Podcasts about slowing

In this Daily Shift, Celeste explores how clarity and growth can still bring grief. Letting go of what no longer fits doesn't erase what mattered — and feeling sad doesn't mean you made the wrong choice. This episode is a reminder that grief is part of integration, not resistance. Slowing down and honoring what you're releasing allows you to move forward without carrying unresolved weight. Celeste also invites listeners to Unwind With Me, a gentle nervous-system reset live on Instagram and TikTok every Thursday and Sunday at 8:30 PM EST. You're allowed to grieve and soften at the same time. Small shifts create big change.

What if your weight loss resistance in your 40s isn't about willpower, but a powerful hormone shift that changes your metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and fat storage? In this episode of the Metabolic Freedom Podcast, Ben Azadi welcomes back hormone expert Karen Martel to unpack why weight loss resistance is often a biological signal, not a motivation problem. Karen explains how hormone disruption from environmental xenoestrogens can create estrogen dominant symptoms in younger women, even when bloodwork appears normal. The conversation then shifts into perimenopause and menopause, where the real metabolic shift begins. As estradiol declines, women often experience increased belly fat, worsening cholesterol, rising blood sugar, poor sleep, mood changes, and accelerated aging of skin and muscle. Karen breaks down the critical difference between estrogen and estradiol, why metabolic health often declines after ovarian function changes, and why many traditional weight loss strategies stop working during this phase. You'll also learn how environmental toxins impact hormone receptors, why hormone metabolite testing like the DUTCH test can provide deeper insight, and how bioidentical hormone replacement therapy may support long-term metabolic and overall health when used appropriately. If you or someone you love is entering their 40s and struggling despite healthy habits, this episode highlights a major missing piece.   Key Topics Covered Why weight loss resistance is often hormonal rather than a willpower issue How hormone patterns differ between fertile years, perimenopause, and menopause What xenoestrogens are and how they mimic estrogen in the body Common sources of hormone disruptors: plastics, fragrances, pesticides, cleaning products, and receipts Why bloodwork may look normal while symptoms of estrogen dominance still exist Daily detox strategies to support hormone balance, including minerals and sauna use How hormone dynamics shift in the 40s as estradiol begins to decline The difference between estrogen and estradiol and their impact on metabolism Why fasting harder and eating less can backfire during perimenopause How estradiol loss affects insulin sensitivity, visceral fat, cholesterol, mood, libido, and collagen The Women's Health Initiative misconception and the role of synthetic progestins How urine hormone metabolite testing (DUTCH) helps personalize hormone support Why individualized care is essential when considering hormone replacement therapy Karen's personal experience with rapid menopause symptoms and recovery The role of gratitude and mindset in long-term health and resilience   Resources & Links Mentioned Karen MartelWebsite: https://karenmartel.comPodcast: The Hormone Solution Podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@karenmartelhormones/videos Special OfferCoupon code: FREEDOMDiscount: 15% off at https://karenmartel.com   Follow Ben Azadi

In this episode of The DVC Show, we are having a real and relatable conversation about how to keep Disney and Disney Vacation Club feeling fresh year after year. Even the biggest Disney fans can hit a wall, especially when trips start to feel repetitive or expectations get too high.We are sharing practical tips that have worked for us including:• Bringing friends and extended family along and seeing the magic through their eyes• Trying After Hours and special ticketed events for a completely different park vibe• Visiting new or overlooked resorts like Coronado Springs and experiences like Sangria University• Planning trips that skip the parks entirely and focus on resort time• Exploring lounges, recreation, dining, and activities you may normally rush past• Slowing down your schedule and reframing expectationsWe also talk about runDisney events, Wine and Dine weekends, and how changing the pace of your trips can completely change your perspective.If you have ever thought, Are we doing Disney too much, this episode is for you.Let us know in the comments how you keep your Disney vacations feeling magical. magical.Support our DVC Fan content by joining our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!Visit our official sponsor, World of DVC, for all your DVC needs!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DVC Resale Market⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is the largest broker of DVC resale contracts on the internet!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Monera Financial⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for an easy solution to financing your DVC contract!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DVC Rental Store⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is a fantastic resource for those looking to rent points or rent out points!Buy Discounted Disney World or Universal Tickets with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unlocked Magic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!Book Your Next Disney Cruise with⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Be Our Guest Vacations!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the Keyholder Club Loyalty Program - Download the App and Sign Up TODAY!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple App Store⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Google Play Store⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a member of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DVC Fan Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DVC Fan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for even more on Disney Vacation Club!

This week on Sustainability Now!, your host, Justin Mog, fills the studio with Green for a discussion about parenting in the age of climate chaos! Our guests this week are Megan Green, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Woven Nest Counseling and Coaching; and longtime local sustainability advocate, Jackie Green. Though unrelated, they are co-facilitators of a new free monthly workshop series coming up called “The Parent, Child and Climate Change.” It kicks off this weekend and will be held on third Saturdays, beginning February 21, 2026 from 2pm til 3pm at Highlands Community Ministries, 1228 E Breckinridge St (at Barret). Earth Home 40202, an initiative you heard about on this program back in October, is launching this supportive, empowering, health based, community building program for parents and older children. The program is free, but please let us know if you plan to attend by emailing earth.home.40202@gmail.com. Learn more about Earth Home 40202 at https://www.bikecourier.org/earth-home-40202/ or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/people/Deep-Ecology-Louisville/61581836699217/ Parenting today happens in the context of constant uncertainty—climate change, social instability, economic stress—and our nervous systems are taking that in whether we name it or not. Climate anxiety isn't a disorder; it's a nervous system response to ongoing, unresolved threat. Our bodies are designed to detect danger, and climate change is a chronic, future-oriented stressor. Many parents are quietly carrying fear and grief about the world their children are inheriting. That often shows up as burnout, urgency, irritability, or feeling like they're never doing enough. Children sense the state of the adults around them. They don't need all the information, but they feel the regulation—or dysregulation—of the nervous systems caring for them. From a nervous-system lens, anxiety and behavioral struggles aren't signs of weakness or bad parenting; they're signals that the system is overwhelmed. Our mental and emotional health are deeply connected to our environment. Humans regulate better with access to nature, sunlight, rhythm, and sensory safety—we are not separate from the natural world. Environmental degradation impacts mental health not just psychologically, but physiologically. When the environment feels unsafe, nervous systems stay on high alert. A nervous-system perspective shifts the question from “What's wrong with parents or kids?” to “What has their nervous system been asked to carry?” Regulation and connection are foundational—not luxuries. When nervous systems are supported, people have more capacity for hope, care, and meaningful action. Slowing down, repairing relationships, and spending time in nature are not passive responses; they are stabilizing acts that support both individual well-being and collective resilience. Hope doesn't come from denying reality. It comes from feeling safe enough to face hard truths while staying connected to one another. Supporting parents' nervous systems is a form of future care—for children, communities, and the planet. Learn more about Megan at https://www.wovennest.net/woven-nest-therapy-team-louisville/megan-green-meyerhoffer As always, our feature is followed by your community action calendar for the week, so get your calendars out and get ready to take action for sustainability NOW! Sustainability Now! is hosted by Dr. Justin Mog and airs on Forward Radio, 106.5fm, WFMP-LP Louisville, every Monday at 6pm and repeats Tuesdays at 12am and 10am. Find us at https://forwardradio.org The music in this podcast is courtesy of the local band Appalatin and is used by permission. Explore their delightful music at https://appalatin.com

Change at work is often treated like a checklist: new strategy, new structure, new expectations. But what rarely gets named is what people are actually losing along the way: certainty, identity, trust, and sometimes even a sense of belonging. When leaders move too fast and skip the human side of organizational change, the cost shows up quietly through employee burnout, disengagement, and resistance that feels hard to explain.   That's where Myriane Ouellette comes in.    As a leadership strategist at O Strategies, she helps leaders across sectors navigate complex change management while supporting their teams' well-being and resilience. Drawing from deeply personal experiences and years of supporting organizations through transformation, Myriane reminds us that change is never just technical - it's emotional, relational, and human-centered.   On this episode of The Workplace Communication Podcast, we're talking with Myriane Ouellette, Owner and CEO at O Strategies, about why so many change initiatives fail when leaders ignore the human experience behind them. Join us as we learn how grief and loss show up at work, why "resistance" is often a signal rather than a problem, and how shifting from control to stewardship helps teams adapt more sustainably.    Leadership tips you won't want to miss: 

Today's episode is called “Your Weak Links Are Slowing You Down” — and if running has been feeling harder than it should lately, this might be the reason why. Most runners think the problem is fitness. Or age. Or mileage. So they run more. Push harder. Add speed work. But they ignore the small, unglamorous parts of the body that actually control everything: the ankles, the hips, and the core. When those areas aren't doing their job, your stride gets inefficient. Your power leaks. Your pace plateaus. And little aches start to show up. This isn't about random corrective exercises or doing clamshells forever. It's about understanding where strength actually matters — and how to fix the weak links that are quietly holding you back. If you want running to feel stronger, smoother, and more efficient, this episode is for you. Start The Leaner, Stronger Runner Project Ready to stop guessing and start making real progress? If you're training hard but not getting the results you want… If running feels harder than it should… If you know you could be leaner, stronger, and more confident — but you're not sure what to fix first… That's exactly why I created The Leaner, Stronger Runner Project. This is a step-by-step coaching program for runners who want to: Lose fat without wrecking their training Build real, functional strength that makes running feel easier Fuel their body the right way so energy stays high and cravings calm down Develop the mindset and habits that make progress stick for life You'll get clear guidance, proven strategies, and ongoing coaching — all designed specifically for runners. No extremes. No random plans. No spinning your wheels. If you're ready to train smarter, fuel better, and finally feel strong in your body again, Go to runningleancoaching.com/ready to learn more and get started today. The post 320. Your Weak Links Are Slowing You Down appeared first on Running Lean with Patrick McGilvray.

A new Fed Chair nominee. Elevated bond yields. Slowing rent growth. Negative absorption.What does it all mean for multifamily investors?Spencer Gray unpacks how Kevin Warsh's potential leadership at the Federal Reserve could reshape interest rates, inflation expectations, and long-term asset pricing — including apartments.This episode also dives into:• Why IRR can be misleading• The difference between speed of return vs. total return• Updated 2026 supply forecasts• Oversupplied Sunbelt markets vs. Midwest resilience• Why operational excellence matters more than everIn times of uncertainty, understanding first principles matters.

In this insightful episode of the Authors On Mission podcast, hosted by Danielle Hutchinson, author and speech therapist Jeaneen Tang sits down to share the inspiration behind her book Play Dumb and Sabotage. Drawing from her personal journey as both a therapist and a parent of a child with special needs, Jeaneen introduces practical strategies that help children naturally practice and strengthen their language skills.Her approach—rooted in “playing dumb” and strategic sabotage—encourages parents and educators to create opportunities for communication by under-anticipating needs, asking absurd questions, and setting up situations that prompt children to respond.✨ In this episode, you'll gain practical tips such as:

As a fast-paced person, I've always found it hard to truly rest or take free time. Slowing down felt uncomfortable. Doing nothing makes me feel unease. I was constantly chasing something, and over the years, it became exhausting. Yet whenever I finally allowed myself to pause, I felt guilty.After spending a year living in a village, I began to learn the beauty of slowing down—something I could never see when I was moving too fast. That season taught me lessons I now keep in this journal, which I later record and decided to share on METANOIA. There will be 15 episode through out this seasson called “Between Pause and Purpose” I hope this episode resonates with you, my fellow fast-paced souls—a gentle reminder that you are your first priority.Happy listening ✨

In Part I of this two-part series, Jenn breaks down one of the most common—and costly—mistakes she sees capable education consultants making: trying to grow two businesses at the same time.Selling directly to teachers while also building a consulting business for schools may feel logical, but these are two completely different business models. When focus is split, clarity suffers, authority weakens, and momentum stalls.In this episode, Jenn covers:Why direct-to-consumer and education consulting require different strategiesHow split focus drains energy and slows tractionThe hidden ways mixed messaging weakens authority with decision-makersWhy divided attention delays mastery and clouds your dataHow lack of focus prevents the compounding effect that drives booked-out consulting businessesIf this episode hits close to home, it's likely because this mistake quietly holds back otherwise strong consultants.

Fan Mail: Tell Wendy how you're saying yes to yourself!Space to Dream: Retreats Around the WorldA dreamy half-day, in-person workshop experience designed to help you step out of the noise and into your next yes. City dates & registration now open! Select your retreat here.In this episode, Wendy sits down with Karen Bartholomew, founder of The Pause Method, who had her own 2010 breaking point when she was so overwhelmed she couldn't even take a moment to hydrate. That crisis became the catalyst for everything, but Karen wants you to know you don't need to wait for rock bottom to give yourself permission to rest. Slowing down isn't falling behind. It's catching up to who you were always meant to be.They explore:Why we wait for a crisis to finally stop, and how to break that pattern before the breakdown happensThe power of asking yourself, "What is this trying to teach me?" and actually making space to answer itWhy saying yes to alignment means learning to say no to everything that doesn't serve where you're goingThis is a conversation about energy leaks, intentional pauses, and the revolutionary act of designing a life that benefits you first. Press play and discover why you don't have to earn rest, and what happens when you finally stop performing and start listening.Connect with Karen:KarenBartholomew.comInstagram @karenbartholomew________________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Wendy: LinkedinInstagram: @phineaswrighthouseFacebook: Phineas Wright House Website: Phineas Wright House PWH Farm StaysPWH Curated Experience and Travel Interested in being a guest on the show? Send your pitch to podcast@phineaswrighthouse.com Podcast Production By Shannon Warner of Resonant Collective Want to start your own podcast? Let's chat! If this episode resonated, follow Say YES to Yourself! and leave a 5-star review. It helps more women in midlife discover the tools, stories, and community that make saying YES not only possible, but powerful.

In this conversation, GWIC host Dr. Hemma R. Lomax and Shalini Rajoo explore the critical role of decision rubrics in governance, accountability, and trust, especially in the context of AI. Shalini shares her journey from law to compliance, emphasizing the importance of understanding systems and the impact of leadership on decision-making processes. They discuss how transparency and clarity in decision-making can build trust within organizations and the necessity of responsible AI governance. Practical tips for improving decision quality are also provided, highlighting the importance of self-awareness and critical thinking in leadership. Takeaways: The biggest risk in governance is unclear decisions. AI amplifies existing clarity or confusion in decision-making. Systems and rules reflect the identities of their architects. Everyone has an impact on those around them every day. Leadership is about improving the people around you. It's not just about rules; it's about how people behave. Decision rubrics provide consistency and predictability in outcomes. Transparency in decision-making processes builds trust. Slowing down to ask questions can lead to better decision-making. Writing down the reasons for decisions brings clarity and accountability. Sound bites: "Systems and rules are not inherently neutral." "Transparency in decision making builds trust." "Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast." Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Decision Rubrics and Governance 02:55 Shalini's Journey: From Law to Governance 06:09 The Impact of Systems on Leadership and Accountability 09:09 Transitioning to Compliance and Ethics 11:49 Understanding Decision Rubrics in Compliance 15:06 The Role of Leadership in Decision Making 18:03 Designing Conditions for Effective Decision Making 20:47 The Importance of Transparency in Decision Processes 24:09 Decision Rubrics: Building Trust in Organizations 26:49 AI and Governance: Leadership Infrastructure Failures 29:47 Responsible AI: The Role of Ethics and Compliance 32:55 Practical Tips for Improving Decision Quality 36:00 Conclusion: The Future of Decision Making in AI Guest Biography: Shalini Rajoo is the Founder and Principal Consultant of Shalini Rajoo Advisory, LLC, where she partners with organizations to design governance, compliance, and decision-making systems that are resilient, trustworthy, and aligned to real operational pressures. Across more than two decades in law, compliance, HR, and organizational leadership, Shalini has helped companies and leaders move beyond check-the-box frameworks to build structures that embed accountability, clarity, and performance into everyday decisions. She began her career in South Africa, first as a public prosecutor and then leading regulatory work with the Department of Trade and Industry, collaborating with legislative and executive stakeholders on corporate, competition, and consumer law. After relocating to the U.S., Shalini practiced commercial litigation. She later served as Director of Global Business Conduct for a Fortune 500 company, where she redesigned ethics and compliance systems, led global risk assessments, and championed psychological safety and integrity-based practices. Today, Shalini's work centers on helping leaders clarify decision rights, governance architectures, and accountability pathways — especially as organizations adopt AI and automation. She recently spoke at the Opal Group's Corporate Governance & Ethics in the Age of AI conference, where she reframed AI governance as a leadership-infrastructure challenge rather than a purely technical or compliance one.

This week I'm talking about peace. Inspired by a group of Buddhist monks walking 1,800 miles across the country for peace, and by candid conversations inside my Flow fellowship, I explore what peace actually requires of us day to day. We talk about pace, presence, acceptance, boundaries, and the skills that make peace sustainable over time. I share personal stories, reflections on mindfulness, boundaries, and the value of having a sanctuary of your own.  Plus learn practical ways to steady yourself when your body is activated or your mind won't slow down. This episode is an invitation to slow down just enough to ask a useful question: What supports my peace and what erodes it? 3 Takeaways for You: Peace is built through intentional choices about pace, boundaries, and response moment by moment. Your pace is not neutral. If you're moving faster than you can stay present, peace will feel unreachable. Slowing down isn't a mindset shift — it's a practical way to stay regulated and less reactive. Peace is built through small, repeatable choices. Creating sanctuary, saying no when needed, choosing regulation over override — these aren't dramatic moves. They're quiet decisions that add up to a steadier life. Timestamps: 00:00 Opening + why peace feels hard to access 04:18 The monks' 1,800-mile walk and what it reveals 09:42 Peace as acceptance vs. peace as action 15:06 Pace, presence, and nervous system regulation 20:11 Creating sanctuary in everyday life 26:03 Boundaries, saying no, and protecting peace 32:40 Peace thieves: what disrupts your calm 38:12 Skills that support peace over time 44:05 Flow conversations and shared wisdom 49:30 Choosing peace intentionally Connect with Me:

The Lord's Prayer is not just something we recite. It is a way of life.In this episode, I'm joined by Brad Gray and Brad Nelson from Walking the Text to explore how Jesus designed this prayer as a blueprint for living.We break down each line of the Lord's Prayer in its original context and talk about what it actually means for your daily life. From calling God Father, to living with kingdom purpose, to forgiveness, provision, and trust, this prayer invites us to partner with God and reflect heaven right where we are.This conversation will help you move beyond routine prayer and into a deeper, more intentional way of following Jesus. From Executive Producer, Mark BurnettKey Takeaways• The Lord's Prayer shows us how to live, not just how to pray.• “Our Father” invites relationship, not distance. God is near and personal.• God's kingdom is meant to shape our everyday choices and actions.• Forgiveness is essential for healing, freedom, and healthy community.• “Daily bread” reminds us to depend on God one day at a time.• Prayer is an invitation to partner with God in bringing heaven to earth.• Slowing down with scripture, including practices like Lectio Divina, helps the prayer come alive in real life.Watch The Lord's Prayer here.Grab the Rewire Your Mind: From Negativity to Joy- download here.Grab the Joy Rising- Daily Gratitude & Joy Journal here.Download My Free Joyful Living Devotional: https://kristinfitch.com/devotionalReady to take your first step towards a more joyful, faith-filled life? Download our Reignite Your Passion Workbook and start living with purpose today!Lord's Prayer explained, How Jesus taught us to pray, Living like Jesus, Christian prayer teaching, Kingdom of God explained, Faith based spiritual growth, Biblical meaning of the Lord's Prayer, Christian spiritual formation, Daily prayer for Christians, Forgiveness and prayer. Walking the Text. Brad Gray, Brad Nelson. Mark Burnett, Understanding the Bible, Bringing heaven to earth, scripture

I've always loved how humour can sometimes tell the truth better than anything else, and Tim Minchin does exactly that in his now-famous “9 Life Lessons” talk: funny, sharp, and quietly profound.In this relaxed coffee chat, Brice, from  @EsotericAtlanta, and I, walk through each lesson and explore what they actually look like in real life… not just as quotes on a screen, but in how we think, move, work, parent, care for our bodies, and treat other people.It's less “self-help”... more common sense.Less chasing happiness… more building meaning.Less clinging to opinions… more learning how to think clearly.We talk about:• Why you don't need one giant “dream” to have a good life• The difference between happiness and meaning• Humility (and remembering how much of life is luck)• Moving your body so your mind can follow• Being willing to question your own beliefs• Teaching and sharing without ego• Defining yourself by what you love — not just what you're against• Slowing down and actually enjoying the ride⚠️ We discuss the ideas only,  we don't play the original clip here (copyright).If you haven't seen Tim's talk yet, it's worth a watch:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpMYK1RXDNg————————————————

What if awakening wasn't something you reached for, but something you softened into? In this episode of Why Isn't Everyone Doing This?, Emily sits down with Ma Ananda Sarita, a world-renowned Tantra master, for a quiet, deeply embodied conversation about devotion, presence, and awakening with and as the body. Rather than approaching Tantra as philosophy, technique, or sexuality, Sarita shares it as a lived path of devotion to life itself. A way of being in relationship with breath, sensation, emotion, eros, grief, and the simple truth of what is present. Awakening, she reflects, is not about transcendence or ascent, but about arriving fully into this moment. Together, Emily and Sarita explore what it means to slow down enough to actually feel, to allow life to move you rather than trying to control or optimize your experience, and to trust the body as a source of intelligence and love. They speak about tenderness, surrender, and the feminine way of awakening that unfolds through receptivity, listening, and intimacy with what is real. This episode is an invitation to soften your grip, deepen your presence, and remember that the sacred is not elsewhere. It is already here, waiting to be met. Key Moments 00:00:00 — Opening the space: presence, reverence, and intention00:05:40 — Devotion as lived relationship, not belief or hierarchy00:10:30 — Awakening with and as the body00:16:15 — Slowing down enough to truly feel00:22:45 — Staying present with grief and tenderness00:29:10 — The feminine path of remembering00:35:20 — Allowing life to move you00:41:00 — Trust, surrender, and embodied listening00:47:30 — When practice becomes how you live00:53:10 — Integration and closing reflections For Those Feeling the Call to Go Deeper The themes in this episode — embodiment, nervous system capacity, devotion, and lived integration — are the foundation of Ziva Level 3. Level 3 is for practitioners who feel ready to move beyond peak experiences and into sustained, embodied leadership. Applications close soon: https://zivameditation.com/pages/nextlevel About Sarita Ma Ananda Sarita is a world-renowned Tantra master, author, and teacher with more than five decades of lived experience on the Tantric path. Initiated in the Osho lineage, her work emphasizes awakening through embodiment, intimacy, and devotion to life itself. She teaches Tantra not as technique or performance, but as a path of surrender and presence, where the body becomes a doorway to truth, love, and realization. Learn more: https://www.anandasarita.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarita.love More from Emily & Ziva https://zivameditation.com/pages/zivamagic https://upgradedformulas.com/emily and use code EMILY for 20% off everything at https://upgradedformulas.com These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider if pregnant or nursing, taking medication, or if you have a medical condition.

In this Medium episode with Dr. Monisha Bhanote, we focus on one of the most overlooked truths in modern health, your gut is not a side system, it is central to how you feel, function and heal. We explore why so many people feel inflamed, tired, or disconnected from their bodies, even when they think they are eating “well.”Monisha explains that we carry more bacteria than human cells and that our relationship with this inner ecosystem shapes everything from digestion and weight to immunity and disease. We talk about why diversity matters more than restriction, why aiming for thirty different plant foods a week can radically shift your microbiome, and why stress can block nutrition no matter how clean your diet looks on paper.We also reflect on how modern eating habits have lost rhythm and presence. From rushed meals to distracted eating, we've created environments where the body struggles to receive nourishment. This episode is a reminder that gut health is not about perfection or trends, it's about awareness, pace and consistency.If you've ever asked yourself how to fix your gut or what you should really be eating to feel better, this conversation offers clarity without overwhelm.Inside this podcast:- Why gut health influences far more than digestion- How food diversity supports a healthier microbiome- Why stress can block nutrition even on a good diet- What modern eating habits are doing to our bodies- How slowing down changes how we absorb nourishmentConnect with Dr. Monisha:Instagram → https://bit.ly/3L1m3ak LinkedIn  → https://bit.ly/3LuKMnvWebsite → https://www.drbhanote.com/ Connect with Steve:Instagram → https://bit.ly/3KARQhR LinkedIn  → https://bit.ly/48sw8Vj Episode Highlights00:00:00 - You have more bacteria than human cells00:01:30 - Why the microbiome can work for or against you00:03:20 - The power of thirty different plant foods a week00:04:10 - Why most people struggle with food diversity00:05:50 - Stress and its impact on nutrient absorption00:07:10 - Bacteria linked to weight and inflammation00:09:05 - Why people ask how to fix their gut00:11:40 - Slowing down meals and eating with presence00:13:20 - Sleep, lifestyle, and gut health connectionABOUT THE PODCAST SHOWThe Noise of Life is a podcast that shares real stories, raw truths, and remarkable growth. Hosted by Steve Hodgson a coach, facilitator, speaker and Mental Health First Aid Instructor. This podcast dives deep into the “noise” we all face, the distractions, doubts and challenges that can pull us away from who we truly are.

In this season finale, Kristina and Anna reflect on a pivotal personal update, then bring the Inner Villain framework full circle. The conversation weaves lived experience, healthcare advocacy, boundaries, emotional embodiment, and spiritual bypassing into a practical, grounded close to the season.This episode is about changing the script. Not by bypassing reality, but by meeting it honestly.Opening Update. Surgery, Uncertainty, and Narrative ChoiceKristina shares an update on a planned surgical biopsy that ultimately could not proceed. Rather than framing this as loss or avoidance, she explores how preparing for surgery moved a deeper story forward. Fear of death, fear of leaving family, and inherited narratives were confronted directly.Key themes:Reconciling with uncertaintyHow preparation itself can be transformationalChoosing meaning without denialLetting go of the need for visible “proof” of healingHealthcare Reality. Advocacy and Systemic Blind SpotsThe conversation shifts into a candid discussion about healthcare systems, fallibility, and the importance of self-advocacy.Highlights include:Why patients must advocate for themselvesThe power of asking providers to document refusalsGendered dismissal in medical settingsInsurance denial as a systemic issue, not a personal failureThis section grounds the episode firmly in lived reality before returning to psychological and spiritual frameworks.Control vs Illusion. Anchor and DriftAnna revisits a core distinction from earlier episodes: control-based villains versus illusion-based villains, reframed as Anchor and Drift.Key insight:Anchors grow through joy, movement, and emotional flowDrifts grow through responsibility, structure, and self-anchoringThis reframing avoids gendered language while clarifying relational dynamics across work, parenting, money, and intimacy.The 12 Steps as Villain WorkThe discussion explores how 12-step frameworks function as deep transformational tools within the Inner Villain system.Key points:Surrender as medicine for controlResponsibility as medicine for illusionWhy hybrid villains often benefit from bothAddiction, avoidance, and invisibility as shared rootsObedient Critic. Control in Everyday LifeBoth hosts share personal examples of how the Obedient Critic shows up in domestic life, hosting, and expectations.Topics include:Silent rules and unspoken standardsJudgment versus communicationHumor as a bridge away from controlLearning to state needs without shame or superiorityVengeful Martyr. Boundaries and BurnoutThe conversation turns to over-giving, over-servicing, and emotional exhaustion.Key themes:How silencing needs creates resentmentWhy boundaries are emotional, not intellectualAnger as an early boundary signalBoredom as a late-stage warning signBoundaries as other people's growth edgesBoth hosts share work-related examples where firmer boundaries led to more sustainable energy and better outcomes.Invisible Destroyer (The Nothing). Spiritual Bypass and EmbodimentThis section explores how spirituality and busyness can become tools for avoidance.Key insights:Toxic positivity as emotional suppressionRegulation mistaken for constant calmBusyness as grief avoidanceActivity as bypass versus activity as embodimentThe difference between thinking emotions and feeling themKristina speaks to slowing down as a path to embodiment, while Anna highlights movement and physical activation as her gateway to emotional truth.Hero Energy. Becoming EmbodiedThe episode closes by naming the hero of the Invisible Destroyer: the Embodied.Practices discussed:Slowing down to feel rather than interpretLetting emotions unfold without reframingMoving the body to access grief, anger, and joyStaying present without transcending the human experienceSeason Reflection and ClosingThe hosts reflect on the impact of the Inner Villain work over the season and the relief of stepping out of victim and villain identities altogether.The season ends not with answers, but with better questions.And with permission to be human.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

I see this pattern constantly with nonprofit leaders: staying busy, staying loyal to systems and strategies that feel familiar, and wondering why results have plateaued. Today, I break down what I call the familiarity trap,  the tendency to cling to fundraising tactics, tools, and routines not because they're effective, but because they're comfortable. I talk about how burnout often shows up as indecision, avoidance, and endless tinkering instead of forward momentum. I unpack why familiarity feels safe to the brain, how it keeps leaders stuck in low-impact work, and why decisiveness (not perfection) is the fastest way out. If you're circling the same decisions, rewriting the same content, avoiding donor outreach, or telling yourself you'll “deal with it later,” this episode will help you recognize what's actually happening and show you how to interrupt the cycle with clarity and courage.Topics:What the familiarity trap is and why it's so common in nonprofitsHow burnout shows up as indecision and avoidanceWhy “thinking about thinking” keeps leaders stuckThe neuroscience behind comfort, fear, and decision-makingWhy decisiveness beats perfection every timeHow familiar tasks drain energy without moving revenueThe cost of delaying donor outreach and key decisionsHow to choose one path and commit long enough to see resultsThe difference between being careful and being stalledFor a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here. Live March 4th - REGISTER HEREResources: Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign System Purpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser's Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links

Do you feel like rest has to be earned. Like you can finally slow down once everything is done.That belief is keeping many Christian women exhausted, disconnected, and stuck in constant motion. Grab Your Start with Rest Reflection Worksheet here.In this episode of Faith Fueled Living, Kristin Fitch challenges the cultural and even church driven idea that busyness equals faithfulness. You will learn why Sabbath was never meant to be a reward for productivity but a starting point for a healthy, grounded life with God.This conversation reframes rest as a gift from God, not a luxury or a weakness. Kristin walks through what Scripture actually teaches about Sabbath, why hustle culture quietly pulls us away from peace, and how choosing rest changes your spiritual life, emotional health, and daily joy.If you are tired of running on empty and wondering what slowing down could actually give you, this episode will help you see rest in a completely new way.Key TakeawaysRest is not something you earn. It is something God designed you to receive.Sabbath was created to restore your soul, not interrupt your life.Constant busyness can dull your connection with God without you noticing.Choosing rest brings clarity, peace, and deeper joy, not laziness.A regular rhythm of rest leads to a more grounded, faith filled life.Ready to take your first step towards a more joyful, faith-filled life? Download our Reignite Your Passion Workbook and start living with purpose today!Ready for more Joy in your life? Grab my Joy Rising- daily journal page to expand your gratitude practice, notice joy and how God has been present in your day- download here.Ready to work with Kristin to make a shift in your life? Click here to get started.Christian rest, Biblical Sabbath, Why God calls us to rest, Faith and rest, Christian women burnout, Biblical view of rest, Sabbath for busy women, Christian work life balance, Spiritual rest in the Bible, God's design for rest, Faith based wellness, Slowing down with God, Rest as worship, Sabbath rhythm, Christian living intentionally

Most traders think more strategies mean more money.The truth? It usually just slows you down.In this episode, we break down why strategy hopping, over-optimization, and “doing the right thing” keeps traders stuck — and how focusing on one strategy gets you profitable faster through compounding.If you're working hard but going nowhere, this episode explains why.Please remember to FOLLOW the podcast before you go!Your Trading Coach - Akil

In today's episode of Fitness Stuff for Normal People, Marianna and Tony break down how to lose weight without tracking a single calorie. Yes, fat loss requires a calorie deficit, but no, you don't need to log every bite of food for the rest of your life. The real goal is building simple, realistic systems around food, movement, and recovery that make the deficit happen automatically. This episode shows you how to engineer your environment so fat loss feels predictable, sustainable, and way less exhausting.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Fitness Stuff PREMIUM here!!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ALL of our complete 12-week training programsBonus episodes every FridayJust $5 /month⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Legion Athletics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BOGO 50% off for your first order + 2X points on every order after thatuse code “FSPOD” at checkoutTimestamps(4:53) Why calorie tracking works(10:05) When tracking doesn't make sense(16:50) Step 1: Protein anchor each meal(21:16) Step 2: Fiber anchor each meal(30:00) Step 3: 10k steps daily(33:18) Step 4: Slowing down(44:12) Step 5: Stop fighting biology(49:45) When a calorie count actually matters

What happens in the coaching space when the body tightens, the breath shortens, and the words become careful because something meaningful is at stake? In this episode of the podcast, we explored what it truly means to coach nervous clients and why nervousness is far more than a surface emotion. From our perspective, nervousness is both physiological and psychological, a temporary state that signals uncertainty, risk, and often the presence of something deeply important to the client. We reflected on how nervousness can show up even in highly capable, articulate, and senior leaders. It may appear as guarded language, rehearsed responses, or subtle somatic cues such as shallow breathing or tension in the shoulders. As coaches, we often sense it before it is ever named. We spoke about how nervousness can magnify automatic behaviours, pushing clients into protection strategies such as intellectualising, closing down emotionally, or striving to perform rather than authentically explore. During our conversation, we noticed how easily a coach's own nervous system can become activated in response. When this happens, there is a risk of rushing, over reassuring, or moving too quickly into goals and action. We reflected on the importance of co regulation, slowing the pace, and allowing the client to arrive fully into the session before asking for depth, vulnerability, or clarity of outcomes. We also shared personal experiences of nervousness within coaching and supervision, recognising how being seen in a new way can create an edge that feels exposing. This led us to discuss how ethical emotional coaching is not about fixing nervousness, but about staying with it, being curious about it, and allowing it to be explored as meaningful information rather than something to remove. A key theme was the power of working somatically and relationally. Grounding, noticing breath, tone of voice, and subtle shifts in the body can create safety and support nervous system regulation. We spoke about gently naming what we observe, such as changes in pace or posture, and using this as an invitation to awareness rather than an interpretation. Finally, we explored nervousness as a coaching topic in its own right. Whether a client is facing a difficult stakeholder, a career transition, or a significant conversation, nervousness can be an entry point into deeper beliefs, values, and identity. By coaching the emotion rather than bypassing it, clients can access a wider emotional range, including steadiness, empowerment, and confidence alongside their nerves. Timestamps: 00:31 Understanding what nervousness looks like in coaching 01:01 Nervousness as a physiological and psychological response 03:45 Default protection strategies and emotional regulation 05:11 How coaches can become dysregulated too 08:21 Slowing down and focusing on the relationship 10:41 Grounding and somatic approaches with nervous clients 12:34 Using gentle observations to build awareness 14:27 Coaching nervousness as the topic, not something to fix 18:12 Emotions as signals that want to move and be understood Key Lessons Learned: Nervousness signals that something meaningful and uncertain is present for the client. A coach's nervous system plays a central role in creating safety and co regulation. Slowing the pace helps clients move from performance into authenticity. Somatic awareness and grounding can support emotional regulation before cognitive exploration. Coaching the emotion itself allows deeper insight than trying to remove or bypass it. Nervousness can coexist with empowerment rather than needing to disappear. Keywords: coaching nervous clients, emotional coaching, nervous system regulation, co regulation in coaching, somatic coaching, confidence coaching, psychological safety, coaching emotions, leadership coaching, executive coaching   Links and Resources: Emotions Coaching Practitioner Training: www.igcompany.com/emotionscoaching https://igcompany.co.uk/howto

Miracles can happen on Christmas Eve.Based on a post by auguy86, in 2 parts. Listen to the ► Podcast at My First Time.“I; I don’t want to just be a charity case,” Ken replied. “If you do this, Gabrielle;”“It will only be because I want to. Promise,” Gabby replied, finishing his thought. “Now, your first lesson in kissing: making the move. I’m a young, attractive woman who has been making eye contact with you all night and finding every excuse in the book to touch you. You may not realize it, but when a woman does that, it means she’s ready for you to make the move. Try it on me, just like I did.”Mimicking Ken, Gabby closed her eyes, waiting for the moment that Ken would kiss her once more. He leaned in as she had done, trying to take his time and not rush anything. As he was about to kiss her, he remembered that agonizing wait when he could sense her almost on top of him. Pausing mere centimeters from her lips, he allowed the tension to build up for a few moments. Soon, a huge smile began to form on Gabby’s lips; she was enjoying this, and he hadn’t even touched her yet! Ken collected his courage and finally met her lips with his, moving them ever so slightly as he kissed her. He only had his instincts to guide him, but she didn’t seem to mind one bit.“Umm; that was very nice,” Gabby whispered as they parted. “Good job in mimicking my technique. Let’s try one more. This time, lick your lips just a bit before you kiss me, and try to let our mouths fit together like a puzzle. You can take my lower lip between yours, or I can take your lip between mine. Tilting your head to the side a bit is also a natural position. The possibilities are almost endless. When you’re ready, don’t be afraid to put your tongue in my mouth. In the future, you’ll want to be careful about doing this too soon, but for our purposes tonight, go right ahead.”Ken did as she instructed, and found that the increased moisture to be quite pleasant. It allowed each of their lips to slide along the other’s with little effort. All too soon, he felt Gabby take his lower lip in hers, sucking lightly and even nibbling for an instant. After she did this a second time, Ken took the hint and reciprocated in kind, eliciting a contented murmur from Gabby. As their kissing became more passionate, he could no longer resist the urge to taste this gorgeous woman. Still tentative, he pressed his tongue against the crease of her lips, which parted to allow him entry. Though he didn’t know what to do once he was in, he soon found himself enthralled in Gabby’s passions. Her tongue danced with his, exploring his mouth in a slow, methodical fashion. This gave him the perfect gauge to judge his own efforts by. After nearly twenty minutes of making out, they finally separated, their faces flushed from the experience.“Holy shit.” Ken sighed.“You, my friend, are one quick study. The next girl that kisses you may well get addicted and refuse to let you go,” Gabby agreed with a playful grin. Leaning back on the sofa, she reached down and unbuttoned the top button of her jeans, asking, “You ready to learn something else?”In spite of his hardening cock, Ken couldn’t help but feel like he was doing something he shouldn’t. “Look, you seriously don’t have to;”“I want to,” she said with confidence. “Ken, you are such a sweet, special guy, and I want to show you that. I want to prove to you how lucky a girl I would be to have a guy like you.”Would be? What’s that supposed to mean?“I’ve never made love to a virgin, Ken,” she continued. “But I know what I love in bed, and I think I can help you get quite good at this. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, but if you’ll allow me, I’d love nothing more than to take your virginity tonight.”Ken was torn. This woman certainly drove him crazy, but part of him worried this was all an elaborate setup. Women never came on to him like this, let alone one this beautiful! Then again, she hadn’t balked in the slightest in kissing him. Hell, she had even encouraged him to French kiss her. In spite of the fact that he had every reason to be distrusting after Jacqueline’s message, he recognized that she had shown him nothing but kindness and patience. He didn’t believe in destiny or fate, but if there was a moment in which he was supposed to lose his virginity, this had to be it.“Okay; I want to,” he whispered.“I’m glad,” she replied with a warm smile.Fumbling with his belt, he said, “I guess I’d better;”“There’s plenty of time, Ken,” Gabby reassured him. “If we do this, I want to do it right. I want to show you the proper way to take a girl around the world. That starts with what we were doing earlier, only this time, you can start removing my clothes in the process.”As Ken leaned in and resumed their kissing, Gabby guided his hands lower and slipped them underneath her sweater. He spent a few moments enjoying the warm sensation of skin-to-skin contact before tugging her sweater up. They separated for a moment so that Gabby could finish peeling her top off, revealing a simple, black silk bra. As they continued making out, Ken reached behind her, trying to decipher the key to unhooking the ever-hated bra.“Want some advice?” Gabby asked with a slight giggle.“Sure,” Ken signed, beginning to get frustrated.“Feel for the crease, then slip one finger under and one finger over. Squeeze together and rub your fingers until it unhooks.”Concentrating, Ken did as she instructed. The clasp itself was easy to find, and her descriptions were spot on. To his surprise, it only took one unsuccessful attempt before he managed to snap the garment open.“Impressive,” Gabby marveled.“Thanks, but that was all you. I’d be lost without your instructions.”“You’re a natural student; you take direction well. Ready for the next lesson?”“Oh yeah,” Ken said with anticipation.“Your kissing skills have grown by leaps and bounds in just a few minutes. Now you should remember that you don’t have to kiss just my lips. My cheeks, my neck, my shoulders; my entire body is your playground. Few things turn a woman on more than a man whose only desire is to worship every inch of her form.”With that, Gabby shrugged her shoulders and slipped her bra off, revealing her ample D-cup tits to Ken. He was utterly speechless at the sight he now beheld. They were not only large, but quite perky as well. Her tiny pink nipples, already hard from their making out, were the perfect accent to Gabby’s most notable assets. As he drank her in, he felt her guide his hand towards her, reaching him out to touch her tit. It barely fit into his hand, yet it was so soft and warm that it felt like it just belonged there. Taking a deep breath, Ken now reached in with both of his hands, squeezing her tits together and exploring every inch of their surface. Remembering her words from a moment ago, he leaned in once more and began to kiss his way from her lips down to her chest.“Yes; just like that.” she cooed.Arriving at the valley of her bosom, he made his way to one side, kissing her tit while also stimulating her nipple with his finger.“That’s so good, Ken; ooh, you can suck on them too,” she whispered with encouragement.Ken’s heart leapt at her suggestion, and he moved to take one of her tiny nipples in his mouth. He sucked with eagerness at first, but Gabby soon coaxed him to go slower.“Careful there; be gentle.”“Sorry.”“Quite alright, they’re just a bit sensitive,” she said with a sweet giggle.Ken spent quite some time lapping at her tits, alternating sides every so often. At first, Gabby advised him on when to change so as not to over stimulate one side or the other. Soon, though, Ken was moving back and forth all on his own, driving her wild with lust in the process. After several minutes of this, she lifted his head up, a wicked grin on her face.“Ready for the big reveal?” she asked, lowering the zipper of her jeans.“Uh; uh huh.”Lifting her hips up, Gabby slipped her jeans over her curvy ass and down her long legs before kicking them off with her boots. She then turned to recline back on the sofa, spreading her legs a tiny bit. The smoldering come hither look she gave Ken was enough to bring any man to his knees.“Come on, Ken; you’ve got a Christmas present to open.”Ken’s mouth went dry as he stared at her black thong panties, mesmerized in disbelief by what was about to happen. With trembling hands, he slipped his fingers into her waistband and slid the silky garment off, revealing Gabby’s shaven pussy at last. In that moment, Ken had completely forgotten that he was still wearing all his clothes.“I just love the way you’re looking at me,” Gabby breathed, breaking his trance. “It’s like you won the lottery or something.”“I; think I did.”“So sweet. Now then, time to learn how to really make a woman happy. Most women are at least willing to engage in oral sex, but you always need to give at least as much as you receive. It’s only polite. And there’s no better way to make a woman want to suck your cock; than to eat her pussy without prompting. With that said.”Gabby now spread her legs wide for him, beckoning him to explore her delectable womanhood. Following a trail she laid with her fingers, Ken began to kiss his way up her leg and inner thigh. After repeating the action on her other leg, he arrived at her soaked pussy, breathing in the musky aroma seeping from within her.“Spread my lips, Ken,” Gabby whispered.Using a gentle touch, he did as she asked, gazing deep into her slick tunnel. He soon leaned forward, touching his tongue to the folds of her labia. She tasted different than he had expected, perhaps a bit salty, but nothing unpleasant in Ken’s mind. He continued to taste and tease her lips for a few moments, and she began to squirm and writhe under him in pleasure.“Oh, yes; that’s just right, Ken; you can move a little higher, too. See that little bump there? That’s my clit. She’s sensitive, but if you pay enough attention to her; something good is bound to happen.”He tilted his head upwards a bit, running his tongue along her lips as he arrived at her clit. Flicking the nub a couple of times, he was surprised at just how strong Gabby’s reaction was. Ken liked that. She was having the time of her life, and it was all because of him. Feeling a twinge of confidence, he redoubled his efforts and began lapping at her clit again and again, never giving her a chance to rest.“Yes; yes, that’s fucking incredible!” she cried out.As Gabby’s hips began to buck, Ken looped his arms around her thighs on instinct, helping her to remain still. He continued his worshipping of her womanhood, savoring every drop of her juices as she squirmed and squealed in delight. Soon, he began to sense that her thrashing was reaching a crescendo and an ultimate plateau. He received almost immediate verbal confirmation of this.“Holy shit; Fuck that’s awesome! Oh, Ken don’t stop; don’t; stop; please don’t stop don’t stop don’t stop; ah!”Ken knew in an academic sense that women could achieve powerful orgasms. Still, he had never actually seen it happen, let alone experienced it by his hand, or rather his tongue. Yet lying beneath him was the most beautiful woman he had ever met in his life, and she was becoming even more beautiful by the second as her body erupted in ecstasy. The look of pleasure on her face as her eyes fluttered closed was awe-inspiring. A few final licks to her pussy, and she gently pushed his face away from her crotch.“That’s quite enough; but oh so wonderful.” she sighed. “You’re a natural, Ken.”“Thanks. That’s; got to be the hottest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. Seeing you lose control like that, it was surreal.”“So sweet,” she said, sitting up straight on the sofa. “For all your supposed awkwardness, you sure know how to pay a girl a compliment.” She leaned forward, planting a long, slow kiss on his lips. As they parted, she whispered, “Ready for your due reward?”With a slight gasp, he replied, “Oh, hell yes.”Gabby stood from the sofa, smiling the entire time. Reaching behind the armrest of the sofa, she pulled out a dark blue sleeping bag and began to spread it out on the thick rug in front of the fire.“It’s a tradition,” she explained, seeing the look of confusion on Ken’s face. “When I was a little girl, I swore I’d catch Santa in the act by sleeping next to the tree. He’d never be able to sneak past me. Well, my parents told me to go for it, but that it wouldn’t work; he’s too good. Sure enough, he had come and gone the next morning. He even left a note next to my pillow that said, ‘Nice try, Gabby. Merry Christmas.’ Ever since then, I’ve slept by the tree every Christmas Eve.”“Love it,” Ken grinned.By now, she had finished spreading the sleeping bag out on the floor and affixed a couple of pillows at the head for them. As it was designed for one person, she had opened it completely and laid it out flat, making it large enough for two to lie on. Seeing what she was doing, Ken grabbed a large throw blanket from the sofa to cover up with.“Why, thank you,” she said. “But don’t you think you’re a bit overdressed?”“Huh?” Ken had been so entranced with Gabby’s naked body that he’d forgotten that he was still wearing his clothes. “Oh, uh, I guess so.”“Can I help with that?” she asked with a mischievous grin.“Sure.”Gabby sauntered over to him, wrapping him in a warm hug as they stood next to the fireplace. After kissing his lips, she moved to his cheek and neck, just as he had done to her before. As she began to drive him crazy, she slipped her fingers into his tee shirt and pulled it off of him, exposing his bare chest to her. Now with a new playground to explore, Gabby continued from where she left off. She first lingered around his neck and shoulders, then down his chest before finally reaching his stomach. As she knelt before him, she unbuckled his belt and slid his jeans and boxers down to his ankles, freeing his rock hard cock at last.Ken was not large my most standards, being only about five inches in length at full staff, but to Gabby he was perfect. She had no hesitation as she began to lightly stroke his length in her hand, and soon began to take him in her mouth bit-by-bit. Ken was in blissful agony; not only was he receiving is first blowjob, but he also had to keep from exploding too soon, all while concentrating on standing still. She sucked him for a few seconds more before releasing him.“If you get close, let me know, okay? I want this inside my pussy, too.”Ken could only nod in reply. She soon resumed her pleasuring of his member, sucking him with gleeful determination. He had been so good to her tonight; she only wanted to reward his efforts. Slowing her pace, she gazed up at him with her smoldering eyes, her pretty face framed by her long blonde hair. As Ken began to lose himself in her beauty, he also felt a familiar bubbling up in the pit of his stomach. Though he panicked for a moment, he soon had the presence of mind to tap Gabby on the forehead.“I think you’d better slow down,” he stammered.Releasing his cock from her mouth with a pop, Gabby grinned and replied, “Good. Because I think it’s time for me to take your virginity.”After switching off the gas logs, she stretched out on the open sleeping bag and held part of the blanket up, beckoning Ken to slide in with her. He did so with eagerness, though was still nervous as hell; he had no idea what he was doing! Sensing his doubts, Gabby spoke with soft confidence and reassurance.“Let’s go you on top to start. That way you can control it so you don’t go off too soon. Honestly, though, don’t worry about stamina. You’ve already lasted through one of my blowjobs, which is no small feat, if I do say so myself. You ready?”“Um, yeah; I think so. But do we need any; protection? I don’t have a condom or anything.”With a warm smile, she replied, “Don’t ever change, Ken. Sweet, humble, and considerate, that’s what you are. I don’t have any diseases per my last doctor’s visit two months ago, and I know you’re a virgin so I don’t think there’s any concern.”“That’s good. But; what if you get pregnant? I’m not sure I’d be able to pull out in time.”“Well,” she paused, her smile becoming more bittersweet. “It’s a long story, but trust me when I say that there’s no risk of me becoming pregnant. We’re clear to let loose with this, as long as you’re comfortable with that, of course.”“I am. I just; wanted to be sure.”“Thank you, Ken. Now, if you please, my pussy is aching for your cock, and you’d best make her happy.”Positioning his pelvic region between her legs, Ken attempted to push into her, but his slick cock merely grazed the surface before slipping up to her belly. Gabby just smiled and reached down, taking a gentle grip on his cock with her hand and guiding him to the entrance of her pussy. Feeling a bit of give, he followed his instincts and penetrated her at long last, his virginity melting away in the process. She was divine, far tighter than Ken had ever imagined in his wildest dreams and fantasies.“Oh Ken; that’s just where you belong,” she cooed in satisfaction.“Holy fuck; so tight.” he could only reply.Ken began to thrust in and out of her, keeping his tempo moderate at the start to get a feel for how sensitive he was. The sensations of making love to this goddess were only enhanced by the look of sheer enjoyment in Gabby’s eyes. He prayed that he would be able to last and enjoy it all, even if only for a few minutes. As he continued thrusting into her, Gabby began to get a mischievous look in her eyes.“You’re thinking something,” Ken observed.“Uh huh. Wanna learn a trick that’ll drive any girl nuts?”“Sure.”“Come up on your knees and keep your torso straight up. Try to get to where you can keep yourself inside me without having to balance on your arms.”“Like this?” he asked, relaxing back on his folded knees.“Exactly. You can also stretch my leg out against your chest to help you balance.”“Very nice,” he said as he followed her instructions.&ld

Miracles can happen on Christmas Eve.Based on a post by auguy86, in 2 parts. Listen to the ► Podcast at My First Time.“I; I don’t want to just be a charity case,” Ken replied. “If you do this, Gabrielle;”“It will only be because I want to. Promise,” Gabby replied, finishing his thought. “Now, your first lesson in kissing: making the move. I’m a young, attractive woman who has been making eye contact with you all night and finding every excuse in the book to touch you. You may not realize it, but when a woman does that, it means she’s ready for you to make the move. Try it on me, just like I did.”Mimicking Ken, Gabby closed her eyes, waiting for the moment that Ken would kiss her once more. He leaned in as she had done, trying to take his time and not rush anything. As he was about to kiss her, he remembered that agonizing wait when he could sense her almost on top of him. Pausing mere centimeters from her lips, he allowed the tension to build up for a few moments. Soon, a huge smile began to form on Gabby’s lips; she was enjoying this, and he hadn’t even touched her yet! Ken collected his courage and finally met her lips with his, moving them ever so slightly as he kissed her. He only had his instincts to guide him, but she didn’t seem to mind one bit.“Umm; that was very nice,” Gabby whispered as they parted. “Good job in mimicking my technique. Let’s try one more. This time, lick your lips just a bit before you kiss me, and try to let our mouths fit together like a puzzle. You can take my lower lip between yours, or I can take your lip between mine. Tilting your head to the side a bit is also a natural position. The possibilities are almost endless. When you’re ready, don’t be afraid to put your tongue in my mouth. In the future, you’ll want to be careful about doing this too soon, but for our purposes tonight, go right ahead.”Ken did as she instructed, and found that the increased moisture to be quite pleasant. It allowed each of their lips to slide along the other’s with little effort. All too soon, he felt Gabby take his lower lip in hers, sucking lightly and even nibbling for an instant. After she did this a second time, Ken took the hint and reciprocated in kind, eliciting a contented murmur from Gabby. As their kissing became more passionate, he could no longer resist the urge to taste this gorgeous woman. Still tentative, he pressed his tongue against the crease of her lips, which parted to allow him entry. Though he didn’t know what to do once he was in, he soon found himself enthralled in Gabby’s passions. Her tongue danced with his, exploring his mouth in a slow, methodical fashion. This gave him the perfect gauge to judge his own efforts by. After nearly twenty minutes of making out, they finally separated, their faces flushed from the experience.“Holy shit.” Ken sighed.“You, my friend, are one quick study. The next girl that kisses you may well get addicted and refuse to let you go,” Gabby agreed with a playful grin. Leaning back on the sofa, she reached down and unbuttoned the top button of her jeans, asking, “You ready to learn something else?”In spite of his hardening cock, Ken couldn’t help but feel like he was doing something he shouldn’t. “Look, you seriously don’t have to;”“I want to,” she said with confidence. “Ken, you are such a sweet, special guy, and I want to show you that. I want to prove to you how lucky a girl I would be to have a guy like you.”Would be? What’s that supposed to mean?“I’ve never made love to a virgin, Ken,” she continued. “But I know what I love in bed, and I think I can help you get quite good at this. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, but if you’ll allow me, I’d love nothing more than to take your virginity tonight.”Ken was torn. This woman certainly drove him crazy, but part of him worried this was all an elaborate setup. Women never came on to him like this, let alone one this beautiful! Then again, she hadn’t balked in the slightest in kissing him. Hell, she had even encouraged him to French kiss her. In spite of the fact that he had every reason to be distrusting after Jacqueline’s message, he recognized that she had shown him nothing but kindness and patience. He didn’t believe in destiny or fate, but if there was a moment in which he was supposed to lose his virginity, this had to be it.“Okay; I want to,” he whispered.“I’m glad,” she replied with a warm smile.Fumbling with his belt, he said, “I guess I’d better;”“There’s plenty of time, Ken,” Gabby reassured him. “If we do this, I want to do it right. I want to show you the proper way to take a girl around the world. That starts with what we were doing earlier, only this time, you can start removing my clothes in the process.”As Ken leaned in and resumed their kissing, Gabby guided his hands lower and slipped them underneath her sweater. He spent a few moments enjoying the warm sensation of skin-to-skin contact before tugging her sweater up. They separated for a moment so that Gabby could finish peeling her top off, revealing a simple, black silk bra. As they continued making out, Ken reached behind her, trying to decipher the key to unhooking the ever-hated bra.“Want some advice?” Gabby asked with a slight giggle.“Sure,” Ken signed, beginning to get frustrated.“Feel for the crease, then slip one finger under and one finger over. Squeeze together and rub your fingers until it unhooks.”Concentrating, Ken did as she instructed. The clasp itself was easy to find, and her descriptions were spot on. To his surprise, it only took one unsuccessful attempt before he managed to snap the garment open.“Impressive,” Gabby marveled.“Thanks, but that was all you. I’d be lost without your instructions.”“You’re a natural student; you take direction well. Ready for the next lesson?”“Oh yeah,” Ken said with anticipation.“Your kissing skills have grown by leaps and bounds in just a few minutes. Now you should remember that you don’t have to kiss just my lips. My cheeks, my neck, my shoulders; my entire body is your playground. Few things turn a woman on more than a man whose only desire is to worship every inch of her form.”With that, Gabby shrugged her shoulders and slipped her bra off, revealing her ample D-cup tits to Ken. He was utterly speechless at the sight he now beheld. They were not only large, but quite perky as well. Her tiny pink nipples, already hard from their making out, were the perfect accent to Gabby’s most notable assets. As he drank her in, he felt her guide his hand towards her, reaching him out to touch her tit. It barely fit into his hand, yet it was so soft and warm that it felt like it just belonged there. Taking a deep breath, Ken now reached in with both of his hands, squeezing her tits together and exploring every inch of their surface. Remembering her words from a moment ago, he leaned in once more and began to kiss his way from her lips down to her chest.“Yes; just like that.” she cooed.Arriving at the valley of her bosom, he made his way to one side, kissing her tit while also stimulating her nipple with his finger.“That’s so good, Ken; ooh, you can suck on them too,” she whispered with encouragement.Ken’s heart leapt at her suggestion, and he moved to take one of her tiny nipples in his mouth. He sucked with eagerness at first, but Gabby soon coaxed him to go slower.“Careful there; be gentle.”“Sorry.”“Quite alright, they’re just a bit sensitive,” she said with a sweet giggle.Ken spent quite some time lapping at her tits, alternating sides every so often. At first, Gabby advised him on when to change so as not to over stimulate one side or the other. Soon, though, Ken was moving back and forth all on his own, driving her wild with lust in the process. After several minutes of this, she lifted his head up, a wicked grin on her face.“Ready for the big reveal?” she asked, lowering the zipper of her jeans.“Uh; uh huh.”Lifting her hips up, Gabby slipped her jeans over her curvy ass and down her long legs before kicking them off with her boots. She then turned to recline back on the sofa, spreading her legs a tiny bit. The smoldering come hither look she gave Ken was enough to bring any man to his knees.“Come on, Ken; you’ve got a Christmas present to open.”Ken’s mouth went dry as he stared at her black thong panties, mesmerized in disbelief by what was about to happen. With trembling hands, he slipped his fingers into her waistband and slid the silky garment off, revealing Gabby’s shaven pussy at last. In that moment, Ken had completely forgotten that he was still wearing all his clothes.“I just love the way you’re looking at me,” Gabby breathed, breaking his trance. “It’s like you won the lottery or something.”“I; think I did.”“So sweet. Now then, time to learn how to really make a woman happy. Most women are at least willing to engage in oral sex, but you always need to give at least as much as you receive. It’s only polite. And there’s no better way to make a woman want to suck your cock; than to eat her pussy without prompting. With that said.”Gabby now spread her legs wide for him, beckoning him to explore her delectable womanhood. Following a trail she laid with her fingers, Ken began to kiss his way up her leg and inner thigh. After repeating the action on her other leg, he arrived at her soaked pussy, breathing in the musky aroma seeping from within her.“Spread my lips, Ken,” Gabby whispered.Using a gentle touch, he did as she asked, gazing deep into her slick tunnel. He soon leaned forward, touching his tongue to the folds of her labia. She tasted different than he had expected, perhaps a bit salty, but nothing unpleasant in Ken’s mind. He continued to taste and tease her lips for a few moments, and she began to squirm and writhe under him in pleasure.“Oh, yes; that’s just right, Ken; you can move a little higher, too. See that little bump there? That’s my clit. She’s sensitive, but if you pay enough attention to her; something good is bound to happen.”He tilted his head upwards a bit, running his tongue along her lips as he arrived at her clit. Flicking the nub a couple of times, he was surprised at just how strong Gabby’s reaction was. Ken liked that. She was having the time of her life, and it was all because of him. Feeling a twinge of confidence, he redoubled his efforts and began lapping at her clit again and again, never giving her a chance to rest.“Yes; yes, that’s fucking incredible!” she cried out.As Gabby’s hips began to buck, Ken looped his arms around her thighs on instinct, helping her to remain still. He continued his worshipping of her womanhood, savoring every drop of her juices as she squirmed and squealed in delight. Soon, he began to sense that her thrashing was reaching a crescendo and an ultimate plateau. He received almost immediate verbal confirmation of this.“Holy shit; Fuck that’s awesome! Oh, Ken don’t stop; don’t; stop; please don’t stop don’t stop don’t stop; ah!”Ken knew in an academic sense that women could achieve powerful orgasms. Still, he had never actually seen it happen, let alone experienced it by his hand, or rather his tongue. Yet lying beneath him was the most beautiful woman he had ever met in his life, and she was becoming even more beautiful by the second as her body erupted in ecstasy. The look of pleasure on her face as her eyes fluttered closed was awe-inspiring. A few final licks to her pussy, and she gently pushed his face away from her crotch.“That’s quite enough; but oh so wonderful.” she sighed. “You’re a natural, Ken.”“Thanks. That’s; got to be the hottest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. Seeing you lose control like that, it was surreal.”“So sweet,” she said, sitting up straight on the sofa. “For all your supposed awkwardness, you sure know how to pay a girl a compliment.” She leaned forward, planting a long, slow kiss on his lips. As they parted, she whispered, “Ready for your due reward?”With a slight gasp, he replied, “Oh, hell yes.”Gabby stood from the sofa, smiling the entire time. Reaching behind the armrest of the sofa, she pulled out a dark blue sleeping bag and began to spread it out on the thick rug in front of the fire.“It’s a tradition,” she explained, seeing the look of confusion on Ken’s face. “When I was a little girl, I swore I’d catch Santa in the act by sleeping next to the tree. He’d never be able to sneak past me. Well, my parents told me to go for it, but that it wouldn’t work; he’s too good. Sure enough, he had come and gone the next morning. He even left a note next to my pillow that said, ‘Nice try, Gabby. Merry Christmas.’ Ever since then, I’ve slept by the tree every Christmas Eve.”“Love it,” Ken grinned.By now, she had finished spreading the sleeping bag out on the floor and affixed a couple of pillows at the head for them. As it was designed for one person, she had opened it completely and laid it out flat, making it large enough for two to lie on. Seeing what she was doing, Ken grabbed a large throw blanket from the sofa to cover up with.“Why, thank you,” she said. “But don’t you think you’re a bit overdressed?”“Huh?” Ken had been so entranced with Gabby’s naked body that he’d forgotten that he was still wearing his clothes. “Oh, uh, I guess so.”“Can I help with that?” she asked with a mischievous grin.“Sure.”Gabby sauntered over to him, wrapping him in a warm hug as they stood next to the fireplace. After kissing his lips, she moved to his cheek and neck, just as he had done to her before. As she began to drive him crazy, she slipped her fingers into his tee shirt and pulled it off of him, exposing his bare chest to her. Now with a new playground to explore, Gabby continued from where she left off. She first lingered around his neck and shoulders, then down his chest before finally reaching his stomach. As she knelt before him, she unbuckled his belt and slid his jeans and boxers down to his ankles, freeing his rock hard cock at last.Ken was not large my most standards, being only about five inches in length at full staff, but to Gabby he was perfect. She had no hesitation as she began to lightly stroke his length in her hand, and soon began to take him in her mouth bit-by-bit. Ken was in blissful agony; not only was he receiving is first blowjob, but he also had to keep from exploding too soon, all while concentrating on standing still. She sucked him for a few seconds more before releasing him.“If you get close, let me know, okay? I want this inside my pussy, too.”Ken could only nod in reply. She soon resumed her pleasuring of his member, sucking him with gleeful determination. He had been so good to her tonight; she only wanted to reward his efforts. Slowing her pace, she gazed up at him with her smoldering eyes, her pretty face framed by her long blonde hair. As Ken began to lose himself in her beauty, he also felt a familiar bubbling up in the pit of his stomach. Though he panicked for a moment, he soon had the presence of mind to tap Gabby on the forehead.“I think you’d better slow down,” he stammered.Releasing his cock from her mouth with a pop, Gabby grinned and replied, “Good. Because I think it’s time for me to take your virginity.”After switching off the gas logs, she stretched out on the open sleeping bag and held part of the blanket up, beckoning Ken to slide in with her. He did so with eagerness, though was still nervous as hell; he had no idea what he was doing! Sensing his doubts, Gabby spoke with soft confidence and reassurance.“Let’s go you on top to start. That way you can control it so you don’t go off too soon. Honestly, though, don’t worry about stamina. You’ve already lasted through one of my blowjobs, which is no small feat, if I do say so myself. You ready?”“Um, yeah; I think so. But do we need any; protection? I don’t have a condom or anything.”With a warm smile, she replied, “Don’t ever change, Ken. Sweet, humble, and considerate, that’s what you are. I don’t have any diseases per my last doctor’s visit two months ago, and I know you’re a virgin so I don’t think there’s any concern.”“That’s good. But; what if you get pregnant? I’m not sure I’d be able to pull out in time.”“Well,” she paused, her smile becoming more bittersweet. “It’s a long story, but trust me when I say that there’s no risk of me becoming pregnant. We’re clear to let loose with this, as long as you’re comfortable with that, of course.”“I am. I just; wanted to be sure.”“Thank you, Ken. Now, if you please, my pussy is aching for your cock, and you’d best make her happy.”Positioning his pelvic region between her legs, Ken attempted to push into her, but his slick cock merely grazed the surface before slipping up to her belly. Gabby just smiled and reached down, taking a gentle grip on his cock with her hand and guiding him to the entrance of her pussy. Feeling a bit of give, he followed his instincts and penetrated her at long last, his virginity melting away in the process. She was divine, far tighter than Ken had ever imagined in his wildest dreams and fantasies.“Oh Ken; that’s just where you belong,” she cooed in satisfaction.“Holy fuck; so tight.” he could only reply.Ken began to thrust in and out of her, keeping his tempo moderate at the start to get a feel for how sensitive he was. The sensations of making love to this goddess were only enhanced by the look of sheer enjoyment in Gabby’s eyes. He prayed that he would be able to last and enjoy it all, even if only for a few minutes. As he continued thrusting into her, Gabby began to get a mischievous look in her eyes.“You’re thinking something,” Ken observed.“Uh huh. Wanna learn a trick that’ll drive any girl nuts?”“Sure.”“Come up on your knees and keep your torso straight up. Try to get to where you can keep yourself inside me without having to balance on your arms.”“Like this?” he asked, relaxing back on his folded knees.“Exactly. You can also stretch my leg out against your chest to help you balance.”“Very nice,” he said as he followed her instructions.&ld

Miracles can happen on Christmas Eve.Based on a post by auguy86, in 2 parts. Listen to the ► Podcast at My First Time.“I; I don’t want to just be a charity case,” Ken replied. “If you do this, Gabrielle;”“It will only be because I want to. Promise,” Gabby replied, finishing his thought. “Now, your first lesson in kissing: making the move. I’m a young, attractive woman who has been making eye contact with you all night and finding every excuse in the book to touch you. You may not realize it, but when a woman does that, it means she’s ready for you to make the move. Try it on me, just like I did.”Mimicking Ken, Gabby closed her eyes, waiting for the moment that Ken would kiss her once more. He leaned in as she had done, trying to take his time and not rush anything. As he was about to kiss her, he remembered that agonizing wait when he could sense her almost on top of him. Pausing mere centimeters from her lips, he allowed the tension to build up for a few moments. Soon, a huge smile began to form on Gabby’s lips; she was enjoying this, and he hadn’t even touched her yet! Ken collected his courage and finally met her lips with his, moving them ever so slightly as he kissed her. He only had his instincts to guide him, but she didn’t seem to mind one bit.“Umm; that was very nice,” Gabby whispered as they parted. “Good job in mimicking my technique. Let’s try one more. This time, lick your lips just a bit before you kiss me, and try to let our mouths fit together like a puzzle. You can take my lower lip between yours, or I can take your lip between mine. Tilting your head to the side a bit is also a natural position. The possibilities are almost endless. When you’re ready, don’t be afraid to put your tongue in my mouth. In the future, you’ll want to be careful about doing this too soon, but for our purposes tonight, go right ahead.”Ken did as she instructed, and found that the increased moisture to be quite pleasant. It allowed each of their lips to slide along the other’s with little effort. All too soon, he felt Gabby take his lower lip in hers, sucking lightly and even nibbling for an instant. After she did this a second time, Ken took the hint and reciprocated in kind, eliciting a contented murmur from Gabby. As their kissing became more passionate, he could no longer resist the urge to taste this gorgeous woman. Still tentative, he pressed his tongue against the crease of her lips, which parted to allow him entry. Though he didn’t know what to do once he was in, he soon found himself enthralled in Gabby’s passions. Her tongue danced with his, exploring his mouth in a slow, methodical fashion. This gave him the perfect gauge to judge his own efforts by. After nearly twenty minutes of making out, they finally separated, their faces flushed from the experience.“Holy shit.” Ken sighed.“You, my friend, are one quick study. The next girl that kisses you may well get addicted and refuse to let you go,” Gabby agreed with a playful grin. Leaning back on the sofa, she reached down and unbuttoned the top button of her jeans, asking, “You ready to learn something else?”In spite of his hardening cock, Ken couldn’t help but feel like he was doing something he shouldn’t. “Look, you seriously don’t have to;”“I want to,” she said with confidence. “Ken, you are such a sweet, special guy, and I want to show you that. I want to prove to you how lucky a girl I would be to have a guy like you.”Would be? What’s that supposed to mean?“I’ve never made love to a virgin, Ken,” she continued. “But I know what I love in bed, and I think I can help you get quite good at this. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, but if you’ll allow me, I’d love nothing more than to take your virginity tonight.”Ken was torn. This woman certainly drove him crazy, but part of him worried this was all an elaborate setup. Women never came on to him like this, let alone one this beautiful! Then again, she hadn’t balked in the slightest in kissing him. Hell, she had even encouraged him to French kiss her. In spite of the fact that he had every reason to be distrusting after Jacqueline’s message, he recognized that she had shown him nothing but kindness and patience. He didn’t believe in destiny or fate, but if there was a moment in which he was supposed to lose his virginity, this had to be it.“Okay; I want to,” he whispered.“I’m glad,” she replied with a warm smile.Fumbling with his belt, he said, “I guess I’d better;”“There’s plenty of time, Ken,” Gabby reassured him. “If we do this, I want to do it right. I want to show you the proper way to take a girl around the world. That starts with what we were doing earlier, only this time, you can start removing my clothes in the process.”As Ken leaned in and resumed their kissing, Gabby guided his hands lower and slipped them underneath her sweater. He spent a few moments enjoying the warm sensation of skin-to-skin contact before tugging her sweater up. They separated for a moment so that Gabby could finish peeling her top off, revealing a simple, black silk bra. As they continued making out, Ken reached behind her, trying to decipher the key to unhooking the ever-hated bra.“Want some advice?” Gabby asked with a slight giggle.“Sure,” Ken signed, beginning to get frustrated.“Feel for the crease, then slip one finger under and one finger over. Squeeze together and rub your fingers until it unhooks.”Concentrating, Ken did as she instructed. The clasp itself was easy to find, and her descriptions were spot on. To his surprise, it only took one unsuccessful attempt before he managed to snap the garment open.“Impressive,” Gabby marveled.“Thanks, but that was all you. I’d be lost without your instructions.”“You’re a natural student; you take direction well. Ready for the next lesson?”“Oh yeah,” Ken said with anticipation.“Your kissing skills have grown by leaps and bounds in just a few minutes. Now you should remember that you don’t have to kiss just my lips. My cheeks, my neck, my shoulders; my entire body is your playground. Few things turn a woman on more than a man whose only desire is to worship every inch of her form.”With that, Gabby shrugged her shoulders and slipped her bra off, revealing her ample D-cup tits to Ken. He was utterly speechless at the sight he now beheld. They were not only large, but quite perky as well. Her tiny pink nipples, already hard from their making out, were the perfect accent to Gabby’s most notable assets. As he drank her in, he felt her guide his hand towards her, reaching him out to touch her tit. It barely fit into his hand, yet it was so soft and warm that it felt like it just belonged there. Taking a deep breath, Ken now reached in with both of his hands, squeezing her tits together and exploring every inch of their surface. Remembering her words from a moment ago, he leaned in once more and began to kiss his way from her lips down to her chest.“Yes; just like that.” she cooed.Arriving at the valley of her bosom, he made his way to one side, kissing her tit while also stimulating her nipple with his finger.“That’s so good, Ken; ooh, you can suck on them too,” she whispered with encouragement.Ken’s heart leapt at her suggestion, and he moved to take one of her tiny nipples in his mouth. He sucked with eagerness at first, but Gabby soon coaxed him to go slower.“Careful there; be gentle.”“Sorry.”“Quite alright, they’re just a bit sensitive,” she said with a sweet giggle.Ken spent quite some time lapping at her tits, alternating sides every so often. At first, Gabby advised him on when to change so as not to over stimulate one side or the other. Soon, though, Ken was moving back and forth all on his own, driving her wild with lust in the process. After several minutes of this, she lifted his head up, a wicked grin on her face.“Ready for the big reveal?” she asked, lowering the zipper of her jeans.“Uh; uh huh.”Lifting her hips up, Gabby slipped her jeans over her curvy ass and down her long legs before kicking them off with her boots. She then turned to recline back on the sofa, spreading her legs a tiny bit. The smoldering come hither look she gave Ken was enough to bring any man to his knees.“Come on, Ken; you’ve got a Christmas present to open.”Ken’s mouth went dry as he stared at her black thong panties, mesmerized in disbelief by what was about to happen. With trembling hands, he slipped his fingers into her waistband and slid the silky garment off, revealing Gabby’s shaven pussy at last. In that moment, Ken had completely forgotten that he was still wearing all his clothes.“I just love the way you’re looking at me,” Gabby breathed, breaking his trance. “It’s like you won the lottery or something.”“I; think I did.”“So sweet. Now then, time to learn how to really make a woman happy. Most women are at least willing to engage in oral sex, but you always need to give at least as much as you receive. It’s only polite. And there’s no better way to make a woman want to suck your cock; than to eat her pussy without prompting. With that said.”Gabby now spread her legs wide for him, beckoning him to explore her delectable womanhood. Following a trail she laid with her fingers, Ken began to kiss his way up her leg and inner thigh. After repeating the action on her other leg, he arrived at her soaked pussy, breathing in the musky aroma seeping from within her.“Spread my lips, Ken,” Gabby whispered.Using a gentle touch, he did as she asked, gazing deep into her slick tunnel. He soon leaned forward, touching his tongue to the folds of her labia. She tasted different than he had expected, perhaps a bit salty, but nothing unpleasant in Ken’s mind. He continued to taste and tease her lips for a few moments, and she began to squirm and writhe under him in pleasure.“Oh, yes; that’s just right, Ken; you can move a little higher, too. See that little bump there? That’s my clit. She’s sensitive, but if you pay enough attention to her; something good is bound to happen.”He tilted his head upwards a bit, running his tongue along her lips as he arrived at her clit. Flicking the nub a couple of times, he was surprised at just how strong Gabby’s reaction was. Ken liked that. She was having the time of her life, and it was all because of him. Feeling a twinge of confidence, he redoubled his efforts and began lapping at her clit again and again, never giving her a chance to rest.“Yes; yes, that’s fucking incredible!” she cried out.As Gabby’s hips began to buck, Ken looped his arms around her thighs on instinct, helping her to remain still. He continued his worshipping of her womanhood, savoring every drop of her juices as she squirmed and squealed in delight. Soon, he began to sense that her thrashing was reaching a crescendo and an ultimate plateau. He received almost immediate verbal confirmation of this.“Holy shit; Fuck that’s awesome! Oh, Ken don’t stop; don’t; stop; please don’t stop don’t stop don’t stop; ah!”Ken knew in an academic sense that women could achieve powerful orgasms. Still, he had never actually seen it happen, let alone experienced it by his hand, or rather his tongue. Yet lying beneath him was the most beautiful woman he had ever met in his life, and she was becoming even more beautiful by the second as her body erupted in ecstasy. The look of pleasure on her face as her eyes fluttered closed was awe-inspiring. A few final licks to her pussy, and she gently pushed his face away from her crotch.“That’s quite enough; but oh so wonderful.” she sighed. “You’re a natural, Ken.”“Thanks. That’s; got to be the hottest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. Seeing you lose control like that, it was surreal.”“So sweet,” she said, sitting up straight on the sofa. “For all your supposed awkwardness, you sure know how to pay a girl a compliment.” She leaned forward, planting a long, slow kiss on his lips. As they parted, she whispered, “Ready for your due reward?”With a slight gasp, he replied, “Oh, hell yes.”Gabby stood from the sofa, smiling the entire time. Reaching behind the armrest of the sofa, she pulled out a dark blue sleeping bag and began to spread it out on the thick rug in front of the fire.“It’s a tradition,” she explained, seeing the look of confusion on Ken’s face. “When I was a little girl, I swore I’d catch Santa in the act by sleeping next to the tree. He’d never be able to sneak past me. Well, my parents told me to go for it, but that it wouldn’t work; he’s too good. Sure enough, he had come and gone the next morning. He even left a note next to my pillow that said, ‘Nice try, Gabby. Merry Christmas.’ Ever since then, I’ve slept by the tree every Christmas Eve.”“Love it,” Ken grinned.By now, she had finished spreading the sleeping bag out on the floor and affixed a couple of pillows at the head for them. As it was designed for one person, she had opened it completely and laid it out flat, making it large enough for two to lie on. Seeing what she was doing, Ken grabbed a large throw blanket from the sofa to cover up with.“Why, thank you,” she said. “But don’t you think you’re a bit overdressed?”“Huh?” Ken had been so entranced with Gabby’s naked body that he’d forgotten that he was still wearing his clothes. “Oh, uh, I guess so.”“Can I help with that?” she asked with a mischievous grin.“Sure.”Gabby sauntered over to him, wrapping him in a warm hug as they stood next to the fireplace. After kissing his lips, she moved to his cheek and neck, just as he had done to her before. As she began to drive him crazy, she slipped her fingers into his tee shirt and pulled it off of him, exposing his bare chest to her. Now with a new playground to explore, Gabby continued from where she left off. She first lingered around his neck and shoulders, then down his chest before finally reaching his stomach. As she knelt before him, she unbuckled his belt and slid his jeans and boxers down to his ankles, freeing his rock hard cock at last.Ken was not large my most standards, being only about five inches in length at full staff, but to Gabby he was perfect. She had no hesitation as she began to lightly stroke his length in her hand, and soon began to take him in her mouth bit-by-bit. Ken was in blissful agony; not only was he receiving is first blowjob, but he also had to keep from exploding too soon, all while concentrating on standing still. She sucked him for a few seconds more before releasing him.“If you get close, let me know, okay? I want this inside my pussy, too.”Ken could only nod in reply. She soon resumed her pleasuring of his member, sucking him with gleeful determination. He had been so good to her tonight; she only wanted to reward his efforts. Slowing her pace, she gazed up at him with her smoldering eyes, her pretty face framed by her long blonde hair. As Ken began to lose himself in her beauty, he also felt a familiar bubbling up in the pit of his stomach. Though he panicked for a moment, he soon had the presence of mind to tap Gabby on the forehead.“I think you’d better slow down,” he stammered.Releasing his cock from her mouth with a pop, Gabby grinned and replied, “Good. Because I think it’s time for me to take your virginity.”After switching off the gas logs, she stretched out on the open sleeping bag and held part of the blanket up, beckoning Ken to slide in with her. He did so with eagerness, though was still nervous as hell; he had no idea what he was doing! Sensing his doubts, Gabby spoke with soft confidence and reassurance.“Let’s go you on top to start. That way you can control it so you don’t go off too soon. Honestly, though, don’t worry about stamina. You’ve already lasted through one of my blowjobs, which is no small feat, if I do say so myself. You ready?”“Um, yeah; I think so. But do we need any; protection? I don’t have a condom or anything.”With a warm smile, she replied, “Don’t ever change, Ken. Sweet, humble, and considerate, that’s what you are. I don’t have any diseases per my last doctor’s visit two months ago, and I know you’re a virgin so I don’t think there’s any concern.”“That’s good. But; what if you get pregnant? I’m not sure I’d be able to pull out in time.”“Well,” she paused, her smile becoming more bittersweet. “It’s a long story, but trust me when I say that there’s no risk of me becoming pregnant. We’re clear to let loose with this, as long as you’re comfortable with that, of course.”“I am. I just; wanted to be sure.”“Thank you, Ken. Now, if you please, my pussy is aching for your cock, and you’d best make her happy.”Positioning his pelvic region between her legs, Ken attempted to push into her, but his slick cock merely grazed the surface before slipping up to her belly. Gabby just smiled and reached down, taking a gentle grip on his cock with her hand and guiding him to the entrance of her pussy. Feeling a bit of give, he followed his instincts and penetrated her at long last, his virginity melting away in the process. She was divine, far tighter than Ken had ever imagined in his wildest dreams and fantasies.“Oh Ken; that’s just where you belong,” she cooed in satisfaction.“Holy fuck; so tight.” he could only reply.Ken began to thrust in and out of her, keeping his tempo moderate at the start to get a feel for how sensitive he was. The sensations of making love to this goddess were only enhanced by the look of sheer enjoyment in Gabby’s eyes. He prayed that he would be able to last and enjoy it all, even if only for a few minutes. As he continued thrusting into her, Gabby began to get a mischievous look in her eyes.“You’re thinking something,” Ken observed.“Uh huh. Wanna learn a trick that’ll drive any girl nuts?”“Sure.”“Come up on your knees and keep your torso straight up. Try to get to where you can keep yourself inside me without having to balance on your arms.”“Like this?” he asked, relaxing back on his folded knees.“Exactly. You can also stretch my leg out against your chest to help you balance.”“Very nice,” he said as he followed her instructions.&ld

We all want to know we are accepted and loved for who we truly are.Joshua MacLeod discusses the challenge of finding purpose, shares stories of awkward obedience, and examines how God's joy provides freedom and direction. You are invited into a journey of learning to listen, slowing down, and choosing practical steps toward wholeness.Regardless of your past or doubts, you can find belonging, replace shame with acceptance, and realize that God communicates with those seeking something genuine.Scriptures ReferencedPsalm 16:11, 23:1, 25:11-14; Proverbs 9:10; Isaiah 62:3-5; Jeremiah 29:13-15; John 10:14-17, 14:15; Romans 8:12-17; 1 John 2:16Key InsightsGod's delight in you does not depend on your perfection. He calls you to relationship, not just activity.Real belonging starts by hearing God's voice for yourself, not just through others.It is normal to struggle with doubt, distraction, or thinking you are “unqualified.” God meets you there with love and not condemnation.Slowing down, turning off distractions, and honest prayer are simple, life-changing ways to grow closer to God.Obedience may feel awkward or risky.Believing God delights in you dismantles fear and shame, freeing you to live out your true identity and serve purposefully.Community grows as we confess, pray for one another, and refuse to pretend.https://springhouse.captivate.fm/episode/identity-over-activity Subscribe & Follow the PodcastDownload our appOur WebsiteOnline Tithes & OfferingsJoin our LivestreamGathering TimesSundays, 9:00 AMSundays, 11:00 AMThursdays, 6:00 PM Contact InfoSpringhouse Church14119 Old Nashville HighwaySmyrna TN 37167615-459-3421 CCLI License 2070006

What really happens when AI helps teams write code faster, but everything else in the delivery process starts to slow down? In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I'm joined once again by returning guest and friend of the show, Martin Reynolds, Field CTO at Harness. It has been two years since we last spoke, and a lot has changed since then. Martin has relocated from London to North Carolina, gaining back hours of his working week. Still, the bigger shift has been in how AI is reshaping software delivery inside modern enterprises. Our conversation centers on what Martin calls the AI velocity paradox. Development teams are producing more code at speed, often thanks to AI coding agents, yet testing, security, governance, and release processes are struggling to keep up. The result is a growing gap between how fast software is written and how safely it can be delivered.  Martin shares research showing how this imbalance is already leading to production incidents, hidden vulnerabilities, and mounting technical debt. We also dig into why this AI-driven transition feels different from previous waves, such as cloud, mobile, or DevOps. Many of the same concerns around security, trust, and control still exist, but this time, everything is happening far faster. Martin explains why AI works best as a human amplifier, strengthening good engineering practices while exposing weak ones sooner than ever before. A significant theme in the episode is visibility. From shadow AI usage to expanding attack surfaces, Martin outlines why security teams are finding it harder to see where AI is being used and how data is flowing through systems. Rather than slowing teams down, he argues that the answer lies in embedding governance directly into delivery pipelines, making security automatic rather than an afterthought. We also explore the rise of agentic AI in testing, quality assurance, and security, where specialized agents act like virtual teammates. When well-designed, these agents help developers stay focused while improving reliability and resilience throughout the lifecycle. If you are responsible for engineering, platform, or security teams, this episode offers a grounded look at how to balance speed with responsibility in an AI-native world. As AI becomes part of every stage of software delivery, are your processes designed to safely absorb that change, or are they quietly becoming the bottleneck? Useful Links Learn More About Harness The State of AI in Engineering The State of AI Application Security EngineeringX Follow Harness on LinkedIn Connect With Martin Reynolds Thanks to our sponsors, Alcor, for supporting the show.

Have you ever wondered why childhood summers felt endless, yet now the seasons seem to disappear in the blink of an eye? Do you catch yourself saying, “It's Christmas already? It feels like we just put the decorations away!” If so, you're not alone. In this eye-opening episode, Dr. David Friedman uncovers the fascinating neuroscience behind why time seems to speed up as we age—and what you can do to slow it down. Imagine reclaiming those slow, magical days when every moment felt fresh and unforgettable. Dr. Friedman shares relatable stories, timeless wisdom, and a simple, science-backed technique proven to help you create richer memories, feel more present, and actually stretch out the time you have. If you're ready to stop life from passing you by and make this your most vibrant, fulfilling year ever, don't miss this episode! To learn more visit DrDavidFriedman.com Follow him on social media: FACEBOOK: http://Facebook.com/DrDavidFriedman INSTAGRAM:http://Instagram.com/DrDFriedman X: https://x.com/drdavidfriedman

In this episode of Mini Miracles From Minor Moments, I spend time reflecting on curiosity, attention, and the quiet meaning hidden in ordinary days. As we grow older, it can feel easy to rush through routines, conversations, and responsibilities without noticing what they offer us. I share personal stories that gently invite us to slow our pace and stay open to questions, wonder, and prayer. These small pauses often help us see that even brief moments can guide us forward with peace and clarity. Curiosity, Routine, and Attention Curiosity keeps the mind awake at any stage of life, yet many of us stop asking questions once we believe we already know enough. I talk about how daily tasks like laundry, walking the dog, or sharing a short conversation can regain meaning when we give them our full attention. Ordinary work carries dignity when we allow ourselves to notice it instead of rushing past it. Slowing down gives space for reflection, gratitude, and deeper awareness of what truly matters. Temporary Moments That Shape a Life So much of life is temporary, from holding a baby to managing responsibility for someone we love. I reflect on caregiving, memory, and the importance of honoring each season without clinging too tightly to it. Looking back through old journals and keepsakes reminds me how past hopes still speak to the present. These reflections invite us to value what we have now, reconnect with unfinished dreams, and stay present with the people and moments placed before us. Episode Highlights Curiosity as a lifelong skill that keeps the mind engaged Finding dignity and meaning in everyday chores and routines Slowing down to notice what brings peace and clarity The value of small conversations and human connection Reflections on caregiving, responsibility, and temporary roles Revisiting journals and saved memories for renewed insight If today's reflection speaks to you, I invite you to reach out, share your thoughts, or connect with our ongoing community offerings.  #MiniMiraclesFromMinorMoments, #LindaGulloPodcast, #FindingMeaning, #LifeTransitions, #EmotionalWellness, #Clarity, #AgingGracefully

Question-by-Question Highlights1) Best coaching advice you've gottenCoaching is more about listening than talkingAsk multiple layers of questions before offering insightLet clients uncover their own answersResist the urge to jump in early2) What are you still trying to improve about your coaching?Slowing down despite decades of experienceAsking more follow-up questionsAvoiding knee-jerk solutionsLetting the real issue surface naturally3) Most outrageous thing you've done in a coaching sessionTold a CEO he was the primary problemEnded a lucrative engagement on ethical groundsRefused to be an “ally” to blame-shiftingWalked away when accountability was impossible4) What still makes you uncomfortable?Leaders who blame everyone elseLack of self-awareness and humilityResistance to honest self-reflectionCoaching people who won't look in the mirror5) Advice for new or aspiring coachesLearn how to truly listenKnow what you don't knowStay in your laneDon't pretend to be the expert in everything6) What have you had to conquer to be a great coach?The urge to “fix” too quicklyThe temptation to impress with answersWalking away when coaching won't workAccepting that not everyone is coachable7) How are you using AI in your coaching practice?Content creation and thought leadershipEliminating the blank-page problemExpanding solution options for clientsSupporting judgment, not replacing it8) What have you learned about yourself?Delivery matters as much as insightExperience must be paired with empathyTrust and relationships drive changeCoaching is art, not just scienceFun Stuff QuestionFavorite movie: PattonWhy: history, leadership, discipline, stoicismBelief: ancient wisdom still applies todayLeadership lesson: study history or repeat it

In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames breaks down how the pressure to perform online is weakening messages, draining creativity, and eroding authority. She explains the difference between performing for attention and leading with conviction, and why content has shifted from expression to output for so many entrepreneurs and creators. This conversation is a wake-up call for anyone who feels visible but disconnected from their voice and ready to reclaim clarity, confidence, and leadership in their messaging. Topics Covered How visibility turned into performance The difference between performing and leading online Why chasing engagement dilutes your message Content as output versus content as expression How performance erodes authority and trust Why leadership content feels calmer and more grounded How to reclaim your voice and message Building visibility rooted in conviction, not pressure Key Takeaways Performance-driven content leads to burnout and confusion Leadership content is anchored in clarity and conviction Authority comes from consistency of perspective, not volume Slowing down sharpens your message The right audience connects through resonance, not performance Who This Episode Is For Entrepreneurs feeling drained by content creation Creators who feel disconnected from their message Professionals building thought leadership Business owners tired of chasing trends Anyone ready to shift from performance to leadership If you want support building visibility rooted in clarity and leadership, explore joining the Collective for ongoing proximity, strategy, and community. Follow Social Media Decoded for daily conversations on visibility, marketing, and message clarity. About the Host Michelle Thames is a marketing strategist, podcast host, speaker, and community builder with over 15 years of experience helping entrepreneurs and professionals build sustainable visibility and authority without burnout. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of More Than Photos, Brad & Jen sit down with UK-based wedding photographer Daniel Knight Harris for a wide-ranging conversation on creative longevity, intentional business decisions, and building a career that supports real life. Drawing from his background in music and commercial photography, Daniel shares why weddings offer a rare gift of creative freedom and how slowing down, setting boundaries, and protecting energy have reshaped both his work and his family life.Key TakeawaysCreative-first decisions lead to healthier, longer careersSlowing processes can increase meaning and clarity for clientsProtecting energy matters as much as protecting incomeTools that require more intention can reconnect you to the craftLinksDaniel Knight Harris: https://www.danielknightharris.com/Daniel Knight Harris on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielknightharris Learn More about Brad & Jen:Brad and Jen Website: learn.bradandjen.comPurpose and Profit Course: https://learn.bradandjen.com/purpose-and-profit-course Chapters(00:00) Introduction & Daniel's path into photography(04:30) From music and commercial work to weddings(10:15) Creative freedom in weddings vs. commercial spaces(15:40) Energy, boundaries, and avoiding burnout(20:10) Redefining what “thriving” actually means(26:00) Slowing down workflows and client expectations(32:30) Why giving less can strengthen the final product(38:45) Tools, film, and reengaging with the craft(45:10) Family rhythms, life rules, and work weeks(51:30) Saying no, trusting the process, and creative confidence(58:30) What success looks like in this season of lifeKeywordscreative longevity, wedding photography, slow photography, creative burnout, sustainable business, film photography, client experience, creative boundaries, photography podcast, More Than Photos, Daniel Knight Harris

Brian Geltzeiler joined DJ & PK to talk about the NBA Trade Deadline and what the Utah Jazz may consider doing. 

I get my blood work done every 90 days and I swear it's the ultimate tip for health in the short term and in the long term and just feeling your best on he daily. So, today I'm going to try to convince you to do the same. Because there is a huge difference between being "not sick" and being truly healthy and if you aren't getting your bloodwork done at least once a year, you really don't know what's going on. Most people only get blood work done when something is wrong. When they feel bad. When they are exhausted. When a symptom won't go away. When a doctor orders it because something already happened. Instead of doing it reactively, we are talking about doing it proactively. How can you know what your body needs? What supplements or adjustments to your lifestyle… it's almost impossible without bloodwork. It tells you how your hormones are functioning. How inflamed your body is. How well you are absorbing nutrients. How your cholesterol is trending. How stressed your nervous system is. How your metabolism is working. How your immune system is functioning. Today's episode is about why doing blood work every 90 days can completely change your relationship with your health, how the top longevity experts think about tracking biomarkers, how it helps you personalize supplements and lifestyle instead of guessing, and how it allows you to catch problems early before they become a real problem.  Let's go! Your blood work is your internal dashboard. It's crazy that most people are driving their body blind!! I do full blood work every 90 days and I swear by it.  I'm going to break it all down today. Every 90 days I sit down with my functional medicine doctor, Dr. Singler, and we go through everything. We look at what's trending up. What's trending down. What needs support. What needs to be addressed. We adjust supplements. We talk about lifestyle changes. We sometimes talk about peptides. We look at stress markers like cortisol. We look at hormones. We look at inflammation. We look at cholesterol. We look at nutrient deficiencies. It's not just "do you have a disease." It's "what is your body asking for." And that quarterly check-in has become one of the most powerful forms of self-care I do. Today's episode is about why doing blood work every 90 days can completely change your relationship with your health, how the top longevity experts think about tracking biomarkers, how it helps you personalize supplements and lifestyle instead of guessing, and how it allows you to catch problems early before they become diagnoses. Because knowledge is power. And when it comes to your health, awareness is leverage. ***Why the Best Health and Longevity Experts Obsess Over Biomarkers When you listen to people like Peter Attia, Andrew Huberman, and leaders in longevity medicine, one theme is constant. You can't manage what you don't measure. They talk constantly about biomarkers. Blood markers. Hormones. Cholesterol. Glucose. Inflammation. Nutrients. Stress markers. Not because numbers are the goal. Because trends tell the truth. You don't need to wait until something is "out of range" to take action. You can see patterns forming. You can see directions your health is moving. You can intervene early. Longevity is not built by reacting to disease. Longevity is built by managing risk decades before disease shows up. Blood work lets you see inside the body instead of guessing from the outside. Energy, mood, sleep, weight, anxiety, motivation, focus, hormones, immune function… all of it leaves fingerprints in your labs. *** Why Every 90 Days Is a Sweet Spot Doing blood work every 90 days creates a rhythm. It's long enough for meaningful changes to occur. It's short enough to catch problems early. It's frequent enough to personalize your approach. This cadence allows you to: • See how supplements are actually working • Know if lifestyle changes are helping • Track hormones as they shift • Monitor cholesterol trends • Watch inflammation markers • Identify deficiencies before symptoms • See how stress is impacting your body It turns health into an ongoing relationship instead of a once-a-year appointment. Rather than living on autopilot, it becomes a quarterly check-in. "How is my body actually doing?" "What does it need right now?" "What needs to change?" ***The Power of Baselines One of the most underrated benefits of regular blood work is baselines. When you know what your normal looks like, everything changes. If something shifts, you see it faster. If you get sick, you have something to compare to. If symptoms show up, you're not starting from zero. Your baseline becomes your personal health fingerprint. This is especially powerful with hormones, thyroid, cholesterol, inflammatory markers, glucose, and nutrient levels. Medicine is often built around population averages. But health is personal. Your optimal range is not always the same as "normal." Blood work every 90 days teaches you your body. ***Personalization Instead of Guessing Most people take supplements blindly. They try what's trending. What a friend is taking. What TikTok says. What an ad promises. Blood work removes guessing. You stop throwing things at your body and hoping. You start making informed decisions. When I review labs with my doctor, we are not just looking for problems. We are optimizing. We adjust supplements based on what my body is actually showing. We talk about hormones. We talk about stress. We talk about sleep. We talk about hydration. We talk about inflammation. We talk about recovery. If cortisol is elevated, the conversation shifts to lifestyle, nervous system, sleep, slowing down, hydration, sauna, recovery. If something is low, we talk about absorption, nutrition, and targeted support. It becomes a dialogue with your body instead of a guessing game. ***Emotional Health Lives in the Labs Too This is not just physical. Your labs often reflect your emotional and mental load. Stress hormones. Inflammation. Blood sugar instability. Nutrient depletion. Your body keeps the receipts. Blood work gives you objective data to support lifestyle changes. Sometimes the answer is not another supplement. Sometimes it's rest. Sleep. Boundaries. Sunlight. Movement. Slowing down. It's incredibly empowering to see that connection clearly. It turns self-care into strategy, not indulgence. ***How I Do It and How You Could Do It The way I do it is higher touch and more expensive. I use a mobile blood draw that comes to my house. Then I schedule a long call with my functional medicine doctor to go through everything. We take our time. We look at the full picture. We build a plan. But you do not have to do it that way. You can ask your doctor to order labs. You can go to a clinic and make an appointment so you're not waiting forever. You can get a basic panel and build from there. You can even upload your results into ChatGPT and use it as an educational tool to help you understand what the markers mean and what questions to ask your doctor. This doesn't have to be complicated. It just has to be consistent. ***Why This Is One of the Best Investments You Can Make We spend money on convenience. On clothes. On food. On homes. On trips. On businesses. But nothing affects the quality of your life more than the quality of your health. Energy. Mood. Confidence. Focus. Longevity. Relationships. Joy. Blood work every 90 days is not an expense. It is intelligence. It is prevention. It is personalization. It is early detection. It is self-leadership. It is saying, "I care about how long I live and how well I live." ***Most people wait for symptoms to tell them something is wrong. But by the time symptoms show up, your body has usually been whispering for a long time. Blood work lets you hear the whispers. It lets you see trends before problems. Adjust before crashes. Support before burnout. Correct before disease. For me, doing blood work every 90 days has become a quarterly health check-in with myself. How am I really doing? What does my body need? What needs to change? What needs support? It keeps me connected to my health instead of disconnected from it. And I truly believe this is one of the most powerful forms of preventative self-care anyone can adopt. So if you take anything from this episode, let it be this. Don't wait for something to go wrong.  Start tracking your health while things are going right. There's nothing more important or worth spending your time and money on!

Seth and Sean discuss the NFL coaching carousel slowing down as the Raiders have hired Klint Kubiak and the Cardinals have hired Mike LaFleur, and their thoughts on the hires this cycle.

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM  A focused conversation on why AI agents will define 2026, how governance must evolve, and the practical skills business and tech professionals need to stay relevant. The episode explores the shift from Power Platform governance to AI‑first governance, the rise of agent orchestration, and the critical importance of data security, testing, and prompt engineering. Listeners gain clear guidance on adapting their roles, scaling responsibly, and preparing for an agent‑driven future. 

Episode #098.Perfectionism feels like professionalism - until you realize it's the very thing keeping you stuck. In this episode, I unpack how “high standards” quietly fuel imposter syndrome and what actually builds confidence as a makeup artist.Want more help with understanding imposter syndrome in the makeup world? Grab my course and tackle it once and for all.Loved this episode? Let's stay connected!✨ Need a makeup Refresher or Starter Course all about movie makeup?! Start Movie Makeup 101 today - the best FREE makeup course around.✨ Grab your free guide: The Makeup Essentials Checklist - the ultimate resource to help you master the overwhelming world of makeup kit stocking and maintenance.✨ Join my insider list The Blend: Sign up here to get exclusive tips, behind-the-scenes content, and first access to my FREE movie makeup course.✨ Follow me on Instagram: @themakeuprefinery for daily tips, tutorials, and a peek into my world.✨ Leave a review: Leave your review here to share your thoughts and help more listeners discover the show!✨ Explore more: Visit my website for all the resources, guides, and updates you need.

Migration plays a bigger role in housing than most people realize — and the latest data shows the market entering a new phase. In this episode of The RE Source, we break down newly released domestic migration data and explain how changing movement patterns are cooling demand, reshaping inventory, and recalibrating expectations across housing markets. We also explore what this shift means for Realtors and lenders as the cycle continues to normalize. If you want to understand how population movement quietly influences housing trends — and how to position yourself as markets adjust — this episode provides the context you need. ⭐ JOIN OUR COMMUNITY ⭐ Get the hottest and most up-to-date info in the Real Estate and lending industry! click the link to subscribe today ➡️ https://theREsource.tv/?utm_source=ytd 

The survival rate of brands at $1 is brutal enough. And at $10M, even more hit a wall or die. But the real problem that survivors face as they scale into eigth figures is stagnation. The grand delusion is that adding more and more retail accounts will keep the brand growing. But this is an illusion whose fragility exposes itself once deceleration begins and doesn't reverse with new accounts. Growing past $100M and deep into the nine figures is NOT a sales game. It is a marketer's game. But most brands need to change one thing. Have a listen and take notes. This is not material in my book.Your Host: Dr. James F. Richardson of Premium Growth Solutions, LLC www.premiumgrowthsolutions.com Please send feedback on this or other episodes to: admin@premiumgrowthsolutions.com

Today, I'm sitting down with Dr. Gus Vickery, a good friend and one of my favorite collaborators when it comes to cutting-edge insights in personalized health and longevity. In this episode, I put myself under the microscope as we walk through my own metabolomics testing after a period of heavy travel, stress, and—yes—a break from my usual supplement routine. If you've ever wondered whether skipping your foundational health habits "just for a little while" really matters, you're about to find out. If you are a clinician and would like to offer the Aristotle test to your patients please use this link to learn more about the Theriome test: https://therio.me/products/full-report-consult If you are a patient and would like to run the Theriome Aristotle test and get a full interpretation and protocol based on your results from Dr Vickery & his team please use this link: https://authentichealth.com/precision-health-evaluation/   Episode Timestamps: Introduction to Longevity Podcast and episode overview ... 00:00:00 Metabolomics and interpreting health data – practitioner guidance needed ... 00:05:05 Combining metabolomics, gut, and blood data for whole-system insights ... 00:06:02 Nutrient depletion and oxidative stress: critical findings ... 00:18:57 Supplementation essentials for aging well ... 00:27:05 Metabolomics comparison by age group and optimization goals ... 00:29:03 Stacking interventions: why less is more with diagnostics ... 00:31:05 Functional health markers and the value of context ... 00:34:47 Sympathetic dominance, mindset, and impact on longevity ... 00:35:26 Restoring nervous system balance – inner work and tech tools ... 00:42:38 Toxins, heavy metals, and practical detox strategies ... 00:49:11 Clean environment, resiliency, and realistic lifestyle shifts ... 00:55:29 Key nutrient deficiencies revealed by metabolomics ... 01:09:15 Genetic and metabolomic tests: what's actionable? ... 01:15:07 Hope for the future: human resilience and expanding technology ... 01:22:24 Weekly actionable: walk outside for mitochondria and stress relief ... 01:26:55   Our Amazing Sponsors: Cozy Earth – Thoughtfully designed bedding and bath essentials that turn your home into a calm, elevated retreat and actually hold up wash after wash. Give your space a reset at cozyearth.com with code LONGEVITY for up to 20% off, and don't forget to mention this podcast in the post-purchase survey.   Nature's Marvels Bioregulators - provide gentle, organ-specific support — and the Liver Bioregulator is a favorite this season for supporting detox pathways and metabolic flow. Head to profound-health.com and use code NAT15 for 15% off your first order. Blue Peptide Spray from Young Goose brings the message back loud and clear. With NAD+ APEX to refuel energy, methylene blue to recharge your mitochondria, and GHK-Cu to tell your skin, "Hey, start making that collagen again!" It's longevity science, not cosmetic hype. Visit YoungGoose.com—use code NAT10 to get started, or 5NAT if you're an existing customer.   Nat's Links:  YouTube Channel Join My Membership Community Sign up for My Newsletter  Instagram  Facebook Group

Self-care isn't a luxury — it's your foundation. Today, we explore why self-care can feel so uncomfortable (especially for those of us used to being the strong one), and how to start building your tolerance for pleasure, rest, and receiving. These are the same micro-practices that have transformed my relationship with myself and my energy over time. Here are the truths I keep learning again and again:

In today's Daily Shift, we explore the pressure to move, decide, and respond before clarity has fully formed. Many people learn to rush themselves in order to meet expectations or relieve discomfort — but clarity often arrives through pause, not urgency. This episode offers reassurance that waiting is not a failure. Giving yourself time allows your nervous system to process, integrate, and offer insight when it feels safe enough to do so. In this episode, we explore: Why clarity doesn't always arrive immediately How rushing can override self-trust The role of safety in decision-making Why waiting can be an act of self-respect A gentle reminder from today's shift: You can trust your timing You don't need to force certainty Slowing down supports clarity

Perfectionism can look like "high standards," but in real life it often turns into burnout, bottlenecks, and teams that overthink everything. In this episode, Brandon Laws sits down with Jason F. McClennan, author of The Magic of Imperfection, to unpack his three-quarter baked philosophy: a practical way to ship smarter, get better feedback, and unlock innovation without lowering the bar. Jason breaks down the difference between quarter-baked, half-baked, three-quarter baked, and the illusion of "fully baked." They also dig into how leaders can build cultures where failure is treated as valuable data, how to use feedback without taking it personally, why deadlines must be owned, and how teams can avoid mission drift before they waste months heading in the wrong direction. If your team is stuck polishing the last 10% while everything else suffers, this conversation will help. Key timestamps 00:00 Intro and why "imperfection" is a leadership advantage 01:00 The three-quarter baked idea and why perfectionists struggle with it 02:40 How perfectionism fuels burnout and steals time from real work 04:30 Quarter-baked vs half-baked vs three-quarter baked (and why the timing matters) 06:45 The Buckminster Fuller dome story: reframing failure as a data point 08:55 How leaders reward learning, not just outcomes 09:45 The "crit" method: separating ego from work so feedback actually helps 12:00 The significance meter: calibrating effort so everything is not treated like heart surgery 14:00 "If you accept the task, you own the deadline" and why that changes everything 15:30 Momentum surfing: when to push, when to pause, and why grinding backfires 18:30 Process turning into bureaucracy: how to spot when the system is blocking the outcome 20:10 End-game thinking and mission drift: the two boats metaphor for team alignment 22:30 How to bring a team along when perfection is the default culture 23:40 Becoming a "trim tab": how individual contributors can shift big organizations 25:20 Bird-dogging vs micromanaging: checking in as a sign of care and performance 27:15 Communication hierarchy in hybrid work: reducing noise, increasing clarity 29:00 Building an inner compass: trial, error, and learning without shame 30:00 Final thoughts and where to find Jason's work A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR Host: Brandon Laws In Brandon's own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders. About Xenium HR Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience. Discover how Xenium can transform your workplace: Learn more https://www.xeniumhr.com/ Connect with Brandon Laws: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawsbrandon Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lawsbrandon About https://xeniumhr.com/about-xenium/meet-the-team/brandon-laws Connect with Xenium HR: Website https://xeniumhr.com/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/xenium-hr Facebook https://www.facebook.com/XeniumHR Twitter https://twitter.com/XeniumHR Instagram https://www.instagram.com/xeniumhr YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/XeniumHR

Did you know that gaslighting doesn't only happen in romantic relationships, but can show up in families, friendships, workplaces, spiritual spaces, and even inside your own mind long after the other person is gone?In this episode of Infinite Life, Infinite Wisdom, Susan Grau talks honestly about gaslighting, not as a buzzword, but as something that slowly teaches you to doubt yourself. Your memory. Your feelings. Your intuition. Drawing from her own experience and the work she's done with clients, Susan explains how gaslighting can leave you disconnected from your body, unsure of your truth, and constantly questioning whether you were right or wrong.She shares why the impact of gaslighting often continues long after the relationship or situation has ended, and why that ongoing self-doubt isn't a flaw. It's a survival response. Susan also talks about what healing really looks like, and it's not dramatic or confrontational. It's quiet and reparative. Learning to believe in yourself again. Reducing contact with invalidating energy. Setting clearer boundaries. Letting yourself rest, pause, and be silent without guilt.This episode is a gentle reminder that if you were gaslit, you were not weak. You were trusting, open, and human. Healing begins when you stop looking to others for closure and start choosing yourself, even when it feels uncomfortable.In This Episode:[00:00] Introduction [01:30] Gaslighting beyond romantic relationships[02:46] Defining gaslighting and its effects[04:02] Common phrases and accountability avoidance[05:22] Impact on intuition and self-trust[06:44] Personal experience and disconnection[08:57] Overriding intuition and survival response[10:10] Self-abandonment and explaining pain[11:12] Avoiding invalidating people and relearning self-care[12:18] Reparative self-care and trusting yourself[13:33] Physical responses and recognizing gaslighting[14:37] Slowing down and silence without guilt[15:49] Setting boundaries and reducing exposure[17:46] Distance as protection, not punishment[18:42] Self-love as loyalty and choosing peace[19:47] Why people stay and the role of hope[22:02] Healing feels quieter and rooted[23:13] Freedom from needing admission[24:34] The loop: replaying conversations[25:33] Closure comes from within[26:40] Breaking the loop and nervous system repair[27:47] Longer gaps and present-moment healing[28:53] Self-love means releasing the need for clarity[29:30] Conclusion Notable Quotes[03:26] “You stop asking, ‘Is this okay?' And start asking, ‘Am I okay for feeling this?'”[04:58] “Most gaslighting comes from people who cannot tolerate accountability.”[08:45] “Gaslighting separates you from your inner knowing.”[11:22] “You weren't too much. You were too aware for someone who needed control.”[12:09] “Self-care isn't a bubble bath. It's relearning how to listen to yourself without apology.”[13:24] “Your experience is valid because you lived it.”[19:15] “I choose peace over being right.”[21:18] “Staying doesn't mean you were weak. It means you were human.”[21:39] “Leaving is not a failure. It's wisdom arriving.”[25:53] “The same person who distorted your reality cannot be the one who restores it.”[27:47] “Some chapters do not end with understanding. They end with self-respect.”[28:42] “My peace does not require permission.”Susan GrauSusan Grau is an internationally celebrated intuitive life coach, a key opinion leader, author, medium and speaker, who discovered her ability to communicate with the spirit world after a near-death experience at age four. Trained by Dr. Raymond Moody, James Van Praagh, and Lisa Williams, Susan is a Reiki Master, hypnotherapist, and grief therapist. Her new book, "Infinite Life, Infinite Lessons," published by Hay House, explores healing from grief and the afterlife. With media coverage in GOOP, Elle, and The Hollywood Reporter, Susan's expertise extends to podcasts, radio shows, and documentaries. She offers private mediumship readings, life path guidance, reiki sessions, and hypnotherapy, aiding individuals in healing and finding spiritual guidance.Resources and LinksInfinite Life, Infinite Wisdom Podcast Infinite Life, Infinite WisdomSusan GrauWebsiteOrder FacebookInstagramYouTubeTikTokMentionedInfinite Life, Infinite Lessons Wisdom from the Spirit World on Living, Dying, and the In-Between by Susan GrauSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the real reason your metabolism is struggling has nothing to do with food, but with hidden energy blockages, unresolved infections, and the frequency of your environment? In this episode of the Metabolic Freedom Podcast, Ben Azadi sits down with Dr. Christopher Motley to explore how Traditional Chinese Medicine and frequency medicine work together to uncover root causes of metabolic dysfunction. Dr. Motley explains how the body functions as an electrical grid made up of meridians, fascia, and biofields, and how disruptions in that system can affect organs, hormones, detox pathways, and energy production. Using Ben's own real-life experience with mold exposure, back pain, and drop foot, this conversation walks through how spinal patterns can reveal stressed organs, how infections like mold, yeast, and parasites may linger beneath the surface, and why gut health, kidney function, and adrenal fatigue are often deeply connected to metabolism. They also explore the emotional and environmental side of healing, including how unresolved stress, fear, control patterns, and even the people around you can influence your biofield, hormone output, and long-term health. If you want a deeper understanding of metabolism that goes far beyond calories and macros, this episode opens an entirely different lens. Key Topics Covered How Traditional Chinese Medicine views the body as an electrical grid of meridians and energy pathways What the biofield is and how frequency medicine is used as an investigative tool How spinal misalignments may point to stressed organs and metabolic dysfunction Identifying hidden infections including mold, yeast, candida, parasites, and bacteria Ben's experience with mold exposure, back pain, drop foot, and gut symptoms The connection between kidneys, adrenals, colon health, and energy levels Why emotions like fear, frustration, control, and unresolved tears are discussed in metabolic healing How environment and proximity to others can influence your energy and physiology The role of thoughts, beliefs, and mindset in shaping hormonal and nervous system responses Why healing often requires addressing structure, chemistry, emotions, and energy together Links & Resources Dr. Christopher Motley: https://www.doctormotley.com/Ancient Health Podcast: https://www.doctormotley.com/podcast Follow Ben Azadi

In this episode of the Got HER Back Podcast, Meg and Carrie get real about green flags, healthy love, and what happens when you stop confusing peace for boredom.   From navigating skepticism after toxic relationships to learning how to trust consistency, safety, and emotional availability, this conversation explores why green flags can feel unfamiliar when you've lived in chaos for too long.   If you're relearning what healthy relationships look like, overcoming relationship trauma, or questioning whether calm love is real love, this episode is your reminder that green flags aren't boring — they're healing.   You've got her back. And we've got yours.   Chapters: 00:00:00 Why green flags are hard to believe after toxic relationships  00:01:00 Style check and catching up on life and work trips  00:02:00 Easygoing partners and compatibility in relationships  00:03:15 Why skepticism blocks us from seeing green flags  00:04:20 The 90-day probation period and Think Like a Man  00:06:10 Slowing down dating and building real connection  00:07:20 Waiting for the other shoe to drop in healthy love  00:09:00 Actions over words and watching behavior patterns  00:10:30 Accepting that nobody is perfect in relationships  00:12:15 Identifying top green flags in a healthy partner  00:13:40 Feeling safe, wanted, and emotionally regulated  00:16:00 Green flags in parenting and blended families  00:18:00 Why chaos feels familiar and calm can feel boring  00:19:30 Shifting your mindset to look for the good  00:21:00 Dating apps, modern dating, and human connection  00:23:00 Red car syndrome and focusing on green flags  00:24:30 Final thoughts on love, growth, and healing  

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What if slowing down isn't a setback — but a signal? In this episode of Social Media Decoded, marketing strategist and community builder Michelle Thames shares a real-time reflection after hosting her Elevate & Align retreat, where she unexpectedly lost her voice and was forced to pause, reschedule brand deals, and listen to what her body was communicating. This short but powerful episode explores the connection between visibility, leadership, alignment, and sustainability, especially for entrepreneurs who feel pressure to constantly show up online. If you've been feeling stretched thin, burned out, or disconnected from your visibility, this conversation will help you reframe momentum and lead with clarity instead of hustle. Topics Covered in This Episode What it means when your body forces you to slow down How alignment shows up physically, not just mentally The relationship between sustainable visibility and leadership Why constant output doesn't equal long-term success How slowing down can create clearer direction and momentum Who Should Listen Entrepreneurs navigating burnout or exhaustion Creators struggling with consistency and visibility Business owners leading teams, brands, or communities Anyone feeling pressure to “do more” to stay relevant Key Insight Sustainable visibility isn't about pushing harder — it's about listening sooner.Slowing down can be the most strategic leadership move you make. About the Podcast Social Media Decoded breaks down what actually works in social media, branding, visibility, and community-led growth — without burnout culture or empty marketing trends. Hosted by marketing strategist Michelle Thames, the show covers leadership, digital marketing strategy, visibility, content, and building brands that last. If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs permission to slow down and lead differently. Check out the collective: https://michellethames.com/elevate-and-empower-collective Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.