Podcasts about simplify

Today we are talking about something that I think we all need to know about…  How to reset your dopamine. And before you think this is going to be one of those extreme episodes where I tell you to throw your phone into the ocean, stop drinking coffee, sit in a dark room for three days and eliminate everything fun from your life… That is absolutely not what we are doing. Because dopamine isn't bad. We need dopamine. Dopamine is part of what makes us want things. Pursue things. Work toward goals. Get up and go. The problem is that we are living in an environment where we can get enormous amounts of stimulation with almost zero effort. Open Instagram. Refresh your email. Check likes. Open TikTok. Eat something hyper-palatable. Buy something. Get a notification. Watch another episode. Click another video. Check your texts. Pick up your phone because you have 17 seconds with nothing to do. We have essentially eliminated boredom. And I think we need to talk about what that is doing to us. Because I don't think most people have a motivation problem. I think some people have made normal life too boring compared to the stimulation they consume all day long.   Think about this. Working toward a goal is slow. Building a business is slow. Getting stronger is slow. Improving a relationship is slow. Reading a book is slow. Learning something difficult is slow.     But your phone can give you novelty every half second. So what happens when your brain gets accustomed to incredibly stimulating rewards that require almost no effort? The things that actually build an awesome life can start feeling painfully boring.   And THAT is what I want to change today. I've been going deep into what Andrew Huberman, Chris Williamson, Stanford addiction psychiatrist Anna Lembke, Peter Attia and Gary Brecka have discussed around dopamine, reward, pleasure, discomfort and motivation. And there is one massive theme that keeps coming up: We need to stop getting so many rewards without earning them.   We need less cheap dopamine… And more earned dopamine. More accomplishment dopamine. More anticipation. More effort. More challenge. More doing hard things and feeling awesome afterward.   So today we're going to talk about what dopamine actually does, why our modern environment can completely screw with our motivation, what people mean by a dopamine reset, and most importantly… How we actually do it. Not forever. Not perfectly. But intentionally enough that normal life starts feeling interesting again.       Because imagine waking up and actually WANTING to work on your goals. Imagine sitting in your car without immediately opening your phone. Imagine finishing a workout and letting that accomplishment be the reward instead of instantly needing another stimulus. Imagine being fully engaged in dinner. Or a conversation. Or a walk. Or your kids. Or your work. That's what we're after. Not less enjoyment. More enjoyment from the things that actually matter. FIRST… WHAT IS DOPAMINE? Dopamine isn't simply the "pleasure chemical" This is probably the biggest misunderstanding. Dopamine plays a huge role in motivation, pursuit, learning, reinforcement and determining what your brain decides is worth pursuing again. Think less "this makes me happy" and more: "Go get that again." It's a molecule heavily involved in wanting and pursuing. Huberman explains dopamine in terms of baseline and peaks You have a baseline level of dopamine. Then certain experiences generate temporary increases above that baseline. The important part is what happens afterward. A big dopamine peak can be followed by a period where dopamine activity falls below where it was previously. This is part of why something incredible can sometimes leave you feeling strangely flat afterward. The higher and more frequently we chase enormous peaks, the more ordinary activities can start losing their appeal. Think about it like contrast If you eat incredibly sweet processed foods all day… A blueberry doesn't taste very sweet. There isn't anything wrong with the blueberry. Your reference point changed. The same general concept applies here. When your environment becomes filled with intense stimulation… Quiet feels boring. Reading feels boring. Work feels boring. Walking feels boring. A normal conversation feels boring. Your life didn't necessarily become boring. Your stimulation threshold changed. WHAT I MEAN BY "CHEAP DOPAMINE" I'm going to use the phrase cheap dopamine throughout this episode even though scientifically dopamine itself isn't cheap or expensive. What I mean is: A high-reward experience requiring very little effort. Things like: Endless short-form videos Constant social media refreshing Notifications Online shopping Gambling Highly processed foods Video games for hours and hours Constant snacking Drinking Continually checking texts Refreshing email Internet rabbit holes Watching episode after episode after episode Constant novelty And here's the key… None of those things has to be inherently evil. It's the dose. The frequency. And whether you've lost control over your consumption. There's a massive difference between choosing to watch a movie on Saturday night… And being literally unable to stand in an elevator for 25 seconds without checking your phone. That's the part I want us to notice. THE WORLD HAS REMOVED THE WAITING This might be one of the biggest problems. Almost everything used to have some friction. You wanted food? You cooked it. You wanted entertainment? You waited until your show came on. You wanted to talk to your friend? You called them. Maybe they weren't home. You wanted to buy something? You drove somewhere. You wanted information? You found a book. Now? Everything is immediate. Food. Entertainment. Shopping. Attention. Validation. Communication. Information. Novelty. Almost every human desire has an app attached to it. And our brains evolved in an environment where rewards generally required work. Now we can receive reward after reward while lying horizontally on the couch. That is a massive mismatch. THE PLEASURE-PAIN SEESAW One of my favorite explanations comes from Dr. Anna Lembke. She describes pleasure and pain almost like opposite sides of a balance. When we repeatedly push hard toward pleasure… Our brain tries to restore balance. And over time, you may need more of the stimulus just to experience the same effect. This is incredibly obvious with severe addiction. But I think it's useful to recognize much milder versions in ourselves. Have you ever: Opened Instagram for five minutes and 45 minutes disappeared? Finished a show and immediately needed another episode? Finished dessert and started looking for something else sweet? Checked one notification and then somehow checked four different apps? Picked up your phone without consciously deciding to? That automatic reaching is important. You aren't necessarily choosing anymore. You're responding. And I want us to get back into choosing. WHY NOTHING FEELS EXCITING ANYMORE Sometimes people say: "I'm unmotivated." "I don't feel like working." "I can't concentrate." "I'm bored." "I don't really feel excited about anything." Obviously there can be many medical, psychological and situational reasons for those feelings. But there is another question worth asking: How much stimulation are you consuming? Because if you're exposing yourself to novelty constantly… Your brain never gets a chance to be bored enough to create. Never bored enough to think. Never bored enough to solve a problem. Never bored enough to decide what you actually want. We're treating boredom like an emergency. I actually think boredom is incredibly productive. Some of my best ideas happen when there's nothing else coming into my brain. And we are filling every single empty pocket.   DOPAMINE STACKING Huberman talks about something that I think is fascinating: stacking multiple dopamine-producing experiences together. Think about a workout. Exercise itself can be rewarding. But now we add: Pre-workout. Favorite playlist. Phone. Texts. Social media. Energy drink. Maybe stimulants. Maybe a reward meal afterward. Maybe we post the workout and check responses. We've taken one intrinsically rewarding activity and stacked reward upon reward upon reward. And his point isn't that you can never do those things. It's that you don't necessarily want every good experience in life turned up to 100 every single time. Sometimes train without the perfect playlist. Sometimes walk without the podcast. Sometimes drink the coffee without simultaneously scrolling Instagram. Sometimes eat without watching television. Separate the rewards. You don't have to eliminate pleasure. Stop supercharging every experience. LEARN TO LOVE EFFORT This might be my favorite part of the entire episode. We need to stop making the reward exclusively something that comes AFTER the work. "I'll work out and then I can have this." "I'll finish this project and then I'll reward myself." "I'll complete my work and then I'll scroll." There's nothing wrong with celebrating accomplishments. But we also want to train ourselves to associate the effort itself with something positive. Because if the entire purpose of doing something difficult is the reward waiting at the end… The work becomes something you're trying to escape. Instead: "This discomfort means I'm getting stronger." "This is hard because I'm growing." "I'm proud of myself for doing this when I don't feel like doing it." "This is what keeping promises to myself feels like." "This is who I am." That shift is huge. The workout becomes the win. Doing the work becomes the win. Keeping the promise becomes the win. USE DISCOMFORT ON PURPOSE This theme comes up across a lot of these conversations. We're living in an unbelievably comfortable world. Temperature-controlled houses. Food everywhere. Cars. Couches. Entertainment. Delivery. Escalators. Amazon. Everything is optimized to eliminate friction. But voluntary discomfort can be incredibly valuable. Exercise. Walking. Strength training. Running. Sauna. Cold exposure when appropriate and done safely. Doing something physically difficult. Getting outside when conditions aren't perfect. Taking the stairs. Having the difficult conversation. Doing the work you're avoiding. The idea isn't: "Suffering is good." The idea is: Stop organizing your entire life around avoiding discomfort. Because challenge followed by satisfaction is very different from pleasure followed by emptiness. One you earned. One you consumed. We need both fun and hard things. But modern life has heavily tilted us toward consumption. DON'T START YOUR DAY WITH OTHER PEOPLE'S DOPAMINE Here's something I think would change a lot of people's lives. Do not roll over and immediately hand your brain to your phone. Because instantly you've got: Texts. News. Instagram. Email. TikTok. Other people's emergencies. Other people's opinions. Other people's lives. Other people's accomplishments. Other people's bodies. Other people's vacations. Other people's businesses. Other people's problems. Before you've even decided what YOU want your day to look like. I would rather protect that first part of the morning. Wake up. Water. Sunlight. Walk. Workout. Journal. Think. Plan. Work. Whatever your routine is. Just don't immediately flood your brain with novelty. You should decide the direction of your day before an algorithm decides it for you. THE 2.0 DOPAMINE RESET Okay. Here is what I would actually do. Not some insane internet detox. A realistic reset. RULE #1: Identify YOUR cheap dopamine Ask yourself: What do I compulsively reach for? Not what does the internet tell me is bad. What has control over ME? Maybe yours is: Instagram. TikTok. Shopping. Sugar. Video games. News. YouTube. Email. Texting. Something else. Identify the top one or two. Don't try to become a monk overnight. RULE #2: Take a meaningful break from the biggest offender If something truly feels compulsive, consider taking a real period away from it rather than constantly trying to moderate it. Try deleting it for a week. Maybe two. Maybe 30 days. See what happens. You might be shocked by how often your hand reaches for an app that isn't there. That's valuable information. RULE #3: Stop filling every gap This is a HUGE one. We're bringing back empty space. Stand in line. Just stand there. Drive five minutes. No podcast. Walk around the block. No headphones. Sit outside. Do nothing. Take a shower without content playing. Cook dinner without a video. You are retraining yourself to tolerate a lower level of stimulation. And here's the funny thing… After a while it doesn't feel low stimulation. It feels peaceful. RULE #4: Create phone-free zones Pick places where your phone does not belong. Examples: Bedroom Dinner table Gym Family time Bathroom First hour of the morning Last hour before bed Don't rely purely on willpower. Change your environment. Leave the phone somewhere else. Make the bad habit inconvenient. RULE #5: Turn off almost every notification Notifications are someone else deciding when your attention moves. Think about that. Unless something legitimately requires immediate attention… Turn it off. RULE #6: Stop stacking everything Coffee + Instagram + television + food + texting? No. Pick one. Workout + podcast + scrolling between sets + energy drink + Instagram? Simplify it. Let an experience stand alone. Food can just be food. Coffee can just be coffee. A walk can just be a walk. A conversation can just be a conversation. RULE #7: Get your dopamine through pursuit This is the big replacement strategy. You can't just remove things. You need better things to move toward. Exercise. Building something. Learning. Working. Creating. Sports. Relationships. Adventure. Goals. Competition. Skill. Experiences. Meaningful challenges. Get obsessed with something difficult. That is completely different than being addicted to consumption. RULE #8: Do one hard thing every day I love this rule. Every day, intentionally do something that you'd rather avoid. Workout hard. Make the phone call. Send the proposal. Clean the closet. Have the conversation. Finish the project. Run the hill. Get into the cold water if that's safe for you. Walk when you'd rather sit. Do the thing you've been procrastinating. You start creating evidence: "I don't have to feel like doing something in order to do it." That is power. RULE #9: Prioritize sleep Your brain isn't operating independently of your body. If you're chronically sleep-deprived, everything becomes harder. Motivation. Impulse control. Training. Food choices. Emotional regulation. Focus. Peter Attia and Huberman both hammer sleep for a reason. If we're trying to optimize our brain while sleeping five hours… We're focusing on the wrong end of the problem. RULE #10: Morning sunlight and movement Huberman talks frequently about getting outdoor light early in the day to anchor your circadian system. I love pairing that with movement. Outside. Walk. Light. No Instagram. Let your nervous system wake up naturally. It's incredibly simple. And simple things done repeatedly tend to beat complicated hacks. THE 24-HOUR CHALLENGE Here is your challenge. For the next 24 hours: No phone for the first 30 minutes after waking. No social media until you've completed something productive. Turn off unnecessary notifications. No phone while eating. Take one walk without headphones. Do one difficult thing you've been avoiding. No double-screening. If you're watching TV, you're not also scrolling. Put your phone outside your bedroom tonight. Let yourself experience boredom. Notice every time you instinctively reach for stimulation. Don't judge yourself. Observe yourself. Because awareness is the beginning of changing anything. THEN TRY SEVEN DAYS Now let's level it up. For seven days: Reduce your biggest cheap-dopamine behavior dramatically. You don't need to eliminate all pleasure. In fact, please don't. Go to dinner. Laugh. Drink your coffee. Listen to music. Hang with friends. Enjoy your life. This isn't punishment. We're trying to reclaim our ability to enjoy NORMAL things. That's the goal. Less artificial stimulation. More real life. ASK YOURSELF THIS QUESTION Before you reach for something, ask: Am I choosing this, or am I escaping something? That question can completely change things. Why am I opening Instagram? Because I intentionally decided to spend 15 minutes enjoying it? Fine. Or because this task got difficult? Why am I eating this? Because I'm hungry and I want it? Fine. Or because I'm uncomfortable? Why am I drinking? Because I'm celebrating with friends? Or because I can't tolerate sitting with how I feel? Why am I checking email for the 47th time? Because I'm waiting for something important? Or because working on the project in front of me is harder? That pause between impulse and behavior… That's where your power is. CHEAP DOPAMINE VS EARNED DOPAMINE This is the easiest way I can summarize the episode. Cheap dopamine: Consume. Scroll. Click. Watch. Refresh. Snack. Buy. Escape. Earned dopamine: Build. Train. Create. Learn. Connect. Explore. Compete. Finish. Accomplish. The first category isn't evil. But if the balance of your life is overwhelmingly consumption… Don't be surprised when your motivation disappears. Shift the ratio. More creating. Less consuming. More doing. Less watching. More participating. Less observing. More real life. Less digital life. WE NEED ANTICIPATION BACK I think anticipation is disappearing. When everything is immediately available… There's nothing to look forward to. And looking forward to something is part of the fun. Plan the trip. Wait for Friday night. Save the amazing dessert for dinner. Don't buy everything the second you want it. Put the concert on the calendar. Build toward the race. Earn the reward. Delay things intentionally sometimes. The waiting isn't ruining the experience. The waiting IS part of the experience. YOUR LIFE SHOULD NOT NEED CONSTANT ENTERTAINMENT This might be the line I want you to remember. You should not need to be entertained every minute in order to enjoy your life. Your kids shouldn't either. We need boring car rides. We need afternoons with nothing scheduled. We need conversations without phones. We need walks. We need staring out the freaking window. We need thinking. We need daydreaming. We need opportunities for our brains to say: "Okay… what should we do?" Creativity often appears after the stimulation disappears. THE GOAL IS NOT LOWER DOPAMINE This is important. We're not trying to crush dopamine. We're not trying to become emotionless. We're not trying to avoid things that make us feel amazing. We're trying to protect our ability to feel amazing. That's different. We want the vacation to feel incredible. The concert. The accomplishment. The amazing dinner. The business win. The race. The adventure. The hug. The goal. The experience. We just don't need to manufacture an artificial mini-version of that feeling 800 times between breakfast and lunch. Leave some room. Let your baseline exist without constantly smashing the stimulation button.   Here's what I think is so interesting about all of this. We have designed a world where almost everything that used to require effort can now be accessed instantly. And that sounds like freedom. But if we're not careful… Convenience becomes dependence. Entertainment becomes distraction. Pleasure becomes compulsion. And access becomes addiction. The answer isn't to reject modern life. I'm certainly not giving up my phone. I'm not giving up coffee. I'm not giving up Instagram. I'm not giving up amazing food or concerts or trips or all the fun things. I want MORE life. That's actually the entire point. I don't want to spend my life looking down at a screen getting tiny rewards when there are enormous rewards available by actually participating in life. I want the dopamine from doing the workout I didn't want to do. Building the business. Taking the trip. Making the memory. Trying something new. Getting really freaking good at something. Having an amazing conversation. Being completely present with my kids. Creating something I'm proud of. Doing something hard. That's the dopamine I want more of. And maybe the simplest takeaway from this whole episode is this: Stop making pleasure so easy and effort so optional. Let yourself work for things. Let yourself wait for things. Let yourself be bored. Let yourself struggle. Let yourself anticipate. Let yourself earn some of the really good feelings. Because when we stop trying to make every moment maximally stimulating… Something really cool happens. Normal life starts becoming awesome again. And that is how to be awesome at resetting your dopamine.

>>Join Wicked Smart Golf Academy To Lower Your HDCP Fast: Proven paths to break 90, break 80, and crush competitive golf (no swing changes required) >>Apply for a "Wicked Smart Game Plan" episode >>Learn more about PrimePutt mats (and watch my YouTube review) Join the Wicked Smart Golf Newsletter and get 5 FREE practice plans. Today, Michael Leonard connects with a guest named Blake, who managed to drop his golf handicap to an impressive 2.9 in just a few years.   Together, they walk through a "Wicked Smart Game Plan" specifically tailored to analyze Blake's performance stats, uncover mental barriers, and establish actionable strategies to help him transition to a scratch or plus handicap.    We'll cover:  The Importance of the Short Game: Learn why prioritizing low-point consistency and developing go-to shots around the chipping green is vital for tournament recovery. Leveraging Data for Lower Scores: Discover how implementing a statistical tracking system like Decade Golf helped Blake shave four strokes off his scoring average.  Managing Course Aggression: Insights on breaking the habit of attacking red pins and properly executing knockdown wedge shots to avoid costly short-sided misses.  Tapping into a Game Mentality: Strategies on how to safely harness competitive intensity and focus without letting anger sabotage your emotional control.  Conquering the "Tale of Two Nines": Mental hacks and grounding techniques to stop guarding your score, stay anchored in the present moment, and successfully close out a strong round. Handling Late-Round Short Game Pressure: How to stick to a consistent chipping routine, manage expectations, and trust your instincts even if you haven't hit a chip shot in several hours. And more tips to play better without swing changes.    WICKED SMART GOLF Recommended Products Speed Train With Rypstick: The #1 speed trainer to add 10+ yards in 40 days or less (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%)  Shot Pattern: The best golf GPS + stat tracking to help you manage your round and make better decisions (20% off w/my link). Think Like a Pro with DECADE Golf: The #1 course management system to think like a pro (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%). Master Mobility & Flexibility with Golf Forever: The best way to work on your golf fitness at home or the gym, with easy to follow plans & app (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 15%).  Use HackMotion for Better Ballstriking: The best wrist trainer in golf and become your swing coach (use code WICKEDSMART to save 5% on your investment).  Speed Train with HiiTs Driver: Developed by 3X WLD Champion, Fast Eddie, this hittable driver will help you add distance while hitting balls (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 10%). Wicked Smart Golf Books Play better FAST with the Wicked Smart Golf Trilogy on Amazon or Audible.  Simplify "golf fitness" with my book, The Wicked Smart Golf Fitness Formula on Amazon. Or, listen to it on Audible.  Follow Wicked Smart Golf   Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram   Subscribe on YouTube

Do you feel like there are two versions of you—the relaxed, present summer version and the overwhelmed, exhausted school-year version? In this episode, we explore what that gap can teach you about the way you're leading and what overwhelm may be changing about who you are. You'll reflect on the habits, boundaries, and patterns that disappear when the school year begins and identify what you may need to subtract to feel more like yourself all year long. You shouldn't have to spend the entire school year waiting for summer to feel like yourself again.Get The Principal's Overwhelm Toolkit Here We're thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

Hi Mamas, ,  What if the goal isn't to get better at doing everything... but to make some of it easier?  As busy working moms, we become incredibly capable. We manage careers, kids, calendars, meals, appointments, school activities, relationships, homes—and about a million tiny details no one else seems to realize we're keeping track of.  And somewhere along the way, we can start believing that because we're capable of doing it all, we should do it all.  But this week's Monday Mindset is your reminder:  “Every task you simplify creates space for something that matters more.”  Because simplifying your life isn't just about saving time. It's about deciding what you want to do with the time you get back.  Maybe simplifying dinner gives you more time to sit with your family.  Maybe automating a task gives you time to take a walk.  Maybe delegating something gives you more patience with your kids.  Maybe finding a faster way to handle something at work helps you close your laptop on time.  Or maybe that extra time gives you a few minutes to sit on the couch and do absolutely nothing—and yes, mama, that counts too.  In today's Monday Mindset, we're talking about why being capable doesn't mean you have to do everything yourself, why productivity shouldn't simply mean squeezing more into your day, and how simplifying the small things can help reduce your mental load and create more work-life balance.  Because the goal isn't to become more efficient so you can do more.  The goal is to become more efficient so you have more room for the people, priorities and moments that matter most. 

Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!Check Out Katy's Podcast!Budget besties, life transitions have a way of bringing ALL the things at once.A move. A new baby. A job change. Kids going through a hard season. A surprise vet bill. A spouse retiring. A business changing.And somehow, while we're carrying all of that emotionally, we're also supposed to remember when the electric bill is due, how much is left for groceries, whether Christmas is funded, and where that random $500 expense is coming from.No thank you.

Denis O'Shea, Founder of Mobile Mentor, helps organizations pursue a clear goal to simplify your tech environment while strengthening security and empowering employees to remain productive. Driven by the joy of learning and intellectual adventure, Denis left a 15-year career at Nokia to build a company that learns about emerging technologies, translates them into business outcomes, and mentors customers through change. In this conversation, Denis introduces The Tech Stack Streamlining Framework: Understand Current Tech Stack, Assess Capacity for Change, Benchmark to Peers, Build the Roadmap, and Deliver Simplified Tech Stack. He explains how immersing his team in a customer's environment, asking thoughtful questions, and benchmarking the organization against its peers can reveal a clear path toward a simpler technology stack. Denis also discusses Mobile Mentor's fast-growing mentoring service, how its Microsoft partnership transformed the business, the challenge of finding technology professionals who are natural mentors, and why people must remain responsible for the quality and accuracy of everything they produce with AI. — Simplify Your Tech Environment with Denis O’Shea  Good day, dear listeners. Steve Preda here, Management Blueprint Podcast. And today my guest is Denis O’Shea, the Founder of Mobile Mentor, a technology service provider helping thousands of clients find and maintain the right balance, securing devices, protecting data, and empowering people to be productive. Mobile Mentor is also a five-time Microsoft award winner. So Denis, welcome back to the show.  Thank you, Steve. Thank you for having me back. And I have to say, you look fantastic. You’re aging gracefully, and I hope I’m doing the same.  Well, unfortunately, my barber is on vacation, so I couldn’t visit him last week. But it’s great to have you back on the show, and we couldn’t agree whether it was two or four years ago that you were here. Anyhow, it’s great to have you back, and I’ve got some questions for you that I’m curious about. And first and foremost, the question is, what is your personal Why, and how are you manifesting it in your Mobile Mentor business?  My personal Why is probably learning. And I think the reason I went into business in the first place was to learn and grow as an individual. It certainly wasn’t money. I expect money as an outcome from the process, but I didn’t go into it for money. It was really to learn, and the trigger for me was I did an executive education program in Switzerland. I was living there for a few years, and that blew my mind. That just exploded my mind when I started learning all about mergers, acquisitions, turnarounds, management buyouts, all these different ways of growing a business that were nonlinear.  And that motivated me to go on and do an MBA, and that then motivated me to leave my employer, who was a great company. I was working for Nokia for 15 years. They were amazing, but I decided to leave them and go out and embrace all this nonlinear stuff and found a company from scratch. And one day I thought maybe I’ll do a spin-out, or maybe I’ll do an acquisition, and I’ll do all these different things. And it was purely for the joy of learning and the intellectual adventure. So I think that’s my Why. It’s learning.  Yeah. Well, learning is great, and it’s a big driver of businesses when they are able to learn, especially in today’s age. So tell me a little bit about how Mobile Mentor is reflecting this way of learning. Is it a learning organization, and in what way is it?  Oh, that’s an interesting question, Steve. I would hope we are a learning organization. Something I’ve been saying to my kids and my staff for years is, “We’re a learning species. We can learn anything we put our minds to.” And so I would hope we are a learning organization. And the word “mentor” plays a huge part in not just our brand, but how we work. So we’re a technology service company. We’re always unpacking the latest technology and helping customers figure out what to do with it and how to extract value from it.  So I would hope that we’re good at learning what the technology can do and then translating that into outcomes for customers and helping people unlock the full potential of the technology they’ve just purchased. And when we started 22 years ago, we were focused on mobile devices. That’s why the company’s called Mobile Mentor. Nowadays, it’s mainly AI and security and all that. And by the way, we’re going through a rebrand. The company’s just going to be called Mentor going forward. Just Mentor. So that we can work with all technology, so we remove any association with that small device where we started 22 years ago. So I think we are very good at learning, internalizing the new technology, and then translating that into business outcomes for our customers.  Yeah.  That’s what I feel like our core skill is.  Yeah. And I love this concept of mentoring because essentially it’s not about teaching people, it’s about helping people discover how to be great. And if you can do that, that’s amazing. So that brings me to the next question, which is about frameworks. So this, as you know, this podcast is about frameworks, and what I’m curious about is, what’s a framework that has helped you grow this company, build this company, or help your clients or mentor your clients? Maybe it’s a mentoring framework. Maybe it’s a technology framework. So something that comes to mind that can be explained in three to five steps to our listeners.  Sure. We have a really strong framework at the front end of our sales process. It’s an assessment and roadmap we do for customers. And it’s something that’s on our website. It has a price point, so it’s got a value, but we choose to give it away for free when we get a strong, well-qualified opportunity, or when we have a channel partner bring us a strong lead. We will use this assessment and roadmap process to build a vision for the customer. And the way we do it, we’ve got a good framework for this.  We go through an assessment. So we tell the customer, “We’re going to have a look at your environment holistically and get a really good understanding of the technology stack you have today, all the different technologies you’re using, and also get a good understanding of your organization’s capability and capacity for change, and how you embrace change, how you make change happen. “And we’re going to show you how you compare to a whole bunch of other organizations.” I think we’ve done 174, 175 of these in the last maybe three years. And so we show the customer how they compare to others in their industry and also against others roughly their same size. And then, most importantly, we build out a roadmap, and we show them, “Here’s how you can potentially go from where you are today with today’s technology stack,” which is usually very busy, it’s usually a long list of technologies, “to a much simpler technology stack in the future if they’re willing to consolidate on one or two platforms and do all the possible integrations, automations, and simplifications so that they’re extracting much more value from one or two platforms, like Microsoft, than having a whole colorful mix of different technology vendors.”  So we’ll say, “Here’s a journey you could go on,” and then we describe it in vivid detail, showing all the different parts and how they would go passwordless, how they would automate setting up new employees and all the technology they need, how they would automate all their patching and security, how they would embrace AI into their operations, how they would use AI for productivity improvements, and kind of show this technology journey. That process, or that framework, of doing an assessment, and it covers 120 different topics. So we do the assessment, the comparison, the roadmap.  We find that to be extremely powerful because customers will look at that, and they’ll look at the destination and say, “Right. We want to be there. We want to get that outcome,” and then they’re buying off us. We’re not selling to them. They’re basically saying, “Okay. We want to get there. How do we do it? Help us. How can you come in and help us do it?” So the narrative flips from us being a sales organization to then being a mentor and helping the customer figure out how to get there.  And of course, we want to sell services, and we want to sell long-term contracts to say, “Yes, we can take you from here to there, and it’s a three-year engagement to do all those changes.” So that’s what we want. But the customer is buying it off us because they’ve bought into the destination.  Yeah. And that’s the modern buyer’s journey, right? They research you. Before even they come to you, they want to listen to you because you might have something for them. So I love this framework. So what I noted down was step number one, understand the technology stack that they have. Step number two, assess their ability to manage change or to handle change.  Yeah.  Then you benchmark them to others in their industry or in their peer group. Then you build the roadmap, and then you show them the simplified end state, the simplified tech stack.  Correct. Correct. And then we give them options around how we can help them to get there. Usually, there’s three options. And we say, “Well, what style of engagement works best for you? How would you like us to work with you?” And then it becomes a very comfortable, easy sales process from there, and it becomes easy because we’ve done all the listening.  So when we do the assessment and we cover 120 topics, we do 60 questions in 60 minutes. So it’s two one-hour sessions. And we call it our “friendly interrogation.” But what happens during that time is what I call a selfless immersion in the customer’s world. So we don’t talk about us. We never talk about us. Everything is about them, their technology stack, their environment, their processes, their technical dependencies, all the things about their organization.  So we get this really rich understanding of their environment. And at the end, guess what they say, Steve? Or guess what they say at the end of that interrogation or that assessment session?  I don’t know. Give it to us. What do they say?  They say thank you, which is extraordinary, and it surprised me when it started happening. But people love to be heard. We’re not selling. We’re not pitching anything. We are just seeking to understand their environment and asking a whole bunch of really good questions. So we don’t need to tell them who we are and what we’ve done, that we’ve won Microsoft Partner of the Year and blah, blah, blah. We don’t need to do any of that.  They know that we know our stuff because of the questions we’re asking, because those questions have been refined and refined and refined. So we’re able to get right into the heart of their issues, and they tell us all about their environment and their issues and concerns and frustrations. And at the end of the assessment, they say, “Thank you.” And I remind them, I say, “We haven’t delivered anything yet. All we’ve done is asked you a whole bunch of questions.” But they feel like it was almost a cathartic process of unloading and sharing all of it. And then we do the second session, and the rapport gets even better, and they bring in some different people.  So by the time we get to the end of the assessment, we’ve had a really good conversation about 120 different things. There’s now a high degree of trust. And so when we come back in the third session, we say, “Okay, we heard you. Here’s where you are. Here’s how you compare to others. Here’s where you could be, and here’s what the journey would look like to get you there, taking all the complexities into account, all the dependencies, all the legacy, all the technical debt you might have. “Here’s what it would take to get you to where you want to be.” They’re now listening and they’re trusting us because we’ve listened to them.  Yeah. I love that. That is very powerful. And asking good questions is actually not always easy. In the age of AI, answers are omnipresent, but good questions, good prompts, that’s a skill, right? To ask the right question.  It is. And it’s interesting you mention AI because we’re not using any AI in the way we do this. We could choose to send out a form to the customer and say, “Please fill out this form.” Actually, we tried that. We tried that 10 or 12 years ago in our New Zealand operation, and it was a complete disaster. Nobody wants to fill out a long form and answer all those questions. But if you have a conversation face-to-face, on Teams or Zoom, whatever, you can have the conversation. You’ll get all the information.  But now we’re establishing rapport between us while we do that, and that also gives them a flavor of what it’s like to work with us. How we interact and how we follow up the question, how we drill down, how we clarify and confirm, “Did I understand that correctly?” in a way that you don’t get from just filling out a web form. And we also don’t use AI to analyze the transcript and try and fill it out. We actually do it based on us understanding it, because we find we get way more detail and nuance than relying on a transcript.  That’s very interesting. Definitely, when there’s a human on the other end who is interested in what you’re saying and is listening deeply, it’s a highly motivating and even inspiring thing. That’s why it’s hard to make a talk without the audience, because you need the energy of the audience. So you provide the energy for them to come up with the goods and explain where they are, right?  Yeah, yeah. So let me switch gears and ask you this. What drives growth in your business?  What drives growth? Two things. One, that process sets us up to be able to sell something. The fastest-growing thing that we sell is a service called mentoring, which is very closely aligned to our brand and the way we work, and it’s something that’s very unique to us. So what we figured out is that there are some customers who just want to bring in a partner to build something for them let’s say to deploy some new technology, and then they want the vendor to go away and leave them with it. There are other organizations who don’t want to touch the technology. They want somebody to provide a managed service, so you get all the outcomes.  And those two technology service categories have been around forever, right? Microsoft has 400,000 partners doing this kind of work, doing project work, or providing managed services. We found a huge white space in the middle between those two. We found there’s a big white space in the mid-market, in particular mid-market organizations, where they have their own IT team. They don’t want to give the keys away to a managed service provider and let go. They want to learn all about the new technology.  They want to internalize the knowledge, and they want somebody to come in and help them deploy it with them, and be hands-on-keyboard, and do it together with them, and do lots of knowledge transfer, and help them build the documentation and the knowledge base, and get the experience and the skills so that their skills grow, their confidence grows. And we call that service mentoring, where we’re doing that for them. So we’re not just building it and walking away, we’re building it together with them. And it can be a one-year, two-year, five-year engagement where we’re building out this complex technology capability, but we’re doing it together, and they become the experts over time. That is our fastest-growing, top-selling service.  That’s fascinating. So it’s essentially coaching, mentoring, and still you turn it into an ongoing engagement because it’s not simple, right? There are a lot of layers to it. And what’s the timeline of such a relationship?  Typically three years. Typically. It can be as short as one, it can be as long as five. But for most of the technology transformation projects we’re doing, I would say they’re two, three, four years for the organization to change and embed all the changes and turn off all the legacy technology and fully embrace the new way of working. So our typical contract is three years. And then we set up all the cadences so that we’re working together every week through specific things, and there’s a weekly cadence, our engineers doing all that stuff, and then monthly coming up for air to see how we’re doing against the roadmap. Do we need to make any changes? What’s the focus for next month? And that’s a rolling process that keeps going on and on. And so the two teams end up working extremely closely.  Our engineering team, and we’re bringing in different architects, engineers, and there’s obviously a consistent project manager across it. And on the customer side, they’re bringing different engineers or architects depending on the piece of work we’re doing. But it’s generally all modernizing the way they work with Microsoft technology primarily, and changing from legacy stuff to very modern, invisible security, embedded AI, really trying to accelerate their maturity as an organization.  Yeah. Love it.  Does that make sense?  So it makes sense. I’m wondering, I mean, most businesses these days, they want to have recurring revenue, and even though you have a three-year engagement, it’s still not an evergreen engagement. So what do you do to turn these engagements into more of an enduring one, or you’re not trying to do it because it’s not the purpose?  That’s the $64 million question for our business, Steve, is how do we turn a two-year or three-year engagement into something longer? And it actually comes back to where you started with the learning thing. So what we need to be doing, and this is a constant battle for us, is learning about the latest and the newest technologies and staying ahead of the customer. Always staying ahead in terms of our knowledge so that we can keep adding new things to the backlog of work that needs to be done.  So that we might deploy technology A and get that done and do the migration and modernization, but then we need to move on to B and C and D and E. And there’s always new stuff, and actually the rate of change is accelerating now with AI. Everything is changing so fast, it’s unbelievable. But our job is to stay ahead so that we can always have something new and edgy that we can bring to the relationship. That we’re always able to give new knowledge, information, value.  So is it a managed technology business or is it more of a consulting business?  Ah, we are three different things. We do a lot of project work where people will come in and say, “Migrate us from platform A to platform B.” So we do that. We do this mentoring service where we’re doing the change and modernization together with the customer. We’re also a managed service provider. We have a lot of small and medium businesses that say, “We don’t have an IT team. We don’t want to have an IT team. Manage this stuff, make it invisible to us. Just give us great service and give us great reports and be transparent with us.” And that’s part of our business too.  So I would say we’re roughly one-third professional services, project work, one-third mentoring, and one-third managed services. So more than half the business is recurring revenue in any given year.  So what makes this kind of business hard to scale, or what makes it easy to scale?  What makes it hard to scale is finding great people who can learn and share that learning with customers, so people who are natural mentors. So what we do not want is to hire geeks who want to just put on noise-canceling headsets and sit in front of a screen coding all day. They would not work for us. We want people who are head up, good people skills, want to learn it, but want to share it. Naturally very good at sharing. So getting the right people, that’s one constraint to growth. The thing that makes growth easy for us is our relationship with Microsoft. That’s unbelievable.  We didn’t have a relationship with Microsoft 11 years ago, and they came to us and asked us to become a partner, and we did. And they asked us to work with them on a specific technology that was very immature at the time. And I set a goal for our team. I said, “What would it take us to become the best in the world at that one specific technology? To become the best in the world on that technology as it matures and grows?” And we set that as our North Star and really went after that and focused everything on that.  And that enabled us then to win Microsoft Global Partner of the Year based on our focus on that. And by winning that award, that got us noticed because they got 400,000 partners. So at the time, I was based in New Zealand, so basically the second-last rock before the end of the earth. And so we were nobody in a nowhere place and not noticed, and we’re just one of 400,000, completely lost in the noise. We got noticed when we won Global Partner of the Year and when we got recognized for being the best in the world at that one technology, and that changed everything, and I moved to America.  Then Microsoft introduced us to a whole bunch of customers, including the largest healthcare organization in the world, the largest education provider in the world, and largest government departments. And so now our business is totally different to what it looked like 11 years ago before Microsoft. And this goes on and on. So almost every day, they contact us to say, “Hey, we got this customer over here, and they got this problem, and we thought of you.” And then they introduce us, and we do our assessment, show them how they compare, build a roadmap, and say, “What would you like to do from here?”  Yeah. I’m just very curious about what is that technology, and what is the ideal customer for you for that technology? That technology is a platform called Intune. It’s a device management platform, so it’s for managing desktops, laptops, MacBooks, smartphones, tablets, and all that. And everything we do, of course, starts with a device. And so it’s the technology that secures and manages and configures our devices. Microsoft Intune is the name of the product, and that’s where we’ve got very, very deep expertise. But that leads us to all the other parts of the Microsoft 365 environment, and most organizations are using Microsoft 365 to some extent.  So in most cases, they’re coming to us and saying, “Hey, this customer has bought our licenses. They’ve got Microsoft 365 E5 or E3, whatever. They’re not using it all. They’ve got all these overlapping competitive products. They want to consolidate, reduce costs, or they want to improve security, or they want to simplify their environment. Can you help?” And we’re like, “Hell yeah, we can help. That’s right in our wheelhouse.” And so we have a discovery call with the customer. They tell us what they want to achieve, and if they’re a good fit for our assessment and roadmap, then we’ll propose that. So we’re not trying to sell anything at that stage, and we’ll do that.  It’s many, many hours of work. We’ll do that roadmap and assessment at our cost. Sorry, that’s our investment. That’s our investment in the relationship, so that we’re showing that we’re giving value back to the customer and to Microsoft because they brought us that lead, and we’re creating value from day one. And sometimes the customer will go, “Thank you. We understand the journey. We’re going to do it ourselves,” or, “We’ve got an existing partner,” or, “We don’t have budget,” whatever. And so we don’t land them all, but we’ve got a very high conversion rate. We land a lot of them.  And even if we don’t, I know that we deliver a huge amount of value through the process, and the customer goes, “Wow, that was great. That was a great process. We learned a lot. We can see where we need to go. We might be back in touch in the future when we do have budget or when the stars align.”  Or they refer someone else.  Yeah.  So if you had a magic wand and you could fix one thing in your business in the next 12 months, what would that be?  I would say it would be doing more with AI internally. Some days I feel like an imposter because we are selling a lot of AI services, and we do a lot of AI work for our customers. But I, as the leader, I don’t do enough. I’m not doing enough with AI. I’m not building enough capability. I’m leading the charge, but I’m not savvy enough myself. And I feel like our leadership team could be doing more. So I feel like doing more, embedding more AI into how we work, is something I want to change or fix in the next year. Not just doing it for customers.  Yeah. I mean, you can never do enough with AI, right? There’s so much out there and so much changing, and to stay ahead of it, one’s head is spinning all the time. It’s very inspiring, but can be also overwhelming.  That’s true. And one of the things I’m dealing with is managing what we call AI slop, where we see people internally and externally producing things that are not good-quality outcomes because it hasn’t been double-checked. So just because it could be produced quickly and easily by AI doesn’t mean it’s great or specific enough or detailed enough or accurate enough for the result, whether that’s an internal report or an external thing.  So the coaching I’m giving people is you’re still responsible for the thing, the quality of the thing. You have to read it, make sure it’s on point, it’s detailed enough, the customer’s going to be happy with it or your manager’s going to be happy with it. We are still responsible for the thing we produce. Let’s not get lazy.  Yeah. And the more content you generate and the more solutions you generate with AI, the more the mental load on the decision-makers to actually filter out what’s not real and what’s real.  Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.  Yeah. I can see that happening. So if someone is listening to this and says, “Wow, I love this idea that you benchmark me, you figure out what our tech is, learn our tech, benchmark us, come up with a roadmap, and evaluate the organization, how fast we can manage change, and then come up with a roadmap and mentor us to get there and simplify our tech stack,” and would like to learn more and perhaps connect with you, where should they go? Where can they find out more information?  I’m on LinkedIn only. I’m not on other social platforms. I’m a bit of a Neanderthal in that regard. But Denis, with one N and O’Shea, O-S-H-E-A, on LinkedIn, and my company is Mobile Mentor. It will be Mentor soon, but we’ll keep the Mobile Mentor alive for quite a while. And so go to the company, mobile-mentor.com. And yeah, love to talk to any of your listeners and audience if this is a technology journey they want to go on or want a partner to work with them. That’s the role we play, being a mentor and helping people get the outcomes, but internalizing it and becoming experts while doing so.  Yeah. So if you want to filter out the AI slop and the AI noise, and you want real people who will look at your specific situations and help you and mentor you and help your staff get up to speed and simplify, then reach out to Denis. And if you enjoyed this conversation, stay tuned because every week I bring a couple of entrepreneurs who are sharing their frameworks of how they’re improving and growing their businesses, and you can implement some of these things yourself.  So thanks, Denis. Denis O’Shea, the founder and CEO of Mobile Mentor, soon to be called Mentor. Thanks for coming on the show, and thank you for listening. Thank you, Steve. Always a pleasure. Important Links: Denis's LinkedIn Denis's website

Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABEDon't miss an upcoming event with The Institute: https://geni.us/InstituteEvents2026Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.Click here to schedule a free demo: https://geni.us/Shop-Ware-Free-MonthTransform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingProsShop owners, are you ready to simplify your business operations? Meet 360 Payments, your one-stop solution for effortless payment processing.Imagine this—no more juggling receipts, staplers, or endless paperwork. With 360 Payments, you get everything integrated into a single, sleek digital platform.Simplify payments. Streamline operations. Check out 360payments.com today!In this episode, Lucas and David are joined by Trey Holley, a shop owner from Thomaston, Georgia. Trey shares his journey from being a lifelong mechanic to learning the ropes of business ownership, highlighting the unique challenges faced in small Southern towns. The conversation touches on the importance of supporting fellow shop owners rather than viewing them purely as competitors, and Trey offers insight into the work-life balance struggles that led him to prioritize both his health and the building of a strong, supportive team.00:00 Atlanta airport's massive scale03:41 Long walks at airports06:27 Thunder Valley racetrack experience10:30 Southern business challenges with generosity13:29 Overwhelmed by business demands19:09 New guy in town setting up20:59 University town business challenges22:34 Building Industry Relationships26:46 Discussing business challenges with spouse31:14 Discussing labor cost strategy35:32 Quality control and final checks38:55 Balancing work and family time40:33 Dealing with family anxiety44:57 Balancing multiple responsibilities47:21 Discovering the Enneagram for Communication49:12 On choosing the right people

In this episode, Jethro sits down with Dr. Erin Bailey, VP of Literacy Programs and Research at Reading Is Fundamental, to explore two exciting 2026 developments. Erin shares the growth of Skybrary, RIF's e-book app offering 1,000 read-to-me picture books, now with a free tier providing 100 books per household — a number rooted in research linking book access to reading and academic achievement. She also discusses RIF's acquisition of August House Publishing, bringing 185 titles focused on oral storytelling into RIF's mission of book access. The conversation turns to Erin's own podcast, Reading Inspires, covering the realities of podcast production, building thought leadership, and RIF's core belief that reading should above all be joyful. We're proud to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

Many gym owners we talk to struggle with how to program for a group training model.  On today's show I breakdown our step by step guide on how to do this the right way. Without sacrificing results for your clients while freeing up hours of your time every week.  Enjoy the show. 

Work With Me To Scale Your Business: https://go.scalingwithsystems.com/Luke-Worsfield ———————————— Be On The Next Constraint Call: https://www.scalingwsystems.com/constraint-call-application ———————————— Watch Me Fix $1M+ Businesses Live: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLF-fSrHojCgG8V5-7AKVrKgcbtsd-BXti&si=kEOVnNFnLhhhDbYA ———————————— Join Our Team: https://www.scalingwithsystems.com/careers ———————————— In this episode of the Constraint Call, Ravi helps Luke fix a struggling addiction-counseling funnel by comparing April and July ad economics, raising prices for higher-end buyers, anchoring the cost of inaction, strengthening the offer with proof and guarantees, and simplifying the booking flow. CHAPTERS: 00:01:34 Offer & Pricing Breakdown 00:06:40 Ad Spend & Profit Math 00:12:21 April vs July Funnel Metrics 00:16:40 Why the New Funnel Failed 00:22:14 Raise Prices With Better Anchors 00:29:45 Package the Offer Around Proof 00:35:26 Simplify the Funnel 00:40:15 Simplify Booking and Launch 00:44:42 The Action Plan

Build a group passing period that actually carries over to Friday night instead of simply looking good in seven-on-seven. Dan Chamberlain and Joe Daniel break down how to progress from individual work and routes on air into half-field concepts, seven-on-seven, and team periods while giving quarterbacks, receivers, and defenders meaningful game-specific reps. Coaches will learn how to increase practice tempo, create more good-on-good work, simplify coverage adjustments with tags, and keep both sides of the ball focused on the reads and reactions that matter when the run game is back in the equation. 14:42 - Planning Group Passing Periods 16:22 - Practice Focus and Progression for Passing 25:30 - Defensive Passing Indies Before Run Indies 28:36 - Getting Good on Good in Group Passing 30:03 - Routes on Air Drill Setup 33:01 - Curl Drill Against Cover Three 42:55 - Air Drill Up Tempo Passing 45:03 - Defensive Coverage Tags and Spokes 48:59 - Split Field Seven on Seven Drill 60:58 - Translating Seven on Seven to Team Period Progressing Your Group Passing Drills Step 1: Build Every Practice Around a Clear Focus Start with the specific passing skills, reads and concepts your offense and defense need to improve, then organize every period so individual, group and team work progresses toward that same goal. READ: 10 Keys To Preparing a Football Practice Plan that Wins Games Step 2: Build Individual Skills That Transfer to Group Passing Break the passing game into the smallest skills your quarterbacks, receivers and defenders need to execute, then use individual periods to prepare them for the reads and techniques they will encounter when the groups come together. LISTEN: Individual Drill Periods for Skill Development | FBCP S21E01 Step 3: Develop the Quarterback Before Expanding the Passing Drill Give your quarterback the throwing mechanics, footwork and fundamentals he needs before asking him to execute complete concepts against a defense. Progress from warmups and routes on air into the reads and decisions required in group passing periods. LISTEN: Quarterback Drills and Throwing Mechanics | FBCP S21E02 Step 4: Simplify the Passing Game Around Concepts Your Players Can Execute Build your passing periods around a small number of concepts your quarterback can read and your receivers can execute consistently. Once the base concepts are reliable, use tags and adjustments to expand what you can attack without adding unnecessary complexity. LISTEN: Our Passing Game Sucks! | FBCP S18E02 Step 5: Progress From Individual Work to Group and Team Execution Use a deliberate progression from individual technique into routes on air, half field concepts, 7 on 7 and finally team periods. Each step should add another piece of the game without losing the focus established earlier in practice. READ: Complete Guide to Coaching Football Drills that Win Games Step 6: Make 7 on 7 Productive for Your Defense Use 7 on 7 to reinforce the actual coverage rules your defenders will execute on Friday night. Work the key reads, drops, route combinations, change ups and pressures that matter against your opponent instead of treating 7 on 7 like a passing tournament. READ: How to Coach Football's Cover 3 Defense Step 7: Put the Progression Into Your Weekly Practice Plan Build individual, group passing and team periods into a repeatable practice structure so players get enough quality reps without wasting time between periods. Use the template as the weekly shell, then change the focus and specific drills based on what your team needs to improve. ​DOWNLOAD: Perfect Practice Plan Template  

We want your feedback and questions. Text us here.Your prospects may not be ignoring you because they aren't interested. They may simply be overwhelmed. Today's buyers are busy, distracted, and constantly competing against demands for their attention. That means the old sales playbook of repeated follow-ups, lengthy presentations, and endless options can actually make it harder for people to buy.In this episode of The Champion Forum Podcast, Jeff Hancher breaks down how to sell effectively to the modern buyer by earning attention, keeping prospects engaged, and simplifying the decision-making process. You'll learn how to make your prospecting more relevant, use questions to create better sales conversations, avoid overwhelming buyers with information, and clearly answer the three questions every prospect needs resolved: Why change? Why now? Why you?If you want to improve your sales conversations without becoming more aggressive or adding more pressure, this episode will help you become someone customers actually want to buy from.

>>Get Voice Caddie Launch Monitors 15% off w/code WICKEDSMART.  SC200 Plus: The easiest to use launch monitor, no app needed. SC300i: An upgrade with access to more data using the Voice Caddie app.  SC4 Pro: Even more data and simulation to help you practice like a pro. >>Check out the Wicked Smart Golf Practice Formula (100+ printable practice plans) >>Get ShotPattern 20% Off >>Use PuttView yardage books if you play in tournament golf >>Learn more about the Tournament Golf Bootcamp Q-School was one of the most intense golf experiences of my life and taught me lessons that still shape how I practice, prepare, and compete today. In this episode, I'm sharing 9 lessons from my Q-School experience that can help you play better golf and perform when the pressure is on. You'll learn: Why you need to set big goals and chase your dreams. Protect your love for the game and avoid letting big goals lead to burnout.  Remember that feeling nervous doesn't mean you're going to play poorly. Stop chasing the perfect swing and focus on building one that is consistent. Prioritize endurance, hydration, and fueling so your body can perform all day. Build a reliable short game that can save you when your ball striking disappears. Why you should never compare your swing or game to someone else's—focus on playing your game. Prepare like a pro with Shot Pattern, a yardage book, and a clear game plan. Whether you're preparing for your first club event or chasing your own version of Q-School, these lessons will help you practice smarter, prepare better, and compete with more confidence. WICKED SMART GOLF  Apply for 1:1 performance coaching with Michael (limited spots available) Join Wicked Smart Golf Academy To Lower Your HDCP Fast: Proven paths to break 90, break 80, and crush competitive golf (no swing changes required) Join the Wicked Smart Golf Newsletter and get 5 FREE practice plans. Recommended Products Speed Train With Rypstick: The #1 speed trainer to add 10+ yards in 40 days or less (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%)  Shot Pattern: The best golf GPS + stat tracking to help you manage your round and make better decisions (20% off w/my link). Think Like a Pro with DECADE Golf: The #1 course management system to think like a pro (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%). Master Mobility & Flexibility with Golf Forever: The best way to work on your golf fitness at home or the gym, with easy to follow plans & app (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 15%).  Use HackMotion for Better Ballstriking: The best wrist trainer in golf and become your swing coach (use code WICKEDSMART to save 5% on your investment).  Speed Train with HiiTs Driver: Developed by 3X WLD Champion, Fast Eddie, this hittable driver will help you add distance while hitting balls (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 10%). Wicked Smart Golf Books Play better FAST with the Wicked Smart Golf Trilogy on Amazon or Audible.  Simplify "golf fitness" with my book, The Wicked Smart Golf Fitness Formula on Amazon. Or, listen to it on Audible.  Follow Wicked Smart Golf   Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram   Subscribe on YouTube

Does the thought of decluttering feel exhausting before you've even started? Do we *really* need marathon weekends and big purges to do this "right"? And how do you make actual progress in a season where getting dinner on the table already feels like a lot? I'm answering all of it in today's episode, plus the exact questions and strategies to use so you can keep making progress, even on the days you've got nothing left.

>>Use HackMotion for Better Ballstriking: The best wrist trainer in golf and become your swing coach (use code WICKEDSMART to save 5% on your investment).  Today I share the wild story of going to Q-school in 2019 as an amateur golfer (despite not knowing much in the "wicked smart" world). I'll share more about registering for the event, how I prepared for it, and my scores/stories from a once-in-a-lifetime event.  WICKED SMART GOLF  Apply for 1:1 performance coaching with Michael (limited spots available) Join Wicked Smart Golf Academy To Lower Your HDCP Fast: Proven paths to break 90, break 80, and crush competitive golf (no swing changes required) Join the Wicked Smart Golf Newsletter and get 5 FREE practice plans. Recommended Products Speed Train With Rypstick: The #1 speed trainer to add 10+ yards in 40 days or less (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%)  Shot Pattern: The best golf GPS + stat tracking to help you manage your round and make better decisions (20% off w/my link). Think Like a Pro with DECADE Golf: The #1 course management system to think like a pro (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%). Master Mobility & Flexibility with Golf Forever: The best way to work on your golf fitness at home or the gym, with easy to follow plans & app (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 15%).  Speed Train with HiiTs Driver: Developed by 3X WLD Champion, Fast Eddie, this hittable driver will help you add distance while hitting balls (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 10%). Wicked Smart Golf Books Play better FAST with the Wicked Smart Golf Trilogy on Amazon or Audible.  Simplify "golf fitness" with my book, The Wicked Smart Golf Fitness Formula on Amazon. Or, listen to it on Audible.  Follow Wicked Smart Golf   Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram   Subscribe on YouTube

Your calendar reveals more about your leadership priorities than your intentions do. In this episode, learn how to audit your calendar to see whether your time is being spent reacting to problems or proactively leading your school. Discover how to schedule priorities first, create space for instructional leadership, and build a realistic calendar that focuses on consistency over intensity. This episode also shares practical strategies for spreading out observations, reducing unnecessary meetings, and protecting time for the proactive work that prevents future problems. Because the goal isn't to fit more into your calendar—it's to make sure your calendar reflects the leader you want to be.Get The 8 to 4 Principal Planner. Get The 8 to 4 Principal Blueprint.  We're thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

Better AI starts with better data, and for Vulcan Materials CIO Krzysztof Soltan that means simplifying first. In this episode of Technovation, Krzysztof Soltan joins Peter High to discuss how Vulcan Materials is modernizing its technology foundation across more than 400 aggregate operations. He explains why reducing system complexity, strengthening master data governance, and investing in talent are foundational to the company's AI ambitions. The conversation also explores Vulcan's multi-year digital transformation, its approach to buying versus building AI capabilities, and its focus on a small number of high-value AI opportunities. Looking ahead, Soltan shares his perspective on agentic AI, human-agent collaboration, autonomous mobility, and AI at the edge. Listen to learn how a data-first foundation can position an enterprise to scale AI with greater focus and business value. This episode is presented by ElevenLabs — Bringing technology to life. Learn more at elevenlabs.io This episode is also presented by Retool — Build internal software better, with AI. Learn more at retool.com

Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABEDon't miss an upcoming event with The Institute: https://geni.us/InstituteEvents2026Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.Click here to schedule a free demo: https://geni.us/Shop-Ware-Free-MonthTransform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingProsShop owners, are you ready to simplify your business operations? Meet 360 Payments, your one-stop solution for effortless payment processing.Imagine this—no more juggling receipts, staplers, or endless paperwork. With 360 Payments, you get everything integrated into a single, sleek digital platform.Simplify payments. Streamline operations. Check out 360payments.com today!In this episode, Lucas and David are joined by Tonnika Haynes. Tonnika shares her experiences navigating trade shows like Vision and ASTA, highlighting the challenges of scaling events while maintaining their community feel. The conversation touches on the struggle to balance profitable training with meaningful content for shop owners. They also discuss the importance of grassroots networking and accountability within industry associations, emphasizing the need to evolve while remembering what made previous events special.00:00 Trade show insights and takeaways04:45 Struggling to secure instructors09:25 Improving trade show quality11:08 Evaluating training investment costs15:18 Investing in employee training18:21 Challenges in Automotive Training22:41 Getting great deals at the show23:30 Boosting vendor sales at trade shows27:40 Considering a move to a convention center30:58 Regional networking events in Asheville35:07 Adjusting content for wider appeal37:22 Demand for hands-on Tesla class41:53 Early board experiences discussed42:36 Addressing organizational dysfunction46:57 Launching the new podcast52:03 Discussing video production deadlines53:03 Braxton starting a media company56:04 Introducing the next topic

Jethro D. Jones sits down with Simon and Jill from ClassVR at ISTE 2026 to talk about the company's newest VR innovations in education. They dive into Thrive, a sensory regulation product designed to support students who struggle with dysregulation, and preview ClassVR's new STEM library, which lets students safely experience hands-on experiments (like chemistry reactions and dissections) that are often limited by budget or safety concerns in real classrooms. The conversation also explores how VR builds "organic skills" that develop over time, why immersive, judgment-free environments help students practice soft skills, and what schools should consider before adopting VR — from full-solution onboarding to keeping VR sessions short and focused for maximum engagement. We're proud to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

Kate O'Connell, an international education consultant and leadership coach based in Cambodia, joins the podcast to discuss her journey from classroom teacher to headship across four countries. She unpacks the difference between coaching and mentoring, and how she blends both to help school leaders find their own answers. The conversation also covers Link Leaders' new "Leadership Studios"—peer cohorts that create safe spaces for leaders to connect and grow—and why differentiated, problem-based support is key to effective professional development. Kate closes with her mission to humanize education through leadership, and simple advice: get a coach. We're proud to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

>>Join the Confident Putting Challenge (21 days to stop 3-putting with proven strategies and drills)  >>Get my FREE putting routine checklist In today's episode I'm joined by Marcus Potter, founder of Potters Putting and one of the most respected putting coaches on the PGA Tour. Marcus has helped everyone from elite juniors to Tour winners develop a stroke they can trust under pressure — and today he breaks down the same principles you can use in your own game. In this episode, we'll cover: Why putting setup is everything. The best training aids for your putter.  How putting tempo can clean up your stroke. What the best golfers in the world do on the greens. What to do when you're putting well for future success. How to practice indoors this winter without ruining your stroke. And a lot more tips to stop 3-putting. Make sure to follow Marcus on Instagram and use these tips to make your practice, "wicked smart" approved.  WICKED SMART GOLF  Apply for 1:1 performance coaching with Michael (limited spots available) Join Wicked Smart Golf Academy To Lower Your HDCP Fast: Proven paths to break 90, break 80, and crush competitive golf (no swing changes required) Join the Wicked Smart Golf Newsletter and get 5 FREE practice plans. Recommended Products Speed Train With Rypstick: The #1 speed trainer to add 10+ yards in 40 days or less (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%)  Shot Pattern: The best golf GPS + stat tracking to help you manage your round and make better decisions (20% off w/my link). Think Like a Pro with DECADE Golf: The #1 course management system to think like a pro (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%). Master Mobility & Flexibility with Golf Forever: The best way to work on your golf fitness at home or the gym, with easy to follow plans & app (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 15%).  Use HackMotion for Better Ballstriking: The best wrist trainer in golf and become your swing coach (use code WICKEDSMART to save 5% on your investment).  Speed Train with HiiTs Driver: Developed by 3X WLD Champion, Fast Eddie, this hittable driver will help you add distance while hitting balls (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 10%). Wicked Smart Golf Books Play better FAST with the Wicked Smart Golf Trilogy on Amazon or Audible.  Simplify "golf fitness" with my book, The Wicked Smart Golf Fitness Formula on Amazon. Or, listen to it on Audible.  Follow Wicked Smart Golf   Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram   Subscribe on YouTube

>>Join the Short Game Secrets Wedge Challenge (21 days to master your short game and save shots around the green) >>Get my FREE short game routine checklist Michael Leonard joins Tori again to talk about one of the most important—and overlooked—parts of shooting lower scores: wedges and short game. Michael also shares his quest to go from a +2 to +5 handicap, what the data says he needs to improve, and why golfers should spend less time obsessing over their swings and more time developing the skills that actually lower scores. In this episode, you'll learn: How Michael is working toward a +5 handicap. Why your wedge game matters so much. How to build a simple wedge distance matrix. Why most amateurs need more forgiving wedges. How to make short-game practice more realistic. Why committing to one driver shot shape simplifies golf. How better practice and course management can lower scores without swing changes. And more tips to better golf without mechanical swing changes.  WICKED SMART GOLF  Apply for 1:1 performance coaching with Michael (limited spots available) Join Wicked Smart Golf Academy To Lower Your HDCP Fast: Proven paths to break 90, break 80, and crush competitive golf (no swing changes required) Join the Wicked Smart Golf Newsletter and get 5 FREE practice plans. Recommended Products Speed Train With Rypstick: The #1 speed trainer to add 10+ yards in 40 days or less (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%)  Shot Pattern: The best golf GPS + stat tracking to help you manage your round and make better decisions (20% off w/my link). Think Like a Pro with DECADE Golf: The #1 course management system to think like a pro (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%). Master Mobility & Flexibility with Golf Forever: The best way to work on your golf fitness at home or the gym, with easy to follow plans & app (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 15%).  Use HackMotion for Better Ballstriking: The best wrist trainer in golf and become your swing coach (use code WICKEDSMART to save 5% on your investment).  Speed Train with HiiTs Driver: Developed by 3X WLD Champion, Fast Eddie, this hittable driver will help you add distance while hitting balls (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 10%). Wicked Smart Golf Books Play better FAST with the Wicked Smart Golf Trilogy on Amazon or Audible.  Simplify "golf fitness" with my book, The Wicked Smart Golf Fitness Formula on Amazon. Or, listen to it on Audible.  Follow Wicked Smart Golf   Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram   Subscribe on YouTube

We're back for a special Togethermess Episode 271 with Trevor Kruder, founder and CEO of Paramount Health RX and Alpha Biomed Industries, to ask all the peptide questions Jeff has been saving up for years.We talk GLP-1s, injury recovery, weight loss, BPC-157, peptide safety, cancer questions, shots vs. pills, and why this world feels so confusing. This is not medical advice, just our conversation.Our official Jeff and Jordan merch shop is now open!Visit https://togethermess.com/ to shop TogetherMess merch, favorite finds, videos, family stories, and a little everyday chaos.Thank you to our partners:Tumble - Get 10% off plus free shipping at https://tumbleliving.com/togethermess. Machine-washable rugs made better. After you purchase, please support the show and tell them TogetherMess sent you.Hungryroot - For a limited time, get 40% off your first order PLUS a free item in every box for life. Go to https://hungryroot.com/togethermess and use code togethermess. Simplify back-to-school meals with easy recipes, quality ingredients, and groceries delivered to your door.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If your closet feels cluttered & frustrating and you can't figure out why, this episode might be the reason. In this episode:

In this episode of The Profitable Play Podcast, I'm sitting down with Charlotte from Children's Factory to talk all about designing indoor play spaces that are intentional, engaging, durable, and built for the way children actually play.CONTACT INFORMATION:Website: www.childrensfactory.comEmail: charlotte.thomas@childrensfactory.comDiscount Code: Use code PM30 for 30% off and Free Shipping!BLOG for this episode: https://www.michelecaruana.com/blog/choosing-soft-play-equipment-childrens-factoryWhether you're opening a play cafe, indoor playground, children's museum, family entertainment center, daycare, preschool, or other children's play-based business, the physical environment you create can have a huge impact on the customer experience. We talk about how thoughtful play space design goes far beyond simply filling a room with equipment—and what owners should consider when choosing furniture, soft play equipment, activity zones, and other elements for their space.We also discuss how to think strategically about your layout, how different types of play support different ages and developmental stages, and how to create an environment that works for both children AND the adults bringing them into your business.If you're currently planning, designing, building, renovating, or refreshing an indoor play space, this conversation will give you plenty to think about before making your next investment.In this episode, we discuss:• Indoor playground and play cafe design• Choosing commercial play equipment and children's furniture• Creating intentional play zones for different ages• Designing spaces that encourage imaginative and open-ended play• Soft play equipment for indoor play spaces• Balancing fun, function, durability, and aesthetics• Creating a better experience for both children and parents• What play cafe and indoor playground owners should consider before purchasing equipment• Designing a commercial children's space for long-term use• Ideas for refreshing or improving an existing indoor playground or play cafeHave an idea for a future episode?I always want to hear what YOU want to learn more about!Send me a DM on Instagram with your questions, challenges, or topic suggestions—you might just hear your idea featured on an upcoming episode of The Profitable Play Podcast.OTHER RESOURCES:Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyGetting Started With Your Play Cafe [YouTube Video Playlist]What's Working In The Indoor Play Industry 2026 GuideFund Your Indoor Play Business [Free Training]Indoor Play Courses & 1:1 Consulting WaitlistMichele's InstagramMichele's WebsitePlay Cafe Academy YouTube ChannelETSY Template ShopPrepare Your Indoor Playground For a RecessionPlay Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyQuestions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com TOOLS & OTHER LINKS:Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fDQuestions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com TOOLS:Play Space Brain (Mention This Podcast For Special Pricing!)Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLivingActive Campaign Free TrialFree Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS

Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABEDon't miss an upcoming event with The Institute: https://geni.us/InstituteEvents2026Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.Click here to schedule a free demo: https://geni.us/Shop-Ware-Free-MonthTransform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingProsShop owners, are you ready to simplify your business operations? Meet 360 Payments, your one-stop solution for effortless payment processing.Imagine this—no more juggling receipts, staplers, or endless paperwork. With 360 Payments, you get everything integrated into a single, sleek digital platform.Simplify payments. Streamline operations. Check out 360payments.com today!In this episode, Emily Oliver joins the podcast to share her journey of taking over a small family auto repair shop in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Emily talks about the challenges of modernizing operations, from adopting new software like Shop-Ware to implementing more thorough documentation and communication processes with customers. The conversation also highlights the complexities of hourly billing in auto repair, the challenges of managing family roles in business, and the importance of continuous learning and adaptation as the shop grows.00:00 Family auto shop's history08:56 Simple billing system explained10:55 Tracking time in auto repair bays19:04 Standardizing Inspection Processes23:10 Issues with technician pricing30:07 Convincing family about car maintenance36:33 Communicating with customers39:47 Dealing with other mechanics' issues46:27 Early challenges and learning curve54:21 Managing finances and staying focused56:10 Discussing parts pricing strategy01:01:21 Gaining insights from peer feedback

Back-to-school season can bring mothers a mix of excitement, relief and guilt. The pressure to create the “perfect” summer, manage every detail and constantly put children first can leave mums feeling they're not doing enough. This episode of the wellbeing 4 mothers show explores that the steps to releasing this guilt starts with recognising that good motherhood isn't about perfection Takeaway points- Focus on what genuinely matters rather than measuring your motherhood by how much you do.- Children don't need endless activities and memorable adventures. Everyday moments of connection matter too.- Simplify the back-to-school routine, prioritise what matters most and involve your children in age-appropriate responsibilities.- Making time for your own wellbeing, interests and identity doesn't mean you love your children less, it helps you show up as a healthier, more fulfilled mother.CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA  Ig- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drdunni.lifecoach/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9C1oJwHyISEuqiX8USaYKg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CH- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.clubhouse.com/@drdunni-druwa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FB- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/druwaacademy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/drdunni⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://patreon.com/wellbeing4mothers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book Recommendation Daring Greatly – Brené BrownJoin the Bookclubhttps://www.drdunni.clubHOST BIO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Your host, Dr Dunni, is the award-winning mum empowerment coach, Family doctor, International speaker, Best-selling author of the book ‘Every Mum is a Super Mum' and a mum herself who is passionate about health and wellbeing. She is proficient in applying natural, scientific, and medical well-being concepts to explain practical ways and strategies in simple terms that promote the overall well-being of body, mind, soul, and spirit, and prevent ill health. This is made available by the provision of online courses, books, coaching and regular events where well-being strategies and tactics are shared to enhance holistic well-being. Learn more at https://www.drdunni.com

>>Join the Pre-Shot Like a Pro Challenge (7-days to dial in your pre-shot routines to get your range game to the golf course) >>Join Wicked Smart Golf Academy To Lower Your HDCP Fast: Proven paths to break 90, break 80, and crush competitive golf (no swing changes required) You don't need another swing change to become a better golfer. In this episode, I break down seven non-swing skills that can help you practice better, handle adversity, build confidence, and shoot lower scores—regardless of your handicap. In this episode, you'll learn: Why a genuine desire to improve is the foundation of long-term progress. How a little delusional optimism can keep you believing your best golf is still ahead. Why your pre-shot routine might be the most important mental skill in golf. How a post-shot routine helps you process mistakes and move on faster. Why great golfers develop a short-term memory—both shot-to-shot and round-to-round. How improving your physical fitness can help with distance, endurance, confidence, and longevity. Why forgiveness is essential if you want to stop carrying mistakes into the next shot, hole, or round. You can spend endless hours changing your swing, but these seven skills can help you get more out of the game you already have. WICKED SMART GOLF  Apply for 1:1 performance coaching with Michael (limited spots available) Join the Wicked Smart Golf Newsletter and get 5 FREE practice plans. Recommended Products Speed Train With Rypstick: The #1 speed trainer to add 10+ yards in 40 days or less (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%)  Shot Pattern: The best golf GPS + stat tracking to help you manage your round and make better decisions (20% off w/my link). Think Like a Pro with DECADE Golf: The #1 course management system to think like a pro (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%). Master Mobility & Flexibility with Golf Forever: The best way to work on your golf fitness at home or the gym, with easy to follow plans & app (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 15%).  Use HackMotion for Better Ballstriking: The best wrist trainer in golf and become your swing coach (use code WICKEDSMART to save 5% on your investment).  Speed Train with HiiTs Driver: Developed by 3X WLD Champion, Fast Eddie, this hittable driver will help you add distance while hitting balls (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 10%). Wicked Smart Golf Books Play better FAST with the Wicked Smart Golf Trilogy on Amazon or Audible.  Simplify "golf fitness" with my book, The Wicked Smart Golf Fitness Formula on Amazon. Or, listen to it on Audible.  Follow Wicked Smart Golf   Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram   Subscribe on YouTube

Not everything that feels urgent actually is. In this episode, I share a simple red, yellow, and green framework to help you decide what truly needs your immediate attention, what can be scheduled for later, and what proactive work you need to protect. You'll learn how to stop letting other people's urgency control your day so you can spend more time on the work that actually moves your school forward.Get the mini-course From Reactive to Proactive Leadership We're thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

We're back for Togethermess Episode 270, and of course the episode starts messy because Jeff forgot to hit record, Jordan cut her finger, and the audio is not our finest moment. Then we get into lightning dismissal chaos, washable rugs, FaceTiming everyone after drinks, kids getting older, late-night mom memories, tipping culture, round-up donations, conspiracy talks, healthcare frustrations, and fall football dreams. Subscribe, like, and tap Hype below to boost this video!Our official Jeff and Jordan merch shop is now open!Visit https://togethermess.com/ to shop TogetherMess merch, favorite finds, videos, family stories, and a little everyday chaos.Thank you to our partners: Tumble - Get 10% off plus free shipping at https://tumbleliving.com/togethermess. Machine-washable rugs made better. After you purchase, please support the show and tell them TogetherMess sent you.Hungryroot - For a limited time, get 40% off your first order PLUS a free item in every box for life. Go to https://hungryroot.com/togethermess and use code togethermess. Simplify back-to-school meals with easy recipes, quality ingredients, and groceries delivered to your door.Our official Jeff and Jordan merch shop is now open!Visit https://togethermess.com/ to shop TogetherMess merch, favorite finds, videos, family stories, and a little everyday chaos.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABEDon't miss an upcoming event with The Institute: https://geni.us/InstituteEvents2026Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.Click here to schedule a free demo: https://geni.us/Shop-Ware-Free-MonthTransform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingProsShop owners, are you ready to simplify your business operations? Meet 360 Payments, your one-stop solution for effortless payment processing.Imagine this—no more juggling receipts, staplers, or endless paperwork. With 360 Payments, you get everything integrated into a single, sleek digital platform.Simplify payments. Streamline operations. Check out 360payments.com today!In this episode, Lucas Underwood and David Roman are joined by Sam Freeman, Alexandra Pare, and Daniel Ekstrand from Promotive. The group demos “Paige,” Promotive's AI-powered virtual recruiter, showcasing how AI is transforming the hiring and prescreening process in the automotive industry. The conversation dives into current industry trends, including why technicians are leaving dealerships for independent shops and the top reasons candidates are looking for new positions. They also get candid about the frustrations of online reviews, sharing stories and strategies shop owners use to respond to feedback—both good and bad.00:00 Overview of Promotive's Services11:55 Managing morning priority calls15:43 Handling Language and Mumbling Issues18:44 Automated messaging for applicants27:21 Icy disaster during bachelor party32:58 Early adoption of Facebook and DVI37:41 Missed email confusion42:59 Hotel room negotiation challenge44:38 A quick conference trip52:30 Challenges of running a car shop59:36 Trying the Worst BBQ in KC01:03:25 Handling negative feedback01:07:19 Feedback on Uber improvements

Meet Darius MirshahzadehHis WHY.os: Better Way – Simplify – TrustDarius Mirshahzadeh has spent his career building companies, leading teams, and helping entrepreneurs scale with purpose. As a serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, investor, and Executive Managing Partner at MOTHER, he has built and led organizations worth hundreds of millions of dollars. But despite the success, he eventually discovered that achievement alone wasn't enough. This conversation reveals what happened when the life he built no longer aligned with who he wanted to become.This episode matters because Darius lives the WHY of Better Way. People with this WHY naturally question existing systems and look for better solutions. Through his HOW of Simplify, Darius removes unnecessary complexity to help people move forward. Through his WHAT of Trust, he creates relationships where people feel supported, valued, and confident enough to build something meaningful together.You'll Learn: Why simplifying complex problems often creates the biggest breakthroughs in business and life. How Darius rebuilt his life after discovering success wasn't bringing fulfillment. How the Better Way WHY shows up through constant innovation, simplifying systems, and building trust with others.If you've ever wondered whether there is a better way to build a business, lead people, or create a meaningful life, this episode is filled with practical lessons you can apply immediately. Listen now to hear how Darius discovered that success without alignment isn't success at all.Get in touch with Darius:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadehInstagram: instagram.com/imthedariusWebsite: therealdarius.comDiscover Your WHY for 50% off HERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

FOXBOROUGH – The Patriots concluded Day 17 of their preseason training camp today as they get ready to host the Philadelphia Eagles in an exhibition game on Saturday night.  CLNS Media's Taylor Kyles and SI's Mike Kadlick recap everything they saw on the field today and what they heard from Mike Vrabel and others at the podium. They break down a productive day for the offense, featuring some impressive play from Drake Maye. Taylor also explains why he doesn't believe Caleb Lomu should be moved to the guard position following Mike Vrabel's comments this morning on the rookie tackle. Patriots Daily on CLNS Media is Powered by: 

Andrew recaps the Patriots' latest walkthrough practice, where Christian Gonzalez missed a third straight practice, the offense turned up the volume and Kyle Williams earned an apparent promotion. Patriots Daily on CLNS Media is Powered by:

Jethro D. Jones interviews Jamie Candee (CEO of Edmentum) about bridging the gap between K-12 education and career readiness. They discuss how AI is reshaping the job market, why "durable skills" matter more than ever, and how schools can expose students to career paths early through career exploration tools, workplace internships, and real-world partnerships (like Edmentum's MajorClarity platform and Roadtrip Nation videos). Candee shares personal stories — including her son Milo's journey exploring baseball-adjacent careers — to illustrate how students can find purpose beyond the traditional "doctor, lawyer, teacher" track. The conversation also covers practical advice for principals looking to build career-connected learning pathways in their own schools. We're proud to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

Alex Barth and Brian Hines check in from a walkthrough day at Gillette with a quick but packed practice report. Will Campbell's snap count management is the right call this late in camp, and the guys break down what that looks like heading into the preseason stretch. Christian Gonzalez remains the biggest storyline — with the Devin Witherspoon deal now setting the market, the clock is ticking on getting something done, and Alex and Brian walk through the realistic timeline. The safety depth is thinning with injuries, the defensive line rotation is still sorting itself out, and the tight end competition between Eli Araratan and Tanner Arkin is quietly becoming one of the more interesting battles left to resolve. With joint practices against the Eagles on the horizon, this week is shaping up to be the most important of the summer. 0:00 – Intro: walkthrough day & camp atmosphere 0:57 – Will Campbell snap count & preseason workload management 2:30 – Christian Gonzalez injury & contract timeline 4:16 – Witherspoon deal & what it means for Gonzalez negotiations 4:33 – Safety depth & defensive back evaluation 7:49 – Defensive line depth: Barmore & rotational pieces 8:30 – Looking ahead: joint practices vs. Eagles 9:04 – Tight end competition: Eli Raridon & Tanner Arkin 10:27 – Receiver depth chart & Kayshon Boutte's standing 11:14 – Two-minute drill & closing camp notes Patriots on CLNS Media is Powered by:

Taylor Kyles and Mike Kadlick check in live from outside Gillette Stadium with a quick but informative practice report. Christian Gonzalez remains out alongside Harold Landry and several others, and the injury report continues to be a concern heading into week one against Seattle. Will Campbell is the bright spot — he spoke to the media about punch timing and the mental chess match with edge rushers, and the on-field results are backing it up. John Saunders is turning heads at safety, earning reps over Mike Brown after a string of impressive practices, and Mike Vrabel singled him out by name for his preparation habits. The interior offensive line depth is the lingering worry — with injuries piling up behind the starters, the options aren't inspiring. A focused, boots-on-the-ground update to keep you current as the Patriots prep for the opener. Patriots on CLNS Media is Powered by:

Taylor Kyles and Mike Kadlick bring a quick but packed practice report from Gillette ahead of the Patriots' preseason stretch. The big story is Christian Gonzalez, who picked up an injury during a contested catch rep before practice even got underway — the clock is officially ticking on his contract situation, and the injury only adds more uncertainty. Harold Landry remains out, Dre'Mont Jones left early, and the injury report is starting to pile up at the wrong time. On the bright side, Romeo Doubs is turning heads again — Drake Maye acknowledged him by name, and he's quietly becoming one of the most consistent performers of camp. Will Campbell had a learning moment early in practice but otherwise continues to develop. Drake Maye's day included some sharp play-action reps and a couple of touchdown throws to Hunter Henry that didn't make the highlight reel but absolutely should have. Patriots on CLNS Media is Powered by:

Mike Kadlick and Taylor Kyle break down another Patriots training camp practice from outside Gillette Stadium, with a long absentee list led by CB Christian Gonzalez (injury). They dig into the cornerback market after Devin Witherspoon's extension and what it means for Gonzalez's looming deal. Rookie edge Draymond Jones gets extended first-team reps and flashes as a pass rusher, while K.J. Britt impresses at linebacker. On the other side, Carlton Davis and Charles Woods have a rough day in coverage as Romeo Dobbs erupts for three red-zone touchdowns and keeps building chemistry with Drake May. AJ Brown, Hunter Henry, Mack Hollins, and Keyshawn Booty all shine as May rebounds from a slow start to a big red-zone day. Kicker Andy Borges bounces back with a strong outing. Includes a postgame chat with Dobbs on his growing rapport with May, plus a Prize Picks preseason-picks segment. 0:00 – Intro 1:09 – Christian Gonzalez contract breakdown & timeline 3:52 – Will Campbell & offensive line evaluation 5:37 – Defensive struggles: Carlton Davis & the corner group 8:08 – K.J. Britt & linebacker depth 10:21 – PrizePicks 11:53 – Romeo Dobbs' big day: three standout reps with Drake Maye 16:17 – Drake Maye film: play-action, accuracy & two-minute drill 18:02 – Andy Beauregard bounces back 18:51 – Outro Patriots on CLNS Media is Powered by:

On this episode of Bruins Beat, Evan Marinofsky and Ty Anderson discuss what else the Bruins could do this offseason, such as Dylan Larkin. They also wonder whether James Hagens will start in the NHL or AHL.  00:00 Intro 07:27 What's next to address this offseason? 14:40 PrizePicks 16:02 Rocket Money 16:56 What's next for James Hagens? 27:51 Should the B's target Dylan Larkin? 35:48 Thanks for watching! Subscribe to Bruins Rinkside! Simplify your style with Jack Archer Apparel for Men! Visit jackarcher.com/attack for 15% off your order! Let Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster Join at RocketMoney.com/BRUINS Bruins Beat on CLNS Media is Powered by: 

>>Get the Wicked Smart Car Caddy Series (audio tracks to help you pre- and post-round to build confidence with every car ride) >>Get my FREE pre-shot routine cheatsheet On today's episode of Wicked Smart Golf, host Michael Leonard welcomes back mental performance coach Karl Morris for part two of their conversation. Carl is an elite coach, author, and creator of the Mind Caddy app and podcast, dedicating his career to simplifying golf's mental game and helping players unlock their best performance without touching their swing. In this episode, you will learn:     The Two-Step Framework for Growth: Discover the critical distinction between building golf skills and actually being able to access them when under pressure on the course. Rewiring Threat Perception: Learn why your brain inherently views the golf course as a hostile environment and how to shift your mindset to see it as a place of opportunity. Pre-Programming On-Course Behavior: Find out how a simple, 3-month journaling experiment before your rounds can fundamentally change how you handle the game's ups and downs. The Blueprint of the "Big Three": Get an inside look at Carl's mental foundations—Intention, Attention, and Attitude—and how they can simplify the most complex in-game moments. Shifting From Opinions to Facts: Explore a post-shot routine that prevents downward emotional spirals and stops bad shots from contaminating the rest of your round. Shattering the Course Illusion: Learn a unique strategic exercise famously utilized by Jack Nicklaus that visually reduces the difficulty and perceived threat of any golf hole. The Holy Grail That Doesn't Exist: Understand why golfers need to stop chasing consistency and instead start focusing on the true power of adaptability Make sure to follow Karl on Instagram and read his new book (available on Amazon/Audible). WICKED SMART GOLF  Apply for 1:1 performance coaching with Michael (limited spots available) Join Wicked Smart Golf Academy To Lower Your HDCP Fast: Proven paths to break 90, break 80, and crush competitive golf (no swing changes required) Join the Wicked Smart Golf Newsletter and get 5 FREE practice plans. Recommended Products Speed Train With Rypstick: The #1 speed trainer to add 10+ yards in 40 days or less (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%)  Shot Pattern: The best golf GPS + stat tracking to help you manage your round and make better decisions (20% off w/my link). Think Like a Pro with DECADE Golf: The #1 course management system to think like a pro (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%). Master Mobility & Flexibility with Golf Forever: The best way to work on your golf fitness at home or the gym, with easy to follow plans & app (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 15%).  Use HackMotion for Better Ballstriking: The best wrist trainer in golf and become your swing coach (use code WICKEDSMART to save 5% on your investment).  Speed Train with HiiTs Driver: Developed by 3X WLD Champion, Fast Eddie, this hittable driver will help you add distance while hitting balls (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 10%). Wicked Smart Golf Books Play better FAST with the Wicked Smart Golf Trilogy on Amazon or Audible.  Simplify "golf fitness" with my book, The Wicked Smart Golf Fitness Formula on Amazon. Or, listen to it on Audible.  Follow Wicked Smart Golf   Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram   Subscribe on YouTube

What are the steps to simplify your portfolio, given that it is likely spread across multiple accounts? We focus particularly on retirees, who have to weigh additional considerations like withdrawals, Roth conversions, and required minimum distributions.We also explore which areas of the stock and bond markets are attractive right now as you seek to simplify and/or rebalance your portfolio.SponsorsTry NetSuite for FreeDelete Me – Use code David20 to get 20% offShow Notes and Related ContentA Complete Guide to Investing in I Bonds and TIPS (2026)550: Asset Location: Where You Invest, Where You Live, What You Can AccessFree Investment Strategy ReportInsiders Guide Email NewsletterGet our free Investors' Checklist when you sign up for the free Money for the Rest of Us email newsletterOur Premium ProductsAsset CampMoney for the Rest of Us PlusSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The shift from summer to school is one of the biggest rhythm changes your family goes through all year - let's head into it with more ease! In this episode:

FOXBOROUGH — The Patriots concluded their first joint practice of preseason today, welcoming the Indianapolis Colts to Gillette Stadium. BSJ's Greg Bedard reacts to everything that went down on the field, reveals who won the day, and highlights the standouts for the Patriots. Greg discusses a largely positive day for Drake Maye, despite a poor showing in the 1-minute drill, the battle between A.J. Brown and Colts CB Sauce Gardner, struggles on defense, and up-and-down play from the offensive line. Drake Maye spoke to reporters after practice and was asked about keeping everybody happy in the WR room: "I think the best thing for that is winning." "My job isn't to try to make everybody happy. My job is to have the offense move up and down the field and score points." Rocket Money is a personal finance app that helps find and cancel unwanted subscriptions, monitors your spending, and helps lower your bills so you can grow your savings. Let Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster. Join at RocketMoney.com/BEDARD. Simplify your style with Jack Archer Apparel for Men! Visit jackarcher.com/attack for 15% off your order! The Greg Bedard Patriots Podcast on CLNS Media is Powered by: 

>>Play better FAST with the Wicked Smart Golf Trilogy on Amazon or Audible.  >>Shot Pattern App (FREE 7-day trial): The best golf GPS + stat tracking to help you manage your round and make better decisions (20% off w/my link). In this solo episode, I recap my two recent qualifiers and answer some of the best questions submitted by Wicked Smart Golf listeners.  We cover everything from structuring your practice and staying motivated to handling bad shots, avoiding blowups, and keeping golf fun when you're constantly chasing bigger goals. In this episode, you'll learn: How to balance playing vs. practicing based on your goals. What to do when it feels like the wheels are coming off mid-round. How to stay focused for 18 holes and quickly recover from bad shots. How to stay motivated to practice—even when progress feels slow. The biggest things that helped me become a more consistent, competent golfer. The three mental game concepts I'd prioritize instead of trying to master everything at once. How competitive golfers can keep pushing toward big goals without losing the fun of the game. Plus, I'll share a memorable shot that still sticks with me and some lessons from my latest tournament qualifiers. If you want to practice smarter, think better, and make your good golf show up more often, this episode is for you. WICKED SMART GOLF  Apply for 1:1 performance coaching with Michael (limited spots available) Join Wicked Smart Golf Academy To Lower Your HDCP Fast: Proven paths to break 90, break 80, and crush competitive golf (no swing changes required) Join the Wicked Smart Golf Newsletter and get 5 FREE practice plans. Recommended Products Speed Train With Rypstick: The #1 speed trainer to add 10+ yards in 40 days or less (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%)  Think Like a Pro with DECADE Golf: The #1 course management system to think like a pro (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%). Master Mobility & Flexibility with Golf Forever: The best way to work on your golf fitness at home or the gym, with easy to follow plans & app (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 15%).  Use HackMotion for Better Ballstriking: The best wrist trainer in golf and become your swing coach (use code WICKEDSMART to save 5% on your investment).  Speed Train with HiiTs Driver: Developed by 3X WLD Champion, Fast Eddie, this hittable driver will help you add distance while hitting balls (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 10%). Wicked Smart Golf Books Play better FAST with the Wicked Smart Golf Trilogy on Amazon or Audible.  Simplify "golf fitness" with my book, The Wicked Smart Golf Fitness Formula on Amazon. Or, listen to it on Audible.  Follow Wicked Smart Golf   Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram   Subscribe on YouTube

The first 30 days of school can make everything feel urgent, but effective leadership starts with knowing what matters first. In this episode, we'll focus on the foundations that need your attention right away: clear behavior expectations, clarity for new teachers, and making sure staff understand the curriculum they are expected to teach. We'll also talk about what can wait, including interventions, MTSS, and other systems that may be better introduced once the school year is underway. Leadership by Subtraction isn't about ignoring important work—it's about sequencing the work so you can build a strong foundation without overwhelming yourself or your staff. We're thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

In this episode of the Fitness + Technology Podcast, Bryan O'Rourke welcomes JJ Creegan to the show. JJ is the Principal at Creegan Co., a firm that helps founders, operators, and investors scale multi-unit consumer brands. Over the past two decades, JJ has partnered with founder-led and private equity-backed businesses to take concepts from launch through institutional scale — growing brands to 100+ locations and leading global networks of 1,500+ sites that generate more than $1 billion in annual revenue. His focus is on value creation through revenue growth, retention, and customer experience, supported by disciplined operating models, franchise development, and high-performing leadership teams. JJ works closely with ownership groups and boards as a fractional or interim executive, advisor, or board member across the wellness, hospitality, leisure, and consumer services sectors. In this conversation, Bryan and JJ explore how technology and human connection can work together to drive growth in consumer brands. They discuss the trends reshaping the industry, the role of digital apps and wearables in elevating the member experience, and how delivery models are evolving to become more comprehensive. JJ also shares practical advice for aligning technology with in-person service and offers key takeaways for industry leaders looking to scale with discipline and purpose. Check out FIT-C's 2026 Digital Pulse Report: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GTV2QT18 Learn more about Fitness Brazil 2026: https://www.fitnessbrasil.com.br/fitness-brasil-expo-2026/ One Powerful Quote: 10:17: "Leveraging technology to simplify the work that needs to happen in person, and then amplifying the impact of it, is a really big opportunity for most brands today." 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 3:20: JJ shares his career journey and his work as a fractional advisor. 7:30: JJ offers his observations on emerging trends across the industry. 9:48: JJ and Bryan discuss how business success depends on aligning technology with human integration. 13:42: JJ and Bryan examine the impact of technology through digital apps, wearables, and the member experience. 16:20: JJ and Bryan explore how delivery models are evolving to become more comprehensive. 20:16: JJ closes with his advice and key takeaways for industry leaders. Bullet List of Resources: https://www.jjcreegan.com/ Guest Contact Information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jjcreegan/ https://x.com/jjcreegan https://www.bryankorourke.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankorourke/ http://www.fittechcouncil.org/ https://www.youtube.com/user/bko61163 

Our U.S. Consumer Finance Analyst Jay Bacow and our Co-Head of Securitized Product Research Jay Bacow explain why AI can transform the way Americans shop for, manage and refinance their mortgages.Read more insights from Morgan Stanley.----- Transcript -----Jeff Adelson: Welcome to Thoughts on the Market. I'm Jeff Adelson, Morgan Stanley's U.S. Consumer Finance Analyst.Jay Bacow: And I'm Jay Bacow, Co-Head of Securitized Products Research, also working at Morgan Stanley.Jeff Adelson: Today, how AI could change the way Americans shop for, manage, and refinance their mortgages.It's Monday, August 10th at 10am in New York. The U.S. mortgage market is worth more than $14 trillion, and its performance ultimately depends on the choices millions of homeowners make. Today, refinancing still means shopping around, comparing offers, and working through a lot of paperwork. AI could make that process much easier, especially when rates begin to fall.Jay, you led this work on our AI mortgage blue paper. What's the main way AI could change the mortgage market, and why does the borrower matter so much?Jay Bacow: So we think the biggest change would be borrower adoption of using AI agents to manage their personal finance. An agent on your phone could just monitor mortgage rates, compare lenders, reduce the paperwork, and make homeowners more likely to refinance when the economics work.Let's think about what that could be. Historically, only about 30 percent of borrowers that had the ability to lower their mortgage rate by a 100 basis points did so in a given year. When a borrower went to get a mortgage quote, less than half of them asked more than one lender for a quote.That agent could go reach out to 30 lenders, ask for a variety of different mortgages, could upload all the documents, could do this all effectively instantaneously, present the homeowner with the best option. Allow the homeowner to effectively click a button and refinance. I think this could be pretty transformative for the mortgage market.Jeff Adelson: Now, as we think about this transformation, Jay, mortgage investors still rely heavily on past refinancing behavior trends. If AI makes borrowers more likely to refi[nance] when rates fall, how could that change the way these investors value mortgage-backed securities?Jay Bacow: Well, we all know that past performance is not indicative of future performance, and those models are likely to understate future prepayments. If you get a faster response, it's going to make mortgages more negatively convex.That's going to make the durations shorten. It's likely to widen mortgage spreads by about 10 basis points in our base case. And now, if that base case were to happen and we get, let's call it 100 basis point rally in the future, we think that that could cause something like a 40 percent pickup in refinance volumes versus our current expectations of what refinance volumes would look like in that 100 basis point rally.Jeff, you cover a lot of the largest mortgage lenders. What does this mean for their business model?Jeff Adelson: So, it's pretty straightforward. More borrowers refinancing means more loans for the industry to originate. Today, we're still sitting below what I would describe as normalized levels of originations. We're sitting at about $2 trillion of mortgage originations per year. As we think about normalized, we think that's somewhere in the order [of] around $2.5 trillion. So just that $600 billion alone could get us straight there. We tend to think about this more in our bull case, where we could see something in the order of $3 trillion of originations or more, still below what we saw during the peak COVID years of about $4 trillion or more. But still pretty meaningful and material for the industry.Now, for the scaled lenders, that can create meaningful operating leverage. Mortgage companies have historically had to hire aggressively when volumes rise, and then they've had to reduce headcount when the cycle turns. AI could allow them to process more loans with the same employee base, making their cost structures more flexible and reducing the need to rebuild capacity during every single refi[nance] wave.But the earnings benefit we don't think will necessarily match the dollar benefit from volumes. If AI makes it easier for borrowers to compare offers and allows every lender to process more loans, then competition could intensify and pressure gain on sale margins. So the opportunity is a larger market and better productivity.The key question for individual lenders is: how much of that volume can they capture without giving too much back through pricing? Now, as we think about automation, Jay, it could bring in more loans, but could also intensify competition and reduce the profit lenders can earn when they originate and sell a mortgage. So, how should investors in your space weigh those two effects? Jay Bacow: So, the mortgage investors are short the option to the mortgage homeowner of when they can refinance.And if the mortgage homeowner is going to be more efficient about refinancing, the mortgage investor is going to need to get paid more for that. They're going to demand wider spreads, and they're particularly going to demand wider spreads where that option that they're shorting is worth more. That's generally how it's going to play out, but there's also other aspects as well.That duration shortening, because the borrower's more likely to refinance, means that the investors that own that duration will need to buy some more duration against that. You're also going to see more demand for duration as rates rally. So it's going to be a bid for the low strike receivers, as our options experts will pay close attention to.And then if we get a further rally, you also get a more of an impact across the consumer writ large. You can imagine a world where mortgage rates are substantially lower than they are right now. An agent could sit there and say, "Why don't you consolidate your debt between your credit card, your auto loan payments, maybe your student loan payments and your mortgage?" Allowing consumers to save more and then maybe spend that in the economy.Jeff Adelson: If we maybe take it a step beyond refinancing, how could AI affect home sales, homeownership, and access to home equity?Jay Bacow: So let's just go back to thinking about this agent that's on your phone that's looking at all the opportunities.Traditionally, right now, most people are only calling up one lender, they're getting one quote. If your agent is looking at lots of different lenders and lots of different options, you're probably going to get more ability to take out a mortgage. So you're going to get an expansion of the homeownership rate.That's going to create more demand for housing. As rates rally, you're going to get home sale activity picks up more than it used to, and people are also going to be more able to take advantage of the equity they have in their house. So, you're going to get more usage of second liens and HELOCs and cash-out refinance activity.Once again, we think this is mostly going to happen three to five years down the road, but we're not really sure exactly how this is going to play out. So Jeff, what would be some of the signs that people could look at to see if it's playing out in the three to five-year timeline that we're expecting – or slower, maybe even faster?Jeff Adelson: Sure. So yeah, I mean, I think it's going to be similar to what we've already observed as consumers ourselves and what we're seeing with all the LLMs and AI tools we're adopting today. You should see some rapid advances in the ease of use and the adoption of these technologies from a forward-facing, client-facing perspective. What we all see in the websites, what we all see in the apps.It should become easier for us to engage with the mortgage process, compare rates to actually step into the process. Whereas today, you still need to maybe speak with a bank officer, a loan officer, or a mortgage broker to get deeper into the process and actually better understand what your rate means today.So that would be the first step. The second step would be closing speeds. The average originator today still takes about 40 to 45 days to close a mortgage. The biggest and largest originators that have invested the most in technology and AI today are closing at about, call it, 12 to 20 days. So, half the industry level. So, that should come down over time and make it much easier to actually apply and finish a mortgage.And then quite frankly, the most obvious answer would just be at the given level of rates that are outstanding today, we should see a step up in the level of refi[nance] volumes. That would be the most obvious one. But that'll be the outcome of everything else we've talked about rather than the actual cause.Jay Bacow: That makes sense. So faster refinancing, it's likely to make the mortgage market more responsive when rates fall and effects that are going to reach well beyond the borrower. Jeff Adelson: That could mean higher volumes for lenders, quicker prepayments for investors, and wider swings across housing and rates markets.Jay Bacow: Jeff, thanks for taking the time to talk.Jeff Adelson: Great speaking with you, Jay.Jay Bacow: And thank you all for listening. If you enjoy Thoughts on the Market, please leave us a review wherever you listen and share the podcast with a friend or colleague today.

This week, we are pulling back the curtain on the real numbers behind our long‑term rental portfolios—and the myths about quitting your W‑2 to “live off real estate” that female investors are constantly sold online. We share how we both left our full-time jobs, why active income (flips, side businesses, WIIRE, etc.) was critical, and what it actually looked like to live well below our means while our rentals slowly grew. We walk through real deals—including single‑family rentals in small‑town Iowa and a small multifamily triplex—breaking down purchase prices, cash flow, refinances, negative cash flow decisions, and long‑term appreciation plays. You'll hear: Why most investors can't replace a full‑time income with long‑term rentals in 2–5 years How we used cash‑out refis and BRRRR strategies to scale and access tax‑advantaged capital The role of tenant quality and neighborhood class in your real cash flow When a $300–$500/month cash‑flowing rental is actually a great deal—and when it's not worth your time We also talk about the power of community. If you've ever underwritten a deal alone at midnight with no one to sanity‑check the numbers, this episode will show you what's possible when you stop investing in isolation and start surrounding yourself with other ambitious women in real estate.       Resources: Book your spot at WIIRE Summer Camp before it fills up Simplify how you manage your rentals with TurboTenant Make sure your name is on the list to secure your spot in The WIIRE Community  Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Leave us a review on Spotify Join our private Facebook Community Connect with us on Instagram

After a life catch-up involving tick bites, a rained out beach trip, and sleeping through snoring on a girls trip, we dive into a topic we've noticed has been getting some attention lately. Are stay at home moms making their jobs harder than they need to be? What does a stay at home dad we found lately think of the job? Can two things be true at once? We hope today's conversation strikes a cord and helps you to reframe your thinking around your homemaking and motherhood. Because maybe, we've been looking for the wrong things all alongPlease support our amazing sponsors!VOETBERG MUSIC ACADEMY:If you're looking to bring fun, rewarding music into your home this coming school year, go toVoetbergMusicAcademy.com use my code: HOMEMAKER25 for 25% off your first month! Simplify your curriculum search, with music lessons designed for families! Voetberg Music Academy will hold your hand each step of the way.COZY EARTH:Made from viscose from bamboo — breathable, soft, and built for summer. Headto cozyearth.com and use my code HOMEMAKER for an exclusive 20% off. And if you see a post-purchase survey, mention that you heard about Cozy Earth right here!https://cozyearth.com/products/bamboo-sheet-set?_pos=1&_sid=7e8260f92&_ss=r&variant=40965917835444https://cozyearth.com/products/mens-everyday-polo?_pos=1&_psq=everyday+po&_ss=e&_v=1.0&variant=44158195761332UPSIDE:Download the FREE Upside App here https://yt.link/MQFvwkx and use code Honey10 to get an extra $10 Bonus on your first purchase. Thank you Upside for sponsoring this video!Watch our first 3 seasons: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqdjqwDnpIMx_GhVzCWsT4LF-1EsRhwJm&si=8hmyDW0lI4-yWhQ-Please subscribe! You can also find this podcast on Spotify and iTunes!Shop Megan's lifestyle brand FoxSparrow over at www.meganfoxunlocked.comShop Megan's Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/meganfoxunlockedShop Jayna's Amazon Storefront:https://www.amazon.com/shop/jaynalynnhandmade?ref_=cm_sw_r_apann_aipsfshop_aipsfjaynalynnhandmade_8JT0JHV8AH0KP8VJX5XN&language=en_USSign up for Scribd: (audiobook library): https://www.scribd.com/gitx/a33qb4(If you use this link you'll get a free month trial!)Chairs: https://www.walmart.com/ip/SINGES-Acc...Wallpaper: https://glnk.io/4x0x0/meganfoxunlockedgmailcomUse code MEGAN35Lamp: https://amzn.to/46Dyuy7Mustard throw: (the softest thing you've ever felt!) https://amzn.to/39CgZG2Contact/Collab: meganfoxunlocked@gmail.comP.O. BOX- send us some mail!P.O. BOX 9Akron, PA 17501Follow us on Instagram:Honey I'm Homemaker: https://www.instagram.com/honeyimhomemaker/ Megan: https://www.instagram.com/meganfoxunlocked/Jayna: https://www.instagram.com/jaynaburkholder/Megan's Business: https://www.instagram.com/shopfoxsparrow/Jayna's Business: https://www.instagram.com/jaynalynnhandmade/Some links are affiliate links. Thanks for supporting my channel!Music from YouTube and Epidemic Sound