretly extraordinary life? Apply to be a guest on my podcast in 2025 here: https://forms.gle/Z13WGj63oEfgmtjJ9 . . . . . Order your copy of my latest book Reconnected. Let's keep in touch! Sign up for my newsletter to be the first to hear ALL my updates.  Interested in advertising with us? Reach out here. Book me to speak.  . . . . . SHOPIFY: Go to shopify.com/CARLOS to take your business to the next level today. DOSE: Go to dosedaily.co/CARLOS and get 30% off your first month's subscription! HIYA HEALTH: Receive 50% off your first order at hiyahealth.com/HUMANHOPE FUNCTION: Go to functionhealth.com/CARLOSW to skip the waitlist and take ownership over your health today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cuhmunity Ep 225 w/ RECONNECTED | Who TF Is That Guy? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Carlos Whittaker, bestselling author of Reconnected and renowned thought leader, is on a mission to help us rediscover the art of real connection. In a world dominated by screens and constant noise, Carlos did something radical: For seven weeks, he lived among Benedictine monks and Amish farmers, immersing himself in silence, simplicity and the rhythms of deep, intentional connection. Today, Carlos shares what happened when he stepped away from technology and into a world without distractions. He reveals how living screen-free transformed his relationships, deepened his mindfulness, and reshaped his understanding of presence. More importantly, he shows us what this means for all of us—how we can reclaim our attention, be more present with the people we love, and foster deeper, more meaningful connections, even in a world that often feels more divided than ever. My friends, if you've ever felt overwhelmed by the noise of social media, lost in the busyness of life, or just craving real, honest connection, this conversation is for you. You'll leave inspired to rethink your relationship with technology, embrace the beauty of the world beyond your screen, and take simple yet powerful steps toward a more present, connected life.

Carlos spent seven weeks without any screens—no phone, no computer, no TV. His newest book, Reconnected, documents that journey filled with monks, Amish, a bobcat, and lots of self-discovery. Many thanks to our excellent sponsors ZipRecruiter.com/Rowe to try ZipRecruiter for FREE. PureTalk.com/Rowe Switch today to a qualifying plan of just $45 per month and get a new iPhone 14 or Samsung Galaxy. mikeroweWORKS.org/scholarship to apply for a work ethic scholarship.

Before Heather's mom and my dad passed, I was really scared of death. I'd never been in a room with a body after death before, but now I've seen it up close with two people I love. And it was sad and horrible but it was also really peaceful and hopeful. Even though we're all going to die, our current culture avoids thinking about mortality. It feels like I've been surrounded by death lately, and I feel like we need to talk about it. Sara joins us on this episode to talk about mortality and what it looks like to be living with a life-ending disease.  Sara talks about parenting with cancer, how her diagnosis has changed her and her family's perspective on life and death.  Class is in session. Let's get curious! . . . . . Learn more about One Day To Remember. . . . . . Have a secretly extraordinary life? Apply to be a guest on my podcast in 2025 here. . . . . . Order your copy of my new book Reconnected.  Let's keep in touch! Sign up for my newsletter to be the first to hear ALL my updates.  Interested in advertising with us? Reach out here. Book me to speak. . . . . . HIYA HEALTH: Receive 50% off your first order at hiyahealth.com/HUMANHOPE AQUATRU: Get 20% off any AquaTru purifier! Visit aquatru.com/HUMANHOPE and use the code HUMANHOPE at checkout. BETTER HELP: This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/HUMANHOPE and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My dad passed away last week, so don't mind my tears. Every day I'm learning more about what it means to grieve, and so far I've learned that it's grueling and exhausting. My dad has influenced every part of my being, and that fact doesn't escape this podcast series. I hear him in the questions I ask; I see him in the way I approach the world. I know my dad would want me to continue to help people become better humans and become more other-focused. And today's conversation is going to do just that!  My new friend Valerie is going to absolutely transform your idea of what a food pantry is and what it means to really be a neighbor. Valerie teaches us about taking risks, being okay with questions, and boldly treating others with dignity. Class is in session. Let's get curious! . . . . . Learn more about Nourish MKE here: nourishmke.org https://www.facebook.com/friedenspantry/ https://www.instagram.com/nourishmilwaukee/ . . . . . Have a secretly extraordinary life? Apply to be a guest on Human School. . . . . . Order your copy of my new book Reconnected. Let's keep in touch! Sign up for my newsletter to be the first to hear ALL my updates. Interested in advertising with us? Reach out here. Book me to speak.  . . . . . FUNCTION: Go to functionhealth.com/CARLOSW to skip the waitlist and take ownership over your health today! SHOPIFY: Go to shopify.com/CARLOS to take your business to the next level today. DOSE: Go to dailydose.co/CARLOS and get 30% off your first month's subscription! LUMEN: Go to Lumen.me/Carlos and get 15% off your Lumen! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I am honored to sit down and speak with author and speaker Carlos Whittaker to chat about his latest book, Reconnected, and his eye-opening 7-week experiment living in a monk community—completely off screens. We dive deep into what he learned about solitude, slowing down + savoring, being present, and finding true connection (and balance) in a digital world, but also shares so many quick and practical takeaways that he's implemented since this experiment. As we kick off a new year filled with resolutions and the pressure to “do it all,” this conversation is such a timely reminder to prioritize intentionality, step away from the noise, and embrace a simpler way of living + connecting with our family.  Links from this episode: Carlos on Instagram Order ‘Reconnected: How 7 Screen-Free Weeks with Monks and Amish Farmers Helped Me Recover the Lost Art of Being Human (his newest book that launched Fall 2024) The Carlos Whittaker Podcast Carlos' Website Desirae on Instagram Minimal-ish Podcast Website More episodes on less screens: Ep 261: Minimalism Story: Smart Phone to Flip Phone with Abby Brennan Ep 235: A Life More Engaging Than The Algorithm - Living a Low(er) Tech Life with Erin Loechner Ep 205: Change Your Relationship with Your Phone and Connect More with Your People with Joey Odom Ep 191: Unplugging: Digital Minimalism, screen-free activities, prioritizing in-person community, and modeling phone habits with Claudia Erickson Sponsors: Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box PLUS get a free item in every box for life. Go to hungryroot.com/minimalish or use code minimalish. Calm: Get 40% off your premium subscription at calm.com/minimalish Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My family has been hit by wave after wave after wave of blows these last few weeks. Heather's grandma Nani lost her home in the California wildfires, and then Heather's mom Bridgette passed away last week. If I had to describe this season with one word, it'd be unrelenting.  As we were reminiscing about these lives, I found this conversation between Heather and Nani from 11 years ago.  In the living room of the home that just burned down, 11 years ago, Nani shares the story of her life.  I'm so excited for you to dive into this story. . . . . . Watch my Midlife vlog here.  . . . . . Have a secretly extraordinary life? Apply to be a guest on my podcast in 2025 here. . . . . . Order your copy of my new book Reconnected. Let's keep in touch! Sign up for my newsletter to be the first to hear ALL my updates. Interested in advertising with us? Reach out here. Book me to speak here. . . . . . HIYA HEALTH: Receive 50% off your first order at hiyahealth.com/HUMANHOPE SHOPIFY: Go to shopify.com/CARLOS to take your business to the next level today. DOSE: Go to dailydose.co/CARLOS and get 30% off your first month's subscription! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2025 is here, and I'm READY. I've got some new stuff in the works, and I'm so excited to share it all with you.  One of the new things is this podcast! I'm setting out to tell your jaw-dropping stories. If you have one to tell, fill out the form below!  This week's story is a rerun, but it's worth retelling. Lee Ann is a good friend of mine and the person who actually connected me with the Amish community in my book Reconnected!! This is her story of falling in love with an Amish man. (Plot twist: Lee Ann isn't Amish… ) You're gonna LOVE this. . . . . . Have a secretly extraordinary life? Apply to be a guest on my podcast in 2025 here: https://forms.gle/Z13WGj63oEfgmtjJ9 . . . . . Learn more about Lee Ann HERE: https://www.leeannmiller.net/  Follow Lee Ann HERE: https://www.instagram.com/leeannmiller/ . . . . . Order your copy of my new book Reconnected HERE: ReconnectedBook.com  Let's keep in touch! Sign up for my newsletter to be the first to hear ALL my updates. https://app.e2ma.net/app2/audience/signup/1987227/1965424/ Interested in advertising with us? Reach out here. Book me to speak HERE: https://www.carloswhittaker.com/events  . . . . . Visit CatchingWhimsyBook.com to learn more and download a free chapter sampler today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices