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https://www.patreon.com/illuminatiwatcher/posts/dr-anteater-uap-164344299?pr=true (*Unlock ad-free, early access w/ monthly bonus shows!)On today's episode of the Occult Symbolism and Pop Culture with Isaac Weishaupt podcast: the doctor is in! It's the return of Dr Anteater! My long time friend returns to update us on his journey into retiring from the military, his Transcendental Meditation experience, meeting the Bledsoe family, UAP Disclosure, Epstein Files, 4chan, cyberpunk topics, the new Corbell documentary and more! (*Sorry- no video version of this episode, it was on the road in North Carolina)Non-Profit Spotlight: Fayetteville Animal Protection Society: http://fapspet.orgWoofstock is Oct 9, 2026: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/woofstock2026/event/woofstock2026/Links:Merch, MushroominatiWatcher Coffee, shirts, signed books: https://occultsymbolism.com/Dr Anteater 1st interview: Researching the Occult, Religion, Hunting Ghosts, Haunted Ouija Boards, Santeria Ritual & MORE: https://illuminatiwatcher.com/researching-the-occult-religion-hunting-ghosts-haunted-ouija-boards-santeria-ritual-more-dr-anteater-interview/Breaking Social Norms related episode: We Went Sky Watching for UFOs with the Bledsoes… Here's What Happened! https://breakingsocialnorms.com/2026/07/07/we-went-sky-watching-for-ufos-with-the-bledsoes-heres-what-happened/SUPPORTER FEEDS get bonus content AND go commercial free + other perks:*PATREON.com/IlluminatiWatcher : ad free, HUNDREDS of bonus shows, early access AND TWO OF MY BOOKS! (The Dark Path and Kubrick's Code); you can join the conversations with hundreds of other show supporters here: Patreon.com/IlluminatiWatcher (*Patreon is also NOW enabled to connect with Spotify! https://rb.gy/hcq13)*VIP SECTION: Due to the threat of censorship, I set up a Patreon-type system through MY OWN website! IIt's even setup the same: FREE ebooks, Kubrick's Code video! Sign up at: https://illuminatiwatcher.com/members-section/*APPLE PREMIUM: If you're on the Apple Podcasts app- just click the Premium button and you're in! NO more ads, Early Access, EVERY BONUS EPISODE WANT MORE PODCASTS?... Check out my UNCENSORED show with my wife, Breaking Social Norms where we discuss conspiracies, politics, relationships and more!: https://breakingsocialnorms.com/Merch, MushroominatiWatcher Coffee, shirts, signed books: https://occultsymbolism.com/Isaac's Link Tree with links to EVERYTHING: https://allmylinks.com/isaacw *STATEMENT: This show is full of Isaac's useless opinions and presented for entertainment purposes. Audio clips used in Fair Use and taken from YouTube videos. 

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Rom-com author Victoria Lavine joins us to talk enemies-to-lovers banter, writing wedding chaos, and the funniest, freshest romance reads on her TBR.Victoria Lavine, author of Any Trope But You and the upcoming Not That Kind of Proposal, sits down to talk about crafting high-stakes rom-coms, why banter is her favorite thing to write, and the books that made her cackle out loud this year. If you love enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, and grumpy-meets-sunshine energy, this episode is for you.

***"I'm almost 99% certain that [BIP] 110 will activate. And not only that, I think there will be a capitulation after October, where if the month of October passes and [BIP] 110 is still not merged by Core devs, it essentially reflects that they are no longer relevant because they failed to be good stewards of the protocol." ~ Hunter Beast*** In this episode I sit down with Hunter Beast for a sprawling, high-signal exploration of how to prepare Bitcoin for an unknowable future. We cover formal verification and Lean 4, AI-accelerated proofs, surveillance and BIP39 risks, faith and natural law, and why he thinks governance must shift toward provable safety over new features. We finish with his confident prediction that BIP 110 will activate, and what it would mean for Core's relevance if it doesn't. Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro and Hunter's prediction (00:06:33) - Researching critical vulnerabilities (00:19:40) - Hilbert's questions and the limits of mathematics (00:28:46) - Faith, personal struggles, and identity (00:37:32) - BIP39 and surveillance (00:43:28) - AI, false idols, and religious history (00:49:26) - Natural law and nation states (00:56:43) - Nodes, and decentralized storage markets (01:24:56) - BIP 110, crisis and shift (02:09:52) - Predictions around BIP 110 activation (02:12:10) - Defending Bitcoin against economic populism Guest Links Hunter on X (Link: https://twitter.com/cryptoquick) Hunter's Website (Link: https://cryptoquick.com/) Hunter's GitHub (Link: https://github.com/cryptoquick) Affiliate Links Become sovereign, hold your keys, be censorship resistant with the Bitbox hardware wallet. Get 5% off everything in the store with code GUY (Link: https://bitbox.swiss/) Get 10% off the best Bitcoin board game in the world, HODLUP! Or any of the other great games from The Free Market Kids! Use code GUY10 at checkout for 10% off your cart! (Link: https://www.freemarketkids.com/collections/games-1) Host Links ⁠⁠Guy on Nostr ⁠(Link: http://tinyurl.com/2xc96ney) ⁠Guy on X ⁠(Link: https://twitter.com/theguyswann) Guy on Instagram (Link: https://www.instagram.com/theguyswann) Guy on TikTok (Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@theguyswann) Guy's Takes on YouTube (Link: https://www.youtube.com/@GuysTake) Guy Swann on YouTube (Link: https://www.youtube.com/@theguyswann) ⁠Bitcoin Audible on X⁠ (Link: https://twitter.com/BitcoinAudible) The Guy Swann Network Broadcast Room on Keet (Link: https://tinyurl.com/3na6v839)

New music from the latest issue of Songlines magazine, the latest Putumayo Discovery CD - Cuban Connections - and a whole bunch of artists performing at this weekend's Vancouver Folk Music Festival - and next weekend's Mission Folk Music Festival. Researching these shows has been a real journey of discovery for me, and I hope you enjoy my selections! Also new music from veteran rockers Rolling Stones and 17 year old blues prodigy Jake Soberlak, from Kamloops BC - plus new songs from Pharis & Jason Romero, Honeybear the Band, and Ireland's Caroline Keane and Tulua, as well as music by some of the incredible performers coming to The Rogue Folk Club over the next few weeks.

Learning how to win a government contract starts with something most small businesses overlook entirely: making sure the government can actually find you. In this live GovCon Giants Q&A, Eric Coffie and co-host Maria Martinez bring real audience members on stage to troubleshoot their SAM.gov profiles, pricing strategy, and search for buyers in real time, live on air. Learn why an incomplete Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) profile makes you invisible to contracting officers searching by keyword Discover the difference between a capability narrative and a capability statement, and where to actually enter one inside SAM.gov Understand how to use PSC codes, NAICS codes, FPDS, and USAspending.gov to identify which companies are already winning contracts in your industry Hear real stories from small business owners on trucking and transportation contracts, including Crowley freight lanes and disaster relief hauling Get pricing guidance for government bids, including why requesting a debrief after a loss can reveal exactly what to fix next time EPISODE CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Sponsor reads for Mindy AI and Encore Funding 1:15 - Welcome to the live Wednesday Q&A session 4:01 - Academy 3.0 cohort and workforce program overview 8:24 - Finding a government contracting attorney recommendation 9:52 - Researching which agencies buy your product or service 15:08 - Joint venturing success story from a lighting contractor 25:38 - Finding the right buyers for trucking and transportation work 35:00 - Getting your back office and CAC industry ready 44:38 - Understanding NAICS codes versus cage codes in SAM 46:55 - Why your DSBS capability narrative matters for search 59:03 - Using PSC codes and FPDS to research competitor pricing 1:09:10 - Choosing between product sales and IT project management services 1:12:18 - Fixing a convoluted SBA capability narrative submission Learning how to navigate SAM.gov, research buyers, and price your bids correctly takes time most small business owners do not have. Mindy gives you the federal opportunities, agency signals, recompete intel, and pursuit briefs that tell you not just what contracts exist, but which ones to chase and how to win them. Sign up for free Daily Alerts and get opportunities delivered to your inbox before the day starts.

Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS breaks down the debate between content quality and velocity. He argues that while velocity drives visibility, quality is the foundation that keeps audiences engaged and builds trust.High-quality content must be readable, understandable, and digestible, utilizing clear formatting and strong internal linking. By establishing a proof of concept and adhering to Google's E-E-A-T guidelines, creators can scale their publishing frequency sustainably.Who Is This For?This episode is for entrepreneurs, marketers, SEO professionals, bloggers, and creators trying to build search visibility. It serves anyone looking to publish consistently without falling into the trap of low-quality content overload.Key Moments & Timestamps[00:03] - Introduction: Content quality versus content velocity.[02:38] - Quality is not only what you say; it is how it is presented.[05:03] - Headings and the “readable, understandable, digestible” standard.[12:10] - Quotes, testimonials, strong titles, and the content experience.[15:13] - Self-audit: Would you watch, read, or listen to your own content?[21:00] - Attention, engagement, and quality as audience priorities.[26:54] - Google E-E-A-T: experience, expertise, authority, and trust.[29:39] - The debate: Evergreen content versus timely updates.[45:03] - Updating old articles and leveraging the modified date.[47:26] - Content velocity, manual indexing, and internal linking.[52:02] - Two top-quality articles beat ten subpar pieces.[53:35] - Building a controlled cadence to avoid audience burnout.[59:42] - Establish quality and a proof of concept before scaling output.[64:00] - Researching ranked content to evaluate the competitive landscape.[67:17] - Aligning keywords, titles, URLs, and opening lines with intent.[68:42] - Best strategy: High-quality content posted consistently.[77:41] - Final takeaway: Quality trumps velocity; scale only with quality.Memorable Quote"Quality trumps velocity—and if you're going to do velocity, make sure you do it with quality."Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)What makes content high quality?High-quality content is useful, trustworthy, well-researched, and structured. It should be easy to read and act on, utilizing proper formatting to guide the user experience.Does publishing more content improve SEO?Publishing volume helps only when relevance, quality, internal linking, and audience value remain strong. Velocity without quality leads to subpar results.Should old content be updated?Yes. Update older content when facts, tools, algorithms, or market conditions change. This preserves its evergreen foundation while signaling freshness.Is evergreen or fresh content better?Both serve a purpose. Evergreen content supports lasting discovery, while fresh content is necessary for news, trends, and platform updates.How often should a brand publish?Choose a publishing cadence your team can sustain without lowering standards. It is better to publish fewer high-quality pieces than to overwhelm your audience.Action StepsAudit one of your existing pieces for readability, formatting, and search intent.Fix heading hierarchy, paragraph length, text emphasis, visuals, and calls to action.Refresh a strong older article with current evidence, updated links, and fresh examples.Define a minimum quality checklist and test it until it becomes a repeatable process.Set a sustainable publishing cadence based on audience behavior and team capacity.Scale your output only after your quality, engagement, and workflow are stable.For more strategies, connect directly via the podcast resources shared at the conclusion of the episode.

(Jul 14, 2026) Algae blooms have become a growing problem on Lake Champlain, closing beach areas and disturbing fish and wildlife. We join a group of researchers on a boat gathering data to try to find a solution. Also: Gov. Hochul has ordered a one-year moratorium on large data centers in New York, the first statewide temporary ban in the country.

(0:00) Intro — The True Meaning of Sabr in Islam(0:43) Researching the Pakistani Cultural Idea of Patience(1:03) The Quranic Definition of Sabr(1:48) What “Pakistani Sabr” Really Means(2:24) Women, Cultural Expectations, and Staying Silent(3:28) Domestic Violence and the Misuse of Religion(5:39) What Islam Actually Teaches About Sabr(6:23) Karbala: The Greatest Example of Active Patience(7:45) Islamic Sabr Means Resistance, Not Silence(8:27) Q&A — Examining the Evidence Behind These Claims(11:18) Islamic Patience Explained in One Sentence(13:35) What Should Victims Do Instead of Remaining Silent?(15:12) The Difference Between Conviction and Patience(18:18) True Patience Requires Action, Not Passivity(19:36) Pakistani Sabr vs. Quranic Sabr: The Final Comparison(20:45) Closing Thoughts on the True Meaning of Sabr Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's the difference between a bundle, a box set, an anthology, and a collection? How can being part of an anthology be creatively interesting and useful for marketing? With Jamie Ferguson In the intro, Amazon Kindle increases the 70% royalty share; audiobook marketing tips (Voices by InAudio); The Builder's Creed [Seth Godin]; Future Vision XPrize; Researching the dark side of travel [Anna Sayburn Lane]; Photos from Bruges @jfpennauthor; Bones of the Deep: A Thriller – J.F. Penn. Today's show is sponsored by Bookfunnel, the essential tool for your author business. Whether it's delivering your reader magnet, sending out advanced copies of your book, handing out ebooks at a conference, or fulfilling your digital sales to readers, BookFunnel does it all. Check it out at bookfunnel.com/thecreativepenn This show is also supported by my Patrons. Join my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn Jamie Ferguson is a fiction and short story author, editor, and publisher, with over 20 anthologies and multiple ebook bundles through her own press. Her latest book for authors is Bundle Up! A Practical Guide to Anthologies and Box Sets That Sell. You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below. Show Notes The difference between bundles, box sets, anthologies, and collections Why a multi-author project means lots of people promoting the same book, not just you How to find and pitch for anthology opportunities, and what editors look for in a contributor Contracts, rights, and royalty splits explained for short fiction Why Kickstarter and special print editions are changing the anthology game Inkwren, the publishing management tool Jamie built for backlists and anthologies You can find Jamie at JamieFerguson.com. Transcript of the interview ith Jamie Ferguson Jo: Jamie Ferguson is a fiction and short story author, editor, and publisher, with over 20 anthologies and multiple ebook bundles through her own press. Her latest book for authors is Bundle Up! A Practical Guide to Anthologies and Box Sets That Sell. Just for context too, one of my short stories, “The Dark Queen”, is in the Amazing Monster Tales: Into the Briny Deep anthology. So I'm excited to talk about this today. Welcome to the show, Jamie. Jamie: Thanks for having me, Jo. Jo: Lots to talk about. But first up— Tell us a bit more about you and how you got into writing and self-publishing. Jamie: Well, I wanted to be a writer since I was at least six, maybe before then. So it was just something I always wanted to do, but I always did it on the side. I had a year, many years ago, where I was really busy with work, and I just felt like I didn't write anything the entire year, and I thought, “I'm going to give it up.” Then the next year—that was 2011—I started seeing more about self-publishing, and that really invigorated me and made me feel like, “No, why am I giving up something I've wanted to do since before I went to school?” So I got back into a novel I had worked on years before. I went to a writing workshop with Dean Wesley Smith up in Oregon, back in the day, and then I had my energy back. I've been writing ever since. Still on the side, unfortunately, but someday. Jo: Hopefully! Tell us a bit more about what kind of genres you write. Because balancing your own books with also doing these anthologies and things is quite difficult. Jamie: Yes, it definitely is. I'd say I primarily write contemporary fantasy, but I'll write anything in any genre if I'm really excited about it. I also have a soft spot for Westerns. They take a little more time because I like to research all the facts, but those are really fun to write. Creating anthologies on your own is actually quite a bit of work. One of the things I also do is work with two other authors, DeAnna Knippling and Tami Veldura, and create more anthologies with them. That's really fun because then we can each take a different piece. There's also always somebody to talk to, as opposed to doing it on your own. Jo: Let's start with the terminology, because I definitely struggled with this, and I think people still do. We've got bundles, we've got box sets, we've got anthologies, we've got collections—and are these in ebook, audiobook, or print? Can you start by explaining what all of these words actually mean? Jamie: Yes. In my book I actually use the term “multi-author collection” or “multi-author project”, because there are so many different permutations and it does get confusing. From my perspective, I think of a bundle as a collection. It could be a collection of ebooks. Technically it could be a collection of print books, although people generally use “box set” for that—but then a box set can also be a box set that's all ebooks. An anthology, I usually use for something that's a collection of short stories where there's an editor who's actually edited all the stories. I have had stories in anthologies where somebody didn't edit them, and they would technically be called a curator. So it is definitely confusing. I have not done anything with audio collections, but that certainly is another area that I actually think is pretty interesting. Jo: I also think that a single author… so I've done a short story collection, but an anthology is multiple authors. Is that right? Jamie: Yes. Jo: I think when I came into the indie space, there were a lot more multi-author… we all called them box sets back in the day, when it was just ebooks, right? And now we can actually do boxed sets with boxes through things like BookVault. So it feels like the term “box set” has also gone out of fashion. So if people listening are thinking of doing any of this, you do have to figure out what is the thing you might be signing up for. So let's talk about the multi-author projects, as that's where you specialise. What are the benefits for an author to be involved in a multi-author anthology project? Jamie: The biggest benefit is that you are one of multiple people promoting the same project, whether it's print or ebook or whatever. If I put out a short story collection on my own, I'm the one promoting it, and maybe I can get a couple of other people to write about it, but it's really just me. If I'm part of an anthology with 15 other authors, that's 15 other people who are promoting the same project. That's more newsletters, more Facebook posts, maybe something on their Patreons, whatever it is. You get more synergy, and you get more touch points with potential readers. Then hopefully that translates into sales as well. So that's definitely the biggest part of it—the promotion. Then I also personally really enjoy these types of collections because it's just fun to work with other people. There's a nice energy when everybody's like, “Oh, I put this in my newsletter, and I put this here, and I put this here,” and you feel like you're part of something bigger than just your own piece. Jo: What about the creative benefits? Especially with short stories, often people will write them for a collection or for an anthology project. Jamie: Yes. I've definitely written some stories that I never would have thought I'd write, because somebody I knew asked if I would be interested in being in their collection—whether it's an ebook bundle or a print anthology. So at least for me, that's been really fun. One of the ones that stands out is that I was asked to be in a dinosaur collection once, and I was like, “I don't write dinosaur stories.” And then I did. I set a dinosaur story in London, and it was really fun to write, and I never would have come up with that in a million years. Jo: Let's say we've got 12 authors. They've all written short stories, and now it's in this anthology. But what is the market for these kinds of things? Have you found that there is a readership for short story anthologies that carries over to the author's longer work? Jamie: There is. I like to think of it as: if I have a story in a collection or an anthology—whether it's one I'm editing or somebody else is editing—that's one more place for people to find me. A lot of times anthologies will take reprints as well, like your story. “The Dark Queen”—that was a reprint. We asked if you'd be interested in participating in the Amazing Monster Tales series. And I actually really like printing stories again that have already been published, because there are a lot of stories out there that can be hard to find. Or if it's an older book. I have one author I've known for, like, 30 years. I reprinted one of her stories that was originally published in, I think, 1999, and the anthology it was in was out of print. You couldn't find it, and it was a fantastic story. So it's fun to be able to give new life to those stories and give them more opportunities, and also just have more ways for people to find you. Jo: Yes, I definitely think it's a long game. I don't think appearing in a short story anthology in one particular month is going to mean that your whole back collection just sells, right? Jamie: No, definitely not. It's more about avenues to be found. I know there have been some anthologies that have made quite a bit of money, but in general you're probably not going to make as much money, but you will have those extra places for people to find you. Jo: I always feel like yes, there is maybe a small amount of money, but it is more about almost a marketing thing in itself. So let's say an author is listening and they're like, “Do you know, this sounds like a great idea.” How can they pitch for things like this? How do they find out about opportunities, or get noticed to be asked? And what are the expectations for them? Jamie: The biggest thing is networking. There used to be a couple of opportunities where you could make people aware that you had stories that you were interested in potentially having picked up for something. I'm not aware of anything like that now. When I create a collection, I have a mailing list that I send out, and it includes authors I've published before. It includes a couple of extra people who somehow found my mailing list. And I'll publish, like, “Here's what I'm doing.” There are also authors I've met at writing workshops. I've been able to read some of their work, I'll approach them and say, “Hey, I really liked such and such a story. Would you be interested in writing for this?” Then there are a couple of other websites, like Duotrope, and places that advertise markets and calls for submissions. Jo: Yes, I've found them also on small presses that do these kinds of projects. They often put up one call for submission a month or something, and you can write for their particular thing. In general, the short story markets are the places to keep an eye on. Jamie: Yes, definitely. Jo: If an author wants to pitch to have their story as part of an anthology, do you want to know things like platform, or is it just the story itself? Jamie: I personally look at the author's platform. I do make exceptions—there are actually two authors I've worked with a couple of times who don't have websites. They are people I know personally and they are very, very good writers, so I'll make an exception for things like that. But otherwise, if somebody submitted a story to me and I didn't know that person, I would check out their website, I would check out their social media, I would see what else they had done. Part of what you're doing when you're creating a collection is thinking not just about how you, as the person organising this, will promote the collection, but how the authors who are participating will help promote it as well. If it's somebody who has a lot of fans, even if they're not very active on social media, that can help a lot too. There are a lot of different factors, though. Jo: So then talk us through the project timeline. How long do things take, and what sort of involvement do the authors have along the way? Because it's a lot to juggle. Jamie: Yes, it is a lot to juggle. I can give you an example with the Monster Tales series. We'll come up with an idea, and we also like to try to get the artwork done early on in the process. We don't need it that soon, but it's really great to have that taken care of. We'll contact authors. I think for this one we used my mailing list, but we've also contacted a number of people individually that we know who write the style of stories we like. Then, as the submissions come in, we usually wait until we have a nice chunk of them to start going through, and then we'll pick some right away. Sometimes it'll be like, “Oh my gosh, of course we want this story,” and we'll wait to fill out the other slots. Then we'll negotiate sometimes. Sometimes it's like, “I want this story.” “Well, I want this other story.” And we have to figure out how the word count works. Once we finalise the stories, then usually what happens with that anthology is that DeAnna—who is a very, very good editor—will make the first editing pass, and then I'll make the second. And now Tami's involved, so Tami will make the third, and then we'll iterate. Once all three of us have gone through the first time, then we'll send the story back to the author for edits. So the most the author has to do for most of the process is just wait for us to edit their story, and then work on their edits and get them back. Then, once we get closer to launch, we'll give them information about what we're going to do. For example, we're going to launch the next issue with a Kickstarter. So our authors know that we have a Kickstarter coming, and we'll give them more information as we get closer to the actual launch date. Jo: So how long might an author expect before their work is out there? Jamie: It really varies. I've had some collections published very quickly—let's say a couple of months. Some have taken longer just because somebody ends up having some life issue and things get delayed. So I'd say ideally it would be more like three to nine months. Jo: Yes, I think… depending on the— Jamie: —collection and the complexity. Jo: Yes, exactly. Jo: And you did mention word count there. Just give us a range of what word count you like to get. Jamie: So these days I'm shooting for between 75,000 and 80,000 for the total word count for a collection. That includes the stories, but it also includes the opening, the introduction. For one we're working on now, we're going to have some interstitials, where we have little bits of things we're going to write in between each story. So that's the overall size of the collection. I'll keep track of the word count as the stories come in, and then as we edit the stories, sometimes they grow, sometimes they shrink. Sometimes that's a big enough difference where we're like, “Okay, we need one more story to fill it in.” But that's the target. Jo: And how much for each individual story? Jamie: That varies. I've done a bunch of different things. These days, what I'm advertising is between 3,000 and 8,000 words. I also always tell people: if you're outside this range on either side, just check with me, and if it's something that's really an excellent fit for the book, I'll make an exception. The one that's coming out, I think we have a 1,500- or 2,000-word story that was just amazingly perfect for what we wanted. There was another story, actually I think it was the issue that you were in, that was at least 12,000 words, but it also was a perfect fit for the theme. So I will make exceptions, but within reason. I wouldn't put a novella inside an anthology, because then you'd have a 22,000-word story next to a 3,000-word story, and I personally feel like that's really jarring for the reader. You don't want to go from something super short to something super long. It just doesn't feel like it flows well to me. Jo: No, absolutely. Jo: We'll come back to the making of it because you mentioned some really interesting things there. But just on the contractual side—a lot of indie authors don't necessarily do any publishing contracts for their work, unless it's signing the terms and conditions when uploading on Amazon or Kobo. So tell us a bit about the contract side. What rights are we talking about here? Any red lines in contracts around this kind of thing? Jamie: For contracts, I would recommend people read Kristine Kathryn Rusch's posts on this. She is way more informed about this than I ever will be, so when I have questions, I'll look at her posts. I've asked her a couple of questions. What we're doing for the Amazing Monster Tales… this is the first time that I've actually had authors sign contracts. Prior to this, I've used PubShare, which handles royalty splits and all of that, and that was really great. We want to do direct sales and Kickstarters and have lots of other options. So we did put together a contract this time. I'd have to pull it up, but I think we asked for first worldwide rights in English—I'm getting the terminology wrong here—but that was basically it. Jo: Or, I guess, reprint rights if the story's already been licensed. Jamie: Correct. We have two contract templates, one for original stories and one for reprints. We made sure to make that distinction, because it is definitely a distinction. In the book by Kristine Kathryn Rusch—it's called Closing the Deal… on Your Terms—I highly recommend that for anybody interested in learning more about contracts. Jo: Yes, that's great. And just for people listening: when you said you didn't have contracts before, you just used PubShare. So in that way, the author still retained the rights and you just split the royalties—it was more of a co-writing thing. Jamie: Correct. When you publish stories through PubShare, the author signs an agreement with PubShare, and then I, as the editor or organiser, would also sign a separate agreement. So each of us has an agreement with PubShare. We don't have agreements with each other, if that makes sense. Jo: Yes, so it's very different to move into Kickstarter. So tell us about what you're now moving into. Jamie: Well, Kickstarters are a new world for me personally. I have many friends who have had Kickstarters. I've supported Kickstarters. I watch them. But it's something where I'm very happy to have two partners who have done Kickstarters before. I'm not sure how many Tami's done—I think Tami's done the most at this point. So this is all new to me. But it's very exciting. At this point we have a backlist, so part of the plan, for the Monster series, is to offer issues one through four as part of the rewards when we launch issue number five. That's really exciting, because I never had a backlist like that before. Jo: Yes, and in fact the money is in the backlist, as ever, and those add-ons or bundles as part of Kickstarter are great. So are you going to do special print editions, or is it digital only? Jamie: We are talking about special print editions. You mentioned BookVault earlier—we've been looking at BookVault. Our other anthology series that hasn't come out yet will also launch with a Kickstarter. It's dragon-themed, and Tami actually did the cover work, which is beautiful. BookVault just gives you so many options that we never had before, so I'm very excited about that. Jo: Yes, I think it's a really good idea. I did gorgeous hardbacks for my solo author collection, so I think it's a great idea. So from the publisher side, let's come back to that. You've mentioned you have to write things like an introduction and interstitials, and you're trying to balance the stories. What are some of the other things that people might think about if they want to organise their own anthologies? Jamie: Oh gosh, where to start? There's the basic setting up of the anthology, so you have to define the table of contents. You might get a bunch of stories that are really awesome, and you might have to tell somebody who has a wonderful story—and maybe even who's a good friend of yours—that you're going to pass on it because their story doesn't fit with all the other stories. Every time I have to do that, I feel kind of bad. But being on this side, it's really interesting to see how you can tell which stories fit together and which don't. There's also the editing process, which can be a lot of work. Part of what I like about working with Tami and DeAnna is that DeAnna really loves editing. I feel like I'm a good editor, and I can do it, but for me it's more of a job. For DeAnna, she loves it, so she does the bulk of the editing, which is great. When I do it on my own, I feel like it's a task I have to do. There's lots of cat-herding. Sometimes people take a while to get their edits back. Sometimes they have life events, and you have to delay things because you're waiting on them. There are all the little tiny pieces of organising things—like, if you're reprinting stories, you need to make sure you get the copyright attribution correct. A lot of times I'll have to go and look up where something was originally published. An author might say, “Oh, it was published in this year,” and I'm like, “Okay, actually it was published in this other year, by this other publication first.” So I'm trying to be organised there. henT one of the things that very infrequently—I think it's only happened to me twice—every once in a while, you're in the middle of editing a story and you have to pass on it, even though you've already accepted it, because the editorial vision and the author vision for the story are not the same, and you can't reconcile that. Jo: I think that's really interesting, because so much of what you're talking about there—you mentioned vision—it's almost taste. You're saying which stories fit. It's not just a case of, I don't know, a pirate anthology and then picking 10 stories about pirates, right? You seem to be thinking about this in a more artistic way. So can you talk a bit more about that? How do you decide on a theme, and then how do you know that a story doesn't fit? Jamie: In the beginning, I was not this selective. In the beginning I'd say, for example, “Hey, I'm putting out a collection about fairies. Give me a fairy story,” and that was it. As I've edited the stories, it's become easier to see how things fit. So, for example, if I have 10 stories in an anthology and I have an 11th story, and they have different tones—let's say the 11th story is really funny and all the other stories are very serious—then that would be a fit thing. That's not necessarily taste; it's just that you don't want one funny story if everything else is really dark and scary or serious. As far as picking a theme, the theme could be very broad. With this dragon anthology we're working on, we decided we wanted it to be called A Hoard of Books. So the theme was: has to have dragons, has to have books, and that's pretty much it. And then we were like, “Let's just see what we get.” We were very surprised at what we got. We thought we'd have more serious stories, and it turned out most of them were very light-hearted and really fun. And we're like, “You know what? That actually changes the way we're looking at the whole series,” because we did not expect that. With the monster series, we'll pick a theme. So, for example, the next issue is Monsters in Love, and for those it's more like, let's just see what happens. Sometimes I'll have a more specific theme. The next anthology I'm publishing on my own is called Fairy Bargains, and I wanted people to obviously have fairies, but I wanted there to be something related to the mythology and lore of having a bargain with a fairy—and there's a lot of stuff about that. So for some things like that, when I put out a call, I'll provide information. I might say, “Here's a link to a Wikipedia article. Here's some mythology that might be helpful for you,” just because I want things to stick a little bit more to the theme itself. Whereas with Monsters in Love, there's a very wide range of stories, and that was very fun to work through. Jo: Oh, yes. There's a lot of monster, on the spicy side as well. But were you doing a clean Monsters in Love, as opposed to in lust? Jamie: Yes, this is a clean one. That's pretty funny. But boy, when you give authors the room for these types of things, you get all kinds of stories, and it is super fun to work with those collections. Jo: As you're talking, I definitely want to do more short stories. It's really interesting, because you can actually generally get paid more for a first print—first print rights on a short story—but I often want to just publish it myself. Then I was really happy to be in yours, because it was a reprint anyway. So I was like, well, there's absolutely nothing to lose if it goes in as a reprint. So these things can be really interesting. Talking of the finance from your side of things: you have a small press and you're doing this publishing yourself, but you're paying all these authors and doing a lot of work. So how does it work as the publisher, in terms of these anthologies, financially? Jamie: With the ones we've published so far, because we've gone through PubShare, it's been a royalty split. As the editors, we would take a percentage, and then we pay for the artwork, and of course all of our time. I think what we were doing there was saying 70% of the royalties would be split equally between all of the authors and the stories. So, for example, if I had a story as well, I would get part of the author split—the same percentage as everybody else in the collection—in addition to the editor split. For what we're doing now, we've changed this a little bit, and I believe we said 60% goes to the authors, and then we're going to keep a share of the proceeds for the business because we want to be able to pay for the artwork out of the business account. We want to pay for advertising, whatever we need to do—like setting up our store, or if we wanted to invest in anything, we want to be able to do that as the business, as opposed to it just being us doing this on our own. We're just trying to treat it a little bit differently. Jo: And I know it's so much work—a crazy amount of work. How many anthologies and books do you have to do in a year to make it worthwhile financially? Jamie: Oh, I don't know. I would say, unless you get an opportunity—like, for example, to have an anthology in a story bundle or something like that—you may not break even. But if you're going to do this, do it more for the marketing, do it more because you enjoy it. Now, going forward, I think that will change, because we are looking at Kickstarters, we are looking at direct sales. We're very motivated to try to make this more of a business thing than a fun side project. So, ask me in a year. Jo: Yes, hopefully more. I do think Kickstarter is great for short stories. I actually buy quite a few collections on Kickstarter. I think they're actually really hard to discover through, say, Amazon—it's a place that is quite hard to identify short stories. Whereas I've found I've bought collections on Kickstarter because there's so much more of a sales page—there's so much more rich media that tells me how I'm going to feel about the stuff. I've bought short story anthologies and collections from people I don't know. So I think it's a really good thing to do. There is an audience there. Jamie: Yes, definitely. And it does feel like the anthologies on Amazon don't sell as well—you don't make as much as you used to. I've been doing this for, well, gosh, 10 years now, and I feel like the sales numbers on Amazon in the past year were noticeably lower than they would have been six or eight years ago. So I am very excited about Kickstarter. Plus, Kickstarter just feels really fun. You're not just throwing your book up; you also have all the extra stuff with the page, you have the rewards, and it just feels really exciting. Jo: No, I agree. I really love it. I didn't do it for a long time, and now I just love it. Jo: So, staying with the publisher side of things— Any practical formatting and production tips? Because in these types of projects, all kinds of people just send you different stuff. Jamie: I have a style guide. So whether it's me or it's the group project, once all the edits are complete, I'll do a formatting pass, and I'll make sure I use curly quotes and the same em dash format and everything, just so everything in the book is formatted the same way. Every once in a while there's an author who has something particular that they want, and I can work around that, and that's fine. I also work with a lot of Canadian authors, and I'll let them keep their Canadian spellings. I don't think everybody does that, but I feel like that's their voice in a way, so I don't correct those. I might check some things there. I think the formatting is important—it makes things look better if everything has the same style. Then I use Vellum, which makes things really easy. I love Vellum. Because I publish so many authors at this point, I have a Vellum file where I store their biographies and their links, so when I publish a new anthology I'll just go grab, say, Jo's “about the author” page from that collection and put it into the new file. Then I also track when the last time was that I checked with the author about their biography. If it's been more than a year, I'll check in with them and say, “Hey, do you have an updated biography you want me to use? Here are your links—do you have any different links now?” So that makes it a lot easier from the formatting standpoint. Jo: And you mentioned Vellum—having done box sets on Vellum, you can just drag a whole book in there if you want to do a three-book box set, or three short stories, whatever. It's much easier to just drag things in, and it makes it easier to format. So I would say to people: you don't need to worry too much about that. There are lots of things that can help you. But even with doing the print stuff for the Kickstarter—people have opinions, don't they? So in terms of authors' opinions and managing—you mentioned herding cats—how do you manage all of that side of things? Jamie: I haven't actually had a lot of trouble with that. The authors I've worked with seem to feel like they gave me their story, and then once the edits are out of the way… I haven't had anybody have any issues with the covers. Usually they love the covers, especially for the Monster series. So, no problems there. Jo: Oh, that's good. Well, I would say a tip would be to make sure you're communicating, if you're somebody who's organising. So talk a bit about communication. Jamie: Communication is very important. What I try to do is send regular updates, especially if I'm in the middle of edits or working on something and I'm not ready to launch. I'll send an update email out to the authors and just say, “Here's what's going on, here's what the plan is.” Or if the plan has to change, if the launch date has to change for some reason, I'll let the authors know about that. Actually, with the upcoming Monsters in Love issue, we were originally not going to do a Kickstarter. That was a late decision, so I contacted all the authors and said, “We've changed our plans. We're going to launch this with a Kickstarter. Please confirm that you're okay with this.” One author was not comfortable with the Kickstarter idea, so he pulled his story, and then we found a replacement story for that. But I just feel like the communication piece is really essential. It's really important for the authors to know what's going on. Jo: Yes, absolutely. So, we've talked about how marketing is a good thing, in terms of there being lots of people marketing. How are you effectively marketing these kinds of books, as the premise is quite different to a single author project? Jamie: Right. There's the usual—write a release post, write posts on social. I do additional things, so I'll publish what I call a story spotlight for each story in the anthology. That's just where I talk a little bit about the story, I provide an excerpt, and then I provide the author's bio and links to find them. Those are really great, because they're very quick to put together. The hardest part is getting a short excerpt that shows enough about the story to be engaging. But that really isn't that much time, either. Then those are also nicely evergreen. I've actually searched for authors before, when I'm trying to research them for an interview, and I've found my own spotlight posts and my own interview posts with authors come up at the top of the list, which is kind of funny. I also do interviews with as many of the authors in a collection as are willing to participate. Sometimes people just don't have the time—I don't make this required—but I usually get 80 to 90% of the authors participating. So, for example, this year I'm in a couple of bundles on StoryBundle, and I'm doing interviews for people there. It's also really fun, and you're not paying for advertising—you're just creating something that the authors are excited about and they want to share. So it promotes the collection, but it also promotes the author, which I find really nice. It's a nice networking thing too, and I'm happy if someone wants to interview me. It's like free publicity for each person, in addition to the collection. Jo: I love that you've used the word “fun” quite a lot, which I find amazing. You're obviously a super collaborative person. I've co-written a number of books— I've been part of some collections, and I really think that there are two personalities. One is like me, where we really love the creation stuff and the publishing stuff, but we're hyper-controlling. And then someone like you—you're very collaborative, and you're doing such a great job. To people listening, I would say: if you're more like me, don't organise an anthology. What you want is Jamie, or somebody who actually finds it fun to organise a big group of authors. Jamie: Yes. It is definitely interesting working with other partners in this, because when I publish an anthology on my own, I make all the decisions. I pick the artwork, I pick the theme, I do everything, I decide the table of contents. But when you're working with other people, you do need to negotiate. So we've had a couple of times where it's like, “I want this story.” “Well, I want this other story, I don't like the story that you want.” And so we have to barter, in a way. Aside from that, it is nice, because you get to split up the tasks. I could focus on things like the organising—I do the Vellum files, I do the final cover and everything. For the Kickstarters, actually, Tami's got more expertise, so Tami's going to be working on the Kickstarters for our collections together. If I had to do all this on my own, it's a ton of work. It's a ton of work. So it is nice to split it up. Jo: And of course, one of the things is managing so many moving parts—and you've actually built a tool to manage all this. So tell us a bit about that tool, and how it might be useful for people with big backlists as well as anthologies. Jamie: I built what I think of as a publishing management application. The original idea is that, for years and years, I wanted a software tool that would do catalogue management, because I was managing my own catalogue, and I was also managing—at this point I've published at least 20 anthologies, so that's a lot of authors. Then last summer, I had an author who I'd published a number of times, who was going to, I think, WorldCon, and she asked if I could give her covers for five anthologies she'd been in, so that she could make some promotional material. I was like, “Oh, sure, I can do that.” And then I was like, “Well, wait a second—is this in Notion?”—because I started trying to use Notion last year—”or is it in a spreadsheet?” It turned out her information was in, like, three different places, and I had to work to pull it together. And then I was like, “You know what? That's it. I'm just going to finally write this application.” So Inkwren manages your stories. As an author, I can manage my stories—I can track which are published, which are drafts, which are just ideas. I can track my publications. From the publisher standpoint, it's really helpful, because I can track each anthology I've published and what I'm working on. I can track the edits, I can track the contracts. I can upload contract templates—so we talked earlier about the original and reprint contract templates that I use. I upload those, and they have placeholders in them. When I generate the actual contract, the author's name will replace the placeholder—I'll have the text “author name” in the contract template, and it'll get replaced by, like, “Joanna Penn” or whatever. So that saves a lot of time. Then I also added in task tracking, because I started to feel like, well, now all my stuff is in one place, but my tasks are somewhere else. So now I can associate tasks with a publication. For example, for the book I'm working on right now, I know which tasks I need to do for the cover, and which for the interior, and everything. I have a template of tasks. Then I can also track tasks related to promotions. For example, the story bundle I'm promoting right now, I have a task for each interview I'm doing with the authors, and I have a calendar view. I can see when I'm going to publish them and know that they're all spread out. It saves me so much time, and it's so much easier. Jo: I do think building tools when you actually need the tool yourself is very useful. Just say the name again, and spell it out for people. Jamie: It's Inkwren. My own personal publishing company is Blackbird Publishing, and I wanted something related to birds and writing. So I came up with Inkwren, which is I-N-K-W-R-E-N, and it's just inkwren.com. Jo: And it is available for other people to potentially buy and use? Jamie: Yes, it is. Jo: Well, I think that's super useful, because it's very hard when people are starting out and they think, “Oh, I've only got one book—why would I need any kind of tool to manage it?” But over the years, your backlist grows, especially with short stories. So I love that you've built this, and there's probably more that you can add over time as you expand the business yourself. So much potential. So we are at the end. Where can people find you and your books and everything you do online? Jamie: My author website is JamieFerguson.com. And then, obviously, I mentioned Inkwren earlier. My publishing company is BlackbirdPublishing.com. And then the projects I'm doing with Tami and DeAnna—we have a couple of websites, but the easiest way to find us is our press, which is BorogrovePress.com. Jo: Fantastic. Well, thanks so much for your time, Jamie. That was great. Jamie: Thanks, Joanna.The post Bundles, Box Sets and Anthologies With Jamie Ferguson first appeared on The Creative Penn.

About Dave EmoryDavid Emory is a political researcher and broadcaster whose California-based radio programs are heard on a regular basis in the United States, Canada and Europe.Mr. Emory's broadcasts focus on the U.S. military and intelligence community's historical involvement with international fascism. Researching such national security establishment abuses as domestic and foreign political assassinations, and governmental complicity with organized crime and drug smuggling syndicates, Mr. Emory has distilled his academic research into an archival documentary format. These “archive” programs consist of excerpts from printed sources read during his broadcasts.Mr. Emory's programs have been featured on a regular basis on Pacifica stations KPFK (Los Angeles) and WBAI (New York), and many smaller stations. He has appeared as guest on major commercial stations including KGO-AM (San Francisco) and WLUP-AM (Chicago) and as an expert commentator on broadcast outlets in three continents. Audio cassette copies of the archive programs are also circulated internationally.Mr. Emory began his work during the Watergate era when he noted numerous connections between that scandal and the assassination of President Kennedy. Pursuing his work on the JFK assassination, Mr. Emory discovered Nazi General Reinhard Gehlen's Eastern front spy apparatus, and its incorporation into the CIA after World War II. This led Mr. Emory to study the origins of fascism and its influence on the contemporary world.Mr. Emory graduated from Amherst College with a B.A. in psychology.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-opperman-report--1198501/support.

What happens when real estate stops being about the transaction and becomes about truly listening to people? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits down with Debora McCarty. Debora is a Watson Realty real estate professional serving Jacksonville, Saint Johns County, and surrounding Northeast Florida communities after a career path that began in Brazil, continued through family life and teaching, and eventually led her into real estate. Her story shows how teaching, patience, community involvement, and deep preparation shaped the way she guides buyers and sellers through complicated decisions. In this conversation, Debora shares why education gives agents confidence, why consistency matters more than shortcuts, how relationships can become the foundation of a sustainable business, and why sellers must understand today's market as an adjustment rather than a collapse. Listen to the full episode to hear how Debora uses calm guidance, local knowledge, and genuine care to help clients navigate Northeast Florida real estate with confidence.   HighlightsTop of FormBottom of Form 00:00 - 09:24 From Brazil To The Classroom To Real Estate Brazilian background and move to the United States Life as a homemaker and community volunteer Teaching certification after divorce Computer education at Fruit Cove Middle School Choosing real estate after years of interest 09:24 - 18:07 Why Education Creates Confident Agents Passing the real estate exam on the first try Learning through Watson and NEFAR classes Why agents should repeat important courses The risk of using outdated forms Researching success through coaching and online learning 18:07 - 29:39 Building A Business Through Relationships Consistency as the key for new agents Ninja Selling and relationship-based business Staying connected through notes and follow up Helping clients beyond a simple transaction Matching buyers and sellers by listening closely 29:39 - 44:08 Turning Client Care Into Referrals Creating client experiences worth talking about Helping a family before they were ready to sell Earning referrals through patience and trust Handling difficult transactions with office support Inspection issues and polybutylene piping challenges 44:08 - 53:02 Navigating Market Taxes And Location Choices Florida property tax relief conversation Homestead portability and long-term savings Tax shock with new construction purchases Jacksonville and Saint John's lifestyle questions Low interest rates and seller motivation 53:02 - 01:18:09 Motivation Technology And Lasting Success Understanding why a client really wants to move Guiding clients through rate concerns Using technology and AI as real estate tools Building trust through knowledge and communication Final advice on service education and consistency   Quotes: "I love helping people." – Debora McCarty "If you know your work, you know your trade, you can provide that best service for your client." – Debora McCarty "You have to continue your education." – Debora McCarty "I want to become the best real estate agent I can possibly be for my clients." – Debora McCarty   To contact Debora McCarty, learn more about her business, and make her a part of your network, make sure to follow her Website, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn.   Connect with Debora McCarty! Website: https://www.deboramccarty.realtor/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debora.mccarty.realtor/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Debora.McCarty.REALTOR YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DeboraMcCartyRealtor LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/d%C3%A9bora-mccarty-607aba40/   Connect with me! Website: toprealtorjacksonville.com   Website: toprealtorstaugustine.com    SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW as we discuss real estate excellence with the best of the best.   #RealEstateExcellence #TracyHayes #RealEstateExcellence #DeboraMcCarty #WatsonRealty #JacksonvilleRealEstate #SaintJohnsCounty #NortheastFloridaRealEstate #FloridaRealtor #RealEstateAgent #RealEstateEducation #ClientFirst #RelationshipMarketing #NinjaSelling #HomeBuying #HomeSelling #RealEstatePodcast #JacksonvilleHomes #SaintJohnsHomes #RealEstateTips #MarketKnowledge #RealtorLife

In this episode of Soul Sense, Mark Verkler sits down with author, coach, and teacher Tony Stoltzfus to explore how God transforms us through relationship with Jesus—not just through discipline, effort, or trying harder.Tony shares his journey from being driven by self-discipline and performance to discovering the freedom of grace, learning to encounter Jesus in the middle of suffering, and finding a deeper way to read Scripture through imagination and experience.Tony also shares powerful stories of betrayal, loss, forgiveness, and how God can redeem even the deepest wounds.If you are walking through a difficult season, feeling stuck in performance, or longing for a deeper relationship with Jesus, this conversation offers hope and practical ways to meet God in the middle of your story.

Government proposal writing can fall apart over a single missed sentence, and that's exactly what happened on a $20 million, five-year federal contract that proposal strategist Zach Golden still calls his "nightmare." In this episode, Zach breaks down his stage-by-stage proposal process, from building a bid/no-bid matrix to using AI for compliance checks, and explains the costly lesson that changed how he reviews every requirement before submission. Key takeaways from this episode: How to build a proposal matrix that filters bid/no-bid decisions in under 15 minutes Why a missed training documentation clause led to a "not technically acceptable" rejection on a $20 million janitorial contract How AI-assisted compliance checks now catch buried requirements humans miss on complex, multi-building contracts Why clarifying scope discrepancies upfront prevents change order disputes with contracting officers How incumbent research and pricing intel shape a stronger proposal strategy EPISODE CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction to the Federal Help Center podcast 0:50 - Building the proposal bid no bid matrix 1:30 - Editing the AI generated proposal outline 2:24 - Running compliance checks after writing proposals 3:04 - Clarifying scope discrepancies to avoid change orders 4:21 - Researching incumbents and pricing before bidding 4:50 - The 20 million dollar janitorial contract story 6:00 - Receiving the not technically acceptable rejection 6:28 - Requesting a debrief and finding the missed clause 7:38 - How AI would have caught the compliance gap   Mindy gives you the federal opportunities, agency signals, recompete intel, and pursuit briefs that tell you not just what contracts exist, but which ones to chase and how to win them. Sign up for free Daily Alerts and get opportunities delivered to your inbox before the day starts.

Get the FREE GUIDE to 10 Nonclinical Careers at nonclinicalphysicians.com/freeguide. Get a list of 70 nontraditional jobs at nonclinicalphysicians.com/70jobs.                                                                                                 =============== Most physicians in career transition work through the process alone. Researching, applying, second-guessing, and starting over without much outside input. In this solo masterclass, John makes the case for a different approach: the mastermind group. It's a structured peer process that's been used in business for decades, rarely applied to physician career development, and significantly more effective than going it alone. John covers what a mastermind actually is, how the hot seat process works, and how he ran his own monthly 10-minute mastermind groups for physicians.

Building relationships with contracting officers before a solicitation ever drops is one of the most overlooked strategies in federal contracting, and it's exactly what separates small businesses who win from those who just show up to bid. In this clip from the Federal Help Center podcast, Randie Ward breaks down how one small business turned years of relationship building into a $2 million job order contract win, plus a federal opportunity that got shortlisted simply because the right people already knew her name. If you are tired of submitting proposals into a black hole, this episode shows you what to do months before the RFP even exists. How researching forecasted opportunities and pre-solicitations before they post helped win a 51-page proposal against multiple competitors Why job order contracts (JOCs) function like an IDIQ and how relationship building unlocked a $2 million, two-year project The rule every contractor should know: program managers and contracting personnel can still talk to you before the RFQ or RFP drops, but not after How maintaining a multi-year relationship with an FAA contact who later became a contracting officer led to new opportunity alerts Why attending industry conferences like SAME (Society of American Military Engineers) and simply introducing yourself can connect you directly with a head of contracting EPISODE CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction to building relationships before bidding 0:32 - How a JOC relationship led to a 2 million dollar win 1:09 - Why the 51 page proposal required strategic preparation 1:46 - Researching pre-solicitations and forecasted opportunities early 2:33 - The rule on contacting officials before the RFQ or RFP 3:10 - Maintaining a long-term relationship with an FAA contracting officer 3:57 - Turning a Christmas check-in into a new contract lead 4:33 - Why showing up on their radar changes your odds 5:08 - Building courage as an introvert to network in person 5:51 - Audience questions on building relationships and getting found 6:14 - Meeting a head of contracting at a SAME conference 7:11 - Closing thoughts on stepping outside your comfort zone Mindy gives you the federal opportunities, agency signals, recompete intel, and pursuit briefs that tell you not just what contracts exist, but which ones to chase and how to win them. Sign up for free Daily Alerts and get opportunities delivered to your inbox before the day starts.

This Road to Macstock features a discussion with Brian Hensen about his evolving role as the event's master of ceremonies. From speaker wrangler to stage host. Brian previews how this year's Macstock will let him spotlight the people who inspire him, comments on the event's welcoming Apple community, and reflects on the value of shared learning, speaker preparation, podcasting, and personal connections that are at the core of the Macstock experience. This edition of MacVoices is brought to you by the MacVoices Dispatch, our weekly newsletter that keeps you up-to-date on any and all MacVoices-related information. Subscribe today and don't miss a thing. Show Notes: Chapters: 00:28 Introducing Brian Henson and the Road to Macstock 01:23 From speaker wrangler to master of ceremonies 03:54 The Ecamm workshop before Macstock 06:36 Looking forward to speaker surprises 07:04 Memorable presentations that changed perspectives 09:19 Passion as the common thread among presenters 11:53 Friends, listeners, and overlapping communities 14:30 Meeting people beyond the hosts and presenters 15:22 Macstock's unusually open event culture 17:55 Macstock's connection to the old Macworld spirit 18:56 Brian's plans for Macstock 10 introductions 21:03 Spotlighting speakers and community members 24:06 Researching guests and preparing better transitions 28:12 Encouraging attendees to come to Crystal Lake 31:10 Podcasting history and long-term consistency 37:21 Event details and invitation to attend Links: Macstock Conference: http://macstockconference.com Guests: Get detailed bios and contact information about for the panel on the MacVoices Live! Panel page on our web site: https://macvoices.com/macvoiceslive/macvoices-live-panel/ Support: Become a MacVoices Patron on Patreon      http://patreon.com/macvoices      Enjoy this episode? Make a one-time donation with PayPal Connect: Web:      http://macvoices.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/chuckjoiner      http://www.twitter.com/macvoices Mastodon:      https://mastodon.cloud/@chuckjoiner Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/chuck.joiner MacVoices Page on Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/macvoices/ MacVoices Group on Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/groups/macvoice LinkedIn:      https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckjoiner/ Instagram:      https://www.instagram.com/chuckjoiner/ Subscribe:      Audio in iTunes      Video in iTunes      Subscribe manually via iTunes or any podcatcher: Audio: http://www.macvoices.com/rss/macvoicesrss      Video: http://www.macvoices.com/rss/macvoicesvideorss

South Africa's history is a fascinating migration story, with people arriving from all over the world and others leaving to build new lives in other lands. Understanding the patterns of immigration and emigration can open up new doors in your genealogical research, revealing the journeys your ancestors took, why they moved, and where they settled. Let's explore the various waves of migration to and from South Africa and how you can trace these movements in your family history... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/researching-south-african-immigration-and-emigration-patterns/ Ancestral Findings Podcast: https://ancestralfindings.com/podcast This Week's Free Genealogy Lookups: https://ancestralfindings.com/lookups Genealogy Giveaway: https://ancestralfindings.com/giveaway Genealogy eBooks: https://ancestralfindings.com/ebooks Follow Along: https://www.facebook.com/AncestralFindings https://www.instagram.com/ancestralfindings https://www.youtube.com/ancestralfindings Support Ancestral Findings: https://ancestralfindings.com/support https://ancestralfindings.com/paypal  #Genealogy #AncestralFindings #GenealogyClips

This Road to Macstock features a discussion with Brian Henson about his evolving role as the event's master of ceremonies. From speaker wrangler to stage host. Brian previews how this year's Macstock will let him spotlight the people who inspire him, comments on the event's welcoming Apple community, and reflects on the value of shared learning, speaker preparation, podcasting, and personal connections that are at the core of the Macstock experience. This edition of MacVoices is brought to you by the MacVoices Dispatch, our weekly newsletter that keeps you up-to-date on any and all MacVoices-related information. Subscribe today and don't miss a thing. Show Notes: Chapters: 00:28 Introducing Brian Henson and the Road to Macstock 01:23 From speaker wrangler to master of ceremonies 03:54 The Ecamm workshop before Macstock 06:36 Looking forward to speaker surprises 07:04 Memorable presentations that changed perspectives 09:19 Passion as the common thread among presenters 11:53 Friends, listeners, and overlapping communities 14:30 Meeting people beyond the hosts and presenters 15:22 Macstock's unusually open event culture 17:55 Macstock's connection to the old Macworld spirit 18:56 Brian's plans for Macstock 10 introductions 21:03 Spotlighting speakers and community members 24:06 Researching guests and preparing better transitions 28:12 Encouraging attendees to come to Crystal Lake 31:10 Podcasting history and long-term consistency 37:21 Event details and invitation to attend Links: Macstock Conference: http://macstockconference.com Guests: Get detailed bios and contact information about for the panel on the MacVoices Live! Panel page on our web site: https://macvoices.com/macvoiceslive/macvoices-live-panel/ Support:      Become a MacVoices Patron on Patreon      http://patreon.com/macvoices      Enjoy this episode? Make a one-time donation with PayPal Connect:      Web:      http://macvoices.com      Twitter:      http://www.twitter.com/chuckjoiner      http://www.twitter.com/macvoices      Mastodon:      https://mastodon.cloud/@chuckjoiner      Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/chuck.joiner      MacVoices Page on Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/macvoices/      MacVoices Group on Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/groups/macvoice      LinkedIn:      https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckjoiner/      Instagram:      https://www.instagram.com/chuckjoiner/ Subscribe:      Audio in iTunes      Video in iTunes      Subscribe manually via iTunes or any podcatcher:      Audio: http://www.macvoices.com/rss/macvoicesrss      Video: http://www.macvoices.com/rss/macvoicesvideorss

Can rebellion, enthusiasm and one strange idea change your entire life?Simon Woodroffe, founder of YO! Sushi, YOTEL and the wider YO! brand, shares the extraordinary journey from boarding school, rebellion, prison, rock and roll stage design and TV rights to launching YO! Sushi at 45 and building one of Britain's most recognisable modern brands. Watch more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@buildingthebrandofficialWant more from Building The Brand - connect here:https://buildingthebrand.co.uk/newsletterGet Simon's book YO! Man:https://yo.co.uk/yoman/▪️Why Simon believes enthusiasm is the trait behind his success▪️Why rebellion can become entrepreneurial fuel▪️Going to prison and how it changed Simon's life▪️How Simon became a rock and roll stage designer▪️Working around Rod Stewart, Queen, ABBA, Jethro Tull and major live shows▪️Spotting the opportunity in music TV rights before the market existed▪️Why the best founders can be early to a market without being reckless▪️How a lunch meeting sparked the idea for YO! Sushi▪️Why conveyor belt sushi, robots and Japanese culture felt like the future▪️Launching YO! Sushi at 45 with his own money on the line▪️How word of mouth turned YO! Sushi into an iconic British brand▪️The story behind YOTEL and building a brand across multiple verticals▪️Why Simon still believes in YO! Home, YO! Airships and future YO! conceptsKEY MOMENTS:0:00 — The trait behind Simon's success2:06 — Boarding school, authority and rebellion7:17 — Getting arrested and going to detention12:43 — Working on yourself as a founder16:31 — PAUSE POINT: Work on yourself23:31 — Intensity, enthusiasm and leadership28:32 — Becoming a rock and roll roadie32:06 — Band, brand and live spectacle38:00 — Spotting the music TV rights opportunity43:06 — Being early to new markets45:04 — PAUSE POINT: Early or mistaken?49:24 — The lunch that sparked YO! Sushi52:04 — Researching and believing in the idea55:13 — Gut instinct vs market research56:35 — YO! Home and future living1:02:09 — Opening YO! Sushi to an empty room1:02:50 — The queue that lasted five years1:05:24 — Growing YO! Sushi and YOTEL1:08:26 — PAUSE POINT: Unrelenting enthusiasm1:13:57 — Simon's advice for entrepreneurs

In this episode of Bold Journeys, we dig into one of the most important questions anyone wrestling with faith eventually faces: Is there real historical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus? New Testament scholar and author Dr. Mike Licona shares his personal battle with doubt, the research that reshaped his faith, and the historical case that convinced him the resurrection wasn't just a belief — it was an event grounded in eyewitness testimony and early Christian records. We talk through Paul's transformation, external historical sources, debates with skeptics, and why alternative explanations fall apart when you actually pressure‑test them. This conversation is honest, direct, and built for anyone navigating questions about faith, truth, and the foundation of Christianity. In This Episode Licona's journey through doubt The historical case for the resurrection Paul's testimony and early Christian creeds External sources: Josephus, Tacitus, and more How personal experience and evidence work together Stay Connected If these conversations help you think deeper and live with more clarity, make sure you're plugged in: Subscribe to the Bold Journeys Newsletter for weekly insights and episode updates Subscribe on YouTube for full episodes and clips Follow on Instagram for behind‑the‑scenes content and daily encouragement Your support helps this show reach more people who want more conversations on grit, faith and adventure. Chapters 00:00 Doubting the Resurrection 01:38 Meet Mike Licona 04:35 Campus Questions Today 09:22 Childhood and Conversion 15:38 From Music to Ministry 28:19 Researching the Evidence 35:50 Debate Prep Mindset 36:56 Did Jesus Exist 40:20 Resurrection Case Starts With Paul 47:01 Martyrdom And Eyewitness Claims 51:26 James Skeptic To Believer

In this episode of The Write Place, I'm joined once again by author Gemma Denham to talk about her new psychological thriller, The Inheritance.Kate and Patrick are struggling financially when an unexpected inheritance seems to offer the perfect escape: a Victorian townhouse on the north-east coast. But from the moment they arrive, things feel wrong. Objects disappear, footsteps sound in the night, and Kate begins to wonder whether someone is getting into the locked house, whether something more unsettling is at work, or whether she is losing her grip on reality. Gemma and I chat about the idea behind the book, balancing thriller and supernatural elements without tipping fully into horror, and why The Inheritance flowed so differently from the difficult second book she originally tried to write. We also talk honestly about second book syndrome, imposter syndrome, Goodreads reviews, publishing timelines, social media, marketing as an author, and the reality of building a writing career after your debut has gone out into the world. In this episode, we discuss: The creepy locked-house setup behind The Inheritance Writing suspense without crossing fully into supernatural horror  Why Gemma's original second book didn't quite work  The pressure that follows a debut novel  Plotting, character journals and visual references  Researching blessings and exorcisms with a local vicar  How reviews can feed imposter syndrome  The difference between writing for yourself and writing with a publisher waiting  Gemma's Darkest Hour and what she learned from pushing through a difficult project You can find out more about Gemma and her books at her website, GemmaDenham.com, and follow her on Instagram, Facebook and X. The Inheritance is available now in paperback and ebook.My book, Real Writers Never Quit, is out now: https://mybook.to/realwritersneverquitFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrkelly2u/

After a first-hand experience with a witch, author and AWC graduate Inessa Jackson started researching the real world Wiccan community, and the result was her debut crime/thriller novel, Devil Mountain. In this episode, Inessa generously shares her quirky writing process, her experience learning the craft, publishing timeline and more! 00:00 Welcome04:17 Graduate spotlight10:21 Writing tip: Name your characters14:07 Writers in the wild16:35 WIN: The Divorce by Freida McFadden18:11 Word of the week: ‘Derrick’18:58 Interview with: Inessa Jackson20:00 Inessa describes Devil Mountain21:13 Inspirations for the book23:00 Themes of the novel24:30 Researching witches for the book26:04 The timeline to writing the novel28:00 What drew Inessa to the crime-thriller genre?29:30 Inessa’s experience with AWC30:47 Her Write Your Novel experience32:22 Crime and structure courses33:22 Post-It note plotting34:53 Daily writing routine36:52 Getting the publishing deal41:34 What readers take away44:29 Inessa’s writing tip46:53 Book recommendations48:28 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The final segment of this special Sports Cards Live discussion brings the art collector versus investor debate to its conclusion as the panel explores what gives cards meaning beyond their price tags. Chris McGill, Joe Poirot, David Novak, Joshua Adams, and Jeremy Lee dive into the emotional, historical, and personal factors that shape collecting decisions and why some cards become far more significant than their market value suggests. Topics include: • Collecting as art versus collecting as investment• Why context matters when evaluating cards• Understanding a card's place within hobby history• Researching players, sets, and card significance• Emotional attachment and collecting satisfaction• Ownership as part of the reward• One-of-one cards and exclusivity• Illiquidity, rarity, and collector psychology• Whether a grail card reduces the desire for accumulation• The role of knowledge, storytelling, and hobby education The episode wraps with reflections on collecting, community, and what truly drives hobby passion, along with final thoughts from first-time Sports Cards Live guest David Novak. Featuring Jeremy Lee, Chris McGill, Joe Poirot, Joshua Adams, David Novak, and a special appearance by David Chase. Sports Cards Live is proudly supported by Just Collect, Auction Wire, Mint Ink, Front Row Card Show, Mr. Minty, Kronozio, Collector Investor Auctions, Upper Deck, Sport Card Expo, Card Ladder, COMC, and Inferno Red Technology. Links & Resources • The Hobby Spectrum: https://thehobbyspectrum.com• Pops & Comps on Amazon• Fanatics Collect Affiliate Link • Share this episode with a fellow collector Sports cards is a lifestyle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are trade shows still worth attending when buyers can search for suppliers through Alibaba, Google, ChatGPT, and other online platforms? For physical products, Renaud Anjoran believes they still offer considerable value, provided buyers arrive with a clear objective and understand how to assess the companies they meet. In this listener Q&A episode, Adrian and Renaud answer Robert C's question about events such as the Canton Fair, Global Sources, CES, and IFA.   Show Sections 00:00:10 – Introduction and Robert's listener question 00:01:19 – Are trade shows still worth attending? 00:03:40 – Why in-person trade shows can beat online supplier searches 00:04:53 – Spotting trends and avoiding undifferentiated products 00:07:18 – Why an impressive booth proves very little 00:09:06 – Questions buyers should ask potential suppliers 00:09:32 – How to avoid being seen as a “tire kicker” 00:11:35 – Researching exhibitors before attending the show 00:14:11 – Manufacturer or trading company? 00:15:00 – In-house capabilities, customer fit, and production capacity 00:16:52 – How suppliers judge visitors at their booths 00:18:21 – How to present your company as a credible prospect 00:20:12 – Realistic forecasts, order values, and exaggerated promises 00:21:48 – Why the maturity of your product design matters 00:23:16 – Discussing first-order MOQs and longer-term volumes 00:24:39 – Final advice and the Agilian factory-tour series - watch the tour videos here   Related content How To Get More Out of a China Trade Fair Visit How To Find Suppliers in China 27 Questions To Ask During a China Factory Visit Are Suppliers on Alibaba and Global Sources Trustworthy? Sourcing from China 101, Part 2: How to Identify Potential Chinese Suppliers? Found some possible suppliers? We can help check them: Supplier Legal Records Check Certificates & Reports Verification Supplier Bank Account Verification Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB

⭐️ Episode 809 - Dani Vee and Emily Gale - The Wild Unknown 2045 Dear gentle listeners, In this episode I chat to Emily Gale about her new dystopian middle grade novel set in 2045. We chat about …

Preview for Later Today: Bruce Nichols reveals the entrepreneurial side of Henry David Thoreau, who significantly improved his family's pencil-making business. By researching German techniques and developing better graphite-boring methods, Thoreau created market-leading pencils. Despite his technical ingenuity, he eventually turned away from commerce toward a life of contemplation and letters at Walden.

In This Episode of Business Lunch: We explore the latest in AI tools, how they're using them for content creation, research, and business automation, and share practical tips for integrating AI into your workflow.Chapters:00:00 Navigating Parenthood and Business Challenges02:59 Leveraging AI for Content Creation05:57 Exploring AI Tools and Their Applications08:51 Choosing the Right AI Tools for Your Needs11:54 Integrating AI with Personal Knowledge Management14:53 The Role of Obsidian in AI Workflows21:30 The Role of AI in Coding and Management22:52 Understanding Client Needs and AI Utilization24:41 Navigating AI Tools: Productivity vs. Complexity26:35 Exploring AI Platforms and Their Unique Features28:30 Researching with AI: Tools and Preferences30:53 The Future of AI Content Creation32:45 Personalizing AI Interactions for Better Outcomes39:14 The Importance of Human Touch in AI-Driven Content42:20 AI as an Essential Tool for Business LeadersConnect with me on social:TikTok: Check out my TikTok HereInstagram: Check out my Instagram HereFacebook: Check out my Facebook HereLinkedIn: Check out my LinkedIn HereSubscribe to my YouTube

Quick question. What's the voice you hear describing what's happening on screen during a movie or a TV show for blind and low vision viewers? That's audio description. And somebody has to record it for every show, every movie, every piece of streaming content, every educational video on every major platform. Every single one. That is an enormous amount of work. And most voice actors have no idea how to get it. What Audio Description Actually Is AD is narration inserted into the natural pauses in a piece of video content, like dialogue, music, and sound effects, that describes what's happening visually. Character movements, facial expressions, scene changes, text on screen, important visual information that a viewer would otherwise miss if they can't see the picture. The narration is written in the present tense. It's delivered neutrally. The AD narrator describes. They don't editorialize. They are giving information logically but not characterizing it. And it has to fit precisely within the gaps in the existing audio, which means pacing is really important. The scripts are timed to the millisecond. The narrator has to hit very specific durations, sometimes very short ones, while still conveying the information clearly and in a warm, accessible way. It's a skill. It is a very highly sought after skill. It's in demand across every streaming platform. Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Disney, Amazon, Apple, HBO. As well as broadcast, educational content, corporate video, and more. Accessibility compliance requirements mean this market is not shrinking. It is growing. Why Aren't More Voice Actors Pursuing It Part of it is visibility. AD narration doesn't usually get a credit in the traditional sense. It's not the kind of booking you post about on social media. The narrator is heard, not seen, and the whole point is that the narration blends seamlessly into the viewing experience. Part of it is that the scripts look really intimidating the first time you see them. They're formatted differently from any standard voiceover script. There are time codes and pacing notes and flagged lines with very tight windows to hit. It feels very technical in a way that commercial or corporate work doesn't. And part of it is there isn't a clear how do I get in path that gets talked about the way commercial or gaming or e-learning does. But here's the thing. The opacity is an opportunity. The barrier isn't talent. It's knowledge. Voice actors who understand how AD works, who have trained for the specific demands of the format, and who have appropriate samples in their portfolio are rare. And the buyers in this space know that. The Actual Craft Audio description narration isn't just a neutral read. It has a specific warmth and accessibility to it. You're a guide. You're not a reporter. You're helping someone experience a piece of content, and that requires a quality of presence and care that is specific but also learnable. The pacing demands are unique. AD scripts use notations like brisk or very brisk. The gap between two lines of dialogue might be four seconds and you have to convey meaningful visual information in that space clearly without rushing in a way that loses the listener. You need to deliver every line as if it counts while also being flexible about what gets used. It's a different muscle than commercial or video game or narration work. But it's absolutely buildable. And the voice actors who invest in training for it are walking into a niche with very little competition and pretty steady work. How to Position Yourself for AD Work First, get familiar with the format. Watch content with audio description turned on. Netflix, Amazon, YouTube all have accessibility settings. Turn it on for a show you're already watching and listen to the pacing, listen to the tone, notice how the narration sits in the audio environment. This is your market research and it costs you nothing. Second, build a sample. You cannot pitch AD work with a standard narration demo. You need a sample that demonstrates you understand the format, ideally built from fictional content. The sample should show tight pacing, appropriate tone, and ideally a mix of slower and brisk paced lines. Third, identify the buyers. AD is produced by post-production companies and accessibility service providers, not usually directly by studios or streaming platforms. Researching and building a contact list, just like you would for any other vertical, is important to do. And then frame it in your marketing. If you have an AD sample, say it. Put it on your website. Mention it in outreach. Most voice actor websites don't have AD sections. Having one immediately signals that you're someone who has done the work to understand the work. Why This Niche Matters Beyond the Bookings It's not a glamorous vertical. But it is so meaningful. Audio description exists because people deserve to experience art and storytelling and information fully, just as anyone else. The voice actor doing AD work is genuinely contributing to accessibility, to children and adults alike, and that work has human stakes to it. The commercial reality is strong, consistent, and growing. There aren't enough trained narrators to fill the demand. And the personal reality is strong because it's interesting work that requires real craft and you get paid for that craft. The door is open. Most people just haven't knocked on it yet. Want to Keep the Conversation Going? If you're interested in learning more about this, reach out. Mandy offers performance and business coaching and would love to help you get this part of your business going. Reach out at mandy@actingbusinessbootcamp.com.

When building your family tree it's easy to skip over your own parents. Just in time for Father's Day we are exploring practical strategies for uncovering and preserving your dad's life story. Learn how to get around privacy restrictions barriers on records, build a timeline, conduct interviews, and strategically fill in the gaps in your family history. ✔ SHOW NOTES: Get Lisa's video show notes pages here. (Coming Soon) (Premium Member Bonus Downloadable PDF in the Resources section.) Genealogy Gems Premium Members Exclusive Download: Premium Members have exclusive access to: Video classes and downloadable handouts The Genealogy Gems Premium Podcast Downloadable ad-free show notes PDF cheat sheets Become a member here. Learn more about Genealogy Gems Premium Membership. Our Sponsors for this episode: Newspapers.com Get 20% off a Publisher Extra subscription. Click here and use coupon code GenealogyGems MyHeritage Click here to start finding your family history at MyHeritage Visit Archives.com Get the Free Genealogy Gems Newsletter The Genealogy Gems email newsletter is the best way to stay informed about what's available with your Premium eLearning Membership. Sign up today here. Follow Lisa and Genealogy Gems: Instagram.com/genealogygemspodcast Facebook.com/genealogygems Pinterest.com/lisalouisecooke YouTube.com/GenealogyGems

Let us know what you think!Episode OverviewHittin' the Bricks with Kathleen is the genealogy podcast that features your questions and her answers, helping researchers uncover records and historical context that bring family stories to life. In this episode, host Kathleen Brandt explores the U.S. Congressional Serial Set, one of the most overlooked resources in genealogy research.Far more than a collection of congressional documents, the Serial Set contains petitions, testimony, claims, investigations, and reports that can place ordinary Americans into the historical record. Kathleen explains how these records can help researchers discover ancestors, understand community issues, and add context to family histories that extend far beyond names and dates.In This Episode, You'll Learn What the U.S. Congressional Serial Set is and why genealogists should care about it  How digitized federal records make searching easier than ever  The types of ancestors who may appear in Congressional records  How to use the Serial Set alongside other record collections  Research strategies for finding ancestors when direct name searches fail Topics Covered The U.S. Congressional Serial Set and its genealogical value Searching digitized federal documents through govinfo.gov  Veterans, widows, petition signers, centenarians, and community advocates  Congressional petitions, testimony, claims, and investigations  Using the Serial Set as both a primary source and supporting evidence  Freedmen's Bureau records and federal documentation  Reconstruction-era records and connections to Juneteenth  Southern Claims Commission files and witness testimony  Researching formerly enslaved individuals and enslavers  Search strategies using ships, locations, organizations, and community events Episode Discussion & Key MomentsKathleen explains why many genealogists overlook the Congressional Serial Set, assuming it only contains information about elected officials and national politics. In reality, these volumes often document the lives of everyday Americans who interacted with the federal government through petitions, compensation claims, military matters, land disputes, and community concerns.The episode explores how digitization efforts have made these records more accessible and how researchers can use them to uncover details unavailable in local records. Kathleen discusses the value of combining Serial Set findings with sources such as Freedmen's Bureau records, military files, land records, and local histories.Special attention is given to Reconstruction-era documentation, including Southern Claims Commission files that contain affidavits, witness statements, and testimony from formerly enslaved individuals, enslavers, neighbors, and community members. These records can provide extraordinary context for understanding families during and after the Civil War.Key questions examined include: How can federal records help solve local genealogy problems?  What kinds of ordinary people appear in Congressional documents?  What should researchers do when a name search produces no results?  How can historical events be used to uncover hidden family connections? Resources & Research Tools Mentioned U.S. Congressional Serial Set  GovInfo.gov digital federal collections  Freedmen's Bureau records  Southern Claims Commission files  Reconstruction-era federal records  Military and pension records  Petitions, testimony, and claims documentation Why This Episode MattersMany researchers focus exclusively on local records while overlooking federal collections that document entire communities and major historical events. The Congressional Serial Set provides access to stories, claims, testimony, and evidence that can place ancestors within the broader context of American history and reveal connections that other records miss.About the PodcastHittin' the Bricks with Kathleen is the genealogy podcast that features your questions and her answers, helping listeners navigate historical records, uncover hidden sources, and understand the larger historical forces that shaped their ancestors' lives.Support the showBe sure to bookmark linktr.ee/hittinthebricks  for your one stop access to Kathleen Brandt, the host of Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen. And, visit us on YouTube: @HTBKRB with Kathleen John and Chewey video recorded specials. Hittin' the Bricks is produced through the not-for-profit, 501c3 TracingAncestors.org. 

Do you think you have grit?

Here is a pattern I've seen play out hundreds of times with high-achieving women: the more capable you are, the more convincing your avoidance becomes. Not the obvious kind — procrastination, distraction, scrolling. The sophisticated kind. The kind that looks exactly like doing something. Researching instead of starting. Refining the plan instead of executing it. Finding the most articulate explanation for why this particular moment isn't quite the right one. Intelligent avoidance doesn't feel like hiding. It feels productive. It generates a genuine sense of forward motion. And it keeps you exactly where you are. This episode is for the woman who is very smart, deeply self-aware in many ways, and still hasn't done the thing she knows she needs to do. It's not a judgment. It's an invitation to look at the pattern clearly — because the moment you can see it, it loses most of its power. Ready to go deeper? Grab my book, The Consistency Code: A Midlife Woman's Guide to Deep Health and Happiness, at https://theconsistencycode.com #GraceAndGritPodcast #MidlifeWomen #Avoidance #MidlifeHealth #WomenOver40 #HealthMindset #HighAchievers #TheConsistencyCode #MidlifeWellness #WomensHealth #Procrastination #SelfAwareness #SecondAct #WomenOver50 #OverthinkingWomen  

Welcome to Schauer Thoughts, this week we'll be dissecting the “MAHA Report” as well as it's strategy and “MAHA ELEVATE” proposal. Please know that there will be several more parts to this series so if there's anything you think I didn't get to or is worth emphasizing, I will absolutely be doing follow-ups and want you to hang tight - I very much hear and mirror your concern. Researching this episode has been heartbreaking like none other and I just appreciate you all taking the time to listen. Please review the sources below for all information, it is of the utmost importance right now that we all stay informed. Download Hily Dating App from the App Store or Google Play, or visit ⁠https://hily.go.link/jRMKW I do also plan on searching for actionable items and ways to recognize front groups, but I do need some time to collect and format that information. Please know that hope is never lost.  Nuance: I do apologize for my poor pronunciation of some medical conditions and other words, I am someone who loves to research outside of a school context so I don't get to hear most of these words spoken out loud by others. I foresee some red-hat-supporters running with this point for “evidence” of me being unintelligent and I'm covering my bases for when that eventually happens. My main reason for pointing this out is not to prevent people making fun of my pronunciation but more of a demonstration on how predictable some people are. Reminder: I love answering questions, if you have an assumption on any of my political stances, please just ask. *Spoiler* I am not a fan of the United States military and have very strong, informed opinions. Edit for 31:50 - I accidentally referred to RFK Jr. as “JFK” - this was a mistake lol. Books: Expecting Inequity: How the Maternal Health Crisis Affects Even the Wealthiest Black Americans - Khiara M. Bridges Sweet and Deadly: How Coca-Cola Spreads Disinformation and Makes Us Sick - Murray Carpenter A History of Transgender Medicine in the United States: From Margins to Mainstream - Carolyn Wolf-Gould, Dallas Denny, Jamison Green, Kyan Lynch, Editors Enshitification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It - Cory Doctorow Astroturfing: Manufacturing Fake Grassroots Campaigns - S Williams Gifted Books: Queer Expressions: Expressive Art and Somatic Therapy Practices for Healing Body Trauma - Wednesdae Reim Ifrach REAT, ATR-BC, CLAT Healing the Land Teaches Us Who We Are: How Indigenous Cultural Resistance Can Restore the Earth, Recover Community, and Create Sustainable Futures - Maceo Carrillo Martinet, PhD Sleep and Its Meanings: Sociocultural Investigations from Critical Sleep Studies - Edited by Diletta De Cristofaro Mad Eden - Morgan Thomas MAHA Information: The MAHA Report - https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/MAHA-Report-The-White-House.pdf The MAHA Strategy - https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/The-MAHA-Strategy-WH.pdf  MAHA ELEVATE Model - https://www.cms.gov/priorities/innovation/innovation-models/maha-elevate  Resources: US Science After a Year of Trump  https://www.nature.com/immersive/d41586-026-00088-9/index.html  Senior NIH official pushes MAHA strategy to skeptical ADA audience https://www.statnews.com/2026/06/05/ada-conference-new-orleans-richard-woychik-synergy-nih-maha/ List of Wars Involving the United States https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lists_of_wars_involving_the_United_States  Poisoning the Well: How Astroturfing Harms Trust in Advocacy Organizations https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/23294965221123808 Psychiatrists say RFK Jr's take on SSRIs is an ‘oversimplification' of the problem https://www.kpbs.org/news/health/2026/05/07/psychiatrists-say-rfk-jr-s-take-on-ssris-is-an-oversimplification-of-the-problem S&T Digital Forgeries Report https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/23_0630_st_digital_forgeries_report_signed.pdf Example of why we really need  Scientific American (2013) - Natural versus Synthetic Chemicals Is a Gray Matter  https://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/guest-blog/natural-vs-synthetic-chemicals-is-a-gray-matter/ RFK Jr. Parrots Pete Hegseth, Says America is Too Fat for War https://newrepublic.com/post/205033/rfk-jr-parrots-pete-hegseth-says-america-fat-war-dietary-guidelines-hhs  White House asks for $16B in cuts to HHS, more money for war https://healthexec.com/topics/healthcare-management/healthcare-economics/white-house-asks-16b-cuts-hhs-more-money-war World Ward Wednesday: Farm Cadets https://www.thefoodhistorian.com/blog/world-war-wednesday-farm-cadets RFK Jr. talked about ‘reparenting' kids on wellness farms. We visit one that inspired him. https://www.npr.org/2026/04/29/nx-s1-5798733/rfk-jr-addiction-treatment-centers Up to 70% of Farmworkers Not Returning to California Farms following ICE Raids https://www.thepacker.com/70-farmworkers-not-returning-california-farms-following-ice-raids  ICE raids have deterred foreign farm workers, but farmers hope to make hiring easier https://www.npr.org/2025/12/02/nx-s1-5604903/ice-raids-have-deterred-foreign-farm-workers-but-farmers-hope-to-make-hiring-easier Automatic military draft registration takes effect in December. Here's how it would work https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/09/politics/us-military-draft-registration-2026 Selective Service - Who Must Register https://www.sss.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/WhoMustRegisterChart_1-28-25-2.pdf   Military Medical Information Nuance Reminder: I am well aware that there are people in the US military that currently have these disorders/ diseases/ conditions, my *quite specific* emphasis is on the formal documentation and/or diagnosis (it's been medically charted by a physician) of these conditions PRIOR to entering the United States military. Apologies for the aggressive nuance, as someone raised around the military, I just know ~ deep in my soul ~ that someone is going to be so tempted to say “my boyfriends in the Army and he has ADHD!!” I'm very happy for y'all, but again, documented and/or diagnosed before entering the United States military.  Circular No. 100, War Department, Provost Marshal General's Office, Washington, November 9, 1863 - Annual Report of the Secretary of War, Washington: Government Printing Office, 1856 https://www.google.com/books/edition/Report_of_the_Secretary_of_War_which_Acc/EMVOAQAAMAAJ?gbpv=1 To find the information I was discussing go to page 74. Defects Found in Drafted Men (1919) https://collections.nlm.nih.gov/bookviewer?PID=nlm:nlmuid-9502639-bk To find the information I was discussing, go to page 49. Unfit for Service: Physical Fitness and Civic Obligation in World War II https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/unfit-for-service-physical-fitness-and-civic-obligation-in-world-war-ii.htm  Iraq War and Afghanistan  https://dmna.ny.gov/hro/agr/army/files/1557332720--AR%2040-501%20Standard%20of%20Medical%20Fitness.pdf  Current (2026) Disqualifying Conditions https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/613003_vol1.PDF?ver=8i9QED7mH4XAA4zoSSIwZA%3D%3D  Military Command Exception https://www.health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Privacy-and-Civil-Liberties/HIPAA-Compliance-within-the-MHS/Military-Command-Exception  Can You Join the Military with ADHD? https://www.additudemag.com/can-you-join-the-military-with-adhd/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you spend your weekends visiting cliffs with your child to find out which ones would be deadliest? Well, that’s something Fiona Hardy did in researching her new ‘cosy crime’ novel, Old Games! In this episode, Fiona joins us to discuss the inspiration for this latest book, her own writing process and how she went from kids to adult fiction! 00:00 Welcome06:31 Writers in the wild11:06 Writing tip: Metrics of success14:31 WIN!: The Clueless Guide to Solving a Mystery by Samera Kamaleddine & Hykie Breeze16:10 Word of the week: ’Obstreperous’16:57 Writer in residence: Fiona Hardy17:50 What is her new book ‘Old Games’ all about?20:09 Plotting and pitching this second novel23:25 Cosy crime without a murder26:19 Writing fight scenes27:41 Realistic consequences28:28 Setting the story in Victoria30:23 Researching crime and cliffs32:42 Balancing bookselling and writing34:11 Daily writing process and goals35:31 Publicity, creating socials and anxiety39:17 How Fiona moved from kids to adult books40:34 Future projects43:39 Writing tip45:10 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"I always think, 'Jesus, this person could be reading War and Peace, and they picked up this dopey little book.' You know what I mean? So the best thing I could do is be interesting or helpful. I can't be boring, and I've got to try to be helpful," says Austin Kleon, author of Don't Call It Art: 10 Ways to Create Like a Kid Again.What a pleasure to welcome back Austin Kleon to the show to chat up his new book, his first in seven years, Don't Call It Art: 10 Ways to Create Like a Kid Again. It's published by Tarcher. Like Austin's previous books in Steal Like an Artist, Show Your Work, and Keep Going, this pink wonder is the size of those old double-album CD cases you'd get in the 90s and it's packed with insights and inspiration Austin learned from his two young boys about being an artist and how to be a creative person in times where creativity is needed more than ever. Fun stuff.So Austin is a funny, irreverent, sometimes cranky, but almost always inspiring based on his posture in the creative world. The stuff he curates and his generosity in sharing it is a big reason his Substack audience is 309,000 people strong and as of this taping, #5 in art & illustration on the stack. You can also learn more about him at austinkleon.com where he frequently blogs, though he's turned the dial down on that a bit in favor of the paid audience of his Tuesday newsletters. I've been plugged into the Kleon-verse since about 2014 right when Show Your Work came out and he made appearances on Creative Live with Chase Jarvis, so it's been cool to see the arc of his career to date.In this episode, we talk about: Place and his Ohio roots The farmer approach The idea of uncertainty Knowing less Getting back to that thing The most punk thing Metallica did What if Austin is the apprentice now? A revelation from Fiona Apple How his paid newsletter audience helped cook the book Researching in the open Knowing what weight class he's in Being interesting and helpful Going full-on Beast Mode The coveting of creative people How jealousy shows what's broken in you And how his kids brought punk back into his lifeIf you're going to pair this episode with anything, check out: Episode 146: Austin Kleon Episodes 169 and 433 with Chase Jarvis Episode 266 with Kristen Radtke Episode 369 with Akeem S. Roberts Episode 480 with Dana Jeri Maier Episode 486 with Roz Chast

Are you stuck because you lack vision, or because you are not doing the work? In today's episode, Kevin and Alan discuss why success requires both imagination and execution. Kevin reflects on how podcasting was built one step at a time, before the bigger picture was clear. Alan explains the “clouds and dirt” framework, showing why vision without action becomes fantasy, and action without direction becomes wasted effort.They also explore self-awareness, discipline, natural wiring, and the client patterns they have seen after thousands of episodes and years of coaching. This episode will help you see which side you need to build next. Listen now, before your goals start charging rent for all the space they take up in your head._______________________Book Alan's Business Breakthrough Session. Your first 30-minute coaching call is FREE. Learn how to prioritize success and let your quality of life become the byproduct. - https://calendly.com/alanlazaros/30-minute-breakthrough-sessionJoin the "Next Level Fitness Accountability Group" – Reach out to Kevin or Alan on Instagram:Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/_______________________NLU is not just a podcast; it's a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below.

[00:00] - Intro [00:51] - Researching alkalinity since 2016 [05:27] - CYA contributes to TA, so does acid reduce CYA? [07:09] - Acid vs. Bicarbonate Reaction [09:08] - Sodium and Chlorides are Spectator ions [12:10] - Does acid burn through Cyanurate Alkalinity too? [15:04] - What about chlorinated isocyanurates? [17:20] - Closing ______________________________Connect with us! Realize your full potential.Watershape University®Water chemistry questions?Orenda®Questions? Comments? Or apply to sponsor the show:ruleyourpool@gmail.com Facebook: @ruleyourpoolYouTube: @rule-your-pool

In this special episode of Forgotten TV, journey back to the fall of 1986, when NBC urged America to “Come Home,” ABC proclaimed, “We Belong Together,” and CBS asked viewers to “Share the Spirit.” Through rare promos, network image campaigns, and the debut of new shows including ALF, L.A. Law, Head of the Class, Designing Women, My Sister Sam (and several others you probably don't remember), explore a fascinating moment when all three major networks seemed to be selling something larger than television itself: family, togetherness, reassurance, and emotional connection...with NBC and CBS occasionally resembling a boisterous Sunday morning revival meeting. We also explore the likely reason that: NBC invited viewers to "Come Home." ABC insisted "We Belong Together." CBS urged audiences to "Share the Spirit." Researching and producing podcasts and articles is extremely time consuming. Please consider financially supporting Forgotten TV in any of the following ways: SUPPORT FORGOTTEN TV ON PATREON Support Forgotten TV with Paypal Buy Me a Coffee Shop the Forgotten TV Merch Store Original audio clips included are for the purposes of historical context, review, commentary, and criticism only and are not intended to infringe. Some music used under license from Epidemic Sound. If you need music for your podcast or YouTube channel, please visit Epidemic Sound.  Be sure to check out promotional partner Q106.5, the home of 80s and 90s hits at Q1065.com Forgotten TV is not affiliated with or authorized by any production company or TV network involved in the making of any TV show or film mentioned. All TV series, films, and characters are copyright and property of their respective rights holders. Copyright 2026 Forgotten TV Media  

How Emmy-Nominated Composer Roger Suen Crafted the Score for Bring Them Home First Step For Sync? Get Your Music Meta-Data Done Right! - Grab your FREE guide on how to do this here: https://mailchi.mp/839e030188ce/9mc45541ff  

Most people never start the thing they want most in life because they research themselves right out of it. In this episode, I get real about how information overload is one of the sneakiest dream killers out there, and how the simple act of just jumping in and finding out if you enjoy something has been behind every meaningful thing I have built. If you have been waiting until you know everything before you start, this episode is your wake-up call. Key Takeaways Too much research before starting something new can talk you out of the very thing you were meant to do. Enjoyment has to come first. Strategy can always be layered on later, but you cannot build backward. Showing growth matters more than showing perfection. My first book had a typo in the first three words, and I am proud of it. You do not have to understand everything about something to know that you love it. Sometimes "I enjoy this" is enough of a reason to begin. Waiting for the perfect plan is how you spend your whole life on the sidelines watching instead of playing. Action Steps Identify one thing you have been researching but never started, and commit to taking one real action on it today, before you do any more research. Ask yourself honestly whether the goal you are chasing is something you genuinely enjoy, or just something you think you should want. Let the answer guide your next move. Release the need for perfection before launch. Write the first chapter, book the first gig, or take the first class. Let people see your growth in real time. Notable Quote Find what you love, find something you're passionate about, and then put some skill to it. You'll build a life that you want. You'll build a life that you're proud of.

There are seasons for steady, daily effort — and then there are moments when incremental progress just makes things worse. This week I'm talking about something that surprised even me: the idea that sometimes, the most useful thing isn't a small step. It's a big one.The Garage, the Trees, and the Difference That MattersI cleaned my garage this weekend. And planted a tree garden. Both projects taught me something different about momentum — and when crossing the threshold into "just finish it" is actually the right call.Gardens vs. Demolition ProjectsNot every challenge in life responds to the same approach. Building a habit, growing a marriage, developing your finances — these are gardens. They need consistent tending over time, not a dramatic push. But cleaning out a neglected room, making a decision you've been sitting on for two years, or finally addressing a health issue? Those are demolition projects. They need force and commitment.Building vs. ClearingAsk yourself: am I building something, or am I clearing something? Building almost always works through small steps — strength, relationships, discipline, creative practice. But clearing often needs a different gear entirely. And when you nibble at a clearing project slowly, you stay emotionally attached to the old system and never fully cross over.The Two Big MistakesThe first: trying to Big Bang something that actually needs consistency. January 1st energy applied to the wrong kind of project exhausts you fast. The second (sneakier): using small steps to avoid transformation altogether. Researching, planning, organizing bins — it feels like motion, but it's avoidance. Ask yourself honestly: am I moving forward, or circling the drain?What Nature Shows UsGrowth in nature is rarely gradual and visible. The trees look dead for weeks in late April — and then overnight, everything is green. Birds migrate in a burst, not a slow fade. A caterpillar doesn't gradually become a butterfly; it dissolves and emerges something completely new. Life contains both slow formation and sudden transformation.Reading the Season You're InThe wisdom isn't in choosing one philosophy and sticking to it forever. It's learning to read the moment. Some seasons call for faithfulness and daily showing up. Others call for a shovel, a weekend, and a decision not to stop. Both approaches are gifts. Small steps help us begin. Big bangs help us cross the threshold.If something on your list has been "in progress" for longer than makes sense — ask yourself if you've been treating a demolition project like a garden. The answer might change your whole Saturday.You can reach me at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com or find everything I do at jillfromthenorthwoods.com.Timestamps0:00 Introduction3:18 Gardens vs. demolition projects6:39 Building vs. clearing — two different workflows9:12 Mistake #1 — Big Banging things that need consistency10:19 Mistake #2 — Using small steps to avoid change14:30 Why the Big Bang creates clarity16:03 What nature teaches us about sudden transformation21:56 Closing thoughtsJill's Linkshttp://jillfromthenorthwoods.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@startwithsmallstepshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallstepshttps://twitter.com/schmernEmail the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.comBy choosing to watch this video or listen to this podcast, you acknowledge that you are doing so of your own free will. The content shared here reflects personal experiences and opinions and is intended for informational and inspirational purposes only. I am not a licensed therapist, life coach, or mental health professional. Any habits, strategies, or suggestions offered should not be considered a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or counseling advice. Results vary — small steps look different for everyone. You are solely responsible for any decisions or actions you take based on this content.

How to find prime contractors and pitch them for real subcontracting work is one of the most overlooked skills in federal contracting, and most small businesses get it completely wrong. In this episode of the Federal Help Center podcast, Eric Coffie sits down with Zach Golden to break down a step-by-step research method for stalking primes, profiling tribal 8(a) firms, and writing outreach that actually gets a response. If you've been chasing contracts you can't win solo, this is the workflow that opens doors. Here's what you'll learn inside this episode: Why large 8(a) primes like ANCs, tribal entities, and Native Hawaiian Organizations operate more like Amazon than Walmart and how to position yourself inside their partner network The exact research workflow Zach uses inside OpenCube IQ to pull a prime's financials, NAICS codes, contract history, and government POCs before sending a single email How to write a short capability statement email that doesn't over-explain and triggers a real reply from busy CEOs and business development leads How to use NAICS code spending data and state filters to surface the right primes when you don't yet know who's holding the contracts in your space The talking points strategy that lets you sound like an insider in conversations with primes even when you're early in your govcon journey EPISODE CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Why large 8a primes work like Amazon partners 1:25 - How to approach tribal entities with capability statements 2:50 - Sending capability statements into the network 3:30 - Researching tribal primes inside OpenCube IQ 5:00 - Reading contract history and finding government POCs 6:30 - Using NAICS code spending to find the right primes 7:45 - Filtering by state to narrow down vendor lists 8:45 - Building talking points that prove you know the game Market Intelligence gives you the federal opportunities, agency signals, recompete intel, and pursuit briefs that tell you not just what contracts exist, but which ones to chase and how to win them. Sign up for free Daily Alerts and get opportunities delivered to your inbox before the day starts.

In this episode, I share some insights from the world of podcast interviews, sharing surprising experiences from a marathon of guest appearances on brand-new shows. Maybe Not Use AI ResearchDiscover the pitfalls of relying too heavily on AI-generated questions, the importance of audio quality, and why genuine research and thoughtful preparation make interviews truly valuable. Whether you're a podcasting newbie or looking to sharpen your hosting skills, I've got some practical advice and candid insights to help you create interviews that stand out, and get shared.Takeaways:Using AI for podcasting is all about how good your prompts are, so don't skimp on that.New podcasters often have terrible audio quality, just buy a decent microphone already.If you're interviewing someone, do your homework and ask unique questions, please.Podcasters need to realize that repetitive questions make for boring interviews, spice it up!When you have better audio than your guest, it's time to reconsider your setup, trust me.Researching your guest before the interview is not crazy prep, it's called being a pro.Mentioned in This EpisodePodmatchPodcast GuestsSamson Q2U MicrophoneMentioned in this episode:Podcasting in Six WeeksStart Podcasting in Six Week - Starts June 3rdHave you been struggling trying to start a podcast? Did you drown in all the jargon? Did you feel overwhelmed? The School of Podcasting is offering a course, Podcasting in Six Weeks, that will walk you through the entire process. Learn from 20-year Hall of Fame veteran Dave Jackson as he walks you through the process of planning, launching, and growing your show. The best part is the class is only $1. For more information, go to schoolofpodcasting.com/sixweeks. Podcasting in Six WeeksThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

[00:00] - Intro [00:38] - Bill's background [07:27] - Expanding education and manufacturing capabilities [14:44] - Clearance for fiberglass pool installation [17:28] - How to become a fiberglass pool installer [24:03] - Researching fiberglass "chalking" [31:36] - Selflessness [34:09] - Chalking looks like calcium silicate bound to to gelcoat polymers [37:40] - The LSI, and chelating calcium [40:04] - Gelcoat molecular structure [46:15] - Thursday Pools' chemistry recommendations [52:49] - One chemistry strategy that gets everyone's needs met [57:00] - UV systems impact fiberglass chalking?! [1:01:39] - Closing ______________________________Connect with us! Realize your full potential.Watershape University®Water chemistry questions?Orenda®Questions? Comments? Or apply to sponsor the show:ruleyourpool@gmail.com Facebook: @ruleyourpoolYouTube: @rule-your-pool

This week we are joined by Anna North! Anna North is the author of four novels, including Outlawed, an instant New York Times bestseller and Reese's Book Club pick, and Bog Queen, a national bestseller and National Book Foundation Science + Literature Selected Title. She is also a senior correspondent at Vox, and lives in Brooklyn. In this episode, we discuss Anna's journey as a writer and her latest book, "Bog Queen." Anna shares insights into her writing process, the inspiration behind her characters, and her experiences at the Iowa Writers Workshop. The conversation also touches on themes of identity, societal roles, and the challenges of balancing journalism with novel writing. Recommendations From This Episode: Bodies... The Exhibition Lonesome Dove Follow Anna: Instagram: @annanorthbooks  Bluesky: Anna North Follow Carly: @carlyjmontag Follow Emily: @thefunnywalsh Follow the podcast: @aloneatlunchpod Please rate and review the podcast! Spread the word! Tell your friends!  Email us: aloneatlunch@gmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Teaser ... Zhengyu's tech background and new book, Rethinking China ... What kind of threat is China, really? ... How trading with China transformed America ... The stakes of the chip war ... Will tech war lead to real war? ... The US-China escalation spiral and Taiwan ... “Researching while Chinese”: the new Red Scare? ... Heading to Overtime ...

A Milestone Built on Consistency and Community Episode 500 of Principal Matters is more than a milestone; it's a reflection of years of consistency, curiosity, and commitment to elevating school leadership. What began as a blog in 2013 and evolved into a podcast in 2015 has grown into a global conversation among educators. With over 700 pieces of content produced, the show has become a trusted space where leaders learn from one another, share experiences, and grow together. For this special episode, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke invited a panel of respected leaders and longtime listeners to reflect on lessons learned, meaningful moments, and the future of education leadership. The panel includes: Dr. Don Parker, Josh Tovar, Donna Hayward, Frederick Buskey, Brent Kline, Dr. Nick Davies, and Dr. Tracie Swilley. Will Parker – Founder, Principal Matters LLC https://williamdparker.com Jen Schwanke – Author, Speaker, Co-Host https://jenschwanke.com Dr. Don Parker – Speaker, Author, PD Consultant https://drdonparker.com Josh Tovar – Principal, Memorial Pathway Academy (Garland, TX)Memorial Pathway Academy https://www.garlandisdschools.net/memorial Donna Hayward – Principal, Haddam-Killingworth High School (CT)Haddam-Killingworth High School https://hkhs.rsd17.org Frederick Buskey – Host, Assistant Principal Podcasthttps://www.frederickbuskey.com/appodcast.html Brent Kline – Principal, Palo Alto High SchoolPalo Alto High School https://www.paly.net Dr. Nick Davies – Principal, Woodland Middle Schoolhttps://www.drnickdavies.com/ Dr. Tracie Swilley – Assistant Superintendent, Fairfield County School District (SC)Fairfield County School District https://www.fairfield1.org https://educate-her.com The Power of Ongoing Conversation A consistent theme across the episode is the idea that Principal Matters is not just a podcast; it's an ongoing conversation among trusted colleagues. Our friends described the show as: A “circle of trusted friends” A space where leadership challenges feel shared, not isolated A bridge connecting leaders across different contexts and regions Rather than one standout episode, they emphasized the cumulative impact of hearing diverse voices over time. Whether discussing rural leadership, student voice, or restorative practices, the conversations feel timeless and relevant. Leadership Through Relationships Another major takeaway is the relational nature of leadership. Guests highlighted how the show models: Authentic dialogue Curiosity-driven questioning Respect for diverse perspectives Dr. Don Parker reflected on how meaningful it is when leaders feel seen and valued in conversation, while others noted the importance of creating environments where people feel safe to share openly. The podcast itself mirrors what effective leadership looks like in schools: listening deeply, building trust, and learning collaboratively. Timeless Lessons for School Leaders Across the discussion, several key leadership principles emerged: 1. Leadership is Human Work The most impactful leaders connect with people—not just systems or outcomes. 2. Growth Requires Community No leader succeeds in isolation. Networks, mentorship, and ongoing dialogue are essential. 3. Student Voice Matters Including students in decision-making leads to stronger, more meaningful school practices. 4. Reflection Drives Improvement Whether through podcasts, conversations, or coaching, reflection helps leaders refine their practice. Behind the Scenes: Crafting the Conversation Jen Schwanke offered insight into the preparation behind each episode: Researching guests and their work Developing thoughtful, curiosity-driven questions Allowing conversations to evolve naturally Meanwhile, the production process—editing, publishing, and distribution—relies on a dedicated team, including our editor, Emily Parker-Eaton, and our theme music by Samuel Parker, highlighting that the podcast is truly a collaborative effort. Parting Words: Wisdom from the Panel The episode concludes with powerful reflections from each guest, including: Remember your “why” Seek support—you don't have to do this alone Slow down and focus on people, not just tasks Embrace the impact you have on lives every day Stay committed to growth and connection Each message reinforces a shared belief: leadership is challenging, but deeply meaningful work. Thank you Listen to the entire episode for even more takeaways! Episode 500 wouldn't be possible without you, the listener, so thank you! This show is a celebration of perseverance, relationships, and shared purpose. More than anything, it reminds us that leadership is not about having all the answers; it's about asking better questions, building stronger connections, and continuing the conversation. And as the panel suggested, this isn't the end. It's just the beginning of the next 500 conversations. Until the next episode, thank you for listening, and thank you for doing what matters! The post PMP500: Celebrating 500 Conversations in School Leadership appeared first on Principal Matters.

Incorruptible with Eric RiesWhat if the companies that last the longest are the ones building enough trust that people want to keep participating in them? That's the idea behind this conversation with Eric Ries — entrepreneur, author of The Lean Startup, and now Incorruptible.Through stories such as Volvo giving away the seatbelt patent, Tony's Chocolonely opening its ethical supply chain to competitors, and Mary Parker Follett's idea of the “invisible leader,” we explore how organizations create lasting advantage through trust, shared purpose, and systems that hold together as companies scale.We also unpack why so many businesses drift toward short-term extraction, what leaders misunderstand about organizational health, and why AI is exposing deeper weaknesses in how companies operate.If you're building a company and questioning whether business-as-usual is still the right operating system, this conversation is for you.Key TakeawaysEthical business can outperform extractive business models: Eric argues that mission-driven companies are not sacrificing performance. In many cases, trust, alignment, and long-term thinking create stronger economic outcomes.Volvo used open ecosystems as strategy: Giving away the three-point seat belt patent helped establish safety as an industry standard while positioning Volvo as the global leader in automotive safety.Tony's Chocolonely treats its mission as infrastructure: The company's goal is not simply selling chocolate. Its mission is to eliminate child slavery from the cacao supply chain through systems that competitors can also adopt.Positive externalities can strengthen competitive advantage: Eric explains how companies can create value by improving the broader ecosystem around them instead of maximizing short-term value extraction.Organizations are shaped by invisible leadership: Mary Parker Follett's idea of the “invisible leader” shows how shared purpose influences decisions when executives are not in the room.Organizational health cannot be commanded: Leaders can issue instructions, but trust, accountability, and commitment have to be cultivated through systems and behavior over time.Additional InsightsThe current business narrative rewards extraction over durability: Barry and Eric discuss how modern startup culture often glorifies hyper-efficient solo founders, aggressive cost-cutting, and short-term returns while ignoring long-term organizational health.AI is amplifying leadership weaknesses, not solving them: As companies use AI to accelerate decision-making and productivity, leaders are being forced to confront whether their systems actually create clarity, trust, and aligned behavior.Mission statements are easy. Mission transmission is harder: Eric argues that values only matter when they shape real decisions, incentives, hiring, product tradeoffs, and customer experience.Open systems can expand both impact and market position: From Linux and Git to Netflix influencing AWS through open source tooling, the episode explores how sharing infrastructure can strengthen an ecosystem while also benefiting the originating company.Profit becomes dangerous when it ignores externalities: Eric explains how traditional profit models often fail to account for long-term brand damage, human cost, environmental impact, and deferred liabilities.Episode Highlights00:00 – Episode RecapEric Ries explains why organizations are living systems, not machines to be controlled. Leaders can command action, but organizational health has to be cultivated through purpose, trust, and the systems people use when no one is watching.00:57 – Barry's Opening ReflectionBarry connects AI, leadership, and decision-making systems before introducing Eric's new book, Incorruptible.02:14 – Guest Introduction: Eric RiesBarry introduces Eric Ries, entrepreneur, author of The Lean Startup, and author of Incorruptible, framing the conversation around ethical business as a path to long-term prosperity.04:34 – Researching the Stories Behind IncorruptibleEric shares how much research went into the book, including the challenge of finding stories that were not just interesting, but genuinely useful for leaders.08:07 – Volvo and the “Seatbelt Heist”Eric breaks down how Volvo's decision to give away the three-point seat belt patent created a prosperity cascade that reshaped the industry while strengthening Volvo's long-term brand position around safety.16:45 – Open Source as StrategyBarry connects Volvo's story to Netflix and cloud computing, where open sourcing internal tools helped shape the direction of the broader ecosystem.17:57 – Positive Externalities as Business StrategyEric explains why companies often overlook opportunities to create value by improving the wider system around them.20:18 – Tony's Chocolonely and Slave-Free ChocolateEric tells the story of how a Dutch journalist turned frustration over child labor in cacao production into a fast-growing chocolate company with a much larger mission.24:03 – Mission Beyond the ProductTony's mission is not simply making chocolate. The business exists to eliminate child slavery from the cacao supply chain and align economics with ethical sourcing.26:00 – Tony's Open ChainEric explains how Tony's opened its ethical supply chain to competitors while requiring them to commit to the same standards across all their chocolate products.30:32 – The False Tradeoff Between Ethics and PerformanceEric challenges the business-school assumption that companies must choose between mission and profit, arguing that the data often shows the opposite.33:23 – Redefining ProfitBarry and Eric discuss why traditional definitions of profit often ignore externalities, deferred liabilities, human cost, and long-term brand damage.39:19 – The Myth of the Solo FounderBarry pushes back on modern founder mythology and explains why anything built to last depends on systems, teams, and shared ownership.40:36 – Mary Parker Follett and the Invisible LeaderEric introduces management thinker Mary Parker Follett and explains why her ideas about shared purpose and distributed authority were decades ahead of their time.45:00 – What Guides Decisions When Leaders Aren't PresentEric explores Follett's idea of the invisible leader: the shared sense of purpose that influences behavior when no executive is in the room.49:35 – Organizations as Living SystemsEric compares organizations to emergent intelligence systems like ant colonies or the human body, arguing that leaders can cultivate organizational health but cannot directly command it.52:30 – Closing ReflectionsBarry and Eric reflect on the need for new business models that prioritize trust, mission alignment, and long-term value creation over extraction.Useful ResourcesEric Ries — IncorruptibleEric Ries — The Lean StartupEric Ries on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eries/ The Eric Ries Show YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@theericriesshow Barry O'Reilly — Artificial Organizations - https://geni.us/artificialorgsFAQsQ1: What is Eric Ries' book Incorruptible about?Incorruptible explores how leaders can build companies that stay aligned with their mission as they grow. Eric looks at stories from business history to show how purpose, governance, incentives, and ownership shape whether companies create long-term value or lose their way.Q2: Why does Eric Ries use Volvo as an example?Volvo's three-point seat belt story shows how a company can create value by spreading a mission beyond its own products. By making the patent available to others, Volvo helped establish safety as an industry standard while strengthening its own reputation for safety.Q3: What is Tony's Chocolonely trying to change?Tony's Chocolonely is trying to eliminate child slavery from the cacao supply chain. The company sells chocolate, but the deeper mechanism is building an ethical supply chain that other companies can use through Tony's Open Chain.Q4: What does Mary Parker Follett mean by the invisible leader?The invisible leader is the shared purpose that guides people's decisions when no formal leader is present. It is what shapes behavior in everyday moments, such as how teams handle quality issues, customer problems, or ethical tradeoffs.Q5: Can leaders...

What if the key to healing your mind and body has been locked inside you all along?  In this episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius Mirshahzadeh welcomes master hypnotist and certified past life regressionist Sarah Breskman Cosme to explore the fascinating world of hypnosis, past life regression, and the power of the subconscious mind. Sarah shares how her own childhood struggles with OCD, phobias, and a decade of therapy ultimately led her away from conventional psychology and toward a method that helps people heal in ways she never thought possible. From witnessing a skeptical science teacher spontaneously recall vivid memories of ancient Lemuria and Atlantis and then heal a serious brain condition, to documenting sessions across four books, Sarah's work challenges everything we think we know about consciousness, reality, and human potential. She and Darius dive into what it means to be in true alignment, how our thought patterns shape the reality we experience, and why the universe seems to conspire in our favor when our heart, mind, and gut all want the same thing. In this episode, Darius and Sarah will discuss: (00:00) Introduction and Background of Sarah Breskman Cosme (08:38) Sarah's Journey to Hypnosis and Past Life Regression (14:20) The Power of Alignment and Manifestation (20:04) Understanding Hypnosis and Its Misconceptions (21:17) Understanding Hypnosis and Its Power (24:26) Researching the Subconscious Mind (29:24) Accessing Higher Consciousness (36:18) The Impact of Hypnosis on Healing (40:34) Creating Your Own Reality (48:36) Exploring Future Possibilities Sarah Breskman Cosme is a Master Hypnotist, best-selling author, and Level 3 practitioner of Dolores Cannon's Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique (QHHT), dedicated to exploring the depths of consciousness and the mysteries of human existence. Trained under luminaries like Dr. Brian Weiss, she has spent decades bridging ancient wisdom and modern insight through her work and her popular Hypnotist's Journey book series. In 2023, she was honored with the prestigious Dolores Cannon Award for her groundbreaking research. Her work has earned her a global platform, with appearances on Fade to Black with Jimmy Church, Coast to Coast AM, and Gaia TV. Connect with Sarah: Website: https://www.theholistichypnotist.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahbreskmancosme/  Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/SARAH-Breskman-Cosme/author/B0932XGJ3Q  Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Write a review for The Greatness Machine using this link: https://ratethispodcast.com/spreadinggreatness.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices