Podcasts about Serve

You've Got One Job: Stay Connected to Jesus There are a thousand things competing for your attention every day. Your career. Your marriage. Your kids. Your health. Your finances. Your goals. Your phone. Even your ministry. But according to Jesus, there's one thing you absolutely cannot neglect: Your connection with him. In John 15, Jesus gives one of the simplest and most powerful pictures of the Christian life: "I am the vine; you are the branches." In this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast, Rob explores why successful people can be especially vulnerable to spiritual self-reliance, why God sometimes prunes the people he loves, and how someone can look spiritually alive on the outside while slowly drying up inside. And it all comes down to one simple phrase: You've got one job: remain. Are You Plugged In? Rob rents out his former home in Tucson, Arizona. Every so often, a guest sends him a message: "The hot tub isn't working." "The jets won't turn on." "It's not getting hot." "We've pushed every button." Rob usually responds with one question: "Is it plugged in?" A few minutes of silence. Then: "Never mind." Nothing was wrong with the hot tub. Nothing was wrong with the heater. Nothing was wrong with the jets. It simply wasn't connected to its source of power. And that can describe our spiritual lives. We push buttons. We try harder. Work more. Make more money. Improve our marriages. Fix our kids. Grow our ministries. Accomplish another goal. But Jesus asks a more fundamental question: Are you connected to me? You can be incredibly busy and spiritually disconnected. You can even be busy doing things for Jesus while becoming disconnected from Jesus. 1. Let the Gardener Prune You Jesus says: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener." — John 15:1 Then he says something surprising: Every branch that bears fruit, God prunes so that it can become even more fruitful. God prunes fruitful people. We sometimes assume that if we're following God, everything should start going our way. Jesus says otherwise. Sometimes following God means getting cut. A door closes. A relationship doesn't work out. Something you desperately wanted doesn't happen. God's Word exposes pride, selfishness, greed, impurity or your need for control. But there's a huge difference between destruction and pruning. Destruction has no future in mind. Pruning is all about the future. Instead of immediately asking, "What's gone wrong?" try asking: "God, what are you trying to cut out of me?" And: "What are you trying to grow in me?" Don't waste your pruning. Let the Gardener work. 2. You've Got One Job: Remain This is the heart of John 15. Jesus repeatedly says: Remain. Stay connected. Stay close. Make your home in me. Don't drift away. A branch doesn't wake up thinking: "How am I going to manufacture grapes today?" It doesn't hustle. It doesn't compare itself with the branch next to it. It doesn't create a five-step productivity plan. It remains connected to the vine. Life flows from the vine into the branch. Eventually, fruit appears. Sometimes we make Christianity far more complicated than Jesus did: Try harder. Do more. Be better. Achieve more. Jesus says: Remain in me. Christianity isn't merely believing facts about Jesus. It's Christ living in you and through you. It's dependence. Relationship. Connection. You Can Look Alive While Drying Up Inside Here's the sobering part. When you cut a branch off a tree, it doesn't immediately look dead. For a while, the leaves remain green. Put it beside a connected branch and you may not even see a difference. But something fundamental has already happened. It has been disconnected from its source of life. The same thing can happen spiritually. You can still: Go to church. Sing the songs. Know your Bible. Lead a small group. Preach sermons. Have decades of Christian experience. You can look green on the outside while slowly drying up inside. Jesus isn't asking: "Were you connected to me once?" He's asking: "Are you remaining in me now?" Don't live off your baptism. Don't live off what you did ten years ago. Don't live off last year's faith. Ask: How is my relationship with Jesus today? 3. Connected People Bear Fruit Jesus says: "If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit." Notice the order. Jesus doesn't say: "Produce enough fruit, then I'll accept you." He says: Remain—and fruit will come. Connection comes before production. Roots come before fruit. What does that fruit look like? Changed character. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Repentance. Real connection produces real change. Obedience. Jesus changes how we handle our marriages, money, time, sexuality, forgiveness, service and gifts. And finally: Spiritual impact. Fruit reproduces. Spiritually fruitful people help other people find Jesus. We share our faith. Love people. Serve. Study the Bible with people. Help people become disciples. Multiply disciples, leaders and churches. And ultimately, the fruit points back to the vine. It isn't: "Look how impressive I am." It's: "Look what God can do." So, Are You Plugged In? Your marriage matters. Your family matters. Your career matters. Your finances matter. Your health matters. Your ministry matters. Your goals matter. But there's one thing you cannot neglect: Your connection with Jesus. So ask yourself: Am I plugged in? Remember the three lessons of John 15: 1. Let the Gardener prune you. 2. You've got one job: remain. 3. Connected people bear fruit. When you're successful—remain. When you're struggling—remain. When God is pruning you—remain. When life gets busy—remain. When you're discouraged—remain. When everything is going wonderfully—remain. The branch has one job. Remain. And Jesus promises: "If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit." Make this life count.

Episode Summary In this episode of Business Coaching Secrets, Karl Bryan and co-host Road Dog deliver an energetic, honest deep-dive into core principles for coaching business success—from the real meaning of the 80/20 rule, the power (and pitfalls) of focus, and the truth about scaling and client retention, to addressing anxiety as the price of ambition. With playful banter and actionable wisdom, Karl busts common myths, unpacks the signal-to-noise concept with lessons from Steve Jobs and Elon Musk, and shares unique rules for coaches to build stronger, longer client relationships and higher-performing businesses. Key Topics Covered The Real 80/20 Principle in Business Karl Bryan explores how Steve Jobs' return to Apple and Nike's turnaround show 80/20 thinking in action—cutting unproductive offerings to amplify the best. Examples span from Google, McDonald's, and clothing companies to coaching: focus on the assets and relationships that drive the bulk of your results (03:14–08:00). Contrarian Takes on Coaching Advice Why "do what you love and money will follow" is overrated—do what you're good at, fall in love with sales, marketing, and solving problems (09:03). Challenging the E-Myth idea of leaving a business for six months: rare in reality, context matters. The myth of "multiple streams of income": not wise until your primary business is reliably selling at high volume for an extended period (13:09). Signal vs. Noise: Working Smarter, Not Harder Inspired by Steve Jobs and Elon Musk, Karl Bryan discusses eliminating "busywork" and prioritizing the vital few actions that make the boat go faster (19:31). How to apply signal-to-noise thinking in project planning, debates, and even national economic policy. Unique, Underdiscussed Coaching Rules Nothing in life (or business) is a straight line—it's all about adapting to unpredictable curves. The formula for failure: too much time and too many distractions. The formula for success: tight deadlines and single focus. Networking and environment: strategically positioning yourself in high-value places accelerates opportunities (29:53). Client Retention, Relationship Building, and Mindset Clients stay because they like you—make business relationships more personal and long-term. Life needs to break you to wake you—how overcoming adversity can be a launching pad for bigger breakthroughs. Addressing anxiety: the hidden currency of ambition, and why planning and taking action melts anxiety (41:14). Notable Quotes "Starve the trivial many so the vital few can do their magic and compound." "Do what you're good at—that's how you make lots of money. Fall in love with selling, marketing, content creation, problem-solving… that's how you crush it." "Put all your eggs in one basket, and watch that basket really, really, really carefully." "Motion is noise; signal is the results. The ultimate measure of working smarter is a low signal-to-noise ratio." "Your greatest successes will come through other people." "Anxiety is the price of ambition… Successful people are worrying, anxious addicts." "Remember: progress equals happiness." Actionable Takeaways 1. Ruthlessly Identify & Double Down on Your 80/20 Map out what drives the majority of your revenues, client results, and business growth. Focus there; cut or minimize the distracting rest. 2. Stop Chasing Every Trend—Master Your One Main Thing Until you have a $5M+ business (or stable, strong revenue), don't split your focus into multiple streams. Place all eggs in one basket, watch it obsessively. 3. Build Relationships for the Long Term Move beyond transactional coaching—clients stay (and refer) when they genuinely like you. Invest in those relationships (even outside the boardroom). 4. Remove "Busywork"—Prioritize Like Jobs/Musk Before acting, ask: will this move me measurably closer to my goal? If not, drop it. Efficient action beats constant activity. 5. Create Momentum by Changing Your Environment Network in higher-end venues, luxury lobbies, or wherever your ideal clients are. Uplevel conversations and connections. 6. Face Anxiety by Doing the Planning and the Work Document best/worst/probable scenarios. The act of planning, not the plan itself, reduces anxiety and increases confidence. 7. Serve and Connect—Fight the Epidemic of Loneliness Facilitate connection and belonging (like Swifties and Taylor Swift); people stay for how you make them feel. Resources Mentioned - Profit Acceleration Software™: Developed by Karl Bryan, a tool for demonstrating and delivering breakthrough client value. - Focused.com: Daily coaching strategies and insights, plus Profit Acceleration Software™ demos. - Networking and Environments: Visit high-end hotel lobbies, luxury car dealerships—be where your ideal clients are found. - Tony Robbins' Planning Frameworks: Step-by-step, action-driven problem-solving (Dickens Process, business planning). - Cody Sanchez's content on buying boring businesses: (Referenced as a case-in-point for scrutinizing "guru" numbers and context.) - Daily email subscription: Get tactical coaching insights at Focused.com. Like this episode? Please subscribe and share with another coach. Leave a review to help us impact more business coaches worldwide. For more resources on attracting small business owners and closing more high-end clients, visit Focused.com and get your demo of the Profit Acceleration Software™.

Send us Fan MailShe was a Sunday school teacher who showed up to church hungover most weeks. Not partying. She says the alcohol was medicine, the equivalent of a bottle of Xanax at the end of a long day.Yolanda Gray was the oldest of six girls in a difficult home, a teenage mother, and a woman in a hard marriage for almost twenty years. Sobriety came first. Seven years later, everything else changed.Three things you will take from this one.Our secrets keep us sick. She spent years trying to stop on her own because she was ashamed, and it was telling the truth that finally moved her.You cannot take back a life you do not believe is yours. Identity comes before the choice.Rest is not optional. Shingles laid her out for fifteen months, and she says the hustle we were sold is a lie.Her book is Take Back Your Life is available by clicking here.Find her at yolandagrey.comShare this episode with the woman who came to mind while you were listening.Register Click HERE:  The Calling Activation Study; Discover the Story That Connects Your Calling to the People You're Meant to Serve.To be a guest on the Calling series:  https://theresacroft.com/your-seatHome TheresaCroft.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/theresacroftFacebook: https://Facebook.com/theresamcroftYouTube: https://YouTube.com/@theresacroftMore Podcast Episodes on Apple and Spotify

Send us Fan MailThis week Jonny Ball sits down with Helen Maguire who has been Member of Parliament for Epsom and Ewell since 2024. Before entering politics, Helen served in the British Army with the Royal Military Police.Helen commissioned from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where she went on to serve in Bosnia on a Stabilisation Force mission, and in Iraq to help rebuild the Iraqi Police and provide on-the-ground counter-insurgency policing support to infantry.After leaving the army, Helen worked as a personal fitness instructor and founded a fitness company. She became a chartered fundraiser in 2016 and later ran a fundraising consultancy business.Maguire received the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2023 Birthday Honours for services to the community. She lives in Surrey with her husband and three children.In 2024 Maguire was appointed by Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey as the party spokesperson for Defence as part of his Frontbench Team and now serves as the spokesperson on Primary Care & Cancer.To find out more about Helen, see here: Helen Maguire MPSupport the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

Season 11 Episode 24 - Beside The Burn - Daily Devotional Podcast From Burnside Presbyterian Church - Jesus Is Enough - www.BurnsidePCI.co.uk

How can we serve God? The Catechism identifies ways in which we can keep the first commandment through adoration, prayer, sacrifice, and promises and vows. Fr. Mike relates these to us and identifies how we can truly worship and serve the Lord throughout our daily lives. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 2095-2103. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Sam Merrill has made some big shots and missed some big shots. Through both, he's learned to focus less on what just happened and more on becoming better and preparing for what comes next. On this week's episode, Sam shares how a practice of daily repentance has influenced the way he approaches both his faith and his career in the NBA. "When you look at a team that is all in, it's every guy is doing the best that they can do to help the team win—whatever that looks like. There's a level of humility that that takes. You can have no pride, no egos, and everyone is focused on what really matters. And I think from a gospel perspective it's really similar. It's not all in on being perfect but having a constant desire to get better and to strive to be the best that you can be." 2:17- The Aggie Example of Returned Missionaries 4:32- Resilience and Dedication Learned in Nicaragua 13:18- A Temple in Cleveland! 18:20- Ready to Serve a Mission 21:16- The Support of a Spouse 23:01- Perspective Provided by Faith 25:06- Working for a Spot in the League 27:47- Donovan Mitchell and 'Money Merrill' 29:45- The Blessing of Going Home 31:31- Big Shots and Big Moments 36:44- What Does It Mean to Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Links: From the Logo with Jimmer Fredette interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMawE8oUpE4 Sam Merrill's Big Shot at Utah State: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShC02_e8UbM Donovan Mitchell in Money Merrill Jersey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcF_D9tY-Ww "Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed. The fact is that most putts don't drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to be just like people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, and most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is just like an old time rail journey ... delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride." ― Jenkin Lloyd Jones Brad Wilcox, "My Grace is Sufficient" - https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/brad-wilcox/his-grace-is-sufficient/

Pr. Will Weedon, Host of “The Word of the Lord Endures Forever” We Praise You, O God The Word of the Lord Endures Forever Celebrating the Saints Thank, Praise, Serve and Obey See My Savior’s HandsThe post Altar, Pulpit and Font Worship, Part 5 – Pr. Will Weedon, 9/30/26 (2732) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Welcome back to the podcast! Today we talk about the importance of serving our families and the people around us. We see the Lord's example when He washed His disciples' feet in John 13. We hope this is an encouraging conversation, and if you enjoy it, please like and follow. We'll see you next week!

What if being “helpful” is actually keeping your sales team from serving customers well?In this episode of Sales with ASLAN, Tom Stanfill and Tab Norris unpack Truth #18 from ASLAN's 30 Truths for 30 Years series: To Serve the Customer, You Must Lead.This episode is especially relevant for inbound sales reps, account managers, contact center teams, channel sellers, retail sales teams, and anyone who works with customers who arrive already asking for a specific product, service, or solution.Tom and Tab explain why simply answering the customer's questions can leave the customer responsible for navigating a decision they rarely make. Instead, great sellers use their expertise to uncover both stated and unstated needs, narrow the available options, and guide the customer toward the solution that best fits their situation.You'll learn how to:Shift from reactive service to proactive customer leadershipUse ASLAN's Other-Centered® RoadmapAsk permission to lead without sounding pushyUncover needs customers may not know to mentionAvoid overwhelming buyers with unnecessary informationTurn expertise into a better customer experienceCreate stronger customer loyalty while increasing salesStay valuable as AI gives buyers more access to product informationTom and Tab also share real examples from insurance, retail, fitness, and other inbound sales environments that show the difference between simply answering questions and truly advising a customer.Serving the customer doesn't mean sitting in the passenger seat, sometimes the most Other-Centered® thing a seller can do is take the wheel.Want to learn more about all ASLAN has to offer? Check us out here-->https://tinyurl.com/3wr6w555

Send us Fan MailHis car battery got stolen at a ski lodge. He called a friend he hadn't talked to in a while. That friend showed up, took one look at him, and said, "You need to follow Jesus." That was November 1976, and Tony still has the Bible he took from the nightstand that day. This week on Midweek Motivation, Jess wraps up the BLESS series with the final step: Share Your Story. She sits down with Tony, a long-time Westside volunteer, who shares one of the most raw and emotional faith stories you'll hear, and breaks down why your story is something nobody can take away from you.Discover:The full story of how a stolen car battery at Timberline Lodge led to a life-changing conversationWhy the Bible Tony took from a hotel nightstand in 1976 still means everything to himA simple three-part framework for sharing your faith story: before Jesus, your encounter, and after JesusWhy "because it's true" might be the most powerful answer to "why do you follow Jesus?"How Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey instead of a war horse, and what that means for how we share the gospelWhy your story is your greatest tool and nobody can tell you it didn't happenYou don't need a theology degree. You don't need a script. You don't need to have all the answers. You just need your story, because it actually happened, and that's something no one can argue with. Tony's been sharing his for almost 50 years and it still makes him cry. That's how you know it's realKey Takeaways:Your story is yours, and nobody can tell you it didn't happenShare your faith the way Jesus modeled it: gently, peacefully, kindlyYou don't need perfect theology to tell someone what Jesus did for youThe BLESS framework puts sharing last for a reason: trust comes firstBe bold, but come in on a donkey, not a war horseQuestion for you to think about:If someone asked you today, "Why do you follow Jesus?" would you have an answer ready?If Tony's story moved you, share this with someone who needs to hear it. Drop a comment with your own story. Subscribe so you never miss a Midweek Motivation.Series: The Wild Work of God at Westside Community ChurchFramework: BLESS (Begin with prayer, Listen, Eat, Serve, Share)Scriptures referenced: 1 Peter 3:15, Luke 19, Luke 10, Ephesians 6Tool: Download the Westside app to use the BLESS tooliPhone/iPad: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/westside-comm-church/id1479755097Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.pushpay.westsidecommunitychurchccSUBSCRIBE to always see our content and let us reach more people for Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx?sub_confirmation=1Give to support this ministry and help us reach people all around the world: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/giveWebsite: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurchFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx#MidweekMotivation #BLESS #ShareYourStory #WestsideCommunityChurch #WildWorkOfGod #Testimony #Easter #HolyWeek #Faith #WhyIFollowJesus

Give and Serve | Pastor Vern Martin | Grace Church PA by Grace Church

The Gavel Podcast is the official podcast of Sigma Nu Fraternity, Inc., and is dedicated to keeping you updated on the operations of the Legion of Honor and connecting you to stories from our brotherhood. To find out more from the Fraternity, you can always check out our website at www.sigmanu.org. Also consider following us on: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | FlickrHave feedback or a question about this episode? Want to submit an idea for a future topic you'd like to see covered? Contact the Gavel Podcast team at news@sigmanu.org. Hosts for this EpisodeChristopher Brenton - Beta Tau Chapter (North Carolina State) Alumnus and Sigma Nu Fraternity's Director of CommunicationsGuest for this EpisodeBruce Tria - A Brother of Sigma Chi Fraternity and Owner of Tria Designs. Bruce has been a long-time partner for Sigma Nu helping shape its visual identity and the look of The Delta magazine since 2010.Episode ReferencesThe Spring 2026 Issue of The Delta - Check out the look of the latest issue of The Delta, which was redesigned earlier this year.General ResourcesEmployment and Staff Hiring Resources - If you are interested in learning more about working for the Fraternity as a consultant. Please visit the employment webpage for resources and access to the position application. The application deadlines are October 15 and March 1. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Contact Scott Smith at scott.smith@sigmanu.org for more information.Become a Volunteer - Learn more and take the next steps to become a volunteer for the Fraternity.Establish or Serve an Alumni Chapter - Learn more about how to help establish and maintain an Alumni Chapter.Organize an Alumni Club - Learn more about how to become engaged with or set up an Alumni Club.Donate to the Sigma Nu Educational Foundation - Give a gift to help advance the Fraternity's honorable Mission.

Jérôme Rothen se chauffe contre un autre consultant, un éditorialiste ou un acteur du foot.

“Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord. Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites.”‭‭- Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭22‬-‭25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Serve these Air Fryer Pork Cutlets with buttered noodles, quick red cabbage sauerkraut, or French fries for a fast, satisfying weeknight meal. Recipe: Air Fryer Pork Cutlets from COOKtheSTORY.Here are the links mentioned in this episode:Here's the Recipe Of The Day podcast episode page with all of our recipe links, and you can subscribe to the show there too.Join my COOKforTWO Community here!Follow me on social media TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, or PinterestGet My Newsletter!Websites: COOKtheSTORY.com and TheCookful.com Let's get cooking! -Christine xo

2 Timothy records Paul's final letter to Timothy, encouraging him to live worthy of his calling & to entrust what Timothy has learned to faithful men. Believers should be involved in discipleship. Join Brandon on today's Devotionable. Devotionables is a ministry of The Ninth & O Baptist Church in Louisville, KY. naobc.org

What does "killing it" actually look like behind the scenes? Because sometimes it's a huge stage and an incredible opportunity. And sometimes it's a soggy airport sandwich, a missed flight, or admitting that something just isn't working. In this episode, Erin sits down with speaker, author, and emotional intelligence expert Rich Bracken for a chat about the side of success we don't always talk about (or get to hear). They dig into why we're so quick to measure accomplishments but ignore how we actually feel, the power of being honest about failure, and why vulnerability matters more than maintaining the appearance that everything is fine. Rich also shares his "Theory of Why Not," the mindset that has led him to take some pretty wild chances throughout his career, and why meaningful progress usually comes from consistent effort rather than trying to knock it out of the park every single day. Here's what you'll hear: Why your feelings deserve as much attention as your metrics What the polished version of "killing it" leaves out How asking "Why not?" can lead to unexpected opportunities Why small, consistent effort is more powerful than perfection How vulnerability, curiosity, and genuine care make us better leaders Connect with Rich on LinkedIn Learn more at richbracken.com. Book Erin to speak Ready to modernize your culture, liberate your leadership, and differentiate your business without sounding like every other company on LinkedIn? Bring Erin Hatzikostas in to show your team how authenticity can become an actual strategic advantage, not just another corporate buzzword. Book Erin to Speak If you'd like quick tangible tips and practical corporate career advice to level up your authentic leadership, download the 10 simple "plays" to stop selling out and start standing out at https://bauthenticinc.mykajabi.com/freebie If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, b sure to join us for more fun and inspiration! Follow Erin on LinkedIn or Instagram Take our simple, fun and insightful "What's your workplace superhero name?" quiz Unleash your Authentic Superpower with Erin's book, You Do You-ish Throw out half the playbook and start competing in a league of your own. Check out Erin's book, The 50% Rule. Work with Us Or just buy some fun, authentic, kick-ars merch here To connect with Erin and/or Nicole, email: hello@bauthenticinc.com DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsuitable for younger audiences. Tweetable Comments "The feeling is data, too." "We all want to feel seen and heard and respected, so show that and you'll get it back." "If you put the other person first, everything else unfolds the way it should." "The best leaders I ever worked for or worked with were human beings. They were vulnerable, they were honest, and they cared." Editor's note: This transcript has been edited for clarity and length while preserving the substance and conversational tone of the original discussion. Erin Hatzikostas sits down with speaker, author, coach, and emotional intelligence expert Rich Bracken to talk about what success really looks like behind the scenes. They explore emotional intelligence, vulnerability, failure, leadership, consistent effort, Rich's "Theory of Why Not," and why some of the biggest opportunities in your career can start with simply being willing to take a chance. Success Is More Than a Metric Erin: I want to start by reading something from your book because this took my breath away. You wrote, "The most dangerous blind spot in change management isn't a missed metric. It's individual and group satisfaction. That's the left hook nobody sees coming. We get so obsessed with what we can measure that we stop paying attention to what we can't. The feeling is data, too." You talk about how we want everyone to believe everything is fine. We hit the number. It worked. We never heard no. Admitting that we came up short or something didn't work can feel like weakness, so we skip past it. We're much quicker to share our wins than our failures. And that instinct doesn't just apply to metrics. It applies to how we feel. We hide emotional shortcomings the same way we hide missed targets because vulnerability in either form feels like exposure. Rich: I think we need to chip away at this idea of perfection because, number one, it doesn't exist. Nobody is going to be perfect. Nothing is ever going to be perfect. The more people admit their failures, admit their shortcomings, or admit that something went wrong, the more honest we can be. I lost a contract the other day that was devastating to me. It was going to be huge for me. And the first thing I thought was, "I've got to talk to somebody about the failure." It's one thing to say everything is great and trucking along, but when those left hooks come, sometimes you need somebody to grab you and lift you off the ground. It's tough. Erin: I think this applies to people at every level of their careers. We get asked all these metric-driven questions. How many talks did you do? How much business did you bring in? What did you accomplish? My goal is two or three talks a month. That translates to around 30 talks a year, and I freaking love that. I don't necessarily want 100 talks a year. And when people ask how things are going, in general I'm like, "My life's fucking awesome." Not just because I'm hitting a number. My life in totality is great. We spend so much time talking about how many. Maybe we need to talk more about how it actually feels. What "Killing It" Really Looks Like Erin: Let's talk about "killing it," because when we met, we immediately started laughing about what people think success looks like versus what it actually looks like. What's an example of "killing it" for you? Rich: There are so many. If killing it looks like sorting through which airport sandwich is the least soggy because everything else is closed and I've missed three flights, then yes, I'm killing it. Does killing it look like sitting in front of my computer cursing because I can't find the last version of a presentation I worked on? Is killing it putting your PowerPoint into Google only to have your client download it and suddenly the font looks like Wingdings? That's the part people don't see. I love what I do. I wouldn't trade it for the world. But I think the closest comparison to a professional speaker's life is a touring musician. It's exhausting. You're traveling constantly. You're dealing with airports, weather, schedules, flights, hotels, and all of these things happening around the glamorous part people see. Erin: The facade is cool, though. Rich: Absolutely. And sometimes it really is cool. I'm about to speak in front of nearly 10,000 people. I have custom lighting. I have a walk-up video. There are going to be glow sticks, music, singing, dancing. It's going to look like I'm a rock star. But somebody asked me, "What are you going to do for the rest of the day?" I said, "I'm going back to my room, curling up in a ball, and not talking to anyone." That's what killing it looks like too. I know I'll walk off that stage on cloud nine, but I'll also be completely empty. I'll need to refuel. Erin: I have plenty of those stories too. Killing it was somebody reaching out to ask me to endorse a book, and then realizing they had confused me with the author of a completely different book. Killing it was getting what I thought was fan mail asking for my autograph six months after starting the podcast, then realizing somebody was probably trying to get my signature for fraud. Killing it was putting together footage for my speaker reel and discovering you could see my underwear when I turned around onstage. That's the behind-the-scenes version. Small Steps Can Change Your Entire Life Erin: One of the foundational stories in your life is losing more than 100 pounds. Tell us about that. Rich: I was a rail-thin kid and played sports year-round. Then I was diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma. I'm my parents' only child, so my mom basically said, "Stay inside, eat whatever you want, and play video games." I went from being outside constantly to being inside constantly, and I started putting on weight. By middle school I was the heavier kid, and I got teased quite a bit. Football became a saving grace because being bigger suddenly gave me an identity. I was an offensive lineman. I was the protector. I opened opportunities for the running backs and helped keep my friends safe. I eventually played a year of college football. Then I quit, and that identity disappeared. The eating habits stayed, but the workout habits went away. I got up to about 260 pounds. I fell into this really low self-esteem mindset. I didn't like what I saw in the mirror. I was miserable. Erin: Was there a specific moment that made you decide to change? Rich: It sounds silly, but I got tired of pulling my shirt away from my body. I was constantly adjusting it because I was afraid of my body showing. I was exhausted. I didn't have energy. I was depressed. I didn't want to do anything. I wasn't social. I finally had my diet analyzed, and everything was off the charts. Cholesterol, calories, fat, everything. My health instructor gave me something incredibly simple. He told me to replace certain foods with better options, eliminate fast food and carbonated drinks, and walk one mile a day. That was it. I didn't need to change everything overnight. I didn't need three hours of cardio or two hours in the gym. I just needed to do something small and see progress. Eventually I went from a 40-inch waist to trying on a pair of 34-inch pants in an Old Navy dressing room and screaming because they actually fit. Those moments taught me that I could change something huge by consistently doing small things. It transformed my life because I started to believe I could take on other things too. The Theory of Why Not Erin: That leads really naturally into something you call your "Theory of Why Not." What is it? Rich: I tell people all the time that I have the most ridiculous life résumé of anybody I've ever met. The things I've done, the people I've met, the situations I've put myself in, all of those experiences come back to the theory of why not. Why not give it a shot? Why not me? Why not try it? The worst you're going to hear is no. I don't ever want to die with all these ideas that might have been great, but I never acted on them. So many people are afraid to try because the possibility of failure exists. They don't want to say, "I want to do this thing," because what if it doesn't work? The Theory of Why Not is about getting out of your own head and getting out of your own way. I've been on several game shows. I've also missed several other ones because I took a chance on them and didn't get picked. I've had speaking opportunities, business opportunities, media opportunities, and all kinds of experiences. The ones people see are great. What we don't talk about are the dozens that didn't happen. The dozens of no's. The dozens of, "You're nice, but..." Those are the things we're terrified of. But I can say I've lived a very full life. If I went away tomorrow, I went for it. If you continually talk yourself out of opportunities, dreams, lofty goals, or ridiculous ideas, you'll never know what could have happened. Sometimes you have to ask, "Why not? What's the worst that could happen?" Taking a Chance With a Mix CD Erin: What's an early example of you living this way? Rich: When I was in graduate school, I had the opportunity to study in England. I was also DJing, and one of the top radio stations in the country happened to be about two blocks from where I lived. For those of you under 40, brace yourself. I took my mix CD to the radio station. I basically said, "I've loved the English music scene for years. It's one of the reasons I'm a DJ. I just want to know what you think. Am I any good? How do I stack up?" I told them, "If you hate it and never want to talk to me again, that's fine. At least I took the shot." Three days later, the station's marketing manager called me. She said, "You told me you have half-day Fridays and a rail pass, right?" I said yes. She said, "Great. We've booked you for six opening slots at different clubs around the country, opening for some huge DJs." All because I walked in and handed somebody a CD. I wasn't expecting that. I just wanted feedback. If I had never raised my hand, I never would have known. Some of the coolest things I've ever gotten to do happened because I was willing to take that kind of chance. Opening for Avicii and Going on Game Shows Rich: Another great example was auditioning to open for Avicii when he was one of the biggest DJs in the world. I was competing against people who were DJing regularly. I had a corporate job and was DJing on the side for fun. But I believed in my style. I believed in my energy. I believed I could earn that spot. So I auditioned. I got picked. I ended up opening for Avicii in Kansas City in front of thousands of people. It was phenomenal. That same mindset has led me to game shows, television, speaking, and writing a book. I was on $100,000 Pyramid. My partner was Von Miller, who had just won the Super Bowl and was the Super Bowl MVP. Usher was also there. He was a terrible game show teammate. Erin: Was he? Rich: Terrible. I was also on a reality show on ESPN, and I competed to host another television show. I made it to the final four and didn't get the job. But it was still an incredible experience. My ridiculous dream job is to host The Price Is Right someday. And the funny part is, because of one of the shows I was on, I'm now one degree of separation from that job. That alone is the Theory of Why Not. Erin: You're making me think I need to go on a game show. Rich: Why not? The Biggest Lesson Rich Learned From Being a DJ Erin: You DJed for a long time. Now you speak and coach executives, speakers, and professional athletes. What did being a DJ teach you that translates into what you do now? Rich: Two things. The first is self-awareness and self-confidence. People think DJing is just standing there pushing buttons and playing music, but there's an art to it. You're exposing yourself creatively. And if something goes wrong with the music, sound, or song choice, you can't hide. You're the person standing there controlling everything. Confidence, self-awareness, and believing in what you're creating matter. The second lesson is that it's not about you. One of my favorite pieces of advice is, "You're not more important than coffee." If an event has to choose between having coffee or having a keynote speaker, you're probably gone. They're picking coffee. Erin: They're definitely picking coffee. Rich: But the bigger point is this: whether you're a speaker, leader, salesperson, attorney, professional service provider, or anyone else, if you put the other person first, everything else unfolds the way it should. I've seen speakers go onstage and make the entire thing about themselves, their show, and their ego. It bombs. When somebody gets up there to truly engage the audience, help them, and serve them, people feel it. The same thing happens with DJs. And the same thing happens if you're pitching a client or running a team meeting. That's an audience too. If you show up with confidence in what you're doing, but your number-one priority is helping the people in front of you, that energy speaks for itself. You'll build better relationships and connect with people differently. Every Meeting Is a Stage Erin: That translates directly to people in traditional corporate roles too. You can walk into a board meeting, staff meeting, presentation, or one-on-one and feel that same stage fright. You start believing perfection is the game. But even if you're the person leading the meeting or walking everyone through the PowerPoint, it's not about you. How do you make the other people feel? How do you make sure they're engaged? Rich: Exactly. And it's hard to fake. People need to spend time off the stage thinking about what they do, why they do it, and how they help people. Your "stage" could be a boardroom. It could be a speaker stage. It could be a DJ booth. It could be whatever auditorium your profession puts you in. When you're serving people and helping people, you make them feel good, but you also feel better because there's meaning behind what you're doing. Behind the Successful Face Erin: You've coached CEOs, speakers, professional athletes, and even celebrities. What trips people up behind closed doors that might surprise us? Rich: Deep down, we're all a little insecure. We all second-guess ourselves. We all deal with some level of, "I don't know. I'm not sure. Why me? Can I do this?" People put their successful face on for the world, and we forget they're human. People get hurt. They fail. They get scared. I'll coach somebody who looks incredibly successful from the outside, and then behind the scenes they'll say, "I don't know," or, "I tried this and it didn't work, and it really hurt." I think one of the reasons I connect with people is that I treat everybody like a human being I care about. When you do that, you connect differently. When a relationship is transactional and you're clearly after something, people can smell it like a shark smells blood in the water. Serve people first. Reach out genuinely. Ask questions that show you actually give a damn about who they are as people. We all want to feel seen and heard and respected, so show that and you'll get it back. Consistency Beats Trying to Knock It Out of the Park Erin: You've kept the weight off for 27 years, so obviously consistency has been a huge part of your life. What do people misunderstand about consistent effort? Rich: We have this idea that every time we do something it has to be some knock-it-out-of-the-park experience. That's not accurate. Let's say you want to get back into working out. If you go stretch for three minutes, that's something. If you do a one-minute plank, that's something. If you walk for five minutes, that's success. That is consistency of effort. There are days I feel great. I'm working out, I'm listening to music, and everything clicks. There are other days when the last effing thing I want to do is lift a weight. If I do 10 minutes on one of those days, I can call it a success. At my level of energy and care in that moment, doing something is a win. I don't slay every workout. Sometimes I get up intending to work out and realize I'm not going to do it well. So instead of beating myself up, I shift my mindset and say, "Today I'm going to deal with whatever garbage is holding me back, and tomorrow I'm going to show up better." Erin: I think the other part of consistency is choosing the thing you're actually likely to do. People ask, "Should I ride a bike? Should I run? Should I walk? Should I lift weights?" Pick the thing you're most likely to keep doing. I was just talking to my son, who is trying to grow his speaking platform. He said he needed to figure out the marketing stuff. I gave him a bunch of options and then told him, "You have to pick the thing that actually excites you." All of these things can work, and all of them can fail. Pick the thing you're most likely to consistently do. The same applies to leadership. Leadership can feel like you're supposed to read 72 books and do 80 things every day. What if you picked one thing you were going to consistently do instead? The Best Leaders Are Still Human Rich: As people move up in organizations and take on more responsibility, they often become more visible, more guarded, and more concerned about the impact of their decisions. At the same time, there are so many corporate experts and thought leaders telling people how they're supposed to lead that we start thinking we need to show up like Simon Sinek, Mel Robbins, or somebody else every day. The best leaders I ever worked for or worked with were human beings. They were vulnerable. They were honest. And they cared. I've worked for great bosses, and I've worked for dumpster-fire bosses. The stark difference is that the great ones cared and stayed human. Read the books. Listen to the podcasts. Go to the seminars. But don't lose track of why you're doing what you're doing or what makes it meaningful and fun for you. Erin: I've joked that from a traditional Leadership 101 perspective, I'm probably a B-minus. I'm not a great planner. I might walk into a meeting without an agenda. I don't always package feedback perfectly. But I always felt like authenticity was this trump card. It didn't wipe away every mistake, but if you can set aside your ego, be honest, show humility, and genuinely care about people, that covers a lot. Being Good at the Job Does Not Automatically Make You a Good Leader Rich: One mistake organizations make is assuming, "This person is really good at the thing, so we should make them the leader of the thing." You're a great salesperson, so we make you a regional sales director. You're a great marketer, so we make you the chief marketing officer. That doesn't automatically mean you're going to be a great leader. Sometimes people don't even want the leadership job, but they feel guilty saying no because it comes with more money, credibility, or status. Organizations need to become better at identifying who actually wants to lead and who has the potential to do it well. And once you become a leader, the job changes. If you're a regional director of sales, you aren't primarily selling anymore. You're guiding and coaching other people to become better salespeople. It's literally a people job, not a thing job. I coached somebody once who kept saying, "I don't understand why they don't do this. I don't understand why they complain about that." And I said, "Ask them." Ask them why they're not motivated. Ask them what they need. You're their coach. The coach of a football team isn't running onto the field and playing with the seventh graders. The coach prepares them to play. That's what leaders do. It's about serving your people. And you have to remember that what worked for you may not work for everybody. Different people require different communication, different motivation, and different support. As a leader, you need to ask questions, become more socially aware, develop trust, and understand the nuance of each person on your team. When "Why Not?" Means Trusting Your Judgment Erin: We ask every guest about their "Buck That" moment. What's a time when you went against what was expected, felt a little uncomfortable doing it, but good things happened because of it? Rich: I was working at a law firm doing business development, and one of the attorneys and I identified a huge business opportunity. It was going to require some extra work and a little thinking outside the box, but we mapped out a path to make it happen. I went to my CMO and explained the idea. She said, "Absolutely not." She didn't ask a single question. Not, "Tell me more." Not, "What could we gain?" Not, "What would this take?" Just no. I was pissed because I felt like the idea had been dismissed without any curiosity. Now, I'll do crazy things and take chances, but I'm also calculated about it. I'm not reckless. I had really thought through this opportunity, and I believed it would work. So I did it anyway. I recruited a few people who were willing to help me after hours. We got the project finished ahead of the deadline and launched it. Eventually my CMO appeared in my doorway holding a printed copy of the email announcing the initiative I had been told not to do. She said, "What is this?" On the outside I was very apologetic. On the inside, I was thinking, "Ha." She was absolutely livid. But two things happened. The attorney I partnered with ended up getting national recognition in The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg and became a recognized expert on the subject. Later, after I had left the firm, he called me. He had just signed the biggest deal in the firm's history. He told me, "I just want to thank you for sticking your neck out. You believed in me and you believed in this project." I'll never forget that. I'm not advocating complete rebellion. But sometimes you have to trust yourself enough to recognize that you've thought something through and you know what the right move is. Sometimes you need to do what's right for the business, but do it your way. Make Work Suck Less by Finding a Way to Have Fun Erin: Last question. What's one thing people can do to make work suck less? Rich: Find a way to have fun. Even if you're sitting there thinking, "I'm an accountant. How?" One of the things I do with audiences is build playlists together. Everybody scans a QR code and submits a song that makes them happy. The playlists are hilarious and amazing. Then I send the playlist back to the company and tell everybody to keep the link. When you need five minutes of happiness, five minutes of energy, or five minutes to shift your mood, go to the playlist and pick a song. It may not even be your song, but somebody you work with chose it because it makes them happy. Try something new. Take five minutes. Have the ridiculous singing and dancing party in your office or cubicle if that's what makes the day better. There is always a way to have more fun. You just have to figure out what that looks like for you. Erin: Why not? Rich: Exactly. Why not?

Luke 17Andrew and Edwin discuss the lepers Jesus healed and the need to give thanks as well as a surprising turn of grace for unworthy servants.Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.    Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org.    Join the Facebook community and join the conversation by clicking here. We'd love to meet you. Be a guest among the Christians who meet on Livingston Avenue. Click here to find out more. Michael Eldridge sang all four parts of our theme song. Find more from him by clicking here.   Thanks for talking about the text with us today.________________________________________________If the hyperlinks do not work, copy the following addresses and paste them into the URL bar of your web browser: Daily Written Devo: https://readthebiblemakedisciples.wordpress.com/?p=26941The Christians Who Meet on Livingston Avenue: http://www.christiansmeethere.org/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TalkAboutTheTextFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/texttalkMichael Eldridge: https://acapeldridge.com/ 

Is there a secret trick to beating the algorithm? Laine White says the only hacks that last are the ones that serve your audience first. In this Localist Lab session, recorded live in front of a room full of small business owners, Carrie welcomes Laine White, a marketing consultant representing Uptick Marketing. Laine explains why Google, Meta, and AI assistants all reward the same thing: a good experience for real people. She starts with a story about gaming Instagram as a high schooler in 2012, and watching those 5,000 followers disappear. Then she gets practical. Laine walks through why saves and shares now matter more than likes, how to rewrite your FAQs so ChatGPT and other LLMs can actually cite them, and the three factors Google uses to rank a Google Business Profile. She shares a three-question test for any hack someone tries to sell you, plus five things you can do before next week. In the Q&A, she covers Google Business Profiles for businesses with dozens of locations, where FAQs belong on your website, and who to follow to keep up with algorithm changes. If social media and search feel like a game you don't know the rules to, this session gives you the rules and the reasons behind them.   Watch the Full Episode on YouTube   _______________________________________   Mentioned in This Episode "How to Use AI Without the Internet Turning on You" with Laine White Ladybird Taco Breakout Games Birmingham Laine on Instagram StoryBrand Uptick Marketing Learning Center Luke Richey on LinkedIn Adam Mosseri on Instagram Annie-Mai Hodge on LinkedIn Girl Power Marketing on Instagram Greater Birmingham Humane Society   Connect with Laine White Laine White is a marketing consultant in Birmingham. She works with small businesses on social media, websites, and search, and shares deep dives on marketing on Instagram. Laine on Instagram Uptick Marketing on Instagram   Thanks to Our Sponsor, Infomedia The Localist is sponsored by Infomedia. They are a Birmingham-based web and digital marketing company. They help small businesses grow online. Contact Infomedia   Join Us at Localist Lab Localist Lab is a free event series for small business owners. It meets on the third Thursday of most months at Saturn in Avondale. Free tacos and coffee too. See upcoming events and register   Subscribe to Carrie's Newsletter Want more small business tips from Carrie? Sign up for her newsletter. Sign up here  

Christians seem odd. Our odd views are counter culture. However, let us respond to our critics in a way that counters their own cultural narrative about Christianity. What if the very thing you find concerning ends up offering you far more hope than you ever dared dream? How can answers to the challenge of critics counter the cultural narrative about us, and offer hope to all?The sermon today is titled "Which Life is Most Meaningful?," contrasting the meaning we create for ourselves and the meaning discovered in Christ. This sermon is the seventh installment in our series "Counter/Culture." The Scripture reading is from Ecclesiastes 5:7-17 (NIV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on September 27, 2026. All lessons fit under 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under BEGIN: A Satisfying Faith.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):Timothy Keller, Making Sense of God, Chapter 3.Alistair Begg, "The Search for Meaning." Sermon.Thomas Nagel, What Does It All Mean?Bertrand Russell, "A Free Man's Worship."I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

We continue in our leadership series being reminded of the importance of serving in leadership so that we reflect Christ more in our leadership.

Lawyers serving as trustees face unique ethical, fiduciary and liability considerations. Learn what to consider before accepting the role. The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, ACTEC, is a professional society of peer-elected trust and estate lawyers in the United States and around the globe. This series offers professionals best practice advice, insights, and commentary on subjects that affect the profession and clients. Learn more in this podcast.

Arshavir Blackwell was working in AI before anyone called it AI, back when it went by neural networks and machine learning. In this unscripted fireside chat, he pulls back the curtain on where AI came from, why generic tools make everyone sound the same, and what history tells us about technology and jobs. He also names the trap he calls Fluency is Validity: the habit of trusting an answer because it sounds smart. If AI has felt like a magic box or a threat, this conversation will leave you clearer and a lot less afraid.Connect with Arshavir:Inside the Black Box, his weekly Substack newsletter: insidetheblackbox.aiYourVoiceCraft, the local AI model that learns your voice: yourvoicecraft.aiFree resource: The Serve to Scale 5 Point Method, my full coaching program, is now free. Get it at warkry.com/5pointscale.Be a guest: Have a story another entrepreneur needs to hear? There's no cost and no pitch. Apply at podcast.warkry.com/listen.Sponsor Go Be Great: Sponsorships are open. Details at podcast.warkry.com/listen.

Deacon Victor Valenzuela is assigned to St. Mary Church in Fullerton.  He is married, with two adult children.  He is a licensed social worker who is retired from 31 years of employment at Kaiser Permanente.  He is a former seminarian who has worked in a variety of ministries.  His wife is Diane.  Today, he welcomes guest Sally Dang, wife of future Deacon Tom Clark.  She is an optometrist and talks about the deacon formation process. Support the show

Zverev won the US Open without knowing it was match point, and his ball bouncing between serves has Norm, JB and Natalie Cutter debating a second-serve clock.Recorded before the Laver Cup and the Billie Jean King Cup Finals wrapped.In this episode:Zverev's ball bouncing between serves, and whether it is a weapon or a ticNatalie on the serve clock, and what MLB's pitch clock teaches tennisThe 3:33am finish, and JB on why start times are the problemA Laver Cup preview, Rafael Jódar's climb and Juan Carlos Ferrero's 2027 returnJB on what is wrong with the Davis Cup formatHosts: Norm, JB and Natalie Cutter.Brought to you by Lone Pine. https://lonepinebrewery.comListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube @BreakingBackMedia. More at breakingbackmedia.com.Betting discussion is for entertainment only. 21+. Please gamble responsibly.

What does "killing it" actually look like behind the scenes? Because sometimes it's a huge stage and an incredible opportunity. And sometimes it's a soggy airport sandwich, a missed flight, or admitting that something just isn't working. In this episode, Erin sits down with speaker, author, and emotional intelligence expert Rich Bracken for a chat about the side of success we don't always talk about (or get to hear). They dig into why we're so quick to measure accomplishments but ignore how we actually feel, the power of being honest about failure, and why vulnerability matters more than maintaining the appearance that everything is fine. Rich also shares his "Theory of Why Not," the mindset that has led him to take some pretty wild chances throughout his career, and why meaningful progress usually comes from consistent effort rather than trying to knock it out of the park every single day. Here's what you'll hear: Why your feelings deserve as much attention as your metrics What the polished version of "killing it" leaves out How asking "Why not?" can lead to unexpected opportunities Why small, consistent effort is more powerful than perfection How vulnerability, curiosity, and genuine care make us better leaders Connect with Rich on LinkedIn Learn more at richbracken.com. Book Erin to speak Ready to modernize your culture, liberate your leadership, and differentiate your business without sounding like every other company on LinkedIn? Bring Erin Hatzikostas in to show your team how authenticity can become an actual strategic advantage, not just another corporate buzzword. Book Erin to Speak If you'd like quick tangible tips and practical corporate career advice to level up your authentic leadership, download the 10 simple "plays" to stop selling out and start standing out at https://bauthenticinc.mykajabi.com/freebie If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, b sure to join us for more fun and inspiration! Follow Erin on LinkedIn or Instagram Take our simple, fun and insightful "What's your workplace superhero name?" quiz Unleash your Authentic Superpower with Erin's book, You Do You-ish Throw out half the playbook and start competing in a league of your own. Check out Erin's book, The 50% Rule. Work with Us Or just buy some fun, authentic, kick-ars merch here To connect with Erin and/or Nicole, email: hello@bauthenticinc.com DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsuitable for younger audiences. Tweetable Comments "The feeling is data, too." "We all want to feel seen and heard and respected, so show that and you'll get it back." "If you put the other person first, everything else unfolds the way it should." "The best leaders I ever worked for or worked with were human beings. They were vulnerable, they were honest, and they cared." Editor's note: This transcript has been edited for clarity and length while preserving the substance and conversational tone of the original discussion. Erin Hatzikostas sits down with speaker, author, coach, and emotional intelligence expert Rich Bracken to talk about what success really looks like behind the scenes. They explore emotional intelligence, vulnerability, failure, leadership, consistent effort, Rich's "Theory of Why Not," and why some of the biggest opportunities in your career can start with simply being willing to take a chance. Success Is More Than a Metric Erin: I want to start by reading something from your book because this took my breath away. You wrote, "The most dangerous blind spot in change management isn't a missed metric. It's individual and group satisfaction. That's the left hook nobody sees coming. We get so obsessed with what we can measure that we stop paying attention to what we can't. The feeling is data, too." You talk about how we want everyone to believe everything is fine. We hit the number. It worked. We never heard no. Admitting that we came up short or something didn't work can feel like weakness, so we skip past it. We're much quicker to share our wins than our failures. And that instinct doesn't just apply to metrics. It applies to how we feel. We hide emotional shortcomings the same way we hide missed targets because vulnerability in either form feels like exposure. Rich: I think we need to chip away at this idea of perfection because, number one, it doesn't exist. Nobody is going to be perfect. Nothing is ever going to be perfect. The more people admit their failures, admit their shortcomings, or admit that something went wrong, the more honest we can be. I lost a contract the other day that was devastating to me. It was going to be huge for me. And the first thing I thought was, "I've got to talk to somebody about the failure." It's one thing to say everything is great and trucking along, but when those left hooks come, sometimes you need somebody to grab you and lift you off the ground. It's tough. Erin: I think this applies to people at every level of their careers. We get asked all these metric-driven questions. How many talks did you do? How much business did you bring in? What did you accomplish? My goal is two or three talks a month. That translates to around 30 talks a year, and I freaking love that. I don't necessarily want 100 talks a year. And when people ask how things are going, in general I'm like, "My life's fucking awesome." Not just because I'm hitting a number. My life in totality is great. We spend so much time talking about how many. Maybe we need to talk more about how it actually feels. What "Killing It" Really Looks Like Erin: Let's talk about "killing it," because when we met, we immediately started laughing about what people think success looks like versus what it actually looks like. What's an example of "killing it" for you? Rich: There are so many. If killing it looks like sorting through which airport sandwich is the least soggy because everything else is closed and I've missed three flights, then yes, I'm killing it. Does killing it look like sitting in front of my computer cursing because I can't find the last version of a presentation I worked on? Is killing it putting your PowerPoint into Google only to have your client download it and suddenly the font looks like Wingdings? That's the part people don't see. I love what I do. I wouldn't trade it for the world. But I think the closest comparison to a professional speaker's life is a touring musician. It's exhausting. You're traveling constantly. You're dealing with airports, weather, schedules, flights, hotels, and all of these things happening around the glamorous part people see. Erin: The facade is cool, though. Rich: Absolutely. And sometimes it really is cool. I'm about to speak in front of nearly 10,000 people. I have custom lighting. I have a walk-up video. There are going to be glow sticks, music, singing, dancing. It's going to look like I'm a rock star. But somebody asked me, "What are you going to do for the rest of the day?" I said, "I'm going back to my room, curling up in a ball, and not talking to anyone." That's what killing it looks like too. I know I'll walk off that stage on cloud nine, but I'll also be completely empty. I'll need to refuel. Erin: I have plenty of those stories too. Killing it was somebody reaching out to ask me to endorse a book, and then realizing they had confused me with the author of a completely different book. Killing it was getting what I thought was fan mail asking for my autograph six months after starting the podcast, then realizing somebody was probably trying to get my signature for fraud. Killing it was putting together footage for my speaker reel and discovering you could see my underwear when I turned around onstage. That's the behind-the-scenes version. Small Steps Can Change Your Entire Life Erin: One of the foundational stories in your life is losing more than 100 pounds. Tell us about that. Rich: I was a rail-thin kid and played sports year-round. Then I was diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma. I'm my parents' only child, so my mom basically said, "Stay inside, eat whatever you want, and play video games." I went from being outside constantly to being inside constantly, and I started putting on weight. By middle school I was the heavier kid, and I got teased quite a bit. Football became a saving grace because being bigger suddenly gave me an identity. I was an offensive lineman. I was the protector. I opened opportunities for the running backs and helped keep my friends safe. I eventually played a year of college football. Then I quit, and that identity disappeared. The eating habits stayed, but the workout habits went away. I got up to about 260 pounds. I fell into this really low self-esteem mindset. I didn't like what I saw in the mirror. I was miserable. Erin: Was there a specific moment that made you decide to change? Rich: It sounds silly, but I got tired of pulling my shirt away from my body. I was constantly adjusting it because I was afraid of my body showing. I was exhausted. I didn't have energy. I was depressed. I didn't want to do anything. I wasn't social. I finally had my diet analyzed, and everything was off the charts. Cholesterol, calories, fat, everything. My health instructor gave me something incredibly simple. He told me to replace certain foods with better options, eliminate fast food and carbonated drinks, and walk one mile a day. That was it. I didn't need to change everything overnight. I didn't need three hours of cardio or two hours in the gym. I just needed to do something small and see progress. Eventually I went from a 40-inch waist to trying on a pair of 34-inch pants in an Old Navy dressing room and screaming because they actually fit. Those moments taught me that I could change something huge by consistently doing small things. It transformed my life because I started to believe I could take on other things too. The Theory of Why Not Erin: That leads really naturally into something you call your "Theory of Why Not." What is it? Rich: I tell people all the time that I have the most ridiculous life résumé of anybody I've ever met. The things I've done, the people I've met, the situations I've put myself in, all of those experiences come back to the theory of why not. Why not give it a shot? Why not me? Why not try it? The worst you're going to hear is no. I don't ever want to die with all these ideas that might have been great, but I never acted on them. So many people are afraid to try because the possibility of failure exists. They don't want to say, "I want to do this thing," because what if it doesn't work? The Theory of Why Not is about getting out of your own head and getting out of your own way. I've been on several game shows. I've also missed several other ones because I took a chance on them and didn't get picked. I've had speaking opportunities, business opportunities, media opportunities, and all kinds of experiences. The ones people see are great. What we don't talk about are the dozens that didn't happen. The dozens of no's. The dozens of, "You're nice, but..." Those are the things we're terrified of. But I can say I've lived a very full life. If I went away tomorrow, I went for it. If you continually talk yourself out of opportunities, dreams, lofty goals, or ridiculous ideas, you'll never know what could have happened. Sometimes you have to ask, "Why not? What's the worst that could happen?" Taking a Chance With a Mix CD Erin: What's an early example of you living this way? Rich: When I was in graduate school, I had the opportunity to study in England. I was also DJing, and one of the top radio stations in the country happened to be about two blocks from where I lived. For those of you under 40, brace yourself. I took my mix CD to the radio station. I basically said, "I've loved the English music scene for years. It's one of the reasons I'm a DJ. I just want to know what you think. Am I any good? How do I stack up?" I told them, "If you hate it and never want to talk to me again, that's fine. At least I took the shot." Three days later, the station's marketing manager called me. She said, "You told me you have half-day Fridays and a rail pass, right?" I said yes. She said, "Great. We've booked you for six opening slots at different clubs around the country, opening for some huge DJs." All because I walked in and handed somebody a CD. I wasn't expecting that. I just wanted feedback. If I had never raised my hand, I never would have known. Some of the coolest things I've ever gotten to do happened because I was willing to take that kind of chance. Opening for Avicii and Going on Game Shows Rich: Another great example was auditioning to open for Avicii when he was one of the biggest DJs in the world. I was competing against people who were DJing regularly. I had a corporate job and was DJing on the side for fun. But I believed in my style. I believed in my energy. I believed I could earn that spot. So I auditioned. I got picked. I ended up opening for Avicii in Kansas City in front of thousands of people. It was phenomenal. That same mindset has led me to game shows, television, speaking, and writing a book. I was on $100,000 Pyramid. My partner was Von Miller, who had just won the Super Bowl and was the Super Bowl MVP. Usher was also there. He was a terrible game show teammate. Erin: Was he? Rich: Terrible. I was also on a reality show on ESPN, and I competed to host another television show. I made it to the final four and didn't get the job. But it was still an incredible experience. My ridiculous dream job is to host The Price Is Right someday. And the funny part is, because of one of the shows I was on, I'm now one degree of separation from that job. That alone is the Theory of Why Not. Erin: You're making me think I need to go on a game show. Rich: Why not? The Biggest Lesson Rich Learned From Being a DJ Erin: You DJed for a long time. Now you speak and coach executives, speakers, and professional athletes. What did being a DJ teach you that translates into what you do now? Rich: Two things. The first is self-awareness and self-confidence. People think DJing is just standing there pushing buttons and playing music, but there's an art to it. You're exposing yourself creatively. And if something goes wrong with the music, sound, or song choice, you can't hide. You're the person standing there controlling everything. Confidence, self-awareness, and believing in what you're creating matter. The second lesson is that it's not about you. One of my favorite pieces of advice is, "You're not more important than coffee." If an event has to choose between having coffee or having a keynote speaker, you're probably gone. They're picking coffee. Erin: They're definitely picking coffee. Rich: But the bigger point is this: whether you're a speaker, leader, salesperson, attorney, professional service provider, or anyone else, if you put the other person first, everything else unfolds the way it should. I've seen speakers go onstage and make the entire thing about themselves, their show, and their ego. It bombs. When somebody gets up there to truly engage the audience, help them, and serve them, people feel it. The same thing happens with DJs. And the same thing happens if you're pitching a client or running a team meeting. That's an audience too. If you show up with confidence in what you're doing, but your number-one priority is helping the people in front of you, that energy speaks for itself. You'll build better relationships and connect with people differently. Every Meeting Is a Stage Erin: That translates directly to people in traditional corporate roles too. You can walk into a board meeting, staff meeting, presentation, or one-on-one and feel that same stage fright. You start believing perfection is the game. But even if you're the person leading the meeting or walking everyone through the PowerPoint, it's not about you. How do you make the other people feel? How do you make sure they're engaged? Rich: Exactly. And it's hard to fake. People need to spend time off the stage thinking about what they do, why they do it, and how they help people. Your "stage" could be a boardroom. It could be a speaker stage. It could be a DJ booth. It could be whatever auditorium your profession puts you in. When you're serving people and helping people, you make them feel good, but you also feel better because there's meaning behind what you're doing. Behind the Successful Face Erin: You've coached CEOs, speakers, professional athletes, and even celebrities. What trips people up behind closed doors that might surprise us? Rich: Deep down, we're all a little insecure. We all second-guess ourselves. We all deal with some level of, "I don't know. I'm not sure. Why me? Can I do this?" People put their successful face on for the world, and we forget they're human. People get hurt. They fail. They get scared. I'll coach somebody who looks incredibly successful from the outside, and then behind the scenes they'll say, "I don't know," or, "I tried this and it didn't work, and it really hurt." I think one of the reasons I connect with people is that I treat everybody like a human being I care about. When you do that, you connect differently. When a relationship is transactional and you're clearly after something, people can smell it like a shark smells blood in the water. Serve people first. Reach out genuinely. Ask questions that show you actually give a damn about who they are as people. We all want to feel seen and heard and respected, so show that and you'll get it back. Consistency Beats Trying to Knock It Out of the Park Erin: You've kept the weight off for 27 years, so obviously consistency has been a huge part of your life. What do people misunderstand about consistent effort? Rich: We have this idea that every time we do something it has to be some knock-it-out-of-the-park experience. That's not accurate. Let's say you want to get back into working out. If you go stretch for three minutes, that's something. If you do a one-minute plank, that's something. If you walk for five minutes, that's success. That is consistency of effort. There are days I feel great. I'm working out, I'm listening to music, and everything clicks. There are other days when the last effing thing I want to do is lift a weight. If I do 10 minutes on one of those days, I can call it a success. At my level of energy and care in that moment, doing something is a win. I don't slay every workout. Sometimes I get up intending to work out and realize I'm not going to do it well. So instead of beating myself up, I shift my mindset and say, "Today I'm going to deal with whatever garbage is holding me back, and tomorrow I'm going to show up better." Erin: I think the other part of consistency is choosing the thing you're actually likely to do. People ask, "Should I ride a bike? Should I run? Should I walk? Should I lift weights?" Pick the thing you're most likely to keep doing. I was just talking to my son, who is trying to grow his speaking platform. He said he needed to figure out the marketing stuff. I gave him a bunch of options and then told him, "You have to pick the thing that actually excites you." All of these things can work, and all of them can fail. Pick the thing you're most likely to consistently do. The same applies to leadership. Leadership can feel like you're supposed to read 72 books and do 80 things every day. What if you picked one thing you were going to consistently do instead? The Best Leaders Are Still Human Rich: As people move up in organizations and take on more responsibility, they often become more visible, more guarded, and more concerned about the impact of their decisions. At the same time, there are so many corporate experts and thought leaders telling people how they're supposed to lead that we start thinking we need to show up like Simon Sinek, Mel Robbins, or somebody else every day. The best leaders I ever worked for or worked with were human beings. They were vulnerable. They were honest. And they cared. I've worked for great bosses, and I've worked for dumpster-fire bosses. The stark difference is that the great ones cared and stayed human. Read the books. Listen to the podcasts. Go to the seminars. But don't lose track of why you're doing what you're doing or what makes it meaningful and fun for you. Erin: I've joked that from a traditional Leadership 101 perspective, I'm probably a B-minus. I'm not a great planner. I might walk into a meeting without an agenda. I don't always package feedback perfectly. But I always felt like authenticity was this trump card. It didn't wipe away every mistake, but if you can set aside your ego, be honest, show humility, and genuinely care about people, that covers a lot. Being Good at the Job Does Not Automatically Make You a Good Leader Rich: One mistake organizations make is assuming, "This person is really good at the thing, so we should make them the leader of the thing." You're a great salesperson, so we make you a regional sales director. You're a great marketer, so we make you the chief marketing officer. That doesn't automatically mean you're going to be a great leader. Sometimes people don't even want the leadership job, but they feel guilty saying no because it comes with more money, credibility, or status. Organizations need to become better at identifying who actually wants to lead and who has the potential to do it well. And once you become a leader, the job changes. If you're a regional director of sales, you aren't primarily selling anymore. You're guiding and coaching other people to become better salespeople. It's literally a people job, not a thing job. I coached somebody once who kept saying, "I don't understand why they don't do this. I don't understand why they complain about that." And I said, "Ask them." Ask them why they're not motivated. Ask them what they need. You're their coach. The coach of a football team isn't running onto the field and playing with the seventh graders. The coach prepares them to play. That's what leaders do. It's about serving your people. And you have to remember that what worked for you may not work for everybody. Different people require different communication, different motivation, and different support. As a leader, you need to ask questions, become more socially aware, develop trust, and understand the nuance of each person on your team. When "Why Not?" Means Trusting Your Judgment Erin: We ask every guest about their "Buck That" moment. What's a time when you went against what was expected, felt a little uncomfortable doing it, but good things happened because of it? Rich: I was working at a law firm doing business development, and one of the attorneys and I identified a huge business opportunity. It was going to require some extra work and a little thinking outside the box, but we mapped out a path to make it happen. I went to my CMO and explained the idea. She said, "Absolutely not." She didn't ask a single question. Not, "Tell me more." Not, "What could we gain?" Not, "What would this take?" Just no. I was pissed because I felt like the idea had been dismissed without any curiosity. Now, I'll do crazy things and take chances, but I'm also calculated about it. I'm not reckless. I had really thought through this opportunity, and I believed it would work. So I did it anyway. I recruited a few people who were willing to help me after hours. We got the project finished ahead of the deadline and launched it. Eventually my CMO appeared in my doorway holding a printed copy of the email announcing the initiative I had been told not to do. She said, "What is this?" On the outside I was very apologetic. On the inside, I was thinking, "Ha." She was absolutely livid. But two things happened. The attorney I partnered with ended up getting national recognition in The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg and became a recognized expert on the subject. Later, after I had left the firm, he called me. He had just signed the biggest deal in the firm's history. He told me, "I just want to thank you for sticking your neck out. You believed in me and you believed in this project." I'll never forget that. I'm not advocating complete rebellion. But sometimes you have to trust yourself enough to recognize that you've thought something through and you know what the right move is. Sometimes you need to do what's right for the business, but do it your way. Make Work Suck Less by Finding a Way to Have Fun Erin: Last question. What's one thing people can do to make work suck less? Rich: Find a way to have fun. Even if you're sitting there thinking, "I'm an accountant. How?" One of the things I do with audiences is build playlists together. Everybody scans a QR code and submits a song that makes them happy. The playlists are hilarious and amazing. Then I send the playlist back to the company and tell everybody to keep the link. When you need five minutes of happiness, five minutes of energy, or five minutes to shift your mood, go to the playlist and pick a song. It may not even be your song, but somebody you work with chose it because it makes them happy. Try something new. Take five minutes. Have the ridiculous singing and dancing party in your office or cubicle if that's what makes the day better. There is always a way to have more fun. You just have to figure out what that looks like for you. Erin: Why not? Rich: Exactly. Why not?

En este episodio David y Ana cuentan cuatro historias del verano, todas en español mexicano natural, para que practiques escucha real mientras te ríes con ellos.También: el anuncio más importante de la historia del podcast. How to Spanish deja Patreon y lanza su propia comunidad. Visita howtospanishpodcast.com para saber cómo unirte.Join  

Here are some of the themes that we find in the Mass readings for the 27th Sunday of the Year. (Lectionary #139) September 28, 2026 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com  

Fear of judgment can make hiding feel safer.But staying invisible also limits the number of people your work can help.In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Paul Alex breaks down why entrepreneurs need to stop making every decision around how they might be perceived and start focusing on the value they can create for the customer.Posting the video can feel uncomfortable.Making the pitch can feel uncomfortable.Putting your name behind an idea always creates the possibility of criticism.But protecting yourself from judgment can also prevent your solution from reaching the people who need it.In this episode, you'll learn:• Why fear of judgment can keep valuable ideas hidden• How excessive self-consciousness can interfere with execution• Why focusing on the customer shifts attention away from personal insecurity• How becoming more visible can increase your ability to serve and create impactThe truth is simple:The mission has to become bigger than your fear of being judged.Make the post.Pitch the solution.Explain the value.Give the market the opportunity to decide whether what you built solves a real problem.You do not need everyone to approve.You need the courage to put the work in front of the people it was designed to help.Stop hiding.Serve the market.Let the value speak.Your Network is your NETWORTH!Make sure to add me on all SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS:Instagram: https://jo.my/paulalex2024Facebook: https://jo.my/fbpaulalex2024YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGhDAD1JyGGzSQUPD9lc9HQLinkedIn: https://jo.my/inpaulalex2024Looking for a secondary source of income or want to become an entrepreneur? Check out one of my companies below to see if we can help you:www.CashSwipe.comFREE Copy of my book “Blue to Digital Gold - The New American Dream”www.officialPaulAlex.com

Send us Fan MailDanielle's Live Unleashed twelve week group program launches October 6. Find her at https://https://liveunleashedcoaching.com.Two days before the new year she stood in front of a blank board and said out loud, I have nothing. God said, good. It is supposed to start blank.Danielle Childs has built businesses, sold businesses, and spent decades in corporate America. From the outside it looked like she had it made. Inside she spent thirty years attaching her heart's desires to people, objects, and outcomes that could never fill them.Three things you will take from this one.Your vision is not about what you will do. It is about who you get to be. That shift is why she now builds a being board instead of a vision board.Dig the ditch. In 2 Kings 3 the kings were told to dig, and God sent the water. Danielle's ditch turned out to be the ordinary work she had been avoiding.Obedience only requires the first step. He guides the rest.https://liveunleashedcoaching.com. Join for the twelve week group program.Connect with Danielle Childs Website liveunleashedcoaching.com Email danielle@liveunleashedcoaching.com Facebook and LinkedIn under Danielle ChildsShare this episode with the woman who came to mind while you were listening.Register Click HERE:  The Calling Activation Study; Discover the Story That Connects Your Calling to the People You're Meant to Serve.To be a guest on the Calling series:  https://theresacroft.com/your-seatHome TheresaCroft.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/theresacroftFacebook: https://Facebook.com/theresamcroftYouTube: https://YouTube.com/@theresacroftMore Podcast Episodes on Apple and Spotify

To misquote Firefly's Wash Washburn, “I am a Leaf Phoenix on the wind, watch how I soar!” The year is 1986 and the film Jason Dedrick, Eric Fell and Vicky Van are remembering is Space Camp starring Leaf (soon to be Joaquin) Phoenix. Also there's a robot called Jinx – not to be confused with the Halle Berry character of the same name. As the hosts talk they are refreshed by a drink called The Little Green Man, made from Brazilian Lemonade, topped off with a splash of Melon liquor. How do make Brazilian Lemonade? Well, first you need to deal with the fact that it's actually limeade. They also create a tribute drink called The Kate Capshot. Here's how to make it… Mix a Slurpee/Froster/Icee style drink with soft serve ice cream. Top with an ounce of Southern Comfort. Serve with a small rocket nearby. It's a drink the producer's wife tasted and said, “Oh that's interesting! It's good. Like milk chocolate. It reminds me of going to a petting zoo.” If you make The Kate Capshot or, better yet, make up a drink of your own, please send a picture to sneakyd@sneakydragon.com by following this link! Even if you don’t, we’d still love to hear from you. Also let us know what you think of the show and if you have any suggestions for future films. Produced by Ian BoothbyEdited by Vicky VanTheme song by Chris Roberts

Episode Summary:The early church in Acts lived in a way that stood in sharp contrast to a self-focused culture: believers shared life, noticed needs, carried burdens, and served one another. In Acts 2:44–46, we see that faith was not merely something they believed; it shaped how they lived together. This message calls the church to recover that same Spirit-led way of life through selflessness, sensitivity, sacrifice, service, and kingdom authority. We get back to the basics when we stop making life only about ourselves and demonstrate the love of Jesus by serving others.Main Scripture:• Acts 2:44–46• Romans 15:2• Galatians 5:13• 1 Peter 3:8• Galatians 6:2• 1 Peter 4:10Big Idea:The church gets back to the basics when believers stop being consumed with themselves and love others by serving them with the same Spirit that empowered the early church.In This Episode:• Faith is more than what we believe. What we believe should shape how we behave, so faith becomes something we demonstrate in everyday life.• A selfless spirit asks, “How can I help?” God often meets people's needs through other people who are willing to notice, trust Him, and respond.• A sensitive spirit chooses unity and sympathy. The body of Christ is called to carry burdens together so no one has to walk through hardship alone.• A sacrificial and servant spirit gives time, energy, resources, preferences, gifts, and talents for the good of others. We serve from our identity as sons and daughters of the King, not to earn that identity.• A sovereign spirit refuses a victim mindset. The same Holy Spirit who empowered the early church lives in believers today, equipping us to demonstrate God's kingdom through love and service.Reflection Questions:• Where have I been more focused on my own need than the seed God may be asking me to sow?• Who around me may be carrying a burden that I have not slowed down enough to notice?• What comfort, preference, time, or resource might God be asking me to lay down so someone else can be helped?• Where am I currently using the gifts God has placed in me to serve others?• Have I been living from a victim mindset, or from confidence in the Spirit of God at work in me?Next Steps:• Ask God this week, “How can I help?” and pay attention to the needs He brings in front of you.• Serve one person in a practical way without making the moment about yourself.• Identify one gift, talent, or ability God has placed in you and find a place to use it for others.• Choose unity over personal preference and look for a way to celebrate the differences within the body of Christ.• Speak and live with confidence in the Spirit of God, then demonstrate the love of Jesus through service at home, at church, at work, and in your community.Closing Line:Listen to the full message, share it with someone who needs the encouragement, and subscribe so you can keep growing with us each week.

Subscribe for uplifting messages: http://www.youtube.com/c/PlantationSDAChurchTV Theme: What Happened Before The Flood Will Happen Again Before Christ's Return. Are You Ready for Jesus to Come? Call to Action: Comment below and let us know what you've learned about responding to God's call today. Speaker: Pastor Ron Smith Title: Deja Vu Series: Legacy of Hope: Called to Serve, Empowered to Give Bulletin/Notes: http://bible.com/events/49669572 Date: September 26, 2026 Tags: #psdatv #Noah #flood #Jesus #Christ #wait #return #mistakes #warning #ready #preparation #prepared #fried #SecondComing #HopeMinistry For more life lessons and inspirational content, please visit us at http://www.plantationsda.tv. Church Copyright License (CCLI): 1659090 CCLI Streaming Plus License: 21338439Support the show: https://adventistgiving.org/#/org/ANTBMV/envelope/startSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

God saves a man, He intends that man to participate in His project. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pdchurch.substack.com

Tony Robbins explains why "a belief is a poor substitute for an experience," and how national service, missions, and seeing the world could help young people appreciate America and the opportunities of free enterprise. He also breaks down why taxing billionaires couldn't fund the government for even a year, and why real fulfillment comes from serving something bigger than yourself and becoming an owner instead of a consumer.

Send us Fan MailBrad is a Long Island music teacher who is passionate about helping fellow teachers with their finances. Brad grew up being somewhat interested in saving money, but never saw himself being a personal finance coach. 

Preacher: Michael Foster, Text: Psalm 100 

Pastor Steve teaches that connection is the desire to know and be known. Serve and be served. Love and be loved.

Paul reminds us to be “fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” Our service isn't about recognition, position, or what we get in return. It's about reflecting the heart of Jesus in the way we love, serve, encourage, and care for others.

Paul reminds us to be “fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” Our service isn't about recognition, position, or what we get in return. It's about reflecting the heart of Jesus in the way we love, serve, encourage, and care for others.

Moses is gone, and Joshua is now responsible for leading Israel into the land God promised generations earlier.God's message to Joshua is repeated again and again: “Be strong and courageous.” But Joshua's courage isn't supposed to come from confidence in his own abilities. God promises, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you.”In Week 7 of The Story, John Gunter follows Israel across the Jordan and into the Promised Land. At Jericho, God gives instructions that make little sense from a human perspective. Israel obeys, and the walls fall. But their next experience at Ai demonstrates that one victory does not mean they can stop listening to God. Faithfulness requires continued obedience.Years later, Joshua looks back over everything he has experienced and gives God the credit. He reminds Israel that not one of God's good promises has failed.Then Joshua recounts their story, from Abraham to Egypt, through the wilderness, across the Jordan, and into the land. After remembering everything God has done, he asks Israel to respond:“Choose this day whom you will serve.”Joshua's own decision has already been made:“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”Our history with God should shape the way we move into the future. When we remember how God has been faithful before, we can courageously trust and obey Him with whatever comes next. Key Scriptures: Joshua 1:1-9; Joshua 6:1-20; Joshua 8:1-2; Joshua 23:1-14; Joshua 24:1-15Series: The Story Week 7: Choose Whom You Will Serve Speaker: John GunterEagle Community Church of Christ Mont Belvieu, TexasLoving God. Loving People. Following Jesus.

You may never feel completely ready.And waiting for that feeling can keep you stuck indefinitely.In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Paul Alex breaks down why entrepreneurs often build confidence and competence after taking action—not before.More certifications, books, and courses can be useful.But preparation eventually reaches a point where the only thing left to do is enter the market and learn from real experience.That is where growth accelerates.In this episode, you'll learn:• Why feeling unprepared does not automatically mean you are incapable• How impostor syndrome can disguise itself as endless preparation• Why real-world experience develops skills that theory cannot• How taking action before you feel completely ready can build confidenceThe truth is simple:You do not need to know everything before you begin.Prepare enough to deliver real value.Then make the pitch.Test the offer.Serve the customer.Learn from what happens and improve quickly.Confidence is often the result of surviving situations you once thought you could not handle.Stop waiting for perfect readiness.Launch.Learn.Adapt.Your Network is your NETWORTH!Make sure to add me on all SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS:Instagram: https://jo.my/paulalex2024Facebook: https://jo.my/fbpaulalex2024YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGhDAD1JyGGzSQUPD9lc9HQLinkedIn: https://jo.my/inpaulalex2024Looking for a secondary source of income or want to become an entrepreneur? Check out one of my companies below to see if we can help you:www.CashSwipe.comFREE Copy of my book “Blue to Digital Gold - The New American Dream”www.officialPaulAlex.com

Send us Fan MailSome stories are not for scrolling past. This one belongs to Erin Mohr.At fifty she decided to enter a beauty pageant. She had never talked about pageants once in her life. When she told her daughters she was in, they asked if she was having a midlife crisis.She calls it a God idea.Her reason was simple. If she could do it, any woman could do the thing she has been sitting on. It does not have to be a stage. It just has to be the thing she keeps telling herself she is too old for now.She is done shrinking.But the pageant is the door, not the room. Erin pastored for twenty years. Youth ministry, music ministry, then associate pastor. She thought she would be there until the day she died. She left right before COVID hit.Then her husband left the marriage. She held onto being a wife for three years anyway. She says God asked her a question in that stretch that she is still unpacking. What is it to be a wife when you are not wanted as a wife?She was just starting to dream again when her father got sick. One month from diagnosis to gone.That is where her faith actually got deep. Not on Sunday mornings behind a pulpit. In the middle of the not knowing, when the God she grew up describing turned out to be someone she had to meet all over again.Now she is a certified life coach who works with women in midlife. Empty nest, divorce, aging, career change, the seasons where a woman looks around and realizes her community thinned out without her noticing.Her language for it is a toolbox. She says being fearless does not mean fear is gone. It means doing it afraid and using the fear as fuel. She helps women sort fact from fiction, quiet the anxious loop, and get anchored in peace that holds on a bad day.She also refuses to be put on a pedestal. She hated it as a pastor and she will not have it now. Down to earth, relatable, reachable. That is what she is after.Find Erin on Instagram at the.elegant.erin. Send her a message. She says the best thing she does is start an organic conversation with a woman who feels stuck.This is The Calling Table Sessions on the Stuck No More Voices Podcast. One seat. One woman. One story handled with care.If you are a Christian woman leader with a story that could reach the woman you used to be, there is a seat here for you at theresacroft.com/your-seat.Register Click HERE:  The Calling Activation Study; Discover the Story That Connects Your Calling to the People You're Meant to Serve.To be a guest on the Calling series:  https://theresacroft.com/your-seatHome TheresaCroft.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/theresacroftFacebook: https://Facebook.com/theresamcroftYouTube: https://YouTube.com/@theresacroftMore Podcast Episodes on Apple and Spotify

The U.S. and Saudi Arabia have signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement that supporters say could strengthen ties, advance normalization, and give Washington greater influence over the kingdom's nuclear ambitions. Critics warn that without stronger restrictions on uranium enrichment and inspections, assistance could create a pathway toward nuclear weapons and weaken nonproliferation norms. Would American involvement reduce the risks or enable them? Now we debate: Does the U.S.-Saudi Civil Nuclear Agreement Serve America's Interests?  Arguing Yes:  Daniel Poneman, Former Deputy Secretary of Energy; Distinguished Fellow of the Atlantic Council's Global Energy Center and Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security  Amos Hochstein, Former White House Senior Advisor to President Biden; Managing Partner at TWG Global  Arguing No:  Sharon Squassoni, Research Professor at the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University; Former Director of Nonproliferation and Prevention at CSIS  Joe Cirincione, Former Director for Non-Proliferation at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace   Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates  This debate was produced in partnership with the Council on Foreign Relations.  Join the conversation on Substack—share your perspective on this episode and subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated insights from our debaters, moderators, and staff.  Follow us on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and TikTok to stay connected with our mission and ongoing debates.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chaque jour, retrouvez une histoire drôle racontée par un sociétaire de l'époque de Philippe Bouvard. Quelques heures avant le mariage, un homme dévoile se dévoile à sa femme, dans une blague signée Carlos. Hébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

In this special edition of On the Frontlines, Mark Levin sits down with Yael Eckstein, President and Global CEO of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ), for a conversation about the power of faith, the importance of unity, and the responsibility to help those in need. Reflecting on the September 11 attacks and the approaching anniversary of October 7, Mark and Yael discuss the shared values connecting Christians and Jews, the relationship between the United States and Israel, and the importance of standing together in difficult times. Yael shares firsthand stories of IFCJ's humanitarian work, from delivering food to Holocaust survivors and supporting families in war-torn Ukraine to providing emergency assistance to vulnerable communities in Israel and the Middle East. She also discusses the significance of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the importance of religious freedom, and the biblical calling to serve others. It's a conversation about putting faith into action, building bridges across communities, and finding strength through unity. Learn more about the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews and its humanitarian mission at https://www.ifcj.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices