Podcasts about reflecting

In this heartwarming and hilarious episode, I sit down with my 9-year-old son Colton for a spontaneous and deeply connective conversation. Using our brand-new Questions for the Car resource, we explore everything from nightmares and Dog Man books to space rides and secret lemonade recipes. It's a candid glimpse into father-son bonding, full of laughter, surprises, and those unscripted moments that truly matter.   Whether you're a dad looking for creative ways to connect with your kids or just need a smile today, this episode is a reminder of the magic that happens when we slow down, ask meaningful questions, and just listen. Colton brings the energy and honesty only a 9-year-old can, and the stories he shares will absolutely make your day.     Episode Highlights [0:00] - Introduction [1:10] - Introducing Colton and the new "Questions for the Car" resource [3:35] - The big move from Facebook to our private Dad Edge Alliance platform [5:00] - Colton shares his outfit of the day and his excitement for Black Friday merch [6:00] - Colton's wild dream involving spooky gray eyes and… Mr. Doo Doo? [8:45] - Talking books: Colton breaks down his latest Dog Man read (spoiler alert!) [11:00] - Reflecting on romance, weddings, and seeing parents show love [13:10] - Favorite family memory: Disney World and the magic of Space Mountain [15:45] - If he had a magic wand… Colton's Paris dreams and golden chocolate [17:03] - What makes a good friend, and Colton's trampoline generosity [18:00] - Why asking fun questions builds better conversations and memories [20:00] - The best lemonade in the world (and the secret ingredient Colton won't tell!)     5 Key Takeaways   Ask Better Questions – Engaging your kids with meaningful questions opens the door to unforgettable conversations. Connection Over Perfection – Conversations with younger kids might "squirrel," but the real gift is in the connection. Create Fun Family Rituals – Resources like Questions for the Car can turn everyday drives into bonding moments. Celebrate the Small Things – From dreams to books to lemonade, everything is an opportunity to connect. Lead by Example – Showing love, presence, and intention as a father shapes your child's inner world.       Links & Resources   Questions for the Car: thedadedge.com/kidquestions       Closing Thoughts   Even the shortest chats with our kids can leave lasting impressions. Whether you're talking about books, dreams, or lemonade recipes, remember—it's not about the topic, it's about the connection. If this episode inspired you, made you laugh, or gave you new ideas to connect with your kids, please rate and review the show, and don't forget to share it with another dad who might need it.   Stay legendary.

In this heartfelt and engaging episode, Rachel Hollis introduces a novel podcast format where she takes a walk with her guest instead of a conventional studio interview. Her guest, renowned interior designer Nate Berkus, shares his journey from his early career, including his significant experience on the Oprah Winfrey Show, to his present-day success and personal life. They discuss the value of authentic, layered design, life-changing experiences, like the tsunami that deeply impacted Nate, and how these events shaped their perspectives.Get your copy of Rachel's New Book Here: Audible, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Millon, Bookshop.org, or wherever books are sold!00:22 Introducing the New Podcast Format02:10 Guest Introduction: Nate Burki05:26 Nate's Journey and Early Career09:45 Design Philosophy and Practical Tips15:04 Balancing Personal and Professional Life22:14 Maintaining Relevance in Media24:38 Reflecting on Personal Growth25:14 Balancing Career and Family27:04 Navigating Identity and Legacy33:50 Coping with Trauma and PTSD37:32 The Importance of Supportive Relationships41:30 Exploring Therapy and Self-Improvement46:04 Creating a Practical Design BookSign up for Rachel's weekly email: https://msrachelhollis.com/insider/Call the podcast hotline and leave a voicemail! Call (737) 400-4626Watch the podcast on YouTube: http://youtube.com/@MsRachelHollisFollow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MsRachelHollisTo learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices.1 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

CONTINUED Iran's Multi-Faceted Crises: Water Scarcity, Pollution, and Transnational Repression Guest: Jonathan Sayah Jonathan Sayah discussed the multi-faceted crises plaguing Iran, reflecting poor management and ecological decline, with Tehran overwhelmed by severe water scarcity as dams dry up and crippling air pollution with CO2 levels 10 times the WHO standard, while the wat...

Iran's Multi-Faceted Crises: Water Scarcity, Pollution, and Transnational Repression Guest: Jonathan Sayah Jonathan Sayah discussed the multi-faceted crises plaguing Iran, reflecting poor management and ecological decline, with Tehran overwhelmed by severe water scarcity as dams dry up and crippling air pollution with CO2 levels 10 times the WHO standard, while the water crisis is worsened by the regime, especially IRGC-affiliated contractors, who prioritize their support base through unregulated mega-projects, leading to rivers and lakes drying up, a deliberate deprivation of clean water that constitutes a human rights violation, as environmental disasters have driven widespread internal migration into Tehran, taxing infrastructure and leading to issues like land subsidence, with the population considered "prime for unrest," while separately, Iran continues its policy of transnational repression, highlighted by the recent foiled plot to assassinate Israel's ambassador in Mexico, as Iran targets both Israeli/American officials and relies on criminal networks to repress Iranian dissidents abroad, while consistently holding American dual citizens hostage as political leverage. 1896 TEHRAN

In this episode of Maximize Your Hunt, Jon Teater discusses various hunting strategies with Dieter Kochan (FaceOff Ebikes), focusing on rut strategies, deer behavior, and effective access to hunting areas. They explore the importance of utilizing trail cameras for gathering information, the significance of scrapes in deer social behavior, and the management of scent and footwear to improve hunting success. The conversation wraps up with reflections on the hunting season and the importance of adapting strategies based on observations and experiences.  Takeaways The podcast focuses on maximizing hunting property and strategies. Understanding rut strategies is crucial for successful hunting. Accessing hunting areas effectively can improve success rates. Trail cameras provide valuable insights into deer behavior. Scrapes are important social markers for deer and should be utilized in hunting strategies. Managing scent and footwear is essential for not spooking deer. The more information you gather, the better your hunting decisions will be. Gray light access can prevent spooking deer on the way to stands. Younger deer should be able to utilize scrapes for social interaction. Reflecting on the hunting season helps improve future strategies.   Social Links https://www.faceoffebikes.com/ https://www.instagram.com/rangermatthews/ https://whitetaillandscapes.com/ https://www.facebook.com/whitetaillandscapes/ https://www.instagram.com/whitetail_landscapes/?hl=en Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The PGA TOUR is changing — but is it changing for the better? With the fall PGA TOUR season headed towards a close, Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme take a look some big category and card changes on the way for the 2026 PGA TOUR season. Smylie and Charlie take a look back at the 2025 season to examine how differences in points for signature and full-field events played out, and whether certain players benefited more than others in that structure. PLUS — huge news: The Smylie Show is heading to GOLF CHANNEL beginning January 2026, airing Wednesdays at 9 AM Eastern. Smylie and Charlie reflect on the journey, what the TV version of the show will look like, and how the audience helped get the show here. Tune in, subscribe, and stick around for more golf storytelling and behind-the-scenes insight! Chapters ↓ 00:55 — The Smylie Show is heading to the Golf Channel! 01:36 — Reflecting on the three-year journey of the show 03:06 — Show changes to look for in 2026 06:05 — Setting the Table: 2026 PGA Tour Rules & Categories 06:45 — Are PGA Points Fair? Full-Field vs Signature Debate 07:18 — The Maverick McNealy Case Study 08:22 — Is Winning a Full-Field Event Actually Harder? 10:13 — What the Data Says About Difficulty 11:45 — The 200-Point Problem 13:11 — Why Signature Events Give Huge Built-In Advantages 14:06 — Should a Top-10 Be Worth More in Full-Fields? 15:16 — How Signature Starts Create Long-Term Inequality 16:05 — Reviewing the Signature Event Chart (Audio Notes) 17:14 — Case Study: Kurt Kitayama vs Hideki Matsuyama 19:24 — Do Signature Events Artificially Inflate Some Players? 20:32 — Chris Gotterup & the “Late Season Unfairness” Issue 23:16 — Signature Events vs Full-Field: Who Really Benefits? 24:12 — How Players Ride Momentum — or Don't 25:18 — Why You MUST Play Well Early on Today's PGA Tour 26:21 — Low Full-Field Point Earners: Morikawa, Aberg, More 27:33 — The No-Cut Advantage Problem 29:06 — What the Tour Actually Wants: Star Protection 29:26 — Tony Finau vs Gary Woodland Breakdown 31:43 — Can You Play Your Way Off Tour With Signature Starts? 32:35 — Adam Scott & Max Homa Examples 34:51 — Rickie Fowler's Special Case 36:23 — Why Sponsors Will Always Influence Signature Events 37:14 — Golf Is Niche — And That Shapes the Entire System 38:18 — What the Top-100 Cut Means for Journeymen 39:04 — The New 2026 Rules: Field Sizes, 120-Player Players, Q-School 41:23 — DP World Tour vs Korn Ferry: Who Deserves More Spots? 44:41 — Should the DPWT Really Get 10 Cards? 47:55 — The DPWT's Crossroads: PGA Tour vs LIV 49:45 — Reviewing This Year's DPWT Grads 52:02 — The Challenge of Jumping from Europe to the PGA Tour 54:07 — Breaking Down the 101–150 Conditional Groups 56:14 — Past Champion Category & Where Smylie Would Slot In 57:31 — Tiger Woods Leading the Competition Committee #smylieshow #pgatour #golfchannel #golfnews #golfpodcast #golf

In this episode, I give you some tips on how you can put defensiveness aside and respond with grace when a situation gets challenging! We explore the emotions behind defensiveness and how to navigate them effectively by learning the three key steps to deescalate an argument. I also share how validating feelings and communicating from a place of understanding can make a huge difference in your relationships.  00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back 01:13 A Personal Story of Defensiveness 02:28 Reflecting on Emotional Reactions 05:52 Practical Steps to Deescalate Arguments 09:15 Final Thoughts and Announcements   Wait!!! Before you go!  Here are some ways you can work with me or become a part of my community! Work with me: Schedule a 45 min 1:1 coaching call: thegracefueledwife.com/coaching Not ready to work with me yet? These are some ways to learn about me for free.  Join my community on Facebook - The Grace Fueled Wives Club https://www.facebook.com/groups/GraceFueledWifeCommunity Become an Insider and get updates on all the podcast news.  Thegracefueledwife.com/insider

In another 10th anniversary episode Jesse Jackson is joined by returning guest Rich Glass. They reflect on a decade of podcasting and discuss various topics including the intricacies of being a Bruce Springsteen fan, the influences of Philadelphia DJs on Springsteen's music, and Rich's personal journey with Bruce. They also delve into the excitement of live shows, the impact of Tracks 2, and the unique experience of attending concerts in different cities. Additionally, they share amusing stories from past concerts and touch on the blending of sports fandoms, particularly the juxtaposition of Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles fans. Stay tuned till the end for a special postscript where they discuss recent sports trades and family dynamics around football loyalty. 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Updates 02:22 Welcoming Rich Glass 03:28 Rich's Background and Bruce Springsteen Fandom 04:21 Philadelphia's Connection to Bruce Springsteen 07:06 Recent Concert Experiences 09:27 Thoughts on Bruce's Recent Tours and Releases 23:55 Concert Stories and Memorable Moments 35:05 Anticipating the Next Tour 35:59 Generational Concert Experiences 38:23 Reflecting on Musical Tastes and Concerts 39:39 Community and Springsteen Events 43:35 Concluding Thoughts and Farewells 45:04 Football Banter and Family Rivalries Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reflecting on my Brazilian Jiu-jitsu journey and the effect of being inactive in the things we claim to be passionate about.Life lived is life learned. Every experience has facts, concepts and applications.  These arestories from the eclectic life of Lonnie Jones, Licensed ProfessionalCounselor, Minister, SWAT Team Chaplain, Outdoor Enthusiast, Quixotic Jedi andholder of an honorary doctorate from the University of Adversity.  To Support this podcast projectplease send gifts via Venmo @Lonnie-Jones-19 or use Cash App$Lonniejones3006.    Please follow us and share. Want lonnie to speak at yourevent?  Contact:  lonjones@bellsouth.net Check out YouTube for thelive eye view while the episode was being recorded.  Also look for archived lessons, Skits, and videosshowing/explaining some of the rope stuff we talk about.  YouTube.com/@LonnieJones Visit www.lonniejones.org  to find links tooriginal art, swag, 550guys and the following books:"Cognitive SpiritualDevelopment: A Christ Centered Approach to Spiritual Self Esteem";"Grappling With Life. Controlling Your Inside Space";"Pedagogue" The Youth Ministry Book by Lonnie Jones; "If I Werea Mouse" a children's story written and illustrated by Lonnie Jones;"The Selfish Rill, a story about a decision" A fantasy parableby Lonnie Jones.   T-shirts, stickers, prints and other art at www.teespring.com/stores/lonnie-jones-art https://lonnie-jones-art.creator-spring.com/listing/buy-podcast-swag?products=46  #www.worldchristian.org#tkminc2001@twlakes.net #www.hcu.edu #hpcitizensfoundation.orgFaulkner.edu/kgst  graduateenrollment@faulkner.edu    

In this episode, LZ engages in a heartfelt and comprehensive conversation with actress Beth Behrs. The podcast covers a range of topics including self-acceptance, beauty standards, and personal growth. Beth shares her journey from her early years in New York, her love for horses, and her experiences on popular shows like 'Two Broke Girls' and 'The Neighborhood.' They discuss the importance of creating authentic human connections amidst a technology-driven society and the value of giving back to the community. Beth also talks about her latest venture, Range Revolution, designing regenerative leather cowboy boots, and the joy of making people laugh. The discussion concludes with touching insights on what makes each feel beautiful and grounded.Menu:00:00 Welcome and Introduction00:53 Guest Introduction and Compliments01:15 Fashion and Beauty Insights02:34 Personal Stories and Reflections03:48 Community and Connection05:44 Technology and Human Interaction07:37 Acting and Career Beginnings10:02 Broadway and Musical Inspirations12:13 Horse Riding and Personal Passions19:36 Hollywood Stories and Friendships30:58 Discussing Talk Show Experiences34:01 Memorable Moments with Sally Field37:12 Reflecting on Long-Running Sitcoms39:51 Designing Regenerative Cowboy Boots49:33 Secret Celebrity Renovation51:13 Mahjong and Friendship53:11 Speed Round and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Maximize Your Hunt, Jon Teater discusses various hunting strategies with Dieter Kochan (FaceOff Ebikes), focusing on rut strategies, deer behavior, and effective access to hunting areas. They explore the importance of utilizing trail cameras for gathering information, the significance of scrapes in deer social behavior, and the management of scent and footwear to improve hunting success. The conversation wraps up with reflections on the hunting season and the importance of adapting strategies based on observations and experiences. TakeawaysThe podcast focuses on maximizing hunting property and strategies.Understanding rut strategies is crucial for successful hunting.Accessing hunting areas effectively can improve success rates.Trail cameras provide valuable insights into deer behavior.Scrapes are important social markers for deer and should be utilized in hunting strategies.Managing scent and footwear is essential for not spooking deer.The more information you gather, the better your hunting decisions will be.Gray light access can prevent spooking deer on the way to stands.Younger deer should be able to utilize scrapes for social interaction.Reflecting on the hunting season helps improve future strategies. Social Linkshttps://www.faceoffebikes.com/https://www.instagram.com/rangermatthews/https://whitetaillandscapes.com/https://www.facebook.com/whitetaillandscapes/https://www.instagram.com/whitetail_landscapes/?hl=en Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sean Barnes pulls back the curtain on what it truly takes to become a paid public speaker. Forget the “get rich from keynotes fast” promises, Sean shares the real story behind building influence, stepping on 100+ stages, and developing a clear, compelling message that event organizers actually want. He breaks down the discipline behind effective communication, storytelling, audience connection, and what separates aspiring speakers from the ones who earn their place on stage. If you're working to grow your leadership voice, build a personal brand, or become a paid speaker, this episode gives you the roadmap most people won't tell you.   Podcast Show Notes – Episode 256 | 11.18.2025 Episode Title: Becoming a Paid Speaker: What No One Tells You   Key Moments 00:00 – Opening in Vancouver 00:33 – The “Spaceship Moment” 01:05 – Reflecting on 5 Years of Speaking 01:41 – The truth behind paid speaking 02:04 – The power of repetition 02:29 – What event organizers look for 02:57 – How to craft a compelling message 03:25 – Finding your life story Key Takeaways Paid speaking is a marathon, you earn your place through reps, not shortcuts. Stepping on as many stages as possible is the fastest way to grow your skillset. Event organizers are overwhelmed with requests, differentiation and relationships matter. Your story is your power: clarity, storytelling, and emotional resonance are non-negotiable. Influence is built over time through consistency, credibility, and the courage to share your message.   Host: Sean Barnes Website: https://www.wolfexecutives.com   https://www.seanbarnes.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanbarnes/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/wolfexecutives https://www.linkedin.com/company/thewayofthewolf/ LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7284600567593684993/ The Wolf Leadership Series: https://wolfexecutives.com/wolf-leadership-series/ YouTube: youtube.thewayofthewolf.com Twitter: https://x.com/the_seanbarnes https://x.com/wolfexecutives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_seanbarnes https://www.instagram.com/wolfexecutives https://www.instagram.com/the_wayofthewolf TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the_seanbarnes Email: Sean@thewayofthewolf.com Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Way-of-the-Wolf-Podcast/B08JJNXJ6C Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2BTGdO25Vop3GTpGCY8Y8E?si=ea91c1ef6dd14f15

In this episode Jesse Jackson is joined by public school teacher Matthew Truesdale. They discuss Matthew's career as an English teacher in South Carolina, his family's musical background, and his journey as a Bruce Springsteen fan. Matthew shares stories from his experiences attending Springsteen concerts and talks about how he incorporates Bruce's music into his classroom lessons. The episode also covers highlights from the recent symposium at Monmouth University celebrating the 50th anniversary of Born to Run, including Bruce's surprise appearance and live performance. 00:00 Welcome to Set Lusting Bruce 00:39 Meet Matthew: A Passionate Educator 01:59 Musical Influences and Family Background 09:00 Discovering Bruce Springsteen 16:24 Teaching and Integrating Music in the Classroom 23:44 Reflecting on a Missed Opportunity 24:00 Student Feedback on Bruce Springsteen 25:10 Discovering the Symposium 26:38 Crafting the Presentation 29:16 The Power of Springsteen's Lyrics 30:27 Presenting at the Symposium 37:49 Favorite Albums and Songs 42:31 The Thunder Road Debate 45:09 Final Thoughts and Contact Information Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the 'Passports, Profits, and Pixie Dust Podcast,' host Lindsay Dollinger, a business coach and lead generation coach, discusses the significance of evolving your business strategies to reach new heights. She reflects on her decision to leave a long-time coaching program to seek new mentorship that aligns better with her current business needs, emphasizing that comfort zones can hinder growth. Lindsay shares her process of transitioning her business systems, including shifting her website and email provider, to optimize efficiency. She invites listeners to a free event called CEO Glow Up Week focused on systems and strategy, and introduces her Social Sales Society for women entrepreneurs. The episode offers actionable steps to up-level your business, stressing the importance of stepping into a CEO mindset and implementing effective systems and support. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:18 Reflecting on Past Coaching Experiences 02:49 Deciding on a New Mastermind 07:09 Transitioning Business Platforms 08:56 Upleveling Your Business 13:31 Stepping into CEO Mode 16:16 Upcoming Events and Offers 19:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts ✨ Connect with Lindsay Instagram: @lindsaydollinger Website: www.lindsaydollinger.com Sign up for CEO Glow Up Week: https://www.lindsaydollinger.com/links Take your Marketing Superpower Quiz: https://www.lindsaydollinger.com/quiz Get access to done-for-you content calendars and social templates inside the Social Sales Studio:

What does it really mean to care for the waters we fish? In this mid-month episode of the Southeastern Fly Podcast, we tackle that question head-on—because the answer starts with each of us.Today we welcome back Jason McReynolds, guide and owner of Flying Soho and board member of the Blue Ridge Guides Association, to explore what it means to take ownership of our rivers and give back to the places that give us so much.Jason returns after his last appearance on Episode 89 (“Fishing Streamers”) to share updates from Upper East Tennessee and to discuss the impact of recent storms, river debris, and community efforts to clean and preserve the waters we all depend on.Together, we dive into the shared responsibility anglers, guides, and outdoor enthusiasts have to maintain clean, healthy rivers—and how organized cleanups make a real difference.Highlights of the Episode:Whose River Is It? Reflecting on how we each experience and value rivers in our own way—and what that means for stewardship.From Talk to Action: David shares his “one-piece rule,” while Jason explains how his team turns small actions into large-scale cleanups.Organizing a Cleanup: Jason outlines what it takes to plan a successful river cleanup, from picking dates to partnering with local organizations.Incentives and Impact: How community support, great prizes, and volunteer spirit combine to make each event a success.After the Storm: The crew discusses recovery efforts and massive debris fields left behind by Hurricane Helene—and why continued cleanup is vital.Fishing Report: Streamer season is heating up, with rainbows and browns feeding aggressively on shad through the lower stretches of the Watauga and South Holston.Remember, keeping our rivers clean isn't someone else's job—it's everyone's. Join the conversation, mark your calendar for March, and help make a difference wherever you fish.Resources:Visit FlyingSoho.comInstagram: @flyingsohoLearn more about the Blue Ridge Guides Association cleanup and eventsSign up for the Southeastern Fly Newsletter for updates on upcoming episodes and events.Listen, share, and go fish—and leave the river better than you found it.

In this episode of Life Will Be, Lydia T. Blanco explores themes of vulnerability, mindfulness, and personal growth through her own career transitions and reflections. Drawing inspiration from a moment in the show Abbott Elementary, she discusses the balance between pursuing dreams and recognizing distractions. Lydia emphasizes the importance of gratitude, taking inventory of one's achievements, and prioritizing values in life. She encourages listeners to take their time and affirm their positions in life, reminding them to be kind to themselves and others.Key TakeawaysVulnerability and mindfulness are essential for personal growth and development.Dreams can sometimes distract us from our actual goals.Career transitions can lead to self-discovery and new opportunities.Reflecting on past achievements helps us recognize our worth.Practicing gratitude is crucial for mental well-being.Quality of life encompasses more than just career success; it also encompasses personal well-being and overall satisfaction.Prioritizing values can lead to a more fulfilling life.Taking time for oneself is essential in a fast-paced world.Self-affirmation can boost confidence and clarity.Being kind to oneself is vital during transitions.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Vulnerability and Self-Discovery00:31 Navigating Career Transitions and Personal Growth08:06 The Importance of Reflection and Gratitude13:19 Quality of Life: Prioritizing Values and Overcoming Distractions20:16 Embracing Elevation and Taking Your TimeStay Connected IG: Life Will Be Pod - Lydia T. Blanco

In this episode of Your Week with St. Luke's, all three pastors (Jenn, Jad, and Melissa) gather to close out the Christian year with a conversation on Christ the King Sunday and the culmination of our month-long focus on gratitude. Together, they explore what it means to claim Christ as Lord in a world full of competing allegiances, how worship recenters us in community, and why generosity is a spiritual discipline rooted in trust rather than pressure. Reflecting on 2 Corinthians 9, they discuss how giving reveals the posture of our hearts, how worship shapes our daily lives, and how the rhythms of discipleship prepare us long before moments of crisis arise. This rich conversation sets the stage for a Sunday filled with praise, thanksgiving, and a renewed commitment to live as citizens of God's kingdom.   Go deeper at https://www.livetherhythm.app/

In this fiery episode of the RattlerGator Report, JB White breaks down a whirlwind weekend of hacked X posts, football highs and lows, and the relentless march of global realignment driven by Donald Trump's strategic “flood the zone” maneuvering. Reflecting on his old threads from 2020 and the massive power Trump held at the end of his first term, JB digs into the ongoing information war, the collapse of adversarial narratives, and the unmistakable signals, like the Ford carrier's positioning, showing that America is reasserting full-spectrum dominance. He contrasts discernment and emotional reactions, calls out misguided influencers, and highlights the emerging technological battles shaping the new geopolitical landscape. With trademark candor, humor, and unapologetic patriotism, JB weaves sports talk, personal anecdotes, military analysis, and hard-nosed political insight into a single, rapid-fire meditation on the moment America finds itself in as history bends sharply toward a long-awaited reckoning.

Do you ever feel like the pressure of the holidays only makes your heart ache more? Thanksgiving can bring out feelings of stress, grief, and loneliness, especially when life isn't going the way we expected. But what if you could still feel thankful even in the toughest moments?In this episode, Bonnie explores how to cultivate gratitude when your heart is hurting and provides 3 powerful mindset shifts to help you find peace amidst life's hardest moments. Take a moment to breathe in encouraging truth and practice a soul-care tip to help you connect with God's peace this Thanksgiving. Whether you're celebrating joy or navigating challenges, Bonnie guides you toward healing through gratitude. Tune into this episode to learn how to express your emotions honestly, embrace the power of storytelling, and how to use a simple prayer practice on God's faithfulness to experience true thanksgiving.Key Takeaways:- Use 3 mindset shifts to boost your emotional health and spiritual wellness- Science of Expressing True Emotions: Helps release stress and nurtures gratitude.- Science of Storytelling: Lifts your spirits and strengthens your emotional bonds.- Soul Care of Psalm 105: Reflecting on God's faithfulness through Scripture like Psalm 105 helps you cultivate lasting peace and thanksgiving. Breath Prayer:  (inhale) The nearness of God is my good (exhale) The Lord is my refuge Scriptures:  But as for me, the nearness of my God is my good. I have made the Lord God my refuge. Ps. 32:7Soul Care Tips: 3 tips to heal your hurting heart during ThanksgivingLINKS & RESOURCES-  Register now "Journaling with Jesus" Soul Care Course: https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool/-  Take my FREE Soul Care Quiz at soulcarequiz.com – your wellness assessment!-  Get Bonnie's Bestselling book "Breathe: 21 Days to Stress Less" https://amzn.to/4azae1K-  Subscribe to FREE Breathe Newsletter for Fall Quarter Soul Care! https://thebonniegray.com/subscribe/-  Follow Bonnie at www.instagram.com/thebonniegray & www.facebook.com/thebonniegray Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, Marcia discusses the challenges and growth that come from stepping out of one's comfort zone. She shares a personal story about accepting a challenging speaking engagement despite it not being her area of expertise and experiencing severe morning sickness. Through this experience, she highlights the importance of creating internal safety, sitting with difficult emotions, and using the be-do-have formula to achieve success. Additionally, through a touching story about her daughter, the host illustrates the power of real-life examples in teaching valuable life lessons. The episode concludes with the message that sometimes the best opportunities come in unexpected packages and saying yes can lead to greater growth and more opportunities.   00:42 Embracing Unexpected Opportunities 02:34 Overcoming Fears About Upcoming Speaking Engagement 02:48 The Struggles of Public Speaking While Pregnant 05:48 Reflecting on the Experience 11:42 Teaching Resilience to Children 14:46 Core Principles for Personal Growth Taught Inside Our Academy 18:56 Conclusion: Embrace Unexpected Opportunities IG: @marciacolosi | TikTok: @marciacolosi LI: @marciacolosi | FB: @marciamiatke  Ready to take your life and relationships to the next level? Follow The EQ Academy Official where you'll learn to optimise your emotions, leverage your feminine and masculine energies and show up your most confident and radiant self!

This honest and reflective episode takes listeners inside the therapy room—where clinical learnings, vulnerability, and growth unfold in real time. Ms Catherine McGrath (Clinical Team Lead and Senior Psychologist) sharea hard-earned lessons from working with OCD clients using ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention), and open up about the emotional toll, missed opportunities, and the courage it takes to keep learning.From the power of self-compassion to the importance of holding space and involving parents in the therapeutic process, this conversation is a valuable reminder that clinicians don't need to be perfect to be effective—they just need to keep showing up.

The Loss of a Friend, Trump Controversies, and Political Banter: A Conversation with Trizdon and RayIn this episode of Extreme Common Sense, Trizdon and Ray reflect on the somber news of Trizdon's friend, John, passing away after a battle with cancer. The show then shifts to a discussion on various political issues, including Donald Trump's impact on American politics, the 2024 elections, and critical views on GOP's handling of social issues like food stamps. The episode also touches on recent controversies involving key figures such as Erica Kirk and JD Vance, and concludes with light-hearted jokes to offset the heavy topics.00:00 Introduction and Berea Pawn Ad00:33 Remembering John: A Tribute to a Friend06:57 The Role of a Stepfather10:51 Political Commentary and Epstein Files30:41 Housing Crisis and Economic Policies33:56 Sponsor Shoutouts and Tony's Hunting Story34:46 Misused Words and Communication36:32 Comedy Show and Local Events39:00 Reflecting on the Podcast Journey40:48 Political Discussion: Democrats and Trump53:15 Erica Kirk and Social Media Reactions55:17 Emotional Expression in Public Figures01:01:20 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell

Navugating Life shares Living in the Heart of the most Holy Trinity. Prayers Have Power: Lessons from Mother Cabrini Unveiling the Legacy of St. Mother Cabrini: Faith, Fear, and Triumph In this episode of 'Living in the Heart of the Most Holy Trinity,' co-host Rear Admiral Garry Hall (US Navy retired) and world-renowned Rosary priest Father James Kelleher celebrate the life and legacy of St. Mother Cabrini. They dive deep into her incredible journey, highlighting her faith-driven accomplishments in healthcare and education, overcoming fears, and unwavering determination. The hosts reflect on the power of prayer, recounting personal anecdotes and inspirational stories about Mother Cabrini's mission to help Italian immigrants in the US. Near the end, they share practical steps for living out faith-driven initiatives: start small, pray hard, take a step. Join Father James and Garry as they explore how faith can turn dreams into reality. 00:00 Introduction and Greetings 00:41 Reflecting on the Power of Prayer 02:56 Introducing St. Mother Cabrini 03:31 Mother Cabrini's Mission and Overcoming Fear 04:29 A Personal Story of Faith and Fear 07:08 The Holy Spirit Prayer  08:51 Mother Cabrini's Early Life and Missionary Work 12:36 Challenges and Triumphs in New York 17:55 Expanding the Mission: Chicago and Seattle 21:18 Lessons from Mother Cabrini 23:54 A Modern Example of Faith in Action 29:22 Conclusion and Blessing

Send us a textPodcast Guesting is your best way to get visibility, credibility, and trust by sharing how you add value to your clients.In this episode of Business Growth Talks, hosted by Mark Hayward, listeners are treated to the remarkable journey of Marco Benitez, CEO and co-founder of Rook. Marco shares his path from a Taekwondo champion to spearheading a successful startup in the digital health space. Reflecting on his journey and challenges, Marco provides insights into the synergies between the discipline of martial arts and the resilience required in entrepreneurship. This episode is a masterclass on navigating startup challenges, building strategic partnerships, and the future of personalized healthcare.Marco delves into the inception of Rook, sharing the pivotal moment when he left a secure job in corporate pharma to pursue his dream of building a startup. The conversation covers the hurdles of innovating within healthcare tech, securing investment, and the critical role of discipline in entrepreneurship. With Rook, Marco emphasizes the transformation of wearable device data into actionable insights, underscoring the importance of preventing ailments before they arise. This insightful dialogue is a blend of personal anecdotes and practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs eager to impact the health tech industry.Key Takeaways:Synergy of Disciplines: The discipline and perseverance from Marco's martial arts background significantly influenced his approach to entrepreneurship.Navigating Initial Challenges: Finding the first client and cultivating trust was crucial to Rook's early success and customer engagement.Strategic Partnerships: Alliances with entities like InterSystems accelerated Rook's influence in the health tech industry.Investor Relationships: Building authentic relationships and aligning investors with the company's mission were essential for Rook's funding success.Importance of Prenvention: Personalized data and proactive healthcare approaches can reshape health industries, offering better outcomes for individuals and organizations alike.SPONSORPodcast Guesting is your best way to get visbility, credibility and trust by sharing how you add value to your clients. If you want to set up a call, go to the websitewww.podcastintroduction.comResources:Rook Website: Try rook IOMarco Benitez on LinkedIn: Marco Antonio BenitezListeners are encouraged to dive into the full episode for more enriching conversations and stay tuned to discover more transformative journeys in the world of business, innovation, and entrepreneursSupport the showIf you want to watch the full video of this episode go to:https://www.youtube.com/@markhayward-BizGrowthTalksDo you want to be a guest on multiple podcasts as a service go to:www.podcastintroduction.comFind more details about the podcast and my coaching business on:www.businessgrowthtalks.comFind me onLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-hayw...Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mjh169183YouTube Shorts - https://www.youtube.com/@markhayward-BizGrowthTalks/shorts

Today's guest is Kelsey Hensley, President at NovEx Supply Chain, whose company was ranked No. 1,662 on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list. In this Grow Think Tank interview, Kelsey shares insights on company culture and leadership development, highlighting the six core values, kindness, openness, intentionality, trustworthiness, initiative, and accountability, that guide decision-making and foster personal growth at NovEx. She discusses the balance between technology and human relationships in logistics, explaining how clearly defined values have transformed the company's hiring practices and strengthened team alignment. Reflecting on her leadership journey, Kelsey emphasizes the importance of empowering teams and focusing on strategic growth, illustrating how intentional leadership fosters a thriving organizational culture. Episode Highlights & Time Stamps 1:26 Introduction to Novex Supply Chain 2:40 Embracing AI in Logistics 6:34 The Human Element in Business 8:17 Leadership and Culture Connection 10:31 Highlighting Company Values 13:18 Living the Values 16:48 Independent Teams and Leadership 17:28 Overcoming Control Issues 21:23 Focusing on Valuable Work 24:28 The Worth of Cultural Efforts Building a Values-Driven Culture From the Ground Up In this Grow Think Tank interview, Kelsey Hensley, founder of Novex Supply Chain, shares how rapid growth as a bi-coastal 3PL provider pushed her to shape company culture intentionally. She walks through the six core values that guide Novex. Kindness, openness, intentionality, trustworthiness, initiative, and accountability, and how they influence decisions, hiring, coaching, and team interactions. Kelsey describes the pride she feels watching employees embody these values not only at work but in their personal lives, reinforcing the power of a values-first culture. Leadership Principles and Tech, AI, and the Human Touch in Logistics Empowerment Kelsey and Gene shift the conversation to today's evolving workplace and the rise of AI in logistics. While acknowledging industry layoffs and the anxiety surrounding automation, Kelsey stresses that technology should enhance human performance, not replace it. She believes logistics still thrives on relationships and personalized service, which machines cannot replicate. For Novex, AI is a tool, not the driver, and the company remains committed to keeping people at the heart of the business. Why Culture Shapes Leadership: Not the Other Way Around Diving deeper, Kelsey emphasizes that culture determines the type of leaders who emerge. She shares the breakthroughs she had once she formally defined Novex's core values, giving the organization a clear framework for hiring, training, and accountability. Her hiring philosophy centers on behavior over skill. Skills can be taught, but misaligned behaviors disrupt teams. By prioritizing value-aligned behavior, Kelsey has cultivated a dependable, supportive environment where people can thrive. Learning to Let Go: A Founder's Leadership Evolution Reflecting on her journey, Kelsey discusses her early tendency to control every detail of the business and how a long overseas family trip forced her to step back. Trusting her team, allowing them to make mistakes, learn, and lead became a turning point for Novex. Empowering her people has freed her to focus on strategy, brand development, and deeper client relationships. Her story highlights how founders evolve and how letting go can unlock growth, independence, and a stronger culture. Key Takeaways Values Drive Everything: Novex Supply Chain's six core values kindness, openness, intentionality, trustworthiness, initiative, and accountability serve as the foundation for decision-making, hiring, and team development. Culture Shapes Leadership: Kelsey emphasizes that strong culture produces strong leaders. Clearly defining company values created alignment and accountability across the organization. Hire for Behavior, Train for Skill: Skills can be taught, but behavior and attitude determine long-term success. Value-aligned behavior is the top hiring priority at Novex. Tech Supports People, Not Replaces Them: Despite AI advancements and logistics industry layoffs, Kelsey believes the human element relationships, communication, and personalized service remains irreplaceable. Letting Go Unlocks Growth: Kelsey's shift from controlling every detail to empowering her team was a turning point. Allowing others to lead freed her to focus on strategy, brand growth, and client relationships. Personal Growth Matters: The company's values don't just impact work they influence how employees show up in all areas of their lives, fostering well-rounded personal and professional development. Intentional Leadership Builds Thriving Teams: By trusting her team, creating clarity, and reinforcing shared values, Kelsey demonstrates how intentional leadership fuels sustainable growth and a strong organizational culture. Resources & Next Steps Ready to take your leadership energy to the next level? Explore free training and resources at training.coreelevation.com to help you identify energy leaks, strengthen your leadership presence, and elevate your team's performance.

HYROX elite Rich Ryan breaks down his training evolution—from mastering sleds to dialing in threshold sessions and mindset. A must-listen for athletes chasing faster, smarter racing.0:00 – Why This Episode MattersRich kicks things off solo while Meg and Kent are away racing, sharing why this conversation with strength coach John Patton hits differently—because he's the one getting grilled this time. 4:20 – Reflecting on His Fastest HYROX Season YetRich talks improvements, racing with confidence, and why going out hard at Worlds wasn't a mistake—but a milestone. 17:55 – The Sled Push/Pull BlueprintFrom fear to domination: Rich breaks down the exact process he used to become one of the strongest sled athletes in the sport, including the 3 pillars of sled training. 36:10 – The Threshold Training RevolutionRich explains how tracking time in low Zone 4 completely redefined his HYROX fitness—and why these long, grindy sessions might be the key you're avoiding. 1:07:40 – Mindset, Longevity & What's NextHow Rich handles pain, avoids overtraining, and stays competitive at 39. Plus, what he's experimenting with next (VBT, lactate testing, and maybe even VO₂ masks).

How can we tell if we have experienced the new birth? Many well-meaning people want to reduce it down to some belief or practice that we can do in our own strength. But in this passage, we see that the evidence of being born again is a supernatural love for others and an insatiable longing for God. Sermon Outline:I. If we have been born again, then we will love one another.II. If we have been born again, then we will long for more of GodSermon Discussion Questions:1. In what ways are you tempted to reduce Christianity to something you can manage, measure, or control? How does Peter's emphasis on sincere, enduring love challenge that? 2. What are some “flat tire” signs in our lives that indicate we're living as if God doesn't matter? How does the gospel offer us not just repair, but a completely new life?3. Reflecting on 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, where do you find it hardest to love this way? Is it with a spouse, a difficult family member, someone with opposing political views, or in another relationship? What would it look like to love that person with the imperishable love that comes from being born of imperishable seed?4. Peter lists five things incompatible with love: malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander (2:1). Which of these five is most present in your heart right now, and toward whom? What practical step could you take this week to put it off?5. How would you honestly assess your current spiritual hunger? What practices or habits most help you cultivate that desire, and what tends to diminish it?

Join us as we dive into the recent games, featuring in-depth discussions about Steph Curry's remarkable performances, Victor Wembanyama's impressive fourth quarters, and how the Spurs are holding up. We provide analysis on the Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies, and Atlanta Hawks matchups, breaking down strengths, weaknesses, and what to expect. We also talk about fan engagement, lineup rotations, and setting realistic expectations for the season. Stay tuned for some high praise, accountability checks, and our game predictions for the week. Like, subscribe, comment, and drop your questions for the next episode. Let's go, Spurs fans!00:00 Welcome to the Silver and Black Coffee Hour01:08 Cozy Conversations and Steph Curry Woes05:40 Spurs Game Recaps and Highlights08:19 Warriors Game Analysis and Steph Curry's Dominance16:52 Reflecting on the Spurs' Performance30:05 Accountability and Predictions32:22 High Praise and Positivity33:28 SGA's Influence on Steph Castle34:39 Shoutout to Spurs Fans36:43 Wemby's Fourth Quarter Dominance38:12 Close Losses and Team Development42:00 Evaluating the Spurs' Season47:53 Rotations and Lineup Strategies52:41 Upcoming Games Preview01:04:27 Final Thoughts and EncouragementFollow us on socials: on IG @SilverandBlackCoffeeHour‬On Twitter @SlvrBlkCoffeeHr

Kollel Iyun Halacha. Shuirim are held Sun-Thurs at 11 Gudz Road Lakewood NJ. For more info email: kih185miller@gmail.com

Reflecting on Rob Gronkowski's breakout game, finding other MLB players to join the Savannah Bananas after Jackie Bradley Jr. becomes full-time, and another rants about movies following the recent trailer releases this week in Arcand Fire.

In this episode, Swamiji begins his discourse on Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7, Verse 8, where Shree Krishna reveals how the Divine permeates everyday experience—manifesting as the taste of water, the light of the sun and moon, the sacred syllable Om in the Vedic mantras, the sound in space, and the ability in human beings. This teaching invites seekers to recognize God not as distant, but as the very essence enlivening all phenomenayoutube.com.  Swamiji illustrates “the ability in humans” with a Vedic story—when the devas became proud, God withdrew their power to reveal its true source. He explains how our talents are granted and sustained by the Divine, and can be withdrawn, guiding us to humility and gratitude in practice. Reflecting on the astonishing complexity of creation and human consciousness, he emphasizes that perceiving God's presence in the simplest realities transforms remembrance into living devotionyoutube.com.  About Swami Mukundananda: Swami Mukundananda is a renowned spiritual leader, Vedic scholar, Bhakti saint, best-selling author, and an international authority on the subject of mind management. He is the founder of the unique yogic system called JKYog. Swamiji holds distinguished degrees in Engineering and Management from two of India's most prestigious institutions—IIT and IIM. Having taken the renounced order of life (sanyas), he is the senior disciple of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj, and has been sharing Vedic wisdom across the globe for decades. 

Reflecting on what it means to be a good and faithful steward

In this episode, the guys discuss various topics including recent card releases, listener engagement through giveaways, and the upcoming Secret Santa event. They delve into significant hobby news, including Panini's strategic options and Beckett's legal victory, while also addressing the controversial topic of shill bidding. The episode concludes with a fun challenge related to patch pyramids, encouraging listener participation. Chapters 00:00 Reflecting on Five Years of Broadcasting 02:22 Health Updates and Personal Anecdotes 03:11 Show Announcements and Podcast Updates 05:26 eBay Affiliate Program and Listener Engagement 08:57 Weekly Raffle and Card Highlights 11:39 Listener Voicemail and Community Interaction 17:27 Discussion on Baseball and Fan Dynamics 21:24 The Impact of Cheating in Sports 25:40 The Joy of Secret Santa in the Hobby 26:14 Panini's Strategic Moves in the Market 30:38 Beckett's Legal Battles and Fraud Concerns 35:05 Controversy Over Shill Bidding in the Hobby 50:39 Auction vs. Fixed Price Listings 53:16 Patch Pyramid Challenge Introduction 01:02:54 Ranking Jersey Patches 01:05:10 Wedding Stories and Reflections   Check Out Our Other Content:  New Product Releases with Mrs. Doc - Every Wednesday

Episode 320 of CinemAddicts features movies coming out the week of Friday, November 14, 2025. New films include Kaantha, In Your Dreams, Muzzle: City of Wolves, Murder at the Embassy, The Carpenter's Son, Serious People and King Ivory. Bruce Purkey also reviews the Apple TV series Pluribus and Netflix's Frankenstein. Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction to CinemAddicts 00:26 - Weekly Movie Rundown 01:21 - Listener Appreciation and Podcast Challenges 10:11 - Documentary Highlights 10:34 - Eric recommends the documentary Photographic Justice The Corky Lee Story. 12:33 - Exclusive Interviews and More Reviews 19:42 - Murder at the Embassy Review 29:51 - Review of King Ivory (Images: Roadside Attractions / Saban Films) 40:06 - In Your Dreams Review (Images: Netflix) 49:59 - Serious People Review 64:45 - Kaantha Review (Images: Spirit Media) 74:40 - CinemAddicts Movie Club pick this week is 'Shattered' 77:49 - Review of 'Frankenstein' 80:49 Review of 'Predator Badlands' 82:58 Review of 'The Carpenter's Son' (Images: Magnolia Pictures) 91:58 Review of 'Trap House' 98:02 Reflecting on the Final Murders 98:18 Upcoming Events and Interviews 102:24 Bruce Purkey is in the Cinem-Attic!! 103:58 Review: Muzzle City of Wolves (Images: RLJE Films) 115:35 Review: The Beast in Me 123:07 Review: Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein 133:42 Review: Pluribus by Vince Gilligan 150:42 Final Thoughts and Next Week's Preview We receive a slight commission if you purchase items via our Amazon SiteStripe and/or affiliate links. Members of our CinemAddicts Patreon receive a monthly Bonus episode and early access to interviews and movie spoilers.  CinemAddicts Facebook Page CinemAddicts Facebook Group CinemAddicts Patreon CinemAddicts YouTube Channel CinemAddicts Merch store Our Website is Find Your Films Thanks to our Patreon Community Ryan Smith Stephen Schrock Susan Charles Peterson Nelson B. McClintock Diana Van De Kamp Pete Abeyta Tyler Andula Stephen Mand Edmund Mendez Abbie Schmidt Jeff Tait Robert Prakash Kristen Chris M Jeremy Chappell Lewis Longshadow Iver Alex Clayton Daniel Hulbert Andrew Martin Angela Clark Myron Freeman Kayn Kalmbach Aaron Fordham Tracy Peters Grant Boston Ken Cunningham #Kaantha #InYourDreams #KingIvory #TheCarpentersSon

In this episode of Angus Underground, host David Brown discusses the chaotic aftermath of his recent bull sale, highlighting the complexities of customer interactions, logistics, and market trends. He emphasizes the importance of community engagement and customer feedback in improving future sales. The conversation also touches on the challenges of registration and invoicing, as well as the necessity of health testing for cattle delivery. David reflects on the success of the sale and the relationships built with customers, urging listeners to appreciate the support they receive in the cattle industry.TakeawaysThe days following a sale are often more chaotic than the sale itself.Customer interactions post-sale are crucial for maintaining relationships.Logistics for delivery can be complex and require careful planning.Health testing is a necessary step for cattle delivery to certain states.Registration and invoicing can be challenging, especially with online buyers.Market trends can fluctuate based on external factors like social media.Community engagement is vital for the success of cattle sales.Reflecting on past sales helps improve future events.Customer feedback is essential for enhancing the sale experience.Building relationships with customers can lead to long-term loyalty.Episode LinksMontanaRanchAngus.comhttps://virginiabcia.com/https://www.commongroundcoalition.net/ Learn more about our sponsor, Montana Ranch, by visiting MontanaRanchAngus.com.

In this thought-provoking episode, Tony and Jesse delve into Jesus's twin parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price from Matthew 13:44-46. They explore the profound economic metaphor Jesus uses to illustrate the incomparable value of the Kingdom of Heaven. Through careful examination of both parables, they discuss what it means to "count the cost" of following Christ while simultaneously recognizing that no earthly sacrifice can compare to the infinite worth of gaining Christ. The conversation moves between practical application—considering how believers assess value in their spiritual lives—and deeper theological reflections on Christ's perfect sacrifice that makes our entrance into the Kingdom possible in the first place. Key Takeaways The Kingdom of Heaven has such surpassing value that sacrificing everything to obtain it is considered a joyful exchange, not a loss. Both parables show different paths to discovering the Kingdom (unexpected finding vs. intentional seeking), but identical responses: selling everything to obtain the treasure. The parables are not primarily commanding material poverty, but rather illustrating the "sold-outness" required in pursuing the Kingdom of God. Counting the cost of discipleship is not only permissible but necessary to fully appreciate the value of what we gain in Christ. The ultimate treasure we receive in salvation is not merely benefits like eternal life, but God Himself—union with Christ and fellowship with the Trinity. Christ Himself is the one who ultimately fulfills these parables perfectly, giving everything to purchase us as His treasure. The irresistible draw of the Kingdom illustrates how God's grace works in the heart of believers, compelling joyful surrender. Exploring the Incomparable Value of the Kingdom The economic metaphor Jesus employs in these parables is striking—both the hidden treasure and the pearl are deemed so valuable that the discoverers "sell all they have" to obtain them. As Tony and Jesse point out, this transaction reveals something profound about how we should view the Kingdom of Heaven. It's not simply that the Kingdom is valuable; it's that its value so far exceeds anything else we possess that the comparison becomes almost absurd. As Tony notes, "For sure the worth of the kingdom of heaven surpasses anything we could imagine... there's no measure that is satisfying, there's no measure that can actually show us how worthwhile it is." This perspective transforms how we understand sacrifice in the Christian life. When opportunities or comforts are foregone because of our faith, we're not simply losing something—we're experiencing the reality that we've chosen something infinitely more valuable. The parables teach us to view these moments not with regret but with a clearer vision of the treasure we've received in Christ. The Ultimate Prize: God Himself Perhaps the most powerful insight from the discussion is the realization that the ultimate treasure of salvation is not the benefits we receive, but God Himself. As Tony eloquently states: "All of those things are attending gifts. But what we get in salvation ultimately is we get God... we get union with God, we get fellowship with Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. We get swept up into the life of the Trinity... We gain the relationship that the son has with the father by nature. We gain that by grace and nothing can compare to that." This perspective reshapes how we understand the value proposition of the gospel. It's not merely that we receive eternal life, freedom from suffering, or other benefits—though these are real. The pearl of great price is relationship with God Himself. This helps explain why both men in the parables respond with such dramatic, all-encompassing sacrifice. When we truly grasp what's being offered, nothing seems too great a price to pay. Memorable Quotes "What we get in salvation ultimately is we get God. We get union with God, we get fellowship with Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. We get swept up into the life of the Trinity... We gain the relationship that the son has with the father by nature. We gain that by grace and nothing can compare to that." — Tony Arsenal "I often say in my own line of work, that cost only matters in the absence of value... it's like at the end of days when we think about the worthiness of our God, that there's no one like him, that he's unequal, that he has no rival, that the gospel is the sweetest message that we're rescued literally from the pit. We'll just say no matter what the cost of us personally, great or small, totally worth it." — Jesse Schwamb Full Transcript [00:00:08] Tony Arsenal: All of those things are attending gifts. But what we get in salvation ultimately is we get God we get union with God, we get fellowship with Jesus Christ in the, the power of the Holy Spirit. We, we get swept up into the life of the, the God of the universe. Like the life of the Trinity indwells us. And we, we become a part of that. We get swept up into that. We gain the relationship that the son has with the father by nature. We gain that by grace and nothing can compare to that. [00:00:47] Jesse Schwamb: Welcome to episode 469 of The Reformed Brotherhood. I'm Jesse. [00:00:54] Tony Arsenal: And I'm Tony. And this is the podcast with ears to hear. Hey brother. [00:00:59] Jesse Schwamb: Hey brother. Discussing the Value of the Kingdom of Heaven [00:01:00] Jesse Schwamb: Speaking of ears to hear, we're back at it again with a whole new, or let's say different parable from our Lord and Savior Jesus. And we've been talking about how really these parables give us this view of the face of heaven through these earthly glasses. And I am pretty interested in our conversation about what's coming up because sometimes we don't like to put too fine a points to our, our point of question to our faith. And in this case, we're gonna get to ask the question, what is it all worth, this kingdom of heaven, this rule and reign of Christ? What is it all about? Who are the beneficiaries of it? And what is it all actually worth? There's a little bit of economics in this, so we're gonna get there. And while we talk and do a little affirming or denying, you should just go ahead write to just skip, go. Do not collect $200 or maybe. Pass, go and collect $200. I dunno. But just go to Matthew chapter 13 and hang out there for just a second. Affirmations and Denials [00:01:58] Jesse Schwamb: But first, I'm always curious to know whenever we talk, are you gonna affirm with something or are you gonna die against something? We've been on a string of lots of affirmations, but I'd like to think that's just because we're fun, loving, optimistic people. But there was a day where we had to do both. And now that I only have to choose one, I do find myself gravitating almost naturally toward the affirming width. But I leave it to you, Tony, are you affirming with or denying against? [00:02:22] Tony Arsenal: I, unfortunately am denying tonight. Technical Issues with Apple Podcasts [00:02:25] Tony Arsenal: So you and I already talked about it a little bit, but uh, I'm denying Apple Podcast Connect. Oh yes. So, uh, I. Obviously, like if you're affected by this, you're not hearing the episode 'cause it's not updating for you. But, uh, if you happen to be using Apple to listen to the podcast and for some reason you're listening somewhere else, maybe you realize that the podcast has not been updating for several weeks. And so you went to a different podcast catcher. Um, apple just decided for some reason that none of our feeds were gonna update. No good reason. So I've got a ticket out to Apple and hopefully we'll get it fixed. Uh, if you do know someone who listens to the show and they use Apple, please tell them to subscribe to something else or to, uh, go to the website. You can get all of the, all of the episodes on our website. You could go to Spotify, you could do something like, uh, overcast or PocketCasts. Um, it really is just Apple. It's, it's the actual account that we use to, uh, to access. Apple's Directory is not pulling new episodes and it's not pulling new episodes on another show that I run as well. So, uh, it's not just this show, it's not our RSS feed. These things happen. It'll, you know, you'll get four or five episodes all at one time. When it, when it corrects itself, usually they're pretty quick. I put in a ticket like late on Friday afternoon, so I didn't expect them to get to it on, uh, Saturday or Sunday. So hopefully by the time you're hearing this, uh, it's resolved. I would hope so, because that means it would be about a week from today. Um, so hopefully they'll have a resolve. But yeah, it's just th thorns and thistles. This is our own, our own, uh, manifestation of the curse here in this little labor that we do. It's, it's thorns and thistles right now, but no big deal. Just, uh, catch up when you can. And, uh, yeah, so denying Apple Podcasts now, really, it's, it's a great service and this is a, a little glitch. It's, it's just a little frustrating. [00:04:20] Jesse Schwamb: The sweat of our brow. Yes. Here it is. We're just toiling over getting Apple to please release our episodes. Well, it'll be your happy day if you use Apple Podcasts and then get a bunch of them all at once. That's fantastic. It's like the gift that is over in abundance. Supporting The Reformed Brotherhood [00:04:36] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah, it is a good reminder that you just said, Tony, that everybody should go, just take some time. Head on over to our form brotherhood.com. You can find all the other 400 some odd episodes living over there. And while you're over there and you're perusing or searching by topic to see what we've talked about before, you're probably gonna think to yourself, this is so incredible. How is this compendium, this omnibus of all these episodes just hanging out here free of cost? And I'm so glad you're thinking about that because there are so many lovely brothers and sisters who have decided just to give a little bit to make sure that all that stuff gets hosted for free for you Yeah. And for us, so that anybody can go and explore it and find content that we hope will be edifying. So if that's something you're interested in, maybe you've been listening for a while and thought, you know what? I would like to give a little bit one time or reoccurring, we would love to, for you to join us in that mission. You can go to patreon.com/reform brotherhood, and there's all the information for you to give if that's something that you feel you would like to do, and we would be grateful for you to do it. [00:05:32] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. We, we have a group of people who support the show. They make it possible for your, uh, your ear holes to be filled with our voices. And, uh, but again, you know, the costs are going up all around and, and we would, uh, certainly love to have people partner with us. Um, we've committed to making show that the, making sure that the show is free and available. Um, it's never our intention to put anything behind a paywall or to, to barrier and in that way, but we can only do that if there's people who are supporting the show and making, making sure that we've got the funding that we need to, to keep going. So, thank you to everybody who gives, thank you to anyone who's considering it, uh, and thanking anybody who decides to, uh, jump on board with that. [00:06:11] Jesse Schwamb: Right on. We're appreciative who we really are. [00:06:13] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. So Jesse, what are you affirming or denying today? Exploring Open Webcam DB [00:06:16] Jesse Schwamb: Uh, this is what I've kind of done before, but I think I've found a new place for it. I just am continually impressed and fall in love with how great and big and lovely God's world is. So I love these types of sites that give you insight into this great big world, even if it's in unexpected places or maybe in strange places. So I'm affirming with a website called Open webcam db.com. Open webcam db.com. And it's exactly like what it sounds like. It's a database that has something like 2000 live cameras streaming daily from over 50 countries, all searchable by a category. So you can find natural landscapes, airports, construction sites, and one of my recent favorites, honestly, and this is. It's so strange, but kind of awesome is this warehouse, it's called Chinese Robotic Warehouse Buzz, and it's just robots moving pallets around or like stacks of all of these items. It's mesmerizing. But I would encourage you go to open webcam db.com, search for like your stage or your country. You'll find so many amazing things. So I've sat and just watched, you know, between tasks or when you know you just need a break or you're just curious about the world. Like I look, I watched the Krakow Maine Market Square quite a bit because it's. Beautiful and brilliant, and to think about the people moving to and fro and what they're doing, what their lives are like. There's some great scenes from San Francisco Bay. There is a bird feeder in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania that I often watch. So of course, like go out as we've said, and live and breathe and be in your own communities. And as well, if you're looking at scratch that itch of just seeing all these different places, all the different things that are happening in God's created world, I can firmly and unreservedly recommend open webcam db.com for that. [00:07:58] Tony Arsenal: Nice, nice, uh, little known fact at one point, Dartmouth Hitchcock, which is the hospital that I worked for, had to block a penguin cam, uh, because it was causing such a productivity drain combined with an actual measurable decrease in internet bandwidth at the hospital. 'cause so many people were watching this little penguin cam at some zoo in Boston. I think it probably was. Yeah, I, I love this kind of stuff. I think this kind of stuff is great. Uh, I use, uh, Dartmouth College has a, like a live one that I use all the time, especially when we're trying to figure out what the weather's gonna do. You can see it on the camera. Uh, we, we often will, you know, see, especially as we get closer to the season when we're talking about traveling to the beach and whatnot, uh, often look at the ocean grove. Oh, that's right. Uh, pier cam. So yeah, check it out. Uh, sounds like a fun time. Do not share it with too many of your friends at work. Or it may crash the network and Yeah. But [00:08:53] Jesse Schwamb: yeah, for [00:08:54] Tony Arsenal: sure. That was a funny email that they had to send out. I remember that [00:08:57] Jesse Schwamb: for sure. Use, use the penguin cam responsibly. I just did a quick search. There are four different penguin cams. Uh, three of them are in the United States, one is in New Zealand, and you better believe I'm gonna be checking those bad boys out. Yes. I didn't even think about. The penguin feature here and penguins are an amazing animal. Like we could stop right now and just shift our topic to penguins if you want to. [00:09:16] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. ' [00:09:16] Jesse Schwamb: cause there's so much there. And the spiritual truths are so broad and deep, but I just think penguins are kind of undervalued. Birds. Everybody should go check them out. [00:09:26] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. They're, they're pretty cool. [00:09:28] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah. Um, I'm like, I will watch any Penguin documentary and just be astounded by Penguin. Like, whether they're Emperor Penguins or South African Penguin, wherever. I just think they're phenomenal and hilarious and seem to be living the dream. And he doesn't want a little bit of that. [00:09:46] Tony Arsenal: You just gotta get Morgan Freeman to do the voiceover in any documentary or, or nature documentary is better with Morgan Freeman doing the voiceover. [00:09:55] Jesse Schwamb: Well, I all, this might be a deep cut real quick, but I just learned this, and I'm guessing some of our listening brothers and sisters probably already know this. Maybe you do too, Tony. So, Benedict Cumberbatch, do you know where I'm going with this? Yep, [00:10:06] Tony Arsenal: yep. Pen wing. [00:10:07] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah. I didn't. I cannot say that word or stumbles over its pronunciation. He did some kind of big documentary in which Penguins played at least some part. Yeah. And they were in an interview. They were giving him such a hard time because they played his reading of it like within the same kind of five minutes. And his, the word just kept degenerating in his mouth every time he said it. So it became like almost undistinguishable from the actual word. And it's like initial pronunciation. It was so hilarious. Apparently it's a big joke on the internet and I just didn't know it. [00:10:38] Tony Arsenal: Especially for someone like Bent Cumberbatch who just is, uh, like he's a world-class voice actor. [00:10:44] Jesse Schwamb: Right. [00:10:45] Tony Arsenal: And like a super smart ude guy and he just can't say the word penguin and penguin. Yeah. [00:10:51] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah. He said, you got everybody go look it up. 'cause it is super hilarious. And now it's kind of gotten stuck in my head. But um, again, this suddenly became like the All Penguin episode all of a sudden. [00:11:01] Tony Arsenal: I mean like, he can pronounce his own last name just fine, but the word penguin escapes him. I like to call 'em blueberry crumble bottom or whatever. Crumble bunch. [00:11:11] Jesse Schwamb: Uh, see that's the good stuff right there. That's what everybody we know. This is what you all tune in for. This is what you're missing when Apple Podcast doesn't send everything out on time. Yeah. You're welcome. [00:11:22] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. The Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl [00:11:23] Tony Arsenal: Well, Jesse, why don't we, why don't we get into it? Because you know it, it's interesting. Let's [00:11:27] Jesse Schwamb: get into it. [00:11:28] Tony Arsenal: Well, it's interesting because when you, you know, you kind of, we, we sort of do the little lead to the episode and I, I suddenly realized that I think I've been interpreting this parable very differently than maybe you have or other people. Great. Do, uh, because I, I think I, I think I might have a different take on it. Let, let's do it. Yeah. So let's get into it. Uh, do you have the, the text in friend you wanna read? Uh, why don't we just do 44 all the way through 46? We'll do both parables in one reading. We'll come back and talk about it. [00:11:54] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah. Sorry, everybody. So here's a two for one for you. Beginning in where we're in verse 44 of Matthew chapter 13. This is Jesus speaking. The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy, he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field again. The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Interpreting the Parables [00:12:22] Tony Arsenal: I think maybe this is the, like the beauty of parables, uh, when Christ doesn't give us a interpretation. I, I think we're, we're, we're not free to like make up whatever we want, but these kinds of teaching tools are useful because the fact that there can be multiple interpretations actually is, is probably intentional. [00:12:43] Jesse Schwamb: Right. [00:12:43] Tony Arsenal: So it's funny because I think when you intro the episode here, it sounds like you're going to the kingdom of Heaven being a treasure hidden in a field, being something that we should sell everything we have and go after. And when I read this, I read it as the kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden a field. And the man who is Jesus goes and sells all that. He has. He gives all that he has and buys the field. So, and I, I think this is one of those ones where like. Probably both of those things are in play. Sure. But it's interesting 'cause I've never, I've never really read this and thought about myself as the person who buys the field. [00:13:19] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah. Interesting. [00:13:20] Tony Arsenal: I've probably heard sermons or read devotionals where people have said that and it just never clicked. And it didn't register until just now. And you were, when you were, uh, introing the parable that maybe you are the, maybe your way of introing your, your interpretation. Maybe that's the dominant one. So I, I looked at a couple quick, um, commentaries while you were speaking and I didn't get a chance to do my commentary reading before the episode. It seems like I'm the weird one. So, but it's interesting, um, 'cause again, I think that's the, kind of the beauty of parables is that sometimes the, the, um. Ambiguity of what the possible meaning could be, probably plays into the, the, um, teaching technique itself. [00:13:58] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah, I, I think that's fair. I totally can take and understand what your perspective is on this. What I find interesting is that these, we've got these two abutting each other, like the cheek to cheek parallel approach here, and in doing so, there seems to be like kind of an interesting comparison between the two. Actors in this. And I think we should get into that. Like why in one case Jesus is talking about a person who finds this in a field, which by the way, I think the, the thing that jumps out to me first about that person is this person doesn't actually own the field at first. Right. That the treasure is in. So that is interesting. I'm totally with you. But then the second one, so in the first one there's kinda almost like this sense, and I don't wanna like push this too far, but that this person who finds this treasure does so very unexpectedly, perhaps like he's even the hired hand and of course not the one who owns the field. [00:14:48] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. [00:14:49] Jesse Schwamb: And in the second case, we have somebody who almost is volitionally looking for this thing of great value, but finds the one thing above all the other things that they're used to looking for that clearly has the greatest and most. You know, essential worth and therefore the end is always the same in both of 'em. They give everything they have. They're willing for forsake all other things with great joy, recognizing the great value that's in front of them. I think there is a place to understand that as Christ acting in those ways. I think there's also interesting, again, this comparison between these two people. So I'm seeing this as we've got these varied beneficiaries of the kingdom. They both come to this place of the incomparable value of the kingdom, but then there's also like this expulsive power of the kingdom. All, all of that's, I think in there, and again, these are really, really, really brilliant, I think, because the more that you spend time meditating on these, the layers just kind of come and they fall away and you start to really consider, well, why again is Jesus using these two different characters? Why is he using this kinda different sense of things of, of worth what the people are actually after? I think all of it's in play. You're totally right. [00:15:54] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. The Cost and Value of the Kingdom of Heaven [00:15:55] Tony Arsenal: So I think, you know, when we think about the kingdom of heaven, when we think about these perils, we made this point last week, we shouldn't, um, we shouldn't restrict, we have to be careful not to restrict the comparison to just like the first noun that comes up, [00:16:08] Jesse Schwamb: right? [00:16:08] Tony Arsenal: So it's not just that the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure, it, it is like a treasure, but it's like a treasure that's hidden in a field. Yes. And it's not just like a treasure that's hidden in a field, it's a treasure that's hidden in a field which a man found and covered up. Right? So, so like we have to look at that whole sequence. And I think, I think, um, you know, obviously like the, the interpretation that we are the, we're the man who finds the kingdom of heaven and we, you know, we go and buy the field. Um, that, that obviously makes perfect sense now that I'm looking at a few different commentaries. It seems to be the predominant way that this gets interpreted. And we, we look at it and we say, what, well, what does this mean for like our Christian life? Like. What does it mean? Do we have to, do we have to give everything away? Do we have to sell everything we have? Is that the point of the parable? I think some people make that the point of the parable. Um, I'm not convinced that that actually is the point of the parable. Um, because it, you know, it, it, it just, there's lots in the scripture that, that, uh, doesn't seem to require that Christians automatically like, give away everything they have. Um, maybe that's your calling. Maybe it is something that God's calling you to do to sort of, um, divest yourself of your, your belongings, either to sort of fight materialism or greed or, or just because like you're gonna need to have that fluidity and liquidity to your assets 'cause you're gonna need to move around or whatever it is. But I don't think we look at this parable and have like a, like a, a command for a life of poverty or something like that. Right. Um, really this is more about the. Utter sold outness of the Christian to pursue and seek the kingdom of God. [00:17:48] Jesse Schwamb: Right? Right. [00:17:49] Tony Arsenal: And and I think that that's the same in both, even though the way that the person in the parables comes a, comes across the kingdom or they come across this, this thing of great value or thing of great price, that they find their response in both parables is the same. And to me, that that actually tells me that that's more the point of these parables. Um, or, or maybe we shouldn't even think of these as two parables, right? Some of the introductory language that we see in when we transition from one parable to another, we don't really see that here. Uh, and if, if we're gonna follow that, actually we would be going to the next parable would also kind of fall into this. But he says the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure. And then in 45 he says, again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. We're gonna run into something like this later on when we get to like the parable of the lost sheep and the parable of lost coins. Where there are these distinct parables, but they're kind of stacked on top of each other in order to make a specific point. All of the parables that are sort of in these parable stacks are making the same point. And so I think it's not so much about like, how do we find the Kingdom of Heaven or how do we come upon the kingdom of heaven? It's more about what do we do once we've come upon it? Once we've thrown it's, that's the point of the parable that we need to unpack. [00:19:03] Jesse Schwamb: That's right. And I would add to that, like who is it that is the beneficiary of this kingdom? We have two different, very different individuals, which I, again, I think, we'll, we'll talk a little bit about, but I'm totally with you. I, I think it's, it's easier, it's almost too narrow and too easy to say. Well, this is really just about like physical ma or about wealth. Like in some way the, what we're being taught here is that you have to get rid of everything of value in exchange for this. In some ways, that almost feels too transactional, doesn't it? As if like what, what we need to do is really buy the kingdom. We express our seriousness about this kingdom or the rule and reign of God by somehow just giving up everything that we own as if to prove that we're really worthy of receiving that kingdom that we prayed enough. Right. That we've done enough, even though that we're contrite enough. Yeah. And all that stands like in direct opposition to the mercy and grace, which God gives to us through his son by the power of the Holy Spirit to bring us into this kingdom. So we know it can't really be about that. And so that leads me back again to just like the lovely details here. And like you've already said in the first case, here's what really strikes me is. For probably most of us in the West, this idea of treasure is novel and maybe romantic. There's a adventure and an energy to it. Because we've all heard stories about this, whether it's like, I don't know, pirates of the Caribbean or the county Mount Cristo. Like there's something about treasure finding some kind of, or national treasure. Sorry, that just came to my mind. Like I couldn't go any further without mentioning Nick Cage. So you know, like there's something there that pulls us in that finding this thing almost unexpectedly in a hidden place of immense worth and value is, has a real draw to it. But I imagine that in Palestine being like a war torn region in Jesus' day, in the way people might store goods of great value in the fields they own. And then of course the owner may never be able to achieve for lots of reasons, including death. And then somebody might stumble upon it. And as I understand the, the laws there, of course, if you were to stumble upon something. I was in somebody else's property and and on earth that thing take it out of the ground. In this case, you would be by law required to bring that back to the person who owned the field. So there's something interesting here that this first person, probably the more meager and humble of the two with they at least respected, like their socioeconomic status is let's, we could presume maybe going about their normal work. They find this unexpectedly in the field and it's immediately recognized to be something of great value that it is to stop and to, again, there's like a measuring that happens behind the scenes. This person at least is measuring of all the things that I own, all things I could possibly own. The better thing for me to do is to consolidate all the rest of my wealth. And this case, again, it's not the message of the story to do this, it's the exemplification of what's happening here. This person is so sold out to ensure that they acquire this great treasure that they stumbled upon, that they will take literally everything else of value that they own to exchange it for this very thing. So I'm totally with you because I think the predominant message here is not like take all your wealth and make sure that you give it to the church or that it goes to ministry or to missions. That may all be well and good and it may all be the kind of calling that you receive. However, I think the principle message here is the kingdom of God is so valuable that losing everything on earth, but getting the kingdom is a happy trade off. Like that's actually a really, really good deal. And so having the omnipotent saving reign of Christ in our lives is so valuable that if, if we lose everything in order to have it, it would be a joyful sacrifice. [00:22:20] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. And you know, I think, um, I think there is a level of. Encouragement in Sacrifice and Joy in the Kingdom [00:22:27] Tony Arsenal: Sacrifice that happens for every Christian and. I mean, I, I know there's a lot of people who they, uh, come to faith as young children and we've kind of talked about that as like, that's that testimony that, you know, I think everybody really wants is like they wish they never had a time that they didn't know Jesus and Right. I don't know any parent that I've ever spoken to, and I'm certainly not any different here that doesn't want that testimony for Jesus, but, or for, for their kids in their relationship with Jesus. But. I think most people who come to faith at some point in their life when they're able to remember it, like they, they have a conscious memory of their conversion experience. There is this sort of sense of sacrifice and e even a sort of a sense of loss. Um, I think there, there are times where, and, and you know, I think maybe, um, even people who've always been in the faith, um, they probably can resonate with this. I think there are times when we might look at how our lives could have been different or could be different if we weren't in the faith. Um, and, and sometimes there's a sort of wistfulness to that. Like being a Christian can sometimes be difficult right On, um, you know, maybe you miss a promotion opportunity because you're not willing to work on the Lord's day or because you're not willing to do something unethical. Like you, you miss out on some sort of advancement and you think, well, if I could just, you know, if I could have just gotten past that, like my life would be much different. And what this parable teaches us is. That's an understandable, like that's an understandable emotion or response. Um, and there is this weighing of the cost. And in the parable here, he, like you said, there's this calculation that goes on in the background. He finds this treasure, he makes the calculation that to have this treasure is worth. Everything it's worth everything he has. He sells everything he has, and he buys the field in order to get the treasure right. And, and there's some interesting textual dynamics going on through this chapter. We've talked about how the parables kind of like the imagery across the parables in chapter 13 here of Matthew, they kind of flip certain figures around and almost, it's almost intentional because he is getting the treasure and the treasure. The kingdom of heaven here is like the treasure, but he's also getting the field right. And the kingdom of heaven is, is the field in other parables. Um, but this, this calculation that happens, um. I don't know, maybe my heart is just sensitive to this right now. I, I, I, I feel like a lot of times we look at that sort of wis wistful second glance at what could have been if we were not Christians, and we automatically feel like that's gotta be a sinful impulse. Like, how could I ever even consider what life might have been? Like this parable implies that that's the thing we actually have to do. You have to know and consider what it is you've sacrificed or will be sacrificing in order to make this transaction happen. You can't just blanketly say like, oh, of course. You know, you've gotta, you've gotta count the cost, as it were, and then you have to actually make the purchase. So I think we should look at this as a source of encouragement. Um, like I said, I'm not sure why. I feel like maybe there's, maybe there's just a, a. I dunno, I'm feeling a little weird and charismatic right now. I feel like this is something that I definitely need to be saying, like, I feel like someone needs to hear this. Maybe it's just me that needs to hear this. And that's, I'm tricking myself by thinking of someone else. But we are able, as Christians, I think God permits us and in some sense, maybe even expects and commands us to recognize what we have given to be Christians in order that we might realize how much we have gained with that transaction. It's not just this like remorse or regret, um, for the sake of remorse or regret. It's to be able to see how good and how beautiful and how worth it is the kingdom of God, uh, to, to, to claim that. [00:26:23] Jesse Schwamb: I like that there is a great discipline and a great joy in remembering worth and worthiness. So there's gonna be times, like you said, when it's hard and if you look back, look back at the ministry of Jesus, I've often thought that he's like a poor evangelizer from like modern standards. Yeah. Because often people come to him and say things like. I, I wanna be part of the kingdom of God. Well, what do I need to do to enter the kingdom of God? And here you have like a seemingly a willing convert. And he always says things like this, like, you gotta go count the cost. Yeah. Like is, is this worth it to you? Like you have to deny yourself, you have to hate your own father and your mother, and your wife and children, and brothers and sisters, even your own life. Otherwise you cannot be my disciple. And in this kind of language, it's clear that Jesus is saying you fail often. And maybe this goes back like you're saying, Tony, it's like the parable of the soil that you fail to really take into account what it means to follow with full fidelity, to commit yourself in a fully unencumbered way. Are you willing to do that? Are you willing to consider that? And as human beings, we're just not good often at counting costs. We're not good at thinking about opportunity costs. And it's interesting here that we're called out to say, even if you've already purchased the field as so to speak, that as if you've been saved by Christ, to continue to remember how good it is to be in the kingdom of God. And that the joy. Of knowing as like the Heidelberg Catechism says in the first question that all things are subservient to our salvation. Yeah. That incredible worth of, that should be a source of encouragement in times of great trial and tribulation, no matter how big or small, so that this joy that this person has when they go and sells everything he has and he buys this field, you know those details, like you're saying, do press us. It really comes to us with this idea that we should be able to see plainly why having Christ is more valuable than all other things. If the omnipotence all wise, God is ruling, ruling over all things for our joy, then everything must be working for our good, no matter how painful and in the end, God is gonna triumph over all evil and all pain. So this kingdom is a real treasure. Like it is a, it is a real. A real quantity in our life and our wellbeing and in our spiritual consistency, that'll ought demand some reflection of how valuable it truly is. And then knowing that in our minds, that like influencing our behavior, our other thought patterns, and then our actual feelings about stuff. So that when, like you said, we're passed over, we're looked over, we're ridiculed for something, we go back and we count it all joy to be worthy of being part of God's kingdom, knowing that it was because of the entrance and acceptability and the identity in that kingdom that we experience. Those things, those hardships begin with. [00:29:05] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. And, and I, um, I don't want us to miss out on the fact that even as the parable may be encouraging or forcing us to think about. The cost. It, it really is trying to emphasize the great value of the kingdom. Right? Right. We, like I said, we, we don't just count the cost. In order to count the cost for its own sake. We count the cost in order to understand the great blessing that is ours in Christ. Right. All I, I count all that I have as a loss compared to the greatness of Christ Jesus. And, um, I think we just don't often do that. I, I, I think as Christians, that's probably a thought that is in our head more as young Christians, especially if we come to the faith in, in a time in our life where we're aware of things like that. We think about things like that. Reflecting on the Cost of Faith [00:29:59] Tony Arsenal: You know, I was 15 when I first came to faith and, um, I, I don't think I was in a frame of mind as a 15-year-old boy to think about, like. The cost of what I was doing, right? It's not like I was a particularly popular kid. I didn't have a, you know, I didn't, I wasn't unpopular, but it wasn't like I lost a ton of friends when I became a Christian. I didn't really lose anything that was measurable. Um, but I do think that, as, you know, someone now in my forties, looking back at, you know, 15, 20, 25 years of, of Christian life, it's easy to see that things could have been different on a sort of temporal scale. Like my, my life could probably be more comfortable in terms of wealth or opportunities or other things that might, uh, aren't, aren't even bad things necessarily. There is a sense of sacrifice. But again, God has brought us into this kingdom and he's given us parables like this and given us the ability to recognize. That we do have a cost, that there is a cost to be counted in order that we might now look at it and praise him for how great and glorious and valuable the gift that he's given us is. Understanding the Parable of the Pearl [00:31:08] Tony Arsenal: And so I think, you know, I think that's the same basic meaning of this second, second half of the same parable. I guess the, the pearl of great price or the pearl of great value. But it's not exactly the same, right? It's not like Christ is just repeating the same ver, you know, parable with, with different words for variation. Um, every word is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching correction, reproof, and training and righteousness. And I had a, I had a prophet in, uh, in Bible college who would say like, difference means difference. And he was often talking about like minute things, like the difference, um, or why, why is this word used instead of that word? This word would've worked. And, and the author chose that one. There's a reason for that. Difference means difference, but. Christ here chooses to, to tell the parable a second time, um, in a slightly different way. Uh, and Matthew chooses to record these in the same sense next to each other in slightly different ways. So what, what do we, what do we wanna pull out of this second parable that's different and what do we think it's telling us that's a little bit different than the first version Y? [00:32:14] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah, that's a great question. Diverse Approaches to the Kingdom of Heaven [00:32:16] Jesse Schwamb: Uh, I love this idea because not until really, I was thinking about it this week when I read through them, was I really, again, drawn to the differences between these two main characters. Interestingly, I think in both, and we can make the case that the, the treasure, the kingdom of heaven here represented in both this pearl or in this literal treasure is in a way hidden. Certainly the first man is not necessarily looking for, it's still revealed to him, but the second in a way. And on the other hand, he knew this guy knows treasure. He's been seeking it with diligence in vigor, or at least like this is what he does for a living in his vocational career. He's out there trading pearls, presumably, and he knows something about them and how to evaluate them effectively. And so it's his business and he's dedicated himself to finding them. And apparently he's seen plenty of them over the years. But then all of a sudden, and this is wild, the beautiful, all of a sudden, clearly the search comes to like an abrupt end because he finds this one of immeasurable value, so much beauty exceeding and value exceeding all the other ones. And he doesn't need to search anymore. He just finds the one pearl that he can retire on a pearl with more than everything else. Or anything else that he's ever possessed and he gets it again. He does. And this brings him into symbol two with the first man. He does the same thing, then liquidate everything else and go after this one. Great pearl. So to me, and I'm curious your perspective on this, I'm not necessarily promulgating that. Well, the first one is not a seeker and the second one is like a seeker of of God things. Right? There is though, like you said, a difference in their approach and what they're after. And so I think what we can take from this, at the very least, is that there is diversity in these beneficiaries of the kingdom of God that's covering everybody. And just by these two kind of bookended or polar examples, that's what Jesus draws us to. But I would turn the question back to you. What do you think about this second guy? What do you think about the fact that his business is searching after these things? What? What do we take away from that? [00:34:07] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. The Ultimate Value of the Kingdom [00:34:07] Tony Arsenal: And you know, the thing that drop that jumps out to me immediately in the first parable, the kingdom of heaven is, is like the treasure hidden in the field, [00:34:16] Jesse Schwamb: right? [00:34:16] Tony Arsenal: In the second one, the kingdom of heaven is the merchant who's searching, [00:34:20] Jesse Schwamb: right? [00:34:20] Tony Arsenal: Right. The kingdom of heaven is like the merchant in search of fine pearls who finds one. That's right. And so I think that they kind of are like, almost like mirror images of each other, right? One of them is about the treasure and what it takes to come upon it and then obtain it. The second is about the person who is coming upon the treasure and, and finding it. And then what it takes again to obtain that treasure. And I think, I think you're right, there is an element here that. Um, in this second parable, the person who is seeking for this treasure is one he's seeking for the treasure, right? Right. You get the image in this, in this first parable that the dude just kind of stumbles upon it. Um, I've heard this Todd as like, it's actually more like a guy who's just walking through a field rather than like a person working the field. And I'm not sure that matters that much, but there is this sense in the first parable that the guy kind of stumbles upon it. He wasn't looking, it wasn't what he was trying to do, but you're right in the second one, the kingdom of heaven, and this is where I, this is where I think I need to think more about it, is what does it mean for the kingdom of heaven to be like a merchant searching for fine pearls right [00:35:23] Jesse Schwamb: on. [00:35:23] Tony Arsenal: Rather than the pearls being the kingdom of heaven, which is what we see in the first bearable. Um, and I don't know the answer to that question. I think I need to, need to think about it and study it a little bit more. But I do like this distinction that in, in the first case, it's sort of a happy accident. And in the second case, this is, this is the life, this man's life work. He finds he's, he's in search of fine pearls. I'm not sure I know exactly what he's trying to do with the fine pearls. It seems like it implies that he's a pearl merchant or a pearl trader, but then he finds this pearl. He doesn't seek to sell it. He buys it. Right. [00:36:00] Jesse Schwamb: Right. [00:36:00] Tony Arsenal: And, and the, the, the fact that the parable stops with him buying it sort of implies that like. He actually is not going to sell it. He's just gonna keep this pearl. Now before the, the pearls, the, the source of the value of the pearls was kind of in the, the financial gain that selling or trading them could bring. But now he suddenly finds this pearl that is so valuable. It's so great, it's so beautiful. Everything he was working to obtain before all of the money he's gathered by finding and selling pearls in the previous like mode of living. He now gets rid of all of that just to purchase this one pearl and presumably to keep it. And I think that again, is kind of a, kind of a, um, statement on our Christian life is that we, we probably have all sorts of things that we've been doing our whole life and we are seeking to, to move forward in our life. And the kingdom of heaven is kind of the ultimate goal of all of that, for those who are in Christ, for those who are called according to his purpose. The purpose is not just to accumulate wealth. It's not even necessarily, uh, in and of itself to like grow in righteousness. It's to be transformed to the, uh, to the image of God's glory son, for the purpose of making him great, making his name renowned. Right. When we look at that passage in Romans that have kind alluded to, he's, he would transform into the image of Christ so that he might be the first born among many brothers. The Incomparable Worth of Salvation [00:37:24] Tony Arsenal: Ultimately, our, our sanctification and glorification is about making Jesus great and glorified, um, to give him glory, to have our glorification reflect his already intrinsic glory and the gift that he gives us, and I think that's kind of, kind of in play here, is that. Uh, we might have all sorts of goals in our life. We might have goals in our Christian life, um, that are good things that we should strive for, but at the end of the day, all of those things only serve to bring us to the kingdom of heaven, which is this pearl of great price that we, we purchase, we buy it and we just kind of hang onto it. It is its own treasure and it's, it's not about what this, this treasure can bring to us, right? Which is what the fine pearls were before they were about what the merchant can find and sell. It's, it's now about just obtaining the pearl and enjoying that pearl. Um, which I think is a little bit different than, than, um, what I would've thought of with the par before. [00:38:19] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah, I totally agree with you. I think, I think you're actually onto something with the distinction because I think of. So much of my career has been spent in financial services among people who are buyers and sellers of things. They're traders. And the way I read this was very similar to what you were saying to me. What resonated was if this gentleman or this person is. Trading, collecting these pearls. Presumably they have appreciation for the beauty of the pearl itself. So there is like something innate that draws them to this particular thing. And with that experience and with that knowledge and with that, that appreciation of that beauty. I think when they see this other pearl, it moves from, well, why would I ever sell that? I've seen everything. This is the most beautiful pearl I've ever laid my eyes on. And now I want to keep it for me. I want to have it in my possession. I want to cherish it and not just keep it in the inventory and then turn around and sell it for markup, presumably, because there is no nothing that would be of greater value to this person. 'cause they just sold everything else that they had. So they, it's appreciation for the pearl itself. It's going after that finding and seeking that great beauty. And then that led me right into Philippians chapter four, where Paul writes the church in Philippi, beginning of verse eight. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever's honorable, whatever's just whatever's pure, whatever's lovely, whatever's commendable. If there's any excellence, if there. Anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Practice these things and the god of peace will be with you. So this idea, like you and I, Tony, have talked about like the world has great wisdom, it has great knowledge, it has things that can lead us by way of common grace into certain amounts of peace. But the pearl of great price, the seeking after the going after all these great things is to find the gospel, to be given the gospel it revealed to you. And then say everything else I count as a loss. Everything else is worthless compared to this thing. And if you're a person that can appreciate even just by turn of mind or God's influence in your life, you know, knowledge and wisdom, and you're seeking after that, which is the ultimate expression and representation of those things, and then you find you come upon this pearl of great price, the gospel wisdom and the beauty of God represented in his son Jesus Christ. And you say, this is it. I, I know enough to know, again, by the regeneration that comes through the spirit, this is the real deal. Then I think the message still stands. We come through two different directions into the same final culminating point, which is there is a condition for having this kingdom of God, for having the king on your side as your friend, but the condition isn't like wealth or power or negotiating or intelligence or even good trading behavior or going out and finding the right thing. The condition is that we prize the kingdom more than anything else we own. The point of selling everything in these parables is to simply show where our hearts are at. And so I often say in my own line of work, that cost only matters in the absence of value. Actually, it's true for everything that we. We presumably spend our time or our money on cost only matters in the absence of value. And I think like you and I could do a fun little experiment where I don't know, you ever talking to somebody about something and you're paying a cost to have that service delivered to you and you're, and you're just like totally worth it, like I would do totally worth it. Like, yeah, that's kind of the vibe I'm getting here. It's like at the end of days when we think about the worthiness of our God, that there's no one like him, that he's unequal, that he has no rival, that the gospel is the sweetest message that we're rescued literally from the pit. We're just say no matter what the cost of us personally, great or small, totally worth it, that that's what we'll be saying for all of eternity as we worship him. [00:41:45] Tony Arsenal: Yeah, and I think even more than saying, totally worth it. I think when we are given our new eyes to see, and we no longer see through a da a glass dimly, we're gonna recognize saying that it was worth, it is is like it's a pale, like it's a faulty answer to begin with because the, for sure the worth of the kingdom of heaven surpasses anything we could imagine. And in our, you know, locked in little meat brains that we have now, we're kind of com we're just comparing it to. You know, like what, what we could have had or what we, what we've given up. Um, it, it's gonna be an incomparable comparison. Like there's no, there's no measure that is satisfying, there's no measure that can actually show us how, how worthwhile it is. And, you know, we've, we've made a point of it, like the, the blessing of salvation and, and really like what it is that we're getting, uh, in, in the. You know, the Christian understanding of salvation, it's not, it's not an eternal destiny. It's not bigger mansions in heaven. It's not freedom from death. All of those things come with it. All of those things are attending gifts. That's right. But what we get in salvation ultimately is we get God we get union with God, we get fellowship with Jesus Christ in the, the power of the Holy Spirit. We, we get swept up into the life of the, the God of the universe. Like the life of the Trinity indwells us. And we, we become a part of that. Uh, not, not in the, you know, like. Eastern Orthodox deification sense, although I think there's a proper way we can talk about deification. Um, but we get swept up into that. We gain the relationship that the son has with the father by nature. We gain that by grace and nothing can compare to that. There's nothing that we could ever point to. Um, it's funny, my, my wife and I, um, this is a little corny, but, um, we'll often say to, to each other instead of saying, I love you more than anything, we'll say, I love you more than everything. Right. And, and it's, it's a way to say like. You could take all that there is in the world, everything that I have that I could possibly consider and sum up the value. And I love my wife more than that. I love my children more than that. So it's not that I love them more than any one thing, it's that I love them more than everything combined. And this is even greater than that, right? We, we will look back at our lives and if, if it's even in our mind, if we even can, can comprehend anymore. The idea of thinking about what it costs us to obtain this pearl of great value, which is the kingdom of heaven, which is just another way to say, is just fellowship with the God of the universe. Um, we'll look at it and say no matter what it was. No matter what it could have been, I would give everything I, I love God more than everything. Right. Right. There's nothing that could ever possibly be considered that even comes close to what we gain in, in Christ Jesus, in union with, with God. And I think that's the point of this, like I think the guy who, um. Christ's Perfect Sacrifice and Our Response [00:44:58] Tony Arsenal: I think about what it would take for me to even like to sell everything, like the concept of selling everything I own. I'm not even sure how I would do that, to be honest with you. Like, I don't even know the mechanism for that kind of thing. But the idea that there's anything that could be valuable enough that I would just sell every piece of human property that I have, there's probably nothing like that in this world. Like, there probably isn't. And to, to take that comparison and then basically say like, that's just what the kingdom of God is like. 'cause that's the other thing I think we miss about parables is you, you only make a comparison when you can't describe something, um, analytically, right? There's the difference between analogically and analytically Ana lot analytically means we're able to actually quantify and explain it kind of in strict terms, right? I can, I can say that, um, uh, a heavy object ways, X number of grams or it, you know, or, um. Pounds or whatever. I can, I can measure that and make an analytical statement, or I can make an analogy, an analogy that is comparative. Uh, but by definition, or almost by by nature of the thing, when you make that comparison, you're kind of saying like, not only is it like this, but it's actually it, like it's more like this than I can even describe. Right? So when we're talking about the kingdom of Heaven here, and we say it's, it's like, it's like a man who goes, he finds a treasure and then he sells everything. He has to get that treasure. It's infinitely more like that than it actually can be described. Does that make sense? I feel like I'm rambling on that a little bit. Maybe trying to describe something that can't be described is, is hard to do. [00:46:35] Jesse Schwamb: It's, that's, yeah. But yeah, that's, that's very difficult to do. I'm actually totally with you on this. I think I understand clearly what you mean, this idea that no matter how hard we actually try to value it, we'll be incapable of doing so. Yes. And at best, it almost seems like this is a strange command in a way because it's, it's asking us to do in some ways a thing that is impossible for us to do. However, I think what you're saying is it doesn't mean that we shouldn't turn our minds toward that. We're a bit like people who, I don't know if this show is still on PBS, but like, do you know that show, remember that show The Antiques Road Show? Yeah. Where people would like come, they'd ran ransack their homes or their garages with these old antique items and they bring them to this road show where there'd be experts who would value them. And inevitably we'll be like those people who come with what we think is like a. A thousand dollars clock that we got at a garage sale thinking, wouldn't it be great? I know this is valuable. It's probably a thousand dollars. It'll be, look at the return, tenfold return, I'll get on this item, and then instead finding that it's worth $10 million when it's appraised. Yeah, I assume it'll be just like that in the Beautific vision that even maybe for all of eternity will be growing in our appreciation for just how valuable this great salvation is. And yet at the same time, I think what this should encourage us to do is to pray things like God make us real in seeing and savoring Christ in his saving work above all the other things. Yeah. So that, as you said in your example, we would cherish him above everything, above all things that you have that right place in our hearts or that we be inclined to undertake that posture, which says, God, though I cannot understand it in full. Would you help me to see that? Encouragement in Our Spiritual Journey [00:48:08] Jesse Schwamb: And I wanna just say like, as a word of encouragement, maybe I'm speaking more to myself here so everybody else can disregard this if you like, but I think sometimes there can be a little bit of intimidation then when you hear these things and say like, ah, I'm just not, I just dunno if I love God enough, like I wanna love him, or I want to want to love him more. And I think even that posture is appropriate. Yeah. Sometimes there, oftentimes in my personal life, I'll pray something like, God, help me to know how much you love me and would you give me the strength to love you back? So that even that awareness, that energy, that volition, that vitality, that, that heat, all of that, that fire itself is kindled by the Holy Spirit. It's not like we need to like try to again manufacture here. Because the point of these, these stories is not again, that we just find the means to do a transactional exchange here, but that instead we really just sit in the full promises of God. And of course to that, I would say we always need to go back to, to something like Romans eight. I mean, I know that we should, like you said, Tony, the. The standard description we give for the Bible is the one that gives itself, which is that all of it, all of it's is carried along by the Holy Spirit. All of it is God breathe. All of it is useful for something. And yet, of course, I say somewhat tongue in cheek that, you know, if I have 10 minutes to live, I'm probably not gonna the s descriptions of reading a genealogy, I'm going straight from Roman and say, Romans say, I think it's just like the pinnacle of the scriptures. And so just a couple of verses at the end there, because I think this is, this is leading us into what is this great treasure? What is the kingdom of God? Why do we value it so much? What is the saving power? And uh, these verses, I mean, always just entirely get me ready to run through a wall. So this is the end of, of Romans eight beginning verse 35. Who shall separate us from the law of Christ? Shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword as it is written for your sake. We are being killed all the day long. We are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. No. In all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us for I'm sure that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from a love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord. [00:50:22] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. That's, that's a good word. And I, I, I like what you're saying too, is, is I think we, we can. There's this paradoxical thing that happens when the scriptures is trying to encourage us to do something, is we often like to get our, in our own way. And, and actually that becomes a source of discouragement for us. The Bible calls us to something and we know we can't live up to it. And that's actually like part and parcel of, of reform theology to recognize that this is law, like the, the, the, the, you know, maybe not in like the strict sense, like when we talk about dividing the scripture into law and gospel, um. It may not be that this particular passage would fall under that rubric of law normally, but this idea that we need to count the cost and that we need to be treasuring Christ more and more, and then when we feel like I'm just not getting it. I'm just not there. Like, I don't, I don't treasure Christ as much as I so should. Um, that Yeah, that's right. Nobody does. Nobody can, like, that's, that's kind of the point of this, and that's why it's law is it's, it shouldn't drive you in Christ. It should not drive you to despair. Right. It should not drive you to discouragement. It should drive you to gratitude that God saved you anyways. That, that this pearl of great value is still yours even though you can't possibly deserve it. Um, you know, we're, we're a little bit different than the, the merchant and the man who finds the treasure in the field in that we can't sell everything we have and obtain it like they have the ability to do that in the, in the parables. Right. Um, we, we don't, and we never will. And so rather than let that drive you to being discouraged that like you're just not getting. I recognize God is of infinite value and we are finite creatures. So we, we could, uh, value God perfectly. Like whatever that means, and I don't even know what that means, but we could value and cherish and love God perfectly as far as our capacities are concerned, and it still would not be enough to sufficiently merit God's favor for us. Like as much as we can, even in, even in eternity. As much as we can value and worship and love and praise Jesus, he is worth infinitely more than we could ever give, even when we do it perfectly. And this is, this is why you know Christ coming to die, to live on our behalf, to die in our place. Why that's necessary is because only this is a, maybe a different take on it. We, I think we talk a lot about how, um. Only God could, could carry, bear the wrath of God and not be destroyed. Right. Right. Only God could, um, could stand up under his own wrath, could stand up under the wrath of God and bear that punishment and not be destroyed. And so therefore, um, Christ had to be not just a man, but had to be God. But on the flip side. And God requires perfect perpetual obedience, which involves loving the Lord your God, perfectly with your whole heart at all times. Right? Only God can do that too. So it's not just that God. It's not just that G

In this episode of the Imagine Belonging Podcast, Rhodes Perry reflects on the creation and impact of his first book, 'Belonging at Work,' published on World Kindness Day in 2018. He discusses the evolution of workplace belonging and previews his upcoming book, 'Roads Less Traveled,' a memoir and methodology guide for real transformation. Rhodes shares his writing process through automatic writing, celebrates the milestone of 10 years growing the belonging movement, and offers various opportunities for listeners to celebrate and engage with his work, including special promotions for his books, coaching offers, and a new group coaching program. Join Rhodes in exploring the essential skills needed to build cultures of safety, trust, and belonging in these transformative times. Key Reflections & Timestamps: [1:15] Celebrating World Kindness Day and the 7-year anniversary of Belonging at Work. [2:55] Why the message of belonging resonates more profoundly now than ever before. [5:45] Reflecting on the book's journey as a "budding tween" that shows up for leaders. [8:55] The writing practice of Automatic Writing—silencing the internal editor. [14:15] The initial concern that "belonging" might be "too abstract" or "too woo." [16:05] Recognizing that workplace belonging is the number one prerequisite for success. [17:20] The difference between culture change and transformation (the focus of Imagine Belonging). [20:15] Announcing the newest book: Roads Less Traveled—a memoir and methodology guide for transformation. [23:30] Transformation is a path of growth, often found in moments when things are collapsing or challenging.

Entrepreneurship isn't just about building something — it's about becoming someone. In this raw and soul-expanding episode, Christina sits down with spiritual entrepreneur Dee Taggart to explore how the path of entrepreneurship is one of the deepest spiritual journeys you can walk. Because building a business will test everything you believe about yourself—your faith, your worth, your relationship with money, and your capacity to trust the unknown. Together, Christina and Dee dive into what it really means to do the inner work required to create outer success—how your business becomes a mirror reflecting the areas of growth, healing, and surrender that your soul is asking for. You'll hear powerful reflections on: ✨ How entrepreneurship awakens you to who you truly are ✨ The illusion of control and what surrender really looks like ✨ Overcoming scarcity, self-doubt, and the fear of letting go ✨ Balancing faith with aligned action ✨ How your business growth mirrors your spiritual growth If you've ever felt like you're being stretched, challenged, or called to a deeper level of trust — this episode will remind you that you're not off track… you're being transformed. Because every time you choose faith over fear, you step closer to alignment with your higher purpose.   00:00 Introduction to the Spiritual Side of Entrepreneurship 01:37 Meet Dee Tagger: Expansion Activator and Advocate for Personal Growth 02:44 Christina and Dee's Journey: A Serendipitous Meeting 04:18 Dee's Entrepreneurial Beginnings: From Lawn Mowing to Empowering Women 13:35 The Spiritual Awakening in Entrepreneurship 17:59 Incorporating Energy Work and Breathwork into Personal and Professional Growth 26:22 The Power of Self-Worth and Presence in Entrepreneurship 30:17 Embracing the Journey of Faith and Courage 31:27 The Importance of Reflecting on Progress 33:31 Consistency in Personal Growth 40:26 Balancing Intuition and Strategy in Business 45:52 The Power of Prayer and Meditation 55:19 Final Thoughts and Encouragement Links: The Empowered Women's Collective Your Limitless Adventures Group Trips Connect With Me: Instagram: @macs_explore Threads: @macs_explore Guest Links: Podcast: Her Xpansion Podcast Website: https://herxpansion.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herxpansion/

The 2025 season gave us new champions, new pressure points and a European Championships on home soil that delivered every emotion going. In this British Eventing Show, we look back at the moments that shaped the year and look ahead to what 2026 now demands. We're joined by European Champion Laura Collett, Team GB Performance Manager Dickie Waygood, and Rosie Williams, CEO of British Eventing, for a conversation that moves from Blenheim celebrations to winter planning and everything in between. Highlights Laura on chasing, earning and finally claiming individual European gold Dickie on pressure, pathway planning and the reset towards LA 2028 Rosie on volunteers, legacy, and the BETF's role in the future of the sport Inside Team GB's 2026 strategy and why next year's Worlds matter so much What riders, organisers and members most need heading into a new season Guests Laura Collett, European Champion and Olympic gold medallist Richard "Dickie" Waygood, Performance Manager for Team GB Eventing Rosie Williams, Chief Executive of British Eventing Follow @britisheventing on Instagram to stay up to date with all the action.  Inspired to get more involved? Find out how you can support training, education and the eventing community:

Ep. 222 Join Maryann Rivera-Dannert as she celebrates her 52nd birthday and explores the significance of the number 222 in aligning with life's purpose. Reflecting on 52 years of lessons, Maryann emphasizes the power of divine timing, self-love, and the importance of voice. Discover insights on personal growth, the concept of peace as success, and the art of letting go to make room for alignment. This episode offers wisdom on stepping into a new phase of life with faith and intention, while embracing peace, purpose, and partnership as essential elements of personal evolution. Resources:

Good Day in the Market and Report Expectations Organizational Reflection and Culture From Below to Above Average Temperatures   00:01:05 – Good Day in the Market and Report Expectations: The show kicks off with K-State grain economist Daniel O'Brien as he discusses the positive day in the market and what report expectations are. Daniel O'Brien on AgManager.info   00:12:05 – Organizational Reflection and Culture: Justin Waggoner, K-State Extension beef cattle specialist, keeps the show moving as he highlights the importance of reflecting on your organization and understanding its culture. Organizational Reflection Define the Culture of Your Organization   00:23:05 – From Below to Above Average Temperatures: A weather update from K-State meteorologist Chip Redmond ends the show. He explains our recent above average temperatures and if they will hold on as we continue in November.       Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to ksrenews@ksu.edu.   Agriculture Today is a daily program featuring Kansas State University agricultural specialists and other experts examining ag issues facing Kansas and the nation. It is hosted by Shelby Varner and distributed to radio stations throughout Kansas and as a daily podcast.   K‑State Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan. For more information, visit www.ksre.ksu.edu. K-State Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Hello beautiful women!!!Today I'm popping in to share some perspective I have been pondering for the past year, in regards to birth and postpartum support, freebirth (or unassisted birth), and the need to preserve traditional midwifery. This year has been one of BIG change and reflection for me and as I close my one year postpartum chapter, I wanted to share these thoughts with you all, in hopes that it can help you in your future births

How do you landscape a luxury island resort in the blazing heat of the UAE? On this episode of Roots of Success, Simon Smith, Director of Horticulture and Landscape for Wynn Resort, reveals the relentless pace and monumental scale of his latest project: an integrated resort requiring 500,000 plants, 7,000 trees, and an elite team of 9,000 employees. Host, Chris Psencik, digs into the inside story of Simon's journey across continents, the innovative strategies behind sourcing plants worldwide, and the transformative power of intentional team building and training. A must-listen for anyone who loves stories of growth, leadership, and landscaping on a breathtaking scale. THE BIG IDEA:   All big things start with small innovations. KEY MOMENTS:  [03:50] Horticulture Career Journey [09:21] "Transforming Work in Ras Al Khaimah" [11:06] "Reflecting on Career Journey" [13:43] "Teamwork Drives World-Class Success" [17:24] Massive Plant Nursery Operations [22:36] Plant Quarantine and Recovery Process [26:28] Building and Managing Successful Teams [27:49] Preparing for Luxury Hotel Launch [32:50] "Sustainable Workshop Design Process" [35:58] "Building 'Win Way' from Scratch" [38:10] Starting Fresh for Excellence  QUESTIONS WE ANSWER  What are some challenges faced when managing landscape projects across vastly different climates and cultures?  How can a team of landscapers effectively adapt Western business practices to projects in the Middle East?  What strategies might be used for sourcing and transporting thousands of plants and trees from various countries for a large-scale resort project?  How does the use of innovative equipment and data management systems impact large landscaping installations?  What are the complexities involved in setting up irrigation systems in a region with limited natural water resources?  What role does specialized training and certification play in maintaining high horticultural standards for an international workforce?  How can landscape management approaches foster a strong and collaborative team culture on multi-year, high-budget projects?  In what ways does integrating sustainability, such as battery-powered equipment and efficient water usage, shape modern landscaping on luxury resorts?  How do you ensure smooth collaboration and communication among teams composed of various nationalities and languages?  What is the importance of creating a dedicated off-site nursery and training center when preparing for a resort opening of unprecedented scale? 

Let us know what you thought of this episode and any other comments you may have. This episode I'm speaking with Roz Van Auker, wife of Ken Van Auker and one of the founders of Balanced Body. The story begins with an unexpected twist of fate and the touch of skilled craftsmanship. Imagine Ken with hands expertly shaping the first Pilates machine, with Roz, his wife, orchestrating logistics while nurturing a young family. This episode invites you to witness the evolution of a humble family business into a global leader, with over 400 employees championing Pilates education worldwide through initiatives like Pilates on Tour. Roz and Ken embody the harmonious blend of family and business, weaving a tapestry of support and inclusivity that extends beyond blood relations to a vibrant community of Pilates professionals.Community is the heart that beats within Balanced Body, and this episode uncovers how the company stands as a connector in both personal and professional spheres. We explore the value of instilling generosity and community service in younger generations, fostering a culture where giving back becomes second nature. Discover how Balanced Body's dedication to building a supportive network has created unexpected avenues for growth, transforming the simple act of connecting studio owners and teachers into a business philosophy steeped in meaningful relationships and shared success.Listeners are invited to a nostalgic journey through the joys of hospitality, where simple gestures like hosting a dinner can spark genuine connections. Reflecting on the enduring marriage of Roz and Ken, the episode shares insights into the magic of understanding and mutual support that fuels family unity and business success. With laughter, shared experiences, and a supportive community, we reveal how these elements intertwine to craft a fulfilling life and a resilient family business. Join us in celebrating the power of family, community, and the joy of giving back, as we share stories that inspire and unite.To learn more about Balanced Body, visit the website: https://www.pilates.com/To learn more about the Capital Region Family Business Center visit our website HERE

After the loss of two MPs, we speak to conservative strategists about Pierre Poilievre's leadership style, and if he should change it. Regan Watts, Erika Barootes, and Ginny Roth, join Matt Galloway.

In this uplifting episode of The Compelled Podcast, Emma Mae McDaniel invites listeners into part two of her four-part series, Choosing to Praise. Emma reminds us that remembering God's past faithfulness strengthens our present praise. Reflecting on Psalm 63 and the story of her daughter's bubble baths, Emma beautifully illustrates how God gently reassures us — “I've always taken care of you, and I always will.” Through Scripture and personal reflection, she encourages us to recall the moments when God has provided, guided, and carried us, so that memory itself becomes a reason to lift our hearts in worship. https://www.emmamaemcdaniel.com/books - Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Road to Emmaus—with the release of the third and final volume of the Breaking the Bread—Scott Hahn sits down with fellow author Ken Ogorek to discuss the upcoming liturgical year, Catechetics, and the rediscovery of Scripture as the soul of sacred theology. Together Dr. Hahn and Ken reflect on the importance of Breaking the Bread and how this devotional series is designed to bring together Scripture, the Catechism, and Church teachings and make them accessible to lay Catholics.   To order Breaking the Bread: Year A, visit: http://stpaulcenter.com/btba To order the complete set, visit: http://stpaulcenter.com/breakingthebreadset 00:00 Introduction & Ken's Background 08:17 Dei Verbum 12:43 The Catechism 18:17 Why the Lectionary & Liturgical Calendar Matter 24:40 Breaking the Bread as a Toll 29:11 The Future of the American Church 33:51 Reflecting on Breaking the Bread 39:11 Conclusion ✨ Join the largest group Bible Study in America—Bible Across America ➡️ https://stpaulcenter.com/america ___ Other ways to grow with the St. Paul Center: ⛪️ If you're a Priest looking to attend one of our annual Priest Conferences: https://stpaulcenter.co/priestconferences

Just a heads-up that in this episode we talk about late miscarriage. I am so grateful to Kelly for opening up about something that affects and speaks to so many of us - it's a beautiful conversation but if you're feeling tender around those issues for whatever reason, we've put in the time-stamps below in case you need to skip that bit.  Kelly is a woman whose career has reflected the shifting tides of the British media landscape: from finding fame as a glamour model in the 90s, and being voted FHM's sexiest woman in the world on more than one occasion; she later made the move into presenting and acting. Now it's also just been revealed that she'll take part in this year's I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! In her first interview since that announcement, Kelly joins me for an honest and moving conversation about the pitfalls of fame, finding true love and she gives an extraordinarily vulnerable insight into her own fertility journey and her decision not to have children. Plus; how working on her own self-worth has brought her new happiness. An inspiration! ✨ IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Introduction 02:05 Marriage 05:28 Joining 'I'm a Celebrity' 06:52 Preparing for the Jungle 10:56 Reflecting on Success and Failure 25:28 Navigating Personal Growth and Boundaries 26:39 Romantic Relationships and Sacrifices 31:36 Dealing with Loss and Grief 33:31 Body Image and Societal Pressures 35:55 The Pain of Miscarriage 46:39 Embracing Authenticity and Moving Forward

Bradley Taylor is the founder of The Donut Trap, a donut, coffee, and ice cream shop in Saint Paul, Minnesota. After returning home from college in Los Angeles, he noticed the lack of quality donuts in his community and set out to fill that gap. What began as an idea has grown into both a storefront and a donut vending machine. Beyond serving sweets, Bradley is dedicated to empowering Black youth and people of color to explore and pursue entrepreneurship.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction and background 4:37 Building The Donut Trap 7:54 Overcoming nerves 10:41 Opening a storefront 13:01 Expanding into vending machines 18:43 Creating the branding and mission 21:46 Work-life balance 23:25 Staying creative 24:35 Staying involved in the community 26:53 Looking to the future 27:36 Reflecting on the business 29:46 Advice for other entrepreneurs 30:46 Closing and contact

At the Jewish National Fund-USA 2025 Global Conference, IsraelCast host Steven Shalowitz interviewed Australian journalist Erin Molan, who shared her transformation from sports anchor to global advocate for Israel and Western values. Deeply influenced by her late father, Major General Andrew Molan, Erin described how the reaction to Hamas's October 7 attacks compelled her to speak out against terrorism, despite severe backlash and death threats. She warned that the conflict extends beyond Israel, reflecting a broader struggle for democracy and moral clarity across the West. Molan condemned biased media coverage and rising antisemitism in Australia, calling for everyday people to speak truth and challenge misinformation. Reflecting on her visits to Israel, she praised Israelis' resilience and compassion, sharing moving encounters that reaffirmed her mission. Now hosting The Erin Molan Show on the Salem Network, she continues to champion Israel and the values her father taught her: "Even if it's hard, always do what's right."