Podcasts about Stronger Together

Recorded Live at Brookwood Church on 09/14/2025

Cory continues in our series Stronger Together as he shares from 2 Corinthians 9 on Grace Fuelled Generosity.

RUOK? Day acknowledges the support that is needed by the people around us. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are "stronger together", and rely on the support of others as RUOK? Day reminds us.

In this episode of Longwood GradCast: Beyond the Degree, host Dr. Sarah Tanner-Anderson sits down with Educational Leadership alumni Katie Jamozy-Hamby (B.S.'11, M.S.'21) and Kim Van Acker (M.S.'21). What began as a classroom introduction grew into a lasting friendship that continues to shape their careers as school leaders.Katie and Kim reflect on navigating graduate school during the pandemic, transitioning from teaching to administration, and the support systems that keep them grounded. They share practical advice for new administrators, insights from their favorite leadership books, and candid reflections on balancing work, life, and leadership.The conversation also highlights Katie's exciting next step—her new role as Program Director of Educational Leadership at Longwood University—while both alumni offer empowering advice for women pursuing leadership roles.

How are infection preventionists gearing up for IIPW 2025? In this episode, co-hosts Lerenza Howard and Kelly Holmes welcome guests from APIC's Communications Committee Michelle Swetky and Tammy Cunningham who share creative tools, engaging activities, and superhero-inspired themes to unite and empower IPs. Join us and Stand UPPP — Unite, Prevent, Protect, Prevail — for infection prevention! Hosted by: Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC, FAPIC and Lerenza Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB About our Guests: Tammy Cunningham, MBA, BSN RN, CIC Tammy Cunningham, MBA, BSN RN, CIC, is the Infection Prevention Manager at AdventHealth Kansas City Region, overseeing the Infection Prevention programs at three acute care hospitals and two free standing Emergency Departments. She worked as an Intensive Care nurse and Neonatal Intensive Care nurse until 2019 when she began her career in infection prevention, just in time for the worldwide pandemic. Tammy is active in the Greater Kansas City APIC chapter, having served two terms as the chapter Treasurer, and is currently a member of the APIC Communications Committee. Tammy is board certified in infection control, and is passionate about preventing infections in patients, especially CAUTIs, CLABSIs, and C. difficile infections. Michelle Swetky, MPH, CIC, FAPIC Michelle Swetky, MPH, CIC, FAPIC, is an Infection Preventionist at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, WA. Michelle has a decade of infection prevention experience in acute and ambulatory care, with extensive experience in an oncology setting. She is passionate about expanding the field of infection prevention into the ambulatory setting and across the continuum of care. Michelle has served as the Chairman of Comprehensive Cancer Center's Infection Prevention & Control group (C3IC) from 2021-2023 and is a current member on the APIC Communications Committee. Michelle received her Master's in Public Health from the University of Michigan. She has been certified in infection prevention and control (CIC) since 2016 and became an APIC Fellow (FAPIC) in 2023.

Recorded Live at Brookwood Church on 09/07/2025

Loneliness is often an unspoken reality of school leadership. In this episode of The Flourish Movement Podcast, Adam and Bob sit down with principal and long-time Flourish participant, Wayne Farquhar, to explore the power of connection as a protective force against burnout and isolation. From his early days as a principal to leading a school in a high-disadvantage community, Wayne shares how he's intentionally built connection across four key areas of his life: family, friends, colleagues, and staff.  Together, they unpack why connection matters so deeply for school leaders, and how it can transform both professional and personal wellbeing. Along the way, Wayne shares memorable stories, surprising metaphors, and the practical ways he maintains his own support network.  Whether you're a school leader feeling the weight of the role or simply looking for fresh ways to strengthen your relationships, this conversation offers inspiration, perspective, and strategies you can put into practice straight away.  We would like to take this opportunity to thank the NSW Primary Principals' Association, our learning partner in this podcast. 

Mike continues our series Stronger Toegther and explores 2 Corinthians 8

7 September 2025 Much Stronger Together with Bishop Raphael Okeyo

Fresh off the Bachelor in Paradise reunion, Dale and Kat chat with Ben about the allegations of a secret boyfriend, how close Kat and Sean's friendship really was, and where the couple stands with their fellow cast members now. We all saw the camping challenge, but Kat and Dale are telling Ben what viewers DIDN'T see. Plus, we find out how Dale feels about having his name in the running to be the next Bachelor. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're excited to sit down with Arol McFadden, Lead Pastor at Mission Bible, and John Cichy, Lead Pastor at Families of Faith. We are coming together with them for the One Church Event—a powerful night of unity, worship, and community happening September 20 at the Channahon Park District. Don't miss it—we'd love to see you there!

The West Virginia Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers – West Virginia have officially merged to form a single new education union. And families for four kids are taking a gas production firm to court, saying fracking has caused significant health problems. The post Ed Unions Say They're Stronger Together And Kids Sue Over Fracking Concerns, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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Pull up a chair and pour yourself something cozy — because this episode feels like a heart-to-heart with your closest esty girlfriends.We're bringing back one of our favorite humans, Erin Malinski, for a soul-deep conversation that's been a long time coming. This one is for the beauty pros who are done with the comparison trap, tired of pretending they have to do it all alone, and ready to step into something more… aligned, authentic, and connected.Together with Erin, we unpack what “community over competition” really looks like — not just as a cute phrase, but as a powerful way to lead, live, and build a sustainable business. This value is the heartbeat of Beyond Esthetics, and in this episode, you'll hear why.✨ We talk about: How comparison can sneak into your career (and what to do about it) The real growth that comes from collaboration and support Personal stories from all three of us about letting go of ego and choosing connection Why mentorship, community, and sisterhood change the game And how to start building that kind of support right nowIf you've ever felt like you're “behind,” like someone else's success takes away from yours, or like you're doing it all alone — this episode is a reminder that you don't have to be.

Kat speaks with Mark and Chloe Legg, a dynamic couple with 4 children who manage 25 businesses - all while prioritising personal growth and self-care. Discover how they transformed their lives through intentional habits, balanced family and business, and found creative ways to spend quality time together. Their story is a testament to the power of mindset, partnership, and making self-improvement a non-negotiable part of daily life. KEY TAKEAWAYS Prepare for the next day the night before and establish a morning routine that enables you to start your day calmly, without the need to rush. This sets a positive tone for the rest of the day. Don´t follow trends. Instead, identify what works for you and as your life changes, adjust your healthy routines to suit. Commit to trying a new habit for 30 days to see if it works for you. Mindfulness helps you to become more present and get more out of activities like spending time with loved ones. Avoiding negativity also helps e.g. Not constantly watching the news. Involving each other in your personal development journeys helps you to stay connected and supportive of each other's growth. BEST MOMENTS “Not finding time - prioritising time to look after ourselves, is probably one of the secrets… The more we work on ourselves the better we become.” "We don't have jobs, we have a lifestyle. Everything's Incorporated – health, fitness, our family, the businesses, everything's incorporated. That's just our lifestyle." "Just press pause for a minute and go, actually, is this the way I want to live my life? It doesn't have to be like this just because you were raised and conditioned to be rushed." "It was just to give himself five minutes before he started going into the day, and he's noticed that his heart rate has decreased by 32%." “Try a new habit for 30 days. Do it with somebody else for the accountability thing.” ABOUT THE GUEST https://www.synergy-success.net https://www.amazon.co.uk/Miracle-Morning-Updated-Expanded-Transform/dp/1399816055 ABOUT THE HOST Kat started her career as a teacher before moving into tech where she worked in different executive roles within teaching and consulting working across the globe, both in the public and private sector. Despite appearing 'successful' on the outside, she paid a heavy ‘life' price. In 2016, her whole world collapsed. The reason? The compound effect of years of unhealthy and toxic habits that destroyed her health, relationship and career. She suffered a severe breakdown and lost everything. In the middle of this she got headhunted for her first CEO role. She rebuilt herself by changing just one small habit and built a series of positive habits which has transformed her professional and personal performance, resulting in becoming the healthiest and happiest version of herself. She is a positive habits international keynote speaker and teacher, giving talks and delivering high impact programmes to organisations across the globe. LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/katthorne Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/the_morning_gamechanger Sponsor : VennCard, the last business card you'll ever need. Whether you're a creator, coach, or consultant, VennCard helps you share your details with a tap, capture leads instantly and follow up automatically.

Israel's complaining attitude toward God affected their relationship with Him. Recorded Live at Brookwood Church on 08/31/2025

Grabado en vivo en la iglesia Brookwood el 08/31/2025

Chris continues in our series Stronger Together as he explores 2 Corinthians 7

In this episode of Dear Church, Chris sits down with Zane Perkins, longtime minister, missionary, and counselor, to talk about Living in Harmony. Zane shares how a Christ-centered perspective and healthy communication can strengthen your home, workplace, and relationships. Drawing from years of ministry experience in Chile and his work with Sunset International Bible Institute, Zane unpacks practical tools for navigating conflict, embracing different perspectives, and building deeper connections that reflect the love of Christ.   Connect with Us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dearchurch_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564673680147 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DearChurch   Website: https://www.rippleoflight.org/ ROL Facebook: http://facebook.com/rippleoflight ROL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rippleoflight ROL YouTube: http://youtube.com/rippleoflight ROL Rumble: http://rumble.com/rippleoflight   Have a question? Email Chris at chris.mccurley@rippleoflight.com.  

For the main address at Manna Men's Charge 2025, Pastor Rick Friesen exhorts men to build a brotherhood of faith, stronger together than apart.

It would be enough for leaders from education, healthcare, labor, and local services to call attention to the damage being done by the Trump administration separately. Today in Eau Claire, they'll do it together and we'll talk to the national president of the American Federation of Teachers, Randi Weingarten, about the ongoing work to educate the public about the ways children will be impacted by this year's actions for many years to come. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guest: Randi Weingarten

How do we make sure patients receive health information that is clear, trustworthy, and truly helpful? We sit down with Catherine Richards Golini from Karger Publishers to explore the power of collaboration in creating impactful patient resources. From working with healthcare professionals and patient advocates to partnering with researchers and publishers, Catherine shares how involving multiple stakeholders ensures information is not only accurate but also accessible and relevant to those who need it most. We dive into practical strategies, real-world examples, and the lessons learned from bridging perspectives across the healthcare ecosystem.Whether you're a healthcare provider, patient advocate, or simply curious about health communication, this conversation reveals why collaboration is key to building patient information that empowers.

Isolation leaves us stuck, but God designed us for community. The right people carry us to Jesus, strengthen our faith, and help us live out the truth of God's Word. In the right space with the right people, healing comes through honesty and accountability, faith grows stronger, and God's presence is revealed. You can't operate off of just a Sunday—find your community within the community, because we are stronger together.This is the official Facebook and YouTube channel of Champion Christian Center. Our mission is to love God, reach the one, and change the world. Through Bible-based sermons and devotionals, you'll learn how to understand the Word of God, fulfill God's plan for your life, and make a positive impact on the world around you. If you are local, we would love to meet you in person! We are located in Washington, PA and led by Pastors Nathan and Joie Miller.For more life changing resources, visit us at www.championcenter.com.Subscribe to our YouTube channel:/ @championcenter1To give online:https://pushpay.com/g/championchristiancenter——Champion Christian Center Facebook:/ championccenterChampion Christian Center Instagram:@championccenter

Isolation leaves us stuck, but God designed us for community. The right people carry us to Jesus, strengthen our faith, and help us live out the truth of God's Word. In the right space with the right people, healing comes through honesty and accountability, faith grows stronger, and God's presence is revealed. You can't operate off of just a Sunday—find your community within the community, because we are stronger together.This is the official Facebook and YouTube channel of Champion Christian Center. Our mission is to love God, reach the one, and change the world. Through Bible-based sermons and devotionals, you'll learn how to understand the Word of God, fulfill God's plan for your life, and make a positive impact on the world around you. If you are local, we would love to meet you in person! We are located in Washington, PA and led by Pastors Nathan and Joie Miller.For more life changing resources, visit us at www.championcenter.com.Subscribe to our YouTube channel:/ @championcenter1To give online:https://pushpay.com/g/championchristiancenter——Champion Christian Center Facebook:/ championccenterChampion Christian Center Instagram:@championccenter

The church is most alive when people come together regularly with devotion and purpose. Acts 2 shows a community transformed by God's presence where lives changed, generosity flowed, and faith was practiced deeply. True revival happens when we fully dedicate ourselves instead of merely showing up. Recorded Live at Brookwood Church on 08/24/2025

Isolation leaves us stuck, but God designed us for community. The right people carry us to Jesus, strengthen our faith, and help us live out the truth of God's Word. In the right space with the right people, healing comes through honesty and accountability, faith grows stronger, and God's presence is revealed. You can't operate off of just a Sunday—find your community within the community, because we are stronger together.This is the official Facebook and YouTube channel of Champion Christian Center. Our mission is to love God, reach the one, and change the world. Through Bible-based sermons and devotionals, you'll learn how to understand the Word of God, fulfill God's plan for your life, and make a positive impact on the world around you. If you are local, we would love to meet you in person! We are located in Washington, PA and led by Pastors Nathan and Joie Miller.For more life changing resources, visit us at www.championcenter.com.Subscribe to our YouTube channel:/ @championcenter1To give online:https://pushpay.com/g/championchristiancenter——Champion Christian Center Facebook:/ championccenterChampion Christian Center Instagram:@championccenter

Cory continues our series in Stronger Together by exploring 2 Corinthians 6

In this roundtable-style conversation, our Community Development team members will share how the upcoming merger will strengthen our ability to serve, support, and invest in the neighborhoods we call home. We'll discuss how our united efforts will expand resources, deepen partnerships, and create lasting change for those we serve—while building momentum for a future where our collective impact is even greater. Links mentioned in this episode: Addition Financial Credit Union https://www.additionfi.com Making it Count Podcast https://pages.additionfi.com/making-it-count Merger Updates https://www.envisioncu.com/Education/Resources/2025-Envision-Addition-Financial-Merger Music: The Hoot - By Mellissa Harris

In this episode of Lowdown at the Lodge, we shine a spotlight on the YMCA's LiveStrong program—an evidence-based program designed to help cancer survivors reclaim their health and strength. Hear a firsthand story from Priscilla, a participant, about her journey of resilience, the power of community, and the role LiveStrong played in her recovery. We'll also talk with Y staff about how this program goes beyond fitness to restore hope, connection, and confidence.

Our treasure shapes our heart's direction. Choosing God over wealth leads to a life full of light, joy, and generous giving. Recorded Live at Brookwood Church on 08/17/2025

Caregivers, your health matters too! In this episode of Stronger Together, Closer to God, discover why self-care is not selfish—it is biblical stewardship. Learn practical tips to avoid burnout, from small moments of rest (Mark 6:31) to prioritizing wellness (3John 1:2), and how trusting God brings peace (Isaiah 26:3). Whether you're exhausted, overwhelmed, or feeling guilty for taking a break, this episode is your reminder: You can't pour from an empty cup. Listen now and recharge with faith!Hashtags: #InvisiblePatients #LongevityPreaching #StewardshipInCare #SeeTheCaregiver #ThisIsCaregivingTo partner or to learn more about our ministry visit https://s2c2gministry.com/.To receive a free to help you as it relates to space, click here.

In this episode, we sit down with Hector Velazquez Executive Director from the Sonoma County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to talk about the power of connection, cultural leadership, and economic opportunity. Learn how the Chamber supports Hispanic entrepreneurs, strengthens local partnerships, and builds a more inclusive business community in Sonoma County.

Series: N/AService: Sunday Morning WorshipType: SermonSpeaker: Mike Brenneman

Choosing to get along seems to be the mindset critical to the success of the Coggan family mixed farming business over five generations. Juggling a massive beef, lamb and grain operation in Queensland's Western Downs, siblings Emily, Tom and Sarah are fast becoming a leading force in the early adoption of ag technology.They're the first beef farmers in Australia to use halter collars, allowing them to double the number of breeder cattle grazing otherwise unproductive land, with virtually zero labour or fencing costs.  You can't miss this fascinating chat with three dynamic young farmers, all with open minds and the courage to back each other and give just about anything a crack!takeawaysThe Coggan family operates a multi-generational farm with diverse operations.Each sibling has a unique role within the family business.Returning to the family farm can be a significant career decision and family dynamics play a crucial role in business success.Technology adoption is transforming agricultural practices.Evaluating new technologies requires courage and thorough due diligence.Success stories with ag tech can inspire further innovation.chapters00:00 Introduction and Roles in the Family Business06:10 Career Paths and Returning to the Farm09:02 The Importance of Family Dynamics17:39 Adoption of Technology in Agriculture20:46 Evaluating New Technologies23:39 Success Stories with Ag Tech26:52 Attracting the Next Generation to AgricultureExplore more episodes of Humans of Agriculture - don't forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review!If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend and let us know your thoughts at hello@humansofagriculture.com.  Rabobank Grad Program: If you're on the lookout for a graduate role, head over to Rabobank.com.au to apply for their 2026 Graduate program before the 18th of August! 

In Episode #13 of the Business of Beer series, we chatted with the team behind the Canada Beer Cup and the federal body Canadian Craft Brewers Association (CCBA). The perfect follow-up would be to dive into a provincial body, and that's exactly what we did. Scott Simmons, President of the Ontario Craft Brewers (OCB) trade association, joins Cee to talk about the function of the OCB and a bunch of their wins over the years, how they engage with government to get things done, why breweries should get involved with their provincial trade association, what the annual dues go towards, what the Master Framework Agreement is and what happens next, how members can get their concerns to the board, how the annual Ontario Craft Brewers Conference works, and what he thinks the future of craft beer in Ontario looks like. They got into six fantastic beers from Town, courtesy of friend of the show Jeff Talmey, who plays a big part in the OCB: Microdose Light Hazy IPA, Square Wheels Hazy IPA, Holy Jumpin' Summer Lager collab with All My Friends, Surf Rock West Coast IPA, Motel Royalty Hazy IPA, and Slow Poke Hazy IPA. This was fascinating - cheers!   BAOS Podcast   Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube | Website | Theme tune: Cee - BrewHeads

CrossFit Family Devotional SeriesWeek 9: The Church - We're Stronger TogetherAt Foundry we believe God has called us to be a movement of people committed to helping everyone know, follow and share Jesus. This Family Devotional Series invites us to discover a deeper participation in that mission! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Used with Permission - CCLI Copyright License Number #855120 Streaming Plus License Number #21172413

[Ecclesiastes 4:9-10] Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. [10] If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. We tend to gravitate towards people who are ____________ ________. Love should be our _____________ attribute. [1 Corinthians 1:1-2, 4-8 NIV] If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. [2] If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge,and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. [4] Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. [5] It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. [6] Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. [7] It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. [8] Love never fails. Love is the main ____________ of the Christian faith. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only ________ can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only _______ can do that.” - Martin Luther King Jr. We need to examine our heart if there are people we __________ love. [James 2:1, 9] My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? [9] But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. Favor (Greek: prosōpolēmpteō): Show partiality. To ___________________. We need to move towards _________________, not away from them. Every person _____________ to God, so they should matter to me. [1 John 4:19-20] We love each other because he loved us first. [20] If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don't love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? God cares about how much we love those who are ________________ from us. God doesn't want us to love _________/______, He wants us to love _________/________.

This week on The Make, Trevor DeVage sits down with Pantano staff members Frank and Janell to talk about what it really means to be “plugged in” to God, especially in times of heartbreak and challenge. They reflect on the summer's powerful student camps, building life-giving culture, and navigating the tragic loss of a local teen. They also share how Pantano is addressing mental health in the next generation through a brand-new event: Stronger Together.

How to Chase Big Goals Alongside Your Spouse Without Losing Your Mind… or Your Marriage" ✨ Ever feel like you have too many tabs open in your brain? You're not alone. In this inspiring episode of The Fitness Project Podcast, we sit down with Kristan and Austin — a powerhouse couple who turned life's chaos into a journey of personal and shared transformation. Kristan went from feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and barely surviving while her husband was deployed… to thriving as a mom, business owner, and triathlete. But here's the twist: she didn't do it alone. Her husband, Austin, not only supported her journey but joined her — and together they tackled a half triathlon and built a stronger marriage than ever.

This week on the podcast, we bring you a compelling collection of voices in healthcare from the Colson Fellows Program. Recorded live at the Colson Center National Conference in Louisville, KY, this episode features Christian healthcare professionals — and one spouse — who are living out their faith in some of today's most complex medical and cultural spaces. From gender ideology and end-of-life care to advocacy for the unborn, elderly, disabled, and spiritually poor, these Fellows are applying a biblical worldview with bold compassion and unwavering unity in Christ. You'll hear their responses to two timely questions: why unity among Christ-followers in healthcare matters now more than ever, and what advocacy issue each is most passionate about in today's public square. Whether you're on the front lines of medicine or supporting those who are, this episode will challenge and encourage you to speak truth with grace and serve with steadfast hope.

Send Mo a text about this episode!I believe the Universe brings different people into my life at very specific times- and Juliana Fajardo came into my world at such a time. I met her in March 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic. We were gathering in an online space called "Stronger Together" and I was immediately drawn to her energy and her curiosity. We met in person in July of 2020- at the same time I first met my now partner, Tom Harrison. We have stayed in touch ever since and cultivated a lovely friendship. I really believe Juliana has a presence, voice and energy that needs to be heard by many. I believe she's a change agent- and I want more people to know her and learn from her. The way she talks about intuition and energy is approachable, clear and coming from a place of curiosity which is KEY.In this episode we talk about:-How Juliana defines intuition -How she receives signs or synchronicities and follows that guidance-What she has done in the past when she's been in a "void" or a space where she didn't know what was going to happen next-How her intuition has helped her build more self confidence and self loveThe 411 on Juliana:Juliana Fajardo is a creative, an empath, and a practicing intuitive. She is the Senior Development Manager for Friendship Bridge, a nonprofit social enterprise creating opportunities that empower women in Guatemala to build a better life, through microfinance, education, and preventive health services. She has been in the nonprofit sector for over a decade and enjoys being a connector and a collaborator in this space. In her work as a nonprofit professional and as an artist and creator, she currently feels guided by curiosity and being in an exploratory phase. Unapologetically passionate about strawberries and easily amused, she finds joy in the simple things and loves expressing that. She is excited to be exploring her intuitions and to see where this takes her in her life and career.She holds a Master of Public Administration with a dual concentration in Nonprofit Organizations and Environmental Policy, Management, and Law from the University of Colorado Denver and a B.S. in Statistics with minors in Environmental Studies and Dance from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.Do you have follow up questions? Things you want to know more about? Please send them to: Mo@iloveitwhen.org----------Follow I love it when

In this VETgirl veterinary continuing education podcast, we interview Anita Patel, DVM, Senior Director of Clinical Excellence and Mentorship, and Carolina Baquerizo, DVM, mentee and practicing veterinarian with IndeVets, about the importance of mentorship. Mentorship creates stronger bonds that transform sustainability in the veterinary profession. Tune in to find out how to maximize your mentorship potential!Sponsored By: IndeVets

Common goals focused on delivering the best care possible to patients has been at the heart of the ENA-International Association of Forensic Nurses partnership for years. IAFN CEO Jennifer Pierce-Weeks, a longtime ENA member herself, joins the ENA Podcast to talk about how a strong collaborative relationship between the two associations has proven valuable through joint resource development, advocacy efforts and, ultimately, improving the ways forensic and ED nurses work with each other.

Send us a textWhat does the month of June mean to you?..       In this powerful and timely episode of Saints in the South, we open up a conversation that too often remains in the shadows: men's mental health. As June marks Men's Mental Health Awareness Month, we confront the stigma surrounding emotional vulnerability and the pressure many men feel to “tough it out” in silence. With compassion and candor, we talk about the real struggles—including depression, anxiety, and the sobering suicide rates among men—and why seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but of strength.        We also explore how gospel principles and Church resources can provide healing, hope, and resilience. From the eternal truths that affirm our divine worth, to practical programs offered by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we highlight how faith and mental health can—and must—work together. Whether you're struggling yourself, supporting someone who is, or just want to be part of a healthier, more Christlike culture, this episode is for you. Let's break the silence and build stronger, more spiritually grounded men—together.Support the Show!Become a "Patron Saint"!www.patreon.com/SaintsintheSouth(The thoughts, ideas, and beliefs we express on this channel do not officially represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  For additional information or official statements, please visit the website below.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng)#MensMentalHealthAwarenessMonth #MensMentalHealth ##MentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #MensMentalHealthAwareness #Resiliency #Strength #religion #churchofJesusChrist #ldspodcast #christianpodcast #missionary #lds #christ #faith #faithinchrist #scriptures #doctrineandcovenants #houseofthelord #mormon #god #endure #ironrod #faithineveryfootstep #generalconference #prophets #commandments #love #service #charity #keepstriving #keeponstriving #gospelgrowthandgoodtimes #become #newtestamentSupport the show

You're listening to Burnt Toast! Today, my conversation is with Lauren Leavell. Lauren is a weight neutral fitness professional and content creator. She focuses on creating inclusive environments for movement and exercise to help clients feel strong and confident, and previously joined us on the podcast back in 2023. Lauren is an oasis in a sea of toxic online fitness and wellness culture. And it has been super toxic lately! So I asked Lauren to come on and chat with us about the recent dramas happening on Tiktok and Instagram.Yes, we get into the girl who said nobody over 200 pounds should take Pilates.We also talk about how to stay grounded when this noise is happening online, and how to seek out inclusive movement spaces—whatever that looks like for you. Today's episode is free but if you value this conversation, please consider supporting our work with a paid subscription. Burnt Toast is 100% reader- and listener-supported. We literally can't do this without you.PS. You can always listen to this pod right here in your email, where you'll also receive full transcripts (edited and condensed for clarity). But please also follow us in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and/or Pocket Casts! And if you enjoy today's conversation, please tap the heart on this post — likes are one of the biggest drivers of traffic from Substack's Notes, so that's a super easy, free way to support the show!Episode 197VirginiaLauren, it's so great to have you back on the podcast! It was one of my favorite conversations. It was two years ago that you were here before, I think.LaurenI know! Honestly, we could have a conversation once a month about toxic fitness stuff. VirginiaThere's always something. For anyone who missed your first appearance and has missed the 72,000 times I say “I love Lauren's workouts,” can you introduce yourself?LaurenI am Lauren Leavell. I am a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor. I've been doing that for almost a decade at this point, which is so wild. I'm not tired of it yet, which is amazing for me. I have a virtual program online, and Virginia is a member of tat community.VirginiaA groupie.LaurenHonestly, yes. Love that. I teach live classes and on demand classes. All of them are body neutral, and most of them are lower impact, because we're here for a good time and a long time. And I also have private training clients who I program Stronger Together workouts for.When I'm not doing that, I'm apparently complaining on the Internet. Well, I try not to complain too much on the Internet. And stalking cats in my neighborhood.VirginiaYou are my favorite Internet cat lady.LaurenHuge, huge accolades here.VirginiaFavorite Internet cat lady. That should be in your bio. And you are talking to us from France right now! Do you want to talk about that?LaurenI'm really leaning into my Sagittarius lifestyle. I just picked up my life in Philadelphia and decided to move to France. People keep asking me, why? And my answer is, why not? My partner and I are child-free except for our two beautiful cat daughters. But they're pretty easy to move. So we packed up our lives and moved to France. We are still really new here, really getting into it. And I'm genuinely just so excited for all the new stimuli. VirginiaOf course for folks listening to this episode, it is now mid-June, so we're going to talk about something that happened a month ago, and it is forgotten in the attention span of the Internet. But I still think it's very important to record for posterity that this happened. So Lauren, can you walk us through what I'm going to call Pilatesgate.LaurenPilatesgate occurred when a woman decided to come on TikTok, and really just rant. You can tell that she was a little bit amped up. She was talking about how she did not believe that people in larger bodies—specifically, if you are over 200 pounds—you should not be in a Pilates level two class. She was really insistent, and talked about how you should be doing cardio or just going to the gym. And then she followed up with: “You also shouldn't be a fitness instructor if you have a gut.” Like, what's going on? The overall tone of it was she was extremely agitated. VirginiaShe felt this deeply.LaurenShe was very bothered. Mind you, the person saying this, obviously, is not in a fat body. She's not in a larger body. I think the tone of her video and how agitated she was is what really sparked the conversation around size inclusivity and fitness and blatant fatphobia and anti-fat bias. But it all started with someone having a very agitated car rant that I'm sure she didn't think would go the way that it went.VirginiaI think she thought people were going to be like, Hell yeah! Thanks for saying the truth. I think she thought there was going to be this moment of recognition that she had spoken something. But I would love to even just know the backstory. I assume she just walked into a Pilates class and saw a fat person and lost her mind? I can't quite understand what series of events triggered the car rant, because I can't imagine having really any experience in my daily life that I would be like, “That was so terrible I need to take to the internet and say my piece about it,” and to have the experience be…I observed another human being.LaurenRight? I think that from from her follow up video it seems like she's been doing Pilates for a while, and maybe was agitated that someone was either getting more attention or she just maybe felt some type of way in general.VirginiaI wonder if the fat person was better at Pilates than her, and that made her feel bad.LaurenIt could be anything. Just like you said, like the presence of being there, maybe even having a conversation with a teacher—something triggered her. It could have even be been seeing something online of like a fat person doing Pilates as an instructor. I know plenty of fat Pilates instructors.And the apology videos were really like, “I need to work on myself.” And also, you know…you could have worked on yourself before releasing that rant into the internet space.VirginiaI give her one tiny point for how it is a very full apology video. So often an apology video is like, “I'm sorry people were upset,” you know? Like, “I'm sorry that this bothered you.” And she is like, I truly apologize. I have to work on myself. This is bad. She does own it to a certain degree.LaurenI think it's also because she experienced consequences. Her membership was revoked and she either lost her job, or at least is on punishment from her job.VirginiaWhich is correct! She should experience consequences. Plus there was a tidal wave of of videos coming out in response to her first one being like, what is wrong with you? This is a terrible thing. The backlash was quick and universal. I didn't see a lot of support content for her. I saw just a tidal wave of people being like, what the fuck?LaurenI think the people who would have maybe supported that kept their mouths shut because they saw what was happening. There are people who support that message and feel exactly the same. It was almost like she was like, channeling that type of rage. And I think, again, the agitation is what sets this video apart from every other video that's released 500 times a day on my FYP somewhere about people expressing anti-fat bias in fitness spaces, right?VirginiaShe said the thing that is often implied, and she said it very loudly. She also said it so righteously. It was a righteous anger in the first video. That, I think, was what was startling about it, I was glad to see the backlash—although, yes, as you're saying, there is so much more out there. And really she looks like she is 12 years old. I think she's like 23 or something. So this is a literal child who has had a tantrum. That happens every day, that some young 20 somethings says a fatphobic thing, right?LaurenI mean, actually, I was, at one point, a young 20 something saying fatphobic things to myself and out in the ether.VirginiaFrom my esteemed wisdom as a 44 year old, I try to be like, Thank God Tiktok didn't exist when I was 23! Thank God there's no record of the things I said and thought as a 23 year old. So, okay, babygirl, you did this and we hope you really do do the work. But as you're saying, she said something that is frequently echoed and reinforced by fitness influencers all over Al Gore's internet.You sent me a Tiktok by a fitness influencer Melania Antuchas, who posts as FitByMa. We see her leaning into the camera at a very uncomfortable-looking angle, saying, “If you don't like the way I train or instruct, don't come to my class because I'm going to push you to be your best self and you just need to take it,” basically. Can we unpack the toxicity of this kind of messaging? Because I do think this kind of messaging is what begets the angsty 23-year-old being appalled that there's a fat person in her Pilates class.LaurenYes, totally. I think that that person may actually be like an Internet predecessor to the rant, if I'm going to be honest. This person's content, against my own will, has been showing up frequently.VirginiaThank you for your service, by the way, that you have to consume all this fitness content, and see all of this.LaurenI've been seeing a lot of this person's videos, and a lot of Pilates instructors have actually had a lot to say about it, because what she's pitching as Pilates is not traditional Pilates, either mat or reformer. It's inspired by, but we really shouldn't be calling it that. And some people were like, “It seems like more of a barre class.” And I'm like, get my name out of your mouth. What are you talking about?VirginiaYou're like, don't you make me take her! I don't want her!LaurenYes, please don't come over here with this. So I think it's a combination of the fact that maybe her workouts feel a little mislabeled to a lot of people who are professionals in the field, and then her teaching style is extremely intense. And that's really what I would love to get into. Because I think if you've been a casual fitness person, you have experienced these type of intense motivational instructors and and maybe when we rewind to when we were the age of the ranter, that would have worked. That does work on a lot of people. What this person is saying is if you don't like it, don't come to my class. There are always going to be people who love a punishing, intense type of motivation because they never experienced anything else. They don't know how to find motivation or how to exercise without the presence of punishment.VirginiaThis is certainly endemic of a lot of CrossFit culture, a lot of boot camp culture. There are a lot of fitness spaces that are really built around this. Like, “no pain, no gain.” You've got to leave it all on the mat. You've got to always show up and give 200% no matter what. And I guess that is, as you're saying, motivating to some people.LaurenTell me about your childhood, if that's what you like. You know? And it's also a result of the United States culture in general, it is extremely punishing. And if we really stop and interrogate why we enjoy this, and why we only feel motivated by this intensity and someone getting up in our face, then we might have to slowly chip away at all the other places where softness has been denied and love and openness and acceptance have been denied. But it's to make you stronger. It's to make you better.VirginiaIt's like capitalism as a workout. LaurenIt's definitely a reflection of that type of culture, because some people maybe won't be motivated by anything softer, because they've never experienced softness.VirginiaAnd they've never been given permission to exist in a more multifaceted way, like you're either successful or you're not. You can either take it or you can't.LaurenAnd pain leads to success, right? Like, even though we all know—well, many of us know that—a lot of successful people have done no no suffering to get there. Other people have done the suffering for them.VirginiaExactly. It's just where you're born, which family you're born into, that lead to the success. The idea that there are no excuses, which was a recurring theme of her videos. Like, you're going to push yourself to be your best self or I'm going to push you to be your best self. That whole thing was so interesting to me because it was like, so you're not allowed to just have a headache one day? You're not allowed to be a neurodivergent person who has different needs and bandwidth? You're not allowed to be human, really, in this in this context.LaurenNo, not at all. And it really shows. I mean, I get it. And I have seen it over and over. But the ableism that exists in fitness spaces is almost like you're almost unable to, untangle them in so many spaces. And that's part of my job. It's been really, really, really interesting to be someone who's attempting to untangle those because how can I be motivational to people who have never experienced motivation outside of the intensity and the ableism and the pushing past. That's why I'm always talking about how unserious it is. Because this woman is telling me I have no excuses, and I have to go 100%. Like, girl, this is literally a 45 minute class. What are you talking about? This is 45 minutes of my life. Like, yes, with consistency you'll get results from fitness. And those don't have to be aesthetic! You will get your results from fitness if you are consistently doing a 45 minute workout. But consistently doing it doesn't mean doing it 100% every time.VirginiaRight? And let's not forget, we're just rolling around on a floor. LaurenWe're rolling around on the floor! Hopefully in a good class, we're mimicking movements that we would like do in our lives that would cause our bodies to meet those muscles. So if I'm moving furniture, it's usually not intensely at a speed run, I just need to be able to pick up my side of the couch! VirginiaAnd move it three feet and put it back down again.LaurenI think the the intensity of fitness is often overblown. And of course, this is hard to say as a fitness instructor who's not thin, because they'll be like, well, that's why you're fat.I think it's really deeply psychologically baked into fitness for a lot of people, that it has to be horrible. And that's my first experience with working out. Like, I thought it had to be horrible. Because I grew up in a family of women who only worked out when they needed to change their bodies. So it was like, oh my gosh. Remember when I was like, seriously working out for six months? It was always a sprint,VirginiaYou can't sustain the Mean Girl workout. Like, that's not a way to live. Or if you can, it's a warning sign that you can live with that much punishment for that long. LaurenYeah, definitely. Growing up, I thought that that's what all workouts were going to be. I did a lot of Stairmaster in my early 20s.VirginiaThe most Mean Girl of all cardio equipment.LaurenYes, I mean, that should have been a warning sign. But, I do think about this now, you know, I'm walking up a ton of stairs every day. I'm like, okay, well, do I need to go on a stairmaster, or am I able to just live my life and have to carry my groceries upstairs?VirginiaRight? I mean, being able to climb stairs is useful. And it's always really hard.LaurenA number one goal of people when I talk to folks, they're like, “I just want to be not winded when I go up and down stairs.” I'm like, I have horrible news for you.VirginiaIt's never going to happen.LaurenIt's a situational thing. You're dressed in regular clothes, carrying up three bags of groceries after carrying them in from your car, or not being warmed up, or carrying, a baby in a baby carrier, those baby carriers that are 400 pounds. Yeah, you're going to be winded.VirginiaI've lived in a fifth floor walk up in a sixth floor walk up, and I never got better at the stairs in the years I lived in those apartments. And I was a skinny 20 something when I was doing that. It never got easier, not one day.LaurenLiterally being out of breath is a sign that we're working those cardiovascular muscles. Just let them be out of breath real quick.VirginiaThat's a really helpful reframing. We jumped so aggressively into chatting about all of this that we should probably spend another beat for anyone who's confused, explaining that people who weigh over 200 pounds are allowed to do Pilates! Can you just explain why what she was saying was total bullshit? LaurenTotally. I think that people, at any weight, can do whatever workout they want or don't want to do. And I think particularly if you're a woman or socialized as a woman there are always these imaginary limitations on what your weight should be. And I think that that's really where the 200 pound conversation came in, right? Because for a not-fat woman, anything over that weight is really unfathomable to them. I definitely remember conversations around that within my own household of like, oh, we can't possibly weigh over this number. And I'm sitting there, like…VirginiaCan you not? Because I'm doing it. Here I am.LaurenSo I think that that's really where that number came from. She pulled out a number that she thought was just like, beyond anything. And I think it's also important to remember that so often, when people are asked to assess what people weigh, they have absolutely zero idea.It's really hard for people to tell other people's weight based on how they look. So I think that that was why that number was picked.VirginiaIt sounds so scary.LaurenIn her head, 200 pounds is really, really big and really scary. And going back to weighing whatever anybody weighs, I think Pilates is a great workout for people who are in, all different types of bodies and diverse bodies. Pilates is super low impact in a lot of ways, and really good for folks who have chronic illnesses, particularly like reformer, because it could be recumbent and you're not putting a lot of stress on your joints in the same way. So the idea that this workout that's really almost like super in line with disability and rehabilitation, to say that there's like a weight limit—again, fatphobia, joining in with ableism—is like, so so off base. So deeply off base.VirginiaFat people can do any workout, but Pilates in particular happens to be a workout that can be extremely body inclusive when it's taught well.LaurenExactly. I think that that maybe also added to some of the outrage and and honestly, some of me thinking it was very funny. I'm not someone who regularly weighs myself, but I've always been someone who was extremely heavy, as a person. Even as a child, there were stories about me versus my cousin who was three years older than me and a boy, and how he weighed less than me for most of our childhood. I have always been so solid. And I think growing up, many of us heard like, oh, that person has the body of a swimmer. That person should play volleyball or basketball or whatever. I'm like, what is this body type meant for? Like, shotput? And then I'm teaching Barre, you know? I think it's just so made up. And yes, maybe it's good for people who swim to have long limbs, great. But when we close ourselves off to types of movement based on body types and weight limits, then people have a harder time finding things that they enjoy, because maybe they don't enjoy something that they “look like they should.”VirginiaJust because you don't have long limbs doesn't mean swimming can't bring you a lot of joy.LaurenRight? Just because I don't have long lean muscles doesn't mean I can't teach Barre. The language around Barre and Pilates is always “long and lean.” And I just feel that's so funny as someone who's not long and lean. I love not being long and lean and and enjoying my classes. Some of the outrage did come from that number being named, because it's a misunderstanding of what real people in the real world weigh when you are not around those types of people. But I also think that there are a lot of limitations put on bodies, particularly larger bodies, and what you can and can't do. I have another video that's actually making a resurgence right now, probably because of this conversation that fat people should only do cardio, because if you lift weights, then you might gain more muscle mass, which would increase your scale weight. So you should only do cardio, because that's how you're going to lose weight, which is inaccurate and very boring.VirginiaAnd it's just really drilling into and this was the core of what she was saying. It's the core of that Melania video, that exercise is only a tool for weight management. That you would only exercise to avoid or minimize fatness, and right?LaurenAnd because Pilates “isn't actually good for burning fat,” you definitely shouldn't be doing it if you're fat.VirginiaYeah, you should be at the gym running. And it's completely ignoring the many other reasons we would exercise, the benefits you can actually achieve. Because, as you're saying, weight loss through exercise is a very murky thing for most people. And it's just ignoring all the other reasons you would do it that are more fun.LaurenYeah, like “I like it.” You're allowed to like things! But again, if you're socialized to only know shame and punishment, then the idea that people do things out of pleasure is hard to wrap your mind around.VirginiaSpeaking of shame and punishment, I wrote recently about Andy Elliott, who is actually a sales trainer, but he's also a bodybuilder. He's always cold plunging. He's always recording from a cold thing of water.LaurenAgain, pleasure, right? We can't have warm water. We made this technology, use it.VirginiaNo, no. He's like in Dubai, sitting in a barrel of cold water, posting his rants. And he posted this video showing off his twelve and nine year old daughters and how he had challenged them to get a six pack in less than two months. And they got shredded in two months. Then in this room full of his male sales trainees, he had them take off their sweatshirts and show off their six packs to a room full of men. It's revolting, on so many levels. But one thing I've been thinking about as I had to look at the Andy Elliot crap and then looking at this other crap, these extreme examples of toxic diet culture in some ways, I think, are unhelpful. Because they make us more dismissive of stuff that's not that. It's like, well, it's not that bad. Do you know what I mean?LaurenIt's moving the the spectrum of what's normal and what's not normal.VirginiaSo it's like, “Well, I didn't say 200 pound people can't come to Pilates, so I'm not being fatphobic.” Or “I'm not showing you a nine year old with a six pack, so I'm not being fatphobic.” But it shouldn't have to be that bad!LaurenIt also somewhat negates the fact that most of us are not exposed to the extreme. We're exposed to the more insidious anyway.VirginiaRight? Because the insidious is what your coworker is saying in the break room at lunch about how she's only eating a salad.LaurenIt's the stuff that we get daily exposure to, as opposed to these extremes where most people can point out, like, oh that's wild.VirginiaMaybe don't force your children to get six packs? It's pretty clear cut. On the other hand, I kind of feel like the needle is moving on what is extreme because of the rise of MAGA and MAHA wellness culture. We're unfortunately normalizing a lot of this really intense and harmful rhetoric.LaurenI've been thinking about it a lot, and I think number one, yes. Also the anti-intellectualism. That also helps push these things, because if someone's shouting confidently enough, they could sell anything. You said that person is in a sales job. Like, that's part of that thing. It's psychological. It's not even based in facts. But I think that it's on the rise, for sure, because it's not being checked. And I also think that in that more insidious way, it's on the rise because people are seeking to fly under the radar, and they're seeking safety in their bodies being read as safe.In this super conservative and rise of fascism, falling in line is a way that some people will seek safety, right? But it obviously, when we get into ranking bodies as good and bad and purity testing bodies. Like, if that even exists, that means someone has to be at the bottom. It's very clear that when we're saying take control. Hyper individual. Yeah, I did it, and you could do it, too, applying your situation to other people's. Like, that's not how science works. Number one, that's not how genetics work. And I think that people of all like races, ages, and abilities, you know, will seek safety in flying under the radar in a regime that's getting scarier and more intense. So I think that bodies and fitness is definitely a way that people will get there.VirginiaYeah, it's a logical survival strategy in a really dark time, for sure.LaurenSo I think that that's part of the reason why even people who wouldn't identify as like MAHA are on their health and wellness, and they don't realize how quickly it gets there, but it does pretty instantly. But as someone who is has multiple marginalized identities myself, I often see people who are in similar situations, and I look at them with a lot of compassion because, yeah. Like, if you're disabled, if you're Black, if you're poor, being fat on top of that, you just checked another box for people. And I feel like that is where this intensity comes from all sides. And that's why we're seeing even more diverse voices echoing this type of message, because people are seeking safety, and they might not even know that that's what they're seeking. But I can see it because I get it.VirginiaYes. That breaks my heart, but it is logical when you have those multiple marginalizations. Fatness is the one that you've been conditioned to think you can and should change.LaurenIt's supposed to be fully within your control. And then that's when we dip into disability being within your control. And the idea that you could just take vitamins or do red light or coffee enemas or something, and you're going to cure your your chronic conditions. Like if you haven't tried it, then you know you're not trying hard enough. So I think it's a really slippery slope, and it gets there very quickly.VirginiaYou've mentioned ableism a few times, obviously, because it's really core to this conversation. I'd love to hear a little more about how you think about ability in your classes. Anyone who's taken your class knows how completely different they feel from the Melania version. You've clearly put a lot of thought into how to be inclusive of ability.LaurenI appreciate that. I work really hard, and I try to advertise myself as someone whose classes are many levels or most levels, because I think even saying that something is all levels is not being fully like aware of the scope of people's ability. So I try to be very clear in my communication. I don't know how I got here, personally. Again, the pendulum definitely swung with me. I was someone who I would consider was Orthorexic and all on my organic everything, blah, blah, blah. Particularly when it like was coming down to my PCOS and how much of that was in my control.VirginiaPCOS triggers a lot of rabbit holes.LaurenRight? And, like the fatphobia in my own family mixed with that. But I think at some point it just clicked, like we all have the ability to become disabled if we're not already, you know? We could. And disability is a spectrum. We usually like start checking off more and more boxes towards that. But because ableism is so rampant, most people would never identify something going on as a disability. Wearing glasses, wearing hearing aids, needing captions, needing accommodations. They wouldn't identify those as a disability because it's horrible to be disabled in this world, so we try to avoid saying that.I think realizing I had so many folks coming to me who were burnt out by all the stuff we just spent all this time talking about—and I was burnt out in that world. And that's how I got spit out the other side. I was like, I'm going to do things differently. And more and more and more people started really identifying with that. And I got to know people individually within my memberships, and they shared about what they had going on, and oh my gosh, your classes have been so great because I have POTS, or I have EDS, or I have chronic pain, or I also have PCOS, I have PMDD—all these things.And because I am who I am, and I'm someone who is neurodivergent and I'm a nerd and I want to know what's good for people who have POTS? What's good for people who have blood pressure issues? What would be like a good modification or variation to throw out there to people who might not even know that that's going on with them, because again, our medical system. Like, oh yeah, I get dizzy sometimes. Like, okay, girl, can we elaborate? But I think that just realizing, no matter who it was, every single person in my membership can contribute to my ability to teach better, because if one person says it, 10 people are probably experiencing it. That's why I love the feedback. I love that! That hurt? I have no idea. I have one body. I literally have only this body, right? You have to tell me if something hurts, right? I don't know, that doesn't hurt me. Or that does hurt me, and I don't do it, but that works for you. So you have to tell me. So I think that that's really where it resulted from people being comfortable feeling honest and sharing, and my desire to continue making things feel good and challenging. Because I think that people think you have to sacrifice movement being challenging. Like it can't it can still be challenging and not horrendous and punishing.VirginiaYes, this is what's hard to articulate when I tell people how much I love your classes. This is the needle you're threading. We think of it as so black and white. Either you're someone who wants to go so hard, like the Melania video, or you're someone who's like, exercise needs to feel like a warm bath, or I'm not going to do it. And there is a middle space. There's a huge middle space.LaurenYes. And that's the neutrality of it all, which is yeah, I'm allowed to do this hard thing and and really invest when we're talking about the consistency and no excuses. But if we're talking about a 45 minute workout that you're doing maybe two times a week, and investing in 30 seconds of challenge or discomfort, and investigating how that feels in your body and doing it. And then after six weeks, suddenly, wow, that thing that was uncomfortable six weeks ago is no longer uncomfortable. This new thing was uncomfortable. And that's why I love movement so much. Because I feel like you can not solve, but get to the bottom of, investigate, interrogate and get to know parts of your body. And and I really do feel like the work that we do in 45 minute classes empowers people enough to go out and tell people at their jobs to eff off, you know? Like, it gives people the ability to get to know themselves well enough to know what they're willing to tolerate.VirginiaI feel like when I do your videos, there's always a point where honestly, I might be watering my plants or just lying on the floor, and then there's always a point where I'm actually so in it and pushing really hard. Do you know what I mean? And it's like, it can be both things. I get to choose which is the part that I'm going to be like, yeah, I'm holding this 20 second plank the whole time. I'm going to go for my heavier weights. We're going to do that.LaurenBecause it doesn't need to add up or count for anything, but it always does, even if you're like, I'm just doing this to do something. That just just doing something will still add up and it'll still come up later. And I think it doesn't need to be that serious. It's never that serious.VirginiaAny other fitness trends that are making you especially grumpy right now, or anything good you want to highlight?LaurenI mean, honestly, the backlash to that rant was good, right? There were so many good responses, I actually followed a couple people. I do think people being able to recognize that as blatant anti-fatness was good. It was a good gut check for a lot of people. And I think that that, yeah, it was good for me. That that made me feel, oh, there are seeds of hope.VirginiaNo, we haven't fallen as low as I fear sometimes.LaurenNo, and it's really hard. I've heard Jessamyn Stanley say, like, “Sometimes I don't remember that people act this way.”VirginiaOh God, yeah. You're really still out there being like this?LaurenYes, yes, yes, yes. So I think there was a lot of silly, goofy and and very good responses to that. I love that push and pull that we can hopefully sometimes see and still have this dialog about. I feel like it's really important. And with so many people intentionally losing weight right now, I think it's really important to see people who are not necessarily in traditional fit bodies doing fitness.VirginiaGod, it's so important. ButterLaurenI was going to be funny and say that my Butter is actually butter, now that I'm living in France.VirginiaYou're living in butter country.LaurenI have been trying different butters all the time. Hopefully people who are listening, maybe their weather is getting better. So this is a, this is like a freebie recommendation, but just a little photosynthesis. Now is a really good time to give yourself space, to open up your body again after a winter. Just a little bit of fresh air and a little bit of sunshine and a little bit of phone getting thrown across the room. Which is what I have been trying to do every single day. It really makes a huge difference. So, phone down, photosynthesis up. That is what's getting me through right now. And I hope that other people can enjoy that. Doesn't mean you even have to go outside! Crack a window, allow yourself to be a human being. And it's free. You don't need a discount code for it. You don't need someone to sell it to you on Tiktok shop. You were allowed to be a person existing for completely free.VirginiaYes, so true. That's really good. My Butter, in honor of you, my favorite Internet cat lady is going to be my cats. I'm going to give them a shout out. Licorice and Cheese. We adopted these kittens last year after my kids begged and begged. I mean, I've always been a cat person, but our old man cats had passed away. We had no cats for a while. And they make me so happy. They just are such love bugs. Because the weather is better, I think Cheese has taken your notes about photosynthesis, and so he's regularly trying to jailbreak, to get outside. He's trying to get outside all the time. So we are having a little cat drama in my house where the kids go outside, forget to close the door. Cheese is on it. He's trying to get out there, and we get him back inside. But we have a screen porch, so they do get to go out and live their best life on the screen porch, which makes them really happy.LaurenOh my gosh, I love when they photosynthesize. My new place has lots of big windows and lots and lots of sunshine, and my girls have just been absorbing the sun. And they're both trying to go out on balconies, which we're doing the same thing you're doing, because one pigeon goes by, and my cat's diving.VirginiaAnd I live in the woods where there are a lot of predators. We did have an old man cat who in the final years of his life, we did let outside, because we were like, you've had a good run. And we're thinking quality of life at that point. But these two babies, I want them for many, many years. We can't risk the coyotes. And I think one of them really gets that. Licorice is like the boss of the house, but he's terrified of the outside. I think he recognizes he's a big fish in a little pond, and he needs to stay that way. But Cheese is like, oh, that's my world. I want to get back there?LaurenYes, maybe a harness? Maybe that can be what the kids do this this summer is harness train Cheese.VirginiaWe've never tried the harness with them.LaurenHe's still young. My girls are full grown, and when I put a harness on them, they fall over. They're like, it's the last day they're ever going to live. They're like my bones don't work anymore. What did you do to me? We've been trying to harness train them so that they can go back outside, because we did have a yard before, but I think if he's young and eager to go outside, he might put that harness on. And that's also a good summer project.VirginiaOh, I feel like my 11 year old's going to get really into this. Okay, I'm going to give it a go. I'm going to report back. Well, Lauren, thank you so much. Tell folks where they can find you. How can we support your work?LaurenYou can find me at Lauren Leavell Fitness and I have a membership—the level up fitness membership, where you can join live classes. You can take on demand classes. Again, it's a silly, goofy mood over here. There are classes of different lengths. You don't need a ton of space or equipment. I currently don't have, really any equipment. I have. I have two pound weights.VirginiaI've been enjoying the recent videos where you're like, well, I'm doing this move that I'd normally have a 20 pound weight with a 2 pound weight.LaurenPretend these are 20 pounds! So we really are accepting of all scenarios that you have going on fitness-wise here. And like I said, the replays are there if you're not someone who gets catches live classes, totally get it. Or you just don't want to come to a live class. And then, if you are looking for more, I do have some workout videos on YouTube, which are kind of a sample of my teaching. They're a little less weird than I normally teach. I'm a little bit more polished on YouTube. And then, of course, Lauren Leavell Fitness on Instagram, and Lauren Leavell Fit on TiktokFay, who runs @SellTradePlus, and Big Undies.The Burnt Toast logo is by Deanna Lowe.Our theme music is by Farideh.Tommy Harron is our audio engineer.Thanks for listening and for supporting anti-diet, body liberation journalism! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit virginiasolesmith.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Rick Mayo shares how his business has managed to create a thriving, close-knit community while scaling up to hundreds of locations. Rick was interviewed on the Dynamic Disruption Podcast, where he dives into Alloy's approach to building relationships, simplifying operations, and putting human connections at the heart of fitness.Starting in 1992, Rick explains how his Alloy stands out by focusing on personal, one-on-one interactions instead of the typical crowded gym experience.It's not just about the workouts, but also about understanding people's life challenges and tailoring fitness to meet those needs.Rick talks about how the Alloy model thrives with a small membership base that allows for deep connections between trainers and clients.He also shares some truly inspiring client success stories that show why fitness is way more than just looking good.And with Alloy growing very fast, Rick talks about maintaining the core values while bringing in new franchisees and expanding across the country. Listen in!Key TakeawaysIntro (00:00)Older demographic drawn by premium, personalized training (00:50)Evolution from grassroots to digital marketing (02:06)Referrals remain a major source of growth (04:20)“Stronger Together” client story program (05:15)Fitness goals are often rooted in life's serious challenges (06:45)Building community with only 130-250 members (09:23)Dunbar's number and client intimacy (10:59)“Surprisingly personable” gift system (13:45)Coaching with behavioral science at core (16:56)Alloy's expansion plans through 2030 (18:11)Additional Resources:- Alloy Personal Training- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity---------You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.If you haven't already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

Achieving peak performance is something athletes strive to attain and getting that peak performance to coalesce is the goal for coaches, managers, and trainers leading teams in pursuit of victory. As sports psychologist Simon Hartley says, getting elite athletes to perform up to their potential is more about the mind than it is the body. In this conversation, Simon Hartley - author of “Master Mental Toughness” and “Stronger Together” - discusses the factors that lead to peak athletic performance, the habits and routines of world-class athletes, and how these lessons can be applied in a business setting that doesn't involve sports. Simon goes on to talk about developing a winning culture, how to turn a dysfunctional culture around without firing leadership, and how to create an environment of pro social behavior where people sacrifice individual achievement for the good of the team. Simon closes the conversation by sharing advice and tips for selecting talent. Simon Hartley is the CEO and founder of the Be World Class Group. He is a ten-time author, keynote speaker and co-host of The Podium Podcast and The Demon Charmers Podcast. Through his background in sport psychology, Simon has spent much of his career working with elite athletes and sports teams, helping them to get their mental game and their mindset right. Simon's real passion is working with and studying the very best in the world, figuring out what makes them great, and then helping others adopt those principles.

In this episode of the Young Dad Podcast, Jey Young and Jason, a men's embodiment coach, delve into the importance of men's groups and the evolution of masculinity. They discuss how traditional masculinity often leads to isolation and emotional suppression, and how men's groups can provide support, feedback, and a sense of belonging. Jason shares his personal journey and insights on the significance of being in touch with one's emotions and body, and how this awareness can lead to healthier relationships and parenting. The conversation emphasizes the need for men to connect, share their struggles, and redefine what it means to be masculine in today's world. TakeawaysEvery man needs a men's group for support.Men often feel lonely even in groups.Emotional awareness is crucial for decision-making.Men's groups help break the lone wolf mentality.Healthy masculinity involves vulnerability and connection.Feedback from peers can lead to personal growth.Being in touch with emotions improves relationships.Isolation can lead to serious health issues for men.Men are wired for connection and community.Doing inner work benefits not just oneself but also one's children.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Modern Fatherhood and Masculinity01:10 The Journey into Men's Work03:31 The Power of Men's Groups10:35 Understanding Embodiment and Emotional Awareness18:04 Navigating the Challenges of Modern Masculinity25:46 Embracing Masculine Energy26:58 The Evolving Role of Men28:24 The Power of Men's Groups32:44 Connection and Community36:54 Defining Healthy Masculinity41:49 Courage and Vulnerability in Men48:54 lifestyle-outro-low.wavCheck out the Website for Interactive Activity Guides, Resources, Full Transcripts, all things YDP- ⁠⁠www.youngdadpod.com Clink the Link for YDP Deals (Joon, Forefathers &more)- ⁠https://linktr.ee/youngdadpod Want to be a guest on Young Dad Podcast? Send Jey Young a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/youngdadLastly consider a monetary donation to support the Pod, https://buymeacoffee.com/youngdadpod