Podcasts about teaching

We're living between two advents. When Jesus comes back to earth, it won't be as a baby like the first time—and it won't be to seek and save the lost. So how will Christ return, and what will His purpose be? Find out on Truth For Life with Alistair Begg. ----------------------------------------- • Click here and look for "FROM THE SERMON" to stream or read the full message. • This program is part of the sermon ‘The Second Advent' • Learn more about our current resource, request your copy with a donation of any amount. • Share the Gospel this holiday season by giving gifts that lead others to Jesus! At truthforlife.org/gifts you'll find ESV Study Bibles for both men and women for only $15, children's hardcover storybooks—three books for just $10, and a brand-new evangelism booklet by Alistair Begg, only $1 each! Helpful Resources - Learn about God's salvation plan - Read our most recent articles - Subscribe to our daily devotional Follow Us YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter This listener-funded program features the clear, relevant Bible teaching of Alistair Begg. Today's program and nearly 3,000 messages can be streamed and shared for free at tfl.org thanks to the generous giving from monthly donors called Truthpartners. Learn more about this Gospel-sharing team or become one today. Thanks for listening to Truth For Life!

During this holiday season, hear some recent favorites:New York City's mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani defines himself as a democratic socialist, yet his critics have seized on his leftist identity to paint him as an extremist. Carlo Invernizzi-Accetti, professor of political science and executive director of the Moynihan Center at The City College of New York, and author of 20 Years of Rage: How Resentment Took the Place of Politics (Mondadori, 2024), explains the core principles of the various strains of thought on the left to paint a clearer picture of what Mamdani believes in and how he'll govern as mayor.Joyce Vance, a legal analyst for MSNBC and former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, University of Alabama School of Law professor, and author of the Civil Discourse substack, and of the new book, Giving Up Is Unforgivable: A Manual for Keeping a Democracy (Dutton, 2025), talks about the rule of law and offers legal and historical context for the current moment in American history as she calls for citizens to uphold the Constitution.Jared Fox, education consultant, former NYC secondary science teacher and the author of Learning Environment: Inspirational Actions, Approaches, and Stories from the Science Classroom (Beacon Press, 2025), guides teachers in taking science education out of the classroom, drawing on his experience teaching science in Washington Heights.Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the author of Why Fascists Fear Teachers: Public Education and the Future of Democracy (Thesis, 2025), talks about her new book and explains why she says education protects democracy.Peter Harnik, co-founder of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and the Center for City Park Excellence at the Trust for Public Land and executive producer of the documentary "From Rails to Trails", talks about his work spearheading the movement to convert abandoned railbeds into multi-use trails, 26,000 miles so far, and the new documentary about it, plus listener suggestions for the best places to bike outside the city. These interviews were lightly edited for time and clarity; the original web versions are available here:What is Zohran Mamdani's Political Ideology? (Nov 14, 2025)A Democratic Manifesto (Oct 27, 2025)Reimagining Teaching Science (Nov 11, 2025)Fighting Fascism with Education (Sep 26, 2025)From Railroad to Rail-Trail (Oct 7, 2025) and The Best Places to Bike Outside the City (Oct 8, 2025) 

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251230dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Matthew 2:14-15 Out of Egypt The words in our Bible reading today show that even as a baby, Jesus was already fulfilling prophecy and establishing his credentials as the promised Savior. When King Herod sought to murder the Christ child, God sent the holy family fleeing to Egypt. Seven hundred years earlier, Hosea had foretold that God’s Son would go there and return—and now Jesus, cradled in his mother’s arms, was living out that prophecy. To understand this fulfillment, though, we must recall Israel’s story. Over three thousand years ago, God adopted a nation of slaves and called them his son. He brought Israel out of Egypt, led them through the wilderness, and gave them a new home in Canaan. But Israel did not always return their Father’s love. The people he rescued turned to false gods and sacrificed to idols. Through prophets like Hosea, God warned his disobedient children what would happen if they refused to repent. They deserved punishment for their idolatry. Yet God could not stop loving his son. That is the backdrop for Matthew’s quotation. Jesus is the perfectly obedient Son of God—so fully identifying with God’s people that his life mirrors theirs. As Israel once went down to Egypt, so he went down to Egypt. As Israel was called out, so he was called out. Where Israel failed, Jesus succeeded; where Israel rebelled, Jesus obeyed. And he obeyed for you! When the time had fully come, God sent his beloved Son to be born in Bethlehem, to live as the obedient child you were meant to be, to die on the cross, and to rise again so you could be brought into God’s family. He loved you so much that he poured out his Spirit into your heart so you can cry, “Father!” and know that the Almighty delights to hear you, protect you, bless you, and save you. Even though you have been a rebellious child, God’s grace is greater than your guilt. His love at the manger and the cross is more than enough to bring peace on earth and good will to men. Prayer: Father, thank you for fulfilling your Word by calling your Son out of Egypt, so that I am your own dear child. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

In this special end-of-year episode of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast, hosts Dr. Cindy Burnett and Dr. Matthew Warwood reflect on their accomplishments throughout 2025, sharing candid insights into the goals they've met and the challenges they've faced. From launching their YouTube channel and refining their website, to penning an almost-complete book titled "The Future Creative: 10 Actions for Fueling Creativity in Education." They discuss the importance of aiming for "B plus work" in a busy world and celebrate the creative experiments with video shorts, newsletter outreach, and organizing over 200 interviews into meaningful collections. The hosts also express heartfelt appreciation for their growing community and the feedback they've received from listeners and past guests. Looking ahead, Dr. Cindy Burnett and Dr. Matthew Warwood invite listeners to shape the future of the podcast by sharing feedback, suggesting topics, and exploring new ways to connect around their forthcoming book. Exciting plans for 2026 include a five-year anniversary celebration—potentially a live or virtual party for VIP listeners who engage with their call to action. The episode concludes with personal reflections on how their mission has evolved: focusing on educating the whole person to foster transformational creativity that makes the world a better place. Tune in for a thoughtful recap, a glimpse into what's next, and a sincere thank you to the Fueling Creativity community!   Be sure to subscribe on your favorite platform and sign up for our Extra Fuel newsletter for more resources and inspiration. Visit FuelingCreativityPodcast.com for more information or email us at questions@fuelingcreativitypodcast.com.

I am joined this week by the brilliant and beautiful Patty Wexler. Patty is not only backing bold founders reimagining the future economy through Avila but also someone who has had such a unique story on this earth. From growing up in Venezuela as the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors to becoming a venture capitalist investing in nuclear fusion and geothermal energy, Patty's journey is a masterclass in experiencing excellence and finding your path. Today, we dive deep into Patty's formative years split between Venezuela and New York, where she learned early that counting every penny was survival. You'll hear about the boss who picked up the phone and changed her life trajectory, her realization that $28,000 felt like infinite wealth until rent was due, and how she tasted excellence at the buffet of opportunities from consulting to Disney to tech investing. Patty shares her philosophy on why venture isn't for everyone, the critical importance of choosing financial partners like you're entering a marriage with children, and why she pivoted from typical Silicon Valley investing to backing companies working on humanity's biggest challenges. Listen as Patty talks about teaching her son to invest in her fund at age eight, the awkwardness of mixing money and personal relationships when fundraising, and her deep belief that we all need to stay involved with critical thinking as the world teeters on instability. This is a conversation about building wealth while keeping your eyes on the long-term future of our planet. Key Topics: Growing up with the epigenetics of Holocaust survival and what it means to count every penny Learning that the first leap is the hardest, but once you're an immigrant, there's more optionality Why early career is about experiencing different things to figure out what makes you tick Understanding that venture capital isn't for everyone and choosing the right financial partners is like marriage with children Making the pivot from lazy Silicon Valley investing to backing nuclear fusion and geothermal energy Teaching your kids that privilege isn't random and comes from working very hard Why the world needs critical thinking and long-term vision when everything feels unstable   Connect with Patty online: Website: https://www.avila.vc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patriciahalfenwexler/ Instagram: @pattywexler @avila.vc   Find more from Syama Bunten: Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod Website: wealthcatalyst.com Substack: https://thewealthcatalystwithsyama.substack.com/ Download Syama's Free Resources: wealthcatalyst.com/resources Wealth Catalyst Summit: wealthcatalyst.com/summits Speaking: syamabunten.com Big Delta Capital: www.bigdeltacapital.com

Matthew 16:15-19Do you live life sensibly and carefully? Or are you someone who lives with great enjoyment, unafraid to take risks? It's never too late to live life to its fullest.

Jesus came to seek and save the lost. When He ascended into heaven, He promised to return. When will that happen? And why does it seem to be taking so long? On Truth For Life, Alistair Begg addresses these questions and teaches us how we can be prepared. ----------------------------------------- • Click here and look for "FROM THE SERMON" to stream or read the full message. • This program is part of the sermon ‘The Second Advent' • Learn more about our current resource, request your copy with a donation of any amount. • Share the Gospel this holiday season by giving gifts that lead others to Jesus! At truthforlife.org/gifts you'll find ESV Study Bibles for both men and women for only $15, children's hardcover storybooks—three books for just $10, and a brand-new evangelism booklet by Alistair Begg, only $1 each! Helpful Resources - Learn about God's salvation plan - Read our most recent articles - Subscribe to our daily devotional Follow Us YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter This listener-funded program features the clear, relevant Bible teaching of Alistair Begg. Today's program and nearly 3,000 messages can be streamed and shared for free at tfl.org thanks to the generous giving from monthly donors called Truthpartners. Learn more about this Gospel-sharing team or become one today. Thanks for listening to Truth For Life!

Show notes information: Watch the video Meaningful Classroom Management Book What Are You Bringing to the Potluck? Follow me on IG: @sheldoneakins Interested in sponsoring? Contact sheldon@purposeful247.com today

Episode: 3347  My metaphor for the academic life: The Circus.  Today, we welcome new faculty.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251229dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt. Matthew 2:13-14 God’s Purpose in Herod’s Fear One moment, the baby Jesus had magi laying treasures at his feet; the next, Joseph was taking him into the night and headed for Egypt. The Light of the world had come, but the darkness fought back. You see, the Magi had first come to Jerusalem and told King Herod that they were looking for the King of the Jews. Herod viewed the baby as a threat, and he didn’t like that. He had already killed three of his sons, his favorite wife, his mother-in-law, his uncle, some cousins, and the high priest for being threats to his crown. Now he targeted a baby. But God saved his Son from an early death because the plan of salvation required that he die on the cross when the time had fully come. He fled as a child so that he could later say, “It is finished” (John 19:30). The world did not change the night Jesus was born, but everything changed the morning he walked out of the tomb. The power of Jesus’ resurrection is already removing the darkness, and he will completely remove it on the Last Day. When evil touches your life, remember it also touched him. The child who fled Herod is the Savior who was “despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering and familiar with pain” (Isaiah 53:3). At Christmas, God gifts you his Son, Jesus. Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for stepping into this dark world so that you can call me out of it and into your wonderful light. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Jenna Udenberg is a lifelong resident from the Northshore of Minnesota and is a former music educator of 19 years. She has used a manual wheelchair since the age of 8 due to Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. Jenna is a 2017 Blandin Foundation Community Leader, a 2020 Bush Fellow, and a 2025 Shannon Leadership Institute Fellow. Writing for the Lake County Press in her column, Local View from 4 foot 2, inspires vulnerability and the sharing of lived experiences from the seated perspective. Within My Spokes: A Tapestry of Pain, Growth & Freedom is Jenna's published memoir which you can find on the A&BWU website, on Amazon or wherever you find your books. In her free time, you can find Jenna outdoors on paved trails or fishing with friends, playing board and card games, as well as coaching the Robo Dweebs, a LEGO robotics team. Jenna is the founder of the non-profit, Above & Beyond With U, which works to increase accessibility and inclusion in Minnesota and beyond.Takeaways:Jenna Udenberg emphasizes the importance of creating accessible and inclusive environments for all individuals.The principle of universal design plays a crucial role in ensuring equitable access to spaces and services.A significant aspect of Jenna's work is fostering conversations around disability and breaking down societal misconceptions.The sentiment that all humans have needs is central to Jenna's advocacy for kindness and understanding in community interactions.Jenna's experiences as a wheelchair user illuminate the barriers present in everyday environments and the need for thoughtful design.The phrase 'nothing for us without us' encapsulates the necessity of including disabled individuals in discussions about accessibility.Chapters:00:10 - Jenna Udenberg: A Journey of Resilience01:29 - Creating Inclusive Spaces: The Mission of Above and Beyond10:24 - Understanding Disability and Accessibility25:56 - Understanding Disability in Education32:51 - Reflections on Teaching and Growth Mindset37:18 - Empowerment and Resilience in Leadershiphttps://www.aboveandbeyondwithu.org/https://www.instagram.com/aboveandbeyondwithuhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Above-Beyond-With-U/100091881005060/https://www.linkedin.com/company/91173822Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) https://nape.org.uk/Find out more about their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape

ABOUT THE EPISODEListen in as the Editorial Board for Christ Over All reviews the year of 2025 and looks forward to what's coming in 2026.Timestamps00:17 – Intro02:05 – Favorite Theme Cover of the Year10:40 – Notable COA Articles Throughout the Year24:22 – Why COA Publishes the Articles That They Do30:58 – The Cross in the Old Testament34:34 – The Paterfamilias36:56 – The Nicene Creed41:07 – One Gospel, Four Witnesses41:50 – Get to Work: Grasping the Doctrine of Vocation44:17 – Essential, Not Optional: Retrieving Biblical Theology48:06 – Do the Reading: Selections in Political Theology52:06 – Christmas Buffet55:35 – Where COA is Going in 20261:05:55 – Closing Thoughts & Outro Resources to ClickCOA Themes Page“When Women in: Recognizing the Subtleties of Feminine Vice” – Abigail Dodds“The Dangerous Secret Your Young Men Are Keeping: Neo-Nazi Thought Has Entered the Church” – Will Spencer“Encore: Yuval Harari: Getting to Know the Enemy (of Humanity)” – Greg Scott“Herbert Marcuse and the Reality of Sin” – Brad Green“Ten Words about Words: Getting a Grip on Godly Speech” – David Schrock“We Can't Replace Charlie Kirk, But We Can Honor His Legacy: Five Ways to Amplify Truth, Freedom, and the American Way” – Colin Smothers & David Schrock“The Turning Point of a Generation: Remembering Charlie Kirk” – Scott Polender“A North Star for Our Generation: A Tribute to Voddie Baucham” – David Schrock & Trent Hunter“A Personal Tribute to John MacArthur (1939-2025)” – Ardel Caneday“Mark 13 is Not About Jesus's Second Coming” – Trent Hunter“Vocation Politics: The Discourses of Pierre de La Place” – Timon Cline“Law is King: How the Bible Shapes Our View of Law & Civil Government” – Levi SecordTheme of the Month: Christmas BuffetGive to Support the WorkBooks to ReadWhat is Critical Theory?: A Concise Christian Analysis – Bradley G. GreenServant Not Savior: An Introduction to the Bible's Teaching about Civil Government – Levi Secord

Episode 381 reframes Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich for sales professionals, reviewing Chapters 1–3 to show how thought, desire, and faith create predictable sales results. Andrea Samadi connects these timeless principles to practical steps—how to set burning goals, build unwavering belief through repetition, and transfer certainty to buyers. Listeners will get actionable frameworks (a five-step belief plan and the six steps to impress desire) and a clear roadmap for aligning mindset with sales execution, plus a preview of the next episode continuing the series. Welcome back to our final series of SEASON 14 of The Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, where we connect the science-based evidence behind social and emotional learning and emotional intelligence training for improved well-being, achievement, productivity and results—using what I saw as the missing link (since we weren't taught this when we were growing up in school), the application of practical neuroscience. I'm Andrea Samadi, and seven years ago, launched this podcast with a question I had never truly asked myself before: (and that is) If productivity and results matter to us—and they do now more than ever—how exactly are we using our brain to make them happen? Most of us were never taught how to apply neuroscience to improve productivity, results, or well-being. About a decade ago, I became fascinated by the mind-brain-results connection—and how science can be applied to our everyday lives. That's why I've made it my mission to bring you the world's top experts—so together, we can explore the intersection of science and social-emotional learning. We'll break down complex ideas and turn them into practical strategies we can use every day for predictable, science-backed results. Connecting Back to Our 6-Part Think and Grow Rich Series (2022) For today's EP 381, we are connecting back to our 6-PART Series from 2022[i], where we covered the well-known book, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, to make 2022 our best year ever. Today we will cover: ✔ Chapter 1: The Power of Thought: A 5 STEP Plan to Improve Sales (Outer World) by Improving Your Thoughts (Inner World) ✔ Chapter 2: Desire With a 6 STEP Plan to Achieve ANY Goal ✔ Chapter 3: Faith With 3 Ways to Build Unwavering Faith That Will Change Your Life Back in 2022, we didn't just read Think and Grow Rich—we lived inside it as we launched 2022. Over a 6-part podcast series that began the beginning of January 2022, we walked through this book chapter by chapter, not as theory, but as a personal operating system for growth, performance, and results. This series will always be special for me, as I had heard that my mentor, who inspired me to study this book, Bob Proctor, became ill while I was writing the last episode in the series PART 6. He passed away before it was released, and I'll always remember this episode series, connected to the many people, globally, that he inspired through his work. At the time, the focus of our 6 PART Series was broad. We covered: Personal development Mindset mastery Vision, purpose, and belief We covered the BASICS of this book that Bob Proctor studied for his entire lifetime (over 50 years) that can be applied to whatever it is that you want to create with your life. Today, we are going to look at this timeless piece of knowledge, through a new lens. What we're covering today—Think and Grow Rich for Sales—is not new material. It's the application of this series, towards a specific discipline. You could apply this book to any discipline, but this one, I have wanted to cover for a very long time. How the 6-Part Series Maps DIRECTLY to Sales Mastery Here's the reframe that matters: Every principle we covered in 2022 becomes a sales advantage when applied correctly. In order for me to have gained this understanding, I have to give credit, where credit is due here. I would not have been able to cover our 2022 series without following Paul Martinelli's yearly reviews[ii] of this timeless Think and Grow Rich book that I started to follow in 2019, and continued every year until 2025 when he covered popular Science of Getting Rich book. It was through Paul's explanations, and line by line interpretations, that I finally began to not only READ this book, (from start to finish) but started to INTEGRATE the concepts into my life. I highly encourage following his work, as he continues to host many free webinars, where he gives away knowledge, with no pressure at all to purchase anything from him. I know why he does these webinars. It's not only to help others, but something magical happens when you give back to others, without expecting anything in return. When we covered this 6 PART series, back in 2022, TEACHING these concepts, it took me to another level of understanding, where I realized that this book is not meant to be read just once, but read over and over again, every year, as we all work on whatever it is we are working on, or want to master. This is a living, breathing body of knowledge and is there for all of us, year after year, as we refine our own inner mastery, and move step by step closer to our goals. Albert Einstein explained this concept well when he said that “if you can't explain it to a six-year-old you don't understand it yourself” and this is because teaching something will clearly show you where you have gaps in your own understanding. I'll never forget when I got to PART 6 of the book review, I noticed my book had no notes after around chapter 13. I began studying this book in my late 20s, and was very interested in the subconscious mind (chapter 12) but not at all interested in the brain (chapter 13) at this time, so I actually stopped reading the book here. I knew I never did finished reading this book (until I had to teach it) which explains a lot when it comes to the commitment to complete something. In order to teach something, we must first of all understand it ourselves. But when we LIVE it, and EMBODY what we are teaching (like Paul Martinelli has done) and what I am striving to do, it takes the words in each chapter to greater heights. So with gratitude to Paul Martinelli, who has created a valuable Sales Training Program, based on this timeless book, here is my attempt at covering Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich book, for the Sales Professional, and I couldn't have produced this episode, without Paul's teachings. Let's now look at the first 10 important chapters from Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich, through the lens of making our 2026 our Best Year ever, as well as to connect each principal for the salesperson. And you don't need to be in sales for these principles to work for us. Think and Grow Rich for Sales How Inner Mastery Becomes Sales Results Inspired by Think and Grow Rich Through a modern neuroscience + sales lens Chapter I: The Power of Thought Applied to Sales Why Sales Outcomes Begin in the Mind Core Idea: Sales performance is a reflection of expectation and belief first, not effort alone. What you think and believe about your ability, your product, and your outcome directly determines how you show up—and how others respond to you. Sales Applications Your internal dialogue sets your sales ceiling “Hoping” for results programs hesitation and inconsistency Expectation + emotion = outcome Listener Takeaway You don't get the sale you want. You get the sale you expect—the one you truly believe you can achieve. You get the sale you expect. The one you actually believe you can achieve. REVIEW OF CHAPTER I — “The Power of Thought” Edwin C. Barnes: The Man Who Thought Himself into Partnership with Thomas Edison In Chapter I of Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill introduces us to Edwin C. Barnes, a man who achieved something extraordinary—not through money, connections, or credentials—but through the power of his thought. Barnes held a single, unwavering vision: to work with Thomas Edison—not for him, but with him. This was an audacious goal. Barnes did not know Edison personally. He lacked money, influence, and even the funds to comfortably pay for the train fare to New Jersey. Yet none of these obstacles altered his decision. Hill explains that Barnes did not wish for this partnership. He decided it would happen. When Edison later recalled their first meeting, he described Barnes standing before him looking like an ordinary tramp—but said there was something unmistakable in the expression of his face: “There was something in the expression of his face which conveyed the impression that he was determined to get what he had come after.” (Chapter I, p. 2, TAGR) Edison did not see wealth, polish, or preparation. He saw initiative, faith, and the will to win—and that was enough. Barnes brought no money to the table. No résumé. No formal value proposition. But he carried something far more powerful: a clear vision, unwavering belief, and a level of certainty that Edison could feel. Hill later writes that Barnes' “bulldog determination” and persistence with a single desire was destined to mow down all opposition and bring him the opportunity he sought. Barnes did not retreat when months passed and nothing happened. He did not say, “What's the use?” He did not downgrade his goal to something more “reasonable.” He held the vision until reality caught up with it. Why This Matters for Sales To understand why Edison trusted Barnes, we must understand something critical: Thought carries frequency. Belief has energy. Certainty is felt long before it is spoken. Edison did not evaluate Barnes based on where he was. He responded to where Barnes knew he was going. Barnes was already operating on the frequency of partnership—not employment. And Edison recognized it. “When one is truly ready for a thing, it puts in its appearance.” (Chapter I, p. 3, TAGR) Barnes was ready. Putting Chapter I into Action for Sales Look at the image in the show notes illustrating levels of frequency of thought—where the physical, intellectual, and spiritual worlds intersect like the colors of a rainbow. Think of each level as a different radio station. To hear the station you want, you must tune your mind to that frequency. If you receive your 2026 sales goal and your immediate thought is: “There's no way I can do this,” then that is the frequency you are broadcasting. You are not tuned to the level where that goal exists. You cannot reach a destination using the same level of thinking that created your current results. This is why Marshall Goldsmith's principle holds true: What got you here won't get you there.[iii] The Key to Chapter I: Unwavering Belief Napoleon Hill makes this unmistakably clear: “When a person really desires a thing so deeply that they are willing to stake their entire future on a single turn of the wheel to get it, they are sure to win.” (Chapter I, p. 2, TAGR) Barnes staked his future on belief. Sales excellence requires the same commitment. A 5-Step Sales Application Framework to Apply Chapter 1 STEP 1 When your sales goal is set, ask yourself honestly: Do I believe I can achieve this? STEP 2 If belief is present, create a clear, actionable plan—and commit to following it consistently. STEP 3 If belief is not present, seek out someone who has already achieved the result. Borrow their certainty. Follow their guidance exactly. STEP 4 Once belief is established, take daily action. There is no wishing—only disciplined effort backed by belief. STEP 5 Monitor not just results, but your level of belief. When belief wavers, behavior follows suit. When behavior wavers, results disappear. Final Thought for Chapter 1 Edwin C. Barnes did not succeed because he was lucky. He succeeded because he thought differently—and held that thought long enough for reality to align with it. He jumped to an entirely new frequency with this belief. Sales mastery begins the same way. Not with tactics. Not with scripts. But with the Power of Thought Backed by Belief. Chapter II: Desire From Wanting Sales to Demanding Results Core Idea: Desire must be emotionally charged and specific. Sales Application: Turning vague quotas into emotional targets Why clarity eliminates hesitation Selling with intention vs need Listener Takeaway: Vague goals create vague results.   REVIEW OF CHAPTER II: DESIRE — The Starting Point of All Achievement Chapter II of Think and Grow Rich brings us to the engine behind every meaningful result: Desire. Napoleon Hill makes this unmistakably clear: “All achievement begins with an idea.” But not every idea becomes reality. Only ideas fueled by burning desire become reality. Hill describes Edwin C. Barnes' desire as something very specific: “It was not a hope. It was not a wish. It was a pulsating desire which transcended everything else. It was definite.” (Chapter II, p. 19, TAGR) Barnes did not hope to work with Thomas Edison. He did not wish it might happen someday. He expected it. At the time, there was no evidence this partnership would ever exist. Barnes and Edison were not in conversation. There were no guarantees. No proof. No visible path. And yet Barnes committed to the idea anyway. That's the nature of true desire: It moves before evidence appears. Going from where you are now to where you want to go is always a process—and at the beginning of that process, desire often feels irrational, private, even uncomfortable to say out loud. That doesn't make it wrong. It makes it powerful. Why This Matters for Sales In sales, desire drives behavior. You don't need to know how you'll hit your goal at the beginning. You only need to know what you want and why you want it. The “how” always reveals itself after this commitment. This is something my mentor Bob Proctor emphasized constantly. When I moved from Canada to the United States in 2001, I had no clear roadmap. I didn't know exactly how it would work. But I had clarity of desire—and that was enough to begin. The way was shown… Along with obstacles. Many of them. That's always how it works. Obstacles are not signs you're off track. They are part of the process. Desire and Sales Frequency What does DESIRE have to do with SALES SUCCESS? Here's the key sales translation: Hesitation does not exist at the same frequency as certainty. It's this certainty (or burning desire) that we will need. When desire is weak: You hesitate You soften your language You sell with need instead of intention When desire is strong: Clarity replaces doubt Energy becomes steady Certainty becomes transferable to those you are speaking to Ask yourself honestly: Do I have the same burning desire in my sales goals that Edison saw in Barnes' eyes? Because others can feel it—just as easily as they can feel when it's missing. Desire radiates. Hesitation leaks. And buyers will respond accordingly. Burning the Ships Hill offers one of the most powerful principles in the book in this chapter on Desire: “Every person who wins in any undertaking must be willing to burn their ships and cut all sources of retreat.”(Chapter II, p. 21, TAGR) Barnes did this when he traveled to New Jersey to meet Edison. I did this when I left Toronto for the United States in 2001. There was no “going back if it didn't work.” Burning the ships forces alignment. And this connects directly to a later chapter: Decision. The Latin root of the word decision means “to cut.” When you decide, you cut off retreat. You look at your sales goal and see no acceptable outcome other than its achievement. That level of commitment changes how you show up every single day. The Six Steps to Achieve Any Goal (Chapter II) Next in this Chapter, Napoleon Hill outlines six steps designed to impress desire directly into the subconscious mind. Though written about money, (in the book) these steps apply to any goal, including sales. These are the steps I personally keep visible—and that leaders like American Businessman Grant Cardone practice daily. The Six Steps Write a clear description of what you want. You must know exactly where you're going. What is your sales goal? Decide what you're willing to give in return. There is no such thing as something for nothing. You will give up something of lower value to gain something greater. (I never understood this until I watched others with their achievements. Sometimes it's giving up time, or watching Netflix, or something like that. You give up something of a lower nature, to receive what it is that you want). Set a definite date. Desire without a timeline remains a wish. Create a clear action plan. Begin immediately—ready or not. Write the plan out in detail. Clarity strengthens commitment. Read it twice a day. As you read, see, feel, and believe yourself already in possession of the goal. (Chapter II, p. 23, TAGR) This sounds simple—but not easy. Most people won't do it consistently. That's why most people won't get these extraordinary results. Listener Takeaway Vague goals create vague results. Sales success begins the moment desire becomes: clear emotionally charged and non-negotiable Final Thought — Chapter II: Desire Desire is not motivation. It is not excitement. It is not ambition. Desire is commitment before evidence appears. When your desire is strong enough: hesitation disappears clarity sharpens certainty becomes visible And when certainty is visible, others respond to it. Sales does not reward the most talented. It rewards the most committed. Everything that follows in Think and Grow Rich rests on this foundation. If desire is weak, nothing else works. If desire is strong, the rest becomes possible. Chapter III: Faith Certainty Is the Real Close Core Idea: Faith is belief made visible through certainty. Sales Application: Why buyers borrow certainty from the salesperson Confidence vs arrogance How belief softens objections Listener Takeaway: Buyers don't borrow certainty from products. They borrow it from you.   REVIEW OF CHAPTER III: FAITH How Do We Develop Faith? Napoleon Hill defines faith clearly and practically: “Faith is a state of mind which may be induced, or created, by affirmations or repeated instructions, through the principle of autosuggestion.” (Chapter III, p. 46, TAGR) Faith is not something you wait for. It is something you train. We develop faith by following the six steps outlined in Chapter 2 of Think and Grow Rich: writing our goals and reading them aloud every day—twice a day—until the idea moves from the conscious mind into the non-conscious mind through autosuggestion. This is a process. If you have never read your goals out loud before, it may feel uncomfortable at first. When I started, I remember closing my office window, worried my neighbors might think I was crazy. In the beginning, the words can feel awkward and forced. But with repetition, something changes. Your words begin to flow more easily. Your tone becomes confident. And eventually, what once felt unnatural starts to feel true. Our goals begin living with and through us. Hill instructs us to read our goals: “As if you were already in possession of them.” (Chapter III, p. 48, TAGR) A simple way to do this is to begin with the statement: “I am so happy and grateful now that…” and then state your goal clearly—whether it's a sales target or any other objective you are working toward.   Faith, Autosuggestion, and Something Bigger This is often the point where people bring their own beliefs into the process. If you believe—as I do—that there is something greater than yourself at work in the world, you will feel it here. Hill called it Infinite Intelligence. Others may call it God, Spirit, or Universal Intelligence. Hill wrote: “Faith is the element, the ‘chemical' which, when mixed with prayer, gives one direct communication with Infinite Intelligence.” (Chapter III, p. 49, TAGR) Regardless of what you call it, the experience is the same: faith grows when belief is repeatedly impressed upon the mind. And this is critical: We must have faith in our dreams, not in our doubts.   Faith Applied to Sales In sales, faith shows up as certainty. Buyers do not buy certainty from products. They borrow it from the salesperson. This is where many people get confused. Faith is not arrogance. Arrogance is loud and brittle. Faith is calm, grounded, and steady. When you believe in: yourself the value you bring and the outcome you're guiding someone toward your certainty becomes transferable. And when certainty is present, objections soften. Not because you argue them away—but because belief replaces resistance. How Faith Becomes Unwavering To build unwavering faith, Hill's principles point us to three realities: You must move through the Terror Barrier of Fear. Faith grows when your conscious and non-conscious minds begin to align. Fear appears first—but it does not get the final word. Faith strengthens through repetition. Writing and repeating your goals daily through autosuggestion gradually reshapes belief. Faith grows fastest when focused on one clear idea. Pick one goal. Take action toward it. Each step builds self-confidence, self-awareness, and self-esteem. Over time, belief takes hold. One day, you'll look back at the early version of yourself—the one who hesitated, doubted, or felt unsure—and you'll realize how far you've come. I talk about this idea often. It's like adding red food color drops into a cup of water. In the beginning, it's hard to see any change in the color of the water. But over time, with persistent action, the glass of water eventually changes color. And you'll look back and be grateful you moved forward past fear. Listener Takeaway Buyers don't borrow certainty from products. They borrow it from you. Final Thought — Chapter III: Faith Faith is not pretending. It is not positive thinking. And it is not blind optimism. Faith is certainty trained through repetition. When belief becomes strong enough, it changes how you speak, how you act, and how others respond to you. Sales closed do not happen at the end of the conversation. They happen the moment certainty is felt. And certainty begins inside you. REVIEW OF CHAPTERS I–III The Foundation of Sales Mastery To review and conclude this special review of Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich, through the lens of a salesperson, we covered the first three chapters of Think and Grow Rich that form a complete inner foundation. Together, they explain why sales success begins long before tactics, scripts, or strategies ever matter. Before there is action, there is belief. Before belief, there is desire. And before desire, there is thought. Napoleon Hill does not begin this book with techniques. He begins with identity and inner alignment. For sales professionals, these chapters explain why results are not random—and why performance is always an inside-out process. Chapter I — The Power of Thought Why Sales Outcomes Begin in the Mind Chapter I introduces the central premise: Thought is creative. Through the story of Edwin C. Barnes, Hill shows us that success begins when a person decides what they want and holds that thought with unwavering persistence—long before evidence appears. Barnes did not hope to work with Thomas Edison. He decided it would happen. Despite having no money, no relationship, and no visible path, Barnes carried himself with such certainty that Edison felt it immediately. Edison did not respond to Barnes' circumstances—he responded to Barnes' state of mind. Sales Application: Sales performance reflects what you expect, not what you wish for. Your internal dialogue: sets your confidence level shapes your tone determines whether you lead or hesitate You don't get the sale you want. You get the sale you expect—the one you truly believe is possible. Chapter II — Desire From Wanting Sales to Demanding Results If thought sets direction, desire supplies the fuel. In Chapter II, Hill makes a critical distinction: Desire is not hope. It is not wishing. It is not motivation. True desire is emotionally charged, specific, and definite. Barnes' desire to work with Edison was not casual or negotiable. It was what Hill called a burning desire—so strong that Barnes was willing to stake his future on it. Sales Application: Desire determines behavior. When desire is vague: goals feel optional hesitation increases selling comes from need When desire is clear and emotionally anchored: confidence sharpens clarity replaces doubt certainty becomes visible Vague goals create vague results. Sales success accelerates the moment desire becomes non-negotiable. Chapter III — Faith Certainty Is the Real Close Chapter III explains how desire becomes believable: through faith. Hill defines faith not as blind belief, but as a trainable state of mind, developed through repetition and autosuggestion. Faith is belief made visible through certainty. By writing goals clearly and reading them aloud daily—as if already achieved—belief moves from the conscious mind into the non-conscious mind. Over time, certainty replaces doubt. Sales Application: Buyers do not borrow certainty from products. They borrow it from the salesperson. Faith shows up in sales as: calm confidence (not arrogance) steady tone authority without pressure When faith is present, objections soften—not because they're argued away, but because certainty dissolves resistance. How Chapters I–III Work Together These chapters are not separate ideas. They form a sequence: Thought sets direction Desire creates commitment Faith produces certainty Without thought, there is no aim. Without desire, there is no momentum. Without faith, there is no follow-through. Sales mastery begins here—not with what you say, but with who you are being when you say it. Final Integrated Insight (Chapters I–III) Sales does not reward effort alone. It rewards clarity, commitment, and certainty. When: your thoughts are aligned your desire is definite and your faith is trained your results begin to change—often before your strategy does. Because at the highest level, sales is not a transaction. It is the transference of emotion. And the primary emotion is certainty. With gratitude to close out our review of Chapters 1-3 of Think and Grow Rich dedicated to the salesperson, we bring our credit to Paul Martinelli, who has helped me to understand not only the entire book, for our first review, but to now take this book, and apply it for success in the sales industry. I hope you have enjoyed this angle of this timeless book, and we will see you in a few days for PART 2 of this review, where we will cover the next 3 chapters of Think and Grow Rich. See you soon!   RESOURCES: Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #190  PART 1 “Making 2022 Your Best Year Ever”  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/think-and-grow-rich-book-review-part-1-how-to-make-2022-your-best-year-ever/ Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #191    PART 2 on “Thinking Differently and Choosing Faith Over Fear”  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/think-and-grow-rich-book-review-part-2-how-to-make-2022-your-best-year-ever-by-thinking-differently-and-choosing-faith-over-fear/   Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #193    PART 3 on “Putting Our Goals on Autopilot with Autosuggestion and Our Imagination”   https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/think-and-grow-rich-book-review-part-3-using-autosuggestion-and-your-imagination-to-put-your-goals-on-autopilot/   Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #194    PART 4 on “Perfecting the Skills of Organized Planning, Decision-Making, and Persistence” https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/think-and-grow-rich-book-review-part-4-on-perfecting-the-skills-of-organized-planning-decision-making-and-persistence/   Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #195    PART 5 [xxviii] on “The Power of the Mastermind, Taking the Mystery Out of Sex Transmutation, and Linking ALL Parts of the Mind” https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/think-and-grow-rich-book-review-part-5-on-the-power-of-the-mastermind-taking-the-mystery-out-of-sex-transmutation-and-linking-all-parts-of-our-mind/   PART 6 “In Memory of the Legendary Bob Proctor: The Neuroscience Behind the 15 Success Principles in Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich book”   https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/the-neuroscience-behind-the-15-success-principles-of-napoleon-hill-s-classic-boo-think-and-grow-rich/   REFERENCES [i] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #190 PART 1 “Making 2022 Your Best Year Ever”  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/think-and-grow-rich-book-review-part-1-how-to-make-2022-your-best-year-ever/ [ii]Study Think and Grow Rich with Paul Martinelli  https://yourempoweredlife.com/think-and-grow-rich/ [iii] What Got You Here, Won't Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful by Marshall Goldsmith, June 12, 2008  https://www.amazon.com/What-Got-Here-Wont-There/dp/1846681375  

Some of the biggest construction projects announced in Wisconsin this year were for data centers. We hear from WPR's business and economy reporter about the year in data centers. And, as we revisit some of our favorite stories of the year, we'll go to a school district in southwestern Wisconsin that excels at teaching math.

Sermon Series | Standalone SermonsTo give to our M25 Initiative, text m25 to 623.252.5085 or visit redaz.in/m25.To download our Mobile App, search Redemption Church Peoria where you download apps to your device(s).To connect with us, visit this link:  http://redaz.in/RPTo invest in our ministry financially, visit this link: https://bit.ly/3roZDAW

Ephesians 2:8Not nostalgia, not tradition, not trees. Grace is what continually draws us into celebrating Christmas, year after year. Giving is what makes Christmas great. It's a wonderful feeling to give a gift without expecting anything in return. This is a good way for us to understand God's grace—His gifts come with no strings attached.

Titus 2:11-14 | December 28, 2025 | Pastor Alex TovkachPastor Alex Tovkach is Teaching on Titus 2:11-14. We hope you are blessed and equipped by today's message.To find out more about Shorebreak Church or to partner financially, visit www.shorebreakchurch.comTo share your story or ask questions, contact aloha@shorebreakchurch.comMahalo for listening!

Teaching on Romans 15:14-22

Send us a textThis is our final episode of 2025, and instead of predictions or tactics, we wanted to pause and reflect.We discuss what we've seen this year in the salon industry: the widening gap between growing and struggling businesses, the mindset shifts that set Tier-A salons apart, and why customer service, leadership, and long-term thinking matter more than ever.We share real stories from inside our salon, mentoring moments, client experiences, leadership decisions, and hard truths about where the industry is headed. We talk about gratitude, resilience, and why quitting too early often means missing the moment when things finally start to work.This episode is about perspective, patience, and staying human in an industry that sometimes forgets it's a service business.Your business should serve you, so that you can serve others. As we head into 2026, our message is simple: keep going.Key TakeawaysGratitude and consistency matter more than viral moments.Confidence is often the missing piece — not technical skill.Leadership includes teaching people how to succeed, not just telling them to try harder.Collaborative salons create better client experiences and stronger teams.The industry is splitting between businesses that evolve and businesses that blame.Customer service is becoming the ultimate competitive advantage.Short-term thinking destroys long-term opportunity.Grace builds loyalty faster than rigid policies.Leaders don't need all the answers — they need curiosity and resources.If you believe in what you're building, don't quit too early.Time Stamps00:00 — Welcome + final episode of 2025 01:00 — Todd's opening take: gratitude, not quitting too early 05:00 — Jen's opening take: leadership, confidence, and mentoring Piper 09:00 — Teaching confidence vs teaching technical skill 11:00 — Collaboration over scarcity with clients 14:00 — Industry reflection: struggling salons vs growing salons 17:00 — Customer service as the real differentiator 19:00 — The “artist over service” mindset problem 21:00 — Short-term thinking vs lifetime client value 24:00 — Grace, cancellation policies, and long-term loyalty 27:00 — Not needing all the answers as a leader 29:00 — Asking better questions, finding better resources 31:00 — What's coming to the podcast in 2026 33:00 — Final thoughts, gratitude, and closingLinks and Stuff:Our Newsletter Mentoring InquiriesFind more of our things:InstagramHello Hair Pro Website

Student Demographics Are Not Their Mathematical DestinyIn this episode of The Culture Centered Classroom, Jocelynn is joined by Juliana Tapper, M.Ed., founder of CollaboratEd Consulting, to discuss her bookTeaching 6–12 Math Intervention: A Practical Framework To Engage Students Who Struggle.This conversation is grounded in the powerful, practical framework Juliana shares in her book—a framework designed to help educators support students who are working below grade level without deficit thinking, lowered expectations, or exclusionary practices.One of the most resonant ideas from the book, and from this conversation, is this truth: Student demographics are not their mathematical destiny.Throughout the episode, Juliana explains how her framework helps teachers become gatebreakers—educators who actively disrupt inequitable systems, expand access to rigorous learning, and design math classrooms that are equity-centered, culturally relevant, and humanizing.In this episode, we explore:The core principles of Juliana's math intervention frameworkWhy traditional intervention models often reinforce inequityHow teacher beliefs and instructional decisions shape access and opportunityWhat it means to teach math in ways that honor students' identities and lived experiencesHow educators can move from compliance-driven intervention to meaningful engagementThe conversation also connects Juliana's work to The New Teacher Project's article, The Opportunity Myth, highlighting how students are too often denied access to grade-level tasks and rich instruction. Jocelynn and Juliana further ground the discussion in Kimberlé Crenshaw's work on intersectionality, reminding listeners that students experience math classrooms through multiple, overlapping identities.Resources mentioned in this episode:Teaching 6–12 Math Intervention: A Practical Framework To Engage Students Who Strugglehttps://www.collaboratedwithjuliana.com/buyhttps://gatebreakerbook.comJuliana Tapper's Masterclasshttps://www.collaboratedwithjuliana.com/masterclass2The Opportunity Myth by The New Teacher ProjectThis episode is an invitation to rethink math intervention—not as remediation, but as an equity practice. If you're ready to challenge assumptions, expand opportunity, and become a gatebreaker for your students, this conversation—and Juliana's book—are a powerful place to begin.

Teaching phonics can feel overwhelming, but having a clear, step-by-step sequence makes all the difference! In this episode, we'll break down the best order to teach phonics skills, so your students build strong reading foundations with confidence. Whether you're a seasoned educator or new to the science of reading, this progression will help you support every learner at their own pace.In this episode, we'll talk about:The first phonics skills students need to master.How to move students up the “phonics ladder” step by step.The importance of word families, digraphs, blends, and more.Practical strategies for teaching each skill effectively.Show LinksPhonics Cheat SheetPrintable Step by Step Phonics Lesson PlansJoin Malia on Instagram.Become a Science of Reading Formula member!Rate, Review, and FollowIf you loved this episode, please take a minute to rate and review my show! That helps the podcast world know that this show is worth sharing with other educators just like you.Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!While you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out! 

Teaching manners isn't about rules and rigidity—it's about showing love, kindness, and respect to the people around us. In this conversation with Monica Irvine from The Etiquette Factory, we unpack simple and practical strategies for teaching manners in a way that sticks. You'll discover why manners are more than table rules and how they shape your children's character for life.If you've ever wondered how to teach manners without constant correction, this episode is full of practical stories, heart-tugging lessons, and family habits that make character training simple. Monica shares easy-to-implement tips to help kids feel valued, develop respect for others, and build lifelong relationship skills.What you'll learn in this episode:✅Why teaching manners is really about loving others✅The key mistake parents make with etiquette✅How to create “soft heart” moments for better learning✅Practical lessons your family can start using week✅How manners build humility, confidence, and strong relationshipsMonica Irvine is the President of The Etiquette Factory and co-Founder of Fundamentals4Kids. As a renowned national speaker and published author of over 20 books, Mrs Irvine delights in her passion for helping children and adults reach their full potential. Mrs Irvine is a retired homeschool mom who now enjoys the fruits of her labors watching her children raise her most loved grandchildren.Follow Monica Irvine and The Etiquette Factory on FacebookRecommended Resources:Character Training Tool KitCharacter Development Without the DramaCharacter Building in 3 StepsShow Notes: What It Really Means to Have MannersKerry: Well, let's talk about etiquette and manners. Could you tell our listeners just a little bit, maybe why is this so important? Especially in today's culture? And how does this go beyond just saying, please and thank you. I mean, please, and thank you are important, but that's just a little small part of it. So tell us why and what, how it goes beyond that.Monica: I know sometimes over the years I've told my husband I should have named the company something besides the etiquette factory, because I'll be at a convention and I can always see people's reaction. They look up and they read the sign, and I can read their brain often where they're going. Oh, that's great and all. But we've got more important things to worry about than what fork to eat your salad with and to me I know why it's so much more than that.Let me first give you the definition that we use for etiquette at the etiquette factory, and that is etiquette which manners and etiquette, chivalry all mean the same thing. Etiquette is helping those around us to feel valued, and comfortable.George Washington's Rules Changed EverythingMonica: Years ago I was homeschooling our kids, and we were studying the life of President George Washington. And what a fascinating life that man had! And as we were doing that I stumbled upon George Washington's rules of civility and decent behavior. Many of you have read a couple of those, if not just Google that. And you will see this list of 110 chivalry skills that, according to President Washington's journal, he put to memory at the age of 13 he actually copied these 110 chivalry rules out of a French book.As I started reading these rules, I just, I can just tell you the spirit penetrated my heart, and being the mom of 3 boys. I was like, Wow, you know, my boys, could benefit from knowing some of these? Of course, manners was always important to me. and so I said, You know, let's start trying to memorize one of these a week and kind of having a manners thing each week.We started memorizing these chivalry skills, and something happened. I started noticing a change in behavior. and it fascinated me because I was like, what's what's changed. I mean, I've always told my boys to have good manners. I've always taught them.The Problem with Teaching "In the Moment"Monica: I think a light bulb moment happened when it dawned on me that usually 98% of the time when I was trying to teach my children manners was in the moment of correcting, like my one of my kids would say or do something that wasn't the most polite, and I would be oh, honey, no, baby, you can't say that, that's not polite. And then I would go on to tell them why.When all of a sudden I shifted to start having a daily manners lesson during the school day, when my heart was softer. My children's hearts were softer because they weren't being fussed at. and we just had a discussion about well, how do we use our napkin correctly? Or how do you make an apology sound sincere. All of a sudden my boys would be like, Mom, let's do another one. What's the next one? Let's go ahead and talk about the next one. and it literally is what changed everything.Why Manners Really MatterMonica: Most people think of manners when they think of table manners right and usually family sit around the table, and for parents that manners are important to them. Their table sounds like this. Could you, too, with your mouth closed, honey, sit still in your chair, stop stop making that noise. Get your elbow off the table, and it's just this constant correcting.But when I teach kids the definition of manners and I use an example like this, I'm like, okay. So if I came over and had dinner with you all your family tonight. and I sat down and I started eating like a pig. I mean, y'all, I'm chewing with my mouth open. I am making some weird noise with my tongue, or I eat so fast that I'm finished getting up and leaving the table. When you're on your 3rd bite any of those behaviors, I would be sending your family a message, and that message would be, look, I'm here for one person, one person only, and that's myself.You see, the lack of manners is called selfishness. Manners is just trying to get me and you and all of us to look outward to pay attention to how our behavior or lack thereof, is causing other people around us to feel.Teaching Children to Feel Others' EmotionsKerry: I love the idea of being valued and being comfortable around someone. So I know this includes things like kindness and respect. Can you give us some ideas on how moms could either do that? Or my other thought was, how do they go from just learning the rules to actually internalizing some of that.Monica: For me, and the way we go about teaching children is we try to actually tug on their heartstring a little bit what I mean by that is, usually it's when it's when our emotions are hit that we change our behavior.So, for instance, let's say that our child has a habit of leaving their dirty clothes and wet towel on the bathroom floor, and most of us would handle it this way. Get your towel off the floor. Come, get your clothes. and usually it's in frustration right?Well, all of a sudden, when you sit down with your kids and say, let's let's talk about, for instance, the way we leave the bathroom for the next person that uses it. If if I go into the restroom and I make a mess. However that happens, whether it's my dirty clothes, my wet towel, I leave the sink full of spit and toothpaste, or I don't have the commode, you know, nice and tidy. Do you want? Do you want to come in after me?The Power of Standing to Show HonorMonica: So let me give you. I'll give you all a lesson. One of our lessons. So one of our lessons is the stand up lesson. So if if we were at an event and someone brought in the American flag, what would we all do? You know we stand up, and why do we stand up? Well, we we stand up because of the honor and respect that we have for what that flag represents.The same thing happens in our home. So the etiquette skill is that today, still, in the 21st century, it is polite for children to stand for adults and for gentlemen to stand for ladies. I use the word honor a lot because I want to raise and wanted to raise honorable children. What does it mean to be honorable? Well to be honorable. You have to do some honorable things and honorable things. Always 100% of the time require some level of sacrifice. That's what makes them honorable when you give of yourself in order to bless help someone else.So how would this look in our home? Our families still eat at the table at least 3 or 4 times a week. But so Mom or Dad might say, Hey, family, it's time for dinner. and so our family would come to the table, and all of us would stand behind our chair until the person we're honoring sits down. Typically, I would suggest that that person first be mom. So Mom is the first person that sits down or the cook.We're Creating Entitled ChildrenMonica: The last time you and your family had a big gathering, maybe 4th of July, who were actually the first people that had their plates prepared. 98% of you are, gonna say, the kids. because see? At some point our society decided that was easier. Oh, yeah. So we got to get the kids, get their plates, get their drink, make sure they have everything they need. And we think if we get the kids situated, then us adults can go over here and eat peacefully, because we're not being bothered by the needs of our children.And then we're the same adults that want to walk around this earth complaining about the entitled generation. And I'm like parents. So you're gonna let your children have their plates fixed before their grandmother. Are you crazy? We've got to stop it because I believe that this behavior is hurting our children.Simple Ways to Practice Valuing OthersMonica: When I'm teaching children and families how to help their children to greet people and introduce themselves. It's not just that we're supposed to introduce ourselves. It's just that greeting people is another way to help people to feel valued.For instance, the last time you and the children went through the Walmart checkout line. What were what were our children doing? Were they obsessing over the candy, mom, can I have this? Can I have this. Were we on our phone scrolling through social media while we're waiting, we're all getting tricked by the enemy into this self absorption.Whereas if I teach my kids how to value others right before we go through the groceries checkout line, I'm going to say, Hey, kids, what are we about to do check out, mom, what does that mean? We're going to help the cashier feel valued. That's right. And so then my children all know to say, Hello, how are you doing today? Oh, good afternoon! What's your name?Kerry: That's so good, you know, in the middle of what you were saying. But while back the word humility just kept coming up to my mind, and the idea of Philippians. 2. Where Jesus is the perfect example of humility and giving of himself. So I really appreciate you bringing this down to the gospel, and it really is sacrifice, and that there's benefits for all of us when we sacrifice.Resources and EncouragementMonica: So the etiquettefactory.com. We've got some wonderful programs. This is our preschool through 3rd grade course, called fundamentals for kids. With little kids, we find that they need to play a game. They need to sing about it, hear a story. Make a craft. And that's what fundamentals for kids is. It's twice a week you pull something out of the box and we help you have a conversation with your kids.And then the life skills for you is for 4th, 5th grade all the way through, seniors. In fact, it can count as a half a credit for our high school. We actually show videos of teenagers doing the skills the wrong way and the right way.Monica: Oh, just you know, if I could go back in time and tell my new homeschool mom self, give myself any advice. It would be relax. Relax. You know, if if we all sent our kids to public school. There would be some gaps in their education when they graduated. and if we sent them to private school there would be some gaps in their education. and as we homeschool when they graduate. there's going to be some gaps. But it doesn't matter about the gaps. What matters is that every day we try to help our children learn to love, to learn. and that's all that matters.In all the years that we homeschooled, y'all, we never finished curriculum. The only curriculum we ever finished. Every year was our math. But what happened is, we learned to love, to learn, and have very successful children who have done some really difficult things in their careers. It works itself out. But teaching character, teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is no substitute for that, and have some fun because you're making memories.Ready to start teaching manners in your home? Visit The Etiquette Factory to learn more about Monica's practical curriculum that makes teaching character and manners enjoyable for the whole family.

The excited boy saw the stars in the window. You will be encouraged by this short story with eternal significance.The Voice in the Wilderness does not endorse any link or other material found at buzzsprout.More at https://www.thevoiceinthewilderness.org/

In this message, Pastor Caleb discusses the thorn in the flesh that the Apostle Paul describes in 2 Corinthians.  Although the exact details of this thorn may be unknown, many Christians still face various thorns in their lives that should not be excused; they should be addressed and dealt with.  May Christians not be vulnerable but obtain victory through Jesus Christ as God's plan for each person.  Send us a textSupport the showFor more information for our church visit AGCSparta.org.

In this message, Pastor Caleb discusses the importance of starting each year with the mindset of looking forward with a new start to honor God with one's life.  As Christians start each year, they should reflect on the successes and missteps of the previous year.  This is an opportunity to strengthen weaknesses and continue in strengths.  May each Christian see a new year as a new start to be more for Jesus.  Send us a textSupport the showFor more information for our church visit AGCSparta.org.

In this episode, host Travis Chappell and producer Eric react to a spicy clip from personal finance expert Ramit Sethi about why most people have no business obsessing over “generational wealth” when they are still buried in debt and struggling with basic money habits. The conversation turns into a practical breakdown of whose advice to follow, when ultra‑rich guidance stops applying to you, and how Travis' parents quietly passed him real financial advantage without ever cutting him a big check.​ On this episode we talk about: Why “generational wealth” has become a trendy TikTok buzzword—and why that's a problem if you have credit card debt How to filter advice from billionaires, gurus, and influencers so you do not copy the wrong things at the wrong stage The difference between how wealthy people built their money versus what they say now that they are already rich Why copying Tony Robbins' ice baths or a bodybuilder's current routine will not get you their results How Travis' parents taught him to tithe, save, and spend with a simple three‑slot piggy bank system Turning childhood savings into a first duplex in a rough neighborhood and what that deal taught him about delayed gratification Why dumping money on kids without money education often ruins them Practical ways Travis is teaching his own kids to connect work, math, and money (and why he makes them buy their own “extras”) Top 3 Takeaways Sequence matters. Generational wealth is a later‑stage concern; if you are in debt, can't afford housing, or investing almost nothing, your focus should be getting stable, increasing income, and building basic assets first. Copy the early steps, not the end state. Look at what successful people did when they were two or three steps ahead of you, not what they say or do after decades of wealth and security. Knowledge is the real inheritance. Teaching kids how money works—earning, saving, investing, trade‑offs—often does more for their long‑term wealth than writing a massive check. Notable Quotes “Just because someone is 40 steps ahead of you doesn't mean their current advice applies to where you are right now.” “My parents didn't just give me money; they taught me what to do with the money I earned.” “You don't get money just for existing—if you want extra stuff, you learn to earn it.”​ ✖️✖️✖️✖️

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251228dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us—yes, the many good things he has done for Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses. Isaiah 63:7 Mercy and Compassion A highly respected running coach was once asked what he would do if he wanted to make his own son an Olympic runner. He responded, “I would get him a coach that believed he could be an Olympian.” After all his years of training runners, this man had learned that having a coach who believed in his runner was a key component to helping that athlete reach his true potential. Isaiah describes the Lord looking at his people and saying, “Surely they are my people, sons who will not be false to me.” How could the Lord say this when Israel had turned its back on him again and again? It wasn’t that God thought he could make his people better simply by believing in them. No, God calls Israel his people because in his love and mercy, he made them his people. “He became their Savior.” A coach might help an athlete achieve his greatest potential by believing in him, but God has done much more for us. Simply believing in us would not have been enough, because left to ourselves, our only potential was to go our own way and stray further away from him. So, God in his love and mercy redeemed us. By sending his only Son, he bought us back from our destiny of being sinners forever separated from him. This truth causes our Christmas joy to overflow every day of the year. In his loving kindness, the Lord has made us his people, who are given the righteousness and obedience of his Son. What’s our response to such mercy and compassion? We can join with Isaiah in saying, “I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us.” Prayer: Merciful and compassionate God, I thank you for being my Savior. You have made me your child through the redemption that comes through Jesus Christ. Help me to speak of your kindness, of all that you have done for me. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

The space between intention and reality is often marked by reflection, regret, and resolve. In Matthew 7, Jesus closes the Sermon on the Mount by drawing our attention away from what we intend or admire and toward what we actually build our lives on. This sermon invites us to move beyond hearing Jesus' words and instead build on Him—the unshakable foundation who holds us steady when the storms come.Catch the sermon on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or bridge.tv/sermons.To support this ministry and help us continue our God given mission, click here: http://bit.ly/2NZkdrC Support the show

Imagine for a second that Eckhart Tolle wasn't a spiritual teacher, but a deep cover operative with a gun to his head. And just for a second, pretend that Tolle’s Power of Now wasn't a way to find peace, but a survival mechanism used to slow down time when your reality is collapsing. And your memory has been utterly destroyed by forces beyond your control. Until a good friend helps you rebuild it from the ground up. These are the exact feelings and sense of positive transformation I tried to capture in a project I believe is critical for future autodidacts, polymaths and traditional learners: Vitamin X, a novel in which the world’s only blind memory champion helps a detective use memory techniques and eventually achieve enlightenment. It’s also a story about accomplishing big goals, even in a fast-paced and incredibly challenging world. In the Magnetic Memory Method community at large, we talk a lot about the habits of geniuses like Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. We obsess over their reading lists and their daily routines because we want that same level of clarity and intellectual power. But there's a trap in studying genius that too many people fall into: Passivity. And helping people escape passive learning is one of several reasons I’ve studied the science behind a variety of fictional learning projects where stories have been tested as agents of change. Ready to learn more about Vitamin X and the various scientific findings I’ve uncovered in order to better help you learn? Let’s dive in! Defeating the Many Traps of Passive Learning We can read about how Lincoln sharpened his axe for hours before trying to cut down a single tree. And that's great. But something's still not quite right. To this day, tons of people nod their heads at that famous old story about Lincoln. Yet, they still never sharpen their own axes, let alone swing them. Likewise, people email me every day regarding something I've taught about focus, concentration or a particular mnemonic device. They know the techniques work, including under extreme pressure. But their minds still fracture the instant they're faced with distraction. As a result, they never wind up getting the memory improvement results I know they can achieve. So, as happy as I am with all the help my books like The Victorious Mind and SMARTER have helped create in this world, I’m fairly confident that those titles will be my final memory improvement textbooks. Instead, I am now focused on creating what you might call learning simulations. Enter Vitamin X, the Memory Detective Series & Teaching Through Immersion Because here's the thing: If I really want to teach you how to become a polymath, I can't just carry on producing yet another list of tips. I have to drop you into scenarios where you actually feel what it's like to use memory techniques. That's why I started the Memory Detective initiative. It began with a novel called Flyboy. It’s been well-received and now part two is out. And it’s as close to Eckhart Tolle meeting a Spy Thriller on LSD as I could possibly make it. Why? To teach through immersion. Except, it's not really about LSD. No, the second Memory Detective novel centers around a substance called Vitamin X. On the surface, it's a thriller about a detective named David Williams going deep undercover. In actuality, it's a cognitive training protocol disguised as a novel. But one built on a body of research that shows stories can change what people remember, believe, and do. And that's both the opportunity and the danger. To give you the memory science and learning research in one sentence: Stories are a delivery system. We see this delivery system at work in the massive success of Olly Richards’ StoryLearning books for language learners. Richards built his empire on the same mechanism Pimsleur utilized to great effect long before their famous audio recordings became the industry standard: using narrative to make raw data stick. However, a quick distinction is necessary. In the memory world, we often talk about the Story Method. This approach involves linking disparate pieces of information together in a chain using a simple narrative vignette (e.g., a giant cat eating a toaster to remember a grocery list). That is a powerful mnemonic tool, and you will see Detective Williams use short vignettes in the Memory Detective series. But Vitamin X is what I call ‘Magnetic Fiction.’ It's not a vignette. It's a macro-narrative designed to carry the weight of many memory techniques itself. It simulates the pressure required to forge the skill, showing you how and why to use the story method within a larger, immersive context. So with that in mind, let's unpack the topic of fiction and teaching a bit further. That way, you'll know more of what I have in mind for my readers. And perhaps you'll become interested in some memory science experiments I plan to run in the near future. Illustration of “Cafe Mnemonic,” a fun memory training location the Memory Detective David Williams wants to establish once he has enough funds. Fiction as a Teaching Technology: What the Research Says This intersection of story and memory isn't new territory for me. Long before I gave my popular TEDx Talk on memory or helped thousands of people through the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass, live workshops and my books, I served as a Mercator award-winning Film Studies professor. In this role, I often analyzed and published material regarding how narratives shape our cognition. Actually, my research into the persuasion of memory goes back to my scholarly contribution to the anthology The Theme of Cultural Adaptation in American History, Literature and Film. In my chapter, “Cryptomnesia or Cryptomancy? Subconscious Adaptations of 9/11,” I examined specifically how cultural narratives influence memory formation, forgetting, and the subconscious acceptance of information. That academic background drives the thinking and the learning protocols baked into Vitamin X. As does the work of researchers who have studied narrative influence for decades. Throughout their scientific findings, one idea keeps reappearing in different forms: When a story pulls you in, you experience some kind of “transportation.” It can be that you find yourself deeply immersed in the life of a character. Or you find your palms sweating as your brain tricks you into believing you're undergoing some kind of existential threat. When such experiences happen, you stop processing information like you would an argument through critical thinking. Instead, you start processing the information in the story almost as if they were really happening. As a result, these kinds of transportation can change beliefs and intentions, sometimes without the reader noticing the change happening. That's why fiction has been used for: teaching therapy religion civic formation advertising propaganda Even many national anthems contain stories that create change, something I experienced recently when I became an Australian citizen. As I was telling John Michael Greer during our latest podcast recording, I impulsively took both the atheist and the religious oath and sang the anthem at the ceremony. All of these pieces contain stories and those stories changed how I think, feel and process the world. Another way of looking at story is summed up in this simple statement: All stories have the same basic mechanism. But many stories have wildly different ethics. My ethics: Teach memory improvement methods robustly. Protect the tradition. And help people think for themselves using the best available critical thinking tools. And story is one of them. 6 Key Research Insights on Educational Fiction Now, when it comes to the research that shows just how powerful story is, we can break it down into buckets. Some of the main categories of research on fiction for pedagogy include: 1) Narrative transportation and persuasion As these researchers explain in The Role of Transportation in the Persuasiveness of Public Narratives, transportation describes how absorbed a reader becomes in a story. Psychologists use transportation models to show how story immersion drives belief change. It works because vivid imagery paired with emotion and focused attention make story-consistent ideas easier to accept. This study of how narratives were used in helping people improve their health support the basic point: Narratives produce average shifts in attitudes, beliefs, intentions, and sometimes behavior. Of course, the exact effects vary by topic and the design of the scientific study in question. But the point remains that fiction doesn't merely entertain. It can also train and persuade. 2) Entertainment-Education (EE) EE involves deliberately embedding education into popular media, often with pro-social aims. In another health-based study, researchers found that EE can influence knowledge, attitudes, intentions, behavior, and self-efficacy. Researchers in Brazil have also used large-scale observational work on soap operas and social outcomes (like fertility). As this study demonstrates, mass narrative exposure can shape real-world behavior at scale within a population. Stories can alter norms, not just transfer facts from one mind to another. You’ll encounter this theme throughout Vitamin X, especially when Detective Williams tangles with protestors who hold beliefs he does not share, but seem to be taking over the world. 3) Narrative vs expository learning (a key warning) Here's the part most “educational fiction” ignores: Informative narratives often increase interest, but they don't automatically improve comprehension. As this study found, entertainment can actually cause readers to overestimate how well they understood the material. This is why “edutainment” often produces big problems: You can wind up feeling smarter because you enjoyed an experience. But just because you feel that way doesn't mean you gain a skill you can reliably use. That’s why I have some suggestions for you below about how to make sure Vitamin X actually helps you learn to use memory techniques better. 4) Seductive details (another warning) There's also the problem of effects created by what scientists call seductive details. Unlike the “luminous details” I discussed with Brad Kelly on his Madness and Method podcast, seductive details are interesting but irrelevant material. They typically distract attention and reduce learning of what actually matters. As a result, these details divert attention through interference and by adding working memory demands. The research I’ve read suggests that when story authors don't engineer their work with learning targets in mind, their efforts backfire. What was intended to help learners actually becomes a sabotage device. I've done my best to avoid sabotaging my own pedagogical efforts in the Memory Detective stories so far. That's why they include study guides and simulations of using the Memory Palace technique, linking and number mnemonics like the Major System. In the series finale, which is just entering the third draft now, the 00-99 PAO and Giordano Bruno's Statue technique are the learning targets I’ve set up for you. They are much harder, and that’s why even though there are inevitable seductive details throughout the Memory Detective series, the focus on memory techniques gets increasingly more advanced. My hope is that your focus and attention will be sharpened as a result. 5) Learning misinformation from fiction (the dark side) People don't just learn from fiction. They learn false facts from fiction too. In this study, researchers found that participants often treated story-embedded misinformation as if it were true knowledge. This is one reason using narrative as a teaching tool is so ethically loaded. It can bypass the mental posture we use for skepticism. 6) Narrative “correctives” (using story against misinformation) The good news is that narratives can also reduce misbelief. This study on “narrative correctives” found that stories can sometimes decrease false beliefs and misinformed intentions, though results are mixed. The key point is that story itself is neither “good” or “bad.” It's a tool for leverage, and this is one of the major themes I built into Vitamin X. My key concern is that people would confuse me with any of my characters. Rather, I was trying to create a portrait of our perilous world where many conflicts unfold every day. Some people use tools for bad, others for good, and even that binary can be difficult for people to agree upon. Pros & Cons of Teaching with Fiction Let’s start with the pros. Attention and completion: A good story can keep people engaged, which is a prerequisite for any learning to occur. The transportation model I cited above helps explain why. The Positive Side of Escapism Entering a simulation also creates escapism that is actually valuable. This is because fiction gives you “experience” without real-world consequences when it comes to facing judgment, ethics, identity, and pressure-handling. This is one reason why story has always been used for moral education, not just entertainment. However, I’ve also used story in my Memory Detective games, such as “The Velo Gang Murders.” Just because story was involved did not mean people did not face judgement. But it was lower than my experiments with “Magnetic Variety,” a non-narrative game I’ll be releasing in the future. Lower Reactance Stories can reduce counterarguing compared with overt persuasion, which can be useful for resistant audiences. In other words, you’re on your own in the narrative world. Worst case scenario, you’ll have a bone to pick with the author. This happened to me the other day when someone emailed to “complain” about how I sometimes discuss Sherlock Holmes. Fortunately, the exchange turned into a good-hearted debate, something I attribute to having story as the core foundation of our exchange. Compare this to Reddit discussions like this one, where discussing aspects of the techniques in a mostly abstract way leads to ad hominem attacks. Now for the cons: Propaganda Risk The same reduction in counterarguing and squabbling with groups that you experience when reading stories is exactly what makes narratives useful for manipulation. When you’re not discussing what you’re reading with others, you can wind up ruminating on certain ideas. This can lead to negative outcomes where people not only believe incorrect things. They sometimes act out negatively in the world. The Illusion of Understanding Informative narratives can produce high interest but weaker comprehension and inflated metacomprehension. I’ve certainly had this myself, thinking I understand various points in logic after reading Alice in Wonderland. In reality, I still needed to do a lot more study. And still need more. In fact, “understanding” is not a destination so much as it is a process. Misinformation Uptake People sometimes acquire false beliefs from stories and struggle to discount fiction as a source. We see this often in religion due to implicit memory. Darrel Ray has shown how this happens extensively in his book, The God Virus: How Religion Infects Our Lives and Culture. His book helped explain something that happened to me after I first started memorizing Sanskrit phrases and feeling the benefits of long-form meditation. For a brief period, implicit memory and the primacy effect made me start to consider that the religion I’d grown up with was in fact true and real. Luckily, I shook that temporary effect. But many others aren’t quite so lucky. And in case it isn’t obvious, I’ll point out that the Bible is not only packed with stories. Some of those stories contain mnemonic properties, something Eran Katz pointed out in his excellent book, Where Did Noah Park the Ark? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhQlcMHhF3w The “Reefer Madness” Problem While working on Vitamin X, I thought often about Reefer Madness. In case you haven’t seen it, Reefer Madness began as an “educational” morality tale about cannabis. It's now famous largely because it's an over-the-top artifact of moral panic, an example of how fear-based fiction can be used to shape public belief under the guise of protection. I don’t want to make that mistake in my Memory Detective series. But there is a relationship because Vitamin X does tackle nootropics, a realm of substances for memory I am asked to comment on frequently. In this case, I'm not trying to protect people from nootropics, per se. But as I have regularly talked about over the years, tackling issues like brain fog by taking memory supplements or vitamins for memory is fraught with danger. And since fiction is one of the most efficient way to smuggle ideas past the mind's filters, I am trying to raise some critical thinking around supplementation for memory. But to do it in a way that's educational without trying to exploit anyone. I did my best to create the story so that you wind up thinking for yourself. What I'm doing differently with Vitamin X & the Memory Detective Series I'm not pretending fiction automatically teaches. I'm treating fiction as a delivery system for how various mnemonic methods work and as a kind of cheerleading mechanism that encourages you to engage in proper, deliberate practice. Practice of what? 1) Concentration meditation. Throughout the story, Detective Williams struggles to learn and embrace the memory-based meditation methods of his mentor, Jerome. You get to learn more about these as you read the story. 2) Memory Palaces as anchors for sanity, not party tricks. In the library sequence, Williams tries to launch a mnemonic “boomerang” into a Memory Palace while hallucinatory imagery floods the environment. Taking influence from the ancient mnemonist, Hugh of St. Victor, Noah's Ark becomes a mnemonic structure. Mnemonic images surge and help Detective Williams combat his PTSD. To make this concrete, I've utilized the illustrations within the book itself. Just as the ancients used paintings and architectural drawings to encode knowledge, the artwork in Vitamin X isn’t just decoration. During the live bootcamp I’m running to celebrate the launch, I show you how to treat the illustrations as ‘Painting Memory Palaces.’ This effectively turns the book in your hands into a functioning mnemonic device, allowing you to practice the method of loci on the page before you even step out into the real world. Then there’s the self-help element, which takes the form of how memory work can help restore sanity. A PTSD theme runs throughout the Memory Detective series for two deliberate reasons. First, Detective Williams is partly based on Nic Castle. He's a former police officer who found symptom relief for his PTSD from using memory techniques. He shared his story on this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast years ago. Second, Nic's anecdotal experience is backed up by research. And even if you don't have PTSD, the modern world is attacking many of us in ways that clearly create similar symptom-like issues far worse than the digital amnesia I've been warning about for years. We get mentally hijacked by feeds, anxiety loops, and synthetic urgency. We lose our grip on reality and wonder why we can't remember what we read five minutes ago. That's just one more reason I made memory techniques function as reality-tests inside Vitamin X. 3) The critical safeguard: I explicitly separate fiction from technique. In Flyboy's afterword, I put it plainly: The plot is fictional, but the memory techniques are real. And because they're real, they require study and practice. I believe this boundary matters because research shows how easily readers absorb false “facts” from fiction. 4) To help you practice, I included a study guide. At the end of both Flyboy and Vitamin X, there are study guides. In Vitamin X, you'll find a concrete method for creating a Mnemonic Calendar. This is not the world's most perfect memory technique. But it's helpful and a bit more advanced than a technique I learned from Jim Samuels many years ago. In his version, he had his clients divide the days of the week into a Memory Palace. For his senior citizens in particular, he had them divide the kitchen. So if they had to take a particular pill on Monday, they would imagine the pill as a giant moon in the sink. Using the method of loci, this location would always serve as their mnemonic station for Monday. In Vitamin X, the detective uses a number-shape system. Either way, these kinds of techniques for remembering schedules are the antidote to the “illusion of understanding” problem, provided that you put them to use. They can be very difficult to understand if you don't. Why My Magnetic Fiction Solves the “Hobbyist” Problem A lot of memory training fails for one reason: People treat it as a hobby. They “learn” techniques the way people “learn” guitar: By watching a few videos and buying a book. While the study material sits on a shelf or lost in a hard drive, the consumer winds up never rehearsing. Never putting any skill to the test. And as a result, never enjoying integration with the techniques. What fiction can do is create: emotional stakes situational context identity consistency (“this is what I do now”) and enough momentum to carry you into real practice That's the point of the simulation. You're not just reading about a detective and his mentor using Memory Palaces and other memory techniques. You're watching what happens when a mind uses a Memory Palace to stay oriented. And you can feel that urgency in your own nervous system while you read. That's the “cognitive gym” effect, I'm going for. It's also why I love this note from Andy, because it highlights the exact design target I'm going for: “I finished Flyboy last night. Great book! I thought it was eminently creative, working the memory lessons into a surprisingly intricate and entertaining crime mystery. Well done!” Or as the real-life Sherlock Holmes Ben Cardall put it the Memory Detective stories are: …rare pieces of fiction that encourages reflection in the reader. You don’t just get the drama, the tension and the excitement from the exploits of its characters. You also get a look at your own capabilities as though Anthony is able to make you hold a mirror up to yourself and think ‘what else am I capable of’? A Practical Way to Read These Novels for Memory Training If you want the benefits without the traps we've discussed today: Read Vitamin X for immersion first (let transportation do its job). Then read it again with a simple study goal. This re-reading strategy is important because study-goal framing will improve comprehension and reduce overconfidence. During this second read-through, actually use the Mnemonic Calendar. Then, test yourself by writing out what you remember from the story. If you make a mistake, don't judge yourself. Simply use analytical thinking to determine what went wrong and work out how you can improve. The Future: Learning Through Story is About to Intensify Here's the uncomfortable forecast: Even though I’m generally pro-AI for all kinds of outcomes and grateful for my discussions with Andrew Mayne about it (host of the OpenAI Podcast), AI could make the generation of personalized narratives that target your fears, identity, and desires trivial. That means there’s the risk that AI will also easily transform your beliefs. The same machinery that can create “education you can't stop reading” can also create persuasion you barely notice. Or, as Michael Connelly described in his novel, The Proving Ground, we might notice the effects of this persuasion far more than we’d like. My research on narrative persuasion and misinformation underscores why this potential outcome is not hypothetical. So the real question isn't “Should we teach with fiction?” The question is: Will we build fiction that creates personal agency… or engineer stories that steal it? My aim with Flyboy, Vitamin X and the series finale is simple and focused on optimizing your ability: to use story as a motivation engine to convert that motivation into deliberate practice to make a wide range of memory techniques feel as exciting for you as they are for me and to give your attention interesting tests in a world engineered to fragment it. If you want better memory, this is your challenge: Don't read Vitamin X for entertainment alone. Read it to see if you can hold on to reality while the world spins out of control. When you do, you'll be doing something far rarer than collecting tips. You'll be swinging the axe. A very sharp axe indeed. And best of all, your axe for learning and remembering more information at greater speed will be Magnetic.

This video provides teaching ideas, discussion prompts, and activities to support the Genesis 1-2, Moses 2-3, Abraham 4-5 lesson in the Come, Follow Me manual.It is designed to serve as a practical resource for teachers, parents, missionaries, and anyone preparing to teach this week's Come, Follow Me lesson.My hope is that these ideas will help simplify your preparation, increase student engagement, and strengthen your confidence as you teach. Lesson Resources and LinksLink to "Creation" Video:  Earth Link to "Our Home" Video: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2014-07-0007-our-home?lang=eng Link to "Renaissance of Marriage" Video: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2015-01-0001-renaissance-of-marriage?lang=eng&alang=eng&collectionId=527506101fb6ace1d90e613a085e75269db60840Link to "Equal Partnership in Marriage" Video: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2025-09-equal-partnership-in-marriage?lang=eng&alang=eng&collectionId=527506101fb6ace1d90e613a085e75269db60840 Teaching with Power ResourcesFor links to videos, lesson plans, subscriptions, weekly lesson materials, go to www.teachingwithpower.comTo sign up for a Full Old Testament Subscription, go to:  https://www.teachingwithpower.com/product-page/2026-old-testament-bundle-subscription-all-slides-handouts-and-lesson-plansContact: teachingwithpower@gmail.com Credits & NotesMusic provided by the YouTube Audio Library — Dancing StarSome illustrations in this video were generated using Chat GPT AI.Additional Bible illustrations are provided by Sweet Publishing( http://sweetpublishing.com) under the Creative Commons 3.0 Share-Alike License.All other images are in the public domain. DisclaimerThe content of this video reflects my personal insights and teaching ideas. It does not represent the official position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

This video provides teaching ideas, discussion prompts, and activities to support the Genesis 1-2, Moses 2-3, Abraham 4-5 lesson in the Come, Follow Me manual.It is designed to serve as a practical resource for teachers, parents, missionaries, and anyone preparing to teach this week's Come, Follow Me lesson.My hope is that these ideas will help simplify your preparation, increase student engagement, and strengthen your confidence as you teach. Lesson Resources and LinksLink to "Creation" Video:  Earth Link to "Our Home" Video: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2014-07-0007-our-home?lang=eng Link to "Renaissance of Marriage" Video: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2015-01-0001-renaissance-of-marriage?lang=eng&alang=eng&collectionId=527506101fb6ace1d90e613a085e75269db60840Link to "Equal Partnership in Marriage" Video: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2025-09-equal-partnership-in-marriage?lang=eng&alang=eng&collectionId=527506101fb6ace1d90e613a085e75269db60840 Teaching with Power ResourcesFor links to videos, lesson plans, subscriptions, weekly lesson materials, go to www.teachingwithpower.comTo sign up for a Full Old Testament Subscription, go to:  https://www.teachingwithpower.com/product-page/2026-old-testament-bundle-subscription-all-slides-handouts-and-lesson-plansContact: teachingwithpower@gmail.com Credits & NotesMusic provided by the YouTube Audio Library — Dancing StarSome illustrations in this video were generated using Chat GPT AI.Additional Bible illustrations are provided by Sweet Publishing( http://sweetpublishing.com) under the Creative Commons 3.0 Share-Alike License.All other images are in the public domain. DisclaimerThe content of this video reflects my personal insights and teaching ideas. It does not represent the official position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Sunday morning message with Pastor Sam Lee. Visit christianlifeustin.com, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Instagram @christianlifeaustin to stay up to date with the exciting things happening here at Christian Life Austin.

What if social-emotional learning, culture, and instruction could move in rhythm with the real seasons of a school year instead of feeling like “one more thing” on everyone's plate? In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Walter McKenzie, Heather Lageman, and Leigh Alley introduce their book School Seasons xSELeratED and the xSELeratED Schools Framework, a month-by-month roadmap that helps educators care for the whole child and the whole educator with small, doable practices that fit into the flow of each month.​ The trio shares how their adult-first approach to SEL honors educator wellbeing, offers 5–10 minute micro-moves that feel human rather than scripted, and uses seasonal themes, from belonging and renewal to closure and celebration, to build trusting, relationship-rich school communities over time. Whether you are a teacher, coach, or school leader, this conversation will help you see SEL less as a program and more as a sustainable way of being together that strengthens both people and practice. About Walter McKenzie: Walter McKenzie is the founder of The Worthy Educator, a thriving community of leaders in education supporting each other to have impact and build lasting legacies in their work. He has always embraced the heart in his work, and in the power of relationships. In joining forces with Heather and Leigh, he proudly adds his voice to their efforts to reclaim the mantel of social-emotional learning, for both students and adults. Before retiring from ASCD, he served 25 years in Massachusetts and Virginia public schools: 14 years as a classroom teacher and 11 years as a district director and assistant superintendent. He also served as a senior training specialist for the Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington, D.C., and its field offices around the nation. Across the span of his career, he has pursued uses of technology to support multiple paths to learning and knowing and being and doing. In addition to his work in public education, Walter is an internationally known presenter and author. He has been instrumental in launching and leading online professional development programs and postgraduate professional education courses, and he has actively facilitated online educator communities and web-based interdisciplinary instructional projects over the past 40 years.  Follow Walter McKenzie: Website:https://www.theworthyeducator.com/ssxandhttps://www.theworthyeducator.com/xselerated Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/groups/theworthyedcator Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-worthy-educator/ YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@TheWorthyEducator 

At the heart of the gospel is the doctrine of union with Christ – we are in Christ, and he is in us. As we turn the corner on another year, we pause to look more closely at this reality. In this sermon, we consider the simple truth that union with Christ requires death.

Chris White resumes his study about the beasts in Daniel and Revelation. In the previous episode (part 5), Chris discussed the 7-Headed, 10-Horned Beast as found in Daniel 7. In today's episode, he turns to the book of Revelation. Show Notes: Support Joyful Hearts Home:https://joyfulheartshome.com/ Vine Abiders Podcast: iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vine-abiders-podcast/id1836542893 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/08zwN9adiROSwLvZeg4Vxh Vine Abiders Substack:

Diving into prediction markets to teach my son how to be a successful investor at 1 years old Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John, who walked with Jesus as one of his disciples, wrote several New Testament books, including the gospel of John. This letter, written to the early church, is full of powerful teachings about doctrine, Scripture, sin, true salvation, how to live a godly life in this world, and what a critical role love plays in the life of the believer.   Join Jerry as he dives into this letter, giving insight along the way about how you can apply it in your every day life.  You can also take your daily Bible reading to another level with The New Testament Daily with Jerry Dirmann—so grab your Bible and let's get started!  -------  Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below:  LINKS:  « FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » To listen to or download more teachings from Jerry and others from Solid Lives ministries, visit our new media library at: https://app.jesusdisciple.com/jesus-way/media-library « THE NEW TESTAMENT DAILY PODCAST » https://thenewtestamentdailywithjerrydirmann.buzzsprout.com « SOLID LIVES » Find out more about the ministries of Jerry Dirmann and Solid Lives at https://www.solidlives.com/  « SUPPORT » You can help us get free resources like this out to more people. Visit https://pushpay.com/g/jdglobal Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below: FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » Download or listen at https://SolidLivesMedia.com/ ABOUT SOLID LIVES » Find out more at https://www.solidlives.com/ SUPPORT » Help us get the word out at https://solidlives.com/give/

Daniel Cohen is an author, public speaker, and spiritual leader. Daniel is the Rabbi of Congregation Agudath Sholom in Stamford, CT, one of the largest synagogues in New England. In this pod we speak to those things that matter most in life. I ask some big questions. Rabbi Cohen offers comforting answers.   Along the way we discuss – the Purpose (1:00), Legacy (2:30), Abraham 1 and 2 (5:00), Clear Away the Noise (9:10), Teaching from Inspiration (10:45), Flash Mobs of Kindness (11:30), Legacy Academy (15:25), Joe Lieberman (18:30), Elijah Moments  (22:15), Existing vs. Living (27:30), When Bad Things Happen to Good People (28:45), Rabbi and the Reverend (31:45), and final words (35:00). Access Daniel Cohen's inspirational resources @ Rabbi Daniel Cohen Grab a copy of Rabbi Cohen's book @ What will they Say about You when you are Gone?   Want more? Check out Daniel Cohen's podcast @ Judaism in the 21st Century. This podcast is partnered with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit that provides scholarships for the children of military Veterans. Send a donation, large or small, through PayPal @LukeLeaders1248; Venmo @LukeLeaders1248; or our website @ www.lukeleaders1248.com. You can also donate your used vehicle @ this hyperlink – CARS donation to LL1248.  Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Lowriders and Beautiful Rainy Day.

Teaching from Matthew 11:1-11 by Bro. Don Hollis.

Minister Calvin CollinsMatthew 2:12 (KJV)Worship through the Ministry of Teaching the Word!Need Prayer or Want to Give your Life to Christ?email: prayer.request@strivinghome.org. We will pray with you or for you!Get Involved: www.strivinghome.org

I messed up on these episodes .I am putting out this episode without cuts. The AI, I used has been cutting things off. I apologize. Hopefully, someone else will learn from my mistake. Welcome to the DMF! I'm Justin Younts, and in this episode, Christine La Monte shares an extraordinary creative journey that began in Rome in 2012. That pivotal moment marked her introduction to a gifted young filmmaker, Maxime Derevenko, who would later emerge as an influential voice in the worlds of opera and film.Christine reflects on how their collaboration grew through shared curiosity, mentorship, and artistic trust—eventually leading to a powerful opera project rooted in themes of social justice, peace, and human connection. As the world entered the uncertainty of the pandemic, this work took on even greater meaning, becoming a testament to the resilience of artists and the enduring power of creativity.She discusses the profound experience of collaborating with Ai Weiwei and the Rome Opera House, and how that partnership offered a bold, global perspective on art's role in times of crisis. Despite having only eight performances, the opera stood as a beacon of hope and reflection during a moment when art felt more essential than ever.Christine emphasizes the importance of mentorship and nurturing emerging talent, sharing how storytelling through art can elevate consciousness and inspire meaningful dialogue. In this conversation, she invites us to explore a world where every voice matters and creativity becomes a force for change.Join us as we celebrate the power of collaboration, storytelling, and art's ability to guide us toward a brighter future.00:00:00 - Introduction00:00:06 - Beginning of Film Career00:00:25 - Meeting Maxime Derevenko00:01:55 - Working with Ai Weiwei00:04:42 - Impact of COVID-1900:05:31 - Restarting in 202200:06:59 - Reflections on the Film00:07:47 - Film's Oscar Consideration00:08:22 - Role of Activism00:09:19 - Teaching at the School of Visual Arts00:11:01 - Reflections on Film Industry00:12:22 - Looking Back at Career00:13:31 - Passion for Teaching00:14:47 - Importance of Art and Culture00:16:20 - Closing Thoughts00:17:04 - Conclusion

Send us a textPreached by Jaren Singh

Luke 4: 1-20, 38-44

In this conversation, Ashleigh joins host Mat Green to reflect on the joys and challenges of teaching, resource creating, and creating space for wellbeing. From the importance of slowing down in the classroom to her evolving views on technology and her journey from teacher to education business owner.You'll hear candid moments about spelling struggles, teacher wellbeing, and how the most magical classrooms often leave the biggest imprint, not because of the content, but because of how students feel. Plus, Ash shares the story behind the most popular Rainbow Sky resource UNO card games!In this episode, we talk about:How Ashleigh's views on technology have evolvedWhy she's saying "no" to rushing and “yes” to herself in 2025The teacher who changed her life (and what happened when she met her again 20 years later!)How Rainbow Sky Creations began (spoiler: it started with iPad drawings and a pregnant coffee date!)The philosophy behind their wildly popular UNO card maths gamesWhy differentiation in teacher PD matters just as much as in student learningThe Rainbow Sky mantra every new teacher needs to hearThis episode is full of golden takeaways, encouraging reminders, and lots of laughter. A must-listen for every teacher who's ever felt overwhelmed, rushed, or in need of a gentle reset.Rainbows ahead,Alisha and AshleighResources mentioned in this episode:Books mentioned: Untamed by Glennon Doyle, The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt and 4,000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver BurkemanView our UNO Card Maths ActivitiesRainbow Sky PD Hub – On-demand, actionable professional developmentLet's hear from you! Text us!

Instead of recording the details of Jesus' birth, he talks about God's long term plan, made at the beginning of creation. Let's find out what that plan was as we read John 1:1-18.

The wonder of God's amazing grace doesn't really grip us until we realize the depth of our sin. Study along with Truth For Life as Alistair Begg looks afresh at man's desperate predicament and all that Jesus has accomplished for us—and why. ----------------------------------------- • Click here and look for "FROM THE SERMON" to stream or read the full message. • This program is part of the series ‘Behind the Scenes of Christmas' • Learn more about our current resource, request your copy with a donation of any amount. • Share the Gospel this holiday season by giving gifts that lead others to Jesus! At truthforlife.org/gifts you'll find ESV Study Bibles for both men and women for only $15, children's hardcover storybooks—three books for just $10, and a brand-new evangelism booklet by Alistair Begg, only $1 each! Helpful Resources - Learn about God's salvation plan - Read our most recent articles - Subscribe to our daily devotional Follow Us YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter This listener-funded program features the clear, relevant Bible teaching of Alistair Begg. Today's program and nearly 3,000 messages can be streamed and shared for free at tfl.org thanks to the generous giving from monthly donors called Truthpartners. Learn more about this Gospel-sharing team or become one today. Thanks for listening to Truth For Life!

In honor of the holiday season, we are revisiting our conversation with Melissa Joan Hart! Melissa Joan Hart (Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Clarissa Explains It All, What Women Binge podcast) explains how she got her starts on her iconic television series, her Blossom audition, what it's like to have your mom as your manager, and how her strong sense of responsibility helped her cope with the pressures of being a child actor. She and Mayim bond over starring in female character-driven shows around the same time and Melissa teaches Mayim about "Christmas Culture." Melissa opens up about her journey as a lifelong learner, her foray into directing, and the fascinating story about how her mom inadvertently became her manager. Subscribe on Substack for Ad-Free Episodes & Bonus Content: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bialikbreakdown.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BialikBreakdown.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube.com/mayimbialik⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many believe that Jesus came to reward good people and punish the bad. The Bible teaches quite differently, though! Study along with Truth For Life as Alistair Begg considers how punishment and rewards are truly assessed through God's Servant. ----------------------------------------- • Click here and look for "FROM THE SERMON" to stream or read the full message. • This program is part of the series ‘Here is My Servant' • Learn more about our current resource, request your copy with a donation of any amount. • Share the Gospel this holiday season by giving gifts that lead others to Jesus! At truthforlife.org/gifts you'll find ESV Study Bibles for both men and women for only $15, children's hardcover storybooks—three books for just $10, and a brand-new evangelism booklet by Alistair Begg, only $1 each! Helpful Resources - Learn about God's salvation plan - Read our most recent articles - Subscribe to our daily devotional Follow Us YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter This listener-funded program features the clear, relevant Bible teaching of Alistair Begg. Today's program and nearly 3,000 messages can be streamed and shared for free at tfl.org thanks to the generous giving from monthly donors called Truthpartners. Learn more about this Gospel-sharing team or become one today. Thanks for listening to Truth For Life!