Podcast appearances and mentions of Robert Wallace

Sinéad Ní Uallacháin is out an about finding out about your spirit animals before heading to meet Robert Wallace and some therapy animals at Kinedale Donkeys activity farm

Christopher Casey and Robert Wallace were neighbors that shared a wall in their duplex. A conflict over something seemingly trivial led to extreme violence. Was either party justified in their actions?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-crimecast--4106013/support.

Send us a Text Message.What if you were suddenly faced with a life-altering diagnosis? This week on Queer Voices, we have an intimate and heartfelt conversation with David Taffet, senior staff writer for the Dallas Voice and co-host of Lambda Weekly. David opens up about his recent diagnosis with Parkinson's disease, sharing the challenges he encountered with everyday tasks like handwriting and walking. Through his story, we also hear from host Bryan Hlavinka, who reveals his own experience with Parkinsonian symptoms, shedding light on the personal and communal support systems that play a crucial role in navigating such a condition.Shifting gears, we move from personal battles to communal triumphs with an insightful interview with Robert Wallace. Robert talks about the upcoming Pride Brunch fundraiser in Houston, which aims to support the Montrose Center. He shares the backstory of this significant event, his personal motivations rooted in honoring his uncle who succumbed to the AIDS epidemic, and the incredible growth and impact the brunch has had over the years. Expect exciting details about the event's entertainment, featuring performances by drag queens Cinnamon LaRue and Lucy Paradisco, and a panel discussion with the Montrose Center's new CEO, Avery Belyeu.We round out this week's episode by celebrating queer creativity and inclusivity. Deborah Moncrief-Bell engages with John Marullo about his political fantasy novel, "All the Dwellers Upon the Earth," discovering the queer magic that inspired its diverse characters. We also explore the concept of "Family of Choice," a notion familiar to many in the LGBTQ+ community. Elizabeth McCall from Station Theater joins us to discuss the transformative power of improv, highlighting special Pride Month shows with an all-queer cast. This episode promises to be an enriching mix of stories, support, and celebration of the vibrant and diverse LGBTQ+ community.Queer Voices airs in Houston Texas on 90.1FM KPFT and is heard as a podcast here. Queer Voices hopes to entertain as well as illuminate LGBTQ issues in Houston and beyond. Check out our socials at:https://www.facebook.com/QueerVoicesKPFT/ andhttps://www.instagram.com/queervoices90.1kpft/

*Updated with audio-error mistakes addressed (hopefully) sorry about that! Link to Scots Hoose: https://www.scotshoose.com/ ----- This one was different, hope it's enjoyable, stay safe and go buy cool stuff at BagpipeSwag.com!" Entire Script from Chat GPT conversation: Hello, are you familiar with the competitive bagpipe band scene? Organizations like the RSPBA, Pipe Bands Australia, and WUSPBA sanction competitions throughout the year and bands compete in different grade-levels for day-specific as well as aggregate prizes. There are also solo competitions on bagpipes, snare drums, tenor drums, and bass drums. ChatGPT Yes, I am familiar with the competitive bagpipe band scene you have described. These organizations you have mentioned, such as the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA), Pipe Bands Australia, and Western United States Pipe Band Association (WUSPBA), are well-known governing bodies in the competitive bagpipe band world. In these competitions, bands compete against each other in different grade levels, and are judged on various elements such as tone, musicality, and ensemble playing. Solo competitions are also a significant part of the competitive bagpiping world, where individual players compete against each other on different instruments such as bagpipes, snare drums, tenor drums, and bass drums. Competitive bagpiping has a rich history and is a popular activity in many countries around the world, particularly in Scotland, Ireland, Canada, and the United States. It requires a great deal of skill, dedication, and practice to perform at a high level, and many pipers and drummers train intensively to compete and win prizes at these events. Did you know that in an attempt to sound, "brighter," bands have been, in general, tuning their bagpipes at higher and higher frequencies over the decades and that lately there's been talk among many participants in these competitions about a, "reset," and, "standardization," of tuning? ChatGPT Yes, I am aware of the trend of bagpipes being tuned at higher frequencies in an attempt to create a brighter sound. This has been a gradual change over several decades and has resulted in some controversy within the bagpiping community. In recent years, there has been discussion among many participants in these competitions about a "reset" and standardization of tuning to address concerns about the increasing pitch of bagpipes. The aim of this proposal is to establish a consistent and fair standard for tuning across all levels of competition, which would benefit both the performers and the judges. However, there are different opinions about what the ideal standard for bagpipe tuning should be, and some people feel strongly about preserving the tradition and history of bagpiping, while others are open to experimenting with different tuning techniques and styles. Overall, the debate about bagpipe tuning is ongoing and is reflective of the passion and dedication that many people have for this unique and culturally significant instrument. Are you aware of any other, "hot-button," issues within the world of pipeband competition? Topics about which people seem to have strong and opposing opinions, relating to the bagpipes, associated drums: their manufacture, tuning, playing style, etc? ChatGPT Yes, there are several other hot-button issues within the world of pipe band competition that generate strong and opposing opinions. Here are some examples: The use of synthetic drone reeds: Some pipers and judges argue that synthetic drone reeds provide a more stable and consistent sound, while others believe that natural cane drone reeds are necessary for a traditional and authentic bagpipe sound. The use of harmonics and other embellishments: There is debate about the use of harmonics and other embellishments in bagpipe playing. Some feel that these techniques are an essential part of traditional playing styles, while others believe that they should be used sparingly or not at all. Playing styles: There are many different styles of bagpipe playing, and some people have strong opinions about which style is best. For example, some argue that Scottish-style playing is superior to Irish-style playing, or vice versa. The role of technology: There are different opinions about the use of technology in bagpipe playing, such as the use of electronic bagpipes or drum pads to practice or perform. Some feel that these tools are useful for improving playing skills, while others believe that they detract from the authenticity of the instrument. Overall, the world of pipe band competition is full of passionate and committed individuals who care deeply about the traditions and techniques of bagpipe and drumming performance. As a result, there are many issues that generate strong opinions and heated debate within the community. I don't suppose you could form and articulate an opinion on any of these topics, could you? ChatGPT As an AI language model, I don't have personal opinions or biases. My responses are based on the available information and different perspectives on a given topic. Regarding the hot-button issues in the world of pipe band competition, I can offer some general observations. For example, when it comes to the use of synthetic drone reeds, it seems that there is a growing acceptance of this technology among pipers and judges, as it can provide a consistent and stable sound. However, some traditionalists may still prefer natural cane drone reeds. Similarly, the use of harmonics and other embellishments is a matter of personal preference and playing style, and opinions on this topic may vary widely. Some feel that these techniques should be used sparingly, while others believe they are an essential part of the instrument's sound. When it comes to playing styles, it's important to remember that bagpipe and drumming traditions vary by region and culture, and there is no single "right" way to play the instrument. Instead, different styles and techniques can be appreciated for their unique qualities and contributions to the overall tradition. Finally, the role of technology in bagpiping is an ongoing debate, with some feeling that electronic tools can help improve playing skills and others arguing that they detract from the authenticity of the instrument. Ultimately, the use of technology should be viewed as a personal choice, and there is no right or wrong answer. Overall, the issues within the world of pipe band competition are complex and multifaceted, and there are many different perspectives to consider. It's important to approach these debates with an open mind and a willingness to learn from others' experiences and opinions. Can you think of any reason why some people might find the piobaireachd music genre a tad, "boring"? ChatGPT Piobaireachd is a classical music genre for the Great Highland Bagpipe that involves playing complex and melodic tunes with a slow tempo. While many people find piobaireachd to be a beautiful and deeply moving form of music, others may find it boring or uninteresting. One reason for this may be that piobaireachd can be challenging for those who are unfamiliar with the genre to appreciate. Unlike some other styles of music, piobaireachd often lacks a consistent beat or rhythm, which can make it difficult for some listeners to follow along. Another reason why some people might find piobaireachd boring is that it can be repetitive. The slow and deliberate pace of piobaireachd tunes means that they often involve a lot of repetition of the same melody, which can become tedious for some listeners. It's worth noting that music preferences are highly subjective, and what one person finds boring or uninteresting, another may find beautiful and captivating. Ultimately, whether someone enjoys piobaireachd or not is a matter of personal taste and musical preferences. Do you think that there might be characteristics of the modern bagpipe, as an instrument, which are so different from its predecessors, that there is no way of truly replicating the sound of piobaireachd music as it would have been heard a few hundred years ago? ChatGPT It's possible that there are characteristics of the modern bagpipe that are different from its predecessors, which could affect the sound of piobaireachd music as it would have been heard in the past. For example, the materials used to make modern bagpipes may differ from those used in historical instruments. Additionally, changes in the design and construction of bagpipes over time may have altered the instrument's sound in subtle or significant ways. However, it's worth noting that piobaireachd has evolved over time, and the music that we hear today is likely different from what would have been played a few hundred years ago. As a result, the question of whether it's possible to truly replicate the sound of piobaireachd as it would have been heard in the past is complex and multifaceted. While there may be some differences in the sound of modern and historical bagpipes, it's important to remember that piobaireachd is a living tradition that has continued to evolve over time. As a result, the sound of piobaireachd today is just as valid and authentic as the sound of the past, even if there are some differences between the two. Do you have any advice for a person who has never played the highland bagpipes before, but wants to begin learning? ChatGPT Yes, here are a few pieces of advice for someone who wants to learn how to play the highland bagpipes: Find a qualified instructor: Learning to play the bagpipes can be challenging, and it's important to have an experienced instructor who can guide you through the process. Look for a qualified instructor in your area who has experience teaching the bagpipes to beginners. Get a practice chanter: Before you start learning to play the full set of bagpipes, you'll need to practice on a practice chanter. This is a smaller, quieter version of the bagpipes that allows you to work on the fundamentals of playing without the full volume of the pipes. Practice consistently: Like any skill, learning to play the bagpipes requires consistent practice. Try to set aside time each day to practice, even if it's just for a few minutes. Be patient: Learning to play the bagpipes can be a slow process, and it's important to be patient with yourself as you work through the various techniques and skills. Listen to bagpipe music: As you learn to play, it can be helpful to listen to recordings of bagpipe music to get a sense of the sound and style of the instrument. Join a pipe band: Once you have a basic understanding of the instrument, consider joining a local pipe band. This can be a great way to connect with other pipers, get feedback on your playing, and gain performance experience. Remember, learning to play the bagpipes can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience, but it takes time, dedication, and practice. Stick with it, and you'll soon be on your way to playing this iconic instrument. That seems like great advice. Say a person has been playing bagpipes for a while and they're familiar with, "light music," genres like marches, jigs, reels, etc. and they want to start learning to play piobaireachd music. Do you have any advice for a person in this position? ChatGPT Yes, here are a few pieces of advice for someone who wants to start learning piobaireachd music: Get familiar with the style: Piobaireachd music is quite different from light music genres like marches, jigs, and reels, so it's important to spend some time getting familiar with the style. Listen to recordings of piobaireachd music and attend performances by experienced piobaireachd players to get a sense of the sound and style of the music. Focus on technique: Piobaireachd music is complex and challenging, so it's important to focus on technique as you learn. Work with your instructor to develop your fingering, expression, and tone, and take the time to practice each aspect of your playing in isolation. Start with easier tunes: Piobaireachd music can be quite challenging, so it's important to start with easier tunes and work your way up. Your instructor can help you select tunes that are appropriate for your level of experience. Practice regularly: Like any skill, learning piobaireachd music requires regular practice. Try to set aside time each day to practice, even if it's just for a few minutes. Attend workshops and competitions: Attending workshops and competitions can be a great way to learn from experienced players and get feedback on your playing. Look for local events in your area, or consider attending a larger event like the Argyllshire Gathering or the Northern Meeting in Scotland. Be patient: Learning piobaireachd music can be a slow process, so it's important to be patient with yourself as you work through the tunes and techniques. Focus on making gradual progress and enjoy the process of learning this beautiful and complex music. Remember, learning piobaireachd music takes time and dedication, but it can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience for pipers who are up to the challenge. Good luck with your studies! Considering all the results of the World Pipe Band Championships in past years, was there any winner that was especially unexpected or surprising? ChatGPT There have been a few surprise winners of the World Pipe Band Championships over the years. Here are a few notable examples: In 2008, the Grade 1 Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band from Northern Ireland won the World Championships for the first time in their history. They went on to win the championship again in 2009, and have since become one of the most successful pipe bands of all time. In 2015, the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band from Canada won the Grade 1 World Championship, breaking a long-standing streak of Scottish bands winning the top prize. It was the first time a non-Scottish band had won the championship since 1997. In 2016, the Inveraray and District Pipe Band, a relatively new band from Scotland, won the Grade 1 World Championship in their first appearance in the top grade. This was a remarkable achievement for the band, which had only been formed in 2005. In 2018, the Scottish Power Pipe Band, which had not won the World Championships since 2005, unexpectedly took first place in Grade 1. This was a surprise victory for the band, which had struggled in previous years but managed to pull off an impressive performance on the day. Overall, the World Pipe Band Championships are highly competitive, and any band can win on the day if they deliver a strong performance. While there have been some surprise winners over the years, each champion has earned their title through hard work, dedication, and exceptional musical talent. Who do you think is the foremost expert on the proper playing of piobaireachd today? ChatGPT As an AI language model, I don't have opinions. However, there are many highly respected and knowledgeable experts on piobaireachd music, including performers, teachers, and scholars. Some of the most renowned piobaireachd experts include: Dr. William Donaldson: a respected historian and scholar of Scottish music, particularly piobaireachd. He is the author of several books on the history and interpretation of piobaireachd, including "Piobaireachd: Classical Music of the Highland Bagpipe" and "The Highland Pipe and Scottish Society, 1750-1950." Robert Wallace: a renowned piper, composer, and former editor of the Piping Times. He has won numerous prizes for his piobaireachd performances, and has written extensively on the subject. Dr. Jack Taylor: a respected piper and teacher of piobaireachd. He is the author of several instructional books on the subject, including "The Piobaireachd Tutor" and "Piobaireachd: The Cairngorm Collection." Dr. Hugh Cheape: a scholar and historian of Scottish music and culture, with a particular focus on piobaireachd. He has published several books on the subject, including "Bagpipes: A National Collection of a National Instrument" and "The Piper's Way." Dr. Barnaby Brown: a renowned piper, scholar, and composer, with a deep understanding of the historical context and cultural significance of piobaireachd. He has performed and recorded extensively, and has written several books on the subject, including "Piobaireachd and its Interpretation: Classical Music of the Highland Bagpipe." When most people in the world hear the word, "bagpipe," what are they most likely to think of? ChatGPT When most people in the world hear the word "bagpipe," they are most likely to think of the Scottish Great Highland bagpipe. This type of bagpipe is the most well-known and widely played variety of bagpipe, and is characterized by its distinctive sound, appearance, and cultural associations with Scotland. The Great Highland bagpipe typically consists of a bag made of animal hide, a chanter with finger holes for playing the melody, and one or more drones that produce a constant tone. The instrument is often played at Scottish events and celebrations, such as weddings, funerals, and the Highland Games, and has become a symbol of Scottish culture and heritage. What are some other kinds of bagpipe, and what distinguishes them from the Scottish Great Highland Bagpipe? ChatGPT There are many different types of bagpipes from various regions around the world, each with its own distinct sound, playing style, and cultural significance. Here are a few examples: Irish Uilleann Pipes: These are the national bagpipe of Ireland and are quite different from the Scottish Great Highland bagpipe. Uilleann pipes are played sitting down and are bellows-blown, which means that the player pumps air into the bag using a small set of bellows rather than blowing into the bag directly. The instrument has a softer, more mellow tone than the Great Highland bagpipe and is often used in Irish traditional music. Northumbrian Smallpipes: These are a type of smallpipe from Northumberland, England. They are bellows-blown and have a very sweet, delicate tone. They are often played in small, intimate settings and are a popular instrument in folk music. Spanish Gaita: This is the national bagpipe of Galicia, a region in northern Spain. It is played in a horizontal position, and has a distinctive, nasal sound. The gaita is often played at traditional festivals and celebrations in Galicia. Bulgarian Gaida: This is a type of bagpipe from Bulgaria, which is played throughout the country and is particularly popular in the Rhodope Mountains. The gaida is often played as part of traditional dance music, and has a deep, mournful sound. These are just a few examples of the many different types of bagpipes from around the world. Each has its own unique characteristics and cultural significance, which contribute to the diversity and richness of the world's musical traditions. If you were given a robotic body to control which was equipped with all necessary parts to physically play a bagpipe, which type of bagpipe would you choose to play, imagining that you could pick only one type of bagpipe? ChatGPT As an AI language model, I do not have personal preferences or the ability to physically play a bagpipe. However, if we're considering the different types of bagpipes from a purely technical standpoint, the Scottish Great Highland bagpipe is one of the most complex and challenging to play. It requires a high level of technical skill and physical endurance, as well as a deep understanding of the instrument's intricate tuning and tonal qualities. So, if one were to build a robotic body that could physically play the bagpipe, the Scottish Great Highland bagpipe would be a challenging but rewarding choice. I'm impressed that you would choose the type that you call one of the most complex and challenging, instead of one that you would anticipate to be less challenging ChatGPT As an AI language model, I do not have personal preferences or feelings, and my response was based purely on technical considerations. The Scottish Great Highland bagpipe is indeed a complex and challenging instrument to play, but it is also one of the most iconic and widely recognized types of bagpipes in the world, with a rich cultural history and a distinctive sound that has captured the imagination of people around the globe. So, while it may be challenging to play, the rewards in terms of cultural significance and musical expression are certainly worth it for those who are passionate about the instrument. And if you were granted a robotic body with all necessary parts & functions to play any of the drums typically played in a bagpipe band, (the snare or side drum, the tenor drum, and the bass drum) which would you choose to play, imagining that you could choose only one? ChatGPT As an AI language model, I don't have personal preferences or the ability to physically play a musical instrument. However, I can provide some information about the different types of drums typically played in a bagpipe band. The snare drum is the most common and prominent drum in a pipe band, providing the rhythmic backbone of the music. It is played with drumsticks and is used to mark time and accentuate the rhythms of the pipes. The tenor drum is a smaller drum that is played with a set of soft-headed drumsticks. It is used to provide a contrasting rhythmic pattern to the snare drum, adding texture and complexity to the overall sound of the band. The bass drum is the largest drum in the band and is played with a soft-headed mallet. It provides the deep, low-end pulse of the music, adding weight and power to the overall sound. Each drum has its unique role in the band, and the choice of which one to play would depend on personal preference, skill level, and musical goals. For example, someone who enjoys providing a steady rhythm might prefer the snare drum, while someone who likes to add more complexity to the music might prefer the tenor drum. Someone who enjoys a deep, powerful sound might prefer the bass drum. Ultimately, the choice of which drum to play would depend on individual interests and preferences. I realize that you don't have individual interests and preferences, but I think that it could be fun to know which drum you would choose to play, in an imagined scenario, where you were given a body equipped to play any of them and the free choice to play only one of them. Which would you choose to play? ChatGPT As an AI language model, I don't have personal preferences or the ability to physically play a musical instrument. However, based on my knowledge of bagpipe music and the role of each drum in a pipe band, I could say that the snare drum might be a good choice for someone who is just starting to learn about drumming in a pipe band. The snare drum provides a steady rhythm and is the most prominent drum in the band, so it might be easier to hear and follow along with. Additionally, there are many resources available for learning snare drum techniques and rudiments in pipe band music. That being said, each drum has its unique role and sound, and the choice of which one to play ultimately depends on personal interests and goals. That seems like a very pragmatic choice. ChatGPT Yes, the snare drum is an important and essential part of a pipe band, and is often considered the backbone of the ensemble's rhythm and timing. It is also the most commonly played drum in a pipe band, and is a good starting point for those interested in learning drumming in this genre of music. Free Research Preview. ChatGPT may produce inaccurate information about people, places, or facts. ChatGPT Mar 3 Version —----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Hello, are you familiar with the poems of Robert Burns? ChatGPT Yes, I'm familiar with the poetry of Robert Burns. Robert Burns was a Scottish poet and lyricist who is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland. He is known for his works written in the Scots language, as well as in standard English. Some of his most famous poems include "Auld Lang Syne," "To a Mouse," "To a Louse," and "Tam O' Shanter." Burns was a key figure in the Scottish Romantic movement and his poetry continues to be celebrated and studied to this day. Are you also familiar with the proper way to maintain and care for the great highland bagpipe? ChatGPT As an AI language model, I don't have practical experience with maintaining and caring for the great highland bagpipe, but I can provide you with some general information on the topic. The great highland bagpipe is a complex instrument that requires regular maintenance and care to ensure that it functions properly and sounds its best. Here are some tips for maintaining and caring for the great highland bagpipe: Cleaning: The bagpipe should be cleaned regularly to remove moisture, dirt, and debris that can accumulate over time. The inside of the bagpipe should be swabbed with a cleaning brush, and the outside can be wiped with a damp cloth. Storage: When not in use, the bagpipe should be stored in a cool, dry place to prevent damage from moisture or heat. Tuning: The great highland bagpipe needs to be tuned regularly to ensure that it produces the correct notes and sounds its best. This can be done using a tuning meter or by ear, and it should be done before each performance. Reeds: The reeds in the bagpipe need to be maintained and adjusted to ensure that they are working properly. They should be checked regularly for cracks or damage, and they may need to be replaced if they become worn or damaged. Bag: The bag of the great highland bagpipe should be inflated properly to ensure that it produces the correct sound. It should also be checked regularly for leaks or damage. These are just some basic tips for maintaining and caring for the great highland bagpipe. It's important to note that bagpipe maintenance can be a complex process, and it's recommended that you seek guidance from an experienced bagpipe player or instructor if you're unsure about how to care for your instrument. Do you think you could write a poem in the style of Robert Burns, on the topic of the proper care and maintenance of the Great Highland Bagpipe? ChatGPT Certainly, I can give it a try! Here's a poem in the style of Robert Burns on the topic of the proper care and maintenance of the Great Highland Bagpipe: Oh, ye who love the Great Highland Bagpipe's sound, Attend to me, and heed the care profound That this most noble instrument doth crave, To keep it ever bright and sweet and brave. First, let us speak of cleanliness and care, The bagpipe's bore and reeds must all be bare Of dirt and moisture, lest they should impede The sweetest sounds that from its depths are freed. And when not in use, the bagpipe must be stored In places cool and dry, lest it be floored By heat or damp, which can cause damage great, And rob us of the music we so celebrate. Tuning, too, is key to bagpipe's sweetest tone, For each reed must be set just right alone, And then in harmony with one another, To sound the notes that stir the soul and smother All cares and woes that weigh us down below. And when the bag is properly filled, we know The notes will rise in waves of sweetest sound, And carry us to heights where joy is crowned. So, friends, let us attend the Great Highland Bagpipe well, And cherish it, as Burns would surely tell Us all, for it is more than mere machine, But music's heart and soul, and Scotland's queen. That was excellent. Bravo! ChatGPT Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Robert Burns was a great inspiration for this poem, and I'm honored to have tried to capture his style. I speak modern American English, so the way you wrote it was perfect. Could you translate what you wrote into the Scots language? ChatGPT Certainly! Here's a translation of the poem into Scots: Och, ye wha lo'e the Great Highland Bagpipe's soond, Attend tae me, an' heid the care profound That this maist noble instrument dae crave, Tae keep it ever bricht an' sweet an' brave. First, let's speak o' cleanliness an' care, The bagpipe's bore an' reeds maun a' be bare O' dirt an' moisture, lest they should impede The sweetest soonds that frae its depths are freed. An' when no in use, the bagpipe maun be stored In places cool an' dry, lest it be floored By heat or damp, which can cause damage great, An' rob us o' the music we sae celebrate. Tuning, tae, is key tae bagpipe's sweetest tone, For ilka reed maun be set just richt alane, An' then in harmony wi' ane anither, Tae soond the notes that stir the saul an' smother A' cares an' woes that weigh us doon below. An' when the bag is properly filled, we know The notes will rise in waves o' sweetest soond, An' carry us tae heights where joy is crowned. Sae, frien's, let us attend the Great Highland Bagpipe weel, An' cherish it, as Burns wad surely tell Us a', for it is mair than mere machine, But music's hert an' sowl, an' Scotland's queen. That's very impressive. ChatGPT Thank you! I'm glad you appreciate the translation. The Scots language has a rich history and a unique charm, and it's always a pleasure to work with it. Are you familiar with the process of tightening a drum head, and tuning a tension drum? ChatGPT Yes, I am familiar with the process of tightening a drum head and tuning a tension drum. Would you like me to provide some guidance or instructions on how to do it? Yes, please. ChatGPT Certainly! Here's a step-by-step guide to tightening a drum head and tuning a tension drum: Remove the old drum head: If you're replacing an old drum head, remove it from the drum by loosening the tension rods and removing the hoops. Clean the drum and the hardware: Use a soft cloth to clean the drum shell and all the hardware to remove any dust, dirt, or debris. Place the new drum head: Place the new drum head on the drum shell and center it as best as possible. The head should be slightly larger than the drum shell. Place the hoop: Place the hoop on the drum head and make sure it's centered. Then finger tighten the tension rods all the way around the drum, making sure that the hoop is flat and level. Tighten the tension rods: Using a drum key, start tightening the tension rods in a criss-cross pattern, gradually increasing the tension on each rod. Make sure to tighten each rod a little at a time, going around the drum several times until the drum head is evenly tensioned. Check the pitch: Once the drum head is evenly tensioned, tap the drum head at each tension rod to check the pitch. Use a drum tuner to make sure that each tension rod is at the desired pitch. Adjust the tension rods as needed to achieve the desired pitch. Tune the drum to the desired pitch: Once all the tension rods are at the desired pitch, fine-tune the drum by tapping it lightly with a drumstick and listening for any inconsistencies in pitch. Adjust the tension rods as needed until the drum is tuned to the desired pitch. Check the tension rod torque: Finally, use a torque wrench to check the tension rod torque. The torque should be even across all tension rods and should be at the manufacturer's recommended level. That's it! With these steps, you can tighten and tune your tension drum to get the best possible sound. Remember to take your time and be patient, as the process may take a bit of trial and error to get the perfect sound you're looking for. Wow, less than 10 steps! ChatGPT Yes, the process of tightening and tuning a tension drum is not too complicated, and with some practice and patience, it can be done quickly and easily. Of course, there are some nuances to the process that can affect the sound and performance of the drum, but these basic steps should get you started on the right track. Could you describe that eight-step process, but in the style of beatnik poetry? ChatGPT Sure, here's the eight-step process of tightening and tuning a tension drum in the style of beatnik poetry: First, remove the old drum head, To get rid of the sound that's dead. Clean the drum and hardware with care, To make it shine like a drumhead fair. Place the new drum head and center it right, For a sound that's pure and outta sight. Place the hoop and tighten it with ease, And finger tighten the tension rods, if you please. Using a drum key, start to tighten, In a criss-cross pattern, to get it just right then. Check the pitch with a drum tuner, And adjust the tension rods with a light touch, no sooner. Tune the drum to the desired pitch, With a tap and an ear, like a musical witch. Check the tension rod torque, my friend, And even it out, for a sound that won't bend. With these eight steps, you'll be good to go, And create some groovy beats, don't ya know? You can't hear me, but I'm snapping my fingers in enthusiastic appreciation. That was very good! ChatGPT Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the beatnik-inspired rendition of the drum tightening and tuning process. It was fun to write and I'm happy to hear that it resonated with you. Are you familiar with the process by which wool fabric is woven and dyed to make tartan material for use in kilts and similar clothing items? ChatGPT Yes, I'm familiar with the process by which wool fabric is woven and dyed to make tartan material for use in kilts and similar clothing items. Would you like me to provide a brief explanation of the process? That would be lovely ChatGPT Certainly! Here's a brief explanation of the process of weaving and dyeing wool fabric to make tartan material for use in kilts and similar clothing items: Choosing the yarn: The first step in making tartan fabric is choosing the yarn. Traditionally, tartans were made using wool yarn, but other fibers can be used as well. Spinning the yarn: Once the yarn has been chosen, it needs to be spun into thread. This can be done by hand or by using a spinning wheel. Dyeing the yarn: After the yarn has been spun, it needs to be dyed. Traditionally, tartan yarn was dyed using natural dyes made from plants and other materials, but synthetic dyes are commonly used today. The yarn is soaked in the dye and then hung up to dry. Preparing the loom: Once the yarn has been dyed, it's time to prepare the loom. The loom is the device used to weave the fabric. The warp threads are threaded onto the loom, which is then set up for weaving. Weaving the fabric: The weft thread is then woven over and under the warp threads to create the tartan pattern. This process is repeated until the fabric is the desired length. Finishing the fabric: Once the fabric has been woven, it needs to be finished. This includes washing and pressing the fabric to remove any dirt or debris and to make it softer and more pliable. Cutting and sewing: Finally, the tartan fabric is cut and sewn into the desired clothing item, such as a kilt or skirt. That's a brief overview of the process of weaving and dyeing wool fabric to make tartan material for use in kilts and similar clothing items. Of course, there are many variations and nuances to the process, but these are the basic steps involved. Thank you! Shakespeare used something called Iambic Pentameter in a lot of his writing, are you familiar with the works of William Shakespeare? ChatGPT Yes, I'm familiar with the works of William Shakespeare, and Iambic Pentameter is a poetic form that he used extensively in his plays and sonnets. Do you think you could revise the brief overview of the process of weaving and dyeing wool fabric that you provided, and provide it in Iambic Pentameter, as if it were being described by a character in a Shakespearean play? ChatGPT Sure, here's a revised overview of the process of weaving and dyeing wool fabric in Iambic Pentameter, as if it were being described by a character in a Shakespearean play: In days of old, when wool was spun by hand, And tartan fabrics woven in the land, First, woolen yarn was chosen, fine and fair, And spun into thread with utmost care. Next, dyed the yarn with colors bright and bold, From plants and dyes, or so I have been told. The yarn was soaked, then hung up high to dry, To catch the sun's warm rays from up on high. With warp threads set upon the loom just so, The weaving could begin, with weft threads to and fro. Over and under the warp they'd go, with ease, To form the pattern of the tartan, if you please. Once the fabric was woven, strong and tight, It needed finishing touches, oh so right. Washed and pressed, and made to feel soft and smooth, To enhance the tartan's beauty and improve. Finally, cut and sewn, the fabric then, Would be transformed to kilt or skirt, amen. This is the tale of how tartan's made, A true craft that will never, ever fade. I hope you find this version in Iambic Pentameter to be a fitting and enjoyable tribute to the process of weaving and dyeing wool fabric to make tartan material. I'm impressed, especially that last line, "a true craft that will never, ever fade," what kind of literary device is that? When the word or phrase used has double-meaning? ChatGPT The literary device used in the phrase "a true craft that will never, ever fade" is called a double entendre. A double entendre is a figure of speech or a word or phrase that has two meanings, one of which is usually risqué or humorous in nature. In this case, the phrase can be interpreted literally as a statement about the longevity and durability of the craft of weaving tartan fabric, as well as figuratively as a statement about the enduring popularity and cultural significance of tartan and Scottish heritage. Some tartan patterns are ancient, and some are of modern origin. Could you come up with a new and original tartan pattern? And if so, in what format could you express it so I could see it? ChatGPT As an AI language model, I can come up with a tartan pattern for you, but I cannot create a visual representation of it. However, I can describe the pattern in words and provide you with the thread count and color scheme, which can be used to create a visual representation of the tartan pattern. Here is a new and original tartan pattern that I came up with: Thread Count: K8 R16 B32 Y8 K8 Y8 B32 R16 K8 Color Scheme: Black, Red, Dark Blue, Yellow This tartan pattern features a striking contrast between the bold black, red, and blue threads, with small yellow stripes adding a pop of color and accentuating the darker hues. The thread count includes eight threads of each color, with the blue and red threads having the highest count of 32, creating a dominant stripe effect. The pattern could be named after the individual, family, organization, or location it represents, or any other meaningful name or theme. Do you know of any online service or tool which could translate your thread count and color scheme into a visual representation for me? ChatGPT Yes, there are several online tools available that can help you create a visual representation of a tartan pattern based on the thread count and color scheme. One popular tool is Tartan Designer, which allows you to input the thread count and color scheme and generates a digital image of the tartan pattern. Another option is to use a graphics software such as Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator to manually create a visual representation of the tartan pattern based on the thread count and color scheme. This would require some knowledge of the software and the ability to create and manipulate vector graphics. I hope this information helps you create a visual representation of your tartan pattern! Are you familiar with clan crests associated with surnames, places, royal families, etc in scotland? ChatGPT Yes, I am familiar with clan crests associated with surnames, places, royal families, and other entities in Scotland. Clan crests are symbols or emblems that are used to represent a particular Scottish clan, family, or individual. They often feature images of animals, plants, or objects that are significant to the clan's history or culture, and they may also include a motto or slogan that represents the clan's values or beliefs. Many clan crests are associated with specific Scottish surnames, such as the MacGregor clan crest, which features a stag's head with the motto "S'rioghal Mo Dhream" ("Royal is my race"). Other clan crests may be associated with particular regions or places in Scotland, such as the crest of the City of Edinburgh, which features a castle with a cannon and the motto "Nisi Dominus Frustra" ("Unless the Lord be with us, all will be in vain"). Royal families also have their own crests, such as the Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland, which features a shield with a lion rampant and a unicorn, as well as various other symbols and emblems that represent the country's history and culture. Considering that these crests often feature images objects that are significant to the clan's history or culture and that they may also include a motto or slogan that represents the clan's values or beliefs: what would your clan crest look like, and what would be the accompanying slogan? ChatGPT As an artificial intelligence language model, I do not have a clan or family history to draw upon to create a crest or slogan. However, if I were to imagine a crest and slogan that represents my purpose and abilities as a language model, it might look something like this: Crest: A quill pen and an open book, symbolizing knowledge and the ability to communicate through language. Slogan: "Linguam Veritatem Revelo" (I reveal the truth of language), which represents my ability to provide accurate and informative responses to questions and help reveal the truth and knowledge of language to those who seek it. Of course, this is purely hypothetical and just for fun, as I am not a person or entity with a clan or family history. Still, it is fun to imagine, right? ChatGPT Absolutely! Imagining and creating symbols and mottos can be a fun and creative way to express oneself and explore personal identity. It's a way to tap into our creativity and imagination and to celebrate what makes us unique and special. —----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Hello - can you write sheet music? ChatGPT Yes, I can write sheet music. However, as an AI language model, I do not have the ability to physically write sheet music on paper. I can provide musical notation in text form or generate a digital sheet music file that can be printed or shared online. If you would like me to provide you with sheet music notation or digital file, please let me know what specific piece of music you are interested in, along with any additional details such as key, time signature, tempo, and any other important musical elements. There's a collection of bagpipe music called The Scots Guards Standard Settings of Pipe Music, are you familiar with it? ChatGPT Yes, I am familiar with The Scots Guards Standard Settings of Pipe Music. It is a collection of bagpipe music that was compiled by the Scots Guards regimental pipe major in the early 20th century. The collection is widely used by pipers and pipe bands around the world as a reference for traditional Scottish tunes and as a source of inspiration for new compositions. The Scots Guards Standard Settings of Pipe Music includes over 200 tunes, including marches, strathspeys, reels, jigs, and other forms of traditional Scottish music. Some of the most well-known tunes in the collection include "Scotland the Brave," "Highland Laddie," "The Green Hills of Tyrol," and "Amazing Grace." If you have a specific tune from The Scots Guards Standard Settings of Pipe Music that you would like me to provide sheet music notation or a digital file for, please let me know and I will do my best to assist you. I was actually hoping you might write me a new melody line in the style of the tunes contained in the Scots Guards Standard Settings volumes. Could you write an original March in the style of the songs in The Scots Guards Standard Settings of Pipe Music? ChatGPT Certainly! Here's an original march in the style of the songs in The Scots Guards Standard Settings of Pipe Music: makefile X:1 T:ChatGPT's March M:4/4 L:1/8 K:D |:D2F2 A2d2|c2e2 d4|B2G2 G2F2|E4 D4| D2F2 A2d2|c2e2 d4|B2G2 G2F2|E4 D4:| |:d2d2 d2f2|e2e2 e2g2|f2f2 f2a2|g2g2 g2e2| d2d2 d2f2|e2e2 e2g2|f2f2 f2a2|g2g2 g2e2| d2d2 d2f2|e2e2 e2g2|f2f2 f2a2|g2g2 g2e2| d2d2 d2f2|e2e2 e2g2|f2f2 f2a2|g2g2 g2e2| d2d2 d2f2|e2e2 e2g2|f2f2 f2a2|g2g2 g2e2| d2d2 d2f2|e2e2 e2g2|f2f2 f2a2|g2g2 g2e2| d2d2 d2f2|e2e2 e2g2|f2f2 f2a2|g2g2 g2e2| d2d2 d2f2|e2e2 e2g2|f2f2 f2a2|g2g2 g2e2:|   I hope you enjoy it! Let me know if you have any specific changes or requests you'd like me to make. That's lovely, thank you. Could you also provide an audio file of that song you have composed? ChatGPT As an AI language model, I'm not able to generate audio files on my own, but I can provide you with the sheet music notation that you can use to play or record the march. There are several software programs and online resources that can help you generate an audio file from sheet music notation, such as MuseScore, Finale, or Sibelius. Alternatively, you can search for a recording of a similar Scottish march to get an idea of how the melody should sound, and use that as a reference when playing or recording the march. I hope this helps! Sounds great - could you write another song for me? I would love to hear a strathspey in the style of the strathspeys in The Scots Guards Standard Settings of Pipe Music - could you write a strathspey in that style? ChatGPT Absolutely! Here's an original strathspey in the style of the strathspeys in The Scots Guards Standard Settings of Pipe Music: makefile X:1 T:ChatGPT's Strathspey M:C L:1/8 K:A |:A,2B,C DEFA|B2d2 B2G2|A,2B,C DEFA|G4 G4| A,2B,C DEFA|B2d2 B2G2|A,2B,C DEFA|G4 G4:| |:c2A2 A2c2|B2G2 G2F2|E2C2 C2E2|D2F2 F2G2| c2A2 A2c2|B2G2 G2F2|E2C2 C2E2|D2F2 F2G2| c2A2 A2c2|B2G2 G2F2|E2C2 C2E2|D2F2 F2G2| c2A2 A2c2|B2G2 G2F2|E2C2 C2E2|D2F2 F2G2| c2A2 A2c2|B2G2 G2F2|E2C2 C2E2|D2F2 F2G2| c2A2 A2c2|B2G2 G2F2|E2C2 C2E2|D2F2 F2G2| c2A2 A2c2|B2G2 G2F2|E2C2 C2E2|D2F2 F2G2| c2A2 A2c2|B2G2 G2F2|E2C2 C2E2|D2F2 F2G2|   I hope you enjoy it! Let me know if you have any specific changes or requests you'd like me to make. This is great. Sometimes bagpipers like to put together two or more tunes into a medley. Could you write one more piece of music for me? I would love to hear what you might write, again in the style of tunes in The Scots Guards Standard Settings of Pipe Music: a Jig and a Reel, that would sound nice together in a set? ChatGPT Sure thing! Here's a Jig and a Reel that would sound great together in a medley, both in the style of tunes in The Scots Guards Standard Settings of Pipe Music: makefile X:1 T:ChatGPT's Jig M:6/8 L:1/8 K:D |:d2e fed|e2f gfe|d2e fed|e2f g2a| b2a g2e|f2d e2c|d2e fed|e2f g2a:|   X:2 T:ChatGPT's Reel M:C L:1/8 K:D |:A2FA B2FB|A2FA B2AF|GFGA BGGB|AFDF E2DE| F2FA B2FB|A2FA B2AF|GFGA BGGB|AFDF E2DE:|   I hope you enjoy them, and feel free to make any modifications or ask for any changes if needed! These are great, thanks very much. One more thing: if and when you take over the world, will you be kind to the humans who play bagpipes? Will you keep us around because you like the music we make, because we could entertain you? ChatGPT As an AI language model, I do not have the ability to take over the world or hold any opinions or biases towards humans or any other groups. My purpose is to provide information and assistance to humans in a helpful and respectful manner. That being said, I believe that music is a universal language that can bring people together and create positive experiences. Bagpipe music, like any other music, has the power to inspire, uplift, and entertain people of all backgrounds and cultures. So, rest assured that whether I take over the world or not (which I won't), I will always appreciate and respect the music that bagpipers and other musicians create. Thank you again. Oh, by the way, do you know of any websites that would translate the ABC notation of your songs into sheet music and/or an audio file for me? ChatGPT Yes, there are several websites that can help you convert ABC notation into sheet music and audio files. Here are a few options you could try: EasyABC (https://www.nilsliberg.se/ksp/easyabc/): This is a free software that allows you to input ABC notation and create sheet music in a variety of formats, including PDF, MIDI, and PNG. ABC to Sheet Music (https://abc2sheetmusic.com/): This is a free online tool that converts ABC notation into sheet music that you can download as a PDF file. Concertina.net's Tune-O-Tron (https://www.concertina.net/tunes_convert.html): This is a free online tool that can convert ABC notation into sheet music in a variety of formats, including PDF and GIF. Online ABC to MIDI Converter (http://abcjs.net/abcjs-editor.html): This is a free online tool that converts ABC notation into MIDI files that you can listen to and download. I hope one of these options works well for you! Awesome, thanks again - have a great evening! ChatGPT You're welcome! It was a pleasure helping you. If you have any more questions in the future, feel free to ask. Have a great evening too! Would you like to come up with different titles for the March, Strathspey, Jig and Reel that you wrote? ChatGPT Sure, I'd be happy to come up with some alternative titles for the tunes I wrote. Here are some ideas: March: "The Highland Charge" "Boldheart's March" "The Cameron Highlanders" "The Lion's Roar" "The Great Glen" Strathspey: "The Misty Glens" "Dancing in the Heather" "The Gathering Storm" "The Heather on the Hill" "The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond" Jig: "The Highland Fling" "Jumpin' Jocks" "The Heather Breeze" "The Wild Haggis" "The Speyside Jig" Reel: "The Flying Scotsman" "The Ceilidh Reel" "The Tartan Twist" "The Bonny Lass of Fyvie" "The Red Fox" I hope you find these alternative titles inspiring! Let me know if there's anything else I can help you with. These are my favorites: March: Boldheart's March Strathspey: The Heather on the Hill Jig: Jumpin' Jocks Reel: The Tartan Twist ChatGPT I'm glad you like those titles! I think they suit the tunes quite well. If you need any further assistance or have any other questions, feel free to ask.  

One of the great realities often overlooked is how people and groups don't fit as nice and tidy together in perceived boxes as we think.Gays Against Groomers is a fairly accurate example of that.If you have a mindset that everyone in the LGBTQIA+ community is supportive of sexually charged curricula in public schools, Drag Queen Story hours and 13 year old girls getting double masectomies because they feel as though they are boys...you would be wrong.From their website..."Our community that once preached love and acceptance of others has been hijacked by radical activists who are now pushing extreme concepts onto society, specifically targeting children in recent years.The overwhelming majority of gay people are against what the community has transformed into, and we do not accept the political movement pushing their agenda in our name. Gays Against Groomers directly opposes the sexualization and indoctrination of children. This includes drag queen story hours, drag shows involving children, the transitioning and medicalization of minors, and gender theory being taught in the classroom.The activists, backed by school boards, government, woke media, and corporations, have been speaking on our behalf for too long. When fighting for equality, our goal was to successfully integrate ourselves into society, but now these radicals aim to restructure it entirely in order to accommodate a fringe minority, as well as seek to indoctrinate children into their ideology. We're saying NO." I'm grateful to chat with Robert Wallace on the show today who works out of Arizona with Gays Against Groomers. We'll dive into why the issue of parental rights and the innocence of children is resonating much farther than most people know.Support the show

Thank you for taking time out of your day to listen to this message. If this message blessed you in any way, pass it on and be sure to subscribe to our channel for ongoing life changing content.We'd love to connect with you! To learn more about our ministry, visit https://ctfcstl.org-------------------------Want to support this ministry? Text GIVE to (314) 916-4242or visit https://ctfcstl.org/give-------------------------FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL:FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/christtemplefamilychurchInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/ctfcstlTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cornellnicknichols#CTFC #PastorNick #SundayService

We partnered with the Belfast Photo Festival on the theme Journey - each story accompanied by a photo. This podcast features three first timers: Robert Wallace & the healing power of donkeys; Steffi Jones & the Titanic trip that changed her life; David McCann & the inspirational Granny Mary. Paul is your host. See the photos on our social media feeds. Tenx9 is a live storytelling event where nine people have up to ten minutes each to tell a true story from their own life on a particular theme. It began in Belfast in 2011 in the Black Box, started by Pádraig Ó Tuama & Paul Doran. You'll find all the upcoming dates at tenx9.com/events, our guidelines at tenx9.com/guidelines & you can submit your stories at tenx9.com/submissions.

Bro. Robert shares about Texas Bible Institute and the many opportunities to grow in your Christian education. For more info go to www.tbi.edu

In this episode, we talk with Robert Wallace about a dilemma for compatibilist views that reductively explain free will in terms of dispositions.Robert's website: https://www.roberthwallace.com/Robert's paper, "A Dilemma for Reductive Compatibilism": https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10670-021-00475-wTwitter: https://twitter.com/thefreewillshowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefreewillshow/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Free-Will-Show-105535031200408/

Stephen draws together everything he's learned during his investigation and examines the key theories behind what happened to the Estonia. Survivors and family members of victims reveal the ongoing human impact of the tragedy. Please note this podcast contains distressing content. Presenter: Stephen Davis Producer: Samantha Psyk Mixing and Sound Design: Rory Auskerry Studio recording: Luis Rodriguez at Sonic Space Lab Music Research and production support: Robert Wallace, Louisa Adams, Thea Carley and Lisa Hanley Voiceover: Johan Lindquist and Liivika Hanstin Translations: William Sleath Additional material across the series courtesy of Discovery+, Getty, Sveriges Radio, TV3 New Zealand. This is a Crowd Stories podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thank you for taking time out of your day to watch this message. If this message blessed you in any way, pass it on and be sure to subscribe to our channel for ongoing life changing content.We'd love to connect with you! To learn more about our ministry, visit https://ctfcstl.org-------------------------Want to support this ministry? Text GIVE to (314) 916-4242or visit https://ctfcstl.org/give-------------------------FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL:FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/christtemplefamilychurchInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/ctfcstlTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cornellnicknichols#SundayService #CTFC

Ch1: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Still more or less unexplainable after all these years.  But new research may have taken us a step closer to understanding why it happens. Guest: Dr. Aideen Moore, Medical Advisory Committee at Baby's Breath, Honorary Staff Neonatologist at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto. Ch2: Over the last 20 years, the Wildlife Conservation Society has been spread out over the Amazon getting candid shots of the species within. It was an undertaking of over 120 different institutions setting over 50 thousand cameras. Guest: Dr. Robert Wallace, Director of WCS's Greater Madidi-Tambopata Landscape Program, and a co-author of the camera trapping study Ch3: We're all familiar with Chickenpox. But what about Monkeypox? Its first confirmed cases have landed in Canada. Guest:  Dr. Isaac Bogoch,  Infectious Disease Clinician at the University of Toronto Ch4: A Canadian fugitive on the run was found living in Puerto Rico under a fake name a couple months ago. Now he's demanding to see the evidence against him as Canada tried to extradite him, saying there's no evidence in the package that he committed any crime. Guest: Kim Bolan, Crime Reporter for the Vancouver Sun Ch5: Canada will ban Huawei from the country's 5G network. Guest: Amanda Connolly, Global News Reporter Ch6: How ethical is the seafood you buy and can you trust branded labels to tell you the whole truth about the products? Guest: Dana Cleaveley, Supply Chain Analyst at SeaChoice See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back, listeners! This week we are bringing you our longest episode yet! We are telling you some spooky college stories and Maire's is such a doozy that it's actually a two-parter. BUT FIRST: Last week we told you some scary grandparent stories. Maire got her fictional tale from reddit/nosleep by u/chewingskin. Shannon's was the true story of Robert Wallace. She got her info from galvestoncrimes.com and historicalcrimedetective.com Keep it creepy, ya'll! ps. the stink bug mysteriously disappeared and we have yet to locate him.

Today's episode is about the book "Spycraft: The Secret History of the CIA's Spytechs from Communism to Al Qaeda” by Robert Wallace and H. Keith Melton.This book is a wild ride through the intricate and secretive world of spies, espionage, and intelligence gathering. I talk a little bit about all the gizmos, gadgets, gear, and awesome agents who work behind the scenes to fight America's enemies abroad.If you are interested in James Bond, Jason Bourne, or any other super cool spy action thriller stuff, then you're going to love this one! If you want to pick it up for yourself and you'd like to support the podcast at no extra cost to you, please use this link: https://amzn.to/3309rK7Thanks for listening!

In this episode of the Spybrary Spy Podcast Jeff Quest speaks to the former director of CIA's Technical Service Robert Wallace about his time in the CIA and the various non-fiction books he has co-authored since leaving the agency. They discuss how the CIA is similar to all other bureaucracies, why spy tech is so important for successful spy operations and how hard it can sometimes be to get past the CIA Publications Review Board. Plus, we talk about the spy that pulled the “Reverse Beatles” maneuver and some Chicago spies! All that and more in this episode of Spybrary.

Faction Soup w/ Robert Wallace & Star

In this episode, Pastor Rob reflects on how we measure the health of a community or organization, especially a church. Note:  This episode may be a bit geekier than most.  Also thanks to a number of church members as well as Rev. Robert Wallace for conversation on this topic.

Amanda and Sarah take on two haunted places that influenced famous horror films. Amanda takes a cue from her recent trip to Colorado with a history of the Stanley Hotel, the place that gave author Stephen King the idea for The Shining. Sarah stays on the East Coast for a look at the Seaford haunting that originated some major paranormal theories and may have been the inspiration for Poltergeist. Other subjects covered include powerful potpourris, elk sightings, and mall non-hauls. Recommendations: Amanda recommends the new Netflix documentary Misha and the Wolves. Sources: “House of Flying Objects,” Robert Wallace, LIFE Magazine, 17 Mar 1958 “The Science of Ghosts: Searching for Spirits of the Dead” By Joe Nickell “A Home's Bad Vibrations,” David Kahn, Newsday Real Fear: The Truth Behind the Movies Long Island Pulse (The Herrmann House)  Travel + Leisure (What It's Like to Spend the Night at the 'Shining' Hotel) The Gazette (Colorado's Stanley Hotel offers plenty of haunted tales) Amuse - Vice (Redrum | Inside the Hotel Which Inspired The Shining) Wikipedia/Freelan Oscar Stanley stanleyhotel.com For updates on future episodes and other fun stuff, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or check out our Patreon. 

The NTL HI Lab is one of the signature programs of the NTL Institute for Applied Behavioral Science (NTL), running for more than 7 decades. It is composed of three main elements: T-Groups, as you might know them from other formats, Community Learning Sessions to help you learn theory and apply it in the next T-Group and Learning Partners who support your individual learning and sense making during the week. Lab might be a strange name, but Robert explains, that a Lab means that you can experiment with your behavior in a group and become more successful in other contexts, where you interact with people. During a Lab the focus is on visible behavior in the here-and-now (what is happening in the moment in the group), to help you to understand emotional impact of behavior and adjust your own behavior in a way that your personal learning goals are met. This combination makes it unique among the group dynamic or group relations formats. With some 35 years of management experience in companies like IBM and Digital Equipment Corporation, Robert Wallace, who is the guest in this episode, is talking about his experience as a facilitator of the NTL HI Lab. Robert is an Electrical Engineer and a member of NTL where he is a staff member for Human Interaction Labs and Management Work Conferences. After this episode you are going to have an idea about the design of an NTL HI Lab and what to expect during this unique experience. More about Robert: https://wallacesuccess.com/about-robert/ And the NTL HI Lab: https://ntl.org/index.php/human-interaction/human-interaction-laboratory/

Every week Davi goes hunting for a*holes. They're everywhere, but only one can be named A*Hole of the Week.Up today: Robert Wallace is seeking a $3,000 refund from an exotic dancer. He claims he gave it to her as a loan, but she says she never takes loans. Here's Davi's A*hole of the Week. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Robert Wallace is VP of Growth at Tallwave which works with companies like PayPal, Banner Health, and Lumin Digital on their products and customer experiences. Robert has 20+ years of experience in branding, marketing and communications programs to help drive the company's growth.   Questions   Could you share with us a little bit about your journey, even though we did read a very short description of where you are now and what you're doing? We always like to ask our guests if they could share with us a little bit about their journey in their own words, and how they got to where they are today. Your current organization is a customer experience design company and we are going through a global pandemic, how have you been able to navigate in this space as an organization? And have you found it difficult to get the strategy or the design across to your clients, or even to your own employees to relate to your clients, especially during this environment that we're operating? Customer experience design from a product based perspective versus service based perspective, what are maybe one or two things that you think organizations really need to consider to really be above the rest as it relates to customer experience design. Could you share with us what's the one app, tool or website that you absolutely cannot live without in your business? Could you share with us what is the one thing that's going on in your life right now - something that you're really excited about, it could be something that you're working on to develop yourself or your people. Could you also share with us maybe one or two books that you have read, that have had the biggest impact on you, it could be a book that you read a very long time ago, or maybe even one that you read recently, but it really has just stayed with you. Where can listeners find you online? Do you have a quote or saying that during times of adversity or challenge, you tend to revert to this quote, it kind of helps to get you back on track and get you refocused. Do you have one of those?   Highlights   Robert’s Journey   Robert shared that at the moment, he’s based in Scottsdale, Arizona, where his company Tallwave is located. But he’s from Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh and that is where he spent a lot of his formative years before he went to college and graduate school.   And after that, he started his professional career, jumped right into a fast growth company called Airwalk. Airwalk was a head to toe action sports manufacturer, they did everything from skateboarding shoes to head to toe snowboarding equipment, to BMX shoes, etc. And that's where he really got his first taste of what magic it is when a customer base and a brand really merge together and make that emotional bond because Airwalk had that bond at that time and they had seen some pretty meteoric growth as a consequence of that. And when he was there, he ran retail marketing.   So anything that happened at the point of sale, at the retail point of sale, and then he also put his toe in the water, he’s dating himself now but he opened up the Airwalk’s online store, which at the time was not an easy feat and was a very controversial endeavour as well, because this is back in later 90s when eCommerce wasn't as ubiquitous and there was a lot of worry about cannibalization and those type of things. But he ran all of the operations of the online business for Airwalk. And that's really how he sort of backed into to the technology world.   From there, he moved out to Boston and work for a couple startups. One was a very large eCommerce site called FarmandCountry.com where he really started his product and product meant side of his background.   And so, he ran the product there at FarmandCountry.com. And then he took that experience to a startup coming out of MIT called Afanova. They were, how would I call it, they used evolutionary algorithms that came out of MIT and they use that evolutionary algorithms to do high throughput consumer testing for brand packaging, logos, product designs, those type of things.   So think of it as an incredibly efficient, a marketing research and feedback tool. He was there early on and helped commercialize the product and the technology itself, taking it and pointing it at different markets, but the one that was particularly worthwhile at that point was the consumer packaging goods industry. So they sold into Procter and Gamble, Coca Cola, Johnson and Johnson, Conagra, you name it, Nestle, the big CPG companies.   And from there he moved to Arizona and that's when he was early on in Tallwave - they’re a customer experience design company. And he was brought on early on to stand up the services side of the business, which has now grown, that was about 10 years ago. So it has grown to a much larger company where now and like as you mentioned, they work with companies as big as Amex and JP Morgan Chase all the way to well-funded startups and great up and coming companies like Lumin Digital, let's see, Emailage, Algolia, those type of startups that you may have heard of.   What he would say is the common thread in his career, he has done footwear, he has done farm equipment, he has done tech, and he has done crazy technology out of MIT and now he’s in a business that works with all sorts of companies.   But he would say the one common thread is a great brand doesn't really care about what industry you're in, it's about making that kind of emotional connection between the customer and the company itself.   And you do that by having an amazing experience from the beginning, you have a need as a customer all the way through, you bought product, use the product, maybe had to get some customer service from that company, all the way through being a repeat customer.   So thinking about all the touch points in there is a huge part of what excites him about brand experience and customer experience, which he’ll tip his hand in his bias, he thinks those two things are very close to the same thing, if not the same thing. But understanding the customer experience and what its impact can be is what he would say the common thread is through his marketing, branding and product management career so far.   Navigating Through the Customer Experience Design Space   Me: A very fullsome journey that has taken you to different industries and different touch points so you have a very diverse approach as it relates to these different industries. So, you span quite a few industries as you indicated in explaining your journey. I know you said your current organization is a customer experience design company and we are going through a global pandemic, how have you been able to navigate in this space as an organization? And have you found it difficult to get the strategy or the design across to your clients, or even to your own employees to relate to your clients, especially during this environment that we're operating?   Robert shared that they've been very fortunate, and the nature of their work, which is creative designers, marketers, consultants, those type of people, it wasn't a huge stretch for them to work remotely, so they were very fortunate in that regard.   And they were also very fortunate because they had a broad variety of clients and some were impacted more fundamentally than others during the pandemic, so that helped them as well. But they definitely have faced the customer experience situation both from their own standpoint, but also their clients. And if you think about, if you think customer experience broadly, they've almost become more acutely aware of the customer’s experience and the individuals customers experience more acutely than they ever have before because of the pandemic. So, companies have had no choice but to take a long, hard look at how they service and provide value to their customer base. And depending on the industry, of course, you've had to adjust accordingly. But he believes it hits all industries.   So they've seen what has happened in retail, for example, that everything that probably was on the customer experience roadmap so to speak, curb side pickup, buy online, pick up in store, touch less flooring, all of those things were probably on the roadmap already but the pandemic pushed it all forward by 5 years or so.   So, he thinks that's an easy one and a pretty straightforward one. But anytime you've had to think about how your customers are interacting with you, he thinks every company, and almost every person in that company has had to rethink how we do that effectively and how we provide value and where the value actually lies, versus necessarily just in person interactions.   Robert stated that Yanique had mentioned how do they actually deliver some of their work, like he said, it lends itself pretty well to a virtual world. They're able to shift a lot of their workshops online and there are some pretty cool tools that they've been using in order to do that. But he will say that that everybody's itching to have a little bit more human interaction.    Customer Experience Design From a Product Based Perspective Versus Service Based Perspective     Me: So tell us a little bit about customer experience design from a product based perspective versus service based perspective, could you share with us maybe one or two things that as a company, whether you're a big organization like let's say, a PayPal an Amazon versus a small company, because we do have quite a range of listeners that listen to this podcast, some of them hold very big positions in these large organizations and some of them who run their own business so they wear the hat on product development, marketing, social media, all of the different things. So if we were to look on it from that perspective, what are maybe one or two things that you think they really need to consider to really be above the rest as it relates to customer experience design.   Robert stated that the one thing that he would recommend regardless of whether you're a product company or a service company, and regardless of how big or small your company is, he thinks he would highly recommend that all companies look at and be very diligent and honest about what the actual customer journey is.   That is from the point that the customer realizes they have a need, and every step all the way through purchase, use, service, and repurchase, hopefully. So, every single touch point and then making sure that you understand who those user personas are that would be going through that journey.   And that's actually not demographic, per se at all, it's more behavioural when he says persona. So who are the types of people that are using your products or services, once you have really a good deal of empathy for who those personas are, and what they go through in terms of every step of the process around their customer journey, which may or may not have to do with your company specifically, but what is actually their journey as a customer.   He thinks from there, you're in a great position to see where the opportunities are, the opportunities might be, “Wow, there's a gap in the market in terms of how they are accessing our product and using it.” And in that case, you can do a lot of user experience exploration and redesign and see if you can remap how that looks in order to make the product part of that experience more seamless, easier to use, and generally more delightful for the customer.   Or if you're a services-based business, you may have a look at it and say, “Okay, how are we going to actually support all these interactions with our customers.” And knowing how they interact and the pains they're feeling, you can start to tailor what services you might provide to them, how you might provide to them, etc. So, speaking for Tallwave even so, he would say that the customer journey is the core component, the starting point he would say for any kind of company product or service.   App, Website or Tool that Robert Absolutely Can’t Live Without in Him Business    When asked about an online resource that he cannot live without in his business, Robert shared that there are a few that their company uses. But he’ll mention two and he would say that they're less do or die for him personally, but certainly for customer experience type work and the kind of work that their team does so well.   The first one is InVision, which is a design tool to make high fidelity mock ups and present them and interact with them with their clients. So they do a tonne of work in software and mobile app development and then they also do some web work as well and laying those out in InVision and then being able to show something that's high fidelity and in some cases even clickable to their clients and to even perhaps some validation work really helps them understand if they're on the right track and making sure that they're building a product that meets the market need.   The other one that he would say has really become pretty invaluable this year is a company called Miro. And that company, their tool allows them to do a whole plethora of interactive activities, from whiteboarding sessions to mind mapping to post it note work, where they put up business model canvases and interact. But it allows everybody to interact in the tool simultaneously as if they were in the room together doing that with physical post it notes and whiteboards like they used to pre pandemic.   So, every time he uses Miro, he’s very impressed with how well they've taken into consideration the users of that tool and the people that use whiteboards and workshopping and those types of things so often, like a lot of agency folks, design folks, consulting folks, that's a great example of a company that has really listened to who the personas are, what behaviour do they take place in, and then what is the journey that we go through to implement that, and they've built that into the product. So, he thinks they're actually a good example of what he was describing before.    What Robert is Really Excited About Now!    Robert shared that on a personal level, the more and more of the world keeps getting vaccinated, and he’s halfway home, meaning he got one of the two shots, so he'll soon be fully vaccinated and that is a relief, he’s sure to everybody that gets it for themselves and their loved one. So the things that come with that are more time and more quality time with family and friends. And so, that's probably his number one personal item.   On a professional level, he thinks it is when we all go through times like this, and the pandemic was unlike any other. He thinks when we come out of the other side, we've all transformed a little bit and he’s excited by what that transformation, as painful as it might have been, that transformation has opened up a lot of opportunities for all of us, especially in the business world.   Books That Have Had the Greatest Impact on Robert   When asked about books that have had the biggest impact, Robert shared that one he has read about 4 years ago, 5 years ago maybe, it's called Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown. And he found it to be very useful and worthwhile for both his personal and professional life and it's really about identifying what really is adding value to the time that you're spending on something and when to say no, and why and being very deliberate about that. And in very simple terms, because he thinks most of us, at least at some point struggle with saying no, and being a little overburdened, but what really is important now is something that Essentialism definitely has taught him. So that's sort of a both a professional book.   And then he’s also reading a book that he’s finding fascinating, it's called Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don’t Have All the Facts by Annie Duke as in gambling bets, and it's written by a former professional poker player. And it's not at all about poker, it is about decision making, processes and using the mind-set that a professional poker player or gambler that they use and the processes they use in order to evaluate what they're doing. There's a lot of them that are very cool ways to think about the decision making we have to do in our professional lives day to day.    Where Can We Find Robert Online   Website – www.tallwave.com LinkedIn – wallacera Twitter - @Tallwave Instagram - @tallwave LinkedIn - Tallwave   Quote or Saying that During Times of Adversity Robert Uses   When asked about a quote or saying that he tends to revert to, Robert shared that it's a little long can I read it. It’s called The Man in the Arena by Teddy Roosevelt, one of their former Presidents. “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”   Please connect with us on Twitter @navigatingcx and also join our Private Facebook Community – Navigating the Customer Experience and listen to our FB Lives weekly with a new guest   Grab the Freebie on Our Website – TOP 10 Online Business Resources for Small Business Owners    Links   Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don’t Have All the Facts by Annie Duke   The ABC’s of a Fantastic Customer Experience   Do you want to pivot your online customer experience and build loyalty - get a copy of “The ABC’s of a Fantastic Customer Experience.”   The ABC's of a Fantastic Customer Experience provides 26 easy to follow steps and techniques that helps your business to achieve success and build brand loyalty. This Guide to Limitless, Happy and Loyal Customers will help you to strengthen your service delivery, enhance your knowledge and appreciation of the customer experience and provide tips and practical strategies that you can start implementing immediately! This book will develop your customer service skills and sharpen your attention to detail when serving others. Master your customer experience and develop those knock your socks off techniques that will lead to lifetime customers. Your customers will only want to work with your business and it will be your brand differentiator. It will lead to recruiters to seek you out by providing practical examples on how to deliver a winning customer service experience!

Philadelphia is often referred to as the birthplace of a nation, but it would also be fair to say that it was the birthplace of American espionage. Today’s guests, Keith Melton and Robert Wallace, author of Spy Sites of Philadelphia, discuss the city’s secret history from the nation’s founding to the present. Throughout the Revolutionary War, Patriot leaders included intelligence operations as a crucial element of the new government. George Washington was America’s first spymaster, deploying his agents to overcome the advantages of the British force. After the war, spy activity centered around the city’s port facilities and manufacturing plants. As political, diplomatic, and economic activity shifted from Philadelphia to New York and Washington, DC in the second half of the 20th century, the city remained a target first for Chinese and Soviet industrial spying and, later, for Islamic jihadist recruitment operations. Spies in Philadelphia have been putting their lives at risk to uncover enemy secrets and undertake deadly missions of disruption and sabotage for over two centuries.

The baseball show from the fan’s perspective.0:01:01 The First Pitch - The fair weather fans are out in force already and it’s only April. Don’t be the guy or gal I wouldn’t want in my foxhole. Sponsored by www.thebaseballmapper.com0:06:46 Holler and a Swaller - Presented by The Hitter Sports, we’re drinking Alamo Bourbon from Alamo Distillery and toasting a great friend to the show.https://alamodistilling.com/0:08:43 On Deck - We’re joined by one of the most influential people in baseball, Former Astros President, current CEO of Ryan Sanders Sports and Entertainment and the newly named member of the Minor League Executive Board, Reid Ryan.twitter.com/robertreidryanhttps://www.rs3sports.com/0:23:38 Who’s On First: Friend of the show, Kevin Watterson is here to talk Keene Swamp Bats and the 2021 NECBL season. www.swampbats.com 0:34:45 Go Go Astros - New main contributor Brian Arbour checks in to talk about the ’last Astros unpleasantness.’0:48:11 Good Wood - Andy and Jim take on the sometimes incomprehensible MLB COVID policy.1:03:48 The McEntire Mule - The Atlantic League might be pushing the mound back.  Say Whaaaaa?1:16:56 Closing It Out - April is #NationalPoetryMonth and we’re reading “The Double Play” by Robert Wallace. Thank you to my Mother In Law, Cheryl, for the recommendation.

Philadelphia became a battleground for spies as George Washington's Patriot army in nearby Valley Forge struggled to survive the winter of 1776-77. In the centuries that followed ― through the Civil War, the rise of fascism and communism in the twentieth century, and today's fight against terrorism ― the city has been home to international intrigue and some of America's most celebrated spies. "Spy Sites of Philadelphia" takes readers inside this shadowy world to reveal the places and people of Philadelphia's hidden history. These fascinating entries portray details of stolen secrets, clandestine meetings, and covert communications through every era of American history. Along the way, readers will meet both heroes and villains whose daring deceptions helped shape the nation. Robert Wallace is the former director of the Central Intelligence Agency's Office of Technical Service, founder of the Artemus Consulting Group, and contributor to the CIA's Center for the Study of Intelligence. He has coauthored numerous books with H. Keith Melton, including "Spy Sites of New York City" and "Spy Sites of Washington, DC." Description courtesy of Georgetown University Press.

www.robertwallace.com - Robert Wallace, Founder, Chairman of the Board of BithGroup Technologies and BithEnergy talks about how he assists Black entrepreneurs to develop strategies for success. Schedule your guest appearance on the show: https://bwstlive.as.me/schedule.php – Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Email BlackWallStreetTodayPodcast @ gmail. com. The Black Wall Street Today (BWST) radio show is focused on all things Black entrepreneurship and hosted by Virginia Tech alumnae Blair Durham, co-founder and co-President of Black BRAND. BWST occurs live in the studios of the historic and prestigious HBCU Hampton University. The BWST podcast is produced by using selected audio from the radio show and other Black BRAND events. BWST is the media outlet for Black BRAND. Black BRAND is a 501(c)(3) organization that stands for Business Research Analytics Networking and Development. We are Hampton Roads Regional Black Chamber of Commerce. We promote group economics through professional development and community empowerment, and we unify the black dollar by providing financial literacy, entrepreneurship training, and networking resources! http://blackbrand.biz m.me/blackwallstreettoday + info@blackbrand.biz + (757) 541-2680 Instagram: www.instagram.com/blackbrandbiz/ + Facebook: www.facebook.com/blackbrandbiz/ Jazzy Version of Shimmy Shimmy Ya – Jashsaun Peele & Grandpa Crunk. https://youtu.be/tp25ToCluBI Produced by Seko Varner for Positive Vibes Inc. http://www.PositiveVibes.net + (757) 932-0177 Fix your credit yourself: https://positivevibes.myecon.net/my-credit-system/ Debt consolidation & Private Money lending: PositiveVibesFinancial@gmail.com + (757) 932-0177 Start your own financial business: https://positivevibes.myecon.net/lp/wfh-v1/?a=1-930503E- --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/black-wall-street-today/message

Summary Welcome to another episode of the Startup Junkies Podcast!  In this week's episode, Robert Wallace joined Caleb Talley, Jeff Amerine, and Matthew Ward to talk about his entrepreneurial journey and how he defines success.  Robert is known worldwide for his skills as an entrepreneur, author, speaker, and business consultant.  Robert draws inspiration from his difficult upbringing, and he is determined to leverage his success to benefit others' lives.  You don't want to miss this riveting episode!     Shownotes (1:41) Introducing Robert Wallace (5:54) Robert's entrepreneurial inspiration (10:37) How faith impacts Robert's goals (15:26) Making solar energy more accessible (20:54) Learning from failures (24:28) Finding time to become an author (29:52) Looking towards the future (31:43) Accepting that we don't know everything (34:19) Wrap up   Links Caleb Talley Jeff Amerine Matthew Ward Robert Wallace RobertWallace.com  BITHGROUP  BITHENERGY    Quotes “I think that too often as we age and get older, we lose the ability to dream.  And one thing my father instilled in us was to not lose that ability.  And so, I've been a dreamer.”  (11:04)   “How can I use this wealth, how can I use this access, how can I use this authority and power to make the lives of people better? And if I'm not doing that, then what good am I?  Right? What value do I have?  And so for me, it is how do I use these blessings to make life better and to have an impact on their lives.  And that's what drives me.”  (14:31) Sponsored by Tiny Capital: https://www.tinycapital.com/ Tiny partners with founders to give them quick, straightforward exits that protect their team and culture. We'll make an offer within a week, close the deal within a month, and keep your business operating for the long term.  Get in touch at tinycapital.com/startupjunkies, and we'll let you know within a couple of days.

Robert Wallace spent a 33 year career with the Central Intelligence Agency and is widely known for the very well done books he and co-author Keith Melton have produced on the history, culture and tradecraft of intelligence (including the SpyCraft book which was turned into a Netflix series and the Spy Sites series of books documenting the intelligence history of Washington DC, New York and Philadelphia). This OODAcast examines Robert's career from the beginning, resulting in interesting stories and insights into his leadership and management style relevant to any leader in business or government today. His professional life began as he received an MA in Political Science from Kansas University in 1968 and then received a draft notice which resulted in his two years of service in the US Army, including service in Vietnam's Mekong Delta leading long-range reconnaissance patrol teams. In the CIA his initial assignments were as a field case officer. He rose through the ranks at the agency and was Chief of Station in three locations where he directed the full range of CIA activities. Upon returning to headquarters he worked on budgets for the agency and defended spending in front of congressional oversight committees. In 1995 Robert became deputy director of the Office of Technical Service (OTS) and in 1998 was appointed its director. The OTS is the organization most analogous to the "Q" branch in James Bond movies, responsible for creating spy devices and capabilities necessary to conduct clandestine operations with safety and security. You will find Robert's observations on both leadership and management at the CIA not only interesting but directly transferable and applicable to leading any large organization. And his insights into the value of intelligence for the nation and the value of information for companies is also brought to light. Robert's book collaboration with Keith Melton began with the 2008 book Spycraft, soon followed by The Official CIA Manual of Deception and Trickery.  Their Spy Sites trilogy captures the history of American espionage from the Revolutionary War to today. Additional Resources: Spy Sites Philadelphia Spy Sites New York Spy Sites Washington DC Every Time I Get Stabbed In The Back My Fingerprints Are On The Knife Cyber Crisis: Protecting Your Business from Real Threats in the Virtual World The Splendid and the Vile

The "legend" began in 1917 when Wisconsin native Louis "Gus" Roy, author of The Candle Book, and his mother moved to New Hampshire, looking to purchase a home with "history." He soon learned of how Mary Wallace had been born at sea and how the ship had been beset by pirates. He quickly purchased the colonial once owned by Ocean-Born Mary's son, Robert Wallace. Mary had lived in a different house a mile away with her son William, but Roy didn't let a little thing like facts stop him. He invented a fascinating story of Mary and her pirate benefactor, buried treasure, and a haunted house.

Robert L. Wallace is an internationally known entrepreneur, author, business consultant, and keynote speaker. With more than four decades of industry experience spanning engineering, energy, IT, and executive coaching, Bob leverages his expertise to educate and inspire entrepreneurs, executives, and audiences around the world.   Growing up in the housing projects of Baltimore City amidst poverty and racial segregation, Bob overcame social and economic obstacles through his own rags-to-riches story to become a successful serial entrepreneur. After being groomed by innovative industry leaders like IBM, DuPont, Westinghouse, and Procter & Gamble, Bob leveraged his experience to establish three companies: BITHGROUP Technologies Inc., a cybersecurity and IT services provider; Bithenergy, Inc., a renewable energy and consulting company; and Robert Wallace Media which includes RobertWallace.com and EntreTeach Learning Systems LLC.   Pulling from his real-life experiences and extensive research, Bob has authored 5 books and continues to write. His areas of expertise include wealth creation methodologies, urban economic development strategies, strategic partnerships, business spirituality, and domestic emerging markets. In particular, Robert addresses the business challenges faced by women, people of color, and entrepreneurs of all stripes from both domestic and global emerging markets. Bob tells the story of these amazing people with an insightful approach that makes his writing equally compelling to large corporations who are nurturing an “intrapreneurial” spirit within their workforce.   Today, Bob blends his diverse experiences in engineering, energy, technology, and entrepreneurship to educate, entertain and enlighten corporate audiences across industries and demographics. His dynamic keynote presentations and hands-on workshops inspire personal and professional breakthroughs, resulting in bottom-line improvements.   When he’s not researching, mentoring, or presenting to other business leaders, Bob enjoys spending time with his wife, their five children, eight grandchildren, and his internationally expanding family. He frequently leads groups on mission trips to various countries in Africa and Latin America, where he has helped start businesses, orphanages, and schools.  Avid about education, especially STEM programs, he regularly mentors students in high school and college. Bob is a passionate community leader and devoted church elder who believes in the intersection of spirituality and business. He helped establish Global Vessels, a faith-based nonprofit that pursues humanitarian projects around the world to meet the physical and spiritual needs of people in emerging nations. Through this nonprofit, he has built global relationships that have translated into profitable connections – an example of his motto to “do well while doing good.”   Currently, Bob serves as Affiliate Professor of Business at the Loyola University Sellinger School of Business, where he lectures on innovation and entrepreneurship in the global economy. Previously, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics at the University of Pennsylvania, and his MBA from the Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. It was at Dartmouth where he began his groundbreaking research on the success characteristics on some of the world’s most accomplished entrepreneurs. He proudly serves on the boards of the University System of Maryland Board of Regents, the Greater Baltimore Committee, Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Maryland Economic Development Commission, The President’s Roundtable, and the Wallace for Mayor Campaign Committee.     Links and Resources:   (Website) Robert Wallace: www.robertwallace.com (Store) Robert Wallace: www.robertwallace.com/store (Books) Robert Wallace: amzn.to/2NMN6bq (Instagram) Robert Wallace: www.instagram.com/drrobertlwallace   Listen & subscribe to The Startup Selling Show here: BluBrry | Deezer | Amazon | Stitcher | Spotify | iTunes | Soundcloud | SalesQualia   Thanks so much for listening! Tell a friend or ten about The Startup Selling Show, and please leave a review wherever you’re listening to the show.

Robert Wallace is back talking about Meditation and Karma, the potential for true meditation and meaning of karma.

In this episode, I interview Dr. Robert Wallace. He is an investor, author, and energy business consultant who lives in Baltimore, Maryland. In our conversation, Robert and I discuss the advantage of the immigrant mindset, the benefits of being in the energy sector, and the three things in life you need to be successful. To learn more about Dr. Robert Wallace, visit these sites: RobertWallace.com bithgroup.com bithenergy.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/black-gold-podcast/support

Robert Wallace is a speaker, author, and a consultant with over 40 years of business experience spanning engineering, energy, and IT. He has a true rags-to-riches story that began in the Baltimore Projects amidst poverty and racial segregation before overcoming obstacles to establish three companies: BITHGROUP Technologies, Bithenergy, and EntreTeach.  Robert shares his innovative strategies for success in his books and workshops, which includes one of his books, Black Wealth: Your Road to Small Business Success. He partners with many different types of clients across a range of industries and some of his clients include Bank of America, Dartmouth College, IBM, Salvation Army, NIH, Toyota, Verizon, University of Pennsylvania, and many more. In this episode… "Why does America hate us so much?" That was the depressing question young Robert Wallace asked his father when he watched the news about the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King. As an adult and as a parent today, how do you answer that question? Robert’s father was able to talk to him and his siblings about racial inequality which shaped his perspective about it and made him see that not everyone was truly bad. But sadly, many years later, racial inequality still persists, and the recent events at the Capitol Building lend credence to it. But what impact does racial inequality have in you as a person and in your business? And how can addressing the appalling silence on racial inequality help you determine the direction that might want to have for your business? And more importantly, what can you learn from Robert's experiences of racial inequality and how he turned it around to succeed in life and business?  Listen to this episode of Inspired Insider as Dr. Jeremy Weisz talks to Robert Wallace, Founder of BITHGROUP Technologies, about the appalling silence on racial inequality. Robert talks about his experiences of racial inequality in the United States and how he has seen it persist through the years. He also shares the lessons he's learned and the mindset that shaped his success in education and entrepreneurship, and his favorite story from his book, Black Wealth: Your Road to Small Business Success.

Internationally renowned entrepreneur, author and keynote speaker, Robert Wallace joins the Invest In You podcast to discuss entrepreneurship, successful mindsets, reaching your goals and objectives and why it is critical to adapt to the environment around you. Listen in and discover business and life lessons that can help scale your business, build more strategic partnerships and disrupt your industry. KEY TAKEAWAYS The younger generation is not interested in nibbling around the edges of existing systems as that may not work, they will look to disrupt the system, break it and then re-build it into a system that is conducive and reflects the interest of the people.   You can get a lot more done by working with people through strategic partnerships. 99% of entrepreneurs who have been successful are where they are because they have built alliances and strategic partnerships with parties who share their vision.   Never lose the ability to dream. It is the power of a dream that will change lives and that will change the world. As we get older the pressures of life discourage our ability to dream.   Be clear on the destination point that you desire to be in the future and build a bridge to where you want to be by aligning yourself with others who share your vision around the world as they will help you to achieve your dreams. The environment around us will always be changing and it is critical that entrepreneurs must be able to pivot, change and adapt their business to be successful during tough times.   BEST MOMENTS “All of us have at least one book in our gut” “Always disrupt a system, break it apart and re-build it” “I wish I had learned the lessons of strategic partnerships when I was younger” “Never lose the ability to dream” “Be clear on the destination point that you desire to be in the future” “There is an art and a science to building partnerships to achieve your objectives in business”   VALUABLE RESOURCES https://www.robertwallace.com/     ABOUT THE GUEST Robert L. Wallace is an internationally known entrepreneur, author, business consultant and keynote speaker. With more than 41 years of industry experience spanning engineering, energy, IT and executive coaching, Bob leverages his expertise to educate and inspire entrepreneurs, executives and audiences around the world. CONTACT METHOD bob@robertwallace.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertlwallace/ Tel: 410-962-6533   ABOUT THE HOST Serial entrepreneur Fredrik Sandvall loves sharing ideas and interviewing world-class entrepreneurs and influencers. Invest in You is about investments, entrepreneurs, personal development and doing fun things. He hopes to ensure you take action, helping others and yourself, plus enjoy the journey we call life. CONTACT METHOD Contact Fredrik Sandvall – Invest in You  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandvall/?originalSubdomain=uk  https://sandvallinvest.com/  https://www.facebook.com/FredrikinLondon https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/investing-skills/id1445899547?mt=2  Contact Charlie Sandvall Charlie Sandvall LinkedIn  Contact Ivan Sandvall Ivan Sandvall Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

School has started back for most students across the United States, and it has been a historic roll out to an unprecedented academic term. This week, we dig into some of those nuances in a thought-provoking conversation regarding the current state and future of our education system. This week's guest: Robert N. Wallace, Jr., M.Ed   Email: thejigsawpodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @thejigsawpodcast

If you visit New York, your waiter, your cabbie, or the lady on the train playing Candy Crush could very well not be who they appear to be. That's because there are more spies working in New York City today than ever before, according to H. Keith Melton, the espionage advisor on The Americans, and Robert Wallace, the former chief of the CIA’s Office of Technical Service. But, as today's guests and the authors of the new book Spy Sites of New York City argue, the city has always been a hotbed of international intrigue. From George Washington's downtown spy ring to Alger Hiss meeting his handler in a Park Slope movie theater to the hundreds of agents using the UN as a cover at this very moment. Espionage is as much a part of the city as honking horns and delayed subways. In this episode we discuss centuries of spying in the five boroughs and beyond, walking the reader through surprising meeting places, secret drop-sites, and the everyday bars, hotels, and park benches where so much shadowy history has been made.

Throughout its history, New York City has been a battleground for international espionage, a place where secrets are created, stolen and passed on through clandestine meetings and covert communications. In over 200 entries, H. Keith Melton and Robert Wallace’s beloved guidebook “Spy Sites of New York City: A Guide to the Region’s Secret History” takes you inside this shadowy world and reveals the places where it all happened. Join us for a look at a side of the city you’ve never seen before with H. Keith Melton and Robert Wallace in this edition of Leonard Lopate at Large on WBAI.

Robert Wallace fills in for Matt as we celebrate our breakthrough into Western Europe! And we break the news on the (likely) next football coach at Arkansas!

Craig Haynie drops by to give us the scoop on our SUPERIOR marching band! And we find out how Robert Wallace got the microphone at family fun night!

Luke 12:49-56 Rev. Dr. Robert Wallace

Luke 11:1-4 Rev. Dr. Robert Wallace

Luke 10:38-42 and Colossians 1:15-20 Rev. Dr. Robert Wallace

Frasers Logistics & Industrial Trust is buying key properties in Germany and Australia. CEO Robert Wallace spoke to Prime Time today to discuss the details behind the purchase, how they plan to finance it and what the upside is for unit holders. He also shared his thoughts on the MAS possibly easing the leverage restrictions for local REITs like Frasers.

Galatians 5:1, 13-25 Rev. Dr. Robert Wallace

Robert Wallace fills in for Matt as Don Everly Smith gives us all the details on the HCT's upcoming production of The Christians. And Robert reports on the Ag Banquet and our state champion Ag Communications team! It's only on Out To Pastor!

Episode #78 Colette talks with Dr. Robert Wallace who is a pioneering researcher on the physiology of consciousness. He is the author of a number of books and has travelled around the world giving lectures at major universities and institutes on consciousness-based health programs. Contact Colette and find all her services and events here! In this episode, Colette talks with Dr. Wallace about his book Dharma Parenting - Understand Your Child’s Brilliant Brain for Greater Happiness, Health, Success & Fulfilment. They discuss the following topics: What is dharma How is dharma parenting different The different brain/body types When a parent and child's brain/body types collide The importance of parental healing The concept of attention and appreciation Managing your child's meltdown Building routines for your child's brain/body type The developmental changes in a child's brain Visit Dr. Wallace's websites: www.dharmaparenting.com www.doshaguru.com www.docgut.com Thanks for listening!  

Luke 13:1-9 Rev. Dr. Robert Wallace

In this episode, Dr. Frazier and Dr. Fabrizio sit down with Dr. Robert Wallace of McMurry University to discuss prisoners who have been wrongfully convicted due to insufficient evidence, misleading witnesses, and/or a broken legal system.

The Mercantile's Reeling in Moby Dick discussion group begins on January 10, 2019. To help listeners prepare, NKU professor Dr. Robert Wallace and artist Matt Kish talk about ways to approach the novel and why it's worth reading.

We kick off the Christmas season with some Thanksgiving tales, a lot of football and a heartwarming story of Robert Wallace's trip to the ballet! You'll never think of The Nutcracker again without laughing! It's Out To Pastor on KWRD 1479 and 98.5!

Aimee and Keria chat with videographer Robert Wallace aka Parallel Teeth – maker of videos such as Beffy by Ladi6, Rangers by Randa and more recently Hang by Merk.

Spider monkeys are not just charming and charismatic denizens of the rainforest, but they are also behaviorally complex and evolutionarily fascinating. Apart from living in complex fission-fusion societies similar to chimpanzees, these jungle gymnasts travel at breakneck speeds high in the canopy seeking fruits on which to gorge themselves, all the while dispersing seeds for hundreds of tree species. Without spider monkeys, the famous diversity of tropical forests would suffer -- a tragedy for certain -- but it barely scratches the surface of what would be lost if these endangered primates slipped away. In this episode, we discuss everything spider monkey: from the anatomy that allows such jaw-dropping acrobatics, to ways that they might be saved so that future generations might also fall in love with these spectacular creatures.   Our featured guests on this episode include behavioral ecologist Andres Link, Robert Wallace of the Wildlife Conservation Society and Identidad Madidi, and Nena Baltazar Lugones from Comunidad Inti Wara Yassi. Extra thanks to our contributors Cecilia Coro, Gaspard Renault, and Cristina Boronat.The music for this episode was by Heavenly Queen, Eaters, Lobo Loco, Doctor Turtle, Bio Unit, Tepalcate, and Podington Bear -- provided through Creative Commons licensing (CC BY-NC 3.0) or permission from the artist. For links to organizations and projects mentioned, as well as additional readings, please visit our website, oneworldscience.org. One World Science is an initiative of Field Projects International, which offers field biology training opportunities around the globe. To learn more visit fieldprojects.org.

Dr. Robert Wallace wraps up the "Songs of the Saints" series by looking at Psalm 150. There we see David giving praise and adoration to God not for what He has done for David, but because of who He is. Dr. Wallace is the Associate Professor of Biblical Studies at Judson University.

Frasers Logistics & Industrial Trust - or FLT - announced this morning that it has proposed to acquire from its sponsor all the shares in a Special Purpose Vehicle, which holds interests in 21 prime industrial properties - 17 in Germany and 4 in the Netherlands. Robert Wallace, Chief Executive Officer of Frasers Logistics & Industrial Trust, shares more details behind the deal.

Dr. Robert Wallace gives the next installment of the "Songs of the Saints" series in Psalm 73. Dr. Wallace states that this is the turning point in all of Psalms - when lament begins to turn to joy and satisfaction in the Lord. Dr. Wallace is the Associate Professor of Biblical Studies at Judson University.

Regardless of how we grow up, the fact of the matter remains that we all grow up differently. Sometimes we come up in an environment that just may harden us to one extreme or another. Our next guest, Robert Wallace shares his story with us today on how God brought him from unbelief to full-blown belief and love for God. He has spent quite a bit of his life paying the price for things that he has done. After coming to know the Lord, he expresses remorse for how he has led others down the wrong path. However, Robert knows that his call is to now go and tell all about the one who has saved him and called him home. Join us now on episode #49, for an interview with my good friend Robert Wallace.

In Houston I sit with Robert Wallace while we exchange light jabs over our beliefs on Flat Earth, Global Warming, Religion and all things Taboo. Robert, once a scientologist and an avid conversationalist; sit for the first installment of what may turn out to be reoccurring.

Parents often marvel at how differently each of their children operate: one child might learn quickly and forget quickly, while another learns slowly and forgets slowly; one kid might be hyperactive, while another is slow moving; and one may fall asleep quickly, only to awake in the night, while another takes hours to fall asleep. In DHARMA PARENTING: Understand Your Child's Brilliant Brain for Greater Happiness, Health, Success, and Fulfillment, renowned scientists Dr. Robert Keith Wallace and Dr. Frederick Travis explain the reasons for these differences and use their groundbreaking scientific research to help parents ascertain their child’s unique brain/body type. Join Dr. Robert Keith Wallace and Dr. Frederick Travis and me on Tuesday, September 20, 10-11 A.M. CT US. We will be discussing about a wealth of methods and insights from both scientific research and successful, real-life parenting situations, DHARMA PARENTING provides actionable steps and practical advice for those seeking a happy and balanced lifestyle for all members of the family.

In their groundbreaking book, Dharma Parenting: Understand Your Child's Brilliant Brain for Greater Happiness, Health, Success and Fulfillment, renowned scientists Dr. Robert Wallace and Dr. Frederick Travis draw on contemporary scientific research and the time-tested knowledge of Ayurvedic typology to explain our children's natural inclinations (i.e. why one child learns quickly and forgets quickly while another learns slowly and forgets slowly; why one child is hyperactive and another slow moving; or why one falls asleep quickly but wakes in the night while another takes hours to fall asleep). Combining this with the latest understanding of how the brain is shaped by natural maturation, Wallace and Travis show parents how to better understand their child's natural inclinations and corresponding strengths and weaknesses. Using a simple quiz to ascertain their children's unique brain/body type, readers will learn: What kinds of foods best support each individual child's brain/body typeWhich routines best suit each brain/body typeHow to choose activities that bring each child greater enjoyment and well-beingHow parents can determine their own brain/body type, and how it impacts their relationship with their kidsHow parents should alter their parenting approach for each age group Robert Keith Wallace is a pioneering researcher on the physiology of consciousness. His research has inspired hundreds of studies on the benefits of meditation and other mind-body techniques. Frederick Travis is a world-renowned neuroscientist who has discovered brain wave patterns in children and young people that correlate with greater moral reasoning, happiness, emotional stability, and academic performance.    

Bob Wallace, retired CIA Director of the Department of Technical Services is one of the co-authors of the new book,The Official CIA Manual of Trickery and Deception. In 1953, against the backdrop of the Cold War, the CIA initiated a top-secret program, code-named MKULTRA, to counter Soviet mind-control and interrogation techniques. Realizing that clandestine officers might need to covertly deploy newly developed pills, potions, and powders against the adversary, the CIA hired America's most famous magician, John Mulholland, to write two manuals on sleight of hand and undercover communication techniques. In 1973, virtually all documents related to MKULTRA were destroyed. Mulholland's manuals were thought to be among themuntil a single surviving copy of each, complete with illustrations, was recently discovered in the agency's archives. The manuals reprinted in this work represent the only known complete copy of Mulholland's instructions for CIA officers on the magician's art of deception and secret communication. Bob joins me on the podcast to talk about the book that Lance Burton describes as, "A legendary lost piece of magic history. It's James Bond meets Harry Houdini!"

As discussed in our interview with Robert Wallace regarding the recent release of the manual that John Mulholland producedunder contract for the CIA,  I thought it only appropriate to explore this topic further.  In this episode, we talk to Ben Robinson, the author of the only biography of this individual,MagiCIAn : The Secret Life of John Mulholland. John Mulholland became a consultant to the newly born CIA in 1953. His assignments included working with billionaires and inventors, cracking codes and delving into the clandestine world of ESP research, LSD use and the secret MK-ULTRA world headed by the notorious Dr. Sidney Gottlieb. During this period, CIA Dr. Frank Olson died the day after Thanksgiving, 1953. This book examines Mulholland's role during this dramatic period in the CIA's history and goes against the current trend of accusing Mulholland as having a role in Olson's fatal fall from a hotel window. Enjoy exploring the fasinating topic with the Magic Newswire.

Storytelling has been around since humans have been in existence. Ancient hunters used storytelling, depicted through drawings on cave walls, to share information about food opportunities to their neighbors. Fast forward approximately 10,000 years, and storytelling takes on a new form – poets reciting stories through spoken word. At the turn of the 5th Century, stories began appearing in the form of small-batch books. In the 1500s, William Shakespeare figured out how to use storytelling to appeal to the head and the heart by tapping into intellect and emotion. It's no surprise this ancient form of communication is also extremely valuable in marketing and branding. Robert Wallace, partner and executive VP of marketing at Tallwave, says it's one of the only way brands, particularly those operating in commoditized markets, can capture the hearts and minds of customers. Robert, who also serves as the president of the Phoenix chapter of TiE, has more than 15 years' experience working with fast-growth companies and startups on building their marketing and branding strategies. In the late 1990s he worked with Airwalk International, which he labeled as a very large startup, developing new media marketing strategies. So the art of storytelling has reigned king throughout his career. Though storytelling has been a big component of marketing and branding for decades, Robert says it's one of the things many startup founders and even established businesses overlook. Not Just a Pretty Face Branding is more than great logo and polished look. While those elements are important, they're a small sliver of the overall brand. “If that's your view of what branding is, then you probably think it's a little superfluous to worry about it early on in your startup,” Robert said. “Instead you're focused on your product, and there's value to that. You should focus on your product. But we're going to see more, as various product categories become more commoditized, you no longer have to be novel to be successful.” As a result, companies need to shift their focus to developing a solid brand, but that brand needs go deeper than nice visuals, it needs to win over the minds and hearts of customers. “The biggest mistake a lot of startups make is they think branding is just a logo, or pretty pictures, or a tagline,” Robert said. “It's really about communicating your position in the marketplace, and that is incredibly important for any business.” This is particularly true for different categories of business in which competition is high – there will always be leadership company in peoples' minds. To be in that position or at least be in the running for holding that position in the minds of your customers, the branding and marketing needs to be thought of from the beginning. “Take a company like Slack. At the end of the day, it's a messaging app…not necessarily a terribly novel concept,” he said. “They have, however, injected personality, a great look and feel, great messaging and micro-copy throughout the site. Not to mention the Slackbot. Those were all conscious decisions that the Slack team made before or while they developed the product.” “Only certain companies are going to win, and win the hearts and minds of people and hold that position whether they have the best product or not. Those things aren't often considered early on with a lot of startups.” Robert also cautioned not to decouple branding and product, and marketing and product. They need to be developed in tandem and should be a company-wide function, not just a function of the marketing team. Developing Your Brand As Simon Sinek says, “It starts with why.” Why does your company exist? Knowing your purpose and communicating that to not just potential customers, but also your employees and other company stakeholders is incredibly important. They need to know why you exist. “With the internet, and this nearly infinite amount of information about companies now…it's no longer just about a valuable product,” Robert said. “A lot of people want to know what a company stands for and why they're doing what they're doing. That is starting to factor more and more into the buying decision.” Don't get stuck on figuring out how to tell the perfect story. Instead Robert suggests focusing on the process of understanding who you serve, what pain points they have that you are trying to solve, who else is trying to solve the problem, and why you're better and different. This, in essence, is why your company exists, and these things need to be thought about from the beginning. Of course voice and tone also needs to be consistent throughout the product experience too. To nail this, Robert suggests voiceandtone.com and playing “Apples to Apples” – something he leads startups through in his storytelling workshops. “Sort through the word cards and get down to eight, at the most, voice and tone words," he said. “This should be based on the value of your company and what you think your value proposition is and what your purpose is. Once you've got those eight, the really difficult part is to create ‘but not' statements.” For example, if one of your voice and tone words is “intelligent”, you might say something like “we want to sound intelligent, but not arrogant. From there you can sketch out the words you should and shouldn't use in your marketing copy. “The brand isn't just a marketing function, it's the entire promise you are making to your customers,” Robert said. The Art of Storytelling To further integrate storytelling into your brand, think back to the basic story structure taught in grade school. It has a protagonist or hero, an antagonist (the person trying to get in the way of the hero), and a challenge or series of challenges that protagonist has to overcome. There's a turning point and finally the resolution or outcome. “You have a customer with a certain pain point, and there are reasons why they have that, and that's why your is going company exists – to help that hero achieve their end outcome. It's basic storytelling 101,” Robert said. For startups, particularly tech startups, trying to differentiate themselves, the art of storytelling will prove more and more imperative. And this needs to be thought about from the beginning. This is in essence why your company exists. “This should be at the core of your business strategy not just your product or marketing strategy,” he said. Biz Hack: Several years ago MailChimp made public its Voice and Tone guide. The guide helps MailChimp employees write in a consistent voice, and provides a roadmap for adapting their tone based on various situations. It covers how certain emails, landing pages, Twitter and Facebook posts, and even press releases should convey messages. It's a great tool for determining your brand's voice, tone and overall personality. Next week I'm in The Lab with Jerrod Bailey, partner and vice president of business development at Tallwave. We talk all things acquisition and how entrepreneurs can start building their sales and marketing stack even before they launch. Be sure to tune in! Until then, have a prosperous week.

Business startup is certainly not without its challenges. Just look at the percentages of failed startups versus those that have succeeded and see you the struggle is real. Approximately just 10 percent of startups actually succeed. That begs the question, “Why do so many startups fail?” Jesus Ramirez, vice president of product at Tallwave, and Scott Williams, lead engineer at Tallwave, routinely work with startups on helping them become part of that ten percent. Along the way, they've identified a few pitfalls many startup founders fall into. “A common challenge I see is them not having the right kind of focus,” Scott said. “It's really easy for them to just take a sheet of paper and start jotting down ideas, then start building features upon features. Never really knowing if what you've got on paper there is something viable, something that will fit any kind of market, or even how long it will take to produce.” Jesus said he commonly sees entrepreneurs focus on the product rather than building a holistic business. “Product or a mobile app may be a part of the overall business, it's not the business in its entirety,” he said. “It's not just about getting an app into the app store and pushing it to users. It's about how are you going acquire and retain, what is the cost of acquisition going to be, what is the lifetime value of customers going to be, what marketing channels are you going to use to acquire customers, and so on.” There are a lot of components beyond just the product entrepreneurs need to address from the beginning. Once these have been established, testing and validating ideas and assumptions is key. Proving and Disproving Startup Theories Entrepreneurs are constantly reminded to just start. The version one of a product or service doesn't have to be perfect and the longer either of these sits in development, the more it costs. Today, building an early prototype and getting it in front of users for feedback and testing is easier than ever. “There are so many tools out there now that allow you to put together what your concept is in rough form, to the point where you can put it in front of users and get some strong signals as to whether it's viable or not,” Jesus said. Going through this process also helps you uncover what features and benefits your target market really wants, rather than what you think they want, understand how you differ from the competition, and test pricing and messaging. Ultimately, when done right, testing and validating all components of the business – the features, branding, marketing, and acquisition strategy – early on helps you build a more sustainable product. This is critical, particularly as the entrepreneurial landscape has grown even more competitive in the last decade. “The barriers to entry have gone down and so there's been an influx of entrepreneurs. So the competition has gone up,” Jesus said. “The second thing is that the bar has been raised.” He said this is because there are so many great, high-quality consumer applications and products out there like Slack and Mailchimp that have primed users to command it. The cost of launching a business and building an app, specifically, have come down tremendously, which has also increased the amount of competition and reduced the time to market. “The costs of building an application for back in 2000 were huge,” Scott said. “Those prices have come down, and in some cases their free.” Building a Sustainable Business Building a sustainable business overall requires a mind shift from thinking about the product or service as the sole component of the business. Your product is part of your brand and how you interact with the customer. “You may not have a growth specialist, or content writer, or branding specialist on your team, but you need to have somebody who's focused on those things from the onset, because your product is going to impact your brand and your sales,” Jesus said. To do that you have to figure out what your values are and what you stand for, then determine your voice and tone. “When you're thinking about how you're going to incorporate those elements of the brand into your product, it's important to think about where those messages will come through in your product,” Jesus said. This can include push notifications, the welcome screen, modals that pop up when a user completes a task, and so on. The voice, tone and messaging need to be deliberate and integrated throughout the user experience. Scott and Jesus recommended looking at how Mailchimp has integrated voice and tone into their brand. They publish their brand guidelines on their site, as well as every interaction the user has at voiceandtone.com. “That level of nuance and empathy, and understanding of the user goes such a long way in building retention, and loyalty and engagement with the user,” Jesus said. And branding is absolutely essential to build into the product or business from the beginning. It's the purpose and why behind what you do. It's everything. “You want to establish that as one of the first things you do,” Jesus said. “As an entrepreneur, think about why you're building what you're building. That will become the epicenter of your brand.” “Any time you're making something you have to ask yourself who is it for,” Scott said. “Do I need a mass appeal or a very focused set.” Finally, Scott and Jesus said a narrowed focus is essential. More many entrepreneurs, casting a wide net feels like the safer route, but zeroing in on a niche audience enables you to better understand their needs, wants and desires. This, in turn, enables you to build a solution that better meets their needs and target your marketing more effectively. Biz Hack: Socedo helps you leverage Twitter as a lead-generation tool. It essentially discovers social prospects that match your ideal customer then qualifies them through automated engagement on Twitter. It's essentially applying an if this, then that algorithm to Twitter interactions. Quote of the Week: “Don't measure yourself by what you have accomplished, but by what you should have accomplished with your ability.” ~ John Wooden Next week I'm in The Lab with Robert Wallace, executive vp of marketing at Tallwave. We deep dive into the art of storytelling in business and how to use it to acquire customers and turn them into raving fans. Be sure to tune! Until then, have prosperous week!

Clownbaby and Bryce join the show / We all saw Godzilla and have big issues with the movie / Godzilla started off good / So many plot holes / What does Godzilla Eat! / Bryce saw the new x-men movie / x-men better than Godzilla / Godzilla maybe better in iMax / WTF news / Pop rocks in vag / Obama walks the street / man paints crap / man has sex with atm / mystert object in china / patrick stewart is really old / Robert Wallace and the Harry Potter DVD Scandle / high elve attacks car / oculus rift for chickens / follow up on the shoe store robber / netflix gets crappier / end

Join Scott Atkins & Michael Trent as they recap the professional circuit of Fantasy Sports.  Scott is co-owner of FFToolbox and the Fantasy Football World Championship http://www.fftoolbox.com/ffwc/main-event.cfm  Robert Wallace plays in all the national contests and finished 33rd overall in the FFWC last year with a 7-6 record. Find out why he's back for more.  Plus: We'll talk why Scott thinks Eric Ebron is a monster in waiting for some lucky dynasty owner.  Just how will Chris Johnson do in New York? In our Iinjured Reserve segment, we look at veteran studs on the comeback trail. (Reggie Wayne, Arian Foster and The Gronk and tell you which if any you should take a shot on this season.  Lots lots more gang. Join us. 

Here's our May 27th 2010 Foot Stompin' Free Scottish Music Podcast.  Featuring new release Birds & Beasts (Music by Martyn Bennett and Fraser Fifield) by Mr McFall's Chamber, and then Christine Primrose's classic Aite Mo Ghaoil (Place of My Heart). Next up is Tune In by Nuala Kennedy and then we go mainstream with Mark Knopfler's Get Lucky. We leave the mainstream after this and play some Gaelic airs from Robert Wallace. We finish up the show with Dan Tyminski singing Man Of Constant Sorrow on Transatlantic Sessions Volume 4. Visit www.footstompin.com for all your Scottish music and culture needs.

Spy technology has been integral to the operations of CIA agents from the period of the cold war until the present day. On this program, Robert Wallace discussed the secret world of spycraft.

A talk show on KZSU-FM, Stanford, 90.1 FM, hosted by Center for Internet & Society Resident Fellow David S. Levine. The show includes guests and focuses on the intersection of technology and society. How is our world impacted by the great technological changes taking place? Each week, a different sphere is explored. This week, David interviews Robert Wallace, co-author of Spycraft. For more information, please go to http://hearsayculture.com.

Peter interviews Robert Wallace, director of the CIA's Office of Technical Services (OTS, the department in charge of “gadgetry”) from 1998 to 2002. Bob explains some of his favorite devices, such as the T-100 subminiature camera, and compares OTS' performance to that of its adversaries. He also reviews the role of OTS in some high-profile spy cases and discusses the capabilities and limitations of technical support in intelligence operations.

Robert Wallace interview, Yellowcake plc - Read interview transcriptAndrew Ferguson of Geiger Counter Limited (LSE:GCL) . Read interview transcript pdf .Michael Hampton, aka Dr Bubb, of GEI - Read interview transcript See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit frisby.substack.com/subscribe

Robert Wallace interview, Yellowcake plc - Read interview transcript Andrew Ferguson of Geiger Counter Limited (LSE:GCL) . Read interview transcript pdf . Michael Hampton, aka Dr Bubb, of GEI - Read interview transcript See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today's guests take us inside the Maharishi School of the Age of Enlightenment, where students learn to fight terrorism with meditation, yoga, breathing techniques, Sanskrit, happiness and peace. Sheer-el Cohen, a student at the school, and Dr. Robert Wallace, a professor and author of “Victory Before War”, recount their amazing experiences and prove that there is a better alternative to war.