Podcasts about strengthening

In today's job market, young professionals are facing a new level of uncertainty. Unemployment among recent graduates is rising, AI is changing white-collar jobs, and getting through ATS and AI-powered hiring filters can feel harder than ever.So how do you actually get hired?In this episode of the Career Warrior Podcast, Chris talks with Scott Stirrett, author of The Uncertainty Advantage, about the biggest challenges facing young people in the job search today—and how to navigate them.We discuss:- Why young professionals are struggling to find jobs right now- How AI is changing the job search and white-collar careers- How to get through ATS and AI hiring filters- How to find the “side door” into a company- How to build your ability to deal with uncertainty- Strengthening your “risk-taking muscles”- The Regret Minimization Framework for making career decisions- The RULER Method for understanding and regulating your emotions- How to deal with rejection, unemployment, and uncertainty- What young professionals can do to actually get hiredScott Stirrett is the founder of a national nonprofit that has raised more than $80 million and supported 10,000 young professionals. His bestselling book, The Uncertainty Advantage, was endorsed by Andrew Yang and Eric Ries and reached #1 on Amazon Canada.Learn more about Scott: ScottStirrett.comGet the Book, The Uncertainty Advantage: https://www.amazon.com/Uncertainty-Advantage-Launching-Career-Change-ebook/dp/B0DGCD6ZCVConnect with Scott on LinkedIn#JobSearch #YoungProfessionals #CareerAdvice #GetHired #AIJobs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Interview Date: August 16thEpisode Summary:In this episode of The Business of Dance Podcast, Menina Fortunato sits down with Los Angeles-based performer, choreographer, acrobat, and educator Joey Vice to explore the unconventional path that took him from a young competitive dancer in Ohio to performing his dream role with Cirque du Soleil. Joey shares how he transitioned from soccer to dance, developed a strong technical foundation in ballet and jazz, and independently expanded into contemporary and acro. By 12, he had already set his sights on Cirque, studying its artists, training methods, and performance style in preparation for the career he wanted.That preparation paid off when Cirque du Soleil contacted Joey at just 18 years old and ultimately cast him in KOOZA. He opens up about the elaborate makeup process, the physical demands of touring, performing up to 10 shows per week, and developing the acting, improvisation, stamina, and versatility required of a Cirque artist. After two years on tour, Joey chose to step away from his childhood dream job to explore the broader dance industry and eventually relocated to Los Angeles.Joey also takes listeners behind the scenes of his transition into television and commercial work, including being discovered through social media for BalletRED and appearing on Netflix's Star Search. During the mentee Q&A, he shares advice on strengthening acro technique, overcoming fear, researching who you audition for, embracing individuality, and continuing to train. His message throughout the episode is to stay curious, work hard, ask questions, and surround yourself with people who are pursuing similar goals.Shownotes:03:56 – From soccer player to passionate dancer06:00 – Building his unique acro-contemporary style09:06 – Training specifically for a Cirque career12:08 – Booking his dream job at eighteen14:23 – Learning Cirque's elaborate makeup process19:13 – Inside life performing with Cirque25:03 – The unexpected realities of touring young28:54 – Transitioning from Cirque to Los Angeles29:20 – Social media opens the Star Search door30:37 – Eight months preparing for BalletRED33:26 – Behind the scenes of live television43:03 – Q&A begins with aspiring dancers46:59 – Q&A: Strengthening and improving acro technique53:39 – Q&A: Research who you audition for1:03:32 – Final advice: Keep training and asking questionsBiography:Joey Vice is a versatile performer and choreographer who has been making waves in the dance industry since his teenage years. At just 18, his exceptional talent and dedication led him to become the lead role in Cirque du Soleil's KOOZA.Now based in Los Angeles, Joey works as a freelance choreographer, teacher, and performer, creating innovative choreography and jaw-dropping tricks. His career has included performing in music videos for artists such as 070 Shake, Marina, and Vana, and most recently appearing on Netflix's Star Search with BalletRED.Joey is currently on faculty at Millennium Dance Complex and has worked as a teacher and choreographer for Joffrey Ballet School. Joey's mission is to push the boundaries of dance while inspiring the next generation of artists through creativity, athleticism, and passion for performance.Connect on Social Media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joeythedancer/

In this episode, Karen Brown, Revenue Cycle Director of Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center, discusses revenue cycle optimization, Epic implementation, reimbursement pressures and preparing for changes affecting rural hospitals. She also shares strategies for improving patient financial education, reducing denials and strengthening collaboration across clinical and administrative teams.

 In this episode, Christopher Carr, Director One of Security Services at Texas Children's, discusses the evolving healthcare security landscape, including workplace violence prevention, behavioral health, employee protection and AI-powered training. He also shares strategies for building strong security programs through investment in people, cross-functional partnerships, data and analytics, and a family-centered approach to pediatric care.

In this episode, Karen Bowling, President and Chief Executive Officer, WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital; Executive Vice President, Government Affairs, West Virginia University Health System, discusses expanding specialty care in rural communities through telemedicine, strategic affiliations and workforce development. She also shares her perspective on healthcare advocacy, financial pressures facing rural hospitals and opportunities for growth.

In recent weeks conservative social media has been aflurry debating that nebulous phrase, the Common Good. Does the New Right have a monopoly on the concept of the common good? If we can agree on the common good, does that alone grant us the political authority to impose it? What is the relationship between liberty and the common good? Saving Elephants welcomes two guests to set the record straight for good and all. Dan Hugger, Editorial and Research Fellow and the Host of Acton Line Podcast at the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion & Liberty. He writes and speaks on questions of education, history, political economy, and religion, and is the editor of two books: Lord Acton: Historical and Moral Essays and The Humane Economist: A Wilhelm Röpke Reader. Andy Smarick is a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, where his work focuses on education, civil society, and the principles of American conservatism. Smarick has authored or edited four books: The Urban School System of the Future: Applying the Principles and Lessons of Chartering (2012); Closing America's High-achievement Gap: A Wise Giver's Guide to Helping Our Most Talented Students Reach Their Full Potential (2013); Catholic School Renaissance: A Wise Giver's Guide to Strengthening a National Asset (2015); and No Longer Forgotten: The Triumphs and Struggles of Rural Education in America (2018). His work has also been published in outlets such as The Atlantic, Washington Post, Education Week, among others.

Reagan and Bryan discuss the 3 way governor race only - for the first time in a long long time. WFP endorses Kotek and demands are set. Defending immigrant communities and enforcing Oregon's sanctuary protections andImmigrant Justice Package.Holding corporations accountable to the commitments they make to Oregoncommunities when they receive public dollars.Protecting farmworker overtime and Oregon's climate protections.Advancing universal preschool statewide and supporting the model created byPreschool For All in Multnomah County.Expanding access to higher education.Strengthening campaign finance transparency.Investing in restorative justice and programs that reduce recidivism.Creating family-sustaining jobs through clean energy, advanced manufacturing, andmajor infrastructure projects.Meeting with the Working Families legislative caucus during the legislative session.Republican hits a moratorium - https://www.aol.com/articles/mike-rogers-backs-data-center-163141000.html Wyoming Freedom Caucus gets blown out of the water by “normal republicans”. https://cowboystatedaily.com/2026/08/19/near-total-massacre-for-freedom-caucus-in-wyoming-primary/?_wcsid=0955982BE74EB562AADE248A11855AAADFCB2BB2EFF85D54 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.crosstabs.studio

Today's episode is a special re-release about one of our most powerful tools; discernment. You don't have to attend every argument you're invited to.

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Alison Cook to talk about attachment, emotional healing, and the ways our relationships shape how we understand ourselves, others, and God.We all have a deep need for connection, safety, and belonging, but we can sometimes place too much pressure on the people around us to meet those needs. Dr. Cook explains why human relationships are important while also reminding us that no person can be the ultimate source of everything our souls need. There is a deeper attachment available to us through God.We also talk about what happens when old wounds surface, particularly when we finally feel safe enough for those parts of us to emerge. Dr. Cook describes these experiences as “soul ruptures”, moments when core memories and beliefs about ourselves can become activated. Instead of responding with shame or criticism, we can learn to slow down, notice what we're feeling, and become curious about what that part of us needs.This conversation is especially meaningful for moms who spend so much of their time caring for everyone else. When we're constantly focused on our children's needs, it can be easy to lose touch with what's happening inside of us. Dr. Cook encourages us to make space for our own souls, tend to the younger parts of ourselves that still need care, and allow God's healing presence into those places. Our souls are worth tending to, too.In This Episode Why attachment is such a fundamental human need Why we can't expect another person to meet all of our emotional needs What divine attachment means and how God becomes our ultimate source of connection Why parts of us can surface when we finally feel safe What a soul rupture is and how core memories can continue to affect us How shame and blame show up when we feel like we don't belong Learning to recognize and care for the younger parts of ourselves What it means to “parent your soul” Recognizing our internal bids for connection Why healing requires space for difficult emotions How moms can make more room for their own emotional and spiritual needs Why we don't change through shame or criticism  Connect with Dr. Alison Cook:  Website: Dr. Alison Cook Instagram: Dr. Alison Cook | Psychotherapist + Secure Attachment (@dralisoncook) Facebook: Dr. Alison Cook Links Mentioned:  The Secure Soul: By Dr. Alison Cook Boundaries for Your Soul: By Dr. Alison Cook You Are the One You've Been Waiting For: By Richard Schwartz PhD Dr. Alison Cook | The Best of You Podcast  The Best of You Every Day Podcast - 8 minute devotional   Related Episodes: Building Healthy Relationships by Exploring Adult Attachment Patterns (Part 1) :: Charissa Lopez [Ep 498] Building Healthy Relationships by Exploring Adult Attachment Patterns (Part 2) :: Charissa Lopez [Ep 499] Strengthening the Relationship with Your Adult Child :: Kathy Cunningham [Ep 543] Featured Sponsors:  Our place: Upgrade your kitchen with Our Place today. Visit fromourplace.com/DMA and use code DMA for 10% off sitewide. With a 100-day trial, you can try it completely risk-free. Oak Essentials: The Luminous Body Lotion has sold out multiple times — and once you try it, you'll understand why. Head to Oakessentials.com and use code [DMA] for 15% off your first order at checkout. Lola Blankets: For a limited time, our listeners can get 40% OFF select Lola Blankets products with code [DMA] at checkout. Just head to LolaBlankets.com and use code [DMA] to get 40% OFF your order. Wrap yourself in luxury with Lola Blankets.

Episode 5592: Race For Florida Gov Heads To The Finish Line; Strengthening The US Navy

We are sitting down on NATA Radio Row in Philadelphia with Katie Scott, MS, ATC, CAE, NATA's Director of Membership and AT-in-Residence! Katie breaks down the association's latest initiatives to support athletic trainers at every stage of their careers. We discuss building meaningful member connections, expanding professional support systems, and how NATA is working behind the scenes to strengthen the profession. A huge thank you to our official NATA Radio Row sponsor, Pivot by TenCate (@pivot_by_tencate), for supplying the premium turf setup for our mobile studio layout! #NATARadioRow #NATA2026 #KatieScott #AthleticTraining #SportsMedicineOnTap #NATA #SportsMedicine

What does it really take to become a leader who makes a lasting impact? In this episode of the Decisions Podcast, Jonathan sits down with Matt Paden, president and managing partner of Great Days Leadership and author of The Core: Eight Principles for Building Strong, Authentic Leadership, to explore why great leadership starts from the inside out.Matt shares how his grandfather's powerful reminder—that there are “two great days” in life, the day you're born and the day you realize why you were born—shaped his understanding of purpose and leadership. He also opens up about how difficult seasons can reveal our character and why leaders must continually strengthen their “core” before the next storm arrives.Whether you lead a nonprofit, church, business, team, or family, this conversation offers practical encouragement for becoming a more authentic and purpose-driven leader that makes a lasting impact.

This Week at Genesis | Prayer This week in our Strengthening the Stakes series, we turned our attention to Prayer—exploring what it looks like to become a people who keep showing up before God and refuse to lose heart. Through Jesus' parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18, we were reminded that persistence in prayer is an expression of enduring trust in the character of God, especially when we face delay, opposition, or disappointment. Chris was joined by Mattie for an honest conversation about prayer, personal dissatisfaction, and the ways God has shaped her through seasons of contemplative prayer, fasting, and breakthrough. We were challenged to embrace a deeper, even costly kind of prayer—travailing prayer that longs to see renewal in the church, revival among the lost, and ultimately the restoration of all things. Because when the Son of Man returns, will He find faith on the earth? Scripture & Themes

Join The Rebuilt Man Brotherhood - www.skool.com/rebootyourlife   What actually happens when you quit porn?   For many men, the first few days or weeks aren't filled with instant confidence, energy, and clarity. Instead, quitting pornography can come with intense cravings, irritability, anxiety, brain fog, low motivation, changes in sexual desire, and powerful thoughts telling you to go back.   And if you don't understand what's happening, it's easy to mistake discomfort for failure.   In this episode of The Rebuilt Man Podcast, Coach Frank Rich breaks down 7 common withdrawal experiences men may face when quitting porn—why they can happen, how to respond when they show up, and why difficult early recovery experiences don't mean you should give up.   Frank also explains why porn can become deeply connected to stress, boredom, loneliness, and emotional escape—and why removing the behavior means learning healthier ways to deal with the emotions and situations you've spent years avoiding.   In this episode, you'll learn: Why some men feel worse before they begin feeling better after quitting porn   Why intense porn cravings can seemingly appear out of nowhere   How years of using porn as an escape can affect how you respond to stress   Why irritability and mood changes may show up during early recovery   What to do when anxiety and restlessness increase   Why you may experience fatigue, brain fog, or low motivation   What the porn recovery community commonly calls the "flatline"   Why trying to "test" your sexual response can become a dangerous path back to porn   How to navigate periods of emotional numbness or low mood   Why mental bargaining can become one of the biggest threats to your recovery   Practical strategies for responding to urges instead of obeying them   How to stop relying on motivation and start building recovery around structure   Why accountability and brotherhood can make lasting change easier to sustain   The 7 Withdrawal Experiences Covered:  1. Intense Cravings & Urges Your brain has learned to associate porn with relief, pleasure, and escape. Removing it can make those conditioned urges feel especially strong.   2. Irritability & Mood Swings Without your old escape mechanism, emotions and frustrations you've been numbing may become harder to ignore.   3. Anxiety & Restlessness Quitting means learning to sit with uncomfortable emotions rather than immediately escaping them through stimulation.   4. Fatigue, Brain Fog & Low Motivation Some men report periods where everyday activities feel less rewarding or motivation temporarily drops.   5. The "Flatline" Some men in porn-recovery communities describe temporary periods of reduced libido, arousal, or sexual interest after quitting.   6. Low Mood & Emotional Numbness Recovery isn't always emotionally linear. There may be periods where life feels flat and the excitement you expected hasn't arrived yet.   7. Mental Bargaining & Rationalization "Just one time." "I've earned it." "This doesn't really count." Learning to recognize these negotiations before they become actions can be critical.   The Bigger Lesson: The goal isn't simply to see how many days you can go without watching porn.   It's to become the kind of man who no longer needs porn to escape his life.   That means learning to handle stress differently.   Learning to experience emotions instead of numbing them.   Building discipline when motivation disappears.   Strengthening your relationship with God.   And surrounding yourself with men who refuse to let you retreat into isolation.   Because lasting freedom isn't simply about removing an old behavior.   It's about rebuilding the man underneath it.     Ready To Start Your Own Rebuild? If you're tired of fighting this battle alone, join The Rebuilt Man Brotherhood and begin your transformation with a FREE 7-Day Trial.   Inside the Brotherhood you'll get: Daily live coaching Group accountability A proven recovery roadmap Practical courses and tools A community of Christian men committed to lasting freedom   Stop trying to quit porn.   Start becoming the man God created you to be.   Join The Rebuilt Man Brotherhood - www.skool.com/rebootyourlife     Get your copy of Porn Free Man If this episode resonated with you, Porn Free Man is the next step.   Inside the book, Coach Frank Rich walks you through the exact identity-based framework that's helped more than 1,800 men break free from porn and rebuild every area of their lives.   Learn how to stop managing addiction and start becoming the man who no longer wants, needs, or desires porn.  

Interhospital transfers are a critical part of ensuring patients receive the right care at the right time. Standardized processes can help improve patient flow, strengthen communication, and create more consistent experience for patients and care teams. Our host Shannon Hale sits down with Dr. Benjamin Buettner, Assistant Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine and Medical Director of the Transfer Center at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, to discuss how their system is improving transfers through standardization, collaboration and innovation.    Guest Speaker:  Benjamin P. Buettner, MD, FACP Assistant Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine Medical Director, Transfer Center The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Host: Shannon Hale, MHA, RN, CPHQ Senior Program Director, Performance Improvement Programs Vizient   Show Notes: [00:42] Inside Ohio State's Transfer Center and managing monthly bed requests [02:41] Why standardizing transfer processes improves consistency, patient safety and operational efficiency [05:22] Simplifying transfer reasons and redesigning workflows to support better decision making [06:21] Optimizing the electronic health record and building stakeholder buy-in  [07:57] Balancing patient needs with capacity management and making thoughtful transfer decisions [09:11] Investing in frontline nurses and using technology to improve transfer outcomes [11:48] Lessons learned from improving inter hospital transfer workflows and sustaining long term change [15:11] What's next for Ohio State including AI, predictive analytics and the future of transfer centers   Links | Resources: Contacting Knowledge on the Go: picollaboratives@vizientinc.com    Subscribe Today! Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Android RSS Feed  

Sermon by David Rountree on 8/9/26 at New Covenant Church in Anderson, SC. Scripture: John 14:16, 17 Outline: The Holy Spirit's Assistance for our Strengthening: Consider the word “another” (John 14:16), not “different” helper. Consider the word “helper” (parakletos, John 14:16). Examples of parakaleo. The distinction between paracletes: Christ and the Holy Spirit.    Christ our advocate (1 John 2:1-2).    Christ our judge (cf. Acts 7:54-56).    The Holy Spirit our “right now” helper (John 14:16). The Strengthening of our Helper the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17).    “Helper” or “Comforter”?    The original understanding of “comforter” (con-forte').    1 John 4:4. Concluding Application:    A HAPPY PEOPLE: Let us rejoice that our God is always in us (Ps. 28:7,8; 18:39; 37:39; 46:1).    A FEARLESS PEOPLE: Let us live fearless (1 John 4:4; Ps. 61:3; 2 Sam. 22:40; Isa. 41:10).    A PATIENT PEOPLE: Let us wait for the Lord for new strength (Isa. 40:31).    A GRATEFUL PEOPLE: Let us ascribe to the Lord, glory and strength (1 Chron. 16:27-29).    A STRONG PEOPLE: Let us be “strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might” (Eph. 6:10; Phil. 4:13).  www.ncchurch.net

How can we find hope when life includes disability, caregiving, and unexpected challenges? On this episode of Shaped by Faith Radio, Theresa Rowe welcomes Joan Borton, co-founder of Luke 14 Exchange, author of MarriageAbility: Embracing the Richness of a Marriage Affected by Disability, and contributor to Ordinary Days, Extraordinary Prayers. Joan shares Biblical encouragement for families affected by disability and offers practical wisdom for caregivers, spouses, and anyone walking through difficult seasons. Together, Theresa and Joan discuss: • Caring for a loved one with disability • Finding hope in Christ during life’s challenges • Strengthening your marriage through adversity • Encouragement for caregivers and families • The power of prayer in everyday life • Discovering purpose, value, and community through faith Whether you are a caregiver, have a family member with a disability, are seeking encouragement for your marriage, or simply need hope today, this conversation will remind you that God is faithful in every season. Subscribe to Shaped by Faith for faith-filled encouragement focused on strengthening your spirit, mind, and body through Christian living, wellness, encouragement, and inspiring interviews. You can listen to the full interview LIVE 8 AM CT Friday, Saturday and Sunday on WOMI Owensboro 99.1 FM/1490 AM. Keep reading...

Mike Switzer interviews Sandi Smith, executive director of the Augustine Literacy Project of the Upstate in Mauldin, SC.

This Week at Genesis | Worship This week in our Strengthening the Stakes series, we explored Worship—not simply as something we do on Sundays, but as the natural response to the gospel. Looking at Isaiah 54 alongside passages throughout Scripture, we were reminded that God desires to dwell among His people, and that worship flows from hearts transformed by His grace. Chris was joined by a panel featuring Keri, who has faithfully led worship for over 15 years, and Tula, an experienced worship leader from South Africa. Together, they shared stories and insights about cultivating a life of worship, leading God's people with humility, and responding to His faithfulness with gratitude and praise. Scripture & Themes

Great managers don't just build great teams. They strengthen the entire organization. In the final episode of this six-part series on You Can Manage: A Practical Guide to Becoming the Manager Everybody Wants, Wendy Loewen is joined by Daniel Anthony Doerksen and Chris Downey to explore the sixth and often overlooked essential of effective management: Strengthening the Organization. It's easy for managers to focus on their own team's success, but what happens when high-performing teams become isolated silos? Dan and Chris discuss why managers are the critical link between frontline employees and senior leadership, how to avoid creating an "us versus them" culture, and what it means to lead with the organization's success in mind. They also reflect on the five essentials of effective management and offer practical encouragement for leaders at every stage of their journey. Ready to make your workplace somewhere people actually want to be? ACHIEVE has everything you need to get there. Try our free Culture Transformation Starter Kit!

On this episode of Destination on the Left, I host a special Community Conversation featuring Patrick Kaler, President & CEO of Visit Buffalo Niagara; Tony Snell-Rodriguez, Director of Community Engagement & Inclusion at Visit Milwaukee; Steven Coyle, Director of Government Relations for Transportation Policy at the American Bus Association; and Hillarie Logan-Dechene, Deputy Director of The Wild Center. Together, they explore the many dimensions of advocacy in the tourism industry, from legislative engagement and community partnerships to storytelling, relationship building, and cross-sector collaboration. Their conversation demonstrates that effective advocacy isn't just about influencing policy—it's about creating trust, building authentic partnerships, and helping communities understand tourism's value as a driver of economic growth and quality of life. What You Will Learn in This Episode: Why advocacy extends far beyond government relations and begins with building authentic relationships How destination organizations, attractions, and industry associations are using collaboration to strengthen tourism's voice What role storytelling plays in helping elected officials, residents, and stakeholders understand tourism's economic impact How community engagement and resident sentiment are becoming key measures of destination success Why partnerships across sectors create stronger advocacy efforts and more resilient communities How research, data, and personal stories work together to influence decision-makers What practical steps tourism professionals can take to become stronger advocates within their own communities Advocacy Begins with Relationships Throughout the conversation, one message rises above the rest: successful advocacy starts long before asking for support. Whether working with elected officials, community organizations, business leaders, or residents, each panelist emphasizes that trust is built through consistent relationships, active listening, and genuine collaboration. Rather than approaching advocacy as a series of requests, the panel explores how tourism organizations can position themselves as community partners. By understanding shared priorities and working toward mutual goals, destinations are able to demonstrate that tourism benefits far more than visitors—it strengthens local economies, supports small businesses, creates jobs, and enhances quality of life for residents. Using Stories and Data to Demonstrate Tourism's Value While economic impact numbers remain an essential advocacy tool, the panel discusses why statistics alone are rarely enough. Effective advocacy combines measurable data with compelling human stories that help decision-makers understand tourism's real-world impact. The guests share examples of how visitor spending supports local businesses, creates employment opportunities, reduces the tax burden for residents, and generates long-term community investment. They also explore how personalized examples—from small business testimonials to resident feedback—can transform large economic figures into meaningful stories that resonate with legislators, community leaders, and stakeholders alike. Building Stronger Destinations Through Cross-Sector Collaboration One of the strongest themes throughout the discussion is the importance of looking beyond traditional tourism partnerships. The panel encourages organizations to collaborate with museums, transportation providers, nonprofits, healthcare institutions, educational organizations, chambers of commerce, neighborhood groups, and local businesses to build stronger advocacy networks. The guests share how these relationships not only strengthen individual organizations but also create more resilient destinations capable of addressing community priorities together. Whether developing new programs, supporting accessibility initiatives, attracting meetings and events, or advocating for infrastructure investments, they demonstrate that tourism is most successful when it is viewed as a shared community asset. By embracing collaboration over competition, destinations can amplify their impact, strengthen public trust, and ensure tourism continues to deliver lasting benefits for visitors and residents alike. Resources: Website: https://travelalliancepartnership.com/ Patrick Kaler Website: https://visitbuffalo.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickkaler/ Tony Snell-Rodriguez Website: https://www.visitmilwaukee.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-snell-rodriguez/ Steven Coyle Website: https://www.buses.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steventcoyle/ Hillarie Logan-Dechene Website: https://www.wildcenter.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillarie-logan-dechene-2bb8aa18/

Winning government contracts in today's market means small businesses can no longer rely on outdated habits, and this episode breaks down exactly what separates the contractors pulling ahead from the ones falling behind. Eric Coffie walks through a recent industry survey of 649 government contracting companies and unpacks four specific gaps small businesses need to close right now. If you have felt stuck watching bigger firms win the opportunities you should be landing, this episode hands you a practical playbook to change that. Learn how to use ChatGPT to analyze SAM.gov solicitations, extract must-have requirements, and pull bonding minimums and past performance criteria in minutes instead of hours Discover why strengthening your professional network is the fastest path to securing certifications, past performance, and funding sources like CDFI and Lendistry Find out how leveraging tools like Google Alerts and LinkedIn can surface grant opportunities and sole source contracts before your competitors even know they exist Understand why niching down into a specific NAICS code and becoming a recognized expert beats casting a wide net across construction, IT, and services Get real answers on subcontractor past performance, surety bonds, insurance requirements, and hiring your first virtual assistant to scale your contracting business EPISODE CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction and small business survey findings overview 3:20 - Why small businesses are not adopting AI fast enough 4:45 - Using ChatGPT to analyze SAM.gov healthcare opportunities by state 6:53 - Extracting must have requirements from solicitations with AI 9:56 - Strengthening relationships and networking for certifications and funding 13:06 - Finding CDFI and Lendistry funding sources for small businesses 15:58 - Using Google Alerts to find grants and opportunities automatically 19:08 - Leveraging LinkedIn and social media to win contracts 25:33 - Expanding service offerings to match what government actually buys 28:49 - Picking a NAICS code and becoming a niche market expert 36:21 - Live Q&A on subcontractors bonds insurance and hiring VAs 44:07 - Closing thoughts on choosing a focused niche   Mindy gives you the federal opportunities, agency signals, recompete intel, and pursuit briefs that tell you not just what contracts exist, but which ones to chase and how to win them. Sign up for free Daily Alerts and get opportunities delivered to your inbox before the day starts.

Most of us have been taught how to strive for more. Very few of us have been taught how to receive it.This month's affirmations are designed to support abundance, financial expansion, receptivity, and becoming the version of yourself who naturally welcomes more into your life. They're intentionally created to work with your subconscious mind in a way that minimizes internal resistance, helping you strengthen beliefs that support wealth, opportunity, self trust, and possibility.These affirmations are for you if you're ready to stop chasing what's already trying to find you. They're an invitation to strengthen your capacity to receive, trust, and live from a place of true overflow.Inside this month's affirmations, you'll be supported in:• Becoming the version of yourself who naturally attracts opportunities and abundance• Developing a healthier relationship with money and receiving wealth• Releasing subconscious beliefs that create resistance to financial overflow• Strengthening an identity rooted in expansion rather than scarcity• Opening yourself to greater trust, possibility, and abundance in every area of lifeEach affirmation is repeated three times in a row and cycles throughout the episode so you'll hear each one multiple times as your subconscious mind begins reinforcing these new beliefs. For the deepest impact, return to these affirmations daily for 21 days or more.Take the next stepStop trying to sound like everyone else. Discover how your voice is naturally designed to connect with the people you're here to serve: Get your free personalized Voice by Design GuideIf you've hit an invisible ceiling and you're ready to understand what's really beneath it, I'd love to work with you. Apply to work with meJoin the conversation on Instagram: @_brendajohnstonSubstack, The Limitless Life Uncensored, for deeper conversations beyond the podcast.

In this episode of The Future of Identity Podcast, I'm joined by Alexandre Kech, CEO of the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF). Alex leads the organization responsible for the global Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) system and its next evolution: the Verifiable Legal Entity Identifier (vLEI), a cryptographically verifiable framework that enables organizations, employees, systems, and eventually AI agents to prove who they are and who they represent.Our conversation explores how organizational identity is becoming a foundational layer for digital trust. We discuss why the vLEI was created, how strong governance enables trust at global scale, and what it will take to build interoperable identity infrastructure that can support businesses, financial institutions, and AI-powered ecosystems.In this episode we explore:Why the vLEI extends the traditional LEI by enabling organizations and their representatives to prove identity and delegated authority across digital interactions.How governance, cryptographic trust chains, and qualified issuers create a globally trusted framework for organizational identity.Real-world applications for the vLEI across financial services, telecommunications, healthcare, trade, digital assets, and cross-border business transactions.How digital identities, reusable credentials, and organizational identity can work together to strengthen verification while reducing friction.Why AI agents, delegated authority, and interoperable trust frameworks will drive the next generation of enterprise identity.This episode is essential listening for anyone working in business identity, digital trust, financial services, or decentralized identity. Alex provides a thoughtful look at how globally governed trust frameworks can help organizations operate more securely in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world.Thanks for listening, and if you found this conversation valuable, share it with someone who is helping build the future of digital identity.Learn more about GLEIF and the vLEI ecosystem.Reach out to Riley (@rileyphughes) and Trinsic (@trinsic_id) on Twitter. We'd love to hear from you.Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or find all ways to listen at trinsic.id/podcast.

Julie Lilliston is Founder & President of Julie Lilliston Communications, an award-winning, nationally certified woman-owned public relations firm in Nashville. It helps businesses enhance their reputation, build their brand, and grow market share. Her firm specializes in executive visibility and thought leadership programs for small businesses. On this episode, Julie discusses how businesses can build their reputations through executive visibility campaigns and the state of women in PR.Key Takeaways:- How Julie helped save the Treasury Department $450 million- The power of thought leadership campaigns- The current state of women in PREpisode Timeline:2:28Winning the PRSA's Silver Anvil Award for a US Treasury campaign3:22Convincing seniors to go direct deposit5:28The impact of the direct deposit campaigns7:23What's happening at Julie Lilliston Communications9:00The power of thought leadership campaigns10:10The campaigns are focused on media relations12:00How to prepare executives for media engagement15:10Components of a successful thought leadership campaign20:15The state of women in PR and AI's impactThis episode's guest:• Julie Lilliston on LinkedIn• Julie Lilliston Communications on Instagram• Julie Lilliston's websiteSubscribe and leave a 5-star review: https://pod.link/1496390646Contact Us!•Join the conversation by leaving a comment!•Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn!Thanks for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeffrey Mosher welcomes back Brad Zaun, Acting Great Lakes Regional Administrator, SBA U.S. Small Business Administration Welcome back to the show, Brad! I hear you just landed in Phoenix for the third SBA Manufacturing Supply Chain Matchmaker, similar to the one the agency held in Detroit last month. Tell, me how is it going and what's the impact these matchmakers have had strengthening American small businesses and Made In America growth Speaking of growth, the SBA signed an MOU with the Department of Labor (20250716-DOL-SBA-MOU.pdf)aimed at, as Administrator Loeffler says, “ cultivating a pipeline of skilled workers and capital to support their growth in a powerful new era of Made in America.” Tell us more, and how the two agencies are working together building a more skilled workforce that small business owners can tap into? Late last week, the SBA announced SCALE – $9 M in grant funding for the Supply Chain Acceleration and Logistics Enablement Program for public or private entities, nonprofit orgs, and institutions capable of delivering accelerated programs, tech assistance, and services helping small businesses grow priority supply chains in advanced tech and manufacturing. What does this look like, how can parties apply, and what's the deadline? In honor of the U.S.' 250 years of independence, the SBA has created the 250 pledge. Tell us more and how small businesses can sign up? The Midwest – including Michigan, have been hit by a lot of storms, winds, flooding, tornadoes, and drought over the past year. Tell me more about SBA's Disaster Recovery programs and where people can find out more, find if they are in a covered impacted area, and how to apply for assistance? Disaster assistance | U.S. Small Business Administration MySBA Loan Portal Disaster Declaration Search SBA Announces $9 Million in Grant Funding for the Supply Chain Acceleration and Logistics Enablement (SCALE) Program Funding will help small firms scale production and support strategic priorities Published on July 23, 2026 WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced it is seeking proposals for a new funding competition as part of the Supply Chain Acceleration and Logistics Enablement (SCALE) Program, which will award 20 grants of up to $500,000 each over a two‑year period of performance. The program, which will provide a total of $9 million in funding, is designed to help small businesses address supply chain constraints, increase production, and expand participation in strategically important supply chains. “Thanks to President Trump's tireless commitment to building in America, this Administration is driving the most aggressive reindustrialization effort our nation has ever seen,” said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. “The Trump SBA is dedicated to strengthening our manufacturing base by supporting the capital and resources required to return to Made in America. The SBA's SCALE Program offers targeted support to rebuild critical supply chains across our industrial base by empowering high‑potential domestic suppliers to meet new demand, reshore production, and put American workers and producers back in charge of the industries that keep our nation strong - from agriculture and energy to defense.” ### About the U.S. Small Business Administration The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

In this episode of The Agentic Patient, a Faces of Digital Health series on how patients are using AI to find answers the healthcare system didn't give them, Tjasa Zajc talks to Elena Ikonomovska, CEO and Co-Founder of Diadia Health. She stopped trusting chatbots with her own health data — after building an AI company on the problem they create. Elena talks about her two-and-a-half-year journey that followed her mother's death and her own dismissed symptoms — and the causal-reasoning AI she built in response. Guest: Elena Ikonomovska, CEO, Co-Founder & Chief AI Officer, Diadia Health What the conversation covers: - Why Ikonomovska calls generative AI's confident wrong answers "faithful hallucinations" - Building a causal-reasoning engine instead of using large language models for clinical decisions - Why lab "normal" ranges differ by genetics — and what that means for your bloodwork - Her own dismissed thyroid and pre-diabetes symptoms, and what a two-and-a-half-year diagnosis journey actually looks like - The risk of self-diagnosing from ChatGPT-style tools, and what to ask any AI health platform about your data - Why she believes AI should strengthen, not replace, the doctor-patient relationship - Early clinical results: agreement rates with physician judgment and reductions in diagnostic trial-and-error - The equity risk in AI-driven healthcare — who gets access to validated tools, and who doesn't Chapters: 00:00 Intro: why The Agentic Patient series exists 02:30 Meet Elena Ikonomovska and the case for causal AI 03:35 From two decades in machine learning to health AI 07:07 What the model needs: blood panels, genetics, and interactions 09:45 Elena's own diagnosis journey — two and a half years to answers 11:32 Why she wouldn't trust chatbots with her health today 12:40 "Faithful hallucinations": the hidden risk in generative AI 15:04 Inside a causal-reasoning engine built without generative AI 17:32 What happens when clinicians outsource reasoning to chatbots 21:06 Redefining "normal": genetics and personalized lab ranges 27:08 Women's health data gaps and the DTC testing boom 28:13 Strengthening, not replacing, the doctor-patient relationship 31:42 Chatbot safety advice: what patients should never share 38:07 Clinical validation, agreement rates, and what's next Faces of Digital Health: Website: https://www.facesofdigitalhealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/faces-of-digital-health Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4cElKJHrauyP6QJQaCkvdY Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/faces-of-digital-health/id1194284040 Newsletter: https://fodh.substack.com The Agentic Patient series hub: https://www.facesofdigitalhealth.com/agentic-patient-blog #DigitalHealth #AIinHealthcare #PatientAdvocacy #WomensHealth #HealthTech #ClinicalAI #TheAgenticPatient

April Mardock, Chief Information Security Officer at WASIPC, joins the podcast to analyze the primary entry points targeted in K-12 ransomware incidents. The discussion offers actionable guidance on multi-factor authentication, vendor risk management, data retention policies, and using gamified tabletop exercises to prepare school leadership for cyber incidents.April's LinkedIn profile and email addressCybersecurity tabletop simulation game (Gemini Gem), step into the hot seat of a live cyber attack and lead your team to safetyI Asked 24 Ransomed School Districts How the Attackers Got In - There Were Only Three Answers, LinkedIn article that April authoredK-12 SIX (K-12 Security Information Sharing and Analysis Center), threat intelligence community providing free K-12 cybersecurity guidance, checklist guides, and standardsWISPC, public, non-profit agency in Washington state that provides technology solutions, data management, and cooperative purchasing services to K-12 schoolsCyberforce|Q service from WISPC, building and implementing cybersecurity programs for organizations of all sizesBluum service from WISPC, helping educators leverage technology to create a more effective and engaging student experienceCybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; as the national coordinator for critical infrastructure security and resilience, CISA works with partners at every level to identify and manage risk to the cyber and physical infrastructure that Americans rely on every hour of every day. CISA works with partners to defend against today's threats and collaborate to build a more secure and resilient infrastructure for the future.Secure Cloud Business Application (SCuBA), CISA project providing tailored cloud solutions guidance and secure configuration baselines (SCBs) for Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace applications. SCuBA's guidance aims to protect information that organizations create, access, share, or store in cloud environments.Backdoors and Breaches, incident response card game

In this episode, we are joined by Laura Patton Watson, former Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration, to explore how strong fiscal management and federal grant compliance contribute to better workforce outcomes. Drawing on decades of experience overseeing billions of dollars in federal grant funding, Laura discusses the importance of understanding grant agreements, building an organization-wide culture of fiscal responsibility, preparing for the growing role of AI in financial oversight, and balancing new technology with sound human judgment. She also previews the 2026 Administrative and Financial Management Conference and the practical guidance it will offer workforce professionals responsible for managing federal grants.

In this episode, David Walker, Chief Executive Officer, George E. Weems Memorial Hospital, shares how the hospital is expanding local access to care through new pharmacy, oncology, rehabilitation, and specialty services while strengthening its financial foundation. He also discusses workforce strategies, cybersecurity, and the importance of investing in rural communities to build a more sustainable future.

Freddie Mercury was born to sing. Peyton Manning was born to play football. And Moses had every marker of a born leader — royal upbringing, elite education, position, power, and a real passion for justice. Then he killed a man, hid the body, and lost everything within a day. In this episode, Pastor Aaron Loy walks through Exodus 2 to show why competence and calling aren't enough without a formed soul underneath them. Then Ted Coniaris talks with Ruth Haley Barton — author of Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership — about what it looks like when leaders lose their souls, and how God does his deepest work in the very moments self-made leadership collapses. Includes an introduction to this week's Soul Practice: the Prayer of Examen. Scripture: Exodus 2:11-25. Week 1 of Soul-Strengthened Leadership.

How Do We Properly Worship God with Genuine Joy?Strengthening Faith 9 Worship: Grow CloserBrian UyedaOriginal Air Date: 2026.08.02We believe The Bible, God's word, is inspired by Him, through the Holy Spirit and is sufficient for everything you need in life – guidance, wisdom, strength, encouragement and HOPE. His word reveals His nature and character and His plan of redemption through His Son Jesus Christ, through whom we can have eternal salvation when we choose to follow Him. We also believe the Bible remains relevant in our world today and its power is experienced when personally and consistently applied and practiced.Part of your journey may include choosing a Bible translation and there are many. To help you choose, it is important to know that a “translation” is word-for-word while a “paraphrase” is thought- for- thought. If you are new to Bible reading or don't yet have one, we offer FREE Bibles that are English Standard Version translation – a very easy to read Bible. Other options are Bible Apps you can download to your phone, or sites like: www.Bible.org, www.biblegateway.com or www.blueletterbible.org.We invite you to join us for weekend services:Saturday Evening at 5:30pm. Question and Answer period after service.Morning Social at 10:00am: A time to connect with others over coffee and donuts.Sunday Morning at 10:30amPromiseland Kids' Ministry: Toddler – Sr. High, Sunday at 10:30 am, offers Christian education and worship for children and youth.If you have missed a message or are viewing from home, you can catch weekend services on our Facebook page and YouTube by going to www.crossroads-ridgecrest.org, or through the church app. We also have podcasts available by looking up Crossroads Community Church - available on several podcast apps.Have a question for one of our Pastors? Submit your questions via text at: (760) 301-4840 for our Ask It! Your Questions Answered segment every week. Watch or Listen what others ask!If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, please call (760)384-3333 Weds. – Fri. 10am-4pm, text (760)301-4840, or email ccc@ccc-rc.org

Romans 1 presents the Christian life as a wholehearted love for God that overflows into love for people. Paul begins with thanksgiving and prayer, reminding believers to intentionally encourage others by recognizing their faith instead of criticizing their faults. In a culture marked by isolation and distraction, these practices build genuine community and strengthen those who are faithfully following Christ, knowing that spiritual fruit often brings spiritual opposition. Paul also calls believers to live with generous, persistent love that gives more than it takes. Faithful friendships are marked by sacrifice, loyalty, and a refusal to give up on people, while the church's greatest obligation remains proclaiming Jesus above every competing priority. Thanksgiving, prayer, generosity, perseverance, and gospel witness work together to form a community that reflects Christ's love and advances His kingdom.

You don't need a fancy gym to build stronger bones. Learn how to create a simple home osteoporosis gym with the right equipment, exercises, and strength-training strategies to support balance, posture, and fracture prevention. In this episode, I'm sharing a special interview and exercise demonstration from Joan Pagano, a renowned fitness expert and certified exercise physiologist specializing in women's health and active aging. She is also a best-selling author and has written seven books on the benefits of strength training across the decades.  Joan walks us through setting up your own home osteoporosis gym, including the equipment, exercises, and foundational movements to help strengthen the most vulnerable fracture sites: the hips, spine, and wrists. Building stronger bones doesn't require a complicated routine or an expensive gym membership. With the right exercises, proper alignment, and consistent strength training, you can improve your balance, maintain independence, and give your bones the support they need at any stage of life.   "When you do a strength training exercise for your muscles, you're also doing it for your bones." ~ Joan Pagano   In this episode: - [02:04] - Resistance training and how it helps the bones - [08:05] - At-home vs. gym-based training  - [11:02] - Essential exercises for hip, spine, and wrist strength - [17:56] - Choosing the right weights for bone health - [21:26] - Resistance bands for posture and shoulder strength - [23:04] - Strengthening the back, spine, and upper body - [27:47] - Loop bands for hip stability and balance - [32:39] - Using resistance bands for leg exercises -  [35:50] - Weighted balls and compound exercises - [39:04] - Working safely with trainers and physical therapists   Resources - Get quality supplements from Margie's Fullscript Dispensary - https://tinyurl.com/supplementsforless - Joan's Strength Training for Osteoporosis (Foundational Series): 4-Session On-Demand Class (Replay) - https://happyboneshappylife.com/strength-training-for-osteoporosis-4-week-class-replay - Joan's MORE Strength Training for Osteoporosis (Follow-up Series): 4-Session On-Demand Class (Replay) - https://happyboneshappylife.com/strength-training-for-osteoporosis-new-4-week-class - Joan's Step Training for Agility, Balance, and Bone Strength: On-Demand Class - https://happyboneshappylife.com/step-training-for-agility-balance-and-bone-strength-on-demand - Fabric resistance bands Joan recommends on Amazon -https://amzn.to/3tVuKtZ   More about Margie - Website - https://margiebissinger.com/  - Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p/Margie-Bissinger-MS-PT-CHC-100063542905332/  - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/margiebissinger/?hl=en    DISCLAIMER – The information presented on this podcast should not be construed as medical advice. It is not intended to replace consultation with your physician or healthcare provider. The ideas shared on this podcast are the expressed opinions of the guests and do not always reflect those of Margie Bissinger and Happy Bones, Happy Life Podcast. *In compliance with the FTC guidelines, please assume the following about links on this site: Some of the links going to products are affiliate links of which I receive a small commission from sales of certain items, but the price is the same for you (sometimes, I even get to share a unique discount with you). If I post an affiliate link to a product, it is something that I personally use, support, and would recommend. I personally vet each and every product. My first priority is providing valuable information and resources to help you create positive changes in your health and bring more happiness into your life. I will only ever link to products or resources (affiliate or otherwise) that fit within this purpose.

Strengthening Others

Dr. Amanda Hanson, a leading voice in psychology among women, visits Expansive with Erin for a talk about what it takes to expand into the fullest version of yourself. Dr. Amanda is on a quest to help women across the globe stop hiding, connect with their magnetic feminine energy, and claim their sense of self-worth so that they can reach their dreams. You'll be expanded by conversations about: Letting go of the limiting narratives in order to expand and become more visible Why success and visibility can sometimes feel unsafeHow to shift anxiety into excitement when experiencing growth Strengthening your intuition and building trust in your inner voice The realities that can arise when you achieve and surpass your dreamsJoin Dr. Amanda in October at Magnetic, and follow her on Instagram @midlife.museIf you're ready for expansion and want to do it within an incredible community of women, join us inside of The Expansive Mastermind. Join Erin at the Expansive Retreat Oct 23-25 in Santa Monica, CA! Join the Waitlist for The Expansive Community Subscribe to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Connect with Erin:⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠WebsiteSupport Our Sponsors: BIOOPTIMIZERS - Get 15% off any order by visiting https://bioptimizers.com/erinJONES ROAD BEAUTY - Get a free Cool Gloss on your first purchase when you use the code ERIN at checkout https://www.jonesroadbeauty.com/TUMBLE RUGS - Get 10% plus free shipping by visiting https://www.tumbleliving.com/erinHELLOFRESH - Go to hellofresh.ca and use the code RAWBEAUTYTALKS for 50% off your next order. KNIX - Go to knix.com and use code RAWBEAUTYTALKS for 20% off your next order.MITOPURE GUMMIES - Go to ⁠Timeline.com/ERIN⁠ and use the code ERIN for 20% off. LOLA BLANKETS - Go to LolaBlankets.com and use the code RAWBEAUTYTALKS for 35% off. SUPERBELLY POWDERS - Go to ⁠www.itsblume.com⁠ and use code RAWBEAUTYTALKS for 15% off.AQUTRU WATER FILTERS - Go to www.aquatru.com and use code RAWBEAUTYTALKS for 20% off. Please use link on left side of checkout page, not the coupon code box on the right. COWBOY COLOSTRUM - Use code RAWBEAUTYTALKS at CowboyColostrum.com for 25%off⁠Leave Expansive with Erin a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts⁠! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, Executive Director of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, discusses the BISC's recently released 2026 Defending Direct Democracy Report, which highlights that the seemingly isolated policy fights driving ballot initiatives are, in fact, part of a broader authoritarian playbook. Ballot initiatives have become very popular as a way to address genuine public priorities beyond partisan divides but are seen by many as a threat to established political power. We talk about: Using ballot initiatives to restrict rights How the ballot initiative process is being undermined through signature requirement changes, confusing language, and raising thresholds for passage Cross-partisan appeal of ballot initiatives  Strengthening direct democracy #BallotInitiativeStrategyCenter #BISC #BallotInitiatives #Organizing #LocalOrganizers  Defending Direct Democracy: Attacks on the Ballot Measure Process and the Rise of Authoritarianism  Ballot.org

In this powerful episode of Beliefcast, I sit down with Katie Lowder, a Top 500 Realtor in Utah with nearly two decades of experience helping families navigate life's biggest transitions. Katie shares how faith, relationships, service, and compassion have become the foundation of both her business and her life.   This conversation goes far beyond real estate. It's about purpose, resilience, family, leadership, gratitude, and learning to use your gifts to uplift those around you.   Katie also shares insights from motherhood, community service, personal growth, and what it means to truly live with joy and intention.   Listen to her inspiring story on the Beliefcast, Apple Podcasts, and all streaming platforms.   … #Beliefcast #ToddSylvester #KatieLowder #Faith #Purpose #Leadership #PersonalGrowth #Resilience #Service #Compassion #Community #FamilyFirst #Gratitude #ChooseJoy #inspiration   Follow Katies's journey here: IG:  @katielowder IG:  @katielowderrealestate LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-lowder-70021914/ FB:  https://www.facebook.com/katie.stapletonlowder Web:  https://katherinelowder.equityrealestateusa.com/   ….. Special thanks to our Sponsors: Craig Swapp & Associates @craigswappandassociates Wasatch Recovery @wasatchrecovery Minky Couture @minkycouture Music by Paul Cardall @paulcardall

The future of sports medicine isn't shaped solely in the operating room—it is also driven by visionary leadership, collaboration, education, and innovation. Live from the AOSSM Annual Meeting in Seattle, Drs. Catherine Logan and Ashley Bassett sit down with Corey Parker, MPA, the newly appointed CEO of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM), to discuss his vision for one of the world's leading sports medicine organizations.With more than two decades of executive leadership experience in healthcare, academic medicine, and national physician organizations, Corey shares what drew him to AOSSM and how he plans to help the society continue advancing education, research, advocacy, and member engagement in an era of rapid change.The conversation explores how AOSSM is preparing surgeons for emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and biologics, expanding mentorship and leadership opportunities for early-career members, and strengthening collaboration across the multidisciplinary sports medicine team. Corey also discusses the importance of serving both academic and private practice surgeons while ensuring the organization remains innovative, financially strong, and increasingly valuable to its members.Whether you're a resident just beginning your career or a seasoned sports medicine surgeon, this episode offers an inside look at the leadership shaping the future of our specialty.In This Episode Corey Parker's journey to becoming CEO of AOSSM  Why AOSSM continues to be a global leader in sports medicine  Supporting residents, fellows, and early-career surgeons through mentorship and leadership development  Strengthening connections between academic and private practice sports medicine physicians  Developing the next generation of leaders within AOSSM  Building stronger partnerships across the sports medicine care team  Corey's vision for the future of AOSSM and the legacy he hopes to leave Key Takeaways Leadership is essential to advancing sports medicine beyond clinical innovation.  Lifelong education and evidence-based guidance remain central to helping surgeons navigate an evolving field.  Mentorship and early career engagement are critical investments in the future of the specialty.  Collaboration across physicians, therapists, athletic trainers, researchers, and industry drives better patient care.  A strong professional society must continue evolving while remaining focused on its mission and its members. About Our GuestCorey Parker brings more than 20 years of progressive executive leadership in healthcare, academic medicine, and national medical societies. He currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, where he oversees a complex enterprise of 65 staff and a combined operating budget exceeding $30 million. Previously, he served as Executive Director of Surgical Accreditation at the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, where he led accreditation efforts for orthopedic surgery and other surgical specialties nationwide. Earlier leadership roles within major academic health systems further reflect his expertise in operational excellence, financial stewardship, and large-scale team development.Parker will join the AOSSM professional team on April 6, 2026. He succeeds CEO Greg Dummer, who announced his intent to retire last August. Dummer has served as CEO since July 2016 and will remain with the organization through the 2026 Annual Meeting to support a smooth and successful transitionFollow The Sports Docs Podcast for conversations with leading surgeons, researchers, and innovators who are advancing the field of sports medicine through cutting-edge science, education, and collaboration.https://www.cloganmd.com/https://orthopedicnj.com/physicians/ashley-bassett

https://anchorbaptist1611.com/

Reliable emergency medical services require sustained investments in equipment, workforce development, and preparedness. In this episode, ASTHO member and Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Debra Bogen discusses how the state's latest $6.6 million investment in EMS is improving patient care, supporting first responders, and strengthening emergency response across Pennsylvania. Dr. Bogen explains how regional EMS agencies are using new funding to purchase advanced equipment like video laryngoscopes and lift-assist devices, expand training opportunities, and recruit and retain the next generation of EMTs and paramedics. She also highlights how Pennsylvania uses EMS performance data to measure outcomes, improve quality, and identify areas for additional support.Leading Change October 2026DELPH Power of Leadership Micro-Conference

In this episode, Dave Estorge, vice president of rural strategy at FMOL Health, shares how building authentic relationships with rural hospitals, improving care coordination, and expanding transfer collaboration are strengthening access to care. He also discusses why humility, trust, and mission-driven leadership are essential to supporting rural communities and improving patient outcomes.

We're back with the third episode in our series on the podcast in which we're working our way through Pam's book, The Unschooling Journey: A Field Guide. Today, we're continuing our exploration of the deschooling phase of the journey with stage seven: Shifting From Control to Connection. Last time, we questioned our beliefs about learning and now, we’re questioning our beliefs about parenting. We talked about how parenting doesn’t have to be adults vs children, that children are capable of making their own choices, that equal doesn’t mean fair, how quitting is not a failure, and how strong relationships are the key. We also remembered to allow ourselves the time and space to grow and change. Exploring these parenting mindset shifts was so much fun! We hope you find this episode helpful! Watch the video of our conversation on YouTube. THINGS WE MENTION IN THIS EPISODE Learn more about Pam's book, The Unschooling Journey: A Field Guide. We invite you to join us in the Living Joyfully Network, a warm and welcoming online community of like-hearted parents. It's a non-judgmental space where you can steep in these unconventional ideas around parenting, relationships, and learning, and explore what they might look like day-to-day in your uniquely wonderful family. We offer a free month trial so you can see if it's a good fit for you. Click here to join us. Sign up to our mailing list on Substack to receive our email newsletters as well as new articles about learning, parenting, and so much more! Check out our website, livingjoyfully.ca for more information about exploring unschooling and navigating relationships. EPISODE TRANSCRIPT PAM: Hello everyone, I’m Pam Laricchia from Living Joyfully and I’m joined today by my co-hosts Anna Brown and Erika Ellis. Hello to you both. And we are back with another episode in our “A Field Guide” series. We are working our way through my book, “The Unschooling Journey: A Field Guide”, which is framed around the hero’s journey and is a weave of myths, contemporary stories, and tales from my own journey. And we are deep in the de-schooling phase of our journey right now. In the last episode of the series, which was episode 408, we dug into some of the popular conventional paradigms about learning and found new truths buried in there. And as we continue our journey on the road of trials, in this stage, which is stage seven, we are exploring some unconventional truths about parenting. If you’re newer to unschooling and this is your first time exploring these truths, you’re likely dancing with these ideas more intellectually to just understand what they mean, what are we talking about, and maybe some of the further reaching implications that come along with it. And if you’ve been unschooling for a while and feel like you already intellectually embraced these ideas and have been bringing them into your family’s lives, now’s the time to peel back some more layers to build more connections and contacts around them. Strengthening your web of understanding with your own experiences, building your wisdom around this. And this is where you move towards, what feels to me anyway, believing these truths in your bones, you own them. These are your truths. So, the first truth that we’re going to explore is that parenting is not adults versus children. And right off with that phrase, there are so many aspects to that one truth. Does the conventional approach of pitting adults against children really make sense for us? What assumptions are we making if we believe that to be true? Does it mesh with our experiences with our own children and with the families that we see around us? The presumption of parental power over children is definitely widespread in our culture. We are meant to assume good parenting means power struggles will happen, a battle of wills over whatever the issue at hand happens to be. Yet many of us see right in front of us that it’s a draining and stressful way to live. And that so many adults who grew up in that environment continue to have strained relationships with their parents. That’s always been a curious one for me. So what if, let’s play with what if we choose to drop the assumption that the one right way to successfully parent is to exert power over your child to ensure that they do the right thing at the right moment? It can be challenging when we have little idea of what else to do. Because shifting away from power and control doesn’t mean doing nothing. So to that end, I personally found it really helpful on my journey to focus on connecting with my child rather than directing them. That’s what I could do instead. That helped me shift my energy in the moment to be open to seeing more of what was actually happening rather than that tunnel vision that comes with trying to control something to go one particular way and my way. And to instead get curious about how they were seeing the moment too, recognizing them as other human beings who are with me in this moment, not ones I’m trying to show the right way to go. Anyway, I found this a huge part of my unschooling journey. ANNA: Oh my gosh, it really is this fundamental shift that changes everything. And I feel like we’re handed these ideas about parenting and what the dynamic between parents and kids should look like. This does not feel innate to me. It really feels like something that’s coming from outside. And I truly don’t believe that it feels good to anyone to be locked in power struggles with the people they love most in the world. And I think people press on because they think they’re supposed to. They think this is how it is. This is what I have to do. Even when they have these niggling feelings inside that it doesn’t feel good and I don’t want to interact with my family this way. Because it really just doesn’t make any logical sense. Control, manipulation, and punishments do not work well in any healthy relationship. So take it outside of that parent-child dynamic. It does not work. These are not tools we want our kids to use. They aren’t the tools that we use in our close relationships as adults. So why would we want to bring those tools into the relationship with these beings we cherish above all else? Why would we want to model that? That just never made sense to me. The idea that really helped me the most was understanding that needs drive behaviors. So behind every behavior is an unmet need. Conventional parenting is about controlling behavior, but it never gets at that underlying need where change can actually happen. And if we look for that underlying need and address it, what you find is that behavior that may be offending or challenging at the time can really melt away because the need is being met. And not only that, but it deepens our understanding of each other and our connection. Like you were talking about Pam, that’s how we get to that connected piece by understanding each other. And so for me, that kind of defines the shift from control to connection, from trying to control behaviors, to connecting to understand the needs and address them together. And once there, it just feels better to everyone. And in that environment, we are all learning critical relationship skills that set us up for success, how to express our needs, how to hear another person’s needs, how to problem solve together to meet the needs. That will play out over and over and over again in every relationship in our life, from the clerk at the post office to our closest partner. And that is where I wanted to spend my energy on us all fine tuning those skills together in a safe environment. ERIKA: I agree. This is such a game changer. Moving from that power over dynamic that we’re all so familiar with just from living in our culture, to this place of connection. It just makes such a huge difference in my relationship with my children. And really, like you’re saying my relationship with everyone. And I think it’s surprising to people when they first think about this or first see it in action, because people are not used to this dynamic. I’ve had many experiences, in relating to my kids, friends, with teenagers who are just like, what is this? This is an adult who’s not just trying to tell us to stop, an adult who’s just telling us what to do, or an adult who’s criticizing and judging everything that we do. I’m an adult who is interested in them and wants to hear what they are interested in. And I just have had so many comments like, this is so weird to me, my parents don’t want to hear about this, that I don’t understand this idea of adults who are nice to us. And I think a lot of teenagers have that experience, it really feels like adults are just against them. And so I think it's kind of mind blowing. It really surprises people. But it helps me to remember how I felt when I was a child, and how I felt like I was a whole person, and then people would treat me like I wasn’t, but I knew that I was. And so that feeling is the feeling that kids have. And so the power over dynamic does not make sense to them, it does not feel good to them. We can have people pleasing kids who go along with it. And then we can have kids who push against it, because it doesn’t make logical sense, and it feels terrible. And then about those kids we'll say, Oh, they’re a difficult child or whatever. But kids are people too. We’re all people. And so if I think about how I would have preferred to be treated when I was a kid, that’s a good place for me to start, with respecting children and not wielding my power over them. And what I’ve found in my family is that it’s just so peaceful. Our interactions have a lot more peace, understanding, and mutual respect. There’s not a reason for them to be pushing back so hard against me. There’s not a reason for them to ignore everything I say, because they think I’m just trying to control them. All of those elements that you typically see in mainstream media relationships between teens and adults, it’s just not there. It’s just so much more peaceful. And I think that helps all of us, it helps all of our nervous systems to not constantly be in battle with each other. And it has that feeling of, we’re solving problems together, you’re talking about the underlying needs versus me trying to force my will on to someone else regardless of what they want. And so again, these are our most important, most treasured relationships. So I just think why would we want to bring that power over dynamic into that space that’s so important to us. PAM: I know, I love that. I love all the little bits you guys brought to it. I love having this conversation. But when you think back on, especially, the teen relationships and the teen years, it’s like, oh my gosh, what a huge difference. I didn’t have a lot of conflict with my parents. But I also basically didn’t have a lot of conversations with them at that point, right? Because you knew they were, from best of intentions, but only looking through their eyes. It's about how they think you should do something. So much of it is their baggage from their experiences, right? And I want you to have a better life. It’s almost like inhuman expectations that they share and put on you, like, if I could help my child be the perfect teen into an adult and launch into that whole thing. Those are the kinds of stories that they’re bringing. And yeah, it just feels like one demand after another, right in the conversation. So you don’t start the conversations for the most part. Because you know where they’re going to go. So I, why set myself up for that, right? So that’s the distance that conventionally you see with teens and parents. If we don’t talk, then I'll never know what they’re bringing with those stories. I think when you tweak it to the kid, older kids, like wanting to build their independence, absolutely. That doesn’t mean the connection’s different. The connection is still strong. It’s still there. Of course they can do that. But I think we tend to blame all of that on the teens wanting independence, but so much of it is just because they are bucking against the control, right? ANNA: Absolutely. It’s just so disconnecting. PAM: So, the second truth we are going to dive into is that children are capable of making choices. And this is another one I think can be so surprising for people to discover, right? Because conventionally many parents make most of their children’s decisions for them. Just believing that they’re modeling the right thing to do. And then assuming that their children have learned it and will make those same choices when they grow up and are finally in control of their own lives. And again, most often it’s not done with any malice, right? We love our kids and we want them to learn good choices. But what if we aren’t telling our kids what choices to make? What do we do instead? Again, because it’s not about doing nothing. It’s not about leaving them to their own devices, all these phrases that you hear getting tossed about. It’s about processing with them. What are their questions in this moment? How are they seeing things? What choice makes sense to them? When we aren’t struggling with our kids and are actively trying to nurture that secure and supportive environment, they have the space to consider things from various angles. And make the choice that makes the most sense to them in this particular moment. And have conversations with us about it both before and after the thing. They learn how to make choices by making choices. And I think a key thing to remember as we make this shift in our parenting is to recognize that their choice may well be different from the choice that we would make in similar circumstances. Because, again, people are different. People are so different. I love how different people are. ERIKA: Yes, and I’m so glad you ended with people are different because I really think that is the key here. If I stay stuck thinking that what I would do in this case is the only right answer in that situation, then it can feel impossible to allow my children to make a different decision. But since they’re different people, it doesn’t really even make sense for me to try to impose my preferences on them. Because that takes away their learning. It takes away my learning about them. They can trust me as a sounding board if they want. But if my kids have the space to make their own choices about their own lives, which, you know, maybe that is a big paradigm shift right there, realizing that these are their lives, not mine. I don’t own their life as their parent. Then they can add to their own web of learning about what works for them. So how their choices play out for them will be so much more meaningful if they were the ones who made the original choice. If they’re just doing something that I suggested, and then however it works out, it’s like, why do they even care? It doesn’t really have that same sort of importance to them, because they didn’t choose it. I love the point too, about the opposite of us making choices for them is doing nothing. And it really is not that. It’s being present, building that trust, being trustworthy, being non judgmental about the things that they’re interested in and the things that they want to do. And so they will come to me if they’d like to imagine different scenarios, or if they’re not sure about something. And I know also just by having that connection, when they might need a little push or a little confidence booster, you know, you can do this, you’ve got this. And I know when to trust that even if it doesn’t work out how they thought it would. And sometimes I even know that it won’t. And sometimes I’m right about that. And sometimes I’m wrong about that. But even if it doesn’t work out, I just believe that what they’re learning about themselves and the trust that it builds for themselves, trust in themselves, and then also trust in me that I’m trusting them. There’s just so much trust building that’s happening. I think it’s just huge. ANNA: It really is. I love how you describe that interplay. Because I do think that’s a common first reaction. I’m not supposed to be over involved. So I’m just going to go away. And it isn’t hands off, but it is this what you were describing really being in tune with who they are and trusting in their journey, trusting in your relationship with them. Knowing when you can have conversations and when we can add a little something here. When do I need to just observe or listen or reflect back? And yes, this is where people are different means everything, because we really do tend to think that people see and experience the world in the same way that we do, and that they want to move through the world in the same way that we do. And they just don’t. So how I said it to myself in the early days was that I just don’t know what’s best for another person, even my child, ever. And that just helped stop me and help me stay open and curious about – what is their unique experience here? What are they getting out of this? And it also helped me learn about myself and what things were uniquely mine. And I like how you said, Erika, now, maybe I just lost it. But it’s that sometimes you’re right, sometimes you’re wrong. Sometimes it didn’t work out. But it’s not about it working out, right? It’s just about the unfolding of it, because we’re learning all along the way by just taking a step by trying something. I love that so much that this is even about letting go of some end goal of something that we’re all trying to get to. No, it’s about this exploration and learning about ourselves. And I just find kids are so capable. They know from the start, what they need at any given moment, and if they don’t have a fully formed vision of what that is, they know the next step they want to take, just so intuitively. I saw over and over again, they just don’t have the baggage that we’ve had, that I think can make things so much harder. And I think that baggage, kind of in light of what you were saying, is that we tend to have a fixed goal, like, this is what we’re trying to accomplish, so we have to be tunneling in on this endpoint. And I think kids are much more naturally playing with things and figuring things out. And then, like you said, Pam, oh my goodness, we learn how to make choices by making choices. I don’t know how many times I said that to people when my kids were little. I’m like, how can you say that you want them to make good choices, but you don’t let them make choices? How are they going to learn how to make choices? And in that process of making choices, we do learn what works for us, what doesn’t, when to slow down, when to go full steam ahead, when to pivot. All these things come from the doing, not from being told which decision to make. That just short circuits all the learning, and begins this external orientation that’s actually really hard to break. We’ve talked about this a lot too, that once that external orientation is fixed into you, from school, or even family, it’s really hard to step outside of thinking, what does everyone else want from me here? Versus, what do I want?. And I just found kids to be super capable of solving problems. Earlier I mentioned looking for these underlying needs, they have these best suggestions for solving issues. And I will say, if this is new for your family, it can take some time to develop that trust. Can I really say something here? Am I going to be heard? But it can develop, and with that trust, just like you were saying, Erika, it’s trust, trust, trust all around, everyone feels safe advocating for their needs and really helping each other meet their needs. I just love that. I know it’s a big shift to think that kids know best for themselves, but I truly believe that each one of us knows best for ourselves, and if we can give it some space and observe, you will start to see how different we all are, and how there is this knowing. And I feel like my kids helped me get back to my own knowing. It’s organically there in them from the start, and as adults, we may have to peel back some layers of conditioning, but I think it’s there for us too. PAM: Yeah, I think so. I love that. And I mean, as you were saying that, it just became more and more clear. That giving them the space to make the choices that feel like they make the most sense for them, is such an effective way for them to learn more about themselves, which they bring to the next choice and the next choice. It’s just this beautiful cycle. And then the reminder too, that it can take some time to build up that trust, absolutely, trusting that somebody’s not going to come back and tell them, no, no, no, that’s not the right way, do it this way. Or, see how it turned out after you made that bad choice, I told you so. Okay, so the third truth is, fair doesn’t mean equal. I found this one really interesting to think through. It was so interesting, we don’t want to show favor to one child over another, right? We want all our children to feel equally loved by us, and conventionally, we extrapolate that to treating our children equally. So, like, all kids get one piece of cake, and you’re careful to make them all the same size. That’s just one little example, but it’s like the epitome of fairness, right? But again, people are different, so instead, can we consider what the moment looks like through each of their eyes. How does it feel to each of them? So, I remember when I was thinking this through, I tested this little hypothesis. At the next birthday, I asked everybody how big a piece of cake they would like. And I was flabbergasted, nobody said the whole cake. But, so even as kids, I’d get different answers that really depended on how much they’d liked that particular cake or dessert, whatever we were having to celebrate, how hungry they were at the moment, if they were actually even fancying something sweet, right? So, getting the amount of cake they wanted felt fair to them. They felt seen and heard just by being asked, not just, this is the size that all kids get, and here you go, and, finish it, or you don’t get more. The whole thing, equal does not mean fair. I began to see fairness, not as that quantitative measure of anything that parents give, but as the qualitative measure of the value that each child receives. So, looking back over different seasons, one child may need more of their parents’ time, while another has a passionate interest that needs more of the family’s money to support it. We may be giving each of our children very different things in any particular moment, that take varying amounts of time, of our effort, of our money, but when their unique needs are being met, they each feel secure and happy, they feel seen and heard as who they are. And, in my experience, they do feel equally loved. What a difference, right? ANNA: Oh my gosh, all of these things are so important. This one is huge also, and it’s one I cannot get my mother to understand. It’s funny, because she really does think that doing exactly the same thing for all three of us is fair, and that shows that she loves us the same, and that we’re all equally loved. But gosh, being on the receiving end of that just feels super disconnecting, I don’t feel seen and heard or understood at all. But at this point, she’s 92, so there’s no real changing her, so the three of us will just roll with it. But again, there are three of us, we have a huge age gap, brother, sister, and then I’m the baby, huge age gap. We’re all so different. I think that’s why we talk so much about, people are different, because just understanding how different and unique we all are, just lights people up. They want you to know them, to see them, see their unique gifts and beauty. And so yeah, this whole, everybody needs to be treated exactly the same, does not do that. So, I knew that with this one, I wanted to examine it deeply and do it really differently with my kids. My girls are very different, I just have two, very different, though, and it really would have been a disservice to think in those kinds of black and white, equal is fair, terms. And I think a big part of this is watching my own language, countering the cultural messages about fair, like you did with the cake, right? And so you created a new fair, which is, hey, how much do you want, and let me help you get that. And I think it takes some digging in, to figure out what the need is in any given situation. Sometimes you can just ask, but sometimes there’s a little more to it. And also, just to build the culture of trust, that we will work to meet all the needs, and to recognize our choices in each moment. I think the other byproduct of everyone trusting that they’ll get their own needs met, is actually, they’re pretty happy when other people are getting their needs met too, because we can all celebrate each other doing our own things, and because we know that if we want something, we’ll figure it out, there’s no doubt about that. So, as I was thinking about this one, I’m not even sure you can step away from this kind of equal as fair cultural idea, without moving to a more connected idea of everyone getting their needs met. I think it kind of goes hand in hand, so you don’t have any kind of backlash or misunderstanding about it. ERIKA: Yeah, when I was growing up, we definitely had a huge, equal is fair, message in our family as well. And I think the funny thing is that, by constantly emphasizing trying to make everything equal among the three kids, we became so fixated on looking for the little discrepancies of, like, that’s a little bit more, that’s a little bit less, and we were also focused on it, and it gives you that feeling of scarcity, right? We were always on the lookout for, that’s not fair, how come she got that, I only got this, like, all of those things. And so when I contrast my memories of that with my own children’s experience, it’s just so interesting. From the beginning, I was so careful not to ever indicate that our food, my attention, our toys, whatever the resource was, I made sure I was showing them that there’s abundance, they don’t have to fight over it. And so we provided what we could to each one, but it was what they individually wanted, and, like you both have said, people are different, so I’m not just handing both of them the same thing. Maybe sometimes, and in fact, sometimes that really helps too, to create that feeling of abundance, we don’t need to fight over things, but we don’t need all the same things, we all get what we need. And so, when my kids were younger, my mom would play with them, but it was overwhelming, because if you have little kids, you know, a lot of times they’re both talking at the same time, wanting something, wanting her attention. And I remember she would set a timer. Okay, I’m going to play with Maya for 15 minutes, and then it will be your turn, Oliver, which feels really fair, but it really is just equal, because one might not need the full 15 minutes, and then the other one’s just focusing on what they’re not getting for those 15 minutes. And so, even though it was at times overwhelming in those younger kid days, I did try to just include them both at all times. So I’m hearing them both, you know, kind of being like, oh wow, oh wow, oh, you know, it’s just the spec, and that’s all they really wanted. They wanted to be able to say what they wanted to say in the moment. It was more chaotic, I think, but they didn’t really notice that, they just knew that I was there, they both felt I was there for them, and they don’t have a feeling of competition between each other, and still don't, to this day. And so I feel like many of these paradigm shifts boil down to, people are different. This one feels like that too. If we can recognize that people are different, we know that meeting each person’s needs in our family is going to look different, and that’s what makes a family really interesting and unique. PAM: Yeah, I love that you guys are both pointing out how so much of these boil down to, people are different. And it’s just recognizing that difference and incorporating it into the different aspects, that really is one of the fundamental paradigm shifts. Okay, so fourth truth, and that is, quitting is not a failure. Choosing to quit an activity, I mean, think about it just for a second, it is as much a learning experience as starting an activity. So conventional wisdom says that if we let children quit whatever they want, they will never finish something when the going gets tough, right? They’ll just say, oh, that’s too hard, I’m going to quit. And I see you guys both smiling, that is just not what we see, and I bet you, anyone listening, if you watch your kids in action for any length of time, it’s not what you’ll see either. In fact, if we continue to insist that they finish what they start, what they’re likely learning more fundamentally is to not try out new things unless they’re quite sure they’ll enjoy it. Because they can’t quit it, they’ll have to stick it out, as it were, you committed to this, like, all those kinds of messages. So they’re just going to only want to engage with something that they’re pretty darn sure they’ll be happy to follow through. So what that means is less exploration and less learning. When we favor connection over control, our children gain lots of experience with wanting to try something, choosing different ways to explore it, and seeing how well those different paths meet their goals. They’ll discover things that they like, they’ll discover things that they don’t like, and they will get a better feel for the clues that help them decide when they want to lean into something and when they want to quit and move on. And each time they choose to quit, they’re learning so much. Okay, I just got a rush of goosebumps, because I love this point. How does that choice feel moving forward? Do they miss the activity? If they miss it, that’s not a failure, that’s not wrong. What do they miss about it? That’s more learning. What are they doing with the time that quitting the thing freed up for them? Are they enjoying that? Are they enjoying that more? There’s just so much that comes when you quit something, that’s not the end, it’s not like, you therefore are not allowed to think about it ever again, right? There’s just so much processing that unfolds even beyond that one act, and it’s not forever either. ERIKA: Oh yeah, I think mainstream parenting culture is just so hooked on this. They really want kids to stick it out, and I feel like it’s in this way that we don’t expect ourselves to. And yeah, I think it’s a little short-sighted, right? It’s trying to teach responsibility and commitment and all of these things, but who wants somebody who is committed to something that they’re no longer enjoying? This is a path that does not lead to success, it’s a path that does not lead to good places. I still carry with me some feelings of failure that I have, due to, you know, in quotes, quitting something. I don’t even like the word quitting, because that kind of makes me feel like, I’ll never go back, I quit it. But I don’t view it like that with my kids, they can stop doing an activity and come back to it later, and there’s really no weight to that. But if I look back, I can see that my choices were valid, and that my life path has ended up being amazing, but looking back at certain things, I still feel the pressure and the weight of that, what felt like failure at the time, just because of the messages that I absorbed. Sometimes we don’t know how something’s going to feel until we try it. When we do and it’s not a fit, sometimes it’s an immediate thing, right? Like when I tried taking computer programming in college, I was like, immediately, no, my brain doesn’t do this. For some reason, I thought it would, it didn’t. And so sometimes it’s right away, but sometimes we’re just changing and growing over time. We all know, we’re growing and changing so much, even as adults, but our kids are certainly growing and changing, we see it happen right in front of us. And so maybe it’s like, this used to be great, now it’s not anymore. And so I think it’s just a gift to be able to listen to our inner voice, and make a choice that fits us right now, without that pressure of, this is a forever choice, or this is a failure if I don’t do this. There’s just no one right way to live, and each choice we make, it’s going to lead us somewhere, so we could just try things, quit things, shift gears, dive deep into something, and as long as we’re listening to our own voice, we can trust that we are building a life that works for us. I think we only really get stuck if we’re focusing on the external voices that don’t know us on the inside, and know what we really want and need. ANNA: It really is a clue, that those outside voices are taking up way too much space, because those outside voices, the peanut gallery about the quitting, they’re not the ones that are going to be there doing the thing, they’re not the ones that know how you’re feeling. So it really is just that, slowing down to recognize that and push it away, because this idea of quitting equals failure, is so ingrained, and it’s so counterintuitive, because you’re right, Pam, if kids are forced to stay with something that isn’t working for them, what they learn is to not try, because, I’m going to be stuck with it forever. And they’re so young, you know, they don’t know if they’ll like piano or baseball or that specific art class, there’s so many factors involved, and all the time that they’re stuck in something that they don’t love is time they aren’t getting to try other things to find out what they do love. And I love your point, Erika, that sometimes we know right away, nope, this is not for me, but sometimes interest wanes, right, and we grow and we change, and we’ve gotten what we’ve wanted out of it. I think that’s another thing, sometimes parents get caught up. Oh, but they’re so great at the piano or that sport. But that person, that unique human, has gotten what they want out of that experience, and that’s okay. All of that is okay. And goodness, I mean, I’m 57 and still I want to dabble and try things to get a better sense of if something will work for me. I can get very excited about a lot of different ideas, but until I’m actually doing it, it’s hard for me to say, does it suit me? Does it fit in my life? Do I want this? Is this how I want to be spending my time? And just quickly, if money is your sticking point here, because that's usually a big one for people, we have a podcast about this, but David really helped me move through this one with the financial idea of sunk costs. And so the reframe is that we’re paying for the opportunity. When we go into it with this idea of we’re paying for the opportunity to try this, it feels very different. The value is in learning whether it’s something we’re enjoying versus the value being in getting all of these specific instructions or finishing the class or staying on the team. And if letting the team down is your sticking point, you only have to have played a tiny bit of sport to know that someone who doesn’t want to be there isn’t helping the team at all. And you kind of alluded to this, Erika, like we really don’t want somebody that’s forced to be in any situation, sports or otherwise, or any kind of work. And all of this doesn’t mean that there’s no discussion though, right? Because sometimes there are discussions before, during, and after. And for us, thinking back, if something was a particularly pricey activity,because that happens and kids are like, I want to do this thing. And it’s a year’s commitment for thousands of dollars. We would talk about how we spend that money, where it comes from, what it impacts. Is there another way to learn more about the activity before we commit to something that’s maybe as long or as expensive as that? What I found is that kids are so creative and they often could find their own alternative paths as we’re playing with it and looking different things up. And also just talking to the organization, is there a way we can observe or trial it? People are pretty accommodating when you ask nicely. And I know for me, sometimes it is hard to ask for what I need. I don’t want to bother anybody. I know how busy and hard they’re working to do this program, but I really do find people to be understanding and generous when they can be. And that’s the information we need, right? Is it possible? If not, okay, then that’s another thing to put in the hopper for the decision. And I just love that all of us feel comfortable leaving something that isn’t working. I have seen this play out in all of us over the years. You really just won’t find any of us stuck in jobs we hate for decades, which is so common in our culture. And we know there’s always a choice and there’s always another way. And I think I just have seen it serve my kids and it serves me and David as well. PAM: Yeah. And I think that’s the whole point, with the relationships, with connection being in the lead, those processes are something that we can do actively. Like, okay, you’re stuck in a job that you really don't like, you may end up quitting immediately, but also it can be, you’re disliking it more and more and more over time, but we’re having conversations, we’re making plans. It’s not, well, you know, you have this job, it pays well, or whatever reason we say, oh, you need to stay, et cetera. No, you actually can. That's the control piece coming right back in. We can instead focus on that connection piece. We can talk through it more and even later, it feels lighter, at least for me showing up to something maybe I don’t like, but I know I’ve got a plan to move through it. I know where I’m going to keep talking. It’s not black, white, like we were talking right at the beginning there. And then there was just one other tiny piece. And now did I lose it? I’m trying to think what you, oh, oh, it was about, was it about, it was about like, how much we learn, I think, when, oh, yes, it was, it was, sorry. But it’s something that I love to do. When people come to the network. When we have the quitting discussions, et cetera. And, but then, so we talk about like, once they’re interested in something that may be expensive, I love brainstorming all sorts of ways that you can be involved in it without the expensive class. Because so often, certainly at the beginning of our journey, we turn it into – they’re interested in swimming, swimming lessons. Oh, piano, piano lessons, like dance, dance lessons. That’s our first go-to because that is what we know, right? But there are so many other possibilities that can help them experience the thing that they’re interested in and may or may not at some point want actual lessons for it, but you don’t have to wait for the lesson to become involved. You can go swimming in the public pool. There are just so many possibilities. So I love that piece of just brainstorming ideas and people get very excited and off they go to play and it’s very fun. Okay. Okay. Finally, truth number five, strong relationships are key. It’s not about parenting that parent-child power dynamic in which the overarching goal is to turn out a successful adult, right? It’s about being in relationship with your child. This is a lifelong relationship. We’re two human beings. We’re multiple human beings. That relationship shifts over time as they grow and change, as we grow and change. It looks very different when they’re young versus when they’re in their teens versus when they’re young adults versus when they’re older adults. Even if at any given moment, it feels like things will never change, right? But they really, really do. You can’t imagine when this is ever going to change. And, and getting focused on and fixating on when it will change is going to get in your way. But that’s a conversation for another day. A few years ago, I wrote a very long essay about the value of relationships to learning. And I will link in the show notes to anyone who’s interested. But oh my gosh, when I first came to unschooling because my kids were in school, it was like, oh, how are they going to learn, right? And in the last episode, we talked about paradigm shifts around learning. But I really did come to see pretty quickly that I didn’t need to worry about the learning. What I could focus on was a relationships and this shift from control to connection and recognizing that strong relationships really just drive everything like that was key for me. ANNA: Yeah, I think when we switch the lens to being in relationship, things just change dramatically across the board. I’ve talked about it before, but I would just often ask myself – Is what I’m about to say or do going to help or harm our relationship? That kept me focused on what was important to me. And that litmus test really served me well. Because if I’m tending to the relationship, we’re able to navigate the challenges together from a place of connection. So if I’m wanting my kids to be safe. As parents, we kind of see that as a responsibility. They are safest when our relationship is strong and they can come to me versus rules and punishments to try to keep them safe, which serves to disconnect us. If my kids came upon a situation that seemed a little sketchy, they would ask me about it. They knew I wasn’t going to stop the exploration just off the bat, but that I could be a sounding board and a processing partner as they navigated it. For kids who think they’re going to get in trouble, they may push down those niggling thoughts that this doesn’t feel good or something isn’t right here because they want to learn more. There’s still something intriguing about it to them and they know their parents might deem it unsafe and stop the exploration altogether. And really that puts them in harm’s way without the support of someone who cares about them. And this applies when they’re young and maybe even more so when they’re teens. We always had a policy of, I will come get you no matter what, no questions asked if they ever needed out of something. And they also knew they could use me as an excuse. My mom needs me to come home. Because then it wasn’t about me stopping their exploration. It was about giving them tools, tools to get out of situations if they needed it, tools they could use to explore safely. And that’s just the safety lens. But this really applies to all areas. If we have trusted people in our corner, we’re going to be able to explore and learn more. And I think we can see that in our adult lives too. When we feel supported and loved and cared for, we’re so much more likely to learn and grow. Those basic needs have been met, we’re so much more likely to explore and learn and push the limits of what we can do. And I think that’s the piece that you’re getting at, Pam, right? This is the basis for learning. These relationships really, that is what makes learning happen and easier. ERIKA: Yeah, I think those strong relationships with people we trust helps us in every area of our lives. And it’s the same for our children. And I love the parts about how it helps with safety and with learning. It just makes so much sense. I had a book club with a bunch of unschooling parents, and we were reading Pam’s book together many years ago. And Pam joined us on a call one week. And we were all, I mean, everybody’s like, oh my god, Pam. It was very fun. But I remember having a bit of the conversation, someone felt like they had messed things up, they maybe had an argument with their child, or in some way felt like it was just this negative interaction, it didn’t feel good. And the question was more along the lines of, how can I do better? How can I stop doing that? And Pam’s idea was about how the repair is the important part. Because we’re trying to maintain this connection and relationship with our kids. But we’re humans, and we’re imperfect. And we’re going to say and do things that hurt our children at times, or we’ll say or do things that hurt other people in our lives at times. And so we can let that moment crush us and pull us away from them. And we can just dive into negative self-talk about what a terrible job we’re doing. Or we can see those moments as opportunities to own our parts, own our words and our actions, apologize for the impact, and make the repair with the person that we care about. I get goosebumps thinking about this, because it’s such a more powerful place to be. And it doesn’t require us to be perfect, which we cannot be. But since relationships are so important in all of these ways, when hard things happen in the relationships, knowing that we will be able to move through it, that builds trust between us and the other person. And it gives us more capacity to weather the next challenging thing, whether it’s something outside of our relationship, or the next misunderstanding between each other. And so I always come back to keeping my relationship strong. How can I feel more connected? How can I give my children the feeling that I understand them, and I’m here for them? And it doesn’t always mean I’m talking with them more, or even spending more time together. It’s really figuring out what do they want from me in this particular season? And since they’re unique individuals, what is it that’s helping us feel connected in this moment, in this season? And now that they’re teenagers, we do a lot of reflecting on, remember when that was hard, and we got through it? Things like that. I feel like it really helps us all build resilience and realize that being humans is sometimes hard, and we’re always learning, and I’m always learning. And I feel like me being vulnerable in that way just develops trust between me and my kids. And looking at that, what is going to help us in this moment just to increase our connection is such a valuable place to take a look. PAM: I love that. I love that you brought that up, because yeah, the whole thing, you'd say strong relationships are key. So I need to be perfect at that. I need to do my best at that. That’s the most important thing. I might have mentioned it at the time, the attachment parenting book I had read, because it’s the thing that knocked me, it’s like, oh really? That around 50% or so of our interactions with our children go awry in big ways or in little ways, and that it is the repair that brings us back, right? It’s not trying to avoid it, because imagine what someone feels if they think someone else is perfect. Oh, they’re perfect at that. They make all the right choices. That does nothing but put pressure to be perfect on them. They’ll be putting that on themselves as well. I want to be as good, etc. So, understanding that repair piece, that is so much where trust is built. That we’re coming back, that we’re going to be engaging again. We’re going to be moving through this, and as you said, using those previous examples of times you guys have moved through challenging things, and just bringing those up when new challenging things come up. We may not know how this is gonna resolve, but we know that we’ll find our way through it. We can trust that. So I love that so much, and thank you. Thanks so much to you both for having this conversation. I feel like we touched on a lot of interesting pieces, so I hope people find it helpful. Thanks so much to all our listeners for joining us. We hope you enjoyed this dive into the second stage of the de-schooling phase of our journey as we challenge some of our conventional beliefs about parenting, and we invite you to join us in the Living Joyfully Network to continue the conversation. It is a warm and welcoming online community of like-hearted parents, a non-judgmental space where you can steep in these unconventional unschooling ideas, and just explore what they might look like day-to-day in your uniquely wonderful family. And your first month is free, so you can get a sense of whether the community is a good fit for you. We are very excited to welcome you. To learn more and join us, just follow the link in the show notes or go to livingjoyfully.ca and choose Network in the menu. Wishing everyone a lovely day. Thanks so much. Bye!

Send Dr. Li a text here. Please leave your email address if you would like a reply, thanks.Ever wonder why you struggle to finish what you start? In this episode, Dr. Christine Li reveals the common reasons tasks remain unfinished—from distractions and overwhelm to the "murky middle" of messy projects. She shares practical strategies and mindset resets to help you finally close those open loops, boost your self-trust, and become someone who completes what matters most.Timestamps00:00:00 Introduction and episode overview00:01:39 Importance and complexity of finishing tasks00:02:34 Reasons we don't finish things00:03:33 Team dynamics and "open loops"00:04:36 The messy “middle” of a task00:05:20 Decluttering as an example of losing momentum00:06:55 Difficulty reorienting after distraction00:07:15 Concrete techniques: lists, brain dumps00:08:17 Timers and music for focus00:09:35 Subtle factors in finishing projects00:10:25 Allowing yourself to be a beginner00:12:01 The importance of strategic rest00:13:18 Commitment and honest self-assessment00:14:49 Strengthening the value of the end goal00:15:57 Visualizing the finished result00:16:49 Practicing the identity of an accomplished person00:18:02 Quick summary of core strategies00:19:20 Invitation to connect and further resources00:20:08 Closing remarksTo get the free download that accompanies this episode, go to: https://maketimeforsuccesspodcast.com/finishedTo sign up for the Waitlist for the Simply Productive Program, go to: https://maketimeforsuccesspodcast.com/SPFor more information on the Make Time for Success podcast, visit: https://www.maketimeforsuccesspodcast.comGain Access to Dr. Christine Li's Free Resource Library -- 12 downloadable tools and templates to help you bypass the impulse to procrastinate: https://procrastinationcoach.mykajabi.com/freelibraryTo work with Dr. Li on a weekly basis in her coaching and accountability program, register for The Success Lab here: https://www.procrastinationcoach.com/labConnect with Dr. Christine LiWebsite: https://www.procrastinationcoach.comFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/procrastinationcoachInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/procrastinationcoach/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@procrastinationcoachThe Success Lab: https://maketimeforsuccesspodcast.com/labSimply Productive: https://maketimeforsuccesspodcast.com/SP

Today on series two of Tales of a Nuffield Scholar supported by NFU Mutual we continue looking ahead to the 2026 Nuffield Farming Scholarships Conference in Leeds

What are you carrying that God never asked you to hold? Are your hands clenched tightly around an outcome? A relationship, a situation, or a prayer you've been waiting on? In this REVING the Word workout, Jennifer Allen invites you to discover the freedom of holy indifference—the practice of caring deeply while releasing control to God.   Rooted in James 5 and 2 Peter 1, this REVING the Word experience invites you to move your body as you engage with Scripture through prayer, reflection, and worship. Open your hands and move your body as you hear this Good News that will shape you from the inside out, discovering that true strength isn't found in controlling the outcome. This is a practice of remaining faithful and firmly rooted in God's love, even as the story is still unfolding.   Open your hands. Release the outcome. Stay faithful. Strengthen your heart.   Anchor Scriptures James 5:7–8 2 Peter 1:5–8 Matthew 26:36–46 Romans 12:18–19   New to REVING the Word? Your body was made to move! So move it, any way you want as you listen. Walk the dog, mow the lawn, listen as you lift weights in the gym, or dance in the kitchen. There isn't one right way. Just move, breathe, and as your body moves, let His Word move in you. This is how we stay whole in body, soul, and spirit.  

1. Religious Liberty Commission A commission formed in 2025 to evaluate threats to religious freedom. It conducted hearings and gathered testimony from over 100 witnesses. Its final report was delivered to President Trump, outlining proposed reforms. 2. Healthcare Sector Implications The report recommends expanded protections for healthcare workers (doctors, nurses, pharmacists, etc.) who object to certain medical procedures on religious or moral grounds. Proposed actions include: Strengthening enforcement of federal “conscience laws” Supporting specific legislation (e.g., Conscience Protection Act) Increasing investigation and legal defense of religious rights The debate: Supporters: Say workers should not have to choose between their beliefs and careers. Critics: Argue this could limit patient access to services. 3. Military Implications Focuses on service members who refused COVID-19 vaccines for religious reasons. Many were denied exemptions and suffered consequences (e.g., dismissal, lost benefits). Recommends: Improving the process for religious accommodations Offering stronger protections for service members’ beliefs 4. COVID-19 Vaccine Context The pandemic is a key example of government overreach. Religious exemption requests were often denied Individuals were forced to choose between compliance and employment However, the commission does not call for banning vaccine mandates, but rather for more meaningful accommodation processes. 5. Policy and Legal Proposals “Know Your Rights” campaigns Hotlines and reporting systems for violations Honors/awards for defending religious liberty These proposals could be implemented through: Executive action Congressional legislation Legal challenges Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the The Ben Ferguson Show Podcast and Verdict with Ted Cruz Wherever You get You're Podcasts. And don't forget to follow the show on Social Media so you never miss a moment! Thanks for Listening X: https://x.com/benfergusonshowYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.