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Jim McTague reports Lancaster County's diverse economy—spanning tourism, agriculture, light manufacturing, and healthcare—is showing signs of notable resilience. While heavy July rains and high fuel costs temporarily slowed business, economic activity stabilized in August. Local tourist destinations like Kitchen Kettle Village report strong traffic, attracting over a million visitors annually with unique local goods and food. Lower gasoline prices have also arrived just in time to boost back-to-school shopping. Meanwhile, high inflation is driving steady consumer traffic to Costco for essentials, and local hotels remain heavily booked on weekends through October. (4)

Jennie Nash hosts a #amwriting podcast BookLab with guest Kathleen Barber, author of Truth Be Told and newly released Sisterhood Above All (co-written with Amayah Shaienne), and discusses Barber's range across thrillers and romance, her character-first approach, and how RushTok inspired an authentic sorority-rush thriller featuring Madison, Shay, and Ava as tensions escalate and someone dies. They define RushTok as viral TikTok coverage of University of Alabama sorority recruitment and note its broad international fascination. In the BookLab, they evaluate three first-page submissions by asking “Would we turn the page?” They praise Heather's Trust Me for strong voice, vivid Austin setting, and an intriguing problem hook, with minor notes about genre context. They decline Odeon Omega due to unearned logistics and too much dialogue despite an intriguing title/advert. They find Empty Spaces compellingly written but confusing from too many names and unclear stakes, suggesting more interiority and clarity.#AmWriting is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Connect with KathleenVisit Kathleen's website to find her books and more: https://www.kathleenbarber.comTranscriptJennie: [00:00:00] Hi, I'm Jennie Nash, and you're listening to the #amwriting podcast, the place where we help writers of all kinds play big in your writing life, love the process, and stick with it long enough to finish what matters most. This is a book lab session where we answer the most important question about your first pages.Would we pick up the book? Would we turn the page? Today, I have a really special guest with me. I have Kathleen Barber here, who is so many things. She's the author of Truth Be Told, which was adapted as a series on Apple TV, Follow Me, Both Things Are True, and just brand new, like it came out four days ago, Sisterhood Above All, with, I'm gonna try her name, Amaya Chen?How do you-Barbara: Yeah. Uh, um, yeah. That's, that's very close. I think it's Amaya Chen.Jennie: Okay. Yeah. Uh, so we're gonna hear about that in a minute. Um, I haven't, I haven't cracked it open yet, but I'm so [00:01:00] excited for it. Um, Kathleen's also an Author Accelerator certified book coach and a former attorney, and she lives in Washington, DC with her family.So welcome, Kathleen.Barbara: Thank you so much for having me. I'm really excited to be here.Jennie: So I watched your unboxing the other day. It was so fun, and I didn't realize that we had scheduled this right on top of, like the actual- Oh ... launch of your book.Barbara: No, that, that's okay. It's, it's great. Um, it gives me something to think about that's not just, like, spiraling.Like, is anybody gonna read my book? Is anybody gonna like it? Um, so it gives me something else to focus on.Jennie: Well, it's so interesting you say that because I think of you as this really seasoned pro and, you know, it's been really interesting for me to watch your career because you've written some really different kinds of books.You did a ... Well, your first book was obviously a big thriller and a huge success, and at one point, you pivoted to romance, and now you're doing ... Well, I, I saw that book list [00:02:00] called Sisterhood Above All, a soapy thriller Yes. Yes ... which is such a great description, and you did it with a collaborator. So you just seem interested in story to me.Barbara: I, I am. Yeah. I'm always very ... I always start a story with the characters. Um, and so then their story kind of spirals out from there. Um, yeah, so I, my last book that came out before this one was, was a rom-com. Um, and I was really nervous when I started writing it. I was like, “How am I going to write this when I've been writing suspense and thrillers before?”And it turns out that, like, at the heart of it, stories are stories, and people are people, and, you know, in a romance, happy things happen. In a thriller, bad things happen, but things still happen.Jennie: Amazing. So give us the overview of the brand new book, ‘cause it's, it's really juicy.Barbara: Yeah. Yeah, so I'm really excited about it.Um, Sisterhood Above All is a thriller set during sorority rush, and so it follows three different [00:03:00] women who are involved there. There's Madison, who is the president of what's she perceives as to be the coolest sorority on campus, so she's kind of the gatekeeper, and there's Shay, who is the president of a rival sorority and trying to shake, shake up the Greek institutions, and then there's Ava, who is a potential new member.She's going through rush. She's desperate to join Madison's sorority, um, and she might be a little too desperate. Uh, so you know, it's a thriller. Bad things happen. Somebody dies, um, you know, and things kind of spiral out, spiral out of control.Jennie: But tell us about the collaboration, ‘cause it's- Yeah ... so interesting how that came about and how it went and-Barbara: Yeah.You know, it was, it was a lot of fun. Um, I, like many writers, write alone, and I had never really considered collaborating with anybody before, um, but- But when I was kind of talking about this, I, I'd been pitching my agent a sorority themed thriller for a while. [00:04:00] Um, and at one point when, when Rush Talk was getting really big a couple summers ago, she was like, “This is the moment.This, you should write this book, but I think that in order to make it feel more authentic, we should bring in somebody who's living this in this moment.” Um, so one of her colleagues found Amaya, who, um, was up until very, very recently an active member of a sorority at the University of Alabama, and brought us together.And Amaya and I got along right away, and we both had kind of the same vision for what we wanted the book to be, and so collaborating with her was, was a lot of fun in a way that I had been nervous that it wouldn't be. But it was, it was a really good time, and I'm really, really proud of the book.Jennie: So for those who don't know or weren't following, can you tell us what Rush Talk-Barbara: YeahwasJennie: or isBarbara: or- Yeah ... shall be? Yes, yes, yes. So, um, so if you're gonna join a sorority, um, you go through, you go through recruitment and which is very slangily [00:05:00] called rush. Um, and so on TikTok a few years ago, um, people started sharing about their experiences during sorority rush, but specifically, uh, during sorority rush at the University of Alabama.Um, and it really took on a life of its own, like people were watching it like it was, you know, a television program. Uh, they made a documentary about it, which, you know, I'll, I will let you make your own conclusions about the documentary. Um, but people just got really, really into it, and people... And it was kind of appealing to people who had gone through sorority rush at some point, were thinking about going through a sorority rush, or who were just invested in, you know, watching people have these kind of outlandish experiences and, and share them.So, um, itJennie: was a lot of fun. My understanding was that it got very, very popular in other countries?Barbara: I- it's definitely... [00:06:00] Yeah. You know, um- So sorority, some, some sororities are international. Not, not all of them are. Um, but by and large, when they say international, they mean that there are chapters in Canada, not that, like, there are chapters in, you know, like Europe or, or other countries.And so it just, it's something that is so unique and so, like, uniquely about, like, this type of college experience that I think it's been really interesting to people in lots of different places.Jennie: Yeah, yeah. Fascinating. So obviously the book has been out, like, mere hours here. But, um, how does it feel? Are you, are you- It's excitingyou said you were excited and proud and- SoBarbara: exciting. Yeah. I'm, I'm, I'm really, really proud of the book. I love it. I mean, I know everybody, like, loves their own books, but I do. I truly, like, love this book, and I just really hope that the readers do too.Jennie: You know, it's not true that everybody loves their book.I, I was dying to have somebody on the podcast who will never come on the podcast. But I- Yeah ... I heard a story about somebody who [00:07:00] got a seven-figure deal for a book that they really didn't actually love, and then- Oh, no ... they, they wrote it. It came out, and then when they had to co- come time to do the publicity, they just dreaded it.They, it was like a, just they did it for the money. They got the money, and then didn't, didn't wanna talk about it, like felt sort of ashamed about it. And I was like, “Oh, please, come talk about that.” But of course they, they won't. So...Barbara: That's wild. Isn't that wild? That's wild. Yeah. I just, I just can't even imagine how that would feel.Um, I mean...Jennie: I know. Well, I, uh, the cover of this, um, of this new book, Sisterhood Above All, is- is really cool too. So we will link to it in the show notes, and everyone can go read it and check it out, and, um, Kathleen's other books, I've read them all, and you have such range and, um, like I said, [00:08:00] interesting stories.So with that, let's get to our, our Book Lab entries. We just always wanna start by thanking those who submitted. It's not easy to do this, to put your stuff out there with no context and no ability to talk back or anything and have random s- people on the internet, you know, talk about your stuff. So really appreciate the, the risk-taking of doing that, and we do this in order to help us all get better and, and learn, you know, what works and, and, um, for your own self or your own writing, what, what you want it to be.So what we're gonna do, as always, is I'm gonna read the entry, and then we're gonna ask ourselves, would we turn the page? So, um, the first entry is Fiction and it is, uh, author's name is [00:09:00] Heather and the name of the work is Trust Me. So here we goI can't tell you whether it's the Johnny Cash mural, clusters of candles nestled into every corner of the long stone bar, or the smoky scent of Palo Santo that tucks Austin into my head the first night. Maybe it's the unexpected jazz trio on a Tuesday in a town built for blues, country, and rock, or it could be the two cowboys deep in conversation at a table in the back of the bar.I'll later, I'll later learn that making a hot Austin guy a cowboy because of his hat, faded jeans, and scuffed boots is the same as labing- labeling a frat bro in a hoodie and sweats an athlete. It's just how they dress. I can tell you I like the looks of Austin men a hell of a lot better, especially that wide silver belt buckle that dresses up the whole package in a bow.It's going [00:10:00] on nine PM when I arrive at Whistlers in East Austin, and the bartender hands, hands me a peach-colored mezcal craft cocktail. Fresh juice, pungent herbs, and the smoky sister to tequila are the perfect salve after what's transpired since my flight landed from New York two hours earlier. I follow the snake tattoo on his foreha- forearm as the bartender shakes another cocktail for the couple next to me.Damn, he's hot, too. The crowd starts to pick up, and I signal Snake Tattoo for another before I lose his attention for good. The warm agave liquor spreads through my bones, and I start to relax. Maybe this isn't the disaster I think it is. Maybe I can actually pull it off. I glance around at the mostly twenty and thirty-something crowd angling for spots at the bar.The women wear short dresses and long hair. The men, well, those jeans are something, along with their finely cut biceps and well-placed tattoos. Can't help but glance over at those cowboys again and get a warm smile in [00:11:00] return. Easy, girl. Back to business. I have a problem, and this second mezcal is going to help me solve it.All right. What do you think? What was your first impression?Barbara: I really enjoyed that. I would definitely turn the page there. I, I feel like there was, like, a really strong sense of, sense of place, and I, in particular, I really enjoyed the, the first line, not only because it gives us that sense of place, but it, because it also then tells us something about the narrator and how she perceives the world around her in that first line.Jennie: Yeah, and, and there's a good m- a, a good question at hand here, which is what's she doing here?Barbara: Mm-hmm.Jennie: She's come from New York. We get that. It's a little unclear how, how old she is, ‘cause she's referencing other people's ages, but not her own, so we, we don't really know what's happening or what, what's, what's about.[00:12:00] Um, I mean, I thought the writ-Barbara: Well, IJennie: agree. Yeah. I thought the writing was great. It sort of tripped along-Barbara: Mm ...Jennie: um, nicely. IBarbara: like at the end where... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to step on you. No,Jennie: no, go. Yeah. I like atBarbara: the end, I like at the end where, um, she says she has a problem, and the second mezcal is gonna help her solve it.I thought that was really interesting, ‘cause I, it piqued my interest, made me wanna know what the problem is, but it's also kind of funny. Like, the mezcal's probably not gonna help you solve your problem, but it's like...Jennie: Yeah. No, it's so true. I was longing for a little bit more of a sense of what's happening here.I mean, this could be any kind of story at this point. It could be she could be a spy. She could be an assassin. She could be trying to get a guy back. Like, we, there's really no sense of what the story's gonna be. I always like that on the first page. What about you?Barbara: Yeah. I, I agree with you. I, it, it could, it could go in any direction.I kind of [00:13:00] sense from the tone that it's, you know, it's going to be something, uh- Well, I guess I don't know. You know, honestly. Now, now that I'm looking at it again and thinking about it, um, you're right, it could be... The, the problem that she has could be a thriller problem, or it could be a romantic problem, since she's kind of made, made comments about the different men.I think that was a hint to me that it might be a romantic problem that she's having, but I actually don't know.Jennie: Yeah. The, the- obviously she's clocking all the hot guys in this bar, which tells us something, either about her or what she's up to. We don't know. Um, but yeah, it's, um, really good detail, like the, you mentioned that first line, and I liked the line about her sh- the self-awareness about, you know, she calls him a cowboy and then she says, you know, sort of like, “Oh, right, that's not really fair.”Mm-hmm. “We don't know.” [00:14:00] You know, that, I thought that was, made me think- Yeah ... this character's gonna know themselves.Barbara: Mm-hmm. Yeah. I agree with that. I, I also really enjoyed the kind of specificity that she uses in the descriptions, like when she talks about, you know, the, the cocktail that she's drinking, and the tattoo on the bartender's arm.Like, I just felt like those details really made the story come alive for me. So that, like, even if I didn't exactly know where we were going, I could, I could picture where we were.Jennie: Yeah. Yeah. That's really well said. Well, we like this. I think I would, I would turn the page.Barbara: I would, I would too, yeah. Mm-hmm.Jennie: We would turn the page. Um, I mean, the only notes I think for me would be, I mean, it's always so tricky, because if we were picking this book up, the title, Trust Me, doesn't really tell us anything, but the cover would.Outro: Mm-hmm.Jennie: The vibe of the cover would. We'd have a little more context for where we were and [00:15:00] what this was about, and that would probably help with the issue that, that I have, which is, well, what kind of book is this?We don't know. Um, and you know, now that I'm thinking of it, we don't even know whe- where we are in time. Um, I'm, I'm assuming modern day, but I don't know why I assumed that. It, maybe it's not. So maybe just a tiny bit more of a sense of- Uh, context for the reader. Mm-hmm. But that's my only note. L- do you have any notes?Barbara: Yeah. You know, I honestly don't think that I, I have any additional notes. I mean, I, I really enjoyed this selection, and I would definitely keep reading here.Jennie: Well, Heather, that's high praise, soBarbara: Yeah, I, I usually have ideas. I usually have notes but I don't.Jennie: Yeah, that's, uh, that's g- a good one for us to start with, and very fun, I hope, for you to hear that from Kathleen.All right, let's [00:16:00] go to our, our next one. This is fiction. It's called Odeon Omega, um, and the author is ... Well, the, the, um, it's coming across as, um, Sound Smith, but who knows what that is? So, um, Odeon Omega, they will know who they are, for sure. All right, here we go. “The grand O-O opening continues all month long at your new entertainment destination, the one and only, first of its kind on this or any other coast, the all-new, all-excitement Odeon Omega.‘Gah!' Emmy shrieked from the bathroom. ‘You can turn the TV volume down now, Seth. We're done.' Seth was still lying in bed, his naked body mostly covered with Emmy's cream-colored, satiny soft sheets. He chuckled while reaching for the remote. ‘I wasn't the one who turned it up.' ‘I know that. I have to [00:17:00] turn the TV way up like that, though.It's the only way to drown out the neighbors. The walls in this place are so damn thin, and they're always banging on them, disturbing me when I'm trying to have sex.' ‘Those b******s,' Seth chuckled. ‘I'm saying, I like ... I'm saying, like, what am I supposed to do? Not f**k? Hey, that is so not an option,' Seth p- Seth pressed the mute button, then went back to lying on his back, his hands behind his head.Another noise startled him, this one coming from Emmy's phone. A toneless version of Girls Just Wanna Have Fun blared from Emmy's clutch purse. ‘Turn that off, too,' Emmy shouted from the bathroom. ‘That's my mother's ringtone. I don't feel like talking to her right now.' Seth rolled over to the nightstand and opened her clutch and found the button to silence Emmy's phone.He lingered on the image of Emmy's mother. ‘Wow, Emmy, you and your mom could pass for sisters, easy.' ‘Ew, don't tell me that,' Emmy said. ‘Tell her that, but not me. Bet you're already imagining yourself in a threesome with her and me, [00:18:00] aren't you?' ‘Huh, what's that?' Seth was distracted by Emmy's driver's license in the clutch's interior pocket.He slid it out of the pocket and read what he assumed was Emmy's birth name. ‘Myrtle? What? Your re- your real name is Myrtle?' Emmy stepped out of the bathroom, still naked from their lovemaking, with a sky blue-colored towel clenched between her legs.”That's a vibe.Barbara: It is. It is, yeah. I mean, opening, uh, opening in the aftermath of sex is a, is a bold choice. I'll be honest, I don't feel like I have very much context for what's happening here. Um, it seems like Emmy and Seth don't know each other veryJennie: well. I got that sense, too. I got that sense, too, and that the sex that she has this system for turning up the TV has been for other people.Barbara: Mm-hmm. [00:19:00] Yeah. On, on that note, though, I did kind of have, uh, a fundamental disbelief about the setup that was giving me a stumbling block when I was reading this, just because it didn't seem to make a lot of sense to me that she would turn up the television to distract herself from the neighbors, when I would think that that would be more distracting or, you know, just use music or...And I didn't really understand why she would be explaining it to him after the fact instead of in the moment. Um, that felt like it was perhaps just put there for the reader,Jennie: so that we could be distracted. Yeah, it was a little explainy, a little... Yeah, like a, um, we use that term info dump, and an info dump doesn't have to be a whole scene.It can just be a line like that where I, I didn't buy it either that she would actually say that to him now. Mm-hmm. If... He probably would've said, “Why are you turning the TV on?”Barbara: Right.Jennie: Earlier.Barbara: Yeah. Yeah, [00:20:00] yeah, and it seemed like that would be the conversation that would have before we got to this moment. So that was something that, that I struggled with a bit.Jennie: I also didn't believe, it felt like, uh, unearned that he's pulling this license out of her purse. I could see, I could see that he might have seen something on her phone if he's turning her phone off. But-Barbara: Mm-hmm ...Jennie: to, to actually then see... I kept, like I was trying to think through the logistics. Like, okay, see one of those little slidey things inside a purse, but you can't see- Mmthe driver's license. Like, why would he reach in and pull it out? It felt like the author wanted us to get to this moment where- Mm-hmm ... Seth got this information.Barbara: Mm-hmm. Yeah.Jennie: It, yeah, it felt unearned to me.Barbara: Yeah. I, I agree, especially because it doesn't seem like Seth knows her very well, obviously. Then for him to be [00:21:00] digging around in her clutch purse felt- Untrue to the situation, um, unless something else was going on that we don't hear about.Jennie: Yeah, yeah. Um, this... When I said, like, “Well, this is a vibe,” this character has a, a tone or a style or sense about, like a sort of swagger about- Mm-hmm ... her that interests me. Um, I happen to be in the middle... I'm behind everybody else, but I'm in the middle of reading Yesteryear. Oh. Have you read-Barbara: Oh. Yes, yes.Jennie: Don't tell me what ha- I, I- Don't tell me ...Barbara: I w- I won't. I was also late to it, and everybody was trying to tell me about it, and I was just constantly walking around going, “No spoilers, no spoilers.” Yeah.Jennie: But the, that character has, has such a brashness- Mm-hmm ... of point of view and opinion in both, um, both parts of the story there, and there's something about this character that rem- reminds me of that.[00:22:00] There's like a, I don't know, um, a, just a brashness. S- And I, I've been enjoying that protagonist- Mm-hmm ... the Yesteryear protagonist, just ‘cause it's unusual. I've read a tiny bit, and I know people are saying, “Oh, she is so unlikable,” but there's just something of a character that's so owning their, um-Barbara: Mm-hmmJennie: way, and this woman's ownership of, of her sexuality, I guess, I, I thought was- Hmm ... interesting.Barbara: Yeah. No, I, I, I know what you mean, and I, I, I am intrigued by her as a character because, I mean, again, here she, she seems to have kind of an interesting setup in a, an apartment building that has thin walls, um, has this system of turning up her television, um, but not with Seth before.So, you know, it seems like she's had several partners back to this, this space. Um, but she seems very, very confident and, like you said, kind of swaggery [00:23:00] with him. Um, so yeah, I, I am intrigued to know more about, like, who she is and what makes her that way. Um...Jennie: Yeah. Uh, for me, probably not enough to turn the page.Um-Barbara: Not for, not for me either. I-Jennie: Yeah. And, and I have to say that the thing that intrigues me the most about this whole thing is that the title of this book is Odeon Omega, and that's the random, um- I think that's the random show on TVBarbara: Yeah,Jennie: the- Am I ma- am IBarbara: making that up? No, no, no, that, that, that's the first line.It's, um, it sounds like it's maybe like a commercial. I was kind of envisioning it from the way that it was spelled out as, you know, kind of like, uh, oh, the way that like a, a carnival or like a car salesman is like, “The grand o- o- opening.” Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. You know, that's kind of how I was envisioning it.Um, so I, I didn't, I did enjoy s- seeing that right up front, um, [00:24:00] but I wanted more context to understand what it was, because without that, I, I don't know what that line means. Um-Jennie: And that just the author's choice, like, okay, the TV's on f- for a random reason- Mm-hmm ... or for her systematic sex reason, and, and she's hearing this show opening, and then that's the title of the book.Like, something about this, I, I thought of it as a, yeah, like a carnival or a show or something- Mm-hmm ... a theme park, um, that there's g- that's gonna become central to the story. It's kind of an interesting way of putting that in in, and presumably- Mm ... it will come back, um- Yeah ... in an important way. But I, I was intrigued by that most of all, actually.Barbara: Yeah. No, same, especially because that's the moment that Emmy says, “Turn the volume down.” So I was, uh, so it made it seem, to me at least, that there was something about that particular advertisement that she [00:25:00] was reacting to, and I wanted to know what that was.Jennie: Well, that's a really great point, and I think if we were to give this writer some guidance- Um, it might be to make more of that.Mm. If the character reacts more to that. Like, in, you know, that she can't hear it or that it's upsets her in a particular way, or she gives us some information or context about that so that we, I don't know, I guess we need to be more grounded in, in what's happening.Barbara: Yeah. And I also just feel like that would give us a little bit more s- because it, that's right there in the title, so it's obviously gonna be important to the story.And so like that would give us a little bit of curiosity about what it is and would propel us to try and understand why she's reacting the way that she is. Um-Jennie: Yeah. And just from a technical [00:26:00] standpoint, I'm looking at this entry, it's almost all dialogue.Barbara: Mm-hmm.Jennie: Which I think is hard on a, an opening page.Uh, don't you? I think-Barbara: I, I do. I, I would really have liked to see a little bit more interiority from Emmy here to kind of, I don't know, understand how she feels, not only about that advertisement, but about, about Seth. Like, did she li- does she like Seth, or is he just like a guy, you know? Um, I just wanted to know a little bit more about how she, who I'm presuming is the protagonist, is experiencing this scene.Jennie: Yeah. Um, yeah, there was even a moment when I thought, “Is she selling sex?” Mm-hmm. Is, is that... Is she a sex worker? Um, you know- True ... so too many questions about what's, what's happening here, which I think could be solved by, um, balancing out the dialogue, um, w- with some other information. [00:27:00] Mm-hmm. Um, yeah, I mean, I'm, um, I'm hoping that this character gets a story that we want, we want to read ‘cause I'm intrigued.Barbara: Yeah. Same. Same.Jennie: Yeah. All right. We have one more that we're going to, um, read. Do you wanna read this one? From your little, “Oh, oh, oh,” opening- ... I was like, “Oh, maybe you're a good narrator. I'm not.”Barbara: Sure. Sure. I'll, I'll read it. Um, so this one is called Empty Spaces. Um, it's fiction. I'm not entirely certain who the author is, unless I'm missing that in the spreadsheet.It looks like perhaps it starts with a T. Um, but here, here is the submission. “April 1st, 1995. ‘Please, please, please,' Corey sputtered, gripping the black receiver with both hands while the operator relayed her [00:28:00] request. ‘Person-to-person call for Tess. Will you accept the charges?' ‘No, she's asleep.' Corey knew her mother was at the beige phone on the kitchen wall a thousand miles away.Then her father's voice in the background. ‘Honey, let the girl talk to her dau-...' And dial tone. Corey slammed the receiver back into its cradle. ‘What the f**k?' She missed. Her knuckles scraped the chrome holder, and she unleashed her fury on the edge of the black payphone. ‘F**k, f**k, f*****g f****r.' The rain that had been collecting in the roo- in the rim of the payphone box was shaken loose by her tantrum and cascaded down inside the collar of her flay- flight jacket.Well, Charlie's flight jacket. ‘Skipper,' came Top's quiet baritone from behind her. ‘We're ready to roll.' ‘Thanks, Top.' Corey accepted the styrofoam cup of coffee he handed her, then sloshed her way to the lead truck, Arlo trotting at her heels. She hoisted herself up into the passenger side of the rig. Arlo curled up beside her and dug his head into her lap.Why did her mother have to be such a [00:29:00] little b***h? And on this night. Was it too much to expect her to remember that it was Charlie's birthday? No, Maria remembered. She was the one who kept a file of birthday cards, organized by month and paper clipped to envelopes, neatly stamped and addressed to the recipient.But nobody sends a birthday card to a dead person.” After a few minutes, Top started his status report. “Got word from the 24-hour man. The lot they gave us was too small and underwater. He put up a fuss and got us moved to the football field at the high school.” Corey took a sip. “It'll be nice to have a dry lot.Daisy's got that one nail that looks a little soft.” She fiddled with the radio, settling on a country station, what else was there, and yawned. “Where are we headed tonight?” And that is it.Jennie: Wow, well, author T., uh, Wood, what a treat to have Kathleen Barber read your, read your stuff like that. Gee, you, you sounded amazing.You sounded like you'd written that. That was so cool. Do you- I, uh- ... narrate your own books?Barbara: I, I do not, but I have [00:30:00] small children, and I read aloud every night.Jennie: Do you do the voices?Barbara: Oh, yes, I definitely do the voices.Jennie: Do you do all of them, like, in aBarbara: very- I do all of them.Jennie: You do?Barbara: Yeah, yeah. My, my kids were really into the Wings of Fire series, so I've read all of those books, and there are many, many dragons, and they all have different voices, and if I do not remember the different voice, my children will be like, “Mommy, that's not what Peril sounds like,” and then I'll have to remember and try again,Jennie: so.Take notes? Do you have, do you have a guide? Do you just remember? Um,Barbara: no, I just, I just try and remember.Jennie: Oh,Barbara: my. I should take notes, but I'm not that organized. I just go off.Jennie: That, that's amazing. That's amazing. Um, just while we're talking about it, is there audio already for the new book, for, uh, Sisterhood Above All?Barbara: There, there is. There is, yeah. Um, I recently got, uh, got a peek at it, and I am very, very excited. We have a different [00:31:00] narrator for each of the POV characters, and they are all fantastic. Super excited.Jennie: Amazing. All right, so back to this, back to this work. Um, I thought this was great. Uh, did you, did you, how did you feel reading it?Barbara: I, I, I enjoyed reading it. Um, when, when I was, when I was reading it the first time, I, I found myself getting stopped a few times because I felt like there were a lot of names, and I was confused. Um, you know, it's, it's in- I don't feel like an author needs to spell out for me who every single character is on the first page at all.Um, it just felt like in a small amount of time, there were a lot of names that I felt like I was trying to keep track of, and that was a bit confusing for me. Slowed me down a little bit.Jennie: I agree with that. Actually, the first time that I read it And [00:32:00] admittedly, I was scanning these really fast the first time I read it, but there, there's something to that, how things hit your head.But I thought that, um, I thought Daisy was a horse because I was like the one nail that looks a little soft, like is who, what- Yeah ... where would that matter that we need to be on grass? And, and, and then I was like, “Wait, who even is Daisy?” So I got stuck on that- Yeah ... for sure. And, um, and then the, um, there's a nickname that I think the main...I think Corey, the, the other character calls her Skipper, so I was confused by that. Right. So it, yeah. Yeah. Are those some of the things that you mean?Barbara: Yeah. The, those was... And I was also just a little confused when I first started reading that it starts out with person to person call for Tess, and then we're talking about her mother.And I, I thought at first that her mother was [00:33:00] named Tess, and that, and that the operator was trying to reach her, and that her mother was simply not, simply not wanting to talk even though she was by the phone. But then later on I realized that her mother is actually named Maria, and that Tess must be somebody else.Um, I think Corey's daughter, but I didn't, I didn't catch that on first reading. I had to read it again to be able to understand that.Jennie: Yeah. So there, there is a lot going on for sure. When I said that I thought it was great, I- I'm, I'm hoping that this character's some kind of trucker just because that's cool, and, um, it, it seemed like we have some tension both in whatever's happening around...You know, like, they have a 24-hour man. They're... Uh, so there's something afoot. Like, there's a pr- a project or something afoot that feels like it's not gonna go well or something's gonna [00:34:00] happen there. Um, and I also, you know, now we have the thing with the, well, we learn I think it's the mom. But, um, th- there- Yeahwere enough elements of intrigue, like, what's, what's going on here, what's gonna happen, that I... And I thought it was well-written.Barbara: Yeah. No, and I, one of the things that I really enjoyed was the way, the, the descriptions of what the, what the scenery looks like with the, with like the weather. So like there's, there's the rain, um, there's another line about how when they're like getting into the truck that like the lot is underwater, so I'm kind of like envisioning...I actually don't know what time of day it is, but for some reason I'm envisioning it being a little bit darker, but that might just be because of, of the rain that's happening. Maybe that's what's making me think that it's, it's a little bit darker outside, but I'm like envisioning the, the rain, and they're getting into the rig.But I, I didn't get that she was a truck driver. I, I, I think maybe... But I, but I, [00:35:00] I don't know. I don't know. I thought that maybe she was some sort of- Some sort of, like, news person. But I don't... ‘Cause I don't actually, I don't actually know what a 24-hour man is, so I think that might have... Okay. Yeah. No, I don't know.I was just like... So I, so I didn't know. Um, but I was, I was curious to know... Yeah. I was gonna say, I was curious to know why she was making this call to her mother at this moment, and why she was so desperate for her mother to answer the phone at this moment. Um, so yeah, th- those were, those are questions that I had.Jennie: Usually, back in the day, which this was, um, will you accept the charges was something you did when you had no money.Barbara: Mm-hmm.Jennie: You know, you would call home or wherever and, ‘cause you didn't have money to make a call, so the operator would place the call and ask the [00:36:00] person to accept the charges. Mm-hmm. And normally you would do that with somebody who knows you have, you're having a problem, or, you know.So, like, this is a very particular moment that led me to believe that she didn't, she didn't even have money for a call. So- Mm-hmm ... I don't know why I placed her as a trucker. Like, she climbed into the- Oh, okay ... the rig. She s- she sloshed her way to the lead truck. She's fiddling with the radio station. Like, what, where we headed?Yeah. Like, we're just on a job. I totally made her a truckerBarbara: and I- Yeah. No, no, no. I, well, I think maybe the reason I thought maybe she wasn't was because there were all these other... Because, like, Top is there, and the, it's, it's a lead truck, and she's, she's getting into the passenger side. And there's also a, a, a dog, I assume.I assume Arlo's a dog. I suppose it could be some other sort of animal that's, that's with her, but I, I assume Arlo's a dog. Um- Well,Jennie: so this is actually a really great [00:37:00] conversation for anybody listening, and particularly for this author. You can see that if you confuse your reader They're gonna spend their time with these kinds of questions.Like, is the mother Tess or is it Corey? Is this woman a trucker or not? Is... You know, and those are not the kind of questions you want to be leaving your reader with. Those are-Barbara: Yeah ...Jennie: um, I don't know w- how we would describe them, almost logistics. They're,Barbara: they're more like de- yeah, yeah, exactly. ‘Cause I mean, they're, I, I, I enjoy getting a good question at the start of reading something, you know?Like, you know, I mean, for example, it's, it's really interesting that Corey made what seems to be a collect call, and they didn't just not answer it. They answered it, and then hung up on her, which feels, like, very purposeful. And so, like, I'm very, I'm very curious about that relationship. I'm curious about the fact that, that Charlie is, is dead, um, and [00:38:00] who Charlie is to the, to the narrator.These are things that, like, have piqued my curiosity, and I would like to learn more about, um, would inspire me to read more, to learn more about those things. Uh, but then those other things that we were talking about, like, well, like, who is this? W- what kind of animal is Daisy? Like, what are, where are they actually going?Like, what, what is, what is the goal here? What, what is the deal about the, the lot and the, and the football field? The, w- what are we gonna do here? Those are questions that, that slowed me down, and made me less likely to want to keep reading.Jennie: Yeah. I loved that line, “But nobody sends a birthday card to a dead person.”Barbara: Yeah.Jennie: And I, I'm thinking- Really poignant ... that that's the center of this story, you know, s- who, who was Charlie? I think you said that. Mm-hmm. Was-Barbara: Mm-hmm.Jennie: And ‘cause she's got the jacket.Barbara: Yeah.Jennie: She's got Charlie's jacket, so- That, that'sBarbara: true, and sh- and she's wearing it, I think. [00:39:00]Jennie: Yeah, and, and so- I mean, I suppose Charlie could be a child if this person is older.Barbara: Yeah.Jennie: Like, you know, um, but y- I ... So I had this weird reaction to this, which is I thought it was fun, and maybe that was you reading it. I thought, I thought the writing was great, but I wouldn't turn the page. I'd be frustrated. You know, if, if there was another book or another story that was, um, didn't make me work so hard- Mmto figure out where I was or what was happening, I would choose that over this. So it's a weird combination for me of great job, but it's a no for me.Barbara: Yeah,Jennie: that- What about you?Barbara: That's, that's how I felt. There, there were a lot of elements here that I think are, that are intriguing and that if presented slightly differently would make me want to turn the page.But as, as it is right now, I, I would not. [00:40:00]Jennie: I agree with that. I think it feels close. Mm-hmm. Um, so how could we give this person some direction for, um- Yeah ... well, you talked about all the names, and I don't think the solution is ID all these names.Barbara: Right.Jennie: Mm-hmm. That's gonna be clunky. Or ID all these people. Um-Barbara: Yeah.I, I think for, for me personally, what I think would help was if we were to get a bit more of a peek inside the nar- inside Corey's head, so we could understand from her perspective why it's important that she's making this call, like, what the goal is with the truck. Um, if we just saw it a little bit more from her view and got to know a little bit more of the information that she already holds in her head, I think that would go a long way to making the story feel more accessible to the reader.Jennie: That's really well said, and [00:41:00] hopefully that helps the writer for your next pass to, to think about. But I- there's something, there's something good I think here going on. Mm-hmm. And, uh, I have the same, um, comment that I had earlier. I, I wanna know what kind of story I'm in, and I'm s- and I'm not sure. We were talking about sorting out these relationships and what's happening with the field and the truck and then the weather and all that, but again, is thisThere's no sense of what kind of story this is going to be. And, um, I, I always want a little more. And, and the title is Empty Spaces, which doesn't help, um- Yeah ... point us to that. I hear that. So just a little more, um, of a sense of what world are we? What, what problem do we have? What world are we in? Um, you know, and even just that last bit where the character turns the radio station on and yawns, “Where are we headed [00:42:00] tonight?”It- there's, there's not an urgency of It's, s- nobody's running from anything. There's no- Right ... threat, uh,except for the mom who won't answer the call.Barbara: Yeah, yeah.Jennie: Yeah. Um, so a little, a little more of a sense of what's at stake. Um, I know, we always are asking so much on a first page, but- I know ...Barbara: uh. I know, but e- you know, it's, there are so many things to read, you know, from, like agents, editors, readers, all have so many things to choose from, and so it's just so important to nail that first page, you know?Jennie: How many times do you rewrite your first pages?Barbara: Oh my gosh, so many times. So many times. Yeah. Yeah, well, um, ‘cause usually I write the first page, and then I write the rest of the book, and then I'm like, “Oh, like, the rest of the book does something different. I need to go back and, like, make this first page...”Also, I do, I often do the thing that I think a lot of writers do, which is, [00:43:00] once you've written a little bit further, you realize that, like, you've started at the wrong spot. Um, I mean, the, one of, one of the things that helps me when I, when I think to do it is to use one of the exercises that's in, that's in your work, where you, where you start what, you, you write the beginning and the ending before you even start anything.Um, and I, I, when I remember to do that the right way, that really, definitely helps me. Um, but I don't always remember to do that, and so I have, like, partway in, and then I'm like, “Wait, no, the first page.” So,Jennie: it's- Well, that, yeah, that's a, um, a step in the blueprint for a book book. Um, it's a good one, for sure.Uh, well, thank you so much for joining me for, for this, Kathleen, and congratulations on the new book. Um, for everyone listening, go check out, you can find everything at KathleenBarber.com. And, um, you can find Sisterhood Above All, which is brand new and just out and sounds like so much [00:44:00] fun. I, it's on my TBR, TBR.Yay. I just can't read, I just can't read thrillers at night. I get too scared. So,Barbara: um-Jennie: That'sBarbara: fair. That's fair ...Jennie: I, I have to wait till I'm, like, on a plane or, um, you know, somewhere where I'm reading during the day. Yeah. Is this one, is this one l- scary scary?Barbara: I mean, it's, it's not, like, scary scary. It's, it's not, like, uh- It's, it's not like there's someone who's out there to kill you for reasons that you cannot control.You know what I mean? Like, it's like- Yeah, yeah ... it would be scary to the people inside the book, but it should not be scary to you. ButJennie: I understand how- Well, we don't need to reas- We don't need to reassure me because people love these, love these- Yeah ... and, uh, what a fun, fun setting and setup for- Thank youa thriller. It's, it's exciting. Thanks. So can't wait to see how, how the world receives it. And- Mm ... um, I always hate to say this to somebody whose book just came out, but can't wait to see what you do next. [00:45:00]Barbara: Don't worry, I'm already writingJennie: stuff. Oh, yeah. Do you, ooh, do you wanna, do you wanna tell or no?Barbara: I, I do not, just ‘cause I get really superstitious about it, but, um, but I have something that I'm working on that I'm excited about, so you know, we'll see how it goes.Jennie: I love it. Well, thank you for joining us for Book Life, Jennifer.Barbara: Thanks for having me. That was a lot of fun.Jennie: For our listeners, let's get back to work and finish what matters most.Outro: The hashtag amwriting podcast is produced by Andrew Perilla. Our intro music, aptly titled Unemployed Monday, was written and played by Max Cohen. Andrew and Max were paid for their time and their creative output because everyone deserves to be paid for their [00:46:00] work This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amwriting.substack.com/subscribe

Australia's wage growth has slowed to its lowest level since 2022. High school and uni students have gathered across the country in protest of One Nation. And Ariana Grande has gone Insta official with her ex boyfriend. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's wage growth has slowed to its lowest level since 2022. High school and uni students have gathered across the country in protest of One Nation. And Ariana Grande has gone Insta official with her ex boyfriend. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inflation across the nation has slowed down with gas prices going down by three percent, but prices are still higher than when the Iran War started in February. A revived busway project is coming back to Tremont Avenue after its cancellation from the Adams Administration. WFUV's Xenia Gonikberg has more and what the project has in store. Unaccompanied minor children in New York will no longer have to legally represent themselves in court, following a donation from the Governor, New York City Mayor and Attorney General. WFUV's Sonia Weliwitigoda has more. Mayor Zohran Mamdani is launching a new sports and innovation challenge through the city's Summer Youth Employment Program. Tahlia Pearson has more on how the new initiative is preparing students for careers beyond the playing field. Host/Producer: Sonia Weliwitigoda Editor: Tess Novotny Editor: Nathan Ray Reporter: Lainey Nguyen Reporter: Xenia Gonikberg Reporter: Tahlia Pearson Theme Music: Joe Bergsieker

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After eight weeks away, Juli is back—and she's sharing what really happened on her sabbatical. This week, Juli opens her journal and shares the biggest lessons God taught her about burnout, rest, leadership, and learning to live within the limits He designed for us. We also talk about why so many of us struggle to slow down, how Sabbath is more than a day off, and what it looks like to build rhythms of rest into everyday life. Plus, you'll get a first look at an exciting new vision for Authentic Intimacy and what's ahead for the ministry. If you've been feeling exhausted, spiritually dry, or like you're running on empty, this conversation is for you. Guest: Hannah Nitz Follow-up resources: Encountering the Radical Love of Jesus by Dr. Juli Slattery (blog) 5 Secrets to Intimacy With God by Dr. Juli Slattery (blog) Satisfy My Thirsty Soul by Linda Dillow  

BUSINESS: Analysts: Q2 growth likely slowed to 2.6% | August 3, 2026 Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net Follow us: Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital Check out our Podcasts: Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify Apple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcasts Amazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusic Deezer: https://tmt.ph/deezer Stitcher: https://tmt.ph/stitcherTune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein#TheManilaTimes#KeepUpWithTheTimes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

July 31, 2026: 8am — U.S. GDP grew at slowed pace in second quarter at 1.5% To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

U.S. economy slowed in second quarter, but consumers continue to spend. Rich Logis, Founder of Leaving MAGA, talks about his disillusionment with the MAGA movement. Rustout versus burnout. Netanyahu backs pressure-first strategy on Iran after Trump talks. Gas prices continue to rise. 

A referral slowdown rarely happens because something went wrong. It happens because something stopped being tended to. In this episode, we break down five specific reasons referral flow diminishes in businesses that used to generate it consistently, from serving a different client than your network was built around to work that has become so consistent it stopped producing the moments people feel compelled to talk about. If your referrals have slowed down without a clear explanation, this episode will give you one.

P.M. Edition for July 30. The U.S. economy grew just 1.5% last quarter, lower than the previous quarter and falling short of economists' expectations. WSJ economics reporter Harriet Torry explains why the details in the report, particularly around consumer spending, suggest things aren't as bad as the headline number makes it seem. Plus, the buzzy AI-focused hedge fund Situational Awareness, founded by AI whiz kid Leopold Aschenbrenner, sold most of its stock portfolio to investment firm Citadel. We hear from WSJ special writer Greg Zuckerman about why this happened and where the company goes from here. And a big rally in tech companies sent U.S. stocks soaring today. Alex Ossola hosts. See the new fronts in the Iran war.  Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

BUSINESS: UA&P: Q2 growth likely slowed to 2.5% | July 30, 2026Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net Follow us: Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital Check out our Podcasts: Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify Apple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcasts Amazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusic Deezer: https://tmt.ph/deezer Stitcher: https://tmt.ph/stitcherTune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein#TheManilaTimes#KeepUpWithTheTimes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Federal health officials are eying iceberg lettuce distributed by California-based Taylor Farms as a potential source of the major cyclosporiasis outbreak in the United States. Health authorities tracking 4,173 confirmed and 7,400 likely cases of the infection, which can cause severe diarrhea, cramping and fatigue that lasts up to a month. We talk with food safety and health experts on what it will take to trace and contain the cyclospora outbreak. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

______Terrahutton empowers junior mining companies to secure investment with immersive, interactive, and visually striking storytelling. Learn more about the Terrahutton platform ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠______We have new drill results to report form AbraSilver, Banyan Gold and Sitka gold. Collective Mining has been granted additional mining titles. American Pacific adds an RC Rig to Madison. Talisker acquires the Ben Nevis property. This episode of Mining Stock Daily is brought to you by... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Revival Gold ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Vizsla Silver⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Equinox Gold⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Integra Resources ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This the 2nd hour of The Land of Make Believe with Old Man Ratchet that aired on Saturday July 4th, 2026 from 9 to 10 pm (est) on WOZO-LP 103.9 FM Knoxville, TN and streamed online at wozoradio.com. This show was mixed using Serato Dj Pro software using a Pioneer DDJ Rev 5 controller. Additional editing, vocals and production was done with Audacity Freeware for noncommercial use. To download and for track list, please search Old Man Ratchet at Archive.org. WOZO is a non-commercial, community radio station that relies on listener support. To help us stay on the air, please consider a donation through Venmo @wozofm or support my patreon.com/OldManRatchet THANKS! Mail us! PO BOX 746 Knoxville, TN 37901 email me: OldManRatchet1039@gmail.com Music submissions are welcome! Please send as 320 kbps MP3 with lyricsHour 2 Track list:America is Now Under Martial LawBruce Springsteen -Born in the U.S.A. (REMIX) The 2 Live Crew - Banned in the USA (Clean)Green Day - American Idiot (Clean) BAD RELIGION - American JesusOingo Boingo - Capitalism The Last Poets - E Plurbus UnumPink Floyd - Money Show InterludePresidents That Owned SlavesRun The Jewels - Ju$t (Ft. Pharrell Williams and Zach De La Rocha)Nine Inch Nails - Capital G (Clean version)Team America - America F Yeah (with George Carlin Intro) (Clean)Childish Gambino & Dead Posey - Welcome to the America Nightmare (Ratchet House Mash-up)Childish Gambino - This is America (CLEAN)Jimi Hendrix - Star Spangled Banner (Record Plant, New York, NY, March 18, 1969) Whitney Houston - Star Spangled Banner (At Superbowl XXV 1991) (Slowed & Screwed Mix)Show OutroNegativland - Freedom's WaitingBryan Andrews - Yeehaw

Have you ever felt like your metabolism is “broken”?Maybe you're eating the same way you always have, but the weight keeps creeping up. Your energy is low, your body feels different, and the strategies that used to work just don't anymore.In this episode, I'm explaining why your metabolism probably isn't broken at all, it's adapted. After years of restrictive dieting, skipping meals, under-eating, chronic stress, and losing muscle mass, your body simply becomes more efficient at conserving energy.The good news? What has adapted can also improve.I'm walking you through the five common signs that your metabolism may have slowed down, why this happens (especially for women over 35), and the practical steps you can take to support a healthier, stronger metabolism without restrictive dieting or spending hours in the gym.In this episode, I cover:Why your metabolism isn't broken, it has simply adapted.The 5 signs your metabolism may have slowed down.Why gaining weight despite eating the same foods can happen.The connection between low energy, under-eating and a slower metabolism.How losing muscle impacts both your body composition and calorie burn.Why constantly feeling cold can sometimes be a sign of metabolic adaptation.Why weight loss feels harder after years of dieting.The biggest habits that slow your metabolism, including low protein intake, restrictive dieting, inactivity, chronic stress and poor sleep.The simple strategies that help rebuild your metabolism and support sustainable weight loss.If you've been blaming your metabolism for your lack of progress, I hope this episode gives you a completely different perspective. Your body isn't working against you, it's responding to the habits it's been exposed to over the years. The good news is that with the right approach, you can improve your metabolic health, build muscle, feel more energetic and make weight loss feel easier again.LinksApply for coaching: HEREFollow Angela on Instagram: HERE

You spent years healing your childhood wounds.You stopped people-pleasing.You grew your confidenceYou had better boundariesSo why did your business slow down?In this episode, I'm sharing a truth almost nobody talks about:Sometimes your business was built by a version of you that no longer exists. And your finances took a hit. So what exactly happened ?We'll explore why healing can temporarily make success feel harder, why impostor syndrome gets louder during identity transitions, and how to build your next level of success from self-worth instead of self-protection.If you've been wondering, "What's wrong with me?" this episode might completely change the way you see yourself.

Marcie, Jen and Staci join Y. M. Nelson in talking about the newest movie in the Star Wars franchise, Star Wars: The Manadlorian and Grogu.TOPICS TO DISCUSS:A Star Wars Background (mild spoilers)First impressions/How did you find this?Story and the big/smallness of the plotBig Screen $ means Big Screen StoryThe Show FactorThe Aftermath of a Regime Change (possible foreshadowing?)Slowed pace: endearing and poignant or boring?Show us some love with a text!Support the show#booktube #movietube⚠ *Note: some links to book recommendations are affiliate links. This means I receive a small commission when you buy. This does not affect the price you pay.

The latest North State and California news on our airwaves for Wednesday, June 23, 2026.

When I was first diagnosed with Hashimoto's and began my autoimmune healing journey, I thought getting better would be simple: take the medication, eat healthier, and follow my doctor's advice. What I quickly learned was that there was so much no one had prepared me for. In this solo episode, I'm sharing the lessons I wish someone had told me from the very beginning. We'll talk about why healing isn't linear, the mistakes that kept me stuck, the emotional side of chronic illness, and how stress, sleep, mindset, and lifestyle play a much bigger role than most people realize. If you've recently been diagnosed with an autoimmune condition—or you've been struggling to feel better despite doing "all the right things"—this episode may save you years of frustration. In this episode, you'll learn: • The biggest misconceptions I had about autoimmune healing • Why more supplements weren't the answer • What I wish I had known about stress and nervous system health • How to avoid the perfectionism trap that keeps many people stuck • The mindset shifts that helped me make real progress Whether you're dealing with Hashimoto's, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, celiac disease, or another autoimmune condition, this honest conversation will help you approach healing with more clarity, patience, and hope. Follow my Substack for additional resources, recipes, and more. http://autoimmunerehab.substack.com Autoimmune Wellness Consultation https://tidycal.com/annalaurabrown/autoimmune-wellness-consultation My youtube channel with videos of this podcast and more. https://youtube.com/c/annalaurabrownhealthcoach Autoimmune Healing Journal- Use this journal for tracking, writing down your thoughts and optimizing your autoimmune healing journey. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H3T87QVN  

Craig Carton and Chris McMonigle open Friday's show by refusing to let go of the 2025-26 CHAMPION New York Knicks, debating just how worried fans should be about James Dolan's proclamation on The Carton Show about the salary cap's second apron, and wondering if Aaron Boone might just be the best manager in MLB.

U.S. corn export inspections slowed last week, while soybean and wheat assessments moved higher, according to the latest USDA report. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3037: Sonja K. Semion reflects on how becoming a mother transformed her from a fast-paced, achievement-driven person into someone who embraces slowness, presence, and simplicity. Through quiet routines, mindful parenting, and a slower family life in a small Mexican pueblo, she discovered a deeper joy and fulfillment that reshaped her understanding of what truly matters. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://nosidebar.com/motherhood-slowed-me-down/ Quotes to ponder: "Doing nothing was everything." "My career simply became another expression of who I am, but it was no longer all of me." "I found myself softening, caring less about planning my next big vacation or career move and more about living life in the presence of her daily growth." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we cover: Marvel Superheroes product delays, God of War controversy, upcoming video games, major Pokémon theft, and MTG as a lawyer training course. Please remember to rate the show and leave a comment! DeQuan - @powrdragn Brian - @brianpsionic Color of Magic Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ColorofMagic Website: https://www.colorofmtg.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ColorofMTG Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colorofmtg

Prosecutors in the war crime murder case against Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith say they can’t serve the brief of evidence against the former soldier because revealing its contents could prejudice national security. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most Disney fans think they know what their must-visit restaurants, rides, and resorts are — but what if some of the classics just don't make the cut? Jeremy and Phil challenge each other in an epic game of "Keep or Cut," ranking everything from beloved attractions like Haunted Mansion and Cosmic Rewind to resorts like Polynesian and Wilderness Lodge. The twists and surprises will change the way you plan your next trip!In this episode, you'll discover how preferences shift when faced with the ultimate Disney lineup. Jeremy reveals the surprising speed drop of Big Thunder Mountain from 36 to 27 miles per hour — and what that says about Disney's safety updates. We break down the latest park construction, including new queue designs for Expedition Everest and a controversy over the reduced ride speed. Plus, get insider tips from guests about staying at Disney resorts, dining experiences like Ohana and Cape May Café, and must-try snacks from Dole Whip to Tonga Toast.You'll also hear hilarious listener questions, including:Which single restaurant would you choose to eat at for an entire week?What would you do if given one hour alone in Magic Kingdom?Which rides and snacks are absolute essentials — and which ones are overrated?This episode is perfect for seasoned Disney lovers wanting a fresh perspective, planning their next adventure, or simply curious about what truly makes a Disney trip unforgettable. Jeremy and Phil's playful banter packs a punch, making this a must-listen for anyone obsessed with Disney's magic — and ready to rethink what really counts.Ready to shake up your Disney favorites? Hit play and let the game begin!

Lack of healthcare infrastructure and distrust of authorities are challenging efforts to confront the latest Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo. Also, more trials begin for former Syrian officials involved in torturing their own citizens. And, rising geopolitical tensions complicate an already fragile dynamic in Cyprus. Plus, NASA announces plans to create a permanent presence on the moon. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

This week, James speaks to a heater business owner doing £110,000 per month. But after strong initial growth, things have slowed down. The business hit £110K and now it feels stuck. What happens now?Find out more from George here: Www.warm4less.comTry Entrepreneurs University 14 Day FREE Trial Here ►https://jamessinclair.net/entrepreneurs-university-free-trial/Sign up to my weekly newsletter 'The James Sinclair Letter' here:https://www.jamessinclair.net/the-letterFind out your Entrepreneurial DNA, take the '8 Traits of the Greats' quiz here ► https://jamessinclair.scoreapp.comGet your tickets to our next event here ► https://www.jamessinclair.net/eventsApply to be on my podcast here ►https://jamessinclair.net/podcasts/

The defense in the Anna Kepner case moved faster than virtually any federal team facing two life sentences. Waived the transfer hearing. Requested adult prosecution. Pushed toward a June 1 trial date with roughly three and a half months from first discovery to jury selection. Then eighteen days out, they asked for ninety more.Document 74 — an Unopposed Motion to Continue Trial — cited the government's voluminous discovery, scheduling conflicts with lead counsel's other federal cases, and family obligations. The prosecution had no objection. The new trial date is September 8. The strategic reversal raises a specific question: what did the defense encounter in the government's evidence production that changed the calculus?The original speed-to-trial approach had identifiable strategic logic: securing a jury rather than a single judge, preserving pretrial freedom while the government's detention motion remains unresolved, and forcing the prosecution to try the case it had assembled rather than giving it time to strengthen. That calculation appears to have shifted.The unresolved proceedings heading into September are significant. The autopsy report remains sealed. The government's motion for pretrial detention hasn't been ruled on — the defendant remains under GPS monitoring at a relative's home, not in federal custody. Pretrial motions are still pending. Federal rules of evidence could substantially narrow what reaches the jury compared to what the public has consumed through media coverage.Anna Kepner was eighteen when she was found dead aboard the Carnival Horizon during a family cruise in November 2025. Her stepbrother, Timothy Hudson, was charged as an adult with two federal felony counts. He signed a written waiver requesting adult court — no contested hearing, no delays. Anna's father has stated publicly the family is troubled by the defendant's release conditions.Join Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8-vxmbhTxxG10sO1izODJg?sub_confirmation=1Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/TrueCrimePodThis publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.#AnnaKepner #CarnivalHorizon #TimothyHudson #FederalTrial #HiddenKillers #TrueCrime #JusticeForAnna #CruiseShipCase #MiamiFederalCourt #FederalDiscovery

If your sales have slowed down lately, the answer probably isn't what you think.It's not the market. It's not your content. It's not that your offer isn't good enough. In most cases it comes down to one of three very specific — and very fixable — structural problems that are quietly capping your results.If you've been working hard and not seeing it reflected in your sales — this episode is for you.I'm breaking down the three most common reasons sales slow down: why your audience can go nose-blind to your offer no matter how many times you promote it, why constantly showing up isn't the same as constantly growing, and why having one sales system — whether that's live launching or a single funnel — will always have a ceiling no matter how much you optimise it.And more importantly, what to do about each one.There's also something coming very soon that addresses all three of these problems directly. Keep an eye on my Instagram — details dropping shortly.

AP correspondent Donna Warder has the latest numbers on retail sales.

5/16: Jim McTague reports on Lancaster County's economy, noting a significant drop in restaurant foot traffic due to rising gasoline prices. While younger crowds have slowed spending, senior citizens remain active. The segment also covers the local job fair, where highly skilled technical positions remain in high demand.1900

Public exhaustion with top-down decisions about our built environment spurred American progressivists to work successfully over the past several decades to democratize development processes. Community voices can now be heard, but has the pendulum swung too far in the other direction? With many cities facing housing crises and urban infrastructure decay, solutions can be slow-going. In this talk, architect Vishaan Chakrabarti, found of PAU (Practice of Architecture and Urbanism) joins Brown University public affairs fellow Marc Dunkelman for a discussion about removing unnecessary roadblocks and speeding up progress. CNN journalist Fareed Zakaria, who is the 2025 and 2026 guest curator of the Aspen Ideas Festival, moderates the  conversation.

If you are struggling with fatigue and cannot lose body fat no matter what you do, this episode will challenge how you think about metabolism. Most people are told their metabolism is slow or broken, but what if that is not the real issue?   In this episode, Dr. Eric Balcavage walks through why metabolism slows down, why common treatments fail, and how the body regulates energy based on capacity. You will learn why thyroid medications, supplements, and aggressive diet and exercise strategies often provide only temporary results or make things worse.   This episode introduces a state based approach to metabolism, showing how fatigue and fat loss resistance are often the result of adaptive physiology rather than dysfunction.   What You'll Learn: Why fatigue and fat loss resistance often occur together How conventional and functional medicine approaches can miss the bigger picture The difference between broken physiology and adaptive physiology How metabolism is regulated by capacity, not just hormones or nutrients The role of thyroid signaling and mitochondrial function in energy regulation Why pushing harder with diet, exercise, and supplements can backfire How to start identifying your current physiological state Visit www.drericbalcavage.com to learn more.   Dr. Eric Balcavage is the co author of The Thyroid Debacle and creator of the Adaptive Thyroid Model and State Based Medicine.   Connect With Dr. Eric Balcavage Website: https://www.drbalcavage.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drericbalcavage Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drericbalcavage YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drericbalcavage If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who may be struggling with thyroid issues or chronic fatigue.

Your metabolism slowing down in midlife isn't just about age.If your energy is lower, your weight isn't responding, and things that used to work no longer do… this may be a signaling issue, not a failure.In this episode, Janell explains how your thyroid regulates metabolism, why many women are told everything looks “normal” while still feeling off, and how stress, gut health, and environment all influence energy and weight.This conversation helps you move out of frustration and into understanding—so you can start supporting your body in a way that actually works.In This Episode, You'll Learn:• Why metabolism changes in midlife aren't just about age• How the thyroid regulates energy and weight• Why TSH alone doesn't tell the full story• The importance of T4 to T3 conversion• How stress and gut health impact metabolism• Why symptoms can persist even with medicationNext Step:If this conversation is resonating and you're starting to see that your metabolism might be responding to something deeper… there are two simple ways to move forward.If you're not quite sure what your body is doing yet, start with the Hormone Clarity Quiz:https://www.thetransformationlife.com/hormonequizIt will help you identify which pattern your body is primarily running right now.And if you're ready to begin supporting your metabolism in a more structured way, the Metabolic Jumpstart walks you through how to stabilize blood sugar, support your nervous system, and rebuild energy step by step:https://www.thetransformationlife.com/metabolic-jumpstartBecause this isn't about doing more…it's about doing what your body actually needs.

Microsoft Reporter Aaron Holmes talks with TITV Host Akash Pasricha about Microsoft's plan to build OpenClaw-inspired autonomous agents and OpenAI's internal memo regarding staggering AWS demand. We also talk with Laura Bratton about the R&D spending race and Emergence Capital GP Jake Saper about why SaaS companies must shift to selling outcomes to survive the AI era. Lastly, we get into Microsoft's struggle to secure data center power with Columnist Ann Davis Vaughan.Articles discussed on this episode: https://www.theinformation.com/articles/microsoft-plots-new-copilot-features-inspired-openclawhttps://www.theinformation.com/articles/atlassian-figma-lead-r-d-arms-racehttps://www.theinformation.com/newsletters/ai-infrastructure/microsoft-slowed-ai-spending-now-playing-catchupSubscribe: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theinformation The Information: https://www.theinformation.com/subscribe_hSign up for the AI Agenda newsletter: https://www.theinformation.com/features/ai-agendaTITV airs weekdays on YouTube, X and LinkedIn at 10AM PT / 1PM ET. Or check us out wherever you get your podcasts.Follow us:X: https://x.com/theinformationIG: https://www.instagram.com/theinformation/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@titv.theinformationLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theinformation/

Welcome back to another episode of the podcast!In pure Michelle fashion - the vibe of everything we do is to continue to simplify your business + grow your income + have everything sell everything® It's juicyyyyy + will make you money as always!!Grab your coffee, water, mocktail, or a glass of champagne + let's do this.Let's dive in!Everything Sells Everythinghttps://www.harttoheart.co/everything-sells-everything-2025Learn how to create daily sales from your Instagram stories without launches, pressure, or over postinghttps://www.harttoheart.co/dailysalesfromstoriesJoin our EMAIL FAM!https://www.harttoheart.co/join-our-newsletterSay HIII and share what came up for you during this episode!Message me at:https://www.instagram.com/michellehartzman/

Part 1 of a 2 part series. What's better for a brisk, sunny 1st of April than taking a great big look back at music we featured in the respective “best-of-year-in-review” St. John's Picks episodes from 2019-2025? Definitely not another backwards episode. Nope. No sir. Uhuh. Just six years esion tseb eht fo. [editor: who did that?!]   Tracklist (all tracks are playing in reverse)   Track# - Track - Game - System(s) - Composer(s) - From “best-of-year-in-review” episode# (year(s)) - Timestamp   A1) Intro - 00:00:00   01) Funky Radio [In-Game version] - Jet Grind Radio - Dreamcast - B.B. Rights - C1E65a (2020/2021) - 00:02:10   02) Thin Holidays - Rage In Peace - Multiplatform - Peonies - C1R6a (2023) - 00:05:32   03) Sky High - Daytona USA - Saturn - Tanobu Mitsuyoshi and David Leytze - C1E55b (2019) - 00:08:14   04) Signs of Love - Persona IV - PS2 - Shoji Meguro - C1E65a (2020/2021)  - 00:12:47   05) Suitcase - Stray - Multiplatform - Yann Van der Cruyssen - C1R6a (2023) - 00:15:40   06) The Beginning - Vampire Survivors - Multiplatform - William Davies, elrond504, PlayOnLoop, Daniela Zandara, Filippo Vicarelli, and/or Lorenzo Floro - C1R6a (2023) - 00:17:46   07) Bonus - Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore - Multiplatform - Button Masher (aka Jake Silverman) - C1R8 (2025) - 00:20:20   08) Results Parade - Check Mii Out Channel - Wii - Kazumi Totaka C1E65a (2020/2021) - 00:22:16   09) Mission 2 - Double Dragon 2 - PC Engine - Hiroyuki Togo - C1E55b (2019) - 00:24:21   10) Club Tigre - Final Vendetta - Multiplatform - C1R7 (2024) - 00:27:23   11) USA Race 2 - Trickstyle - Dreamcast / PC - Richard Beddow - C1E70a (2022) - 00:30:44   12) Gettin' Freaky - Friday Night Funkin / aka Music Battle - iOS / Android - Kawaii Sprite - C1R8 (2025) - 00:33:54   13) Lobby [Monster Seeking Monster] - Jackbox Party Pack 4 - Multiplatform - Andy Poland - C1R8 (2025) - 00:36:40   14) Menu - Fast Fusion - Switch 2 - Bjulin and/or Francisco Cerda - C1R8 (2025) - 00:39:33   15) Endscreen - Final Vendetta - Multiplatform - Futurecast and/or Utah Saints - C1R8 (2025) - 00:42:57   16) Toad's Turnpike - Mario Kart 64 - N64 - Kenta Nagata, Taroh Bandoh, and/or Yoji Inagaki - C1E65a (2020/2021) - 00:45:39   17) Jus' Dance (Sole Channel Mix) - Gran Turismo Sport - PS4 - Mr. V - C1E70a (2022) - 00:48:29   18) Eccentric Detective - Lucid 9 - PC - Breezee - C1R8 (2025) - 00:55:57   19) Disrupted Planets (Map 2) - Super Bomberman 3 - SNES - c: Jun Chikuma / a: Keita Hoshi - C1R6a (2023) - 00:58:45   20) Fonction - n++ - Multiplatform - Broca - C1E65a (2020/2021) - 01:04:41   21) [SLOW*] Fonction - n++ - Multiplatform - Broca - C1E65a (2020/2021) - 01:11:33 (*= Slowed version from C1E57: “Slow Jams” - April Fool's 2021 episode of slowed down VGM).   22) Stage 2-2 - Ai Chou Aniki - PC Engine - Iwasaki Taku - C1E55b (2019) - 01:21:25   23) Non-Linear Reliance - Blue Reflection: Second Light - Multiplatform - Hayato Asano - C1R8 (2025) - 01:24:12   24) Earth - Lords of Magic - PC - Keith Zizza - C1R8 (2025) - 01:28:15   25) Electrifying Tension - Lucid 9 - PC - Breezee - C1R8 (2025) - 01:32:19   26) Voices of Urdak - DOOM Eternal - Multiplatform - Mick Gordon - C1E65a (2020/2021) - 01:34:57   27) The Icon of Sin - DOOM Eternal - Multiplatform - Mick Gordon - C1E70a (2022) - 01:41:04   28) Mission 6 - Double Dragon 2 - PC Engine - Hiroyuki Togo - C1E55b (2019) - 01:46:27   29) Snif City - Paper Mario: The Origami King - Switch - Shoh Marakami, Yoshiaki Kimura, Hiroki Moishita, and/or Fumihiro Isobe - C1E65a (2020/2021) - 01:49:07   30) Stage 1-3 - Ai Chou Aniki - PC Engine - Iwasaki Taku - C1E55b (2019) - 01:52:03   31) Attack the Barbarian - Streets of Rage - Genesis - Yuzu Koshiro - C1R7 (2024) - 01:55:33   32) Firestarter (Instrumental) - WipEout XL - PS1 - The Prodigy - C1R6a (2023) - 01:58:30   33) Jurassic Dope - Contra: The Hard Corps - Genesis - Hiroshi Kobayashi, Akira Sōji, Kenji Miyaoka, Michiru Yamane, Akira Yamaoka, and/or Hirofumi Taniguchi - C1R6a (2023) - 02:03:07   34) Kraft und Licht - n++ - Multiplatform - Len Faki - C1R7 (2024) - 02:06:13   35) Norfair - Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - Switch - c: Hirokazu ("Hip") Tanaka / a: Yuzo Koshiro - C1E65a (2020/2021) - 02:12:56   36) Freak You Out - Vay - Sega CD - Shigeki Sako - C1E70a (2022) - 02:15:27   37) Balom Dungeon - Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom - Switch / Switch 2 - Masato Ohashi, Manaka Kataoka, Chisaki Hosaka, Reika Nakai, Yuri Goto, Ryotaro Yagi, and/or Azusa Kato - C1R8 (2025) - 02:17:24   38) Forest of Elrond - Wizards and Warriors - NES - David Wise - C1R7 (2024) - 02:20:27   39) Got Well Soon - Life is Strange - Multiplatform - Breton - C1E65a (2020/2021) - 02:22:28   40) Zebra Bananza - Donkey Kong Bananza - Switch 2 - Daisuke Matsuoka, Reika Nakai, Yuri Goto, and/or Tsukasa Usui - C1R8 (2025) - 02:27:09   41) PerfecT Shape - to a T - PC / XBSX - c: Sakai Asuka and/or Keita Takahashi / v: Sam Bird - C1R8 (2025) - 02:29:22   42) Star Guitar - Lumines II - PSP - The Chemical Bros. - C1E65a (2020/2021) - 02:30:53   43) Quiet - Edge - Multiplatform - Richard Malot - C1R6 (2023) - 02:37:02   44) Prime #5 - Echochrome - PSP / PS3 - Hideki Sakamoto - C1E65a (2020/2021) - 02:39:32   45) Kara Kara Bazaar - LoZ: Breath of the Wild - WiiU / Switch - Hajime Wakai, Manaka Kataoka, and/or Yasuaki Iwata - C1E65a (2020/2021) - 02:42:45   46) I Came I Saw - N/A (Battle of the Bits Community Original Chiptune) - SNES - KungFuFurby - C1E55b (2019) - 02:44:43   47) Heleosphere (Menu Music) - N/A (System Music) - A500 Mini - Chris Smith - C1R6a (2023) - 02:50:11   48) Taste of Blood - Portal - Multiplatform - Kelly Baily and/or Mike Morasky - C1R7 (2024) - 02:53:50   49) Kris VR - Burn Cycle - CD-i - Simon Boswell - C1E6a (2023) - 02:56:48   50) Dreiton - Minecraft - Multiplatform - C148 - C1R6a (2023) - 03:01:06   B1) Outro - 03:08:50 Mixtape Runtime: 03:06:51 / Total Episode Runtime: 03:21:24 Our now customary April Fool's episode outro music is Malo Mart, from LoZ: Twilight Princess on GameCube, Wii, and WiiU (and maybe eventually, Switch 2) composed by Tōru Minegishi, Asuka Hayazaki, and/or Kōji Kondō. Special thanks to St. Jodee, St. August, and St. Wyatt for joining me in the outro. Intro was recorded on Shure SM7B dynamic microphone running through a Cloudlifter Preamp for superior sound quality. Outro was recorded on AudioTechnica AT2020 condenser microphone for better ability to pick up sounds further away from the mic (important when capturing four different people standing or sitting varying distances away from it). All were recorded using the Focusrite 4i4 XLR-to-USB audio interface into a mix of Audacity and Ardour in Fedora Linux Pt 2 releases simultaneously to Pt 1.

Some areas of the U.S. aren't gaining population at the rate they previously did. AP correspondent Mike Hempen reports.

Continuing the brewing road trip, Shannon and James travel to North Carolina with Keith's Brewing Story. A story about a homebrewer who's been at it for decades and realized brewing didn't fail them, the season just changed.

Why do objectively successful launches still feel like failures? In this episode, Sarah Tynan introduces the concept of “contaminated expectations” — a hidden mindset pattern that slows business momentum, distorts perception, and sabotages growth in entrepreneurs. Contaminated expectations happen when rigid, specific outcomes (like expecting $40,000 overnight) become the only acceptable measure of success. When reality unfolds differently — even if indicators are positive — disappointment overrides data. This episode breaks down the psychology, neuroscience, and energetic mechanics behind this pattern and shows you how to shift it. In This Episode You'll Learn: What contaminated expectations are and how they affect entrepreneurs • A real launch case study involving $40K overnight expectations • Why subconscious fears split your manifestation signal • How rigid timelines distort perception of progress • The role of the Reticular Activating System (RAS) in shaping reality • How meaning-making impacts energetic frequency and business growth • Why two people can experience the same launch completely differently • The neurological impact of dominant thoughts and dopamine loops • How to consciously rewire your narrative for success The Psychology Behind Contaminated Expectations Positive expectations can anchor manifestation. But when conscious desire conflicts with subconscious fear (such as fear of responsibility, visibility, or overwhelm), the nervous system sends mixed signals. This creates: Unstable expectations • Emotional volatility • Perceived failure despite objective wins • Slowed business momentum Entrepreneurs often interpret: “It didn't happen overnight” as • “It didn't work.” That distortion contaminates the experience and plugs low-frequency meaning into the future. The Reticular Activating System (RAS) & Business Growth The Reticular Activating System (RAS) is a filtering mechanism in the brain that determines what you notice. What you focus on expands in your perception. When contaminated expectations are active, your RAS: Highlights what's missing • Amplifies perceived failures • Minimizes wins • Reinforces negative narratives When you shift your focus intentionally, your RAS begins noticing: Positive momentum • Booked calls • Revenue indicators • Growth signals This changes both psychology and energetic output. Meaning-Making & Energetic Frequency The meaning you assign to an outcome shapes your energetic frequency. If a launch doesn't hit your exact expectation and you label it a failure, you reinforce a low-frequency loop. If you interpret the same data as momentum and progress, you reinforce expansion. Two people can experience identical results and live in completely different realities — based solely on meaning. The Neurological Power of Dominant Thoughts Dominant thoughts are reinforced by dopamine. Repeated negative narratives create addictive loops that hardwire failure bias. Repeated empowering narratives create new neurological pathways for success. Consciously choosing your narrative — even before evidence appears — rewires both brain and behavior. As Sarah shares in her personal corporate sales story, shifting from “I'm failing” to “I am an explosion of success” created measurable transformation in performance and results. How to Shift Contaminated Expectations To unlock momentum in business: Audit your expectations before launching • Release rigid timelines • Choose empowering meanings • Train your RAS to notice positive indicators • Accept cyclical human experiences (fatigue, doubt, hormones) • Avoid contaminating partial wins with negative interpretation Success is rarely linear. Momentum compounds when meaning is clean. Ready to Build Sustainable Momentum? If you're ready to install: Strategic architecture • Nervous system capacity • Energetic coherence • Scalable marketing systems Apply for Quantum Business Academy:

Preview for later today: Max Hastings describes the disorienting, grueling experience of landing on Sword Beach, where sea sickness and heavy equipment slowed the Allied advance.

Plus: a Dubai businessman resigns after documents released by the Justice Department revealed his close ties to Jeffrey Epstein. And Anthropic has added former Microsoft and General Motors executive Chris Liddell to its board of directors. Pierre Bienaimé hosts. Sign up for WSJ's free What's News newsletter. An artificial-intelligence tool assisted in the making of this episode by creating summaries that were based on Wall Street Journal reporting and reviewed and adapted by an editor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thursday's 9am hour of Mac & Cube saw Wimp Sanderson, former men's basketball coach at Alabama, tell us the challenges of letting players like Bediako back in college ball, and Auburn can beat Florida; then, the guys sift through all the streaming recommendations they want to watch during the offseason; and finally, not one but TWO all-timers show up in Bad Box Scores of the Day! "McElroy & Cubelic In The Morning" airs 7am-10am weekdays on WJOX-94.5!!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

THE DILEMMA OF BIGNESS Colleague Gary Rivlin. How corporate giants like Google were slowed by their own business models, leading Suleyman to leave for Inflection and eventually Microsoft to bypass startup funding issues. NUMBER 15

Plus: Meta unveils sweeping new agreements to purchase nuclear power. And the European Union backs a trade deal with four South American countries. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for WSJ's free What's News newsletter. An artificial-intelligence tool assisted in the making of this episode by creating summaries that were based on Wall Street Journal reporting and reviewed and adapted by an editor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul Gregory visited Dealey Plaza to assess the assassination, concluding the shot was fairly easy as the presidential limousine slowed down to turn. He emphasizes that the route was chosen only four days prior, undermining long-term conspiracy planning. Paul and his father were later targeted by conspiracy theories linking them to radical Russian interests. The discussion focuses heavily on Margarite Oswald's testimony before the Warren Commission, where she behaved like a deranged woman, insisting her son was a hero and demanding legal representation and subpoena rights. The Commission allowed her to speak to demonstrate her instability. Her influence is identified as a major explanatory factor in virtually everything Lee Harvey Oswald did. Guest: Paul Gregory.