Podcasts about sacrificing

Many people spend years chasing success, only to realize they've sacrificed more than they intended. In this episode, Eric Bigger explores the hidden cost of success and shares how authenticity, fulfillment, personal growth, and spiritual fitness can help you achieve more without losing yourself along the way.Ready to deepen your spiritual fitness? Join Eric's Sacred Momentum program and start raising your frequency today: https://www.ericbigger.com/offers/zTSMQAWT/checkoutCheck out Miracle Season's collection: https://itsmiracleseason.co/collections/frontpageWork with me: https://www.ericbigger.com/workwithme?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=work_with_m...Connect with Simplified Impact: https://hubs.ly/Q02vvMJ90

In this episode, Travis Chappell and producer Eric dive into one of the most debated topics in entrepreneurship: work-life balance. Inspired by comments from Poppy co-founder Allison Ellsworth about the sacrifices required to build a billion-dollar company, Travis breaks down why success looks different for everyone and why blindly following someone else's blueprint can lead to regret. This episode explores how entrepreneurs can align their priorities with their personal goals while still building meaningful wealth and freedom. On this episode we talk about: Whether building a billion-dollar company requires sacrificing work-life balance The difference between lifestyle businesses and venture-scale companies How to define success based on your personal goals instead of someone else's Why entrepreneurs should prioritize their time according to seasons of life Balancing business growth, family relationships, and personal health Top 3 Takeaways Your definition of success determines how you should structure your business and life. Not everyone wants—or needs—to build a billion-dollar company. Priorities should be aligned with your current season of life, but neglecting health or family completely often leads to long-term regret. Entrepreneurship should create freedom, not become a more demanding version of a traditional job unless that's intentionally part of your goal. Notable Quotes "You can't have three things that are equally number one priorities. That's not how a number one priority works." "Ruthlessly prioritize against your goal." "Money only solves your money problems, but it's easier to solve the rest of your problems when you've got money in the bank." Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell Website: https://travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer! - To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney -Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kern County summers can send utility bills soaring, and in Part 2 of this conversation, Laurie McCarty continues sharing practical ways homeowners can save money without sacrificing comfort or curb appeal.This week, Laurie and Adlai focus on one of the biggest summer expenses for local homeowners: water. From lawns, landscaping, pools, gardens, and irrigation systems, water usage can climb quickly once the heat settles in. Laurie explains where homeowners should start, including how to check for leaks, broken sprinkler heads, running toilets, irrigation issues, and signs that water may be wasted without you realizing it.They also talk about smart watering habits, drip irrigation, smart controllers, drought-tolerant landscaping, artificial turf considerations, mulch, plant choices, and why homeowners should check with their water provider before starting a project that may qualify for rebates or conservation programs.Plus, Laurie shares a real estate history spotlight on the charming Cinderella Homes, highlights a featured Stockdale Estates listing as the Home of the Week, and closes with an Equity Boosting Tip for homeowners.If you want to keep your home comfortable, your yard looking cared for, and your summer bills from taking over your budget, this episode is for you.

They’re in the same role as you, have less experience and are somehow being paid more? A whopping $25k more. So, are you being underpaid or simply not asking for what you’re really worth? On this week’s Friday Drinks, we’re covering career-coded Money Dilemmas. One person asks whether it’s ever worth it to stay in a job you love, even if it means taking longer to reach your money goals. And someone’s being underpaid! Or are they? With a less-experienced colleague being paid more for the same role, this community member asks whether they’ve missed their moment to ask for a raise – or if they’re simply being underpaid by a whole $25k. From knowing your worth to knowing your values, this episode is nothing to sniff at. A big thankyou to the team at eBay for sponsoring this episode! To learn more about free selling, check out their website. Join our Facebook Group (Search for: ShesontheMoneyAUS) AKA our zero-judgement support network for money tips. Ask questions, share rec’s, and celebrate your wins with a like-minded community of 300,000+. And follow us on Instagram (@shesonthemoneyaus) for Q&As, bite-sized advice, daily money inspo... and relatable money memes that just get you. Acknowledgement of Country By Nartarsha Bamblett aka Queen Acknowledgements (queenacknowledgements.com) The advice shared on She's On The Money is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances. She's On The Money exists purely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon to make an investment or financial decision. If you do choose to buy a financial product, read the PDS, TMD and obtain appropriate financial advice tailored towards your needs. Victoria Devine and She's On The Money are authorised representatives of Money Sherpa PTY LTD ABN - 321649 27708, AFSL - 4451289See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kern County summers are tough on homeowners, and they can be even tougher on utility bills. In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, Laurie McCarty breaks down practical ways homeowners can lower summer electricity costs while keeping their homes comfortable.Laurie and Adlai talk about why utility bills are part of the true cost of homeownership, especially when air conditioning is running for hours a day and families are already feeling the rising cost of everyday expenses. Laurie shares what homeowners should know about AC maintenance, filters, smart thermostats, solar screens, window tinting, rate plans, appliance usage, pool pumps, energy-efficient upgrades, solar panels, and battery storage.They also discuss how buyers are paying closer attention to monthly homeownership costs and why sellers should understand how efficiency, comfort, and maintenance can affect buyer perception.If you have ever opened a summer electric bill and wondered if there was a mistake, this episode is for you. Listen for practical, realistic steps Kern County homeowners can take to stay cool, save money, and make smarter decisions about their homes.

What if success wasn't about chasing more, but about designing a life that actually feels good to live? In this episode, Cait sits down with Amber Lilyestrom for an honest exploration of motherhood, ambition, money, legacy, and what it really means to build a rich life. Amber shares the story behind building a freedom-based multi seven-figure business while intentionally working limited hours each week so she could stay deeply present with her children and family life. Together, Cait and Amber discuss the pressure women feel to follow someone else's blueprint for success and why true sovereignty comes from defining your own version instead. Tune in to hear: Why Amber intentionally built her business around motherhood and presence instead of hustle culture The "mom math" and "life math" behind creating a business that actually supports your life How motherhood can completely redefine your relationship with ambition and success Why capacity naturally shifts in different seasons of life and business The connection between childhood experiences, nervous system safety, and money patterns How unresolved money trauma impacts women entrepreneurs and their businesses Amber's perspective on financial sovereignty and why women need more money in their hands The importance of creating a business model that aligns with your values and energy Why relationships and depth are the foundation of sustainable long-term business growth How to stop following someone else's blueprint and create success on your own terms Connect with Amber: Website: https://amberlilyestrom.com/  Instagram: @amberlilyestrom Substack: Homeward by Amber Lilyestrom Podcast: Homeward with Amber Lilyestrom    

Meet George Rivera, an author, speaker, and entrepreneur best known for developing the Buy Back Time Formula. With more than three decades of entrepreneurial experience across multiple industries, George has created a practical framework that helps high-growth founders and "founder dads" reclaim 10–20 hours each week, improve profitability, and build companies that can operate successfully without constant owner involvement.  George is also the creator of the Father-First Owner OS™️ and author of Buy Back Time Formula. Through his work, he teaches entrepreneurs how to create scalable businesses through stronger systems, empowered teams, intentional leadership, and the strategic use of AI and automation.  This conversation explores: How watching his father miss important family moments shaped George's philosophy on business and life. Why auditing your time is one of the most important exercises a founder can do. How delegation and systems can help business owners escape constant operational overwhelm. How founders can become more present with their families without sacrificing growth. Want to learn more about how George helps entrepreneurs create businesses that support both success and the moments that matter most? Tune in now. Connect with George: LinkedIn Buy Back Time Website

Join Gary and Jamie as they chat about universal designs!

People-pleasing is not a personality trait—it is an anxiety response. Learn how this behavior is running your leadership and how to break free as a Christian woman in leadership. You said yes again. You knew before the words left your mouth that you did not have the time. Every part of you wanted to say no. But the thought of that awkward pause — the look of disappointment, the possibility that someone might be upset with you — felt unbearable. So, you smiled. You said, of course. And then you went home and quietly resented it. If this sounds familiar, you are not weak. You are not a pushover. Instead, you are stuck in a loop — the anxiety response loop — and people-pleasing is one of its most common, most costly, and most misunderstood expressions. People-Pleasing and Anxiety: More Than a Personality Trait Where People-Pleasing Comes From in Christian Women Leaders People-pleasing does not appear from nowhere. It takes root in specific developmental environments of childhood. Therefore, being aware of it and understanding its origin are the first and most important steps toward freedom. Emotional Chaos and Unsafe Environments Emotional Neglect and the Need for Approval Anxiety and the Fawn Response Loop Guilt, Shame, and People-Pleasing What People-Pleasing Looks Like in a Leader People-pleasing in high-achieving women does not always look like weakness. Often, it is far more sophisticated — and far more invisible. Do any of these feel familiar? You . . . Agree in the meeting and complain about it later. Over-explain, over-apologize, and over-qualify everything you say. Take on work that is not yours because saying no feels impossible. Avoid difficult conversations until resentment forces you to address them. Cannot make a decision without polling everyone around you first. Shrink your needs and opinions to make space for others. Say yes to everything — and then quietly burn out from the inside. People-Pleasing Keeps You in the Anxiety Response Loop Pleasing God vs. People-Pleasing: A Word for Christian Women in Leadership Galatians 1:10 Proverbs 29:25 1 John 4:18 Philippians 4:6–7 How Christian Women in Leadership Can Break Free from People-Pleasing 1. Start with Awareness 2. Pause Before You Respond 3. Regulate Your Nervous System 4. Reclaim No as a Complete Sentence No is not unkind. Saying no is not selfish. Instead, look at no as a boundary. 5. Anchor Your Identity in Christ What People-Pleasing Freedom Looks Like in the Calm, Confident, Consistent Loop Your Next Step as a Christian Woman in Leadership This week, track your yeses. Every time you agree to something, pause for just a moment. Ask yourself: Is this a yes from my values, or a yes from my fear? Simply notice. As awareness builds, freedom will become a desired outcome. REFLECTION QUESTIONS Where in your life are you most likely to people-please — at work, at home, in friendships, or in your faith community? When you trace it back, what was the original experience that led you to believe people-pleasing was necessary for safety? What would it feel like to make one decision this week based solely on what you want and need — not on what others expect of you? Read the full show notes and access all links.

This week's Frankly is another edition of Wide Boundary News, where Nate invites listeners to view the constant churn of headlines through a wider-boundary lens. He begins with the misleading framing of recent oil production statistics by the United States, which blurs distinctions between crude oil and broader petroleum products. Nate uses this as a case study in how data can be technically correct, yet structurally misleading – particularly when used for political storytelling. The lens widens as he considers whether the peak of the carbon pulse could pass without clear public understanding, especially as access to the underlying data becomes more restricted and fragmented. Nate then moves into the geopolitical and physical consequences of energy strain, focusing on Iran and the Strait of Hormuz as a critical chokepoint in global oil flows. He connects ongoing disruptions not only to price spikes, but also to how energy functions as a security commodity. These disruptions also extend into cascading effects on food systems, as things like fertilizer supply and cooking fuel reverse in access and affordability. Moving closer to home, Nate discusses the opening of Minnesota's Boundary Waters for copper-nickel mining, highlighting the tension between ecosystem protection and demand for mineral inputs to power any magnitude of energy transition. He also touches on the rapid expansion of AI data centers and the large share of electricity they use, framing this trend as the economic Superorganism diverting massive energy flows toward its cognitive layer, rather than only its muscular layer. Finally, Nate closes with a reflection on industrial livestock productivity as another expression of a system optimized for high output, but operating under energy conditions that may no longer hold.  Why do we need to think about energy as a security commodity? How much of our future depends on being told the truth? And what have we bred for – in cows, seed varieties, supply chains, cities, and financial systems – that we will not be able to feed, medicate, or transport on the backside of the carbon pulse? (Recorded May 5th, 2026)   Show Notes and More   Watch this video episode on YouTube   Want to learn the broad overview of The Great Simplification in 30 minutes? Watch our Animated Movie.   ---   Support The Institute for the Study of Energy and Our Future   Join our Substack newsletter   Join our Hylo channel and connect with other listeners  

3/16: Professor John Yoo argues California's high energy prices result from sacrificing affordability for climate ideology. This approach ignores natural resources like the shale deposits in the middle of the state.1574

In this week's episode, we will discuss Xbox having another very interesting event this week,we find out who has the GTA6 marketing rights,Sony is being sued again and the next COD will be current gen only. Be sure to reach out to us at 667-284-9057 or Email us at the analogcirclepodcast@gmail.com

You've been so busy achieving that you forgot how to feel — and sis, that's not success, that's survival. In this episode, my guest expert Maisha Khalfani, Sensual Somatic Coach, and I are pulling back the curtain on why women keep sacrificing their pleasure to perform, to produce, and to keep everybody else comfortable. We talk about the real signs your body has been screaming at you that you've been too disconnected to hear. This is a wake-up call. It's time to stop outsourcing your joy and get back in your damn body!To connect with Maisha and learn more about her community, visit: sensualenergyalchemy.comFor more resources to support you in feeling your own power, authority, audacity and alignment like never before and to start using it in your life now, visit: https://stan.store/latoyaz

In this episode, Emily interviews Dr. Jed Kim, a recent PhD graduate in chemistry from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Jed built a $35,000 Roth IRA by the time he finished his PhD due to consistent $500 per month contributions. Jed and Emily discuss what it took financially to maintain that savings rate, from applying for fellowships and bank bonuses to sharing food with multiple roommates to engaging in free and low-cost activities. Jed speaks openly about how spending too little at times hampered his mental health and how a family emergency caused him to rethink his approach. This interview illustrates the trade-offs graduate students have to navigate when striving to make the PhD less of a financial liability.

Are you a people-pleaser… or just terrified of letting people down?Hi! I'm Xena & I am a recovering people-pleaser.I cared so much about what other people thought of me & would prioritise the needs & desires of my friends, family or colleagues, above my own. And by doing this I was telling myself that my needs & what I wanted weren't as important... Further adding to my insecurities & lack of self-worth.  Overtime I became a chameleon - I didn't know who I was or what I really liked because I was always going along with everyone else. People pleasing is a pattern of thinking & doing things that prioritise what other people think over what we think - Sacrificing pleasing yourself in order to please others.   In this episode you'll learn: Why ADHDers people pleaseHow this pattern of behaviour impacts our ADHD symptomsHow we've got the idea of "people pleasing" all wrongWhere people pleasing comes from in our brain & how to change it LINKS TO MORE SUPPORT & OTHER GOOD SH*T:*Join Adulting with ADHD your ADHD toolbox & everything you need to work with your brain*Get our ADHD Coach in your pocket! + the ADHD Goal Setting Workbook (life planner tool)*12 Things I wished my Doctor had told me about Adult ADHD*Find out if you might be living with ADHD - Download Symptoms List*Check out Courses & Coaching with Xena*Learn, Inspire, Share & Connect inside our Facebook Community *Come hang out with me on Instagram!

Unity Without Compromise with Dr. Steven LaTulippe – A call to restore self-sacrifice for God and country, urging unity, humility, and renewed purpose in a divided nation. It confronts rising selfishness, draws on history and scripture, and encourages Americans to endure hardship, serve others, and strengthen both faith and national identity through committed, selfless living every day...

Clarance Thomas speech; Comparing to Leviticus 10; Defining "progressivism"; Political and social reform?; Government; Police powers; FORCE; vs Kingdom of God; Equity; Where your rights come from; One purse; "Socialism"; Defining "religion"; Love requires sacrifice; Priests; Freewill offerings; Power in the hands of the people; Waiting for election day?; Commentary on Iran; Babylon?; Nonsense; Rome's progressivism; Stealing from the wealthy; Is poverty a virtue?; Weakening the poor; Equity in outcome; Cursing your children; Not to be like the governments of the gentiles; Anti-Christ; Forceful reform?; Nimrod the "hunter" or provider; Idolatry; Gen 10:9; Human resources; Right to own?; Cities of blood; Abimelech; King as father; Desiring benefits at expense of neighbor; Bismark source of progressivism; Voluntarism; Knowing your neighbors; Breaking commandments; Economy dependent on corruption; Legalizing private religion; Being ready; Moses in the desert; Sacrificing for others; Federal Reserve; The ways of Christ; Strengthening society; Colossians 3:5; Children of disobedience; Speculating on Donald Trump; Abimelech; Legal Charity; Christ's solution; Q from Kat: Is Russia socialist government?; Dangerous doing business in Russia?; Legislating morality?; Treaties; "We The People"; Making everyone successful; Sweden's socialism; Having the heart of Christ; "IOR" - Vatican bank?; What would Christ do?; Q from Kat: Moneychangers collecting taxes?; Porters of the Temple; Saul's forced offering; Turning the world upside-down; Christ's ordination; Q from Kat: "Overthrew"?; Voluntary associations; False messiah?; Understanding Altars; American socialists; Biting your neighbor; The seed of Abraham; Show up for others.

Strange fire and divine fire; Ananias and Sophira; Superstition; Holy Spirit; Heave and wave offerings; Taking care of the needy of society; Turtledove goddess of Sumer?; Lev 11:1 beasts ye shall eat; Why eating important?; Hygiene?; Loving neighbor as yourself; Health, education and welfare; Sacrifice; Charity alone; Peaceful conquest of Canaan; Parasites; Realizing divine inspiration; Seed oils; Unhealthy foods; Canaanites; Republican ways; Defiling men; Sacrificing for others; Bringing about your own downfall; Biting your neighbor?; Ruminants?; Tapeworms; Hygiene; Air/water filters; Coney?; God's answer; Accumulating toxins; Exercising authority; Taking care of the needy of your society; Swine?; Pork and waterfowl; Timing of food laws; Abominations; shin-kuf-set incompatible with holiness; Holiness?; Bottom-feeders; Regulate or warn?; Sin?; Koran; Not subject to private interpretation; Holy Spirit guidance; Deut 14:15; Sewer systems; Unclean fowl; Leaping bugs?; Celibacy?; Inheritance of property; Enriching your neighbor; Allowing choice to all; Manifesting care; John the Baptist Parthian; Locusts?; Alfalfa; Altering the nature of your society; Attitude creating appetite; Pope vs president; Removing honoring of parents; v23 eating out our substance; Legal charity; Constantine's church; Veto?; Our relationship to government; Horns of authority; Rightly dividing bread; Repentance; Following Christ's WAY; "Religion"; Diet for the kingdom; Spirit of parasites - feeding on host victims; Spirit of righteousness?; Cliff goats; Meditative contemplation; Are you listening to God speaking to you?; James 1:8; Sharing your blessings; Carcasses; Making covenants with government (Babylon); Romulus and Remus; Blood money?; Spiritual significance; Leaving baggage behind; Join the Living Network.

Andrew returns with his latest blueprint for a gothic mystery, and the coaching quickly zeroes in on what will make it work: a clear, compelling villain and twists that truly land. With help from thriller coach and Thrillerfest executive director Samantha Skal, the discussion unpacks the hidden layer of the story—what the villain is actually doing—and how that contrasts with the protagonist's assumptions.As they dig in, it becomes clear that strengthening the mystery means making the murders more personal, introducing a convincing false suspect, and mapping both the visible story and the truth underneath it. By the end, Andrew has a sharper path forward: deepen the villain's motive, raise the stakes earlier, and build each twist so it feels both surprising and inevitable.#AmWriting is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.About Book Coach Sam SkalA fan of the scary, mysterious, and suspenseful, Samantha Skal is the Executive Director of ThrillerFest, the co-founder of Shadows & Secrets writing retreats, and an Author Accelerator-certified book coach who specializes in coaching mystery, thriller, horror, and suspense authors. Sam writes stories that keep her up at night, is a breast cancer survivor, and lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Learn more at www.samanthaskal.com and www.shadowsandsecrets.com. Catch Up on Andrew's Hot Seat Coaching JourneyTranscriptHi, I'm Jennie Nash, and you're listening to the #amwriting podcast, the place where we help writers of all kinds play big in your writing life, love the process, and stick with it long enough to finish what matters most.This is a hot seat coaching episode where we work through a real challenge in real time.And today we're back talking with Andrew Perella, the hashtag am writing podcast producer who has stepped out from behind the mic to work on a novel. And where we left Andrew last time was you'd worked through the whole blueprint and you were tasked with completing. Inside outline. So before we get into our guest and, um, what we're gonna do today, how was that, what was it like for you?Um, I mean, it was, it was, uh, really hard. Uh, but it was, it was, uh, it was really gratifying and it was, it was a lot of fun to do as well. Um. Because I think, um, part of, part of the assignment, you, you, you left for me, [00:01:00] Jenny, was to also beef out certain elements of certain, certain, the presence of certain characters, um, and certain and certain elements of the book.And so I was trying to do that as well as. As, as crafting the outline. Um, and so yeah, it was, it was a long, it was a struggle. It was a struggle, especially to get it to three, to keep it to three, to get it down to three pages. I know, and I'm very strict about that for reasons you are. Um, and. Did you feel a sense of accomplishment when you did it though?Like, oh, this is a book and I'm writing it, or how did that land? Yeah, I mean, like at first I just started writing. I started writing the scene bullets and the, and the points, and just started like, okay, what are all the, what are all the elements that that. I have in my head that I need to get down onto paper and it was like 6, 7, 8 pages.And I was like, okay, now I gotta get this down to three pages. Um, and, and, and I was like, okay, I can combine these two scenes or maybe I don't need this. So I just ended up cutting a lot and cutting a lot [00:02:00] and getting it down. So like, yes, there was a sense of like. Completion. Um, that was certainly gratifying, uh, to get that.And, uh, I had a couple of late nights, um, getting that, getting that squared away, but yeah, it also feels, feels more real now. Um, and it's like, yeah, there's, there's, there's a, there's a there here, which I'm pretty excited about. I'm excited about too, and I'm also excited because we're doing something really cool today.Um, and we have with us Samantha Skull, who I will introduce in a hot second. But hi Samantha. Hi. Thanks so much for having me. I'm so excited to be here. Well, I'm excited too because, um. Sam, as I call her, um, I've known for quite some time. She's one of the OG author, accelerator certified coaches. And Sam, you actually don't know this, but I use you.Probably every day.Oh my God, I'm so flattered as an example of [00:03:00] what a great book coach should do, which is to focus and choose who you're gonna serve and how you're gonna serve them, and to really go deep into what you love and what you wanna do all day. Right? The read books all day and get paid for it thing like do what you love and you.Do that. You've done that just so powerfully and it's so visible on your website, which we'll link to in the show notes so folks can go see, but. Sam loves all the dark and suspenseful and scary mystery, twisty things, which always just cracked me up because I don't, and that's what's so beautiful about book coaching and writing for that matters.Everybody has their own thing and, and that's part of the work of writing Big is. What is your thing? You know? So the reason that I wanted Sam to come is she's built a whole business on this type of work and with, um, another author, [00:04:00] accelerator coach, she runs a really cool, uh, writing retreat that is, um, it's always in Salem.Right. It is in a haunted hotel, which, um, Carrie Savage, who is my co-founder in shadows and secrets, uh, loves being haunted. I do not choose to be haunted, so I choose the non haunted floor. So they have that retreat and they, um, have just started taking it virtual and just all kinds of tools and resources and things for people writing this kind of work.And in addition to that, I. I just am always impressed by your trajectory of having gone from. A volunteer at the Thriller Fest. Well, for a participant at the Thriller Fest conference to being a volunteer, to running the Pitch Fest piece of the thing. And now you're, well then you were co-director, now you're running the whole thing.You're, you're, yes, I am. You're running the entire [00:05:00] Thriller Fest conference, which is how many writers every year. Oh, we have around a thousand and I have a team behind me. Just to be clear. This would not happen without a village, but uh, yes, we have around a thousand thriller authors who come to New York and we, uh, we talk about the dark stuff all week.It's absolutely the, the best time. And it's in two weeks. I can't, I mean, when this comes out, it may have already passed, but yeah, can't wait. No, this is coming out right before, so if anybody wants a quick getaway to New York, they should go. But also just the programming, watch the programming coming out of it and we're so excited.Yeah, it's really good. So, um, I just, I love the career you've built for yourself. It's always just really inspiring to me. And, um, also a recent breast cancer survivor, so we're, uh, always wanna shout out to that. Yes. Get your scans. That's my PSA. Always love it. Same. Love it. Love it. So I wanted Sam to come look at Andrew's inside [00:06:00] outline because I knew that the thing he has to work on is this, what I call in my not totally expertise in this area.I call the twisties of it. That there's a, you know, it's a mystery. It's a murder, it's a gothic, it's horror. It's all the things. And it, those twists have to land. And this is so much Sam's expertise that the whole time I was talking to Andrew about it and guiding him and coaching him, I just kept thinking, we need Sam in here.So, so we got Sam in here. And so, um, Andrew completed his inside outline and Sam very graciously, um, agreed to look through it and to look through his whole blueprint. So before we get into what you saw and what you found, Sam. I just love to hear, I mean, this is so self-serving. I just like nothing more than reading a blueprint.I think it's so fun. Um, just to like, [00:07:00] kind of peel back the, the cover and see what's in there. Did, did you have fun with that? Oh my gosh. So much fun. Andrew. This story is, is so cool. And I love the historical elements and the rethinking of, you know, vampires are running around London and everyone's just like, that's fine.You know, and then how does, how does this all go down? And we have this very agency filled, moxie filled main character who's just a delight and yeah, I loved it. I have, I have so many fun questions to ask you. So Andrew, how does that feel? I mean, it feels great and I, I was reading through, uh, through both of your notes, um, in the, in the, in the outline and like you're asking all of these questions.Um. Some of them that I have not thought of before and like, so I'm, so I'm really excited to kind of dig into these and talk through them. But I'm, I'm, it's really gratifying to hear that this, that this idea is, is, is, is an interesting one. Yeah. I loved it. I a hundred [00:08:00] percent read this book. I'd, I'd see it and be like, yes, I want, I want to be in that world.Cool. Well that's why you're here. Because I would be like, no, too scary. Too scary for me. So, um, I'm gonna let. Sam sort of take it away and, uh, we could talk for days, I'm sure about this, but one of the, the things I love about book coaches who are well trained is they'll hone in on the most important, the most important things.So. What do you think, Sam? What's the most important thing Andrew should be thinking about in his next iteration of this outline? Yeah, so my favorite thing to talk about outta the gate with Mr. Thriller and suspense and gothic horror, depending on how dark you wanna make this, um, is who is the person who's really behind all these murders and why are they committing them?Right? I like to think of MTS mystery full or suspense as the villain's journey as experienced by the [00:09:00] protagonist. Mm-hmm. Right. So we, we must know what's going on beneath the surface in order for those twists to land, because twists are just assumptions about what's going on that the protagonist makes.And when the truth, you know, what's really going on with the villain is revealed, it's twisty because it's unexpected. Mm-hmm. So if we don't, therefore if we don't know who's. Who's behind, who's doing all these villainous things. Um, we struggle to make those twists land and we struggle to get a blueprint that we can actually follow.So tell me your thoughts on who this mastermind murderer is and why they're doing what they're doing. Um, so. So Jack Seward is the, is the, is the Mastermind behind this. And I've been, I've been thinking a lot about it this week since I, since I finished the, since I finished the outline. And a lot of other things have occurred to me about who this gentleman is and how he's doing what he's doing.But I think the why is, um, he is committed to the status quo. He is committed [00:10:00] to, uh, uh, uh, uh, a, you know, uh. He is committed to the manosphere. He is committed to the patriarchy. He has committed to, um, the previous way of doing things. Um. In, in, in society, in politics, in medicine. And so like he's seeing this sea change, um, in all of those areas.Um, with the advent of this, of this, um, medical school for women, uh, with the, with this vote, um, vote, uh, that is happening. Um, and he disapproves and so his goal is to disrupt all of those, um. Disruptions di uh, by pitting them against each other. Got it. So if he can, if he can. Create this illusion that vampires are preying on Suffr jets.They will be too busy fighting each other to try and find any sort of, uh, agency for [00:11:00] themselves. Aha. Very, very well thought out. I love that. As a, as a mastermind villain goal. So here's the other thing, is that mm-hmm. In the genre expectation for any sort of modern mystery, full or suspense, is that we have three twists.We have one at the mid and we can have more. Right. But we have one at the midpoint, which is just the midpoint turn. Like it's, it's a classic story thing, which you already have. You have a great midpoint currently. Mm-hmm. Um, and the climactic twist is the reveal of, uh, as, as Carrie, my co-founder and shadows and secrets likes to say, um, the climactic.Confrontation answers the story question, which is presented in the inciting incident and typically in mysteries, the inciting incident is who's doing the killing? Right? Like, who's behind this dead body that we have early on? And we'll talk about that in just a second. Um, so the climactic answers that question, and then we have a final twist, which is typically the reveal of this gentleman who wants to keep things as is.And he [00:12:00] meanwhile. During the course of the story is going to be taking action to stop, uh, our plucky protagonist from stopping him, right? Mm-hmm. So he's a full antagonist to our protagonist. And in that way we need a fake villain, right? We need someone that he can have set up so that she thinks this is the person behind everything in the climactic scene.And then she gets to the end and is like, oh my gosh, I've. You know, I've conquered, I've brought chaos to order, I've solved this thing, and now, oh my God, now there's somebody else who's actually behind everything. And actually we're still in grave danger and we didn't even know to be worried about this.And that's how you get that like, you know, 85 to 98% just ripping through the pages readers, you know, being so hooked to figure out what happened. Right. Um, so. Tell me a little bit more about who Seward could have set up or manipulated or something [00:13:00] else to commit these murders so that he gets done what he wants to get done, but he also protects himself.And if you don't know the answer, that's okay. We can brainstorm. But if you do, then that's great. So this is, this is kind of part of the, the, the thought, the idea that I've had since I, since I finished the, the, the, uh, the outline is. Because the, the syringe idea mm-hmm. The double-headed syringe idea always felt a little tenuous.Uh, like I, I wasn't quite sure that that was gonna hold, but, so my new thought about this is, is. Because he is, uh, he is the, uh, director of a mental institution. Um, and so, and so, like, that's a whole other politic where he has people who are, uh, who are in his thra essentially. And so is there a way that he can coerce, um, a vampire who needs him to commit these murders on his behalf, thereby kind of insulating himself from the actions.Perfect. And [00:14:00] so I think that could, so the climactic twist would then be. It's a vampire I disco discovering that the, the, this is the vampires committing the murders. But then the, the, the final twist is, oh s**t, he's been doing this at the behest of, of Seward, who's her, you know, kind of Yes, yes. As it were in quotation.Okay. Yes. That sounds amazing. And it also, you know, when we step into this story, um, in your initial scene, we have. Vampires feeding on people and Abby's just like, uh, okay, that's, that's normal. Right? And so is that, did I read that right? Is that the world that we're in? Is that We have vampires existing and Van Helsing, you know, was the one who kept them in check.And we have all that like lore that we're dealing with that the reader brings in. So tell me more about the world I'm walking into here. So, yeah, I think I'm still developing this world. So we're 20 years. Around 20 years after the events of Dracula. Okay. The, the, the novel. And so, and I think, I think people are now aware that [00:15:00] vampires exist.And I think, you know, at this, at the same time, they're being used as like this bogey man or, or, or straw man of like, everything that is wrong with, with British society. Um, but they're also. Not the monsters, right? They're, they're just another, another, um, community that is trying to, uh, eke out, eke out some sort of existence.Um, I love that so much. It's just such a fun, sort of new twist on. Know a story that's so well known and has been in our collective conscience for a hundred years. You know, I don't know when, when Dracula came out. Correct me if I'm wrong, but a long time, right? A little over a hundred years. Yeah. It's been a minute.It's been a minute. Um, and so I, so it's still very much a period of transition as, as you know, London and the world are still trying to figure out what that means, that these things actually exist and live among us. Um, and, uh, and so. There were [00:16:00] some things that didn't make it into the outline like I had.There was this one scene where they're walking down the street and there's someone on the soapbox at speaker's Corner at Hyde Park who's railing against, who's railing against, uh, um, vampires as like a sturge on society and things of that nature. And, and there'll be things in the newspaper. I think that kind of addressed this new, this new politic, um, that, that the characters interact with.And so I'm still feeling out what exactly it means. That vampires exist and are part of the public consciousness. Yeah. So one sort of logical question that comes up for me there is, you know, if we're in society and there's just like monsters living among us who occasionally pick people off on the street, that would create a level of, um, extreme tension.Okay. Right. One might say, right, like, yeah, if I'm wandering down the street and I see a vampire eating somebody that's not just like a, you know, we would be taking steps to protect ourselves because humans are always going to protect themselves, and so yes. You [00:17:00] know what, if you change it where the vampires are only allowed to feed on like livestock or something.Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. You know, something that's like the, nobody's happy, right? Yeah. Like, like most, uh, um, situations where we, we agree on something and we're, we're all giving something up. Yeah. But that allows them to exist in society and live among us. Right? Like the, the veil has been lifted. Vampires are here.But they've agreed to only eat livestock, and then the fact that they're murdering people by eating them then becomes. A huge deal. Right? Because this Deante that we've had with them is now broken. Mm-hmm. Um, something like that, because I think if we, if we have it just being casual that they're, they're eating people in alleys or whatever, it reduces, I mean, that's a fun story, don't get me wrong.Yeah, yeah. But that reduces the impact of the murders that we are seeking to solve with this and Right. You know, you said this was, this was a mystery. And so currently [00:18:00] we don't have a ton of mystery on the page like we have. The midpoint is where, um, she discovers that things might not be what they seem, which I love.But in order for that to have impact, we need something earlier. And that could be, you know, these murders have been happening for a few days. That could be the last year. It could be she sees the first murder. Um. Something along those lines, but we need something early. So we, we understand the tension and we understand the mystery story question because you have a ton of other story questions in here, but if this is mystery first, the mystery story question needs to be who committed, who is committing these murders and why?Yep. Yeah. Does that kind of, that makes sense? Land? Yes. No, absolutely. Absolutely. Okay. Now as a, as as I was, I was rereading the outline, the other, the other, the, the other night. And I was like, I feel, I feel like there needs to be another murder scene. Yeah. Earlier we gotta up the body count in the, the book.Yeah. You know, it's a, it's a, it's a conversation I have every day. [00:19:00] Yeah. Not, not enough dead bodies. Not enough dead. Not enough dead bodies. Yeah. So, you know, and so if she is, if she's really worried about, you know, that's their question is why, why is she so involved in solving these murders? How do we make it personal to her?Mm-hmm. And so could this be a friend? Could this be. You know, um, a sister, could this be an aunt, like some something that's related to her so that this person is taken out. And then that becomes Seward has targeted her because she's the, she's, you know, van sing's niece, right? Yep. Yeah. So she's a public figure that if he takes out by having a vampire.Quote, you know, kill her. Then he will have achieved his goal of disrupting this whole thing and be like, look how dangerous it's for women to be out in the world and you know. Mm-hmm. We should put a stop to this. Like that achieves his goal, but she won't know. Right. Obviously that [00:20:00] that's his goal. Right.But he also needs to create the unrest, so it's not just, you know, she's the one who's murdered. That's going to be the climactic plan and he will have killed other people in the meantime. Right. Okay. Something like that. Like we need to make, yeah. Whatever it is that needs to be personal to her. And if she paint, if she paints a target on her back later on by being a ksky, amateur sleuth, which is classic.Um. That works well as well. But I like, you know, one of the questions I love to ask is, what was your villain doing on the day that their prote, the pro protagonist, decided to ruin their life by deciding to go after and stop them from villain. And so maybe she had nothing to do with any of this and she's researching and becomes a problem.That's the other way you could play it. Mm-hmm. Um. But, you know, if he has this grand plan and he's like, Ooh, Abby would make a great sort of like, figurehead to the end of all these murders, and that's the one that I'm gonna point at it and be like, [00:21:00] look, we can't, you know, I, we can't have these women out here.Right? Something like that could work well. Um, what do you think? What, what's, what's your brain do when I say all those things? Um, it's interesting. I hadn't considered, I hadn't considered that her uncle would be targeting her. One of the things I've been grappling with was like. One of the reasons he targets people around her is to scare her away from med school to scare her away from the cause, okay.Um, and kind of pin her in further to the existing, to the existing, um, um, status quo. Um, and so I hadn't considered him using her. Sacrificing her for his, uh, for his ultimate goals. Yeah. Um, and that's an in, that's an interesting idea. And, and if she were to discover that would certainly up to stakes, um, that would certainly up to stakes for her.It would. And so if you want him to be a little more [00:22:00] empathetic Right. We don't need to go like full dark if you don't want to. Right. Um, he could be trying to protect her. By killing other people, which is misguided. Yeah. But, uh, fun. Right? And then that would make sense. So when she figures out it's actually him, he could be like, I was doing all of this to protect you because I love you.You're in my family. Right? Yeah. That also works. But we need to have whatever his, his plan is for causing, you know, using these murders to achieve his goal. If she's, she needs to be the target of it so that it's very personal to her as she moves through this story. Um, and upping the stakes is always great.It amps the tension, right? Yeah. And again, she's not gonna know any of this until she gets to that final twist. And so one of like the most fine chilling, you know, tingly things that you can do with mysteries is that reveal at the very end. We as through the protagonist, understand how much danger we were in [00:23:00] this entire story, and we had no idea.Right? And that moment is the one that we're seeking with readers and for ourselves, right? It's like, how do we have that moment that reveal have the biggest impact possible? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Something like that. Yeah. I, I see Andrew just grinning, like, what are you, whatcha feeling? He's just like, got his giant grin on his face.I mean, like, and like I said, I've been trying to figure out how, because it, because as I was reading, as I was reading through the outline, it did feel like, like abriana was just kind of like adjacent to mm-hmm. All of the murders. Um, and, and Jenny, you and I had talked about whether there was an active investigation and, and, and Sam, I think you kind of alluded to that in, in the notes, is there, is there an active investigation and like, is she, is, is Abriana being.Is, uh, uh, coroner does a suspect by the, by the investigators. Um, is that, why, is that why she is doing her own investigation? Um, [00:24:00] which is another, which is another way to to, to up the stakes. Mm-hmm. Also, um, I, yeah, I'm, I'm, that's an interest, that's an interesting way though to, that's an interesting take on Seward, who's, um, an avuncular figure.He's not, like, he's not a blood relation. To Abriana, but like he is, he is determined in his goal and like, you know, he would, he probably would stop at nothing to get that done, even if it meant, even if it meant, uh, the daughter of a friend of his got killed. Yeah, I mean, just thinking through, and this is your homework, really, is to think through how dark do you want to make him, right?Because you can have a villain who starts off with. A, uh, a goal and decides to achieve it through very ill-advised means, but still wants to protect the people around them, right? Like they can be both. We don't have to have it be a hundred percent. [00:25:00] This person is so evil and willing to burn it all down, right?And so, but that can also be a series of bad decisions. It's like bad decision one leads to, oh my God, like people are finding out that these aren't really vampires. Now I have to really like double down to make it really seem like vampires, so I don't get caught. Because guess what, if I get caught, my life is ruined.Right? And you know, as Abby gets closer, he realizes. I have to kill her. Right? Yeah. She's, she's gonna ruin everything. Yeah. And that sort of angst and that, you know, that would be very painful for him. That could be the thing that when she confronts him at the end, and there will be a de Ma, right? We're gonna have something where he's like, I did all these things for this reason.And it doesn't have to be Yeah. Pages, but we do have a, that's a classic mystery thing. Mm-hmm. She'll understand if you like this, that you know, he was trying to protect her and then. He'll be like, you did this to yourself. You know, like, right. Yeah. You're the one who got in the way. Um, something like [00:26:00] that.And he's like, mm-hmm. My only choice now is to kill you. And then of course she will not allow that because she's our lucky protagonist and will survive because chaos will be brought to order. That's the other big thing is we wanna wrap this up unless you're going who, in which case. It gets worse at the very end.Um, is, is that, is that, is that allowed? Yeah, we, yeah. Well, to keep chaos on the chaos, absolutely. We just need it genre bending is. So hot right now, right? Um, and it's really fun, right? So you can have both, you can have the main mystery wrapped up, like she can, Abby can figure out, okay, this wasn't actually vampires and someone is posing as a vampire.And so that actually changes your midpoint, by the way. We'll talk about that in a second. But if that's the arc, right? She thinks it's vampires. She is, when she does the climactic confrontation, she's like, it's vampires like someone, you know, what are they doing? Why are they doing this? And then realizes [00:27:00] in that, that it wasn't vampires and it's actually someone else.Um, the chaos will be brought to order in that way, right? Like we have, we have a right, we have figured out that someone was posing as a vampire. But what if you have a final, final twist where you know, there actually are vampires. Killing people as well. Like seaward only admits to three of these murders and then there's someone else doing, you know, and it's just like we end it with like, oh no.You know? Right. Yeah. Or by, maybe there's something mystical with like by imitating a vampire or that, you know, the vampires have been gathering their energy for the last 20 years by feeding on goats and you know, they're ready to, we need a new van Helsing to, to keep them under control or something. And Abby takes up that mantle and, you know.You can, you can totally play it where there's an unanswered. Okay. Oh no, it's worse at the end, but we do need some sort of wrap up of the story. Gotcha. But there does seem to be some cover resolution. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay. I see what you're saying. That makes sense. Yeah, that makes sense. So it strikes [00:28:00] me, I'm not sure that you picked this up, Sam, and you might not have, but that there's a.Uh, um, Mina the Vampire. Mina, yeah, yeah, yeah. Is is her mother. Right. I did pick up on that, and that's a question I have. Okay. Yeah. Great. Because it seems like what you're all talking about that could play a really important role in any of these twists and arcs. Right. I. Yes. Yes. Plus one. Yeah. Everything you just said.Um, yeah. So Mina being her mother, fantastic. One of your final twists, right? And particularly if you have Seward being like the final confrontation, final twist person, and then, you know, you have this lovely final scene where she's like, oh my God, it's my mother. Um, yeah. But the logical question there is why would Mina Hyde, what's she after?Why would she not have tried to help Abby? Right? Because you're dealing with reader expectations that mothers will do anything to protect their children. Right? And so you can, we can twist that. Maybe she is trying to protect her from what's coming, right? [00:29:00] Like what's actually going on. Maybe she's the one who's been protecting her the whole time by warding off the vampires that have been attacking her, her friends at medical school.Um. And that's why there's so many mistaken identity things, right? Because you have two where, where Abby's like, whoops. I think that was supposed to be for me. Yeah. Um, and so the reader's gonna wonder why are they so bad at killing her, right? Like, if these were assassin attempts, like why wouldn't what, what's going on?And so that answers that question. If it's Mina stepping in, but you know, we need to understand what Mina's really after and why she didn't step forward sooner. That's a huge question that, you know, yeah. Everyone will have. Yeah, it is a huge question. Like, like where has she been for the last 18 years?Mm-hmm. Why has Aubrianna not seen her since, since, since her birth? Um, and I haven't quite nailed that down yet. Like, is there some sort of like vampire code? I don't like, I don't know. Is it, is it that she's, is that she, that Mina. Knows [00:30:00] Jonathan, her husband too well, and knows that, that he would not allow a vampire, uh, to interact with his children.Like. And so I think there, I think there are a couple of answers to that, but I haven't like, landed on one yet. Um, but I, like, I, I like the idea of Mina working kind of behind the scenes to protect, to actively protect, um. Abriana, which is what that, that opening that, that, that scene in the alley earlier on is about, is like she comes to her aid at that point.Um, and, uh, and, and and physically puts herself between, between Abri and Abriana and the violence, which Abriana misunderstands, uh, and runs away terrified. But I think, I, I think there are ways to incorporate that, as you say. Elsewhere in the, elsewhere in the story. Yeah. Well, I mean she, to make to a fantastic twist would be, she assumes Mina is the one after her, right?Right. Yeah. Like she recalls in this opening scene that Mina was coming at her and is like, Ooh, that's the vampire that wants to kill me. Yeah, yeah. And [00:31:00] you know, sees her around. And so that's her assumption. And this is how you create twists, right? Her assumption is that Nina is the person behind all of this, and why, but.You run the risk of when she starts investigating Mina and figuring out who she is? It would be, we'd figure out we need some very good reason that she couldn't figure out that was that Mina was her mother, right? Yeah. Yes. So in that case, I would suggest having some other vampire be the one that she thinks is behind everything.Um, which leads me to the midpoint. So currently this is where she discovers that these bite marks are not bite marks at all. They are. Other Marks syringes. Right, right. Like the, yeah. Yeah. Um, so if that's the midpoint, which I like, again, that means that she's going to assume that there is a human or a vampire who's lost her teeth.I don't know, um, behind all of this. And the climactic confrontation will be with that, [00:32:00] with that knowledge that this is not a vampire doing these villainous things. Um. So how does that feel? Like do if, do we, is there someone in the cast that we can sort of have her assume is that person that's not Seward.Not, not someone that I've identified yet. Um, okay. But I, I, I, I agree with you. We need, we need someone that she, that she's pursuing and, uh, in, at, in, in that sense. Um, and, and she believed, I, I, I see, I see. Now I see what you're saying. That the, the importance of her making that, that, that incorrect assumption that this is the person who's, who's doing, who's doing the, the killings.And I don't know who that is yet. I don't know if there's someone actively in the, in the cha in the cast that we have, or if I need, if I need a new character. Okay. I mean, you can also play with, you know, so this is the thing about mysteries, it gets very quickly complicated, is on the surface we have all the assumptions which are incorrect.[00:33:00] Right? Right. And so we have to build up that, those plots and make it plausible. Yeah. Because we need, you know, the example I like to give is like, let's say you, you come home and you're expecting that no one else is there and there's an open window and there is a earring back on the counter and a bloody footprint on your.You know, nice white carpet and you know, um, a knocked over plant and then you recall, oh yes, you know the nab I've been babysitting the neighbor's cat, they knocked over the plant. So that's solved. But this bloody footprint is really freaking me out because clearly somebody came in here and made a bloody footprint and that's terrifying.You're focusing on the bloody footprint because that's the most obvious thing, but the earring back is the thing that is the villain clue. Right, and that, that's the person that came in and misled you by putting the bloody footprint on the carpet for reasons, capital R, whatever it is in this story, right?But we have clocked on screen, on the page what the clue is and ignored it. And so yeah, [00:34:00] this is how you can go back in on a revision and you know, you maybe we don't know who this other person is that's actually doing this, but they will have a vested interest in not being caught. Right? Mm-hmm. And so these little clues that we put on the page later are ignored, and then we're following the story that we've already created.Mm-hmm. Um, but keeping track of all these layers feels complicated, which is why Jenny's outline with three pages is so, so useful. Um, right. Because what the, what's on the page is the, is the story that you already, that we're focusing on, right? Mm-hmm. And then what really happened? Mm-hmm. Is the thing beneath the surface that we don't learn until the truth is revealed in one of these twists.Does that make sense? Yeah, yeah. No, that absolutely makes sense. That Absolutely. That also feels like a lot to think about. It is. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And I don't have, I don't have enough red earrings. I don't have enough mis, I don't have enough misdirecting. Misdirecting clues, as it were. Right. Well, those are fun to brainstorm, right?Because we start thinking [00:35:00] about who really, it comes back to Seward. Like what would he be doing to misdirect Abby away from this? Right. To keep her safe, if you like that as a goal. Yeah. And also to make the, make society freak out about how vampires are killing again. Mm-hmm. Um, what would he plant, who would he manipulate?Who would he pay off? You know? Mm-hmm. Maybe there's a vampire who knows about all of this, and. Is trying to kill the person that Seward is hired to do the syringes because Seward's not going around and doing this. Abby would've seen him or you know mm-hmm. Recognized him or something. So he will have paid someone to, or it has someone in his organization who also believes in the cause.Yeah. And is doing this, and maybe that person's a vampire. I don't know. I do love the double syringe. I mean, I hope that stays. Yeah. Yeah. It's good. It's good. Is it? Yeah. I heard you say, I heard you kind of dismiss it, Andrew, but it, to me, that would be a perfect misdirection if [00:36:00] somebody finds that and now there's this whole thread of assumptions about what that means and Yeah, but that it's not really what it is or it's not being used the way we think, or so.Oh, okay. Yeah. Okay. Sam, you mentioned something because I was, I was getting close to like throwing that overboard. No, it's good. No. Okay. Okay. I think it is good. So, so, so, so, but that could still be, that could still be used as a, that could still, I could still use it as a red herring potentially, uh, because it could still be a vampire at Seward's behest committing the murders.But maybe they're doing it with the syringe or maybe they're, and or maybe they're doing it a little bit with their own or Right. Or not. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, to Jenny's point, this could be a total, maybe. Maybe it's not used for what we think. Maybe the double syringe is something completely unrelated and it's like the best way to draw out the.I don't know. I mean, depending on, maybe he is drugging the people in the [00:37:00] asylum, like giving them more drugs than they're supposed to have. Right, right. And, and he devised, I mean, you know, devised a double syringe to deliver it and doesn't want anybody to know that that's what he is doing, you know? Yeah, yeah.Okay. Yeah, yeah. But if you wanna play with the idea that there's also a vampire involved who believes in Seward's? Cause then that, you know. That's very interesting because it's like, well, why? What do they want? You know? Yeah, yeah. Or even just someone who is, is being coerced by him, who does, doesn't necessarily Yes.Believe in the cause, but is perhaps is, has perhaps been assigned to his asylum. Mm-hmm. And he's taking advantage of, I love. Which I think, I think really makes sewer to a, a pretty despicable individual on a number of levels, which I, which I can like, well, I mean, he's already killing people, so, right. You know, slippery slope.But that's what, you know, it's, that's the, [00:38:00] that's the thing is that his, his goals. We need to make logical sense when we get to the end and Right. You know, Abby figures out what's going on, but he, he can also be empathetic. Right? Yeah. Like, why is he so scared of women? Yeah. Being in society, what is, what is that deep fear about?And that's definitely something to explore as well. Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. Yeah, so we could, like I said, talk for days, for days about these things, but, um, it feels like this is a good place to leave Andrew with a whole bunch of work to do. And I'm just laughing because, um, this is such a perfect example of.Why we do a blueprint, right? There's so much to work out. There's so much to think about. There's so many layers and levels to every story. And, uh, you know, we, we heard you today, Andrew, sort of going, well, I don't know. I haven't thought about it. I don't know. I, I'll have to see, you know, that's, that's the work and being in that.[00:39:00] Discomfort and that not knowing mm-hmm. And the, all the possibilities and making your choices. That's, that's a work, right Sam? Like that's, it is, it's so fun. But yeah, it's mysteries are puzzles, right? Yeah. And we wanna guide the reader through the puzzle in a way that gives them maximum impact and maximum joy.For every reveal that we decide to put out there, right? We, we, we don't want to casually have a reveal. Everything is on purpose. Um, and so I was gonna say on, on the inside outline that you have, um, a parallel one, or, you know, if you make it even tighter just to flow the flow of events, you can have a, what really happened?Um, line which tracks what the villain is actually doing. And I do find that that can be really helpful because it does get overwhelming with figuring out, okay, we have assumptions. Yeah. And those assumptions are, you know, lead to action and this is how we get a repulsive plot. But those assumptions are.Not going to be the [00:40:00] actual thing that is the truth. And so we need to track what the truth is and what our villain is doing to stop our protagonist from stopping them because Yeah, forces of opposition, you know, so just for our listeners to clarify that makes sense. What Sam's talking about is a parallel inside outline is, is to literally do.An a three page outline for the, the villain? Yes, yes. Or to put a bullet point or a, a subpoint on the protagonists inside. Outline that. Tracks that, um, sometimes people color code that. Mm-hmm. Yeah. You know, but the, that's why we keep this so tight because if you start making it nine pages or 15 pages and then you layer these things, all of a sudden you have a 30 page outline, and now you've just got one of those giant story grid things that I find to be impossible to, to manipulate.Like we still want this to be manipulatable, right. So that you [00:41:00] can. Hold it in your hands and see it and, and then get to a place where you say, I can write that story. I love this story. I can write this story. That's, so that's what we're going for. So, yeah. Um, Sam, could you maybe just summarize, um, Andrew will take some time to work on this next iteration to show me.Can you give him direction on key thing to think about and me direction on the key thing to look for? Yeah, of course. So the biggest thing is figure out what Seward's really, why he's really doing what he's doing and how it relates directly to Abby. Right. What is, what action can he take that is about her, and that's either protecting her or, you know.Um, killing someone close to her to scare her away, but then why, right? Mm-hmm. So figure out the, figure out what he's really doing, and then look and see what actions, what other actions would he take about who this other person [00:42:00] is that he's framing or manipulating, or blackmailing or whatever. And if that's a vampire, then.You know, why does that work when we, when it's revealed? Like, what else could be going on? That makes sense. Perhaps the vampires don't want women and suffragettes to have this power because it threatens the power that they have in society currently, or something like that, or mm-hmm. Whatever it is. But figure out what, what's really going on.That's your homework, that's your big homework. Mm-hmm. And then, you know, for the next iteration. More murder on the page, right? We need the attention to rise and we need to understand why Abby, as she takes her steps based on assumptions, what are those assumptions? Why is she so personally invested in this?Why doesn't she just give up, right? Because that's the big logical question that I always ask is for both the antagonist and your protagonist, why don't they just walk away? Why do they keep doing this when it gets hard, right? Because when someone's actively trying to [00:43:00] stop you as the protagonist is. For the antagonist, why would the antagonist not just be like, okay, this is too tough, right?Like, I'm, I'm out, uh, this is, my goal isn't going to be achieved. So why do they both keep going? And the answer is usually we're in too deep, right? We can't, the only way out is through, um, which is what the midpoint establishes. Usually. It's like, well, shoot, you know, I can't leave this story. I have to keep going.Right? So the three twists, right? We want the assumptions to be present on the inside outline. So we have a midpoint twist. We have an inciting incident that presents the mystery story question, murder usually. Mm-hmm. And then climactic twist, who is this fake villain? And then final villain, Seward. And then final, final twist.Mina is actually involved, right? And has been protecting her the whole time or whatever, right? Yeah. Okay. So on the page, assumptions is second part of that homework, but you have to figure out what really happened in order to have the assumptions, which are Yeah, not [00:44:00] right. Yeah. So drawing, drawing out those two timelines of the, what, what actually happened, timeline, and then the assumptions, timeline and how they, well, the assumptions are gonna be on the page, right?Those will be on your protagonist inside outline, right? Because it, it informs her actions. And so everything you have about her fighting to go to med school and like all these things, all that works. All we're doing is just tweaking it a little bit so that the mystery is more. Front and center, and she's taking action based on, okay, I have this clue, what do I do?Now I have this clue. What do I do now? What stands in the way of each time I do this? Oops, I'm wrong about that. So what now? You know? Okay. And in the meantime it's clear that her personal stakes are rising and she is becoming a target. There's more attempts on her life and, and you know, then what? Right.Once you have a target on your back, you can't run. Yeah. Yeah. So. Yeah. Make it scarier. That's your homework. Yeah, I do. I do. I have to put her in [00:45:00] peril. I have to put her in peril. Right? You do. Yeah. Yeah. And the final thing I'll mention about this is when you actually get to writing the way that you, even if it's, even if the actions are a little less intense, right?We don't actually have an assassin coming at her every page because we'd get bored with that. So through interiority, through inner thought, she's going to think about what she's scared of throughout the entire book. Mm-hmm. It's not just gonna be, oh, I assume this thing. It's like I assume this thing. And also I'm terrified because you know what, if this is about that, and that's how you create those red herrings too, is because she's going to make assumptions about what's happening, and those assumptions will be based in fear.Right. Love it. Right. That makes sense. Love it. That makes sense. Thank you. My God. You're so welcome. Love this story. Can't wait to read it. Are you still with us, Andrew? You're not. You're not walking away. Right. You're not like, I'm in too deep now. No. Yeah. Okay. Okay. Just past the midpoint. Yeah, I was gonna say good.Good. No, that's why, that's why I'm, that's why I'm grinning so [00:46:00] much. It's like, it's like, ‘cause we're talking about this as if it's an actual, real thing. It's not just, it's not just an idea that I've, I've, I've had and been, I've been telling my wife about this is an actual, this is an actual thing I'm talking with people about.Um, and so this is, this is real. This is. It is real. It's exciting. Um, we will, uh, see how this unfolds for Andrew and Sam, I just wanna thank you so much for joining us and talking about all this. Um, and I'm gonna tell our listeners that if you want this kind of twisty help, um, that's Samantha's website, which is samantha skull.com and that's SKAL.She has a really cool, um, very inexpensive twist. Course, which you can, um, take. It's just awesome. And it's, um, she got some blueprint stuff on there, all kinds of things. And you can learn also about the retreat that she runs with carrieSavage@shadowsandsecrets.com. And you can go to Thriller [00:47:00] Fest and see all of the big work she's doing for this community of writers out in the world.So Sam, thank you for coming on. Oh, thank you so much for having me. And I just wanna say, Jenny, the reason that I focused, I mean, yes, I love this stuff and I have, I've loved it my whole life, but I listened to you. This was your. To focus in on what I love and I did. And it's just the best I get to wake up every day and talk about murder, which sounds like a terrible hobby, but I love it.So here we are. I know. That's why I talk about you all the time. Maybe that's it. ‘cause you listen toI, I, uh, I push people a lot harder now, let's put it that way. Um. Amazing. That's, that is my craft. But thank you Andrew, again, for being so willing to be doing this in public. It's not easy for those listening just to be on the hot seat like this for so long, so often really hard. So, um, you, [00:48:00] huge, huge shout out to Andrew and shout.Um, just for our listeners, thanks for tuning in and let's get back to work. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amwriting.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Christy Schnurle shares expert insights on how to reduce construction costs in multifamily development by optimizing design, supply chain, and construction processes. Learn practical strategies to save up to 15% on projects and avoid costly late-stage surprises.   Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind:  Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply   Investor Machine Marketing Partnership:  Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true 'white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com   Coaching with Mike Hambright:  Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike   Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a "mini-mastermind" with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming "Retreat", either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas "Big H Ranch"? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat   Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform!  Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/   New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club   —--------------------

Most of the fear you feel in life is not real — it comes from a fake timeline someone else handed you and told you to live by. In this episode, I share the raw questions college students asked me that made me stop and think hard about fear, my biggest failure, and what success actually looks like in my life right now. If you want to stop chasing metrics that don't matter and start building a life that does, this one is for you. Key Takeaways Most fear is rooted in fictitious timelines and societal metrics, not real danger or real failure. A happiness board or daily gratitude note is a simple, free habit that can shift your entire perspective. Sacrificing good people in pursuit of goals is one of the costliest mistakes you can make — people are hard to find, success without them is hollow. Your KPIs in life and business should evolve as you grow, and they do not have to be purely monetary. True success is personal — define it on your own terms, not because the world told you what it should look like. Action Steps Start a daily happiness board, journal entry, or phone note where you write at least one specific thing you are grateful for that day. Write down the fears you are currently carrying and ask yourself honestly whether each one is based on a real threat or a fake timeline someone else set for you. Define your personal KPIs right now — identify at least one that has nothing to do with money and everything to do with how you want to spend your time and energy. Notable Quote Ask yourself, is this something I'm actually afraid of, or am I afraid of some fictitious metric that society has put on me to make me feel like where I'm at is inadequate?

After shutting down a multi-six-figure business due to life-threatening burnout and daily anxiety, Hannah O'Donovan rebuilt her work from alignment rather than survival. She is a Somatic Channel, Nervous System Specialist, and founder of the Untamed Divine Feminine™, a body of work helping visionary women release anxiety-inducing ambition and create success that feels aligned, embodied and financially sustainable. Hannah bridges nervous system science with embodied leadership and energy work. She guides women who know they're meant for more to transmute survival patterns into embodied power so success no longer comes at the cost of their wellbeing. Her work supports women in building lives rooted in wealth, love, legacy, and unapologetic self-trust. For more information, visit www.somasoma.ca.

Welcome to the most nasal episode yet! Meghan and Melisa's health is deteriorating. They have an update from the December 18, 2023 episode where a listener's dog was ruining their life. It gets much worse, but then it gets a lot better. They then give advice to someone who wants to move in with their boyfriend and his sister, while still going to college. The duo also discusses The Real Housewives of Rhode Island, and an update of the Disney Cruise wedding, Secret Life of Mormon Wives Orange County, People who can't distinguish between reality and fiction, and what they're watching on TV. Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/dontblameme Subscribe to But Am I Watching? Apple  Spotify Subscribe to Don't Blame Me! Apple Spotify Call In for DBM - 310-694-0976 (3 minutes or less) Write In for DBM - meghanpodcast@gmail.com (300 words or less) DBM Submission Form Buy Our Merch https://crowdmade.com/collections/sister-sign Follow Us! instagram.com/meghanandmelisa @meghanrienks instagram.com/meghanrienks https://twitter.com/meghanrienks @sheisnotmelissa instagram.com/sheisnotmelissa instagram.com/diamondmprint.productions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You don't have time to sift through endless financial content. That's why I do it for you. Get exclusive downloads and my top 5 must-read articles in a quick, easy-to-digest email. Sign up for my newsletter. -----  In this episode, I sit down with Eric and Kali Roberge to talk about one of the hardest balancing acts in family finance: how to help your kids financially without losing sight of your own goals.  Listen now and learn: ► Why saving for your kids should not come at the expense of your own retirement ► How to think through 529 plans, custodial accounts, and Trump Accounts ► Practical ways to start teaching young kids about money ► How parents and grandparents can better navigate financial support without creating unnecessary tension   Visit www.TheLongTermInvestor.com for show notes, free resources, and a place to submit questions.   Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com⁠)     Disclosure: This content, which contains security-related opinions and/or information, is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon in any manner as professional advice, or an endorsement of any practices, products or services. There can be no guarantees or assurances that the views expressed here will be applicable for any particular facts or circumstances, and should not be relied upon in any manner. You should consult your own advisers as to legal, business, tax, and other related matters concerning any investment. The commentary in this "post" (including any related blog, podcasts, videos, and social media) reflects the personal opinions, viewpoints, and analyses of the Plancorp LLC employees providing such comments, and should not be regarded the views of Plancorp LLC. or its respective affiliates or as a description of advisory services provided by Plancorp LLC or performance returns of any Plancorp LLC client. References to any securities or digital assets, or performance data, are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. Charts and graphs provided within are for informational purposes solely and should not be relied upon when making any investment decision. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The content speaks only as of the date indicated. Any projections, estimates, forecasts, targets, prospects, and/or opinions expressed in these materials are subject to change without notice and may differ or be contrary to opinions expressed by others. Please see disclosures here.

If you're the kind of leader who feels deeply responsible for the wellbeing of your clients, your team, and the people you love, this episode is going to call out something you've been living without even realizing it. Get full show notes at www.consciousedge.com/ep101 Instagram → @aleciastg There is a version of responsibility that serves people beautifully. And there is a version that dismantles you, your business, and ultimately your ability to help anyone at all. In this episode, Alecia St. Germain unpacks the difference. She gets into why keeping the wrong employee too long, undercharging because you feel bad, holding back from visibility out of fear of causing harm, and carrying more than your share at home are not acts of generosity. They are patterns of over-responsibility that hold everyone around you smaller than they are, and drain resources your business can't run without. If you have ever wondered whether taking care of yourself and your business first is selfish, this episode will answer that question clearly. Hint: it isn't. It's how you help more people.

User data land grab is costing companies far more than they realize — in diminishing data value and in the brand trust they are quietly destroying while racing to seize consumer data without consent or compensation. The Real Price of the Data Land Grab — and Why It Will Backfire Across industries, companies are spending hundreds of millions to lock in first-party data assets through mergers, acquisitions, and platform capture — treating data as the "new oil." But NVIDIA's Jensen Huang has noted that AI technology's cost drops 100,000 times every ten years, and that within a decade, AI-generated synthetic data will dwarf human-generated data. Joanne Z. Tan points out here that the companies acquiring today's data at premium prices are, in many cases, paying real diamond prices for what will soon be worth far less. Scholars Ulises Mejias and Nick Couldry, in their book "Data Grab: The New Colonialism of Big Tech", frame this extraction as a power imbalance in which personal data becomes raw material for corporate profit — without the knowledge or consent of the people generating it. During colonialism, at least, those dispossessed knew what was being taken. Today, most consumers have no way of knowing. AI Is Getting Smarter — and It Rewards Trust, Not Extraction AI search systems are beginning to synthesize trust indicators — customer reviews, media sentiment, authoritative publications, and executive reputation — into signals that may soon function as "trust scores" determining brand visibility and recommendation outcomes. Authentic authority, built through consistent thought leadership, is now the currency AI systems trust most. Joanne Z. Tan illustrates with a case study of The Ivy Group to show how a brand with few Google reviews, built on genuine thought leadership, was ranked #1 by ChatGPT among fierce competitors — proof that AI is already outsmarting unethical data players. The most valuable data asset any company can hold is not what it seized — it is the trust that causes customers to willingly share their data, advocate for the brand, and create the authentic content ecosystem that AI systems reward. Read the full article Watch it as a 13-min video Explore brand strategy and AI experience design by visiting our websites: 10plusbrand.com aixd.world 10plusprofile.com Contact: https://10plusbrand.com/contact/ Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter About the Author, Joanne Z. Tan Joanne Z. Tan is the Founder and CEO of 10 Plus Brand, Inc. and the creator of AIXD.world — AI Experience Design. A globally recognized brand strategist, thought leadership coach, and startup mentor based in Silicon Valley, Joanne works with founders, CEOs, and C-suite executives to build brands that lead markets, command premium positioning, and endure. She is known for this principle: "User experience is brand experience, and brand experience determines enterprise destiny." © Joanne Z. Tan, 2026. All rights reserved.

Most independent consultants who want to work fewer hours assume that by working less, they'll earn less.That assumption is incorrect.But it's also deeply wired in.In this episode, Melisa breaks down why the 40-plus-hour default is so hard to shake, how it shapes your consulting business decisions without you realizing it, and what it actually takes to change it without tanking your income.You didn't leave corporate to rebuild the same 40-50+-hour week. This episode is about fixing that, so you have true flexibility.You'll walk away with the four-part shift required to make fewer hours sustainable: the mindset change, the business model redesign, the transition strategy, and how to catch the old patterns before they pull you back.If you've told yourself you'll work less once things settle down (but that time never comes), this episode is for you.Timestamps for Key Moments:[02:20] Why working fewer than 40 hours does not have to mean sacrificing revenue[05:30] The hidden mindset trap that keeps consultants tying time to money[08:05] Real examples of what a 30 hour work week can look like in practice[11:10] Why your mindset has to shift before your schedule can[18:20] How to define a 30 hour business model that supports your revenue goals[20:05] A simple effective rate exercise to pressure test your model[24:05] The transition process for making a lower hour work week your new normal[27:10] How to catch old habits before they pull you back into overworkingTune in to Episode 266 for a practical roadmap to help you work fewer hours, stop defaulting to corporate work patterns, and build a consulting business that supports both your income goals and your life.Resources Mentioned:Companion Resource: Read Chapter 14 in Melisa's book, Grow Your Consulting Business: The 14-Step Roadmap to Make Your Independent Consulting Goals a Reality, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CSXJBGVB Full Show Noteshttps://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-266Mentioned in this Episode: Episode 259: The 5 Ways to Increase Your Consulting Capacity Without Working More, https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-259/   Want More?• Melisa's Books, Planners & Journals: https://linktr.ee/melisaliberman• Get Melisa's Book: https://www.melisaliberman.com/book• Visit Melisa's Website: https://www.melisaliberman.com/ • Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisa-libermanWant help achieving your consulting business goals? Melisa can help. Click here for more on coaching tailored to you as an independent consulting business owner.

Most entrepreneurs start a business chasing freedom—but many end up recreating the same constraints they were trying to escape. In this episode, Patrick Brown, founder and CEO of Unity Communications, shares a different approach: designing a business around life first, not the other way around. Patrick opens up about leaving the corporate grind to be present for his kids—and the disciplined tradeoffs required to make that decision work. From waking up at 4 AM to restructuring his entire day, this conversation highlights the intentional sacrifices behind building a life-centered business. As Unity Communications scaled, Patrick reveals how global talent, particularly in the Philippines, became a turning point—unlocking both operational efficiency and meaningful opportunity for others. This episode goes beyond business strategy. It's about redefining success, building with purpose, and understanding that legacy isn't just what you build—it's how you show up while building it. Timestamps 00:00:00 – Introduction & Guest Overview 00:01:17 – Leaving Corporate to Reclaim Time 00:03:20 – The Drive to Be Present for Family 00:05:23 – Managing Work vs Family Tradeoffs 00:07:20 – Early Client Strategy & Sales Approach 00:09:56 – Identifying and Avoiding Bad Clients 00:11:05 – Managing Risk as an Entrepreneur 00:13:57 – A Defining Turning Point in the Business 00:14:26 – Discovering Global Talent in the Philippines 00:17:04 – Scaling Through International Teams 00:17:34 – Redefining Success Over Time 00:19:28 – Raising Kids in a Global World 00:22:05 – Reflections on Life, Parenting, and Legacy 00:22:44 – Where to Find Patrick & Unity Communications Episode Resources Learn how Patrick builds global teams that free up founders' time while creating meaningful opportunities across borders and how you can scale without sacrificing your life: https://uniti-connect.com Legacy Podcast: For more information about the Legacy Podcast and its co-hosts, visit https://businesslegacypodcast.com Leave a Review: If you enjoyed the episode, leave a review and rating on your preferred podcast platform. For more information: Visit https://businesslegacypodcast.com to access the show notes and additional resources on the episode.  

Does your business feel more complicated than it should? Are you juggling too many offers, feeling unclear in your messaging, or wondering why scaling your business feels so exhausting? In this episode, I sit down with Laura Schoenfeld to talk about The Simplicity Strategy and what it really looks like to grow a successful business without sacrificing the things that matter most. We dive into how simplifying your offers, clarifying your message, and streamlining your sales process can help you attract premium clients while creating a business that supports your life instead of consuming it. Laura shares powerful insights on offer simplification, building systems that actually work, and setting healthy boundaries so your business doesn't take over your family time. When your business is built with intention and simplicity, growth becomes sustainable instead of overwhelming. We also talk about the unique role podcasting plays in scaling a business. Podcasting is such a powerful platform for positioning yourself as a trusted authority while building real connections with your audience in a way that short-form content simply can't replicate. If you're ready to simplify your business, gain clarity in your messaging, and build something that supports your life and calling, this conversation is perfect for you. I pray this blesses you! Ready to Make Consistent Income From a Podcast?  Join my 5-Day Profitable Podcast Bootcamp! I'll show you how to create a podcast that makes steady income on autopilot—without relying on social media.

In this episode of Storage Wins, Alex Pardo and Dan Wentzel take a step back from tactics and dive into something even more important: how to pursue your first deal without losing sight of what matters most. As Dan gets closer than ever to closing, the pressure begins to build—and with a new baby on the way, the tension between business and life becomes very real.   This conversation goes beyond self-storage and into the internal game every entrepreneur faces. The fear of not moving fast enough. The comparison to others. The belief that more time equals more success. And the pressure we place on ourselves that can quietly slow everything down.   Alex challenges these assumptions head-on, introducing concepts like thought auditing, Parkinson's Law, and redefining productivity—not by how much time you spend, but by how intentionally you use it. This episode is a powerful reminder that success isn't just about closing deals—it's about building a business that actually supports your life.   You'll Learn How To:   Release self-imposed pressure that's slowing your progress Reframe the belief that more time equals more results Use Parkinson's Law to become more efficient with less time Audit your thoughts to identify limiting beliefs and false assumptions Balance business growth with family, health, and personal priorities Create a life-first approach that your business supports—not replaces   ⸻   What You'll Learn in This Episode:   [1:19] Why chasing success can cause you to lose sight of what matters most [3:09] The myth of "balance" and why it's really about focused presence [5:00] Dan's update on deal progress and building momentum [7:08] Moving toward a deal under contract and setting up the LLC [9:54] The internal pressure of not moving fast enough [11:03] How family responsibilities shift priorities and perspective [13:16] Why wanting more time is the wrong question to ask [14:06] Identifying inefficiencies and reallocating your time intentionally [15:37] The danger of comparison and how it creates unnecessary pressure [16:21] Recognizing how much progress has actually been made [17:09] Why most pressure is self-inflicted—and how to release it [18:42] The impact of mindset on performance and decision-making [21:05] Why chasing timelines can work against you [23:22] The power of constraints and working with less time [26:36] How Parkinson's Law applies to your productivity [29:26] Why less time can actually make you more effective [33:28] The importance of being intentional with your time and priorities [37:14] Designing your life first, then building your business around it     Who This Episode Is For: Entrepreneurs feeling overwhelmed or behind in their journey Investors struggling with pressure, comparison, or time constraints Anyone trying to balance business growth with family life People chasing success but feeling like something is off Listeners who want to build wealth without sacrificing what matters most   ⸻   Why You Should Listen:   Most people think they need more time, more deals, or more resources.   In reality, what they need is a better way of thinking.   This episode will challenge how you view productivity, pressure, and progress—and help you realize that the biggest breakthroughs don't always come from doing more, but from thinking differently.   If you've been feeling overwhelmed, behind, or stretched too thin, this conversation will help you reset, refocus, and move forward with clarity.   Follow Alex Pardo here: Alex Pardo Website: https://alexpardo.com/ Alex Pardo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15 Alex Pardo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25 Alex Pardo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo Storage Wins Website: https://storagewins.com/   ⸻   Have conversations with at least three storage owners, brokers, private lenders, or equity partners inside the Storage Wins Facebook Group. Join for free here:   https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/

This episode is about sacrifice, but probably not in the way you've been taught to think about it. I talk about what it means to give up an old frequency, old identity, or old belief in order to step into something new. If you've been feeling the pull toward a new reality, this is a conversation about what it might actually require. Business Synergetics is a one-on-one experience where we use Gene Keys and Human Design to look at your business as its own entity—details and sign-up are here: itsambersmith.com/synergetics If you want to follow along with what I'm writing and thinking in real time, subscribe to my Substack, The Way of Abundance. HERE If you're interested in working together, book a call HERE. Can't wait to chat! If you want to build your business from abundance, alignment, and your actual design, you can join the House of Abundance here: itsambersmith.com/house If you're ready to shift into miracle-minded living and create from a higher level of awareness, you can join Miracle Mind here: itsambersmith.com/miracle-mind If you're ready to build a business that resonates at the deepest level, my private client program Resonance is now open HERE. The Lightning Alignment Journal: https://a.co/d/iiBnzAJ Gain access to my book Quiet Wealth at: https://a.co/d/aCoGl8N

Watch the video version of this podcast here: https://youtu.be/E2F0v8tM7ls I used to spend over $2,000 a month on groceries for my family of five and we were STILL going over budget. Now I spend $1,200 and stick to it every single month. That's a 40% reduction, or $800 in savings every month! And I'm doing it without extreme couponing, without buying ten newspapers every Sunday, and without rushing from store to store at 5am. If your grocery bill has been creeping up and you feel like you can't control it, this video is for you. Sign up today to be first to know when registration opens! → https://halfsizeme.com/cart Here's what changed for me: I stopped shopping at just one store assuming they had the best prices I got intentional with meal planning (really intentional) I started doing most of my shopping decisions BEFORE I left the house I eliminated the food waste from buying things I never used I balanced HEALTH and SAVINGS together (no "just eat beans and rice" mentality) What I'm NOT doing: ❌ Extreme couponing ❌ Rebate apps (though I'll teach you how, if you want to use them) ❌ Shopping at 10 different stores every week ❌ Sacrificing my family's health to save money I went from being a full-time extreme couponer back in 2008–2012 (cutting coupons from 10 newspapers, working CVS and Walgreens deals) to completely letting go of that during my weight loss journey and Half Size Me launch. But when our grocery budget kept climbing year after year, I knew I had to do something. I just didn't want to go back to that exhausting coupon life. So I figured out a simpler, more sustainable way. And now I'm teaching it. In this video, I share: Why I was so resistant to tackling my grocery budget (and what finally made me do it) How we paid off $180,000 in debt using Dave Ramsey's methods The difference between my old extreme couponing days and what I do now Why your food bill is probably your second-highest expense (and why that matters) How being intentional with planning saves more money than chasing deals Why I didn't drop from $2,000 to $1,200 overnight (and why you shouldn't either) The biggest mistake people make: buying "deals" that sabotage their weight loss goals This is NOT just about saving money. It's about saving money while ALSO supporting your health and weight loss goals. I refuse to teach you to eat junk food all day just because it's cheap. We're going to do this the right way... together.

HOUR 1: Why are we sacrificing safety in our budgets? One ATCer, two frequencies?! full 2364 Mon, 23 Mar 2026 19:00:00 +0000 75gLFtbTOARtf6BTUCZOsuyjBQmvf81h news The Dana & Parks Podcast news HOUR 1: Why are we sacrificing safety in our budgets? One ATCer, two frequencies?! You wanted it... Now here it is! Listen to each hour of the Dana & Parks Show whenever and wherever you want! © 2025 Audacy, Inc. News False https://pl

In today's Ask Abundance, I'm joined by Abundance consultant Rebecca A. E. Smith, Ph.D., and we're talking about the thing nobody warns you about: the longer you're in practice, the harder it can get. We dig into why a full caseload and steady income can still leave you feeling like you're slowly being buried, and what it actually takes to build something you can stay in without losing yourself. If you've been grinding through it and hoping it evens out eventually, this one is going to hit. Sponsored by TherapyNotes®: Looking to switch EHRs? Try TherapyNotes® for 2 months free by using promo code ABUNDANT at therapynotes.com. Links You'll Love: Have a full practice but feel like you're running on empty? Limitless Practice helps you work less and make more. Spots per cohort are limited. Get on the waitlist and be first in line when doors open April 21st: www.abundancepracticebuilding.com/limitlesswaitlist. Get your FREE weekly worksheet and other helpful practice-growing tools here: www.abundancepracticebuilding.com/links.

Unlock the secret to scaling your business without sacrificing speed or clarity. Yehuda Niv, an international entrepreneur and innovator in publishing, shares the pivotal lessons he's learned from building companies from startup to hundreds of employees—and how you can apply them to achieve sustainable growth today.You'll discover practical frameworks for managing rapid growth: from structuring management layers beyond 50 employees to balancing speed with order. Plus, he shares his startup mindset shift—leveraging AI to lower barriers for authors and revolutionize the publishing industry.This is your blueprint for scaling smarter, faster, and more effectively—whether you're expanding a tech startup, launching a publishing platform, or simply dreaming big. Perfect for entrepreneurs ready to turn ambitious visions into reality and avoid common growth pitfalls.Yehuda Niv is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and founder of Spines, a groundbreaking AI-powered publishing platform. With his experience leading companies through exponential growth and pioneering AI integration, he offers actionable strategies that help founders thrive in today's competitive landscape.If scaling your business and mastering product-market fit are your priorities, this episode is essential listening. As You Listen: Introduction and Welcome 0:40 - Guest introduction and his background.Scaling Challenges and Insights 1:45 - Discussion on the biggest pain points in scaling a company. 2:28 - Yehuda shares his experience with managing a growing team. 3:27 - Balancing speed with clarity and order in a growing company.AI and Future Relevance 5:41 - Yehuda discusses the impact of AI on his first company and the need to stay relevant. 6:33 - Insights from angel investing and the future of AI in publishing.Entrepreneurial Journey and Capital Strategy 7:01 - Lessons learned from Yehuda's first company and approach to capital in his second. 8:29 - The entrepreneurial journey and learning from experience.Spines and Publishing Innovations 9:26 - Overview of Spines and its innovative approach to book publishing. 10:21 - Upcoming features and AI tools to assist authors.Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 15:26 - Yehuda's advice on product-market fit and pricing strategy. 17:16 - Importance of letting the market determine product pricing.     

Joseph's brothers thought they had buried their secret in a pit decades ago. But when a global famine drives them to the feet of the most powerful man in Egypt, they discover that while you can hide from your past, you can't hide from God's plan for your redemption. Summary: In this final episode on the book of Genesis, we cover chapters 42–50. We witness the emotional climax of the Joseph saga and discover how one man's integrity provided salvation for the entire House of Israel. The Test of Character: We analyze why Joseph was so "hard" on his brothers at first. It wasn't revenge; it was a carefully designed test to see if they had truly repented of their treatment of him. The Transformation of Judah: We look at the stunning moment Judah offers himself as a slave to save Benjamin—becoming a "surety" for his brother and a powerful type of Jesus Christ. Reconciliation and Grace: We explore Joseph's perspective: "God did send me before you to preserve life." We learn how to move past bitterness by seeing the "big picture" of God's providence. The Blessings of Israel: We dive into Genesis 49, where Jacob blesses his twelve sons. We discuss the unique roles of the different tribes and the specific promises given to the "fruitful bough" of Joseph. The Prophetic Connection: We conclude with the Joseph Smith Translation of Genesis 50, uncovering the ancient prophecy of a "choice seer" who would be named after his father and bring God's people to salvation in the last days. Call-to-Action: Joseph told his brothers, "Am I in the place of God?" when they feared his retaliation. Is there someone you need to release from the "prison" of your resentment? Share your thoughts on forgiveness in the comments. To keep your faith "Unshaken" as we transition into the book of Exodus, please like, subscribe, and share this video. Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 2:32 Faith & Forgiveness 7:39 Making Use of the Means 12:00 Getting Past the Strange & Rough 16:07 The Nakedness of the Land 18:38 True Men or True Remorse 30:22 Joseph's Response 33:29 Money in their Sacks 40:41 Collateral & Christ 51:10 Brother Benjamin 56:58 Debt or Gift 1:01:03 The Bitter Cup 1:14:25 Forgiveness & Reconciliation 1:35:15 Joseph & Jacob 1:40:35 Sacrificing all for the Bread of Life 1:55:21 Ephraim & Manasseh 2:17:27 Patriarchal Blessings & the 12 Tribes 2:43:12 Doubting Forgiveness 2:57:36 Joseph's Prophecy of Joseph Smith

Building a business is hard, and building a marriage is hard—but trying to do both at the same time can feel nearly impossible. In this episode, I share the five things that saved my marriage while I was scaling my business and raising a young family. You'll hear how boundaries, honest conversations, and intentional time together can actually make you a better entrepreneur, not a weaker one. I explain why many successful founders quietly sabotage their relationships—and how fixing your marriage can dramatically improve your focus, productivity, and leadership. You'll learn how to automate, delegate, and eliminate the tasks that keep you stuck working below your pay grade. If you want to scale your income, protect your time, and finally build a business that runs without you, this episode will challenge you to redesign how you lead. If you want to grow your business without sacrificing the people you love most, this episode might be one of the most important conversations you hear this year. Let me know what you think of today’s episode! Did you learn something new? Am I missing something? Is there something that has or hasn’t worked for you in your path to success? Send me an IG DM or email and let me know how I can help you level up in life. The post 460 – How I Fixed My Marriage WITHOUT Sacrificing My Business appeared first on Early To Rise.

Send a textRyan Pineda hosts a debate between co-host Brian Davila and guest Michael Zuber as they clash over the best path to building wealth in 2026, covering real estate investing, entrepreneurship vs. W2 income, the housing market, AI's impact on jobs, and the balance between financial success and enjoying life.⁣⁣Connect with Michael:⁣https://www.instagram.com/onerentalatatime/⁣https://www.youtube.com/@OneRentalataTime ⁣__________⁣If you want to start your real estate investing business, we'll give you 1:1 coaching, seller leads, software, & everything you need. https://www.wealthyinvestor.com⁣⁣If you're a business owner who wants to get in peak physical shape, we can help! https://www.boardroom-athlete.com/apply⁣⁣Join our private mastermind for elite business leaders who golf. https://www.mastermind19.com⁣⁣Join free Bible studies and workshops for Christian business leaders. https://www.tentmakers.us⁣__________⁣CHAPTERS:⁣01:02 - Michael Zuber's 3-Step Formula for Building Wealth⁣09:27 - Living for Today vs. Sacrificing for 10+ Years⁣16:16 - Side Hustles, Hybrid Entrepreneurs, and Increasing Income⁣27:55 - Is It Easier to Get Rich as an Employee or Entrepreneur?⁣40:41 - The 2026 Real Estate Market Forecast and Fed Policy⁣57:14 - Why Housing Is America's Biggest Affordability Problem⁣01:03:52 - AI, Job Loss, and the Rise of Solo Entrepreneurs⁣01:24:30 - Does Money Actually Make You Happy?⁣01:27:30 - Living in the Moment vs. Planning the FutureLearn how to invest in real estate with the Cashflow 2.0 System! Your business in a box with 1:1 coaching, motivated seller leads, & softwares. https://www.wealthyinvestor.com/Want to work 1:1 with Ryan Pineda? Apply at ryanpineda.comJoin our FREE community, weekly calls, and bible studies for Christian entrepreneurs and business people. https://tentmakers.us/Want to grow your business and network with elite entrepreneurs on world-class golf courses? Apply now to join Mastermind19 – Ryan Pineda's private golf mastermind for high-level founders and dealmakers. www.mastermind19.com--- About Ryan Pineda: Ryan Pineda has been in the real estate industry since 2010 and has invested in over $100,000,000 of real estate. He has completed over 700 flips and wholesales, and he owns over 650 rental units. As an entrepreneur, he has founded seven different businesses that have generated 7-8 figures of revenue. Ryan has amassed over 2 million followers on social media and has generated over 1 billion views online. Starting as a minor league baseball player making less than $2,000 a month, Ryan is now worth over $100 million. He shares his experiences in building wealth and believes that anyone can change their life with real estate investing. ...

Tamara Whilden is the founder of Behind the Screens, an operations partner for online CEOs ready to scale smarter with leaner systems, stronger teams, and more time to lead. Top 3 Value Bombs 1. AI is not the competitive advantage; your people and how you empower them are. 2. Efficiency without intention leads to burnout, churn, and loss of trust. 3. Human-first leadership creates higher retention, better performance, and real freedom for founders. Check out Tamara's website and take the 2-minute bottleneck assessment - Are you the bottleneck? Sponsors HighLevel - The ultimate all-in-one platform for entrepreneurs, marketers, coaches, and agencies. Learn more at HighLevelFire.com. Cape - A privacy-first mobile carrier, built from the ground up with security as the priority. If you care about protecting your digital life without giving up your smartphone, Cape makes that possible. Visit Cape.co/fire and use code FIRE for 33% off cape for 6 months today!    

The Money Mindset Shift Every Woman Entrepreneur Needs There are more men named John running Fortune 500 companies than there are women. Total. Let that sink in for a second. That's just one of the things Vivian Tu, aka Your Rich BFF, dropped in this episode that made me go, wait, what? She went from being told she was "too girly for Wall Street" to becoming one of the most trusted voices in personal finance. And the way she breaks down money will make you rethink everything you thought you knew. We get into why women who are crushing it in business still let their money sit in a savings account earning 0.39%, the simple equation that tells you whether something is actually worth buying, why women fight over 2% of the pie when there's 98% sitting right there, and how to stop working around the clock and let your money do the work instead. Vivian also gets real about running her business at a sprint pace for years and what she's doing to finally build something sustainable. This is the money conversation I wish I had ten years ago. CHAPTERS: 00:00 "Money Truths with Amy Porterfield" 05:39 "Growing Wealth and Money Mindset" 13:42 "Leaving Wall Street and Identity" 19:05 Work Ethic and Efficiency 22:26 "Scaling Up: Hiring Strategically" 28:22 "Leveraging Technology and Lessons" 33:04 "Investing: Money Works for You" 41:43 Redefining Richness and Values 46:21 Why Women Struggle to Celebrate Success 51:56 "Focus on Profitable Ventures" 56:26 "Get Rich, Stay Rich Framework" 01:01:02 "Mastering Life's Biggest Finances" HERE ARE THE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE: 1️⃣ Separate Your Business and Personal Finances – As soon as you start making real money, set up a business entity that's fully separate from you. Your dry cleaning bill should not be on your business credit card. This protects you and sets you up to scale. 2️⃣ Stop Letting Your Money Sit in a Savings Account – A regular savings account earns you almost nothing. Once you have your emergency fund set, your money should be working for you through investments. Your labor earns you capital. Your capital makes you rich. 3️⃣ Value Purchases in Time, Not Dollars – Before you buy something, divide the cost by your hourly take-home pay. That $100 pair of yoga pants might cost you five hours of work. Is it worth it? This simple equation helps you spend strategically and without guilt. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Well Endowed by Vivian Tu (available wherever books are sold) Ask Dolly ManyChat Follow Vivian Tu (Your Rich BFF) on Instagram MORE FROM ME Follow me on Instagram @amyporterfield You've built something real. Revenue, audience, offers that work. But the results still don't match what you know you're capable of. The Calibrae Collective is a high-level coaching experience for female founders earning $150K+ annually who are done with inconsistent results and ready for predictable revenue. Click here to learn more. SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more entrepreneurs who need these insights.