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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Kurt Jones. Purpose of the Interview The conversation aims to highlight the importance of mental health and wellness, particularly in the Black community, elite sports, and entrepreneurial spaces. It focuses on mental resilience, confidence building, and strategies for handling stress and setbacks, while introducing Dr. Jones’ methodology and his mission through Play 21 Wellness Academy. Key Takeaways Mental Health in the Black Community Historically stigmatized; seen as weakness or negativity. Today, awareness is improving, but significant work remains. Customized Approach Dr. Jones does individualized analysis and treatment plans for athletes and business professionals. Rejects “cookie-cutter” solutions—tailors strategies to personal circumstances. The Shelving Method A mental organization system with four shelves: Immediate Shelf: Urgent tasks within 24 hours. Active Shelf: Important but less urgent tasks. Holding Shelf: Items to revisit later. Elimination Shelf: Thoughts/tasks to discard permanently. Helps clients focus on the present and avoid dwelling on past mistakes. Confidence & Setbacks Confidence can collapse after major losses or failures. Strategy: Remind clients of their greatness, review past successes, and rebuild momentum. Consistency and adaptability are key to sustaining success. Play 21 Wellness Academy Founded in memory of Ben Wilson, a top basketball player and Dr. Jones’ best friend. Mission: Support youth athletes, address issues like parent/teacher abuse, and provide mental health resources. Operates as both a nonprofit and for-profit entity. Broader Client Base Works with elite athletes, entrepreneurs, and high-level professionals. Mental clarity and emotional control are critical for success in any field. Health & Balance Encourages regular medical checkups, stress management, and work-life balance. Advocates for self-reward and stepping out of comfort zones while maintaining wellness. Upcoming Projects Book: Chi-Town Blueprints (personal story and mental resilience). Workbook on the Shelving Method for schools, universities, and professionals. Notable Quotes On Mental Health Stigma:“When people talked about mental health, the first thought was negative.” On Focus:“You can’t take the last play to the next play.” On Success:“Mental thinking is a huge part of success.” On Confidence:“Remind yourself of what got you to the point where you were winning.” On Consistency:“You’ve never seen a Brinks truck behind a funeral car—the graveyard is the richest place because people die with million-dollar dreams.” On Purpose:“Walk in your purpose. When you walk in your purpose, there’s no stopping you.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Kurt Jones. Purpose of the Interview The conversation aims to highlight the importance of mental health and wellness, particularly in the Black community, elite sports, and entrepreneurial spaces. It focuses on mental resilience, confidence building, and strategies for handling stress and setbacks, while introducing Dr. Jones’ methodology and his mission through Play 21 Wellness Academy. Key Takeaways Mental Health in the Black Community Historically stigmatized; seen as weakness or negativity. Today, awareness is improving, but significant work remains. Customized Approach Dr. Jones does individualized analysis and treatment plans for athletes and business professionals. Rejects “cookie-cutter” solutions—tailors strategies to personal circumstances. The Shelving Method A mental organization system with four shelves: Immediate Shelf: Urgent tasks within 24 hours. Active Shelf: Important but less urgent tasks. Holding Shelf: Items to revisit later. Elimination Shelf: Thoughts/tasks to discard permanently. Helps clients focus on the present and avoid dwelling on past mistakes. Confidence & Setbacks Confidence can collapse after major losses or failures. Strategy: Remind clients of their greatness, review past successes, and rebuild momentum. Consistency and adaptability are key to sustaining success. Play 21 Wellness Academy Founded in memory of Ben Wilson, a top basketball player and Dr. Jones’ best friend. Mission: Support youth athletes, address issues like parent/teacher abuse, and provide mental health resources. Operates as both a nonprofit and for-profit entity. Broader Client Base Works with elite athletes, entrepreneurs, and high-level professionals. Mental clarity and emotional control are critical for success in any field. Health & Balance Encourages regular medical checkups, stress management, and work-life balance. Advocates for self-reward and stepping out of comfort zones while maintaining wellness. Upcoming Projects Book: Chi-Town Blueprints (personal story and mental resilience). Workbook on the Shelving Method for schools, universities, and professionals. Notable Quotes On Mental Health Stigma:“When people talked about mental health, the first thought was negative.” On Focus:“You can’t take the last play to the next play.” On Success:“Mental thinking is a huge part of success.” On Confidence:“Remind yourself of what got you to the point where you were winning.” On Consistency:“You’ve never seen a Brinks truck behind a funeral car—the graveyard is the richest place because people die with million-dollar dreams.” On Purpose:“Walk in your purpose. When you walk in your purpose, there’s no stopping you.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Kurt Jones. Purpose of the Interview The conversation aims to highlight the importance of mental health and wellness, particularly in the Black community, elite sports, and entrepreneurial spaces. It focuses on mental resilience, confidence building, and strategies for handling stress and setbacks, while introducing Dr. Jones’ methodology and his mission through Play 21 Wellness Academy. Key Takeaways Mental Health in the Black Community Historically stigmatized; seen as weakness or negativity. Today, awareness is improving, but significant work remains. Customized Approach Dr. Jones does individualized analysis and treatment plans for athletes and business professionals. Rejects “cookie-cutter” solutions—tailors strategies to personal circumstances. The Shelving Method A mental organization system with four shelves: Immediate Shelf: Urgent tasks within 24 hours. Active Shelf: Important but less urgent tasks. Holding Shelf: Items to revisit later. Elimination Shelf: Thoughts/tasks to discard permanently. Helps clients focus on the present and avoid dwelling on past mistakes. Confidence & Setbacks Confidence can collapse after major losses or failures. Strategy: Remind clients of their greatness, review past successes, and rebuild momentum. Consistency and adaptability are key to sustaining success. Play 21 Wellness Academy Founded in memory of Ben Wilson, a top basketball player and Dr. Jones’ best friend. Mission: Support youth athletes, address issues like parent/teacher abuse, and provide mental health resources. Operates as both a nonprofit and for-profit entity. Broader Client Base Works with elite athletes, entrepreneurs, and high-level professionals. Mental clarity and emotional control are critical for success in any field. Health & Balance Encourages regular medical checkups, stress management, and work-life balance. Advocates for self-reward and stepping out of comfort zones while maintaining wellness. Upcoming Projects Book: Chi-Town Blueprints (personal story and mental resilience). Workbook on the Shelving Method for schools, universities, and professionals. Notable Quotes On Mental Health Stigma:“When people talked about mental health, the first thought was negative.” On Focus:“You can’t take the last play to the next play.” On Success:“Mental thinking is a huge part of success.” On Confidence:“Remind yourself of what got you to the point where you were winning.” On Consistency:“You’ve never seen a Brinks truck behind a funeral car—the graveyard is the richest place because people die with million-dollar dreams.” On Purpose:“Walk in your purpose. When you walk in your purpose, there’s no stopping you.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSteve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As Christmas approaches, Michelle checks in with listeners to talk honestly about grief during the holidays and how different this season can feel after loss. She shares personal reflections on blending old traditions with new ones and offers reassurance to those facing their first or second Christmas without their spouse.Michelle also celebrates a meaningful milestone, sharing the joy of reaching over 1,000 copies sold of Widow Goals and hearing how the book is helping widows in real life. She reflects on recent family gatherings, celebrations of life, and the importance of community during emotionally heavy seasons.The episode focuses on reentering social spaces with confidence after loss. Michelle shares practical, compassionate steps for easing back into social situations, including starting small, being with safe people, having an exit plan, and allowing yourself to show up as you are. She encourages listeners to say their spouse's name, share memories, and reflect after social outings through journaling and gratitude.Michelle reminds listeners that grief changes us, but it does not end our story. You are still here for a reason, created for connection, purpose, and impact. The episode closes with a prayer for comfort, courage, and peace as listeners navigate holiday gatherings and continued healing.Click HERE to learn about the Widow Goals Support Program Click Here to learn more about the upcoming Widow Goals retreatClick HERE to order Michelle's book Widow Goals: Steps to Finding Peace When You Lose Your SpouseClick HERE to order the Widow Goals WorkbookClick HERE to apply to be a Widow Goals Group LeaderClick HERE to order the Widow Goals Workbook Leader GuideClick here to be sent an email on the anniversary of your spouse's passing, wedding anniversary, and more Click HERE to review Widow Goals on AmazonBook Michelle as a speakerGo here to see a list of all the areas we have Widow Goals GroupsTo join our podcast listener community, send me a message here. Thank you!Click Here to apply to be a guest on Widowed 2 SoonFollow Michelle on TikTokFollow me on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/widowed2soon_/https://www.instagram.com/widowgoalsSee my videos on YoutubeSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelEmail me michelle@widowgoals.org
We are pleased to present the trailer for the new season of the Ukrainian Spaces podcast, which is available on UP. For our fifth season, Ukrainian Spaces returns to where it began: revisiting six Ukrainians from the 2022 inaugural season to see how hope, resistance, and resilience have shaped their lives. Across six episodes – fear, belonging, language, love, resistance, and the future – our guests reflect on the past, share intimate stories, and write letters to their former selves. A return and continuation, this season reminds us that Ukraine's story is best told by Ukrainians themselves.In the second episode of the season, Ukrainian Spaces returns to a conversation that began in 2022 and follows it to its consequences.Listen to the podcast at the link: https://pod.link/1616395167
In this episode of Walk Talk Listen, Maurice Bloem is joined by Lorenz Sell, co-founder of Sutra, for a reflective conversation about humility, receiving, and what it means to create spaces—both digital and human—where genuine connection can emerge. Lorenz shares how experiences such as Burning Man became unexpected teachers in his life, challenging deeply ingrained habits of control, self-sufficiency, and productivity. In those liminal spaces, where usual social scripts fall away, he began to notice how difficult it can be—not to give, but to receive. Receiving attention, support, care, and presence requires a different posture: one rooted in humility. The conversation weaves together Lorenz's background in technology and engineering with his growing attention to inner development and relational practice. Rather than seeing technology as neutral or inevitable, he reflects on how digital environments quietly shape our behavior, our pace, and our ability to listen to one another. Designing spaces, he suggests, is always also designing relationships. Throughout the episode, humility is not framed as self-effacement, but as openness: a willingness to be changed by others and by experience. Receiving becomes an active practice—one that makes mutuality possible and allows communities of learning to form over time. This conversation is an invitation to slow down, to notice where we resist receiving, and to consider how the spaces we create—online and offline—can support deeper presence, trust, and shared becoming. And it also reminded me that receiving is not something we do once we understand—it's something we practice by listening a little longer. Listener Engagement: Discover the songs picked by Lorenz and other guests on our #walktalklisten here. Learn more about Lorenz via his LinkedIn, and the Sutra's website. Share your feedback on this episode through our Walk Talk Listen Feedback link – your thoughts matter! Follow Us: Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast by following us on Facebook and Instagram. Visit 100mile.org or mauricebloem.com for more episodes and information about our work. Check out the special series "Enough for All" and learn more about the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).
For forty-one years, the halls of Martingdale echoed with unexplained footsteps and banging doors every Christmas Eve — until the night we stayed to watch, and the dead finally showed us what happened.Hello, children – it's Santa! I ho ho ho hope you like my podcast! If you like the stories I'm telling in my podcast, please tell your friends and family about the Spooky Santa podcast so they can listen too! Thank you very much, and Merry Christmas!STORY AND MUSIC CREDITS/SOURCES…“A Strange Christmas Game” by Mrs. J.H. Ridell: http://bit.ly/36zAo3S“The Flames of Sligachan” by Amy Brannigan and Caroline Brannigan: http://bit.ly/2LVTMAa“Clockwork Christmas” by Richard Ankers: https://adbl.co/2PMnQzhAll music used with permission of the artists. Spooky Santa theme by Midnight Syndicate (http://amzn.to/2BYCoXZ). All other music by Nicolas Gasparini (http://bit.ly/2LykK0g).I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use. If I somehow overlooked doing that for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I'll rectify it the show notes as quickly as possible.***Spooky Santa™ and Weird Darkness® are creations and trademarks of Marlar House Productions and Weird Darkness, LLC. Copyright © Weird Darkness, 2023"I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46https://weirddarkness.com/SpookySanta1215#WeirdDarkness #ChristmasGhostStory #HauntedHouse #VictorianGhostStory #GothicHorror #ScaryStories #HolidayHorror #TrueScaryStories #ParanormalStory #ChristmasHorror
Architecture is evolving faster than ever, especially in healthcare, where design intersects with technology, patient experience, and operational efficiency. In this episode, principals Rebecca MacDonald and Kyle Basilius of Parkin Architects discuss the changing landscape of hospital design, from universal versus private healthcare systems to the integration of AI and robotics. Discover how architecture shapes outcomes for patients, families, and staff, while anticipating the healthcare challenges of tomorrow. Designer Resources Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise. Design Hardware – A stunning and vast collection of jewelry for the home! TimberTech – Real wood beauty without the upkeep Join us for a deep dive into the world of healthcare architecture with Parkin Architects. Rebecca McDonald and Kyle Basilius share insights from decades of experience designing hospitals across Canada, the U.S., and Europe. From flexible master planning and lifespan considerations to advanced lighting, patient control systems, and automated logistics, they reveal how design can directly impact health, wellness, and operational efficiency. We explore how emerging technologies like AI, remote diagnostics, and robotics are beginning to influence design decisions and operational planning, creating safer, more adaptive, and human-focused healthcare environments. Whether you're interested in the philosophy of design, future-proofing healthcare infrastructure, or the intersection of technology and empathy, this conversation highlights the practical and visionary approaches shaping hospitals today. Talking Points: Introduction & Context Host sets the stage: the evolution of architecture in healthcare, AI, and technology in shelter and commercial spaces. Brief MIT course on AI and machine learning as inspiration for the discussion. Guest Introductions Rebecca McDonald: 12 years at Parkin Architects, focus on healthcare planning, personal motivation from family experiences in healthcare. Kyle Basilius: Design and planning across the U.S., Denmark, and Canada; current principal overseeing cancer hospital design, philosophy of integrating empathy into architecture. Healthcare Systems & Design Philosophy Comparison: Single-payer/universal healthcare vs. two-payer U.S. system. Operational implications: access, staff wellness, patient and family experience. Budgeting and stewardship of public funds in large-scale projects. Hospital Lifespan & Flexibility Typical hospital lifecycle: 50 years; planning for technological and programmatic changes. Importance of flexible core and shell design to accommodate renovations, evolving patient care, and technology integration. Master planning: phased renewals, mixed-use inpatient and outpatient strategies. Technology & AI in Healthcare Design AI as a tool for operational efficiency and patient care improvement. Automation: AGVs and AMRs for logistics and staff support. Potential for remote surgeries, telemedicine, and hub-and-spoke care models. Emergency Department Design Throughput and triage-focused planning: neighborhood-style zones for low, high, and trauma acuity patients. Mental health challenges and patient volume impacts on design. Opportunities for tech integration to improve patient flow and staff experience. Lighting & Environmental Control LED and circadian lighting systems for patient comfort, sleep, and recovery. Flexibility and control for staff and patients. Integration with intuitive interfaces to improve operational workflow and care delivery. Staff Wellbeing & Operational Efficiency Reducing injury through thoughtful design and automation. Leveraging AI and technology to improve staff retention and productivity. Supporting patient-centered care while optimizing building operations. The Future of Healthcare Architecture Planning for technological advances, flexible programming, and patient-focused design. Anticipating evolving care delivery models, population growth, and community needs. Emphasis on human-centered design as the core of architectural innovation. Closing Thoughts Key takeaways: design is as much about the people using the space as it is about the physical structures. The evolving role of technology and AI as supportive tools rather than replacements. Thank you Rebecca, thank you Kyle and everyone at Parkin Architects for craft special places with purpose. Thank you for listening. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend or colleague who loves design and architecture like you do, subscribe to Convo By Design wherever you get your podcasts. And continue the conversation on Instagram @convo x design with an “x”. Keep those emails coming with guest suggestions, show ideas and locations where you'd like to see the show. Convo by design at outlook.com. Thank you to my partner sponsors, TimberTech, The AZEK Company, Pacific Sales, Best Buy, and Design Hardware for supporting the publication of over 650 episodes and over 3,000,000 streams, downloads and making Convo By Design the longest running podcast of its kind. These companies support the shelter industry so give them an opportunity on your next project. Thanks again for listening. Until next time, be well, stay focused and rise about the chaos. -CXD
Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions. When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work.Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, LG or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.Devin: What is your superpower?Nikki: My superpower is focusing on what I can do. I can figure out a way.Momentum Coffee is more than just a place to grab your morning latte. Co-founded by Nikki Bravo, the Chicago-based coffee shop chain is building something bigger than beverages—it's creating intentional spaces for connection, growth, and community impact in underserved neighborhoods.As Nikki explains, “Momentum Coffee isn't just about business. Mission is at the core. We wouldn't be doing this just to make money. This really is about the communities and how we serve them.” From offering high-quality coffee and tea to creating jobs that keep dollars circulating locally, every decision at Momentum Coffee is rooted in purpose.What sets Momentum apart is its deliberate focus on under-resourced areas. Nikki and her husband, Tracy Powell, are careful about where they open locations and how they engage with the community. “Spaces in under-resourced areas need places where people can convene and be together,” Nikki says. “Momentum Coffee is able to do all of those things.”Beyond the café experience, Momentum Coffee is actively shaping people's lives. Nikki shared the story of an employee—a single mother of two—who, after working at Momentum for two years, became a first-time homeowner. “What we see here, what we're growing here at Momentum Coffee, is a lot of possibility,” Nikki says.In addition to its community-driven mission, Momentum Coffee recently launched a regulated investment crowdfunding campaign through Honeycomb Credit. This initiative invites supporters from across the country to invest in the company, helping it expand its impact while offering a financial return. “Through crowdfunding, it allows us not only to grow so that we impact more people, but have more people do that with us,” Nikki explains.Momentum Coffee's power-button logo symbolizes action and empowerment, perfectly reflecting its mission. With four locations and counting, Nikki and Tracy are proving that a coffee shop can do far more than serve drinks—it can create opportunities, empower individuals, and build stronger communities.By supporting their crowdfunding campaign, investors can help Momentum Coffee continue its inspiring work while becoming part of the journey.tl;dr:Momentum Coffee builds community in underserved neighborhoods by creating intentional spaces for connection.Nikki Bravo's team uses crowdfunding to expand while engaging and empowering their community.The coffee shop chain provides jobs that help employees achieve life-changing milestones like homeownership.Nikki's superpower—focusing on actionable solutions—enabled Momentum Coffee to thrive during the pandemic.This episode highlights how mission-driven businesses can create impact while remaining financially sustainable.How to Develop Focusing on What You Can Do As a SuperpowerNikki's superpower is their ability to focus on actionable solutions, no matter the challenge. As Nikki explains, “My superpower is focusing on what I can do. I can figure out a way.” This mindset has been key to navigating obstacles as a business owner, community leader, and parent. Nikki describes this strength as the ability to recognize the situation at hand and then take steps toward a solution.When Nikki and her husband opened a new Momentum Coffee location in early 2020, the pandemic forced the city to shut down just as they were ready to launch. Instead of giving up, Nikki pivoted. “We got an online solution and served coffee and pastries at the front door,” Nikki recalls. This step-by-step approach allowed Momentum to survive the early days of the pandemic and later thrive as a full-service café.Tips for Developing the Superpower:Start by identifying what is within your control and focus your energy there.Break challenges into smaller, manageable steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed.Encourage others to take ownership of problems by asking, “What can you do?”Celebrate small wins to build confidence and momentum.Approach challenges with a solution-oriented mindset rather than dwelling on barriers.By following Nikki's example and advice, you can make focusing on what you can do a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!Guest ProfileNikki Bravo (she/her):Co-Founder and CEO, Momentum CoffeeAbout Momentum Coffee: Momentum Coffee is a Chicago-based coffee brand that pairs high-quality coffee service with deep community impact. Co-founded by Nikki Bravo and Tracy Powell, Momentum serves coffee, tea, pastries, and sandwiches across multiple locations in under-resourced neighborhoods, while also roasting its own beans and offering catering, wholesale, and a small business food incubator. Guided by its mission, “Rooted in Community, Powered by Coffee,” Momentum is committed to local hiring, workforce development, and partnerships that uplift entrepreneurs. More than a café, Momentum is a community anchor—creating welcoming spaces, training opportunities, and real economic mobility—while expanding its roasting and distribution program into a scalable, impact-driven coffee brand positioned for growth.Website: momentumcoffee.orgCompany Facebook Page: facebook.com/momentumcoffeeandcoworking/aboutOther URL: invest.honeycombcredit.com/campaigns/momentum-coffeeBiographical Information: Nikki Bravo is a seasoned entrepreneur, community builder, and business leader dedicated to advancing equity, access, and economic opportunity. She is the Founder of Momentum Coffee and Coworking, a mission-driven social enterprise addressing inequities in the coffee shop and coworking space by creating welcoming, community-centered environments across Chicago. A Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses alum, Nikki brings deep expertise in finance, administration, and operations, with a proven ability to launch, scale, and sustain ventures that blend profitability with social impact.In addition to Momentum Coffee, Nikki serves as Executive Director of Ignite Technology and Innovation, a nonprofit developing affordable, technology-enabled workspaces in underserved communities worldwide. Her career also includes senior leadership roles with the City of Chicago and the Public Building Commission, where she oversaw complex operations across finance, human resources, and workforce development. Known for her collaborative leadership style and cross-functional expertise, Nikki is passionate about empowering entrepreneurs, supporting local economies, and building inclusive ecosystems where communities can thrive.LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/nikkibravoPersonal Facebook Profile: facebook.com/nikkirbravoInstagram Handle: @bravo_nikki Support Our SponsorsOur generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today's advertisers include FundingHope, and SuperGreen Live. Learn more about advertising with us here.Max-Impact Members(We're grateful for every one of these community champions who make this work possible.)Brian Christie, Brainsy | Cameron Neil, Lend For Good | Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Hiten Sonpal, RISE Robotics | John Berlet, CORE Tax Deeds, LLC. | Justin Starbird, The Aebli Group | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Mark Grimes, Networked Enterprise Development | Matthew Mead, Hempitecture | Michael Pratt, Qnetic | Mike Green, Envirosult | Dr. Nicole Paulk, Siren Biotechnology | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Scott Thorpe, Philanthropist | Sharon Samjitsingh, Health Care Originals | Add Your Name HereUpcoming SuperCrowd Event CalendarIf a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on December 16, 2025, at 1:30 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.SuperCrowdHour, December 17, 2025, at 12:00 PM Eastern, will feature Devin Thorpe, CEO and Founder of The Super Crowd, Inc., leading a session on “Designing a Winning Marketing Strategy for Your Investment Offering.” Drawing on his deep experience in impact crowdfunding and investment storytelling, Devin will break down the essential elements of building a marketing strategy that attracts, engages, and converts potential investors. Participants will learn how to identify and reach the right audience, craft messages that build trust, and develop a promotional plan that supports sustained momentum throughout a raise. Whether you're preparing for your first regulated investment crowdfunding campaign or looking to strengthen an ongoing one, this SuperCrowdHour will provide the insights and practical frameworks you need to elevate your offering and boost investor participation.SuperGreen Live, January 22–24, 2026, livestreaming globally. Organized by Green2Gold and The Super Crowd, Inc., this three-day event will spotlight the intersection of impact crowdfunding, sustainable innovation, and climate solutions. Featuring expert-led panels, interactive workshops, and live pitch sessions, SuperGreen Live brings together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and activists to explore how capital and climate action can work hand in hand. With global livestreaming, VIP networking opportunities, and exclusive content, this event will empower participants to turn bold ideas into real impact. Don't miss your chance to join tens of thousands of changemakers at the largest virtual sustainability event of the year.Community Event CalendarSuccessful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events.CfPA President-elect's Vision for 2026 with Brian Belley, December 17 at 2:00 PM ET – reserve your spot now!If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 10,000+ changemakers, investors and entrepreneurs who are members of the SuperCrowd, click here.We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode. Get full access to Superpowers for Good at www.superpowers4good.com/subscribe
What happens when live music enters a hospital room? Sterile spaces soften, fear gives way to connection, and everyone present – patients, loved ones, caregivers, and even the musicians themselves – is changed. Musicians On Call COO Katy Epley shares how a single song at the bedside can humanize healthcare and create life-changing moments of healing and hope. Links and notes related to this episode can be found at https://mpetersonmusic.com/podcast/episode224 Connect with us: Newsletter: https://mpetersonmusic.com/subscribe Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EnhanceLifeMusic/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enhancelifemusic/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpetersonpiano/ X: https://twitter.com/musicenhances Sponsorship information: https://mpetersonmusic.com/podcast/sponsor Leave us a review on Podchaser.com! https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/enhance-life-with-music-909096 In-episode promo: MUD/WTR (https://mudwtr.com/ENHANCELIFE)
As the lines blur between workplace design, employee experience, and collaboration technology, AV is stepping out of the shadows and into the spotlight. In this expert-led discussion, UC Today's Kieran Devlin is joined by Brad Hintze, VP of Global Marketing at Crestron, to explore why enterprise AV is no longer just about cables and cameras—it's now a foundational layer of modern workplace strategy.In this insightful interview, Brad Hintze shares how AV is transforming from a background support tool into a strategic enabler of hybrid collaboration, culture, and business continuity. As enterprises invest in smarter, more scalable meeting spaces, the conversation turns to the real forces shaping AV in 2025: rising user expectations, seamless AI-powered experiences, and the growing need for infrastructure that can evolve over time.Brad and Kieran discuss:Why AV now sits at the heart of workplace design and digital employee experienceThe importance of building integrated, scalable ecosystems for consistent, invisible AVHow Crestron's One Beyond 2.0 firmware update brings broadcast-level video intelligence to meeting roomsThe role of automation, smart spaces, and high-quality AV in enabling AI features like Copilot and Zoom AIWhy enterprises must treat AV as long-term infrastructure—not a short-term fixIf you're an IT or AV leader shaping hybrid work strategies, this video is packed with practical insight and forward-looking perspectives. Watch now to learn how Crestron is helping organisations unlock the full potential of their spaces through smarter AV.
In this episode of NatChat Jason Welch, Principal Architect for Collaboration at Natilik, sits down with Gary Belnkarn, Collaboration Solutions Engineer at Cisco, to explore the evolving world of meeting spaces. Gary shares insights on key market trends, including the shift from traditional meeting rooms to dynamic spaces, the rise of AV over IP, and the integration of smart building technologies.They discuss how AV over IP simplifies management, enhances user experience, and drives security, while also enabling advanced features like machine learning-powered cameras. The conversation highlights why meeting spaces are now a critical part of brand identity, influencing everything from client impressions to employee experience. Tune in to learn how your organisation can embrace these innovations to create seamless, secure, and smart meeting environments that truly reflect your brand.
232b covers some slang terms used during the Civil War. https://cwweeklypod.wixsite.com/my-site*Mobile capability through the app Spaces by Wix. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CWweeklypod
Trapped by the blizzard, Sarah searches the cabin for answers—and finds more than she bargained for. Hidden passages run through the walls like veins. Scratches mark the inside of closet doors. And in decades of family photographs, the same impossible shape appears in every frame, watching from windows and doorways. A letter from her grandmother reveals the horrifying truth: something has lived in this cabin since before it was built. It took Sarah's aunt in 1962. Now, on Christmas Eve, Lily has vanished into a hidden door—following the voice of a man who's been waiting for decades.Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!Subscribe now for exclusive shows like 'Palace Intrigue,' and get bonus content from Deep Crown (our exclusive Palace Insider!) Or get 'Daily Comedy News,' and '5 Good News Stories' with no commercials! Plans start at $4.99 per month, or save 20% with a yearly plan at $49.99. Join today and help support the show!We now have Merch! FREE SHIPPING! Check out all the products like T-shirts, mugs, bags, jackets and more with logos and slogans from your favorite shows! Did we mention there's free shipping? Get 10% off with code NewMerch10 Go to Caloroga.comGet more info from Caloroga Shark Media and if you have any comments, suggestions, or just want to get in touch our email is info@caloroga.com
Tom O'Callaghan on Parking Spaces by Clare FM
In this episode, we review the high-yield topic of Dead Spaces and Vent Rates from the Respiratory section.Follow Medbullets on social media:Facebook: www.facebook.com/medbulletsInstagram: www.instagram.com/medbulletsofficialTwitter: www.twitter.com/medbullets
The sound of a choir performing in a cathedral is iconic for a reason. It's this beautiful human experience: being side-by-side with other people, feeling the sound vibrate through you, reverberating around the space.But how long has that been a part of our culture? And what role did sound play in the lives of people who lived during the Ice Age or the Stone Age? That's the focus of a growing field of archaeology called archaeoacoustics, where researchers use the scientific tools of today to investigate the role of sound and music in the past.To learn more, Host Flora Lichtman is joined by Margarita Díaz-Andreu, principal investigator of the Art Soundscapes project, and Rupert Till, head of the department of humanities at the University of Huddersfield in the UK.Guests: Dr. Margarita Díaz-Andreu is an ICREA professor at the University of Barcelona in Spain and principal investigator of the Art Soundscapes project. Dr. Rupert Till is a professor of music and head of the department humanities at the University of Huddersfield in the UK.Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at sciencefriday.com. Subscribe to this podcast. Plus, to stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters.
Webby is still off sick, So this week Tamara is joined by Sabrina and Blue to chat about womens issues in media. ————————————————————————— Today's Host: Tamara Today's Special Guest(s): Sabrina & Blue SU is now accepting suggestions, ideas, feedback and more on our Facebook page! Head on over to https://facebook.com/simplyunprofessional and leave a comment on the latest SU episode post, or anywhere you like! We'd love to hear your thoughts. SU is now available to listen to on YouTube! Head over to the Distractions Media YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@DistractionsMedia/podcasts Enjoying SU? Please give us a rating and review wherever you listen to us. It supports us and means a great deal! Have a great day everyone! Music by Ross Malcolm Boyd (https://rossmalcolmboyd.com) Art created by Lex: (https://linktr.ee/ursulasrevenge) #SimplyUnprofessional
Yinz Are Good shares the *good* news going on out there and celebrates the good people who are making it happen: The people who are lifting others up, who are taking care of their neighbors, the people who are saying, “What can I do today to make our world a better place?”.Boy did we have fun with this episode…We (Tressa, Don, and videographer Michela Hall), got together with our friends and show sponsor, DICK'S Sporting Goods, to set up a recording session at DICK'S House of Sport Pittsburgh. While set up on the main floor of the store/community hub, Tressa chats with Pittsburgh Hardball Academy's Nelson Cooper IV about what's new with the org and their strong partnership with the DICK'S Foundation. As a reminder, Nelson and Pittsburgh Hardball Academy were featured in Episode 93and again in Episode 124. Nelson is the Co-founder and Executive Director of this youth advocacy organization that enriches the lives of underrepresented youth in the Greater Pittsburgh area via baseball and softball.And then! Tressa is joined by the delightful Kennedy Ward from DICK'S House of Sport - they talk about building community, about what makes House of Sport more than just a retail store, and about the support that the DICK'S Foundation provides to those dedicated to helping others thrive. Pittsburgh Hardball Academy: https://www.pittsburghhardball.org/IG: @pgh_hardballFacebook: @Pittsburgh Hardball AcademyDICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation DICK'S House of SportThis episode is brought to you by DICK'S Sporting Goods — your one-stop shop for holiday gifts that get everyone moving. From cozy winter gear to fan favorites for every Pittsburgh family — every holiday season starts at Dick's.—https://www.yinzaregood.com/FOLLOW US on social media!Instagram: @yinzaregood Facebook: @YinzAreGoodHave a story of generosity or kindness to share with us? Want a Kindness Crate dropped off at your business or school? Email us at yinzaregood@gmail.com.
In this week's show: Alaska Airlines secures slots for Heathrow launch; someone experiments whether ChatGPT can land an Airbus A320 after telling it both pilots are missing; and KLM retires its first Boeing 737 aircraft after 25 years of operations. In the military: There are massive new campsite plans for RIAT 2026 near RAF Fairford and a Damaged B-2 stealth bomber returns to frontline duty after a four-year repair from landing gear collapse. We'll have the usual Retro Airline Ad of the Week as well as a reminder of the excellent competition that Allan Whyte has set for you all. Nev will also give us an update on the plans for the 600th show in May of next year. Spaces are running out quickly, so be sure to let us know if you would like to attend. More news on how to do that later in the show.
Let me know what you loved about the episode!Why does procrastination feel heavier at this time of year? Hint: it's nothing to do with laziness.As winter approaches, your natural energy dips, yet your responsibilities multiply. Christmas planning, year-end deadlines, emotional load... it all creates the perfect storm for overwhelm and the “I'll do it later” freeze response.Today we're exploring:✨ The seasonal reason your motivation drops✨ How overwhelm, perfectionism and emotional load feed procrastination✨ Why your brain protects you through avoidance✨ Gentle, realistic ways to get unstuck without pushing or forcingThis episode is your reminder that you're not behind .... you're just human.Ready to feel more jolly and festive, letting go of that overwhelm we've already picked up? Join my group session on 20th December at 3pm Reserve your spot here Spaces are £33.33 unless you join through my membership for £22.22 a month (with no minimum contract)Support the showLinks + Resources: Gratitude Journal: Hardback @£14.99 includes free 2nd class shipping Paperback @£11.11 includes free 2nd class shipping Amazon for those not in the UK -------------------------------- Find the links to all free resources here Want support to go deeper with this work? Find out more about working together by checking out my website https://lisadavidge.co.uk/workwithme Thanks so much for listening! Please don't forget to subscribe, rate and review, and share with others. Tag me in your stories! It helps more people find me!! Be sure to join my email list to hear more (but not too much!) from me here Follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lisadavidge_lovinglifeSending so much loveLisa xx
From Haircuts to Coffee: Building a Community Hub in Small Town AmericaThis episode of 'Small Town Big Business' features Jonathan and Jolyn Raby of West Frankfort, Illinois. As hairstylists who own Berg's Hair Parlor and Gambit Coffee Bar, they share their journey of establishing these businesses in a small town. The Rabys discuss their move from Nashville, initial challenges, and eventual successes, highlighting the importance of community involvement, adaptive business strategies, and innovative thinking. They emphasize the significance of offering a creative and welcoming space that serves as a 'third place' for locals. Additionally, their commitment to supporting local arts and providing an inclusive, family-friendly environment is discussed. The episode is full of insights on rural entrepreneurship, smart growth, and the power of community connection.00:00 Welcome to Small Town Big Business00:50 Meet Our Special Guests: Jonathan and Jolyn Raby01:20 The Journey of Berg's Hair Parlor02:52 Challenges and Triumphs in Business08:20 Expanding with Gambit Coffee Bar11:22 Community Impact and Creative Ventures14:24 Navigating Growth and Future Plans19:47 Integrating into the Local Community24:52 Music and Community Engagement26:16 Naming the Quartet: Weird Pizza26:44 Take Action Today: Community Involvement28:29 Revitalizing Downtown: Conferences and Networking33:46 Balancing Business and Family39:15 Gambit and Bergs: Names and Inspirations45:41 The Freedom of Entrepreneurship48:28 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsRecorded at EThOs Small Business Incubator and Co-working Spaces in Marion, Illinois.https://members.ethosmarion.org/ SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTOur guest: https://www.facebook.com/burgshairparlour & www.gambit.bar
In this episode of People Make Pyllon, Paul speaks with Alex Copley - a passionate runner and geologist who helps us see the ground beneath our feet in an entirely new way. From tectonic collisions to ancient mountain belts, Alex explains how the UK was shaped over hundreds of millions of years, and why understanding that history can change the way we run through the land today. They also talk about Greenland, recovery from toe surgery, and what it means to move through wild places with curiosity and care. Whether you love the science or just the trails, this one might make you look at your next run a little differently. In this episode How the UK and Scotland were formed What geology teaches us about time and perspective Why knowledge of the land can deepen your experience Thoughts on creativity, risk, and Arctic solitude Bonus: toenail removal, and why it was totally worth it
Who do you blame for this mess? the Landlord? The tenants? or the City of Los Angeles?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Avec deux millions de modèles d'intelligence artificielle générative disponibles, la startup franco-américaine Hugging Face est devenue la référence en matière d'IA open source. Elle prend désormais le virage des agents IA et de la robotique.Interview : Jeff Boudier, Directeur commercial chez Hugging FaceVous proposez aujourd'hui plus de deux millions de modèles sur Hugging Face, comment expliquer une telle diversité ?L'IA ne se limite pas aux LLM comme ChatGPT : c'est un écosystème immense, une véritable foret amazonienne. Sur Hugging Face, on trouve des modèles qui génèrent du texte, mais aussi des images, de la vidéo, du son, qui travaillent dans toutes les langues ou encore sur des applications métiers comme la finance.Notre mission est claire : démocratiser l'IA. Nous ne voulons pas d'un monde dominé par une poignée d'acteurs. Toute organisation, quelle que soit sa taille, doit pouvoir construire sa propre IA.Pour cela, nous hébergeons des millions de modèles, datasets et applications, et nous fournissons des outils open source comme nos librairies d'entraînement ou l'écosystème Spaces, notre véritable App Store de l'IA. Plus de 12 millions d'AI builders les utilisent aujourd'hui.Pourquoi vous être lancé aussi dans la robotique ?Nous publions de nombreuses ressources scientifiques — de véritables “bouquins techniques” comme The Ultra-Scale Playbook — pour aider la communauté à comprendre et construire des modèles, mais il fallait aussi quelque chose de plus tangible pour le grand public. C'est là qu'intervient Richie Mini, notre robot pédagogique conçu avec Pollen Robotics (que nous avons acquis). Il écoute, voit, parle, interagit… et permet d'expérimenter concrètement avec des modèles de vision ou de parole. Le lancement a dépassé toutes nos attentes : plus de 5 000 robots vendus le premier mois, disponibles dans le monde entier pour environ 300 dollars.Les agents IA sont-ils la prochaine révolution ?Oui, les agents représentent clairement l'évolution naturelle de l'IA. L'an dernier, à AWS re:Invent, on parlait d'IA générative. Cette année, tout tourne autour des agents. Un agent ne se contente plus de générer une réponse : il choisit des outils, raisonne, explore plusieurs chemins avant d'aboutir. Cela ouvre d'immenses possibilités mais aussi de nouveaux défis, notamment technologiques et économiques : un système agent peut consommer des millions de tokens, ce qui change complètement l'équation du coût. Heureusement, les modèles ouverts ont fait un bond spectaculaire. Chaque semaine, un nouveau modèle open source de pointe apparaît sur Hugging Face : Mistral 3, DeepSeek V3.2, Qwen, etc. Avec Hugging Chat, on peut créer soi-même un agent capable de naviguer, raisonner ou utiliser des outils.-----------♥️ Soutien : https://mondenumerique.info/don
Women of Faith in Leadership - Kingdom Leadership, Workplace Organisational culture, Christian women
Leading with strong Christian values in a secular workplace can feel like walking a tightrope — wanting to honour God without overstepping boundaries, staying true to your faith without feeling “too much” or “not enough.” This episode is for every Christian woman who has ever wondered: “Can I lead boldly for Christ… even here?” The answer is yes — and today you'll learn how. In this conversation, we explore: how to stay grounded in your convictions without becoming defensive, preachy, or apologetic the subtle ways Christian leaders accidentally dim their light at work practical, Christlike behaviours that speak louder than words how to set boundaries, hold standards, and navigate workplace culture with wisdom and grace the difference between leading with your faith and leading about your faith If you've been feeling the tension of being a Christian woman in a non-Christian space, this episode will give you clarity, peace, and a renewed sense of purpose. Your Next Step If you often feel unsure, small, or hesitant about expressing your leadership in secular spaces, The Imposter Syndrome Blueprint will strengthen your confidence and help you lead with calm, steady, Christ-anchored conviction.
Grace for the Broken Identity // Grace for the Broken Spaces (Part 1) // Ro Remedios by Cuhow
Grace for the Broken Identity // Grace for the Broken Spaces (Part 1) // Ro Remedios by Cuhow
In today's episode, I'm joined by Enfys Maloney, business expert, speaker, and seven-time award-winning sales trainer, trusted by hundreds of ambitious businesses. At the heart of this episode is the idea that strong communication and leadership are built by design and intention, not by accident. Quality conversations happen when you approach them with curiosity, intention and a readiness to move beyond the predictable. Enfys talks honestly about what leaders need, whether they are running a business, heading up a team or building their influence. Enfys also shares why leadership can feel lonely at times, and how dedicated CEO spaces offer a vital environment for problem-solving, perspective and mutual support. Finally, we dive into visibility, a topic that resonates across every industry. Enfys talks candidly about the fear of being seen, and why visibility becomes far easier once you're anchored in your purpose. Enfys is a dynamic speaker and trusted mentor, recognised for her high-impact, confidence-led approach that helps individuals radically improve their sales, comfortably, confidently, and on repeat. What you will learn: Why so many business conversations feel shallow How to move from polite exchanges to genuinely engaging dialogue What transforms a conversation from surface-level small talk into something genuinely useful and engaging How curiosity, thoughtful questions and a willingness to be bold improve the quality of your interactions Why leaders at every level need confidential, high-calibre spaces to think, reflect and share challenges How leaning into visibility supports your impact and why starting small creates long-term confidence Resources: Buy Victoria Rennoldson's new book, Become a Global Leader: https://culturecuppa.com/book/ Follow Victoria Rennoldson on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson Find our more about Enfys Maloney here: https://www.salestrainingwithenfys.co.uk/ Connect with Enfys on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/withenfys Connect with Enfys on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salestraining_with_enfys/ Sample Enfys' sales training for yourself: grab her free mini-training Money Left on the Table, a 15-minute exercise to help you uncover hidden sales opportunities in your business and start turning conversations into clients fast. http://salestrainingwithenfys.co.uk/Money-Left-On-The-Table
In episode 232 we do a high-level rundown of events in the year 1861. https://cwweeklypod.wixsite.com/my-site*Mobile capability through the app Spaces by Wix. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CWweeklypod
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Frederick Sermons (UUCF)
Michelle Saville, Intern Minister (November 30, 2025)
Peter Hilts, District 49 superintendent joins Matt Dunn (in for Dan) to discuss a momentous win for girls' sports in Colorado as CHSAA will no longer allow biological males to participate in female sports.
Charisma Quotient: Build Confidence, Make Connections and Find Love
Have you ever sat across from someone on a first date and wondered, "Why does this feel so awkward? Why isn't there any chemistry?" Are you stuck in your head, anxious about what to say and worried if you're coming across as interesting or fun? In Episode 423 of The Charisma Quotient, "ICYMI: Creating Conversation and Chemistry: Coaching with Kimmy" Kimmy dives deep into these common dating dilemmas and explores how you can take control of your energy, spark chemistry, and break free from repetitive, boring conversations. In this episode, welcomes Kay, who's struggled to move past dry, fact-based interactions on dating apps and in person. Together, they unpack what keeps conversation stuck at surface level, why being "in your head" creates barriers, and how shifting from reactive to proactive – bringing emotional context and playfulness – can transform your dating experience. Kimmy coaches Kay to open up, share feelings, and weave personal stories into her chats, making connections more lively and authentic. You'll walk away with actionable strategies for loosening up and injecting true connection into any date, even if you think your interests are a little offbeat! You'll hear: Why first dates often feel boring—even with "nice" people How your mindset and body language influence date chemistry The difference between fact-based and emotionally connected conversations Practical exercises to help you move from reactive to proactive dating How to be less "in your head" and more present on dates If you've been feeling discouraged about dating — burned out by apps, not feeling the connection with your dates or awkward small talk, sign up for Kimmy's Co-ed Love Is Blind Dating Game Virtual Experience — so you can build connection before chemistry and confidence before commitment. Think: old school dating game meets Love is Blind series! This is a virtual experience that is guaranteed to change YOUR dating game. Go to www.stophatingdating.com for more information and to register. Spaces are limited! Charisma Quotient Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and many of your other favorite podcast channels. ************************************************ Kimmy Seltzer is a Confidence Therapist and Authentic Dating Strategist implementing targeted style, emotional and social intelligence to your life. ************************************************ Would you like to connect with Kimmy? Website: https://kimmyseltzer.com/ Chat: https://www.kimmyseltzer.com/breakthrough-session/ Instagram: @kimmyseltzer Twitter: @kimmyseltzer Join her FREE Facebook Group Love Makeover Insiders: https://www.facebook.com/groups/lovemakeovers Take her Flirt Quiz to see what kind of flirt you are www.flirtover40.com
In this episode, Byron D. Brooks (MoSoul), 1L in Section 3 at Howard University School of Law, and Pauline Wanjiru Irungu, LL.M. candidate at American University Washington College of Law, sit down with Adrienne Packard, Director of Student Affairs at Howard Law. Together, they explore the real mental health landscape of legal education, define the meaning of Healing Justice, and offer tools for survival, sustainability, and collective well-being within our legal communities.Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will provide resume and skills boosting opportunities and one-on-one access to local practicing attorneys. To learn more, click here.
Eckhart leads a live meditation on pausing our thoughts without suppressing them. Eckhart says it's more important to be aware of oneself as presence than to get lost in the mind. With practice, gradually the spaces between thoughts increase and more spaciousness grows within. This will cause our lives to become more peaceful and move us closer to a feeling of liberation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Designer Nate Berkus joins Jenna Bush Hager to discuss his new book, Foundations: Timeless Design That Feels Personal. He reflects on his career journey and how his passion for design began in childhood, inspired early on by his mother's work as a designer. After college, he launched his own firm and later gained national attention through his appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Nate shares the four core tenets of good design, and how to create spaces that reflect your life, your memories, and the things you love most. He and Jenna also explore their shared love of reading, how literature shapes their approach to parenting, and the impact of the stories they pass on to their children. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey says President Donald Trump is acting in “flat-out, un-American” fashion by targeting Somali Americans and referring to them as “garbage.” Frey has signed an executive order prohibiting federal, state and local agencies from using city-owned parking lots, ramps, garages or vacant lots to stage civil immigration enforcement operations.The Minneapolis Police Department is reminding people it will not ask them about their citizenship status if they call the police. The department also says residents can call 911 to verify a responding officer is who they say they are.A man faces federal charges for ramming his car into the vehicle of an ICE agent last week in St. Paul. The man was released from jail to home detention after pleading not guilty to assaulting an officer.
Welcome back to another episode of the unSeminary podcast. We're talking with Aaron Stanski, founder and CEO of Risepointe, a firm that partners with churches across the country to design and build facilities that amplify ministry impact. With more than 15 years of experience in church architecture, project management, and ministry leadership, Aaron and his team help churches navigate complex building challenges while staying focused on mission. Is your church facing growing pains—crowded lobbies, full parking lots, or overwhelmed kids' spaces—but unsure how to move forward? Aaron shares practical insights on how to approach facility planning strategically, align vision with budget, and avoid the costly mistakes that can slow down momentum. Overcoming the overwhelm. // When churches consider expansion or renovation, leaders often feel paralyzed by the process. Questions about cost, zoning, design, and disruption quickly pile up. Too often, churches jump straight to hiring an architect before defining their real needs. Instead, churches should first clarify what's working, what's broken, and what's next before anyone draws plans. Start with scope and budget. // The two guardrails of every successful project are scope (what you're building) and budget (what you can spend). Aaron warns that skipping this step often leads to beautiful drawings that churches can't afford. Risepointe begins with a Needs Analysis, an on-site deep dive into the church's DNA, culture, and challenges. The team listens to staff, studies how people use the building, and identifies bottlenecks—whether it's the children's hallway, lobby congestion, or limited parking. Only then do they define the right-size project and realistic cost range. The power of early engagement. // Most churches wait too long to start planning. Zoning approvals, fundraising, and construction all take longer than expected, especially in urban areas. Waiting too long forces rushed design work, unclear budgets, and lost ministry opportunities. You don't have to build everything at once. Start with a plan that captures the next few wins—like improving your lobby or kids' check-in—while preparing for long-term growth. Knowing when it's time. // Aaron says early warning signs include maxing out your primary service, overflowing kids' spaces, and parking lots at capacity. Many pastors misjudge space needs because they see the auditorium every Sunday but rarely experience the parking or early childhood chaos firsthand. Evaluating your entire Sunday experience—entry to exit—reveals where capacity problems really begin. Aligning buildings with ministry models. // Every church facility reflects a ministry philosophy—but those philosophies evolve. Where there used to be 40-year ministry cycles, now they are closer to 10 to 20. Churches shaped by the seeker-sensitive movement, for example, are now adapting to relational, community-driven models. Spaces that once emphasized rows and stages now need more environments for conversations, mentoring, and connection. A free resource for leaders. // To help churches begin the conversation, Aaron's team created a free guide called “10 Things to Get Right Before You Build.” The resource walks through key questions every church should answer before launching a building project—from clarifying vision and budget to preparing for change. You can download it and schedule a free consultation at risepointe.com/unseminary. To learn more about Risepointe's work helping churches align facilities with mission, visit risepointe.com/unseminary or follow Risepointe on Instagram for inspiration and project stories. Thank You for Tuning In! There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, but you chose unSeminary, and I'm grateful for that. If you enjoyed today's show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the left hand side of this page. Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes, they're extremely helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally! Lastly, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live! Thank You to This Episode’s Sponsor: Portable Church Your church is doing really well right now, and your leadership team is looking for solutions to keep momentum going! It could be time to start a new location. Maybe you have hesitated in the past few years, but you know it's time to step out in faith again and launch that next location. Portable Church has assembled a bundle of resources to help you leverage your growing momentum into a new location by sending a part of your congregation back to their neighborhood on Mission. This bundle of resources will give you a step-by-step plan to launch that new or next location, and a 5 minute readiness tool that will help you know your church is ready to do it! Click here to watch the free webinar “Launch a New Location in 150 Days or Less” and grab the bundle of resources for your church! Episode Transcript Rich Birch — Hey friends, welcome to the unSeminary podcast. I am so glad that you have decided to tune in. You know, across the country, we keep hearing about churches that are growing and we’re seeing swelling attendance and that’s good. Some of that is like a platinum problem though. It generates other issues that we have to think about. And so what what I did was pull on a friend of mine, Aaron Stanski, he’s the founder and CEO of Risepointe. He’s got 15 plus years of church design, leadership and project management and experience. Rich Birch — If you don’t know Risepointe, where have you been? You’re living under a rock. They’re church architects and designers. They have years of experience working with churches like yours, schools and nonprofits, and they offer a wide range wide variety of services, including architecture, interior design, graphic design, branding, and so much more. Aaron is, I like Aaron not just because he actually has got incredible skills. His team’s got incredible skills, but he really actually wants to help churches like you. And so Aaron, welcome to the show. So glad you’re here. Aaron Stanski — Yeah, I’m glad to be here, Rich. Rich Birch — It’s going to be good. Give give people, you’ve been on a couple of times… Aaron Stanski — Yeah. Rich Birch — …and but give us again, for folks that haven’t heard, the Aaron Stanski, you know, a couple bullet points. Aaron Stanski — Sure. Rich Birch — What did I miss? What do you want to fill in the picture? Aaron Stanski — Yeah. I mean, ah you know the quick story is grew up in ministry. My dad was a pastor growing up, planted a we planted a church in Boston when I was a kid. Went to school for engineering, worked for Harley Davidson Motorcycles, did big projects, project management and stuff for them for a while. And then felt called to ministry. Aaron Stanski — So left Harley Davidson, was on staff with Cru for a couple years doing college ministry before I jumped on staff at a fast growing multi-site church here in Chicago. So loved that, loved being part of that ministry team. And then, of course, we went through a big building project. So got to roll up my sleeves on the on the church staff side of things and hire architects and engineers and AV consultants and really kind of combine my my engineering mind and my ministry heart. And so absolutely love that process. And so, yeah, I’ve been helping churches now for the last 15, 16 years. It’s been an absolute blast. Rich Birch — So good. Well, the the kind of person I want to have in mind today, and so friends, if if you’re listening in, if this sounds a little bit like you, you’re going to want to pay close attention. So I’m thinking about that church, you know, the leader that looks around, they maybe have got, maybe they got two services. Rich Birch — They’re looking around and they’re seeing, ooh, they feel like maybe their growth ah is starting to create some pinch points. Maybe it’s in kids. Maybe it’s in adults. Maybe it’s their lobby. It’s they look around and they’re like, man, I just I feel like our facility might be holding us back a little bit. um And because I do bump into this in churches all the time. Aaron Stanski — Sure. Rich Birch — And there’s like, there can be like a certain amount of anxiety and fear around, gosh, when do I, what do I do? So when you talk to pastors, what do you know notice as one of the kind of most common point of confusion when it comes to starting or pulling the trigger, moving on with a building project, expansion project, try to improve things. Where are we getting this wrong? Aaron Stanski — Yeah. I mean, I think ah like one, the whole process itself can just be completely overwhelming. Rich Birch — Right. Aaron Stanski — Like immediately you’re confronted with, ah oh my goodness, like what’s the right solution? What is the, ah what is the town or the, you know, the jurisdiction going to allow us to do? What is this all going to cost? Where are we going to do church in the meantime if we’re having to fix this building or add on to it? Rich Birch — Yes, yes. Aaron Stanski — I mean, immediately all of these questions start to kind of well up and it can become ah really overwhelming for a lot of churches. Rich Birch — So good. So when when we step back, is there any one of those that you think in particular is like a piece of the puzzle that is the most kind of mysterious or is the most um confusing as as you that you bump into regularly with leaders? Aaron Stanski — I mean, I think the most confusing is probably like, what’s the right solution? Rich Birch — Okay. Yep. Aaron Stanski — A lot of times it’s a combination of like, you know, we feel like we’re out of space, so we have to add on. But if we do that, we’re going to have to modify what we already have. And what we have is old, or there’s some maintenance on it that we haven’t gotten around to. And like, what can we do in this space? And so actually the the right solution is is probably one of the most difficult things to kind of imagine for a lot of pastors. Rich Birch — Right. Aaron Stanski — And, you know, then right behind that is like. What’s it going to cost? Right. Rich Birch — Right. Aaron Stanski — I mean, you know, for the last four or five years, we’ve seen a lot of inflation. We’ve seen a lot of different things happening, like with pricing and stuff. And so what used to be a pretty easy calculation for us as churches now, it feels like it’s a lot foggier as far as like what what things are just going to cost. Rich Birch — Yeah. So I’ve heard church leaders at this this juncture, they start thinking like, okay, like we got to get an architect. Get me the architect, the the person that designed this building 25 years ago. Where are they? Are they still in business? And, you know, we start going down that road. I’m not even really sure what an architect does. Like, I obviously, you you draw things. But, like, help us understand what what is the piece of the puzzle that, like, an architect brings to the table. Aaron Stanski — Right. Rich Birch — And I know that’s, like, a subset of what you guys do. Pretend that I’m, like, super dumb because it’s probably not actually worry about pretending too much there. Explain what that is. What is that service? And is that actually what we need at this juncture? Is that the first question? Like, get the architect. Come in here. Explain that whole thing. Aaron Stanski — Yeah. I mean, well, I think we have to be careful. Sometimes hiring an architect is like picking up a hammer, right? And for a lot of architects who were, you know, traditionally trained and might have like one sort of, you know, viewpoint of the world. Like their job is to come in and draw something new um that’s going to sort of solve your problem. The challenge with that is a lot of times that architect is just looking for ah one type of solution, ah which is build you something new, add something on. Rich Birch — Right. Aaron Stanski — And they’re looking at it very narrowly through the lens of what the solution is going to be. Rich Birch — Oh, that’s good. Aaron Stanski — And a lot of times they’re not, you know, kind of able to kind of step back and take a look at strategically and say, okay, before we start drawing plans and blueprints and some of those sorts of things, let’s really talk about like what’s going really well at your church and how are we going to amplify what you’re already doing well? How are we going to add some, you know, some pieces around it? And then of course, how are we going to fix some of the big, you know, some of the bigger problems? Aaron Stanski — So an architect technically, right? I mean, it’s a licensed professional. Their job is to lead your organization through the process from the very beginning all the way through the stages of design. Their job is to make sure that the solution is aligned with your with who you are as an organization and your budget. And they’re supposed to help all the way through construction, making sure that it gets built the way that it was designed and and that it gets you know all the questions get answered and that it’s ultimately safe. Aaron Stanski — So that’s what an architect does. I think the I think the thing that we miss a little bit on the front end is in order for the architect to start, we really need kind of need to know what the scope of the work is and the budget first. Rich Birch — So good. Okay. Okay. Good. Aaron Stanski — If we don’t put those two guardrails on the left and the right-hand side, we’re really missing out. The left-hand side should be scope. The right-hand side should be budget. And we should nail those down before we get going into designing. Rich Birch — Okay. I want to unpack that because I know, I actually texted you recently. Friends, getting you behind the scenes a little bit. I had a friend of mine, they had done exactly what we talked about here. They were like, we went and hired an architect to help with this thing. And they came back with a ginormous number um that was like, I would say a factor, you know, three or four times what I thought. And what do I know? I don’t know anything. Rich Birch — And I actually think it was these guardrails where they went off off on it. They didn’t start with scope and budget. They started with, hey, here’s a problem, architect – solve it for us. And they came back with this, you know, very incredible initial drawing and all that. Rich Birch — Talk us through how do we nail down scope and budget from the beginning? Talk us through what does that look like? Aaron Stanski — Yeah, so I would say, ah you know, you want to find a ministry partner who’s going to come in and really kind of help ah flesh out some of those pieces, really understand what’s working well, what’s not working well, what’s missing, where do we have to clarify what it is that we’re doing in order so to sort of establish that. And and there’s ah there’s a lot of great partners out there who can help you do that. But you’re really looking for someone in the building/design/construction space who has experience who has a lot of experience, honestly, with churches and understands what it means to, you know, serve people who’ve been part of your church for 20, 30 years and keep them on mission and disciple them up, as well as welcoming people who are walking into your doors for the very first time. Aaron Stanski — So at Risepointe, we walk through a process called The Needs Analysis, where we get on site with, you know, a church for an entire day and understand their DNA and really understand what’s working and not working and stuff. And we start with that so that we can sketch out some ideas and some concepts and stuff around what is the what is the scope of work that’s going to solve the problem or fix the lid or add the seats that we need? And what’s the budget that we feel like God’s calling us to spend as a church in order to go do that? And we want to start with that before we jump into full architecture. Rich Birch — Okay, so sidebar question. Is it possible for someone to help us at this early kind of scoping phase without doing some sort of on-site? Like, can I just call an architect and say, hey, here’s the problem. I need to add a thousand seats. How much is that going to cost? And then they go away and come back with a number. Or, or you know, are is there, yeah, can they do that? Talk us through that. Aaron Stanski — Yeah. I mean, you can. I mean, you can call up Risepointe and I’ll get on the phone with you. The, and, but there’s going to be a range, right? Rich Birch — Okay. Aaron Stanski — And I can say like, Hey, here’s the last 10 churches that we’ve done a thousand seat auditoriums at… Rich Birch — Right. Aaron Stanski — …and here’s kind of the range and stuff. The problem with shortcutting to that is you miss a lot of things, right? Each jurisdiction is different, like how the civil engineering works, the parking requirements and stuff. Rich Birch — Right. Good. Yep. Aaron Stanski — And those really affect the budget. And so we want to understand those first. And the second thing is, I mean, every church that we work with is and incredibly unique in the people that they’re reaching, and the values that those people have and whether they’re de-churched or unchurched and and who they’re running into and and stuff. And so really kind of understanding that context is so important um before we jump into, you know, sort of solution. Aaron Stanski — But yeah, I mean, since we work with churches all over the country, I mean, if someone called me up, I could probably, I could probably put my thumb in the air and give them a ah swag on what that might cost. Rich Birch — Yeah. And I would, you know, it’s funny because I’ve, I’ve recommended people have asked me those kinds of questions and I always actually say exactly what, you know, where you led, which is like, you should call my friend Aaron and, but, but what you should do, get on the, do the like free call or whatever, get on the book a time. But I said, you really should do this Needs Analysis thing. Cause the project that you’re facing is always much larger than you think. Rich Birch — And I would rather people take time, invest the resources upfront and time, frankly, to slow down and say let’s actually understand the question we’re asking before we jump to answers, right? Like what because because we could get this thing wrong and actually that gets to this whole idea of how early is too early. My experience has been people wait too long before they engage with someone like you. They they get into like their third service, fourth service. They’re like, oh gosh, people aren’t going to the fifth service. Maybe we have to figure out how to get more space. Talk us about, you know, what mistakes do we make when we wait too long without engaging with someone like you? Aaron Stanski — Yeah. I mean, I’d say, you know, the thing to keep in mind is that you’re, if you’re the average church that reaches out to Risepointe, you’re somewhere between two and a half and three years away from having any sort of new space. Rich Birch — Wow. Wow. Okay. Aaron Stanski — And that’s on the short end. We have churches who are bringing new space online five years after they’ve reached out to us because they’re, they live in downtown areas… Rich Birch — Wow. Aaron Stanski — …very challenging jurisdictions and some things like that. Rich Birch — Yep. Aaron Stanski — And so when we’re thinking about when is the right time, I think, yeah, earlier is definitely better. But we have to be careful ah that we’re strategically spending dollars even on the front end, you know, so that we, you know, we’re getting out of it what we need. Aaron Stanski — As leaders, what questions are we asking that we need answers for in order to determine is it the right time to move forward with a building project? Is it a right time to launch a campus or go multi-site or some things like that? Aaron Stanski — If you wait too long, typically what happens is either we’re we’re rushing through the design process to kind of hit the capital campaign stuff and there’s budget misalignment. All of a sudden we thought it might be this, but now this is the actual budget for what it’s going to work. Aaron Stanski — And I think when that happens, there starts to be some vision confusion. You know, we’re looking at solutions that we kind of rushed through and it doesn’t feel like we really thought all of those things through. And so I think that’s another one. Aaron Stanski — And then I just think, you know, there’s there’s some missed ministry opportunities if if we kind of wait too long. I think a lot of times when we’re planning out, here’s the multiple phases of how we develop this campus and expand it. You know, we miss out on opportunities to go get some smaller things done sooner… Rich Birch — That’s good. Aaron Stanski — …capture momentum, you you know, fix the welcome center, like invest some dollars in something we know we’re not going to tear down, make it better for guests in a couple months. And we miss out on those things if we don’t have a bigger, more strategic plan. Rich Birch — Oh, that’s good. Yeah, kind of a step back and say, hey, how does this fit into where everything that’s going on? Rich Birch — What would be kind of double clicking on that? What would be some indicators internally that would say, hey, um you know, these things are happening. I should really reach out to Risepointe. What would be some of the things that you would see as telltale signs that it’s now a time to to kind of take this step? Aaron Stanski — Yeah. I mean, I think if we’re, you know, if we’re really pushing towards our, those max numbers at our primary service, I think that’s a, that’s definitely an early indicator. Aaron Stanski — A lot of churches just kind of reach out and say, Hey, okay, here’s, here’s kind of where we’re at. Here’s where the math is at. Like, can you look at this like from a, like how much kids area should we have? How much lobby space should we have? And we can run some quick math for them and say, Hey, you don’t have any other lids. You’re looking good. You, you probably have a few more years of growth in you. Aaron Stanski — So that would be one. You know i think if ah you know we’re starting to talk about ah adding a third or fourth service, it’s probably a little bit too late, but we should probably get on it sooner than later. Aaron Stanski — And then, you know, one of the, one of the other things too, is just kind of paying attention. It’s easy for us on Sundays to stand on the stage and look out and get a pretty good sense of, are there enough seats? Is there space for me here? And like, we look out and we see some empty chairs. Aaron Stanski — Keep in mind that when you’re coming in from the back of the auditorium, it’s a lot harder to see some of those empty chairs. Rich Birch — That’s good. Aaron Stanski — And so what is the percentage? But the other thing is the things that we’re not seeing when more when we’re on stage on Sunday is we’re not seeing the parking lot. We’re not seeing the early childhood wing that’s basically a it’s a it’s a disaster back there. There’s kids running around like crazy. Rich Birch — Yes. Yes. Aaron Stanski — And so even if we’re ah even if we have enough seats, like or we’re not at the 80 or 90 percent capacity to our primary service. We need to be looking out at some of these other areas and making sure that there’s not a lid somewhere else. Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good. Yeah. In fact, I literally just last weekend said that to a church. I was, you know, I was doing a weekend visit where I was on site and all that stuff. And, and it, to me, it felt like the building, the parking, and the kids, and the main auditorium, they, or the adult auditorium, they just didn’t match. It was like they, the three were out of alignment. And I think they had enough kids, but you know, I don’t know. There was, it’s interesting how that can happen. And you know the lead pastor typically is seeing um only the adult room and not you know not anything else. Rich Birch — Early on, you know there’s my experience has been and projects that have been a part of that I would rather spend money as personally as a leader. I’m not saying, friends, if you’re listening in, that you need to necessarily do this. Rich Birch — I would rather spend money on the front end with a designer like you. Because because the joke I’ve made is it’s a lot cheaper to move walls on drawings than it is in in the real world. And I’ve that comes from pain of building stuff… Aaron Stanski — It’s true. Yeah. Rich Birch — …of building stuff, and then being literally I opened up a new facility and then stood there with a kids ministry person. And the kids ministry person was like, oh, I didn’t think it was going to look like this. I was like, oh my goodness, what what are you talking about? Aaron Stanski — Shoot. Rich Birch — Like, we just opened this new facility. Talk us through, like, what’s an investment on the front end to reach out to someone like you? Aaron Stanski — Sure. Rich Birch — How do you help churches see that hiring someone like you can actually save us resources in the long haul? Talk us through that. Aaron Stanski — Yeah. I mean, starting out at the beginning and getting really clear about where we’re going and how we’re going to get there, it really helps us, you know, cart and like make sure we don’t overbuild or underbuild. Rich Birch — That’s good. Aaron Stanski — It makes sure that like compared to all the other churches that we’re working with all over the country, that we’re in alignment with where the square footage is at and it’s aligned with how you do ministry locally, how you use these spaces seven days a week. Aaron Stanski — And so it’s it’s really making sure that we’re not overbuilding or underbuilding anywhere because that’s ah you know that’s a huge that’s a huge miss if we do that. And that’s probably one of the biggest cost savings. Aaron Stanski — The other thing is you know during you know during sort of that season of vision and master planning and when we’re talking to our folks about what God’s doing at the church and we’re telling stories of life change, like we’re really kind of laying out a vision for what God is calling us to do as a ministry. And people just naturally have questions around like, like, how is this going to help? And and how is this actually going to help us reach my lost coworker, my lost neighbor? Rich Birch — That’s good. Aaron Stanski — And, and so I think, you know, spending the time to do that, really translating sort of the mission and vision into physical space needs and producing some of those renderings that accompany that story. I mean, that’s just a really critical part. Rich Birch — Okay, so let’s double click on that. That’s that I feel like I have been caught in this situation where I get I get like, it’s the hammer and nail thing you you say. Like, I’m I’m pretty sure I know what the solution is. Aaron Stanski — Yeah. Rich Birch — Like, let’s go do this. And I like that what you’re saying is like, hey, we need to take a step back and like actually think through how does this fit in our vision and how’s that all? How do you actually do that? How do you help a leadership team discern what the problem is that they’re really needing to solve, or should be solving, rather than just let’s build a bigger box. Or, I know! We just need 25 new parking spots. Like how do we not jump too quickly to that? What’s that look like? Aaron Stanski — Yeah. I mean, it looks like, you know, spending time. Rich Birch — Good. And and, really getting to know them and what makes them unique. Like we have a fantastic set of tools that we use at Risepointe to like really talk about, you know, let’s talk about, uh, outside the walls, right? Like who, who are we called to reach? And, and what does it mean to do ministry in this place that God has uniquely put your church in the geographic area? Rich Birch — That’s good. Aaron Stanski — And let’s talk about the tension between this side of town and that side of town. And let’s, you know, let’s wrestle with, you know, some of those issues. And then let’s, and then let’s talk about like, like, man, who are we as a church on our best day? And what does it feel like when we’re like living up to our full potential? Aaron Stanski — And then we even get into some of the things around like, man, what are what are some of the strategic drivers? What’s driving more people hearing about Jesus? What’s working really well? What do you see as opportunities or things that where if you had the right leader or finances that you’d be able to you know, accomplish even more of your mission. Aaron Stanski — And so by starting there and then starting to work down towards, okay, where is your facility aligned with that with that exercise and where is it misaligned? Okay, let’s unpack that a little bit. And then without getting into ah the solution yet, I want to meet like individually with each you know ministry leader… Rich Birch — That’s good. Aaron Stanski — …talk about what how check-in works and all of those things. Rich Birch — That’s good. Aaron Stanski — And so it’s really sort of this almost like a 360 review of what’s happening between the mission and vision God’s given us, and how are our facilities helping or hindering that mission and vision. Aaron Stanski — And then it just comes down to budget. And so, okay, here are the possible solutions. Here’s what roughly what some of those things are going to cost. And then it’s going to the, going to God in prayer and saying, okay, what are you calling us to do? What are based on these options and trying to figure it out? Rich Birch — I want I want to come back to the budget question in a second. But I’ve I think I probably have stole this off you. I have said to multiple church leaders that like our buildings were built, there was like a philosophical underpinning of the the buildings that we were built with. There was a ministry model that they were built on. Aaron Stanski — Sure. Yeah. Rich Birch — And then there’s been a lag between when we made those decisions, we’ve we built them. Now we’ve been using them for X number of years. And our ministry model may no longer be the same as the building, or probably isn’t actually the same as when the building was built. Rich Birch — What’s your sense on how long that lag time is kind of between the, they they you know, we built something. If we built something more than 10 years ago, you know we probably want to readdress or look at our facilities afresh and say does this actually meet the needs of… Aaron Stanski — Sure. Rich Birch — Because I feel like so many of us are in like the the cramped shoes that just don’t quite fit they work but they don’t quite fitWhat do you think that lag time is? Aaron Stanski — Yeah. I mean, the lag time is getting shorter and shorter. Rich Birch — Okay. Aaron Stanski — It used to be, you know, it probably used to be 40 or 50 years… Rich Birch — Right. Aaron Stanski — …you know, without major ministry model shifts and stuff. Obviously, you know, Willow Creek, North Point, you know, coming onto of the scene in the in the late 90s and stuff really shifted. We have churches all the way up into the 2000s, even into the 2010s that sort of copied the model of the Willow Creeks and some of those things. And I think we’re seeing, you know, we’re seeing the model shifting a lot faster now. Rich Birch — Interesting. Aaron Stanski — I’d say, you know, you know, we’re probably in a faster 10 to 20 year cycle, something like that. But I think we’re coming out of the, you know, the, you know, that model of Willow Creek and North Point and stuff. And we’re, we’re moving into a new season. And it’s kind of exciting for us. Rich Birch — Yeah. Aaron Stanski — I mean, we get to, we get to sit on the front edge of all of that. Churches like in fantastic places, being creative, reaching, you know, people for Christ. And so it’s just interesting to kind of observe some of those things and, um and observe what’s working really well and, and where it we can improve, you know? Rich Birch — Yeah. You’re baiting me. What are those things that you’ve seen that have shifted? There’s got to be, or is that the magic? We got to call Aaron to find out. Aaron Stanski — No, you don’t have to call Aaron. No, I mean, the thing, I mean, like, you know, I heard someone share this with me recently, right? I mean, every Netflix account homepage is different for every person, all billion subscribers or whatever that they have. Rich Birch — Right. Aaron Stanski — They’re individually tailored to to those individuals. And I know that because when I had a bunch of seventh grade boys spend the night at my house, like my algorithm got so messed up on my Netflix account last weekend. Rich Birch — Love it. Love it. Aaron Stanski — But I think there is a shift away from you know some of the bigger, more institutional types of look and feel and trying to get down to, okay, how are we engaging one-on-one with people who are walking in and where they’re at. Rich Birch — That’s good. Aaron Stanski — How do we, you know, instead of preach a sermon at them, how do we hear their story? And what does it look like for us to hear their story in in various places, whether that’s a welcome center, whether that’s, ah you know, side by side in the pew, whether that’s in sort of a first steps class. And so there’s a shift on that side of things… Rich Birch — Yep. Yeah, that’s interesting. Aaron Stanski — …just like as we look at the next generation and how we engage and reach the next generation. Rich Birch — Okay, I want to loop back on the money question. So for folks that don’t know, a part of what I do is actually help churches with that. And don’t really talk about it publicly, but I do. And, you know, there is this interesting tension that churches often come to this. It’s like we think we’re different than our ourselves. Rich Birch — And that if I was going to go build a new house, I would have to start with, well, how much income do I have? And like, what can the, you know, what can the, you know, what what would the what would the bank give me from a mortgage point of view? Like I start with reality around my finances. But so many churches start with, let’s build this giant thing. And it’s totally disconnected from the from what we could actually afford to either raise or carry long-term. Rich Birch — How much variance can a church bring to a design? Like if they upfront are defining, Hey, like we can afford probably 5 million. I know I’ve got $35 million dollars in dreams or maybe not. That’s, that’s too crazy. I got $15 million dollars in dreams. Is it possible for me to, to actually get that into a tighter box? Help us understand how do we do that? How do we on the front end be realistic with our finances as we’re doing this design thing? Aaron Stanski — Yeah, I mean, I think we have to with open hands, we have to hold out the, you know, the dreams, the vision, you know, the stuff that God’s given us. And we have to prayerfully sort of go through that exercise and say, okay, ah but how much risk do I want to introduce into the organization, like via debt? Rich Birch — Right. Aaron Stanski — What what is God actually calling us to do with those things? And we have to be creative in how we and and how we get across the finish line. I think when I when I hear sometimes a senior pastor sharing with me his $35 million dollars vision, Rich… Rich Birch — Yes, yes, yes. Aaron Stanski — …what I immediately try to do is say, okay, talk to me about what it is about that $35 million dollar thing that’s resonating with you. Rich Birch — Oh, that’s good. That’s good. Aaron Stanski — And so even though he’s describing something that’s $35 million, dollars and as an architect, I might get really excited about drawing $35 million dollars worth of stuff. Rich Birch — Yes. Aaron Stanski — If he actually can’t afford it and can’t raise it, he’s actually not going to go do it. Rich Birch — Right. Aaron Stanski — So I need to go back to that vision and say, okay, what are the pieces in there that are from God, that are ah that are aligned with the mission that his church has and stuff? And I need to contextualize that. And then as an architect, as a designer, I have to turn around and say, okay, with my guardrails in place of budget and scope, how do I express those things… Rich Birch — That’s good. Aaron Stanski — …in the $5 million dollars that God has entrusted our church with? And so there’s going to be a lot of difficult decisions along the way. We’re going to have to prioritize some things. And some other things might have to go on the back burner. But that’s the process that we want to help churches walk through um to to get them to that point where they’re walking into a space for the first time and going, oh, man, this feels like us. Like this is this is who God wants us to be in our community. And I’m so excited about doing ministry in this new space. Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good. So it’s it’s not, from what I hear you saying, it’s not unreasonable on the front end to be like, hey, we should actually bring, like, be clear on this is this is what we think we can actually raise. This is that what we think we can carry. We think we could do a project of X, whatever. And that needs to be early on in the discussion rather than we’re disappointed on the back end. Oh my goodness, we got this this big number and we don’t know what to do with it. Aaron Stanski — Yeah, I like to be doing it simultaneously. I like to be doing the Needs Analysis and working through, okay, here’s the eight different project options. You can relocate and spend $35 million. You can add on. You can you can do this. All right, here’s your here’s your four options, $10, $8, $6, $4 million dollars And at the same time, I like to encourage churches to like, okay, go talk to someone like yourself… Rich Birch — Yep. Aaron Stanski — …and say, okay, what do we think we could raise if we did a capital campaign? How much debt do we currently have? How do our elders feel about us you know borrowing some money if it if it makes a bigger impact on the project? Because if we can bring those two things together and pray through it and get clarity from God about what he’s asking us to do, then I can go ah help draw buildings and blueprints and things like that. Rich, you can help them raise some money and they and we can you know we can go through that process. Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s so good. Yeah, it’s great. And you know, my experience has been every one of those steps, friends, is, it’s a lot of work. It’s, it’s like a, it’s a faith ah stretching experience. There are late, late nights staring at the ceiling, but every one of those I’ve been a part of, literally 100% of them have been transformative in the life of the church. You know, when they, when you look back, you’re like, wow, that was an inflection point. I am so glad we went through that. It wasn’t this like we did that and I was like, man, that wasn’t such so good in the end. It was really was amazing. Rich Birch — Well, there’s a resource that you’ve provided. It’s called 10 Things to Get ah Right Before You Build. Talk to us about this resource and then and then where can where can we want to make sure people get this. Tell us tell us a little bit about this. Aaron Stanski — Yeah, I mean, like with, you know, church, hundreds of churches calling us, you know, every year, asking a lot of the questions that we’ve talked about today. Like we tried to distill down what are the most common things the churches are like, okay, pause real quick. I got to go do something real fast before we decide that we can sort of move forward. And so some of these things are what happens like while you’re talking to Risepointe and some of these things might be before. But I think it’s just kind of a helpful reminder and ah a thoughtful list to kind of work through. Aaron Stanski — And so if that’s helpful at all, or if that’s interesting at all, um you can just go to risepointe.com/unseminary. And a little ah little landing page will pop up there. There’s two things you can do on that page. The first one is to just give us your name and your email there and sign up and get that 10 things to download. Aaron Stanski — I also threw another button on there this morning in case you’re like, hey, that sounds great, but I’ve got I’ve got a specific question I have about our building. Or like, I actually really need to talk to you guys about what our options are. And so I put another button down there at the bottom. If you want to schedule a call with myself or one of our architects, we’d love to hop on the phone with you. No charge for that. 30 minutes. Just kind of talk through where you’re at, what some of your questions are and see if we might be able to help. So ah once again, that’s risepointe.com/unseminary. And you can get all that, all that stuff right there. Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s fantastic. That’s risepointe.com/unseminary. And friends, I’ve had multiple friends in ministry who have engaged with with Aaron across the entire spectrum. The like free 30 minute thing all the way up through, you know, the kind of full deal, help get a whole project out the door. And and just so happy with the work that Risepointe does. And just has been transformative for their churches. So you get a hearty endorsement from me. You really should do that. Again, that’s just risepointe.com/unseminary. You can pick this up. It is a helpful little PDF, and the schedule call is a great thing. Rich Birch — Well, Aaron, I appreciate you being here today. Aaron Stanski — Yeah. Rich Birch — If people want to track with you guys or if they’re anywhere else online, obviously risepointe.com. We want to send them to anywhere else online. We want to we want to send them to. Aaron Stanski — Yeah. I mean, you can always, uh, you know, follow us on the Insta or whatever you want to do there. Rich Birch — Nice. Love it. Aaron Stanski — If you’re into like, you know, cool pictures of like steel being erected, ah or, uh, kids ministry stuff or pictures and stuff, we’re trying to share a little bit more info there. But yeah, I mean, or just our website and, uh, yeah, stay connected. Rich Birch — That’s so good. Thanks for being here and have a good day, buddy. Aaron Stanski — All right, you too. Bye.
Checkpoint 300, the highly securitized border facility between occupied Bethlehem and Jerusalem, is a central feature of Israeli control of Palestinian land and life. An apparatus of turnstiles, overcrowded corridors, and invasive inspections, the checkpoint regulates the movement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, granting access to some while excluding most. Offering a nuanced exploration of space in Checkpoint 300: Colonial Space in Palestine (U Minnesota Press, 2025), Mark Griffiths reveals Checkpoint 300 as a stark symbol of Israeli colonialism that embodies larger systems of control and violence. Griffiths's sensitive and timely work highlights the myriad ways Palestinians are affected by Israel's spatial control—whether they travel through the checkpoint or not—demonstrating how colonial infrastructures of inequity extend far beyond their physical boundaries to shape daily life. Drawing on nearly a decade of fieldwork, Griffiths examines how colonial power infiltrates family dynamics, enforces gendered mobility restrictions, shapes local economies, and extends into the global exchange of capital and security technologies. He also underscores how Palestinians endure and resist under oppressive conditions and how indigenous forms of life and living are sustained, illuminating how colonial space is contested and countered, unmade and remade. Blending meticulous research with vivid human stories to show the lived realities of borders, power, and resistance in the West Bank, Checkpoint 300 portrays the checkpoint as an entry into the ways that colonial space is formed through security infrastructure that is both the product and producer of wider geographies of oppression, complicity, and control. Mark Griffiths is reader in political geography at Newcastle University. He is coeditor of Encountering Palestine: Un/making Spaces of Colonial Violence. Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. YouTube channel. Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
Landscapers! Learn how to build a killer annual strategic plan for your business at our free web class on December 9. Spaces are limited, so save your spot now. https://trybta.com/CE-SPL-Dec9Get your free communication resource bundle here: https://trybta.com/DL249To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP249 How much money have you lost to unclear instructions, buried emails, and missed change orders? Poor communication is a hidden cash flow destroyer EVERY contractor falls victim to, but no one really talks about.In today's episode of Contractor Evolution, Danny is joined by CompanyCam founder Luke Hansen and two high performing contractors for a roundtable discussion on how to invest in clear (and profitable) communication across your organization.You'll learn:⚙️ Real world systems for keeping your crews, project managers and clients all on the same page
This, through the lens of puzzles and art supplies and small groupings of furniture.
Checkpoint 300, the highly securitized border facility between occupied Bethlehem and Jerusalem, is a central feature of Israeli control of Palestinian land and life. An apparatus of turnstiles, overcrowded corridors, and invasive inspections, the checkpoint regulates the movement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, granting access to some while excluding most. Offering a nuanced exploration of space in Checkpoint 300: Colonial Space in Palestine (U Minnesota Press, 2025), Mark Griffiths reveals Checkpoint 300 as a stark symbol of Israeli colonialism that embodies larger systems of control and violence. Griffiths's sensitive and timely work highlights the myriad ways Palestinians are affected by Israel's spatial control—whether they travel through the checkpoint or not—demonstrating how colonial infrastructures of inequity extend far beyond their physical boundaries to shape daily life. Drawing on nearly a decade of fieldwork, Griffiths examines how colonial power infiltrates family dynamics, enforces gendered mobility restrictions, shapes local economies, and extends into the global exchange of capital and security technologies. He also underscores how Palestinians endure and resist under oppressive conditions and how indigenous forms of life and living are sustained, illuminating how colonial space is contested and countered, unmade and remade. Blending meticulous research with vivid human stories to show the lived realities of borders, power, and resistance in the West Bank, Checkpoint 300 portrays the checkpoint as an entry into the ways that colonial space is formed through security infrastructure that is both the product and producer of wider geographies of oppression, complicity, and control. Mark Griffiths is reader in political geography at Newcastle University. He is coeditor of Encountering Palestine: Un/making Spaces of Colonial Violence. Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. YouTube channel. Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/political-science
Checkpoint 300, the highly securitized border facility between occupied Bethlehem and Jerusalem, is a central feature of Israeli control of Palestinian land and life. An apparatus of turnstiles, overcrowded corridors, and invasive inspections, the checkpoint regulates the movement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, granting access to some while excluding most. Offering a nuanced exploration of space in Checkpoint 300: Colonial Space in Palestine (U Minnesota Press, 2025), Mark Griffiths reveals Checkpoint 300 as a stark symbol of Israeli colonialism that embodies larger systems of control and violence. Griffiths's sensitive and timely work highlights the myriad ways Palestinians are affected by Israel's spatial control—whether they travel through the checkpoint or not—demonstrating how colonial infrastructures of inequity extend far beyond their physical boundaries to shape daily life. Drawing on nearly a decade of fieldwork, Griffiths examines how colonial power infiltrates family dynamics, enforces gendered mobility restrictions, shapes local economies, and extends into the global exchange of capital and security technologies. He also underscores how Palestinians endure and resist under oppressive conditions and how indigenous forms of life and living are sustained, illuminating how colonial space is contested and countered, unmade and remade. Blending meticulous research with vivid human stories to show the lived realities of borders, power, and resistance in the West Bank, Checkpoint 300 portrays the checkpoint as an entry into the ways that colonial space is formed through security infrastructure that is both the product and producer of wider geographies of oppression, complicity, and control. Mark Griffiths is reader in political geography at Newcastle University. He is coeditor of Encountering Palestine: Un/making Spaces of Colonial Violence. Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. YouTube channel. Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/middle-eastern-studies
Checkpoint 300, the highly securitized border facility between occupied Bethlehem and Jerusalem, is a central feature of Israeli control of Palestinian land and life. An apparatus of turnstiles, overcrowded corridors, and invasive inspections, the checkpoint regulates the movement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, granting access to some while excluding most. Offering a nuanced exploration of space in Checkpoint 300: Colonial Space in Palestine (U Minnesota Press, 2025), Mark Griffiths reveals Checkpoint 300 as a stark symbol of Israeli colonialism that embodies larger systems of control and violence. Griffiths's sensitive and timely work highlights the myriad ways Palestinians are affected by Israel's spatial control—whether they travel through the checkpoint or not—demonstrating how colonial infrastructures of inequity extend far beyond their physical boundaries to shape daily life. Drawing on nearly a decade of fieldwork, Griffiths examines how colonial power infiltrates family dynamics, enforces gendered mobility restrictions, shapes local economies, and extends into the global exchange of capital and security technologies. He also underscores how Palestinians endure and resist under oppressive conditions and how indigenous forms of life and living are sustained, illuminating how colonial space is contested and countered, unmade and remade. Blending meticulous research with vivid human stories to show the lived realities of borders, power, and resistance in the West Bank, Checkpoint 300 portrays the checkpoint as an entry into the ways that colonial space is formed through security infrastructure that is both the product and producer of wider geographies of oppression, complicity, and control. Mark Griffiths is reader in political geography at Newcastle University. He is coeditor of Encountering Palestine: Un/making Spaces of Colonial Violence. Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. YouTube channel. Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory
WarRoom Battleground EP 901: Parents For Safe Online Spaces: Stopping The AI Manipulation
Matt and Tyler embark on a first ever episode over Twitter Spaces, recapping the Feast Weeks for Dayton, VCU and George Mason, before fielding questions about scheduling, Duquesne's defense, Travis Ford and more.Follow us on Twitter! @3BidLeaguePodEmail: 3bidleague@gmail.com
Steve Griggs is a New York–based landscape designer and author of Straight Dirt, known for transforming backyards, rooftops, and estates into lifestyle-driven outdoor sanctuaries. A two-time Inc. 5000 honoree, he blends engineering, plant science, and artistry to create spaces that tell your story. Connect with Steve Website: https://stevegriggsdesign.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevegriggsdesign/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SteveGriggsDesign Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/stevegriggsdsgn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ3rPHh3yC3FgzQ_nw9xenw Houzz: https://www.houzz.com/pro/stevegriggsdesign/stevegriggsdesign-com
In this episode, I share the ‘Energy Update' for December 2025.December feels like a super potent portal for energetic change and closure before we start the new 9-year cycle in 2026!Some of the themes and messages that came through:‘Unlocking' energy Pockets of high vibrational lightCleaning and getting things organizedFinding balance Clearing the way for new abundanceThe closing of chaptersIf you're feeling called to deeper support:Spaces are now open for private mentoring (3 and 6 month containers - application only) and a brand new one-off Quantum Manifestation Session (only 5 spaces available for December).If you feel the call to work with me 1:1 as you step into this powerful new chapter, find all the info here: https://yourquantumlife.myflodesk.com/mentorship And join me for a free live masterclass!'The Magic of You' - Saturday, December 6th at 11am PST Sign up here: https://yourquantumlife.myflodesk.com/themagicofyou Xo BonnieInstagram: @yourquantumlife | @bonniempiesse Youtube: @yourquantumlifewithbonnie
Agoraphobia. Is it fear of open spaces? Do people with agoraphobia always fear open spaces? What even is agoraphobia and how to I overcome it?This week we're looking at the complexities of agoraphobia, exploring its definitions, connections to panic disorder, and the fear of open spaces. We're sharing some personal experiences and insights on how navigate through these challenges, emphasizing the importance of exposure therapy (what a surprise) and understanding that specific triggers mostly don't matter. We also include a few great did-it-anyways, including flying with an anxiety disorder, a primary fear for many struggling with agoraphobia.TakeawaysAgoraphobia is the fear of losing control outside of a safe zone.Many agoraphobics plan their lives around safe zones.Distance does not equate to increased anxiety; it's about perception.For some, wide open spaces can trigger feelings of anxiety and fearHypervigilance makes it difficult to cope in unfamiliar environments.Exposure therapy is essential for overcoming agoraphobia.Specific triggers (like open spaces) are largely irrelevant in the recovery equation.Anxiety can distort perceptions of safety and control.---Want a way to ask questions about this episode or interact with Josh, Drew, and other Disordered listeners? The Disordered app is nearing release! Visit our home page and get on our mailing list for more information..---Struggling with worry and rumination that you feel you can't stop or control? Check out Worry and Rumination Explained, a two hour pre-recorded workshop produced by Josh and Drew. The workshop takes a deep dive into the mechanics of worrying and ruminating, offering some helpful ways to approach the seemingly unsolvable problem of trying to solve seemingly unsolvable problems.-----Send in a question, comment or Did-It-Anyway that we might use on Disordered.
Daniel and I are back after a little hiatus to bring you our long awaited Carbon Bros mailbag episode. We received so many interesting responses from people around the world. Thanks for sharing your stories, sparking ideas, and raising pivotal questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices