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In this episode of the Innovating Together Podcast, host Bridget Burns spotlights one of the most inspiring leadership journeys in the University Innovation Alliance's history: Dr. Ryan Goodwin. A member of the UIA's inaugural Fellows cohort, Dr. Goodwin reflects on his evolution from a fresh post-grad working out of a closet office at UCF to now serving as Senior Assistant Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Chief of Staff in UCF's largest division.Listeners will hear how the UIA Fellows Program laid the foundation for Dr. Goodwin's extraordinary career: shaping policy, leading advising reform, and helping UCF make student success its top strategic priority. His story illustrates the power of believing in people early, investing in collaboration, and the transformative impact of empowering others to lead. From pioneering one of the largest advising reforms in the country to cutting student-to-coach ratios in half and dramatically improving graduation rates, this conversation highlights how incremental, daily efforts can create breakthroughs.Key Takeaways:Great change comes from consistent small steps, not one-time innovations.Investing in early-career professionals unlocks scalable, long-term impact.UIA's Fellows Program is a powerful pipeline for future higher ed leaders.Cross-functional collaboration and bold risk-taking are essential to institutional transformation.Student success isn't a strategy, it's a culture.“Transformation isn't a single stroke of genius. It's the daily intentional efforts to drive forward, to innovate, and to uplift those around you.” — Dr. Ryan GoodwinLearn more about the UIA by visiting:WebsiteLinkedInTwitterYouTubeFacebookThis week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here.
Today's guest is Liz Stein, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Certified Collision Group, one of the largest networks of independent, OEM-certified repairers in the country. CCG is known for helping its members obtain, maintain, and—critically—maximize the value of their certifications. During our conversation, we'll dig into how CCG supports shops in building a certification game plan, what independent operators can learn from that approach, and how certification can be much more than a credential—it can be a driver of long-term business growth. Connect with Liz: Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-stein-77412850/ Website: https://certifiedcg.com/https://certifiedcg.com/ This episode is sponsored by: asTech asTech is dedicated to safety, precision, and innovation in vehicle diagnostics. With industry-leading scanning and calibration solutions, asTech ensures every repair meets OEM standards, enhancing safety and customer satisfaction. Continuously testing and scanning new vehicles, asTech refines its technology to stay ahead of modern repair challenges. A tool stack covering 40+ brands and a network of 400+ ASE and I-CAR certified technicians provide fast, accurate diagnostics that maximize efficiency. asTech—driven by precision, powered by safety. Visit https://astech.com/ today or call 1-888-486-1166.
A Return With Purpose: Dr. Bob Lutz's New Chapter at CedarvilleDr. Bob Lutz's journey starts in the quiet stretch between Noblesville and Anderson, Indiana. He grew up in a pastor's home, where faith was woven into everyday life — where church softball games and pickup basketball shared space with Scripture and community. It was there, in the ordinary rhythms of life, that Bob first encountered the extraordinary grace of God.When it came time to choose a college, Cedarville University rose to the top. Not just for its academics but for something deeper: a place where biblical truth and real community came together in a meaningful way. That draw — of faith, purpose, and belonging — was strong. And it set Bob on a path that's now come full circle.Today, Bob has stepped into a new role as Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at Cedarville. For him, it's more than a title — it's an opportunity to help guide a university he deeply believes in. One of his key focuses is expanding online programs, and although some might wonder if going digital risks losing the heart of what makes Cedarville special, Bob doesn't see it that way.He's talked to students, listened closely, and what he's heard has only strengthened his resolve. They know the value of being on campus, but they also see how an online experience — when done well — can still carry the same Cedarville DNA: academic excellence, biblical grounding, and intentional community.What gives him the greatest hope? It's the same thing that drew him to Cedarville in the first place — the belief that God works powerfully through simple, faithful things: the teaching of His Word and the relationships formed around it.With that in mind, Dr. Bob Lutz has stepped into his new role full of vision, grounded in tradition, and confident that God will continue doing extraordinary things through Cedarville's ordinary, faithful work.Hear directly from Bob's heart on this week's episode of the Cedarville Stories podcast.https://share.transistor.fm/s/fa282d22https://youtu.be/PRhom-s_Fug
In part two of The Journey Beyond Death begins a powerful three-part arc on Mental Health Resiliency. In this deeply honest and emotionally raw episode, we explore how the grieving mind struggles to stay grounded after the loss of someone irreplaceable — and what survivors can do to regain emotional equilibrium. Certified grief educator and thanatologist Elreacy Dock joins us to offer expert insight on the early stages of grief and the emotional turbulence that can last for years. Elreacy shares why year two is often more emotionally taxing than year one, and how avoiding emotions too long can trigger delayed grief and breakdowns. We also discuss the dangers of using substances to suppress grief, and instead offer healthier rituals that restore stability and self-expression. Joining Elreacy are Carole Brody Fleet, Joyce Hocker, and Mark Henick — all of whom bring unique expertise and lived experience. From suicide prevention and emotional sobriety to reclaiming identity after widowhood, this episode offers guidance that is fiercely compassionate and unapologetically real. Mental health isn't about “getting over” death. It's about learning how to live beside the wound. --------------------------------------- Featuring in order of appearance: 01:00 – Certified Grief Educator Elreacy Dock 09:54 – Carole Brody Fleet 27:18 – Psychologist Dr. Joyce Hocker 38.52 - Mark Henick --------------------------------------- Elreacy Dock Elreacy Dock is a certified grief educator, thanatologist, behavioral health consultant, and death educator. She serves as Chair of the Thanatology Department at Capstone University, where she designed a graduate-level program in grief studies. Trained by renowned grief expert David Kessler, Elreacy combines academic depth with compassionate support for those experiencing loss. She is also a published co-author of Integrated Healthcare: Applications for Social Work, and her work has been featured in major outlets such as Vogue, Newsweek, and Harper's Bazaar Arabia. website: www.elreacydock.com. --------------------------------------- Carole Brody Fleet Carole Brody Fleet is the multi-award winning author of the forthcoming book, “Loss is a Four-Letter Word…” (HCI Books, September, 2018); as well as the #1 release in its genre, “When Bad Things Happen to Good Women…” (Viva Editions). She is also the author of “Happily EVEN After… “(Viva Editions); winner of the prestigious Books for a Better Life Award, one of the top national awards in publishing; as well as the critically praised, national bestseller, “Widows Wear Stilettos…” (New Horizon Press). Carole is additionally the author and executive producer of the best selling spoken-word CD, entitled, “Widows Wear Stilettos: What Now?”. Website: http://www.widowswearstilettos.com/ --------------------------------------- Joyce Hocker Joyce Hocker, Ph.D., a former professor at the University of Montana, is the author of Interpersonal Conflict, used in more than 250 colleges and universities and now in its 10th edition. Now semi-retired, Hocker teaches in the Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Montana, and at Red Willow Learning Center, a nonprofit in Missoula, which supports resilience in people who suffer difficult life experiences. Her latest book is The Trail to Tincup. Website: http://www.redwillowlearning.org/ --------------------------------------- Mark Henick With over three and a half million views, Mark Henick's TEDx talk, “Why We Choose Suicide,” is among the most watched in the world. His story of searching for “the man in the light brown jacket” who saved his life from a teenage suicide attempt captured global attention, and when he learned of products being sold on Amazon that promoted suicide, his successful online petition to have them removed garnered tens of thousands of signatures. As the National Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), his talks are informed by his direct experience with stigma and the mental health care system, and he has dedicated his life from an early age to opening minds and creating change. Henick brings his diverse and unique perspective to every audience, as someone who has been a patient, a professional, and a policy influencer in the mental health system. Website: https://markhenick.com/ ---------------------------------------
Content Warning: This episode discusses topics related to suicide, self-harm, mental health, gun violence, and death, which may be distressing for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised. In honor of Mental Health Month, Philanthropy Speaks presents a powerful conversation featuring CFGF President & CEO Dan Kildee, community advocate and nurse Tarnesa Martin ("Nurse T"), and host Moses Bingham, CFGF Director of Strategic Initiatives. Together, they open up about mental health struggles and the far-reaching impact of gun violence in our community. Dan Kildee shares his personal journey with mental health and how the effects of gun violence have shaped his life, offering insight into the resources and strategies that have supported his healing. Nurse T draws on her experience at Hurley Medical Center, highlighting community mental health trends and professional resources available. Learn more about the Community Foundation of Greater Flint at cfgf.org and Hurley Medical Center at hurleymc.com. If you are having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for a list of additional resources.Support the show
On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber and Israel Policy Forum Director of Strategic Initiatives and IPF Atid Shanie Reichman discuss the resignation of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, the legal and political battle over Bar's firing by Prime Minister Netanyahu, the prospects for a new hostage-ceasefire deal in Gaza, the growing concern over the humanitarian situation inside the strip, reflecting on Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut in the second year after October 7, and more. Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.
This live session, taped at SXSW 2025, explores the interplay between higher education and artificial intelligence, delving into how academic institutions are responding to the proliferation of AI in the workplace and economy. Leaders from academia, economic development, and industry discuss how universities and colleges are advancing research and equipping students with the skills to lead in an AI-powered future. From addressing social inequities to preparing cities for the economy of the future, the conversation highlights the transformative potential of AI when nurtured within higher education, and the tradeoffs that must be made in an education system wired for the past. Guests Alisa Miller, Chief AI Officer, Board Director and Co-founder, Pluralytics, Aletheia Marketing and Media; Board Chair, Lumina Foundation John McDonald, Head of Strategic Initiatives, Tulsa Innovation Labs Julie Schell, Assistant Vice Provost of Academic Technology and Director of the Office of Academic Technology, University of Texas at Austin
Hello everyone, and welcome to another exciting episode of VR in Education, where we explore how virtual reality is transforming teaching and learning. Today's guest is Andrew Sedillo, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships at NMSU Global Campus. Andrew is a forward-thinking instructional design leader who's redefining how we teach and learn using VR, AI, and microlearning. From crafting immersive, learner-centered courses to empowering educators with practical, hands-on VR design strategies, his work is shaping the future of education in the metaverse. Want to go deeper? Listeners can access Andrew's course on designing instructional experiences in the metaverse and get $50 off with this code: VREDU2025
This discussion features BioSpace's head of insights Lori Ellis, Kearney partner Martin Hadosi, and Melissa Laitner, director of strategic initiatives at the National Academy of Medicine emphasizing the need for collaboration to improve women's health.This discussion features Lori Ellis, Martin Hadosi, and Melissa Laitner, who emphasize the need for collaborative effort across multiple sectors including industry, healthcare organizations, researchers, and patient advocacy groups. Regarding investment challenges, they acknowledge the current difficult economic environment affects all biomedical research, not just women's health specifically.This episode is presented in partnership with DIA, in support of their 2025 Global Annual Meeting taking place June 15-19 in Washington DC.HostLori Ellis, Head of Insights, BioSpaceGuestsMartin Hodosi, Partner, KearneyMelissa Laitner, Director of Strategic Initiatives, National Academy of MedicineDisclaimer: The views expressed in this discussion by guests are their own and do not represent those of their organizations.
In The Space Business is... – the podcast series of The Space Business is Everywhere campaign, underwritten by ST Engineering iDirect – we take a look at the way the commercial space industry has spread itself to parts of the world where space and satellites were once only read about or dreamed of. Each episode will focus on a specific location and features an innovator who is shaping - and reshaping - the industry. In the final episode, we hear from Terry Bleakley, Regional Vice President of the APAC region at ST Engineering iDirect. Terry Bleakley is the regional vice president of the APAC region at ST Engineering iDirect where he is responsible for developing and executing strategies to accelerate the company's revenue growth. Throughout his extensive career, Terry held several senior leadership roles with leading satellite operators. From 2010 to 2023, he served as Regional Vice President for the Asia-Pacific at Intelsat, where he oversaw significant regional initiatives, strengthening the company's presence in the region. Prior to his tenure at Intelsat, he was the Chief Commercial Officer at MEASAT from 2007 to 2010, where he played a critical role in driving the company's commercial growth. Terry's journey in the satellite industry began in 1997 when he moved to Malaysia to join British Telecom. Since then, held senior sales management roles at PanAmSat and Intelsat. More recently, he served as Senior Advisor for Strategic Initiatives at Intelsat and as an advisor to Sky TV New Zealand. He is set to continue his advisory work with SkyPerfect JSAT through late 2024. With strong roots in the APAC region, Terry serves as the President of the Asia Pacific Satellite Communications Council (APSCC), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the satellite ecosystem in the Asia-Pacific region. Since 2023, he has been leading APSCC's efforts to advance satellite communications across one of the world's most dynamic markets. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Victoria University in Wellington and a Diploma in Aviation Studies from Massey University in New Zealand.
Israel Policy Forum Director of Strategic Initiatives and IPF Atid Director Shanie Reichman interviews Yotam Cohen, whose brother, Nimrod, remains in captivity in Gaza. A 20-year-old IDF soldier from Rehovot, Nimrod was serving as a tank gunner on the Gaza border on October 7 when Hamas attacked and dragged him into Gaza. Yotam reflects on the fight to free his brother, his perspective on the Gaza war, and Israel's responsibility to prioritize bringing the hostages home. Follow @bring.nimrod.home and @allhostages on Instagram and support the hostage families' fight to bring their loved ones home.Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.
April 15, 2025 Reducing Gun Violence: How the Community and Police are Working Together – Moderated by: Steve Perkins, MPI Director of Field Instruction – Panelists: Jalon Arthur, Director of Strategic Initiatives, CRED; Glen Brooks, Jr., Director of Community Policing, Chicago Police Department; Elvis Ortega, Lead Liaison for Street Outreach at the City of Chicago […]
What does it take to lead across sectors, clear hurdles, andcultivate possibility — not just for yourself, but for others? In this episode of IngenioUs, we sit down with Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, the first woman to serve as president of Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, andthe first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from her state.President Herseth Sandlin shares her remarkable leadershipjourney, from growing up on a family farm in the Great Plains, to representing South Dakota on Capitol Hill, to now shaping the future of a thriving university. With honesty and wisdom, she reflects on the challenges and opportunities of being a trailblazer — and what it means to turn personalsuccess into collective empowerment.Through stories of transformative change at Augustana,including bold moves like academic restructuring and launching Division I hockey, President Herseth Sandlin reveals the power of leading with courage, compassion, and curiosity. She also offers candid insights on navigating gender dynamics, generational differences, and the evolving landscape of higher education.If you're looking for inspiration on how to lead withauthenticity, build momentum from setbacks, and create lasting impact, this conversation is not to be missed.
In July of 2018, Governor Henry McMaster of South Carolina issued an executive order to terminate the inclusion of Planned Parenthood in the Medicaid program. The Department of Health and Human Services then informed Planned Parenthood that they were no longer qualified to provide services to Medicaid beneficiaries, which prompted lawsuits both from Planned Parenthood and beneficiaries seeking to enforce their right to “free-choice-of-provider,” included in a 1967 Medicaid provision. This case, argued on April 2, asks whether this provision unambiguously confers a private right upon a Medicaid beneficiary to choose a specific provider. Join this Courthouse Steps webinar as we discuss this case and the oral arguments presented in court.Featuring:Eric Wessan, Solicitor General, Iowa Office of the Attorney GeneralModerator: Ryan Bangert, Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives & Special Counsel to the President, Alliance Defending Freedom--To register, click the link above.
This discussion features BioSpace's head of insights Lori Ellis, Kearney partner Martin Hadosi, and Melissa Laitner, director of strategic initiatives at the National Academy of Medicine examining the underrepresentation of women in clinical trials. They stress that rather than waiting for regulatory guidance, the industry should proactively improve trial accessibility and inclusivity, as there's mutual benefit in faster enrollment and more diverse participation.This episode is presented in partnership with DIA, in support of their 2025 Global Annual Meeting taking place June 15-19 in Washington DC.HostLori Ellis, Head of Insights, BioSpaceGuestsMartin Hodosi, Partner, KearneyMelissa Laitner, Director of Strategic Initiatives, National Academy of MedicineDisclaimer: The views expressed in this discussion by guests are their own and do not represent those of their organizations.
This talk explores how the principles and practices of the American public health system can inform and enhance modern cybersecurity strategies. Drawing on insights from our recent CRA Quad Paper, we examine the parallels between public health methodologies and the challenges faced in today's digital landscape. By analyzing historical responses to public health crises, we identify strategies for improving situational awareness, inter-organizational collaboration, and adaptive risk management in cybersecurity. The discussion highlights how lessons from public health can bridge the gap between technical cybersecurity teams and policymakers, fostering a more holistic and effective defense against emerging cyber threats. About the speaker: Josiah Dykstra is the Director of Strategic Initiatives at Trail of Bits. He previously served for 19 years as a senior technical leader at the National Security Agency (NSA). Dr. Dykstra is an experienced cyber practitioner and researcher whose focus has included the psychology and economics of cybersecurity. He received the CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS) fellowship and is one of ten people in the SFS Hall of Fame. In 2017, he received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) from then President Barack Obama. Dr. Dykstra is a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) and a Distinguished Member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). He is the author of numerous research papers, the book Essential Cybersecurity Science (O'Reilly Media, 2016), and co-author of Cybersecurity Myths and Misconceptions (Pearson, 2023). Dr. Dykstra holds a Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
Send us a textHarry Cendrowski is a partner at Prosperity Partners. In 1992 his firm created the first UPREIT (Umbrella Partnership Real Estate Investment Trust). It was developed as a solution to address tax challenges faced by property owners when contributing appreciated real estate to REITs. Specifically, the UPREIT structure allowed property owners to defer capital gains taxes by exchanging their properties for Operating Partnership (OP) units rather than selling them outright, which would trigger taxable events. I'm Moshe Crane connect with me on LinkedIn. My day job is the VP of Branding and Strategic Initiatives at Sage Ventures. Check out my newsletter Zag.Sage Ventures is a commercial real estate firm based in Baltimore, MD. The company buys and operates multifamily rental properties. The company also builds and develops homes that we sell.
Thanks for joining us for this special episode of the unSeminary podcast as we kick off All About Multisite month. In this conversation, we're joined by Rick Langston and Daniel Simmons from The Summit Church in North Carolina. Rick serves as the Executive Pastor of Strategic Initiatives, and Daniel is the Executive Pastor of Campuses […]
Today's speaker is Dr. Bob Lutz, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at Cedarville University. Dr. Lutz challenges us to evaluate our faith to determine if it is genuine or counterfeit. His text is James 2:14-26.
This is an important interview. I've always thought of the political essayist Peter Wehner as representing the conscience of conservative, religious America. Wehner, who writes both for the Atlantic and the New York Times, has been offering a moral critique of Trump's MAGA movement since 2015. And now that many of his direst warnings are being realized, his voice is amongst the most important in America. In this conversation, Wehner, a religious conservative who worked in several Republican administrations, reiterates his moral critique of Trump, explaining how revenge has become an obsessive emotion that is corrupting both MAGA leaders and followers. He expresses concern about how Trump's behavior is "emotionally rewiring" otherwise decent people, and contrasts this with a figure like the Czech dissident Vaclav Havel who stood defiantly for truth in the face of petty, revengeful authoritarianism. Five Key Takeaways from the Wehner Interview* Revenge as Trump's driving force - Wehner identifies revenge as Trump's core motivation, describing it as an insatiable appetite that crowds out noble emotions and justifies destructive actions.* Moral corruption spreads - Wehner warns that Trump's behavior is "emotionally rewiring" his supporters, with many now taking pleasure in cruelty and transgression rather than just tolerating it.* Religious hypocrisy - Wehner expresses deep disappointment in white evangelical Christians' embrace of Trump, noting the contradiction between their professed faith values and their celebration of Trump's cruelty.* Truth-telling as resistance - Inspired by dissidents like Vaclav Havel, Wehner emphasizes that speaking truth is essential resistance to authoritarianism, even when institutions and leaders are capitulating.* Institutional courage matters - Wehner contrasts organizations and leaders who stand firm (like The Atlantic) with those making "deals with the devil" (like The Washington Post), highlighting the importance of courage during this "stress test" for democracy.Peter Wehner, a Senior Fellow at the Trinity Forum, is a contributing Opinion writer for The New York Times and a contributing writer for The Atlantic, two of the most prestigious media journals in the world. He writes on politics and political ideas, on faith and culture, on foreign policy, sports and friendships. Mr. Wehner served in three presidential administrations, including as deputy director of presidential speechwriting for President George W. Bush. Later, he served as the director of the Office of Strategic Initiatives. Mr. Wehner, a graduate of the University of Washington, is editor or author of six books, including The Death of Politics: How to Heal Our Frayed Republic After Trump, which The New York Times called “a model of conscientious political engagements.” Married and the father of three, he lives in McLean, Virginia.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting the daily KEEN ON show, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy interview series. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Litigation & Discovery, and has two grown children.Keen On America is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe
On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber and Israel Policy Forum Director of Strategic Initiatives and IPF Atid Shanie Reichman discuss the Netanyahu government going after the judiciary, the dual firings of the Shin Bet chief and the attorney general, Israel's looming constitutional crisis, the status of the renewed military offensive in Gaza, the protests against Hamas in Gaza, and more. Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.
Martin Hodosi, partner at Kearney and Melissa Laitner, director of strategic initiatives, National Academy of Medicine, join Lori Ellis, head of insights, to discuss the evolution of women's inclusion in clinical trials. They note that while overall representation has improved, significant challenges remain. They highlight how industry mindset has evolved from being protectionist to inclusion.This episode is presented in partnership with DIA, in support of their 2025 Global Annual Meeting taking place June 15-19 in Washington DC.HostLori Ellis, Head of Insights, BioSpaceGuestsMartin Hodosi, Partner, KearneyMelissa Laitner, Director of Strategic Initiatives, National Academy of MedicineDisclaimer: The views expressed in this discussion by guests are their own and do not represent those of their organizations.
In today's episode, recorded at the iconic Windhoek City Museum on Friday, March 21st, 2025, the VA Tourism Podcast sat down for an exclusive conversation with Sebulon Chicalu, the newly appointed CEO of the Namibia Tourism Board. Just hours after the historic inauguration of Namibia's first female president, Chicalu shared his thoughts on the exciting new chapter for the country, highlighting the boost to the destination's brand equity and the momentum it will bring to the board's renewed focus on MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions). In this chat, he outlined his vision for the organization, emphasizing the importance of consolidating core source markets, diversifying products, promoting domestic tourism, and ensuring high-quality standards, among other strategic priorities. A seasoned business strategist with extensive expertise in the travel and tourism sector, Mr Chicalu brings a wealth of experience in tourism product innovation and development. He is also a GALLUP-certified Strengths and Talent Development Coach, a mentor and an expert in employee engagement. His dynamic skill set spans roles as a moderator, negotiator, coordinator and public speaker. Before joining NTB, Mr Chicalu served as the Director of Tourism and Gaming at the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism. Throughout his career, he has been instrumental in developing and launching various hospitality and tourism services, spearheading major business events, and providing strategic leadership in executive management and board-level roles within the tourism and hospitality industries. Academically, he holds a Master of Business Administration (MsM), a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration, and a Diploma in Marketing Management. Additionally, he is certified in Corporate Governance and as a GALLUP Clifton-Strengths Coach.
Send us a textKonrad is the Founder and CEO of ElevateOS. He has a very interesting model for building a platform and now ecosystem for multifamily property management.I'm Moshe Crane connect with me on LinkedIn. My day job is the VP of Branding and Strategic Initiatives at Sage Ventures. Check out my newsletter Zag.Sage Ventures is a commercial real estate firm based in Baltimore, MD. The company buys and operates multifamily rental properties. The company also builds and develops homes that we sell.
Guest: Ryan BangertOrganization: Alliance Defending FreedomPosition: Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives & Special Counsel to the PresidentInterview Location: 2025 National Religious Broadcasters Convention in DallasWebsite: adflegal.org
You're halfway through the spring semester... how many weekends or evenings have you had free recently? How much capacity have you had to invest in the sister relationships that really matter to you between the retreats, workshops, philanthropic fundraisers, and your academics?! Dr. Mari Ann Callais, Sr. Director of Strategic Initiatives for Tri Delta and passionate advocate for over 30 years of the sorority experience, joins Cassie to shed light on what really matters and the shift she has seen in curriculum in the sorority experience. There is power when woman come together, and while she shares how your events play a role in it, we can often fall into the trap of focusing more on the event itself rather than the relationships deepened. Cultivating a space that members feel invited into and want to stay apart of starts when sisterhood isn't a planned event. As you go into the second half of your spring term, we hope her story will inspire your chapter to revaluate your priorities, maximize the impact, memories made, and educational expectations of each event, and at the root of it, elevate sisterhood to the top priority.
In April 2024, Meharry Medical College received an ORAU Innovation Partnership Grant to help students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the Nashville area attended Meharry's annual Cancer Survivorship Summit. IPG grants, offered through ORAU's Research and University Partnerships Office, are designed to strengthen relationships between university consortium members and ORAU subject matter experts. The summit was a day-long event focused on sharing information about cancer risks, research, and prevention and early detection, as well as provide opportunities for community members to get needed health and medical screenings. In this conversation, host Michael Holtz talks with the team from Meharry that helped make the summit possible, including Tammy Henderson, Ph.D., vice president in the Office of Strategic Initiatives and Innovation at the Meharry School of Medicine; Kirsten George, health careers pathway program manager in the Department of Family and Community Medicine; and Donald Alcendor, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology. Also joining the conversation is Robert Briggs, a senior majoring in business management at Lemoyne-Owen College, who one of the students able to attend the summit because of the ORAU IPG grant.
Unmanned aerial vehicles - better known as drones - are transforming modern warfare. As the technology becomes more accessible to the general public, it also becomes easier for bad actors to exploit. From surveillance and reconnaissance to weaponised drone attacks, extremist groups are increasingly using this technology to enhance their operational capabilities.In this episode of the Tech Against Terrorism podcast, host Lucas Webber speaks to Don Rassler, Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Combating Terrorism Center at the US Military Academy at West Point. Together, they discuss how drones are being leveraged by terrorist organisations, the evolving threat landscape, and the countermeasures being developed to mitigate these risks.The views expressed by the guest in this podcast are his and do not necessarily reflect those of the Combating Terrorism Center, United States Military Academy, Department of Defense, or U.S. Government.
Guest: Ryan Bangert, Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives & Special Counsel to the President for Alliance Defending Freedom If you'd like to watch this podcast, check out the PCA YouTube page. Updates on a few important Free Speech/Freedom of Religion cases: Adam Smith-Connor, UK case dealing with an Army veteran who was arrested for a silent prayer offered outside an abortion facility. The charges are certainly absurd, but it does demonstrate the lengths to which the government can go and will go to protect abortion rights. Vice President J.D. Vance mentioned this case in his comments a few weeks ago talking about the importance of defending free speech rights. Jack Phillips, Colorado baker sued for refusing to bake a cake for a same-sex wedding recently had a major victory at the Colorado Supreme Court following his third lawsuit to try and force him to violate his conscience, this time it was to try to force him to bake a cake for a gender transition. This article in the New York Post from 2023 revealed that thousands of public schools actually have a policy in place to keep a student's gender transition a secret from parents. ADF has filed several cases against these school districts on behalf of parents who have a right to know about their child. To keep up with these and other important issues, visit Alliance Defending Freedom's website at adflegal.org Ryan recommends that you pray for the strength and integrity of the church to continue to stand on God's Word as the Truth and not compromise on these critical issues.
March 7, 2025: In this Interview in Action live from ViVE ‘25, Bill talks with Patience Phillips, Senior Director Information Technology at St. Luke's University Health System. They dive into Patience's role overseeing IT physician services, various service lines, access centers, and project management offices. They discuss St. Luke's transformation of their call centers, highlighting the shift to remote agents and standardizing processes. How does a healthcare network prioritize and execute strategic initiatives such as EPIC modules and ERP implementations? Patience explains her project management approach, including the use of hybrid agile methodologies. Patience also touches on her robust process for construction, mergers, and acquisitions, emphasizing rapid deployment, security, and standardization. How do they integrate new facilities effectively? Subscribe: This Week HealthTwitter: This Week HealthLinkedIn: This Week HealthDonate: Alex's Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer
Send us a textDally Ward is the President at Bonner Carrington. Bonner Carrington is a vertically integrated, privately owned and operated commercial real estate development, construction and property management company.I'm Moshe Crane connect with me on LinkedIn. My day job is the VP of Branding and Strategic Initiatives at Sage Ventures. Check out my newsletter Zag.Sage Ventures is a commercial real estate firm based in Baltimore, MD. The company buys and operates multifamily rental properties. The company also builds and develops homes that we sell.
Kamron Cox, Assistant Director of Athletics, Strategic Initiatives, University of Illinois, joins John Williams to talk about NIL (name, image, and likeness) in college athletics, how much athletes typically get in NIL money, if NIL is good for college sports, and what we should know about the House v. NCAA settlement.
Kamron Cox, Assistant Director of Athletics, Strategic Initiatives, University of Illinois, joins John Williams to talk about NIL (name, image, and likeness) in college athletics, how much athletes typically get in NIL money, if NIL is good for college sports, and what we should know about the House v. NCAA settlement.
Kamron Cox, Assistant Director of Athletics, Strategic Initiatives, University of Illinois, joins John Williams to talk about NIL (name, image, and likeness) in college athletics, how much athletes typically get in NIL money, if NIL is good for college sports, and what we should know about the House v. NCAA settlement.
On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber and Israel Policy Forum Director of Strategic Initiatives and IPF Atid Shanie Reichman discuss the national trauma and mood in Israel after last week's return of four deceased hostages, the joyful return of six living hostages on Saturday, the potential for the hostage-and-ceasefire deal in Gaza to be extended, the U.S.' role in the ongoing talks, growing tensions and violence in the northern West Bank, and more. Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.
On this episode of Open Space Radio, we explore the critical role that parks and recreation plays in advancing sports opportunities for all youth — especially girls. Providing these opportunities is more than just fairness; it's about giving girls the opportunities and support they need to succeed, both on and off the field. Participation in sports is linked to increased self-esteem, better academic performance and higher career aspirations for girls. Sports also have the power to build confidence, foster leadership skills and create lifelong connections. However, girls often face barriers that prevent them from participating and staying engaged. This episode brings together leaders from various organizations to discuss strategies for making sports more inclusive and empowering for young girls. Tune in to the full episode below to hear from experts in this space who are making a huge impact, including: Teresa Morrissey, Senior Program Manager at NRPA Kelsey Moore, Director of Social & Community Impact at Nike Jillian Green Loughran, Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Center for Healing and Justice Through Sport Julia Lankford, Director of Operations at Laureus USA Sport for Good Atlanta You'll learn about the importance of engaging girls in youth sports, as well as: The key role parks and recreation plays in providing accessible, affordable and high-quality sports opportunities (they reach more than 40 million youth annually!) Why collaboration and partnerships are key to advancing girls' participation in sports Strategies to break down barriers preventing girls from participating and staying in sports How coaches – specifically women coaches – play such a critical role in advancing this work How your park and recreation agency can be part of this movement and get more girls in the game And much more! By investing in inclusive sports programming, training coaches and fostering partnerships, park and recreation agencies can help ensure that every girl who wants to play has the opportunity to do so. Thank you to our guests for their insights and dedication to advancing gender equity in sports. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Open Space Radio and share it with others who are passionate about the power of sports to change lives. Resources Discussed on this Episode: NRPA Youth Sports Framework Play to Lead Report: The Generational Impact of Sports on Women's Leadership Nike Coaching Girls Guide: How to Get (and Keep) Girls Playing – Strategies for Engaging & Retaining Girls in Sport Body Confident Sport Coaching HER Nike Super Bowl Ad: So Win. Center for Healing and Justice through Sport Laureus USA Sport for Good Atlanta Have feedback about this episode or Open Space Radio overall? Share it with us! If you enjoyed this episode or learned something that might help you make a positive impact in your community, please consider donating to NRPA. Your gift will support our storytelling efforts and our mission to advance parks, recreation and environmental resilience efforts that enhance the quality of life for all at nrpa.org/donate.
In episode 24 of ‘What About Water?', SCWA CEO Jeff Szabo sits down with Ty Fuller, SCWA's Director of Strategic Initiatives, and Jennifer Juengst, LICAP Board Member and Deputy County Executive for Suffolk County, to discuss the newly issued 2024 State of the Aquifer report. They explore the most pressing challenges facing Long Island's aquifer, including microplastics and emerging contaminants like PFAS, and highlight the progress being made to protect this vital resource.
Send us a textSkylar Romines is the founder and owner of ATW Advisors. With a wealth of experience in the insurance industry and a passion for advocating on behalf of business owners, Skylar founded ATW Advisors to fill a critical gap in the market.Skylar's deep industry knowledge and strategic mindset have helped countless businesses secure better insurance terms and control over their programs. By focusing on the unique needs of each client and negotiating directly with internal and external stakeholders, Skylar ensures that every client has an advocate working solely in their best interest, while keeping their bottom line in mind.I'm Moshe Crane connect with me on LinkedIn. My day job is the VP of Branding and Strategic Initiatives at Sage Ventures. Check out my newsletter Zag.Sage Ventures is a commercial real estate firm based in Baltimore, MD. The company buys and operates multifamily rental properties. The company also builds and develops homes that we sell.
In the episode In The Club powered by Club Colors, we delve into the critical need for enhancing staff experience in higher education, especially in the post-pandemic landscape with our guest, Kelsey Finn, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Compass Group. We discuss the importance of staff feeling connected to their purpose, as it directly impacts student services. The episode also highlights real-life examples from various universities and explores the challenges and strategies of leadership in higher education, with a focus on supporting and retaining staff. Additionally, we feature a conversation with a trailblazing leader who shares insights on being a woman in leadership, empowering others, and the importance of asking questions. This insightful discussion offers valuable advice for young professionals aspiring to take on leadership roles.KEY TAKEAWAYSEmphasize the importance of staff experience in enhancing student experience.Highlight the need for higher education institutions to focus on employee engagement and appreciation.Discuss the challenges of rapid leadership changes in academic institutions.Address the disparity in the way questions are asked and assumptions made of women leaders compared to men.Encourage delegation and empowerment of team members to foster ownership and readiness for leadership roles.Recommend asking a lot of questions and staying curious as a way to grow professionally.Importance of relationships and networking within the higher education community.QUOTES"Happy staff, happy students.""We all want to belong to something.""Being the first at anything is really really hard.""You can't truly understand it if you haven't done it.""If you get a seat at the table, pull your chair right up, be at the table, be engaged.""Everyone has the question, who's actually willing to ask the question and be that person?"Connect and learn more about Kelsey Finn.https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelseyharmonfinn/If you enjoyed this episode of In the Club Podcast with Club Colors, please leave us a review on your favorite podcasting platform!Club Colors: https://www.clubcolors.com/
Send us a textJonathan Gheller is the CEO of UDP. After more than one successful start-up he is now applying is knowledge to multifamily. I'm Moshe Crane connect with me on LinkedIn. My day job is the VP of Branding and Strategic Initiatives at Sage Ventures. Check out my newsletter Zag.Sage Ventures is a commercial real estate firm based in Baltimore, MD. The company buys and operates multifamily rental properties. The company also builds and develops homes that we sell.
How do you transition from commodities trading to leading strategy at a global mental health company?Mark Muston, Head of Business Operations & Strategy at Modern Health, shares how he made the leap, why hiring for potential matters more than a perfect resume, and how to pitch leadership like a startup founder. If you're in strategy, operations, or just trying to build a team that actually gets things done—this episode is for you. In this conversation, Mark breaks down what it takes to build cross-functional initiatives, advocate for your team in a cost-center role, and make strategic decisions that drive real impact. Plus, he shares valuable lessons on navigating career transitions and knowing when (and how) to push for change.
Send us a textI'm Moshe Crane connect with me on LinkedIn. My day job is the VP of Branding and Strategic Initiatives at Sage Ventures. Check out my newsletter Zag.Sage Ventures is a commercial real estate firm based in Baltimore, MD. The company buys and operates multifamily rental properties. The company also builds and develops homes that we sell.
In the episode In The Club powered by Club Colors, we are joined by Kelsey Finn, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Compass Group. Kelsey shares her unexpected journey into higher education, from majoring in parks and recreation to developing successful programs for college students. She discusses her various roles and experiences across multiple universities and organizations, including Illinois State University, UC Berkeley, and NACUS. Kelsey delves into the importance of fostering a sense of belonging and community on college campuses, particularly through food services and creating inclusive spaces. She highlights the critical role of relationships and understanding the unique needs of different stakeholders in higher education. The conversation underscores the significance of the staff experience alongside student success and how Compass Group is addressing these complex challenges.KEY TAKEAWAYSCareer Development: Kelsey Finn shares her unconventional journey to her current role in higher education, emphasizing that career paths often evolve unexpectedly.Impact of Internships: Initial professional experiences, such as internships, can significantly shape one's career and future opportunities.Higher Education Dynamics: Many professionals in higher education find their roles through serendipitous opportunities and not necessarily through a direct path.Role of Relationships: Building and maintaining relationships is crucial for success in higher education and related industries.Importance of Student and Staff Experience: The focus on improving both student experiences and staff experiences highlights the evolving needs in higher education settings.Adaptability and Innovation: Institutions must innovate to address new challenges, such as increasing student loneliness and creating inclusive spaces.QUOTES"Loneliness is a true problem on college campuses.""Always seek consensus.""Creating spaces where people feel safe and welcome is crucial."“You want to create spaces where everyone wants to have their lunch together versus sit in their individual spaces.”“Food is not just about nourishment; it's about creating connection and community.”“We have to consider how we're impacting students and staff, making them feel seen, cared for, and safe.”“It's all about relationships and being able to speak different languages within the sector you're engaging with.”“Creating spaces that make people feel included and combating the loneliness epidemic on campuses is our current focus.”Connect and learn more about Kelsey Finn.https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelseyharmonfinn/If you enjoyed this episode of In the Club Podcast with Club Colors, please leave us a review on your favorite podcasting platform!Club Colors: https://www.clubcolors.com/
Manager Minute-brought to you by the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality Management
This Manager Minute episode spotlights how the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind and MassAbility are leveraging AI to improve service delivery. Host Carol Pankow discusses innovative AI applications with guests Lola Akinlapa, Nathan Skrocki, and John Oliveira. They explore an AI-assisted intake platform designed to streamline processes, enhance multilingual support, and enable faster access to services. The conversation also highlights AI-powered tools like policy lookup systems and data visualization platforms like Tableau. Emphasizing accessibility and transparency, the episode showcases AI's potential to alleviate administrative bottlenecks, support staff, and empower consumers while preserving the human touch in service delivery. Listen Here Full Transcript: {Music} John: We were looking for items that might be helpful to our staff. As many of our veteran counselors move on to retirement, it became imperative that we find a way that the newer counselors could find access to information quickly. Lola: We're not looking to reduce workforce. We're not looking to reduce your day to day operations, right. We're looking to streamline and to make the consumer's journey at MassAbility more accessible to them. Nate: What we're doing is just enhancing and streamlining the process to better understand and strengthen their policy knowledge, to make their jobs a little bit easier. Intro Voice: Manager Minute brought to you by the VRTAC for Quality Management, Conversations powered by VR, one manager at a time, one minute at a time. Here is your host Carol Pankow. Carol: Well, welcome to the manager minute. Today joining me in the studio is Lola Akinlapa, director of strategic initiatives in Massachusetts. Nathan Skrocki, Policy director at the Massachusetts Commission for the blind. And John Oliveira, Commissioner for the Mass Commission for the blind. So how goes it, Lola? Lola: Oh, everything is good. Thank you for having me, Carol. I think this is a really great forum to kind of spread the word on what we've been doing at the state of Massachusetts. Carol: Excellent. How about you, Nate? How are you doing today? Nate: Happy new year. Doing well. Glad to be here. Thank you. Carol: Excellent. And last but not least, John, how is it? How are things? You got a new role. John: Everything is great. A very cold day today, but we'll get through it. Uh, it's close to zero wind chill. So very cold day here. Carol: Ah, it's like you guys are in Minnesota... John: Yeah, I think so. Carol: Joining Jeff and I... John: I think so. Carol: Yeah. We were three below today. It was fabulous. Well I'm super excited about our topic. So artificial intelligence, although it's really not a new concept, it's gained significant attention in the recent years and the field of AI research was officially established during a workshop at Dartmouth College in 1956, where researchers optimistically predicted that human level intelligence machines would be achieved within a generation. However, it became clear the challenge was really greater than anticipated. But today, you know, we have AI everywhere seamlessly integrated into our life. You know, we've got Siri and Alexa. I rely on them all the time to your biometric scanning at the airports and the list goes on. And I had the good fortune to find out that Massachusetts is really standing out as a state that has embraced the broad implementation of AI and incorporating it extensively across various aspects of daily life and governance. So I want to dig in and learn some more from you guys. So I'd like to start out because our listeners like to get a little insight into all of you. If you could tell us about yourself and your role. And for our my two friends from the Blind agency a little bit. How you got into VR? And Lola, I'm going to start with you first. Lola: Thank you, Carol. So a little bit about myself, as you mentioned, Lola Akinlapa, I am Director of Strategic Initiatives at now, formerly what used to be the Mass Rehab Commission and now known as MassAbility. I came into the agency back in 2014. I actually started in research and development, doing a lot of the analytic work. I actually was voluntold, I would say, to assist in a new project that we were implementing. It was a statewide case management system for our different divisions at MassAbility. Through that process, I was able to kind of take a step back to say, well, what do we need at this agency to push us toward the future? Carol: Yeah, Lola, it is great being voluntold, because that leads to some of the best things when you're working on different things. So, Nate, how about you? How did you land at Mass Commission for the Blind? Nate: I landed at MCB about eight years ago. At this point. I've been a manager within state government for many years and ended up at MCB. Hopefully this is where I'll be staying for many more years. I really like the mission of MCB and the work that we do as an agency to provide services to residents of Massachusetts. Carol: Good stuff, good stuff. And John, you've switched roles, so I've known you for a while. But tell our listeners a little bit about yourself. John: All right. Carol, I've been with the agency for, wow, 37 years. Carol: Oh my gosh. John: And started out in services and worked with the senior staff, senior consumers, and was in vocational rehab for a while, worked as director of staff development and training for a while. I headed up the assistive technology program for a while. I was deputy commissioner for something like 12 years, oversaw the programs, and I've been commissioner now for a year and a half. Carol: Good for you. Well, sure good to see you again. So in the fall, I had the had the chance to attend an AI convening with Tony Wolf, who is the MassAbility Commissioner. And Tony was mentioning she kept talking about all these really cool things happening in Massachusetts. And I just I needed to learn more. So now, Lola, like, how is MassAbility moving in this AI space? And I know you're doing some things that are helping the consumer experience be quicker and easier. What's that look like? Lola: Oh my God. It's been quite a journey to say the least. At our agency, we as many other agencies identified bottlenecks, identified issues with maybe the bureaucratic side of things where it takes longer to get someone from point A to point B. It was through, actually, our centralized intake unit where we discovered there's area for improvement here. And that area of improvement could be resolved through an assisted intake form. So at MassAbility, we're developing an AI assisted intake platform that's meant to support our staff at MassAbility, who are doing the intakes to allow them to have more leeway on doing what's more important to the work, which is getting our folks to the services they need. Through this intake form, we're actually removing the repetitive task. We're looking at some speech to text technology and then also some guided workflows. And we're also able to get multilingual support. And through the intake, it's meant to guide a lot of our consumers to feel a little bit more empowered to get from I'm stuck here, how do I get services that I need, whether I'm going to work or looking to live or transition into the community, instead of waiting months before someone can speak to you to get you through the process. In this platform, we're actually able to allow our staff to have more time to be dedicated to more personalized interactions with our clients. So it's been a journey to kind of develop what that roadmap looks like. But we are super excited about this. We actually will be going live early this year through our MassAbility site, through our consumer portal, where it will be housed, and individuals will be able to go in, log in and fill out the form, and the form would guide them through the entire process without human interaction. And for us, I think it's really important to take a step back and really understand the purpose of this. Right. It's not to remove the individual from their work, right. It's to make some processes a little bit more streamlined, but then have our staff, our counselors, our case managers be able to focus on more of the human interaction. It's been quite a journey for us, to say the least. Carol: So, Lola, are you working on that with your own state IT folk or who kind of is helping you mastermind all this? Lola: So this is in collaboration with our IT folks at Executive Office of Technology. Also, we're working with a contractor who's been helping us build this platform out. They've been super great. It's been a very collaborative effort across the board. I would even have to throw in Microsoft because there's some work that they're assisting us doing, and it's been a team effort to get it to where it is today. And we're actually very proud of what we've done in such a short period of time. Carol: Very cool, I like it. I know Lola, you had talked to me too, you were interested in doing something kind of in this data realm because I know data isn't cool always. But you were trying to do some stuff with Tableau and AI. So what does that look like? Lola: Tableau. For folks that don't know, it's a visual data tool that we've been using at MassAbility for a little bit over four years now. The really cool thing about technology is as the years go on, the tools get better. Tableau was another way that we were using to kind of drive our data decision making at the agency. You know, things that are really core to the MassAbility beliefs in our missions. With Tableau, we're able to have a chatbot, and the chatbot would be utilized something similar like ChatGPT, where you could say, show me how many individuals are getting X services, or show me how many individuals are served in certain parts of the region. Right? Carol: Yeah. Lola: very cool things like that where you don't have to be a data analyst or a data science... Carol: right. Lola: to use Tableau. It kind of makes it more user friendly and at your fingertips. I think of it like on demand data. So that's something that we've been looking at that is in collaboration with an initiative that we have over at Northeastern. And we've submitted a proposal for that. So we haven't started, but we're looking forward to some of the cool and innovative things, because I think many state agencies will agree. Data is really, really interesting to look at, especially when you're looking to tell a story, when you're looking to improve just the overall outcomes of your agency, depending on what you're looking to achieve. So it's really been something great that we're looking forward to getting started. And then also on the back end, kind of showing and empowering our own staff as to what this data means, right? Because not everyone is a data scientist. Not everyone enjoys. It's a very dry subject, but I think this is a way to keep folks engaged in terms of what's really going on at the agency, and it kind of tells a story without having to truly understand the data to tell the story. Carol: I love that. I think you'll find if you guys can make that all happen, there's going to be a lot of folks across the country that are going to be super interested in that piece because data has been so critical, especially as WIOA passed, and we're looking at so much more of the data and what really is happening for individuals with disabilities and getting into employment. And so I feel like sometimes we're data rich, but we're analysis poor. And people are like, I don't know what all this means. You get a little bit overwhelmed by the data. So I think that would be great for people to be able to do the old ChatGPT kind of thing and just ask a question and get the answer. Lola: Absolutely. Carol: I love that, that's very cool. So when you look at AI, there really has been considerable impact, too, for individuals who are blind and visually impaired. And Nathan and John, I mean, what are you guys seeing with the customers you serve? Just in general, when you think about AI and the work you're doing now? John: Well, obviously in the assistive technology field, there's always been a lot of talk about incorporating AI to serve consumers. And over the past 4 or 5 years, many of the wearables have become very popular. And every year when you see these items, they get better and better. And that's benefiting a lot of our consumers tremendously. I'm sure that you've all heard about the meta glasses. Tremendous assistance for our consumers. You put on this pair of glasses, you can take pictures of the environment you're walking through. You can use it with description services such as Aira and Be My Eyes. And it works great for someone who doesn't know the area. For someone who's trying to do some work and needs to access print immediately, a great way to do this. Many other things are coming down the pipeline, but we were looking for items that might be helpful to our staff. As many of our veteran counselors move on to retirement, it became imperative that we find a way that the newer counselors could find access to information quickly. We do the trainings the usual way, but that takes quite a bit of time. And if you have questions and you want answers right away, we were looking for a solution and we came across this solution in Outlook Insight. I read about it somewhere, I called them, I spoke to an individual at the company and we agreed that we would meet at the NCSAB Conference. And I turned them on to Nate and his policy team. And he can give you more of the story about that journey going forward here. Carol: So what do you know, Nate? Nate: Thanks, John. Carol: John is the idea guy and he's like, Nate, go do the thing. Nate: And it works out great. So what we did was we connected with Outlook Insight, and we wanted a tool that would allow kind of a quick reference lookup for our case managers. So it could be that they have questions themselves and the policy or procedures. And making sure a case is executed properly or consumer may have a question and they want a quick reference for that. So what we did with Outlook Insight is develop a tool that takes all of our internal policies and all of the other policies that govern us, and kind of housed it all in one place and very similar to ChatGPT or some of these other AIs out there. You can ask it a question and it will provide a response. And when it provides a response, we have the ability to really take a look at where it's coming from. So it will include all the resources that it's pulling from with the response. So it will cite the documentation. So it might be some direction from RSA or some of our internal policies or another piece of policy that is out there, another piece of guidance that is out there. And it will cite that particular piece of policy where it's coming from. You can click on it. When you click on it, it will bring that policy up and you can read further, but it will also provide that response. So if you ask it what form is needed at this step of a case procedure, it will bring up what form is needed. Bring up the form and you can go from there. Carol: Nice. So where are you at in the process with this rolling out? Nate: We have rolled it out to some staff. It's not officially rolled out yet as an agency. It's something we're still testing. But we did roll it out to some staff to test to really kind of understand what they're using it for. Another piece of it is we're allowed to add tiles to this particular system. We can create these buttons or tiles above the search bar that will have preloaded questions. So say a consumer is going to college and we you know we might have a button that has the question on it. What is college reimbursement for a student at MCB. You can click on that and we'll bring up all the information about what's appropriate for college reimbursement, how much that college investment can be, so on and so forth. We wanted to get an idea of what people were asking it. We wanted to get an idea of what they're using it for, so we can kind of load in those different tiles on the top as well. And as we go through certain cycles in case management, those will change over the year, in the future when we do roll this out. And we also just were curious on what people were looking up for quick reference. And people are using it. It is a very good tool. It's been helpful for us in the policy unit. We're not getting as many questions for people that are using it, because they're going to that first to see if they can look up the policies on their own and get a response on their own. We do caution people though, because it is AI, so sometimes it does not provide the full picture. I guess is the best way to put it. It might give a partial answer. We haven't seen where it's giving any wrong answers yet, but sometimes it doesn't fill in the whole picture. So that's why we include the policies with the response, because people can go in and search further within that policy if they need to formulate a decision a little bit better. Carol: Yeah, you bring up a really good point. You always have to trust but verify, even ChatGPT you throw something in there. And I use it a lot because it's super helpful and it'll be going along. It's really great. It gives this response and then you have some kind of wacky line comes in there and you go, I don't really know where that came from, but that isn't right. So you can't just turn it all over to the bot. You still have to use your own kind of critical thinking skills and take a look to apply it. Nate: For sure. The advantage that we have, as opposed to like an open source AI, is we control what goes in and out of where it's pulling from. So we're the ones putting the policies in. Or as Lola had mentioned before, if you want statistics or something like that, you can put it in a document with certain statistics and it can pull from that. But we control everything in there. So it's not pulling from this open source where it might recognize something as helpful, but it really isn't. It's everything in there. We've kind of vetted and we understand it's something that is needed by the agency. Lola: Absolutely. And just to Nathan's point, open source, we're talking about like Google, you know, you can get millions of results back and very true at MassAibility. Similarly, we obviously have regulations that we're following with RSA. And there are things that we have to control just to make sure the language is correct. So we're putting in what needs to be said at the bot kind of just follows that logic. So that's kind of the nice thing where you can still have that control, even if it is kind of AI, but it's still guarded. It's not as loose as just an open source would be. Carol: Yeah, absolutely. It's a great point, Lola. And I know for the both of you, you know you're doing things that are impacting the staff. So staff can definitely have a reaction to this. Sometimes positive, sometimes not. Like we're all super excited. I see your smiling faces like, yay, we're doing the thing. And then they're like, you know, people feel like back what I was saying in the beginning, like, we're going to replace everybody with robots or something. And so staff can get concerned. So I'm going to kick this to you first, Lola, what's been kind of the response from staff about the things that you guys are trying to do? Lola: Well, I'm very fortunate to work at an agency where folks are very open minded. Change is a little different, but we're very open minded at MassAbility. I think it's all about the messaging and the purpose on why we're doing certain things right. For sure. There are people that are going to have, you know, pros and cons about it, but I think how we message it is we're not looking to reduce workforce... Carol: right. Lola: We're not looking to reduce your day to day operations, right? We're looking to streamline and to make the consumer's Consumers journey at MassAbility more accessible to them. The option that we have right now and how we've messaged it to staff is it's an option, right? We're not removing the human aspect of it, but it's an option for individuals who are in certain circumstances that need to get something done a little bit faster, right? It takes a little bit longer to talk to individuals, but if it's something that they feel like, you know, I'm just going in and I'm looking for a job, I know everything I need to have. This is another outlet that they can use where the system itself is like, I'm not a person, but I can guide you like an individual, right? At the end of it, you will be meeting with a person. You will have that personalized experience, that interaction, but mostly for the admin and the data entry, right? We can repurpose that. We can shift that burden to some of the tools that we have available to us, like the AI assisted intake form. So that's really the messaging behind it, right? The messaging is not to impact staff. It's not to scare staff. Carol: Right. Lola: But it's more to help think of allowing people to have different options to come into the agency that aren't so impactful or don't feel like a bottleneck. Carol: Yeah, I love that. I love that point. How about you guys, Nate or John? Have you seen any initial responses from staff, maybe different than you thought or how has it been going? Nate: I think for us it's a little bit different too, because we're providing human services, so we're not replacing that in any way with an AI tool. We're not going to be replacing us, going out and sitting with a consumer and meeting them where they're at and providing the services that they need to be successful. What we're doing is really just enhancing and, like Lola said, streamlining the process to better understand and strengthen their policy knowledge to make their jobs a little bit easier. We haven't really explored any type of AI that would help with case management work or anything like that, and it's really tough because like I said, in the human service field and in Lola can probably also agree with this. Every consumer is so different. We're meeting with them a lot of times in person, especially at our agency, and providing the services that they need. A lot of it's hands on services, something that we're not going to be able to do with AI. What we're really looking at is how do we enhance their ability to provide and streamline services and make the experience better for the consumers and for our workers. And that's what we've done with this first policy tool. And I think it's been successful. I don't know if you have anything to add there, John. John: Yeah, we're supporting the staff at this point. So it's not that we're trying to take staff out of the process. We're making it easier for you to do your job and for you to answer questions that you may have about the process of moving the client through the system, or even questions that a consumer may ask you, and you can explain to them. And if you're missing any of that data, you can pull it up on your laptop. And that tool is always with you. You can ask it at that point, or you can refer to other resources we have on that machine. So you could certainly help them get the information they need faster and help yourself process the information they've given you faster. Carol: Well, having done technical assistance for years with state agencies, and I see the hundreds of pages in all your policy manuals and all this craziness, I'm sure staff will greatly appreciate anything that streamlines some of that work that they have to do, and all the things they have to retain. And you've got your policy and your procedure and your desk and your 14 other directions. It's a lot. I mean, it's a lot to keep track of, as well as just paying attention to the individual that's sitting before you. And so I think anything you can do to streamline that is great. I'm wondering if you all have other ideas. I know Lola, when I talked to you before, you are full of lots of thoughts. Do you have any next steps for accessibility that you're thinking about? Lola: I have a couple of next steps right now. I have to rein myself in. We're for sure right now really focused on getting our automated intake form out. We're at the tail end of testing and everything has been looking great on the up and up. So we've been really trying to get our messaging around what that looks like, especially to our constituents that are looking for services. So folks just understand the purpose, the why and how we're trying to make this a little bit better. I'm hoping eventually one day I can take this to phase two where the eligibility pieces may come into play, but we're not there yet. Right. We're taking baby steps. Carol: Yeah. Lola: I'm really excited we've gotten this far. I know Nathan and I have had conversations a few months back about looking at something similar to what they're doing with the policy, because we have our own policies, right, that are kind of everywhere. They need to be updated and staff need to reference them or individuals are looking for them. So I think definitely what MCB has been doing has been in the back of our minds a little bit. But like we said, we're taking baby steps and hopefully we can get there. But I think across the board, these are all great initiatives. Carol: Yeah, absolutely. How about you Nate and John are you guys looking at, you thinking a 2.0 on anything or some other areas you'd like to dabble in with AI? Nate: I think it's rolling this out first and kind of once we get this completely rolled out to staff and kind of understand how well it's working, I think we can take those next steps. We're always keeping our finger on the pulse of technology and how it's advancing, and if it can assist us in any way, and we'll continue to do that. I think an interesting, it kind of fits in with AI is, you know, one of the biggest barriers for our consumers is transportation. And as far as AI goes, one of the big conversations in that community is automated cars and those type of things. And we have in the past provided some input about automation. And when they're creating those type of things for transportation, how to think about how it would benefit people with disabilities and those type of things. It's a long way off, but it's something interesting and something I personally get asked about a lot when I'm out speaking in different areas is, where is that? You know how close that is? Carol: Yeah. Nate: That's nothing we'll ever do as an agency. We're never going to be providing, you know, services. But we have provided some just some input in the past on that. But as far as like case management and service to consumers and those type of things, like Lola says, eligibility is something that's very interesting. If there's something that can help with that, it's for different programs within our agency. You know, when you're coming to MCB, we're a little bit different than MassAbility. By law, you have to be registered with us if you reach the threshold of legal blindness in Massachusetts. So you're registered with us. It's the law. But depending on what services you're receiving and what programs you're in and those type of things and maybe something interesting to look at in the future. Carol: Yeah, definitely. Blind agencies have a lot of moving parts and pieces. So how about any advice you all might have for states that are starting to think about this? Because states are in all different, you know, places and people are kind of, their administrations. Some are very proactive, some are not. Do you have any advice, as you've been working through these projects that might help other people that are starting to dabble? Lola, I'll kick that to you first. Lola: Yeah, I think that's all dependent just on where you are as a state agency, right? It's taken us a while to come to the realization, like, maybe there's something more we can do to kind of help the process that we're in. And it just so happened some of the things that we've identified as pain points, it looks like AI and technology would really help alleviate. And I'm not going to say remove because we're always going to have issues, but it would help alleviate some of those pain points. I think one of the things that would be insightful for folks to know, and just because the disability community loves the community, it's just when it comes to technology, we have to be very careful, right? We need to be mindful of some of the biases that come along with that. We need to make sure that the accessibility is actually accessible. It's usable, right? To Nathan's point, we serve various consumers ranging from different types of disability. And I think sometimes that gets lost in the conversation because we're so much let's get it to the next level and let's make it work for us and automate it. And I think we forget to take a step back and remember who we're doing it for, right? We're doing it for the folks that maybe don't have mobility, the folks that can't always read or have low vision, or the deaf or hard of hearing individuals. We really try to make this form all about the people. So I think as agencies are probably trying to embark on technology, those are some of the things that they might want to keep in mind. And it depends just where you are in the process. Just it was great timing for us, and I'm sure Nathan would agree. It was probably great timing for his agency to start some of the discovery process around how we can utilize AI. Carol: Good advice. John, do you have anything you want to add? John: Yeah. When you're going down this road, be prepared that you understand the process that your state has, because there's many other departments that come in and want to take a look at what you're doing and ask for a lot of different documentation. And so that all has to be done before any product can be deployed. And depending how bureaucratic the state is, it can be different. A large state might have a whole bunch of departments Moving in and wanting to take a look in a smaller state may not be as complicated or as cumbersome process as it can be. So just be aware. Once you understand the idea and you think of a potential product, make sure that you've understood all the steps you have to do at the state level to be able to deploy that product and not have it pulled when you're halfway through, or you've spent money on development so that it gets scrapped in the development stage. So just be very aware of how to get that process through the state. Carol: Yeah, that's very good advice. Nate you get the last word on this. Nate: Patience. For a lot of reasons and pointing at both what Lola and Commissioner Olivera talked about here. You got to have patience to go through the process. But you also have to have patience to make sure that it is accessible. Here at MCB, we obviously have a myriad of different folks using it and with different abilities and ways that they approach the system. We got to make sure it works for all those different ways. And that wasn't easy either, but more so for the process. It's a long process. We're still in the middle of that process, but it's worth it. I do want to say that have the patience, but it is definitely worth it. AI is extraordinarily able to just provide a way to save time. You know, a question that may come up to us where we research a question, decide on what the answer is, reach back out to a worker, give them the answer and they go to a consumer. Give them the answer. It could be days. This is seconds. The time that it saves. And maybe even if you, depending on how it's deployed, the cost it could save in the long run. It's extraordinary and worth the time put in. Carol: I love that you would mention that. There used to be something that I compared every year that came out from RSA, and I'd compare to the previous year, and so I'd always look at, you know, I'd do this side by side, kind of mark up what all change, what language changed. And it used to take me hours, you know, just to look through the document. Now I send it through a tool and literally in a minute it highlights everything that changed from one year to the next. I'm like, boom, done. You have it. People always are asking us questions as a TA provider, and I'm like able to immediately tell them what change they're like. How'd you do that analysis so fast? Well, I used my friend, you know, an AI tool that was able to do it. It really is an amazing Time saver. So how can our listeners find you guys? Could you leave us with like, an email address or something? Lola, would you mind saying your email address for the listeners in case somebody wants to reach out to what you're doing there? Lola: Yeah, absolutely. I can be reached at Oluwafunke.Akinlapa@mass.gov. The spelling is o l u w a f u n k e dot a k I n l a p a at mass.gov. Carol: Oh that's great. And then Nate or John, do you both want to give your email or who's the contact there. Nate: It's Nathan.w. Skrocki@mass.gov and I'll spell that out. It's n a t h a n dot w dot s k r o c k I at mass.gov. Carol: Oh, that is awesome you guys! I really am looking forward to seeing your stuff roll out. You need to give me an update. I am super happy about this. In fact, we were having an AI conversation the other day on our GW team and I said, hey, I'm doing a podcast this week and they're like, you got to give us the names of the people, because some folks are working on something, they like, they're gathering up information from across the country. So I said I'd be happy to share. So thanks so much. And please do keep in touch. I wish you the very best with your projects. Lola: Awesome. Thank you Carol. John: Thank you Carol. Nate: Thanks. {Music} Outro Voice: Conversations powered by VR, one manager at a time, one minute at a time, brought to you by the VR TAC for Quality Management. Catch all of our podcast episodes by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks for listening!
A special episode for the inauguration of Donald Trump's second term, as the forty-seventh president of the United States. Whether you're filled with hope and joy, or anxiety and fearfulness, how can we pursue a common citizenship that is grounded in faith and moral sensitivity, focused on justice and love, and rightfully patriotic? Today, Mark welcomes friends Pete Wehner (columnist, The Atlantic, and Fellow, Trinity Forum), Anne Snyder (editor-in-chief, Comment magazine), and David Goatley (president, Fuller Seminary). Together they discuss: The inauguration of Donald Trump for his second term in office; The meaning of patriotism in an unfolding, rambunctious democratic experiment; Repentance, repair, and understanding; How to keep a moral-ethical grounding in political life; Balancing open curiosity and genuine concern; What rejuvenates and renews us during anxious political times (exploring beauty in nature and art); Learning disagreement in a post-civility era; Peacemaking instead of polarization; Developing civic antibodies and the need for regeneration and renewal; And how to pray for Donald Trump as he enters his next term in office. About Peter Wehner Peter Wehner, an American essayist, is a contributing opinion writer for the New York Times, a contributing writer for The Atlantic, and senior fellow at the Trinity Forum. He writes on politics and political ideas, on faith and culture, on foreign policy, sports, and friendships. Wehner served in three presidential administrations, including as deputy director of presidential speechwriting for President George W. Bush. Later, he served as the director of the Office of Strategic Initiatives. Wehner, a graduate of the University of Washington, is editor or author of six books, including The Death of Politics: How to Heal Our Frayed Republic After Trump, which the New York Times called “a model of conscientious political engagements.” Married and the father of three, he lives in McLean, Virginia. About Anne Snyder Anne Snyder is the editor-in-chief of Comment magazine, **which is a core publication of Cardus, a think tank devoted to renewing North American social architecture, rooted in two thousand years of Christian social thought. Visit comment.org for more information. For years, Anne has been engaged in concerns for the social architecture of the world. That is, the way that our practices of social engagement, life, conversation, discussion, debate, and difference can all be held in the right kind of ways for the sake of the thriving of people, individuals, communities, and our nation at large. Anne also oversees Comment's partner project, Breaking Ground, and is the host of The Whole Person Revolution podcast and co-editor of Breaking Ground: Charting Our Future in a Pandemic Year (2022). About David Goatley David Emmanuel Goatley is president of Fuller Seminary. Prior to his appointment in January 2023, he served as the associate dean for academic and vocational formation, Ruth W. and A. Morris Williams Jr. Research Professor of Theology and Christian Ministry, and director of the Office of Black Church Studies at Duke Divinity School. Ordained in the National Baptist Convention, USA, he served as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Campbellsville, Kentucky, for nine years (1986–1995). In addition to his articles, essays, and book chapters, Goatley is the author of Were You There? Godforsakenness in Slave Religion and A Divine Assignment: The Missiology of Wendell Clay Somerville, as well as the editor of Black Religion, Black Theology: Collected Essays of J. Deotis Roberts. His current research focuses on flourishing in ministry and thriving congregations, most recently working on projects funded by the Lilly Endowment and the Duke Endowment. Show Notes What each guest values and honours about America, expressing commitment and affection as citizens “Any presidential inauguration is weight bearing.” Pete Wehner: a first-generation American From ideals to reality about the history of America “ I'm the kind of patriot who is committed to the country being the best that it can be.” “Rambunctious unfolding-still … democratic experiment.” The scene for Inauguration Day 2021 Strength and vitality of American life What are your commitments and hopes for the next four years? “Some of my siblings for whom their angst is new, and I'm happy to say, welcome to my world.” The posture of believers and people of good will to “keep a moral ethical grounding” “Justice, especially for the dispossessed, the aliens, the powerless” Pulled in different directions Eugene Peterson formulation: “There's the Jesus truth, and the Jesus way.” Called to be different things at different moments Name reality as best we can “Is it possible to be both prophetic and the force of unity at the same time?” Will there be a World War III in the next decade? Creative ways to develop resilience “A great chastening” “I feel both curious and really concerned.” When patience runs out “ I'm socially and humanly curious—and strangely a little hopeful for new frames of how we are with one another—but I am steeling myself for turbulence and violence at a time when it feels like we can't afford those things.” The shifting global stage The need for deep compassion and energy that doesn't stop listening or caring What rejuvenates and renews you in this moment? Being outside, natural beauty, artistic beauty, and staying actively in community with people who will stay reflective. Turning off the news National Gallery of Art's Impressionist exhibit (link) “For most of us, our day-to-day lives, even in the political realm, are not really driven primarily by what's happening with the presidency.” Jon Batiste “Healthy, substantive arguments that are not ad hominem” Are we living in the post-civility era? Peacemaking instead of polarization Developing civic antibodies and the need for regeneration and renewal “Something has gone deeply wrong in the white evangelical world” “ I'm completely fine with deconstruction as long as there's reconstruction.” “There's a great line that the ancient Greeks used, Bobby Kennedy used that in a speech of his in the late ‘60s, where he said that the task was to tame the savageness of man and to make gentle the life of this world.” Prayers for Donald Trump That the Spirit of God would overshadow Donald Trump and political leaders That “Not our will but Thy will be done.” For moral sensitivity ”I'll just be candid here. I have a sense that he's a, he is a person with a lot of brokenness in his life.” “We're part of a story, and there's an author. … But those chapters aren't the whole story.” A notorious chapter in American history Production Credits Conversing is produced and distributed in partnership with Comment magazine and Fuller Seminary.
On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber and Israel Policy Forum Director of Strategic Initiatives and IPF Atid Shanie Reichman discuss the terms of the ceasefire-hostage deal and how it will be implemented, how many hostages are set to come home and if the deal will actually end the war, why the long-awaited deal was finalized now, criticisms of the deal from both the right and left, the political implications for the Netanyahu government, and more.Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.
With more Americans aging at home than ever before, discover why 52% of independent pharmacies are expanding into LTC services. From legislative battles to technological innovation, Rebecca and host Mark Bivins discuss the role pharmacists play in addressing the senior care crisis. Learn how AI, remote monitoring, and changing patient preferences are reshaping the future of healthcare delivery, and why baby boomers are driving the shift toward home-based care services. 00:00 - Intro, We're live! 00:53 - Rebecca's background and journey to NCPA 03:01 - NCPA's renewed focus on LTC 09:45 - Legislative priorities and advocacy efforts 12:51 - Deep dive: LTC at Home 20:42 - Prescribables https://ncpa.org/finishthefight Hosted By: Mark Bivins | SVP of Sales, RedSail Technologies Guest: Rebecca Snead | Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives and the LTC Division at NCPA Looking for more information about independent pharmacy? Visit www.pioneerrx.com
It's YOUR time to #EdUp In this episode, #1,006, President Series (Powered By Ellucian) #326, #327, #328, & brought to YOU by the InsightsEDU 2025 conference YOUR guests are Joe Ross, President, Reach University, Dr. Char Perlas, Superintendent/President, College of the Siskiyous, Dr. Dennis C. Rittle, President, Dr. Diana Johnson, Senior VP of Learning, & Dr. Justin White, VP of Student Affairs & Strategic Initiatives, Northwest Arkansas Community College YOUR host is Dr. Laurie Shanderson, Host, EdUp Accreditation Insights How are institutions preparing for election day impacts on campus? What strategies are colleges implementing for AI integration & training? How are institutions supporting students' post-COVID mental health needs? Why is creating a "sticky campus" crucial for student success? What advice do presidents have for aspiring higher ed leaders? How do presidents maintain work-life balance in demanding roles? Listen in to #EdUp Do YOU want to accelerate YOUR professional development? Do YOU want to get exclusive early access to ad-free episodes, extended episodes, bonus episodes, original content, invites to special events, & more? Do YOU want to get all this while helping to sustain EdUp? Then BECOME A SUBSCRIBER TODAY - $19.99/month or $199.99/year (Save 17%)! Want to get YOUR organization to pay for YOUR subscription? Email EdUp@edupexperience.com Thank YOU so much for tuning in. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to EdUp! Connect with YOUR EdUp Team - Elvin Freytes & Dr. Joe Sallustio ● Join YOUR EdUp community at The EdUp Experience! We make education YOUR business!
Bakari Sellers moderates a panel at the Fillmore Minneapolis for the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers (MABL) joined by Natalie E. Hudson, Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court, Camille M. Davidson, Dean of Mitchell Hamline School of Law, and Duchess Harris, Special Assistant to the Provost for Strategic Initiatives & Professor of American Studies at Macalester College. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices