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Photo: Kenai Silver Salmon Derby participants weigh fish during the 2023 derby in Kenai, Alaska. (Courtesy Kenai Silver Salmon Derby) Kenai, Alaska's annual Silver Salmon Derby will not return this year in response to poor silver salmon runs in the Kenai River. The Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, which hosts the competition each year, announced the decision Thursday, as Ashlyn O’Hara reports. This year's derby was scheduled to happen the second week of September. The annual event is billed as the world's most responsible fishing tournament. That is because it awards prizes based on a fish weight that is closest to a random number instead of awarding the biggest fish caught, which organizers say can incentivize harmful catch-and-release strategies. In the chamber's announcement, executive director Samantha Springer said the decision to cancel the derby was difficult, but aligns with the competition's commitment to responsible fishing. The announcement came the same day the Alaska Department of Fish and Game extended limits on the Kenai River silver salmon sport fishery. Traditionally, the fishery bag limit increases from two large fish to three large fish on September 1. The department is keeping the limit to two fish through the end of November. Like the derby, the department says its decision is due to a below-average silver run. The state says that indicates weak returns to Cook Inlet. Patrick Fowler is a fisheries management coordinator for the state. He says the department does not count the Kenai River's coho run the same way it counts other salmon species, like king and sockeye. Instead, Fowler says they use several data points to determine when a run may be lower than usual. Fowler says the combination of data points suggest this year's silver salmon run is stronger than in 2024, but weaker than last year. In the press release, the chamber says it will consider hosting the 2027 derby earlier in the year. Thursday's announcement comes on the heels of a lackluster sockeye season in the Kenai River, and as the river's king fishery remains closed outright due to poor runs. On August 10, the last day the state counted fish for Kenai River late-run sockeye, a little over a million fish had been counted. That is lower than the cumulative counts for each of the last four years, and about a quarter of how many were counted during last year's record season. Courtesy NCAI The National Congress of American Indians is bringing Tribal leaders together to identify priorities for an upcoming federal consultation on violence against women. NCAI's Violence Against Women Task Force will host two pre-consultation meetings for Tribal leaders and organizations. The meetings will help participants develop talking points and strategies ahead of the U.S. Department of Justice's annual government-to-government consultation with Tribal Nations. That consultation is led by the Office on Violence Against Women and provides Tribal leaders an opportunity to raise concerns and priorities directly with federal officials. NCAI will hold one of its preparatory meetings virtually and another in person at the Tulalip Resort in Washington state. The organization says both will focus on issues Tribal leaders want addressed during the federal consultation. Franklin Masonic Hall where President Andrew Jackson met with Chickasaw delegation in 1830, left, and map of Chickasaw land in Mississippi at the time of the treaty negotiations. (Photo: Skye Marthaler / Wikimedia) And on this day in 1830, Chickasaw leaders signed the Treaty of Franklin with the United States in Tennessee. The agreement called for the Chickasaw Nation to give up its remaining homelands east of the Mississippi River in exchange for suitable territory west of Arkansas, but the agreement allowed Chickasaw representatives to inspect the proposed western lands before relocation. They ultimately determined the land was unsuitable. The treaty was never ratified and became void, but negotiations over Chickasaw lands continued as the United States pursued its policy of removing Native nations from the Southeast. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Monday, August 31, 2026 — Menu: Increasing hurdles and uncertainty put strains on Native beef producers and farmers

Traditionally, the Old Testament book of Ruth has been viewed as a love story. But in this series of 12 conversations with author Carolyn Custis James, Mart DeHaan and Elisa Morgan discover that this story of Naomi and Ruth and Boaz is not all about romance. It's about God's ability to make much of broken lives, and how he calls men and women to serve together to build His kingdom.Receive When Naomi's world fell apart, she may have felt that she had lost God's “hesed,” or His sacrificial, costly, voluntary love. But God used Ruth and Boaz to show Naomi He had not abandoned her. Bolstered by God's hesed love, Naomi can then pour out that love on Ruth, Boaz, and her grandson.  As we ponder the blessed alliance between Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz, we see how God provided and protected this humble family that was in the lineage of King David and His Son Jesus. We also get a beautiful picture of how God wants His daughters and sons to work together to build His kingdom on earth.  Reflect  How did Ruth “break the rules” to show God's hesed love to Naomi in Ruth 1:22–2:7? How did Boaz join Ruth in “breaking the rules” in Ruth 2:4–17? What do we learn about Boaz' character and about the power of men and women working together to serve God? How can we see God's fingerprints in Naomi's life based on Ruth 1:6, Ruth 1:20 and Ruth 2:17–23? How do we see God at work in the lives of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz in Ruth 3:1–13? Based on Ruth 3:1, Ruth 3:5–13 and Ruth 4:13–22,  how does Ruth's story embolden you to step out, take responsibility for needs you see, and live more courageously for Jesus?  Respond (Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) “Dear God, thank You that You are always at work in my life. Help me to look for Your fingerprints in every season of my life. Help me to live boldly for Jesus and to share Your hesed love with others.”  Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources Mentioned in this episode: The Gospel of Ruth   Listen: God Is At Work—The Story of Ruth Part 2—A “Chance” Meeting  God Is At Work Part 3—A Strange Proposal  God Is At Work—The Story of Ruth Part 4—The Providence of God Read: Transformed by Love  Keep Yourselves in the Love of God   Watch: God Loves YOU!   God's Daily Love  

Chapal Rani was one of India's most famous performers of jatra, Bengal's popular theater. Traditionally, all the roles, including female roles, were played by men—and Chapal Rani was perhaps the most prominent performer of women on the stage. He's also the subject of a new book from Sandip Roy, titled Chapal Rani, the Last Queen of Bengal. Roy, who joins us the show today, tells the story of Chapal Rani's life, from stardom to obscurity and later rediscovery; how Chapal Rani would transform himself every night onstage; and how jatra changes how we talk about gender and performance. Sandip Roy is a writer, columnist, and podcaster currently living in Kolkata. He is a columnist for Mint Lounge, The Hindu, and the host of the Sandip Roy Show on Indian Express. His work has appeared in The New York Times, BBC, The San Francisco Chronicle, NPR, Huffington Post, Conde Nast Traveller, among other publications. For over a decade, Roy was editor of Trikone, the world's oldest magazine on LGBTQ+ South Asian issues. He is the author of the novel Don't Let Him Know. You can find more reviews, excerpts, interviews, and essays at The Asian Review of Books, including its review of Chapal Rani, the Last Queen of Bengal. Follow on Twitter at @BookReviewsAsia. Nicholas Gordon is an editor for a global magazine, and a reviewer for the Asian Review of Books. He can be found on Twitter at @nickrigordon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/asian-review

Traditionally, the Old Testament book of Ruth has been viewed as a love story. But in this series of 12 conversations with author Carolyn Custis James, Mart DeHaan and Elisa Morgan discover that this story of Naomi and Ruth and Boaz is not all about romance. It's about God's ability to make much of broken lives, and how he calls men and women to serve together to build His kingdom.Receive What do we do when life doesn't follow the Cinderella script? How do we respond when the life we get doesn't seem to have the happily-ever-after ending that we hoped for?  Traditionally, the Old Testament book of Ruth has been viewed as a love story. But there's so much more to the story than meets the eye. As we dig deeper into the stories of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz, we get a picture of God's ability to make much of broken lives, and how He calls men and women to serve together to build His kingdom.  How can the story of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz encourage you as you face hardships in your life?  Reflect  Based on Ruth 1:1–5, how is Naomi's story similar to Job's story of suffering? How was Naomi's situation perhaps even more dire than Job's? How does the end of Naomi's story in Ruth 4:13–17 remind us that God gives us beauty for ashes? How can we relate to Naomi's laments in Ruth 1:6–13 and Ruth 1:20–21 when we're going through times of sorrow, grief, or hardship?  Based on Ruth 1:14-18, why did Ruth refuse to leave Naomi? Who was she really clinging to?  Respond (Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) “Dear God, thank You that You are close to the brokenhearted. Help me turn to You even in the midst of any sorrow or pain I'm experiencing. Help me feel Your comfort and love during any trials I face.”   Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources Mentioned in this episode: The Gospel of Ruth   Where Ya From? Podcast - Fighting Battles Together (Carolyn Custis James) Listen: The Book of Naomi  God Is At Work—The Story of Ruth Part 1—The Worst of Times  Read: Journeying Through Grief to Find Healing   A Season of Suffering – Meeting Jesus in Our Pain  Watch: Running on Empty - Ruth 1:21  Unshakable Moxie  

-The company said it's adopting a new peak and off-peak pricing to "allocate resources more reasonably," starting on August 16 -Most users will never be targeted by mercenary spyware, but they're also difficult to detect and prevent.” -Traditionally, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, one of the main laws that criminalizes hacking, unauthorized computer access and other cyberattacks, has applied to private companies and individuals alike. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#top .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-49dced36807bed8610be33c243707434{ padding-bottom:10px; } body .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-49dced36807bed8610be33c243707434 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{ font-size:25px; } .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-49dced36807bed8610be33c243707434 .av-subheading{ font-size:15px; } Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 13Psalm 17 LISTEN HERE Through My Bible – August 13 Psalm 17 (EHV) https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0813db.mp3 See series: Through My Bible Psalm 17 My Righteous Plea Heading A prayer by David. David's Righteousness 1 Hear my righteous plea, O Lord. Pay attention to my outcry. Turn your ear to my prayer, which is not offered by deceitful lips. 2 May a just verdict for me come from you. May your eyes observe the things that are right. 3 You have tested my heart. You have visited me at night. You have refined me; you have found nothing wrong. I resolved that my mouth will not overstep its bounds. 4 As for the deeds of people:     by the words from your lips     I have kept myself from the ways of the violent. 5 Keep my footsteps on your paths. My steps have not slipped. God's Love 6 Indeed, I call to you because you will answer me, O God. Turn your ear toward me. Hear what I say. 7 Perform wonders through your mercy. By your right hand save those who seek refuge     from those who rise up against them. 8 Guard me like the pupil of your eye. [1] In the shadow of your wings hide me 9     from the wicked who try to destroy me,     from those enemies of my life who surround me. The Enemies' Ruthlessness 10 Their hearts are calloused. [2] Their mouths speak arrogantly. 11 Now they surround our steps. They watch us to throw us to the ground. 12 He is like a lion that is eager to tear, like a young lion crouching in its hiding place. 13 Rise, O Lord. Confront him. Bring him down. Save my life from the wicked by your sword. 14 Save me from such men by your hand, O Lord, from men of this world, whose reward is in this life. Closing Confidence 14b But you fill the stomachs of those whom you treasure. [3] Their children are satisfied, and they leave their wealth to their children. 15 Indeed, in righteousness I will view your face. When I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness. Footnotes Psalm 17:8 Traditionally the apple of your eye Psalm 17:10 Literally they close their fat Psalm 17:14 Many translations join verse 14b with the first part of verse 14, understanding it as an observation about the worldly prosperity of the ungodly. They translate with your treasure you fill their stomachs. #top .hr.hr-invisible.av-aocsdx-89cb4ca21532423cf697fc393b6fcee0{ height:10px; } The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. #top .hr.hr-invisible.av-4vzadh-3f04b370105df1fd314a2a9d83e55b26{ height:50px; } Share this entryShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare by MailLink to FlickrLink to InstagramLink to Vimeo

Traditionally, scientists have been able to calculate the role of genes in autism, or the environment in autism. However, understanding the role of genes together with the environment, or the effects of the environment with a genetic background, has been very difficult. This is especially true with polygenic genetic risk factors, which is not a single gene but a combination of multiple genetic influences. Different environmental factors might be good candidates for testing because some of them are more accurately measured than others. This week, we talk to Drs. Nilanjan Chatterjee and Christine Ladd Acosta both from Johns Hopkins University, who have tested and validated a new method to calculate the risk of not just genetics, or the environment but the two working together. They describe some of the factors they studied and why, and how this model can be used for further research questions. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42230772

In today's Cloud Wars Minute, I analyze the extraordinary RPO growth at Microsoft, Oracle, Google Cloud, and AWS and what it signals about AI demand. Highlights 00:03 — We've got another example here where, in the greatest growth market the world has ever known, we are working with some big numbers that put the law of big numbers to the test here. So, if you look at the four hyperscalers, and I go in order of the size of their backlog or RPO, you've got Microsoft, Oracle, Google Cloud, and AWS. 00:29 — So this is fully committed business. It's fully contracted and not yet recognized as revenue. So this is what's coming down the road, to look into the pipeline, in the future, these companies have — this isn't some guesstimate of what they hope they'll get. This is signed, contracted business. So this is one of the factors, probably the key factor, behind why you see these CapEx numbers approaching or exceeding $200 billion. 01:09 — Now that has led to a couple of these companies entering into the debt markets to try to fund this data center expansion and all that enormous CapEx outlay that they've got to go through. In turn, a couple of these companies for a quarter or two had negative cash flows, and that's got some people on Wall Street unable to comprehend it. The world's coming to an end. What are we going to do? 01:46 — I think the perspective is being switched here, right? Traditionally, the idea is bad. You don't want to have negative cash flow. Okay, that's pretty basic. I think we got that. The difference is there have never been a market with a size, a total addressable market , anything like this, growing at the rate this is. Look at these latest numbers for the four hyperscalers. 02:23 — Oracle, off a much smaller revenue base, has this huge future business coming in: $638 billion in RPO, growing at 363%. Google Cloud had a huge jump this past Q2, $514 billion in backlog, up 390%, and a resurgent AWS posted its biggest backlog number ever, $496 billion, and I believe that growth rate of 154% for its backlog is much higher than any they've reported over the last five or six quarters. 04:07 — So I think it's significant, but I also think it's being vastly overblown. I just want to say one more time: $2.3 trillion. Now, that's not like a TAM figure. Somebody's saying, "Oh, we think the market for new scooters is going to be $2.3 trillion." These are four companies, just four , not the whole tech industry, and these are their signed, contracted, committed figures for what they've got in their backlog or RPO. Visit Cloud Wars for more.

The Mad appleBetween August and early September, nature offers the eggplant, a vegetable with intense color and spongy flesh found in kitchens around the world. The eggplant (*Solanum melongena*) has a history as old as plant domestication, fascinating botanical characteristics, and culinary versatility that make it almost indispensable. Botanically speaking, the eggplant belongs to the Solanaceae family, alongside tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers. Although commonly considered a vegetable, its fruit is technically a berry. It originated in Asia—likely between India and Southeast Asia—and descends from wild, thorny, and bitter ancestors such as *Solanum insanum*. Genetic studies indicate that the eggplant was domesticated long ago; over time, selective breeding has reduced thorns, sweetened the flavor, and fostered the emergence of numerous shapes and colors. Varieties come in long and dark, round and purple, white, striped, and green forms. Each type possesses specific organoleptic qualities: long, dark purple varieties—such as the classic Neapolitan—have firm flesh and a delicate flavor, rendering them suitable for grilling or for making *parmigiana*. Round, violet varieties tend to become creamier after cooking and are ideal for sauces or fillings. White eggplants are generally less bitter and very tender.In contrast, green or striped varieties are distinguished by an especially sweet taste and thin skin, making them suitable for quick cooking or grilling. Choosing the right variety can enhance any recipe. In addition, the plant flourishes in warm, sunny conditions; in temperate zones, it is grown as an annual, whereas in milder climates, it can live longer. From there, the history of the eggplant becomes a tale of cultural spread and transformation. It has been cultivated in Asia for centuries and appears in ancient Chinese and Indian texts. It was later introduced to the Mediterranean region by the Arabs, who spread its cultivation starting in the Middle Ages. The Italian word *melanzana* derives from the Arabic bāinjān, having passed through Persian and other languages. Initially, the eggplant was not well-received in Europe; as a member of the nightshade family—which includes many toxic plants—it aroused suspicion.Some even called it the mad apple, fearing it would hurt the mind. Only over time, thanks to the spread of Mediterranean and Southern cuisines, did the eggplant become an integral part of culinary tradition. In Italy, in particular, it is the star of iconic dishes such as the ever-favorite parmigiana, the relish caponata, the Sicilian pasta alla Norma, sautéed eggplant, and stuffed eggplant. In the kitchen, selecting the right eggplant is important. It is best to choose firm specimens with smooth, glossy skin, free of bruises, and with a fresh green stem. If an eggplant is overripe, it will contain more seeds and have a more bitter taste. Traditionally, a salting process was used to draw out moisture: the eggplants were sliced, sprinkled with coarse salt, and left to drain for at least half an hour to remove some of the water and bitterness.Today, available varieties are less bitter, making this step not always necessary; however, it can be useful for reducing oil absorption or achieving a firmer texture. From selection to cooking, eggplant lends itself to numerous techniques. When grilled or griddled, slices acquire a smoky aroma and a tender texture; just a few minutes per side on a hot surface suffice, followed by seasoning with oil, garlic, mint, or parsley and a brief resting period. In the oven, they can be roasted whole—after being pricked—until the skin shrivels and the flesh becomes creamy, rendering them ideal for sauces, purees, or fillings. Alternatively, when sliced ​​or cubed and oven-baked, they require less oil than frying while still retaining an intense flavor. Full Content More Podcasts

In this episode, we sit down with Nayaa Owusu, a retail analyst and solutions developer at OSP Retail, to dig into one of the most contested topics in retail: shelf space. Anyone who's worked in buying or merchandising knows how heated the debate over category space can get, every team feels their products deserve more room, and decisions are often driven as much by gut feeling and internal politics as by hard evidence. Naya brings a rare dual perspective to this conversation: she spent years on the merchandising side at major brands like Debenhams, Peloton, and Lipsy, living through exactly these space battles firsthand, before crossing over into retail tech to help build the tools that solve them.Before moving into software, Nayaa first started out on the shop floor in roles at Topshop, Selfridges, and River Island while studying maths at university. That analytical foundation, combined with genuine hands-on retail experience, set her up for a merchandising career spanning beauty at Debenhams, international operations at Peloton during its explosive pandemic-era growth, and commercial/business analysis at Lipsy. Today, she's part of the team at OSP Retail building Macro Space Optimization (MSO), a data-driven platform that helps retailers make smarter, less emotional decisions about how they allocate space across categories and stores.In this conversation, we explore how Nayaa's varied background shaped her approach to solving one of retail's oldest arguments, what MSO actually does under the hood, and why data-not gut feel alone, is becoming the deciding factor in how stores are laid out.Three Key Takeaways:1) Data removes the emotion and bias from space planning. Buyers and merchandisers are naturally attached to their categories ("gut feeling" and personal relationships with brands can skew decisions), but tools like MSO base space allocation on actual customer data rather than assumption- while still allowing manual overrides when needed.2) Store clustering reveals patterns you wouldn't expect from broad averages. Grouping stores by similar customer behavior (rather than just size or region) uncovers surprising insights like cat products outperforming dog products in London versus the rest of the UK.3) Space planning should happen earlier in the buying process, not as an afterthought. Traditionally, ranges are built first and then squeezed onto shelves; bringing space considerations in at the buying stage (rather than fitting products to space later) leads to better commercial outcomes.If you would like to hear more about how OSP could help you with your space challenges- drop us a message and we can put you in contact with the team.Support the showIf you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) - and if you already have, thank you! It honestly really helps to keep this going and growing!Follow us @buyingandbeyond on Instagram Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.ukWe also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub  Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.ukAutumn fair coffee meet up- come and meet us at Autumn fair at our coffee meet up and podcast live, see link below for all the details on how to sign up:  https://www.autumnfair.com/buying-beyond?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=buying_beyond_channels&utm_campaign=buying_beyondIf you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you!https://www.buzzsprout.com/2300060/support

Our U.S. Consumer Finance Analyst Jay Bacow and our Co-Head of Securitized Product Research Jay Bacow explain why AI can transform the way Americans shop for, manage and refinance their mortgages.Read more insights from Morgan Stanley.----- Transcript -----Jeff Adelson: Welcome to Thoughts on the Market. I'm Jeff Adelson, Morgan Stanley's U.S. Consumer Finance Analyst.Jay Bacow: And I'm Jay Bacow, Co-Head of Securitized Products Research, also working at Morgan Stanley.Jeff Adelson: Today, how AI could change the way Americans shop for, manage, and refinance their mortgages.It's Monday, August 10th at 10am in New York. The U.S. mortgage market is worth more than $14 trillion, and its performance ultimately depends on the choices millions of homeowners make. Today, refinancing still means shopping around, comparing offers, and working through a lot of paperwork. AI could make that process much easier, especially when rates begin to fall.Jay, you led this work on our AI mortgage blue paper. What's the main way AI could change the mortgage market, and why does the borrower matter so much?Jay Bacow: So we think the biggest change would be borrower adoption of using AI agents to manage their personal finance. An agent on your phone could just monitor mortgage rates, compare lenders, reduce the paperwork, and make homeowners more likely to refinance when the economics work.Let's think about what that could be. Historically, only about 30 percent of borrowers that had the ability to lower their mortgage rate by a 100 basis points did so in a given year. When a borrower went to get a mortgage quote, less than half of them asked more than one lender for a quote.That agent could go reach out to 30 lenders, ask for a variety of different mortgages, could upload all the documents, could do this all effectively instantaneously, present the homeowner with the best option. Allow the homeowner to effectively click a button and refinance. I think this could be pretty transformative for the mortgage market.Jeff Adelson: Now, as we think about this transformation, Jay, mortgage investors still rely heavily on past refinancing behavior trends. If AI makes borrowers more likely to refi[nance] when rates fall, how could that change the way these investors value mortgage-backed securities?Jay Bacow: Well, we all know that past performance is not indicative of future performance, and those models are likely to understate future prepayments. If you get a faster response, it's going to make mortgages more negatively convex.That's going to make the durations shorten. It's likely to widen mortgage spreads by about 10 basis points in our base case. And now, if that base case were to happen and we get, let's call it 100 basis point rally in the future, we think that that could cause something like a 40 percent pickup in refinance volumes versus our current expectations of what refinance volumes would look like in that 100 basis point rally.Jeff, you cover a lot of the largest mortgage lenders. What does this mean for their business model?Jeff Adelson: So, it's pretty straightforward. More borrowers refinancing means more loans for the industry to originate. Today, we're still sitting below what I would describe as normalized levels of originations. We're sitting at about $2 trillion of mortgage originations per year. As we think about normalized, we think that's somewhere in the order [of] around $2.5 trillion. So just that $600 billion alone could get us straight there. We tend to think about this more in our bull case, where we could see something in the order of $3 trillion of originations or more, still below what we saw during the peak COVID years of about $4 trillion or more. But still pretty meaningful and material for the industry.Now, for the scaled lenders, that can create meaningful operating leverage. Mortgage companies have historically had to hire aggressively when volumes rise, and then they've had to reduce headcount when the cycle turns. AI could allow them to process more loans with the same employee base, making their cost structures more flexible and reducing the need to rebuild capacity during every single refi[nance] wave.But the earnings benefit we don't think will necessarily match the dollar benefit from volumes. If AI makes it easier for borrowers to compare offers and allows every lender to process more loans, then competition could intensify and pressure gain on sale margins. So the opportunity is a larger market and better productivity.The key question for individual lenders is: how much of that volume can they capture without giving too much back through pricing? Now, as we think about automation, Jay, it could bring in more loans, but could also intensify competition and reduce the profit lenders can earn when they originate and sell a mortgage. So, how should investors in your space weigh those two effects? Jay Bacow: So, the mortgage investors are short the option to the mortgage homeowner of when they can refinance.And if the mortgage homeowner is going to be more efficient about refinancing, the mortgage investor is going to need to get paid more for that. They're going to demand wider spreads, and they're particularly going to demand wider spreads where that option that they're shorting is worth more. That's generally how it's going to play out, but there's also other aspects as well.That duration shortening, because the borrower's more likely to refinance, means that the investors that own that duration will need to buy some more duration against that. You're also going to see more demand for duration as rates rally. So it's going to be a bid for the low strike receivers, as our options experts will pay close attention to.And then if we get a further rally, you also get a more of an impact across the consumer writ large. You can imagine a world where mortgage rates are substantially lower than they are right now. An agent could sit there and say, "Why don't you consolidate your debt between your credit card, your auto loan payments, maybe your student loan payments and your mortgage?" Allowing consumers to save more and then maybe spend that in the economy.Jeff Adelson: If we maybe take it a step beyond refinancing, how could AI affect home sales, homeownership, and access to home equity?Jay Bacow: So let's just go back to thinking about this agent that's on your phone that's looking at all the opportunities.Traditionally, right now, most people are only calling up one lender, they're getting one quote. If your agent is looking at lots of different lenders and lots of different options, you're probably going to get more ability to take out a mortgage. So you're going to get an expansion of the homeownership rate.That's going to create more demand for housing. As rates rally, you're going to get home sale activity picks up more than it used to, and people are also going to be more able to take advantage of the equity they have in their house. So, you're going to get more usage of second liens and HELOCs and cash-out refinance activity.Once again, we think this is mostly going to happen three to five years down the road, but we're not really sure exactly how this is going to play out. So Jeff, what would be some of the signs that people could look at to see if it's playing out in the three to five-year timeline that we're expecting – or slower, maybe even faster?Jeff Adelson: Sure. So yeah, I mean, I think it's going to be similar to what we've already observed as consumers ourselves and what we're seeing with all the LLMs and AI tools we're adopting today. You should see some rapid advances in the ease of use and the adoption of these technologies from a forward-facing, client-facing perspective. What we all see in the websites, what we all see in the apps.It should become easier for us to engage with the mortgage process, compare rates to actually step into the process. Whereas today, you still need to maybe speak with a bank officer, a loan officer, or a mortgage broker to get deeper into the process and actually better understand what your rate means today.So that would be the first step. The second step would be closing speeds. The average originator today still takes about 40 to 45 days to close a mortgage. The biggest and largest originators that have invested the most in technology and AI today are closing at about, call it, 12 to 20 days. So, half the industry level. So, that should come down over time and make it much easier to actually apply and finish a mortgage.And then quite frankly, the most obvious answer would just be at the given level of rates that are outstanding today, we should see a step up in the level of refi[nance] volumes. That would be the most obvious one. But that'll be the outcome of everything else we've talked about rather than the actual cause.Jay Bacow: That makes sense. So faster refinancing, it's likely to make the mortgage market more responsive when rates fall and effects that are going to reach well beyond the borrower. Jeff Adelson: That could mean higher volumes for lenders, quicker prepayments for investors, and wider swings across housing and rates markets.Jay Bacow: Jeff, thanks for taking the time to talk.Jeff Adelson: Great speaking with you, Jay.Jay Bacow: And thank you all 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.

The New Moon on August 12 is a total solar eclipse. In areas of totality, including parts of Iceland and Spain, the Sun will be eclipsed as it sets, creating a striking spectacle. Traditionally, we are advised not to watch eclipses but to turn inward. I believe we can do both. Observing the outer world while remaining aware of the one who is observing can be deeply illuminating. This is an essential lesson of the lunar nodes: witness what is happening without becoming consumed by it.Insights are more likely when the Sun, Moon, Earth and lunar nodes align. Ketu and the eclipsed Sun occupy different divisions of the sidereal zodiac, bringing both Cancer and Leo into focus. Eclipses reveal and conceal, so bear in mind that the full picture may not be immediately apparent.We would usually look to Jupiter for guidance, but Jupiter is also involved in this eclipse, as it is hidden by an eclipsed Sun. Although it emerges from combustion by the end of the month, whatever insights arise, keep them close to your chest until matters become clearer. At the same time, this eclipse is asking you to let go of something you may have a hard time letting go of. The eclipse occurs in Āśleṣā, a complex lunar mansion at the end of Cancer. Symbolised by a coiled serpent and ruled by the serpent deities, the Sarpas, it represents attachment, instinct, and entanglement. It may also reflect kuṇḍalinī śakti—the coiled energy at the base of the spine—and the spiral of DNA, connecting it with healing.This eclipse represents a shedding of skin, a deep process of emotionally letting go. With Ketu's help, we are asked to loosen our attachments and transform basic survival instincts into something more conscious and evolved.

Anna and Raven can't stand it when people leave their floss picks lying around! Finally, they've finally found someone who hates it as much as they do!  Do you make your bed every morning? For years, research has said that it's a great way to start your day. But a new study has revealed the gross reason you should always leave it messy!  Making dinner after a long workday can be stressful. Need some easy dinner hacks? Anna and Raven chat with Food Network's Chef Plum about easy meals you can make with only one pan!

Who says a flower girl has to be a little girl? Traditionally, flower girls are between 3 and 8 years old... but there's no actual rule. These days, couples are ripping up the wedding rulebook – grandmothers, best friends, grown men and even the bride's dad have all taken a turn tossing petals down the aisle! So, where do you draw the line? Is there an age where you're officially too old to be a flower girl, or is it the couple's wedding and they can choose whoever they want? Would you keep it traditional, or would you happily watch your 50-year-old aunt steal the show? Hang out with Anele and The Club on 947 every weekday morning. Popular radio hosts Anele Mdoda, Frankie du Toit, Thembekile Mrototo, and Cindy Poluta take fun to the next level with the biggest guests, hottest conversations, feel-good vibes, and the best music to get you going! Kick-start your day with the most enjoyable way to wake up in Joburg. Connect with Anele and The Club on 947 via WhatsApp at 084 000 0947 or call the studio on 011 88 38 947Thank you for listening to the Anele and the Club podcast..Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 06:00 to 09:00 to Anele and the Club broadcast on 947 https://buff.ly/y34dh8Y For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/gyWKIkl or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/K59GRzuSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Covenants, Gospel, and Protection by Autumn Dickson In the readings this week, we find three changes for the Jews under the kings in Persia. There were three men who helped with these changes. First, we have Zerubbabel, a Jewish governor who worked tirelessly to build the temple. Ezra 5:2 Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them. Then we have Ezra who taught the people the Law of Moses. Nehemiah 8:2-3 2 And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. 3 And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law. And lastly, we have Nehemiah who rebuilt the wall around Jerusalem. Nehemiah 2:17 Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach. I want to talk about these three elements of the Jews returning to their homeland and why it's so relevant to the Lord working with us in our day. The three elements are this: covenants, gospel, and protection. When the Lord is seeking to build us and sanctify us and bring us to Him, those are the three elements He uses. It starts with the covenants. Covenants are promises to and from the Lord. They bind us to Him in significant ways and offer us protection. It gives us access to Christ's power. When I think of a covenant with Christ, I always think of it in terms of marriage covenants. Christ often uses the allusion of marriage to describe His relationship with us as well. When two people get married, they make promises to each other. They're going to stand by each other even in imperfection and trial. Traditionally, their finances also merge. Whatever debt or surplus they bring is combined. When we enter into a covenant with Christ, we promise to stand by Him, and He promises to stand by us even in imperfection and trial. Our “finances” merge with His. All of our debt is erased by His infinite surplus but beyond that, we have constant access to that surplus to call upon in times of need or want. This is the first step. We cannot be saved without Christ. We need to be bound to Him in a way that enables Him to save us. Hence, covenants. Hence, Zerubbabel and the temple. The next portion of rebuilding Jerusalem was the Law of Moses. The Law of Moses is often described as the “preparatory gospel.” It helped the people start to figure out Christ and what He meant in their lives. All of the rituals and remembrances were put in place to help them better understand Christ's role. In our day, the Law of Moses is fulfilled and we have the gospel. The gospel, with all of its truth, is taught to us regularly so we can understand Christ in our lives. What good is being bound to Christ if we don't know the point of Him? What good will a covenant do me if I don't know that my sins are paid for and I don't know that I can draw upon His strength and peace and power? We need the covenant, but we also need the information that enables us to draw upon Christ and take effect in our life. The last portion of rebuilding Jerusalem was the wall. City walls were tremendously important. When the walls of Jericho fell, the Israelites were able to immediately take the city. The walls around Jerusalem offered protection from enemies who would want to hurt what was inside of the city. It would be easy to put “protection” under the umbrella of covenants and gospel learning, and it would likewise be accurate to do so. Covenants protect us; covenants are our promises that allow us to call upon Christ in need. That is definitely protection. Gospel learning protects us; understanding our Savior and His love and power keeps us close to Him where we can remain safe. But I want to separate the wall from the temple and Law of Moses readings in order to highlight specific portions of protection. Joseph Smith taught the following regarding the gospel: The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it. The gospel (Ezra and the Law of Moses equivalent) is that the apostles and prophets testify of Christ and His mission; everything else is an appendage. The church is an appendage, an important and beautiful appendage, but it is separate. This is what I'm thinking of when I picture the wall around Jerusalem. There are additions to the covenants and gospel that protect us. For example, commandments protect us. The Word of Wisdom protects us from all of the terrible things that can happen when you don't have complete control over your body. The spirit of revelation protects us by warning us about certain situations or leading us towards where we need to be. There are a ton of different church programs that put us in safe and holy places to protect us. City walls were not foolproof. Christ could make our “walls” foolproof, but part of mortality was opposition. Sometimes we leave the walls and find ourselves in trouble. Sometimes the trouble finds us even when we stay behind the walls. However, city walls still provide more protection than we would otherwise have. Not to mention, when an enemy breaches the gate, we still have complete access to our temple covenants and gospel knowledge and that heals us. The opposition hopefully pushes us closer to Christ so that no lasting damage can be done. The stories we find in Ezra and Nehemiah have these overarching themes that point our minds back to Christ and what's important to Him. We see His patterns. We see what He utilizes when He's trying to build us and sanctify us: covenants, the gospel, and spiritual protective barriers. I testify that the scriptures contain beautiful messages that teach us about God's plans and purposes for us. I testify that Christ offers Himself to us by giving us covenants, knowledge concerning His gospel, and specific protections that build a barrier between us and our enemies. I testify that Heavenly Father thought of everything when He came up with His plan, and I testify that He is purposeful in preparing us to come home. Autumn Dickson was born and raised in a small town in Texas. She served a mission in the Indianapolis Indiana mission. She studied elementary education but has found a particular passion in teaching the gospel. Her desire for her content is to inspire people to feel confident, peaceful, and joyful about their relationship with Jesus Christ and to allow that relationship to touch every aspect of their lives. Autumn was the recipient of FAIR's 2024 John Taylor Defender of the Faith Award. The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Ezra 1; 3–7; Nehemiah 2; 4–6; 8– Part 2 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

https://www.drsharnael.com/ tell me about your new book what inspired it what is iboga how is it different the ibogaine how has it helped people is it safe ? what do you have coming up ? 1. Why is it important to consciously connect with Nature and recognize that She is a living sentient being? 2. What are the health benefits of being in a felt communion with Nature? 3. A few highlights from my own journey into Nature Reunion 4. Some easy but powerful practices for Nature reconnection 5. Our body as part of Nature—treating ourselves with mindful self-compassion and respect. 6. Coming Home to Nature means being deeply aware of, and connected to, the wisdom and healing power of Mother Earth and our own bodies. 7. My book, both kindle and paper back will be released on August 1st. The kindle e-book version is available now. What if the roots of suffering are deeper than we'vebeen taught? Is there hope when hope for the hopeless? When life fractured in ways she could notintellectually solve, Dr. Sharnael — naturopathic physician and consciousnessteacher — was called beyond logic, beyond theology, beyond science — intodirect encounter. Enter Iboga. Often referred to as “Grandfather Iboga” and known asthe “Mount Everest of plant medicines,” this“The Truth Hunter,” African root functions as a powerful neurological andpsychological interrupter, disrupting entrenched patterns of illusion,compulsion, and genetic survival programming. In this deeply personal journey, Dr. Sharnael shareshow one of the most intense and misunderstood plant medicines on earth became amirror — illuminating unresolved grief and the unconscious patterns shapingidentity, while guiding her from darkness and sorrow into renewed hope,courage, love, and joy. At a time when suicide rates remain high and opioidaddiction devastates families worldwide, Iboga has drawn attention for itsunique interaction with opioid receptors and its growing exploration inaddiction recovery research. It is also being studied for its potential relevance indepression, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's,Parkinson's disease, Lyme-related neurological complications, and other complexnervous system disorders. Traditionally, the root bark has also been examinedfor antimicrobial and antiparasitic properties. Part personal journey, part clinical guide, GrandfatherIboga serves readers seeking Truth, transformation, and understanding. Written by a doctor who became the patient, this bookis for anyone navigating loss, addiction, neurological complexity, and foranyone seeking Divine Truth where conventional paths have fallen short I almost didn't write these books. It would have beeneasier to stay quiet. Easier not to speak publicly about grief. Trauma. Plantmedicine. Consciousness. Easier to protect my reputation than enterconversations that are complex, controversial, and often misunderstood. But silence felt dishonest. And some stories are meant to be told. Today, I am honored to officially announce the releaseof two deeply personal and professional works: The Science of Miracles Workbook and Grandfather Iboga – A Personal Journey Through Grief,Trauma Healing, and Soul Transformation These are not just books. They are lived experience. Together, these two books represent the bridge I havealways stood on — science and spirit, clinical understanding and consciousness,measurable biology and Divine design. There were moments I nearly stayed silent. But if even one person finds hope in these pages… itwas worth it. Presales are now open. You can order both books here:https://www.drsharnael.com/shop The Science of Miracles Workbook This workbook was born from years of studyingconsciousness, neuroscience, biofeedback, and the unseen laws that shape ourphysical reality.

Original Air Date: 8/1/2026 Episode Number: 470Episode SummaryThree topics this week. Dan opens with a paint science segment answering a listener question about urethane and enamel -- two words that appear constantly on paint labels and mean different things than most people assume. Then a full two-segment deep dive on moss and lichen: first, how to safely remove them from different types of siding, and then a step-by-step walkthrough of how Dan cleaned his own roof, what products he used, and what the warnings are. He closes with a quick listener question about painting over old glossy trim in a pre-1978 home.Timestamps[00:00] -- Show Intro and Promises[02:28] -- Paint Science: Urethane vs. Enamel[07:38] -- Choosing the Right Paint[09:56] -- Moss and Lichen Overview[10:35] -- Siding Segment Setup[11:06] -- What Moss and Lichen Are[12:43] -- Cleaning Brick and Masonry[15:09] -- Cleaning Wood Safely[16:56] -- Vinyl, Stucco, and Pressure Tips[18:27] -- Protecting Plants[19:22] -- Roof Segment Begins[20:02] -- Why Remove Roof Growth[20:14] -- Roof Damage Explained[21:52] -- Dan's Roof Wake-Up Call[23:48] -- Kill It, Don't Scrape It[24:12] -- Hire Out or DIY?[25:03] -- Best Cleaners Compared[29:20] -- Prep and Protect Plants[30:53] -- Rinse, Brush, and Apply[33:58] -- Results and Safety Warnings[36:41] -- Listener Q: Glossy Trim[37:57] -- Lead, Adhesion, and Primer[39:40] -- Wrap UpUrethane vs. Enamel: A Plain-English Explanation [02:28]A listener wrote in puzzled by the word urethane showing up everywhere -- waterborne urethanes, urethane-modified acrylics, polyurethanes -- and wanted to know whether it means something specific or just marketing. He also asked which is more durable, urethane or enamel, and which he should be reaching for.The short answer: urethane and enamel are not competing terms. They describe different things entirely.Paint basics. Every can contains pigment (color and hiding), liquid (what lets you apply it), and resin -- the binder. As paint dries and the liquid leaves, the resin and pigment form the paint film. The resin has enormous influence over how the finished coating behaves: hardness, flexibility, adhesion, resistance to moisture, cleaning, and abrasion.What urethane means. Urethane isn't an extra scoop of durability added to the can. It's a type of chemical connection that can be built into the resin structure itself. When a resin contains many of those connections, it's called a polyurethane. That chemistry is associated with toughness, abrasion resistance, and resistance to cleaners -- which is why you see the word on products for cabinets, doors, railings, and floors.What enamel means. Traditionally, enamel meant an oil-based product with a hard, smooth, glossy finish -- the go-to for doors, trim, and metal. Today it's used more broadly. You can buy acrylic enamels, waterborne enamels, and urethane enamels. An enamel can absolutely use urethane chemistry. They're not opposites.The analogy. Asking which is more durable, a urethane or an enamel, is like asking whether a pickup truck is better than a diesel engine. One describes the vehicle type. The other describes the technology inside. You can have a diesel pickup, just like you can have a urethane enamel.The practical takeaway. For an ordinary bedroom wall, don't hunt for urethane -- just get good washability and the right sheen. For cabinets, doors, or railings, an enamel built for those surfaces makes sense, and it may well use urethane chemistry. For a wood floor, get a polyurethane specifically designed for foot traffic. For exterior siding, hardness isn't even the main priority -- flexibility, adhesion, and weather resistance matter more. The product's intended use matters more than the words on the label. Stop into any RepcoLite, tell them what you're painting and what kind of abuse it'll take, and they'll sort it out.Moss vs. Lichen: What You're Actually Looking At [11:06]Before cleaning anything, it helps to know what you're dealing with, because moss and lichen behave differently from the algae and mildew covered last week -- and they have to be handled differently as a result.Moss is the green fuzzy stuff -- little soft pillows of growth, kinda charming, definitely not good for your house or roof. It grips whatever it's growing on and holds moisture against the surface.Lichen is stranger and tougher. It looks almost painted or glued on -- flat, crusty patches or small leafy, ruffled growths. It can be gray-green, orange, chalky white. Lichen is actually two organisms living together: a fungus that builds the structure and grips the surface, and an algae that makes the food. Together they can live almost anywhere and attach with a grip that's very hard to break. That's the core reason they need their own conversation -- algae and mildew are essentially films sitting on the surface. Moss and lichen are anchored into the surface, into the pores of brick, the grain of wood, down into mortar. Removing them incorrectly can cause more damage than leaving them.Cleaning Moss and Lichen Off Siding [12:43]Brick and masonry. Gently knock off the thickest mounded moss first -- but gently is the word. Plastic scraper, wooden edge, or a stiff-but-not-metal brush. No wire brushes on brick, especially older or softer brick. Nothing mounted on a power tool. Working through the harder outer face of the brick exposes the softer material underneath, which holds moisture longer and becomes even more vulnerable to freeze-thaw damage. You can create next year's problem while cleaning up this year's.After removing loose material, treat remaining moss and lichen with a cleaner labeled for both the growth type and the surface. Wet & Forget is a popular spray-and-leave option -- apply it, leave it alone, and rain carries away the dead material over weeks or months. Make sure whatever you use is designed to kill moss and lichen, not just clean the surface.Wood. Be careful with straight chlorine bleach on bare or weathered wood -- it breaks down lignin, the natural binder in the wood fibers, and can leave cedar blotchy and damaged in ways that don't reverse. Sodium percarbonate (oxygenated bleach -- essentially OxiClean) is gentler on wood and on nearby plants. Soft brush, go with the grain, low pressure, no wire brush.Vinyl and aluminum. More forgiving -- growth doesn't anchor as deep on non-porous surfaces. Soft nylon brush or cloth with a cleaner labeled for that siding type, let it sit, gentle scrub, rinse. Don't spray upward under the laps.Fiber cement. Check the manufacturer's guidance. Keep it gentle and low pressure.Stucco and EIFS. Porous and on the brittle side -- soft wash, right cleaner, low pressure. Older synthetic stucco (EIFS) is especially risky; aggressive washing can force water behind cracks and joints. If the surface is already cracked or failing, call a professional.Plants. Wet down all landscaping before starting. Cover sensitive plants with light plastic, but get it off quickly -- they'll cook under it. Rinse everything again when you're done.Why You Can't Leave Roof Moss and Lichen Alone [20:02]Moss growing thicker around the edges of shingles interferes with drainage and can cause shingles to lift or deteriorate -- creating openings for water to get in. That alone is a good enough reason to deal with it.Lichen is worse on a roof than on siding because it attaches directly to the protective granules on the shingles and can cause irreversible damage as it grips and eventually pulls them loose. There's also a curb appeal issue: moss and lichen-covered roofs read as neglected or failing, whether or not that's actually true.Dan put off dealing with his own roof growth for a couple of years, telling himself it wasn't a big deal. A roofer from Sheriff Goslin Roofing -- who came out to assess the roof's lifespan -- pointed out that the moss and lichen were actively taking years off the roof by pulling granules and giving moisture more places to work. That's what finally prompted action.Hire Out or DIY? [24:12]Before getting into the process, Dan makes the case for hiring it out -- because for a lot of people, that's the right answer. There are companies that specialize in roof and exterior cleaning. If the roof is steep, high, difficult to access, or if heights aren't your thing, hiring a professional is absolutely the right call. A fall is a lot worse than a moss problem.If you're still planning to do it yourself, read on.Cleaner Options for Moss and Lichen on Roofs [25:03]Wet & Forget. Apply per label directions and leave it. The treatment kills growth over time, and rain carries the dead material away over the following weeks and months. No rinsing, no aggressive follow-up. Depending on your roof pitch and setup, you may be able to apply most of it from a ladder or even the ground -- though you have to be very careful not to force water up under shingles at the wrong angle. Dan's roofer confirmed his customers have had good results with it.Oxygenated bleach / sodium percarbonate (essentially OxiClean). This is what Dan used. Mix approximately one pound of oxygenated bleach per two gallons of water. Apply with a pump-up garden sprayer. This is gentler on plants and on...

Nate Stasko, CEO of Vast Therapeutics, is developing a novel nitric oxide-releasing therapy to treat chronic respiratory diseases, particularly fibrosis bronchiectasis, which is frequently misdiagnosed as asthma or COPD. Their lead drug candidate is a dual-mechanism therapy that is delivered to the lungs via a nebulizer to target both infection and inflammation with the potential to eradicate pathogens rather than just suppressing them. This approach, in early trials, is showing excellent tolerability and eliminates the need for chronic antibiotic use, which carries the risks of toxicity and contributes to antibiotic resistance.  Nate explains, "At Vast Therapeutics, our main idea and goal as a company is to come up with better solutions for the 500 million people worldwide who suffer from chronic respiratory disease. And there is a new disease getting a lot of attention that we're targeting with our lead program called bronchiectasis, and it's often been misdiagnosed as asthma or COPD. And now over a million patients in the US are being diagnosed with bronchiectasis. And the whole campaign is to teach physicians and the whole medical community to suspect this disease over some of these other misdiagnosed diseases."  "Traditionally, patients have been managed with either antibiotics to calm down the infection, but you know the problems of chronic antibiotic use- the liver toxicity, kidney toxicity, and hearing loss associated with long-term antibiotic use are just bad for these patients. Not to mention we have the global problem of antibiotic resistance. And so giving a 52-week course of therapy of antibiotics is less than ideal. And then recently, just last year, there's some hope for these patients where there was a new drug approved called brensocatib, which was the first drug ever approved for bronchiectasis by the FDA. And so now it targets the inflammation." "Having the ability to target two mechanisms of action would be the best therapy. And that's actually what Vast is developing. We're using the body's own ability to make and produce nitric oxide, which is a miracle molecule. And we're delivering nitric oxide back to these patients to target both the infection and inflammation at the same time and improve the overall standard of care for these patients."  #VastTherapeutics #Bronchiectasis #Pulmonology #NitricOxide #RespiratoryMedicine #AntimicrobialResistance #ALX1#ChronicLungDisease #HealthcareInnovation #ClinicalTrials vasttherapeutics.com Download the transcript here

Nate Stasko, CEO of Vast Therapeutics, is developing a novel nitric oxide-releasing therapy to treat chronic respiratory diseases, particularly fibrosis bronchiectasis, which is frequently misdiagnosed as asthma or COPD. Their lead drug candidate is a dual-mechanism therapy that is delivered to the lungs via a nebulizer to target both infection and inflammation with the potential to eradicate pathogens rather than just suppressing them. This approach, in early trials, is showing excellent tolerability and eliminates the need for chronic antibiotic use, which carries the risks of toxicity and contributes to antibiotic resistance.  Nate explains, "At Vast Therapeutics, our main idea and goal as a company is to come up with better solutions for the 500 million people worldwide who suffer from chronic respiratory disease. And there is a new disease getting a lot of attention that we're targeting with our lead program called bronchiectasis, and it's often been misdiagnosed as asthma or COPD. And now over a million patients in the US are being diagnosed with bronchiectasis. And the whole campaign is to teach physicians and the whole medical community to suspect this disease over some of these other misdiagnosed diseases."  "Traditionally, patients have been managed with either antibiotics to calm down the infection, but you know the problems of chronic antibiotic use- the liver toxicity, kidney toxicity, and hearing loss associated with long-term antibiotic use are just bad for these patients. Not to mention we have the global problem of antibiotic resistance. And so giving a 52-week course of therapy of antibiotics is less than ideal. And then recently, just last year, there's some hope for these patients where there was a new drug approved called brensocatib, which was the first drug ever approved for bronchiectasis by the FDA. And so now it targets the inflammation." "Having the ability to target two mechanisms of action would be the best therapy. And that's actually what Vast is developing. We're using the body's own ability to make and produce nitric oxide, which is a miracle molecule. And we're delivering nitric oxide back to these patients to target both the infection and inflammation at the same time and improve the overall standard of care for these patients."  #VastTherapeutics #Bronchiectasis #Pulmonology #NitricOxide #RespiratoryMedicine #AntimicrobialResistance #ALX1#ChronicLungDisease #HealthcareInnovation #ClinicalTrials vasttherapeutics.com Listen to the podcast here

For many Americans, the idea of retiring before age 59 and a half often seems out of reach, particularly when the bulk of their savings sits in an employer-sponsored 401(k) or 403(b) plan. Traditionally, the tax code penalizes early withdrawals from these accounts. However, the Rule of 55 could open the door to a more flexible, penalty-free early retirement. On this episode, I'll share more about this IRS provision, who qualifies, how to use it wisely, and potential hazards to avoid.   You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [00:00] Overview of the Rule of 55 and its relevance to retirement savers [02:20] IRS provision allowing penalty-free withdrawals before age 59½ [05:03] Withdrawing from employer 401k early [07:19] Understanding the Rule of 55 [10:06] Common scenarios where Rule of 55 is useful [12:11] Does not apply if funds are rolled into an IRA    A Deep Dive Into the Rule of 55 The IRS usually limits penalty-free withdrawals from retirement plans until you are 59½. Withdrawals before then typically face a 10% early withdrawal penalty on top of regular income taxes. The Rule of 55 is an exception, allowing people who leave their jobs in or after the calendar year they turn 55 to access funds from their employer's plan without being penalized.   There are several conditions to qualify: You must have left (voluntarily or involuntarily) your employer on or after reaching age 55 within the same calendar year. The funds must remain in the retirement plan of your most recent employer; this rule does not apply to old 401(k)s or IRAs.   Who Qualifies for the Rule of 55? To benefit from the Rule of 55, you must separate from your employer (by retiring, being laid off, or quitting) in the year you turn 55 or later. Importantly, the provision only applies to the plan at your most recent employer. If you have funds in 401(k)s from previous jobs, they are not eligible—unless you move those funds into your current employer's plan before you separate. This rule does not apply to IRAs of any kind.   Strategic Considerations Before Using the Rule Accessing your retirement funds early can provide flexibility, but there may also be drawbacks. Consider the following aspects before making withdrawals:   1. Plan-Specific Rules Not every employer allows post-separation distributions that leverage the Rule of 55. Check your plan document or HR department to confirm eligibility. Some plans may even restrict withdrawals to lump-sum distributions—a move that could trigger a significant tax event.   2. Tax Implications The Rule of 55 lets you avoid the 10% early withdrawal penalty, but income taxes still apply to distributions from pre-tax 401(k)s. If you're withdrawing from a Roth 401(k), only qualified distributions escape taxation, earnings could still be taxed if the account isn't at least five years old or you haven't reached 59½.   3. Returning to Work You can still take penalty-free withdrawals from your old plan and work elsewhere, you just can't return to the same employer and continue penalty-free distributions from that plan.   4. Preserving Your Nest Egg Large or ill-timed withdrawals can erode your investments and disrupt your long-term retirement security. It's crucial to view withdrawals in the context of a potential 25- to 35-year retirement span.   Common Scenarios and Use Cases   Unexpected Job Loss: After an unexpected layoff at age 57, you can supplement your income using penalty-free 401(k) withdrawals until age 59½. Bridging Pension Gaps: If your pension doesn't kick in until 60 but you retire at 56, the Rule of 55 can provide necessary cash flow for those interim years. Semi-Retirement Transitions: Those shifting to part-time work or consulting may use partial withdrawals to cover living expenses while ramping up new income streams.   Using the Rule of 55 requires careful planning and a clear understanding of your plan's rules and your long-term income needs. Before making any moves, consult with a financial advisor to develop a sustainable retirement withdrawal strategy. Resources Mentioned Retirement Readiness Review Subscribe to the Retire with Ryan YouTube Channel Download my entire book for FREE  Topic no. 558, Additional tax on early distributions from retirement plans other than IRAs   Connect With Morrissey Wealth Management  www.MorrisseyWealthManagement.com/contact Subscribe to Retire With Ryan  

Join Kosta and his guest: Cookeville City Council Candidates, Dee Prince and Sam Matson. In this episode: Cookeville is currently operating under its 2030 plan, a plan approved in 2010. For anyone who doesn't remember Cookeville in 2010, it was a different universe. If elected you will be tasked with developing and approving our next, 2050 plan. When you think about the last 20-years, and the next 20-years, what responsibility does this plan and the elected officials who create it have to serve Cookeville in the decades to come? If elected, you'll both be first time Council Members. As our listeners might know, there are five members on the Cookeville City Council, Mayor, Vice Mayor and three Council Members. Why do you believe you're the best candidate to fill one of these five seats, and what specifically can you bring to the Council no one else can? Traditionally, over 70% of registered voters in the City of Cookeville don't vote. You've both been working day and night to engage voters, and talk with constituents. So, I want to give a more direct example of local government at work. Let's pretend you knock on a neighbor's door and they ask what you can do for them as a voter. What would you say?Find out more about Sam Matson's Campaign for Cookeville City Council:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61589752626838Find out more about Damon "Dee" Prince's Campaign for Cookeville City Council:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590039621071Register to vote, check your registration or update your voter registration:https://sos.tn.gov/govotetnImportant Putnam County Election dates and information:Putnam County General Elections will be held on August 6th with early voting from Friday, July 17th to Saturday, August 1st.All early voting takes place at the Putnam County Election Commission on 705 County Services Dr, Cookeville, TN 38501.For more information visit on Putnam County polling locations visit: https://putnamcountytn.gov/election-commissionBetter Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners at Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy.Find out more about Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy:https://aspirebarberandbeauty.com

Greg Jenner is joined in ancient Greece by historian Dr Emily Hauser and comedian and actor Kiell Smith-Bynoe to learn about the epic poems the Iliad and Odyssey. Traditionally attributed to the poet Homer, these works tell parts of a legend that has fascinated us for centuries: the story of the Trojan War. Featuring a cast of unforgettable characters – Achilles, Odysseus, Paris, Helen, Hector and Agamemnon – the war between ancient Greece and Troy has inspired writers, artists and filmmakers for over a millennium. But the Iliad and Odyssey only recount episodes of this much bigger story. The Iliad, focusing on the hero Achilles, takes place in the closing stretches of the war. And the Odyssey tells the tale of Odysseus's perilous voyage home after the Greeks have triumphed. In this episode, we trace the origins of the poems in the 8th century BCE, looking at whether Homer really wrote them and how these originally oral tales came to be written down, before exploring the fantastical tales they tell. Along the way, we also look at whether or not the Trojan war really happened, how the ancient Greeks defined heroism, and examine the role of gods and monsters in the poems and the lives of their heroes.If you're a fan of fantastical myths and legends, heroes behaving badly, and ancient Greek culture, you'll love our episode on the Iliad and Odyssey.If you want more from Kiell Smith-Bynoe, listen to our episode on Viking explorer Leif Erikson. And for more historical epics, check out our episodes on the Legends of King Arthur, and the Mesopotamian Epic of Gilgamesh.You're Dead To Me is the comedy podcast that takes history seriously. Every episode, Greg Jenner brings together the best names in history and comedy to learn and laugh about the past.Hosted by: Greg Jenner Research by: Auréliane Perrin Written by: Dr Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow, Dr Emma Nagouse, and Greg Jenner Produced by: Dr Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow and Greg Jenner Audio Producer: Steve Hankey Production Coordinator: Gill Huggett Senior Producer: Dr Emma Nagouse Executive Editor: Philip Sellars

As darkness fell last night, Jews around the world sat on synagogue floors and listened to the chanting of Eicha, the Book of Lamentations, marking the beginning of Tisha B'Av. Traditionally the saddest day on the Jewish calendar, it is a day of mourning for the calamities that have befallen the Jewish people over the centuries—chief among them the destruction of the First and Second Temples and the devastation of Jerusalem. While the community survived and continued going through the motions of worshipping the god of their forefathers, surely many Jews—in the generation that saw the Temple burn, and the streets of their holy city strewn with starved and butchered bodies—must have lost their faith. And today, as Jews read Lamentations and refrain from eating, drinking, washing, wearing leather shoes or even greeting one another, some may participate in rituals they no longer entirely “believe” in. On this episode of Not in Heaven, rabbis Avi Finegold and Yedida Eisenstat ask how closely Jewish observance has to line up with personal conviction or theological belief. Sparked by the new Israeli television series Behasture, about a secret group of Jerusalemites who outwardly live fully haredi, strictly religious lives despite having lost their faith long ago, they explore why people remain in communities they no longer internally align with; the pressures of living with the cognitive dissonance between practice and belief; and the costs of searching for a community whose rituals and values perfectly mirror your own commitments. Credits Hosts: Avi Finegold, Yedida Eisenstat, Matthew Leibl Production team: Zachary Judah Kauffman (editor), Michael Fraiman (executive producer), Alicia Richler (editorial director) Music: Socalled Support The CJN Subscribe to The CJN newsletter Donate to The CJN (+ get a charitable tax receipt)

Co-hosts Ryan Piansky, a patient advocate living with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and eosinophilic asthma, and Holly Knotowicz, a speech-language pathologist living with EoE who serves on APFED's Health Science Advisory Council, interview Dr. Claire Beveridge about EoE and dysphagia. Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is designed to support, not replace, the relationship between listeners and their healthcare providers. Opinions, information, and recommendations shared in this podcast are not a substitute for medical advice. Decisions related to medical care should be made with your healthcare provider. Opinions and views of guests and co-hosts are their own.   Key Takeaways: [:49] Co-host Ryan Piansky introduces this episode, brought to you thanks to the support of Education Partners AstraZeneca, GSK, Sanofi, Regeneron, and Takeda. Ryan introduces co-host Holly Knotowicz.   [1:17] Holly introduces today's topic, research on eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and dysphagia.   [1:24] Holly introduces and welcomes today's guest, Dr. Claire Beveridge, a gastroenterologist at the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Beveridge heads the EoE Adult Clinic and the Transition from Pediatric to Adult EoE Clinic.   [1:36] Holly, a speech pathologist, says she is very excited to dive into the research Dr. Beveridge did with EoE and dysphagia. Holly asks Dr. Beveridge to share some of her background.   [1:48] Dr. Beveridge was recruited to the Cleveland Clinic about five years ago to head the EoE Center. She loves the work they have done there.   [1:57] Dr. Beveridge says it's been nice to center everything on their EoE patients and have multidisciplinary care with speech-language pathologists, allergists, dietitians, pulmonologists, and more. It's been a great experience.   [2:15] Dr. Beveridge says the other thing they are really proud of is having a Transition Clinic. It can be tough for patients to transition from pediatric to adult care.   [2:23] Dr. Beveridge says this is something she was inspired to do when she was finishing her training at the University of Pennsylvania, where they had been doing some of that. It was really important to her when she joined Cleveland Clinic.   [2:34] Dr. Beveridge, with her Co-director, Dr. Sophia Patel, helps patients transition from pediatric to adult care.   [2:41] Holly speaks of the challenge of transitioning from pediatric care at a multidisciplinary clinic to adult care.   [3:08] Dr. Beveridge says you can't do any training at Northwestern without loving the esophagus. She did her residency there, got exposed to esophagology, and got to know Dr. Gonsalves and Dr. Hirano really well.   [3:33] Drs. Gonsalves and Hirano are really big names in EoE. Dr. Beveridge was fascinated by the disease. She loved the patients and wanted to help them and make them feel better. It's a burgeoning field.   [3:48] Dr. Beveridge says that it's only in the last few years that we have had FDA-approved medications for it, and that we have been jerry-rigging asthma medications to treat our patients.   [4:03] Dr. Beveridge says it's really exciting to see the treatment options we can offer.   [4:10] Ryan says it's exciting to see how EoE management has changed.   [4:16] Ryan says we see so many patients who are untreated or poorly treated for years, who have restructuring of their esophagus and present with dysphagia, or have strictures and rings leading to food impactions; the long-term effects of untreated EoE.   [4:34] Ryan says it's exciting that now we do have better treatment options for people, right off the bat.   [4:43] Dr. Beveridge conducted some research on EoE and dysphagia and presented a poster at the 2024 Digestive Diseases Week.   [4:51] The poster was titled, "Esophageal Luminal Diameter is Associated with Dysphagia and Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Implications for Endoscopic Dilation Therapy."   [5:11] Dr. Beveridge says dysphagia means issues with swallowing. It's a feeling of something getting stuck or something slowly moving down. There are also subtle symptoms that can happen.   [5:31] Dr. Beveridge says patients who have had EoE for a long time become accustomed to how they swallow. Things a patient may think are normal, like needing water and taking a sip after each bite, are learned accommodating behaviors.   [5:58] Dr. Beveridge says accommodating behaviors are that you're needing to imbibe extra water, you're modifying how you're eating, extra chewing, avoiding pills, avoiding other certain foods, and things like that that can be modifying factors.   [6:19] So, difficulty with swallowing, things getting stuck, slowly moving down, but also keeping in mind some of those modifying behaviors that we may end up using.   [7:23] Dr. Beveridge says her motivation was seeing patients in her clinic who were having persistent symptoms, and getting them into histological remission. The goal of treating your EoE is to get the eosinophils less than 15; close to zero is great.   [7:45] Dr. Beveridge says we have patients who, despite doing their endoscopies and taking biopsies, things look fine; they're still having issues with swallowing. Why is that the case?   [7:58] Dr. Beveridge says in a different research paper she had done, looking at some of the predictors for that, one of them was fibrostenosis. There are also other things that can contribute, like esophageal hypervigilance and a fear of swallowing.   [8:21] If a patient has had a food impaction, it's going to be scary to try to swallow again. Some of it is behavioral, but some of it is structural. At what luminal diameter (the size of the esophagus) is that causing a clinical problem for patients?   [8:45] A normal esophagus is 20 to 24 mm in diameter. Traditionally, around 14 to 16 mm in diameter has been when we say that patients get symptoms or they're feeling the issues with swallowing.   [9:03] Dr. Beveridge says a lot of those studies have never been done specifically for EoE patients.   [9:08] Dr. Beveridge wanted to know, if we exclude cancer, if we exclude acid reflux, and all of these other things, and just look at our EoE patients, what size of the esophagus are we looking at?   [9:20] Dr. Beveridge explained they specifically looked at patients whose histology was under control and then compared those who continued to experience symptoms with those who did not. The goal was to determine the histologic threshold at which patients begin to experience dysphagia.    [9:54] Dr. Beveridge says they saw this threshold at 16 mm (1.6 cm). That's still quite the difference from a normal esophagus of 20 to 24.   [10:08] Dr. Beveridge says our esophagus can definitely handle being smaller, but then, once you get to that 16 mm, for a lot of patients, it really does cause that feeling of things getting stuck or slowly moving down.   [10:20] Holly says what's cool about the retrospective data Dr. Beveridge looked at, and the parameters she placed in the research, is that when a patient goes in for an endoscopy, the doctor can measure and say maybe this is why dysphagia is going on.   [10:48] Holly finds that adult patients with food impactions are scared to eat the same food again. She loves having this data to share with patients and say, let's look at what your esophagus measures at. Let's do a smaller bite. Let's add a dip and liquid.   [11:12] Holly says data can push so much progress. Holly, having multiple chronic illnesses, loves when doctors can say, this is going to be safe. This is the mode that we're going to go with.   [11:30] Dr. Beveridge says in the retrospective study, they were looking at stuff that had already been done. We decided from here to assess patients more prospectively. All of this was based on chart review from when the note said symptoms or no symptoms.   [11:53] Dr. Beveridge says when she started this EoE clinic at the Cleveland Clinic, part of it was to standardize better how we were collecting data from patients to understand their symptoms.   [12:07] Dr. Beveridge has a standardized questionnaire for patients to understand if they are having heartburn and difficulty with swallowing, so she can know that at each point of their endoscopy.   [12:18] Dr. Beveridge says it will be nice, hopefully in the future, when she can give a little more detail and depth in terms of assessing this more prospectively and seeing if that same number holds up or if she needs to tweak it a little bit.   [12:34] Holly thinks it's fascinating. Numbers give us so much information, to know if my mm is this versus this, the next time, or during allergy season or not.   [12:53] Ryan says it's cool that you're able to look back at existing patient records and identify this information. Now we have that 16 mm number in mind to say maybe this is where we'll start to see increased risk of dysphagia in these patients.   [13:28] Dr. Beveridge says, how we had to do it retrospectively was based on the endoscopist estimating what the size is. Gastroenterologists recognize they're not always the best at estimating the size of the esophagus.   [13:50] Dr. Beveridge says, if your endoscope could not pass through, or it was snugly passing through, you know the diameter of the endoscope. If a dilation was done, at what size dilation do we start to see a disruption?   [14:19] Dr. Beveridge says, the goal of a dilation is to get a disruption because there's scar tissue we want to break open. A patient might think disruption means a perforation or something more scary, but that is the goal. We want to break open that scar tissue.   [14:42] Dr. Beveridge says, once we see that scar tissue break open a little bit, then we can estimate what the diameter is, based on the size dilator we used.   [15:10] Dr. Beveridge says for adults, we use a standard adult upper endoscope, and that's about 13 mm. The ones we use for kids are about 6 mm.   [15:35] Dr. Beveridge says the adult endoscope is around 13 mm, and it's around 14 to 16 mm when we start to see the symptoms.   [16:07] Dr. Beveridge says there are two main types of dilation that we do. One is the Savary dilator or wire-guided dilator, a long dilator that stretches the entire esophagus, from the mouth down to the stomach.   [17:20] Dr. Beveridge says another way of doing it is while you have the endoscope in, you thread a catheter. At the end of the endoscope, there's a balloon. You fill the balloon with saline up to different sizes. Typically, they go up by 3 mm, so 12 to 15 mm.   [18:01] Dr. Beveridge says the catheter balloon dilator is good for discrete strictures because the balloon isn't going to do the entire esophagus; it's just going to do one area of the esophagus, and you're watching it the whole time.   [18:19] For the wire dilator, you remove the scope. You're not able to see, so it's important to assess ahead of time how narrow things are, so you start at a safe dilation. You go in each time to see if there's starting to be disruption, and then you can do more.   [18:44] Holly asks if a gastroenterologist doing an upper endoscopy with sedation sees that it's tight, would the gastroenterologist automatically do a dilation? Or, can a patient with dysphagia symptoms request to have a dilation?   [19:28] Dr. Beveridge says, right before an endoscopy, she discusses it with the patient and gets consent. She asks, even if their symptoms are good, but in the endoscopy she sees a narrowing where she would recommend a dilation, if they're OK with that.   [20:05] Dr. Beveridge says, if they're having issues with swallowing, often she will ask if they're OK with her doing a dilation. If she sees a narrowing, she can focus on that area and dilate it.   [20:19] Dr. Beveridge says not everywhere in the esophagus can we see as well. The very beginning of the esophagus is challenging to see and challenging to evaluate on imaging.   [20:32] Dr. Beveridge talks about empiric dilation. You don't see a narrowing, but you want to rule it out, so you do a dilation at a safe size, like 16 or 18 mm, to make sure you're not missing something up high.   [20:58] Dr. Beveridge says she always talks about that with her patients. Most say, go ahead. Some patients definitely want dilation; other patients say no, they really don't.   [21:12] Dr. Beveridge then asks the patient if there's real narrowing that may cause a food impaction, would they want dilation then, or hold off for another day?   [21:30] Dr. Beveridge never wants to do something the patient is not comfortable with. She also doesn't want them to need another endoscopy unnecessarily, if she can avoid that for them in the moment.   [21:46] Dr. Beveridge mentions the BougieCap used in Europe. It's a cap you put at the end of the endoscope. You use your endoscope as the dilator. You watch the whole time. It is hard plastic that causes a nice dilation. We may see it come to the U.S.   [22:37] Dr. Beveridge speaks of the FLIP catheter, which is a catheter with a balloon that doesn't cause dilation but distends and helps measure the diameter.   [23:33] Holly asks if Dr. Beveridge gives tips to patients on how to prepare for dilation and the recovery process.   [23:49] Dr. Beveridge had an upper endoscopy. She says there's nothing like experience to understand it better. She didn't have a dilation, but the biopsies caused discomfort.    [24:21] Dr. Beveridge says a lot of her patients have been through upper endoscopies, so they know how it feels. She warns them that the biopsies and dilation can cause discomfort.   [24:33] What's challenging is that everyone is different. Some patients are going to be more hypersensitive to it, and other patients are going to say they felt nothing and they were fine.   [24:46] Dr. Beveridge says some patients need to modify their diet for a few days to avoid significant chest pain. You never want someone to have to go to the ER for significant chest pain when it will just heal over time, and there's no perforation.   [25:12] Dr. Beveridge says other patients will be like her, eating chips and pretzels and saying they're fine. Dr. Beveridge typically has them start with liquids, nothing too hot or too cold, and advance as tolerated.   [25:28] Dr. Beveridge says patients can always use TylenolⓇ and over-the-counter numbing agents. You'll still have patients who will get significant discomfort. For the most part, starting with liquids has worked for Dr. Beveridge's patients.   [25:44] Holly recommends over-the-counter when her patients call, after she talks to their GI. Holly says after she has an endoscopy, she starts on liquids and shakes. On day three, she's fine. Holly says individualized care is amazing. We all are different.   [26:14] In the pediatric setting, the parents get the counseling, and they have not had sedation, but on the adult side, you're talking with the patient, who had sedation. Sometimes they don't remember.   [26:40] Dr. Beveridge says when possible, she waits for family members to come back and tells them they're going to have to "be the memory" because the patient probably won't remember this conversation.   [26:55] If a patient says no, they don't want them to come back and hear about it, always respect that. But Dr. Beveridge always tells them, you may not remember what we say.   [27:30] Ryan asks about data on how many times someone may need dilations. Dr. Beveridge says it comes down to the patient, but the biggest issue can be uncontrolled inflammation.   [27:44] Dr. Beveridge says if a patient's EoE is not controlled, inflammation leads to continued scarring down. That's why we talk about dilation as being an adjunctive measure, but not a treatment for EoE. It doesn't do anything for the inflammation.   [28:03] Dr. Beveridge says she has patients who ask why she can't just do a dilation every now and then. Dr. Beveridge considers dilation to be safe when needed, but if you can avoid it, that would be nicer for everyone.   [28:21] Dr. Beveridge says there's no great data on whether you only need one, or whether you're going to need 10, but one big theme is just: have we gotten your inflammation under control? That's also true for other conditions, such as acid reflux.   [28:45] Holly wasn't diagnosed until she was in her mid-twenties, and she had several upper endoscopies as a teenager and college student to dilate her, to help the situation.   [29:17] Holly says she had to get more endoscopies to figure out her weird food triggers that are not typical for everybody, so even if she's treated, she still has inflammation. That's why she had so many upper endoscopies.   [29:30] Ryan talks about underlying issues causing inflammation. Dilation is not treating those underlying causes. It's just helping with one symptom of this dysphagia, by expanding the esophagus.   [29:50] Ryan asks, What changes in symptoms should patients expect after the dilation? Dr. Beveridge says, ideally, if there's been a stricture, you're going to start to feel like your swallowing is better. You can get pills and food down better.   [30:07] Dr. Beveridge says, immediately post-dilation, sometimes people feel a little bit worse. Everything you swallow may be uncomfortable for you. But if it's been a successful dilation, hopefully, you're going to feel that things are going down better.   [30:40] Holly says she is so grateful that Dr. Beveridge looked into this, and hopefully, there will be a new protocol in the future. Holly asks what other key takeaways from this research may interest Dr. Beveridge in researching something further.   [31:02] Dr. Beveridge says, making sure that we're not missing scar tissue is big and important. One thing that we're trying to look at with our Pediatric GI colleagues is what threshold we should be looking at for the pediatric patient population.   [31:19] Dr. Beveridge says a pediatric patient's esophagus is a different size than an adult patient's. Understandably, we are more cautious when doing a dilation in the pediatric patient population than we are with adults.   [31:34] Dr. Beveridge may recommend empiric dilation for an adult but will feel more cautious about that with pediatric patients than with adult patients. Understanding what that threshold should be for the pediatrics is going to be really interesting.   [31:57] Dr. Beveridge says the diameter threshold we discussed is going to be important to know about, but everyone is different. You may have a diameter of 14 mm, you feel fine, and you don't want a dilation; you can accommodate OK. That's reasonable.   [32:15] Dr. Beveridge says she has had patients who get up to 18 mm, and that helps them, but they need a little bit more. If someone needs more of a dilation, we do that. Yes, have a threshold to assess, but always assess for what's personal for your patient.   [33:04] Dr. Beveridge says not just to assess the luminal diameter, but a thing that is helpful for gastroenterologists to know will be if there are other factors at play. As in her study of dysphagia predictors, anxiety, depression, and hypervigilance can play roles.   [33:37] Dr. Beveridge has patients who have to have a critical narrowing for them to finally feel an issue. Other patients, if they have the slightest of narrowing, are feeling something. Some patients are just more vigilant of what's happening in their esophagus.   [34:07] Dr. Beveridge says there's definitely a role for asking if your anxiety is under control. If there's feedback in the nerves, should we ask your GI Psychologist to be involved in terms of CBT for your esophagus? Take a look at everything.   [34:27] Dr. Beveridge says another part of the study they looked at was: are there different thresholds of eosinophils that we should be looking at? Is it just less than 15, or do some patients need it to be lower? Less than six? Less than 10?   [34:43] Dr. Beveridge says look at it as a whole for your patient.   [34:53] Dr. Beveridge says next, she will be working on a very long-term project: Can we identify a non-invasive method of screening a patient, diagnosing a patient for EoE, or monitoring a response to therapy?   [35:13] Dr. Beveridge has looked at transnasal endoscopy, which is put into this category of minimally invasive. It's still invasive; you're putting a scope through someone's nose, but it doesn't require sedation, which is a nice thing for some patients.   [35:29] There's the EnteroTrack, which started in Colorado. A patient swallows a string, and it stays in their esophagus for an hour, and we look at the proteins to see if things are active or not active.   [35:45] Dr. Beveridge is also looking at the breath metabolome. If we breathe into a bag and take a look at all the volatile organic compounds that are in our breath, can we find a signature related to EoE?   [36:01] It's assessing about 100 different compounds, not looking at one in particular, but how the whole thing looks. What signature is there, based on looking at all the compounds?   [36:15] Dr. Beveridge presented some of that data at DDW and has a grant from the ACG to look at this and assess patients with and without EoE.   [36:33] Dr. Beveridge says further, doing longitudinal data of looking at patients once they've gotten into remission on treatment and seeing, do we then see a signature change?   [36:47] Dr. Beveridge says no one is under any illusion that endoscopies are going away. They will always be part of what we do in gastroenterology, but there are limitations: sedation, a full day away from work, nothing by mouth, and a driver, etc.   [37:04] If there are alternatives to help supplement that, it would be nice. One of the barriers for patients doing diet elimination is the number of endoscopies that are required. If there's a way to assess by breath if a food is a trigger, that would be good.   [37:32] Dr. Beveridge says that's the big thing she's looking at, but it will take years. It's not going to be a quick, easy one, but it's very interesting to take a look at.   [37:45] Holly speaks of how much treatment has changed since she was diagnosed. She has done all the scopes. She says this sounds amazing. She loves that people like Dr. Beveridge are thinking of how to make testing less invasive and more comfortable.   [38:12] Dr. Beveridge says another thing she is excited about is the transition of care. She recently did a survey and is analyzing the data to assess what the barrier is from the physician perspective in terms of helping our patients transition.   [38:40] Dr. Beveridge is also looking at doing a nice multi-center consensus to help this as well, led by Dr. Sophia Patel and Dr. Emily McGowan, who are fantastic in the EoE world, looking to see how we can make this better for our patients.   [38:58] Ryan says, with so much interesting work coming up, we'll have to have you back to chat about some of these additional projects. Everyone is super interested in less invasive stuff and better treatment pathways. Transition of care is an important part of that.   [39:11] Ryan appreciates Dr. Beveridge for joining the conversation and hopes to have her back on another episode so we can learn more about EoE and these different future research endeavors.   [39:20] For our listeners who would like to learn more about EoE today, you can visit apfed.org/EoE and check out the links in the show notes below. [39:27] If you're looking to find specialists who treat eosinophilic disorders, we encourage you to use APFED's Specialist Finder, available at apfed.org/specialist.   [39:36] If you'd like to connect with others impacted by eosinophilic diseases, please join APFED's online community on the Inspire Network at apfed.org/connections.   [39:46] If you have personally been impacted by eosinophilic disorders and are interested in sharing your experience, please check out apfed.org/shareyourstory.   [39:55] Ryan thanks Dr. Beveridge for joining us. This was a fun conversation and really insightful. Holly thanks APFED's Education Partners AstraZeneca, GSK, Sanofi, Regeneron, and Takeda for supporting this episode.   Mentioned in This Episode:   APFED on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram Real Talk: Eosinophilic Diseases Podcast apfed.orgapfed.org/specialist apfed.org/connections Claire Beveridge, MD Cleveland Clinic Education Partners: This episode of APFED's podcast is brought to you thanks to the support of AstraZeneca, GSK, Sanofi, Regeneron, and Takeda.   Tweetables (Edited):   "I have loved the work that we've done [at the Cleveland Clinic]. It's been really nice to center everything on our EoE patients and have nice multidisciplinary care with speech-language pathologists, allergists, dietitians, pulmonologists, and everyone." — Claire Beveridge, MD   "It's a little crazy to think that it's only in the last few years that we have had FDA-approved medications for [EoE], and that we have been jerry-rigging asthma medications to treat our patients." — Claire Beveridge, MD   "On the whole, dysphagia means issues with swallowing. … It's a feeling of something getting stuck or something slowly moving down. There are also subtle symptoms that can happen." — Claire Beveridge, MD   "The goal of a dilation is to get a disruption because there's scar tissue we want to break open." — Claire Beveridge, MD   "I am looking at the breath metabolome. If we breathe into a bag and take a look at all the volatile organic compounds that are in our breath, can we find a signature related to EoE?" — Claire Beveridge, MD   Guest Bio: Claire Beveridge, MD, is a Staff Member in the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and heads the Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) adult clinic as well as the transition pediatric to adult EoE clinic. Dr. Beveridge's specialty interests include: EoE, Achalasia, Barrett's esophagus, GERD, esophageal swallowing disorders, and esophageal motility disorders.

Good morning from Pharma Daily: the podcast that brings you the most important developments in the pharmaceutical and biotech world. The industry continues to forge ahead, making significant strides in scientific advancements, regulatory approvals, and strategic business developments. These moves are reshaping the landscape of drug development and patient care. Starting with Merck & Co.'s recent FDA approval for Lipfendra, the world's first oral PCSK9 inhibitor, this marks a pivotal shift in managing hypercholesterolemia. Traditionally, PCSK9 inhibitors have been administered via injection, but Lipfendra offers a more convenient oral alternative. This could significantly improve patient adherence and outcomes by easing the administration process for those managing cholesterol levels. The drug's approval highlights a crucial advancement in cardiovascular treatment, with expectations of reaching peak annual sales of $5 billion, underscoring its market potential. In another significant development, Eli Lilly has entered the burgeoning field of psychedelic therapeutics with its acquisition of Ataibeckley for up to $3.8 billion. This move reflects a growing trend toward exploring novel therapeutic avenues for psychiatric disorders. Psychedelic compounds promise new hope for patients with depression and other mental health conditions where conventional therapies have shown limited efficacy. Eli Lilly's investment signals confidence in the transformative potential of psychedelics, which could revolutionize treatment paradigms for conditions like depression and PTSD. Turning to obesity treatment, Novo Nordisk's Wegovy pill has received European Commission approval for obesity and overweight adults. As a small molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist, semaglutide enhances satiety and reduces caloric intake. This development underscores the increasing focus on metabolic disorders and highlights the competitive landscape as companies race to dominate the weight management sector with innovative oral formulations. In oncology news, Merck & Co.'s Keytruda has achieved a milestone in becoming the first PD-1 inhibitor to demonstrate phase 3 benefits as a single agent in frontline mismatch repair-deficient endometrial cancer. This success not only reinforces Keytruda's role in oncology but also emphasizes the importance of precision medicine approaches targeting specific genetic mutations in cancer therapy. The industry is also seeing substantial financial maneuvers aimed at bolstering research capabilities and market reach. Johnson & Johnson has raised its 2026 financial guidance following Tremfya's impressive $2 billion revenue milestone with its IL-23 inhibitor for autoimmune diseases. Additionally, their strategic supply chain restructuring reflects efforts to enhance operational efficiency amid a broader U.S. manufacturing push. On the regulatory front, Johnson & Johnson received UK MHRA approval for Akeega in BRCA1/2-mutated metastatic prostate cancer, highlighting ongoing focus on precision medicine and targeted therapies in oncology. Meanwhile, Medtronic's recall of Harmony Catheter Delivery Systems due to safety concerns serves as a reminder of ongoing vigilance in medical device safety regulations. In clinical trial advancements, InnoCare Pharma's TYK2 inhibitor demonstrated efficacy in a Phase 2 trial for nonsegmental vitiligo, achieving its primary endpoint and paving the way for Phase 3 studies. This highlights TYK2 inhibition as a promising strategy for autoimmune diseases like vitiligo. Moreover, we witness movements towards public offerings with companies like Vogenx and Braveheart Bio aiming for IPOs to fund their respective drug development projects. These efforts underscore the continuous drive for capital to propel innovative therapies through clinical trials and towards commercialization. Finally, turning to regulatory updates, Sanofi has entered new chapters in mRNA patent litigation against Pfizer and Moderna, reflecting ongoing tensions over intellectual property rights within the high-stakes realm of COVID-19 vaccines and mRNA technology. The outcomes here could have far-reaching implications for mRNA-based therapeutics and vaccine development. As we look at these developments collectively, they illustrate a vibrant period for pharmaceutical and biotech companies innovating new treatments while navigating complex regulatory terrains. The implications for patient care are profound, with potential improvements in therapeutic options driven by new scientific breakthroughs and strategic industry shifts. These dynamics promise to reshape the future landscape of global healthcare delivery and pharmaceutical innovation as these trends continue to unfold.Support the show

The episode of the PRmoment Podcast titled “PR Pitch Hacks” features host Ben Smith in conversation with agency Hannah Sharratt of Axe & Saw, exploring how PR pitching currently works and how it should evolve. Ben opens by noting that pitching, alongside timesheets and AVE, is one of the most emotive issues in PR, with recent years marked by excessively long shortlists, reverse pitch auctions and widespread ghosting of agencies. Here is the link to a previous PRmoment Podcast with Tui's Amy Dowling, where she outlined a recommended 12 stage PR pitch process.He argues that in‑house teams often overcomplicate what should be a structured, courteous process, and that following a clear best‑practice model would save agencies time and deliver better client–agency fit.Hannah, who likens pitching to dating with its “icks, tricks and hacks,” describes both the traditional pitch process and her more disruptive alternative. Traditionally, brands move from longlist to shortlist, run chemistry sessions with three or four agencies, issue a written brief, then hold pitch meetings where agencies present polished strategies and big ideas before a Q&A, followed by a delayed decision and often poor feedback. From an agency standpoint, chemistry sessions are critical for understanding how clients think, why the brief exists, what their vision is, and who the real decision‑makers are. She stresses the need to research and challenge in advance to bring a point of view, not just show up passively.Hannah's proposed four‑step model retains the chemistry session but demands a much clearer, more brief. She insists on explicit budgets, not necessarily large but realistic, so agencies can shape ideas to fit. She also wants success metrics and decision‑maker clarity set out from the start. Her major innovation is replacing traditional pitch theatre with a live workshop. In this setup, the brief lands shortly before the meeting—perhaps 24 hours in advance—and the pitch itself becomes a collaborative working session. The agency leads, dissecting the brief, challenging assumptions and building ideas in real time with the client. She argues that this is far better for assessing how an agency thinks, responds under pressure and will work day‑to‑day than judging them on speculative deck polish. This is reinforced by her estimate that only about 10 to 15 percent of pitched ideas are ever implemented once legal, brand and procurement weigh in.The conversation also covers red flags and etiquette. For Hannah, no budget, fuzzy timings, overlong unfocused briefs and “blue‑sky thinking” requests without a defined sense of “bold” are strong warning signs. She is particularly wary of tissue sessions dominated by junior stakeholders that send agencies down the wrong path before senior decision‑makers appear at the final pitch. On ghosting, both she and Ben are blunt: decisions should come within 10 days to two weeks, and losing agencies deserve meaningful feedback, ideally via a phone call.Finally, they discuss how independent agencies like Axe & Saw use pitching strategically. Averaging roughly one pitch a week has helped them nearly double revenue in a year, but Hannah emphasises intentional growth: each win should either pay the bills or shift the agency's trajectory, and profile is built as much through consistent, visible work as through formal announcements and awards.“I think pitching, agency pitching, is like dating. Everyone loves to talk about the icks and tricks and the hacks, and everyone gets very heated and irate.”— Hannah Sharrett, [0:01:58]“We've seen extraordinarily long long lists, reverse pitch auctions, and loads and loads of ghosting… it's one of those topics that always stirs the passions, particularly with agency folks.”— Ben Smith, [0:00:03]“I don't think it should be slick‑Rick presentations at all. I think the best pitch should feel like a live working session.”— Hannah Sharratt, [0:03:16]“If they can't make a decision throughout the pitch process, that probably suggests they can't make a decision that easily throughout your working relationship.”— Hannah Sharratt, [0:06:29]“I'm actually not looking for the biggest budget. I'm looking for the most honest conversation about where the budget actually is.”— Hannah Sharratt, [0:03:16]“In a dream world, 10 days, max two weeks. Anything longer than two weeks is offensive, or you can't make a decision.”— Hannah Sharratt, [0:11:42]“If you don't win, proper feedback is the most valuable thing you can give an agency. It's the one thing that says, ‘This hasn't all been for nothing.'”— Hannah Sharratt, [0:11:42]“If a client says they want bold but they can't define what bold means to them, they're probably not ready to buy bold.”— Hannah Sharratt, [0:17:39]“Bold without a budget—that's the ultimate destructive combo.”— Hannah Sharratt, [0:18:43]“Every pitch matters because every client changes your trajectory.”— Hannah Sharratt, [0:24:48]

Traditionally, European power systems were engineered around a single imperative: survive the winter "Dunkelflaute," those prolonged cold, dark, windless stretches that push demand higher while renewable generation collapses. But rising summer temperatures are dismantling this assumption. Heat waves are forcing a fundamental recalibration of infrastructure investment, operational strategy and market design across the European power sector. In this episode, host Eklavya Gupte speaks with Parth Goel, power analyst at S&P Global Energy CERA, about how extreme heat is reshaping demand patterns, straining supply and exposing vulnerabilities in the continent's energy infrastructure. Goel explains why France, not Southern Europe, has emerged as the most price-sensitive region during heat waves, how solar generation creates dramatic price swings between midday troughs and evening peaks, and why Europe is shifting from a winter-peaking power system to a dual-peaking one. The conversation also examines the compounding effects of drought on Alpine hydro, the thermal stress on nuclear cooling systems, and why summer now demands the same infrastructure planning attention as winter.

Traditionally, European power systems were engineered around a single imperative: survive the winter "Dunkelflaute," those prolonged cold, dark, windless stretches that push demand higher while renewable generation collapses. But rising summer temperatures are dismantling this assumption. Heat waves are forcing a fundamental recalibration of infrastructure investment, operational strategy and market design across the European power sector. In this episode, host Eklavya Gupte speaks with Parth Goel, power analyst at S&P Global Energy CERA, about how extreme heat is reshaping demand patterns, straining supply and exposing vulnerabilities in the continent's energy infrastructure. Goel explains why France, not Southern Europe, has emerged as the most price-sensitive region during heat waves, how solar generation creates dramatic price swings between midday troughs and evening peaks, and why Europe is shifting from a winter-peaking power system to a dual-peaking one. The conversation also examines the compounding effects of drought on Alpine hydro, the thermal stress on nuclear cooling systems, and why summer now demands the same infrastructure planning attention as winter.

It's July 12th, the highlight of Northern Ireland's marching season. Traditionally it is a day of celebration for the loyalist community, but following a tumultuous couple of years, culminating in last month's conviction of former DUP Leader Jeffrey Donaldson for the gravest of sex offences, many unionists feel they have little reason this year to bang the drum. To consider what this all means for the future of unionism, and for politics more broadly in Northern Ireland, Pat is joined by Deirdre Heenan, Professor of Social Policy at Ulster University and political commentator.

"In 610 CE, isolated in a Mecca mountain cave, and enduring severe fasting, Muhammad experienced a physical encounter with a terrifying, unseen force. Traditionally, history offers us two ways to explain this — either it was a literal visit from an arch-angel, or it was the work of a man suffering from delusions. Yet the records of this event contain specific physical details that don't fit either category. They are too consistent to be dismissed as simple madness, and too clinical to be explained as theology alone. ..."Learn more by reading "Conversations on Consciousness and the Bicameral Mind," currently on sale for a limited time:https://www.amazon.com/Conversations-Consciousness-Bicameral-Mind-Interviews/dp/1737305534https://www.julianjaynes.org/book/conversations-on-consciousness-and-the-bicameral-mind/Video produced by Mustafa Suliman using generative AI tools and reviewed by human editors for accuracy and clarity.

Thaddeus McCotter. The Republican Civil War: MAGA Populism vs. the Establishment. McCotter analyzes the Republican Party's struggle with the MAGA movement, which he defines as populist rather than traditionally Republican. He warns that without a clear programmatic platform beyond Donald Trump, the movement may not survive his leadership, potentially leading to conflict with the revanchist Republican establishment. (14)1946 Tokyo

This episode of our AI CEO series looks at the potential for AI capabilities to address one of AI's largest challenges – energy availability. Dr. Varun Sivaram, founder and CEO of Emerald AI, joins host Eric Hanselman to explore how greater flexibility is AI workloads can unlock unused capacity. Traditionally, data center construction has focused on delivering peak capacity, even at those times when it may not be needed. That doesn't mesh well with a power grid that is already under stress. AI intelligence can shift workloads dynamically to reduce data center demands when the power grid needs it and to leverage excess grid capacity when it's available. Flexing AI workloads to respond to grid conditions isn't simple, but it can be more attractive than alternatives. Adding generation capacity is a long-term and expensive process and community concerns about rate increases are creating headwinds for new data center builds. Adding Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are costly and have their own capacity and durability limitations. Flexing workload demand could address grid integration problems on a much shorter timeline. More S&P Gobal content: 2026 Trends in Data Center Services & Infrastructure Geopolitics of data centers: An AI showdown that will reshape the world AI's global resource race: Challenges and opportunities Hyperscaler earnings quarterly: What price inference? For S&P Global subscribers: Data Center Services & Infrastructure Market Monitor & Forecast: US ISO Region BYOP emerges as a strategic decision for data center operators in response to grid challenges US Independent System Operators 101 Service providers race to meet surging enterprise demand for AI infrastructure Survey Data Hub – VoCUL: Connected Customer, AI & Data Centers 2026 Host/Author: Eric Hanselman Guest: Varun Sivaram Producer/Editor: Dylan Scheible Published With Assistance From: Feranmi Adeoshun and Sophie Carr

The Face of an Angel Acts 6 by William Klock I hate doing administration stuff.  I'm really glad that John handles our finances so well and makes sure all our bills get paid.  I don't like filling out annual parish reports and get annoyed when I have fill out one for ACNA and another for the REC.  Why can't they just ask the same questions and share the information?  Our church register is stuffed with Post-It notes going back five or six years so I know what to enter in it whenever I eventually get around to sitting down to make all the entries for baptisms, deaths, weddings, membership, and all of that.  And I wonder if Peter had his own First Century Post-It note system for dealing with the dreaded admin work that was perpetually threatening to cut in on his preaching and praying.  Because that's what we come to in Acts 6.  The church has been growing quickly.  There's something like 5,000 Christians in Jerusalem.  We don't know how they were organised.  We know that the apostles and presumable some others regularly spent time in the temple.  But they met together in their homes.  Were they divided into what we might think of as “churches” or “parishes” with an apostle or two overseeing each—or maybe each apostle overseeing two or three groups?  We don't know.  But what we do know is that the twelve apostles were overseeing everything.  They were preaching, they were teaching, they were praying, they were pastoring, they were making sure everyone's needs were met.  And it got to be too much, even for twelve of them.  I get that.  I have a friend who pastors a Baptist church of about 950.  They figured out thirty years ago that they need one elder to every hundred people or so in order to pastor well.  In Acts we're talking at least 500 church members per apostle.  People started falling through the cracks and complaining.  Look at Acts 6.  [Page 1086 in the pew Bibles.] “Now, in those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the ‘Hellenists' raised a dispute with the ‘Hebrews' because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.” As we've seen in Chapters 2 and 4, these first Christians were very aware that they belonged to a new family and they lived accordingly.  They were the beginnings of Gods new Israel.  The Spirit had filled them with love for each other—the kind of love that torah had always envisioned for the people of Israel—and so they began to live it out.  They fellowshipped with each other.  They shared meals together as Jesus' family and they shared with their brothers and sisters who were in need.  They weren't just overflowing with the love and mercy of Jesus; despite most of them having little, as a people they were overflowing with generosity and abundance. And there were plenty who were truly in need.  Widows would normally be looked after by their own family, but when people joined the church—just as in some parts of the world today—it meant being cut off from their families and the support they once had.  The church suddenly found itself providing for a large number of widows.  Maybe it was a language barrier or maybe it has something to do with social connections, but the Hellenists—the Greek-speaking widows—the ones who had come to Jerusalem from the great Jewish diaspora—they were falling through the cracks.  It surely wasn't deliberate.  It was growing pains.  The sheer scope of the church's charity work had become too much for the twelve to handle efficiently.  So the Greek-speaking members of the church take up their cause with the apostles.  The fact that their fellow “Hellenist' believers take up their cause with the apostles, suggests it was a language problem.  Maybe these widows didn't know how or when to ask for food or where to get it and there were simply so church members, that the apostles were no longer able to know the personal needs of everyone.  Whatever the case, the apostles realise they have to do something.  Luke goes on: “So the twelve called the full number of disciples together.  ‘Listen,' they said, ‘It wouldn't be right for us to leave the word of God to serve tables. So Brothers, choose seven men from amongst yourselves who are well spoken of and filled with the Spirit and wisdom.  We will put them in charge of what needs to be done in this matter.  We will continue to pay attention to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” The apostles knew what their primary calling was.  It was to study and to teach and to preach the word and to pray.  Sure, they could do some other things.  But when those other things became so big that it meant taking significant time away from their ministry of the word and their time in prayer, well, it was time for the church as a whole to pick up the slack.  To sort of quote Paul: God gave some to be apostles and other to—well—to fill the other multitude of roles that need filling in the church.  Some are eyes and ears and mouths, others are hands and feet and finger and toes.  The body needs them all.  And this was common sense.  But it also—and I think Luke deliberately frames it this way—it had precedent in Israel's own story.  Think of Israel in the beginning, in the wilderness, just delivered from Egypt, and Moses trying to rule over a thousand and thousands of people and feeling totally overwhelmed.  Luke wants us to see the fledgling church as the new Israel and so he shows us the apostles in the position of Moses.  It's time to choose some well-respected men from amongst the people to help.  Verse 5: “The whole gathering was pleased with what they said.  They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus (a proselyte from Antioch).  They presented them before the apostles, and having prayed, they laid their hands on them.” It's worth noting: the seven names are Greek names.  One of these men was even a proselyte, meaning he was a gentile who had converted to Judaism and was now a Christian.  Presumably the seven were meant to serve the whole church, but the church chose seven men who were especially able to help with the problem at hand: the Greek-speaking widows.  So the church elects these men, brings them before the apostles for their approval, prays for them, and then it's the church that lays hands on them.  Now, almost every English translation says that it was the apostles that laid hands on these seven, but the Greek text doesn't really bear that out.  It says they, the church, elected the men and brought them to the apostles and there's absolutely nothing in the text that indicates a change of subject before Luke says that “they” laid hands on the men.  The church—probably a representative few—laid hands on the seven, not the apostles. And when we look at what was involved, it suggests even more that it was the church doing the laying on of hands.  There are several words in Hebrew that, in English, all get sort of generically translated as “to lay hands”, but the Hebrew behind the idea here, has the sense of pressing down on something—as if you're sharing or transferring something of yourself to another: your sins to a the scape goat, or the people of Irael “pressing down on” the Levites who will represent them and fill in for their firstborn sons, or Moses pressing his hands down on Joshua and making him his representative and successor.  Remember, the whole point of this is that the apostles knew “serving tables” wasn't their job.  Their job was word and prayer.  It was the job of the wider church to look after the welfare of each other and so it's appropriate that the church not only elects these seven men, but also “ordains” them, if you will. And what were the seven?  Traditionally we've called them deacons.  Deacon comes from the Greek word to serve—in this case to serve (διακονεῖν) tables, which is symbolic of making sure the widows get their charity.  But otherwise, what we see these men doing doesn't look all that much like what we see deacons doing later in the New Testament.  In fact, when the apostles talk about “serving tables”, there's a probably a word play there—“tables” is a banking or accounting term, not just a word for a literal table—that suggests that what these men were really doing was overseeing, administering the distribution of food and, more broadly, the resources of the church.  And if that was the case, they look a lot more like bishops.  I could be wrong, but what I would tentatively suggest, is that these seven men were the first men to be appointed to pastoral office in the church, before that role had split into bishops on the one hand and deacons on the other.  I think these guys were, more or less, both proto-deacons and proto-bishops.  And while their primary duty was to oversee the church's charity, the church chose them because they were full of the Spirit.  And in Acts, what that means is that they were bold and unafraid proclaimers of the good news about Jesus. So, writes Luke in verse 7, because of the apostles could now be devoted to the word to prayer and because these seven men were now ordained to ensure the church was being what the church is supposed to be, “The word of God increased and the number of disciples in Jerusalem multiplied greatly.  This included a large crowd of priests who became obedient to the faith.”  Brothers and Sisters, when the church—the people and the leaders—are boldly proclaiming the word of God and are diligent in prayer, God will multiply it.  We might miss it, but Luke makes the point: It's not us.  We don't grow the church.  It's God.  The power lies with him.  We need to trust his word and we need to proclaim it.  We need to pray and entrust our ministry to him.  Not gimmicks, not money, not all the other things churches often do to try to make themselves effective.  Just preach God's word and pray.  He'll bring fruit from it.  And be patient, because God works on his own schedule, not ours.  And, we might miss it: Luke makes a point of telling us a significant new step in the church's growth: now it's attracted a crowd of priests.  And that would not have gone unnoticed by the leaders of the temple.  Luke doesn't say anything here, but this means the Jewish leaders are getting more concerned, getting more angry, becoming more inclined to violent action. But, first, Stephen's story.  Look at verse 8: “Stephen was filled with grace and power and performed great signs and wonders amongst the people.  But some from the Freemen's Synagogue, as it was named, and from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and Asia stood up and disputed with Stephen.  They could not, however resist the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke.”  Stephen preached in the gospel in the synagogues.  And here's the thing.  Luke makes a point of saying that Stephen wasn't just full of power; he was also full of grace.  We've all heard people speak who are full of power, but are short on grace.  They can be jerks.  Maybe they're right, but just the way they speak makes people angry.  But that's not Stephen.  He's speaking with great grace.  But the folks listening still aren't having any of it.  Not that Palestinian Jews were any more receptive, but Luke kind of gives the sense that maybe these folks—they're all hellenised, diaspora Jews like Stephen—maybe they're overly defensive of their Jewish heritage because they feel deficient in some way for not being Palestinian Jews.  Whatever their motivation, they're angry with what he says and they get even angrier because they couldn't resist him.  And then they get even angrier—we've all seent his happen—they're even angrier, because he's not angry in response. He's full of grace  They couldn't refute what he was saying.  But rather than concede, they dig in and at that point there's only one thing left to do: they make false accusation of blasphemy.  Verse 11: “Then they put up men to say, ‘We heard this man speaking blasphemous words against Moses and against God.'  They aroused the people, the elders, and the scribes.  They set upon him, seized him, and took him in front of the assembly.  They set up false witnesses to say, ‘This man never stops speaking words against this holy place and the law.  We heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses handed down to us.'  Everyone who was sitting in the assembly looked hard at Stephen.  They all saw that his face was like the face of an angel.” It sounds a lot like the accusations against Jesus, when he was accused of saying he would destroy the temple and rebuilt it in three day.  Of course, yes, he said that, but his point was that God was doing something new, that God was about to fulfil his promises, and that God would establish a new temple in which he would come to dwell with his people.  But the Jewish elders didn't hear it that way, not because Jesus wasn't clear, but because they couldn't accept that God was fulfilling his promises through Jesus.  If Jesus was the Messiah, he was doing it all wrong, at least so far as they were concerned.  He couldn't be the one. And now exactly the same thing is happening to Stephen.  We don't have his words, but based on the false accusations against him as well as his defence that will follow in Chapter 7, we have a pretty good idea what he was saying and it was closely related to what Jesus had said.  Just like Jesus, just like Peter, just like the preaching we see through Acts, Stephen told the story of God and his people and how it leads to Jesus. There were four things that were all-important for the Jews and that marked out their identity.  There was the temple; the torah or law; the land of Israel itself and especially Jerusalem, where the temple was; and there was their ethnic identity as Jews—the sons and daughters of Abraham, delivered by God from Egypt when Moses led them through the Red Sea to Mt. Sinai.  Those things marked them out as God's people.  Those things marked them out as separated, as different from the pagan peoples and nations around them.  Compromise those things, and you'd be sliding down a slippery slope into the same idolatry that had got their ancestors exiled to Babylon.  So when Stephen spoke, as any of the Christians would have, about God establishing a new temple or about Jesus fulfilling torah, out came the angry charges of blasphemy. But those first Christians—just like Jesus—were never attacking the temple or the law.  The problem was that Israel—despite knowing her own story so well and so thoroughly—had forgotten where it was going and then failed to recognise how Jesus was bringing it to its climax.  When Jesus or when Peter or when Stephen said that God was doing a new thing, what people like the priests and the scribes, the Pharisees and the Sadducees, people like Saul of Tarsus heard was that these Jesus people were saying was the law and the temple were bad. What Stephen (like Jesus and Peter before him) was trying to say is that the word of God tells a story and that this story was moving forward and, as it moved forward, new things would happen.  This didn't mean that the old things that had happened were bad.  Just the opposite!  They were good.  They were necessary to get the story to the point it's at now.  Imagine you take a trip to Montreal.  First you drive your car to Nanaimo to get to the ferry, then you take the ferry to Horseshoe Bay, then you get off the ferry and get on a bus that takes you downtown, where you take SkyTrain to the airport, where you finally board an airplane that flies you across the country.  The fact that you left your car parked in Nanaimo to get on a ferry or that you left Skytrain to get on an airplane or even that you stopped travelling once you arrived in Montreal, none of that means that the car or the ferry or the bus or the airplane or even the trip itself was bad.  You couldn't get where you are without them!  And, just so, God gave Israel the law.  God gave Israel the temple.  And they were good things.  They were necessary things.  They were gracious things.  They were things that prepared the people for and brought them to the part of the story where Jesus became a part of it. But they tuned this part out.  Some modern Christians do the same.  I'm not sure where it comes from.  Maybe it comes from listening to Luther with only one ear.  But we get the idea that the old covenant was a bad thing.  People will get the wrong idea that the old covenant was about being saved by works and that's why Israel refused Jesus, who came to offer salvation by grace.  A thousand time, no.  If that's what Stephen had been saying, the Jews would have been right to be angry with him, because he would have been wrong.  The status of God's people has never been because of works; it has always been because of grace.  That's part of how the old covenant prepared people and led them to the part of the story where Jesus enters. Other times we just ignore God's story altogether and try to write our own.  But what's often even more dangerous is when we know God's story to a point, but then we lock it down and refuse to let him take it in a new direction.  We do that.  And that's what these folks mad at Stephen are doing.  Jesus just couldn't be where the story they knew was heading; instead, Jesus became a threat to their version of the story. And yet Stephen persisted.  Even as they dragged him before the Sanhedrin with a slate of false witnesses against him.  And think about that.  They're convinced they're in the right.  They're convinced that they represent God and everything that is good and right and true.  They think they're the heaven on earth people.  And yet what do that they do in response to his preaching?  They lie. By their actions they condemn themselves.  And in contrast stands Stephen.  For all his speaking with power, he's full of grace.  And as he stands before the Sanhedrim, as false witness after false witness testified against him, the Spirit, God, transforms—almost transfigures him—to the point that the whole assembly is left staring at him.  Luke says his face became like the face of an angel. As far as literal appearance, I don't know what that means.  But the important thing is that everyone recognised what was happening and in that moment, the Spirit revealed Stephen—and along with him the church—for what he, what they, what we really are: In that moment Stephen was revealed as the face of Jesus' heaven on earth people.  He was actively part of the church living out heaven on earth.  He was preaching the good news about Jesus and he is the fulfilment of God's promise to bring heaven and earth back together.  And in the middle of this controversy, in the middle of the false accusations, in the middle of these men who, despite all the evidence, were digging in their heels and refusing to accept the message about Jesus, refusing to let God lead the story they new so well in a new direction, God himself vindicated Stephen and made him a manifestation of heaven on earth.  Stephen was full of the Spirit, a little temple in miniature full of God's presence.  As if the shekinah—the cloud of glory visibly representing God's presence that had been missing from the temple ever since Israel's exile—suddenly became present with Stephen.  God announcing: “In this man, in this people, through my son, in this gospel I am fulfilling my promises.  Listen to him.” Brothers and Sisters, this should be a picture of us.  The bit where Stephen was transfigured and looked like an angel—whatever that means—that was unique.  But the rest of it, that ought to be us.  A people committed to be a covenant family, not just overflowing with talk of love and grace and mercy, but a family of people where love and grace and mercy are abundant in real, practical ways.  A family where we make a point of doing what needs doing to make sure that nothing gets in the way of that love and grace and mercy.  We ought to be a people of word and of prayer who are bold for the gospel, because we know that the power lies not with us, but with God.  His word, not ours, brings life.  His Spirit has the power to renew minds and regenerate hearts.  And so we pray, entrusting ourselves and our ministry to him and we proclaim not our word, but his.  We tell the story that leads the world to Jesus.  And if we're doing all these things, that word, that story will have power, but our telling of it will also be full of grace. The world, the flesh, and the devil will do their worst.  People will dig in their heels.  People will tell lies about us and about the story and the good news we proclaim.  People may even violently persecute us one day.  But remember: It's all of grace.  The story that leads us through the law and the prophets, through torah and temple, is all about the grace of God towards rebellious sinners, and so is the story that leads to forgiveness and life with God, the story that leads us to Jesus and the Spirit and eventually to the New Jerusalem.  Brothers and Sisters, it's all of grace.  Live the story of God's grace and the light of heaven will permeate the church.  Proclaim the story of God's grace, and that light will being to permeate the world. Let's pray: Lord, fill us with your grace.  And don't just fill us with it; ensure that we're ever and always overwhelmed by the knowledge and understanding of your grace, so that we will live it out in practical terms as your church and so that we will go out with boldness to proclaim your good news, not to win arguments, but make your grace known.  Through Jesus we pray.  Amen.

David Waldman has got his holiday planned out, but what are you doing for the Fourth of July? Traditionally, you might choose to rebel against a tyrant. Some also may reflect upon God's providence, as the ultimate source of liberty, this year more than ever. After all, He is not just pro-freedom, but very much against rampant corruption amongst a nation's leaders. The Great American State Fair's main exhibit Is Trump corruption, There are however billions of other examples. So many, that Donald K. Trump's handing out souvenirs to his friends and relatives. It's not real corruption unless you can cruise around in a pimped out 747, though. Karoline Leavitt got to ride back in the "library" with all of the "books" that Trump plans to "read" when he "retires". The Trump DOJ waited until only hours remained in their deadline to announce that they would not release any more Epstein files, because it's more fun to do it that way. The Trump DOJ experienced "a rapid unexpected disassembly", accidently releasing volume II of Jack Smith's Mar-a-Lago report to the person they are suing for stealing volume I. A Venezuelan man was accused of attempting to choke an ICE officer to death. As usual, authorities did not anticipate the truth tripping them up, almost as if lying is routine procedure… The National Park Service is no longer required to post truthful signage at National Park sites. Olympian canoeist David Hearn has been indicted for vandalizing the DC reflecting pool because directly contradicting Trump lies is a federal crime.

Traditionally, summer (and the 4th of July specifically) have been opportunities for drinks brands of all kinds to (sometimes literally) wrap themselves in the American flag to move product. Yet even with the country's 250th anniversary just days away, it seems like relatively few are doing so this year. Is that because the current American political landscape is so fractious? Is patriotism and American pride at a low point, especially amongst the types of folks who tend to make that kind of decision? Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss that, plus how that kind of branding compares to more overtly targeting one political party or movement. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Zach is reading: Is It Time to Retire the Oversized Steakhouse Martini?Joanna is reading: VinePair's Best New Bartenders Class of 2026Adam is reading: Why Is New York City's Hottest Cocktail Bar Serving Steak Frites?Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Day in Legal History: Civil Rights Act of 1964On July 2, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law. It was one of the most important pieces of legislation in American history, and it fundamentally transformed the legal landscape by banning discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in public accommodations, employment, education, and programs receiving federal funding.The Civil Rights Act was the product of the Civil Rights Movement—years of courageous activism by Black Americans and their allies who marched, protested, and demanded that the law recognize their equal humanity and their constitutional rights. The movement included iconic figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, John Lewis, and countless others whose names we'll never know but whose courage changed America.The Act made it illegal for hotels, restaurants, theaters, and other public places to refuse service based on race. It made employment discrimination illegal. It empowered the federal government to withhold funding from schools and institutions that discriminated. It created the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to investigate and remedy workplace discrimination.Before the Civil Rights Act, the law itself endorsed discrimination. Southern states had explicit “Jim Crow” laws that required racial segregation. “Whites only” signs hung on businesses, schools, water fountains, and bathrooms. The law said Black Americans couldn't use the same facilities as white Americans. The Civil Rights Act said that's unconstitutional and illegal. It didn't end racism—racism persisted and persists today—but it transformed the law from a tool of discrimination into a tool of protection. The Act represented a moral and legal turning point. It affirmed that the Constitution's promise of equal protection applies to everyone, regardless of race. It showed that the law can change when people demand justice. It demonstrated that the Civil Rights Movement's sacrifice—the beatings, the arrests, the deaths, the long struggle—could actually transform American law and create a more just society.The Civil Rights Act remains one of the most important achievements in American legal history. Every civil rights protection we have today—protection against employment discrimination, housing discrimination, educational discrimination—traces back to that law signed on July 2, 1964. It's a reminder that legal change comes from struggle, from people willing to demand their rights, and from a government finally willing to recognize the dignity and equality of all its citizens.The Supreme Court's use of its “shadow docket”—an informal process for issuing emergency decisions with minimal explanation—has expanded dramatically, and the justices are sharply divided over whether this is appropriate.The Supreme Court has a formal process for cases: parties file briefs, the Court hears oral arguments, justices deliberate, and then the Court issues a written opinion explaining its reasoning. This is the public docket. But the Supreme Court also has an emergency process called the “shadow docket” for last-minute requests for emergency relief. For example, if someone is about to be executed and files an emergency request for a stay, the Court needs to decide quickly. Traditionally, the shadow docket was used only for these genuine emergencies. But in recent years, particularly under the current Supreme Court, the shadow docket has been used for major constitutional decisions. The Court will issue orders on the shadow docket with little or no explanation, effectively deciding important cases without full briefing, oral arguments, or written opinions.Imagine if a school made major policy changes through emergency procedures meant only for fire drills, without explaining the policy or letting people comment on it. That's what's happening with the Supreme Court's shadow docket. Conservative justices defend the practice, saying the Court needs flexibility to respond to emerging issues. Liberal justices are furious, arguing that major constitutional decisions require full briefing and transparent reasoning. They point out that decisions on the shadow docket often don't explain the Court's reasoning, making it impossible for lower courts to apply the law or for Americans to understand their constitutional rights. The shadow docket has been used for decisions affecting voting rights, abortion, immigration, and religious freedom—major constitutional questions that deserve full public deliberation.The shadow docket allows the Supreme Court to reshape constitutional law without public explanation or accountability. It enables the conservative majority to implement a constitutional agenda without transparent reasoning. It divides even the justices—a sign that this practice is controversial even at the highest level. The shadow docket represents a concerning shift toward less transparent, less democratic judicial decision-making on matters of profound constitutional importance.US Supreme Court supercharges its ‘shadow docket,' dividing the justices | ReutersThe Minnesota Attorney General has shut down its unit dedicated to reviewing and overturning wrongful convictions, citing budget constraints. The decision has shocked criminal justice advocates who view wrongful conviction review as a core function of government. Here's the context: Innocent people sometimes go to prison. Witnesses misidentify them. Evidence is planted or fabricated. Police coerce false confessions. Lawyers provide inadequate representation. DNA evidence may later prove innocence. Many states have created units—often within the Attorney General's office—dedicated to reviewing cases where there's evidence of wrongful conviction and seeking to overturn convictions when appropriate. These units have freed hundreds of innocent people from prison. In Minnesota, this unit reviewed cases, worked with innocence organizations, and petitioned courts to overturn convictions when evidence showed innocence. Now that unit is being shut down.If you discovered you had been wrongly convicted and imprisoned for a crime you didn't commit, you would want the government to help free you. You would want the justice system to correct its own mistakes. Wrongful conviction units exist to do exactly that—to correct serious errors in the criminal justice system. When the government shuts down its wrongful conviction unit, it's saying it will no longer systematically look for innocent people who have been wrongly imprisoned. Think of the human cost. People serving decades in prison for crimes they didn't commit may never have their convictions reviewed. Their appeals for help will go unanswered. The government agency that should be most interested in justice—the Attorney General—has decided it can't afford to help innocent prisoners.This decision signals a deprioritization of wrongful convictions and prisoner justice. It means innocent people will remain in prison because the state won't investigate their claims. It undermines public faith in the criminal justice system. It suggests that budget concerns are more important than freeing innocent people. Criminal justice advocates worry this is part of a broader pattern: reduced funding for public defenders, reduced funding for innocence organizations, and now elimination of the state's own wrongful conviction review unit. The decision raises a fundamental question: Do we actually care about justice, or do we only care about convictions?Minnesota attorney general shuts unit reviewing wrongful convictions, cites Trump funding cut | ReutersA federal judge has blocked the U.S. Postal Service from implementing restrictions that would have made mail-in voting more difficult. The ruling is a significant victory for voting rights advocates.The Postal Service proposed new restrictions on how mail-in ballots could be delivered. These restrictions would have required mail-in voters to meet stricter deadlines, reduced ballot processing times, and imposed other requirements that voting rights groups argued would disenfranchise voters, particularly voters in rural areas and voters with disabilities who rely on mail-in voting. Voting rights advocates sued, arguing that the restrictions would violate the right to vote. The federal judge agreed and blocked the restrictions.The right to vote is fundamental to democracy. Mail-in voting is a way many Americans exercise that right—people who are elderly, disabled, working on election day, or living in areas far from polling places depend on mail-in voting. When the government imposes restrictions that make mail-in voting harder, it's making it harder for people to vote. The Postal Service argued it needed to implement restrictions for operational reasons. The judge said operational concerns can't be used to interfere with voting rights. If the Postal Service needs to adjust its operations, it has to do so in ways that don't undermine the right to vote.This decision protects mail-in voting access at a time when voting rights are under increasing attack. It affirms that the right to vote can't be sacrificed for bureaucratic convenience. It signals that courts will step in if government agencies try to restrict voting access. As more Americans rely on mail-in voting, protecting mail-in voting access is essential to protecting voting rights. The decision reflects a judicial recognition that voting is a fundamental right and that restrictions on voting deserve strict scrutiny, not deference to government agencies.Judge blocks US Postal Service's proposed restrictions on mail-in voting | Reuters This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

Welcome to your mid-week miracle episode, brought courtesy of me having a bit more time this week! And it's a doozy...I'm introducing you to the sublime Celeste Yacoboni, author, body-worker, prayer-keeper, wisdom-keeper and inspired creative! She has a powerful story to tell, of being awake one night in the small hours, and suddenly? A mysterious light illuminated her room! What happened after that is her to tell (and the miracle of this episode), so hold onto your hats, it's a good one!Celeste has two websites for you to dive down into, so be sure to check them both out: celesteyacoboni.com as well as celestialbodyandsoul.comTo check out her gorgeous book "How Do You Pray?" click here!Thanks for listening everyone, and I'm asking, if you like what you hear, I would appreciate a rating or a review. They mean the world to me, and make me so happy!Your bit of beauty is this: on YouTube, this Ho'oponopono prayer from the Hawaiian Islands. A bit more information: "Ho'oponopono is an ancient Hawaiian practice of forgiveness and reconciliation. Traditionally it was practiced by family members for a person who was physically ill as it was thought that guilt over errors the person had committed had made them sick." It's a lovely practice and one I urge you to check out!

Welcome to your mid-week miracle episode, brought courtesy of me having a bit more time this week! And it's a doozy...I'm introducing you to the sublime Celeste Yacoboni, author, body-worker, prayer-keeper, wisdom-keeper and inspired creative! She has a powerful story to tell, of being awake one night in the small hours, and suddenly? A mysterious light illuminated her room! What happened after that is her to tell (and the miracle of this episode), so hold onto your hats, it's a good one!Celeste has two websites for you to dive down into, so be sure to check them both out: celesteyacoboni.com as well as celestialbodyandsoul.comTo check out her gorgeous book "How Do You Pray?" click here!Thanks for listening everyone, and I'm asking, if you like what you hear, I would appreciate a rating or a review. They mean the world to me, and make me so happy!Your bit of beauty is this: on YouTube, this Ho'oponopono prayer from the Hawaiian Islands. A bit more information: "Ho'oponopono is an ancient Hawaiian practice of forgiveness and reconciliation. Traditionally it was practiced by family members for a person who was physically ill as it was thought that guilt over errors the person had committed had made them sick." It's a lovely practice and one I urge you to check out!

Today's show is sponsored by The Cost Segregation Guys. To learn more, click on the link and you can qualify for a discount on your cost seg study. -----------I'm usually pretty skeptical when someone tells me they've found a breakthrough in homebuilding.We've heard this story many times before. Modular construction was going to change everything. 3D printing was going to make housing dramatically cheaper. Mass timber was going to replace steel and concrete. In each case, there may be a place for the technology, but the promised revolution often fails to account for the entire building process.Construction is not one problem. It is a collection of hundreds of small problems, each with code requirements, scheduling constraints, labor dependencies, financing implications, and supply chain risks.But every once in a while, something comes along that deserves a closer look.That's the case with Plantd, a North Carolina company founded by former SpaceX engineers, including Nathan Silvernail and Huade Tan. Their target is not the whole house. They're not trying to replace every trade on the job site. They're going after one of the most common materials in homebuilding: OSB, or oriented strand board.Traditionally, OSB is made from wood strands pressed together with resin under heat and pressure. Plantd is making a direct alternative from fast-growing perennial grass. According to the source material, the grass can grow about six inches a day, can be harvested twice a year, and has a much higher carbon sequestration rate than pine. The company's internal testing claims the panels are two times more moisture resistant and one and a half times stronger than traditional softwood OSB. A pine forest takes 40 years to mature. These grasses can supply the same home building in 90% less acreage. And you can grow the grass next to the factory. ------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

In this episode of Selling to Corporate, Jess Lorimer explains why 66% of corporate decision makers are now using AI tools such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Microsoft Copilot to research and shortlist external suppliers before they visit a single website. If you are a coach, consultant, speaker, trainer, or done-for-you service provider selling to corporate clients, this episode covers what that shift means for your lead generation strategy and what you need to do right now to stay visible. Who this episode is for Coaches, consultants, trainers, speakers, and done-for-you service providers who sell services to corporate clients Anyone who has a strong reputation and great client results but is not generating consistent inbound enquiries Business owners who want to understand how AI search is changing the B2B buying process Those who rely heavily on referrals or proactive outreach and want to add a passive visibility layer to their lead generation Anyone preparing for a strong September who wants to be findable by active corporate buyers before the summer ends How are corporate buyers using AI to find coaches, consultants, and trainers? The way corporate buyers source external suppliers has changed significantly over the last 12 to 18 months. Traditionally, a decision maker would ask for internal referrals, then send a junior employee to Google to find and benchmark potential suppliers. That process has shifted. Corporate buyers are now going directly to AI tools and typing conversational queries such as "find me a leadership coach who works with financial services firms" rather than searching for short keywords. The AI platform does not return a list of website links to browse. It returns a shortlist of three to five named suppliers it considers relevant, credible, and well-documented. If you are not being indexed, cited, and recommended by AI, you are not part of that shortlist. You do not exist to that buyer, regardless of how good your website is or how often you post on LinkedIn. What is passive visibility and why does it matter for B2B coaches and consultants? Passive visibility is the ability to be found by corporate decision makers who are actively searching for what you offer, without you having to actively reach out to them at that moment. With the rise of AI-powered search, passive visibility has taken on new importance. When a buyer asks ChatGPT or Perplexity to recommend a consultant, coach, or trainer in your specialism, AI platforms surface experts based on structured, credible information it can find and verify about you across the web. This is different from passive income. Passive visibility means building the conditions so that when corporate buyers are actively looking, your name comes up, even while you sleep. What is generative engine optimization (GEO) and how does it help you sell to corporate? Generative engine optimization, or GEO, is the practice of structuring and distributing your content and professional information so that AI platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and Google Gemini can index, cite, and recommend you. It is different from traditional SEO (search engine optimization), which focuses on ranking on Google's results pages. GEO focuses on appearing in the AI-generated answers that corporate buyers are now receiving when they search for external suppliers. In practice, GEO involves creating structured, expert-led content that directly answers the questions your ideal corporate buyers are asking. It involves building a consistent presence across high-quality, curated platforms that AI tools trust and crawl regularly. One example of this is being listed in a specialist directory like the Expert Services Directory, where AI is actively crawling listings every day and surfacing relevant specialists to corporate buyers. Why isn't my website getting me found by corporate decision makers? Having a well-designed website is no longer enough to guarantee visibility with corporate buyers. Traditional search engine optimization was built for Google, and Google returns website links. AI-powered search platforms work differently. They synthesize information from multiple trusted sources and return a curated answer. If you are only relying on your website and social media posting to generate inbound enquiries from corporate clients, you are optimizing for a search behaviour that corporate buyers are increasingly moving away from. The coaches and consultants getting shortlisted by AI are those who have consistent, structured information across multiple authoritative sources. Your website is one piece of that picture. It is not the whole picture. Should coaches and consultants stop doing proactive outreach now that AI search exists? No. And in this episode, Jess is very clear about this. Proactive outreach remains the most predictable, measurable, and scalable way to identify and approach corporate decision makers. AI search and passive visibility are not a replacement for proactive lead generation. They are a complement to it. Proactive outreach gives you control over your pipeline. Passive visibility through AI search gives you additional inbound opportunities from buyers who are already actively looking to buy. The most effective B2B sales strategy for coaches and consultants in 2026 uses both together. How do I use AI in my B2B sales process without outsourcing my strategy? Jess is known for her strong views on AI usage in sales, and she addresses them directly in this episode. The issue is not AI itself. The issue is outsourcing your critical thinking, your creative strategy, and your outreach messaging to AI tools that are only as good as the generic, often poor-quality sales content that exists on the internet. Your methodology, your intellectual property, and your client relationships are not things AI can replicate. What AI can support is the manual, administrative, and research-heavy parts of your lead generation process. That includes improving your passive visibility so you are being found by active buyers, and targeting better qualified cold corporate contacts more efficiently. These are very specific, intentional uses. They are not a shortcut to replacing a proven B2B sales process. What is the Expert Services Directory and how does it help coaches get found by corporate buyers? The Expert Services Directory is a curated directory of specialist coaches, consultants, speakers, trainers, and done-for-you service providers who work with corporate organisations. It is limited to 10 specialists per category per location, which means it is a high-quality, structured resource that AI tools actively crawl and trust. Being listed in the Expert Services Directory means you are part of a curated platform that AI is already indexing and citing when corporate buyers search for external specialists in your area. This is one of the most straightforward ways to improve your passive visibility and start showing up in AI-generated shortlists for active corporate buyers. You can apply at expertservicesdirectory.com.   Key Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Expert Services Directory: Get listed and improve your AI search visibility with corporate buyers. Apply at expertservicesdirectory.com Amplify with AI workshop: A paid, interactive virtual masterclass on Friday 17th July showing coaches, consultants, speakers, and trainers exactly how to leverage generative engine optimization and AI-assisted lead generation in your B2B sales process. Use code PODCAST for a discount (valid until Monday). https://smartleaderssell.thrivecart.com/amplify-ai/ Join the B2B Sales Edit https://magic.beehiiv.com/v1/988ac64b-5875-4924-9d10-50faad2aa4ad?email=%EMAIL% If you've enjoyed listening to Why Corporate Buyers Can't Find You (Even When They're Looking) check out these episodes.   STC175 - Two types of B2B lead generation that coaches + consultants need to use! https://sellingtocorporate.com/podcast/two-types-of-b2b-lead-generation-that-coaches-consultants-need-to-use/ STC173 - B2B sales trends for Q2: Which one are you actioning? https://sellingtocorporate.com/podcast/b2b-sales-trends-for-q2-which-one-are-you-actioning/ STC158 - Sharing insights: 2025 B2B sales trends for the second half of the year https://sellingtocorporate.com/podcast/sharing-insights-2025-b2b-sales-trends-for-the-second-half-of-the-year/ Episode sponsored by The Expert Services Directory: A key resource for coaches / consultants / trainers and done-for-you service providers to generate inbound leads.  About Selling to Corporate Selling to Corporate is the podcast for coaches, consultants, speakers, trainers, and done-for-you service providers who want to build a predictable, profitable pipeline of corporate clients. Hosted by Jess Lorimer, founder of Selling to Corporate® and the Expert Services Directory, the show covers B2B sales strategy, corporate lead generation, and how genuine experts can win consistent high-value contracts with corporate organisations in the UK and beyond. New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one. Content Disclaimer The information contained above is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this article, video or audio are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this article, video or audio. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this article, video or audio. Jessica Lorimer disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this article, video or audio.  

Host: Cindy Allen Published: June 26, 2026 Length: ~15 minutes Presented by: Global Training Center Summary This week on Simply Trade: Cindy's Version, Cindy Allen explores a week filled with meaningful developments across customs and trade—from new CAPE enhancements and changes to informal mail entries to the latest updates on Section 301, USMCA negotiations, and global supply chain strategy. But the heart of this episode isn't about tariffs—it's about change. Using Taylor Swift's Change as inspiration, Cindy reflects on how trade professionals can adapt and remain influential during a time when government decision-making has become increasingly centralized. She shares insights from the American Association of Exporters and Importers (AAEI) Conference and explains why relationships, industry engagement, and a unified voice have never been more important. This Week in Trade Reconciliation entries become eligible for the CAPE filing process beginning June 29. CBP announced several CAPE validation improvements designed to reduce filing errors and retransmissions. CBP finalized changes to informal mail entry procedures following the end of de minimis treatment. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that pending Section 301 investigations may ultimately replace former IEEPA tariff collections. Lawmakers continue raising concerns over declining U.S. manufacturing employment. USMCA review discussions continue, with another one-year extension appearing increasingly likely. Main Topic / Discussion While several operational updates occurred this week, Cindy focuses on something much broader: how trade professionals can continue to influence policy during a period of significant governmental change. Drawing from conversations at the AAEI Conference and meetings on Capitol Hill, Cindy explains how the policymaking process has evolved. Traditionally, agencies worked closely with industry stakeholders before major trade decisions were implemented. Today, many decisions originate from a much smaller group within the administration, making it increasingly important for companies to strengthen relationships—not only with Congress, but also with agencies, trade associations, and government affairs professionals. Her message is simple: don't wait until a policy affects your business. Become involved now, build your network, and ensure your industry's voice is part of the conversation before decisions are made. Key Takeaways CAPE continues to become more efficient through ongoing CBP enhancements. Informal mail entry procedures continue evolving after the end of de minimis. Section 301 investigations remain a major focus of the administration's trade agenda. Supply chain resilience continues to shape U.S. trade policy. USMCA negotiations are expected to continue beyond the current review period. Trade professionals should actively participate in industry associations and government affairs efforts. Relationships remain one of the most valuable tools in navigating today's trade environment. Resources & Mentions Global Training Center Trade Force Multiplier Cindy Allen – LinkedIn Producer: Mara Marquez

How do students learn physical assessments most effectively and transfer these skills to clinical practice? Traditionally, students learn to conduct a complete assessment over several weeks and demonstrate their competence by performing assessments under the observation of a faculty member. However, this standard approach may result in students merely memorizing the steps to pass the assessment, potentially leading to difficulties in transferring these skills to real clinical situations. To address this issue, the faculty implemented a video technology method, allowing students to record themselves while assessing a peer partner. Using Swivel® technology (https://www.swivl.com), students capture their assessments on video and complete a self-evaluation before submitting their videos for grading. In the podcast and article, Dr. Delanie explains the teaching strategy.

Traditionally, GPS jamming attacks have been confined to the ground; however, new data shows that these attacks could be moving to target signals before they even reach the ground. In this week's episode, host Maria Varmazis sits down with Dave Bittner and Brandon Karpf to discuss recent research that suggests the attack landscape for GPS attacks is expanding. If this research is accurate, these attacks represent a significant evolution for how defenders think about this critical technology. Key sources: Something is jamming GPS over Europe. Here's what we found. Chasing Lightning: Detecting, Characterizing, and Identifying a Powerful Space-Based GNSS Interference Source. EKS 5. Like what you heard? Be sure to subscribe to our free Signals and Space Briefing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, our Sunday newsletter covering the intersection of cybersecurity and space. Subscribe at: https://thecyberwire.com/newsletters/signals-and-space  Is there a topic or person you'd like to hear on our show? You can send your questions and feedback to space@n2k.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. You can also fill our our audience survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NJYCN2P  T-Minus: Space-Cyber Briefing is a production of N2K CyberWire. N2K is your nexus for discovery and connection for people, technology, and ideas shaping the future of secure innovation. Learn how at n2k.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Traditionally, GPS jamming attacks have been confined to the ground; however, new data shows that these attacks could be moving to target signals before they even reach the ground. In this week's episode, host Maria Varmazis sits down with Dave Bittner and Brandon Karpf to discuss recent research that suggests the attack landscape for GPS attacks is expanding. If this research is accurate, these attacks represent a significant evolution for how defenders think about this critical technology. Key sources: Something is jamming GPS over Europe. Here's what we found. Chasing Lightning: Detecting, Characterizing, and Identifying a Powerful Space-Based GNSS Interference Source. EKS 5. Like what you heard? Be sure to subscribe to our free Signals and Space Briefing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, our Sunday newsletter covering the intersection of cybersecurity and space. Subscribe at: https://thecyberwire.com/newsletters/signals-and-space  Is there a topic or person you'd like to hear on our show? You can send your questions and feedback to space@n2k.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. You can also fill our our audience survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NJYCN2P  T-Minus: Space-Cyber Briefing is a production of N2K CyberWire. N2K is your nexus for discovery and connection for people, technology, and ideas shaping the future of secure innovation. Learn how at n2k.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Artificial Intelligence is most valuable at the edge where data can empower productivity and efficiency. From healthcare and manufacturing to enterprise and municipal environments, edge locations are where AI applications become real-time decisions, automation, and human capability. Yet, these environments were never designed for the level of demand they're currently seeing. Traditionally constrained by space, limited flexibility, and built to support lower kW loads, edge infrastructure now faces a new reality of higher density, increased criticality, and always-on expectations.With the help of our guest Bryce Kleen, Field Engineering Manager (Vertiv), we'll challenge conventional thinking and explore what it really takes to support AI/HPC beyond the data hall. What breaks first? What must evolve? And, how do you ensure your infrastructure doesn't become the bottleneck to innovation?Webinar Originally Aired Live on May 14, 2026

Brahmacharya, Summer Solstice & Energy Management | The Eight Limbs of YogaIn this episode of Coffee & Crystals, Kadie Chronister continues her series on the Eight Limbs of Yoga by exploring Brahmacharya, the fourth Yama in yoga philosophy. Traditionally translated as moderation or the wise use of energy, Brahmacharya invites us to become more intentional about where we invest our time, attention, and life force.As we move through the Summer Solstice, Cancer Season, and the energetic integration of the Gemini New Moon, this episode explores how ancient yoga wisdom can help us create greater focus, alignment, and purpose in modern life.Kadie shares practical insights on energy management, manifestation, mindfulness, personal growth, and spiritual wellness, while weaving together teachings from yoga philosophy, astrology, and Traditional Chinese Medicine.Whether you're feeling distracted, overwhelmed, burned out, or simply ready for a reset, this episode will help you identify where your energy is going and how to realign it with the life you want to create.• What Brahmacharya means in the Eight Limbs of Yoga• Understanding the Yamas and their role in yoga philosophy• How energy management impacts success, wellness, and manifestation• The spiritual meaning of the Summer Solstice• Lessons from the Gemini New Moon and intentional thinking• Entering Cancer Season and creating emotional alignment• The Fire Element in Traditional Chinese Medicine• The connection between the Heart and Small Intestine in Chinese Medicine• How to identify energy leaks in relationships, habits, and routines• Creating focus in a world full of distractions• Why your environment affects your mindset, productivity, and mental clarity• Practical ways to align your energy with your goals• Where is my energy going right now?• What habits, relationships, or commitments are energizing me?• What consistently leaves me feeling depleted?• What am I being called to focus on during this season?• What am I ready to release as I enter the second half of the year?• How would my life change if I treated my energy as one of my greatest assets?In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Summer is associated with the Fire Element, which governs the Heart and Small Intestine.The Heart is considered the center of joy, connection, love, and spiritual vitality, while the Small Intestine teaches discernment—helping us separate what nourishes us from what no longer serves us.This season encourages us to cultivate:• Joy• Community• Connection• Presence• Discernment• Self-awarenessFoods commonly associated with supporting the Fire Element include:• Watermelon• Berries• Citrus fruits• Cucumbers• Leafy greens• Fresh herbs• Hydrating seasonal foods• The Eight Limbs of Yoga• The Yamas of Yoga• Brahmacharya• Summer Solstice Rituals• Cancer Season Themes• Gemini New Moon Reflections• Traditional Chinese Medicine• Mindfulness and Meditation PracticesKadie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kadiechron/Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coffee_and_crystals_with_kadie/If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who may benefit from this conversation.More on Coffee & Crystals Media: https://coffeeandcrystalspr.com/

Today we are talking about Test Driven Development, ebooks, and Drupal with guest Oliver Davies. We'll also cover Juicer Social Feed as our module of the week. For show notes visit: https://www.talkingDrupal.com/557 Topics What Is Test Driven Drupal Why Automated Tests Matter How TDD Works AI and Test Quality Balancing Test Coverage When to Write Tests Why Write the Book Why Write an Ebook From Email Course to Ebook Ebook vs Print Tradeoffs Who the Book Helps What You Will Learn Keeping Content Updated Publishing Tools Workflow Lessons and Drupal Changes Podcast and Future Books Mob Programming Explained Free Ebook and Wrap Up Resources Juicer io Drupal 11: The Upgrade Experience I've Been Waiting For codethatships Test-Driven Drupal Sculpin Guests Oliver Davies - oliverdavies.uk opdavies Hosts Nic Laflin - nLighteneddevelopment.com nicxvan John Picozzi - epam.com johnpicozzi Scott Falconer - managing-ai.com scott-falconer MOTW Correspondent Martin Anderson-Clutz - mandclu.com mandclu Brief description: Have you ever wanted to embed social feeds into your Drupal website? There's a module for that. Module name/project name: Juicer Social Feed Brief history How old: created in Mar 2026 by Denis Omerović (drupalchille) Versions available: 1.0.2, that works with Drupal 10.3 or 11 Maintainership Actively maintained (version released today!) No open issues Usage stats: 4 sites Module features and usage This module embeds an aggregated social media feed from Juicer.io directly into Drupal as a configurable block. It natively supports content from Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, X (Twitter), TikTok, Bluesky, YouTube, and more. Traditionally, displaying feeds from platforms like Facebook, X, or Instagram requires creating developer accounts, managing rotating OAuth tokens, and keeping up with constantly shifting API restrictions. Juicer handles all API authentication on its platform, shielding your website from sudden breaking changes by individual social networks. To use this module, you will need an active account on Juicer.io. They offer both free and paid tiers depending on how many sources you want to aggregate and how frequently you need the feed to sync. The module is created and maintained by the official Juicer.io team. That should ensure that the module is closely aligned with the product's features and any potential API changes over time. The embedded feed is made available as a Drupal block, to make it easy to control where it should appear on your site. When placing the Juicer block, the UI exposes several user-friendly settings: Feed Slug: Just paste your unique Juicer feed ID to establish the connection. Post Limit: Control exactly how many items populate initially. Source Filtering: If your Juicer account aggregates five networks, but you only want to show LinkedIn posts on a specific page, you can filter down to a single network right inside the block settings. SEO/Semantic Control: You can set titles/subtitles and choose the exact heading level hierarchy ( through ) to ensure your pages remain semantically correct and accessible. I did get a chance to test out the module and the service today, and I can tell you from experience, it's a huge improvement on having to create and pull in feeds directly. I did notice that the block didn't show up in the Drupal Canvas component library, but I was able to determine that two lines of code to declare the block as FullyValidatable were all that was needed. So I opened a Feature Request to add that, and it was merged in and a new release cut in less than an hour. So it's now Drupal Canvas compatible too! It's worth pointing out that the standard Juicer's embed script loads HTMX, which conflicts with the version of HTMX included in Drupal 11 core. As a result, the module fetches feed HTML directly from the Juicer API and includes a minimal HTMX shim to prevent errors. John, you nominated this module, why don't you start us off by telling us about how you got started using it?

Hermann Oak has been tanning leather in St. Louis since 1881, and they pretty much still do it the same way—one way, which of course is veg-tanning. Traditionally a major player in the equestrian leather world, Hermann Oak is edging into the quality footwear space in a hugely exciting way. So I chatted with Hermann Oak President Drew Gulick about the tanner's deep history, how making footwear leather is different from equestrian or tooling leather, and of course their core bridle, harness, and latigo products. Come see Hermann Oak and PLENTY of other tanneries, shoe-/bootmakers, and more at Stitchdown Expo 2026 Chicago this Nov 6-7 at Artifact Events!https://www.hermannoakleather.com/https://www.stitchdownexpo.com/ Support the Shoecast, get full bonus episode access, and join the most interesting shoe-and-boot-loving community on the internet with a Stitchdown Premium membershiphttps://www.stitchdown.com/join-stitchdown-premium/We'd better see you at Stitchdown Chicago 2026—the world's fair of shoes and boots and leather and more—Nov 6-7 at Artifact Events.https://www.stitchdownexpo.com/A website. We have one.https://www.stitchdown.com/

The New CEO Social Media Playbook: Communications Strategies in the Digital Age for the Modern CEO. In this episode, TED MERZ from Principals Media discusses the seismic shifts in corporate communications, exploring how CEOs can build authentic visibility in a rapidly evolving digital landscape, and the future of traditional media. https://open.spotify.com/episode/6MLjRILrkeCPhlG6ItXaMC?si=uQP9CdYORpmr89iL4dfMvg https://youtu.be/clHzhrOZAps Key Topics The decline of traditional PR channels like CNBC and The Wall Street Journal and the rise of direct content creation for thought leadership. The importance of authenticity and transparency in CEO messaging, with real-world examples such as McDonald’s CEO controversy and insights into crisis management. Strategies for leveraging social media platforms—LinkedIn, X (Twitter), YouTube, and emerging tools—for building personal and corporate reputation. The evolving role of AI in shaping search results and online identities, emphasizing the need for content influence. The significance of visibility across multiple channels and the concept of the “public record” for professional branding. Balancing platform choice with audience targeting and the importance of integrated content strategies. The future of content formats: long-form videos, short clips, point-of-view storytelling, and the normalization of CEO participation in digital media. Traditional media's ongoing role in establishing credibility within a pyramid of influence, from legacy outlets to influencer-generated and user content. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to CEO communications in the digital era02:00 – The decline of traditional media outlets for corporate messaging05:00 – Case study: McDonald’s Big Arches video controversy and lessons learned07:30 – Why engagement in digital platforms is no longer optional for CEOs09:00 – Platform strategies for business communication and audience targeting11:00 – The future role of CEOs on YouTube and social video content13:00 – Authenticity and AI's impact on content credibility15:00 – Cross-platform content distribution and emerging channels like Substack16:00 – Measuring success: from vanity metrics to real business impact17:00 – The complexity of linking social media efforts to sales and hiring outcomes19:00 – Building visibility to enhance reputation and company valuation20:30 – The importance of a balanced media approach—traditional and digital22:00 – Influencer dynamics, user-generated content, and organic reach24:00 – The societal shift towards individual visibility and personal brand26:00 – The relevance and future of traditional media in a digital-first world28:00 – Strategies for influencing AI-driven search and online biography management29:30 – How organizations can foster authentic employee advocacy30:50 – Resources to connect with Ted Merz and his ongoing projects Resources & Links: Principals Media Pricing Culture — The Bloomberg for Collectible Data LinkedIn X (Twitter) YouTube Substack Connect with Ted Merz: LinkedIn Twitter Insights: CEOs should view digital visibility as a fundamental communication muscle. The importance of integrating long-form content, short clips, and authentic storytelling. The shifting landscape where legacy media remains valuable for credibility, but influence is increasingly driven by digital presence and influencer narratives. BRAM WEINSTEIN ON “BREAKING THROUGH DIGITALLY” https://youtube.com/shorts/Ia_X8A_WhG4?feature=share Transcript Why CEO Communication Is Changing Frazer Rice:Welcome back to the Wealth Actually Podcast. Apologies in advance for the head cold. I'm joined today by Ted Merz of Principals Media. We're discussing how CEOs are navigating communications, the role of social media, and whether traditional media is still relevant. Frazer Rice:Ted, welcome. Ted Merz:Great to be here. Thanks for having me. Frazer Rice:We met at a dinner in New York, and I was struck by your perspective on the shift happening in PR. You advise CEOs on communications—what are you seeing? Ted Merz:We're in the middle of a major structural shift. Traditionally, companies relied on PR firms to secure placements in outlets like CNBC or The Wall Street Journal. That's becoming less effective—those platforms are more competitive, often paywalled, and in some cases shrinking. Ted Merz:At the same time, more people want access to that exposure. So companies are going direct—creating their own content through social media, podcasts, video, and written thought leadership. It allows them to bypass traditional gatekeepers and control their narrative. Risks, Authenticity, and the Learning Curve Frazer Rice:It also gives you more room to develop your ideas. But we've seen cases—Sam Altman, for example—where messaging goes sideways. Is that inexperience or the format? Ted Merz:It's not the format. There's always risk in speaking publicly—people can react negatively. Sometimes it's inexperience, but more broadly, this shift is inevitable. Ted Merz:If you want to reach younger audiences—late millennials and Gen Z—they're not watching CNBC or reading newspapers. They're on YouTube and Instagram. So participation in digital media isn't optional. Ted Merz:That said, there's a learning curve. Executives aren't always comfortable, and mistakes will happen. Frazer Rice:Just look at the reaction to a poorly thought-out tweet—it can spiral quickly. Ted Merz:Exactly. But opting out is the bigger risk. If you're not visible, you're not part of the conversation. Choosing Platforms: LinkedIn, X, YouTube, Substack Frazer Rice:I've leaned into that with this podcast and more activity on LinkedIn and Twitter. But there's a tension—should you focus on one platform or meet clients wherever they are? Ted Merz:It's not about the platform—it's about communication. You're either writing or creating video. Ted Merz:For most businesses, LinkedIn is the best starting point. It's professional, relatively forgiving, and widely accepted. But platforms are evolving quickly. Ted Merz:For example, X (Twitter) is now supporting long-form content—5,000+ word essays—and has become a hub for thought leadership in finance and tech. It's more intense and less forgiving than LinkedIn, but that may be where your audience is. Frazer Rice:That's part of why I moved my podcast to YouTube. If you're not on YouTube, you're invisible to Google. But not everyone is comfortable on video—how do you handle that? Why Video and YouTube Matter for CEOs Ted Merz:I tell them to get comfortable. Ted Merz:YouTube is the new television. It's where attention is going, and it rewards creators financially. Companies need to develop video capability. Ted Merz:Written content conveys ideas well, but video builds trust and familiarity. That's critical today. Ted Merz:Historically, CEOs didn't communicate this way. But now you see leaders like Mark Zuckerberg, Jamie Dimon, and Jon Gray using video regularly. That legitimizes it. Within a few years, this will be standard. Frazer Rice:There's also a push for authenticity. Overproduced or AI-generated content feels hollow, especially with growing fatigue around corporate messaging. Ted Merz:That's right. But authenticity doesn't mean abandoning standards. You can still communicate clearly and thoughtfully. Ted Merz:Also, content is increasingly distributed across platforms—LinkedIn, X, YouTube, Substack. Substack, in particular, is emerging as a strong platform for serious thought leadership. Ted Merz:Importantly, in business, the goal isn't to go viral. It's to create a credible public record—so when someone looks you up, they see someone thoughtful and worth engaging. Measuring Impact: Beyond Vanity Metrics Frazer Rice:That raises the question of metrics. How do you connect social media activity to actual business results? Ted Merz:It's difficult. Social media behaves more like brand advertising than direct response marketing. Ted Merz:Vanity metrics—likes, shares—can be misleading or manipulated. The connection to revenue is often indirect. Ted Merz:But you can see impact anecdotally. One client told me they couldn't tie posts directly to sales, but they were attracting better job candidates who already understood and trusted the firm. That's real value. Frazer Rice:And what about search? It used to be about controlling Google results. Now with AI-driven search, that's changing. Ted Merz:Exactly. Large language models now shape how people are perceived online. You can't fully control that, but you can influence it by consistently publishing clear, factual content. Ted Merz:If you don't, the narrative will be created without you. Personal Brand, Corporate Brand, and Goodwill Frazer Rice:I think of this as building personal and corporate goodwill—like managing the name on the back of the jersey as well as the front. Ted Merz:That's a great way to put it. Ted Merz:We've also seen a cultural shift. In the past, companies emphasized the collective—“there's no I in team.” Today, we're in an attention economy where people connect with individuals more than institutions. Ted Merz:That's why CEOs are becoming more visible. It helps the brand, and it reflects how audiences engage. Ted Merz:Companies are also trying to involve employees, but that's tricky—you can't fully control messaging and still have authenticity. Frazer Rice:Which brings us back to the core tension: authenticity versus control. Ted Merz:Exactly. Is Traditional Media Dead? Frazer Rice:So is traditional media dead? Ted Merz:No—but its role has changed. Ted Merz:Think of it as a pyramid. At the top is legacy media, which provides credibility and validation. Below that are influencers and independent creators. At the base is owned content—what you publish yourself. Ted Merz:Traditional media still matters, but it's harder to access. Increasingly, strong content created independently gets picked up and amplified by legacy outlets. Ted Merz:So the strategy is layered: create your own content, engage across platforms, and let that visibility lead to broader coverage. How to Work With Ted Merz Frazer Rice:That makes sense. Ted, we'll have to continue this conversation—there's more to cover. In the meantime, where can people find you? Ted Merz:LinkedIn is the best place—I'm very active there. You can also find me on X, YouTube, and TikTok. Ted Merz:My primary business focuses on content creation and ghostwriting for CEOs. I'm also building a platform called Pricing Culture, which tracks collectible assets—think of it as a Bloomberg for collectibles—targeted at family offices. Frazer Rice:Terrific. We'll definitely dive into that next time. Thanks for joining. Ted Merz:Thanks for having me. https://www.amazon.com/Wealth-Actually-Intelligent-Decision-Making-1-ebook/dp/B07FPQJJQT/ Keywords: The New CEO Social Media Playbook, CEO Marketing, CEO Social Media, Quest for Authenticity, CEO Branding, Corporate-Speak fatigue, Problems with LinkedIn

‍Traditionally seen as a productivity flaw, time blindness is revealed here as a money problem, quietly undermining pricing, profits, and self-worth for solopreneurs with ADHD.This episode explores why common fixes like timers and time blocking miss the deeper issue, and instead, offers practical ways to design around the unique ADHD brain.Listeners can expect actionable tools—like range pricing, value-based pricing, and multipliers—to help create smarter, ADHD-friendly business practices.Key Takeaways: 1. Why time blindness is more of a money issue than a productivity problemMissed deadlines are visible, but it's the underpriced projects and unseen labor that are draining your profits.2. How the ADHD brain's sense of time impacts your pricing (and sends you into the red)3. Why accurate estimation is a myth—and what to do insteadSpoiler: The strategic move is to build pricing that works with your brainThe Three Places You're Losing MoneyThe invisible cost of time blindness shows up in three big ways in most service-based businesses—and maybe in yours too:● Quoting New Work: Saying “yes” to projects we've never done, referencing a project that only looks similar, and then confidently (but cluelessly) assigning a price. Inevitably, unknowns explode, and you end up working for free● Scoping Familiar Work: Every project you think you know by heart, but memory only shows you the highlight reel.● Hidden Labor: The worst offender. All the little admin tasks, endless revisions, back-and-forth emails, and extra meetings never get included in my quote. They don't feel like “billable” work, but they devour hours and energy in unpaid work.Six Pricing Strategies that Correct The Effects of Time Blindness:● Range Pricing: Quote within a range, not a fixed number.● Value-Based Pricing: Charge for outcomes, not hours.● Multipliers & Buffers: Take your default quote and multiply it (1.5x, 2x, even 2.5x if you're feeling brave).● Project vs. Hourly Pricing: Bill by project, not hours, so you're aren't penalized for hyperfocus sprints● Built-In Revision Rounds & Communication Caps: Set clear boundaries on extra work and comms, and make it official.Time blindness isn't going away—but by meeting your brain where it is, you can transform ADHD traits from liabilities into business assets. Design your pricing not despite your ADHD, but in partnership with it—and start keeping your hard-earned money where it belongs: in your business.Try The Multiplier Experiment on your next proposal:1. Write down the number you want to send.2. Multiply it by 1.5x (or higher—it should feel just a bit stretchy).3. Send that quote. Notice the resistance, the stories, the “what ifs.”4. Collect the data: Did the client say yes? No? What did you learn?Every proposal is a data point for better pricing decisions. Stop leaving money on the table!Research on ADHD & time blindnessYour ADHD-ish ™ host, Diann Wingert Diann Wingert is a business strategist, coach, serial entrepreneur, former psychotherapist, and passionate thought leader at the intersection of ADHD and entrepreneurship. In addition to hosting the ADHD-ish ™ podcast, Diann is the creator of The ADHD-ish ™ Method, a practicing Buddhist, dog mom, and relentlessly curious human.Diann explains neuroscience in a relatable way. Through her accessible storytelling, Diann empowers others to understand their brains, manage their energy, and show compassion to themselves as they navigate the demands of being a business owner and in their everyday lives. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Sign up for Di AI, my ADHD business coach digital clone, for free: https://bit.ly/di-ai-accessMake sure you don't miss the next episodes in this “Reframing Your ADHD Traits as Business Strategies” series. Subscribe/Follow ADHD-ish on Apple or SpotifyWant my help to build your business with your ADHD traits in mind? Schedule a free consultation to explore 1:1 ADHD entrepreneur coaching.‍ ‍© 2026 ADHD-ish™ Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops / Outro music by Vladimir / Bobi Music / All rights reserved.