Podcasts about sacrificing

Daily Boost Podcast No One Is Coming to Save You July 24, 2026 | Episode 5505 Host: Scott Smith Episode Description Can I give you a little real truth this morning? Not the shiny, feel-good kind — the kind that actually sets you free. Some folks won't want to hear it, but I think you're ready. Today I'm walking you through the handful of things I want you to realize the second your feet hit the floor. They're not soft. They're honest. And once they land in you, everything you're carrying starts to feel lighter. This one might sting a little going in. But stick with me, because freedom is waiting on the other side. Press play and let's get real. Featured Story A client said something to me the other day I can't shake. He told me, sometimes in my business I feel like crabs in a pot. I try to climb out, and the ones still down in the boiling water reach up, grab my legs, and pull me right back in. What a picture, right? I sat with that one. Because that's exactly how it works. You start reaching for your future — something better, something bigger — and the people still stuck in the pot don't cheer you on. They pull. Not because they're cruel. Because misery loves company, your job is to keep climbing anyway. Important Points Nobody got out of bed this morning planning to save you, and accepting that is the most freeing thing you'll do today. You built the cage you're living in, so take full responsibility for exactly where you are before you try to change it. Get willing to sacrifice some of your comfort now, because you can't become someone new while clinging to who you are. Memorable Quotes Nobody's going to save you, and that should be freeing, not scary — it means you get to take care of it yourself. You define what you want by what you're willing to sacrifice, and if you won't trade for it, you don't want it. One of my jobs is to give you the keys to your own cage, but you built it, so you're the one who has to open it. Scott's Three-Step Approach First, wake up and admit nobody is coming to save you, so whatever needs fixing today is now yours alone to handle. Next, take full responsibility for exactly where you are, since you built this position and only you can rebuild it. Then decide what you'll actually trade to become who you want, and put that sacrifice into motion starting this morning. Chapters 1:14 - The Spotify comments that made people mad 1:47 - A little real truth to start your morning 2:42 - Realization one: nobody is coming to save me 4:17 - Taking full responsibility for where you are 5:46 - Crabs in a pot and being pulled backward 6:33 - Sacrificing who you are to become who you want 8:45 - What you really want versus the free fantasy Connect With Me Search for the Daily Boost on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify Email: support@motivationtomove.com Main Website: https://motivationtomove.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/dailyboostpodcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/heyscottsmith Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/motivationtomove * Facebook Group: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich talks to Mia and Jake, a couple in their late 30s and early 40s in a blended family with three children. Mia wrote in because she's afraid paying for their children's college will cause resentment in their relationship. With no idea how much they are spending, why, or what they truly want their money to do for them, Ramit helps them uncover the root of their money woes. Will they finally get on the same page, create a financial system that works, and feel confident making money decisions together? In this episode we uncover: • How financial discussions lead to frustration and anxiety • The surprising cost of their previous “dream” home • Why they sold their house and downsized • The connection between “feeling” and making financial decisions • How money scarcity is fueling guilt and fear • Why Jake doesn't understand how to make his money work for him • A deep dive into Mia's family money rules • Why Jake was afraid to talk about money • How their pension influences their financial outlook • The hidden costs of everyday living • Why just “cutting costs” isn't a long-term solution • The powerful connection between clarity and confidence Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction (00:02:54) “I feel resentment from my husband because our money supports my kids” (00:08:00) Mia and Jake's money conversations (00:10:28) Mia and Jake bought a huge house they couldn't afford (00:13:38) Moving on from the house-broke mistake (00:23:23) Mia's old budget felt like “paper pushing” (00:38:43) Why does Mia feel scared about money? (00:41:39) Adjusting their fixed costs (00:48:43) Why cutting costs is easy for Mia and Jake (00:50:33) Their pension: a financial safety net (01:03:03) Trading anxiety for guilt (01:06:35) Jake's money messages (01:07:54) What is your rich life vision? (01:13:40) Mia and Jake's money system (01:25:10) Building Jake's confidence with money (01:32:20) How Mia and Jake feel about their money now (01:35:22) Mia and Jake's next steps This episode is brought to you by: Leesa | Go to https://leesa.com for 25% off mattresses PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code RAMIT, exclusive for my listeners Trust & Will | Protect what matters most in minutes at https://trustandwill.com/ramit and get 20% off  Gelt | Gelt is taking on new clients now. Find out if you qualify at https://joingelt.com/ramit Facet | As of the date of this recording, Facet is waiving the enrollment fee for new annual members, and for my audience, Facet is offering $300 into your brokerage account if you invest and maintain $5,000 within your first 90 days. Head to facet.com/ramit to learn more about which membership option is best for you. Offer has been extended to 12/31/2026. #FacetAd  If you're part of a small group listening to this podcast that is willing to take action, I built Road to $100K for you - a step-by-step program on how to reach $100K. Join Rich Life: Road to $100K at iwt.com/100K. Connect with Ramit • Get my new book, Money For Couples • Join my Rich Life: Road to $100K program • Download the Conscious Spending Plan • Listen to my book—now on Audible • Get my New York Times best-selling book • Get my no-numbers journal • Other episodes • Instagram • Twitter • YouTube Apply to be coached for free on this podcast at https://iwt.com/apply

New Server Suite Speeds Up WordPress Without Sacrificing Ad Revenuehttps://osazuwaakonedo.news/new-server-suite-speeds-up-wordpress-without-sacrificing-ad-revenue/#Site #SiteSpeed#MuPlugins #Speed #WordPress Software engineering and media firm OSAZUWAAKONEDO LIMITED has launched a specialized software bundle designed to fix traffic loss, broken layouts, and revenue drops caused by traditional WordPress optimization tools. The new software, named the OsazuwaAkonedo Site Optimizer & SEO Dominance Suite specifically tagged OsazuwaAkonedo Strict Consent Jail, Js, Image And Robots Txt Site Optimizer, target high-traffic digital publishers, news platforms, television stations, and e-commerce agencies globally, as it maybe interesting to know that modern websites face a difficult trade-off between loading speed and monetization, as standard performance plugins routinely speed up pages by aggressively blocking heavy scripts, which inadvertently disables legal cookie consent banners, lowers ad viewability metrics, and blocks critical search engine index crawlers, this, the newly introduced server-level solution is engineered specifically to eliminate mobile layout delays, solve unused JavaScript bottlenecks, and dramatically improve Google Core Web Vitals scores without disrupting digital advertising streams or heavy live stream media nodes. #OsazuwaAkonedoBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/osazuwaakonedo--4980924/support.If you love how we break down the noise and deliver unfiltered news, we need your strength to stay completely independent. Keep our newsroom sharp and efficient by supporting us today—head over to our donation page at: DonateWant your updates even faster? Tap the link in our description to download our mobile app on the Google Play Store for news in text, video, and audio format: CLICK TO DOWNDLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY STORE And for the developers and webmasters looking to supercharge their websites, and if you own a website but don't know anything about web design, don't worry, grab our premium, server-native scripts at Mu Plugins. Our premium plugins are built to work completely on autopilot—speeding up your website and protecting your earnings with a simple, code-free setup. Whether you are a beginner or a professional webmaster looking to supercharge your platform , let's build together!

Welcome back to The Catholic Coaching Podcast with Matt and Erin! In Episode 305, we are continuing our sub-series on how different temperaments navigate healthy, holy conflict resolution. Today, we are putting the "Peaceful Phlegmatic" in the hot seat. Have you ever walked away from a difficult conversation feeling relieved that it's over, only to realize later that you never actually said what you needed to say? Phlegmatics possess an incredible superpower: they are naturally calm under pressure, patient, and excellent mediators. However, their deep aversion to rocking the boat can lead them to use "assuming goodwill" or quick compliance as an escape hatch to avoid the discomfort of real, arduous conversations.In this episode, Matt and Erin walk through the 4-part PACE framework (Pause, Assume Goodwill, Clarify, Engage) specifically tailored for Phlegmatics:• The difference between true, lasting peace and temporary emotional relief.• How Phlegmatics inadvertently confuse "processing" an emotion with completely suppressing or ignoring it.• Practical scripts and strategies for bringing your honest thoughts to the table during the Clarify phase.• Why a passive-aggressive "yes" hurts relationships, and how to practice the virtue of fortitude to build stable, reliable harmony.As St. Thomas Aquinas famously said, "The things that we love tell us what we are." Phlegmatics, do you love true relational peace, or are you settling for mere relief?If you enjoyed this episode, please drop a like, subscribe, and share it with a friend who needs to hear it!Send us Fan MailSupport the show____________________► Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to the Metanoia Catholic YouTube Channel!► Discover How God Is Speaking to You In Prayer► Find out your temperament: Take the Free Quiz► Get the Conversation Starter Guide (FREE) ► Take the Quiz: WHAT TYPE OF COACH ARE YOU?► GET THE DAILY SEVEN JOURNAL!This interactive journal will help you transform your life from the inside out by teaching you how to grow in gratitude, set healthy goals, and gain mastery over your thoughts.► JOIN THE ACADEMY!Your online resource of classes, tools, and community to ramp up your growth and really change your life. Learn from the Metanoia Catholic coaches in webinars, live coaching calls, Lectio Divina, and more with your monthly membership.____________________► SUB...

this is actually one of my favorite meals i've made--it's my take on this thai-style vegan bowl I had in australia YEARS agoexcept low key mine is better, and it comes with TWO sauces, and the flavors are perfectplus, we make TWO drinks: 1. a dirty thai iced tea (a sugar free & electrolyte-rich take on thai iced tea + a shot of espresso); and 2. thai basil lemonadeboth are contenders for the drink of the summerINGREDIENTS & LINKS: https://shopmy.us/shop/collections/6279209

Send us Fan MailBefore Nicole Hulstein began her role as Loyalty Campaign Development Manager at Food Lion, she worked in category management for the grocery chain, primarily focused on produce. And while there might not seem to be a very close connection between loyalty programs and produce, Hulstein sees her former role with the company influencing her approach to her current role. "That background really helped shape how I think about loyalty today,” Hulstein said. “The experience in produce really helped me to understand the product side, the customer side, and the importance of delivering both quality and value and really leaning into my merchant mindset to deliver those things.” Food Lion is an omnichannel grocery retailer with more than 1,100 grocery store locations, operating over a 10-state footprint on the East Coast. Headquartered in Salisbury, North Carolina, the grocery chain was founded in 1957.  

Working side by side with your spouse can sound like a dream or a total disaster depending on who you ask. Maybe you love the idea of building something together, but worry about what happens when work stress spills into your personal life or small disagreements turn into bigger ones. It hits close to home because your relationship is too important to risk. In this episode, Omar brings on Nicole, his wife and business partner, to tackle a question sent in by Carry who's wondering how couples actually make this work. Together, they share what it's really been like after more than a decade of building multiple businesses, navigating different working styles, and figuring out how to stay connected even when things get challenging. You'll hear honest truths about the tension, the growth, and the dynamics most people don't talk about when mixing love and business. If you've been thinking about working with your partner or just want to strengthen how you show up together, this one is for you. Hit play up top and discover what it really takes to grow a business without losing what matters most. MBA2804 How Do You Work With Your Spouse Without Sacrificing Your Relationship? Recommended episode to explore: How Did You Find Your Cofounder? To submit your questions, visit 100mba.net/q. Watch the episodes on YouTube: https://lm.fm/GgRPPHi SUBSCRIBE YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Can a lifelong discovery writer write faster and embrace structure without losing the magic? Bestselling author Grace Draven wrote 62,000 words in 21 days and says absolutely.In this episode, Grace shares how the tools and mindset shifts she picked up from The Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast helped her write faster, avoid massive rewrites, and finish one of her strongest books, The Moon Raven—drafting 62,000 words in just 21 days to hit a tight preorder deadline—and why that experience convinced her to join Notes to Novel. After publishing more than 20 books and hitting the USA Today bestseller list five times, Grace explains why even experienced authors benefit from refining their process, and why structure isn't the creativity killer so many writers fear it is.Whether you're a proud pantser, a frustrated discovery writer, or someone looking for a faster, more reliable way to finish your novel, this conversation shows what's possible when you pair your natural creative process with the right story structure tools that I teach in Notes to Novel. Here's what we talk about:[08:00] Why thinking in scenes instead of chapters completely changed Grace's writing process and helped her write more efficiently without sacrificing creativity.[12:55] How Grace fast drafted 62,000 words in just 21 days, met a high-pressure preorder deadline, and still delivered a solid book.[18:41] How structure became a safety net that let Grace write around interruptions and a demanding home life without losing her place (or her creativity). [23:30] What happened when Grace her antagonist first (before fleshing out her protagonist)—and how this helped raise the stakes and eliminate unnecessary rewrites.[29:38] How the tools from Notes to Novel gave Grace the confidence to commit to a delivery schedule with her new multi-book publishing deal.If you've ever worried that outlining will make your writing feel formulaic or that your discovery writing process slows you down, this episode will show you how to write faster and build a process that leaves room for the magic instead of squeezing it out.

Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, the sixth Chabad Rebbe, was one of the most fascinating and impactful Jewish leaders of the early 20th century. The Rebbe began his leadership role as a teenager, spanning the final decades of the Russian Empire, World War I, the Russian Revolution, the Stalinist Soviet Union, World War II and finally in the United States during and immediately after the war. A discussion about Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson and his fascinating life story. 

Turkey's main opposition says its Western allies are failing to respond as a widening crackdown by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government targets its leaders and elected mayors. The latest arrests this week followed a court decision to remove Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel and reinstate former leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu in an unprecedented move that was widely condemned by Turkish and international human rights groups. The European Union's response has been far more restrained. "There are some visits, there are some letters sent to us," said Ilhan Uzgel, the CHP's former deputy chair. "There are some public statements regarding the situation in Turkey, but the wording and language used is quite mild. [There's] no action." The CHP has faced more than a year of arrests targeting its mayors on corruption charges. This week, two more were detained, adding to a list that already includes jailed Istanbul mayor and presidential candidate Ekrem Imamoglu. HRW denounces Turkey arrests ahead of NATO summit Strategic partner Uzgel said the European Union can no longer stand by and should take a firmer stance. "Mr Erdogan has to be told, 'you're destroying democracy and what you're doing is against the rule of law,'" said Uzgel. "There could be some kind of a diplomatic isolation," he added. "So whenever Mr Erdogan meets a foreign leader, he's selling it to his own audience, the Turkish public, that he's a world leader. At least this opportunity could be taken from his hand." Yet Erdogan is expected to reinforce his international standing at next month's Nato summit in Ankara. "The two big allies of Turkey have decided not to make human rights an issue in the bilateral relationship," said Asli Aydintasbas, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington. She notes that the EU and Washington have found rare common ground over Turkey. "For President Trump, this comes naturally; he doesn't care about human rights advancement globally," she said. "But now Europeans are also looking for some type of functional relationship with Turkey and wanting to disregard human rights as an impediment to bilateral relations." Turkey steps up as Europe's indispensable and uncomfortable defence partner Federico Donelli, an international relations expert at the University of Trieste, said the European Union's restrained response reflected Turkey's growing strategic importance. "The restraint of EU reaction is closely linked to an increase in recognition of Turkey's structural importance for European security." With Nato's second-largest army and a rapidly expanding defence industry, Turkey is increasingly seen as an important security partner as Europe faces the threat from Russia and uncertainty over the United States' long-term commitment. "The US is definitely less stable than in the past, so in this context Turkey is increasingly seen less as a [EU] candidate country and more as a strategic partner," said Donelli. Pressure on Greece and Cyprus Donelli said this shift could increase pressure on Greece and Cyprus, which have long used their vetoes to slow closer EU defence ties with Turkey because of disputes in the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean. "We know how much the two countries have conditioned EU-Turkey relations for many years," said Donelli. "These two countries cannot constrain broader EU strategic choices in the next few years, in the next decade." Amid the Russian threat and uncertainty over America's resolve, Turkey's opposition worries it is being sacrificed in the name of Europe's security.  "Historically, Turkish EU relations were working for the democratisation of Turkey, but the equation has been reversed. The EU-Turkey ties have been working against Turkey's democratisation," said Uzgel. "The closer Mr Erdogan gets to the EU, [the more] we are losing democracy in Turkey." He nonetheless warned that Europe's approach is short-sighted and could have wider consequences. "Turkey is a country of 86 million, so if democracy fails here, it has to have some implications for other countries as well."

Wanting to change your body composition as an athlete is common. Knowing how to do it without tanking your performance is a different story. Krissy, Kelly, and Kelsey get into what body recomposition means for performance, why being your leanest is almost never the same as performing your best, and why the slower and less dramatic the process is, the better. They cover how to periodize your nutrition around your training season, what a realistic body recomp timeline actually looks like, why performance does not improve infinitely as body fat decreases, and why the athlete you are comparing yourself to on social media has probably been training for ten-plus years to look that way. This one is specifically for people who train for a purpose. If your primary goal is performance, this conversation will change how you think about the relationship between your body and your sport. Black Iron Nutrition Book a Free Discovery Call Free Macro Calculator Free Downloads Black Iron Blog

Get the full PM Trends 2026 Report free at https://pmtrends.com/ (no email gate).Are you leaving money on the table with your current owner clients? Probably. And are you investing enough in AI discoverability? Probably not.Jordan Muela is back, this time to talk about the 2026 PM Trends Report - based on data from a Harris Poll survey of 500+ landlords covering everything from why they hire (and fire) property managers to what services they'd actually pay extra for.We discuss:(00:01:06) - Welcoming Jordan back to the show(00:02:12) - The PM Trends report(00:07:18) - How owners can upsell(00:15:20) - Sponsor - Haven AI(00:16:49) - The Boomer shift of ownership to Millennials and Gen X(00:23:32) - Response time expectations(00:31:59) - Stress reduction in marketing(00:33:46) - Sponsor - Enterprise Bank & Trust(00:35:10) - Cash flow as the primary reason to hire a PM(00:39:24) - Discounted monthly rents in exchange for on-time payments(00:46:40) - Sacrificing cash flow for a better renting experience for tenants(00:51:00) - Educating owners and landlords(00:55:20) - Finding a PM in the age of AI(01:01:46) - Takeaways from running the PM Trends reportWe dig into the owner benefit package opportunity: seven services (asset management, tenant damage protection, instant rent payments, lost rent protection, and more) that 41–51% of owners said they'd pay above their base management fee to get. The software constraints are real, the billing paradigm is frustrating, but the demand is clearly there.We also get into the generational shift happening right now (millennials are 44 percentage points more likely to use professional PM than boomers), what landlords actually expect in terms of response time (spoiler: within 30 minutes, most channels), and how to position PM around stress reduction and cash flow - the two factors that drive hiring decisions by a 2-to-1 margin over time and risk.Plus: 75% of owners plan to use ChatGPT or similar tools to find their next property manager. Jordan makes the case for what you actually do about that.--Resources for Property Managers & Real Estate Entrepreneurs• Crane – Private PM Owner Community → Join a private network of property management owners and operators: https://joincrane.co/• Free Weekly Newsletter → Property management insights, strategies, and industry updates direct to your inbox: https://peter.beehiiv.com/subscribe• RL Property Management → Learn more about Peter's company and services in Columbus, Ohio: https://rlpmg.com/__Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. I may have consulting agreements with, or financial interests in, companies mentioned in this podcast (more info here: https://www.peterlohmann.com/financial-interest-disclosure ). Additionally, some of the links included may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Always perform your own due diligence before making any financial or business decisions.

In this episode of the Fundraising Masterminds Podcast, we're talking about how to scale major donor development without sacrificing relationships.Tune in to discover the #1 key to a successful development team. We'll show you how to go from struggling to stay afloat to scaling a healthy organization — without burning relationships in the process.Discover the similarities between running a juice bar and a nonprofit. Learn how growth can actually damage donor relationships. Uncover the 3 core components of a healthy development team. And find out how 28 pledge cards in a bathroom can change the trajectory of your ministry forever.So whether you're just starting your nonprofit or are feeling the pains of growth, this episode will help build a clearer path forward. Tune in to start building a stronger development team today.Subscribe to our podcast for more nonprofit development strategies . . . and don't forget to tune in next month for the next installment of Development 101!ASK US A QUESTION:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/fundraisingmasterminds⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠NEED HELP WITH YOUR NONPROFIT?Most nonprofits are under-funded. Even if you think your nonprofit is doing well, we've found you could be doing much better. However, most nonprofits don't have a clear development strategy that keeps them grounded. As a result, they "get creative" and "try new things" based on what is popular or trending, or they get comfortable with where they are at and don't realize the dangers they will be facing in just a few short years.The Perfect Vision Dinner Course is a 20-week "live video" course that addresses this problem head on. The course was developed by Jim Dempsey after 38+ years as a Senior Development Director at Cru. After Jim had personally done over 2,500 vision dinners in his lifetime and raised over $1 billion worldwide, Jim and Jason have partnered together to bring you Fundraising Masterminds. Our first course, The Perfect Vision Dinner is a time-tested proven formula that will introduce our development system and grow your nonprofit to its maximum potential.The course includes 20-hours of personalized development coaching from Jim Dempsey and Jason Galicinski and also includes a real-time community group where you have access to everyone attending the course and also our Masterminds throughout the course.The goal for this course is to fully equip you with a Biblical basis for Development so that you can Win, Keep and Lift new partners to higher levels of involvement with your nonprofit. → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:→ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/fundraising.masterminds⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠→ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/fundraising.masterminds⁠⁠⁠Episode Keywords:major donor, major donor development, scale major donor development, scaling major donor development, how to scale major donor development, scaling major donor development without sacrificing relationships, how to scale major donor development without sacrificing relationships, nonprofit development, nonprofit development team, nonprofit development strategies, development 101, nonprofit fundraising, major donors, donor relationships, healthy development team, fundraising 101.

Groceries are more expensive than ever, and for many families, the mental load of meal planning, budgeting, and shopping has become overwhelming. In this episode, Andrea sits down with entrepreneur and Stretch founder Andy Ellwood to discuss why grocery prices vary so dramatically, how shoppers can make more informed decisions, and why pricing transparency matters. Andy shares his journey from building tech companies like Waze to creating Stretch, a free app that compares grocery prices across thousands of stores so families can save both time and money. They explore grocery store pricing strategies, loyalty programs, convenience vs. savings, and how technology can help reduce the stress of feeding a family in today's economy. In this episode, you'll learn: Why grocery prices can vary so much between stores How loyalty programs and coupons impact pricing The hidden strategies retailers use to attract shoppers Ways to reduce the mental load of grocery shopping How Stretch helps families compare prices and save money Why consumer transparency matters Resources Mentioned: Stretch Groceries App StretchGroceries.com Connect with Andy: Website: www.StretchGroceries.com Social Media: @AndyEllwood If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone looking to stretch their grocery budget a little further.

PR Newswire can cost small businesses hundreds of dollars per release, with no guaranteed media pickup. This episode breaks down the real pricing, compares affordable alternatives like PRWeb and eReleases, and explains why multi-channel content strategies deliver more lasting visibility. To learn more, visit https://presscable.com/insights/pr-newswire-features-pricing-alternatives-is-this-massive-pr-solution-really-worth-it/ PressCable City: London Address: 15 Harwood Road Website: https://presscable.com

The bipartisan support for a contempt vote against the Clintons was not a sudden outbreak of moral clarity in Washington, but a calculated strategic move. Democrats understand that precedent is everything, and by allowing scrutiny of figures within their own party, they are laying the groundwork to pursue Donald Trump once he is out of office. Sacrificing the old guard sends a message that no one is untouchable, which strengthens the argument for future investigations into Trump on issues including Jeffrey Epstein. This is less about loyalty and more about long-term positioning. By demonstrating a willingness to hold their own accountable, Democrats insulate themselves from accusations of hypocrisy when they eventually turn their focus toward Trump.At the same time, Epstein survivors risk once again being sidelined in a broader political chess match. While Democrats frame their actions as a pursuit of justice, the deeper motivation appears tied to strategic leverage rather than survivor-centered accountability. Republicans gain spectacle, Democrats gain precedent, and both parties maneuver for advantage. Meanwhile, the people most harmed by Epstein's crimes are invoked rhetorically but remain secondary to partisan objectives. The result is a familiar pattern: power politics driving the narrative, while true systemic accountability remains elusive.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Emily Fedner is a food writer, content creator, and the founder of Food Lovers Diary, a platform dedicated to celebrating culture, community, and storytelling through food. With more than a decade of experience spanning restaurants, culinary media, public relations, and professional kitchens, Emily has built a career around uncovering the stories behind what we eat and the people who make it possible.As the daughter of immigrants, Emily is passionate about amplifying diverse and underrepresented voices in the food world. Through her writing, social media presence, and culinary explorations, she highlights the ways food connects us to our heritage, identities, and one another. Her thoughtful approach to storytelling has cultivated a loyal audience of food enthusiasts who look to her for restaurant discoveries, cultural insights, and meaningful conversations about the evolving food landscape.Whether she's interviewing chefs, exploring local food scenes, or sharing her latest culinary finds, Emily approaches every experience with curiosity, authenticity, and a deep appreciation for the people and traditions that shape our food system.In This Episode, Whitney Explores:Emily shares how her upbringing and cultural background shaped her relationship with food, highlighting the deep connection between identity, tradition, and what we eat.The conversation explores the importance of embracing authentic, scratch-made foods while still making space for modern health considerations.Emily breaks down her philosophy of balance—enjoying meals out and cultural dishes without guilt while still supporting overall wellness.The episode dives into gut health and how tuning into your body can guide more intuitive, sustainable eating habits.Emily challenges food trends and diet culture, encouraging listeners to find what truly works for them rather than following restrictive rules.Follow Emily Fedner on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodloversdiary/ Follow Emily on Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@foodloversdiary?lang=enSubscribe to Emily's Substack: https://emilyfedner.substack.com/Stay Connected:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/whitneyaronoff/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/starseedkitchen/TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@whitneyaronoffTikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@starseedkitchenLearn more about Starseed Kitchenhttps://starseedkitchen.com/Shop organic spiceshttps://starseedkitchen.com/shop/code STARSEED for 10% offShop Chef Whitney's favorite source for organic regenerative meats at StarWalker Organic Farms

Marni Battista is an entrepreneur, author, transformational coach, and podcast host who helps women in midlife get off the "have it all" treadmill and start living life according to their own terms. With her trademark straight talk and humor, she provides the tools and honest stories of her own journey to living a more aligned life in her book, Your Radical Living Challenge: 7 Questions for A Meaningful Life. She and her work have also appeared in The LA Times, The New Yorker, the Dr. Phil Show, On Air With Ryan Seacrest, and others. Find out more at MarniBattista.com Top 3 Value Bombs 1. Overwhelm is self-imposed. You have more control than you think. Clarity begins with questioning what you really want. 2. You don't have to blow up your life to reinvent it. Small-scale experiments can help you pivot without sacrificing what's working. 3. Today is Day One. Don't wait for retirement or "someday" to start living your dream life. Make the shift now. Grab a copy of Marni's book. Follow her transformation journey and tools for midlife reinvention - Radical Living Challenge Book Sponsors HighLevel - The ultimate all-in-one platform for entrepreneurs, marketers, coaches, and agencies. Learn more at HighLevelFire.com. 50 Days - Join JLD on his free '50 Days to Something' video series on YouTube and create something special in 50 days.

CJ Appenzeller built a 550-square-foot storage space into a five-location training operation across South Jersey — and he did it without sacrificing the technical excellence that made him an industry expert. In this episode, CJ breaks down the exact framework he uses to scale coaching expertise across multiple locations: how he documents every movement standard into a "playbook" course shell, why he hires great people over great coaches, and the hard-and-fast training convictions that keep his product consistent at scale. We also go deep on the ego death required to stop being the technician, the Dunning-Kruger trap that makes experienced coaches harder to onboard than beginners, and why the gray area in your coaching standards is slowly killing your business. What you'll learn: The "playbook" system CJ uses to onboard coaches and maintain quality across 5 locations Why hiring people with zero coaching experience often beats hiring experienced coaches How to turn technical expertise into a scalable business (without losing what made you great) The pre-mortem exercise that reframes your entire career How to build industry authority through content, coaching trees & relentless curiosity Why having hard convictions — not nuance — is what actually scales

Eric Liddell, the subject of the movie “Chariots of Fire” came to mind recently as I read a news story about a decision made by a 16-year-old teenager from Satellite Beach, Florida. Liddell, a devout Christian, chose not to run his 100 meter heats in the 1924 Olympics because they were being held on a Sunday. Last fall, high school swimmer Michael Alexander Shapira, gave up his place in the Florida 2A state championship meet because the event was set to begin on sundown Friday, which is the start of the Jewish Sabbath. A devout Jew, Shapira received pressure from his coach and teammates to change his mind. Shapira said this: “When you sanctify God's name in public, you show the world what it means to live with faith. This isn't about what I want. It's about who I am.” In February, Shapira was named International Jewish Teen of the Year. Parents, how easily we sacrifice our Sabbath and Sunday worship for youth sports. What are you teaching your kids?

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

Many moms achieve great success in their careers, building financial security and climbing the corporate ladder, yet still feel unfulfilled or wonder if there's something more. You might have thought about starting a business or working for yourself, but feel uncertain, worried about family responsibilities, or unsure how to make a safe and secure transition.In this episode, I talk with CFP and job exit strategist Tania Brown about leaving your job intentionally without sacrificing your family's security. We explore common fears, all-or-nothing thinking, and practical strategies to help you determine whether you're ready for a change. You'll hear how deliberate planning can help you make a career shift safely and confidently.For more information, transcript, and show notes, click here: jenna.coach/108 Join me for a free consultation by clicking here: https://mom.jenna.coach/apply You're invited to join us every 2nd Thursday for my free Mom Entrepreneurs Circle. Sign up here: https://mom.jenna.coach/circle Keep up with me on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-rykiel and Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/jrykiel3 If you enjoy the show, please follow, rate, review, and share the podcast! Your support helps the show reach moms just like you who are ready to quit their 9-to-5 in pursuit of a life and business they love. Click here for instructions on how to leave a review: https://jenna.coach/podcast/podcastlaunchMentioned in this episode:FREE WEBINAR: How to Start a Business Without Financial RiskThis training is for every risk averse mom out there who wishes they could start a business. It's for nervous Nellies who value the steady paycheck but want more out of their careers. It's for the moms "who could never" start a business because they are too afraid. I'm going to show you how to leave the scarcity mindset behind and take action confidently. Join us on June 26th for this free webinar: https://how-to-quit-your-job.captivate.fm/june-webinarSign Up for How to Start a Business Without Financial Risk on June 26th HERE!

You've built a successful therapy practice. You've found your niche, filled your caseload, maybe even built a group practice. But now you're asking a different question:How do I create more freedom and keep growing without sacrificing my life?The Bad Therapist Show exists to help you do that.Hosted by Felicia Keller Boyle, aka The Bad Therapist®, former six-figure private practice owner and therapist business coach, this podcast is for established solo therapists and group practice owners who want more—more freedom, more money, more impact, and a business built on their own terms.Tune in every week for honest conversations about private practice growth, leadership, marketing, money, identity, boundaries, and what it really looks like to integrate all the parts of yourself: therapist, CEO, and human being.f you're ready to challenge good therapist conditioning, think differently, and build a business that supports your life—not the other way around—you're in the right place.Be sure to follow the show on your favourite listening app so you don't miss an episode.Remember: bad therapists make the best therapists.---Learn more about Business Coaching for Private Practice Therapists at www.thebadtherapist.coach.

In this episode, we rank tips 1-15 of the top 30 pieces of advice for new dads to stay fit from S (supreme) to F-tier.We hope you enjoy this episode and if you'd like to join us in The Online Fitness Business Mentorship, you can grab your seat at https://www.fitnessbusinessmentorship.comThank you!-J & MWATCH this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Bq08y-AaggYTIMESTAMPS:(00:00) — Intro(00:11) — Ray-Ban has officially arrived & Jordan had an interesting visitor at the hospital(05:21) — Muscle Milk is going do the WRONG road(07:19) — Mike has officially started his home gym(11:59) — The net worth to cost of car ratio(16:01) — Ranking the top 30 pieces of fitness advice for new dads (S to F tier)(54:45) — Thanks for listening!You can find a full transcript of this episode by clicking hereFollow the show on social:YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@personaltrainerpodcastInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/personaltrainerpodcastTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@personaltrainerpodcastJoin our email list & get our FREE '30 Ways To Build A Successful Online Coaching Business' manual: https://bit.ly/30O2l6pCheck out our book 'Eat It!' at https://www.amazon.com/Eat-It/dp/0008543046If you have any questions you'd like to have answered on the show, shoot us an email at info@fitnessbusinessmentorship.comIf you enjoyed the episode, we would sincerely appreciate it if you left a five-star review.----Post-Production by: David Margittai | In Post MediaWebsite: https://www.inpostmedia.comEmail: david@inpostmedia.com© 2026 Michael Vacanti & Jordan Syatt

Daf Yomi Chullin 40Episode 2348Babble on Talmud with Sruli RappsJoin the chat: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LMbsU3a5f4Y3b61DxFRsqfMERCH: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BabbleOnTalmudSefaria: https://www.sefaria.org.il/Chullin.40a?lang=heEmail: sruli@babbleontalmud.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/babble_on_talmudFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Babble-on-Talmud-100080258961218/#dafyomi #talmud00:00 Intro 01:06 Slaughtering for the mountains11:56 Slaughtering your friend's animal for avodah zarah38:01 Conclusion

Pastor Eddie Robinson III, Sunday, June 7, 2026 - 11AM

Leprosy?; Plaguing Israel; Priest diagnosis; Healing leprosy; Moses vs Miriam; "Antisemitism"?; Terah's idolatry; Covetousness in Sodom; Degrees of freedom; Cursing your children; "The Way" of Christ; "America"; Human Resources; Slavery; Releasing from bondage; Judges/gods; Choosing slavery; Allegiance?; Melchizedek; Breaking down walls?; "Altars"; Freewill offerings; "Hedges"?; Boundaries; No coveting; Libraries?; Taxes vs endowment; Provisions through freewill offerings; Peace through charity; Which gods do you serve?; Making the Word of God of none effect; Legal title; Consensual offerings; Jacob's dealings with Laban; Moses - given freedom and leadership; Free souls under God; "Religion"; Altars and wood; Organizing society; Counsel; "Priests" ministering to ministers; Government of, for and by the people; Consent; Rulers offering dainties; Fleshpots; Misinterpreting the bible; Welfare snares; Social Safety Nets?; ayin-vav-resh (skin, to make bare, stir up); biet-shin-resh (skin of the flesh, tidings); nun-shin-aleph (rising); Leprosy - becoming stricken - with what? Confusion? Temptation?; Worshipping wealth; Christ - king and priest; Repentance; Help for co-congregants; Becoming a nation of service; Thinking "kingdom"; Laying down your life for others; Lev 13:6; Garment?; Treachery?; Disease of the spirit; Contaminating; Moving toward righteousness; Removing dependence on forced offerings; Influence and control; Common purse; Democracy; Metaphors; Romulus and Remus?; Lev 13:13; Contagion of ideas; Hospice?; Biting one another; Sacrificing to idols; Darkening your eyes; Sewing underwear of your ministers?; Thinking YOU are the chosen people; Follow Christ's Way!

Craig and Big Mac analyze the impact of Aaron Judge's rib injury and whether the Yankees' depth can sustain a division run. They are joined by legendary broadcaster Marv Albert to reflect on Knicks history as the team heads into Game 2 of the NBA Finals. A heated debate ensues regarding whether fans would sacrifice Judge's season for a guaranteed New York championship. 01:50 - Aaron Judge Injury News 07:37 - Yankees Roster Depth 12:36 - King Of New York 24:38 - Marv Albert Interview 29:30 - The Ultimate Sports Sacrifice 25:24 - Swift And Kelce Wedding 27:21 - Ben Rice Catching Strategy 38:21 - Knicks Game Two Predictions

If you're trying to work out how to grow a product business, it can be tempting to focus on increasing sales above everything else. But what happens when your sales are growing and your profits aren't?In this episode, I'm joined by Christabel Biella, a fractional operator and commercial growth consultant who helps product based business owners build stronger, more sustainable businesses.We talk about what healthy growth actually looks like, why more sales don't always lead to more profit, and the common mistakes that can make growth feel harder rather than easier.Christabel shares practical advice on pricing, product ranges, inventory management, hiring and choosing the right sales channels. We also discuss how to spot when something isn't working in your business and the key numbers every founder should understand before making decisions about growth.If you've ever wondered how to grow a product business in a way that feels sustainable and profitable, there's plenty in this conversation that will help.Christabel is also offering a free 20 minute commercial model review call for founders who'd like support identifying growth opportunities and improving profitability within their business.Find Christabel here: - Website: https://www.cbco.uk- My Commercial Diagnostic Sprint info page: https://www.cbco.uk/sprint - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christabel/LET'S CONNECTFollow me on YouTubeFind me on InstagramWork with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To LifeIf you enjoy this podcast, and you'd like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/supportMentioned in this episode:Amazon Made Easy is now openMy membership, Amazon Made Easy is now open. It's a membership for people who are selling on Amazon (or planning to) and want regular access to support, somewhere to ask questions and talk things through, and a bit of structure and accountability as they grow. Inside, there are live Q&A calls, optional co-working sessions and a small, supportive community. Find out more: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership membership

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

Mike Johnson, Beau Morgan, and Ali Mac continue to talk about what goals and what the upcoming season stats should look like for some Atlanta Falcons offensive players. Mike, Ali, and Beau talk about what they want to see from Falcons wide receivers Olamide Zaccheaus and Zachariah Branch this season, and explain why they think less catches from Olamide Zaccheaus is okay if it means Zachariah Branch is getting more catches.

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.

Together, Shellee and Terry discuss: Why college planning should be approached strategically, not emotionally The connection between retirement planning and college affordability How tax strategies can create additional cash flow for tuition FAFSA misconceptions: families often misunderstand Why scholarships and tax planning should work together Tax-saving opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs The Augusta Rule and short-term rental strategies How families can start planning even if their student is already in high school

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

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.

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 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.

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...

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. 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