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Adam Scott is fearless. Ed and Adam explore a high-flying SNAFU that showcased just how valiant pilots must be when the engines run dry...literally. This is the tale of the Azores Glider; a complimentary mid-flight snack of FEAR at 30,000 feet. Subscribe to the SNAFU YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@SNAFUPodBuy the SNAFU book: www.snafu-book.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, I break down 34 common military sayings that often leave civilians scratching their heads, from "mandatory fun" to "danger close". Whether you are a new recruit or just curious about service culture, understanding these phrases will help you navigate the unique language of the military with confidence. You'll learn the real stories behind the jargon and why these terms are essential for communication in and out of uniform. Timestamps (00:00) Intro (00:32) The meaning of "Make a Hole" (00:45) The reality of "Mandatory Fun" days (01:25) Why slow is smooth and smooth is fast (02:26) Being "voluntold" and other bootcamp basics (03:25) On the move: Understanding "Oscar Mike" (04:05) The 15-minute rule: If you're on time, you're late (05:37) Decoding Zulu time and universal coordination (07:57) What is an After Action Report (AAR)? (09:56) The meaning of FUBAR and SNAFU (10:51) Why you never say "repeat" on a military radio About the Show On the Military Millionaire Podcast, I share real conversations with service members, veterans, and their families. Each week, we explore how to build wealth through personal finance, entrepreneurship, and real estate investing. Resources & Links Download a free copy of my book: https://www.frommilitarytomillionaire.com/free-book Sign up for free webinar trainings: https://www.frommilitarytomillionaire.com/register Join our investor list: https://www.frommilitarytomillionaire.com/investors Apply for The War Room Mastermind: https://www.frommilitarytomillionaire.com/mastermind-application Get an intro to recommended VA agents/lenders: https://www.frommilitarytomillionaire.com/va-realtor Guide to raising capital: https://www.frommilitarytomillionaire.com/capital-raising-guide Connect with David Pere Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/militarymillionaire YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Frommilitarytomillionaire?sub_confirmation=1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frommilitarytomillionaire/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-pere/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/militaryrei TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@militarymillionaire
Timestamps: 0:00 it's like it never ends! 0:09 Lenovo Legion Go Fold 1:39 Anthropic rejects Pentagon 3:04 Meta AI Safety head gets OpenClaw'd 5:51 QUICK BITS INTRO 6:04 Nvidia SHIELD TV gets another update 6:43 Nvidia GPU driver causes fan issues 7:24 Block cuts nearly half workforce 8:07 Tecno modular phone conccept 8:38 Burger King AI headsets NEWS SOURCES: https://lmg.gg/BaEmc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ochelli Effect 2 27 2026 SNAFU NEWS LAST WEEKSelf Edit NOTEAfter IntroONLY First ew minutes contain:Ochelli Unique AnalysisOrOchelli OpinionSince they appear to be unwanted w haveremoved this burden for you. ENJOY...What to know as US moves military assets to Mideast and Iran nuclear talks have yet to reach a dealhttps://apnews.com/article/iran-us-talks-oman-nuclear-protests-e5fce5e891243b7651cf76d8211f78ae?FCC chairman says the agency is investigating ABC's ‘The View' over equal time rulehttps://apnews.com/article/view-fcc-stephen-colbert-abc-cbs-4fd679462e08de2cdc340071f48a83a9?Melania Merch will follow the flop Film but succeed somehowhttps://www.melaniatrump.com/90,000 Square feet of Ballroom won't look strange when attached to 45,000 Square Feet of White House, will it? Never mind The $100,000,000.00 TRUMP Arch will make it all Great Again for THE SWAMP only drained of wealth from every Non-Trump connected treasury to THE BRAND.https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ep2t_RCy8sMICING ON MARA-LOGO MADE BEAUTIFUL CAKESCUBAN MISLEAD CRISIS 2026?Putin tells Cuban foreign minister Russia will not accept recent US sanctions against Cubahttps://apnews.com/video/putin-tells-cuban-foreign-minister-russia-will-not-accept-recent-us-sanctions-against-cuba-1fac17d8fcaf4a5093492ffcb0f38b0c?===EPSTEIN & OTHER ASSOTED ATTROCITIES with a side order of BLASPHOMY Exploring the Vaginal Anatomy - 3D Animationhttps://www.youtube.com/shorts/BNzezS06w_kHas The FOX NEWS T.V. Electronic Asset become a True Crime Network in Daylight hours as It's slow rolling reveal as the Entertainment Channel it is was spoiled by Their own Lawyers?A party that makes Sure Agent Maxwell gets puppy time before the Pardon Time despite sex trafficking convictions might not be a zealous seeker of Truth, Justice For Victims or the American way.AS SEEN ON T.V. and IN THE BIBLE 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. I lived with Epstein on Zorro Ranch where it's feared ‘girls were killed and buried' – why they'll never find bodieshttps://local.newsbreak.com/new-mexico-state/4505217367796-i-lived-with-epstein-on-zorro-ranch-where-its-feared-girls-were-killed-and-buried-why-theyll-never-find-bodies?FBI Told Minnesota It Will Share Zero Evidence on Alex Pretti Shooting, Even as ICE Admits its Lieshttps://www.jezebel.com/fbi-alex-pretti-shooting-death-evidence-wont-share-minnesota-law-enforcement-investigations-doj ICE, Inc.: The Top Companies Profiting from Trump's Immigration Crackdownhttps://www.pogo.org/investigates/ice-inc-the-top-companies-profiting-from-trumps-immigration-crackdownKristi Noem Wants A Swanky $70 Million Jet For Deportations — And She Might Get Ithttps://www.huffpost.com/entry/kristi-noem-wants-a-swanky-70-million-jet-for-deportations-and-she-might-get-it_n_699726e4e4b0c98899793ed296 Percent of People Charged With Human Trafficking Are U.S. Citizenshttps://reason.com/2026/02/19/96-percent-of-people-charged-with-human-trafficking-are-u-s-citizens/The Next Phase of ICE's $38 Billion Detention Plan: Centralized, DHS-Owned Warehouseshttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-19/trump-s-immigration-push-to-warehouses-could-cut-out-corecivic-geogroup4-D Chess is claimed by people who think Checkers is the same game with Failed logic seeing the Checkers and chess board are alike and falsely believing Chess is that easy. Ask someone using the term 4-D chess to Explain 3-D chess and you'll see the lack of intellect reveal itself to you.SEE ALSO: Trump claiming mutual respect status with the late Jesse Jackson.Trump Salutes ‘Good Man' Jesse Jackson in Laudatory Memorial Post — Claims Civil Rights Icon ‘Could Not Stand' Obamahttps://www.mediaite.com/politics/trump-salutes-good-man-jesse-jackson-in-laudatory-memorial-post-claims-civil-rights-icon-could-not-stand-obama/ Race Hustler or Civil Rights Icon? Jesse Jackson Dead at 84https://pjmedia.com/rick-moran/2026/02/17/race-hustler-or-civil-rights-icon-jesse-jackson-dead-at-84-n4949594===TRUMPs BOMBS, MIND CONTROL, and OTHER ENTERTAINMENTDonny doesn't start wars often because War and the military industrial complex is too complex for his simple mind. So way more threats than operations will be the hero of the day any day Jewish plot armor is required. Epstein , Israel , or his unlawful in-laws all escape the hand of Lady Justice because we'd have to declare her themes and memes in the Circus of political clowns to be 3 rings of anti-sematic weapons of mass distraction....And The state of the Union looking for a divorce is Business as per what should not be usual and Threatening Demand to Deal with the Brand.-The formula may not always reconcile into universal agreement Agreeable RealityFreedom of ChoiceLocalityor https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-epstein-cuba-updates-2-26-2026?-Baseball Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski, known for walk-off home run in 1960 World Series, dies at 89https://www.mlb.com/news/pirates-legend-bill-mazeroski-dies-at-89Tom Noonan, 'Manhunter' and 'Robocop 2' actor, dies at 74https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2026/02/18/tom-noonan-dead-robocop-2-cain/88748041007/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0006888/Trump Said Tariffs Would Reduce the Trade Deficit. Instead, It Hit a Record High in 2025.https://reason.com/2026/02/19/trump-said-tariffs-would-reduce-the-trade-deficit-instead-it-hit-a-record-high-in-2025/ Trump tariffs: U.S. could owe more than $175 billion in refunds after Supreme Court ruling, estimate sayshttps://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/20/supreme-court-trump-tariffs-us-refunds.htmlSo The Corporations get refunds but the customers that had them passed on to them Get Nothing? ---BE THE EFFECThelp for Ochelli and The NetworkSupport and Fund The Future of Ochelli.com Radio & PodcatssThe Bills are now so Grown Their calling themselves WilliamsMrs.OLUNA ROSA CANDLEShttp://www.paypal.me/Kimberlysonn1https://www.youtube.com/user/UCYTV/search?query=OchelliBE THE EFFECTListen/Chat on the Sitehttps://ochelli.com/listen-live/TuneInhttp://tun.in/sfxkxAPPLEhttps://music.apple.com/us/station/ochelli-com/ra.1461174708Ochelli Link Treehttps://linktr.ee/chuckochelliAnything is a blessing if you have the meansWithout YOUR support we go silent
Lizzie Bassett and Chris Winterbauer are film afficianados. This week, they help Ed uncover cinematic treasures that just may be synonomous with a very spooky moment in American hubris; the time we decided to literally NUKE SPACE! Find out what "Dr. Strangelove," "The China Syndrome," and "The Iron Giant" all have in common with today's SNAFU built for Cinemascope. Subscribe to the SNAFU YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@SNAFUPodBuy the SNAFU book: www.snafu-book.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Robin Zander hosted a Snafu webinar for the Sidebar community on non-sales selling—think self-promotion for career transitions, freelancers, entrepreneurs, and product people. The goal: learn to "sell yourself" without the ick factor. Participants shared fears: follow-ups feel intimidating, sales feels slimy, and success seems like a numbers game. Robin reframed it: selling is really about enrollment—being a chief evangelist for your work, not begging for attention. Drawing on stories from his childhood pumpkin patch, his time as a personal trainer (where desperation lost him clients), and opening Robin's Cafe in San Francisco (raising $40k, serving multiple stakeholders, training staff with Danny Meyer's principles), he showed the difference between selling from need vs. service. Long-term success comes from genuine connection, curiosity, optimism, and passion. Attendees explored their "authentic attitude" and reflected on times self-promotion felt good versus slimy. Exercises included mapping all the people who benefit from your work—employees, customers, managers, mentees, community—and practicing generosity in selling (a "Miracle on 34th Street" mindset: help customers even if it means sending them elsewhere). In Q&A, Robin tackled: Asking for promotions as modeling for others, especially women and minorities Persistence in follow-ups (yes, emailing Mark Benioff 53 times counts) Relationship-based enterprise selling Avoiding fear-based AI marketing by knowing who you serve and what problem you solve Recommended reading: Setting the Table (Danny Meyer), Unreasonable Hospitality (Will Guidara), The New Strategic Selling. Robin also shared upcoming Snafu conference details (March 5, Oakland Museum of California) and reminded everyone: Snafu = situation normal; all fucked up. 00:00 Start 01:06 Audience Fears About Selling Robin Zander welcomes 93 participants to the webinar Notes the session is interactive with exercises planned Encourages participants to drop questions in chat or interrupt him Last 15–20 minutes reserved for questions Robin introduces himself briefly Focuses on storytelling as a tool for self-promotion Shares experience as a community builder Runs a conference called Responsive since 2016 (not Snafu) Tools, structures, and company cultures for resilient organizations Two-day event each September on the future of work Focus on building resilience in organizations Observations on rapid change Technology and work-life changes happening at a fast pace Questions about resilience in individuals Traits needed in careers, personal relationships, professional relationships Ability to stay resilient through change Robin frames his expertise Emphasizes his strength in asking questions and fostering honest conversations Labels himself a reluctant salesperson Not the world's leading expert on self-promotion or selling Key lessons from research and interviews Two buckets matter in business and life: Example: Sidebar community forming coalitions for learning and action Operational excellence: being competent and at least as good as others Promotion/enrollment/sales: standing up, saying what you want, building coalitions Started interviewing people about influence and persuasion Started a weekly newsletter called Snafu Written by hand, not AI Shares lessons from his life and others about self-promotion and resilience Focus on courage to take action: raising hand, offering something valuable Core characteristics of self-promotion and selling yourself Connecting with others: art of connection Courage to ask: inspired by Amanda Palmer's TED Talk and book The Art of Asking Opposes traditional "always be closing" sales mentality Advocates for simply asking for what you want Current work mostly involves storytelling for large companies Clients include Supersonic, Airbnb, Zappos, and others 12:25 Service as the Core Principle Robin introduces the concept of storytelling for self-promotion Stories used to: Get promotions Build coalitions Propel career or organizational growth Emphasizes turning personal, career, or company stories into "commercials" Focus of today's talk: self-promotion with impact Core principle: service Showing up from a place of helping others Through helping others, also helping oneself Distinguishes between sleazy salespeople and effective self-promoters Childhood anecdote: Robin's pumpkin patch Tended plants all summer, learned responsibility and care Harvested pumpkins and sold them using a small red tin box labeled "money" Ran "Robin's Pumpkin Patch" for five to seven years At age five, father had him plant pumpkin seeds Engaged neighborhood kids for fun, collaborative promotion Explained product (pumpkins) enthusiastically to potential buyers Used scarecrow costumes and creative gestures to attract attention Lessons learned from pumpkin patch: Authentic enthusiasm creates value Helping people do what they were already inclined to do Early experience of earning and serving simultaneously Self-promotion is most effective when it's service-driven, not manipulative Applying childhood lesson to career and business Asking for a raise Persuading companies to choose one service over another Promoting oneself or others (e.g., Evan, web developer) Key principle: approach self-promotion from delight and service, not need or fear Authentic enthusiasm as foundation for: Interactive exercise for participants Not influenced by sleep deprivation or stress Could be inspired by childhood or adult experiences Opposite of fear; personal and unique for each participant Question posed: what is your authentic attitude when self-promoting? Examples shared from participants: Curiosity Passion Inspiration Service to others Observation Possibility Insight Value Helping others Creativity Belief in serendipity Optimism Key takeaway from exercise and story Promoting from delight, enthusiasm, and service Promoting from need or fear Two versions of self-promotion: Effective self-promotion aligns with authenticity and enthusiasm, creating value for others while advancing oneself 18:36 Gym Job and Needy Selling Robin shares the next story and sets up the next exercise Gym culture is sales-heavy Initial motivation: love of fitness, desire to help people Quickly realizes environment incentivizes personal trainers to sell aggressively Timeframe: ~20 years later, at age 20, moved to San Francisco First post-college job: personal trainer in gyms Early experience at gyms Key lesson from early failure Selling from need feels gross Promoting oneself from fear or desperation leads to poor results Recognizes similarity to unwanted sales calls received personally First authentic success in self-promotion Worked at Petro and World's Gym in San Francisco, Pilates instructor Owner confronted Robin after two weeks: no clients, potential clients being lost to others Threatened termination by Friday if no clients acquired Robin froze under pressure, approached clients but with needy, desperate energy Outcome: fired by Friday, left gym Encounters man in pain on Valencia Street, offers help as personal trainer Approach comes from genuine care, desire to serve Leads to three-year working relationship, consistent sessions, good income Next client: world-famous photographer Michael Light at UCSF swimming pool Client comes from natural connection, not pushy salesmanship Dichotomy observed: Pushy, need-based self-promotion → freeze, poor results Service-oriented self-promotion → natural connections, sustained relationships Exercise for participants Prompt: identify two moments: One time self-promoting felt slimy → what were you doing? One time self-promoting felt good → what were you doing differently? Two-minute reflection / chat participation Participant reflections/examples Slimy examples: Interviewing for a job during layoffs, giving desperate energy Selling P&L at a hyperscaler Selling computers and printers in UK post-college Sales emails getting ghosted Feeling inauthentic or performative, taking advantage of someone Good examples: Offering services out of care and love rather than ROI Showing impact of work to junior child Knowing services add real value and solve a challenge Being clear on what the other person needs Key takeaway Self-promotion feels different depending on intent and knowledge Slimy → desperate, inauthentic, unclear value to recipient Authentic → service-driven, clear value, connection-focused Effective self-promotion combines knowing your value and serving others, not just pushing for personal gain 25:35 Miracle on 34th Street Lesson Feeling good in self-promotion comes from genuinely helping, solving problems, and sharing information Santa Claus hired at Macy's to hold kids and give candy canes, but real goal: persuade parents to buy from Macy's Santa instead sends parents to competitor to truly serve them Macy's manager initially furious Outcome: customers feel genuinely served, return praising Macy's, become loyal fans Robin references Miracle on 34th Street (original version) Key insight: providing real value, even if it benefits someone else, eventually returns value to you "Put enough bread across the water, eventually good things come back" Participant reflections Slimy: knowing audience expects judgment, catering to them for approval Good: giving the gift of knowledge, providing service freely Takeaway: authentic self-promotion is rooted in service, generosity, and sharing expertise, not manipulating for immediate gain 27:45 Starting Robin's Cafe Through Service Robin shares a major professional turning point: opening Robin's Cafe in 2016 No restaurant experience beyond college busing tables Opened in three weeks, eventually grew to 15 employees by 2018 Worked in multiple industries: Pumpkin patch, personal trainer, circus performer Opened a café/restaurant in Mission District, San Francisco Courage and conviction came from clear focus on service to others Employees: create a great workplace, go-giver culture Investors: $40k raised from friends/family, provided value and potential return Landlords (ODC, nonprofit dance center): wanted success of business to support community Customers: diverse—tech workers, kids in dance classes, local community Robin himself: financial sustainability, learning, personal growth Key audiences served by Robin's Cafe Approach to challenges Used Danny Meyer's Setting the Table as a service-focused framework for employees Philosophy: "giving in order to get paid" Examples: spouse, kids, dog, manager, peers, mentees, clients, community, customers, extended family, mentors Served multiple stakeholders during crises: break-ins, flooding, city permitting, neighborhood issues Exercise: identify all the people who benefit from your work or success Key idea: the more stakeholders served, the easier self-promotion becomes, because it comes from service, not need or pressure Show up thinking: does this serve the person I'm talking to? Principle: selling yourself from a place of service Consider multiple stakeholders simultaneously Audience question: elaborate on applying this service mindset specifically to asking for a promotion Tying service to self-promotion in career advancement Result: asking for a raise, applying for jobs, pitching clients—all easier and more authentic 38:11 Promotion As Service Asking for a promotion from a place of service Example: doing the role already, deserving recognition, asking for what you believe you've earned. Personal perspective: advocating for yourself is a form of service to yourself Recognize other stakeholders in the process: Modeling courage and advocacy for the next generation Authority enables ideas to be taken more seriously Stories gained from new responsibilities enhance value to clients or teams People you mentor, especially women or underrepresented groups The organization: your promotion can make it stronger Your family or children: showing them what it looks like to advocate Concrete examples Outcome: trajectory of career positively influenced, demonstrated courage, modeled behavior Asking first time for a manager role Later asking for VP title as a director Courage and small steps Courage = acting despite fear, not absence of fear Practice by taking incremental steps toward what scares you Avoid masking or hesitation; direct action builds confidence and results Persistence and follow-up Busy people require patience and multiple nudges Example: Mark Stubbings emailing Mark Benioff 53 times before a yes Persistence = respectful, consistent follow-ups Role modeling for women and minorities Demonstrates that asking is a normal, expected, and service-oriented act Many don't ask for promotions or raises due to upbringing or cultural norms Modeling advocacy teaches the next generation, including children, to speak up Service mindset in practice Approach self-promotion by asking: is this good for the other person? Keep intention aligned with service, not desperation Books for guidance: Setting the Table – Danny Meyer: service-driven sales and employee culture Unreasonable Hospitality – Will Guidara: lessons from the restaurant world on giving value and delight Key takeaways for promotion and asking Serve yourself, your mentees, your organization, and your broader audience Take small, courageous steps to ask for what you deserve Follow up respectfully and consistently; don't assume silence = no Self-promotion becomes easier and authentic when rooted in service, not fear or need Snafu Newsletter Weekly newsletter written by Robin Covers influence, persuasion, and modern workplace dynamics A resource for ongoing learning and practical insights 56:55 Where to Find Robin Robin's newsletter covers influence, persuasion, and modern work. Snafu Conference Responsive Conference Robin Zander on social medias
If this crossword was a car, it would be a Bugatti; if it was a watch, it would be a Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime. In short, this was a top-of-the-line Tuesday crossword, built with precision, love, and care, and yet, surprisingly, priced exactly the same as all the other NYTimes crosswords, not a farthing more for that extra pizzazz.What were some of those pizzazz-y clues, you ask? Our favorite was 35D, Tough-but-loving fathers, informally, PAPABEARS (a debut). Our second (and it was a close second) was 18D, Boot out of Europe?, ITALY
Jake Johnson is an off-the-cuff kinda guy, form-fit for this week's SNAFU when Ed and Jake meet a man who loved taking off his cuffs...and tunic, and trousers. He also happened to be one of the preeminent scientific minds during the French Revolution, and whose ill-fated trip across the Atlantic culminated in a tassle with Caribbean pirates and, potentially, a sunk American metric system. This is the Joseph Dombey Affair. Subscribe to the SNAFU YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@SNAFUPodBuy the SNAFU book: www.snafu-book.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ochelli Effect 2 13 2026 SNAFU NEWS THIS WEEKThe trick for Morons is being a victim and a perp at the same time.Pre-Malone and all the pre-recorded Not Live From Atlanta, IT WAS SUNDAY NIGHT! Weird But TrueHospital evacuated after 8-inch WWI artillery shell discovered in patient's buttBy Ben Cost https://nypost.com/2026/02/02/lifestyle/hospital-evacuated-after-8-inch-wwi-artillery-shell-discovered-in-patients-butt/Ever get the feeling an unseen hand in the universe decided that since you won't volunteer to walk into walls they'll just beat you with them anyway?Owns the Libs and Runs The Cons. and RFK says you got the numbers wrong but the SHOTS are right according to the newest Brain Worm math.Did you know they are REAL HOUSEWIVES Shows still being made? Peacock also has BRAVE NEW WORLD into A SERIES! Alongside a stupid PC poisoned series with DEI cast for the movie the Burbs, Believe it or Not. Here I was thinking ONLY absurd modern media corporation STREAMERS GUILD mutilation of entertainment finally completely ruined Star Trek with the latest Movie then shit bag series was contained and restricted to PARAMOUNT / CBS / Whatever other platforms combined in Crypto Con Job conglomerate Friends of Trump group that created his newly minted fake Money Crypto Billions for his special needs offspring and some new Goverment Department funding, but I was wrong...Streaming piss on a toilet bowl that was art in MAGASTAN. Somebody go get PISS-CHRIST out of shame storage, Ahead of it's time damnit!This week An Elected official declared that Lindsey Graham is more gay than a closet full of Liberals and among millions of viewers no one made any noise about it?What Trump Aides Whisper About Crazed Racist Post | Inside Trump's Headhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFUCi_mmRCYFormer inmate in Epstein cell says there's 'no way' he committed suicideA man who was once held in the same jail cell as Jeffrey Epstein once said he did not believe that the sex offender had died by suicide in 2019https://www.the-express.com/news/us-news/198384/former-inmate-epstein-cell-suicideFriday The Thirteenth! FBI concluded Jeffrey Epstein wasn't running a sex trafficking ring for powerful men, files showInternal Justice Department records indicate investigators found proof of the financier's sexual abuse of girls, but not enough evidence to charge others.https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/epstein-fbi-files-investigation-giuffre-maxwell-andrew-client-list-20260208.htmlEpstein files: Ghislaine Maxwell refuses to testify, pleads fifthhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anKJVDwmHLUFCC launching probe into ABC's 'The View' amid crackdown on equal time for candidates'Fake News is not getting a free pass anymore,' an FCC source told Fox News Digitalhttps://www.foxnews.com/media/fcc-launching-probe-abcs-the-view-amid-crackdown-equal-time-candidates1984 is only half the playbook = What That Idiot Ochelli has said for decadesBrave New World: Summary & Analysishttps://youtu.be/_4VlHP997uc?si=PHe5jMB_MsLBRzstAKA Superbowl 60NEVERMIND (Sorry Nirvana) Because FOOTBALL (and not foreign Shit-hole soccer unless white people play it)Super Bowl 2026 highlights: Seahawks capture second Lombardi with 29-13 win over Patriotsplay SANTA CLARA -- For the second time in franchise history, the Seattle Seahawks are Super Bowl champions.https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47822193/2026-super-bowl-lx-patriots-seahawks-live-highlights-resultsTrump Defends Racist Obama Meme & MAGA Rages Over Bad Bunny's Spanish Halftime Show | The Daily Showhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfpQbv7CmeE---An example of many signals sent to me that my work and contributions are absolutely unwanted in JFK Assassination research CliquesJefferson Morley has always looked down his nose at me even when appearing on my podcast 4 or 5 times and pulling a no-show over his Deep State battling Trump posts some years ago.He has his credits, A Clique of supporters, and a personally dedicated Psuedo-Cult of Yes Men and Women Buffs and gets accommodated for at least some events I am aware of (Not All) and fails to keep verbal agreements with people on numerous occasions appearing in my opinion to behave as though he is entitled to special status among others who have not held corporate media employment and dare to write or speak on the limited segment of American Political History WW2 to Current Events. Please Note that somewhere in my releases many years ago a 4 hour piece of audio was generated by Carmine Savastano & The Ochelli Effect show distributed through a variety of networks and released on 22 AM/FM broadcasts Independently along with actual NEWS and INFORMATION Networks (I think 3 aside from my mini-network. Titled The Assassination Guide for Dummies. It was titled as a parody of the book series labeled Something (Insert Topic or point of Interest Here), For Dummies but was designed to make some very complex documents that functionally were a real version of the ironic parody built into the title at least a handful of years before this substack post. ASSASSINATION GUIDE LINKhttps://archive.org/details/CIAAStudyOfAssassination1953Ochelli References and Corbet Displays Assassination Guide 2017 Link to Videohttps://corbettreport.com/interview-1323-chuck-ochelli-sorts-through-the-jfk-dump/State of the JFK Case in 2026To understand what we have learned from the new JFK files in the past year, start with the CIA's bible for fooling the American peoplehttps://jfkfacts.substack.com/p/inside-the-cias-manual-of-trickery?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=315632&post_id=181072218&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=68fjc&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=emailI am still willing to send the JFK MP3 Folder of over 100 shows on The JFK Case From the Ochelli Archives for new donations now as there was little interest in trading the 100_+ shows and more than 250+ Hours of JFK material for 50 bucks, or less than a rate of 2 episodes for a dollarto help me along the disaster that was LANCER 2025. Also willing to Create new topic archive Zip Folders on Topics I have covered over the years with minimum 100 MP3s per donation. In April 2026 we may finally package complete Archive packages in Bunches for the over 4,000 podcasts originating with The Ochelli Network where only 2,500 are The Ochelli Effect and 1,500 are from the many other projects we produced. Menu coming SOON.I am finding out who my friends are, and If you feel you are owed the special JFK ZIP FOLDER, or should get the first SET of what will be the final archive release for Ochelli.COM with every RELEASE of the FINAL ARCHIVE will contain secret Bonus audio in a digital Google Drive Download LINK that will give the recipient over 2 GB for each realease and if we make it to Chuck's Birthday in 2027 that will end the offer and access to a complete Unique archive of thousands of Pods, music, Raw Recordings, special Shows, and never released , and never broadcast interviews, original audio and text files, Photos and screen shots of elements previously unleased evidence etc.---BE THE EFFECThelp for Ochelli and The NetworkMrs.OLUNA ROSA CANDLEShttp://www.paypal.me/Kimberlysonn1https://www.youtube.com/user/UCYTV/search?query=OchelliBE THE EFFECTListen/Chat on the Sitehttps://ochelli.com/listen-live/TuneInhttp://tun.in/sfxkxAPPLEhttps://music.apple.com/us/station/ochelli-com/ra.1461174708Ochelli Link Treehttps://linktr.ee/chuckochelliAnything is a blessing if you have the meansWithout YOUR support we go silent
Welcome to another Bonus Episode of SNAFU! Today, sit back and enjoy Ed's conversation with a real, genuine former KGB Spy! Jack Barsky was a Soviet operative who defected, risking his life, and family, to remain in the United States. His story is full of twists and turns, and is truly a unique perspective behind the Cold War curtain. Enjoy Ed's conversation with Jack Barsky and we'll be back with new episodes next Wednesday. Subscribe to the SNAFU YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@SNAFUPodBuy the SNAFU book: www.snafu-book.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ochelli Effect 2 6 2026 SNAFU NEWS 2Can You guess the bad info in the following. If yes your IQ might beat room temperature in F but who knows...HIV epidemic explodes in popular honeymoon destination as crystal meth use surgesHealth assessment finds 50% of drug users in Fiji inject with potentially contaminated syringes as cases climbhttps://www.foxnews.com/travel/hiv-epidemic-explodes-popular-honeymoon-destination-crystal-meth-use-surgesX is the new fake NEWS Leader!https://x.com/RealKeatonHobby/status/2019686013657051429?s=20https://x.com/Gregsy_reborn/status/2019715047422140727?s=20USA TODAY was always written for Morons.Pizza Hut closing hundreds of locations in 2026. Here's why.https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2026/02/04/pizza-hut-closing-locations/88515586007/Question, Is this a filter Issue or did Rocky Dennis knock-up that Blind Girl before he died?Just Me?https://youtube.com/shorts/lsEaPKs1z5k?si=qFvGVjiaV8LUhqYIThese Democrats Decry Trump's Immigration Actions. They Also Invested in ICE Contractor Palantir.https://www.notus.org/congress/palantir-stock-investing-democrats-immigrationPeople are beyond reach in their opinion bubbles. Immigrants Delivered $14.5 Trillion Surplus to US Economy Over Last 30 Years: Report“MAGA's claim that immigrants are a drain on government budgets? It's a lie.” https://www.commondreams.org/news/do-immigrants-drain-the-us-economyPenny the Doberman Pinscher Wins Best in Show at the 2026 Westminster Dog ShowCota the Chesapeake won Reserve Best in Show, Westminster's runner-up prize, at the dog show on Feb. 3 at New York City's Madison Square GardenTRUMPISTAN IS IN FULL EFFECT ‘This Is a Wake-Up Call': Critics Disgusted as Billionaire Bezos Guts Washington Post“Oligarchs are not the benevolent saviors media have long depicted them to be.”https://www.commondreams.org/news/bezos-washington-post-layoffsDan Bongino's comeback show reveals MAGA's growing divisionshttps://unherd.com/newsroom/dan-bonginos-comeback-show-reveals-magas-growing-divisions/Epstein files mention cannibalism, 'ritualistic sacrifice.' That's not the full storySome accusations stemmed from an FBI interview with a unidentified man. There was no credible evidence to support them.Thug Riders: What's next for 14 members of motorcycle club accused of federal crimesTHE HEAD:INE APPEARS TO BE FABRICATED TO FAKE NEWS but HERE'S THE LINKhttps://www.daytondailynews.com/local/thug-riders-whats-next-for-14-members-of-motorcycle-club-members-accused-of-federal-crimes/ZSV5TLMPRFHYBDAXBTBLDYH6WY/PLEASE NOTE THE MIRROR YOU GaZE UPON JEFF...RIP: The Washington Post (1933-2026)A newspaper is more than the sum of its editorials and its mistakes.Jefferson Morleyhttps://substack.com/@jfkfacts/p-187081211---BE THE EFFECThelp for Ochelli and The NetworkMrs.OLUNA ROSA CANDLEShttp://www.paypal.me/Kimberlysonn1BE THE EFFECTListen/Chat on the Sitehttps://ochelli.com/listen-live/TuneInhttp://tun.in/sfxkxAPPLEhttps://music.apple.com/us/station/ochelli-com/ra.1461174708Ochelli Link Treehttps://linktr.ee/chuckochelliAnything is a blessing if you have the meansWithout YOUR support we go silent
Ochelli Effect 2 6 2026 SNAFU NEWSMore warped stories keep getting posted and X is the new fake NEWS Leader!People are beyond reach in their opinion bubbles.TRUMPISTAN IS IN FULL EFFECTThe unfathomable Minnesota transcript that must be read, as it tells the reality of America todayhttps://www.lawdork.com/p/the-minnesota-julie-le-show-cause-transcriptTHE TRANSSCRIPThttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1FnY2z7eb5efGlHrb2AYBtfqMVDJSUfIu/view Exhausted Justice Department Lawyer to Federal Judge: “This Job Sucks”https://ballsandstrikes.org/law-politics/julie-le-doj-lawyer-this-job-sucks/ DOJ removes attorney after telling judge, 'This job sucks.'https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/breaking-the-news/doj-removes-attorney-after-telling-judge-this-job-sucks/89-c91bda2f-6183-492c-a8f5-7c1fa0d2d0c5 A judge ruled a Trump DOJ prosecutor is 'not lawfully serving,' but he's still wielding his title while trying to dismiss Comey's firing lawsuithttps://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/a-judge-ruled-a-trump-doj-prosecutor-is-not-lawfully-serving-but-hes-still-wielding-his-title-while-trying-to-dismiss-comeys-firing-lawsuit/Clips of Alex Pretti being shothttps://www.reddit.com/r/law/comments/1qmbxxy/full_clip_of_alex_pretti_being_shot/?https://www.reddit.com/r/law/comments/1qlyx5v/video_from_the_bystander_in_pink/---BE THE EFFECThelp for Ochelli and The NetworkMrs.OLUNA ROSA CANDLEShttp://www.paypal.me/Kimberlysonn1https://www.youtube.com/user/UCYTV/search?query=OchelliBE THE EFFECTListen/Chat on the Sitehttps://ochelli.com/listen-live/TuneInhttp://tun.in/sfxkxAPPLEhttps://music.apple.com/us/station/ochelli-com/ra.1461174708Ochelli Link Treehttps://linktr.ee/chuckochelliAnything is a blessing if you have the meansWithout YOUR support we go silent
Jameela welcomes Ed Helms (The Office, The Hangover, SNAFU podcast) and Brian Huskey (Veep, Bob's Burgers, Community) for a masterclass in public humiliation, bodily betrayal, and the art of staying professional while everything is actively going wrong.Ed shares about his resting plane face, then revisits an Office scene that turned into a sealed-car panic situation. From there, things escalate in Bangkok, where one innocent street food decision leads to him shirtless on a red-light-district sidewalk between takes, being fed Sprite through a straw by Bradley Cooper and Zach Galifianakis.Meanwhile, Brian's commitment to “the bit” reaches medically concerning levels, as a flirtation story becomes a full fainting incident that nobody recognises as a real emergency. Add in digestive disasters, professional embarrassment, and the delicate balance between dignity and dehydration, and you've got another episode of Wrong Turns doing exactly what it says on the tin. No lessons. No recovery arc. Just three people trying to survive their own bodies in public.Jameela's Substack is A Low Desire To Please, you can also find her on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.Our consulting producer is Colin Anderson.Wrong Turns was created and produced by Jameela Jamil and Stewart Bailey.Listen to Wrong Turns on Amazon Music or wherever you find your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ochelli Effect 2 4 2026 SNAFU NEWSPeople are beyond reach in their opinion bubbles.TRUMPISTAN IS IN FULL EFFECTClips of Alex Pretti being shothttps://www.reddit.com/r/law/comments/1qmbxxy/full_clip_of_alex_pretti_being_shot/?https://www.reddit.com/r/law/comments/1qlyx5v/video_from_the_bystander_in_pink/PUPPET REGIMEhttps://youtu.be/FXljqSBwdsY?si=-9O_J9LpSmFMpKN6ELON MUSK is a privillaged retard with autism as a bonus feature funded by the people who used to print moneyWWW. NO LINK FOR THE OBVIOUS . F Ucomedyhttps://www.youtube.com/shorts/kDSMNkRJ8jA---BE THE EFFECThelp for Ochelli and The NetworkMrs.OLUNA ROSA CANDLEShttp://www.paypal.me/Kimberlysonn1https://www.youtube.com/user/UCYTV/search?query=OchelliBE THE EFFECTListen/Chat on the Sitehttps://ochelli.com/listen-live/TuneInhttp://tun.in/sfxkxAPPLEhttps://music.apple.com/us/station/ochelli-com/ra.1461174708Ochelli Link Treehttps://linktr.ee/chuckochelliAnything is a blessing if you have the meansWithout YOUR support we go silent
This week on Office Ladies 6.0, the ladies take a break from their breakdown of The Paper to join their buddy Ed Helms over on his podcast, SNAFU, to relive one of history's biggest “work whoopsies” of all time (we've all messed up at work but have you ever LOST a nuclear weapon?!) Jenna, Angela and Ed also reminisce on their years working together on The Office and share behind-the-scenes memories, cast camaraderie, and what made those long conference room days so special. The ladies will be back next week to keep breaking down The Paper. Until then, pull up a chair, try not to misplace any warheads, and enjoy! Office Ladies Website - Submit a fan question for Around the Town, Chit Chat and The Paper: https://officeladies.com/submitaquestion Follow Us on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod Follow Us on YouTube Follow Us on TikTok To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Adam Grant is a thinker. The kind of thinking that makes you think twice. Which is precisely what the victims of a certain financial fraud deployment have been told throughout history. But today, Ed and Adam head to the top of this pyramid, to unveil the origin of the ultimate form of foul play: The Ponzi Scheme. Subscribe to the SNAFU YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@SNAFUPodBuy the SNAFU book: www.snafu-book.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kelly Corrigan is all class. As an award-winning journalist, podcaster, and author, her insights are a breath of fresh air. Today, Ed and Kelly cover Operation Cottage, a screwy attempt by American and Canadian forces to recapture the Aleutian Islands during WWII. But when the Allied soldiers arrived, all was not as it seemed. Subscribe to the SNAFU YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@SNAFUPodBuy the SNAFU book: www.snafu-book.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway are two titans of podcasting. Their ever-prescient analyses of today's political, technological, and cultural worlds have set an elevated standard for journalists across the board. Today, they help Ed analyze an event from our past that may feel eerily familiar: The Palmer Raids. Although they took place in 1919, their echoes in modern times may just give you goosebumps. Subscribe to the SNAFU YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@SNAFUPodBuy the SNAFU book: www.snafu-book.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome back to Snafu with Robin P. Zander. In this episode, I'm doing something a little different: I step into the guest seat for a conversation with one of my good friends, Andrew Bartlow, recorded for the People Leader Accelerator podcast alongside Jessica Yuen. We dive into storytelling, identity, and leadership — exploring how personal experiences shape professional influence. The conversation begins with a reflection on family and culture, from the Moroccan textiles behind me, made by my mother, to the influence of my father's environmental consulting work. These threads of personal history frame my lifelong fascination with storytelling, persuasion, and coalition-building. Andrew and Jessica guide the discussion through how storytelling intersects with professional growth. We cover how early experiences — like watching Lawrence of Arabia at a birthday sleepover — sparked curiosity about adventure, influence, and human connection, and how these interests evolved into a career focused on organizational storytelling and leadership. We explore practical frameworks, including my four-part story model (Setup → Change → Turning → Resolution) and the power of "twists" to create momentum and memorability. The episode also touches on authentic messaging, the role of vulnerability in leadership, and why practicing storytelling in everyday life—outside high-stakes moments—builds confidence and executive presence over time. Listeners will hear lessons from a lifetime of diverse experiences: running a café in the Mission District, collaborating with BJ Fogg on behavioral change, building Zander Media, and applying storytelling to align teams and organizations. We also discuss how authenticity and personal perspective remain a competitive advantage in an age of AI-generated content. If you're curious about how storytelling, practice, and presence intersect with leadership, persuasion, and influence, this episode is for you. And for more insights on human connection, organizational alignment, and the future of work, check out Snafu, my weekly newsletter on sales, persuasion, and storytelling here, and Responsive Conference, where we explore leadership, work, and organizational design here. Start (0:00) Storytelling & Identity Robin introduces Moroccan textiles behind him Made by his mother, longtime practicing artist Connects to Moroccan fiancée → double meaning of personal and cultural Reflection on family influence Father: environmental consulting firm Mother: artist Robin sees himself between their careers Early Fascination with Storytelling Childhood obsession with Morocco and Lawrence of Arabia Watched 4-hour movie at age 6–7 Fascinated by adventure, camels, storytelling, persuasion Early exposure shaped appreciation for coalition-building and influence Identity & Names Jess shares preference for "Jess" → casual familiarity Robin shares professional identity as "Xander" Highlights fluidity between personal and professional selves Childhood Experiences & Social Context Watching Lawrence of Arabia at birthday sleepover Friends uninterested → early social friction Andrew parallels with daughters and screen preferences Childhood experiences influence perception and engagement Professional Background & Storytelling Application Robin's long involvement with PeopleTech and People Leader Accelerator Created PLA website, branding, documented events Mixed pursuits: dance, media, café entrepreneurship Demonstrates applying skills across domains Collaboration with BJ Fogg → behavioral change expertise Storytelling as Connection and Alignment Robin: Storytelling pulls from personal domains and makes it relevant to others Purpose: foster connection → move together in same direction Executive relevance: coalition building, generating momentum, making the case for alignment Andrew: HR focus on connection, relationships, alignment, clarity Helps organizations move faster, "grease the wheels" for collaboration Robin's Credibility and Experience in Storytelling Key principle: practice storytelling more than listening Full-time entrepreneur for 15 years First business at age 5: selling pumpkins Organized neighborhood kids in scarecrow costumes to help sell Earned $500 → early lessons in coalition building and persuasion Gymnastics and acrobatics: love of movement → performance, discipline Café entrepreneurship: Robin's Cafe in Mission District, SF Started with 3 weeks' notice to feed conference attendees Housed within a dance studio → intersection of dance and behavioral change First experience managing full-time employees Learned the importance of storytelling for community building and growth Realized post-sale missed opportunity: storytelling could have amplified success Transition to Professional Storytelling (Zander Media) Lessons from cafe → focus on storytelling, messaging, content creation Founded Zander Media (2018) Distributed small team, specializes in narrative strategy and video production Works with venture-backed companies and HR teams to tell stories internally and externally Provides reps and depth in organizational storytelling Why Storytelling Matters for Organizations Connects people, fosters alignment Enables faster movement toward shared goals Storytelling as a "powerful form of connection" What Makes a Good Story Robin: frameworks exist, but ultimately humans want: Education, entertainment, attention Sustained attention (avoid drift to TikTok, distractions) Framework examples: Hero's Journey (Joseph Campbell) → 17 steps Dan Harmon's 8-part structure → simplified version of Hero's Journey Robin's preferred model: 4-part story structure (details/examples forthcoming) The Power of the Twist, and Organizational Storytelling Robin's Four-Part Story Model Core idea: stories work best when they follow a simple arc Setup → Change → Turning (twist/reveal) → Resolution Goal: not rigid frameworks, but momentum, surprise, payoff The "Turning" (Twist) as the Sticky Moment Pixar example via Steve Jobs and the iPod Nano Setup: Apple's dominance, market context, long build-up Choice point: Option A: just reveal the product Option B (chosen): pause + curiosity Turning: the "tiny jeans pocket" question Reveal: iPod Nano pulled from the pocket Effect: entertainment, disruption, memorability Key insight: The twist creates pause, delight, and attention This moment often determines whether a story is remembered Why Flat Stories Fail Example (uninspiring): "I ran a cafe → wanted more marketing → now I run Xander Media" Improved arc with turning: Ran a cafe → wanted to do more marketing → sold it on Craigslist → built Xander Media Lesson: A reveal or risk creates narrative energy The Four Parts in Practice Setup The world as it is (Bilbo in the Shire) Change Something disrupts the norm (Gandalf arrives) Turning Twist, reveal, or surprise (the One Ring) Resolution Payoff and return (Bilbo back to the Shire) How to Use This as a Leader Don't force stories into frameworks Look at stories you already tell Identify where a disruption, surprise, or reveal could live Coalition-building lens Stories should move people into shared momentum Excitement → flow → aligned action Storytelling Mediums for HR & Organizations Employer brand ≠ separate from company brand Should be co-owned by HR and marketing Brand clarity attracts the right people, repels the wrong ones Strong brands are defined by: Who they are Who they are not Who they're for and not for HR vs Marketing: The Nuance Collaboration works only if: HR leads on audience and truth Marketing supports execution, not control Risk: Marketing optimizes for customers, not employees HR understands attraction, retention, culture fit Storytelling at the Individual Level No one is "naturally" good or bad at storytelling It's reps, not talent Practical advice: Know your ~15 core stories (career, company, turning points) Practice pauses like a comedian Notice when people lean in Opinionated Messaging = Effective Messaging Internal storytelling should: Be clear and opinionated Repel as much as it attracts Avoid: Corporate vanilla Saying a lot without saying anything Truth + Aspirational Truth Marketing and storytelling are a mix of: What is actually true What the organization is becoming Being "30% more honest" builds trust Including flaws and tradeoffs Example: budget brands, Southwest, Apple's office-first culture Why This Works Opinions create personality Personality creates stickiness Stickiness creates memory, alignment, and momentum Authenticity as the last real advantage We're flooded with AI-generated content (video, writing, everything) Humans are extremely good at sensing what feels fake Inauthenticity is easier to spot than ever One of the few remaining advantages: Be true to the real story of the person or organization Not polished truth — actual truth What makes content feel "AI-ish" AI can generate volume fast Books, posts, stories in minutes What it can't replicate: Personal specificity Why a story matters to you What an experience felt like from the inside Lived moments Running a café Growing into leadership What lasts: Personal story lesson learned relevance to this reader relevance to this relationship What content will win long-term Vulnerability Not oversharing, but real experience Personal perspective Why this matters to me Relevance Why it should matter to you Outcome Entertainment Insight Shared direction The risk of vulnerability (it can backfire) Being personal doesn't guarantee buy-in Example: inspirational talk → employee openly disagrees Emotional deflation Self-doubt Early leadership lesson: You can do your best People will still push back Leadership at higher levels gets harder, not easier Bigger teams → higher stakes Better pay Benefits Real expectations First "real" leadership pain points: Bad hires Mismatched expectations Disgruntled exits Realization: Conflict isn't failure It's a sign you've leveled up "Mountains beyond mountains" Every new level comes with new challenges Entrepreneurship Executive leadership Organizational scale Reframe setbacks: Not proof you're failing Proof you're progressing Authenticity at the executive table Especially hard for HR leaders Often younger Often earlier in career Often underrepresented Anxiety is normal The table doesn't feel welcoming Strategy: Name it "This is new for me" "I'm still finding my voice" Own it Ask for feedback Speak anyway Authenticity ≠ no consequences Being honest can carry risk Not every organization wants change Hard truth: You can't change people who don't want to change Sometimes the right move is leaving Guiding advice: Find people who already want what you offer Help them move faster Vulnerability as a competitive advantage Almost any perceived weakness can be reframed New Nervous Different When named clearly: It builds trust It creates permission It signals confidence Getting better at storytelling (practical) It's not talent — it's reps Shyness → confidence through practice Start small Don't test stories when stakes are highest Practice specifics Your core stories Your pitch Energy matters Enthusiasm is underrated Tempo matters Pauses Slowing down Letting moments land Executive presence is built Incrementally Intentionally Practice, Progress, and Learning That Actually Sticks Measure growth against yourself, not "the best" The real comparison isn't to others It's who you were yesterday MrBeast idea: If you're not a little uncomfortable looking at your past work You're probably not improving fast enough Important distinction: Discomfort ≠ shame Shame isn't a useful motivator Progress shows up in hindsight Looking back at past work "I'd write that differently now" Not embarrassment — evidence of growth Example: Weekly newsletter Over time, clearer thinking Better writing Stronger perspective Executive presence is a practice, not a trait Storytelling Selling Persuasion Presence Core question: Are you deliberately practicing? Or just repeating the same behaviors? Practice doesn't have to happen at work Low-stakes environments count Family Friends Everyday conversations Example: Practicing a new language with a dog Safe Repetitive No pressure Life skills = leadership skills One of the hardest lessons: Stop trying to get people to do what they don't want to do Daily practice ground: Family dynamics Respecting boundaries Accepting reality These skills transfer directly to work Influence Communication Leadership Why practice outside of high-stakes moments When pressure is high You default to habits Practicing in everyday life: Builds muscle memory Makes high-stakes moments feel familiar How to learn (without overengineering it) Follow curiosity Pick a thread A name A book An idea Pull on it See where it leads Let it branch Learning isn't linear It's exploratory Learning through unexpected sources Example: Reading a biography Leads to understanding an era Context creates insight The subject matters less than: Genuine interest Sustained attention Career acceleration (simple, not flashy) Always keep learning Find what pulls you in Go deeper Press the gas Where to find Robin Ongoing work lives in: Snafu (weekly newsletter on sales, persuasion, and storytelling) https://joinsnafu.com Responsive Conference (future of work, leadership, and org design) https://responsiveconference.com
There’s big trouble in the Beckham family, with eldest offspring Brooklyn Beckham going nuclear on his parents Victoria and David and stating he does not wish to reconcile. Tonight's special guest on the phone with Mark is famed Hollywood fixer Brad Herman. He talks about the publicly reviled California DMV, but Herman says the staff there really do care, from top to bottom. The SNAFU with the Real ID was not the fault of DMV staff, rather, it was a software glitch that saw about 325,000 California residents having to get new IDs. Brad Herman continues talking about his long career as a Hollywood fixer, including that time in the 1980s when, as a wet-behind-the-ears kid in his 20s, he was sent to an address in Beverly Hills to take care of none other than Frank Sinatra, who was caught driving on an expired driver’s license. Amazon is taking on Saks 5th Avenue after Saks filed bankruptcy. In 2024, Amazon invested $500M in Saks, and now Amazon is saying that investment was worthless.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jenny Slate is a connoisseur of finer things. Ed invites her to revisit an epic failure on the part of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette as they attempt to flee revolution, yet cling to their superfluous lifestyle. Will they make it to the city of Varennes or lose their lavish heads in the process? Subscribe to the SNAFU YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@SNAFUPodBuy the SNAFU book: www.snafu-book.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, I'm joined by Virginie Raphael — investor, entrepreneur, and philosopher of work — for a wide-ranging conversation about incentives, technology, and how we build systems that scale without losing their humanity. We talk about her background growing up around her family's flower business, and how those early experiences shaped the way she thinks about labor, value, and operating in the real economy. That foundation carries through to her work as an investor, where she brings an operator's lens to evaluating businesses and ideas. We explore how incentives quietly shape outcomes across industries, especially in healthcare. Virginie shares why telehealth was a meaningful shift and what needs to change to move beyond one-to-one, supply-constrained models of care. We also dig into AI, venture capital, and the mistakes founders commonly make today — from hiring sales teams too early to raising too much money too fast. Virginie offers candid advice on pitching investors, why thoughtful cold outreach still works, and how doing real research signals respect and fit. The conversation closes with a contrarian take on selling: why it's not a numbers game, how focus and pre-qualification drive better outcomes, and why knowing who not to target is just as valuable as finding the right people. If you're thinking about the future of work, building with intention, or navigating entrepreneurship in an AI-accelerated world, this episode is for you. And for more conversations like this, join us at Snafu Conference 2026 on March 5th, where we'll keep exploring incentives, human skills, and what it really takes to build things that last. Start (0:00) Reflections on Work, Geography, and AI Adoption Virginie shares what she's noticing as trends in work and tech adoption: Geographic focus: she's excited to explore AI adoption outside traditional tech hubs. Examples: Atlanta, Nashville, Durham, Utah, Colorado, Georgia, North Carolina, parts of the Midwest. Rationale: businesses in these regions may adopt AI faster due to budgets, urgency, and impatience for tech that doesn't perform. "There are big corporates, there are middle and small businesses in those geos that have budget that will need the tech… and/or have less patience, I should say, for over-hub technologies that don't work." She notes that transitions to transformational technology never happen overnight, which creates opportunities: "We always underestimate how much time a transition to making anything that's so transformational… truly ubiquitous… just tends to think that it will happen overnight and it never does." Robin adds context from her own experience with Robin's Cafe and San Francisco's Mission District: Observed cultural and business momentum tied to geography Mentions Hollywood decline and rise of alternative media hubs (Atlanta, Morocco, New Jersey) Virginie reflects on COVID's impact on workforce behaviors: Opened a "window" to new modes of work and accelerated change: "There were many preexisting trends… but I do think that COVID gave a bit of a window into what was possible." Emphasis on structural change: workforce shifts require multi-year perspective and infrastructure, not just trends. Investor, Mission, and Capital Philosophy Virginie clarifies she is an investor, not a venture capitalist, resisting labels and prestige metrics. "I don't call myself a venture capitalist… I just say investor." Focuses on outcomes over categories, investing in solutions that advance the world she wants to see rather than chasing trendy tech sectors. "The outcome we want to see is everyone having the mode of work that suits them best throughout their lives." Portfolio themes: Access: helping people discover jobs they wouldn't otherwise know about. Retention / support: preventing workforce dropouts, providing appropriate healthcare, childcare, and caregiving support. "Anyone anywhere building towards that vision is investible by us." Critiques traditional venture capital practices: Raising VC money is not inherently a sign of success. "Raising from a VC is just not a sign of success. It's a milestone, not the goal." Concerned about concentration of capital into a few funds, leaving many founders unsupported. "There's a sense… that the work we do commands a lot less power in the world, a lot less effectiveness than holding the capital to hire that labor." Emphasizes structural, mission-driven investing over chasing categories: Invests in companies that prevent workforce dropouts, expand opportunity, and create equitable access to meaningful work. Portfolio strategy is diversified, focusing on infrastructure and long-term impact rather than quick wins. "We've tracked over time what type of founders and what type of solutions we attract and it's exactly the type of deal that we want to see." Reflects on COVID and societal trends as a lens for her investment thesis: "COVID gave a bit of a window into what was possible," highlighting alternative modes of work and talent distribution that are often overlooked. Labor, Ownership, and Durable Skills Virginie reframes the concept of labor, wages, and ownership: "The word labor in and of itself… is something we need to change." Interested in agency and ownership as investment opportunities, especially for small businesses transitioning to employee ownership. "For a very long time… there's been a shift towards knowledge work and how those people are compensated. If you go on the blue-collar side… it's about wages still and labor." Emphasizes proper capitalization and alignment of funds to support meaningful exits for smaller businesses, rather than chasing massive exits that drive the VC zeitgeist. AI fits into this discussion as part of broader investment considerations. Childhood experience in family flower business shaped her entrepreneurial and labor perspective: Selling flowers, handling cash, and interacting with customers taught "durable skills" that persisted into adulthood. "When I think of labor, I think of literally planting pumpkin plants… pulling espresso shots… bringing a customer behind the counter." Observing her father start a business from scratch instilled risk-taking and entrepreneurial spirit. "Seeing my dad do this when I was seven… definitely part of that." Skills like sales acumen, handling money, and talking to adults were early lessons that translated into professional confidence. Non-linear career paths and expanding exposure to opportunity: Concerned that students often see only a narrow range of job options: "Kids go out of high school, they can think of three jobs, two of which are their parents' jobs… Surely because we do a poor job exposing them to other things." Advocates for creating more flexible and exploratory career pathways for young people and adults alike. Durable skills and language shaping work: Introduction of the term "durable skills" reframes how competencies are understood: "I use it all the time now… as a proof point for why we need to change language." Highlights the stigma and limitations of words like "soft skills" or "fractional work": Fractional roles are high-impact and intentional, not temporary or inferior. "Brilliant people who wanna work on a fractional basis… they truly wanna work differently… on a portfolio of things they're particularly good at solving." Work in Progress uses language intentionally to shift perceptions and empower people around work. Cultural significance of language in understanding work and people: Virginie notes that language carries stigma and meaning that shapes opportunities and perception. References Louis Thomas's essays as inspiration for attention to the nuance and power of words: He'll take the word discipline and distill it into its root, tie it back into the natural world." Robin shares a personal anecdote about language and culture: "You can always use Google Translate… but also it's somebody learning DIA or trying to learn dharia, which is Moroccan Arabic… because my fiance is Moroccan." Human-Positive AI, Process, and Apprenticeship Virginie emphasizes the value of process over pure efficiency, especially in investing and work: "It's not about the outcome often, it's about the process… there is truly an apprenticeship quality to venture and investing." Using AI to accelerate tasks like investment memos is possible, but the human learning and iterative discussion is critical: "There's some beauty in that inefficiency, that I think we ought not to lose." AI should augment human work rather than replace the nuanced judgment, particularly in roles requiring creativity, judgment, and relationship-building: "No individual should be in a job that's either unsafe or totally boring or a hundred percent automatable." Introduces the term "human-positive AI" to highlight tools that enhance human potential rather than simply automate tasks: "How do we use it to truly augment the work that we do and augment the people?" Project selection and learning as a metric of value: Virginie evaluates opportunities not just on outcome, but what she will learn and who she becomes by doing the work: "If this project were to fail, what would I still learn? What would I still get out of it?" Cites examples like running a one-day SNAFU conference to engage people in human-centered selling principles: "Who do I become as a result of doing that is always been much more important to me than the concrete outcomes of this thing going well." AI Bubble, Transition, and Opportunity Discusses the current AI landscape and the comparison to past tech bubbles: "I think we're in an AI bubble… 1999 was a tech bubble and Amazon grew out of it." Differentiates between speculative hype and foundational technological transformation: "It is fundamental. It is foundational. It is transformative. There's no question about that." Highlights the lag between technological introduction and widespread adoption: "There's always a pendulum swing… it takes time for massively transformative technology to fully integrate." AI as an enabler, not a replacement: Transition periods create opportunity for investment and human-positive augmentation. Examples from healthcare illustrate AI's potential when applied correctly: "We need other people to care for other people. Should we leverage AI so the doctor doesn't have to face away from the patient taking notes? Yes, ambient scribing is wonderful." Emphasizes building AI around real human use cases and avoiding over-automation: "What are the true use cases for it that make a ton of sense versus the ones we need to stay away from?" History and parallels with autonomous vehicles illustrate the delay between hype and full implementation: Lyft/Uber example: companies predicted autonomous vehicles as cost drivers; the transition opened up gig work: "I was a gig worker long before that was a term… the conversation around benefits and portability is still ongoing." AI will similarly require time to stabilize and integrate into workflows while creating new jobs. Bias, Structural Challenges, and Real-World AI Experiments Discusses the importance of addressing systemic bias in AI and tech: Shares the LinkedIn "#WearThePants" experiment: women altered gender identifiers to measure algorithmic reach: "They changed their picture, in some cases changed their names… and got much more massive reach." Demonstrates that AI can perpetuate structural biases baked into systems and historical behavior: "It's not just about building AI that's unbiased; it's about understanding what the algorithm might learn from centuries of entrenched behavior." Highlights the ongoing challenge of designing AI to avoid reinforcing existing inequities: "Now you understand the deeply structural ingrained issues we need to solve to not continue to compound what is already massively problematic." Parenting, Durable Skills, and Resilience Focus on instilling adaptability and problem-solving in children: "I refuse to problem solve for them. If they forget their homework, they figure it out, they email the teacher, they apologize the next day. I don't care. I don't help them." Emphasizes allowing children to navigate consequences themselves to build independence: "If he forgets his flute, he forgets his flute. I am not making the extra trip to school to bring him his flute." Everyday activities are opportunities to cultivate soft skills and confidence: "I let them order themselves at the restaurant… they need to look the waiter in the eye and order themselves… you need to speak more clearly or speak loudly." Cultural context and exposure shape learning: Practices like family meals without devices help children appreciate attention, respect, and communication: "No iPad or iPhone on our table… we sit properly, enjoy a meal together, and talk about things." Travel and cultural exposure are part of teaching adaptability and perspective: "We spent some time in France over the summer… the mindset they get from that is that meals matter, and people operate differently." Respecting individuality while fostering independence: "They are their own people and you need to respect that and step away… give them the ability to figure out who they are and what they like to do." Parenting as a balance of guidance and autonomy: "Feel like that was a handbook that you just offered for parenting or for management? Either one. Nobody prepares you for that… part of figuring out." Future of Work and Technology Horizons Timeframes for predicting trends: Focus on a 5-year horizon as a middle ground between short-term unpredictability and long-term uncertainty: "Five years feels like this middle zone that I'm kind of guessing in the haze, but I can kind of see some odd shapes." Short-term (6–18 months) is more precise; long-term (10–15 years) is harder to anticipate: "I'm a breezy investor. Six months at a time max… deal making between two people still matters in 18 months." Identifying emerging technologies with latent potential: Invests in technologies that are ready for massive impact but haven't yet had a "moment": "I like to look at technologies that have yet to have a moment… the combo of VR and AI is prime." Example: Skill Maker, a VR+AI training platform for auto technicians, addressing both a labor shortage and outdated certification processes: "We are short 650,000 auto technicians… if you can train a technician closer to a month or two versus two years, I promise you the auto shops are all over you." Focuses on alignment of incentives, business model innovation, and meaningful outcomes: "You train people faster, even expert technicians can benefit… earn more money… right, not as meaningful to them and not as profitable otherwise." Principles guiding technology and investment choices: Solving enduring problems rather than temporary fads: "What is a problem that is still not going to go away within the next 10–15 years?" Ensuring impact at scale while creating economic and personal value for participants: "Can make a huge difference in the lives of 650,000 people who would then have good paying jobs." Scaling, Incentives, and Opportunity Re-examining traditional practices and identifying opportunities for change: "If you've done a very specific thing the exact same way, at some point, that's prime to change." Telehealth is an example: while helpful for remote access, it hasn't fundamentally created capacity: "You're still in that one-to-one patient's relationship and an hour of your time with a provider is still an hour at a time." Next version of telehealth should aim to scale care beyond individual constraints: "Where do we take telehealth next… what is the next version of that that enables you to truly scale and change?" Incentives shape outcomes: "Thinking through that and all the incentives… if I were to change the incentives, then people would behave differently? The answer very often is yes, indeed." Paraphrasing Charlie Munger: "Look for the incentives and I can tell you the outcome." Founders, Pitching, and Common Mistakes Pet peeves in founder pitches: Lack of research and generic outreach is a major turn-off: "I can really quickly tell if you have indeed spent a fraction of a minute on my site… dear sir, automatic junk. I won't even read the thing." Well-crafted, thoughtful cold inbound pitches get attention: "Take some time. A well crafted cold inbound will get my attention… you don't need to figure out an intro." Big mistakes entrepreneurs make: Hiring too early, especially in sales: "Until you have a playbook, like don't hire a sales team… if you don't have about a million in revenue, you're probably not ready." Raising too much capital too quickly: "You get into that, you're just gonna spend a lot more time fundraising than you are building a company." Comparing oneself to others: "You don't know if it's true… there's always a backstory… that overnight success was 15 years in the making." Sales Strategy and Non-Sales Selling Approach is contrarian: focus on conversion, not volume: "It is not a numbers game. I think it's a conversion game… I would much rather spend more time with a narrower set of targets and drive better conversion." Understanding fit is key: "You gotta find your people… and just finding who is not or should not be on your list is equally valuable." Recognizes that each fund and business is unique, so a tailored approach is essential: "The pitch is better when I'm talking to the quote unquote right people in the right place about the right things." Where to Find Virginie and Her Work Resources for listeners: Full Circle Fund: fullcirclefund.io Work in Progress: workinprogress.io LinkedIn: Virginie Raphael Where to Access Snafu Go to joinsnafu.com and sign up for free.
URSULA'S TOP STORIES: Seahawks will host the 49ers for the NFC Divisional round // Seattle’s monstrous two-year traffic SNAFU begins // It’s the most gloomiest time of the year // Ursula & Angela react to the latest on the killing of Renee Good // WE NEED TO TALK. . . Would you leave America? or stay and fight?
Welcome to Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, the podcast where nostalgia comes alive!This week, we're delighted to welcome Canadian puppeteer, voice actor, and creator Ingrid Hansen. Ingrid joins us to talk about her early roles bringing characters like Gertie G. Gopher on Tiga Talk, Skeeter on Tick & Skeeter, and Melissa the Dog on Seasons 2 and 3 of Miss Persona to life. We also dive into her best-known work as the lovable, curious Heart on Helpsters, as well as her exciting recent journey into the world of Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock, where she serves as the body performer for Ma Gorg and performs Lanford along with a wide range of background characters. Ingrid also discusses the creative spark behind co-founding SNAFU Dance Theatre. Tune in for stories, inspiration, and a joyous peek into the art of puppetry!Connect with Ingrid and check out SNAFU!https://www.ingi.ca/https://www.facebook.com/ingihansenhttps://www.instagram.com/iamingridhansen/https://linktr.ee/snafudanceTaping date: December 9, 2024Edited by: Mileshttps://www.youtube.com/@Miles02109Be sure to check out our website, where you can learn more about the podcast and find how to follow the Happy Nostalgia team!https://jakeshappynostalgiashow.weebly.com/Listen to the audio version wherever you find your podcasts!https://linktr.ee/JakesHappyNostalgiaShow
Ochelli Effect SNAFU NEWS 1-7-2026 2026 is off and Running in cruelty free pants.Is This Thing On? https://letterboxd.com/film/is-this-thing-on-2025/Non-existent war between Kosovo and Serbia with Ethiopian Unreality TV and the Marshall's Arts of white trash static cling when Iran isn't waring with Iraq despite the Genocide Justified on the future Golf Courses of Gaza.Protester burns American flag in Minneapolis after ICE agent shoots, kills woman https://nypost.com/2026/01/07/us-news/protester-burns-american-flag-in-minneapolis-after-deadly-ice-shooting/ Be a Great American Again and dare not being an Anti-Semite committing atrocities locked and loaded as a false Lancer glazing Charlie Kirk with only patriots and Pox FAKE NEWS made sure the PGA delivered the Prize to a REAL President protecting us from Cocaine so well smuggled in Fentanyl Fishing boats and Somalian Pirates Afros that out class 1970s starting line-up in Pittsburg.Noem: ICE to stay in Minneapolis after fatal shooting of US citizenThere was a second celebration in Times Square at 12:04 AM on January 1 recognizing 250 years since Morons became Oxy and illiterate children sang the songs of the of the south on TikTok Live on X and Also also, Titties... ICE agent shoots and kills woman during Minneapolis raidhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_oa92SpLhYFBI Disrupts Alleged New Year's Eve Attack, Man Charged with Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIShttps://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/fbi-disrupts-alleged-new-years-eve-attack-man-charged-attempting-provide-material-support\BLOOD FOR OIL 2026?Oil Wavers as Traders Assess Venezuela Fallout https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTrNbFNZbJwVenezuala Prez ad Wife capturedbreakingTrump says US carried out strikes on Venezuela; Maduro and his wife 'captured'Venezuela live updates: US carries out 'large scale strike,' Maduro and his wife 'captured,' Trump sayshttps://abcnews.go.com/International/explosions-heard-venezuelas-capital-city-caracas/story?id=128861598Trump says Maduro captured, flown out as US military conducts ‘large scale' strike https://thehill.com/homenews/5670708-trump-captures-maduro-us-venezuela-strikes/?Maduro and his wife transported to courthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My-ocFJvAS8https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXp3HXe1TY0Venezuelan VP appears to defy Trump, calls Maduro ‘only president' in fiery speechhttps://nypost.com/2026/01/03/world-news/venezuelan-vp-appears-to-defy-trump-calls-maduro-only-president-in-fiery-speech/'I'm a prisoner of war' - In the room for Maduro's dramatic court hearinghttps://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq6v25eldmdoMaduro says ‘I was captured' as he pleads not guilty to drug trafficking chargeshttps://apnews.com/article/maduro-venezuela-trump-criminal-case-131f59e517cc8314a53c8dace230d328\Trump wants to overhaul the ‘president's golf course.' He hasn't played there yethttps://apnews.com/article/golf-course-renovation-andrews-trump-nicklaus-53ad20f9d1fe4661b109c102f428d112?New redesigned coins marking nation's 250th birthday begin circulating todayhttps://www.npr.org/2026/01/05/nx-s1-5660747/new-redesigned-coins-250th-anniversary?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-usKEY Takeaway, Drugs won The War on DrugsTrae Crowder Rant - Goodbye 2025 (Yayyyy), Hello 2026 (Boooo) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP5PYG4KqfI The POWER of KRISTI Puppy Killing Garden gnome & THE No-Glove-LOVE child GHOST of MORTEN DOWNEY Jr. & ORANGE JEWLIUS JESUS WIG COMPELLS YOU!!!!!!MSNBC officially changed its name to MS NOW (My Source News Opinion World) on November 15, 2025, as it spun off from Comcast/NBCUniversal to become part of the new independent media company, Versant.\IN OTHER NOSTALGIA, IT SEEMS LIKE THERE ARE NO ORIGINAL IDEAS,THE WORST OF WALLY: Hot Seat Hotline 1985 - 1987 & OTHER Flashback videos All the new alleged shock content is as much a reboot as everything Hollywood script mills vomit into the public and pay-per-view domain chronicling the decline of Western Uncivilized Culture for decades and already in progress.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-41tn0D_1ZYhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmZBZo3t_Fg&t=392shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxXwKPLZyVshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvHm0KN2lpMhttps://www.youtube.com/user/UCYTV/search?query=OchelliWho Grok Thinks Killed JFKArtificial Intelligence Solves the Kennedy Assassination?Jon L. DenbyDec 01, 2025https://www.jonathandenby.com/p/who-grok-thinks-killed-jfkThey Know You're STEALING at Self-Checkout — Here's When They ARREST Youhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dMmSghI9jw\BE THE EFFECThelp for Ochelli and The NetworkMrs.OLUNA ROSA CANDLEShttp://www.paypal.me/Kimberlysonn1BE THE EFFECTListen/Chat on the Sitehttps://ochelli.com/listen-live/TuneInhttp://tun.in/sfxkxAPPLEhttps://music.apple.com/us/station/ochelli-com/ra.1461174708Ochelli Link Treehttps://linktr.ee/chuckochelliAnything is a blessing if you have the meansWithout YOUR support we go silent
Sarah Spain knows a thing or two about winning. But sadly for ol' Napoleon Bonaparte, he managed to do anything but win this war. Ed and Sarah trudge into the tundra to follow Napoleon's epic screwup in his campaign to conquer Russia. Subscribe to the SNAFU YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@SNAFUPodBuy the SNAFU book: www.snafu-book.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome back to Snafu with Robin Zander. In this episode, I'm joined by Jeff Jaworsky, who shares his journey from a global role at Google to running his own business while prioritizing time with his children. We talk about the pivotal life and career decisions that shaped this transition, focusing on the importance of setting boundaries—both personally and professionally. Jeff shares insights on leaving a structured corporate world for entrepreneurship and the lessons learned along the way. We also explore the evolving landscape of sales and entrepreneurship, highlighting how integrating human connection and coaching skills is more important than ever in a tech-driven world. The conversation touches on the role of AI and technology, emphasizing how they can support—but not replace—essential human relationships. Jeff offers practical advice for coaches and salespeople on leveraging their natural skills and hints at a potential future book exploring the intersection of leadership, coaching, and sales. If you're curious about what's next for thoughtful leadership, entrepreneurship, and balancing work with life, this episode is for you. And for more conversations like this, get your tickets for Snafu Conference 2026 on March 5th here, where we'll continue exploring human connection, business, and the evolving role of AI. Start (0:00) Early life and first real boundary Jeff grew up up in a structured, linear environment Decisions largely made for you Clear expectations, predictable paths Post–high school as the first inflection point College chosen because it's "what you're supposed to do" Dream: ESPN sports anchor (explicit role model: Stuart Scott) Reality check through research Job placement rate: ~3% First moment of asking: Is this the best use of my time? Is this fair to the people investing in me (parents)? Boundary lesson #1 Letting go of a dream doesn't mean failure Boundaries can be about honesty, not limitation Choosing logic over fantasy can unlock unexpected paths Dropping out of college → accidental entry into sales Working frontline sales at Best Buy while in school Selling computers, service plans, handling customers daily Decision to leave college opens capacity Manager notices and offers leadership opportunity Takes on home office department Largest sales category in the store Youngest supervisor in the company (globally) at 19 Early leadership challenges Managing people much older Navigating credibility, age bias, exclusion Learning influence without authority Boundary insight Temporary decisions can become formative Saying "yes" doesn't mean you're locked in forever Second boundary: success without sustainability Rapid growth at Best Buy Promotions Increasing responsibility Observing manager life up close 60-hour weeks No real breaks Lunch from vending machines Internal checkpoint Is this the life I want long-term? Distinguishing: Liking the work Disliking the cost Boundary lesson #2 You can love a craft and still reject the lifestyle around it Boundaries protect the future version of you Returning to school with intention Decision to go back to college This time with clarity Sales and marketing degree by design, not default Accelerated path Graduates in three years Clear goal: catch up, not start over Internship at J. Walter Thompson Entry into agency world Launch of long-term sales and marketing career Pattern recognition: how boundaries actually work Ongoing self-check at every stage Have I learned what I came here to learn? Am I still growing? Is this experience still stretching me? Boundaries as timing, not rejection Experiences "run their course" Leaving doesn't invalidate what came before Non-linear growth Sometimes stepping down is strategic Demotion → education Senior role → frontline role (later at Google) Downward moves that enable a bigger climb later Shared reflection with Robin Sales as a foundational skill Comparable to: Surfing (handling forces bigger than you) Early exposure to asking, pitching, rejection Best Buy reframed Customer service under pressure Handling frustrated, misinformed, emotional people Humility + persuasion + resilience Parallel experiences Robin selling a restaurant after learning everything she could Knowing the next step (expansion) and choosing not to take it Walking away without knowing what's next Core philosophy: learning vs. maintaining "If I'm not learning, I'm dying" Builder mindset, not maintainer Growth as a non-negotiable Career decisions guided by curiosity, not status Titles are temporary Skills compound Ladders vs. experience stacks Rejecting the myth of linear progression Valuing breadth, depth, and contrast The bridge metaphor Advice for people stuck between "not this" and "not sure what next" Don't leap blindly Build a bridge Bridge components Low-risk experiments Skill development Small tests in parallel with current work Benefits Reduces panic Increases clarity Turns uncertainty into movement Framing the modern career question Referencing the "jungle gym, not a ladder" idea Careers as lateral, diagonal, looping — not linear Growth through range, not just depth Connecting to Range and creative longevity Diverse experiences as a competitive advantage Late bloomers as evidence that exploration compounds Naming the real fear beneath the metaphor What if exploration turns into repeated failure? What if the next five moves don't work? Risk of confusing experimentation with instability Adding today's pressure cooker Economic uncertainty AI and automation reshaping work faster than previous generations experienced The tension between adaptability and survival The core dilemma How do you pursue a non-linear path without tumbling back to zero? How do you "build the bridge" instead of jumping blindly? How do you keep earning while evolving? The two-year rule Treating commitments like a contract with yourself Two years as a meaningful unit of time Long enough to: Learn deeply Be challenged Experience failure and recovery Short enough to avoid stagnation Boundaries around optional exits Emergency ripcord exists But default posture is commitment, not escape Psychological benefit Reduces panic during hard moments Prevents constant second-guessing Encourages depth over novelty chasing The 18-month check-in Using the final stretch strategically Asking: Am I still learning? Am I still challenged? Does this align with my principles? Shifting from execution to reflection Early exploration of "what's next" Identifying gaps: Skills to acquire Experiences to test Regaining control External forces aren't always controllable Internal planning always is Why most people get stuck Planning too late Waiting until: Layoffs Burnout Forced transitions Trying to design the future in crisis Limited creativity Fear-based decisions Contrast with proactive planning Calm thinking Optionality Leverage Extending the contract Recognizing unfinished business Loving the work Still growing Still contributing meaningfully One-year extensions as intentional choices Not inertia Not fear Conscious recommitment A long career, one organization at a time Example: nearly 13 years at Google Six different roles Multiple reinventions inside one company Pattern over prestige Frontline sales Sales leadership Enablement Roles as chapters, not identities Staying while growing Leaving only when growth plateaus Experience stacking over ladder climbing Rejecting linear advancement Titles matter less than skills Accumulating perspective Execution Leadership Systems Transferable insight What works with customers What works internally What scales Sales enablement as an example of bridge-building Transition motivated by impact Desire to help at scale Supporting many sellers, not just personal results A natural evolution, not a pivot Built on prior sales experience Expanded influence Bridge logic in action Skills reused Scope widened Risk managed Zooming out: sales, stigma, and parenting Introducing the next lens: children Three boys: 13, 10, 7 Confronting sales stereotypes Slimy Manipulative Self-serving Tension between reputation and reality Loving sales Building a career around it Teaching it without replicating the worst versions Redefining sales as a helping profession Sales as service Primary orientation: benefit to the other person Compensation as a byproduct, not the driver Ethical center Believe in what you're recommending Stand behind its value Sleep well regardless of outcome Losses reframed Most deals don't close Failure as feedback Integrity as the constant Selling to kids (and being sold by them) Acknowledging reality Everyone sells, constantly Titles don't matter Teaching ethos, not tactics How you persuade matters more than whether you win Kindness Thoughtfulness Awareness of the other side Everyday negotiations Bedtime extensions Appeals to age, fairness, peer behavior Sales wins without good reasoning Learning opportunity Success ≠ good process Boundaries still matter Why sales gets a bad reputation Root cause: selfishness Focus on "what I get" Language centered on personal gain Misaligned value exchange Overselling Underdelivering The alternative Lead with value for the other side Hold mutual benefit in the background Make the exchange explicit and fair Boundaries as protection for both sides Clear scope What's included What's not Saying no as a service Preventing resentment Preserving trust Entrepreneurial lens Boundaries become essential Scope creep erodes value Clarity sustains long-term relationships Value exchange, scope, and boundaries Every request starts with discernment, not enthusiasm What value am I actually providing? What problem am I solving? How much time, energy, and attention will this really take? The goal isn't just a "yes" Both sides need to feel good about: What's being given What's being received What's being expected What's realistically deliverable Sales as a two-sided coin Mutual benefit matters Overselling creates future resentment Promising "the moon and the stars" is how trust breaks later Boundaries as self-respect Clear limits protect delivery quality Good boundaries prevent repeating bad sales dynamics Saying less upfront often enables better outcomes long-term Transitioning into coaching and the SNAFU Conference Context for the work today Speaking at the inaugural SNAFU Conference Focused on reluctant salespeople and non-sales roles Why coaching became the next chapter Sales is everywhere, regardless of title Coaching emerged as a natural extension of sales leadership The origin story at Google Transition from sales leadership to enablement Core question: how do we help sellers have better conversations? Result: building Google's global sales coaching program Grounded in practice and feedback Designed to prepare for high-stakes conversations The hidden overlap between sales and coaching Coaching as an underutilized advantage Especially powerful for sales leaders Shared core skills Deep curiosity Active listening Presence in conversation Reflecting back what's heard, not what you assume The co-creation mindset Not leading someone to your solution Guiding toward their desired outcome Why this changes everything Coaching improves leadership effectiveness Coaching improves sales outcomes Coaching reshapes how decisions get made A personal inflection point: learning to listen Feedback that lingered "Jeff is often the first and last to speak in meetings" The realization Seniority amplified his voice Being directive wasn't the same as being effective The shift Stop being the first to speak Invite more voices Lead with curiosity, not certainty The result More evolved perspectives Better decisions Sometimes realizing he was simply wrong The parallel to sales Talking at customers limits discovery Pre-built pitch decks obscure real needs The "right widget" only emerges through listening What the work looks like today A synthesis of experiences Buyer Seller Sales leader Enablement leader Executive coach How that shows up in practice Executive coaching for sales and revenue leaders Supporting decision-making Developing more coach-like leadership styles Workshops and trainings Helping managers coach more effectively Building durable sales skills Advisory work Supporting sales and enablement organizations at scale The motivation behind the shift Returning to the core questions: Am I learning? Am I growing? Am I challenged? A pull toward broader impact A desire to test whether this work could scale beyond one company Why some practices thrive and others stall Observing the difference Similar credentials Similar training Radically different outcomes The uncomfortable truth The difference is sales Entrepreneurship without romance Businesses don't "arrive" on their own Clients don't magically appear Visibility, rejection, iteration are unavoidable Core requirements Clear brand Defined ICP Articulated value Credibility to support the claim Debunking "overnight success" Success is cumulative Built on years of unseen experience Agency life + Google made entrepreneurship possible Sales as a universal survival skill Especially now Crowded markets Economic uncertainty Increased competition Sales isn't manipulation It's how value moves through the world Avoiding the unpersuadable Find people who already want what you offer Make it easier for them to say yes For those who "don't want to sell" Either learn it Or intentionally outsource it But you can't pretend it doesn't exist The vision board and the decision to leap December 18, 2023 45th birthday Chosen as a forcing function Purpose of the date Accountability, not destiny A moment to decide: stay or go Milestones on the back Coaching certification Experience thresholds Personal readiness Listening to the inner signal The repeated message: "It's time" The bridge was already built Skills stacked Experience earned Risk understood Stepping forward without full certainty You never know what's on the other side You only learn once you cross and look around Decision-making and vision boards Avoid forcing yourself to meet arbitrary deadlines Even if a date is set for accountability (e.g., a 45th birthday milestone), the real question is: When am I ready to act? Sometimes waiting isn't necessary; acting sooner can make sense Boundaries tie directly into these decisions They help you align personal priorities with professional moves Recognizing what matters most guides the "when" and "how" of major transitions Boundaries in the leap from corporate to entrepreneurship Biggest boundary: family and presence with children Managing a global team meant constant connectivity and messages across time zones Transitioning to your own business allowed more control over work hours, clients, and priorities The pro/con framework reinforced the choice Written lists can clarify trade-offs For this example, the deciding factor was: "They get their dad back" Boundaries in entrepreneurship are intertwined with opportunity More freedom comes with more responsibility You can choose your hours, clients, and areas of focus—but still must deliver results Preparing children for a rapidly changing world Skill priorities extend beyond AI and automation Technology literacy is essential, but kids will likely adapt faster than adults Focus on human skills Building networks Establishing credibility Navigating relationships and complex decisions Sales-related skills apply Curiosity, empathy, observation, and problem-solving help them adapt to change These skills are timeless, even as roles and tools evolve Human skills in an AI-driven world AI is additive, not replacement Leverage AI to complement work, not fear it Understand what AI does well and where human judgment is irreplaceable Coaching and other human-centered skills remain critical Lived experience, storytelling, and nuanced judgment cannot be fully replaced by AI Technology enables scale but doesn't replace complex human insight The SNAFU Conference embodies this principle Brings humans together to share experiences and learn Demonstrates that face-to-face interaction, stories, and mutual learning remain valuable Advice for coaches learning to sell Coaches already possess critical sales skills Curiosity, active listening, presence, problem identification, co-creating solutions These skills, when applied to sales, still fall within a helping profession Key approach Use your coaching skills to generate business ethically Reframe sales as an extension of support, not self-interest For salespeople Learn coaching skills to improve customer conversations Coaching strengthens empathy, listening, and problem-solving abilities, all core to effective selling Book and resource recommendations Non-classical sales books Setting the Table by Danny Meyer → emphasizes culture and service as a form of sales Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara → creating value through care for people Coaching-focused books Self as Coach, Self as Leader by Pam McLean Resources from the Hudson Institute of Coaching Gap in sales literature Few resources fully integrate coaching with sales Potential upcoming book: The Power of Coaching and Sales
Jon Lovett is a prominent podcaster and political commentator -- and, a survivor. (Get it?). Today, Ed brings Jon along to help commentate on the ill-fated journey of another group who was simply trying to survive: The Donner Party. Subscribe to the SNAFU YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@SNAFUPodBuy the SNAFU book: www.snafu-book.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this Friday edition of Sid & Friends in the Morning, Sid covers multiple stories, starting with the discovery of Claudio Neves Valente, the suspect in the Brown University shooting that resulted in the deaths of two students and injured nine others. Valente, a former Brown student and MIT professor's killer, was found dead in a storage facility in Salem, New Hampshire. Following this, the resignation of Catherine Al Monte DeCosta from Mayor-elect Mamdani's administration due to past statements was reported. Sid also contributes commentary criticizing Kamala Harris after she says America deserves better than President Trump, before he dives into a discussion regarding the President and the Kennedy Center being renamed in his honor. Anthony D'Esposito, Brian Kilmeade, Joe Tacopina, K.T. McFarland & Miranda Devine join Sid on this Friday installment of Sid & Friends in the Morning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A possibly historic SNAFU resulted in the 800th episode of GTT turning out to be episode 801! But if that weren't shocking enough, in an important and serious twist we imagine the world leaders gathering in Tom's Fiancee Sandy's 9 bedroom bed and breakfast in the Catskill Mountains and working out their differences over one historic weekend. But would Putin be happy with the "Gazebo Room?" or would he still complain? More questions than answers, but still lots of shocking answers.
Samantha Bee is as lively as ever. And on this special episode of SNAFU, Sam helped take Ed's book tour to the big apple, LIVE at the 92NY in New York City. They reminisce on their early days at The Daily Show together, and naturally touch on some of the most bonkers chapters in Ed's book, SNAFU: The Definitive Guide to History's Greatest Screwups. Don't miss out this holiday season, and buy the New York Times Bestseller wherever you get your books, or go to: www.snafu-book.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome back to Snafu with Robin Zander. In this episode, I'm joined by Melissa Painter, founder of Breakthru – a platform bringing movement, mindfulness, and behavior change into workplaces around the world. We talk about how Melissa uses movement as a tool to improve focus, resilience, and well-being, and how her background in dance and creative movement informs her approach to human performance. We explore the science and art of helping people move more, think better, and feel more connected to their work and each other. Melissa shares how she designs short, immersive experiences for employees, what it takes to change workplace culture, and why small, intentional shifts in movement can unlock big changes in thinking and performance. We also dive into the intersection of creativity, neuroscience, and technology, and how thoughtful, human-centered design can make work feel more alive and meaningful. If you're curious about how movement, mindfulness, and behavior change can transform your work and life, this episode is for you. And for more conversations like this, stay tuned for Responsive Conference 2026, where we'll be continuing the dialogue on human connection, creativity, and thriving in the modern workplace. I'm so glad and honored to have Melissa joining us in this talk. If you're interested in her work, take a look at Breakthru – you can try it and share it with your team here: Take your first Breakthru! https://breakthru.me/
Kal Penn has worked everywhere from Hollywood to the White House. In this joint episode of SNAFU and Kal's new podcast, HERE WE GO AGAIN, Ed tells Kal the story of a small town that decided to secede from America, only to realize their desire to buy beer and party would win out in the end Then, they call up U.S. historian Richard Kreitner to learn about secession movements in America today, like Calexit, Texit, and the Greater Idaho Movement. You can check out HERE WE GO AGAIN here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
U.S. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania remains in a Pittsburgh hospital after a heart episode caused him to fall and injure his head on Thursday. After a 135-day budget stalemate, Pennsylvania finally has a budget. It's an agreement born of compromise, including the state withdrawing from a multi-state compact whose goal was to limit the emission of fossil fuels. Pennsylvania’s new state budget is bringing relief to nonprofits and social-service agencies after a months-long impasse put many on the brink. For more than four months, organizations providing homelessness, mental health, and addiction services operated without state payments. That led to some cutting programs or relying on emergency credit to make payroll. An Election Day poll book error left out third-party voters in Chester County and forced thousands to cast provisional ballots. The Chester County Board of Elections has established a timeline on its investigation. Health officials in Philadelphia are warning recent air travelers about a possible measles exposure earlier this week. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is teaming up with the state Attorney General to go after motorists who fail to pay tolls on the Turnpike. A new report shows the US Open golf championship held near Pittsburgh in June generated nearly $290 million for Pennsylvania's economy. It's the end of an era, as the U.S. Mint has officially ended production of the penny. The last of the one cent coins were struck Wednesday at the US Mint in Philadelphia, where the country’s smallest denomination coins have been produced since 1793, a year after Congress passed the Coinage Act. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Ochelli Effect 11-13-2025 SNAFU NEWSUnplug and Play?Another attempt to reveal truth to people that really do not want itBefore presenting things on here I go beyond headlines and spin. What is that you might ask? Well, I examine and research incidents and events as told by a diverse group of sites online mostly, and after gathering what I think may be the alleged facts portrayed by Left, Right, and some niche variations on the event or incident I seek independent verification and corroboration about the representations, allegations and reporting that is often condensed and bias to such a degree that the obvious agenda to insight reactions from targeted potential audiences and create misleading narratives or distortion of reality and fabrication of narratives is the only obvious business model that I find most often undeniable. The above mentioned process along with and frankly generated by , making phone calls to involved agencies, reading legislation or other documents often given citations in the due course of reporting by others, and fact checking with neutral parties and reliable reference resources along with a handful of trade secrets is the minimum of what I do when analyzing and reporting on The Ochelli Effect. A wide range of results are gathered over anywhere from 8 to 12 hours of work investigating the claims and varsity of multiple narratives that often boil down to 3 to 6 sections on a one hour long podcast that I present with 10% of the resource links offered in show notes that were actually utilized to simply give you the listener step 1 of maybe 20 steps taken in a personal investigation uniquely cultivated by the host speaker that actually cares about representing something meaningful to you in your search for real information and Truth with some mockery of issues that seem worthy of it and a joke or two as that has been requested by listeners recently. Am I biased? Yes. My bias is based on the desire to eliminate the pre-packaged talking points of those who only seek to influence your outrage and fear for profit from your information and news feeds as best I am able to. This is not a popular thing to do and if you are a listener to the Ochelli Effect for any length of time the only thing you are actually guaranteed is discomfort. Because we are all subject to the programing attempts to manipulate our reactions and full spectrum views of the world around us through carefully engineered means on a constant timeline. Though I am subject to the same algorithm driven targeted attempts to twist my reality I constantly rive to do the one thing it seems hardly any other independent media creator has any interest in doing. That one thing is to think for myself and examine the truest real events and newsworthy incidents honestly and clearly. This is what my wish is for any listener I have, regarding history, current events, and the illusions presented by millions of other podcasts and content creators should be heard and viewed by TOE listeners with a clarity not found elsewhere that is REAL. Think for yourselves , TRULY. See facts and reality, NOT SPIN. All the above is lightly sprinkled with some opinions but not driven by them.If I have time I might release a partial replay of the 11-7-25 call-in show where a time-wasting energy sucking argument between myself and 1 caller started as a friendly chat and devolved into unlistenable noise that illustrates perfectly that I am offering a product that may simply no longer have a place. As the Friday Night Show continues to destroy my efforts, It makes me believe that I may not have the time to wait out the current political and social trends that require siding with pre-approved propaganda without fail or suffer the consequences.I haven't Changed much, but I have learned many things so my base of knowledge has evolved.If you don't want that, Sorry, I don't know how to be any other way.Chuck---POINTS OF INTEREST : CAUSE AND EFFECT : IF YOU MISSED ITJFK's grandson, Jack Schlossberg, announces 2026 run for Nadler's seat in Congresshttps://abcnews.go.com/Politics/jfks-grandson-jack-schlossberg-announces-2026-run-nadlers/story?id=127440606Food-snatching seagulls are more likely to leave you alone if you shout at them, researchers sayhttps://apnews.com/article/shouting-scares-seagulls-eating-food-study-3893363e30db5f99462526a168fe0555?Israel's longest war is leaving a trail of traumatized soldiers, with suicides also on the risehttps://apnews.com/article/israel-soldiers-mental-health-suicide-gaza-war-d4f3b7a26c9ce0bce861c090afb101ea?Trump Canceled 94 Million Pounds of Food Aid. Here's What Never Arrived.https://projects.propublica.org/trump-food-cuts/US Mint presses final pennies as production ends after more than 230 yearshttps://apnews.com/article/us-mint-treasury-department-penny-end-production-86139df5644ef0885a9baf98e9677380?Kryptos' final code remains unsolved. The CIA sculpture's creator is auctioning the solutionhttps://apnews.com/article/kryptos-jim-sanborn-auction-cia-650c1253d6a96591f29b88a20299c430?Most Women Are On Crazy Pills, And It's Bad For Everyonehttps://thefederalist.com/2025/11/13/most-women-are-on-crazy-pills-and-its-bad-for-everyone/T3 things slipped into the funding bill to end the federal government shutdownFetterman hospitalized after fall near his Pennsylvania homehttps://www.cbsnews.com/news/fetterman-hospitalized-over-fall-near-his-pennsylvania-home/?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us3 things slipped into the funding bill to end the federal government shutdownhttps://youtu.be/E6KXnCssXhY?si=YIv9LODn8K9QvKgqOchelli Says: Are all your annoying ads for AI products? Mine are.---MANY WAYS TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE BRANDAre You Gaslighting Yourself? Here's How to Tellhttps://time.com/7331769/gaslighting-myself-mental-health/?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-usDrug Dealer Granted Clemency by Trump Sent Back to Prison After Accusations of Molesting His Kids' Nanny, Assaulting Toddlerhttps://people.com/drug-dealer-trump-clemency-back-to-prison-violating-supervised-release-jonathan-braun-11847500 With a Trump pardon in hand, Stewart Rhodes says he's ‘rebuilding' the Oath Keepershttps://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trump-pardon-hand-stewart-rhodes-says-s-rebuilding-oath-keepers-rcna243280Melania Trump's Mysterious Amazon Documentary: What We Knowhttps://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/melania-trump-documentary-amazon.html Trump asks Israeli president to 'fully pardon' Netanyahu in corruption trialhttps://news.sky.com/story/trump-asks-israeli-president-to-fully-pardon-netanyahu-in-corruption-trial-13469073Ochelli Says: Guess what, the SNAP Benefits and stalling food for Americans is really about changes in the rules.That in mind, will any of you notice that this was northing more than reorganization and prep for the next phase of the one party plan?Will you remember this for the well timed 2026 shutdown?Is this thing on???---EPSTEIN EPSTEIN IS ANYBODY TALKING ABOUT THIS GUY ANYMORE?Speaker Johnson: "We believe the long national nightmare will be over tonight.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKRVlPZvzVcTrump ‘spent hours' with victim at Epstein's house, email allegeshttps://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11/12/trump-spent-hours-with-victim-at-epsteins-house-email-alleges Jeffrey Epstein, in newly released email, says Trump ‘knew about the girls'https://www.politico.com/news/2025/11/12/jeffrey-epstein-donald-trump-emails-00647447 Read Jeffrey Epstein's newly released emails about Trumphttps://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/read-jeffrey-epsteins-newly-released-emails-about-trump https://didtrumpgolftoday.com/Bipartisan duo expects to secure signatures Wednesday to force a vote to release Epstein fileshttps://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/bipartisan-duo-expects-signatures-wednesday-force-vote-release-epstein-rcna231405What The Latest Epstein Files Say About Bill Clintonhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JkHwkF1W5AOchelli Says: This is the distraction. The Shutdown had nothing to do with this at all. It merely kept you from questioning the Smash and Grab from the Unified one party skimmers. Trump BRANDED.If Jeffrey Epstein were still alive, Trump would have already PARDONED him!---Help for Ochelli and The NetworkMrs.OLUNA ROSA CANDLEShttp://www.paypal.me/Kimberlysonn1Ochelli Link Treehttps://linktr.ee/chuckochelli---NOVEMBER IN DALLAS LANCER CONFERENCENovember 21-23 225The Fairmont Dallas hotel 1717 N Akard Street, Dallas, Texas 75201Tickets @ https://assassinationconference.com/10 % OFF code = Ochelli10@ CheckoutBE THE EFFECTListen/Chat on the Sitehttps://ochelli.com/listen-live/TuneInhttp://tun.in/sfxkxAPPLEhttps://music.apple.com/us/station/ochelli-com/ra.1461174708Ochelli Link Treehttps://linktr.ee/chuckochelliAnything is a blessing if you have the meansWithout YOUR support we go silent.---NOVEMBER IN DALLAS LANCER CONFERENCEDISCOUNT FOR YOU10 % OFF code = Ochelli10https://assassinationconference.com/Coming SOON Room Discount Details The Fairmont Dallas hotel 1717 N Akard Street, Dallas, Texas 75201. easy access to Dealey Plaza
Mike Schur knows how to run a show or two - but could he handle Tammany Hall?? Ed takes Mike on a journey to visit with old Boss Tweed, one of the most divisive - and dare we say cartoonish? - political figures of 19th century New York City. Subscribe to the SNAFU YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@SNAFUPodBuy the SNAFU book: www.snafu-book.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Actor Ed Helms loves a deep dive into a snafu from the past. “I love the hubris, our amazing capacity for ineptitude and terrible decision-making.” He's turned that obsession into the hit podcast SNAFU, inviting guests to break down some of history's most entertaining bloopers. “The snafu is often not just the initial problem, but it's [a] sort of scurrying aftermath of people trying to cover their tracks.” Each prior season focused on one historical moment, but season four has a new one every episode—and “dramatically” more episodes. “It is proving to be a ton of work, but it's super fun.” Hit podcast host is a new turn for Helms, best known for his work in TV and film. “Office fans are just so, so sweet and delightful. Hangover fans can be a little more aggro, but that's good.” But it's that intimate relationship he creates with podcast fans that feels more earned: “Those feel like my deep peeps.” Subscribe to my newsletter: https://link.newsweek.com/join/for-the-culture Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott Subscribe to Newsweek's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/newsweek See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A big show today with bunch of closing thoughts after World Finals, plus weekend results, and more context on the Kaiden Manders DQ and what will and won't happen next.
A big show today with bunch of closing thoughts after World Finals, plus weekend results, and more context on the Kaiden Manders DQ and what will and won't happen next.
Welcome back to Snafu with Robin Zander. In this episode, I'm joined by Kevan Lee and Shannon Deep, co-founders of Bonfire – a creative studio reimagining what it means to build brands, tell stories, and live meaningful lives. We talk about how Bonfire began as a "Trojan horse" – a branding agency on the surface, but really a vehicle for deeper questions: What does fulfilling work look like? How do we find meaning beyond our careers? And how can business become a space for honesty, connection, and growth? Kevan and Shannon share how their partnership formed, what it takes to build trust as co-founders, and how vulnerability and self-awareness fuel their collaboration. We explore their path from tech and theater to building Bonfire, hosting creative retreats, and helping founders tell more authentic stories. We also dive into how AI is changing storytelling, the myth of "broetry" on LinkedIn, and why transparency is the future of marketing. If you're curious about what's next for creativity, leadership, and meaningful work, this episode is for you. And for more conversations like this, stay tuned for Responsive Conference 2026, where we'll be continuing the dialogue on human connection, business, and the evolving role of AI. Start (0:00) How Bonfire Started (14:25) Robin notes how transparent and intentional they've been building their business and community Says Bonfire feels like a 21st-century agency – creative, human, and not traditional Invites them to describe what they're building and their vision for it Kevan's response: Admits he feels imposter syndrome around being called an "entrepreneur" Laughs that it's technically true but still feels strange Describes Bonfire as partly a traditional branding agency They work with early-stage startups Help with brand strategy, positioning, messaging, and differentiation. But says the heart of their work is much deeper "We create spaces for people to explore what a fulfilling life looks like – one that includes work, but isn't defined by it." Their own careers inspired this – jobs that paid well but felt empty, or jobs that felt good but didn't pay the bills Bonfire became their way to build something more meaningful A space to have these conversations themselves And to invite others into it This includes community, retreats, and nontraditional formats Jokes that the agency side is a Trojan horse – a vehicle to fund the work they truly care about Shannon adds: They're agnostic about what Bonfire "does" Could be a branding agency, publishing house, even an ice cream shop "Money is just gas in the engine." The larger goal is creating spaces for people to explore their relationship to work Especially for those in transition, searching for meaning, or redefining success Robin reflects on their unusual path Notes most marketers who start agencies chase awards and fame But Shannon and Kevan built Bonfire around what they wished existed Recalls their past experiences Kevan's path from running a publication (later sold to Vox) to Buffer and then Oyster Shannon's shared time with him at Oyster Mentions their recent milestone – Bonfire's first live retreat in France 13 participants, including them Held in a rented castle For a two-year-old business, he calls it ambitious and impressive Asks: "How did it go? What did people get out of it?" Shannon on the retreat Laughs that they're still processing what it was They had a vibe in mind – but not a fixed structure One participant described it as "a wellness retreat for marketers" Not wrong – but also not quite right Attendees came from tech and non-tech backgrounds The focus: exploring people's most meaningful relationship to work Who you are when you're not at your desk How to bring that awareness back to real life — beyond castles and catered meals People came at it from different angles Some felt misaligned with their work Others were looking for something new Everyone was at a crossroads in their career Kevan on the space they built The retreat encouraged radical honesty People shared things like: "I have this job because I crave approval." "I care about money as a status symbol." "I hate what I do, but I don't know what else I'd be good at." They didn't force vulnerability, but wanted to make it safe if people chose it They thought deeply about values – what needed to be true for that kind of trust Personally, Kevan says the experience shifted his identity From "marketer" to something else – maybe "producer," maybe "creator" The retreat made him realize how many paths are possible "Now I just want to do more of this." Robin notes there are "so many threads to pull on" Brings up family business and partnerships Shares his own experience growing up in his dad's small business Talks about lessons from Robin's Cafe and the challenges of partnerships Says he's fascinated by co-founder dynamics – both powerful and tricky Asks how Shannon and Kevan's working relationship works What it was like at Oyster Why they decided to start Bonfire together And how it's evolved after the retreat Kevan on their beginnings He hired Shannon at Oyster – she was Editorial Director, he was SVP of Marketing Worked together for about a year and a half Knew early on that something clicked Shared values Similar worldview Trusted each other When Oyster ended, partnering up felt natural – "Let's figure out what's next, together." Robin observes their groundedness Says they both seem stable and mature, which likely helps the partnership Jokes about his own chaos running Robin's Café – late nights, leftover wine, cold quinoa Asks Shannon directly: "Do you still follow Kevan's lead?" Shannon's laughs and agrees they're both very regulated people But adds that it comes from learned coping mechanisms Says they've both developed pro-social ways to handle stress People-pleasing Overachievement Perfectionism Intellectualizing feelings instead of expressing them "Those are coping mechanisms too," she notes, "but at least they keep us calm when we talk." Building Trust and Partnership (14:54–23:15) Shannon says both she and Kevan have done deep personal work. Therapy, reflection, and self-inquiry are part of their toolkit. That helps them handle a relationship that's both intimate and challenging. They know their own baggage. They try not to take the other person's reactions personally. It doesn't always work—but they trust they'll work through conflict. When they started Bonfire: They agreed the business world is unpredictable. So they made a pinky swear: Friends first, business second. The friendship is the real priority. When conflict comes up, they ask: "Is this really life or death—or are we just forgetting what matters?" Shannon goes back to the question and clarifies Says they lead in different ways. Each has their "zone of genius." They depend on each other's strengths. It's not leader and follower – it's mutual reliance. Shannon explains: Kevan's great at momentum: He moves things forward and ships projects fast. Shannon tends to be more perfectionist: Wants things to be fully formed before releasing. Kevan adds they talk often about "rally and rest." Kevan rallies, he thrives on pressure and urgency. Shannon rests, she values slowing down and reflection. Together, that creates a healthy rhythm. Robin notes lingering habits Wonders if any "hangovers" from their Oyster days remain. Kevan reflects At first, he hesitated to show weakness. Coming from a manager role, vulnerability felt risky. Shannon quickly saw through it. He realized openness was essential, not optional. Says their friendship and business both rely on honesty. Robin agrees and says he wouldn't discourage co-founders—it's just a big decision. Like choosing a spouse, it shapes your life for years. Notes he's never met with one of them without the other. "That says something," he adds. Their partnership clearly works—even if it takes twice the time. Rethinking Marketing (23:19) Kevan's light moment: Asks if Robin's comment about their teamwork was feedback for them. Robin's observation Notes how in sync Shannon and Kevan are. Emails one, gets a reply CC'd with the other. Says the tempo of Bonfire feels like their collaboration itself. Wonders what that rhythm feels like internally. Kevan's response Says it's partly intentional, partly habit. They genuinely enjoy working together. Adds they don't chase traditional agency milestones. No interest in Ad Age lists or Cannes awards. Their goal: have fun and make meaningful work. Robin pivots to the state of marketing (24:04) Mentions the shift from Madison Avenue's glory days to today's tech-driven world. Refers to Mad Men and the "growth at all costs" startup era. Notes how AI and tech are changing how people see their role in work and life. Kevan's background Came from startups, not agencies. Learned through doing, not an MBA. Immersed in books like Hypergrowth and Traction. Took Reforge courses—knows the mechanics of scaling. Before that, worked as a journalist. Gained curiosity and calm under pressure, but also urgency. Admits startup life taught him both good and bad habits. Robin notes Neither lives the Madison Avenue life. Kevan's in Boise. Shannon's in France. Shannon's background Started in theater – behind the scenes as a dramaturg and producer. Learned how to shape emotion and tell stories. Transitioned into brand strategy in New York. Worked at a top agency, Siegel+Gale. Helped global B2B and B2C clients define mission, values, and design. Competed with big names like Interbrand and Pentagram. Later moved in-house at tech startups. Saw how B2B marketing often tries to "act cool" like B2C. Learned to translate creative ideas into language that convinces CFOs. Says her role often meant selling authentic storytelling to risk-averse execs. Admits she joined marketing out of necessity. "I was 27, broke in New York, and needed a parking spot for my storytelling skills." Robin connects the dots Notes how Silicon Valley's "growth" culture mirrors old ad-world burnout. Growth at all costs. Not much room for creative autonomy. Adds most big agencies are now owned by holding companies. The original Madison Avenue independence is nearly gone. Robin's reflection Mentions how AI-generated content is changing video and storytelling. Grateful his clients still value human connection. Asks how Bonfire helps brands tell authentic stories now that the old model is fading. Kevan's take Says people now care less about "moments" and more about audiences. It's not about one viral hit—it's about building consistency. Brands need to stand for something, and keep showing up. People want that outcome, even if they don't want the hard work behind it. Shannon adds Notes rising skepticism among audiences. Most content people see isn't from who they follow, it's ads and algorithms. Consumers are subconsciously filtering out the noise. Says that's why human storytelling matters more than ever. People crave knowing a real person is behind the message. AI can mimic tone but not authenticity. Adds it's hard to convince some clients of that. Authentic work isn't fast or easily measured. It requires belief in the process and a value system to match. That's tough when your client's investors only want quick returns. Robin agrees "Look at people's incentives and I'll tell you who they are." Shannon continues Wonders where their responsibility ends. Should they convince people of their values? Or just do the work and let the right clients come? Kevan says they've found a sweet spot with current clients. Mostly bootstrapped founders. Work with them long-term instead of one-off projects. Says that's the recipe that fits Bonfire's values and actually works. The Quarter Analogy (35:36) Robin quotes BJ Fogg: "Don't try to persuade people of your worldview. Look for people who already want what you can teach, and just show them how." He compares arguing with people who don't align to "an acrobat arguing with gravity – gravity will win 100% of the time." The key: harness momentum instead of fighting resistance. Even a small, aligned audience is better than chasing everyone. Kevan shares Bonfire's failed experiment with outbound sales: They tried reaching out to recently funded AI companies. "It got us nowhere," he admits. That experience reminded him how much old startup habits – growth at all costs, scale fast – still shape thinking. "I thought success meant getting as big as possible, as fast as possible. That meant doing outbound, even if it felt inauthentic." But that mindset just added pressure. Realizing there were other ways to grow – slower, more intentional – was a relief. Now they've stopped outbound entirely. Focused instead on aligned clients who find them naturally. Robin connects it to a MrBeast quote. "If I'm not ashamed of the video I put out last week, I'm not growing fast enough." He says he doesn't love the "shame" part but relates to the evolution mindset – Looking back at work from six months ago and thinking, I'd do that differently now. Growth as a visible, measurable journey. Robin shifts to storytelling frameworks: Mentions Kevan and Shannon's analogies about storytelling and asks about "the quarter analogy." Kevan explains the "quarter" story: A professor holds up two quarters: "Sell me the one on the right." No one can – until someone says, "I'll dip it in Marilyn Monroe's purse." That coin now has emotional and cultural value. Marketing can be the same – alchemy that turns something ordinary into something meaningful. Robin builds on that: You can tell stories about a coin's history – "Lincoln touched it," etc. But Kevan's version is different: adding new meaning in the present. "How do you imbue something with value now that makes it matter later?" Shannon's take: It's about values and belonging. "Every story implicitly says: believe this." That belief also says: we don't believe that – defining who's in your tribe. Humans crave that – community, validation, connection. That belonging is intangible but real. "Try selling that to a CFO who just wants ROI. Impossible — but it's real." Kevan adds: Values are one piece – authenticity is another. Some brands already have a genuine story; others want to create one. "We get asked to dip AI companies into Marilyn Monroe's purse," he jokes. The real work is uncovering what's true or helping brands rediscover it. The challenge: telling that story consistently and believably. Robin mentions Shannon's storytelling framework of three parts – Purpose → Story frameworks → Touch points. Shannon breaks it down: Clients usually come in with half-baked "mission" or "vision" statements. She uses Ogilvy's "Big Ideal" model: Combine a cultural tension (what's happening in the world) with your brand's best self. Then fill in the blank: "We believe the world would be a better place if…" That single sentence surfaces a company's "why us" and "why now." It's dramaturgy, really — same question as in theater: "Why this play now?" "Why us?" Bonfire's own version (in progress): "We believe the world would be a better place if people and brands had more room to explore their creativity." Kevan adds: it's evolving, like them. Robin relates it back to his own story: After selling Robin's Café, he started Zander Media to tell human stories. He wanted to document real connections — "the barista-customer relationships, the neighborhood changing." That became his north star: storytelling as a tool for change and human connection. "I don't care about video," he says. "I care about storytelling, helping people become more of who they want to be." Kevan closes the loop: A good purpose statement is expansive. It can hold video, podcasts, even a publishing house. "Maybe tomorrow it's something else. That's the beauty — it allows room to grow." Against the Broetry (49:01) Kevan reflects on transparency and values at Bonfire He and Robin came from Buffer, a company known for radical transparency — posting salaries, growth numbers, everything. Says that while Bonfire isn't as extreme about it, the spirit is the same. "It just comes naturally to invite people in." Their openness isn't a tactic – it's aligned with their values and mission. They want to create space for people to explore – new ideas, new ways of working, more fulfilling lives. Sharing their journey publicly felt like the obvious, authentic thing to do. "It wasn't even a conversation – just who we are." Shannon jumps in with a critique of business culture online Says there's so much terrible advice about "how to build a business." Compliments Robin for cutting through the noise – being honest through Snafu and his newsletter. "You're trying to be real about what selling feels like and what it says about you." Calls out the "rise and grind" nonsense dominating LinkedIn: "Wake up at 4 a.m., protein shake at 4:10, three-hour workout…" Robin laughs – "I'll take the three-hour workout, but I'll pass on the protein shake." Shannon and Kevan call it "broetry" The overblown, performative business storytelling on social media. "I went on my honeymoon and here's what I learned about B2B sales." Their goal with building in public is the opposite: To admit mistakes. To share pivots and moments of doubt. To remind people that everyone is figuring it out. "But the system rewards the opposite – gatekeeping, pretending, keeping up the facade." Shannon says she has "no patience for it." She traces that belief back to a story from college Producer Paula Wagner once told her class: "Here's the secret: nobody knows anything." That line stuck with her. Gave her permission to question authority. To show up confidently even when others pretend to know more. After years of watching powerful men "fail upward," she realized: "The emperor has no clothes." So she might as well take up space too. Transparency, for her, is a form of connection and courage – "When people raise their eyes from their desks and actually meet each other, that's power." Robin thanks Shannon for the kind words about Snafu. Says their work naturally attracts people who want that kind of realness. Then pivots to a closing question: "If you had one piece of advice for founders – about storytelling or business building – what would it be?" Kevan's advice: "Look beyond what's around you." Inspiration doesn't have to come from your industry. Learn from other fields, other stories, other worlds. It builds curiosity, empathy, and creativity. Robin sums it up: "Get out of your silos." Shannon's advice: "Make the thing you actually want to see." Too many founders copy what's trendy or "smart." Ask instead: What would I genuinely love to consume? Remember your audience is human, like you. And remember, building a business is a privilege. You get to create a small world that reflects your values. You get to hire people, pay them, shape a culture. "That's so cool, and it should make you feel powerful." With that power comes responsibility. "Everyone says it's about making the most money. But what if the goal was to make the coolest world possible, for as many people as possible?" Where to find Kevan and Shannon (57:16) Points listeners to aroundthebonfire.com/experiences. That's where they host their retreats. Next one is April 2026. "We'd love to see you there." Companies/Organizations Bonfire Buffer Oyster Vox Zander Media Siegel+Gale Interbrand Pentagram Reforge Robin's Café Books / Frameworks / Theories Traction BJ Fogg's behavioral model Ogilvy's "Big Ideal" Purpose → Story Frameworks → Touch Point People Paula Wagner BJ Fogg MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) David Ogilvy Newsletters Snafu Kevan's previous publication
Desi Lydic thrives in the chaos of New York City. Ed invites her back to one of the city's darkest times, quite literally. It's the 1977 NYC Blackout, a SNAFU showcasing the best and worst of humanity in the Big Apple. Subscribe to the SNAFU YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@SNAFUPodBuy the SNAFU book: www.snafu-book.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stephanie this time discusses the elections in California, New York, New Jersey, and Virginia. She also talks about the never-ending government shutdown and the millions of people who are being victimized by Trump as he gleefully holds America hostage. Guests: Jody Hamilton, Charlie Pierce, and JoJo From Jerz.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Joe Sudbay guests hosts while John is on his California cruise trip. Joe discusses Trump's Halloween glitzy Great Gatsby party - flouting lavishness while millions panic over SNAP benefits being constrained. He also talks about the major elections happening in New Jersey, Virginia, California, and New York. Then, he speaks with Jessica Mackler who is the president of EMILYs list. EMILYs List is backing both Democratic governor candidates (Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey and Abigail Spanberger in Virginia), as well as women candidates in every top red-to-blue flip opportunity in Virginia's House of Delegates races. In the last Southern state without an abortion ban, this year, Virginia's House will determine if voters can protect reproductive freedom through a constitutional amendment. And then finally, Joe interviews Alejandro Varela. His debut novel, The Town of Babylon was a finalist for the National Book Award. His latest novel, Middle Spoon, was published by Viking on September 9, 2025. His novels and stories take public health topics — from systemic racism to gentrification to sexuality — and make them accessible and memorable. Varela is an editor-at-large of Apogee Journal, and holds a masters degree in public health from the University of Washington.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mike Evans and Brandon Stokley kick off today’s show previewing today’s NFL trade deadline. What are the Broncos’ biggest needs? Will they even make a move? The 6am Duo get the 6am listeners involved by taking some texts about the short Raider week and the play calling. They hear from Grumpy Sean Payton. The guys decipher who the culprit in many of the special teams SNAFU’s truly is. Mike and Stoke are joined by our 9News Broncos Insider, Mike Klis, to get some insight into the Broncos’ trade deadline plans.
Paul Scheer is an OG podcaster about movies. Ed tells him the story of the snooty country club project that ends up inciting the Johnstown Flood -- and becomes fodder for an epic silent film on its own. Subscribe to the SNAFU YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@SNAFUPodBuy the SNAFU book: www.snafu-book.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jordan Klepper gives a shit about politics. Ed takes him through Teapot Dome, one of the most sensational political scandals of early American history, a tale of presidential corruption and bribery that's absolutely nothing like our world today. Subscribe to the SNAFU YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@SNAFUPodBuy the SNAFU book: www.snafu-book.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nick Kroll is not so great in a crisis, especially a family fishing trip. So naturally, Ed wanted to bring NIck back to the sea for the harrowing story of Ernie Shackleton's failed expedition to Antarctica, complete with dogloos, stowaway cats, and a chance to celebrate the explorers who push humanity forward. Subscribe to the SNAFU YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@SNAFUPodBuy the SNAFU book: www.snafu-book.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Your favorite history podcast is back with even more SNAFUs -- one per episode, to be precise. With guests like Nick Kroll, Jenna Fisher and Angela Kinsey, Paul Scheer, Jordan Klepper, Mike Schur, and more, it's part history lesson, part hangout pod, and part group therapy for humanity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Seth takes a closer look at Trump's rambling speech at the United Nations and his White House's claim that U.N. staffers sabotaged the escalator.Then, Ken Jeong talks about the contestants of 99 to Beat not knowing that the prize money was $1 million, working on KPop Demon Hunters and Joel McHale being the nicest person he's ever met.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.