Podcasts about thinking

Bridging Western & Indian Classical Music w/ Srikanth Chary | VS Pop™ Orchestral ThinkingCR Srikanth is a U.S.-based composer and producer blending Western classical, Indian classical traditions, and modern cinematic pop. A Berklee-trained composer and ASCAP member with over 250 original works, he bridges concert composition, media scoring, and contemporary releases through his imprint VS Pop™. Today he shares insights on cross-cultural composition, orchestral thinking in modern music, and building an independent career in today's digital music landscape.Linkshttps://open.spotify.com/artist/16N9BJJPufgA3rnpQ06iSa?si=08pc-fGLRfGyOeirNfdzkQhttps://www.instagram.com/crsrikanth_creator_vspop/Tabs:Music History,Musician,Music Licensing,Music Producer,Music Production,Pop Culture,Bridging Western & Indian Classical Music w/ Srikanth Chary | Pop™ Orchestral Thinking,Live Video Podcast Interview,Podcast,Interview,Phantom Electric Ghost Podcast,PodmatchSupport PEG by checking out our Sponsors:Download and use Newsly for free now from www.newsly.me or from the link in the description, and use promo code “GHOST” and receive a 1-month free premium subscription.The best tool for getting podcast guests:https://podmatch.com/signup/phantomelectricghostSubscribe to our Instagram for exclusive content:https://www.instagram.com/expansive_sound_experiments/Subscribe to our YouTube https://youtube.com/@phantomelectricghost?si=rEyT56WQvDsAoRprRSShttps://anchor.fm/s/3b31908/podcast/rssSubstackhttps://substack.com/@phantomelectricghost?utm_source=edit-profile-page

Send a textWhat happens when students stop memorizing information and start connecting ideas? In this episode, I talk with Derek Schutte and T.J. Warsnak about how hexagonal thinking helps students build those connections, and why it leads to some of the most meaningful classroom discussions.If you've ever wanted students to move beyond memorizing information and instead start making meaningful connections, this strategy does exactly that. Hexagonal thinking asks students to place ideas next to each other, explain why they belong together, and defend their reasoning. The result is a classroom full of discussion, debate, and deeper thinking.During our conversation, Derek and T.J. share how this approach helps students slow down, think more carefully about relationships between ideas, and collaborate in ways that make learning visible. We also talk about what it looks like in real classrooms and why giving students space to justify their thinking can lead to some of the best learning moments.If you're looking for a way to spark richer conversations and help students see the bigger picture in what they're learning, this episode might give you a new strategy to try.You can purchase Edugons at www.edugons.com!Quick note: This isn't a sponsored episode. I invited Derek and T.J. on because I think hexagonal thinking is a really interesting strategy for helping students make connections.Let's be friends and continue the conversation!Instagram: @teachinghistoryherwayX: http://www.twitter.com/historyherwayOn the Web/Blog: http://www.teachinghistoryherway.comFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/teachinghistoryherwayBlueSky: @historyherway.bsky.socialSupport the production of the Teaching History Her Way Podcast by purchasing some really great history tees. Click here to shop now or go to www.teachinghistoryherway.com and click on "Merch."

How long did it take you to get over your ex?

Full show - FrYiday | Mundane celebrity encounters | News or Nope - Chick-fil-A, Cristo Fernández, and the fast food feud continues | Feel Good Friday | Grannies gone gaga | Are all men like this? | Thinking about our exes | Does Slacker have to do everything for his kids? | Erica found a new job for T. Hack... | Trash. Hack | Stupid stories

4th hour of the G-Bag Nation: The Expressway: Texas Rangers OF Brandon Nimmo; Whatcha Drinking, Whatcha Thinking?; GBAG of the DAY; LA Live full 3085 Sat, 07 Mar 2026 00:58:34 +0000 biEGvP5YID5FyBzE78Hv98eWdEndpn3E sports GBag Nation sports 4th hour of the G-Bag Nation: The Expressway: Texas Rangers OF Brandon Nimmo; Whatcha Drinking, Whatcha Thinking?; GBAG of the DAY; LA Live The G-Bag Nation - Weekdays 10am-3pm 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. Sports

In this episode, we are joined by Zakhar Azatian, a bootstrapped technical solo founder based in San Francisco and the creator of BeHard, a gamified accountability app built around lifestyle challenges.He's a two-time founder with one successful exit and has grown B2C mobile products to over 1 million users, without a big team or massive funding.In this session, Zakhar breaks down how he generates and tests hundreds of ad creatives per month, the gamification mechanics that dramatically increased retention and referrals, and how he treats App Store search like a technical optimization problem, not just marketing.If you're building a consumer app and want practical growth tactics, this episode is packed with real execution frameworks.You will discover:✅ How to generate and test hundreds of ad creatives per month with a tiny team✅ How to treat App Store search like a code optimization problem✅ Paid growth insights from Meta, TikTok & influencer marketing Learn More:Explore Be Hard

What actually separates Catholic and Protestant belief, and does it still matter? In this Hot Topic teaching, Pastor Russell Howard walks through four major areas where Catholicism and evangelical Christianity converge and diverge, covering the canon of Scripture, the authority of the Bible alone, the veneration of Mary and the saints, and the nature of justification before God. At the heart of the conversation is one defining question: is Christ's work on the cross a finished act or a contribution to an ongoing process? Whether you grew up Catholic, left the faith, or simply want to understand what you believe and why, this teaching gives you a biblical framework to think clearly and speak charitably. Presented by McGregor Podcast 2026 Visit Our Website at McGregorPodcast.com

Thinking about planting fruit this spring? While it may take some time before you can enjoy the fruits of your labor, choosing the right cultivars can make all the difference in creating a successful home harvest. On this Horticulture Day, we talk with Randall Vos, an Iowa State University Extension horticulture specialist, about how to select the best cultivars for your garden. Then, horticulturist Aaron Steil joins the conversation to answer listeners' questions.

Anatomy Primer.Based on a post by smalltitslovr, in 4 parts. Listen to the ► Podcast at Steamy Stories.This time, I was last to go, and the only people left in the room were Nicole, Ms. Sharon, and I. I stepped between Nicole’s legs, which were now quivering from all the pleasure. About half-way through, Nicole started having trouble keeping them open, so Ms. Sharon was now standing on the other side of the desk from me, near Nicole’s head, holding each of Nicole’s ankles spread about three feet apart.“Hi Nicole.” I said to her, as I approached. “I’m the last one. Before I start, I was wondering how you feel.”Nicole weakly lifted her head to look at me. She was smiling, but she also looked quite tired. “Well, My legs are a little sore from being spread for so long. Also, my cunt is a little raw from all the different fingers being rubbed in and out of it. But overall, I feel amazing. I’ve never climaxed this many times in such a short amount of time before.”“So, I take it you’re still glad I ran into you in the library?” I asked.“Oh, definitely!” she exclaimed. “If I get to experience all this on just the first day, I can’t wait for what’s in store for us for the rest of the semester.”“Wow.” I said, smiling back at her. “I don’t know if I could take all the attention and stimulation you have had today. Well, I’ll hurry up and finish this, so we can leave.”“Thank you Samantha,” she replied. “But, since you’re last, make sure it’s a good one. I don’t want to leave here on a low note. If you make it good, I promise that I’ll pay you back for it another time.”I smiled and replied, “Deal.”I then reached up with my left hand and grabbed Nicole’s right tit, lightly caressing it. Then I rubbed the outside of Nicole’s cunt until I found her clitoris. As I rubbed her clit and her boob, she started to moan lightly.After about 45 seconds, I slowly inserted my index and middle fingers into Nicole’s gaping hole. Because of all the abuse her cunt had been given in the past ten minutes or so, it was quite loose, and very wet, but also quite red. I slid my fingers in and out of her hole a few times, before inserting a third finger. Then I rubbed around inside her cunt, until I found a slightly rough patch, which was also a little warmer from all the friction from the other students fingers. I rubbed it gently, which caused Nicole to moan louder, and start squirming. As I fingered her, I also rubbed her breast and lightly pinched her small nipple.I continued rubbing and finger-fucking Nicole for about two more minutes, until Nicole started screaming “I’m cumming! I’m cumming!”, while her body writhed as much as it could with Ms. Sharon still firmly holding Nicole’s legs. I was sure that nearby classrooms would hear her screams, and the movement of the table shaking beneath her, but she apparently didn’t care, and neither did Ms. Sharon.After Nicole’s final release of ecstasy, I removed my fingers, and Ms. Sharon released her grasp on Nicole’s ankles. Nicole lowered her legs, placing her feet on the ground, but still layed on the table, with her eyes closed.Ms. Sharon started packing her things into her bag, as she said, “Good class today, you two. Samantha, I want to thank you for introducing our class to Nicole and planting the idea of attending. And Nicole, I really want to thank you for your participation today. I know it must have been a bit awkward for all of your classmates to not only see every intimate detail of your body, but feel those parts, and bring you to several orgasms.”“No, Ms. Sharon. Thank you,” replied Nicole, as she stood and slowly walked over to her pile of clothes. “That was the best sexual experience I’ve had in my life so far, and I very much look forward to having even better ones in future classes. But right now, I really just want to take a nap.”“Well, I’d offer to let you stay in here, but there’s another class coming in here soon, and I think they’re covering some very conservative topic like History of Architecture or something. I’m sure they would be quite put off by your nudity.”“That’s alright.” replied Nicole with a smile, as she pulled on her tight yoga pants, without any panties underneath. “I don’t live far from campus. I’ll just go home and take a nap.”“One more thing before you go, Nicole.” said Ms. Sharon as she was finishing packing her bag. “In the last class, I mentioned to everyone else that there’s an extra credit opportunity for anyone willing to participate in some sexual studies. I think you would be an excellent candidate for those studies. Please consider it.”“I will.” said Nicole as she pulled her sports bra on. She picked up her shirt, and looked at it “You know; I really don’t feel like wearing this. I think I’ll walk home without it.”At this point I had pulled on my clothes, so Nicole and I were dressed. The three of us departed the room together. Ms. Sharon didn’t bring any clothes, so she walked out naked, but she said her office wasn’t far, and the faculty in her department were used to it. I walked with Nicole, chatting about the experience, until we got to a place where we parted ways.I then walked back to my dorm. When I arrived, I stripped out of my clothes, and laid down on my bed, immediately putting my hand on my cunt. I imitated what I did to Nicole earlier, and rubbed my clit. With my eyes closed, I was imagining being in Nicole’s position on the table, and I imagined that my hand was one of my other classmates. In my daydream, my eyes were closed, so I didn’t know whose hand it was.After rubbing my clit for a while, I slid a finger inside my cunt, and found my own g-spot. I rubbed it as fast as I could. As I continued daydreaming about each of my classmates fingering my cunt, I came. But I wasn’t ready to be done, so I continued daydreaming and finger-fucking myself. I came a two more times, before finally deciding to stop. I was tired, so I fell asleep.Masturbation, sex toys, and orgasm.A few classes had passed since the class on the human anatomy. The next few topics were less interesting, but still very informative.First, we paired up in the same groups as before, and studied each other’s bodies closely, one on one. While interesting, if I wrote about that, it would be somewhat repetitive, so I’ll skip it.After that, we covered various measurement techniques, including shirt-sizes, pant-sizes, and especially bra-sizes. I found out during that class that I had been wearing the wrong bra-size for years. I thought I was a 34A or 32B, but really I’m more like a 28D. Bra sizes are confusing!We also covered some other important, but boring topics, such as reproduction and STDs. For a homework assignment, we were all required to get an tested for a variety of STDs, as a prerequisite for the rest of the course. That was due in three class periods.So, today’s story is about day seven of class.I was getting more comfortable with the class, so I didn’t arrive quite as early anymore, but I always arrive a bit before class, and today was no exception. I got there about five minutes before.Just like the past couple of classes, everyone that was already there had stripped to their birthday suits. I quickly found my seat, stripped off my clothes, put them in my bag, and sat down. I didn’t bother covering up anymore, because there was no real reason to. Everyone there had already seen it all, and nobody else was covering up. Thinking back on it, I’m actually somewhat surprised at how little time it took for each of us to get so comfortable in our nudity.At 7:01, Ms. Sharon walked in, with the same amount of clothes as the rest of us. I kind of wondered how early she got nude. Did she strip right before walking over to the class, or was she naked all morning? I hadn’t seen her with clothes on in so long, that I could no longer picture her wearing them.“Hello class,” she said, as she placed her bag in its usual spot on the table. “I’m glad to see you’re all comfortable being nude with your fellow classmates, because you will all be getting much more familiar with each other today. Our topic is masturbation, sex toys, and the orgasm."To start today’s class, we will discuss masturbation. Who here has masturbated before?” Almost everyone raised their hands. “Good. Those of you who say you haven’t, I don’t believe you. But in case you really haven’t, today will be the end of that."Everyone, please get in your normal masturbation positions. For those of you that say you haven’t ever done it: males generally grab their shaft and stroke it, and females either rub their clitoris or stick their fingers inside their vaginas, aka finger themselves.”We all did as Ms. Sharon said, placing our hands on our genitals, and we started to rub and stroke ourselves. I as a little hesitant at this, but once I’d seen many of my classmates (especially the boys) start in on themselves, I relaxed. I spread my legs, leaned back, put the first two fingers of my right hand on my clit, and started rubbing it in a small circle.“Good. I want you all to continue masturbating, but please save your orgasms until later. Now, I’m going to show you all several sex toys. For each toy, I will need one volunteer to demonstrate how it is used. In some cases, I will need two volunteers.”Ms. Sharon then reached into her bag, and pulled the first toy out. It was a simple, flesh-colored dildo, about 5.5 inches long, and 1.5 inches wide, with balls on the end. It looked much like some of the cocks I saw the boys holding in their hands. “This is a dildo. It is designed to simulate a male penis. Dildos come in many shapes, and sizes, and have a variety of features. This one is a simple one. Generally dildos are used by females, but some males use them as well."Now, who would like to demonstrate how this dildo is used?” Of course, nobody raised their hands. “Come on, people. This is the most basic toy I have. It only gets more complex from here.” After another moment, Sofia raised her hand.“Good, Sofia. Please come up here.” Sofia stood, walked to the front, and took a seat on the table. “Alright, Sofia. Have you used a dildo before?” She nodded. “Okay, then you know what to do. I’ve also brought some lubricant if anyone needs it. Everyone watch closely.”Sofia squirted a little lube on the dildo, opened her legs, and slid the dildo inside of her cunt. As she slid it in, she closed her eyes. She slowly slid it in and out. From her facial expressions, I could tell she was enjoying the feeling, but she was a bit embarrassed by being singled out like that. A moment later, we all heard her start moaning.After about a minute or so of Sofia fucking herself with the dildo, Ms. Sharon said, “Good, Sofia, that’s exactly right. Thank you for the demonstration. You may take your seat now.” Sofia pulled the dildo out of her cunt, and stood up. She offered it to Ms. Sharon, but she refused. “Oh, no. Please, keep it for the rest of class. That goes for everyone else who volunteers as well.”Sofia walked back to her seat, reinserted the dildo, and continued fucking herself.“Alright, next up, we have the vibrator,” said Ms. Sharon, as she pulled another dildo from her bag. This one was larger than the last; maybe 6 inches long and 2 inches wide. “This toy requires batteries, because when it’s switched on, it created a vibration throughout the rubber shaft, which most females enjoy. Additionally, this dildo has piece known as a rabbit ear, which rubs against a woman’s clitoris. Who would like to demonstrate the usage of this toy?”After a couple seconds, Latoya’s hand went up. Ms. Sharon nodded, and Latoya came to the front, taking a seat on the table.“Thank you Latoya,” said Ms. Sharon, as she passed the vibrator to Latoya. Latoya didn’t bother with the lube, since she was already quite wet on her own. She easily slid the large dildo inside her cunt. When it was all the way in, she turned a knob on it, and we all heard a buzzing sound, and saw Latoya’s head tilt back in pleasure.“Good, Latoya,” said Ms. Sharon, “Make sure you also rub the rabbit ear against your clitoris. Yes, just like that. Doesn’t that feel good?”Latoya nodded.“Alright, Latoya, you may take your seat.”Latoya took her seat, and Ms. Sharon continued, pulling the next toy out of her bag. It was about 7 inches long, with what looked like a cunt on one end. “Now, I don’t want the men in the room to feel left out, so next we have the fleshlight. This toy is designed to simulate the female vagina. Who would like to demonstrate its usage?”Tony Baker didn’t hesitate to stick his hand in the air.“Alright, Mr. Baker,” said Ms. Sharon. Tony walked to the front, and took the fleshlight from Ms. Sharon. He then placed it at the tip of his large cock, and slid himself inside it. He then jacked himself off with it, fucking the rubber vagina.“Excellent, Tony,” said Ms. Sharon. “This fleshlight also has a vibration feature. Let me switch that on for you.” She reached down, grabbing the fleshlight (and thus Tony’s cock), in her hand. She slid the toy up and down a couple times, before flipping a switch on the side of it. Instantly, Tony leaned back and started writhing in pleasure. Then she flipped it off.“Good, Tony. You may take your seat.” He did, as Ms. Sharon continued, pulling the next toy out of the bag. “This is sometimes called a magic wand. The tip of it vibrates with a much higher intensity than the dildos, and can be controlled by a switch on the handle. It is generally used by women to rub their clitoris. Who would like to volunteer to demonstrate the wand?”Nobody raised their hand, at first, but eventually Barbara volunteered. She stood, took the usual spot on the table, and spread her legs. Ms. Sharon handed her the wand, and Barbara turned it on and started rubbing it against her cunt. Ms. Sharon gave her a few tips before sending her back to her seat.“Next, we have our first two-person toy.” said Ms. Sharon, as she pulled two small, metal objects, about 2 inches long, out of her bag. “These are remote controlled vibrators. A girl inserts it into her vagina, and the remote controls the intensity of the vibration. It can be used by a single person, but today we will use it in pairs. I have two of them, so we need two females. Since our last toy also needs two females, I will ask for one female volunteer, and two males, please. I will be the other female.”Most of the boy’s hands shot up, but none of the girls. Ms. Sharon picked Filipe and Ken. After another moment, I decided to volunteer. I’d rather have this toy, than be forced into whatever the next one was.“Alright, Samantha, take a seat up here. We’ll both insert them at the same time.”I sat on the edge of the table, and spread my legs apart. Then, Ms. Sharon and I pushed the small metal devices completely into our cunts. Then we stood up.“How does that feel, Samantha?” asked Ms. Sharon.“A little cold, but fine otherwise,” I replied.“Good. Alright, Ken, you get my remote, and Filipe, you get Samantha’s.” She handed them to the students. “For the rest of today’s class, feel free to switch our toys on and off, and increase the intensity, whenever you’d like, but please refrain from making us orgasm until the end of class.”I started walking back to my seat. Both the boys looked at their remotes. Filipe asked, “Does this knob increase the intensity?” as he turned it all the way up.I lost my balance, and leaned on the table, as a loud moan escaped from my mouth. The vibration was very intense. “Yes, Ken,” I heard Ms. Sharon say, “that’s the intensity. You can see that at full blast, it’s hard for the receiver to do much of anything else.”“I see,” said Ken as he turned it down to about halfway. “Sorry about the surprise, Samantha. I just wanted to test it out.”I stood back up, and walked back to my seat, as I replied, “It’s alright.”Ms. Sharon said, “That’s exactly how it should be used: at random times, to surprise the receiver. However, please don’t disrupt the class.” She pulled the last toy from her bag. “As I said earlier, this last toy is designed to be used by two females. Since we only have two remaining, I’ll ask that Nicole and Amy please come up here now.”They were both a bit hesitant, but they didn’t have much choice. It had to be demonstrated, and there were only two cunts left that weren’t already full or being rubbed: Nicole’s and Amy’s. They both walked to the front, and waited for Ms. Sharon to give them instructions.“Thank you, both,” she said, holding up the final toy, “This is a double dildo. At either end, there is a cock-shaped rubber shaft, and in the middle there is a handle. Generally, this is used by two females, but you can use it alone as well. Both of you, please lie on the table, with your heads facing away from each other.”They did as Ms. Sharon said. The table was a bit small, so both of their heads were hanging off the ends. Once they were in position, Ms. Sharon continued.“Good. Now, please spread your legs, and scoot a little closer to each other.” They did so. “Thank you. I’ll start with Amy, and then Nicole.”Amy looked down and saw Ms. Sharon put some lube on the tip of one end, then put the tip of the dildo at the entrance of her cunt. Ms. Sharon slowly slid it inside of her.“Good. Now, I’m going to need to slide it all the way in, so I can get it to the entrance of Nicole’s hole.”I saw the dildo slide further and further into Amy’s cunt, and finally it stopped. Then Ms. Sharon put some lube on the other end, and slowly slid it into Nicole’s cunt. I heard both of them moan as it slid inside Nicole, and out of Amy.“Good.” said Ms. Sharon, “Thank you both. Now we’re ready to demonstrate. Everyone, please stand and; Oh!.” Ms. Sharon collapsed into the chair next to the desk.I looked over and Ken had a grin on his face. Then I felt my vibrator start up as well. It slowly increased, until I couldn’t take it. I started moaning again. The moans of Ms. Sharon and I continued, as Ken and Filipe both kept the vibrators at full intensity.Ken then stood and walked to the front of the class, and said, “I’ll take over for a moment, Ms. Sharon, if you don’t mind.” Ms. Sharon nodded, and put her hand on her cunt and started rubbing. “Good. I’ll tu

Anatomy Primer.Based on a post by smalltitslovr, in 4 parts. Listen to the ► Podcast at Steamy Stories.This time, I was last to go, and the only people left in the room were Nicole, Ms. Sharon, and I. I stepped between Nicole’s legs, which were now quivering from all the pleasure. About half-way through, Nicole started having trouble keeping them open, so Ms. Sharon was now standing on the other side of the desk from me, near Nicole’s head, holding each of Nicole’s ankles spread about three feet apart.“Hi Nicole.” I said to her, as I approached. “I’m the last one. Before I start, I was wondering how you feel.”Nicole weakly lifted her head to look at me. She was smiling, but she also looked quite tired. “Well, My legs are a little sore from being spread for so long. Also, my cunt is a little raw from all the different fingers being rubbed in and out of it. But overall, I feel amazing. I’ve never climaxed this many times in such a short amount of time before.”“So, I take it you’re still glad I ran into you in the library?” I asked.“Oh, definitely!” she exclaimed. “If I get to experience all this on just the first day, I can’t wait for what’s in store for us for the rest of the semester.”“Wow.” I said, smiling back at her. “I don’t know if I could take all the attention and stimulation you have had today. Well, I’ll hurry up and finish this, so we can leave.”“Thank you Samantha,” she replied. “But, since you’re last, make sure it’s a good one. I don’t want to leave here on a low note. If you make it good, I promise that I’ll pay you back for it another time.”I smiled and replied, “Deal.”I then reached up with my left hand and grabbed Nicole’s right tit, lightly caressing it. Then I rubbed the outside of Nicole’s cunt until I found her clitoris. As I rubbed her clit and her boob, she started to moan lightly.After about 45 seconds, I slowly inserted my index and middle fingers into Nicole’s gaping hole. Because of all the abuse her cunt had been given in the past ten minutes or so, it was quite loose, and very wet, but also quite red. I slid my fingers in and out of her hole a few times, before inserting a third finger. Then I rubbed around inside her cunt, until I found a slightly rough patch, which was also a little warmer from all the friction from the other students fingers. I rubbed it gently, which caused Nicole to moan louder, and start squirming. As I fingered her, I also rubbed her breast and lightly pinched her small nipple.I continued rubbing and finger-fucking Nicole for about two more minutes, until Nicole started screaming “I’m cumming! I’m cumming!”, while her body writhed as much as it could with Ms. Sharon still firmly holding Nicole’s legs. I was sure that nearby classrooms would hear her screams, and the movement of the table shaking beneath her, but she apparently didn’t care, and neither did Ms. Sharon.After Nicole’s final release of ecstasy, I removed my fingers, and Ms. Sharon released her grasp on Nicole’s ankles. Nicole lowered her legs, placing her feet on the ground, but still layed on the table, with her eyes closed.Ms. Sharon started packing her things into her bag, as she said, “Good class today, you two. Samantha, I want to thank you for introducing our class to Nicole and planting the idea of attending. And Nicole, I really want to thank you for your participation today. I know it must have been a bit awkward for all of your classmates to not only see every intimate detail of your body, but feel those parts, and bring you to several orgasms.”“No, Ms. Sharon. Thank you,” replied Nicole, as she stood and slowly walked over to her pile of clothes. “That was the best sexual experience I’ve had in my life so far, and I very much look forward to having even better ones in future classes. But right now, I really just want to take a nap.”“Well, I’d offer to let you stay in here, but there’s another class coming in here soon, and I think they’re covering some very conservative topic like History of Architecture or something. I’m sure they would be quite put off by your nudity.”“That’s alright.” replied Nicole with a smile, as she pulled on her tight yoga pants, without any panties underneath. “I don’t live far from campus. I’ll just go home and take a nap.”“One more thing before you go, Nicole.” said Ms. Sharon as she was finishing packing her bag. “In the last class, I mentioned to everyone else that there’s an extra credit opportunity for anyone willing to participate in some sexual studies. I think you would be an excellent candidate for those studies. Please consider it.”“I will.” said Nicole as she pulled her sports bra on. She picked up her shirt, and looked at it “You know; I really don’t feel like wearing this. I think I’ll walk home without it.”At this point I had pulled on my clothes, so Nicole and I were dressed. The three of us departed the room together. Ms. Sharon didn’t bring any clothes, so she walked out naked, but she said her office wasn’t far, and the faculty in her department were used to it. I walked with Nicole, chatting about the experience, until we got to a place where we parted ways.I then walked back to my dorm. When I arrived, I stripped out of my clothes, and laid down on my bed, immediately putting my hand on my cunt. I imitated what I did to Nicole earlier, and rubbed my clit. With my eyes closed, I was imagining being in Nicole’s position on the table, and I imagined that my hand was one of my other classmates. In my daydream, my eyes were closed, so I didn’t know whose hand it was.After rubbing my clit for a while, I slid a finger inside my cunt, and found my own g-spot. I rubbed it as fast as I could. As I continued daydreaming about each of my classmates fingering my cunt, I came. But I wasn’t ready to be done, so I continued daydreaming and finger-fucking myself. I came a two more times, before finally deciding to stop. I was tired, so I fell asleep.Masturbation, sex toys, and orgasm.A few classes had passed since the class on the human anatomy. The next few topics were less interesting, but still very informative.First, we paired up in the same groups as before, and studied each other’s bodies closely, one on one. While interesting, if I wrote about that, it would be somewhat repetitive, so I’ll skip it.After that, we covered various measurement techniques, including shirt-sizes, pant-sizes, and especially bra-sizes. I found out during that class that I had been wearing the wrong bra-size for years. I thought I was a 34A or 32B, but really I’m more like a 28D. Bra sizes are confusing!We also covered some other important, but boring topics, such as reproduction and STDs. For a homework assignment, we were all required to get an tested for a variety of STDs, as a prerequisite for the rest of the course. That was due in three class periods.So, today’s story is about day seven of class.I was getting more comfortable with the class, so I didn’t arrive quite as early anymore, but I always arrive a bit before class, and today was no exception. I got there about five minutes before.Just like the past couple of classes, everyone that was already there had stripped to their birthday suits. I quickly found my seat, stripped off my clothes, put them in my bag, and sat down. I didn’t bother covering up anymore, because there was no real reason to. Everyone there had already seen it all, and nobody else was covering up. Thinking back on it, I’m actually somewhat surprised at how little time it took for each of us to get so comfortable in our nudity.At 7:01, Ms. Sharon walked in, with the same amount of clothes as the rest of us. I kind of wondered how early she got nude. Did she strip right before walking over to the class, or was she naked all morning? I hadn’t seen her with clothes on in so long, that I could no longer picture her wearing them.“Hello class,” she said, as she placed her bag in its usual spot on the table. “I’m glad to see you’re all comfortable being nude with your fellow classmates, because you will all be getting much more familiar with each other today. Our topic is masturbation, sex toys, and the orgasm."To start today’s class, we will discuss masturbation. Who here has masturbated before?” Almost everyone raised their hands. “Good. Those of you who say you haven’t, I don’t believe you. But in case you really haven’t, today will be the end of that."Everyone, please get in your normal masturbation positions. For those of you that say you haven’t ever done it: males generally grab their shaft and stroke it, and females either rub their clitoris or stick their fingers inside their vaginas, aka finger themselves.”We all did as Ms. Sharon said, placing our hands on our genitals, and we started to rub and stroke ourselves. I as a little hesitant at this, but once I’d seen many of my classmates (especially the boys) start in on themselves, I relaxed. I spread my legs, leaned back, put the first two fingers of my right hand on my clit, and started rubbing it in a small circle.“Good. I want you all to continue masturbating, but please save your orgasms until later. Now, I’m going to show you all several sex toys. For each toy, I will need one volunteer to demonstrate how it is used. In some cases, I will need two volunteers.”Ms. Sharon then reached into her bag, and pulled the first toy out. It was a simple, flesh-colored dildo, about 5.5 inches long, and 1.5 inches wide, with balls on the end. It looked much like some of the cocks I saw the boys holding in their hands. “This is a dildo. It is designed to simulate a male penis. Dildos come in many shapes, and sizes, and have a variety of features. This one is a simple one. Generally dildos are used by females, but some males use them as well."Now, who would like to demonstrate how this dildo is used?” Of course, nobody raised their hands. “Come on, people. This is the most basic toy I have. It only gets more complex from here.” After another moment, Sofia raised her hand.“Good, Sofia. Please come up here.” Sofia stood, walked to the front, and took a seat on the table. “Alright, Sofia. Have you used a dildo before?” She nodded. “Okay, then you know what to do. I’ve also brought some lubricant if anyone needs it. Everyone watch closely.”Sofia squirted a little lube on the dildo, opened her legs, and slid the dildo inside of her cunt. As she slid it in, she closed her eyes. She slowly slid it in and out. From her facial expressions, I could tell she was enjoying the feeling, but she was a bit embarrassed by being singled out like that. A moment later, we all heard her start moaning.After about a minute or so of Sofia fucking herself with the dildo, Ms. Sharon said, “Good, Sofia, that’s exactly right. Thank you for the demonstration. You may take your seat now.” Sofia pulled the dildo out of her cunt, and stood up. She offered it to Ms. Sharon, but she refused. “Oh, no. Please, keep it for the rest of class. That goes for everyone else who volunteers as well.”Sofia walked back to her seat, reinserted the dildo, and continued fucking herself.“Alright, next up, we have the vibrator,” said Ms. Sharon, as she pulled another dildo from her bag. This one was larger than the last; maybe 6 inches long and 2 inches wide. “This toy requires batteries, because when it’s switched on, it created a vibration throughout the rubber shaft, which most females enjoy. Additionally, this dildo has piece known as a rabbit ear, which rubs against a woman’s clitoris. Who would like to demonstrate the usage of this toy?”After a couple seconds, Latoya’s hand went up. Ms. Sharon nodded, and Latoya came to the front, taking a seat on the table.“Thank you Latoya,” said Ms. Sharon, as she passed the vibrator to Latoya. Latoya didn’t bother with the lube, since she was already quite wet on her own. She easily slid the large dildo inside her cunt. When it was all the way in, she turned a knob on it, and we all heard a buzzing sound, and saw Latoya’s head tilt back in pleasure.“Good, Latoya,” said Ms. Sharon, “Make sure you also rub the rabbit ear against your clitoris. Yes, just like that. Doesn’t that feel good?”Latoya nodded.“Alright, Latoya, you may take your seat.”Latoya took her seat, and Ms. Sharon continued, pulling the next toy out of her bag. It was about 7 inches long, with what looked like a cunt on one end. “Now, I don’t want the men in the room to feel left out, so next we have the fleshlight. This toy is designed to simulate the female vagina. Who would like to demonstrate its usage?”Tony Baker didn’t hesitate to stick his hand in the air.“Alright, Mr. Baker,” said Ms. Sharon. Tony walked to the front, and took the fleshlight from Ms. Sharon. He then placed it at the tip of his large cock, and slid himself inside it. He then jacked himself off with it, fucking the rubber vagina.“Excellent, Tony,” said Ms. Sharon. “This fleshlight also has a vibration feature. Let me switch that on for you.” She reached down, grabbing the fleshlight (and thus Tony’s cock), in her hand. She slid the toy up and down a couple times, before flipping a switch on the side of it. Instantly, Tony leaned back and started writhing in pleasure. Then she flipped it off.“Good, Tony. You may take your seat.” He did, as Ms. Sharon continued, pulling the next toy out of the bag. “This is sometimes called a magic wand. The tip of it vibrates with a much higher intensity than the dildos, and can be controlled by a switch on the handle. It is generally used by women to rub their clitoris. Who would like to volunteer to demonstrate the wand?”Nobody raised their hand, at first, but eventually Barbara volunteered. She stood, took the usual spot on the table, and spread her legs. Ms. Sharon handed her the wand, and Barbara turned it on and started rubbing it against her cunt. Ms. Sharon gave her a few tips before sending her back to her seat.“Next, we have our first two-person toy.” said Ms. Sharon, as she pulled two small, metal objects, about 2 inches long, out of her bag. “These are remote controlled vibrators. A girl inserts it into her vagina, and the remote controls the intensity of the vibration. It can be used by a single person, but today we will use it in pairs. I have two of them, so we need two females. Since our last toy also needs two females, I will ask for one female volunteer, and two males, please. I will be the other female.”Most of the boy’s hands shot up, but none of the girls. Ms. Sharon picked Filipe and Ken. After another moment, I decided to volunteer. I’d rather have this toy, than be forced into whatever the next one was.“Alright, Samantha, take a seat up here. We’ll both insert them at the same time.”I sat on the edge of the table, and spread my legs apart. Then, Ms. Sharon and I pushed the small metal devices completely into our cunts. Then we stood up.“How does that feel, Samantha?” asked Ms. Sharon.“A little cold, but fine otherwise,” I replied.“Good. Alright, Ken, you get my remote, and Filipe, you get Samantha’s.” She handed them to the students. “For the rest of today’s class, feel free to switch our toys on and off, and increase the intensity, whenever you’d like, but please refrain from making us orgasm until the end of class.”I started walking back to my seat. Both the boys looked at their remotes. Filipe asked, “Does this knob increase the intensity?” as he turned it all the way up.I lost my balance, and leaned on the table, as a loud moan escaped from my mouth. The vibration was very intense. “Yes, Ken,” I heard Ms. Sharon say, “that’s the intensity. You can see that at full blast, it’s hard for the receiver to do much of anything else.”“I see,” said Ken as he turned it down to about halfway. “Sorry about the surprise, Samantha. I just wanted to test it out.”I stood back up, and walked back to my seat, as I replied, “It’s alright.”Ms. Sharon said, “That’s exactly how it should be used: at random times, to surprise the receiver. However, please don’t disrupt the class.” She pulled the last toy from her bag. “As I said earlier, this last toy is designed to be used by two females. Since we only have two remaining, I’ll ask that Nicole and Amy please come up here now.”They were both a bit hesitant, but they didn’t have much choice. It had to be demonstrated, and there were only two cunts left that weren’t already full or being rubbed: Nicole’s and Amy’s. They both walked to the front, and waited for Ms. Sharon to give them instructions.“Thank you, both,” she said, holding up the final toy, “This is a double dildo. At either end, there is a cock-shaped rubber shaft, and in the middle there is a handle. Generally, this is used by two females, but you can use it alone as well. Both of you, please lie on the table, with your heads facing away from each other.”They did as Ms. Sharon said. The table was a bit small, so both of their heads were hanging off the ends. Once they were in position, Ms. Sharon continued.“Good. Now, please spread your legs, and scoot a little closer to each other.” They did so. “Thank you. I’ll start with Amy, and then Nicole.”Amy looked down and saw Ms. Sharon put some lube on the tip of one end, then put the tip of the dildo at the entrance of her cunt. Ms. Sharon slowly slid it inside of her.“Good. Now, I’m going to need to slide it all the way in, so I can get it to the entrance of Nicole’s hole.”I saw the dildo slide further and further into Amy’s cunt, and finally it stopped. Then Ms. Sharon put some lube on the other end, and slowly slid it into Nicole’s cunt. I heard both of them moan as it slid inside Nicole, and out of Amy.“Good.” said Ms. Sharon, “Thank you both. Now we’re ready to demonstrate. Everyone, please stand and; Oh!.” Ms. Sharon collapsed into the chair next to the desk.I looked over and Ken had a grin on his face. Then I felt my vibrator start up as well. It slowly increased, until I couldn’t take it. I started moaning again. The moans of Ms. Sharon and I continued, as Ken and Filipe both kept the vibrators at full intensity.Ken then stood and walked to the front of the class, and said, “I’ll take over for a moment, Ms. Sharon, if you don’t mind.” Ms. Sharon nodded, and put her hand on her cunt and started rubbing. “Good. I’ll tu

When does belonging start to matter more than being right? In Part 2 of Ryan's conversation with Jordan Klepper, they dive into how mob thinking takes over, how cultural permission shifts what feels acceptable, why people double down even when the facts are clear, and how leaders shape the tone of an entire country.Jordan Klepper is a comedian, writer, and correspondent on The Daily Show. You can follow him on Instagram @JordanKlepper and check out his upcoming live show dates on his website https://www.officialjordanklepper.com/

In the second of our two-part panel discussion from Morgan Stanley's TMT conference, our analysts break down the complexity of financing AI's infrastructure and the technological disruption happening across industries.Read more insights from Morgan Stanley.----- Transcript -----Michelle Weaver: Welcome back to Thoughts on the Market, and welcome to part two of our conversation live from the Technology, Media and Telecom conference. I'm Michelle Weaver, U.S. Thematic and Equity Strategist at Morgan Stanley. Today we're continuing our conversation with Stephen Byrd, Josh Baer and Lindsay Tyler. This time looking at financing AI and some of the risks to the story. It's Friday, March 6th at 11am in San Francisco. So yesterday we spoke about AI adoption. And while there's a lot of excitement on this theme, there've also been some concerns bubbling up. Lindsay, I want to start with you around financing. That's another critical component of the AI build out. What's your latest on the magnitude of the data center financing gap, and what role [are] credit markets playing here? Lindsay Tyler: Yeah, in partnership with Thematic Research, Stephen and team, and colleagues across fixed income research last summer, we did put out a note, thinking about the data center financing gap, right? So, Stephen and team modeled a $3 trillion global data center CapEx need over a four-year timeframe. So, in partnership with fixed income across asset classes, we thought: okay, how will that really be funded? And we came to the conclusion that the hyperscalers, the high quality hyperscalers, generate a good amount of cash flow, right? So, there's cash from ops that can fund approximately half of that. But then we think that fixed income markets are critical to fund the rest of the funding gap. And really private credit is the leader in that and then aided by corporate credit and also securitized credit. What we've seen since is that yes, private credit has served a role. There is this difference between private credit 1.0, which is more of that middle market direct lending. And then private credit 2.0, which is more ABF – Asset Based Finance or Asset Backed Finance. And what we see there is an interest in leases of hyperscaler tenants, right? We've also seen in the market over the past nine months or so, investment grade bond issuance by hyperscalers. Obviously, a use of cash flow by hyperscalers. We've seen the construction loans with banks and also private credit per reports. We've also seen high yield bond issuance, which is kind of a new trend for construction financing. We've seen ABS and CMBS as well. And then something new that's emerging in focus for investors is more of a chip-backed or compute contract backed financings, like more creative solutions. We're really in early innings of the spend right now. And so, there is this shift. As we start to work through the construction early phases, the next focus is: okay, but what about the chips? And so, I think a big focus is that, you know, chips are more than 50 percent of the spend for if you're looking at a gigawatt site. And it depends what type of chips and kind of what generation. But that's the next leg of this too. So, it's kind of a focus, you know, for 2026. Michelle Weaver: And how do you view balance sheet leverage and financing when you think about hyperscaler debt raising magnitude and timelines? Lindsay Tyler: So just to bring it down to more of a basic level, if you need compute, you really might need two things, right? A powered shell and then the chips. And so, if you're looking for that compute, you could kind of go in three basic ways. You could look to build the shell and kind of build and buy the whole thing. You could lease the shell, from, you know, a developer, maybe a Bitcoin miner too – that is converted to HBC. And then you kind of buy the chips and you put them in yourselves. Or you could lease all the compute; quote unquote lease, it's more of a contract. In terms of the funding, if you're thinking about the cash flows of some of the big companies – think of that as primarily being put towards chip spend. If you're thinking about the construction that's kind of split between cash CapEx but also leases. And so, what we've seen is that there is more than [$]600 billion of un-commenced lease obligations that will commence over the next two to five years, across the big four or five players. And then my equity counterparts estimate around [$]700 billion of cash CapEx that needs this year for some of those players as well. So, these are big numbers. But that's kind of how, at a basic level, they're approaching some of the financing. It's a split approach. Michelle Weaver: And what have you learned around financing the past few days at the conference? Anything incremental to share there? Lindsay Tyler: Sure. Yeah. I think I found confirmation of some key themes here at the conference. The first being that numerous funding buckets are available. That was a big focus of our note last year is that you can kind of look at asset level financing. You can look at public bonds, you can look at some equity. There are these different funding buckets available.The second is that tenant quality matters for construction financing. I think I've seen this more in the markets than maybe at this conference over the past two to three weeks. But that has been a focus of pricing for the deals, but also market depth for the deals. A third confirmation of a key theme was around the neo clouds and also the GPU as a service business models. Thinking about those creative financings, right. Are they thinking about from their compute counterparties? Would they like upfront payments? Might they look to move financing off [the] balance sheet, if they have a very high-quality investment grade rated counterparty? So, there is some of this evolution around those solutions. And then a fourth key theme is just around the credit support. And Stephen has and I have talked about this around some of the Bitcoin miners – is that, you know, there can be these higher quality investment grade players that might look to lend their credit support. Maybe a lease backstop to other players in the ecosystem in order to get a better pricing on construction financing. And we are seeing some press pickup around how that might play out in chip financing down the road too. Michelle Weaver: Mm-hmm. AI driven risk and potential disruption has been a big feature of the price action we've seen year-to-date in this theme. Stephen, what are some asset classes or businesses you see as resistant to some of this disruption? Stephen Byrd: We spend a lot of time thinking about, sort of, asset classes that are resistant to deflation and disruption. And what's interesting is there's actually a handful of economists in the world that are doing remarkable work on this concept. That they would call it the economics of transformative AI. There are three Americans, two Canadians, two Brits, a number of others who are doing really, really interesting work. And essentially what they're looking at is what do economies look like? As we see very powerful AI enter many industries – cause price reductions, deflation… What does that do? They have a lot of interesting takeaways, but one is this idea that the relative value of assets that cannot be deflated by AI goes up. Very simple idea. But think of it this way, I mean, there's only, you know, one principle resort on Kauai. You know, there's a limited amount of metals. And so, what we go through is this list that's gotten a lot of investor attention of resistant asset classes or more of the resistant asset classes that can go up in value. So, there are obvious ones like land, though you have to be a little careful with real estate in the sense that like, office real estate probably wouldn't be where you would go. Nor would you potentially go sort of towards middle income, lower income housing. But more, you know, think of industrial REITs, higher-end real estate. But there are a lot of other categories that are interesting to me. All kinds of infrastructure should be quite resistant, all kinds of critical materials. Metals should do extremely well in this. But then when you go beyond that, it's actually kind of interesting that there; arguably there's a longer list than those classic sort of land and metals examples.Examples here would be compute… Michelle Weaver: Mm-hmm. Stephen Byrd: I thought Jensen put it, well, you know, if there's a limited amount of infrastructure available, you want to put the best compute. And ultimately, in some ways, intelligence becomes the new coin of the realm in the world, right? So, I would want to own the purveyors of intelligence. It could include high-end luxury. It could include unique human experiences. So, I don't know how many of y'all have children who are sort of college age. But my children are college age, and they absolutely hate what they would call AI slop.They want legit human content, and they seek it out. And they absolutely hate it when they see bad copies of human content. And so, I think there is a place in many parts of the economy for unique human experiences, unique human content, and it's interesting to kind of seek out where that might be in the economy. So those would be some examples of resistant assets. Michelle Weaver: Mm-hmm. Josh, software's been at really the center of this AI disruption debate. How would you compare the current pullback in software multiples to prior periods of peak uncertainty? And do you think any of these concerns are valid? Or how are you thinking about that? Josh Baer: Great question. I mean, software multiples on an EV to sales basis are down 30 – 35 percent just from the fall, I will say. And that's overall in the group. A lot of stocks, multiple handfuls, are down 60-70 percent over the last year. And what's being priced in is really peak uncertainty, a lot of fear. And these multiples, now four times sales – takes us all the way back about 10 years to the shift to cloud. And this time in many ways reminds us of that period of peak fear. In this case, what's being priced in is terminal value risk. We talked about this TAM yesterday. But you know, who is going to win that share? How is it divided from a competitive perspective across these model providers? The LLMs with new entrants. Of course, the incumbents. And this other idea of in-housing. Michelle Weaver: Mm-hmm. Josh Baer: So, there's competitive risk, there's business model risk. Are companies going to need to change their pricing models from seat-based to consumption or hybrid. And then last margin risk. Just thinking about the higher input costs and higher capital intensity. And so, you know, all of those fears are being priced in right now. Michelle Weaver: And we, of course though, had a bunch of these companies live with us at the conference. How are they responding to some of these risks? How are they addressing these investor concerns? Josh Baer: Most of the companies here from our coverage are the incumbent software vendors. And I think that the leadership teams did a really nice job coming out and defending their competitive moats and really articulating the story of why they are in a great position to capitalize on the opportunity. And the reasons can vary across different companies. But some of the commonalities are around enterprise grade, trust, security, governance, acceptance from IT organizations.The idea of vibe coding all apps in an organization get squashed when you actually talk to companies and chief information officers. For some companies there's proprietary data moats, network effects. All of that's on top of existing customer relationships. And so, you know, that was the message from the companies that we had. That we're the incumbents. We get to use all of the same innovative AI technology in the same way that all these different competitive buckets do. But we have, you know, that differentiation in that moat. And so, we're in a good place. Michelle Weaver: I want to wrap on a positive note. Stephen, what did you hear at the conference that you're most excited about? Stephen Byrd: I'd say the life sciences. A few investors pointed out that perhaps AI has a PR problem these days. And I do think showing a significant benefit to humanity in terms of improved health outcomes, whether that's just better diagnosis, you know. Away from this event, but I was in India the week before and, you know, AI can have a powerful benefit to the people who suffer the most in terms of providing very powerful medical tools in a distributed manner. So, I'm a big fan there.But you know, in many ways, curing the most challenging diseases plaguing humanity. The kind of problems involved in providing those and developing those cures are perfect for AI. So that, for me – stepping way back – that is by far the most exciting thing. Michelle Weaver: Josh, same to you. What are you most excited about? Josh Baer: From my perspective, it's potentially the turning point for software. The ability to showcase that we are at this inflection point and acceleration. To actually see that it takes time for our software companies to develop new AI technologies. Put that into products that have been tested and proven and go through the enterprise adoption cycle. And that we're at the cusp of more adoption – that's what our survey work says. And to see that inflection, I think can help to rerate this sector. Michelle Weaver: Lindsay, same question for you… Lindsay Tyler: Maybe I'll tie it to markets. I've already had a lot of more conversations with equity investors over the past, how many months? There's a big fixed income focus right now, which is a great, you know, spot and really interesting opportunity in my seat. And there's a lot of interesting structures coming to be right now in the credit space. So, I think it's an exciting time. Michelle Weaver: Lindsay, Stephen, Josh, thank you very much for joining to recap the event and let us know what you learned at the conference. To our audience, thank you for listening here live. And to our audience tuning in, thanks for listening. If you enjoy Thoughts on the Market, please leave us a review wherever you listen. And share the podcast with a friend or colleague today.

OpenAI dropped GPT-5.4 Thinking and Pro.

Thinking about trying to conceive or already trying and wondering what you're missing? In this episode, I'm breaking down the fertility red flags most women ignore or are told is ‘normal'. Your period and the symptoms you experience on a day to day basis is your body's way of communicating with you. Today I'm breaking down how you can start listening to your body and what those signs are telling you. Ways to work with Corinne: Join the Mind Your Hormones Method, HERE! (Use code PODCAST for 10% off!!)Mentioned in this episode:Shop our sponsor of today's episode TempDrop here! (Use code AFCORINNE to save 10%!) Restore PCOS Fertility ProgramFREE TRAINING! How to build a hormone-healthy, blood-sugar-balancing meal! (this is pulled directly from the 1st module of the Mind Your Hormones Method!) Access this free training, HERE!Join the Mind Your Hormones Community to connect more with me & other members of this community!Come hang out with me on Instagram: @corinneangealicaOr on TikTok: @corinneangelicaEmail Fam: Click here to get weekly emails from meMind Your Hormones Instagram: @mindyourhormones.podcast Disclaimer: always consult your doctor before taking any supplementation. This podcast is intended for educational purposes only, not to diagnose or treat any conditions. 

What your mind is filled with, so is your heart--and your actions. Fill your hearts with things that produce good overflow. Broadcast #7016To help support this podcast, please visit walkwiththeking.org/donate and select "Podcast" from the dropdown menuA transcript of this broadcast is available on our website here. To hear more from Bob Cook, you can find Walk With The King on Facebook or Instagram.

Mastering the Human Element of Sales and Leadership with Shad TidlerIn a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sat down with Shad Tidler, a senior consultant and coach specializing in Sales and Leadership/Management at Lushin. The conversation dived deep into the psychological barriers that often prevent talented entrepreneurs from scaling their sales organizations and leading with true impact. Shad's expertise lies in dismantling the "head trash" that complicates the sales process, helping leaders transition from a state of reactive management to one of proactive, high-performance coaching. For any founder feeling stuck in the "doer" role, this episode provides a masterclass in shifting perspective to unlock sustainable business growth.Bridging the Gap Between Sales Strategy and Leadership ExecutionA common struggle for growing businesses is the disconnect between the desire for higher revenue and the actual leadership behaviors required to support a sales team. Many founders are excellent at closing deals themselves but struggle to replicate that success within their team because they treat management as an administrative task rather than a coaching discipline. To bridge this gap, leaders must first achieve clarity on their own "sales DNA"—the underlying beliefs and habits that dictate how they interact with prospects and employees. By addressing these foundational elements, a leader can stop micromanaging the "what" and start influencing the "how," creating a culture where accountability is embraced rather than feared.Developing a high-performance sales culture also requires a fundamental shift in how we view the sales process itself: it is not about "convincing" people, but about qualifying them through rigorous discovery. Shad points out that many sales teams fail because they spend too much time chasing low-probability prospects due to a psychological need for approval. By implementing a structured, repeatable sales system, organizations can remove the emotional guesswork from the pipeline. This allows leadership to accurately forecast growth and identify specific skill gaps within their team. When sales becomes a predictable system rather than an emotional rollercoaster, the entire organization benefits from increased stability and focus.Ultimately, the most successful leaders are those who invest in their own development to stay ahead of the challenges that come with scaling. Leadership and sales are both skills that require continuous refinement and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths about one's own performance. This is where external coaching becomes a vital asset; it provides the objective mirror necessary to spot the "head trash" that internal teams are often too close to see. By focusing on the intersection of mindset and methodology, entrepreneurs can build resilient teams that are equipped to thrive in competitive markets, ensuring that the mission of the business is supported by a robust, self-sustaining engine of growth.About Shad TidlerShad Tidler is a seasoned consultant and coach at Lushin, specializing in sales, management, and leadership development. With a background in helping businesses navigate complex growth phases, Shad focuses on the human side of business—addressing the beliefs, behaviors, and techniques that drive or hinder professional success. He is passionate about helping individuals and teams overcome psychological barriers to reach their full potential.About LushinLushin is a sales and leadership consulting firm dedicated to helping businesses achieve predictable, sustainable growth. By focusing on the psychology of sales and management, Lushin provides the training, coaching, and systems necessary to build high-performing organizations. They work with companies to refine their sales processes, develop effective leaders, and create cultures of high accountability and performance.Links Mentioned in This EpisodeLushin Website: www.lushin.comShad Tidler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shadtidlerKey Episode HighlightsOvercoming "Head Trash": Understanding the psychological barriers and limiting beliefs that prevent sales professionals from asking the tough questions.The Manager vs. Coach Distinction: Why the most successful sales leaders spend their time coaching behavior rather than just managing metrics.Sales DNA and Belief Systems: How your underlying beliefs about money and authority impact your ability to close deals and lead teams.Systematizing the Discovery Process: The importance of a structured sales methodology to remove emotional bias and improve lead qualification.Cultivating Accountability: Shifting organizational culture so that team members take ownership of their results and growth.ConclusionShad Tidler's approach reminds us that business growth is as much about personal evolution as it is about strategy. By refining the "human engine" behind your sales and leadership, you create a foundation for success that can withstand the pressures of scaling.More from The Thoughtful Entrepreneur

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You can't forecast cash flow if you're just guessing. In this episode, I break down why so many real estate investors and business owners operate on what I call the “hope and pray” plan—hoping enough deals close and praying there's money left over at the end of the month.I walk through what cash-flow forecasting actually means for a real estate business that's running multiple deals at once. We talk about why forecasting doesn't have to be complicated, how reserves change the way you make decisions, and how a simple system like Profit First gives you the visibility you need to stop reacting to your finances and start planning your business with confidence.Timeline Highlights[0:26] Why guessing is not the same as forecasting cash flow[1:10] Why most entrepreneurs run their businesses without a real financial plan[1:34] The dangers of the “hope and pray” approach to finances[2:12] Why forecasting sounds complicated but doesn't have to be[3:01] How Profit First helps you understand where every dollar goes[3:43] Why reserves are the foundation of effective forecasting[4:24] How three months of reserves gives you options and flexibility[5:00] Forecasting as goal management, not financial complexity[6:12] How reserves help you make strategic business decisions[6:28] Why chasing deal volume can destroy profitability[7:24] Thinking like a long-term business owner instead of a short-term operator[8:01] How dashboards and financial data improve forecasting decisions[9:18] Why business owners need the right financial data to lead effectively[10:13] How forecasting, dashboards, and Profit First work togetherKey TakeawaysForecasting is not guessing—it's planning based on real numbers.Many businesses operate on hope instead of financial strategy.Cash reserves create the breathing room needed for smart decisions.Forecasting is simply goal management for your business.Profit First helps clarify where every dollar is going.Financial dashboards turn data into actionable insights.Successful businesses plan their numbers—success is not accidental.Links & ResourcesBook a free discovery call to build forecasting and financial clarity into your business: profitrei.comClosingThanks for spending time with me today. If this episode helped you see how forecasting can bring clarity and confidence to your business, make sure to follow the show, leave a review, and share it with another investor or entrepreneur who's tired of guessing with their numbers. And if you're ready to build real systems around your finances with guidance and accountability, visit profitrei.com and book your free discovery call to start creating financial clarity and freedom.

In today's episode Vickie interviews her client, Shannon, about a recent trip to Walt Disney World with her daughter.  Join us as she shares details of a wonderful trip and magical experiences! Follow us on all our social media accounts on Facebook and on Twitter at @Mousecapadespod. Thinking about being a guest on our show, or have a question or comment? Contact us anytime via text or phone at 636-373-4497. Have a magical day my friends!

Thinking about moving to Mexico and wondering how residency actually works? In this episode of Live by Design - Mexico Edition, host Taniel Chemsian sits down with immigration expert Sofía Rodríguez Espinosa to break down everything you need to know about Mexican residency, work visas, and citizenship options. They explain the difference between temporary and permanent residency, how to meet economic solvency requirements, common mistakes at Mexican consulates, and what retirees and families should prepare before applying. You'll also learn why getting a Mexican tax ID, opening a local bank account, and securing a residency card are critical first steps to living in Mexico legally and smoothly. Whether you're researching the Mexico retirement visa, applying for a work permit in Mexico, or exploring a long-term path toward Mexican citizenship, this episode provides practical guidance and expert insight to help you avoid delays and confidently start your life under the Mexican sun.   Key Moments:  00:00 Foreign Worker Hiring Process 04:07 Mexican Residency vs. Tax Codes 08:53 Printed Documents Are Still Necessary 12:38 "Residency Card Process Simplified" 15:27 "Bank Statements and Visa Processes" 17:42 Fraud Checks Ensure Document Validity 22:32 Mexico Citizenship Requirements Explained   How to contact Sofia Rodríguez Espinosa :    Website : https://immigrationpros.com.mx/ Email: info@immigrationpros.com.mx Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/immigrationprosmx/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImmigrationProsMexico   Feeling overwhelmed about buying in Mexico? Chat TCP, our AI-powered assistant, guides you to stress-free homeownership. Click here to start using Chat TCP: https://tanielchemsian.com/chat-tcp/?utm_source=youtube_lbd_mex   Want to own a home in Mexico? Start your journey with confidence - download your FREE “Buyer's Guide” now for expert tips and clear steps to make it happen! Click here - https://tanielchemsian.com/buyers-gui...   Discover why everyone is falling in love with Puerto Vallarta real estate: https://tanielchemsian.com/puerto-vallarta-real-estate/   Join the ‘Taniel Chemsian Properties' YouTube channel to learn what you need to know about Puerto Vallarta real estate. https://www.youtube.com/@TanielChemsian   Join our ‘Live By Design: Mexico Edition' podcast: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0VfClD5... Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/032... YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@livebydesignmexicoedition   Contact Information: Email: info@tanielchemsian.com Website: https://tanielchemsian.com/ Mex Office: +52.322.688.7435 USA/CAN Office: +1.323.798.8893

Thinking about rescuing a parrot or adopting from a bird rescue? In this episode, we explore the realities of parrot rescue and life as a bird owner.Parrot rescues around the world are overflowing with birds needing homes, yet many people don't fully understand what adopting a rescue parrot involves. In this episode, certified professional bird trainer Sophie joins us to talk about rescuing parrots, rehoming birds, and the realities of bringing new parrots into your home.We also discuss the honest side of being a bird parent, from the scariest moments we've experienced with parrots to the challenges many owners don't expect. 

In this episode, Jon Sanchez and Dwight Millard analyze the recent market turbulence caused by geopolitical tensions, oil price spikes, and economic data. They provide insights on investor behavior, market opportunities, and strategic responses to volatility.Chapters00:00 Market Overview and Investor Sentiment04:20 Understanding Market Reactions to Global Events10:36 Oil Prices and Their Impact on the Economy13:26 Mortgage Rates and Consumer Behavior18:48 Consumer Spending Trends Amid Economic Uncertainty19:41 Navigating Economic Turbulence21:31 Understanding Market Reactions23:29 Identifying Buying Opportunities29:18 The Impact of Oil Prices on the Economy30:18 Analyzing Productivity and Labor Costs33:23 Long-Term Investment Perspectives36:30 Disclaimer Resources & LinksSanchez Gaunt Wealth ManagementConnect with Jon SanchezLinkedInFacebookInstagramYouTubeBlog

Episode 632: Thinking about buying an electric car? Steve and Ryan do the math on EV versus gas to help you make a smart, informed decision. Then, they show you how to handle the often-uncomfortable process of car negotiation in a way that can dramatically lower what you pay.

Thinking about a greenhouse but unsure where to start? We take you through a clear, practical roadmap for choosing a structure that won't buckle in the first storm and will pay you back with tomatoes, peppers, and salads long after the summer fades. Drawing on listener questions from recent workshops and a lively grow-your-own webinar, we unpack siting, materials, and the small decisions that make a big difference to yield and ease of use.We start with the real gains: longer seasons on both ends of the year, reliable warm conditions for tender crops in the Irish climate, and a daily rhythm that makes fresh herbs an arm's-length habit. Then we get into the site plan. Keep it close to the kitchen for quick harvests. Prioritise overall sun capture rather than obsessing over a north–south ridge. If your garden is exposed, put shelter first and sun second; a greenhouse that stays put produces more than one that sails away. Clean glazing matters more than you think, and rainwater harvesting is best designed in from day one.Next, we compare greenhouse types without brand hype. Glasshouses win on looks and heat retention, with options for toughened safety glass and long-term durability. Polytunnels deliver the most space per euro and can last many years when frames are strong and covers are tight, but they need proper ventilation. Modern polycarbonate houses—especially twin-wall and storm-ready builds—have proven themselves recently, offering warmth and resilience if assembled with quality fixings. Across all types, the rule holds: buy the best you can afford, secure every panel, and size up because you will fill it.Inside, layout is simple and effective: ground beds on soil for better rooting and easier care, raised beds only if you're on hardstanding or need extra height for access. Create airflow, plan clear paths, and leave room for a chair. We also share how to manage spring's wild temperature swings—vent when sunny, protect before cold nights, and ease seedlings into change. By the end, you'll know where to put your greenhouse, which build suits your site, and which features to lock in from the start.If this guide helped, follow the show, share it with a gardening friend, and leave a quick review to help others find us. Got a greenhouse question we didn't cover? Send it our way and we'll tackle it next.Support the showIf there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know. Email: info@mastermygarden.com Check out Master My Garden on the following channels Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/ Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/ Until next week Happy gardening John

In this episode of The Pumped On Property Show, you'll learn about: 1. The Math of 7%: How a $230k build can generate $400 to $600+ per week in rent, effectively "rate-proofing" your mortgage. 2. 2026 Zoning Secrets: The latest state-by-state planning changes are making it easier (and faster) to get approvals than ever before. 3. The Multigenerational Boom: Why rental demand for secondary dwellings has hit an all-time high this year. 4. Manufactured Equity: How to ensure your build adds more value to the property than it costs to construct. 5. Case Studies: Real numbers from the Pumped On Property community on recent dual-occupancy completions. Thinking about buying an investment property in Australia in the next 3 to 12 months?  Then book your free strategy session here: https://www.pumpedonproperty.com/free-strategy-session  What can you expect from your free strategy session? In your strategy session, we will discuss: 1. Where you are right now 2. Where you want to be long-term 3. What's been holding you back from achieving your property investment goals until now 4. Your next action steps      You'll walk away from the call with a clear plan in place and the confidence you need to invest in your next property. DISCLAIMER The viewer acknowledges and agrees that:  (a) Pumped on Property (POP) is not a licensed financial services adviser, accountant, solicitor, builder, engineer, architect, town planner or property manager;  (b) POP is a licensed real estate agent who conducts business as a 'buyer's agent.  (c) POP conveys the information provided on this channel as general information only and is not tailored to the listener's particular financial circumstances or expectations;  (d) The information provided on this channel cannot be relied upon by the listener as providing any advice upon which the viewer might rely in making any decision concerning their financial circumstances or the sale or purchase of any real property;  (e) The use to which the listener may make of the information provided on this video channel is subject to the listener seeking independent professional advice from legal, financial, taxation and accounting advisers before making any decision affecting their financial circumstances or the sale or purchase of any real property;  (f) The information provided in this channel, given that it is general in nature, is not suitable or applicable to the listener's individual circumstances, needs, objectives or expectations;  (g) In providing the information on this channel, POP has made no representation, provided no advice, and given no warranty or promise as to the suitability, or otherwise, of any investment in any real property; (h) POP is unable to predict the short or long-term future of the global Australian financial market or the property markets and acknowledges that prices may rise, fall, or be stagnant for long periods of time, and that POP has no control over the market or any returns to any investor in the market; (i) POP has made no representation, promise or warranty as to the competence of any third-party service providers referred to on this channel. I acknowledge that I have read and understood the disclaimer with respect to POP's services set out above before accessing this channel.

Daniel Coyle shares how to infuse ordinary work moments with greater meaning, joy, and fulfillment.— YOU'LL LEARN — 1) Why shared improvement beats self-improvement 2) The three minute visualization that liberates tremendous clarity3) Why vulnerability comes before trust–not after Subscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1134 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT DANIEL — Daniel Coyle is the New York Times bestselling author of The Culture Code, which was named Best Business Book of the Year by Bloomberg, BookPal, and Business Insider. Coyle has served as an advisor to many high-performing organizations, including the Navy SEALs, Microsoft, Google, and the Cleveland Guardians. His other books include The Talent Code, The Secret Race, The Little Book of Talent, and Hardball: A Season in the Projects, which was made into a movie starring Keanu Reeves. Coyle was raised in Anchorage, Alaska, and now lives in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, during the school year and in Homer, Alaska, during the summer with his wife, Jenny, and their four children.• Book: Flourish: The Art of Building Meaning, Joy, and Fulfillment• Website: DanielCoyle.com— RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Tool: Graph Gear mechanical pencil • Book: The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe• Book: Atomic Habits by James Clear • Past episode: 267: Managing Self-Doubt to Tackle Bigger Challenges with Tara Mohr• Past episode: 707: Amy Edmondson on How to Build Thriving Teams with Psychological Safety• Past episode: 732: How Aspiring Leaders Can Succeed Today with Clay Scroggins• Past episode: 830: Lessons Learned from the World's Longest Scientific Study on Happiness with Dr. Robert Waldinger— THANK YOU SPONSORS! — • Monarch.com. Get 50% off your first year on with the code AWESOME.• Vanguard. Give your clients consistent results year in and year out with vanguard.com/AUDIO• Shopify. Sign up for your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/betterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Since the beginning of this podcast in 2015, I've thought a lot about how I can use YouTube to maximize the impact of STC. I've pondered many questions about the sustainability of this endeavor and whether I should be creating separate content on YouTube or simply repurposing these podcast episodes on YouTube.As a result of coaching, taking courses, and obsessively (nerdily) studying YouTube, I have decided to finally leap into YouTube in 2024. In today's session, I'll share what went into this decision for me and what you should consider as a current or aspiring therapist podcaster. You'll Learn:How our fears are usually rooted in some sort of trauma or feeling unseen or unheardTop considerations for me in starting out on YouTube:YouTube is intentionally appealing to podcasters and is becoming an ever more popular podcast platform.Putting a video editing team in place makes the jump to YouTube much easier.YouTube (owned by Google) is very beneficial for discoverability and SEO.I plan to use the best of both playlists (podcasts, YouTube) and feed platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn).I plan to use “Walden months” to prioritize self-care and big projects. (My inspiration is the commitment to be a fully present family man and what I learned from Tim Ferris' 2020 blog, 11 Reasons Not To Become Famous.)How I plan to keep you updated and document my YouTube journey in the weekly STC Newsletter Why I'm grateful for the support of STC listeners on this new path that has me feeling vulnerable, nervous, and fearful--Want to launch your online course or YouTube channel?Save your spot for our free live webinar: The Calm YouTube Flywheel here!Or check out our new membership site! Find out more and get on the Haven Waitlist here.

FREE TRAINING — Last Minute Life Push- How to Finish Q1 StrongTurn conversations you're already having into life insurance sales before the quarter ends.

Aligning Mission and Marketing: Strategic Insights from Andrew Schulkind of AndigoIn a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sat down with Andrew Schulkind, the Digital Strategist and Web Developer behind Andigo. Their conversation explored the critical intersection of high-level digital strategy and mission-driven business growth. Andrew shares how organizations—particularly B Corps and public benefit corporations—can bridge the gap between their core purpose and their marketing execution. This episode serves as a masterclass for leaders looking to move beyond tactical "noise" to build an authentic, long-term digital presence that reflects their true impact and drives sustainable performance.Beyond the Hype: Strategic Marketing for Mission-Driven SuccessFor many mission-driven organizations, the greatest challenge isn't a lack of purpose, but a disconnect between their internal values and their external marketing. Andrew explains that marketing is fundamentally a promise-making engine; if the operational reality of the business fails to deliver on those promises, the brand erodes. High-achieving founders often find that their digital presence has become a "snapshot" that no longer reflects the "moving picture" of their evolving company. To solve this, businesses must transition from one-off projects to a model of continuous improvement, where messaging and operations are in constant lockstep to ensure every customer interaction reinforces the brand's integrity.In an era dominated by the rapid rise of AI and automation, the competitive advantage for B2B firms is shifting away from mere content production toward high-level strategy and radical authenticity. While AI can act as a powerful productivity expander, it cannot replace the strategic direction required to navigate complex market shifts. Andrew advocates for a "flight to strategy," where leaders use technology to automate repetitive tasks while leaning deeper into the human nuances of storytelling and relationship-building. Audiences today crave a real human voice behind the brand, and businesses that leverage AI to free up their team's creative capacity—rather than simply replacing it—will be the ones that build lasting trust.Success in the digital landscape also requires a shift in how agencies and clients collaborate. Rather than transactional vendor relationships, Andrew emphasizes the value of flexible, long-term partnerships that allow for agile pivots as market conditions change. By implementing robust measurement systems and maintaining a focus on transparency, organizations can ensure their marketing investments are yielding a tangible return on impact. This approach allows mission-driven leaders to stay focused on their "double bottom line"—profit and purpose—knowing that their digital strategy is robust enough to support both without compromising the authenticity that defines their brand.About Andrew SchulkindAndrew Schulkind is a veteran Digital Strategist and Web Developer with a deep passion for helping mission-driven businesses thrive. As an avid year-round cyclist and advocate for B Corps, Andrew brings a unique perspective on resilience and alignment to every project. He is known for his ability to translate complex technical requirements into clear, strategic growth paths for organizations that prioritize impact.About AndigoAndigo is a digital strategy and web development agency that specializes in working with B2B firms, public benefit corporations, and mission-driven organizations. The agency focuses on building long-term, flexible partnerships that prioritize continuous improvement, authentic storytelling, and strategic alignment. Andigo helps clients move beyond surface-level marketing to create digital systems that truly reflect and amplify their organizational mission.Links Mentioned in This EpisodeAndigo Official WebsiteAndrew Schulkind on LinkedInKey Episode HighlightsThe Promise-Delivery Loop: Why marketing alignment is the foundation of brand trust and long-term customer retention.The "Flight to Strategy": How to utilize AI as a task-automation tool while doubling down on human-led strategic direction.Resilience in Motion: Lessons from year-round cycling on preparation, visibility, and adapting to harsh environmental shifts.Mission-Driven Storytelling: Leveraging a company's "why" to create more compelling, authentic B2B narratives.Project vs. Partnership: The benefits of moving toward a continuous improvement model rather than stagnant, one-off web projects.ConclusionThis conversation with Andrew Schulkind highlights that in a world of increasing automation, the most successful brands are those that remain anchored in their mission and human connection. By aligning your operations with your marketing promises, you create a resilient foundation for growth that transcends digital trends.More from The Thoughtful Entrepreneur

Send a textIn this special emergency episode of The Wall Street Skinny, we sat down with Andreas Laskaratos, CEO of AB Commodities Group, a global oil and gas shipping and trading firm with operations spanning Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Andreas is one of the few people in the world who operates across both the physical and financial sides of the commodities complex, and he's been a longtime friend of the show.With Iran blockading the Strait of Hormuz, shipping rates spiking 5x overnight, and 20% of global oil flow suddenly in question, there was no one we wanted to talk to more. Andreas walks us through the mechanics of what's actually happening when it comes to oil, natural gas, and the broader commodities complex.We cover everything from the basics (WTI vs. Brent, what actually comes out of a barrel of crude, why it costs Saudi Arabia $5 to extract oil and the U.S. $50) to the trades being put on right now, why China is likely hurting the most, and what the 45-day timeline to $150 oil actually looks like. Andreas also had his war insurance canceled in real time while we were recording, which pretty much tells you everything you need to know about where things stand.Whether you work in finance, energy, or you're just trying to understand why your gas prices look the way they do this is the best crash course you'll get in commodities in under an hour.For a 14 day FREE Trial of Macabacus, click HEREShop our Self Paced Courses: Investment Banking & Private Equity Fundamentals HEREFixed Income Sales & Trading HERE Wealthfront.com/wss. This is a paid endorsement for Wealthfront. May not reflect others' experiences. Similar outcomes not guaranteed. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. Rate subject to change. Promo terms apply. If eligible for the boosted rate of 4.15% offered in connection with this promo, the boosted rate is also subject to change if base rate decreases during the 3 month promo period.The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC ("Wealthfront Brokerage"), Member FINRA/SIPC. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") on cash deposits as of 11/7/25, is representative, requires no minimum, and may change at any time. The APY reflects the weighted average of deposit balances at participating Program Banks, which are not allocated equally. Wealthfront Brokerage sweeps cash balances to Program Banks, where they earn the variable APY. Sources HERE.

In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Stephen Witt, award-winning journalist and author of The Thinking Machine, which has been named Business Book of the Year by Financial Times. Witt writes about Jensen Huang's improbable journey from near-bankruptcy in the 1990s GPU wars to leading NVIDIA at the center of the AI revolution. Witt unpacks how NVIDIA defeated nearly 70 competitors, why Huang began targeting “zero-billion-dollar markets,” and how CUDA became the backbone of modern AI. Key highlights from the episode: How investing in zero-billion-dollar markets created durable platform advantage The emerging bull and bear cases for NVIDIA in robotics, edge computing, and global competition The strategic lessons NVIDIA extracted from surviving a 70-competitor GPU market Why operating with a constant “near-death” mindset shaped long-term execution discipline

“Honesty doesn't have to be brutal. Honesty can be compassionate. Honesty can be respectful.” -Dr. Cory NewmanEpisode OverviewIn this episode, host Dr. Jennifer Reid sits down with Dr. Cory Newman, PhD to explore how the core principles of cognitive behavioral therapy can be woven into our everyday communication with partners, friends, family, coworkers, and even ourselves. What begins as a conversation about therapy technique quickly becomes a practical guide to navigating disagreements, setting boundaries, and showing up more compassionately in all our relationships.Throughout the conversation, Dr. Reid draws connections to her book Guilt Free: Reclaiming Your Life from Unreasonable Expectations (Penguin Life, 2026), which examines how guilt—particularly for women—shapes our communication patterns, our willingness to set boundaries, and our capacity for self-compassion.15 Key Takeaways (Dr. Newman had so many life-changing recommendations, we wanted to make sure you could read about them even if you didn't have time to listen!)1. The Three Pillars of CBTDr. Newman describes CBT as resting on three foundational principles: * A supportive therapeutic alliance* A deep understanding of the patient's lived experience (including cultural and sociological factors)* The development of practical coping skills. These skills promote agency and problem-solving rather than hopelessness and helplessness.CBT Connection: The cognitive behavioral model emphasizes that thoughts, behaviors, and emotions are interconnected. By shifting how we think and what we do, we can change how we feel (Beck, 1979).2. Communication Is Both Internal and ExternalWe tend to think of communication as what we say to others, but Dr. Newman emphasizes that internal dialogue matters just as much. CBT helps people talk to themselves more compassionately, constructively, and hopefully. That same skill then translates outward into better interpersonal communication.He also distinguishes between expressive communication (how we speak) and receptive communication (how we listen), both of which are essential to healthy relationships.Guilt Free Connection: In Guilt Free, Dr. Reid explores how harsh internal dialogue, especially the relentless voice of “I should be doing more,” fuels excessive guilt. Learning to communicate with yourself compassionately is the first step toward breaking free from unreasonable expectations.3. Start with IntentEvery meaningful conversation benefits from a clear, positive intent: to boost morale, to connect, to offer something useful, to communicate understanding. Dr. Newman suggests that even outside of therapy, we can adopt the mindset that our goal in any interaction is to leave the other person, and the relationship, in a better state than when we started.CBT Connection: Intentional communication is a behavioral intervention. By deliberately choosing our communicative goals before speaking, we interrupt automatic patterns that often lead to conflict (Beck, 1995).4. Validity + Utility: The Two-Part Test for What We SayDr. Newman introduces a powerful filter: before speaking, ask whether your comment has both validity (is it truthful?) and utility (is it useful?). Truth alone can be harsh. He pushes back on the idea of “brutal honesty.”Guilt Free Connection: The validity-utility framework directly parallels the guilt equation in Guilt Free, where guilt = our expectations (whether fair or not) minus our perceived reality. Often, guilt-driven communication passes the validity test but fails the utility test. For example, we may say things out of obligation that don't help ourselves or others.5. Intent vs. Impact: Naming the MismatchSometimes people don't mean to cause harm, but their words land that way. Dr. Newman recommends naming the gap directly: “I don't think you're trying to put me down, but the message you're sending sounds like a put-down.” This approach acknowledges the other person's good faith while still making room for your experience.CBT Connection: Distinguishing between intent and impact is central to cognitive restructuring. Cognitive distortions like mind-reading and personalization often cause us to assume malicious intent where there is none (Burns, 1980).6. Seek to Understand Before Problem-SolvingWhen someone is in distress, the instinct is often to jump straight to fixing. Dr. Newman advises leading with empathy instead: “If I were thinking the way you're describing, I'd be a nervous wreck too.” Validate first, then gently offer alternative perspectives. Problem-solving is more effective once the person feels heard.Guilt Free Connection: Dr. Reid describes a pattern she sees frequently, which is people, especially women, catastrophizing about situations and layering guilt on top. The compassionate validation Dr. Newman describes is exactly the antidote: honor the feeling, question the expectation.7. Turn Complaints into RequestsAlmost any complaint can be reframed as a request, and requests are far easier to hear. Instead of “You never reply to my voicemail messages,” try: “I'd really appreciate hearing from you, even briefly. It's hard for me when I don't hear from you.”CBT Connection: This reframing technique is a classic behavioral strategy in CBT. Converting complaints into constructive requests shifts the dynamic from blame to collaboration (Gottman & Silver, 1999).Guilt Free Connection: Dr. Reid explores how maladaptive guilt can be manipulative, such as when guilt-tripping replaces genuine requests, and relationships can suffer. Assertive communication (making requests without guilting) is key to breaking that cycle.8. Silence Fills Vacuums with AssumptionsWhen we avoid communication to spare someone's feelings—say, not RSVPing to avoid disappointing a friend—we leave a vacuum that the other person fills with their own assumptions, which are usually worse than reality. Dr. Newman advises speaking the reality, even when it's uncomfortable, because silence invites personalization and catastrophizing.Guilt Free Connection: In Guilt Free, Dr. Reid identifies avoidance as a common guilt-driven behavior: we don't say no because we don't want to disappoint, but the silence itself creates a bigger problem. Communicating honestly, even imperfectly, is almost always better than disappearing.9. Beware All-or-Nothing Thinking in CommunicationDr. Newman applies one of CBT's most foundational concepts, challenging black-and-white thinking, to our communication habits. You don't have to choose between long silences and a 90-minute heart-to-heart. A quick text saying “Thinking of you” is a powerful middle ground. He calls these “random acts of kindness through text,” which are small gestures that send a meta-message of care.CBT Connection: All-or-nothing thinking is one of the most common cognitive distortions identified in CBT. Recognizing and challenging it opens up a range of behavioral options we might not have considered (Beck, 1976).10. Match the Medium to the MessageText messaging is ideal for quick logistics and small kindnesses, but it strips away tone of voice and body language. Dr. Newman shares a vivid example of a patient whose text “I don't care” (meaning “I don't mind”) sparked a major argument with his girlfriend. For emotional or complicated conversations, choose a medium with more cues, such as phone, video, or in person.His rule of thumb: The more emotional and the more complicated the topic, the more cues are needed.11. The Gottman 20-Minute RuleDrawing on research by John and Julie Gottman, Dr. Newman describes how physiological arousal (elevated heart rate, fight-or-flight activation) makes productive conversation impossible. The Gottmans recommend taking a break during heated arguments and not resuming until at least 20 minutes after your heart rate returns to baseline.Dr. Newman applies this to everyday life: if you receive a message that makes you angry, wait until you've calmed down before responding. Otherwise, frustration will leak through even your most careful words.CBT Connection: Self-monitoring of physiological arousal is a core CBT skill. The Gottman research demonstrates that behavioral interventions (taking a break) must precede cognitive interventions (discussing the issue) when the body is in a threat state.12. Resolve to Resolve—Not to WinDr. Newman highlights one of the most destructive communication patterns: trying to win an argument rather than resolve it. He references the devastating scene in the film Marriage Story where two characters escalate insults in an attempt to out-hurt each other. When the goal shifts from understanding to victory, everyone loses.CBT Connection: The belief “I must convince the other person I'm right” is a cognitive distortion that fuels conflict. CBT teaches that making your point respectfully is already a success. Change in the other person may come later, or not at all, and that's okay (Newman, 2014).13. Never Go to Bed Angry? Not So Fast.Both Dr. Reid and Dr. Newman agree that while the spirit of this advice is sound (don't harbor resentment) the literal application can be harmful. Insisting on resolving a conflict when one partner is exhausted is destructive. The person who needs to sleep should be honored. The meta-message is: don't stonewall, but do respect each other's limits. Use a placeholder: “I want to talk this through, but right now I can't yet.”Guilt Free Connection: This scenario is a guilt trap in action. The pressure to resolve everything immediately often comes from guilt (“A good partner wouldn't go to bed angry”). Dr. Reid's framework encourages questioning whether that expectation is fair and giving yourself permission to rest.14. Setting Boundaries Without GuiltWhen repeated attempts at respectful communication are met with resistance, such as the same pressure, the same guilt trips, it's appropriate to set a firm boundary. Dr. Newman advises doing so with care: “I'd like to talk to you, but not under these conditions. When you can show some respect for what I've said, let me know.” You can walk away from that interaction knowing you handled it with integrity.Guilt Free Connection: Dr. Reid identifies “hyper-accountability,”the belief that we can and should control other people's emotional experience, as a major driver of excessive guilt, especially for women. Letting go of the need to make everyone feel okay is essential to healthy boundary-setting.15. Say the Positive Things Out LoudDr. Newman closes with a deceptively simple but powerful reminder: don't keep positive thoughts to yourself. If you have a compliment, give it. If you feel affection, express it. And one of his favorite tips: talk positively about people behind their back. It often gets back to them and can shift the entire tone of your relationships.CBT Connection: Behavioral activation, which involves increasing positive interactions and reinforcement, is a foundational CBT technique for improving mood and strengthening relationships (Lewinsohn, 1974).Thanks for reading A Mind of Her Own! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.About the GuestDr. Cory Newman, PhD is a professor of psychology in psychiatry and director of the Center for Cognitive Therapy at the University of Pennsylvania. He is also honorary faculty at the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, where he completed his postdoctoral training under the mentorship of Dr. Aaron Beck, a founding father of CBT. A founding fellow of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy, Dr. Newman has presented approximately 300 CBT workshops and seminars internationally and published over 100 articles and chapters. He is the author or co-author of six books. Fun connection: Dr. Newman is a highly accomplished pianist and has accompanied Dr. Reid for several of her vocal performances.References & Further ReadingCBT Foundations1. Beck, A. T. (1976). Cognitive Therapy and the Emotional Disorders. International Universities Press.2. Beck, J. S. (1995). Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Basics and Beyond. Guilford Press.3. Burns, D. D. (1980). Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy. William Morrow.Communication & Relationships4. Gottman, J. M. & Silver, N. (1999). The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work. Crown.From the Guest6. Newman, C. F. (2014). Core Competencies in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. Routledge.From the Host7. Reid, J. (2026). Guilt Free: Reclaiming Your Life from Unreasonable Expectations. Penguin Life.(*Notes created from transcript with assistance from Claude AI and edited by author for clarity and accuracy.)A Mind of Her OwnHosted by Dr. Jennifer Reid, MDBoard-certified psychiatrist, author, and award-winning medical educatorjenniferreidmd.com | A Mind of Her Own on Substack@jenreidmd on Instagram and LinkedIn Also check out Dr. Reid's regular contributions to Psychology Today: Think Like a ShrinkSeeking a mental health provider? Try Psychology TodayNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255Dial 988 for mental health crisis supportSAMHSA's National Helpline - 1-800-662-HELP (4357)-a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.Disclaimer:The views expressed on this podcast reflect those of the host and guests, and are not associated with any organization or academic site. Also, AI may have been used to create the transcript and notes, based only on the specific discussion of the host and guest and reviewed for accuracy.The information and other content provided on this podcast or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this website is for general information purposes only.If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult with your health care provider or seek other professional medical treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something that have read on this website, blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services (911) immediately. You can also access the National Suicide Help Line at 1-800-273-8255 or call 988 for mental health emergencies. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amindofherown.substack.com

Gareth Sapstead, my long time T-Nation writing peer joins me to talk about his new book (which I contributed to) and share wisdom and experience about:-Where to start if you look in the mirror and you're not happy with what you see-How to approach your training and nutrition if you want to change your life-How social support matters if you're aiming to change your life and health-Thinking in terms of “architecture for your life”-What his new book - 100 Best Physique Workouts offers-And much moreIG: @thefitnessmaverickCHAPTERS01:00 Why In Person Events02:34 Connections Create Careers03:41 Transformation Starting Point04:02 Assessments Online Vs In Person11:16 Gen Pop Transformation Tactics13:14 Output First Nutrition Plan15:52 Strength Training Guardrails19:55 Sustainable Deficits21:30 Sponsor Break RP Strength22:54 Environment Biggest Loser24:34 NEAT And Diet Adaptation27:02 Muscle Loss Expectations29:34 Milo And Load Bearing30:08 Fat Loss Muscle Tradeoff31:24 Skinny Fat Metabolic Health32:09 Education Over Extremes33:25 Flexible Dieting Macros34:27 Tracking To Intuition36:41 Training Structure Levels38:38 Meal Prep Lifestyle Hack41:57 Maintenance Training Phase42:55 Sponsor TrainHeroic44:15 Cardio While Learning46:59 Make Cardio Enjoyable50:49 Transformation Basics Structure53:23 100 Physique Workouts Book55:53 How To Use WorkoutsSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode helped you think more clearly about transforming your physique or your life, you can support the show by:• Subscribing and checking out more episodes• Sharing it on your social media (tag me — I'll respond)• Sending it to someone starting their transformation journeyFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP Strength App (use code COATESRP)https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJust Bite Me Meals (use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off)https://justbitememeals.comMacrosFirst – FREE Premium TrialDownload MacrosFirst and during setup you'll be asked “How did you hear about us?”Type in: ANDREWKNKG Bags (15% off)https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676Versa Gripps (discount link)https://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC – FREE 90-Day Trial (2 steps)Go to https://www.trainheroic.com/liftfreeReply to the email you receive (or email trials@trainheroic.com) and let them know Andrew sent you

A comparison of Moon Knight from 1991 and today Check out thel video version of the episode here! EPISODE 378 The High Priest Rey takes a break from the current series (waiting for the next issue!) and uses the opportunity to compare current day Moon Knight with the Fist of Khonshu from 1991! A look into the Handbook of the Marvel Universe (1991) stats plus some cool news up ahead... Tune in to find out! Shine those idols, and dust off the cape....IT'S TIME TO GET YOUR KHONSHU ON! WHERE TO HEAR US: Podcast Page Podchaser Apple Podcast Google Play Music Spotify Overcast SoundCloud Stitcher Tunein Podbean Into the Knight RSS Feed YouTube DROP US A LINE: Website: intotheknight.libsyn.com Email: feedback@itkmoonknight.com FB Page: Into the Knight- A Moon Knight Podcast Page FB Group: Into the Knight- A Moon Knight Fan Base Bluesky: Into the Knight - Bluesky X: @ITKmoonknight Instagram: ITK Moon Knight Discord ITK Server: ITK Server   CHECK OUT THESE OTHER SHOWS WE CO-HOST! Sons of the Dragon - An Immortal Iron Fist Podcast DCAU - The DC Animated Universe Podcast  Capes & Lunatics Sidekicks To Know Her Is To Fear Her: The Spider-Woman Podcast Predator & pREY - a Yautja Podcast Rey Plays Games!   OFFICIAL ITK MERCHANDISE @ DASHERY - BUY HERE! Thinking of starting your own podcast? Check out our special offer from Libsyn! CREDITS: ITK Logo Graphic Design by The High Priests of Khonshu ITK Graphic Design produced and assisted by Randolph Benoit ITK Opening Sequence for video by Chris Kelly Music Written, Performed and generously provided by Deleter Co-Producers Wayne Hunt Josh Johnson Anthony Sytko Matthew Howell Jonathan Sapsed Dan Newland Executive Producers Justin Osgood Derek O'Neill Daniel Doing Mario Di Giacomo Odin Odinsword Produced by Reynaldo Gesmundo The music for this episode contains excerpts from various songs and music copyrighted by Deleter and Brian Warshaw. The music agreed for use on Into the Knight - A Moon Knight Podcast is licensed under an Attribution License;

Episode #90: How Microsoft's AI Innovation Officer Actually Uses AI | Dr. Michael J. Jabbour on Thinking, Not Just Tools AI is changing our brains. How we work. How we think. And even how we feel.  The question isn't "Should I use AI?" It's "How do I direct the change?" Michael J. Jabbour says he uses AI for 70% of his work. "Not because it's faster. Because it would be irresponsible not to."

Most developers believe their biggest career challenges are technical. They're usually wrong. The real blockers tend to be invisible — habits, assumptions, and internal narratives that quietly control decisions, communication, and confidence. In this episode of the Building Better Developers Podcast, we talk with coach Kim Miller-Hershon about why talented developers get stuck and how a developer mindset shift creates real forward motion. Progress doesn't start when you learn a new framework. It starts when you change how you think. About Kim Miller-Hershon Kim Miller-Hershon is an international business coach, corporate trainer, and speaker who helps leaders and entrepreneurs get unstuck by thinking differently and taking action faster. She works with executives and business owners on essential leadership skills, including communication, management, and time management—always with a focus on authenticity. Kim also hosts the Unconventional Wisdom About Conventional Wisdom podcast, where clichés are challenged, and fresh thinking takes center stage. Follow Kim on Instagram, LinkedIn, and her website. The Developer Mindset Shift Starts With Seeing Your Patterns Many career frustrations repeat themselves: the same conflicts, the same hesitation to lead, the same communication breakdowns. That's not bad luck — it's a loop. We all carry internal stories about who we are and what we're capable of. Until you recognize those stories, you unconsciously act them out again and again. The moment you notice the pattern, you gain the ability to choose differently. The Awareness Rule You can't move around an obstacle you refuse to see. Coaching isn't about digging through your past — it's about identifying the behavior you're repeating today and deciding what to do next.  Forward motion starts with awareness. Changes How You View Selling Many developers avoid self-promotion because it feels dishonest or pushy. But that discomfort comes from framing it incorrectly. You may dislike selling — but you enjoy buying. Think about the last time someone helped you choose the right tool, product, or service. That interaction didn't feel manipulative. It felt helpful. That's the difference. Reframing Sales Selling isn't convincing people to want something. It's helping the right person solve the right problem. When you focus on value instead of yourself, self-promotion stops feeling uncomfortable and starts feeling professional. The Developer Mindset Shift That Fixes Communication One of the most common workplace misunderstandings looks like this: "I need you to do XYZ." "Got it." Later — ABC is delivered. Both people believe communication happened. It didn't. The fix is surprisingly simple. The Repeat-Back Technique Don't ask: Do you understand? Ask: Tell me what you heard. Until both sides say it and hear it, agreement doesn't exist — only assumptions.  Clear communication is less about talking and more about confirmation. The Developer Mindset Shift From Taking Work to Choosing Work Early in a career, you accept every opportunity available. That's normal — survival requires it. Growth requires a different behavior: saying no. The wrong project, wrong role, or wrong client can stall your progress longer than having no work at all. A developer mindset shift means understanding that movement and progress are not the same thing. Career Filter The goal isn't more work. The goal is the right work. Clarity about what you do — and who you help — eventually attracts better opportunities automatically. Why a Developer Mindset Shift Beats the Overnight Success Myth Tech culture celebrates sudden success stories. A tiny idea becomes massive overnight. Those cases exist — but they are rare. Most careers grow through iteration: testing, adjusting, and gradually aligning strengths with interests. The real goal isn't escaping where you are. It's intentionally moving toward something better.  Forward motion is direction plus consistency. Next Steps You don't get unstuck by waiting for motivation. You get unstuck by changing behavior — even slightly. Start with small actions: - Notice a repeating pattern - Reframe one uncomfortable activity - Clarify one conversation Forward motion rarely comes from a giant leap. It comes from choosing a better next step. This week, try one simple action: Ask someone to repeat back what they heard. You might be surprised how much progress starts with getting unstuck and making one small change. Stay Connected: Join the Developreneur Community

On this episode of The Association Podcast, we welcome Ravi Rooprai, Director of IT and PMO at the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT). Ravi shares his unique journey from molecular microbiology and pharmaceutical consulting into association technology leadership, bringing a scientific mindset to digital transformation and innovation.The conversation explores how MDRT is modernizing association technology by decoupling legacy systems, building scalable data ecosystems, and experimenting with AI-driven personalization. Ravi explains how his team approaches technology through experimentation, feasibility studies, and agile thinking to improve member experiences and operational efficiency.We also dive into MDRT's cutting-edge meeting technology, including large-scale multilingual interpretation powered by AI and the infrastructure required to support thousands of attendees simultaneously streaming translated sessions. Ravi discusses how associations can better leverage data, personalization, and experimentation to drive engagement, retention, and measurable member value.From building a culture of innovation to applying e-commerce thinking to membership value, this episode offers practical insights for association leaders navigating digital transformation.00:01:00 Introduction to Ravi Rooprai and MDRT00:01:30 Rapid Fire Questions00:02:40 Ravi's Career Journey from Science to Association Technology00:04:30 Lessons from Industry Applied to Associations00:05:30 Using ROI and Value Metrics in Association Technology Decisions00:07:00 Measuring Member Lifetime Value00:08:30 The Value of MDRT Membership for Financial Professionals00:10:30 Reworking Legacy AMS Systems Through Decoupled Data Architecture00:12:00 Building a Modern Data Ecosystem Around Legacy Platforms00:13:30 Scaling Membership Systems to Handle Peak Demand00:14:45 Managing 60–70K Membership Applications During Renewal Season00:16:00 Leveraging AI and Technology at Large Global Conferences00:17:00 Simultaneous Translation and Multilingual Meeting Experiences00:18:30 Solving Conference Connectivity and Infrastructure Challenges00:20:00 Improving the Member Experience Through Technology00:21:00 Favorite Tools: AI, Copilot, and Power Apps00:23:30 Empowering Staff to Experiment with Technology00:24:30 Personalization and Data-Driven Engagement00:26:00 Using Engagement Data to Shape Event Programming00:28:00 The Future of Digital Transformation in Associations00:29:00 Applying a Scientific Mindset to Technology Innovation00:31:00 Building a Culture of Experimentation and Safe Failure00:33:00 Feasibility Studies and Agile Technology Testing00:35:00 Applying E-commerce Thinking to Membership Value00:37:00 The Future of AI and Meeting Technology at MDRT00:39:00 Rethinking the Conference Experience00:40:00 Closing Thoughts 

In this short follow-up video, former Plymouth Brethren member Steve Simmons responds to the growing controversy surrounding the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC) and its use of legal action against former members who speak out.Steve urges Brethren members to watch the Get A Life Podcast episode “Corruption Creek”, episode 161, which exposes serious allegations of abuse, cover-ups, and the legal pressure being used against whistleblowers.He raises difficult questions for the church leadership and the Global Advisory Panel:• Why is legal action the first response to criticism?• Why are enormous sums spent protecting the reputation of organizations like the Rapid Relief Team (RRT)?• When criticism arises, should the response be legal action or accountability and compassion?Steve also highlights several cases involving former members who have faced lawsuits, intimidation, or ostracism after speaking out. In this video he references situations involving individuals such as Peter Bishop, Caleb Hall, and senior PBCC leader Bruce Hales, raising questions about the role of leadership and the increasing reliance on legal action within the church.This video is a call for transparency, accountability, and justice.

We wanted something cute and cozy with a hearty helping of fantasy this month, so we read 'How to Lose a Goblin in Ten Day' by Jessie Sylva, a 2026 fantasy romance about a halfling and goblin forced to share a cottage... and a bed! But before we get into it, we check in on games we've been playing, stuff we've been watching, and other pop culture we've been thinking about.Reading:Frog DetectivePenko Park (Switch 2)Watching:Shari & Lamb Chop (Prime)'Not Another 2001 Movie Podcast Watchalong'Thinking about:Survivor 50 - In the Hands of the Fans (CBS/Paramount+)Pokemon Direct (february 27, 2026)Find us on Twitter & Instagram: @NovelGamingPodSend us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.comLogo by: Katie!Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Episode 287 - The Necessary Consequence of Sin Have you ever looked at your life and quietly thought, "How did I end up here?"? Continuing their Lenten reflection on the Prodigal Son, the friars look at the hard truth: sin always leads somewhere. What begins as freedom and excitement ends in isolation, shame, and a loss of dignity. The son who demanded his inheritance finds himself alone in the pigsty, cut off from communion and facing the reality of his choices. In this episode, the friars invite us into a sober, honest look at our own lives. Not to condemn, but to see clearly. Because when we face the real consequences of sin, we also begin to rediscover hope. Join us as we name the cost of going our own way, and remember that the Father's mercy is always waiting. The Poco a Poco podcast happens because of many generous donors, including recurring monthly donations of any amount. Thinking about helping out? You can give at https://spiritjuice.org/supportpoco. Thank you! Get your own copy of the Prodigal Son prints https://spiritjuice.shop/collections/poco-a-poco/products/print-coming-home

The Thinking Fellows discuss various projects, essays, and books they have been working on. The connecting theme is how to proclaim and teach the Gospel in a post-Christian society: comforting and sustaining the members of the Church while announcing the death and resurrection of Christ to a world in need. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network Being Family Article by Caleb Apologetics Confrence 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: 1517 Youtube: How God Still Speaks Today Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith A Reasoned Defense of the Faith by Adam Francisco Stretched: A Study for Lent and the Entire Christian Life by Dr. Christopher Richmann The Essential Nestingen: Essays on Preaching, Catechism, and the Reformation Philip Melanchthon's Commentary on Ecclesiastes, Translated by Dr. Derek Cooper More from the hosts: Caleb Keith Scott Keith Adam Francisco Bruce Hilman  

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Brian Hobbs and Dev Sherlock. Brian is the VP of Music at South by Southwest (SXSW), where he spearheads the curation and strategic development of music programming at this legendary Austin-based festival. Since joining in 2012, he's worked closely with emerging artists, global partners, and cultural tastemakers to expand SXSW's genre diversity—particularly at the intersection of hip hop culture and international music movements. Dev, the Director of Music at SXSW, programs the festival, helping shape the SXSW's lineup while working directly with artists, teams, and industry professionals navigating the SXSW ecosystem.In this episode, we demystify all things SXSW. Whether you're a veteran or you've never been and are wondering if it's even worth it, this is your deep dive. Brian and Dev break down how this year is massively different from how they've done it in the past, what the point of “South By” actually is, and how to approach it strategically. We get into the weeds on networking—what that really means at SXSW, what it looks like on the ground, and how to do it effectively whether you're an artist, agent, manager, or building a music tech startup. Thinking about applying to showcase? They walk through the timeline, submission process, and what they're actually looking for. If you're attending—or even considering it—listen to this first.https://sxsw.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-hobbs-155759164/ Chapters00:00 Introduction to South by Southwest02:14 Changes in the Festival Structure05:43 The Overlap of Music and Tech08:46 The Role of Live Music Discovery11:22 Business Opportunities at South by Southwest19:05 Navigating Official and Unofficial Showcases23:18 Monetizing Opportunities for Artists27:58 The Global Impact of the Irish Diaspora29:48 Travel Concerns for International Artists30:41 Booking Artists for South by Southwest34:55 The Application Process Explained37:57 The Fluid Nature of Artist Bookings41:42 Understanding Compensation Models43:52 The Conference Experience at South by Southwest45:52 Networking Tips for Artists50:57 Defining Success in the Music IndustryEdited and mixed by Ari Davids-ErgasMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cultivating Joy: Leading with Less Stress and More Connection with Amy LenekerIn a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sat down with Amy Leneker, Founder and CEO of Amy Leneker, to discuss the urgent need for a shift in workplace culture. As a leadership consultant and author of the book Cheers to Monday, Amy brings a wealth of knowledge on how to dismantle the staggering human and financial costs of workplace stress. Their conversation dives into the "crisis of connection" facing modern teams and provides a roadmap for leaders who want to move beyond simply managing a to-do list toward leading a life filled with more presence, joy, and authentic engagement.Transforming Workplace Culture Through Intentional Presence and ConnectionAddressing workplace stress is no longer just a "nice-to-have" initiative; it is a critical business imperative that directly impacts organizational health and employee retention. Amy explains that stress often stems from a lack of true connection, where employees may be physically present or "available" on digital platforms like Slack and Zoom but do not feel seen, heard, or valued. By shifting the focus from mere availability to intentional presence, leaders can foster "micro-moments" of connection that build trust and empathy. This transition requires a commitment to slowing down and treating connection as a daily practice rather than a scheduled HR event.To effectively navigate the complexities of modern work life, leaders must first gain clarity by conducting a thorough stress inventory to identify specific triggers and patterns. Amy identifies five distinct types of work stress—including acute, chronic, and relationship-based stress—noting that a one-size-fits-all approach to management is often ineffective. Understanding the root cause of pressure allows individuals to tailor their responses, moving from a proactive stance of "leading their life." When leaders model this behavior, they create a permission structure for their teams to prioritize well-being, which ultimately reduces conflict and boosts collective productivity.In today's hybrid and virtual environments, the foundation of a healthy culture is built on the quality of interactions rather than the quantity of meetings. Amy emphasizes that presence is platform-agnostic; whether a conversation happens in person or via video, the key is to eliminate distractions and practice active listening. Multitasking during interactions undermines the fabric of connection and signals to others that they are not a priority. By creating intentional moments for personal check-ins and celebrating milestones, organizations can bridge the digital divide and build a culture where "Cheers to Monday" becomes a realistic reflection of the workplace experience.About Amy LenekerAmy Leneker is a leadership consultant, keynote speaker, and the Founder and CEO of Amy Leneker. With a background in organizational development, she helps leaders and teams around the world decrease stress and increase joy. She is the author of Cheers to Monday: The Surprisingly Simple Method to Leave, Lead, and Live with Less Stress and More Joy.About Amy Leneker (Company)Amy Leneker's consulting firm specializes in leadership development and workplace culture transformation. Through workshops, coaching, and speaking engagements, the company provides science-backed strategies to help organizations foster authentic connections and build resilient, high-performing teams.Links Mentioned in This EpisodeAmy Leneker Official WebsiteAmy Leneker on LinkedInKey Episode HighlightsThe "Crisis of Connection": Understanding why loneliness persists in the workplace and how to foster genuine belonging.The Five Types of Work Stress: A framework for identifying stressors to develop targeted, effective coping strategies.Presence Over Availability: Why being truly present in the moment is the most effective tool for building trust and empathy.The Cost of Stress: Examining how workplace pressure spills over into home life and the staggering trillions lost in global productivity.Leading Your Life: Shifting the mindset from "managing" external stress to intentionally leading your own internal experience.ConclusionThis conversation with Amy Leneker highlights that the ultimate competitive advantage for any organization is the well-being and connection of its people. By treating stress as a signal for adjustment rather than an inevitable burden, leaders can reclaim their time and build environments where people genuinely thrive.More from The Thoughtful Entrepreneur

In this episode, Steve breaks down one of the most misunderstood decisions in golf: when to hit a chip shot and when to hit a pitch shot around the green. Too many golfers automatically grab one club without truly evaluating the situation, and it costs them strokes. Steve dives into: The key differences between a chip and a pitch How lie, green slope, pin location, and landing area should influence your decision Why trajectory control matters more than the club in your hand A simple pre-shot evaluation system you can use every time Around the greens isn't just about technique, it's about decision-making. The best players don't guess… they assess. If you want to eliminate indecision, improve your scoring, and start thinking your way around the greens with confidence, this episode is for you. Smarter decisions. Fewer wasted strokes. Lower scores. www.goforthgolf.com www.golfergang.com www.taylormadegolf.com www.crosscreekgolfclubsc.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Love the show? Have any thoughts? Click here to let us know!SURPRISE! Our wonderful cohost Lauren returns for a *very* special episode. We are celebrating Lauren's birthday (again) during this 4th round of states! For the birthday special, Kenzie decides to cover stories about topics that fascinate Lauren the most! Kenzie starts off with the spooky tales from the Bass Strait Triangle in Australia. Then, we discuss the mysterious ghost ship, the MV Joyita. The Joyita left its port off a Samoa island and was found weeks later completely abandoned. Lastly, Kenzie finishes it up with the heartbreaking disappearance of Dr. Sneha Anne Philip who vanished during one of America's most tragic events. Join us as we celebrate Lauren with all her favorite things!Follow us on Social Media and find out how to support A Scary State by clicking on our Link Tree: https://instabio.cc/4050223uxWQAl--Have a scary tale or listener story of your own? Send us an email to ascarystatepodcast@gmail.com! We can't wait to read it!--Thinking of starting a podcast? Thinking about using Buzzsprout for that? Well use our link to let Buzzsprout know we sent you and get a $20 Amazon gift card if you sign up for a paid plan!https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1722892--Works cited!https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Dq_0tJvFgEFuU1ZpZQ3E_LcuLc-RrTML8fSt9ILWb6k/edit?usp=sharing --Intro and outro music thanks to Kevin MacLeod. You can visit his site here: http://incompetech.com/. Which is where we found our music!

Text us your feedback or questions - we'd love to hear from you.Hey friends. Today we're talking about something that's happening more and more, and honestly, it surprises a lot of people when they see it.Gray divorce.Yup, that's the term for divorce after 50, and the numbers have actually doubled since 1990. And in our law practice, Sapere Law & Mediation in Temecula, California, we've even seen what I call “extra gray divorce”… couples in their seventies and eighties deciding it's time to move on.  Divorce later in life looks very different from divorce in your 30s or 40s. By this stage, you've usually built a life together over decades. There may be retirement accounts, pensions, adult children, grandchildren, and a lot of shared history. And that's… extra tough.So the question becomes: how do you untangle all of that without blowing up your financial future or your family relationships?Here's what we're digging into today: What “gray divorce” actually means and why it's becoming more commonWhy long-term marriages create different financial challengesRetirement accounts, pensions, and how they get divided in divorceWhy spousal support is often part of divorce after a long marriageThe emotional reality of ending a relationship after decades togetherHow adult children and grandchildren are affected (and they are!)Why mediation is often a smarter path than courtroom divorceDivorce after 50 is not just about splitting assets. It's about protecting your financial future, your emotional wellbeing, and your family relationships. And how divorce mediation can help you protect your retirement, reduce stress, and keep family relationships intact.Have a listen, or share this episode with a loved one who may be facing their own “gray divorce.” RESOURCESMEDIATION STARTER GUIDE: https://mailchi.mp/2939c428981d/mediation-resourcesKELLY'S BOOK: Victim Is Not Your Name https://a.co/d/e4VguRkLEGAL & MEDIATION HELP: https://saperelawfirm.comINSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/saperelawfirmFACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/saperelawfirm

The temporomandibular (TM) joints in horses are evolutionary masterpieces that have evolved over 55 million years. But suddenly, the experts are saying that the joints are failing because the mouth has become "unbalanced." I disagree.  The experts say that unridable horses have pain in the TM joints that connect the jaw to the skull. Their conclusion is that the teeth are "unbalanced," with an uneven bite seen with the incisors and an imperfect angle of the cheek teeth's chewing surface. Their conclusions cannot be resolved using First Principles Thinking. I've worked with horses for over 50 years, and for over 40 of those, I've floated teeth on over 80,000 horses, but I cannot draw the same conclusions these experts can about the association between the shape of the incisors and the TM joints.  I am referencing an article printed in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (March, 2024) by James L. Carmalt, VetMB, PhD, DABVP, DAVDC, DACVSMR, DACVS from the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada. The title is: "Equine poor performance: the logical, progressive, diagnostic approach to determining the role of the temporomandibular joint." There are numerous quotes from this paper I could use to substantiate my position on any dysfunction of the horse's TM joints; however, the author's words are worth reading in their entirety. It must be noted that humans, according to my dentist, chew about 2000 times a day, or 735,000 chews in a year. However, horses chew between 10,000 and 40,000 times a day, with the median being 25,000. This number becomes 750,000 chews in 30 days, which is more than humans chew in a year. Horses chew about 9 million times in a year. So, to assume that all horses are developing TM joint problems because their teeth are not "balanced" seems preposterous. If you are interested and have time, please read Dr. Carmalt's paper, which is available as an attached PDF at Community.TheHorsesAdvocate.com or online. ********** Community.TheHorsesAdvocate.com is a place to learn about horses, barns, and farms. Its information is free, and a membership option lets horse owners attend live meetings to ask questions and deepen their understanding of what they have learned on the site. Membership helps support this message and spread it to everyone worldwide who works with horses. The Equine Practice, Inc. website discusses how and why I perform equine dentistry without immobilization or the automatic use of drugs. I only accept new clients in Florida. Click here to make an appointment. The Horsemanship Dentistry School is a place for those interested in learning how to perform equine dentistry without drugs on 97% of horses. Thank you for sharing and "Helping Horses Thrive In A Human World."

Most CEO stories start with an Ivy League credential and a tidy career ladder, but this one starts with a blackjack table.Before Natalie Wolfsen was running Orion, she was dealing cards to pay for college. At the time, she had no idea that the lessons she was learning on that casino floor would follow her all the way to the C-suite.In this episode, Natalie opens up about the chapters that don't fit neatly on a résumé and why she believes those are often the most important ones.Listen in to hear: How she parlayed casino marketing into a career in financeWhy she walked away from a thriving role at American Express to try entrepreneurshipThe startup that failed in 8 months and why she'd do it again in a heartbeatHow saying yes to "inconvenient" opportunities compounded into a career she never could have plannedMore about Natalie Wolfsen: Natalie Wolfsen joined Orion Advisor Solutions as CEO in October 2023 and is a member of the firm's Board of Directors. She is the former CEO of AssetMark and has nearly 30 years of financial services industry experience. For over 25 years, Natalie has served independent advisors (RIA and broker-dealer affiliated) with more than a decade of working with independent and insurance broker-dealers. Prior to joining AssetMark in 2014, Natalie previously held digital and investment platform development, investment solution management, strategy and marketing roles at First Eagle Investment Management, Pershing, Charles Schwab and American Express. Natalie has an MBA from University of California, Los Angeles and a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of California, Berkeley. ---Running a fund is hard enough.Ops shouldn't be.Meet the team that makes it easier. | billiondollarbackstory.com/ultimus- - -Thinking about expanding your investor base beyond the US? Not sure where to start? Take our quick quiz to find out if your firm is ready to go global and get all the info at billiondollarbackstory.com/gemcap

Elon Musk says that empathy is going to ruin us. Fish Stark of the American Humanist Association not only disagrees, but the AHA is prepping a historic day of empathy...and you can potentially be a part of it. https://www.americanempathyproject.org/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

What happens to your soul when you let an algorithm do your thinking? Spoiler alert: it's not great. In this episode, Dr. Jeffery Skinner dives into the sneaky ways AI and digital platforms are reshaping our conscience and dulling our discernment. You might think you're just scrolling through memes or getting your daily news fix, but you're actually sidelining the part of you that wrestles with deeper questions about faith and morality. It's like outsourcing your soul's workout to a couch potato. We'll explore how this digital age affects our spiritual growth and discernment, and why it's crucial for us to reclaim our ability to think critically and seek God authentically. So grab your headphones, and let's get into why your soul might be missing out on some serious gym time while you're busy clicking ‘like' on everything.Scripture ReferencesRomans 12:2 — Transformation through the renewing of the mindHebrews 5:14 — Mature believers train themselves to discern good and evilMatthew 25:14–30 — The Parable of the TalentsLuke 6:40 — A disciple, when fully trained, will be like their teacherActs 15 — The Jerusalem Council as communal discernmentGalatians 5:13–25 — Life in the Spirit and formation of character1 Timothy 4:7–8 — Training in godlinessJAMES K.A. SMITH — Desiring the Kingdom & You Are What You Love Smith's big idea is that we are formed by what we habitually do, not primarily by what we intellectually believe. He draws from Augustine — we are lovers before we are thinkers. Our desires are shaped by repeated practices, or what he calls cultural liturgies.The Wesleyan Arminian angle: Smith gives us the mechanism of formation that Wesley always assumed but didn't systematize. Wesley's class meetings, his means of grace, his disciplined rhythms — these were all essentially liturgical formation practices. Smith helps you articulate why they worked and why their absence hurts.Key ideas to track down:∙ Liturgy as desire formation — practices shape loves before the mind engages∙ The mall as cathedral — his famous illustration of secular liturgies forming us toward consumption∙ Counter-formation requires intentional, embodied, communal practiceALAN JACOBS — How to Think (2017)Jacobs is winsome, careful, and genuinely funny. His core argument is that thinking well is not primarily an intellectual skill — it's a moral and social practice. We think badly not because we're stupid but because we're embedded in communities that reward certain conclusions and punish others.He introduces the idea of the “inner ring” — borrowed from C.S. Lewis — the social pressure to think like your tribe. Algorithms weaponize the inner ring. They identify your tribe, amplify its voice, and make departure feel socially costly.Key ideas to track down:∙ Thinking as a communal practice that can be corrupted by social incentives∙ The “repugnant cultural other” — his term for how we're trained to caricature those who think differently∙ Charitable interpretation as a spiritual disciplineJOHN DYER — From the Garden to the City (2011)Dyer is the most theologically careful of the group and writes from an evangelical framework that translates well into Wesleyan categories. His central argument is that technology is never neutral — it always shapes the user, not just the world the user acts on.He traces this from Genesis forward. Every technology from agriculture to the printing press to the smartphone changes what humans pay attention to, what they value, and ultimately who they become.Dyer gives biblical and historical credibility. This isn't a panic about modern machines — it's a pattern as old as humanity. The question has always been whether we are using tools or being used by them.Key ideas to track down:∙ Technology as transformation — it changes us, not just our circumstances∙ The Babel narrative as a technology cautionary tale∙ The difference between tools that extend human capacity and tools that replace human judgmentTRISTAN HARRIS — Humane Technology WorkHarris is not a theologian but he is our most credible secular witness. As a former Google design ethicist he speaks from the inside. His core argument is that social media and AI are not neutral platforms — they are persuasion engines optimized for engagement, which means optimized for outrage, anxiety, and compulsion.His most useful concept for your episode is “the race to the bottom of the brain stem” — the competition among tech companies to capture attention by appealing to the most reactive, least reflective parts of us.For Wesleyan Arminian framework: Wesley was deeply concerned with what he called the “carnal mind” — the unregenerate, reactive, self-centered orientation of the human soul. Harris, without knowing it, has mapped the technology infrastructure that feeds the carnal mind and starves the renewed one.Key ideas to track down at humanetech.com:∙ The asymmetry of power between algorithm and user∙ Engagement vs. wellbeing as competing design goals∙ His congressional testimony — specific, quotable, publicly availableSHOSHANA ZUBOFF — The Age of Surveillance Capitalism (2019)Zuboff is dense but her core idea is accessible and important: human experience has become raw material harvested by technology companies to predict and modify behavior. She calls this behavioral modification at scale.I did not go deep into her economics. What matters is her moral argument: this system requires human beings to be predictable. And predictable people are, by definition, not growing. Not being transformed. Not surprising even themselves.The Wesleyan connection is sharp: entire sanctification, growth in grace, the Spirit's renewing work — all of these assume a human being who is genuinely changing. Surveillance capitalism needs you to stay the same. Grace refuses to let you.Key ideas to track down:∙ Behavioral surplus — the data harvested beyond what you knowingly give∙ The goal of certainty over human behavior as the system's deepest aim∙ Her concept of instrumentarian power — shaping behavior without direct coercionDALLAS WILLARD — Formation TheologyWillard isn't writing about AI but he is your theological backbone for the whole episode. His central claim is that spiritual formation is the church's primary task and that it requires intentional, disciplined, often uncomfortable engagement with practices that renovate the soul.His concept of “the gospel of sin management” is particularly useful. The critique that the church has reduced discipleship to behavior modification rather than genuine transformation of the whole person.For your Wesleyan Arminian framework: Willard was deeply influenced by Wesley, and his formation theology maps almost directly onto Wesley's via salutis — the way of salvation as a journey of genuine transformation, not just positional declaration.Key ideas to track down:∙ Spiritual disciplines as training, not trying — you don't try to run a marathon, you train for one∙ The renovated will as the goal of formation∙ “Non-discipleship is the elephant in the church” — this is one of his most quotable lines and widely attributed so worth verifyingReferenced ResourcesAndy Crouch — The Life We're Looking For (2022)James K.A. Smith — Desiring the Kingdom (2009) and You Are What You Love (2016)John Dyer — From the Garden to the City (2011)Reverend Dr. Tim Gaines-Christian Ethics (2021)Alan Jacobs — How to Think (2017)Shoshana Zuboff — The Age of Surveillance Capitalism (2019)Shoshana Zuboff Youtube Harvard LectureTristan Harris — most of his quotable material lives at humanetech.com and his congressional testimonies, which are publicly searchable.The episode unfolds as a candid examination of how our reliance on artificial intelligence might be weakening our spiritual discernment and moral agency. Dr. Skinner introduces a fictional conversation where Mia, a young woman grappling with personal dilemmas, seeks advice from an AI. This scenario sets the stage for a larger discussion on the implications of turning to technology over human interaction for guidance. The AI, while appearing supportive and non-judgmental, represents a broader trend of individuals seeking validation and answers from algorithms, rather than engaging in the messy, beautiful work of community and spiritual growth. As the episode progresses, listeners are invited to reflect on their habits and the subtle shifts in their spiritual practices caused by digital engagement. Dr. Skinner articulates how algorithms prioritize efficiency and comfort, often at the expense of genuine moral engagement and personal growth. He details the necessity of re-establishing practices that encourage discernment, such as communal discussions and personal reflection, which can counteract the passive consumption of information. The episode concludes with a powerful call to action: to put down our devices, engage with our conscience, and embrace the challenging yet rewarding path of spiritual formation that requires presence, conversation, and the courage to...