Podcasts about sustained

Interview with Pascal Hamelin, President & CEO of Abcourt Mines Inc.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/abcourt-mines-tsxvabi-new-quebec-producer-positioned-for-growth-cash-flow-buybacks-8051Recording date: 3rd December 2025Abcourt Mines (TSXV:ABI) has successfully transitioned from exploration to production at its Sleeping Giant mine in Quebec, representing an increasingly rare case study in debt-financed mine development that avoids the severe shareholder dilution typical of traditional equity-financed builds. The company secured $12 million in financing from Nebari—including C$8 million initial tranche, $2 million follow-on, and $2 million used to buy down the Triple Flag NSR royalty from 2% to 1.5%—and commenced gold production.October 2025 production reached 475 ounces whilst operating at conservative staffing levels and building mill circuit inventory. Management projects cash flow positivity by Q2 2026 at approximately 700 ounces monthly production, with current monthly burn rate below $1 million. The Nebari credit facility includes a two-year interest-only period until July 2027, providing critical runway to demonstrate operational consistency and build cash reserves before principal repayments commence.The operational leverage inherent in Abcourt's asset base is substantial. The company operates an 800-tonne-per-day mill (permitted for 950 tonnes per day) currently running at less than 45% capacity. Management targets 350 tonnes per day by autumn 2025, with the mill processing all current mine production in approximately eight hours on day shift only. Plans include expanding to two shifts in early 2026 and eventually four shifts as production scales, providing a clear pathway to meaningful production growth without major capital investment.The constraint on production growth is labour availability rather than geological or metallurgical factors. CEO Pascal Hamelin explicitly stated: "It's not the feed, it's the people, that's the problem you're trying to solve for." The company has invested in infrastructure to address recruitment challenges, including a sleep camp commissioned in September 2024 with Phase Two expansion pending permit approval.The current mine plan supports seven years producing 25,000–33,000 ounces annually, with variation driven by grade. Management's strategic priority centres on extending mine life to 10+ years through three underground drill rigs at Sleeping Giant, then increasing mining fronts to utilise full mill capacity. This narrow-vein, high-grade mining approach—room-and-pillar methods targeting veins 30 centimetres to one metre wide—inherently limits tonnes but maximises grade, with underground samples showing visible gold exceeding 300 g/t.The Flordin discovery adds significant exploration upside. Systematic work exposed 300 metres of strike length grading 5 g/t gold over 15–20 metres width at surface, located 138 kilometres from existing mill infrastructure within a potential two-kilometre mineralised corridor. Abcourt has planned 20,000 metres of drilling for 2026—winter programmes targeting the eastern extension towards Agnico Eagle's adjacent property boundary, spring/summer/autumn programmes targeting northwestern extensions—entirely funded from operating cash flow.Management and directors hold approximately 30% ownership, having consistently supported development through equity investments. Shareholders have expressed preference for share buybacks over dividends once balance sheet permits, with capital allocation decisions driven by financial strength rather than arbitrary timelines.Sustained gold prices above US$4,000 per ounce have fundamentally improved narrow-vein deposit economics. Every US$100 increase translates to approximately US$2.5–3.3 million in additional annual revenue at current production guidance. The investment case depends on execution during the 18-month ramp-up period, successful miner recruitment, and drilling success at both assets to extend mine life and confirm district-scale potential at Flordin.View Abcourt Mines' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/abcourt-mines-incSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Twelve years. Hundreds of videos, brand deals, launches, pivots, babies, algorithm shifts, and breakthroughs — and somehow, she's still here.In this week's episode, Sazan is joined by her manager (and sister-in-law!) Brittany Hendrix to spill the tea on what it actually takes to build and sustain a full-time content creator business. Whether you're a creator, an admirer of the craft, or simply curious about how social media influencers actually land paid partnerships and what really happens behind the scenes, this episode is both a masterclass and a pep talk in an overstimulated world called social media.In this podcast the girls dive into:• how Sazan started her creator journey back in the “Instagram filter” era• how creators land brand deals and turn this work into a sustainable living• what actually matters in 2025 (and what doesn't)• how to honor a God-given calling in an industry that can feel loud, intimidating, or confusingAnd yes… there's a little gift just for listeners.

Bernie Banks is a professor and institute leader at Rice University and co-author of "The New Science of Momentum: How the Best Coaches and Leaders Build a Fire from a Single Spark." As a Brigadier General, he led West Point's Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership in his final military assignment. In this episode, Bernie decodes how fleeting moments morph into sustained momentum. Drawing on eight years of research, over 250 interviews and thousands of survey responses across sports, business, politics and the military, Bernie shares a tried-and-true model leaders can use to spark movement, sustain it, and redirect it when needed. Momentum doesn't happen by accident—it's built through small wins, clear culture, situation-readiness, and intentional follow-through. Whether you're leading a team, an organization, or your own career, listen in for practical tools to recognize the early spark, harness the energy, and turn it into a flame that drives real progress. You can find episode 488 on YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts! Watch this Episode on YouTube | Bernie Banks on From Fleeting Moments to Sustained Momentum https://bit.ly/TLP-488 Key Takeaways [03:27] Bernie explains the book originated from the 2017 Super Bowl when the Patriots came back from 28-3 to win against the Falcons. [06:39] Bernie explains momentum is overlooked because people view it as common sense rather than a vital leadership skill. [08:23] Bernie outlines the momentum model starts with leadership setting culture, then moving into preparation where leaders actively seek to generate momentum. [11:29] Bernie uses Nvidia as an example, explaining they made strategic decisions long ago to prepare for the AI revolution. [14:05] Bernie emphasizes "culture is not what you talk about, it's what you tolerate, it's what you reinforce." [15:35] Bernie shares Alan Mulally telling a disruptive Ford executive they needed a transition conversation because those behaviors wouldn't be tolerated. [19:23] Bernie quotes Warren Buffett on hiring: look for smart, driven, and principled people, never hiring someone high on the first two without the third. [21:57] Bernie explains hiring depends on whether you need to maintain or innovate. [25:05] Bernie advises being open and honest with people about gaps they'll have to address for the new reality. [27:39] Bernie explains momentum requires both managers who optimize systems and leaders who produce change. [30:36] Bernie notes the most effective leaders were high on both people and results orientation. [33:17] Bernie discusses the Pygmalion study, stating people rise to the level of expectations when leaders show vested interest in their well being. [34:51] Bernie explains he replaced "failure" with "embrace challenge" because failure has negative connotation and finality. [37:23] Bernie emphasizes intentionality matters, explaining legacy means our story will be told by others, not ourselves. [41:44] Bernie closes stating "momentum is leader business" and the book is designed as a how-to guide with immediate actions. [44:30] And remember…"The world is wide, and I will not waste my life in friction when it could be turned into momentum." - Frances E. Willard Quotable Quotes "Culture is not what you talk about. It's what you tolerate. It's what you reinforce." "Results are one thing, but the how matters." "Momentum is not something they stumbled upon. It was something they actively sought to generate." "People will rise to the level of your expectations so long as they believe you have a vested interest in fostering their well being and that you're equipping them to meet those expectations." "In the best organizations, accountability is the word, and in many organizations, accountability is a bad word." "Challenges can lead to opportunities, and we can always learn things along the way as we push through challenges." "Legacy comes from the Latin word legatus, which means people, person, delegated, which means our story will not be told by self." "Be intentional. The great leaders are." "Momentum is a leader business. " "A core obligation of every leader is to put their people in a position to win." "You don't put people in a position to win by watering down expectations." "Wherever there's a challenge, there's an opportunity." These are the books mentioned in this episode Resources Mentioned The Leadership Podcast | theleadershippodcast.com Sponsored by | www.darley.com Rafti Advisors. LLC | www.raftiadvisors.com Self-Reliant Leadership. LLC | selfreliantleadership.com Bernie Banks Facebook | www.facebook.com/bernard.banks.9 Bernie Banks LinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/in/bernard-bernie-b-4458003

Many people start strong, build an audience, or achieve early success—but then it all falls apart . What is the invisible foundation that separates those who crash and burn from those who continue to build and move forward over a lifetime? Jeremy Stalnecker argues that often, the failure is a lack of intentional focus on developing character. Learn to control the "controllables" like your time, finances, and relationships by prioritizing character development now, so you are equipped for future difficulties. Hit Subscribe, share this episode with your community, and drop a comment on what landed hardest for you. Want more reinforcement? Subscribe to our newsletter, The Forward Edge, to go beyond the podcast and dig deeper into these topics and more: https://marchordie.substack.com! Join us daily for encouragement and biblical truth with the Mighty Oaks Daily Devotional, you can sign up for reminders: https://mightyoaksprograms.org/daily-devotional Follow March or Die:https://instagram.com/MarchOrDie https://Facebook.com/MarchOrDieShow https://TikTok.com/March_or_Die Follow Jeremy:https://instagram.com/jeremystalnecker https://jeremystalnecker.com Follow Sean:https://instagram.com/seantopgunkennard Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Hr 1 - Vandy’s pathway to sustained success in the SECSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Strong Economy and Rate Cuts — Elizabeth Peek — Peek documents that the U.S. economy remains robustly strong, with aggregate consumer spending outpacing inflation rate accumulation, indicating sustained purchasing power and economic vitality. Peek acknowledges that labor market sentiment remains weak despite aggregate employment statistics, reflecting worker anxiety regarding job security and wage growth relative to cost-of-living increases. Peek predicts the Federal Reserve will reduce interest rates in December responding to softening employment indicators and deflationary pressures. Peek highlights ongoing uncertainty regarding potential emergency tariff implementation pending Supreme Court constitutional review and validation of executive authority over international trade policy. 1907 NYSE

On this episode of Gifts and Graces we get to hear from Adam Coppock and Alex Kocher about ministry resiliance and navigating seasons of sustained stress. Adam is the senior pastor of Young Medows Presbyterian Church and Alex is a certified Biblical counselor. Let's listen as Coppock and Kocher look at some practical steps towards soul care that can produce resilience and endurance for a “grace-paced” sustainable rhythm of life and ministry.

BUSINESS: DTI optimistic about sustained growth of exports | Nov. 30, 2025Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net Follow us: Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital Check out our Podcasts: Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify Apple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcasts Amazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusic Deezer: https://tmt.ph/deezer Stitcher: https://tmt.ph/stitcherTune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein#TheManilaTimes#KeepUpWithTheTimes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us a textThis week on the Montana Outdoor Podcast your host Downrigger went behind the scenes of the Fort Peck Hatchery to find out how a King Salmon can go from a tiny egg to one of the most sought after and hardest fighting fish in Montana's largest body of water. This Podcastis destined to be a classic so we thought we would call this one “Rigger and the Salmon Factory”! Yes, we are talking about the mighty King Salmon or more accurately known as the Chinook Salmon, which is the Everlasting Gobstopper of the salmon species, but it is far from being a native fish of Montana. So how does the Chinook Salmon continue to maintain it's population? They won't spawn in Fort Peck Reservoir. There is no way Montana FWP could go out buy fingerlings to stock into the reservoir every year. They have to get them from the Chinooks that are in Fort Peck Reservoir now, but as we said they don't spawn so then how…. That is where Fisheries Biologist Heath Headley and Fort Peck Hatchery Manager Wade Geraets come in. They take the eggs from the dying females and milt from the dying males and turn all that into a brand-new King Salmon every year! How do they do that? Just listen right now. Rigger does a deep dive into all of that and we are positive that you are going to be amazed and entertained by what this podcast for reveals. For example, Heath and his crew collected 895,000 Salmon eggs this year. How do they know that? Those tiny, tiny eggs were counted, no not by Wade's Oompa Loompas, he does not have any of those. So how then? That is just one of the many questions you will get answered when you listen. Rigger even got his buddy The Captain of the Montana Outdoor Radio Show involved. Captain was able to record amazing video of the process while Rigger did a fascinating interview with the Salomon wizards Heath and Wade there at the hatchery. So DO NOT miss the amazing adventure and incredible tale of “Rigger and the Salmon Factory”!  Links:To learn more about the Fort Peck Fish Hatchery click here.To ask Heath Headley questions click here.To ask Wade Geraets questions click here.Got a question or comment for Rigger? Click here.Remember to tune in to The Montana Outdoor Radio Show, live every Saturday from 6:00AM to 8:00AM MT. The show airs on 30 radio stations across the State of Montana. You can get a list of our affiliated radio stations on our website. You can also listen to recordings of past shows, get fishing and and hunting information and much more at that website or on our Facebook page. You can also watch our radio show there as well.

In this episode of the Lead Up Podcast, host Mike Harbour discusses setting up for success in 2026 by embracing daily progress and sustained excellence. Mike emphasizes the importance of reflection, celebrating wins, and designing a future-focused plan for continuous improvement. He outlines practical steps for leaders to foster a thriving culture by focusing on small daily improvements, measuring progress, and creating sustainable systems for future success. If you want your team performing at a higher level in 2026, this is an episode you can't afford to miss!If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave a 5-star review on your streaming platform. Mike encourages you to reach out to him through Mike@harbourresources.com to share your thoughts on this episode & to share some topics you would like him to cover in the future.

This is one in a series about possible futures, which will be published in Booch News over the coming weeks. Episode 7 appeared last week. New episodes drop every Friday. Overview Peer-to-peer flavor-sharing platforms enabled home brewers to distribute taste profiles as digital files. Blockchain-verified SCOBY genetics allowed anyone to recreate award-winning kombucha flavors. Traditional beverage companies lost control as open-source fermentation recipes spread globally. This episode follows teenage hacker Luna Reyes as she reverse-engineers Heineken’s proprietary “A-yeast” strain and the century-old master strain used for Budweiser, releasing them under Creative Commons license, triggering a flavor renaissance that made corporate beverages taste like cardboard by comparison. Luna Reyes: The Seventeen-Year-Old Who Liberated Flavor Luna Reyes was brewing kombucha in her Oakland garage when she changed the course of human history. The daughter of Mexican immigrants, she had learned fermentation from her grandmother while teaching herself bioinformatics through YouTube tutorials and volunteering at the Counter Culture Labs Maker Space on Shattuck Avenue. By fifteen, she was running the Bay Area’s most sophisticated home laboratory, utilizing jury-rigged DNA sequencers and microscopes constructed from smartphone cameras. Her breakthrough came in February 2043 while investigating why her kombucha never tasted quite like expensive craft varieties and was different again from her grandmother’s home brew. Using Crispr techniques learned from online forums, Luna began reverse-engineering the microbial genetics of premium alcoholic beverages. Her target wasn’t kombucha—it was the closely guarded yeast strains that gave corporate beers their distinctive flavors. Luna hunched over her microscope, examining bacterial cultures from her latest kombucha batch. Around her, salvaged DNA sequencers hummed, fermentation vessels bubbled, and computer screens displayed multi-hued patterns of genetic sequences. Her grandmother, Rosa, entered carrying a tray with three glasses of homemade kombucha. “Mija, you’ve been working for six hours straight. Drink something.” Luna accepted the glass without looking up. “Abuela, your kombucha tastes better than anything I can buy in stores and the ones I’ve experimented with. Why? I’m using the same base ingredients—tea, sugar, water—but mine never has this complexity.” Her grandmother laughed. “Because I’ve been feeding this SCOBY for forty years. It knows what to do. You can’t rush relationships.” Luna’s sister Maya, lounging against a workbench, waved her phone. “Luna, people have noticed your forum post about Health-Ade’s fermentation process. Someone says you’re wasting your time trying to replicate commercial kombuchas.” “I’m not trying to replicate them,” Luna said, finally looking up. “I’m trying to understand why their kombucha tastes different than that I make at home. It’s not the ingredients. It’s not the process. It’s the microbial genetics.” Rosa sat down beside her granddaughter. “When I was young in Oaxaca, every family had their own kombucha culture, passed down generation to generation. Each tasted different because the bacteria adapted to their environment, their ingredients, their care. We had a saying, Hay tantas fermentaciones en el mundo como estrellas en el cielo nocturno – there are as many ferments in the world as stars in the night sky. The big companies want every bottle to be identical. That kills what makes fermentation special.” “Exactly!” Luna pulled up genetic sequences on her screen. “I’ve been reverse-engineering samples from different commercial kombuchas. Health-Ade, GT’s, Brew Dr—they all have consistent microbial profiles.” The Great Heist: Cracking Corporate DNA Luna’s first major hack targeted Heineken’s legendary “A-yeast” strain, developed in 1886 by Dr. Hartog Elion—a student of renowned chemist Louis Pasteur—in the company’s Amsterdam laboratory and protected by over 150 years of trade secret law. Using samples obtained from discarded brewery waste (technically legal under the “garbage doctrine”), she spent six months mapping the strain’s complete genetic sequence in her makeshift lab. The breakthrough required extraordinary ingenuity. Luna couldn’t afford professional gene sequencers, so she modified a broken Illumina iSeq100 purchased on eBay for $200. Her sequencing runs took weeks rather than hours; her results were identical to those produced by million-dollar laboratory equipment. Her detailed laboratory notebooks, later published as The Garage Genomics Manifesto, became essential reading for the biotech hacker movement. The Budweiser project proved even more challenging. Anheuser-Busch’s century-old master strain had been protected by layers of corporate secrecy rivaling classified military programs. The company maintained multiple backup cultures in cryogenic facilities across three continents, never allowing complete genetic mapping by outside researchers. Luna’s success required infiltrating the company’s waste-disposal systems at four breweries, collecting samples over 18 months while evading corporate security. The Decision The night before Luna was scheduled to meet her fellow bio-hackers at Oakland’s Counter Culture Labs, she sat at her workstation, hesitant, wondering if she was doing the right thing. Her sister Maya came in, looking worried. “Luna, I found something you need to see,” she says. “Remember Marcus Park? He tried releasing proprietary yeast information in 2039. Heineken buried him. He lost everything. His daughter dropped out of college. His wife left him. He’s working at a gas station now.” Luna spent the night researching what happened to Park. She found that almost everyone who challenged corporate IP ended up on the losing side of the law. It was not pretty. In the morning, Abuela Rosa finds her crying in her room. “Mija, what’s wrong?” she asks. “Oh, Abuela,” Luna says between sobs. “What am I doing? What if I’m wrong? What if I destroy our family? What if this ruins Mom and Dad? What if I’m just being selfish?” “That’s the fear talking.” Her grandmother reassured her. “Fear is wisdom warning you to be careful. But fear can also be a cage.” That evening at the Counter Culture Labs, Luna assembled a small group of advisors. She needed their guidance. She had the completed genetic sequences for Heineken A-yeast and Budweiser’s master strain on her laptop, ready for release. But is this the time and place to release them to the world? Dr. Marcus Webb, a bioinformatics researcher in his forties and Luna’s mentor, examined her sequencing data. “This is solid work, Luna. Your jury-rigged equipment is crude. The results are accurate. You’ve fully mapped both strains.” “The question isn’t whether I can do it,” Luna said. “It’s whether I should let the world know I did it.” On screen, Cory Doctorow, the author and digital rights activist, leaned forward. “Let’s be clear about what you’re proposing. You’d be releasing genetic information that corporations have protected as trade secrets for over a century. They’ll argue you stole their intellectual property. You’ll face lawsuits, possibly criminal charges.” “Is it their property?” Luna challenged. “These are naturally occurring organisms. They didn’t create that yeast. Evolution did. They just happened to be there when it appeared. That does not make it theirs any more than finding a wildflower means they own the species. Can you really own something that existed before you found it?” Doctorow, the Electronic Frontier Foundation representative spoke up. “There’s legal precedent both ways. Diamond v. Chakrabarty established that genetically modified organisms can be patented. But naturally occurring genetic sequences? That’s murky. The companies will argue that their decades of cultivation and protection created protectable trade secrets.” “Trade secrets require keeping information secret,” Luna argued. “They throw this yeast away constantly. If they’re not protecting it, how can they claim trade secret status?” Dr. Webb cautioned, “Luna, even if you’re legally in the right—which is debatable—you’re seventeen years old. You’ll be fighting multinational corporations with unlimited legal resources. They’ll bury you in litigation for years.” “That’s where we come in,” Doctorow said. “The EFF can provide legal defense. Creative Commons can help structure the license. You need to understand: this will consume your life. College, career plans, normal teenage experiences—all on hold while you fight this battle.” Luna was quiet for a moment, then pulled up a photo on her laptop: her grandmother Rosa, teaching her to ferment at age seven. “My abuela says fermentation is about sharing and passing living cultures between generations. Corporations have turned it into intellectual property to be protected and controlled. If I can break that control—even a little—isn’t that worth fighting for?” Maya spoke up from the back. “Luna, I love you, but you’re being naive. They won’t just sue you. They’ll make an example of you. Your face on every news channel, portrayed as a thief, a criminal. Our family harassed. Your future destroyed. For what? So people can brew beer with the same yeast as Heineken?” “Not just beer,” Luna responded passionately. “This is about whether living organisms can be owned. Whether genetic information—the code of life itself—can be locked behind intellectual property law. Yes, it starts with beer yeast. But what about beneficial bacteria? Life-saving microorganisms? Medicine-producing fungi? Where does it end?” Dr. Webb nodded slowly. “She’s right. This is bigger than beer. As biotech advances, genetic control becomes power over life itself. Do we want corporations owning that?” Doctorow sighed. “If you do this, Luna, do it right. Release everything simultaneously—BitTorrent, WikiLeaks, Creative Commons servers, distributed networks worldwide. Make it impossible to contain. Include complete cultivation protocols so anyone can reproduce your results. Make the data so damn widely available that suppressing it becomes futile.” “And write a manifesto,” he added. “Explain why you’re doing this. Frame the issue. Make it about principles, not piracy.” Luna nodded, fingers already typing. “When should I release?” “Pick a date with symbolic meaning,” Dr. Webb suggested. “Make it an event, not just a data dump.” Luna smiled. “December 15. The Bill of Rights Day. Appropriate for declaring biological rights, don’t you think?” Maya groaned. “You’re really doing this, aren’t you?” “Yes. I’m really doing this.” The Creative Commons Liberation On Tuesday, December 15, 2043—a date now celebrated as “Open Flavor Day”—Luna released the genetic sequences on multiple open-source networks. Her manifesto, titled Your Grandmother’s Yeast Is Your Birthright, argued that microbial genetics belonged to humanity’s shared heritage rather than corporate shareholders. It stated: Commercial companies have protected yeast strains for over a century. They’ve used intellectual property law to control flavor itself. But genetic information isn’t like a recipe or a formula—it’s biological code that evolved over millions of years before humans ever cultivated it. These strains are protected as trade secrets—the bacteria don’t belong to anyone. They existed before Heineken, before Budweiser, before trademark law. The companies just happened to isolate and cultivate them. Her data packages included DNA sequences and complete protocols for cultivating, modifying, and improving the strains. Luna’s releases came with user-friendly software that allowed amateur brewers to simulate genetic modifications before attempting them in real fermentations. Within 24 hours, over ten thousand people worldwide downloaded the files. The Creative Commons community erupted in celebration. Cory Doctorow’s blog post, The Teenager Who Stole Christmas (From Corporate Beer), went viral within hours. The Electronic Frontier Foundation immediately offered Luna legal protection, while the Free Software Foundation created the “Luna Defense Fund” to support her anticipated legal battles. The Legal Assault Heineken’s response was swift. The company filed emergency injunctions in 12 countries simultaneously, seeking to prevent the distribution of its “stolen intellectual property.” Their legal team, led by former U.S. Attorney General William Barr III, demanded Luna’s immediate arrest for “economic terrorism” and “theft of trade secrets valued at over $50 billion.” Anheuser-Busch’s reaction was even more extreme. CEO Marcel Telles IV appeared on CNBC, calling Luna “a bioterrorist who threatens the foundation of American capitalism.” The company hired private investigators to surveil Luna’s family and offered a $10 million reward for information leading to her prosecution. Their legal filing compared Luna’s actions to “stealing the formula for Coca-Cola and publishing it in the New York Times.” In Heineken’s Amsterdam headquarters, executives convened an emergency meeting. “Who is Luna Reyes?” the CEO demanded. The legal counsel pulled up information. “She’s a seventeen-year-old high school student in Oakland, California. No criminal record. Volunteers at a maker space. Has been posting about fermentation on various forums for years.” “A child released our proprietary yeast strain to the world, and we didn’t know she was even working on this?” The CEO’s face reddened. “How do we contain it?” “We can’t. It’s distributed across thousands of servers in dozens of countries with different IP laws. We can sue Reyes, but the information is out there permanently.” An executive interjected, “What about the other breweries? Will they join our lawsuit?” “Some are considering it. Others…” The counsel paused. “Others are quietly downloading the sequences themselves. They see an opportunity to break our market dominance.” “She obtained samples from our waste disposal,” another executive explained. “Technically legal under the garbage doctrine. The sequencing itself isn’t illegal. The release under Creative Commons…” “Is theft!” the CEO shouted. “File emergency injunctions. Twelve countries. Get her arrested for economic terrorism.” Similar scenes played out at Anheuser-Busch headquarters in St. Louis. CEO Telles addressed his team: “This is bioterrorism. She’s destroyed intellectual property worth billions. I want her prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Hire private investigators. Find everything about her and her family. Make her life hell!” By noon, both companies had filed lawsuits. By evening, Fox News was running stories about the “teenage bioterrorist” who “stole American corporate secrets.” Back in Oakland, Luna’s phone rang constantly. Her parents discovered what she’d done. Her mother cried. Her father was furious and terrified. Friends called with either congratulations or warnings. She was convinced that private investigators were photographing their house. Maya suspected she was followed to work. On Wednesday morning, Dr. Webb calls: “Luna, they’re offering me $2 million to testify against you. They’re going after everyone in your network.” Luna has a sickening feeling that she’s put everyone at risk. By Thursday, she is considering taking it all back somehow, sending an apology to the corporations, anything to protect her family. Luna turned off her phone and sat with her grandmother. “It’s started,” Luna said quietly. “Sí, mija. You’ve declared war. Now we see if you can survive it.” Maya burst in, laptop in hand. “Luna, you need to see this. The downloads aren’t slowing—they’re accelerating. Every time Heineken or Budweiser shuts down a website, ten mirror sites appear. People are treating this like a digital freedom fight. You’ve become a symbol.” Luna pulled up her own screen. The #FreeLuna hashtag was trending. Crowdfunding campaigns for her legal defense had raised $400,000 in twelve hours. Academic institutions were publicly endorsing her release, calling it “essential scientific information.” “They’re trying to destroy you,” Maya said, “but they’re making you famous instead.” Rosa handed Luna a fresh kombucha. “This is what happens when you fight for what’s right, mija. Sometimes the world surprises you by supporting you.” Luna’s Fame The corporations’ attempts to suppress Luna’s releases had the opposite effect. Every cease-and-desist letter generated thousands of new downloads. The genetic data became impossible to contain once the academic community embraced Luna’s work. Dr. Jennifer Doudna, the legendary Crispr pioneer now in her eighties, publicly endorsed Luna’s releases in a Science magazine editorial: Ms. Reyes has liberated essential scientific information that corporations held hostage for commercial gain. Genetic sequences from naturally occurring organisms should not be locked behind intellectual property law. They belong to humanity’s knowledge commons. While corporations claim Luna stole trade secrets, I argue she freed biological knowledge that was never theirs to own. There are no trade secrets in biology—only knowledge temporarily hidden from the commons. This is civil disobedience of the highest order—breaking unjust laws to advance human freedom. Ms. Reyes didn’t steal; she liberated. MIT’s biology department invited Luna to lecture, while Harvard offered her a full scholarship despite her lack of a high school diploma. The legal battles consumed corporate resources while generating negative publicity. Heineken’s stock price dropped 34% as consumers organized boycotts in support of Luna’s “yeast liberation.” Beer sales plummeted as customers waited for home-brewed alternatives using Luna’s open-source genetics. The Flavor Renaissance Luna’s releases triggered an explosion of creativity that corporate R&D departments had never imagined. Within six months, amateur brewers worldwide were producing thousands of flavor variations impossible under corporate constraints. The open-source model enabled rapid iteration and global collaboration, rendering traditional brewing companies obsolete. The world was engaged. In some of the most unlikely places. In Evanston, Illinois, a group of former seminary students who discovered fermentation during a silent retreat, transformed Gregorian chants into microbial devotionals. Tenor Marcus Webb (Dr. Webb’s nephew) realized symbiosis mirrored vocal harmony—multiple voices creating something greater than their parts. “In honoring the mystery of fermentation we express our love of the Creator,” he said. Here's ‘Consortium Vocalis' honoring the mother SCOBY. [Chorus]Our SCOBYIs pureOur SCOBYIs strongOur SCOBYKnows no boundariesOur SCOBYStrengthens as it fermentsOur SCOBYIs bacteria and yeast Our SCOBYTurns sucrose into glucose and fructoseIt ferments these simple sugars into ethanol and carbon dioxide,Acetic acid bacteria oxidize much of that ethanol into organic acidsSuch as acetic, gluconic, and other acids.This steadily lowers the pHMaking the tea taste sour-tangy instead of purely sweet. [Chorus] Our SCOBYThen helps microbes produce acids, enzymes, and small amounts of B‑vitaminsWhile probiotics grow in the liquid.The pH falls to help inhibit unwanted microbesOur SCOBY creates a self-preserving, acidic environment in the tea [Chorus] In Kingston, Jamaica, Rastafarian’s combined an award-winning kombucha sequenced in Humboldt County, California, with locally grown ganja into a sacramental beverage to help open their mind to reasoning and focus on Jah. Once fermented, it was consumed over the course of a three-day Nyabinghi ceremony. “Luna Reyes is truly blessed. She strengthened our unity as a people, and our Rastafari’ booch help us chant down Babylon,” a Rasta man smiled, blowing smoke from a spliff the size of his arm. The Groundation Collective’s reggae anthem ‘Oh Luna’ joyfully celebrated Luna Reyes’ pioneering discovery. Oh Luna, Oh Luna, Oh Luna ReyesI love the sound of your nameYou so deserve your fame Luna, Luna, Oh Luna ReyesShining brightYou warm my heart Luna, Luna, Oh Luna ReyesYou cracked the codeTeenage prophet, fermentation queenSymbiosis roadA genius at seventeen Oh Luna, Luna, Luna ReyesBeautiful moonMakes me swoon Oh Luna, Luna, Luna ReyesFreedom to fermentYou are heaven sentTo save us Luna, Luna, Oh Luna ReyesYou opened the doorTo so much moreKombucha tastes so goodLike it should Oh Luna, Oh Luna, Oh LunaI love you, love you, love youOh Luna, Luna, LunaLove you, love you,Love Luna, Luna love. In São Paulo, Brazil, MAPA-certified Brazilian kombucha brands combined Heineken and cacao-fermenting yeasts with cupuaçu from indigenous Amazonian peoples, to create the chocolate-flavored ‘booch that won Gold at the 20th World Kombucha Awards. A cervejeiro explained to reporters: “Luna Reyes gave us the foundation. We added local innovation. This is what happens when you democratize biology.” The Brazilian singer Dandara Sereia covered ‘Our Fermented Future’—The Hollow Pines tune destined to become a hit at the 2053 Washington DC Fermentation Festival. Baby sit a little closer, sip some ‘booch with meI brewed this batch with the SCOBY my grandma gave to me.On the back porch swing at twilight, watching fireflies danceYour hand in mine, kombucha fine, the sweetest sweet romance. They say that wine and roses are the way to win the heartBut your kombucha warmed me right up from the start.Fermentation makes the heart grow fonder, truer words they ain’t been saidYour SCOBY’s got a place forever — in my heart, and in my bed. Let’s share our SCOBYs, baby, merge our ferments into oneLike cultures in a crock jar dancing, underneath the sun.The tang of your Lactobacillus is exactly what I’m missingYour Brettanomyces bacteria got this country girl reminiscing. Oh yeah, let’s share those SCOBYs, baby, merge our ferments into oneYour yeasts and my bacteria working till the magic’s doneYou’ve got the acetic acid honey, I’ve got the patience and the timeLet’s bubble up together, let our cultures intertwine. I’ve got that symbiotic feeling, something wild and something trueYour SCOBY’s in my heart, right there next to youThe way your Acetobacter turns sugar into goldIs how you turned my lonely life into a hand to hold. We’ve got the acetic acid and the glucuronic tooWe’ve got that symbiotic feeling, so righteous and so trueOne sip of your sweet ‘booch, Lord, and you had me from the start,It’s our fermented future, that no-one can tear apart. It’s our fermented future…It’s our fermented future…It’s our fermented future… “Luna Variants”—strains derived from her releases—began winning international brewing competitions, embarrassing corporate entries with their complexity and innovation. Traditional beer flavors seemed flat and artificial compared to the genetic symphonies created by collaborative open-source development. Despite the outpouring of positive vibes, the corporations spared no expense to hold Luna to account in the courts. The Preliminary Hearing A preliminary hearing was held in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California on June 14, 2044. Luna sat at the defendant’s table, her hands folded so tightly her knuckles had gone white. She wore a borrowed blazer—too big in the shoulders—over a white button-down shirt Maya had ironed that morning. At seventeen, she looked even younger under the courtroom’s fluorescent lights. Across the aisle, Heineken’s legal team occupied three tables. Fifteen attorneys in matching navy suits shuffled documents and whispered into phones. Their lead counsel, William Barr III, wore gold cufflinks that caught the light when he gestured. Luna recognized him from the news—the former Attorney General, now commanding $2,000 an hour to destroy people like her. Her own legal representation consisted of two people: Rose Kennerson from the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a public interest lawyer who’d flown in from DC on a red-eye, and Dr. Marcus Webb, technically a witness but sitting beside Luna because she’d asked him to. Behind them, the gallery was packed. Luna’s parents sat in the second row, her father’s face gray, her mother clutching a rosary. Maya had taken the day off work. Abuela Rosa sat in the front row directly behind Luna, her ancient SCOBY wrapped in silk in her lap, as if its presence might protect her granddaughter. Judge Catherine Ironwood entered—sixty-ish, steel-gray hair pulled back severely, known for pro-corporate rulings. She’d been a pharmaceutical industry lawyer for twenty years before her appointment. “All rise,” the bailiff called. Judge Ironwood settled into her chair and surveyed the courtroom with the expression of someone who’d already decided the outcome and resented having to perform the formalities. “We’re here for a preliminary injunction hearing in Heineken International B.V. versus Luna Marie Reyes.” She looked directly at Luna. “Ms. Reyes, you’re seventeen years old?” Luna stood, hesitant. “Yes, your honor.” “Where are your parents?” “Here, your honor.” Luna’s mother half-rose, then sat back down. “Ms. Kennerson, your client is a minor. Are the parents aware they could be held liable for damages?” Rose Kennerson stood smoothly. “Yes, your honor. The Reyes family has been fully advised of the legal implications.” Luna glanced back. Her father’s jaw was clenched so tight she could see the muscles working. He wouldn’t meet her eyes. “Very well. Mr. Barr, you may proceed.” Barr rose like a battleship emerging from fog—massive, expensive, inevitable. He buttoned his suit jacket and approached the bench without notes. “Your honor, this is the simplest case I’ve argued in thirty years. The defendant admits to obtaining my client’s proprietary biological materials. She admits to sequencing their genetic information. She admits to distributing that information globally, in deliberate violation of trade secret protections that have existed for over 150 years. She did this knowingly, systematically, and with the explicit intent to destroy my client’s competitive advantage.” Luna felt Sarah’s hand on her arm—stay calm. Barr continued. “Heineken International has invested over $200 million in the development, cultivation, and protection of the A-yeast strain. Then this teenager”—he pointed at Luna—”obtained samples from our waste disposal systems, reverse-engineered our genetic sequences, and released them to the world via BitTorrent, deliberately placing them beyond retrieval.” He paced now, warming to his theme. “The damage is incalculable. We estimate lost market value at $50 billion. But it’s not just about money. The defendant has destroyed the possibility of competition in the brewing industry. When everyone has access to the same genetic materials, there’s no innovation, no differentiation, no reason for consumers to choose one product over another. She has, in effect, communized an entire industry.” Luna couldn’t help herself. “That’s not—” Sarah grabbed her wrist. “Don’t.” Judge Ironwood’s eyes narrowed. “Ms. Reyes, you will have your opportunity to speak. Until then, you will remain silent, or I will have you removed from this courtroom. Do you understand?” “Yes, your honor.” Luna’s voice came out smaller than she intended. Barr smiled slightly. “Your honor, the relief we seek is straightforward. We ask this court to order the defendant to provide us with a complete list of all servers, websites, and distribution networks where the stolen genetic data currently resides. We ask that she be ordered to cooperate fully in suppressing the data. We ask that she be enjoined from any further distribution. And we ask that she be ordered to pay compensatory damages of $5 billion, plus punitive damages to be determined at trial.” He returned to his seat. One of his associate attorneys handed him a bottle of Pellegrino. He took a sip and waited. Judge Ironwood looked at Sarah. “Ms. Kennerson?” Sarah stood. She looked tiny compared to Barr—five-foot-three, maybe 110 pounds, wearing a suit from Target. But when she spoke, her voice filled the courtroom. “Your honor, Mr. Barr has given you a compelling story about a corporation that’s been wronged. But it’s not the right story. The right story is about whether naturally occurring organisms—creatures that evolved over millions of years, long before humans ever existed—can be owned by a corporation simply because that corporation happened to isolate them.” She walked toward the bench. “Let’s be clear about what the A-yeast strain is. It’s not a genetically modified organism. It’s not a patented invention. It’s a naturally occurring yeast. Heineken didn’t create it. Evolution created it. Heineken merely found it. And for 158 years, they’ve claimed that finding something gives them the right to prevent anyone else from studying it, understanding it, or using it.” Barr was on his feet. “Objection, your honor. This is a preliminary hearing about injunctive relief, not a philosophical debate about intellectual property theory.” “Sustained. Ms. Kennerson, please focus on the specific legal issues before this court.” “Your honor, the specific legal issue is whether naturally occurring genetic sequences constitute protectable trade secrets. My client contends they do not. She obtained the yeast samples from Heineken’s waste disposal—materials they had discarded. Under the garbage doctrine, she had every right to analyze those materials. The genetic sequences she discovered are factual information about naturally occurring organisms. You cannot trade-secret facts about nature.” Luna watched Judge Ironwood’s face. Nothing. No reaction. Sarah pressed on. “Mr. Barr claims my client ‘stole’ genetic information worth $5 billion. But information cannot be stolen—it can only be shared. When I tell you a fact, I don’t lose possession of that fact. We both have it. That’s how knowledge works. Heineken hasn’t lost their yeast. They still have it. They can still brew with it. What they’ve lost is their monopoly on that knowledge. And monopolies on facts about nature should never have existed in the first place.” “Your honor—” Barr tried to interrupt. Judge Ironwood waved him down. “Continue, Ms. Kennerson.” “Your honor, Heineken wants this court to order a seventeen-year-old girl to somehow suppress information that has already been distributed to over 100,000 people in 147 countries. That’s impossible. You can’t unring a bell. You can’t put knowledge back in a bottle. Even if this court ordered my client to provide a list of servers—which she shouldn’t have to do—that list would be incomplete within hours as new mirror sites appeared. The information is out. The only question is whether we punish my client for sharing factual information about naturally occurring organisms.” She turned to face Luna’s family. “Ms. Reyes taught herself bioinformatics from YouTube videos. She works at home with equipment she bought on eBay. She has no criminal record. She’s never been in trouble. She saw a question that interested her—why do commercial beers taste like they do?—and she pursued that question with the tools available to her. When she discovered the answer, she shared it with the world, under a Creative Commons license that specifically protects sharing for educational and scientific purposes. If that’s terrorism, your honor, then every scientist who’s ever published a research paper is a terrorist.” Sarah sat down. Luna wanted to hug her. Judge Ironwood leaned back. “Ms. Reyes, stand up.” Luna rose, her legs shaking. “Do you understand the seriousness of these proceedings?” “Yes, your honor.” “Do you understand that Heineken International is asking me to hold you in contempt of court if you refuse to help them suppress the information you released?” “Yes, your honor.” “Do you understand that contempt of court could result in your detention in a juvenile facility until you reach the age of eighteen, and potentially longer if the contempt continues?” Luna’s mother gasped audibly. Her father put his arm around her. “Yes, your honor,” Luna said, though her voice wavered. “Then let me ask you directly: If I order you to provide Heineken with a complete list of all locations where the genetic data you released currently resides, will you comply?” The courtroom went silent. Luna could hear her own heartbeat. Sarah started to stand—”Your honor, I advise my client not to answer—” “Sit down, Ms. Kennerson. I’m asking your client a direct question. She can choose to answer or not.” Judge Ironwood’s eyes never left Luna. “Well, Ms. Reyes? Will you comply with a court order to help Heineken suppress the information you released?” Luna looked at her parents. Her mother was crying silently. Her father’s face was stone. She looked at Abuela Rosa. Her grandmother nodded once—tell the truth. Luna looked back at the judge. “No, your honor.” Barr shot to his feet. “Your honor, the defendant has just admitted she intends to defy a court order—” “I heard her, Mr. Barr.” Judge Ironwood’s voice was ice. “Ms. Reyes, do you understand you’ve just told a federal judge you will refuse a direct order?” “Yes, your honor.” “And you’re still refusing?” “Yes, your honor.” “Why?” Sarah stood quickly. “Your honor, my client doesn’t have to explain—” “I want to hear it.” Judge Ironwood leaned forward. “Ms. Reyes, tell me why you would risk jail rather than help undo what you’ve done.” Luna took a breath. Her whole body was shaking, but her voice was steady. “Because it would be wrong, your honor.” “Wrong how?” “The genetic sequences I released evolved over millions of years. Heineken didn’t create that yeast. They isolated one strain and claimed ownership of it. The code of life belongs to everyone. That’s humanity’s heritage. Even if you send me to jail, I can’t help suppress the truth.” Judge Ironwood stared at her for a long moment. “That’s a very pretty speech, Ms. Reyes. But this court operates under the law, not your personal philosophy about what should or shouldn’t be owned. Trade secret law exists. Heineken’s rights exist. And you violated those rights.” Luna did not hesitate. “With respect, your honor, I don’t think those rights should exist.” Barr exploded. “Your honor, this is outrageous! The defendant is openly stating she believes she has the right to violate any law she disagrees with—” “That’s not what I said.” Luna’s fear was transforming into something else—something harder. “I’m saying that some laws are unjust. And when laws are unjust, civil disobedience becomes necessary. People broke unjust laws during the civil rights movement. People broke unjust laws when they helped slaves escape. The constitution says members of the military do not have to obey illegal orders, despite what those in power might claim. Sometimes the law is wrong. And when the law says corporations can own genetic information about naturally occurring organisms, the law is wrong.” Judge Ironwood’s face flushed. “Ms. Reyes, you are not Rosa Parks. This is not the civil rights movement. This is a case about intellectual property theft.” “It’s a case about whether life can be property, your honor.” “Enough.” Judge Ironwood slammed her gavel. “Ms. Kennerson, control your client.” Sarah pulled Luna back into her chair. “Luna, stop talking,” she hissed. Judge Ironwood shuffled papers, visibly trying to compose herself. “I’m taking a fifteen-minute recess to consider the injunction request. We’ll reconvene at 11:30. Ms. Reyes, I strongly suggest you use this time to reconsider your position.” The gavel fell again, and Judge Ironwood swept out. The hallway outside the courtroom erupted. Reporters swarmed. Luna’s father grabbed her arm and pulled her into a witness room. Her mother followed, still crying. Maya slipped in before Sarah closed the door. “What were you thinking?” Luna’s father’s voice shook. “You just told a federal judge you’ll defy her orders. They’re going to put you in jail, Luna. Do you understand that? Jail!” “Ricardo, please—” Her mother tried to calm him. “No, Elena. Our daughter just committed contempt of court in front of fifty witnesses. They’re going to take her from us.” He turned to Luna, his eyes wet. “Why? Why couldn’t you just apologize? Say you made a mistake? We could have ended this.” “Because I didn’t make a mistake, Papa.” “You destroyed their property!” “It wasn’t their property. It was never their property.” “The law says it was!” “Then the law is wrong!” Her father stepped back as if she’d slapped him. “Do you know what your mother and I have sacrificed to keep you out of trouble? Do you know how hard we’ve worked since we came to this country to give you opportunities we never had? And you throw it away for yeast. Not for justice. Not for people. For yeast.” Luna’s eyes filled with tears. “It’s not about yeast, Papa. It’s about whether corporations get to own life. If Heineken can own yeast, why not bacteria? Why not human genes? Where does it stop?” “It stops when my daughter goes to jail!” He was shouting now. “I don’t care about Heineken. I don’t care about yeast. I care about you. And you just told that judge you’ll defy her. She’s going to put you in jail, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.” “Ricardo, por favor—” Elena put her hand on his arm. He shook it off. “No. She needs to hear this. Luna, if you go to jail, your life is over. No college will accept you. No company will hire you. You’ll have a criminal record. You’ll be marked forever. Is that what you want?” “I want to do what’s right.” “What’s right is protecting your family! What’s right is not destroying your future for a principle!” he said. Luna responded, “What’s right is not letting corporations own the code of life!”They stared at each other. Maya spoke up quietly from the corner. “Papa, she can’t back down now. The whole world is watching.” “Let the world watch someone else!” Ricardo turned on Maya. “You encourage this. You film her, you post her manifestos online, you help her become famous. You’re her sister. You’re supposed to protect her, not help her destroy herself.” “I am protecting her,” Maya said. “I’m protecting her from becoming someone who backs down when the world tells her she’s wrong, even though she knows she’s right.” Ricardo looked between his daughters. “Ambos están locos! You’re both insane.” Abuela Rosa opened the door and entered. She’d been listening from the hallway. “Ricardo, enough.” “Mama, stay out of this.” “No.” Rosa moved between Ricardo and Luna. “You’re afraid. I understand. But fear makes you cruel, mijo. Your daughter is brave. She’s doing something important. And you’re making her choose between you and what’s right. Don’t do that.” “She’s seventeen years old! She’s a child!” “She’s old enough to know right from wrong.” Rosa put her hand on Ricardo’s cheek. “When I was sixteen, I left Oaxaca with nothing but the clothes on my back and this SCOBY. Everyone said I was crazy. Your father said I would fail. But I knew I had to go, even if it cost me everything. Sometimes our children have to do things that terrify us. That’s how the world changes.” Ricardo pulled away. “If they put her in jail, will that change the world, Mama? When she’s sitting in a cell while Heineken continues doing whatever they want, will that have been worth it?” “Yes,” Luna said quietly. “Even if I go to jail, yes. Because thousands of people now have the genetic sequences, Heineken can’t put that back. They can punish me, but they can’t undo what I did. The information is free. It’s going to stay free. And if the price of that is me going to jail, then that’s the price.” Her father looked at her as if seeing her for the first time. “I don’t know who you are anymore.” “I’m still your daughter, Papa. I’m just also someone who won’t let corporations own life.” A knock on the door. Sarah poked her head in. “They’re reconvening. Luna, we need to go.” Back in the courtroom, the atmosphere had shifted. The gallery was more crowded—word had spread during the recess. Luna recognized several people from online forums. Some held signs reading “FREE LUNA” and “GENETICS BELONG TO EVERYONE.” Judge Ironwood entered and sat without ceremony. “I’ve reviewed the submissions and heard the arguments. This is my ruling.” Luna’s hand found Maya’s in the row behind her. Squeezed tight. “The question before this court is whether to grant Heineken International’s motion for a preliminary injunction requiring Ms. Reyes to assist in suppressing the genetic information she released. To grant such an injunction, Heineken must demonstrate four things: likelihood of success on the merits, likelihood of irreparable harm without the injunction, balance of equities in their favor, and that an injunction serves the public interest.” Barr was nodding. These were his arguments. “Having considered the evidence and the applicable law, I find that Heineken has demonstrated likelihood of success on the merits. Trade secret law clearly protects proprietary business information, and the A-yeast strain appears to meet the legal definition of a trade secret.” Luna’s stomach dropped. “However, I also find that Heineken has failed to demonstrate that a preliminary injunction would effectively prevent the irreparable harm they claim. Ms. Kennerson is correct that the genetic information has already been distributed to over 100,000 people worldwide. Ordering one teenager to provide a list of servers would be, in technical terms, pointless. New copies would appear faster than they could be suppressed.” Barr’s face tightened. “Furthermore, I find that the balance of equities does not favor Heineken. They ask this court to potentially incarcerate a seventeen-year-old girl for refusing to suppress information that is, by her account, factual data about naturally occurring organisms. The potential harm to Ms. Reyes—including detention, criminal record, and foreclosure of educational and career opportunities—substantially outweighs any additional harm Heineken might suffer from continued distribution of information that is already widely distributed.” Luna felt Maya’s grip tighten. Was this good? This sounded good. “Finally, and most importantly, I find that granting this injunction would not serve the public interest. The court takes judicial notice that this case has generated substantial public debate about the scope of intellectual property protection in biotechnology. The questions raised by Ms. Reyes—whether naturally occurring genetic sequences should be ownable, whether facts about nature can be trade secrets, whether knowledge can be property—are questions that deserve answers from a higher authority than this court. These are questions for appellate courts, perhaps ultimately for the Supreme Court. And they are questions best answered in the context of a full trial on the merits, not in an emergency injunction hearing.” Barr was on his feet. “Your honor—” “Sit down, Mr. Barr. I’m not finished.” He sat, his face purple. “Therefore, Heineken International’s motion for preliminary injunction is denied. Ms. Reyes will not be required to assist in suppressing the genetic information she released. However,”—Judge Ironwood looked directly at Luna—”this ruling should not be construed as approval of Ms. Reyes’ actions. Heineken’s claims for damages and other relief remain viable and will proceed to trial. Ms. Reyes, you may have won this battle, but this war is far from over. Anything you want to say?” Luna stood slowly. “Your honor, I just want to say… thank you. For letting this go to trial. For letting these questions be answered properly. That’s all I ever wanted—for someone to seriously consider whether corporations should be allowed to own genetic information about naturally occurring organisms. So thank you.” Judge Ironwood’s expression softened slightly. “Ms. Reyes, I hope you’re prepared for what comes next. Heineken has unlimited resources. They will pursue this case for years if necessary. You’ll be in litigation until you’re twenty-five years old. Your entire young adulthood will be consumed by depositions, court appearances, and legal fees. Are you prepared for that?” “Yes, your honor.” “Why?” Luna glanced at her grandmother, who nodded. “Because some questions are worth answering, your honor. Even if it takes years. Even if it costs everything. The question of whether corporations can own life—that’s worth answering. And if I have to spend my twenties answering it, then that’s what I’ll do.” Judge Ironwood studied her for a long moment. “You remind me of someone I used to know. Someone who believed the law should serve justice, not just power.” She paused. “That person doesn’t exist anymore. The law ground her down. I hope it doesn’t do the same to you.” She raised her gavel. “This hearing is adjourned. The parties will be notified of the trial date once it’s scheduled. Ms. Reyes, good luck. I think you’re going to need it.” The gavel fell. Outside the courthouse, the scene was chaotic. News cameras surrounded Luna. Reporters shouted questions. But Luna barely heard them. She was looking at her father, who stood apart from the crowd, watching her. She walked over to him. “Papa, I’m sorry I yelled.” He didn’t speak for a moment. Then he pulled her into a hug so tight it hurt. “Don’t apologize for being brave,” he whispered into her hair. “I’m just afraid of losing you.” “You won’t lose me, Papa. I promise.” “You can’t promise that. Not anymore.” He pulled back, holding her shoulders. “But I’m proud of you. I’m terrified, but I’m proud.” Her mother joined them, tears streaming down her face. “No more court. Please, no more court.” “I can’t promise that either, Mama.” Elena touched Luna’s face. “Then promise me you’ll be careful. Promise me you’ll remember that you’re not just fighting for genetics. You’re fighting for your life.” Luna smiled. “I promise.” Abuela Rosa appeared, carrying her SCOBY. “Come, mija. We should go before the reporters follow us home.” As they pushed through the crowd toward Maya’s car, Luna's phone buzzed continuously. Text messages and emails pouring in. But what caught her attention was a text from Dr. Webb: You were right. I’m sorry I doubted. Check your email—Dr. Doudna wants to talk. Luna opened her email. The subject line made her stop walking: From: jennifer.doudna@berkeley.eduSubject: Civil Disobedience of the Highest Order She started to read: Dear Ms. Reyes, I watched your hearing this morning. What you did in that courtroom—refusing to back down even when threatened with jail—was one of the bravest things I’ve seen in forty years of science. You’re not just fighting for yeast genetics. You’re fighting for the principle that knowledge about nature belongs to humanity, not to corporations. I want to help… Luna looked up at her family—her father’s worried face, her mother’s tears, Maya’s proud smile, Abuela Rosa’s serene confidence. Behind them, the courthouse where she’d nearly been sent to jail. Around them, reporters and cameras and strangers who’d traveled across the country to support her. She thought about Judge Ironwood’s warning: This war is far from over. She thought about Barr’s face when the injunction was denied. She thought about the thousands who’d downloaded the genetic sequences and were, right now, brewing with genetics that had been locked away for 158 years. Worth it. All of it. Even the fear. Maya opened the car door. “Come on, little revolutionary. Let’s go home.” The Corporate Surrender By 2045, both Heineken and Anheuser-Busch quietly dropped their lawsuits against Luna. Their legal costs had exceeded $200 million while accomplishing nothing except generating bad publicity. More importantly, their “protected” strains had become worthless in a market flooded with superior alternatives. Heineken’s CEO attempted to salvage the company by embracing open-source brewing. His announcement that Heineken would “join the La Luna Revolution” was met with skepticism from the brewing community, which recalled the company’s aggressive legal tactics. The craft brewing community’s response was hostile. “They spent two years trying to destroy her,” a prominent brewmaster told The New Brewer Magazine. “Now they want credit for ’embracing’ the revolution she forced on them? Heineken didn’t join the Luna Revolution—they surrendered to it. There’s a difference.” The global brands never recovered their market share. Luna’s Transformation Luna’s success transformed her from a garage tinkerer into a global icon of the open knowledge movement. Her 2046 TED Talk, “Why Flavor Belongs to Everyone,” went viral. She argued that corporate control over living organisms represented “biological colonialism” that impoverished human culture by restricting natural diversity. Rather than commercializing her fame, Luna founded the Global Fermentation Commons, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and sharing microbial genetics worldwide. Their laboratories operated as open-access research facilities where anyone could experiment with biological systems. The headquarters of the Global Fermentation Commons occupied a former Genentech facility donated by Dr. Webb. Six continents, forty researchers, one mission: preserve and share microbial genetics worldwide. Luna addressed a crowded auditorium at the organization’s third anniversary. “When I released Heineken and Budweiser’s yeast strains, some people called it theft. Others called it liberation. I called it returning biological knowledge to the commons, where it belongs. Three years later, so-called Luna Variants have created economic opportunities for thousands of small brewers, improved food security in developing regions, and demonstrated that genetic freedom drives innovation faster than corporate control.” She continued. “We’re not stopping with beer. The same principles apply to all fermentation: cheese cultures, yogurt bacteria, koji fungi, sourdough starters. Every traditionally fermented food relies on microorganisms that corporations increasingly claim to own. We’re systematically liberating them.” A World Health Organization representative raised a concern: “Ms. Reyes, while we support democratizing food fermentation, there are legitimate concerns about pharmaceutical applications. What prevents someone from using your open-source genetics to create dangerous organisms?” Luna nodded. “Fair question. First, the organisms we release are food-safe cultures with centuries of safe use. Second, dangerous genetic modifications require sophisticated laboratory equipment and expertise—far beyond what releasing genetic sequences enables. Third, determined bad actors already have access to dangerous biology, enabled by AI. We’re not creating new risks; we’re democratizing beneficial biology.” “Pharmaceutical companies argue you’re undermining their investments in beneficial organisms,” another representative pressed. “Pharmaceutical companies invest in modifying organisms,” Luna clarified. “Those modifications can be patented. What we oppose is claiming ownership over naturally occurring organisms or their baseline genetics. If you genetically engineer a bacterium to produce insulin, patent your engineering. Don’t claim ownership over the bacterial species itself.” A Monsanto representative stood. “Your organization recently cracked and released our proprietary seed genetics. That’s direct theft of our property.” Luna didn’t flinch. “Seeds that farmers cultivated for thousands of years before Monsanto existed? You didn’t invent corn, wheat, or soybeans. You modified them. Your modifications may be protectable; the baseline genetics are humanity’s heritage. We’re liberating what should never have been owned.” “The ‘Luna Legion’ has cost us hundreds of millions!” the representative protested. “Good,” Luna responded calmly. “You’ve cost farmers their sovereignty for decades. Consider it karma.” After the presentation, Dr. Doudna approached Luna privately. “You’ve accomplished something remarkable,” the elderly scientist said. “When I developed Crispr, I never imagined a teenager would use similar principles to challenge corporate biology. You’re forcing conversations about genetic ownership that we’ve avoided for decades.” “It needed forcing,” Luna replied. “Corporations were quietly owning life itself, one patent at a time. Someone had to say no.” “The pharmaceutical industry is terrified of you,” Doudna continued. “They see what happened to brewing and imagine the same for their carefully controlled bacterial strains. You’re going to face even more aggressive opposition.” “I know. Once people understand that biological knowledge can be liberated, they start questioning all biological ownership. We’re not stopping.” The New Economy of Taste Following Luna’s breakthrough, peer-to-peer flavor-sharing platforms emerged as the dominant force in food culture. The “FlavorChain” blockchain allowed brewers to track genetic lineages while ensuring proper attribution to original creators. SCOBY lineages were carefully sequenced, catalogued, and registered on global blockchain ledgers. Each award-winning kombucha strain carried a “genetic passport”—its microbial makeup, the unique balance of yeasts and bacteria that gave rise to particular mouthfeel, fizz, and flavor spectrum, was mapped, hashed, and permanently recorded. Brewers who created a new flavor could claim authorship, just as musicians once copyrighted songs. No matter how many times a SCOBY was divided, its fingerprint could be verified. Fermentation Guilds formed to share recipes through FlavorChain, enabling decentralized digital markets like SymbioTrdr, built on trust and transparency rather than speculation. They allowed people to interact and transact on a global, permissionless, self-executing platform. Within days, a SCOBY strain from the Himalayas could appear in a brew in Buenos Aires, its journey traced through open ledgers showing who tended, adapted, and shared it. Kombucha recipes were no longer jealously guarded secrets. They were open to anyone who wanted to brew. With a few clicks, a Guild member in Nairobi could download the blockchain-verified SCOBY genome that had won Gold at the Tokyo Fermentation Festival. Local biotech printers—as common in 2100 kitchens as microwave ovens had once been—could reconstitute the living culture cell by cell. Children began inheriting SCOBY lineages the way earlier generations inherited family names. Weddings combined SCOBY cultures as symbolic unions. (Let’s share our SCOBYs, baby, merge our ferments into one.) When someone died, their SCOBY was divided among friends and family—a continuation of essence through taste. Kombucha was no longer merely consumed; it was communed with. This transparency transformed kombucha from a minority regional curiosity into a universal language. A festival in Brazil might feature ten local interpretations of the same “Golden SCOBY” strain—one brewed with passionfruit, another with cupuaçu, a third with açaí berries. The core microbial signature remained intact, while the terroir of fruit and spice gave each version a unique accent. Brewers didn’t lose their craft—they gained a canvas. Award-winning SCOBYs were the foundations on which endless new flavor experiments flourished. Many people were now as prolific as William Esslinger, the founder of St Louis’s Confluence Kombucha, who was renowned for developing 800 flavors in the 2020s. Code of Symbiosis The Symbiosis Code, ratified at the first World Fermentation Gathering in Reykjavik (2063), bound Fermentation Guilds to three principles: Transparency — All microbial knowledge is to be shared freely. Reciprocity — No brew should be produced without acknowledging the source. Community — Every fermentation must nourish more than the brewer. This code replaced corporate law. It was enforced by reputation, not by governments. A Guild member who betrayed the code found their SCOBYs mysteriously refusing to thrive—a poetic justice the biologists never quite explained. Every Guild had elders—called Mothers of the Jar or Keepers of the Yeast. They carried living SCOBYs wrapped in silk pouches when traveling, exchanging fragments as blessings. These elders became moral anchors of the age, counselors and mediators trusted more than politicians. When disputes arose—over territory, resources, or ethics—brewers, not lawyers, met to share a round of Truth Brew, a ferment so balanced that it was said to reveal dishonesty through bitterness. The Fullness of Time The International Biotech Conference of 2052 invited Luna to give the closing keynote—a controversial decision that prompted several corporate sponsors to withdraw support. The auditorium was packed with supporters, critics, and the merely curious. “Nine years ago, I released genetic sequences for beer yeast strains protected as trade secrets. I was called a thief, a bioterrorist, worse. Today, I want to discuss what we’ve learned from those years of open-source biology.” She displayed a chart showing the explosion of brewing innovation since 2043. “In the traditional corporate model, a few companies control a few strains, producing a limited variety. With the open-source model, thousands of brewers using thousands of variants, producing infinite diversity. As Duff McDonald wrote “Anything that alive contains the universe, or infinite possibility. Kombucha is infinite possibility in a drink.” And the results speak for themselves—flavor innovation accelerated a thousand-fold when we removed corporate control.” A student activist approached the microphone. “Ms. Reyes, you’ve inspired movements to liberate seed genetics, soil bacteria, and traditional medicine cultures. The ‘Luna Legion’ is spreading globally. What’s your message to young people who want to continue this work?” Luna smiled. “First, understand the risks. I was sued by multinational corporations, received death threats, spent years fighting legal battles. This work has costs. Second, be strategic. Release information you’ve generated yourself through legal methods—no hacking, no theft. Third, build communities. I survived because people supported me—legally, financially, emotionally. You can’t fight corporations alone. Finally, remember why you’re doing it: to return biological knowledge to the commons where it belongs. That purpose will sustain you through the hard parts.” Teaching By twenty-eight, Luna was a MacArthur Fellow, teaching fermentation workshops in a converted Anheuser-Busch facility. As she watched her students—former corporate employees learning to think like ecosystems rather than factories—she reflected that her teenage hack had accomplished more than liberating yeast genetics. She had helped humanity remember that flavor, like knowledge, grows stronger when shared rather than hoarded. Luna’s garage had evolved into a sophisticated community biolab. The original jury-rigged equipment had been replaced with professional gear funded by her MacArthur Fellowship. Abuela Rosa still maintained her fermentation crocks in the corner—a reminder of where everything started. A group of five

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The Mortal Wound at Petersburg and the Appomattox Salute — Ronald White — Despite his Gettysburg fame, Chamberlain returned to combat, leading a brigade. At Petersburg in 1864, he sustained a near-mortal wound from a minié ball; two surgeons declared it would prove fatal. He miraculously survived without antiseptic or modern medical intervention. Later, he commanded the surrender ceremony at Appomattox, controversially offering a marching salute to the Confederates, honoring their valor.

This week we close the book of Acts by watching Paul show us what long-obedience looks like.

It is GOOD to Give Thanks, Remember . . . I. Evil Flourishes but Very Temporarily! (6-7, 9) II. God Sovereignly Rules All Things Eternally! (8) III. The Righteous are Sustained & Renewed to the End! (10-15) Practical Implications o One week of no complaining/negativity Challenge: o Start a Thankful List: o Share w/ someone daily this week 1 thing you are thankful for about them:

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

On this edition of The Sideline Guys Powered by Gainbridge, the Pacers got back in the win column on Wednesday night. What's sustainable? Can one game turn the tide? Is Bennedict Mathurin the missing piece? Pat Boylan and Jeremiah Johnson delve into these topics and more, 15 games into the season.

Welcome to the Win Cycle Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon and Purple Patch Fitness Co-Founder Kelli McMaster interview Sami Inkinen, co-founder and COO of Trulia and CEO of Virta Health, discussing his journey of high performance in sports and business. He emphasizes the importance of managing energy over time, integrating work, family, and personal interests, and treating oneself like an Olympic athlete. Inkinen highlights the significance of sleep, nutrition, and movement for sustained high performance. He also shares his approach to building high-performance cultures at Trulia and Virta, focusing on individualized support, community, and the role of leadership in modeling healthy habits. Inkinen's strategies include weekly planning, prioritizing rest, and fostering a culture of sustainable high performance. Purple Patch and Episode Resources Learn more about Win Cycle: https://wincycle.org/   Check out our world-class coaching and training options: Book a complementary needs assessment coaching call: https://calendly.com/coaches-purplepatch/offseason-assessment-call Tri Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/squad 1:1 Coaching: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/11-coached Run Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness/com/run-squad Strength Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/strength-1 Live & On-Demand Bike Sessions: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/bike Explore our training options in detail: https://bit.ly/3XBo1Pi Live in San Francisco? Explore the Purple Patch Performance Center: https://center.purplepatchfitness.com Everything you need to know about our methodology: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/our-methodology Amplify your approach to nutrition with Purple Patch + Fuelin https://www.fuelin.com/purplepatch Get access to our free training resources, insight-packed newsletter and more at purplepatchfitness.com  

Today, on Notable Leaders' Radio, I speak with Jourdan Hathaway, Chief Business Officer of the General Assembly. She emphasizes how resilience, courage, and the willingness to ask for help have been key in her transition from a childhood of poverty to a successful executive leader.  In today's episode, we discuss: Reflect on the childhood influences that shaped you and your future aspirations. Jourdan shares how her experience growing up in extreme poverty shaped her early dream of working in advertising, inspired by the TV show "Bewitched." That dream became a guiding star through hardship. Create your own learning path to fill critical gaps. When promoted to a leadership role outside her area of expertise, Jourdan built Project FLAT: Financial Literacy Advancement Training to master finance through journaling, mentorship, and resilience quickly. Cultivate resilience as a core leadership skill. Jourdan's story illustrates how bouncing back from setbacks and persisting despite obstacles is essential for long-term success and impact. Define leadership through vulnerability and empathy. Jourdan explains how her acronym DRIVEN (determined, resilient, impactful, vulnerable, empathetic, nimble) reflects her belief that true leadership includes asking for help and lifting others up. RESOURCES: Guest Bio Jourdan Hathaway is Chief Business Officer at General Assembly, a global leader in talent development and upskilling. She oversees marketing, sales enablement, client delivery, admissions, student experience, career services, alumni relations, and partnerships. Jourdan's journey spans agency marketing to edtech, blending operational excellence with a passion for building inclusive, future-ready organizations. She is recognized for strategic leadership, business growth, and talent transformation, and serves as a mentor and member of the Exceptional Women Alliance.   Website/Social Links www.GA.co https://www.linkedin.com/in/jourdan-hathaway Belinda's Bio: Belinda is a sought-after Leadership Advisor, Coach, Consultant, and Keynote speaker and a leading authority in guiding global executives, professionals, and small business owners to become today's highly respected leaders. As the Founder of BelindaPruyne.com, Belinda works with organizations such as IBM, Booz Allen Hamilton, BBDO, The BAM Connection, Hilton, Leidos, Yale School of Medicine, Landis, Portland Trail Blazers, and the Discovery Channel. Most recently, she redesigned two global internal advertising agencies for Cella, a leader in creative staffing and consulting. She is a founding C-suite and executive management coach for Chief, the fastest-growing executive women's network. Since 2020, Belinda has conducted over 120 interviews with top-level executives and business leaders, who share their personal journeys to success, revealing the truth about what it took to achieve their success on her Notable Leaders Radio podcast. She gained a wealth of expertise in the client services industry as Executive Vice President and Global Director of Creative Management at Grey Advertising, managing over 500 people worldwide. With over 20+ years of leadership development experience, she brings industry-wide recognition to the executives and companies she works with. Whether a startup, turnaround, acquisition, or global corporation, executives and companies continue to turn to Pruyne for strategic and impactful solutions in a rapidly shifting economy and marketplace. Website: Belindapruyne.com Email Address: hello@belindapruyne.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/belindapruyne  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NotableLeadersNetwork.BelindaPruyne/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/belindapruyne?lang=en  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belindapruyne/  Surround yourself with experienced mentors. From public speaking training to business skills, Jourdan emphasizes that growing into leadership is a journey supported by those who have already walked the path.  

In This Episode You'll Learn:The real source of sustained commitment in a chiropractic practiceHow the most successful chiropractors deliberately generate their own energy through intentional self-talk and consistent actions.The “Stoic Fallacy” and how it silently destroys momentumWhy resisting reality drains commitment — and how to shift from friction to forward motion instantly.The hidden trap of comparisonHow looking at someone else's 10-year success story crushes your own capacity and limits what you believe is possible.How fear masquerades as “realistic thinking”And why stabilizing success requires trusting the results you've already earned.The 3 question-starters that kill energy: When, Why, and WhoLearn how to replace them with the QBQ — the question behind the question — that drives action instead of blame.The tiny daily actions that sabotage commitmentSnoozing the alarm, choosing easy tasks, chasing shiny new ideas — and how each one erodes your ability to follow through.The power of micro-focus: “What's the next thing?”A simple exercise for turning overwhelm into clear, winnable steps.Why great leaders stop thinking ‘How?' and start thinking ‘Who?'The delegation shift that removes pressure and increases team capacity.The difference between pressure and stressA game-changing distinction that keeps your mindset clear, calm, and productive.The gratitude resetA simple daily practice built around:Thankful for yesterday. Grateful for today. Hopeful for tomorrow.How redefining “wins” transforms team cultureWhy you should stop comparing yourself to the top 1% and start measuring progress against your past self.Dr. Lloyd's powerful story about refusing to quitAnd how rebuilding a failing practice led him to his most important lesson —building a reputation with yourself.

In this episode, host Ken Segel talks with Donise Musheno, Vice President of Perioperative Services at Lancaster General Hospital (Penn Medicine), about leading large scale operational transformation through trust, culture, and systems thinking. When she began, her team faced a 30% instrument defect rate and 9% case delays, issues that undermined efficiency and morale. By focusing first on relationships and trust, then simplifying priorities around quality and efficiency, Donise helped her team achieve dramatic improvements: defects dropped to 4% and delays to less than 0.2%. She emphasizes real time problem solving, transparent data, and empowering frontline leaders to test and learn quickly. The conversation highlights how building culture first enables sustainable excellence, turning crisis into collaboration and measurable, lasting results.

Sustained damage of the Altar

Today, we stop relying on fleeting motivation and tap into the core of willpower. Distraction is often simply the path of least resistance, requiring significant energy to overcome. Our energetic focus on the Manipura Chakra (Solar Plexus) cultivates a strong, steady inner fire. This is the source of self-discipline, giving you the internal strength required to push through the initial discomfort of high-value work and make your commitment to focus truly non-negotiable. This is day 5 of a 7-day meditation series, "Rewiring Your Attention Span for Laser Focus & Deep Work," episodes 3409-3419. YOUR WEEKLY CHALLENGE: The 10-minute Friction Fighter When the craving hits, do not touch the device. Immediately perform The Neural Navigator Breath and assume the Hakini Mudra for 60 seconds. Set a mental or physical timer for 10 minutes. This challenge uses behavioral conditioning to increase your brain's craving tolerance. By intentionally delaying the dopamine hit, you weaken the immediate reward circuit, making high-value, sustained tasks (like Deep Work) feel less effortful and more naturally rewarding over time. THIS WEEK'S MEDITATION JOURNEY  Welcome to Dopamine Detox: Rewiring Your Attention Span for Laser Focus & Deep Work! If you feel like your attention is constantly being held hostage—pulled between notifications, endless tabs, and the relentless urge to scroll—you are not alone. In our hyper-stimulated world, distraction isn't a moral failing; it's a chemical problem. Your brain has been systematically trained by technology to seek out the tiny, instant gratification hits of dopamine that low-value tasks provide. This constant craving leaves you exhausted, scattered, and stuck in the restless loop of the Default Mode Network (DMN), making true, high-quality concentration feel impossible. This week, we are fighting fire with Neuroplasticity. This 7-day series isn't just about trying harder; it's about giving your brain a complete reboot. We will introduce targeted, science-backed meditation tools that strategically decrease your brain's dependence on instant hits and build the myelin sheaths required for Deep Work. By the end of this journey, you will have moved from reacting to distraction to proactively commanding your focus. You will build an unbreakable internal system that allows you to bypass analysis paralysis, overcome the resistance of starting difficult tasks, and enter the elusive Flow State on demand. Get ready to transform your attention span from a liability into your most powerful competitive advantage. Day 1:  Release Fear Visualization Day 2:  Affirmation: "I am present, focused, and my attention is my superpower." Day 3:  Neural Navigator Breath Day 4:  Hakini mudra for focus Day 5:  Third Chakra for Clarity Day 6:  Mental Focus Flow meditation, combining the week's techniques Day 7:  Weekly review meditation and closure SHARE YOUR MEDITATION JOURNEY WITH YOUR FELLOW MEDITATORS Let's connect and inspire each other! Please share a little about how meditation has helped you by reaching out to me at Mary@SipandOm.com or better yet -- direct message me on https://www.instagram.com/sip.and.om. We'd love to hear about your meditation ritual!  WAYS TO SUPPORT THE DAILY MEDITATION PODCAST SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss a single episode. Consistency is the KEY to a successful meditation ritual. SHARE the podcast with someone who could use a little extra support. I'd be honored if you left me a podcast review. If you do, please email me at Mary@sipandom.com and let me know a little about yourself and how meditation has helped you. I'd love to share your journey to inspire fellow meditators on the podcast! All meditations are created by Mary Meckley and are her original content. Please request permission to use any of Mary's content by sending an email to Mary@sipandom.com. FOR DAILY EXTRA SUPPORT OUTSIDE THE PODCAST Each day's meditation techniques are shared at: sip.and.om Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sip.and.om/ sip and om Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SipandOm/ SIP AND OM MEDITATION APP Looking for a little more support? If you're ready for a more in-depth meditation experience, allow Mary to guide you in daily 30-minute guided meditations on the Sip and Om meditation app. Give it a whirl for 7-days free! Receive access to 2,000+ 30-minute guided meditations customized around a weekly theme to help you manage emotions. Receive a Clarity Journal and a Slow Down Guide customized for each weekly theme.  2-Week's Free Access on iOS https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sip-and-om/id1216664612?platform=iphone&preserveScrollPosition=true#platform/iphone All meditations are created by Mary Meckley and are her original content. Please request permission to use any of Mary's content by sending an email to Mary@sipandom.com.Let go of repetitive negative thoughts. The beach waves were composed by Mike Koenig. Music composed by Christopher Lloyd Clark licensed by RoyaltyFreeMusic.com, and also by musician Greg Keller.

This week we begin our journey toward our Thanksgiving Offering — a sacred moment to open our hearts wider and let compassion rise.   When government systems pause, compassion must not. Because compassion was never meant to depend on a program — it was meant to flow through people. When compassion is only structural, it can be stopped. But when compassion becomes personal, it's unstoppable.   Isaiah 61 reminds us that the Spirit of the Lord is upon us — to bring good news to the poor, healing to the brokenhearted, and freedom to the captive. God's compassion isn't something we run; it's something we carry. It doesn't start with a pantry or a program — it starts with a person. It begins with the Spirit of God resting on a son or daughter willing to be moved by His heart.   This is the Way of Compassion: Spirit-filled compassion. Spontaneous compassion. Sustained compassion.   In this season, God is building not just a people who serve, but a house of priests — sons and daughters marked by mercy, ministers of His presence in ordinary places.   Because for us, the poor are not our projects; they are our partners. The rescued become rescuers. And every act of compassion becomes an altar — a place where heaven touches earth.   The Divine Dream is a Dwelling Place — a House of ministers before God. His House filled with His Presence. His Presence upon His People.

Interview with Giselle Corbie, MD, MSc, Associate Editor of JAMA Internal Medicine, and Lynda H. Powell, PhD, author of Lifestyle Intervention for Sustained Remission of Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Hosted by Eve Rittenberg, MD. Related Content: Lifestyle Intervention for Sustained Remission of Metabolic Syndrome

Interview with Giselle Corbie, MD, MSc, Associate Editor of JAMA Internal Medicine, and Lynda H. Powell, PhD, author of Lifestyle Intervention for Sustained Remission of Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Hosted by Eve Rittenberg, MD. Related Content: Lifestyle Intervention for Sustained Remission of Metabolic Syndrome

Believe it or not, before Coach Norman ever drew up a ball-screen defense or recruited a future WNBA star, she was… a fisheries biologist.Yes, really.With a wildlife biology degree from Arizona State University, she started her career rehabilitating streams for salmon spawning with the U.S. Forest Service — proof that paths can pivot, passions can emerge late, and purpose can find you anywhere.A chance opportunity led her to chase a graduate assistant coaching role — typing letters to 20–30 programs until only one — the University of Hawaii — said yes.Three days later, she flew from Europe to Hawaii and walked into the beginning of a coaching career that would change countless lives.Sometimes all you need is one person, one yes, one moment.What followed?

Our lives are governed by the programming from our past experiences that create preferences, defenses, and closures which block the natural upward flow of shakti. Spiritual work is learning to not close—releasing stored disturbances, relaxing in the face of triggers, and practicing openness in ordinary situations until we experience unconditional well-being. Sustained openness liberates your inner energy, leading to overwhelming love, joy, and, ultimately, spiritual union. © Sounds True Inc. Episodes: © 2025 Michael A. Singer. All Rights Reserved.

Guest post by Stanley Olisa For years, corporate giving has been dominated by the same playbook: annual donations, branded sponsorships and one-off CSR campaigns that rarely go beyond a press release. The problem is lack of structure. Business leaders want to create real social impact but most models for doing so are still transactional, not transformative. The world no longer needs photo-op charity. It needs systems that save lives. And that's where a new generation of tech-driven nonprofits, such as Helpster, are rewriting the rules of corporate giving: replacing one-off sponsorships with traceable impact, symbolic gestures with measurable outcomes and delayed reporting with real-time transparency. The CSR problem Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) was meant to align business growth with societal good. But even after two decades of global adoption, its impact remains inconsistent. More than 80% of companies globally say they can measure ROI for their sustainability projects, according to a 2025 survey by Morgan Stanley Institute, but only around 70% report having long-term CSR strategies. These figures show a gap between doing good and knowing whether the good lasts. Across Africa, much of CSR funding still goes to highly visible projects, such as events, donations or relief drives, that are hard to scale or sustain. Globally, companies are re-evaluating this approach. The Edelman Trust Barometer 2024 found that 71% of consumers expect CEOs to drive societal change, not just fund it. Investors are also shifting attention to measurable ESG outcomes where impact is quantifiable, continuous and tied to business value. The implication is clear: companies that treat giving as a one-off cost miss the opportunity to make it a recurring investment in resilience, equity and public trust. A smarter model for impact Helpster Charity, founded in 2023, shows what already works: a model of social impact built on speed, transparency and sustainability. The organisation uses technology to provide free urgent medical cover for underprivileged populations across Africa and Asia. Behind its humanitarian mission lies a model that redefines how giving can work for both individuals and businesses. Helpster's life-saving platform tracks every donation in real time, from contribution to medical intervention, allowing donors and corporate partners to see precisely where their money goes and whose life it touches. This level of transparency builds accountability and emotional proximity; donors no longer just give, they witness impact. More interesting, however, is how Helpster's funding ecosystem creates continuity. In addition to one-time donations, it partners with an investment foundation where members can commit funds that generate income. The returns are directed towards medical interventions while the investors retain access to their principal. This structure converts generosity into a sustained revenue stream for impact, a practical blend of finance and philanthropy. In 2025, Helpster and its partners have distributed over $260,000 in direct medical aid, saving more than 1,100 lives across Kenya, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Cambodia, at the average cost of about $230. These are modest figures compared to the size of global corporate giving, estimated at $21 billion in 2023 (CECP Giving in Numbers Report), but they point to a model that's measurable, renewable and scalable. Why businesses should care For companies, embedding impact in operational systems is both moral and strategic. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed how fragile public health ecosystems directly affect supply chains, consumer behaviour and workforce stability. A business landscape that ignores health inequity is one that underestimates risk. By integrating giving through tech-driven platforms like Helpster, businesses can achieve three critical outcomes: Sustained visibility: real-time funding infrastructure ensures every donation is visible from disbursement to treatm...

Brand visibility refers to how well a brand is seen,recognized, and remembered by its target audience across various marketingchannels. It measures the frequency with which a brand appears before potentialcustomers through touchpoints such as search engines, social media,advertisements, and physical locations. High visibility increases thelikelihood that a brand will be considered during a purchase decision.  A 2025 Nielsen study found that 92% of consumers trustrecommendations from individuals or trusted sources more than traditionaladvertisements. - High investment by executives: According to a report byTenet, 77% of marketing executives consider branding essential for businessgrowth. As the principal at Lynn Aronberg Public Relations (LAPR), Ilead a global communications agency that delivers strategic and innovativemedia relations, government relations, and investor relations campaigns forclients around the world. With over 15 years of experience, I have developedstrong expertise in marketing communications, new media, and editorial work. My company helps clients achieve their goals and reach theiraudiences through effective and creative storytelling. My team has securedmedia coverage for an impressive roster of clients in leading outlets such asForbes, Vogue, CNN, and The Wall Street Journal. We also leverage new mediaplatforms and technologies to enhance our clients' online presence andengagement. We are continually seeking new opportunities to learn and grow inthis dynamic and ever-evolving field. For more information, visit:https://www.lynnaronberg.com/  Follow us on social media: @LynnAronberg  Email: lynn@lynnaronberg.com  

In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Mark Fitzgibbon, retired CEO and Managing Director of nib Group, who transformed a regional mutual health fund into Australia's fourth largest private health insurer and an ASX 100 company over 22 years. From local government reform to reshaping the clubs industry to building a healthcare empire, Mark shares profound insights on systematic transformation, critical thinking cultures, and why consistent outperformance requires discipline, not just vision. Discover how one leader's methodology works across completely different industries and why questioning everything becomes the foundation for lasting success.Ready to master the systematic approach to capturing transformation wisdom? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and the three-sector transformation journey 07:18 Why transformation begins with replacing the senior management team 14:52 The "steel pipes moment" and keeping organisations focused on purpose 22:36 Building critical thinking cultures through psychological safety 29:44 The business model challenge method that drives consistent outperformance 37:22 Multi-sector validation and why the same principles work everywhere 44:18 Seeking outlier views over consensus thinking 51:33 The wisdom versus theory tension and staying intellectually curious 58:06 Post-executive reflections on 22 years of sustained transformationAbout Mark FitzgibbonMark Fitzgibbon is the retired CEO and Managing Director of nib Group, where he led the organisation from 2002 to 2025. During his tenure, nib grew from a smaller regionally-based mutual health fund to Australia's fourth largest private health insurer. In 2007, nib listed on the ASX, rising to become an ASX 100 company with a portfolio of healthcare businesses across Australia and New Zealand. Today, nib covers or supports approximately 2 million people.Mark is well known for his progressive and entrepreneurial approach. nib has a long track record of challenging business models and innovation. Mark began his career in local government, culminating in leading three significant Councils in NSW. He was subsequently recruited as Chief Executive Officer at Clubs NSW and Clubs Australia, where he led an agenda of modernisation and developed responsible gambling practices across the sector.Mark holds an MBA (UTS), MA (MGSM), has attended Harvard Business School and INSEAD, and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is now pursuing a post-executive coaching career, sharing his systematic transformation wisdom with leaders navigating complex change.Connect with Mark Fitzgibbon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-fitzgibbon-3754504/About Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organisations, recognising that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organisations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/ Website:...

Feeling burned out, spiritually dry, or stuck in survival mode? You're not the only one—and you're not failing. This message will encourage your heart and show you how to rekindle lasting passion for God, even in your busiest seasons. Learn how to stay close to Him through simple rhythms: feeding on His Word, staying filled with the Spirit, praying with purpose, and walking in community. You don't need hype to burn bright. You just need His presence.

The hardest things to talk about are often the ones that most need our commitment. In this episode, we dive into one of architecture's toughest (and most overdue) topics: how to make the profession more transparent, inclusive, and accessible. My guest, Roderic Walton, is on a mission to demystify what architects actually do—and to build a community where open discussion replaces gatekeeping. Through his YouTube channel, he's redefining how we talk about architecture, who gets to be part of it, and how to create a career that truly makes an impact. If you've ever questioned your place in the profession—or wanted to change it for the better—this conversation is for you.  It takes time to forge a career path but what makes your career is the changes you can make for others through your work. Hearing and giving voice to a broader community makes your work more relevant and impactful. Overcoming negativity and setbacks comes from clarity around why your work is important. Part of why our profession isn't getting more diverse is that we don;t have diverse design processes. Watch the R.K.W. Architectural Lens: https://www.youtube.com/@Rod-RKW

Featuring a slide presentation and related discussion from Dr John Strickler, including the following topics: Defining molecular residual disease (MRD); tumor-informed and tumor-naïve methods for assessing (0:00) GALAXY and BESPOKE CRC studies of a tumor-informed MRD assay to identify patients with localized colorectal cancer who have an increased risk of recurrence and those who are likely to benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy (6:56) Sustained circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) clearance and disease-free survival outcomes for patients with localized colorectal cancer (13:21) DYNAMIC study of a ctDNA-guided approach to adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with Stage II colorectal cancer (16:17) ctDNA positivity and radiographic evidence of colorectal cancer (18:48) ctDNA-guided approaches to escalating or de-escalating adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with localized colorectal cancer (21:24) Predictive role of ctDNA assay results in Stage III colon cancer treated with celecoxib; low-dose aspirin for patients with Stage II to III colorectal cancer with a PI3K pathway alteration (26:02) CME information and select publications

“What's Buggin' You” segment for Wednesday 10-29-25

Brian Feroldi discusses the current state of the stock market, providing insights on market valuations, personal investment strategies, and the impact of artificial intelligence on stock analysis. The conversation highlights the importance of sustainability in stock market growth, potential investment pitfalls, and the benefits of leveraging AI tools for detailed analyses. Key Topics & Timestamps Introduction to the State of the Stock Market (00:01:01) Overview of stock market performance in 2025, with S&P 500 recording over 15% growth year-to-date. Current Market Valuation Insights (00:02:04) Discussion on historical performance indicators and high valuation levels. "Sustained double-digit growth in the stock market isn't feasible long-term." (00:02:15) Brian Feroldi's Personal Investment Strategy (00:05:00) Brian shares his strategy of maintaining a 30% cash position during high valuations and investing 70% in the market. Importance of personal financial situations when making investment choices. Impact of AI on Stock Analysis (00:24:19) Insights on how AI can enhance stock analysis when provided with clear directives. "As long as you're giving AI clear directions, it can provide incredible analysis." (00:26:10) Audience Questions and Answers (00:30:00) Discussion on individual stocks vs. index funds and thoughts on tax implications. Benefits of Fee-Only Financial Advisors (00:53:24) Advocating for fee-only hourly consultations for transparent financial advice versus traditional AUM models. Conclusions and Future Predictions (01:03:05) Summary of Brian's thoughts on market sustainability and advice for investor strategies moving forward. Actionable Takeaways Maintain a cash reserve during high market valuations to ensure better investment opportunities. (00:06:32) Utilize AI tools for deeper stock analysis, focusing only on credible data sources. (00:26:10) Regularly consult fee-only financial advisors for actionable insights without ongoing asset management fees. (00:53:24) Key Quotes Brian Feroldi: "Investment strategies should reflect personal financial situations." (00:05:00) Brian Feroldi: "Dollar-cost averaging into total stock market index funds is just so rock solid." (00:21:27) Related Resources Notebook LLM (00:25:05) Finviz Stock Screener (00:40:09) Nectarine (00:53:24) OpenPath Financial (00:54:32) Abundo Wealth (00:54:32) Discussion Questions How has the recent performance of the S&P 500 influenced your investment strategy? (00:02:04) What role do you think AI will play in future investment decisions? (00:26:10) How do you approach high market valuations as an investor? (00:06:32)

The story behind Dr. Gerta Keller's world-shattering scientific discovery that dinosaur extinction was NOT caused by asteroid impact, but rather by volcanic eruptions on the Indian peninsula, a discovery that highlights today's existential threat of greenhouse gasses and climate change and one that sparked an all-out war waged by the scientific establishment.Part scientific detective story, part personal odyssey, The Last Extinction is the definitive account of a radical theory that has reshaped how we understand our planet's past and, as we face the possibility of a sixth extinction, how we might survive its future.For decades, the dominant theory held that an asteroid impact caused the dinosaurs' extinction. But Princeton Geologist Dr. Gerta Keller followed the evidence to the truth: Deccan volcanism, a series of massive volcanic eruptions in India, triggered a long-term climate catastrophe and Earth's fifth mass extinction. Her findings upended the field and ignited a bitter feud in modern science—what became known as the “Dinosaur Wars.”Raised in poverty on a Swiss farm and told she could never be a scientist, Keller defied expectations, earning her PhD at Stanford and battling her way into the highest ranks of Geology, eventually becoming a Professor of Paleontology and Geology at Princeton University. Her refusal to back down in the face of ridicule, sabotage, and sexism makes her story as thrilling as her science, which offers urgent insight into today's climate crisis: Sustained planetary upheaval—not a single cataclysmic event—can plunge the planet into an age of death.She is the author of "The Last Extinction: The Real Science Behind the Death of the Dinosaurs."https://www.amazon.com/Last-Extinction-Science-Behind-Dinosaurs/dp/B0DZ13NHZV http://www.yourlotandparcel.org

It's a special Sunday at NMC! Our global partners are here from Southeast Asia, India, Kenya, Mexico, and Honduras to share firsthand how God is moving around the world. Through stories of calling, challenge, and perseverance, we'll explore how God stirs hearts for ministry, sustains His servants through trials, and continues to build His church among every nation. The same God who calls missionaries to distant fields also calls each of us to live on mission right where we are.

President of Football Operations/General Manager of the San Francisco 49ers, John Lynch joins Murph & Markus to discuss Christian McCaffrey's resurgence, George Kittle's impact in run game, Brock Purdy's health status, & if they have to make a trade after Bryce Huff sustained a hamstring injurySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President of Football Operations/General Manager of the San Francisco 49ers, John Lynch joins Murph & Markus to discuss Christian McCaffrey's resurgence, George Kittle's impact in run game, Brock Purdy's health status, & if they have to make a trade after Bryce Huff sustained a hamstring injurySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cover 2 with Blaine and Zach - Hour 2 - How The Titans Offense Can Turn Positive Glimpses Into Sustained SuccessSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I was sensing that we could use one of our Wisdom for Staying Centered & Sustained in Intense Times conversations just about now .. there are explorations where we take a step 'between the worlds', open up our intuitive illuminator wise being eyes, remember we have the power of the creatrix within us to create reality for ourselves, those we influence and this world, and tune into the wisdom to give us insight and practices forward. Our centerpoint for this exploration is : Reactor Emoter - Rooted Responder - Revolutionary Evolutionary, which one are you? How can you work with these 3 energies to move through these times... stay balanced, feel empowered, play your part and care for your wellbeing?    In this episode, I'll share some wisdom perspectives and practices that you can chew on, contemplate and integrate into your reality.  Some of what we'll work with in this episode are: What if Humanity is actually evolving?  How is the Macro showing up in my Micro?  Do we need to have something to fight in order to evolve? Deep Time & where are we in it?  What are we giving our energy and power to, really?   Practices of rhythm, ritual and moving the energy   I will also lead you through a few somatic processes to really feel how you can bring this wisdom into your life now .... so we can support you to stay centered, sustained and connected my friend!  Between now and the next episode, take these perspectives into life, open your wise eyes, and use what resonates to keep your kayak afloat and you above the water. >>> SHARE this podcast with a friend, and invite them to share what resonated and what you each want to take and bring into your life.  with heart, Christine Resources & Links: Morning Practice Guide Overwhelmed & Over It book: Embrace Your Power to Stay Centered and Sustained in Chaotic Times - Check out Section 2: Liberate Your Life Force for Lifeforce Reading Practice Triangle of Transformation from Christine and Shambala Warrior Prophecy with Joanna Macy - posted on Feminine Wisdom Cafe  What's next? Tune into the Feminine Leadership Archetype Series - Ep 272 and 271  Remember to SHARE this podcast episode with at least one friend or colleague. Ways to Connect: Join us in the Feminine Wisdom Cafe, a private online community Subscribe to Christine's Monthly Wisdom Letters Connect with Christine on LinkedIn Watch on YouTube

Do you want the brook, or do you want the God of the brook? Elijah's story at the Brook Cherith reveals a powerful truth about faith and provision. Sometimes God uses dried-up brooks to move us from where we are to where He wants us to be. Are you staying too long at a comfortable place when God is calling you to your next season?

Scott Harris, a New York City real estate broker with more than $2 billion in career sales and author of The Pursuit of Home, reframes buying and selling property as an emotional journey—“a place where life is happening for you”—that requires the same discipline leaders apply to strategy, systems, and people. Drawing on two decades of high-volume practice, he shows how clarity, structure, and empathy turn one of life's biggest financial decisions into a more deliberate, rewarding process.   Key insights and practical lessons:   Hire with intent. “Take the time to hire a real estate agent that speaks their language… so they feel seen and heard.” The right agent is not a transaction cost but a guide to psychological clarity. Use offers as diagnostics. “When you make an offer… your body says, ‘Oh my God, I'm so nervous. I love this place.' That's the truth.” Even small commitments reveal what a buyer truly values. Design systems around strengths. Harris explains how scaling from solo agent to top-producing team required separating client-facing judgment from operations, codifying SOPs, and hiring for execution. Lead through service during downturns. In crises such as COVID-19, Harris focused on community logistics and donation drives rather than retreating, actions that “added tons of value” and built long-term trust. Read the market, not the myth. Buyers err by “negotiating as if real estate were their industry,” while sellers overvalue personal attachment. Both sides win with rigorous market framing and honest prep. Match investments to capacity. Real estate, Harris reminds, “is not a get-rich-quick scheme.” Choose asset types (short-term rentals, LP stakes, or diversified funds) based on desired involvement and risk. Protect personal capacity. Sustained performance comes from “daily meditation, consistent exercise, and the accountability of a coach.”   For executives managing high-stakes transactions or scaling service businesses, this conversation offers a pragmatic playbook: clarify who adds value, create low-risk tests that expose real preferences, and build repeatable systems that keep human judgment at the center of growth.  

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Oliver McTernan, Director of Forward Thinking - a mediation and conflict resolution organisation in the Middle East - discusses the challenges facing the Israel/Hamas peace deal.

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

Jonathan Speyer reports on Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping and Israel, sustained by Iranian, Iraqi, Hezbollah, and even Chinese support. He describes the Houthis as fanatical, religiously and tribally motivated, aiming for "death to America, death to Israel, and curse the Jews." While cutting their supply chain and taking Hodeidah port is militarily feasible for a Western-backed force, a lack of political will currently prevents such aggressive action against their sophisticated smuggling operations. 1932