Podcasts about sixteenth

Lauren Kleinman is the founder of Dreamday and co-founder of Quality Media and The Quality Edit. She coined the term "performance PR," built two agencies without raising a dollar, and today leads more than a hundred people.Before any of this, Lauren spent almost a decade as an employee. First employee at StartEngine. Sixteenth at Scopely, which sold for billions. Then first employee at Ritual. She knew she wanted to build something of her own, she just didn't know what yet. When she finally left, she named her company Dreamday, because she'd pictured the day she actually wanted. A hike, a swim, a couple of client calls, and time with her kids. Seven years later, she'll tell you it has never happened. What happened instead was having two young kids during COVID, no maternity leave, and burning herself out so badly she had panic attacks for the first time in her life.In this episode, Lauren gives you the actual playbook, from how to know when you're ready to leave your job, to how to line up your first client before you even quit. She breaks down how to get press when you can't afford PR, and what makes an editor open your email out of the four hundred sitting in her inbox that day. And she's just as honest about the rest of it, from what burnout really looked like for her, to what she'd tell you to watch out for, to how she finally stopped believing she had to carry all of it alone. If you want to build something of your own one day, and you also want to still like your life while you build it, this one is for you. In this episode, we'll talk to Lauren about:* Why overworking became tied to worthiness and success. [02:20]* Learning to shift from constant doing toward simply being. [03:16]* Unlearning the hustle mentality after years of proving her worth through work. [04:38]* Why perfect balance is unrealistic—and one ball will always drop. [09:20]* Why profitability and sustainable margins matter from day one. [14:11] * Knowing when the entrepreneurial itch is strong enough to make the leap. [16:08]* Spotting gaps in PR and coining the idea of performance PR. [18:00]* How whitelisting gives brands the credibility of creators and publishers. [19:35]* Turning real brand pain points into The Quality Edit and Quality Media. [20:00]* Using a network and early clients to validate the leap into entrepreneurship. [21:00]* Recognizing when business momentum starts looking dangerously like burnout. [23:20]* The burnout breaking point and learning to build boundaries around work. [24:59]* Why public speaking is a muscle for founders. [30:16]* How smaller brands can build PR relationships and use AI to pitch smarter. [35:02]* What makes a pitch cut through: cultural relevance, strong numbers, and making the editor's job easier. [36:58]* Why affiliate links matter—and when publications actually use them. [42:58]* Learning to delegate, release perfectionism, and decide which fires can burn. [47:18]* The reminder that even successful leaders are still figuring it out. [50:28]This episode is brought to you by Beeya:* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Lauren:* Website: https://www.dreamday.la/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreamday.la/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauren.kleinman/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To be “born with a veil” (or caul) was once regarded as far more than an unusual circumstance of birth. Being born with a caul—a portion of the amniotic membrane adhering to a newborn's head or face—is exceedingly rare, but across centuries of European folklore it has been interpreted as a visible mark of destiny. Those born with one might be exceptionally lucky, possess healing powers or second sight, or enjoy supernatural protection. In darker traditions, however, the same sign could mark a future witch, vampire, or uncanny wanderer between worlds. We  begin with a quoted passage from Stephen King’s The Shining, in which it’s revealed that the psychically gifted boy, Danny, is born with a veil and then go on to explore the colorful vocabulary once used to describe the caul. Across Europe, the membrane was imagined as a cap, hood, helmet, veil, cloak, or even a “shirt.” Such expressions as the Scottish “sely hoo,” or blessed hood, and various European equivalents of “lucky cap” and “victor's cloak” reveal how closely the caul became associated with good fortune. Next, we explore the earliest written references to caul superstition. A fourth-century biography of the short-lived Roman emperor Diadumenian claims that he was born with a strange membrane resembling a diadem. The same source remarks that midwives sold preserved cauls to lawyers who believed they would bring success in court. Medieval clerical writings likewise condemn officials who carried cauls as charms to silence their opponents. From there, the episode turns to the long practice of preserving cauls as family treasures. Surviving examples include a fragment enclosed in a locket made for John Monson in 1597 and the caul of King Frederik III, kept in a silver casket in the Danish royal collections. Seventeenth-century wills describe cauls mounted in jeweled gold settings and passed down as heirlooms believed to ensure a family's continuing prosperity. We then address the caul's most famous power: protection from drowning. By the eighteenth century, cauls were carefully dried on paper and sold to sailors. Newspaper advertisements addressed “gentlemen of the Navy” and offered them as proven safeguards for long voyages. Dickens satirized the trade in the opening of David Copperfield, whose caul attracts only one bidder—an attorney offering cash and sherry, but refusing to pay enough to guarantee himself against drowning. Caul kept as sailor’s charm displayed at Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford. Mrs. Karswell then shares some amusing 19th-century anecdotes found in the long-running Oxford University publication, Notes and Queries. One report has a caul-bearing child who hild floated like a cork whenever his mother tried to bathe him. Another describes a prognosticating caul that physically transformed in sympathy to events unfolding in the life of the person consulting it. We then travel to Iceland, where fetal membranes were associated with the fylgja, a guardian spirit or external portion of the soul. The afterbirth could not safely be discarded, exposed to animals, or burned, lest the child lose this spiritual companion. Yet the caul's magical potential also made it dangerous: witches were said to use it in love potions, and a seventeenth-century French royal midwife warned her colleagues never to preserve one because sorcerers might obtain it. The episode then moves eastward, where caul folklore grows considerably darker. In Romania and Poland, those born beneath the membrane might be destined to become strigoi or other vampiric beings after death. In Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia, however, caul-born men could become supernatural defenders known as Krsniki or Zduhaći. Their spirits left their bodies at night to battle dragons, witches, night-hags, and rival spirit warriors threatening the community's health, weather, and harvest. Next, we encounter their Italian counterparts, the Friulian Benandanti, or “good walkers.” Sixteenth- and seventeenth-century inquisitorial records describe men and women who claimed that everyone born with a caul was summoned in adulthood to fight witches during nocturnal spirit journeys. Their preserved “little shirts” were worn around the neck, blessed with prayers and Masses, and believed to protect soldiers or help lawyers win cases. Finally, we return to the sea with the curious modern discovery of a preserved caul purportedly belonging to a survivor of the the sinking of the Titanic. Its provenance may be uncertain, but the topic at least provides an excuse to close out with a snippet of the uniquely grim yet lighthearted folk song, “When the Great Ship Went Down.”

Victoria Bachan is Co-Founder and CEO of Hyphen, and one of the most consequential builders in the Creator Economy. Her 12-year+ career spans CAA, Sony Music, Wasserman, and Whalar, where she led 300+ Creators as Global President of Sixteenth. She has pioneered Creator houses for Black and Latinx talent, launched Creator-owned brands like Nami Matcha and Nonipup, and brokered deals with Nike, Google, Amazon, and Sephora. A sought-after speaker at Cannes Lions, SXSW, VidCon, and Tribeca, she has contributed to Rolling Stone and is recognized by Variety, Business Insider, and Campaign US as a defining voice in the industry. She mentors South Asian executives through The Salon and supports her community through Play Inspired. When she's not reshaping the industry, you'll find her exploring New Jersey towns with her husband and dog.

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Friday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time by Dr. Jeffrey Morrow. Ordinary Weekday/ Sharbel Makhluf, Priest First Reading: Jeremiah 3: 14-17 Responsorial Psalm: Jeremiah 31: 10, 11-12abcd, 13 Alleluia: Luke 8: 15 Gospel: Matthew 13: 18-23   Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com To register for the St. Paul Center's 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner, please visit stpaulcenter.com/gala Encounter Christ in Scripture and share Him with others. Join us at stpaulcenter.com/memberships

Believing what you hear and see

Listen to Fr. Steve's Homily from July 24, 2026

ROSARY - SORROWFUL MYSTERIES today.  DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET for Friday.

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Friday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time by Dr. Jeffrey Morrow. Ordinary Weekday/ Sharbel Makhluf, Priest First Reading: Jeremiah 3: 14-17 Responsorial Psalm: Jeremiah 31: 10, 11-12abcd, 13 Alleluia: Luke 8: 15 Gospel: Matthew 13: 18-23   Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com To register for the St. Paul Center's 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner, please visit stpaulcenter.com/gala Encounter Christ in Scripture and share Him with others. Join us at stpaulcenter.com/memberships

In today's Gospel, Jesus explains that the seed is the Word of God. The seed itself is always good. The question is never about the quality of the seed; the question is about the condition of the soil.

Friday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary TimeMatthew 13:18-23"But the seed sown on rich soilis the one who hears the word and understands it,who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”

Pray Vespers, Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office, for Friday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary TimePsalm 145Canticle: Revelation 15Reading: Romans 8Intercessions: Lord, have mercy.St. Helena Ministries is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit. Your donations may be tax-deductibleSupport us at: sthelenaministries.com/supportPresentation of the Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) from The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1975, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. The texts of Biblical readings are reproduced from the New American Bible © 1975

Pray Compline, Night Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office, for Friday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary TimeDay and night I cry to you, my God.St. Helena Ministries is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit. Your donations may be tax-deductibleSupport us at: sthelenaministries.com/supportPresentation of the Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) from The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1975, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. The texts of Biblical readings are reproduced from the New American Bible © 1975

Pray Lauds, Morning Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office, for Friday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary TimePsalm 51Canticle: Tobit 13Psalm 147Reading: Galatians 2Intercessions: Fulfill the good work you have begun in us, Lord.St. Helena Ministries is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit. Your donations may be tax-deductibleSupport us at: sthelenaministries.com/supportPresentation of the Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) from The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1975, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. The texts of Biblical readings are reproduced from the New American Bible © 1975

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Thursday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time by Dr. Scott Hahn. Ordinary Weekday/ Bridget of Sweden, Married Woman, Religious Founder First Reading: Jeremiah 2: 1-3, 7-8, 12-13 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 36: 6-7ab, 8-9, 10-11 Alleluia: Matthew 11: 25 Gospel: Matthew 13: 10-17   Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com To register for the St. Paul Center's 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner, please visit stpaulcenter.com/gala Encounter Christ in Scripture and share Him with others. Join us at stpaulcenter.com/memberships

Read OnlineReceptive to the GospelJesus said to his disciples: “Hear the parable of the sower. The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom without understanding it, and the Evil One comes and steals away what was sown in his heart. The seed sown on rocky ground…” Matthew 13:18–20After preaching the Parable of the Sower to the crowds and then explaining to His close disciples (likely the Twelve) the purpose of parables, Jesus, in today's Gospel, offers them an interpretation of the parable. He speaks clearly and personally to them because they are open—their hearts are properly disposed to receive the truth.The parable reveals four kinds of hearts: hardened, shallow, distracted, and receptive. By presenting these four interior dispositions, with only one being ideal, Jesus shows that becoming receptive to the Word of God takes effort, humility, and grace. The first three types reflect a progression of deepening receptivity, but each falls short. The final type, the good soil, represents the goal to which all hearts are called.The first—represented by seed sown on the path—refers to those whose hearts are so hardened that God's Word cannot enter. Their ears hear the Word of God—as symbolized by the sower sowing seed on the path—but the soil of their hearts has been trampled by many sins and self-centered habits, so the seed cannot penetrate. As a result, they do not understand the Gospel, nor do they seek to understand. This might even refer to some who attend church, hearing the readings and the homily, yet remain unmoved by the Gospel.The second—represented by seed sown on rocky ground—refers to those whose hearts are shallow. They receive the Word of God with initial joy and enthusiasm, perhaps even with emotion and spiritual fervor. But that joy is not rooted in deep conviction or sustained by persevering faith. When trials come—when faith demands sacrifice, endurance, or courage—they quickly fall away, disillusioned. The root of divine truth never penetrates the deeper layers of the soul. These are those who like the idea of the Gospel but not the cost that comes with living it fully.The third—represented by seed sown among thorns—refers to those whose hearts are distracted. They welcome the Word of God and allow it to take root, but they simultaneously cling to worldly anxieties, attachments, and desires. The thorns—symbolizing wealth, comfort, ambition, and the cares of daily life—choke the Word so that it becomes fruitless. These are the souls who try to live both for God and for the world. They desire Heaven, but they also crave control, pleasure, or security on their own terms. In such soil, the Word struggles to grow and cannot bear lasting fruit.The final—represented by seed sown on rich soil—refers to those whose hearts are truly receptive. They not only hear the Word of God but understand it, welcome it, meditate on it, and allow it to transform their lives. This heart is open, humble, prayerful, and detached from worldly distractions. The Word penetrates deeply and becomes a source of abundant spiritual fruit—thirty, sixty, or a hundredfold. These are the saints-in-the-making: souls who, though not perfect, cooperate with grace and allow God's truth to sanctify them day by day.Reflect today on the progression revealed in this parable. How open is your heart to the Word of God? As a spiritual seed, God's Word is powerful. When received into a mind filled with faith, and a heart filled with hope and charity, the seed is nurtured and grows. As it grows, authentic transformation takes place. Good fruit becomes evident, and God does great things in and through this holy soul. See yourself on this journey, till the soil, and await God's Word as it is sown. Receive it with joy, and resolve to nourish that seed so that an abundance of good fruit may be borne from your life—thirty, sixty, or a hundredfold.My Divine Sower, You sow the seed of Truth generously and abundantly. You are always speaking to me, revealing Your Love and Your perfect Will, yet I am often hardhearted, shallow, or distracted. Please till the soil of my heart and make me receptive to all You reveal, so that my life may bear an abundance of good fruit for Your Kingdom. Jesus, I trust in You.Image:  The Sower, by James Tissot Source: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

Listen to Fr. Steve's Homily from July 23, 2026

Listen to Fr. Steve's homily from 7/21/26.Thanks for listening! Please leave us a rating and/or review, and share on social media or with a friend! You can email ashley@rootedinthereallyreal.com with any questions or suggestions. God bless.

ROSARY - LUMINOUS MYSTERIES today.  DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET for Thursday.

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Thursday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time by Dr. Scott Hahn. Ordinary Weekday/ Bridget of Sweden, Married Woman, Religious Founder First Reading: Jeremiah 2: 1-3, 7-8, 12-13 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 36: 6-7ab, 8-9, 10-11 Alleluia: Matthew 11: 25 Gospel: Matthew 13: 10-17   Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com To register for the St. Paul Center's 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner, please visit stpaulcenter.com/gala Encounter Christ in Scripture and share Him with others. Join us at stpaulcenter.com/memberships

When a person sincerely seeks God, even with questions, doubts, or weaknesses, the Lord gradually reveals more. Faith grows through openness.

Thursday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary TimeMatthew 13:10-17 “But blessed are your eyes, because they see,and your ears, because they hear.Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous peoplelonged to see what you see but did not see it,and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

Pray the Office of Readings from the Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office, for Friday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary TimePsalm 55Reading 1: 2 Corinthians 5Reading 2: From the Confessions of St. Augustine, bishopSt. Helena Ministries is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit. Your donations may be tax-deductibleSupport us at: sthelenaministries.com/supportPresentation of the Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) from The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1975, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. The texts of Biblical readings are reproduced from the New American Bible © 1975

Read OnlineLifting the Sacred VeilThe disciples approached Jesus and said, “Why do you speak to the crowd in parables?” He said to them in reply, “Because knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted. To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand.” Matthew 13:10–13Have you ever looked but failed to truly see? Or heard something without really listening or understanding? Jesus' words teach us that seeing is more than the use of our eyes, and listening is more than the mere act of hearing. The mysteries of the Kingdom are not grasped through sensory perception; they require a deeper interior awareness. Seeing, listening, and understanding demand a receptive heart—a heart attuned to grace.When the heart is attuned to grace, the mind becomes capable of perceiving life from God's perspective. This is the gift of Wisdom. Wisdom is the pinnacle of the intellectual gifts, perfecting knowledge, understanding, and counsel by ordering them toward divine truth. Thus, a person who truly sees and listens perceives, not just information, but God's Eternal Truth. The veil is lifted, and the mysteries of faith come into focus. This interior illumination produces peace, amazement, and a profound sense of gratitude.Parables are like sacred veils, at once concealing and revealing divine mysteries. For those who are humble, docile to the Holy Spirit, and eager for truth, parables become radiant windows into the heart of God. They are like floodgates, pouring divine light into the soul and drawing it to the very threshold of eternal mysteries. Does the floodgate of divine light pour truth into your mind and grace into your will?For the proud or indifferent, however, the veil remains drawn—but not without purpose. Jesus does not arbitrarily withhold the divine mysteries from those whose hearts are hardened. Rather, the parable, in veiling the truth, invites the soul to seek more deeply. It stirs a holy curiosity and awakens spiritual desire. It is as if Jesus presents a sacred gift, wrapped in a beautiful veil. He sets it down, says, “This is for you, but don't peek,” and then smiles and walks away. The hiddenness of the truth is not a rejection; it is an invitation.Even before this moment, Jesus had already begun to lift the veil. In the Parable of the Sower, just preceding today's Gospel, He cast seed upon the hearts of His listeners. Some received it attentively, understood it, and were filled with interior consolation as divine light shone within them. Others might have enjoyed the story and found it interesting, but failed to grasp its deeper meaning. Of these, Jesus quotes the prophet Isaiah, saying, in part: “Gross is the heart of this people, they will hardly hear with their ears, they have closed their eyes…” (Matthew 13:15).“Gross is the heart of this people…”—what a powerful statement. The Greek word translated here as “gross” is not condescending but descriptive. More literally, it means that the heart of the people “has become dull,” “has thickened,” or “has grown insensitive.” Jesus is not condemning; He is lamenting. And even in His lament, He does not give up hope. He continues to teach. He offers the Parable of the Sower, and then, after today's Gospel, teaches several more parables. Why? Because He is determined to sow the seed of His Word into every heart—no matter how hard the soil may be.Reflect today on the disposition of your own heart. Are you truly open to the deeper truths of God? Do you seek to understand, or are you content merely to hear? Ask the Lord to lift the sacred veil from your eyes and ears so that you may behold the mysteries of His Kingdom with clarity and awe. Let His Word penetrate your soul like seed falling on rich soil. And if you discover areas of dullness or resistance within, do not be discouraged. Christ continues to sow generously. All He asks is that you receive His Word with humility and allow it to take root.Lord of Eternal Truth, You desire to lift the veil and reveal to me the profound and glorious Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. Please give me eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart open to understanding. Flood me with the light of Your Truth and strengthen me to respond to that Truth with all my being. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image via Adobe StockSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

Homily from the Mass offered Tuesday, July 21st - 1st Reading: Micah 7:14-15, 18-20 - Gospel Reading: Matthew 12:46-50 - To support the podcast financially, click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stpiuscda.org/online-giving

Homily from the Mass offered Monday, July 20th - 1st Reading: Micah 6:1-4, 6-8 - Gospel Reading: Matthew 12:38-42 - To support the podcast financially, click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stpiuscda.org/online-giving⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time by Dr. Shane Owens. Ordinary Weekday/ Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest, Religious, Doctor First Reading: Micah 7: 14-15, 18-20 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 85: 2-4, 5-6, 7-8 Alleluia: John 14: 23 Gospel: Matthew 12: 46-50   Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com To register for the St. Paul Center's 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner, please visit stpaulcenter.com/gala Encounter Christ in Scripture and share Him with others. Join us at stpaulcenter.com/memberships

Listen to Fr. Steve's homily from 7/20/26.Thanks for listening! Please leave us a rating and/or review, and share on social media or with a friend! You can email ashley@rootedinthereallyreal.com with any questions or suggestions. God bless.

Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time IIJuly 21, 2026  Hello and welcome to the Word, bringing you the Good News of Jesus Christ every day from the Redemptorists of the Baltimore Province. I am Fr. Karl Esker from the Basilica of our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn, NY. Today is Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time.Today our reading is taken from the holy gospel according to Matthew. While Jesus was speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers appeared outside, wishing to speak with him. Someone told him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak with you.” But he said in reply to the one who told him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.”The gospel of the Lord. Homily In our readings today we hear a cry and a reply. Humanity cries out to God to see us as his family; and God replies in Jesus Christ that, yes, we all are his family, if we take to heart doing God's will. So, what does it mean to be family? Looking at my own experience, I believe that family is very important, and yet it can create difficulties. We cannot always get our own way. The needs of others often takes precedence over my needs. We are expected to look out for each other, even when we might disagree. But when we do look out for each other, when we appreciate the gift that is each member of the family and enjoy each other's company, we find security and the strength to become the person God meant us to be. I remember my grandmother recounting bits of the family history, with some notable members and a few not so notable. In the first reading, the prophet Micah calls on God to remember the notable moments in the past when God saved his people and forgave them their sins, and asks that he show the same clemency, “as you have sworn to our fathers from days of old.” We know that God did show clemency in the time of the prophet and has shown even greater love and mercy through Jesus Christ, who took on our flesh and became part of our human family. In the gospel, when Jesus' mother and brothers appear at the house wanting to speak with him, Jesus replies: “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.” Some people use this passage to say that Jesus rejected his family, even his mother, in favor of his disciples. But both Luke and John in their gospels show Mary as one who always did the will of our heavenly Father, and therefore was the greatest of the disciples. Jesus is saying that blood lines do not give greater access to him; his family includes not only his mother and his brothers, but all who do the will of God. And doing the will of God is imitating Jesus in his care for the poor and the marginalized. It is giving of ourselves to those who need us, being understanding and forgiving of those who may have offended us, and helping each other reach our potential as children of God, as in the best moments of family life. Of course there will be moments when we fail to live up to these demands and will, like the prophet, have to ask God to show us his love and mercy and then give that same love and mercy to others. We ask Mary, whom Jesus gave to us as our mother also, to help us on this journey. And we take heart that as members of the family of Jesus, God looks upon each one of us with the same love God looks upon Mary. May God bless you. Fr. Karl E. Esker CSsRBasilica of our Lady of Perpetual HelpBrooklyn, NY

ROSARY - SORROWFUL MYSTERIES today.  DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET for Tuesday.

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time by Dr. Shane Owens. Ordinary Weekday/ Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest, Religious, Doctor First Reading: Micah 7: 14-15, 18-20 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 85: 2-4, 5-6, 7-8 Alleluia: John 14: 23 Gospel: Matthew 12: 46-50   Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com To register for the St. Paul Center's 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner, please visit stpaulcenter.com/gala Encounter Christ in Scripture and share Him with others. Join us at stpaulcenter.com/memberships

Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary TimeMatthew 12:46-50And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said,“Here are my mother and my brothers.For whoever does the will of my heavenly Fatheris my brother, and sister, and mother.”

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time by Dr. Scott Hahn. Ordinary Weekday/ Apollinarius, Bishop, Martyr First Reading: Micah 6: 1-4, 6-8 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 50: 5-6, 8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23 Alleluia: Psalms 95: 8 Gospel: Matthew 12: 38-42   Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com To register for the St. Paul Center's 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner, please visit stpaulcenter.com/gala Encounter Christ in Scripture and share Him with others. Join us at stpaulcenter.com/memberships

Read OnlineFamilial Kinship in the KingdomSomeone told him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak with you.” But he said in reply to the one who told him,“Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.” Matthew 12:47–50Those unfamiliar with Catholic teaching and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary might misinterpret this passage as diminishing Jesus' love for His mother or the singular role she holds in salvation history. Such an interpretation is gravely mistaken.The purpose of Jesus' words is to highlight the eternal reality of spiritual kinship in the Kingdom of Heaven that begins here on earth. In God's Kingdom, our communion is not based on earthly bloodlines. While biological relationships—between parents, children, and siblings—may retain a unique bond in Heaven, the deepest and most enduring union is forged through shared obedience to the will of the Father.This spiritual kinship does not begin in Heaven; it begins now. Through the grace of Baptism, we become sons and daughters of the Father and members of Christ's Body. From that moment, we are united not by flesh, but by adoption—through faith and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Church, as God's family on earth, is already a foretaste of the eternal communion we hope to enjoy in glory.This truth is clearly expressed in the Lord's Prayer. When Jesus taught us to address God as “Our Father,” the “our” does not refer to earthly relatives, but to all who live as God's children, united by grace and fidelity to His will. On earth and in Heaven, it is filial obedience that binds us to the Eternal Son and forms the Mystical Body of Christ. In that union, we cry out together, “Father!”Among those who have conformed themselves well to the will of God, none has equaled the perfection of the Blessed Virgin Mary. From the moment of her Immaculate Conception, she listened attentively to the Father's voice and responded with unwavering fidelity. Her cooperation with grace was complete, so that the Angel Gabriel rightly called her “full of grace.” To be full is to lack nothing—to be wholly receptive to God's will.Therefore, when Jesus said, “Whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother,” His words applied supremely to His own mother. Far from diminishing her, they reveal the depth of her sanctity. She was not only His mother according to the flesh, but also His most perfect spiritual kin. In her, the ideal of divine sonship and discipleship is fulfilled to the highest degree.Alongside the Blessed Mother—who is uniquely and perfectly united to her Son in spiritual kinship—we, too, are invited to share in God's family. In Christ, we become kin to Jesus, to His mother, to the angels and saints, and to one another as children of the Father. Though we remain pilgrims on earth, we share in these bonds to the extent that we conform ourselves to the Father's will. In Heaven, those bonds will be perfected, and we will forever rejoice in the reward of belonging to God's household. Nothing could be greater.Reflect today on your deep longing to belong. We often seek acceptance from family, friends, and those around us, but that longing is ultimately fulfilled only by grace, in the spiritual communion that flows from obedience to the Father's will. Obeying God is a blessing, not a burden. It makes us who we are meant to be. The fruit of that obedience is the deepest peace and joy the heart can know: the joy of belonging to God's eternal family.Heavenly Father, You have called me not only to follow You, but to belong to You. May Your will be my delight. Form me in the image of Your Son, that I may live in the communion of love that unites all Your children. Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, draw me deeper into the mystery of divine kinship. Father, I love You. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: Holy Family, by GiovanniSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

ROSARY - JOYFUL MYSTERIES today.  DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET for Monday.

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time by Dr. Scott Hahn. Ordinary Weekday/ Apollinarius, Bishop, Martyr First Reading: Micah 6: 1-4, 6-8 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 50: 5-6, 8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23 Alleluia: Psalms 95: 8 Gospel: Matthew 12: 38-42   Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com To register for the St. Paul Center's 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner, please visit stpaulcenter.com/gala Encounter Christ in Scripture and share Him with others. Join us at stpaulcenter.com/memberships

Do we spend our lives asking God for more signs while overlooking the signs He has already given us?

Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary TimeMatthew 12:38-42"Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earththree days and three nights."

Read OnlineThe Certitude of FaithSome of the scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” He said to them in reply, “An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet.” Matthew 12:38–39Imagine if Jesus had responded differently to the scribes and Pharisees, saying, “Yes, I will perform a sign right now. Whatever you ask of Me, I will do.” Suppose they then asked Him to part the Sea of Galilee—just as Moses parted the Red Sea—and walk through on dry land, and Jesus fulfilled their request. Would that have been enough for them? Most likely not. The problem was not a lack of miracles, or even dramatic ones. The real issue was the hardness of their hearts, which closed them off to the transforming and supernatural gift of faith.Had Jesus done this, they might have been temporarily impressed. They might even have professed belief that He was the Messiah and the Son of God—but not through faith. And there lies the deeper problem. Believing in Jesus' divinity solely because of witnessing a miracle requires no faith. They would have seen the proof with their eyes but not received it into their hearts.The supernatural gift of faith is far greater and more certain than anything we see. Faith leads to a conviction so deep that it transforms the soul. Countless saints have endured persecution, clung to the truth, and embraced martyrdom for this gift. But if one believes merely because of external signs—like parting the Sea of Galilee—then that belief remains shallow, always dependent on more visible proof rather than rooted in divine revelation.Now consider an exaggerated scenario. Suppose you walk past a street preacher who declares himself to be the Son of God. You respond, “Prove it.” The man levitates, spins in the air, and lifts the cars on the street with a single command. He descends and says, “Worship me.” What would you do? Would such a spectacle bring about a true conversion of heart and lead you into divine worship? Now imagine a real scenario. You are praying alone in a church. Your heart is open to God, and you express your deepest love for Him. Suddenly, the Holy Spirit enters your soul—convicting you of the Father's will, illuminating your mind, and strengthening your resolve. You rise from prayer with clarity, courage, and peace.Though the first scenario is unreal, it serves as a useful contrast. Its proof is external and sensational. Though extraordinary, many might suspect a demonic deception or illusion. It is unlikely to move the heart to true conversion. Rather, it would stir curiosity, not commitment—an appetite for signs, not surrender.In the second, the proof is entirely interior, which is unquestionably greater. When God speaks within the depths of the soul and the soul responds with surrender, life is truly transformed. That encounter becomes a fountain of divine peace, strength, and love, satisfying the heart more deeply than any external sign ever could.Jesus refused to offer the scribes and Pharisees the sign they demanded because He loved them and sought to draw even their hardened hearts to faith. By refusing a miracle and speaking instead in veiled language—“no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet,” referring to His death and resurrection—Jesus moves their hearts, inviting them to ponder the mystery of His life, to be open to the Spirit's revelation, and to respond in faith. Perhaps some of these religious leaders did eventually open their hearts. Many did not.Reflect today on your own heart. Why do you believe in God? Why do you profess Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Has faith truly taken hold of you? Have you heard God speak within and responded with surrender? If so, then this is the transforming power of faith at work. Pray for this gift—that it may take deeper root and grow stronger each day—so that, unlike the scribes and Pharisees, the gift of faith will be the only sign from Heaven you need.My miraculous Lord, though You performed many signs and wonders to strengthen the faith of those who believed, You withheld such signs from those who rejected the gift of faith, calling them instead to interior conversion. Strengthen my faith—not by external wonders, but by speaking to me in the depths of my soul. May Your grace take hold of me, transform me, and sustain me. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: The Pharisees Wish to Stone Christ, by Georg PenczSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

Sunday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly.  For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

The books or articles quoted in my commentary are:  Dominion by Tom Holland  A Poor Man Called Jesus by Jose Cardenas Pallares Binding the Strong Man by Ched Myers  The poems are Thomas Wanted to See Nail Marks from A Night Sea Journey by Adrian G R Scott Easter 2020 - Unpublished by Adrian G R Scott  (See my accompanying Substack for the text of this.)  To make comments or share thoughts theanxiouspoetspodcast@gmail.com  

Accenture Song's planned acquisition of the Whalar agency was called the largest creator economy transaction ever. The structure underneath that headline is far more interesting than the number.In this special edition, Christian and Ayelet sit down with Chris Erwin of RockWater, one of the sharpest analysts in the creator economy, to go deep on what Accenture actually bought, what the founders kept, and why the deal structure tells the real story.Chris published a standout newsletter on this deal, and we brought him on to share his expert POV: the carve-out logic, the multi-year partnership nobody has details on, the "largest deal ever" math, and what Accenture Song buys next.What we cover: Why Neil Waller and James Street sold the agency but kept the broader creator-facing portfolio (Sixteenth, Foam, Moby Ventures, The Lighthouse, Umi Games), what the undisclosed multi-year partnership likely includes — global infrastructure, technology, enterprise client access, and balance-sheet capital, how the "$500M+ largest creator deal ever" claim squares with a $225-300M outside EV estimate, why the answer is probably a meaningful upfront payment plus a multi-year earnout, how Accenture's Droga5 precedent and stated M&A policy help reverse-engineer the structure, why the real value driver is media spend, measurement, and the performance data that unlocks $100B+ media budgets, the "do no harm" PMI era and why a prior 12-month working relationship de-risked the deal, and who Accenture Song buys next — plus why there's a genuine shortage of scaled independent creator agencies left to acquire.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS0:00 — Show note: why this special edition replaces Market and Deals Friday1:09 — Welcome and guest intro: Chris Erwin of RockWater1:38 — The backstory: Accenture Song's June 8th carve-out of the Whalar agency3:08 — "They sold the engine and kept the garage" — what that actually means4:17 — Speculating on the undisclosed multi-year partnership5:44 — Why life changes fast when you co-sell through Accenture's SOW machine6:37 — Predicting how the integration goes (and why a prior relationship matters)7:37 — The "do no harm" PMI era for people-heavy agency businesses8:01 — Is this really the largest creator economy transaction ever?8:49 — Reverse-engineering the structure: Accenture's M&A policy and the Droga5 precedent10:36 — Earnout norms: 3-5 years on larger deals, 2-3 on sub-$100M EV11:30 — Christian's thesis: Accenture is buying creator media dollars12:04 — The big-picture framing: consultancies pushing into marketing services14:05 — Why the materiality of the number unlocks everything Accenture can sell alongside it14:53 — What Accenture Song buys next — bolt-on capabilities across the creator stack16:56 — The real problem: a shortage of scaled independent creator agencies18:01 — The creator commerce wave and where the next big deals get built

What's it like being a nun today? Sister Monica Clare joins us to explain her path to the Community of St. John Baptist and why she is sharing her story on TikTok and in a new memoir. Plus, scholars Ana Garriga and Carmen Urbita explore the lessons about friendship, money, work, and more that we can learn from Sixteenth-century nuns in their podcast and their new book. They join us to explain that "anything you are going through right now has probably already happened to a nun living several hundred years ago.” GUESTS: Sister Monica Clare: Sister superior at the Community of St. John Baptist, an Episcopal convent based in New Jersey. She is also a spiritual counselor specializing in religious trauma, mental illness, and addiction. She is the author of A Change of Habit: Leaving Behind My Husband, Career, and Everything I Owned to Become a Nun Ana Garriga: Co-host of the 'Las Hijas de Felipe' podcast, and co-author of Convent Wisdom: How Sixteenth-Century Nuns Could Save Your Twenty-First Century Life. Ana received her PhD from Brown University Carmen Urbita: Co-host of the 'Las Hijas de Felipe' podcast, and co-author of Convent Wisdom: How Sixteenth-Century Nuns Could Save Your Twenty-First Century Life. Carmen received her PhD from Brown University MUSIC FEATURED (in order): Organ Symphony No 5 in F Minor Op. 42, No. 1 (V. Toccata) – Joseph Nolan, Charles-Marie Widor Dominique – Soeur Sourire (The Singing Nun) Calling All Angels – k.d. lang (ft. Jane Siberry) Maria – Sound of Music Let the Mystery Be – Iris DeMent Song of Bernadette – Jennifer Warnes Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Subscribe to The Noseletter, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show. The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode! Colin McEnroe and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show, which originally aired on November 19, 2025.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.