Podcasts about Relational

In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, host Stewart Alsop interviews Aurelio Gialluca, an economist and full stack data professional who works across finance, retail, and AI as both a data engineer and machine learning developer, while also exploring human consciousness and psychology. Their wide-ranging conversation covers the intersection of science and psychology, the unique cultural characteristics that make Argentina a haven for eccentrics (drawing parallels to the United States), and how Argentine culture has produced globally influential figures from Borges to Maradona to Che Guevara. They explore the current AI landscape as a "centralizing force" creating cultural homogenization (particularly evident in LinkedIn's cookie-cutter content), discuss the potential futures of AI development from dystopian surveillance states to anarchic chaos, and examine how Argentina's emotionally mature, non-linear communication style might offer insights for navigating technological change. The conversation concludes with Gialluca describing his ambitious project to build a custom water-cooled workstation with industrial-grade processors for his quantitative hedge fund, highlighting the practical challenges of heat management and the recent tripling of RAM prices due to market consolidation.Timestams00:00 Exploring the Intersection of Psychology and Science02:55 Cultural Eccentricity: Argentina vs. the United States05:36 The Influence of Religion on National Identity08:50 The Unique Argentine Cultural Landscape11:49 Soft Power and Cultural Influence14:48 Political Figures and Their Cultural Impact17:50 The Role of Sports in Shaping National Identity20:49 The Evolution of Argentine Music and Subcultures23:41 AI and the Future of Cultural Dynamics26:47 Navigating the Chaos of AI in Culture33:50 Equilibrating Society for a Sustainable Future35:10 The Patchwork Age: Decentralization and Society35:56 The Impact of AI on Human Connection38:06 Individualism vs. Collective Rules in Society39:26 The Future of AI and Global Regulations40:16 Biotechnology: The Next Frontier42:19 Building a Personal AI Lab45:51 Tiers of AI Labs: From Personal to Industrial48:35 Mathematics and AI: The Foundation of Innovation52:12 Stochastic Models and Predictive Analytics55:47 Building a Supercomputer: Hardware InsightsKey Insights1. Argentina's Cultural Exceptionalism and Emotional Maturity: Argentina stands out globally for allowing eccentrics to flourish and having a non-linear communication style that Gialluca describes as "non-monotonous systems." Argentines can joke profoundly and be eccentric while simultaneously being completely organized and straightforward, demonstrating high emotional intelligence and maturity that comes from their unique cultural blend of European romanticism and Latino lightheartedness.2. Argentina as an Underrecognized Cultural Superpower: Despite being introverted about their achievements, Argentina produces an enormous amount of global culture through music, literature, and iconic figures like Borges, Maradona, Messi, and Che Guevara. These cultural exports have shaped entire generations worldwide, with Argentina "stealing the thunder" from other nations and creating lasting soft power influence that people don't fully recognize as Argentine.3. AI's Cultural Impact Follows Oscillating Patterns: Culture operates as a dynamic system that oscillates between centralization and decentralization like a sine wave. AI currently represents a massive centralizing force, as seen in LinkedIn's homogenized content, but this will inevitably trigger a decentralization phase. The speed of this cultural transformation has accelerated dramatically, with changes that once took generations now happening in years.4. The Coming Bifurcation of AI Futures: Gialluca identifies two extreme possible endpoints for AI development: complete centralized control (the "Mordor" scenario with total surveillance) or complete chaos where everyone has access to dangerous capabilities like creating weapons or viruses. Finding a middle path between these extremes is essential for society's survival, requiring careful equilibrium between accessibility and safety.5. Individual AI Labs Are Becoming Democratically Accessible: Gialluca outlines a tier system for AI capabilities, where individuals can now build "tier one" labs capable of fine-tuning models and processing massive datasets for tens of thousands of dollars. This democratization means that capabilities once requiring teams of PhD scientists can now be achieved by dedicated individuals, fundamentally changing the landscape of AI development and access.6. Hardware Constraints Are the New Limiting Factor: While AI capabilities are rapidly advancing, practical implementation is increasingly constrained by hardware availability and cost. RAM prices have tripled in recent months, and the challenge of managing enormous heat output from powerful processors requires sophisticated cooling systems. These physical limitations are becoming the primary bottleneck for individual AI development.7. Data Quality Over Quantity Is the Critical Challenge: The main bottleneck for AI advancement is no longer energy or GPUs, but high-quality data for training. Early data labeling efforts produced poor results because labelers lacked domain expertise. The future lies in reinforcement learning (RL) environments where AI systems can generate their own high-quality training data, representing a fundamental shift in how AI systems learn and develop.

Why attachment wounds heal best in safe relational contexts (mentorship, IPF, romantic, community), not in isolation. Today we discuss how this plays out. We explore the Buddhist wisdom of grounding and establishing inner safety in order to walk the insight meditation path, and how this parallels attachment repair. True awareness only blossoms when the body feels safe.✨ Just a few days left to join ✨⁠Meditation x Attachment Level One⁠ (https://www.mettagroup.org/meditation-x-attachment-level-one)

Is your relationship feeling more like a business transaction than a partnership? Kris Krohn and his wife, Colleen, get vulnerable about the "dark places" in their 17-year marriage and reveal the exact 4-step "Unconditional Love Game" they used to move from rocky ground to Cloud Nine. Learn how practicing spousal advocacy and shifting your mindset can transform your home life, proving that real wealth isn't just about real estate and money—it's about the strength of your core relationships.

How important is the relational dimension to healthy sexuality?Today on the Faithful & True Podcast, Dr. Mark Laaser returns to continue his discussion on the Healthy Sexuality Series. In this episode, he wraps up the relational dimension. Send us a text

Podcast Summary Join us for an insightful exploration of the art of influencing people internally within organizations. In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome Sabine Gedeon, an esteemed executive advisor and speaker, as we dissect the concept of relational authority and its crucial role in building internal influence. Sabine emphasizes that mindset is 80% of success and highlights the significance of understanding your audience by stepping into their shoes. We uncover the challenges faced in internal negotiations, particularly in sales and HR, and the importance of aligning internal support to meet client needs. Discover how behaviors, attitudes, and techniques, encapsulated in the acronym BAT, are essential to enhancing influence and achieving success within an organization. Listen in as we emphasize the importance of preparation and strategic relationship-building to effectively influence stakeholders. By identifying key individuals who may challenge or support a proposed change, you can tailor your approach to align with their priorities. We discuss the use of tools like DISC to understand team members' perspectives and the impact of consistent behavior in building credibility and trust over time. Learn how nurturing internal networks and maintaining a reputation for thoroughness can significantly enhance your ability to gain support for initiatives. This episode provides actionable insights for overcoming resistance and achieving success by mastering the art of internal influence. (00:02) Influencing People Internally (10:22) Preparing to Influence Internally (00:02) Influencing People Internally This chapter explores the essential components of relational authority and the power to influence people internally within organizations. Joined by Sabine Gedeon, an executive advisor and speaker, we examine the critical role of mindset in successful influence. We discuss how understanding your audience and preparing for conversations by stepping into their shoes is vital for building influence. Sabine emphasizes that mindset constitutes 80% of success, and having the right attitude is crucial before any strategic execution. The conversation highlights the challenges people face in internal negotiations, especially in sales and HR, and the importance of aligning internal support to meet client needs. The focus is on behaviors, attitudes, and techniques, as embodied in the acronym BAT, and how these elements contribute to improving one's influence and success within an organization. (10:22) Preparing to Influence Internally This chapter explores the importance of preparation and strategic relationship-building in influencing stakeholders within an organization. I discuss the necessity of identifying key individuals who might challenge or support a proposed change, and how to align them with your goals. By understanding the perspectives of different team members, especially through tools like DISC, you can tailor your approach to address their priorities effectively. I also emphasize the significance of consistent behavior in building credibility and trust over time. By nurturing internal networks and maintaining a reputation for thoroughness, you can significantly enhance your ability to gain support for initiatives, making it clear that preparation is key to overcoming resistance and achieving success.      

Taylor Swift Lyrics & Relational Trauma | Episode 3: tolerate it + So Long LondonJoin Mandy Friedman LPCC-S and Sarah Morehart LPC as we explore relational trauma themes through the lens of Taylor Swift's songwriting. In this five-part series, we each count down our personal Top 5 Taylor Swift songs and discuss the emotional patterns, symbolism, and relational dynamics woven into the lyrics.

Holidays are supposed to be a time for reconnecting and celebrating, but for many families, they also stir up unnecessary stress and strife. Family gatherings can draw immature or unresolved relational dynamics to the surface, highlighting pressures and intensifying grief and loneliness following loss. Join Dr. Lisa Dunne as she interviews CVCU Psychology Professor Lindsey Rauch to discover biblically-grounded practices and evidence-based psychological tools that will help you set realistic expectations and approach relational dynamics with greater clarity, compassion, and spiritual intentionality. Professor Rauch is a mental heath and wellness professional with a Master of Science in Mental Health and Wellness. She is currently completing her Ph.D. in Psychology at Liberty University. In addition to her work at CVCU, she is a proud military spouse and the mother of two adventurous boys. K to 12 Rescue Mission: https://www.academicrescuemission.com Christian Community College: https://www.veritascc.us CVCU degree programs: https://www.cvcu.us Book Dr. Lisa to speak: https://www.DrLisaDunne.com @DrLisaDunne

January 2026 invites us to create space for our dreams as our best plans. Through the month's astrology, the personal planets move in a tight Capricorn stellium into a tight Aquarius stellium, while making aspects to Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus before they leave water and earth signs.We explored: Balancing softness, structure, rest, and devotion in your life.New Year guidance on planning from what you do know instead of spiraling on what you don'tWorking with the Cancer Full Moon and the Capricorn stellium to practice intentional gratitude for areas of relative easeReflection questions for the final chapters of Saturn and Neptune in Pisces and Uranus in Taurus, including grief, disillusionment, maturing your dreams, and choosing which realities you're willing to participate in.​How the late-month Aquarius stellium and conjunctions to Pluto can shift the tone from “getting your life in order” to radically reimagining your role in community, culture, and collective dreaming.​ Support the creation of this podcast by becoming a paid subscriber. You'll receive access to 1-2 bonus episodes a month, subscriber-only essays, and exclusive first-look at drafts of new essays.If you'd like to work with me 1:1, I offer single guidance sessions as well as private mentorship containers (3 months+). We co-create a supportive field for you to move through important life thresholds with grace and deepen your capacity for creative expansions using astrology, human design, and energy work.Try the incredible breathwork and meditation app Open for 30 days free using this special link. This podcast is hosted, produced, and edited by Jonathan Koe. Theme music is also composed by me! Connect with me through my newsletter, my Instagram @jonathankoeofficial, and my music. For podcast-related inquiries, email me at healingthespiritpodcast@gmail.com.

In this episode, Fred interviews Dr. Chris Hanson, M.D., Th.D. - Pediatrician & author of Open and Relational Parenting: Loving Parents Reflecting a Loving God. Learn more at: https://openrelationalparenting.com/ https://openrelationalparenting.substack.com/ About Dr. Hanson: Dr. Chris Hanson is a pediatrician who has practiced in Memphis, TN for 27 years. He earned his ThD degree from Northwind and the Center for Open and Relational Theology in 2025. He is interested in the daily lives of his patients and their families and in helping them develop healthy, nutritive parent-child relationships.

Jesus cries out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" How can the Father forsake the Son if they're the same person in the Trinity? Was the Trinity severed? Kaitlyn has thoughts on this important theological debate—and reveals how this debate is part of why she became a theologian!   0:00 - Intro   0:37 - Theme Song   1:20 - Show Starts   2:40 - Kaitlyn's Origin Story   12:50 - Penal Substitutionary Atonement   18:42 - Sponsor - Dwell - Listen to scripture throughout your day. Go to https://www.dwellbible.com/CK for 25% off!   19:42 - Sponsor - Word Relief - World Relief has a $415,000 challenge gift that ends December 31. Your gift can go three times as far! Give now at https://www.worldrelief.org/kaitlyn   21:18 - Relational, Trinitarian God   32:10 - The Father Grieving the Son   39:37 - Outro Song   Resources: Forsaken: The Trinity on the Cross, and Why it Matters by Thomas H. McCall: https://a.co/d/1PvcWvZ Delighting in the Trinity: An Introduction to the Christian Faith by Michael Reeves: https://a.co/d/ikSTCLB The Crucified God by Jürgen Moltmann: https://a.co/d/9LVdAw3

What does healthy sexuality look like? What role does our relationships play in healthy sexuality?This week on the Faithful & True podcast, listen to Dr. Mark Laaser as he dives in to the Healthy Sexuality series and discusses the relational dimension.Send us a text

Relationships in HD — Part 15: For the Saint and the Sinner Description: In Part 15 of Relationships in HD, Pastor Eric goes to the very foundation of every Christian relationship: whether or not we are truly children of God. Launching from the line, “For the saint and for the sinner… there's enough grace for the whole wide world,” he confronts a common assumption—that everyone is automatically God's child—and shows from Scripture that only those who believe and receive Jesus are adopted into the Father's family. From John 1 and John 8, Pastor Eric contrasts empty religion with true salvation: serving, giving, being “churchy,” even being on the membership roll is not the same thing as being born again. He shares his own story of years of doubt, “hope-so hands,” and self-righteous striving, and how the Lord finally broke through at an altar in 1987 with one simple invitation: “Just ask Me, and I will.” From that moment, the Christian life moved from fear and uncertainty to the security of a Father who never lets go. From there, this message unfolds the generous heart of God the Father. In Luke 11 and 12, Jesus teaches that if flawed human parents know how to give good gifts, how much more does our Father in heaven delight to give the Holy Spirit, daily provision, and even the kingdom itself. Pastor Eric shows how a distorted view of earthly fathers can warp our view of God—and how Scripture corrects that picture with a Father who is approachable, generous, and stable, not stingy, distant, or constantly angry. Deeply personal and thoroughly gospel-centered, this sermon calls both the religious and the rebellious to real assurance in Christ, and invites believers to live like secure sons and daughters—resting in the Father's delight, resisting the lies of the enemy, and reflecting the generosity of heaven in their everyday relationships. Key Scriptures (NKJV): John 1:11–12; John 8:44; John 3:16–17; John 10:27–29; Luke 11:9–13; Luke 12:22–34; James 1:16–18; Hebrews 4:14–16; Hebrews 12:2; Titus 1:2; 1 Peter 1:3–5. Highlights: Child of God or just religious? Why serving, giving, and being in church isn't the same as being born again. Believe and receive: Not everyone is automatically God's child—but everyone who trusts Christ is adopted, forgiven, and welcomed. Pastor Eric's testimony: From years of doubting and praying “just in case” to finally trusting that Jesus wanted him and had truly saved him. Hope-so hand vs. know-so assurance: Moving from vague wishing to confidence in God's promises. Fighting doubt: “Grab the devil by the tail” and drag him back to the cross—if God lied, He wouldn't be worth following, but He cannot lie (Titus 1:2). The Father's generosity: Every good and perfect gift comes from Him; He delights to give the Holy Spirit, daily bread, and the kingdom. “How much more?” If flawed parents give good gifts, how much more does our Father value and care for His children. You are worth more than the birds: Correcting a culture that often values animals and environment over people—God says you are of greater value. Security in the Father's hand: No one can pluck Christ's sheep out of His hand or the Father's hand (John 10:27–29). New identity, new family, new future: Adoption, inheritance, reservation in heaven, and the peace that passes understanding. Relational impact: When we know we are loved, wanted, and secure, it reshapes how we parent, mentor, and disciple others. Next Steps: If you're unsure whether you're truly a child of God, start there: read John 1:11–12 and John 3:16–18, and honestly ask, Am I trusting my goodness—or Christ's finished work? If you haven't, call on Him in faith and receive Him as your Savior. If you belong to Christ but struggle with doubt, write down John 10:27–29, Romans 8:15–16, and James 1:17–18. Pray through them this week and, whenever accusation comes, “drag it back to the cross” and rest in what God has promised, not what you feel. Then, ask the Father to help you live like His child: choose one way to reflect His generosity, patience, and delight—whether toward your kids, your spouse, or someone younger in the faith. Thank Him that there is grace enough for the saint, grace enough for the sinner, and grace enough for you.

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If you've been dragging some of last year around with you, or you've been feeling that strange mix of excitement and pressure that shows up every January, this episode is calling your name. Closing out the year, the POTC cohosts are bringing you a conversation about how creativity can be a lifeline, a mindset shift, and a really enjoyable way to start 2026 feeling more like yourself.Walking you through simple ways to reflect on the past year, we share some creative exercises that spark real insight and explore how tuning into your creative side can help you make meaning, connect with people, and better handle the tough stuff life throws at you. If you're craving more joy, connection, or just a new angle on the year ahead, you're bound to find something that resonates.So settle in, and join us in starting the year with intention, curiosity, and a little touch of creativity.Listen and Learn: Reflection Exercises, including: Finding Meaning: Reflecting on the past year, where were you last New Year's, and what were your biggest highs and lows since thenMeaningful Moments: Reflecting on two or three meaningful moments from the past year and vividly recalling the sights, sounds, and feelings of each experienceLessons, Wins and Moving Forward: Reflecting on your past year to uncover lessons from mistakes, celebrate achievements, and clarify what truly matters to you as you move into 2026Vision for the Year Ahead: Reflecting on what you truly want, the areas you've neglected, and the values you want to prioritize in the year aheadHow incorporating creative, life-affirming activities can boost your well-being and help you navigate life's challengesPractical exercises and tips to spark more creativity in your life in the new yearResources: Access the New Year's Reflection Questions from this episode (.pdf or editable MS Word versions available) Debbie's Guided Journaling Substack with writing prompts and a 30-day journaling challengeYear Compass worksheets: https://yearcompass.com/Word of the Year and Unravel Your Year worksheets by Susannah Conway: https://www.susannahconway.com/unravel Creative Mornings: https://creativemornings.com/ Jill | Betrayal Weekly: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jill-betrayal-weekly/id1615637724?i=1000726003078 If you have a story connected to trauma, crime, or someone who's caused harm—and you feel ready to share it—Jill would love to hear from you. You can book a free 30-minute consult at:https://jillstoddard.com/contact-us About the POTC CoHosts: Debbie Sorensen, PhD, Co-hostDebbie (she/her) is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Denver, Colorado with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and Anthropology from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and a Ph.D. in Psychology from Harvard University. She is author of the book ACT for Burnout: Recharge, Reconnect, and Transform Burnout with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and co-author of ACT Daily Journal: Get Unstuck and Live Fully with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. She loves living in Colorado, her home state, with her husband, two daughters, and dog. When she's not busy working or podcasting, she enjoys reading fiction, cooking, traveling, and getting outdoors in the beautiful Rocky Mountains! You can learn more about Debbie, read her blog, and find out about upcoming presentations and training events at her webpage, drdebbiesorensen.com.Jill Stoddard, PhD, Co-hostJill Stoddard is passionate about sharing science-backed ideas from psychology to help people thrive. She is a psychologist, writer, TEDx speaker, award-winning teacher, peer-reviewed ACT trainer, bariatric coach, and co-host of the popular Psychologists Off the Clock podcast. Dr. Stoddard is the founder and director of The Center for Stress and Anxiety Management, an outpatient practice specializing in evidence-based therapies for anxiety and related issues. She is the author of three books: The Big Book of ACT Metaphors: A Practitioner's Guide to Experiential Exercises and Metaphors in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; Be Mighty: A Woman's Guide to Liberation from Anxiety, Worry, and Stress Using Mindfulness and Acceptance; and Imposter No More: Overcome Self-doubt and Imposterism to Cultivate a Successful Career. Her writing has also appeared in The Washington Post, Psychology Today, Scary Mommy, Thrive Global, The Good Men Project, and Mindful Return. She regularly appears on podcasts and as an expert source for various media outlets. She lives in Newburyport, MA with her husband, two kids, and disobedient French Bulldog. Michael Herold, Co-HostMichael (he/him) is a confidence trainer and social skills coach, based in Vienna, Austria. He's helping his clients overcome their social anxiety through Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and fun exposure exercises. (Though the jury is still out on whether they're mostly fun for him). He is also a certified therapeutic game master, utilizing the Dungeons&Dragons tabletop roleplaying game to train communication, assertiveness, and teamwork with young adults. Or actually, anyone ready to roll some dice and battle goblins in a supportive group where players want to level up (pun!) their social skills. Michael is the head coach of the L.A. based company The Art of Charm, running their confidence-building program “Unstoppable” as well as workshops on small talk, storytelling, vulnerability, and more. He is the scientific advisor and co-producer of their large podcast with more than 250 million downloads. As a member of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS), Michael is the current President of the ACT Coaching Special Interest Group with nearly 1,000 coaches worldwide, and the co-founder of the ACT in Austria Affiliate of ACBS, a nationwide meetup for ACT practitioners in Austria. He's a public speaker who has spoken at TEDx, in front of members of parliament, universities, and once in a cinema full of 500 kids high on sugary popcorn. In a previous life, he was a character animator working on award-winning movies and TV shows such as “The Penguins of Madagascar” and “Kung Fu Panda”. That was before he realized that helping people live a meaningful life is much more rewarding than working in the film business – even though the long nights in the studio allowed him to brew his own beer in the office closet, an activity he highly recommends. Michael grew up with five foster kids who were all taken out of abusive families. His foster sisters showed him how much positive change is possible in a person if they have the love and support they need.Emily Edlynn, PhD, Co-HostEmily (she/her) is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in pediatric health psychology who works in private practice with children, teens, and adults. She has a BA in English from Smith College, a PhD in clinical psychology from Loyola University Chicago, and completed postgraduate training at Stanford and Children's Hospital Orange County. Emily spent almost ten years working in children's hospitals before pivoting to private practice, which allowed her to start a writing career. Emily has written her blog, The Art and Science of Mom, since 2017 and a parenting advice column for Parents.com since 2019. Emily's writing has also appeared in the Washington Post, Scary Mommy, Good Housekeeping, Motherly, and more. She recently added author to her bio with her book, Autonomy-Supportive Parenting: Reduce Parental Burnout and Raise Competent Confident Children and has a Substack newsletter. Emily lives with her husband, three children, and two rescue dogs in Oak Park, IL where she can see Chicago's skyline from her attic window. Yael Schonbrun, PhD, Co-hostYael (she/her) is a licensed clinical psychologist who wears a number of professional hats: She has a small private practice specializing in evidence-based relationship therapy, she's an assistant professor at Brown University, and she writes for nonacademic audiences about working parenthood. She has a B.A. from Washington University in St. Louis, a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and completed her postgraduate training at Brown University. In all areas of her work, Yael draws on scientific research, her clinical experience, ancient wisdom (with an emphasis on Taoism), and real life experiences with her three little boys. You can find out more about Yael's writing, including her book, Work, Parent, Thrive, and about her research by clicking the links. You can follow Yael on Linkedin and Instagram where she posts about relationship science or subscribe to her newsletter, Relational, to get the science of relationships in your email inbox!Related Episodes: 410. Creativity and Making Things with Kelly Corrigan and Claire Corrigan Lichty345. Writing for Personal Growth with Maureen Murdock211. Subtract with Leidy Klotz73. Essentialism with Greg McKeown257. The Gift of Being Ordinary with Ron Siegel 37. Post-Traumatic Growth with Diana and Debbie375. Midlife: From Crisis to Curiosity with Meg McKelvie and Debbie Sorensen 285. What Do You Want Out of Life? Values Fulfillment Theory with Valerie Tiberius 351. You Only Die Once with Jodi Wellman 138. Exploring Existence and Purpose: Existentialism with Robyn Walser 329. The Power of Curiosity with Scott ShigeokaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Taylor Swift Lyrics & Relational Trauma | Episode 2: The Last Time + You're Losing MeJoin Mandy Friedman LPCC-S and Sarah Morehart LPC as we explore relational trauma themes through the lens of Taylor Swift's songwriting. In this five-part series, we each count down our personal Top 5 Taylor Swift songs and discuss the emotional patterns, symbolism, and relational dynamics woven into the lyrics.

Key Takeaways:Reframe goals as guides, not judgments. Traditional output-focused goals can create pressure and burnout; goals should inform your direction, not define your worth or success.Wrap up the year holistically. Reflect on wins, surprises, and growth beyond numeric targets, release what no longer serves you, and recognize internal and relational progress as real achievements.Make goals human-centered, not just metric-centered. Reframing SMART goals to be Supportive, Meaningful, Aligned, Relational, and Tension-free ensures they strengthen trust, connection, and values alongside traditional metrics.Measure relationships, not just money. Track trust, reciprocity, affinity, consistency, and advocacy to prioritize connection and mission impact, understanding that financial outcomes naturally follow strong relational foundations. “Goals aren't good or bad. They are just what they are. They are information.” “If we're only measuring our worth by input and output, we're really missing a lot on what we're doing and the progress that we're making.” "Work can be joyful. Grace, ease, joy is sustainable. Hustle and grind is not.”- Maryanne Dersch    Let's Work Together to Amplify Your Leadership + Influence1. Group Coaching for Nonprofit LeadersWant to lead with more clarity, confidence, and influence? My group coaching program is designed for nonprofit leaders who are ready to communicate more powerfully, navigate challenges with ease, and move their organizations forward. 2. Team Coaching + TrainingI work hands-on with nonprofit teams to strengthen leadership, improve communication, and align around a shared vision. Whether you're growing fast or feeling stuck, we'll create more clarity, collaboration, and momentum—together. 3. Board Retreats + TrainingsYour board has big potential. I'll help you unlock it. My engaging, no-fluff retreats and trainings are built to energize your board, refocus on what matters, and generate real results.Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.comConnect with Maryanne about her coaching programs:https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect Book Maryanne to speak at your conference:https://www.courageouscommunication.com/nonprofit-keynote-speaker

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.Are you looking for practical ways to build your child's resilience and sense of safety, and to strengthen your family's connectedness? Listen to this conversation with Ginger Healy, MSW, LCSW, director of programs for the Attachment & Trauma Network and host of the podcast “Regulated and Relational.” Ginger speaks across the nation on trauma-informed schools, therapeutic parenting, and community engagement.In this episode, we discuss:What made you decide to write a book for educators?What were you observing about children's needs around emotional language, self-regulation, and connection?Knowing that at home we often deal with a different rhythm, different dynamics (for example, one caregiver rather than teacher + many students), what initial advice do you have for parents and caregivers to translate this book's classroom tools into a home context? Why is it essential that children learn social/emotional language — not just “feelings words” but the capacity to talk about self, other, relationships, safety?How does having more social/emotional language help a child feel “seen, safe, valued” in a family environment?What are the risks when children don't have that language or opportunity to practice it?We often hear culture around us say, “Kids are resilient.” Why is that a misconception, especially in our community of adopted, foster, or relative children?Why does a child who has experienced trauma need specific, intentional scaffolding to develop their social/emotional language and build their capacity for emotional strength?What are the themes of the workbook that parents or caregivers can bring into their everyday conversations at home?Understanding my story within my family structureReframing my narrative: navigating family challenges and conflictBuilding confidence, hope, and a positive futureCan you suggest a few strategies to get families started with the conversations?What if we are struggling with or lacking these skills ourselves? How do we learn them so we can teach and model them?What practical strategies can we use to integrate these skills into our daily rhythms?How do we know our kids are ready for adjustments in how we practice these skills, or to “level up”?How will they know if these strategies are effective? Do you have practical tips for families that want to strengthen their family dynamics but already feel overwhelmed by the long list of To-Dos? Support the showPlease leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcasts Weekly articles/blog posts Resource pages on all aspects of family building

Do you ever find yourself trapped in a Groundhog-day-like cycle where the telltale signs of unresolved issues keep creeping in? Behaviors like overreacting, not feeling connected to others, getting angry for no reason, feeling a constant undercurrent of frustration--these can all be clues that we need to adjust our relational resilience and our emotional fortitude. Join Dr. Lisa Dunne on part one of this week's show to learn how you can give your children teh gift of relational, emotional, and mental fortitude. K to 12 Rescue Mission: https://www.academicrescuemission.com Christian Community College: https://www.veritascc.us CVCU degree programs: https://www.cvcu.us Book Dr. Lisa to speak: https://www.DrLisaDunne.com @DrLisaDunne

Across the globe, interpersonal relationships are suffering today, and all generations are suffering for it. The focus on vengeance and disunity in our culture is wreaking havoc on longterm relational health. Join Dr. Lisa Dunne to learn how you can give your children the gift of relational, emotional, and mental fortitude by providing the skill set they need to thrive at home and in life. Out of the overflow of our hearts and homes, let's strengthen the bonds of community within our realms of influence. K to 12 Rescue Mission: https://www.academicrescuemission.com Christian Community College: https://www.veritascc.us CVCU degree programs: https://www.cvcu.us Book Dr. Lisa to speak: https://www.DrLisaDunne.com @DrLisaDunne

Part of the Advent Christmas series. Sermon by Pastor Nathan Alley The post Relational God // John 14:16 first appeared on Applewood Community Church.

Episode summaryAfter losing her home, savings, and a 34-year marriage, pharmacist and integrative medicine leader Dr. Lisa Nezneski chose a different path: put herself first, grieve fully, and cultivate joy deliberately. In this candid conversation, we trace the arc from rupture to renewal—restorative yoga twice a week, twice-daily meditation, beach “walking meditations,” and the seven mindful questions that helped her rewire patterns. We also talk relationships after loss, somatic signs of awe, and how to make the “next right step” when you don't know what's next. This is a clear-eyed look at resilience, seen through yoga's lens of abhyāsa (steadfast practice) and vairāgya (non-attachment): effort rooted in discernment, without clinging to outcomes.Dr. Lisa Nezneski — Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher; board-certified pharmacotherapist; Reiki Master; poet and author of Grounded in Chaos: Leaning into Adversity, Learning Joy (2020; updated edition forthcoming). Former clinical pharmacist and hospital administrator; taught at Duquesne University; past Chief Clinical Officer at Schatz Clinical Services; founder of Healthy Mindful Self. Website: lisanezneski.comKey takeawaysChoose self-priority without apology. Midlife caretakers often land last on their own list; reclaiming agency is the hinge of recovery.Practice over prediction. Twice-daily meditation + consistent restorative yoga created the conditions for healing—abhyāsa in action.Non-attachment reduces reactivity. “This is this day.” Meet what is, breathe three times, then respond—classic vairāgya.Somatic joy is real data. Tingling, goosebumps, softening—felt sense can signal alignment more reliably than analysis.The “next right step” is enough. Use simple inner tests (Lisa's “speedometer” method) and adjust course—no catastrophizing.Relational healing is possible. Mutuality, gratitude, and playfulness can re-pattern partnership after grief.Hands calm the nervous system. Repetitive handcrafts (e.g., finger-crochet) function like mudrā/nyāsa—bottom-up regulation.ResourcesDr. Lisa Nezneski — lisanezneski.comBook — Grounded in Chaos: Leaning into Adversity, Learning Joy (1st ed., 2020; updated edition forthcoming)Listener reflection (journal prompts)Where in my week do I practice abhyāsa without clinging to a result?What does my body feel like when a choice is a genuine “yes”?What micro-ritual will I use as my three-breath reset cue?Call to actionIf this episode helped you locate a little joy inside the storm, share it with one person who needs a steady hand. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us the one practice you're committing to this week.Plans of Study for NDMU Yoga Therapyhttps://livendm.sharepoint.com/sites/Academics/SitePages/Yoga-Therapy-Plans-of-Study.aspx?csf=1&web=1&share=EeZhGMscDMFOl1Lk0PD6gOsBTxvKkWvbfjhHLmMMuNpLFw&e=ApOX4h&CID=45c542e6-5528-4c68-a8ac-5596fb4fc161School of Integrative Health at NDMU: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-healthMaster of Science in Yoga Therapy at NDMU https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy  Explore NDMU's Post-Master's Certificate in Therapeutic Yoga Practices, designed specifically for licensed healthcare professionals. https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy/post-masters-certificate-in-therapeutic-yoga-practices Try our Post-Bac Ayurveda Certification Program at NDMU: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/ayurveda/post-baccalaureate-ayurveda-certification#IntegrativeHealth #HealthcareEducation #InterprofessionalEducation #GraduateSchool #NDMUproud #SOIHproud #SOIHYoga #SOIHAyurveda #NDMUYoga #NDMUAyurveda #SOIHGraduateSchool 

In Session 3 of the Align 2025 series, Permian Basin leaders Shane and Natalie Kenny share what it really takes to build a sustainable First Priority ministry that lasts beyond any one staff member, student leader, or season. Their message is clear: sustainability is not just about club mechanics, it starts with roots. A heart that stays soft for the city. Relationships that go deep with the local church and school leaders. And a sense of urgency to act because the harvest is ready. This episode wraps the three main Align sessions and sets up the upcoming breakout episodes. Key Takeaways Sustainability starts before the club starts. Shane and Natalie emphasize building a ministry foundation that can outlive you, not just launching a weekly meeting. Personal first: love your city and your schools. Ministry becomes fragile when frustration replaces compassion. They challenge leaders to reclaim a burden for their community and campus. Potted vs. planted. A powerful metaphor throughout the session: you can travel like a potted plant, or you can put down roots and build something that stands the test of time. Relational ministry beats transactional ministry. Networks are not the goal. Serving people is. They challenge leaders to stop viewing relationships as a means to an end. Mobilize beyond youth pastors. Relying only on youth pastors for volunteers is not sustainable. Their model expands the volunteer base across the local church, including parents and community members. Go through the front door. They stress the importance of meeting principals, building trust with administration, and showing up to serve schools consistently. Create the environment so students can lead. Their focus is building the “wall” around student leadership so students can step up with confidence and consistency. Reflection Questions Do I feel compassion for my city right now, or am I running on frustration? Am I operating relationally or transactionally with schools, churches, and leaders? Who is “on the wall” with me, and where do I need to expand my volunteer base? Have I built roots in my community, or am I still trying to lead like a potted plant?

Send us a textBusyness doesn't kill intimacy—drifting does. In this episode, we unpack how small, unguarded moments lead to danger in marriage. You'll learn the four-stage drift progression and simple ways to close the gap. Drift isn't failure; it's feedback. Enjoy. 

Taylor Swift Lyrics & Relational Trauma | Episode 1: Hoax + The Fate of OpheliaJoin Mandy Friedman LPCC-S and Sarah Morehart LPC as we explore relational trauma themes through the lens of Taylor Swift's songwriting. In this five-part series, we each count down our personal Top 5 Taylor Swift songs and discuss the emotional patterns, symbolism, and relational dynamics woven into the lyrics.

This month we're celebrating a huge milestone — 50 episodes of Punk Therapy! To mark the moment, we're bringing back one of our most loved conversations from 2023: our interview with the extraordinary Dr. Sharon Stanley.Sharon's work has been a significant influence on both of us over the years. Her somatic, relational, deeply human approach to healing has shaped so much of how we think about therapy — and continues to infuse the way we show up with our clients, our students, and our community. Revisiting this episode felt like the perfect way to honour where we've come from and where we're heading.And in some beautiful timing… this episode coincides with the release of a completed PhD from one of your hosts — a project exploring the meeting place of interpersonal neurobiology, somatics, and psychedelic-assisted therapy. It's work that has been simmering behind the scenes for years, and it's finally ready to be shared.If you're curious to read it or want to dive deeper into the ideas that quietly underpin many of our conversations, you're warmly invited to reach out:Email us at: doctort@punktherapy.comWe'll happily send you a copy.It feels special to celebrate 50 episodes by revisiting a conversation that has meant so much to us — and to pair it with the release of work that's been part of this podcast's DNA from the beginning.Thank you for being with us on this journey. Here's to many more episodes, many more conversations, and many more ways of exploring what it means to heal — together. —CW: Physical assault, trauma, and suicideDr. T and the Truth Fairy welcome Dr. Sharon Stanley - renowned psychotherapist, author, and developer of the psychotherapeutic model of somatic transformation - to the show. They have a searching and revealing conversation with Dr. Stanley about her career and the decades of work she has done with humans and trauma. Sharon Stanley describes her work as “relational to the core” and explains how her somatic work uses relationship to at times discern a particular technique. She shares the personal story of how she first became interested in trauma and how her study moved into the idea of somatic transformation from there. Dr. Stanley also names many foundational figures whom she has drawn insight from along the way.The discussion Dr. T and the Truth Fairy have with Sharon Stanley involve how Sharon keeps boundaries in the relationship formed through trauma bonding, what the intersubjective field is, and the six steps of somatic transformation. Sharon describes what ‘meaning making' encompasses and she invites Dr. T and Truth Fairy into a brief thematic reflection. This episode sheds light on how much Truth Fairy has learned from Dr. Stanley and why she has been mentioned so frequently on PUNK Therapy. It gives insight into her intentions and careful trauma healing methods.“When we do have an experience of going through something together, we can have an experience called trauma bonding. And the trauma bonding is a kind of an enmeshment where I feel what you feel, you feel what I feel. And we don't have clear boundaries. And that kind of leads me a little bit further into your question that working professionally with trauma, it's relational, but the boundaries are very clear. And how to make sure [in] those boundaries that there's a time, there's a place, there's a way we will, it's almost like a ritual that we will follow.” -  Dr. Sharon StanleyAbout Sharon Stanley, PhD:Over the past 17 years Sharon Stanley has developed and taught an emerging curriculum for healing trauma to thousands of  mental health practitioners. The educational experience of ST actively engages psychotherapists in exploring emerging research and practices in their own professional and personal lives. Sharon then applies their findings to the ongoing development of Somatic Transformation.As an instructor for Somatic Transformation, Sharon has had the privilege of teaching psychotherapists from Canada, United States, Middle East and Europe. Her doctoral studies at the University of Victoria involved research into the development of empathy in caregivers working with traumatized children and identifies the transformative effects of ST as an amplification of empathic connection. Sharon has been engaged in a small study group with Dr. Allan Schore, a well-known neuroscientist, for 18 years. She lives and practices psychotherapy on Bainbridge Island, just outside of Seattle.  Her book, Relational and Body-Centered Practices for Healing Trauma: Lifting the Burdens of the Past was published by Routledge in 2016 and is used by psychotherapists interested in a humanistic, developmental, body-centered, relational approach to healing trauma.Resources discussed in this episode:“Relational and Body-Centered Practices for Healing Trauma” by Sharon Stanley, PhDJudith HermanEdith SteinJohn O'DonohueMatryoshka dollsMax van ManenSuicide Hotlines and Prevention Resources Around the World---Punk Therapy: website |emailDr. Sharon Stanley: somatic transformation website | email Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The holidays are supposed to be joyful—but for many families, they quietly amplify stress, overwhelm, and emotional reactivity.In this special crossover episode with Parents of the Year podcast, Dr. Caroline and her husband Andrew step away from “perfect holiday” pressure and take a psychologically grounded look at why emotions run hotter during the holidays, for both kids and adults.We explore how disrupted routines, sensory overload, social comparison, family dynamics, and unrealistic expectations tax the nervous system—and why emotional meltdowns, irritability, withdrawal, or disappointment are not signs of failure, but signals of dysregulation.This episode bridges emotion regulation science with real-life parenting moments, including:· Why overstimulation is often behind kids' holiday meltdowns· How social media comparison fuels anxiety and emotional exhaustion· The role of structure, predictability, and proactive planning in regulation· Why parents' emotional regulation sets the ceiling for their children's· How to identify non-negotiables, let go of the rest, and reduce emotional load· Practical strategies for creating “magical moments” without emotional burnoutRather than trying to make emotions disappear, this conversation focuses on helping families anticipate emotional needs, regulate proactively, and respond with intention instead of reactivity.Want to learn more about boosting resilience during the holidays? Check out these episodes:Holiday Stress? Here's How to Build Real Resilience (https://youtu.be/jXgq7dn-hR4)How can we nurture kids' emotional resilience during the holidays? (https://youtu.be/jXgq7dn-hR4)Homework IdeasDo a “Holiday Load” Scan (5 minutes)Goal: Reduce dysregulation by identifying what's actually taxing the nervous system.Do: Write down the top 3 things that reliably spike stress for your child/teen (e.g., crowds, late nights, lots of visits, too many transitions) and the top 3 that spike stress for you.Use it: Pick one lever to change this week (sleep, pacing, fewer events, quieter mornings, etc.).Resource: A simple “HALT” check (Hungry, Angry/Anxious, Lonely, Tired) + add S for Sensory.Choose 2 Non-Negotiables + 2 FlexiblesGoal: Lower conflict and decision fatigue; clarify boundaries ahead of time.Do:Non-negotiables (examples): “We don't do three houses in one day,” “We eat before we go,” “We leave by 7:30.”Flexibles: “Which movie?” “Which dessert?” “When we open gifts (within a window).”Share it with your child/teen (and any other adults involved) before the big day.Resource: Brief script:“Here's what matters most to me so everyone's nervous system is okay…”“Here's what you can choose so it still feels fun for you…”Build a Regulation Plan: Before / During / AfterGoal: Move from reactive parenting to proactive emotion regulation.Do: Create a 3-part plan:Before: sleep, food, hydration, quiet time, predict the tough momentsDuring: micro-breaks, movement, sensory supports, time limitsAfter: decompression time, low-demand evening, early bedtime when possibleResource: “30/30 Rule” for high stimulation days: every ~30–60 minutes of stimulation, aim for a brief downshift (bathroom break, fresh air, water, quiet corner).Replacement Behaviours for Screen/Scroll TrapsGoal: Reduce comparison + mindless scrolling (a major holiday stress amplifier).Do: Choose a replacement behaviour you'll do instead of scrolling when stressed:5-minute walkshort stretchtea + 3 slow breathstext one friend directly (real connection)Resource: Set a phone boundary: “No social media before noon” or “10 minutes max, with a timer.”Create a “Code Word” + Exit Plan (Kids and Teens)Goal: Give kids a dignified way to signal overwhelm without melting down.Do: Pick a code word (e.g., “yellow light,” “reset,” “quiet break”).Define what happens when they use it:you step out togetherthey go to a quiet spotheadphones/hoodie breakshort car break if neededResource: Collaborative language:“Your job is to notice overwhelm early. My job is to help you reset.”Practice “Containment” When Volume or Energy RisesGoal: Prevent spirals by regulating yourself first.Do: When you notice irritation rising:Pause (one breath)Name internally: “My nervous system is activated.”Do one downshift: step away, splash cold water, 10 slow exhales, or a short walk.Resource: A simple mantra: “I can be the calm, even when it's loud.”Set Expectations Explicitly Goal: Reduce disappointment driven by vague, magical expectations.Do: Ask:“What are you most excited about—specifically?”“What would make the day feel like a win?”Then set realistic anchors:one meaningful momentone active thingone connection pointResource: “Lower the bar, deepen the moment.” (Connection > performance.)Plan for Sensory Needs Goal: Prevent overload (lights, noise, crowds, scratchy clothes, social demands).Do: Pack a “regulation kit”:headphones/earbudsgum/mintsfidgethoodie/comfort itemsunglasses/hatsnack + waterResource: Let kids opt into brief “parallel play” (being near others without forced interaction).Use “Let It Go vs. Address It” Sorting Goal: Avoid adults getting pulled into old roles and conflicts.Do: Before gatherings, decide:2 things you'll let go (minor irritations)1 thing you'll address if needed (a true boundary)Use a short phrase to hold it:“Not today.”“That's not up for discussion.”“We're keeping it simple this year.”Resource: “Boundaries are kind when they're clear.”End-of-Day Debrief: 3–2–1 ResetGoal: Teach emotional learning without shame; build resilience over time.Do (at bedtime or next morning):3 things that went okay2 moments that were hard1 tweak for next timeResource: Keep it brief and neutral. The point is learning, not blame.BonusThe holidays represent a perfect storm for dysregulation:· Increased sensory input (noise, crowds, events)· Disrupted routines (sleep, meals, schedules)· Heightened expectations (“This should be special”)· Social comparison (especially via social media)· Relational triggers (family dynamics, unresolved patterns) 1. Emotions Escalate When Predictability Drops When structure disappears, the nervous system has to work harder. For children especially, this can lead to:· irritability· emotional outbursts· shutdown or withdrawal The solution isn't stricter control—it's intentional scaffolding:· spacing events· building in rest· protecting sleep and nutrition· pacing stimulation 2. Overstimulation Looks Like “Bad Behaviour” Holiday meltdowns are often mislabeled as entitlement or attitude. In reality, they are frequently signs of:· sensory overload· emotional saturation· unmet regulation needs This episode reframes behaviour as communication—consistent with an emotion-coaching lens. 3. Parents' Regulation Is the Regulating Force Children borrow regulation from adults. When parents:· anticipate their own limits,· step away before exploding,· name and honor boundaries,they are modeling exactly the skills we want children to internalize. This is co-regulation in action. 4. Expectations Drive Emotional Pain Disappointment often comes not from what happens, but from the gap between:· what we imagined, and· what actually unfolded. This episode emphasizes helping both adults and children:· name expectations,· reality-check them,· and flexibly adjust rather than collapse into frustration. 5. Emotion Regulation Is Proactive, Not Reactive Regulation works best before emotions peak so it's important to use proactive strategies such as:· identifying non-negotiables in advance· planning recovery time· setting clear internal boundaries· collaborating with children ahead of time Suggested Listener Reflection Questions· What parts of the holidays are most dysregulating for me?· Which expectations am I carrying that may not be realistic?· Where could less stimulation create more connection?· What would it look like to model emotional boundaries for my child?· How can I help my family “ride the wave” rather than fight it?Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

The holidays can bring joy for some and stress or grief for others. Relational skills—especially the skill of quieting—help us stay grounded whether we're navigating big joy or big emotions. Our friend Shannon shares how she planned intentional quiet moments into her family's holiday gathering to help everyone connect more deeply. Stay tuned to the very end as Chris coaches us how to implement this intentionality into our own holiday plans.

Jody Hoffer Gittell and Wale Olaleye, with Relational Coordination Analytics, introduce us to the concept of Relational Coordination, which focuses on the dynamics of how teams relate and work with each other within organizations.

Text us your questions!What kind of God is worth trusting when life falls apart? We pull up a chair with Thomas Jay Oord and guest Chris Lilley for a spirited, vulnerable conversation about omnipotence, evil, and why love may be the only measure of divine power that doesn't betray our moral core. The stakes are high: beliefs about God's power shape how we face suffering, talk to our kids about hope, and decide whether prayer is protest, surrender, or both. If you haven't heard our first conversation with Tom about God's power, we recommend checking that out first here.Tom lays out open and relational theism: God moves through time with us, gives and receives, and has a nature of uncontrolling love. From there he challenges three classic readings of omnipotence—doing anything, exerting all power, and unilaterally determining outcomes—arguing they either collapse logically or become morally intolerable in the face of real-world evil. Chris, a former Thomist and Reformed teacher now in the Episcopal ordination process, offers a thoughtful pushback: if omnipotence can be carefully qualified, should we abandon it, or teach it better? His turning point is painfully human: holding his newborn while teaching election and realizing he couldn't preach a God who ordains every outcome and still call that good.We wrestle with creation, “almighty” in the liturgy, liberation theology's demand for a God who not only intends justice but accomplishes it, and a hard question about the afterlife: could you rest eternally with a God who could have stopped your suffering? Tom reframes power as maximal influence—everlasting, universal, persuasive—rather than control. Kyle names the unresolved middle: if God could fix it later, why not now? The conversation doesn't hand out easy answers; it invites you to weigh goodness against power and decide which vision of God you can actually pray to.If this episode challenges or helps you, share it with a friend, hit follow, and leave a review so others can find the show.=====Want to support us?The best way is to subscribe to our Patreon. Annual memberships are available for a 10% discount.If you'd rather make a one-time donation, you can contribute through our PayPal. Other important info: Rate & review us on Apple & Spotify Follow us on social media at @PPWBPodcast Watch & comment on YouTube Email us at pastorandphilosopher@gmail.com Cheers!

My self-paced courses are currently available to purchase until Sunday, November 14th. Use the code ABUNDANCE at checkout to take $222 off single courses, or $907 off all three courses (access the bundle here).SHAPESHIFTING ACADEMY is a 6-module container that explores the magic of mutable signs. Together, we explore:What is shapeshifting? What might the mutable signs teach us to become better shapeshifters in our creative work, our relationships, and our relationship with self? What are the benefits of consciously cultivating our shapeshifting skills?The academy aims to help you embody the wisdom of mutable signs in astrology so you can more fully embrace your multidimensional selves. In this episode, we'll delve into:What mutability isThe wisdom of mutable signs in astrology & how they invite us into deeper relationships with shapeshiftingThe importance of conscious shapeshifting in personal, relational, and creative growth.What I mean when I talk about shapeshiftingSign up for SHAPESHIFTING ACADEMY here.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Welcome01:41 Introducing Shapeshifting Academy02:31 Exploring the Mutable Signs in Astrology07:31 The Essence of Shapeshifting Academy07:46 Understanding Mutability in Astrology11:29 Deep Dive into Gemini and Virgo15:52 Sagittarius and Pisces: Mutable Fire and Water19:44 The Wisdom of Shapeshifting21:14 Personal Reflections on Multidimensionality23:56 Practical Applications of Shapeshifting29:54 Navigating Tensions and Embracing Multidimensionality33:44 Shapeshifiting Definition #1: Code Switching53:53 Shapeshifiting Definition #2: Walking Multiple Realms and Bridging Worlds01:01:19 Conclusion and Invitation to Shapeshifting Academy Sign up for my newsletter to read my essays and be the first to hear about new offerings here.If you've enjoyed and benefited from the podcast, I invite you to apply for private mentorship and coaching with me. This is an intensive container, designed to support you in refining your self-leadership skills, moving through important life thresholds with grace, and expanding your capacity for creative expansions.Try the incredible breathwork and meditation app Open for 30 days free using this special link. This podcast is hosted, produced, and edited by Jonathan Koe. Theme music is also composed by me! Connect with me through my newsletter, my Instagram @jonathankoeofficial, and my music. For podcast-related inquiries, email me at healingthespiritpodcast@gmail.com.

Mick is a Professor of Counselling Psychology at the University of Roehampton, a Chartered Psychologist, and an internationally recognised author, trainer, and consultant in the fields of humanistic, existential, and pluralistic therapies. This is Mick's sixth appearance at The Weekend University, and I can think of very few people on the planet that have both the breadth and depth of knowledge in counselling and psychotherapy as him. This particular conversation focuses on his research into working at relational depth in counselling and psychotherapy. Here are some of the key things you'll learn: — What relational depth is and why it's critical for anyone working in the helping professions to be aware of — Martin Buber, the difference between “I - It” and “I Thou” Modes of Relating and how Buber's philosophy can enhance therapeutic work — The biggest barriers to relational depth and how to avoid them — The best practices for creating the conditions of relational depth with clients, and why you can't force it — Mick's advice to his younger self before becoming a psychotherapist. And more. You can learn more about Mick's work at www.mick-cooper.co.uk --- Professor Mick Cooper is an internationally recognised author, trainer, and consultant in the field of humanistic, existential, and pluralistic therapies. He is a Chartered Psychologist, and Professor of Counselling Psychology at the University of Roehampton. Mick has facilitated workshops and lectures around the world, including New Zealand, Lithuania, and Florida. His books include Existential Therapies, Working at Relational Depth in Counselling and Psychotherapy, and The Handbook of Pluralistic Counselling and Psychotherapy. His latest work is Integrating Counselling and Psychotherapy: Directionality, Synergy, and Social Change. Mick's main areas of research have been in shared decision-making/ personalising therapy, and counselling for young people in schools. In 2014, Mick received the Carmi Harari Mid-Career Award from the American Psychological Association. He is also a Fellow of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and the Academy of Social Sciences. You can follow him on twitter: @mickcooper77 --- Interview Links: — Working at Relational Depth in Counselling and Psychotherapy - Dave Mearns & Mick Cooper: https://amzn.to/38liKax — Existential Therapies - Mick Cooper: https://amzn.to/3PJXDiN — I and Thou - Martin Buber: https://amzn.to/3apzCh0 — Further resources on relational depth can be found on Mick's website: https://mick-cooper.squarespace.com/relational-depth --- 3 Books Mick Recommends Every Therapist Should Read: — Bergin and Garfield's Handbook of Psychotherapy and Behaviour Change - Michael Barkham, Wolfgang Lutz & Louis Castonguay: https://amzn.to/39WQFqd — Psychotherapy Relationships that Work: Therapist Contributions and Responsiveness to Patients - John Norcross: https://amzn.to/3t0iCnP — The Gift of Therapy - Irvin Yalom: https://amzn.to/3yX33Be --- — Get our latest psychology lectures emailed to your inbox: http://bit.ly/new-talks5 — Check out our next event: http://theweekenduniversity.com/events

If you've ever felt like you're not "man enough," questioned whether you're measuring up, or silently compared yourself to other men — this episode will hit home. David breaks down why so many men feel they're failing at their own definition of masculinity, how the "man box" silently shapes your self-worth, and why tying your value to providing, strength, or achievement leaves you anxious, disconnected, and stuck in a loop of never feeling enough. Drawing from 15 years of coaching and his personal journey from performance-driven masculinity to grounded, embodied confidence, David reveals the hidden wounds and outdated beliefs driving today's masculinity crisis. Most importantly, he lays out a clear, practical roadmap for shifting from performance masculinity to embodied masculinity — so you can build presence, emotional range, purpose, and deep relational leadership without losing your edge. Whether you're single, dating, or deep into a partnership, this episode is your guide to redefining masculinity on your own terms — and finally stepping into a version of manhood that strengthens your mental health, your relationships, and your life. Key Topics: ⭐ The masculinity crisis: why 63% of men feel they're not "man enough" ⭐ The provider mindset and why men tie their worth to money ⭐ The "man box" and how it silently controls male behavior ⭐ Masculinity as performance vs. masculinity as identity ⭐ Men's core wound: feeling "not enough" ⭐ Approval-based masculinity and external validation ⭐ The hidden link between masculinity and male depression ⭐ Why financial stress destroys men's mental health ⭐ Emotional suppression and its psychological cost ⭐ Healthy masculinity vs. toxic dominance ⭐ Emotional openness as a new masculine strength ⭐ Nervous system regulation and emotional self-control ⭐ Relational leadership instead of control and domination ⭐ Redefining "providing" beyond just money   Connect With David - The Authentic Man:   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theauthenticman_/  Website: https://www.theauthenticman.net/  For Coaching: hello@theauthenticman.net  Newsletter: https://www.theauthenticman.net/home-subscribe   

Boundaries can be difficult to set when it comes to complex relationships with family and friends. How are we supposed to enforce healthy boundaries, and when is it OK to step out of a relationship? Join us for a conversation with Licensed Professional Counselor Sol Skaff.

This message is a rich, Spirit-filled invitation to experience the peace of Christmas—Jesus, the Prince of Peace who meets us not in calm circumstances, but in the chaos of real life. With warmth, humor, and Isaiah's vision in hand, Pastor David helps us see peace not as a feeling to chase, but as a person to follow.From crowded bathrooms and restless legends to wartime kingdoms and crying infants, we're reminded that the peace we long for doesn't come from control or escape—but from forgiveness, obedience, and joining God's redemptive mission. Because true peace isn't found in the absence of conflict. It's found in the presence of Christ.This message explores peace that's possible now through Advent's tension:• Relational peace through forgiveness• Circumstantial peace through obedience• Redemptive peace through missionPeace isn't out there somewhere. Peace is here. Peace is a person. Peace is yours.The heavens have been opened. The light is rising.Wake up. Hope is here.

UNWRAPPED: THE GIFT OF FORGIVENESSSometimes, the pain or “wrapping” of OFFENSE hides the gifts of PEACE AND FREEDOM that comes through forgiveness. WHAT IS UNFORGIVENESS?POINT 1: Offense Is A TRAP — Forgiveness Is THE ESCAPE! Jesus said in Luke 17:1, “It is impossible that no offenses should come.” The Greek word for “offense” is skandalon — the bait stick in an animal trap. That's what offense does. It lures you in, and once you bite, it locks you down.1.Scripture describes Relational sins that create a “debt.”                                                                                   Matthew 6:12 - “forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors”2.The Nature of the Debt3.Spiritual Law required appropriate payment for Sin. Rom 6:23 - "the wages of sin is death" 4.Unforgiveness Is Like A Parasite – It Sucks The Life Out Of You(Here comes my gross, cringy visual illustration that you will remember) 5.You can't avoid being hurt — but YOU CAN CHOOSE HOW YOU RESPOND. 6.Unforgiveness is a BIG DEAL to God!Mark 11:25 — Forgive when you stand praying “so your Father may forgive you.”You can't change what someone did, but YOU CAN CHANGE WHAT YOU DO NEXT.POINT 2: Forgiveness Is Not Saying What Happened Was Okay — It's Saying IT WON'T CONTROL YOU ANYMORESince God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. Col 3:12-15 NLTFOUR SPIRITUAL CONSEQUENCES OF LETTING UNFORGIVENESS LINGER1. CUTS OFF FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD (Matthew 6:14–15)2. GIVES SATAN LEGAL GROUND (Ephesians :26-27)3. DEFILES OTHERS AROUND US (Hebrews 12:15)4. IMPRISONS THE OFFENDED PERSONIf you'll let God handle the wrapping, He'll show you the gift inside — PEACE.POINT 3: Forgiving Others UNWRAPS PEACE IN YOUR HEARTAnd let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. Col 3:12-15 NLTPRACTICAL APPLICATIONAdvent Season – preparing our hearts for the coming of Messiah. This week, take three steps:Identify one person or situation that still stirs pain when you think about it.Pray for them by name each day this week. Bless them, even if your feelings haven't caught up yet.Write a Christmas Letter - a letter of release. (You don't have to send it.) Write what they did, how it affected you, and then end with: “Today, I choose to forgive you and release you to God.” It will be a gift to them… and to yourself!

In this deeply human episode, Dr. Mark Bonta sits down with cardiac surgeon, scientist, and writer Dr. Paul Fedak for an honest look at the hidden cost of excellence in medicine. Dr. Fedak shares the story of the injury that forced him out of the operating room and into a profound reckoning with identity, purpose, and the culture of silence that surrounds clinician suffering.Drawing from years as Professor at the University of Calgary and Director of the Libin Cardiovascular Institute, he unpacks why perfectionism is so common in medical training, how surgeons learn to mask pain behind composure, and why emotional detachment has long been mistaken for professionalism. Together they explore the unseen burden clinicians carry, the pressure to perform without pause, and the moments when the mask finally cracks.Dr. Fedak speaks candidly about ego death, vulnerability, and rebuilding a life after losing the work that once defined him. He describes the colleagues who opened up only after he shared his own story, highlighting how connection and honesty can transform a profession built on quiet endurance.This episode examines the human side of medicine that rarely makes it into textbooks. Identity. Injury. Recovery. Presence. What it means to care for others while trying to stay whole yourself.A moving conversation for anyone in healthcare or anyone who has ever struggled with the weight of impossible expectations.Paul Fedak, MD, PhD's website : paulfedak.comEpisode Takeaways1. Surgeons are trained to push through pain, not acknowledge it.Medical culture rewards resilience and persistence, but that same conditioning prevents clinicians from recognizing and responding to their own injuries.2. Perfectionism is wired into medical training.Traits like list making, obsessive task completion, and performance under observation are common in medicine and often go unexamined despite their psychological cost.3. The mask of competence becomes automatic.Clinicians become so skilled at hiding distress that even close colleagues fail to notice warning signs. This silence leaves suffering invisible.4. Vulnerability creates connection and protects lives.When Dr. Fedak shared his story, dozens of peers came forward with their own hidden experiences. Openness is not weakness. It is safety.5. Ergonomic injuries in surgery are far more common than most people realize.The physical demands of operating are intense, yet surgeons lack the protections that other healthcare workers receive.6. Leadership shows the true burden physicians carry.Once in leadership roles, clinicians see the depth of burnout, fear, and quiet endurance happening behind the scenes.7. Losing the identity of “surgeon” creates an existential crisis.Stepping out of the operating room forced a complete reevaluation of purpose, ego, and self worth.8. Technical excellence is not the full measure of a doctor.Relational skill, empathy, presence, and human connection matter just as much as procedural skill.9. Medicine needs protected space for reflection.Without pause and presence, clinicians lose touch with themselves and the people they care for. Healing requires time, community, and grounding.10. System structures shape clinician wellbeing.The fee for service model rewards quantity over recovery, creating pressures that make self care feel impossible.11. Paying clinicians to care for themselves could change outcomes.If mental health visits, ergonomic care, and recovery time were compensated, more clinicians would seek help early.Episode Timestamps07:10 How one surgeon's work related injury forced a career pivot and a deeper conversation about wellbeing.08:25 The secret stories colleagues shared only after Paul opened up about his own suffering.10:30 Independent contractor status and why doctors lack the ergonomic protections nurses receive.13:00 The unseen emotional toll behind surgical careers and what leadership reveals about clinician suffering.16:00 Training teaches perseverance, but injury demands honesty. The conflict surgeons are never taught to navigate.17:28 Medical trainees and perfectionism. Why obsessive traits are six times more common in medicine.19:10 When the mask becomes permanent. How clinicians hide distress even from each other.20:00 Two tragic losses and the lessons Paul learned about checking in with colleagues.22:00 Vulnerability as leadership. Why sharing your story opens the door for others to heal.28:57 Did speaking out come with professional risks. What changed when Paul stopped protecting his own ego.31:55 Losing the identity of “surgeon.” The ego death that followed leaving the operating room.33:40 Beyond technical mastery. Why excellence must include human connection, empathy, and presence.34:46 How medicine can “create space” for reflection, grounding, and real conversations.37:50 The hidden financial pressures behind surgical work and how billing shapes clinician behavior.DISCLAMER >>>>>>    The Ditch Lab Coat podcast serves solely for general informational purposes and does not serve as a substitute for professional medical services such as medicine or nursing. It does not establish a doctor/patient relationship, and the use of information from the podcast or linked materials is at the user's own risk. The content does not aim to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and users should promptly seek guidance from healthcare professionals for any medical conditions.   >>>>>> The expressed opinions belong solely to the hosts and guests, and they do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Hospitals, Clinics, Universities, or any other organization associated with the host or guests.    Disclosures: Ditch The Lab Coat podcast is produced by (Podkind.co) and is independent of Dr. Bonta's teaching and research roles at McMaster University, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Queens University. 

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) This talk explores how spiritual friendship encompasses the entirety of Buddhist practice, examining how we become intimate with ourselves, others, and the world through connection and accompaniment. Drawing on suttas, poetry, and personal stories, it reveals how talking about the dharma, offering presence to one another, and cultivating tenderness through difficulty are essential paths to awakening.

December asks us to trust in the power of possibilities amidst unexpected transitions and confusions.The mutable grand cross is back in action and we're invited to question our attachments. This is a month that can bring a lot of fun if we're not rigid about outcomes.In this episode, we dive into:Connecting to our power when we know less than we'd like.Prioritizing sincerity and honesty.The line between hope and wistful thinking.Committing to learning as the point of being alive. Sign up for my newsletter to read my essays and be the first to hear about new offerings here.If you've enjoyed and benefited from the podcast, I invite you to apply for private mentorship and coaching with me. This is an intensive container, designed to support you in refining your self-leadership skills, moving through important life thresholds with grace, and expanding your capacity for creative expansions.Try the incredible breathwork and meditation app Open for 30 days free using this special link. This podcast is hosted, produced, and edited by Jonathan Koe. Theme music is also composed by me! Connect with me through my newsletter, my Instagram @jonathankoeofficial, and my music. For podcast-related inquiries, email me at healingthespiritpodcast@gmail.com.

In this lively, reflective episode of The Forest School Podcast, Lewis, Wem, and guest Lily pick apart the famous “three look afters” and ask a bigger question: who's allowed to fail at Forest School, and how do we help people fail well? From cartilage kneecaps and Mr Potato Head jokes to space holding, autonomy versus community, and that dreaded “shit spoon” moment, they explore boundaries, blame versus shame, and how to create conditions where struggle leads to learning rather than humiliation. Expect practical facilitation nuance, philosophical detours, and a few perfect tangents about tracksuits.⏱ Chapter Timings00:00 – Cold open: kneecaps, bandagraphs, and Mr Potato Heads03:14 – Axing the “three look afters”: demands, agency, and who can fail06:06 – Flattened hierarchies or hidden authority: responsibility in practice10:38 – Boundaries, safety, and culture shift for new groups14:49 – Space holding, low-demand setups, and modelling altruism21:27 – Failing well: conditions for struggle without humiliation25:22 – Nunchi: reading the room and tailoring support28:56 – Relational failure, shame versus guilt, and belonging49:22 – Process over product: the “shit spoon” and reframing success1:05:00 – Lily's trainings, FSA roadshows, and resources

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) This talk explores how spiritual friendship encompasses the entirety of Buddhist practice, examining how we become intimate with ourselves, others, and the world through connection and accompaniment. Drawing on suttas, poetry, and personal stories, it reveals how talking about the dharma, offering presence to one another, and cultivating tenderness through difficulty are essential paths to awakening.

Pastor David Fleming taught Part II: How to Deal with Relational Conflict—A Biblical Approach. Jesus dealt with conflict, which means we will too. Road map 1. The inevitability of relational conflict Paul dealt with conflict and resolution throughout his life. Opposition is part of ministry. Driven by reason or emotions? 2. The nature of relational conflict Relational storm and a cycle of emotions Preserved/saved a relationship Gain new understanding of ourselves and others 3. Points for home - a Biblical Toolkit We take initiative Follow Jesus' plan Focus on the conflict Extend forgiveness Return to the mission Listen to Pastor David share wisdom from Scripture on how we are to handle relational conflict. Our job is to love others not change them for who God wants them to be.

All throughout both the Old and New Testaments, we see a clear pattern of people in Scripture turning to prayer and fasting in times of uncertainty, brokenness, and need. And in those examples, we find that prayer and fasting are not just religious obligations but natural responses to desperation. And we find that moments of crisis can lead to spiritual renewal when approached with humility and dependence on God. And we find that whether you and I are facing the unknown road ahead or the ruins of life, the invitation is to pray and fast, recognizing that our deepest hunger can only be satisfied by God. SPEAKERS: Jay Kim (Saratoga), video (South Hills) Bible Passage(s): Ezra 8:21,23, Nehemiah 1:3-4

Welcome back to another episode of the unSeminary podcast. We're talking with Tensley Almand, President and CEO of Atlanta Mission, the largest and longest-running provider of services for people experiencing homelessness in the Atlanta metro area. Founded in 1938 as a soup kitchen during the Great Depression, Atlanta Mission now operates four campuses, serving over 800 men, women, and children nightly through programs that provide housing, recovery support, and Christ-centered transformation. How do you lead through complexity while staying true to your calling? Tensley shares leadership lessons from his transition from church ministry to leading a $20 million nonprofit—insights that apply to every pastor or church leader navigating growth, complexity, or change. Moving beyond shelter to transformation. // While many think of Atlanta Mission as only an emergency shelter, over 60% of its beds are dedicated to long-term transformational programs that address root causes of homelessness. The yearlong program includes counseling, trauma recovery, life skills, and vocational training. Clients complete a four-week “Next Steps” program focused on relational, emotional, and workplace health. The results are remarkable: 70% of graduates maintain stable housing and employment a year later. Learning to lead by listening. // When Tensley stepped into his CEO role, he faced the challenge of succeeding a leader who had guided the organization from crisis to stability. Rather than arriving as the expert, Tensley began as what he calls the “Chief Question Officer.” He met with every employee to ask four key questions: What's right? What's wrong? What's missing? What's confusing? The responses revealed a clear need for strategic focus. Building clarity and focus. // Using that input, Tensley led a yearlong process to create a strategic roadmap—a seven-year plan that defines the organization's mission, values, and measurable outcomes. When there's clarity in an organization, saying ‘no' becomes easy and saying ‘yes' becomes difficult. The new strategy gave Atlanta Mission a unified framework for decision-making, with every initiative measured against the same mission. Measuring what matters. // Data fuels care. In order to better track client progress, the team at Atlanta Mission built dashboards, measuring not only how many people they serve but how lives are changing. When graduation rates dipped from 70% to 45%, they discovered the cause wasn't program failure but economic change. That same approach can transform church leadership. Churches measure nickels and noses, but what if we measured progression—how many first-time guests become group members, or how many volunteers grow into leaders? Partnership through presence. // Atlanta Mission thrives through partnerships with churches across the city. Tensley explains that relational poverty—people lacking healthy connections—is as debilitating as material poverty. Rather than only focusing on “do for” service projects, he encourages churches to create “be with” opportunities: hosting birthday parties, sharing meals, or building relationships with families at Atlanta Mission. Encouragement for leaders. // Reflecting on his own journey, Tensley reminds church leaders who feel stretched or uncertain that often you’ll overestimate what you can accomplish in 90 days, but underestimate what you can do in a year or two. Take time to listen, build unity, and stay faithful in the process. Over time, that faithfulness becomes transformation—both in the people you lead and in yourself. To learn more about Atlanta Mission, visit atlantamission.org or email to connect or schedule a visit. Thank You for Tuning In! There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, but you chose unSeminary, and I'm grateful for that. If you enjoyed today's show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the left hand side of this page. Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes, they're extremely helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally! Episode Transcript Rich Birch — Hey friends, welcome to the unSeminary podcast. I am so glad that you have decided to tune in. We’ve got a real honored to have an incredible guest on today’s episode. We’ve got Tensley Almand with us. He is the president and CEO of Atlanta Mission. Rich Birch — Now, if you don’t know Atlanta Mission, I’m not sure where you’ve been. You really should know. This organization was founded in 1938 as a soup kitchen to feed men who were displaced by the Great Depression. And they just keep chugging along. They do incredible work. They now serve Metro Atlanta’s largest homeless population and bring hope in the face of homelessness, poverty, and addiction. Rich Birch — Prior to serving at Atlanta Mission, he was in vocational ministry for 20 plus years, the last 12 of those, as we were just saying in the pre-call. He said, felt like he had the the best job in the world, was a lead pastor at Decatur City Church, one of the eight Atlanta City, Atlanta area campuses of North Point Ministries. Tensley, welcome. So glad you’re here. Tensley Almand — Man, so good to be here. Thanks so much for having me. I’ve been looking forward to this conversation. Rich Birch — No, this is going to be good. I’m excited. Why don’t you kind of fill in the picture? Tell us a little bit more of your background and tell us a bit more about Atlanta Mission, that kind of thing. Just help set the table. Tensley Almand — Yeah, so I’m a native Atlantan. I grew up here, born and raised just north of the city. Yeah. Only child. Parents still live north of the city in the same town that I grew up in. Rich Birch — Nice. Tensley Almand — My wife and I, we have four kids. We have been married now, just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary… Rich Birch — Congratulations. That’s great. Tensley Almand — …which makes me feel old, but it’s it’s it’s all good. So four kids, three boys, little girl, they’re all just amazing, doing great things and in their worlds. We live over in city of Decatur. So ah for those that don’t know, just kind of just right outside of downtown Atlanta. So we feel like we’re living in the heart of the city. Rich Birch — Cool. Tensley Almand — Like you said, I spent 20 plus years on the church side of ministry, which you had told younger me that that was going to be my future, I probably would have laughed at you. Grew up in a family that church just frankly, wasn’t that important to us. My mom gets mad if I say I didn’t grow up in a Christian home, um, which, you know, looking back, I think is really true. I just grew up in a home that we didn’t feel like the church was for us. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — And so, um, after, you know, meeting Jesus in college, giving my life to him, which is a whole nother really cool story, started down the path towards ministry. And eventually several years into that kind of looked up and thought, I don’t know what I’m doing. Like I’m working at these churches that I don’t even want to attend. Tensley Almand — Like remember this very pivotal meeting in my life where our pastor asked us, he’s like, if I didn’t pay you to go to church here, is this the church you would attend? Rich Birch — Yes. Tensley Almand — And every one of us said no. Rich Birch — Oh, gosh. Oh, my goodness. Tensley Almand — And they were all okay with it. Rich Birch — Oh, no. Tensley Almand — And I just like something broke in me. Rich Birch — Oh, no. Oh, no. Yeah. Tensley Almand — And I remember going home and I told my wife, I was like, I can’t do this anymore. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — And so I started the process of just trying to find a job. But the problem is I’ve genuinely felt called by God to ministry. And so God used that to, to lead us down the path of starting Decatur City Church. And, um, our whole dream was just to create a church that people who didn’t like church would love to attend. Tensley Almand — And so, which is really cool. Again, it’s probably a whole other episode, but really cool because we got to do that in one of the most unchurched cities in Atlanta. 70% of the people who live in Decatur ah don’t go to a church. And Decatur, for those who don’t know, small little town right outside of a big city. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — But literally, there’s over 600 churches in that town. So we used to say all the time, nobody wakes up on Sunday wondering where a church is. They just wake up wondering if church is for them. Rich Birch — Right, right. Tensley Almand — And so that’s, that’s the thing we tried to solve. Right. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — And so did that for 12 years, thought I would do that with my whole life. Just an amazing season. And then God called me out of there to Atlanta Mission. And so for those who don’t know, and we can get into that story here if you want to, but, for those who don’t know, Atlanta mission, like you said, it’s the largest and longest running provider of services… Rich Birch — Wow. Tensley Almand — …for men, women, and children experiencing homelessness in our city. So for perspective, what that means is on any given night, we’ll have about 800 men, women, or children who are staying with us. Rich Birch — Wow. Wow. That’s a significant operation. That’s, that’s incredible. Tensley Almand — It’s a significant operation. Rich Birch — Yeah. Tensley Almand — It represents that in our city, that represents about 35 to 40% of all the shelter beds in Atlanta. Rich Birch — Wow. Wow. Tensley Almand — So that’s, it’s a, it’s pretty remarkable opportunity that we do that across three campuses in downtown Atlanta. Rich Birch — Okay. Tensley Almand — One for men, two for women and children. Rich Birch — Yeah. Tensley Almand — And then we have this really cool drug and alcohol addiction facility out near Athens, which is about an hour outside of town, on 550 acre farm that is just beautiful ah for men who are in recovery from addiction. Rich Birch — Wow. Oh my goodness. Huh. Tensley Almand — So yeah. Rich Birch — Yeah. That’s, that’s incredible. i’m I’m glad you started with the kind of community size that you’re you’re serving. That’s, that’s amazing. Give me a sense of the operation from like a, you know, total number of staff, other kinds of metrics. Like I’m just trying to, I know, you know, you’re not a kind of person that’s going to brag about that kind of stuff, but just trying to help people kind of place, because this is a significant operation, friends. Atlanta Mission is it’s a world-class organization doing great work and honored to have you on this the show. But people might not be ah kind of aware of the the scale of it. Give us a bit more sense of that. Tensley Almand — Yeah, no, it’s a, it’s a good question. I appreciate you asking. Cause yeah, I definitely don’t, I don’t want to, I don’t like going there, but… Rich Birch — Yes. And it’s even just, it’s a funny thing to, it’s a funny thing to even like, it’s like, well, we’re really good. It’s like, it’s like, well, yeah, it’s a tough thing you’re doing. So it’s like, man, it’s a weird thing to kind of try to but get ah your arms around. How, how do we talk about this? Yeah. Tensley Almand — Yeah. So let me kind of give you scope and then let me talk a little bit about what we’re doing. So scope is ah we’re we’re about a $20 million dollars a year organization. Rich Birch — Yep. Yep. Tensley Almand — And so just like every church out there, that means, you know, we start July as the start of our fiscal year and we start at zero… Rich Birch — Yep. Tensley Almand — …and then we go and raise $20 million dollars… Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — …to meet the need of our expenses. And we do that through mainly private and and corporate donations. And so… Rich Birch — Yep. Tensley Almand — …we’re almost a hundred percent privately funded this year. Rich Birch — Oh, wow. Tensley Almand — We, we, we took our very first government grant. Rich Birch — Huh. Tensley Almand — But I mean, it’s a $250,000 grant, which is not insignificant, but on the scope of 20 million. So that kind of gives everybody an idea. So you’re talking about, uh, you know, thousands of donors who come alongside of us to partner with us, which is just amazing. Rich Birch — Yeah. Amazing. Yeah. Tensley Almand — We serve about 800 men, women, and children, like I said, Rich Birch — Yeah. Tensley Almand — And we have right at about 180 staff… Rich Birch — Wow. Tensley Almand — …who are who are either you know full-time equivalents basically here with us. And that’s across four different campuses. So we’re essentially like a multi-site operation. So I’m sitting here at my office today, which is basically our mission support center. Rich Birch — Yeah. Tensley Almand — So your accounting, HR, development team, all of your infrastructure, and we support the work that’s happening all over our city. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — And then we also have three thrift stores across Northeast Georgia that’s included in that head count. Rich Birch — Wow. Tensley Almand — And so a little bit of that 20 million that I was telling you about that that revenue comes from sales as well. And so, so yeah, it’s pretty broad organization. And then what we do, a lot of people think about you know Atlanta Mission, especially here in our city, and they just think emergency shelter. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — Certainly what we do. But of those 800 beds, roughly only 40% of those go towards emergency shelter. And so if you… Rich Birch — Oh, really? OK. Tensley Almand — Yeah. And so if you show up at our door and you just need safety, security, stability, um, you’re just trying to like get off the street… Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — …we have a program called Find Hope… Rich Birch — Yep. Tensley Almand — …and it’s a 30-day program. You can stay with us rent free 30 days. You know, bed meals, showers, really, really, really, really low expectation on those clients. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — It’s just like, hey, we’re here to meet your needs. Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s cool. Tensley Almand — The other 60% of our beds go towards what we call our transformational model… Rich Birch — Okay. Tensley Almand — …where we provide complete wraparound services. It’s about a year long program. Rich Birch — Wow. Tensley Almand — You show up and we’re going to try to help you get healthy relationally, physically, emotionally, spiritually, vocationally. We’ve got counselors, we’ve got advocates, we’ve got social workers. You have a whole team… Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — …that works with you, walks with you for a year… Rich Birch — Wow. Tensley Almand — …depending on really your core traumas, what’s caused your homelessness. And our main goal, our mission is to transform through Christ the lives of those who are experiencing homelessness, poverty, and addiction. Tensley Almand — And so what we want to do, what that means to us is over the course of that year, Um, we want to give you the tools to identify your traumas, understand those traumas and ultimately break the cycles so that you don’t ever have to come back to our doors again. We we tell our clients, we love you, but we don’t ever want to see you again. Like this is just like, like, how do we… Rich Birch — Yes. Yes. This was a phase of your life, hopefully, right? Tensley Almand — Yeah. Rich Birch — That’s the goal. Tensley Almand — How do we end that for you? And so our program goes through all the counseling, all the services, and it wraps up in a vocational training program we call Next Steps that… Rich Birch — Wow. That’s amazing. Tensley Almand — …that gives our clients the soft skills they need to not just get a job. Because here’s here’s what’s really cool. You you would get this. Our clients are really good at getting jobs. But like so many people out there, we’re terrible at keeping a job. Rich Birch — Right. Right. Right. Yes. Tensley Almand — Like people don’t know the skills needed to like keep a job. Like how do you manage conflict? Rich Birch — Right, right. Tensley Almand — What do you do with that boss who’s just overbearing? How do you have normal workplace conversations? Rich Birch — Yes. Tensley Almand — And so we have a ah four week training program that gives our clients those skills. And what we’re finding is that for the clients who go all the way through our program, 70% of those who graduate our program, they still have a house or a living situation a year later. Rich Birch — Wow. Tensley Almand — And they are maintaining that job a year later. Rich Birch — Wow. That’s incredible. Tensley Almand — And so it’s just been a remarkable, remarkable journey. And so we’ve got some transitional housing in there… Rich Birch — Yep. Tensley Almand — …where you graduate our program, you stay with us, we help you save up and and we help you find an apartment. And then when you’re ready financially and you’re you’re stable, we help you move into that that apartment. Tensley Almand — And what’s really cool, probably one of my favorite things is for alumni is that year after you graduate, you get a retention coach with us and they walk with you. And they just help you navigate life because, man, when you’ve stayed somewhere for a year and then you kind of come back in and you’re like, oooh, the pressures of the world are on me. That first year is so tough. Rich Birch — So hard. Yeah. Tensley Almand — Yeah. Yeah. Rich Birch — Well, that’s cool. I appreciate you sharing that. and And yeah, even church leaders that are listening in, um man, ah there whether if you’re in the Atlanta area, you definitely should reach out to Atlanta Mission. Rich Birch — But even in your neighborhood, like there are, this is why you shouldn’t be trying to invent this yourself as a church. There are these are incredibly complex issues that you know when I heard all of the the different things you’re doing to surround people, try to help them, um that’s that’s inspiring. That’s amazing. Rich Birch — Well, I’d love to pivot and talk about kind of your experience as you’ve transitioned in, like some try to extract some leadership lessons. It’s been said that one of the first things that leaders do is define reality or gain clarity for their for their organization. Rich Birch — When you first started early on in your role, what were you listening for or look for that told you, maybe there’s some areas here that just aren’t very clear? What did you see as you were, you know, we got to bring some more clarity in the organization? Were there things you kind of saw that that made you think, oh, we maybe this is some areas we need to gain some better clarity as an organization? Tensley Almand — Yeah, no, absolutely. And I think, you know, every leadership transition is different. One of the advantages I had is that what my predecessor was leaving me was so much different than what he inherited. Rich Birch — That’s good. Tensley Almand — And so he inherited an organization that was in crisis. He handed me an organization that was thriving. But, that organization really was, and he was, and it’s it’s all kind of wrapped up in our story, is that it was time for him to retire. It was time for him to move on. And so the whole organization was asking what’s next. And so that’s, that’s one advantage I had is that there was this collective, like, well, like what what is next for us? That was helpful. Tensley Almand — The other advantage I had, and I did not think this was an advantage. But, you know, I, I came out of church ministry. I didn’t know how to lead a nonprofit. I didn’t know anything about homelessness. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — Tensley Almand — I didn’t know much about social services. And so, yeah I truly believe God called me into this, but I couldn’t come in like an expert. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — And so I literally was forced to, my I tell people my door said CEO, but I think I was really the chief question officer. I mean, my my first year… Rich Birch — Help me understand. Help me understand. Tensley Almand — …was, yeah, asking questions. I can I can vividly remember our clinical director coming into my office and saying, hey, we’ve got this massive clinical decision that we need to make and there’s this and this and this. And you know and then like trying to leave that way. What do you think we should do? And I’m like… you’re the clinical director. Like, what do what do you mean? Rich Birch — Yes. Tensley Almand — But that was again, and this is and he would say this if he was sitting here, my predecessor had an organization that was in crisis. And so every decision had to center on him. And I needed to come in and teach our team how to have a decentralized leadership. How like, hey, look you’re the clinical director I’m going to support you, I’m to remove obstacles for you. But if I have to make clinical decisions, we’re we’ve got a really big problem because I’m not qualified to make that decision. Tensley Almand — And so um really pushing leadership down… Rich Birch — yeah Tensley Almand — …asking a lot of questions, understanding what we do. And so that was that was a huge advantage that that i think a lot of people probably, they can like I did, they they think about the things that are stacked against them. To me, it’s like you don’t know anything about the space. That’s a big obstacle. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — Well, maybe lean into those obstacles because it’s a really good way to to get underneath the hood. And so it forced me to ask questions, forced me to listen. And then what I did is I I truly went on a just a listening tour. Rich Birch — That’s good. Tensley Almand — I set up a meeting, I think, with every employee of our organization. Rich Birch — Wow. Wow. Tensley Almand — And I asked everybody what’s right, what’s wrong, what’s missing and what’s confusing. Rich Birch — Huh. Tensley Almand — And I still have that notebook. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — I mean, my assistant like cataloged answers for days. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — And what was so cool to me was that without having the same language, almost everybody in the organization identified the same rights, wrongs, missings and confusions. And so I was able to then take that and really come back to our senior team and say, hey, what should we do about this? Like we all… Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — We all agree this is a problem. like What should we do do? And I think a colleague of mine, I remember walking into his office and he had this drawing on his board. I’m like, what is what is that? He’s like, well, is how I feel about our organization. I remember it was ah it was a circle. Rich Birch — Yeah. Tensley Almand — And all the arrows were pointed in every direction around the circle. And he’s like, that’s us. Like, we’ve got the right idea… Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — …but everybody’s pulling in a hundred directions to try to figure out how to do that idea. Rich Birch — Wow. Tensley Almand — and I said, man, we need to take that circle and get all those arrows on one side. Cause if we can collectively pull… and that just kind of became our quest. And so we took all those answers and, you know, basically the the big thing was, um you know, and I don’t know where I learned this, but I feel like when there’s clarity in an organization, ‘no’ is really easy and ‘yes’ is is really difficult. It’s like really easy to say no. Rich Birch — That’s good. Tensley Almand — And what I found at Atlanta Mission was we were just saying yes to everything. And the reason we were saying yes to everything is because there was no strategy, there was no clarity. Rich Birch — That’s good. Tensley Almand — And so we took that first year and a half, wrote our strategic plan, identified who we want to be and why we want to be that. And then what would it look like to be that organization? And so we just kind of built it backwards. And that’s the journey we’ve been on now for the last four years since I’ve been here. Rich Birch — Wow. That’s, ah yeah, that’s incredible. I love that that feeling. In fact, i I took over a nonprofit ah kids camp and much smaller scale than what you’re running. But I remember those early days where there yeah people are looking at you and and and there is this sense of like, okay, so like you got to tell us where we’re going. What is the thing we’re doing next? Like and it’s easy to like… the easy thing is, let’s try this. Let’s try that. Let’s do a bunch of different things. And that can lead to that pulling, those hundred different, you know, it’s lots of activity, but it’s not focused. Tensley Almand — Yeah. Rich Birch — And trying to get everybody on a kind of a shared page of or shared picture of what the future looks like, man, that’s great through this, this process of kind of we’re going to do a strategic plan over a year. What, what would you, what would you say to a leader that is feeling the pressure of like, Hey, I want to define the future now, as opposed to that feels like a step back. We’re going to year and a half and define this stuff. What would you say to a leader? Why should we slow down? Talk us through why that, how that benefited now that you’re on the other side of all that. Tensley Almand — Yeah, I think the first thing I would say is it’s it’s totally worth it. I mean, it it was hard. It was challenging. It it does feel like a step back. But I don’t know how to step forward without without clarity, you know. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — And that’s, you said at the beginning, I got to ah got to be one of the campus pastors at North Point Community Church for years. I can remember Andy always saying, The beauty of North Point wasn’t that we got to start with a blank page, just that we started on the same page. Rich Birch — That’s good Tensley Almand — And I just think that like that, that is always set with me. And so when I when I started here, I realized like, hey, I don’t I don’t get the luxury of a blank page. I mean, this organization has been around since 1938. You know, when I when I started Decatur City, it was so easy because I just told everybody what we were doing and why we were doing it and there was nothing else we were doing. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — And so it was just like… But here it’s like, OK, if I can’t get to a blank page, the best thing I can do is we’ve got to get on the same page… Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — …or else we’re just we’re going to spin our tires. And, and you know, I think I’ll I’ll this story probably sums it up and maybe somebody can relate to this. I have a monthly breakfast with our board chair and our vice chair. And the very first breakfast I went to in this role, it was my predecessor’s last breakfast and my first. And so we’re all so it’s him, it’s me and it’s a board chair a vice chair, all of which have been around this organization 3x the amount of time I had at that point, I had been there like three days. Rich Birch — Yes. Yes. Couple weeks. Tensley Almand — And and we got this email the night before the breakfast, and it was from a developer. And they were offering $14 million dollars for the piece of property that my office sits on, which is a widely underused piece of property… Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — …that we’ve always kind of wrestled with, like, what do we do with this thing? Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — $14 million dollars. Rich Birch — Yes. Tensley Almand — That’s almost our entire year’s budget. Rich Birch — Yes. Tensley Almand — And I remember showing up to this breakfast with this LOI and I asked the question, should we take it or should we not? Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — And nobody could answer my question. Rich Birch — Wow. Wow. Tensley Almand — Nobody knew if it was a good idea to take $14 million dollars or to walk away from $14 million dollars Rich Birch — And if that group doesn’t know, nobody else in the organization is going to know, right? Tensley Almand — And that’s exactly what I said. I was like, if you don’t know, and I don’t know… Rich Birch — Yeah. Yes, exactly. Tensley Almand — …nobody knows. Rich Birch — Yes, yes, yes. Tensley Almand — And so I started with that small group and I said, hey, would you give me the freedom to to take however long it takes for us to make sure we can answer that question? Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good. Tensley Almand — And so in our first board meeting, I raised my hand and I just said, hey guys, I know I’m new, I know I just started. But I shared the story and I said, hey, we have to be able to answer questions like this. Or we’re never going to get anywhere. We may do a lot of good things, but we are going to have no idea if we did the best thing. Rich Birch — Right, right. That’s good. That’s good. So kind of double clicking on that, continuing to kind of focus in on this. You know, there are churches, organizations that will do the strat plan or roll. We go away for the big retreat. We come up with the new value statements. It’s got great strategy on paper. But it doesn’t end up translating into practice. What are you doing at the mission to try to make sure that we’re going from that wasn’t just a great document that’s like in a nice book somewhere, but it’s actually rolling out. Maybe give us some examples of that. And what are those kind of rhythms, cadences, all that? How how are you making that happen? Tensley Almand — Yeah, it’s wish I could really tell you we’re crushing it in this area. It’s this is a new habit for us. Rich Birch — Sure. Sure. Good. Tensley Almand — And so we’re I’m four years in. We just finished our first full fiscal year under our new strategy. And so I can tell you what we’ve learned. Rich Birch — Hey, that’s good. Yeah, good. Tensley Almand — One, once you get it built you have to start small. We, I wish I could remember the exact number, I think as a senior team we committed and told our board we were going to do 392 new initiatives or something in year one, you know. Rich Birch — Wow. Right. Tensley Almand — And this is a seven-year plan… Rich Birch — Yes. Tensley Almand — …we’re like we got almost for it and I think we got 100 through of the 392. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — And we celebrated like crazy at the end of the year because it was like, that’s 100 things that were all in alignment that we’d never done before. We learned so much. So, start small. Tensley Almand — The other thing is we built our plan. And I was I was very intentional about this because of what you just said. I did not want another notebook that was going to sit on my shelf. And so our strategic plan is really a strategic roadmap. And what I have told our board, what I’ve told our staff is I want an organization that knows how to think. Rich Birch — That’s good. Tensley Almand — And our our plan is really a roadmap for how we should think. It’s not overly prescriptive in necessarily what that means. Because it’s it’s designed to take us all the way through 2030. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — Well, I have no idea what’s going to happen between now and 2030. Rich Birch — Right. Right. Tensley Almand — But I do know that if what we said we want to accomplish, we’re accomplishing, however that looks, by 2030, we’re on the right track. And so that would be the other thing is just like, I would build, I wouldn’t make it so prescriptive that it tells you like, Hey, next week you’re doing this. And the week after… It needs to teach the organization how to think, how to act so that the person who’s brand new on the front line, if I’m not in the room, they don’t need to spend any time going like what, what would Tensley want me to do? They just, this is who we are as an organization. It’s how we think. Tensley Almand — And then we at a senior level and then we pushed it all the way down to our organization. We built a meeting cadence around it. Rich Birch — Nice. Tensley Almand — And so we have our senior team meets once a week. Rich Birch — Yeah. Tensley Almand — That’s my six direct reports and plus my admin. Rich Birch — Yeah. Tensley Almand — And we, one, so we do that on Tuesday morning, one, the first Tuesday of the month is a strategy meeting. We talk all about the strategic plan. That’s like a, how how are you doing and your department doing towards what you said you were gonna do? Rich Birch — That’s good. Tensley Almand — And we have a dashboard to measure that against. And then the next Tuesday is an operations meeting. And it’s just like, hey, what are what are we working on? We can’t live at 50,000 feet all the time. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — Let’s get down to 1,000 feet or whatever it is. Rich Birch — Yeah. Tensley Almand — And so we have that operations cadence. And then the third meeting is kind of like a catch-all, like, hey, what you know what needs to happen? And then our last meeting of the month is a monthly ministry review with the entire, not just my direct reports, but all the managers that sit under my direct reports. Rich Birch — Oh, that’s cool. Tensley Almand — And they lead that meeting. I listen in that meeting. And I get to hear what’s happening at every campus, what’s going on. And I get to hear how people are implementing or not implementing the strategy. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — And then the very next meeting, if you’re keeping up, is then our strategy meeting. Rich Birch — Yes. Tensley Almand — So then I’m like, hey… Rich Birch — Here’s some stuff I heard. Tensley Almand — …tell me more about this. Rich Birch — Yeah. Yeah. Yes. Tensley Almand — Or I didn’t hear like, Hey, I thought we were working on this. Why is that not happening? And so we have dashboards. Rich Birch — Yeah, yeah. Tensley Almand — We’ve never had those before. We have data that we can follow. We have metrics we’ve identified as a, as a team, our wins. And so it’s like, Hey, how are we tracking towards those wins and just have created a layer of accountability that didn’t exist probably three years ago. Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good. Let’s talk a little bit more about the data thing. I’ve, or data thing. We, I’ve, I’ve said with younger leaders, you know, spreadsheets are the language of leadership. Like you’re going to have to get used to this stuff. This is just… Tensley Almand — Yep. Rich Birch — …this is how we care for people at scale is, is that is what it looks like. So data can either inspire or intimidate. How do you track outcomes? How do you, how do you how have you seen, you know, data over this last year actually change behavior and move things, improve care, better outcomes, all that kind of stuff. Talk us through what, cause you know, what we measure can get, can, you know, steer us in the wrong direction or steer us in the right direction. Help, help us think through that. As we’re thinking about what numbers should we pay attention to? Tensley Almand — Yeah. So again, when I started, that was a big question I had. So if you were to look at our numbers, you would see that we serve, you know, let’s, these are rough, but right at about 3000 people a year come through our doors. Rich Birch — Okay. Tensley Almand — Right. Which is huge. Rich Birch — Yep. Tensley Almand — You’re like, man, that’s amazing. Well, then I, as I walk you through that, by the time you get to the end of our vocational training a year later, we may graduate like 400. And then 70% of those 400 are still doing well the the next year. And so, you know, on paper, you’re like, man, is that good? Rich Birch — Right. Yes. Tensley Almand — Like that, that there’s a lot of attrition there. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — Like should, is, is, are we fail… And that was, again, when I started, that was a question nobody could answer for me is, Hey, is that good? Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — And so even backing up before we built our strategy, our senior team spent so much time defining our outcomes. And we had all of these statements, you know, but it was like we want somebody to be healthy vocationally. Tensley Almand — It’s like, okay, what does that mean? Crickets in the room. Rich Birch — Yes. Tensley Almand — Wait, if you don’t know what it means and I don’t know what it means, does the person who’s leading that program know what it means? Better question: does the person who’s receiving our services know if they’ve actually achieved help in that area? Tensley Almand — And so we went through, defined all of those terms so that there was a clear outcome to it… Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — …so that we could then measure it. And then we built both a one-page dashboard that our senior team could look at at a high level. So I could I can open this dashboard on any Monday morning. It’s just in Tableau, so nothing super you know exciting. Rich Birch — Yep. Yep. Tensley Almand — And I can just see, i can see progression through our program. I can see healthy exits. We’ve defined what are healthy exits. I can see, ah you know, are people getting stuck? That was a big thing we were we were learning is like, people are just getting stuck in our program and we’re committing to somebody. You’re going to be at this phase of the program 30 days. Well, then they spend 60 days. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — And what we were finding. We were, so this, this probably long winded way of saying this, but what we, we didn’t know what was happening or why it was happening and it felt good. But you know, you’re like, I don’t know. Tensley Almand — And so what we were finding is it’s like, Hey, so that’s an example. Like, somebody gets stuck in our program. We promised them 30. It takes 60. All of a sudden, we were able to track that, hey, there’s a certain amount of fallout rate at this stage of the program. Why is that happening? Oh, people are stuck. They’ve been here too long. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — We got to fix that. And so it it enabled us to know what needed to be fixed and and not fixed. Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good. Tensley Almand — And probably the the best real-time example of that is just recently. So I keep telling you the 70% number of graduates are successful. That’s kind of our historical data. Rich Birch — Yep. Yep. Tensley Almand — Well, this year, that number fell for the first time ever. It’s gotten better every year. Rich Birch — Wow. Tensley Almand — This year it fell and it fell like dramatically. And this is one of those I don’t like to talk about it because it doesn’t look good. Rich Birch — Interesting. Yes. Tensley Almand — I mean, like it fell down to almost like 45, 50 percent. Rich Birch — Oh, wow. Tensley Almand — You’re like, what’s happening? Rich Birch — Almost inverse. Yeah, yeah. Wow. Tensley Almand — Exactly. And so at first, you’re like, our program is no good. We got rewrite our program. Well, thankfully, we had been tracking all of the kind of whys and we understood what was happening in people’s lives. And what we have found out is no, like the economy shifted. You can’t get a job in 30 to 60 days anymore. Rich Birch — Interesting. Tensley Almand — And so a gate in our program is when you graduate, you have 60 days to get a job. If you don’t get a job, you can’t move into our transitional housing because if we just allow you to stay, beds back up and then more people can’t get in. Tensley Almand — Well, our clients then would stop taking our advice and stop waiting for a good job. And at day like 50, they would just go get that job that doesn’t pay well. Rich Birch — Ohhh. Tensley Almand — And they knew it wasn’t going to be a career builder job. It was just going to keep them sheltered. Rich Birch — Right, right. Tensley Almand — And so it was our our like metrics were actually driving a behavior we didn’t like. Rich Birch — That’s interesting. Tensley Almand — And so we’re in the process now of like, hey, we’ve got to change this. The length of time it takes to get a job now takes longer. and Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — The job market’s more you know fierce right now. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — And so we don’t want nothing against these types of jobs. We don’t necessarily want our client leaving to go get a job at McDonald’s Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — But for them, leaving it to go get a job at McDonald’s versus not having a place to stay, I’ll take the McDonald’s job… Rich Birch — Right. Yes. Tensley Almand — …even though I know I’m only going to be there three months. Rich Birch — Right. Right. Tensley Almand — And so it was throwing off all of our numbers and it’s because we were incorrectly driving a behavior that we don’t want to drive. So. Rich Birch — Wow. That’s cool. That’s a great, very vivid example. And there’s lots of that in the church world. I know you I know you know that. There was a church I was doing some work with last year, large church, 10,000-person church. And they were we were talking one of the numbers I obsess with my clients over is documented first-time guests, the actual number of people that come every single weekend. And I was convinced that this church was just was missing a whole bunch of first time guests. And so they were telling me about how great their, their, their assimilation numbers were. They were like, Oh, this is so great. And I was like, I just don’t believe it. I’m like, because, because if you are not capturing the number of, of documented first time guests, then yeah and you’re comparing against half of what you probably actually have coming into your church, then then every number be below that, all your integration stuff looks twice as good as it actually is. Tensley Almand — Yeah. Rich Birch — And you know that that happens in lots of places across our numbers. We’ve got to get real clear and benchmark against other people. Tensley Almand — If I could go back and if I could go back, no, no, it’s just, like I’ve often thought like, what would I do different if I was a church leader now? Rich Birch — Yeah, yeah, yeah. That’s a good question. Tensley Almand — And I would I would measure so much differently. Rich Birch — Yeah, interesting. Tensley Almand — You know, historically we’ve measured nickels and noses, right? Like how much money’s coming in and how many people are sitting in the pews. But it’s like, those are important. Rich Birch — Yeah. Tensley Almand — I wouldn’t stop measuring them, but I would pay attention to like this. I would try to find a way to measure progression, you know. Rich Birch — Yes, 100%. Tensley Almand — It’s like to your point how many first-time guests are you having okay well then of those first-time guests how many of them are actually moving to your small groups. Rich Birch — Yeah, 100%. Tensley Almand — Of those who moved your small groups do any of them ever volunteer like and and really understand the behaviors you want. And then measure to those behaviors and i think especially in a world where just church attendance looks so much so much different, we could gauge health of our churches so much more effectively if we were Rich Birch — Yeah, it’s so true. I’d love to I’d love to kind of pivot for a few minutes in a slightly different direction. Tensley Almand — Okay. Rich Birch — So we have a lot of church leaders that are listening in and I’d love to understand how Atlanta Mission partners with churches. What does that look like? How do you work together? So specifically at Atlanta misha, and then what would you, Mission, and then what would you say to churches in general? Hey, um what advice would you give now that you’re on this side of the equation of actually partnering with an organization like Atlanta Mission? How can you be kind of the best partner? How do we what are what are people on your side of the table actually looking for from a church like ours? Because I’m sure there’s all kinds of stories of like, yeah, that didn’t work well. Talk us through what that looks like, partnerships specifically, and then kind of in general, how can we be better at that? Tensley Almand — Yeah, and partnership is one of our pillars of our strategic plan. I think I think for nonprofits, especially when you’re large and you’re self-funded, you can it’s easy to get siloed. And we we fell into that category, not just with outside partners that wanted to come in and help us, but also with other service providers across the the, you know, continuum of care in our city. is It’s just it’s easy to kind of put your head down and do your own thing. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — And so this is a huge emphasis for us, mainly because it’s really woven into the vision of our organization. Our organization is a community that’s united to end homelessness one person at a time. Well, I mean, it’s like partnership has to be built into that. Rich Birch — Right. Yes, baked into it. Yeah. Tensley Almand — So what who are we to then go get siloed? Like, that’s like, wow, you can’t even accomplish what you said you wanted to do. And so um we… I’ll back into this answer by telling you one of the things we’ve discovered at Atlanta Mission is that this isn’t this, you know, this isn’t novel, but, you know, material poverty, we all know is debilitating. Relational poverty is just as debilitating as material poverty. Rich Birch — That’s so true. Tensley Almand — And what we find with our clients is that almost 100 percent obviously are struggling with some version of material poverty, but they are just relationally broken and poor. They are void of healthy relationships. And so this is this is so much where partnership comes in, because we we literally have a metric that we track of how many healthy contacts does a client have in their phone before they graduate our program. And what we were finding is I mean we were their only healthy contact. Rich Birch — Oh, wow. Tensley Almand — And it’s wait this is this is not good. And this is such a great place for churches to partner with us because we have so many opportunities that we just call we call them “be with” opportunities there’s like there’s “do for” service projects but there’s also “be with” service projects. And they’re just designed for you to establish healthy community with our clients, build relationships, throw a birthday party for somebody… Rich Birch — That’s so good. Right. Tensley Almand — …have a Christmas party at one of our shelters. Come, you know, we’re moving into the holiday season, you know, come and build gingerbread houses together with our kids who are staying with us and just create an hour in somebody’s life that’s normal. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — And I feel like churches are better at this than anybody. Our corporate partners are fantastic at the “do for” projects. They can then come in and beautify our campuses in 30 minutes in a way that none of us can. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — You know, Home Depot comes in and it’s like, we’re going to transform your landscape. Great. This is awesome. Rich Birch — Yeah, yeah. Tensley Almand — I love it. But a church can come in and just be authentic and be real and be with our clients. Rich Birch — That’s good. Tensley Almand — And you would be amazed at how different somebody’s life looks after just that hour. And so, and I think that’s a huge thing. And then what I would tell churches, I think even as a church leader, I I probably overlooked how vital we were to nonprofits. You just you know, you think it’s an hour, but you know, even the day of, you know, you wake up that morning and you’re like, they don’t really need me. Like, I don’t know. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — This is, am I not really going to make a difference? Yes, you are. Rich Birch — That’s good. Tensley Almand — You are going to make a huge difference. It is worth the hour. It is worth the drive. Tensley Almand — And we we tell people all the time, and I’ve seen this in my own life. The thing that happens at Atlanta Mission is there’s always two stories of transformation happening. There’s the story of transformation that’s happening in a client’s life. But God transforms my life every day. Rich Birch — That’s so true. Tensley Almand — And it’s that’s the part I didn’t expect, Rich, is that… Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — …my life is being changed as much as anybody else’s. And so I would, I would tell a church, Hey, our clients need you. But you need this as well. Rich Birch — Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Tensley Almand — Like God’s going to do something in your life. Tensley Almand — And then the other is just, um I think, especially for really big churches, it’s easy to think like, I bet they need my expertise. It’s like, actually, that’s not like. We need your partnership. Rich Birch — Yes. Yes. Tensley Almand — You know, we, we know how to do this. Come put wind in our sails. Rich Birch — Yeah. Yeah, Tensley Almand — Come just serve, be a part of what we’re doing. Rich Birch — Yeah, it’s so good. That’s super helpful. Love love that. Well, just as we’re coming to land, any kind of final words or encouragement you’d you’d say to church leaders that are listening in today that are, you know, wrestling with maybe clarity or wrestling with some of the stuff we’ve talked about today? This has been a really fruitful conversation. Thank you for it. Tensley Almand — Yeah, I think the, you know, probably the biggest thing I would say, and I have to tell myself this all the time. I mean, I’m an entrepreneurial type A. I’m going to like, you know, go conquer the world in a day is that, you know, remind yourself, you know, more than likely what you can accomplish in 90 days is nowhere near what you think it is, you know. But what you can accomplish in a year or two years is probably way more than you ever imagined you could. Rich Birch — Right. So true Yeah, that’s good. Tensley Almand — And so just again, kind of back to the strategy thing, it takes time. It’s messy. You know, you’re going to feel like, is this worth it? It creates conflict on your team. It feels uncomfortable. We were, we were joking as a senior team the other day. There was, it was about a year where I just, every Tuesday morning, I thought I want to cancel this meeting because I just didn’t enjoy, like we were just, we were at conflict because we were… Rich Birch — Right. Yes. Tensley Almand — …hashing out who we are and why we exist and what are we going to do and why are we going to do it? Rich Birch — Yes. Tensley Almand — But now it’s my favorite hour of the week. Like, I just love it. And so, you know, I would say that… Rich Birch — That’s good. Tensley Almand — …you know, and I think, yeah, I don’t know that I have anything, you know, much more. Rich Birch — That’s good. Tensley Almand — Yeah. Rich Birch — No, that’s good. Well, I really appreciate being on the show today. Where do we want to send people if they want to connect with you or with Atlanta Mission? Where are the best places for us to send people online? Tensley Almand — Probably the easiest place is just our website, atlantamission.org. You can find everything you want to about us. If you want to know more, you can email info@atlantamission.org. And that actually goes right to my assistant and we’ll get you connected to the right person. And you can, you know, next time you’re in town, you partner with us. You can help us. You can be happy to give you a tour, show you what we do. Rich Birch — That’s great. Thanks so much, Tensley. Appreciate you being here today. Tensley Almand — Thanks.

Fierce Grace Series: Feminine Leadership Archetypes - (#3 of 8)  "Insight drops in when we create space. Possibility reveals itself when we stop pushing." In this episode, we welcome in the Weaver Connector — the feminine leadership archetype who sees the patterns, possibilities, and connections that open pathways for wisdom, insight, and co-creation. She is the part of you who helps you move through the world not by pushing or over-efforting, but through resonance, relational intelligence, and spacious presence. Here's a partial transmission of the Weaver Connector ... notice what resonates...  "I see the connections between people, possibilities, and things. I make connections others don't always see. I move through the world best when I'm connecting with others — and connecting others with each other. Part of my creative power and success comes from my ability to connect with those I'm truly here to connect with." (Full transmission in episode & on website here.) Why this matters now We live in a world that glorifies productivity, speed, metrics, and constant output — and undervalues the relational and creative "fields" and "invisible" work that actually makes meaningful results possible. The Weaver Connector illuminates that nothing meaningful is created alone. Insight, timing, synchronicity, and possibility arise when we create from spacious presence, resonance, and connection — not force, toxic pressure, or over-efforting. We'll explore: • Intuitive superpower of Weaver Connector — pattern-seeing and the "overview channel." • Power Spectrum of Connection Competition that rises us into Conscious Collaboration  • Resonance as a compass for discerning aligned - and mis-aligned - collaborations. • Relational + creative energy fields - how they work and what's needed to bring synchronicity, insight, and opportunity into form. • Tender spots & "love cracks" that make us resist or chase connection and our desires   • Cultivating your web of connection + support for sustainable, easeful creation. P.S. ✨ Get the full transmission, inquiries, practices and other other episodes in this series here on the Feminine Power Time Wisdom Library. *** Making this real and practical in your life:  INVITATION: Invite one person to join you for season 10 and this podcast. Conversate on the inquiries and practices to make it practical & poweful in your life.  ELEVATION PRACTICES  Play with your Overview Pattern-Seer 4 Points of Connection to Re-Center Resonance Check - right fit vs wishful thinking  ILLUMINATION INQUIRIES:  What's a project/intention/desire that seems stuck?  What's the pattern or internal interference holding it back? What action can I take to open the flow? How do I discern whether I'm drawn to a connection or collaboration from true resonance… or from an old wound, love crack, fear or shadow frequency What's the  web of connection +support I need in this next cycle? Where's my resistance? What action would create flow?  CONNECT:  Subscribe to Christine's Monthly Wisdom Letters Connect with Christine on LinkedIn Join us in the Feminine Wisdom Cafe, a private online community Watch on YouTube

Today's post was taken from the book Relationship Authority, Authentic Leadership, written by Clay Nash. You can learn more about Clay at ClayNash.org.Learn more about the podcast hereLearn more about Give Him Fifteen hereSupport the show

In this episode of the WillPower Podcast, Will sits down again with cohost Rick Segal to unpack one of the most underrated skills in business: the ability to read people and close deals through authentic relationship building — not pressure or tactics.Rick breaks down:How elite dealmakers read emotional cues, motivations, and unspoken fearsWhy deals are rarely won on spreadsheets — they're won in conversationsHow to identify who you're really negotiating with (the “person behind the position”)The difference between trust-based influence vs. transactional persuasionThe subtle signals that reveal if someone is serious, stalling, or hiding somethingHow relational intelligence can outperform traditional negotiation strategiesStories from Rick's career working with top founders, CEOs, and high-stakes dealsWhether you're raising capital, buying real estate, selling your product, or building partnerships, this episode will change the way you approach every conversation.Get your copy of Rick Segal's book, The Heart of It here: https://amplifypublishinggroup.com/product/nonfiction/business-and-finance/entrepreneurship/the-heart-of-it/

Today's post was taken from the book Relationship Authority, Authentic Leadership, written by Clay Nash. You can learn more about Clay at ClayNash.org.Learn more about the podcast hereLearn more about Give Him Fifteen hereSupport the show

Why is it that cuisines have historically been dismissed as a serious field of study? How have social factors, such as cultural norms and class, influenced people's perceptions of the prestige or disgust of different foods across different times? And how are acquired tastes and market demands for food shaped by the broader food landscape that people are situated within?In this episode, Green Dreamer's kaméa chayne speaks with Thomas Parker, whose latest book is Paranatures in Culinary Culture: An Alimentary Ecology.Join us as we explore what is possible when we deepen our connections with the sources of our foods, and what it means to understand taste as multi-sensorial, experiential, and context-dependent — not just based on the objective biochemical compositions of what we ingest.We invite you to…tune in and subscribe to Green Dreamer via any podcast app;tap into our bonus extended and video version of this conversation on Patreon here;and read highlights from these conversations via Kaméa's newsletter here.