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In this episode, the boys roll out the red carpet for Ankit Kalda, a finance brainiac from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business. They dive into the gig economy's role as a financial lifeboat for laid-off workers, tossing around ideas like Uber drivers dodging debt faster than a bad Tinder date. The crew chews over how gig work reshapes the workforce, with HR folks scrambling to keep up like over-caffeinated squirrels. They also poke at the headaches gig platforms face—think regulatory red tape and automation like Tesla's robotaxis stealing the wheel. Plus, they riff on Uncle Sam's snooping into gig earnings, what Gen Z expects from this hustle-heavy world, and whether the gig economy's future is a shiny utopia or a dystopian dumpster fire. It's a wild ride through jobs, bots, and government plots! Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to the Gig Economy and Its Implications 02:22 - Understanding the Gig Economy as a Buffer 05:04 - The Impact of Gig Work on the Workforce 09:29 - Government Tracking of Gig Work 12:21 - Challenges Faced by Gig Platforms 14:40 - Temporary Solutions vs. Long-Term Viability 17:22 - Expectations of the Next Generation 20:44 - The Role of Regulation in Gig Work 25:11 - Healthcare and Long-Term Costs 28:49 - Future Outlook on the Gig Economy
Book a call with Grant's team: https://abundantx.com. Fill out the contact form to see how Abundant X can help you! -- Are you making money but still getting slammed by the IRS? This episode is your crash course in keeping more of what you earn — legally. I sat down with Grant Newell, founder of Abundant X, to uncover how personal brands and entrepreneurs are writing off travel, luxury cars, meals, even their homes — and doing it all by the book. We get into the real structure behind personal brand tax planning, why leasing a car could be smarter than buying, how to turn your kid's footprint into a business expense (yes, really), and what most accountants won't tell you about entity structuring. Whether you're running an event-driven business, building your content brand, or flipping homes — this episode is packed with tactical strategies to save you 5 to 6 figures on taxes. If you're not documenting, structuring, and planning properly, you're donating cash to Uncle Sam. Don't let that happen. -- About Grant Newell Grant Newell is the founder of Abundant X, a strategic tax planning and accounting firm that helps personal brands, entrepreneurs, and multi-business owners keep more of what they earn. Known for finding legal, creative, and aggressive tax-saving strategies, Grant specializes in entity structuring, tax mitigation, and positioning personal brands to turn everyday expenses into legitimate business write-offs. Connect with Grant Instagram: @grantgnewell Website: https://abundantx.com LinkedIn: Grant G Newell TikTok: @grantgnewell -- -- About Justin: After investing in real estate for over 18 years and almost 3000 deals done, Justin has created a business that generates 7 figures in active income through wholesaling and fix and flipping as well as accumulating millions of dollars of rental properties including 5 apartment buildings, 50+ single family homes, and 1 storage facility Justins longevity in real estate is due to his ability to look around the corners, adapt to changing markets, perfecting Raising private capital, and focusing on lead generation which allows him to not just wholesale and fix & flip, but also accumulate wealth through long term holds. His success in real estate led him to start The Entrepreneur DNA podcast and The Science Of Flipping podcast and education company, and REI LIVE where he's actively doing deals with members. He has coached and mentored thousands of aspiring and active investors over the last decade. Connect with Justin: Instagram: @thejustincolby YouTube: Justin Colby TikTok: @justincolbytsof LinkedIn: Justin Colby
Ducks, Dabs, and Questionable Decisions This week on The Circle, we mourn not having Stoney on and recap Freedumb Fest 2025—where the weed was fire, the ducks were fertilizing, and someone definitely dressed like Uncle Sam on acid. Plus, reviews on the Night Owl Hippie Slayer x Durban Poison photoperiod cross that'll slap you behind the eyes and glue you to the couch.Also: humidity struggles, moldy basements, and a heartwarming shoutout to the friend we all miss (Stoney ). Grow nerds, here's your hit:- Why ducks and duck pond water might be the ultimate closed loop for your garden- One guy dumped a plant in literal duck poop water—and the plant loved it- Chaos garden update: 20 seeds in, 4 survived, and one grew taller than the grower- Can autoflowers be terp monsters? Spoiler: yes- Tangy plants pollinated themselves during a neglect session. Nature finds a way. Always consider the source. Discord: https://discord.com/invite/youraveragegrow SpotifyShow: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TH1tL5... YouTubeChannel: https://www.youtube.com/@youraveragegrow
Nick and Kyle recap the week in Heathcliff! We also discuss beaches, hot dog history and George Carlin! Plus the debut of our new segment, Meat It or Beat It! Send us feedback on twitter @HeathcliffRecap or send us an email at HeathcliffRecap@gmail.com! Our theme song is Heathcliff's Meat Song by Louie Zong! Check him out at louiezong.com. Comics featured in the episode: July 3, 2025: https://www.gocomics.com/heathcliff/2025/07/03 July 4, 2025: https://www.gocomics.com/heathcliff/2025/07/04 July 5, 2025: https://www.gocomics.com/heathcliff/2025/07/05 July 7, 2025: https://www.gocomics.com/heathcliff/2025/07/07
Oy oy! In the spirit of Summer, we're heading to the land (where it's actually Winter) of sunbleached sand and murderous flora-fauna as we dig into our new theme “I Left My Heart in the Yabba” – Australian Horror! The Aussies have left a big mark on our souls already but we're diving deep and hopefully picking some new, possibly forgotten, even more possibly super f*cked up classics, starting with ALISON'S BIRTHDAY! Along the way we discuss Dinos and Fourth of July rewatches! Go to patreon.com/SHUDcast where you can sign up for all kinds of extra goodies! 00:00 - 14:30ish - Intros: Confused music fans, gifts from Patrons 14:30ish - 56:00ish - The other stuff we watched this time! Cody - Salem's Lot (2024), The Return of the Living Dead, Friendship, Megan 2.0, Cthulhu Mansion, Night Killer, F1, Auntie Lee's Meat Pies, Uncle Sam, Monster Squad, The Shallows, Independence Day: Resurgence, Nope, Signs, War of the Worlds, Jurassic World: Rebirth Lucas - F1, Jurassic World: Rebirth, Now You See Me, Now You See Me 2, Curtis - Megan 2.0, F1, Uncle Sam, Jurassic World: Rebirth, Trainspotting, Blow Out 56:00ish - 1:25:30ish - ALISON'S BIRTHDAY - SHUDdown and discussion! 1:25:30ish - End - The next movie in “I left my heart in the Yabba!” - Australian Horror! Presented by Austin!
Send us a textIn this heartfelt conversation, Sam Byler dons his patriotic Uncle Sam attire as he and Shannon Latham discuss the monumental hurricane relief efforts that have occupied the shed industry for the past nine months. What began as an emergency response to Hurricane Helene has evolved into a remarkable story of American generosity and cooperation across political and geographical boundaries.Sam shares the extraordinary journey of coordinating hundreds of shed donations from companies throughout the country, with deliveries spanning from North Carolina to Florida. "The people from the shed industry alone is in the hundreds—different dealers, rent-to-own companies, manufacturers, haulers, you name it," Sam reflects, still amazed at the scope of participation. Most touching are his stories of the "little people" whose small but consistent donations formed the backbone of the effort, alongside anonymous companies who donated generously without seeking recognition.The conversation takes a thoughtful turn as both hosts explore the tension between sharing good deeds and appearing self-promotional. They grapple with biblical principles around giving, concluding that sharing stories of generosity can inspire others when the motive is pure. "Your story is important to other people," Shannon emphasizes, encouraging listeners to share their experiences on future podcast episodes.Their discussion deepens further when examining how disaster relief became an unexpected form of ministry. "We can become so polarized in what we think is the right thing to do that we totally miss what should be done," Sam observes, noting how they essentially "took church to people" who couldn't attend traditional services. This sparks Shannon to share his vision for "Church of Pod," a potential new podcast ministry reaching people outside traditional church settings.As the relief efforts conclude with a final push and celebrations on July 4th, both men reflect on how this experience has transformed the shed industry, creating lifelong friendships and demonstrating the power of practical compassion. Their conversation reminds us that when Americans set aside differences and work together, extraordinary things happen through ordinary people.For more information or to know more about the Shed Geek Podcast visit us at our website.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube at the handle @shedgeekpodcast.To be a guest on the Shed Geek Podcast visit our website and fill out the "Contact Us" form.To suggest show topics or ask questions you want answered email us at info@shedgeek.com.This episodes Sponsors:Studio Sponsor: Shed ProShed ChallengerCardinal LeasingCardinal Manufacturing
A new tax bill has officially passed (you've probably heard it mentioned as the “Big Beautiful Bill”). And while most headlines are focused on politics, we're focused on what it means for your retirement. The choices you make in the next year or two could have a significant impact on how much you keep and how much goes to Uncle Sam. Today, David breaks down key parts that are most likely to affect retirees. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:
There are reports of a 40% chance of an economic downturn in 2025. Pat discusses the media's role in these reports and how people should stick with their plan regardless of headlines, and that changes can be made if and when necessary. He also revisits the subject of taxes in retirement and strategies to help preserve your money from having to pay Uncle Sam more than you need to.
Send us a textHappy Fourth of July, Fearless Fans!! It's time for another holiday slasher!!This week, Pete breaks down Uncle Sam, a cheap slasher about an undead soldier that punishes the unpatriotic... but also just any random person that's around. It's poorly made, often boring, and completely nonsensical. We're sure you'll love it!Join us as we discuss peeping toms, corrupt politicians, and a town where chaos reigns and there is no sense of danger.And as always: don't get too scared!
Hello everyone, welcome to another episode of WASD & BEYOND!This week, the boys were feeling festive and watched Uncle Sam! Enjoy their conversation about this amazingly cheesy movie.Thank you, Screambox, for sponsoring this show. Please go and check Screambox out. For 38 bucks a year, you can watch endless amounts of bloodcurdling horror. Use code SB38!Scream at our movies, not our prices!Be sure to check out our Sponsor's FINAL BOSS & DOC LONGY!If you enjoyed the episode, please consider following us, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, and rating us on Spotify!If you're looking for a place to be yourself and make new friends, why not join the Spawn Camp Discord?Art by Noah of NMDesignPlease consider supporting all our talented friends!Links Below!SCREAMBOXhttps://www.screambox.com/offers/sb38NOAH | NMDESIGN https://linktr.ee/official_nmdesignDISCORDhttps://discord.gg/tSsXeXvrWASD & BEYOND Podcasthttps://linktr.ee/WasdbeyondFINAL BOSS https://www.finalbosscult.co.uk/ https://twitter.com/finalbosscultDOC LONGY https://www.instagram.com/doc.longy/ https://www.locdongy.com/
On this bowl of Question Crunch, Tim Soete is here to talk about their musical career.Answering questions about The Fucking Champs, the dangers of being on tour, and which princess will Uncle Sam rescue.
Charisse and her daughter Ella have fun with Dog Bite Awareness month. How big and bad is the dog after your retirement money? Like this episode? Hit that Follow button and never miss an episode!
What if you did everything “right” in retirement, but were still left surprised? That's exactly what happened to Fritz Gilbert, one of our favorite past podcast guests. In this episode, we unpack his recent article, “My Biggest Surprise in Retirement,” and explore why his carefully planned Roth conversions didn't make the impact he expected. This conversation is for anyone who wants to stay in the driver's seat—no surprises, no backseat driving from Uncle Sam—just thoughtful, purpose-driven planning. In this episode, we discuss: Why Roth conversions may not reduce your tax-deferred balance as expected Why waiting until retirement to convert might be too late Strategic conversions = lower RMDs, Medicare premiums, and taxes for heirs The ripple effects of taxes: Medicare IRMAA, Social Security, legacy Today's article is from The Retirement Manifesto blog titled, My Biggest Surprise in Retirement. Listen in as Founder and CEO of Howard Bailey Financial, Casey Weade, breaks down the article and provides thoughtful insights and advice on how it applies to your unique financial situation. Show Notes: HowardBailey.com/508
Happy Fourth of July! We really haven't done much with this holiday, so we thought it was an appropriate time to celebrate with William Lustig's 1996 slasher Uncle Sam, a film that features tons of jingoistic American festivities while being pretty blatantly critical of US politics and war. While the film is a bit lackluster, we have a lot of fun calling out the crazy things in the movie: from a peeping tom on stilts, to a fireworks injury, to how good the smoked ribs look. We're also drinking Druthers Brewing Company's Saratoga Vibes lemon-lime pilsner!Approximate timeline0:00-11:00 Intro11:00-20:00 Beer talk20:00-end Uncle Sam
To celebrate the 4th of July we had a very special guest join us for the Throwback Throwdown - give it up for Uncle Sam!!!!
To celebrate the 4th of July we had a very special guest join us for the Throwback Throwdown - give it up for Uncle Sam!!!!
For the day before Independence Day we were joined by horror master William Lustig creator of Maniac, Maniac Cop franchise and more - discussing UNCLE SAM!
No, I don't have any particular aversion to your run-of-the-mill slug. Yes, I have a strong aversion to your average able-bodied, take advantage of Uncle Sam kind of slug.
"American Pie" singer Don McLean joins the show to chat about his big hit as well as the rest of his library of songs ahead of his concert at Jefferson Parish
We get all the details on the Uncle Sam Jam from Tripp Rabalais, the director of Lafreniere Park.
* How AI has taken over the hiring process...and what you need to know * Everything you need to know about the Uncle Sam Jam
The 4% rule gets talked about like gospel in retirement planning. But let's be honest, it's always been more of a rough guess than a golden rule. Now, its original creator is revising it to 4.7%. So, does that mean your retirement paycheck just got a raise, or is this just another headline that oversimplifies a complex decision? Important Links: Website: http://www.yourplanningpros.com Call: 844-707-7381 ----more---- Transcript: Marc: The 4% rule gets a makeover. Let's talk this week here on Plan With The Tax Man about the change in the 4% rule by the guy who created it. It's pretty much the gospel in retirement planning, so what does that mean for us? Let's get into it with Tony. Hey everybody, welcome to the podcast. Thanks for hanging out with Tony Mauro and myself as we talk investing, finance, retirement, and the 4% rule getting a makeover is the big topic this week, Tony. I want to dive into this conversation just a little bit, but first, how are you, my friend? Tony Mauro: I'm doing very good, how are you? Marc: I'm doing very well. Have you seen this? I'm sure you have- Tony Mauro: I have seen it. Marc: About the move to 4.7%. Doesn't have the same ring as the 4% rule, but it's being bumped up to 4.7%. And so I want to talk about this a little bit because this thing really, truly has... The guy who made this, and I'll let you give us a little back story here in a second, I wonder if he thought that this thing was going to be like the golden rule gospel of retirement planning when he made this thing 30 some odd years ago, right? Tony Mauro: Yeah. Well, I don't know if he did and it's been around for what, since the '90s I believe? Marc: Yeah, early '90s. Tony Mauro: Basically what he came out with, and there's been books written about it and everything else, and so it's very popular that what he came out with was retirees should basically, if you're going to live off of the income, you should take out 4% or right around there just for inflation. So for basically over your retirement lifetime, which at then was 20, 30 years, you wouldn't run out of money. Marc: Yeah, and it was like a 50/50 split too, right? I think it was instead of the 60/40, it was 50/50. And to make it easy, Tony, I guess we can say, look, you got $1 million, and it feels like everybody, even people who aren't in the financial industry have heard of this 4% rule. If you're getting close to retirement, you've probably heard it. And so it's like, okay, you got $1 million, take out 4%, it's $40,000 a year. Nice and easy, right? Tony Mauro: Right. And then it would continue to grow, you could continue to do that and you wouldn't run out of money. Marc: That's your safe withdrawal rate, right? Tony Mauro: Yeah, safe withdrawal rate. Now, in a person's overall financial plan, I like to go against the grain on this a little bit. I think when we talk about this at the distribution stage, I try to get them to buy into the fact that we want to do a hybrid type of take on this. Number one, we want to start out, because I think in today's, depending on their appetite for volatility, I think you can get closer to 5% easy. You have to cut back your bonds a little bit. Marc: Interesting. Well, and that's kind of what Bill's saying. And by the way, his name was Bill Bingen for folks who were- Tony Mauro: Yep, Bill Bingen. Marc: Who are listening. He's saying 4.7%, so you're saying maybe even 5%. Tony Mauro: I like to suggest 5% and I've been doing it with my own father for years and several others that like that. Now, if their propensity, they don't want to see any of their portfolio when they look at a statement or something and see it bouncing around, I try to get them, "Let's not worry about that, it's going to go up and down." But the income, we can get 5% easy, but I try to get them to buy into the fact, is let's say that we base it on 5%. Yeah, if we have a bad market, let's bump our distribution rate down a little bit to 4% or 4.5%. And if we have a good market, well, then let's bump it up a little bit in that year. So we kind of get a little more activity, because I think the one thing I don't like about this rule is a lot of people think, "Well, I've got to leave all my money to whomever," and whatnot. I think the number one thing that we need to think about is, the first thing is you need to make sure that the rest of your life is stable and you have enough money. Then if there's money left, you can leave it to heirs. But I think too many of us get wrapped up in, "I don't want to take any money out." And I think it depends again, what you want to do in life, but they kind of shortchange a good retirement when they have money that they could do it with. Marc: Yeah. Okay, so looking at what Bill has done here, he's changed a couple of things. His 2025 update, Tony, is now 55% stock and 45% on the bond side. So he's kind of acknowledged that over the last couple of years, the bond market has not been so great, so he's kind of peeled that back a little bit, bumped it up to this 4.7%. And I think if people who see this, sometimes I kind of wonder, do they feel like that gives them a green light to, "Hey, I'm getting a raise in retirement?" Maybe, but maybe not. Because for a long time, Tony, I've been talking with advisors for 10 years now and the 4% rule constantly gets brought up and people would say, "Well, it's really more like the 3.2% rule because we can't really pull that out," because interest rates were terrible. Zero on bonds and stuff for a long time, so it gets confusing for folks. They think, "Is it lower than 4% or is it higher than 4%?" Here, you're saying maybe up to 5%. So is it a green light to spend or is it a green light to say, "Let's rerun some numbers, re-analyze?" Tony Mauro: I think just like I said, it's a green light to re-analyze year after year and say it depends. It's definitely not an increase just to go spend more, but with bond yields as they've been over the last many years, the whole 50/50 split doesn't work. Even 55/45 is not going to quite get you 4.7%. It might if the stock side is doing okay, but in those years that we might have a down year, it certainly is not going to. I believe that, like I say, if we have a running range and depending on how things went, then that is what you're spending for the following year should be, and then you stick to that and then reassess. Your advisor's going to help you with this, so- Marc: Hopefully. Tony Mauro: It's not hard to... Yeah, hopefully. It's not hard to do, but definitely not a green light to just go spend more. Marc: Well, okay, so here's my thought on this and you tell me, because obviously you've been doing this for 30 plus years and I've just been talking with advisors for 10 years. But I think what sometimes happens, and this doesn't mean the 4% rule is wrong, by the way. Tony Mauro: Nope. Marc: I think it's like any rule of thumb, Tony. It's a conversation starting point. We'll go back to that $1 million account, 4% is $40,000 a year. If you're trying to figure out what do you need to pull from your assets to help your shortfall, because you're going to have your social security, maybe a pension, whatever. Do you have $1 million, I guess would be the first question. What kind of account is it? Because you might not have $1 million in it. It might be $1 million, but you may owe Uncle Sam $300,000, so now you got $700,000. Well, 4% on that's what, $28,000 a year? So does that fix your shortfall or does that leave you in the hole? This is where the strategy has come into play versus just a general rule of thumb. Tony Mauro: It is. And I think like you say, rule of thumb is a starting point. With your advisor every year, you need to be trying to figure that out because it really evolves as you age and what your, of course, needs and wants are. Marc: Right. Tony Mauro: And then of course, you may start out in retirement saying, "I'm going to go spend all this money." Health of a spouse, something else gets in the way and then all of a sudden your goals change, and so your plan needs to change, too. So keep in mind, it's a great place to start. We generally will start with that, but we like to plan from there and that's where the advisor is really going to prove their value to you being able to adjust this on the run. Marc: Well, Tony, what factors matter more than just the percentage you withdraw? I mean, I think that's got to be a question that people ask themselves. What other things matter, like market sequence of return risk? I mean, that's timing, taxes. I mean, these different pieces. Tony Mauro: Taxes, all that. I mean, how long are you going to live? What type of things you want to do. You got to factor in if you've got a spouse or significant other, what you want to do there. It also factors in, is how much if any, do you want to leave heirs? Maybe they're taken care of and that's not even an issue for you. For somebody else, that's goal number one. All of that needs to be factored in, so we have to allow for adjustments in that, all while providing you the retirement that you want. It's not all just about leaving it. One thing I notice with a lot of clients, my father included, is as we age, we've talked about this before, I think, is people don't want to spend any money. And I'm not saying run out and just blow all of your money. Marc: Right, but enjoy it. Tony Mauro: Yeah. And if we've planned and we try to hold them to it, because ask them a lot of questions. And we put it in the plan as, "Here's what you told us that you wanted to do, are you really doing that? I mean, are you really doing the part-time job you always wanted to do or starting that foreign language that you always wanted to do? And if not, why?" I mean, maybe your plans have changed, but most of these plans involve spending some money and that's where we get into it. But it's a nice topic to talk to everybody about really what they want before the end. Marc: Yeah. Well, okay, let's finish it with this kind of point. I think ultimately people want to know, "Well then, what is my personal safe withdrawal rate? How do I figure that out?" Because we're talking 4% rule or 4.7% or 5%, it's some rules of thumb. Or potential, people are going to come in and say, "Hey, what is my with safe withdrawal rate? How do we figure that out?" And that's really where the strategizing and the plan comes in. Because Tony, as I mentioned earlier, let's just use you and me as an example. If you come in and sit down with yourself, if you come in and you've got social security and assets, those are the two main things that you're pulling from, and I come in and I've got social security pension and assets. Well, my withdrawal rate may be different because I got the pension money. Tony Mauro: You got the pension money. Marc: Right? Tony Mauro: People ask us that, yeah. I say, "You know what? I have no idea what your safe withdrawal rate is. However, I will be able to find out, once we delve into some things, then I can tell you." But just blankly saying it's 4%, we could start there, but if I don't know what you have and what your goals are, there's no way for me to help you. Which is, it's basically is why you're paying a financial advisor, is to add that value and be able to help you determine what your safe withdrawal rate is. But it's no different than going to your doctor and they've got to ask you some questions before they can prescribe you medicine or figure out what to do for you. Marc: Right. I mean, it's 100 year old joke, but I still always giggle at it. "Doctor, it hurts when I do this." "Well then, don't do that." Tony Mauro: That's right, stop doing that. Marc: It's like with your financial advisor, he's like, "Hey, advisor, it hurts when I pull money out." "Well, don't pull money out." It's like, "Well, I have to." So you got to get the math put together, you got to get the strategy put together and take a look at it. And to your point, you can't generalize. I mean, you can if you're just having that quick conversation. You and the loved one are sitting around having dinner, "Hey, we're getting close to retirement. This should work, we've got this and we would do this," blah, blah, blah. But then take, run those numbers, right Tony, through the real value process and the calculators and the various different levers that get pulled when you turn this on and you do that and so on and so forth in that overall retirement strategy and see how it's all going to play together? Because that's the big thing, too. I mean, you could think about the DIY movements. It's a lot easier the last number of years, to build our wealth and accumulate our wealth, especially if you're a DIYer. A lot of tools out there, a lot of resources. But I think when people get to realizing all the different nuances that make up retirement strategy and all the different things we got to deal with, they kind of like, "Yeah, I need a little help here." So get on the calendar, come in, have a conversation. Talk about your withdrawal rate and taxation and market volatility and sequence of return risk. All these pieces, it all factors in. So reach out to Tony, get yourself some time on the calendar, folks, at Yourplanningpros.com. That is Yourplanningpros.com, or call him at (844) 707-7381 to have a conversation about today's topic or any other that's important to you. Tony, we're going to drop this right around the 4th of July, so happy 4th of July, my friend. Tony Mauro: Same to you and same to everyone out there. Hopefully everybody stays safe. Marc: Absolutely, enjoy. I'll see you next time here on Plan With The Tax Man, with the one and only Tony Mauro. Securities offered through Avantax Investment Services SM, member FINRA, SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Avantax Advisory Services. Insurance services offered through an Avantax affiliated insurance agency. Investment strategies discussed in this episode may not be suitable for all investors. Please consult with a financial professional.
Is Robby a bad kisser? Rochelle drove a hi-lo Super Match, Uncle Sam or Jean Claude Van Damme + What should you not bring to your 4th of July BBQ?
A version of this essay was published by firstpost.com at https://www.firstpost.com/opinion/shadow-warrior-west-asia-hostilities-will-resume-again-only-question-is-when-13903341.html West Asia is again on the boil. Well, to be precise, it has been on the boil for a very long time, but we have the additional spectacle of the Iran-Israel war. Despite the ceasefire, which I hope does hold, there is a lot here that should concern all of us based on the geopolitical and geo-economic fallout.There are at least three issues of interest: the geopolitics, the war tactics, and the impact on the rest of the world. GeopoliticsIt would be fair to say that much of the turmoil in the region dates back to British (and to a lesser extent French) meddling in the 20th century, for instance the Sykes-Picot Act, or the antics of TE Lawrence. Britain's broader actions—contradictory promises (Balfour), repressive mandates, oil-driven interference, and botched withdrawals—sowed division, resentment, and conflict that shaped the region's 20th-century chaos. Many of these issues, like sectarianism in Iraq and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, persist today.The nations Britain created with arbitrary lines marked on a map made no sense because they ignored ethnic, tribal, and religious realities, sowing seeds for future conflicts. Indians know all about this: the same sort of random map-making in the Indian subcontinent led to extraordinary misery (the Radcliffe Line, created in just five weeks, created East and West Pakistan with little attention paid to ground realities, using outdated maps and census data).The British Deep State (let us call it Whitehall for short) has lost much of its clout, but it has been leading the American Deep State by the nose in what I referred to as a “master-blaster” relationship. And the latter has a rather clear SoP: there needs to be constant wars to feed the Military Industrial Complex, and so they will arrange for wars, which will lead to a complex money-laundering operation, with petrodollars being whitewashed through the IMF etc and ending up in the coffers of Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Palantir, and friends. It is notable that one of President Trump's main claims to fame in his first Presidency was that he scrupulously avoided going to war, in sharp contrast with his predecessors over the last several decades, all of whom had started or indulged in one war or the other. It appears that this time, though, the US Deep State has managed to co-opt Trump into its warmaking agenda, which, incidentally does not disqualify him for a Nobel Peace Prize: see Kissinger or Obama.What has happened in this 12-day war is that it became a stalemate, for all practical purposes. Neither Israel nor Iran can fully defeat the other, as neither has the resources to continue. A good metaphor is a boxing match, where evenly matched pugilists are both exhausted, covered and blinded with blood, and can hardly stand on their feet. The referee calling a halt is a blessing for both of them.Iran has, for years, shouted hair-raising slogans about obliterating Israel, although it is not clear how much of this was rhetoric, considering Uncle Sam's support for the latter makes the latter quite powerful. This sloganeering was supplemented by proxy allies, Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, all of whom have been capable of mischief. Plus there is the nuclear bomb.Israel set out to tame Iran on all these fronts. Their goals were to deprecate, if not destroy, Iran's nuclear capability, defang the proxies, and impose a regime-change on the country. Let us remember the Stuxnet incident of 2010 when a computer virus was introduced into the Iranian centrifuges that are used for uranium enrichment, causing many of them to disintegrate. The assaults on Nataz, Fordow and Ispahan (much like Israel's raid on Iraq's Osiraq reactor long ago) were intended to stop Iran's nuclear weapons program altogether.With the US' help, it appears as though there has been serious damage to Iran's weapons capabilities, although there are rumors that 400 kg of highly enriched uranium was smuggled out just before the bunker-buster strikes via B-2 bombers on the fortified, underground sites. Among Iranian proxies or force-multipliers, its so-called Axis of Resistance, Hamas has been severely degraded, with top commanders eliminated (notably Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh) and its tunnel network in Gaza largely inoperable. Hezbollah leader Hasan Nazrallah and several key aides have been targeted and killed. The Houthis have escaped relatively unscathed, although the Americans were bombing them.On the other hand, it may not be possible to effect regime change in Iran. There seems to be a standard playbook of so-called ‘Color Revolutions', wherein a ruler is replaced by someone close to the West through what is portrayed as a “popular uprising”. The Ukraine Maidan Revolution that placed Zelenksy in power, the Bangladeshi coup that brought Yunus to power, and the “Velvet Revolution” are examples.But one of the earliest examples was the CIA/MI6 coup in Iran that overthrew Mohammed Mossadegh in 1953 and brought Shah Reza Pahlavi back to monarchical power. And the reason: Mossadegh had nationalized the Iranian oil industry, and freed it from the clutches of British Petroleum. The 1979 coup by the mullahs succeeded because the Shah was unpopular by then. Iranians, despite widespread opposition to Khameini, probably don't want the Shah dynasty back, or for that matter someone else chosen to rule them by outsiders.There was also a fairly strange set of events: just as it is said the Iranians were allowed to spirit their uranium away, the Iranians seem to have given notice of their attacks on US bases in Qatar etc. (allowing the US to move their aircraft and personnel), and, strangest of all, a social media post by Trump that appeared to approve sanctions-free Iranian supply of oil to China!Thus there are some pantomime/shadow-boxing elements to the war as well, and some choreography that is baffling to the impartial observer. Geopolitics is a complex dance.War tacticsThe Israeli assault on Iran started with shock and awe. In the first phase, There was a massive aerial bombing campaign, including on Natanz. But more interestingly, there was a Mossad operation that had smuggled kamikaze drones into a covert base near Teheran, and they, as well as anti-tank missiles degraded Iranian air defenses. Mossad also enabled successful decapitation strikes, with several top commanders and nuclear scientists assassinated.This phase was a big win for Israel, and reminded one of the continuing importance of human intelligence in a technological age. Patiently locating and mapping enemy commanders' movements, managing supply chains and using psychological tactics were reminiscent of how Mossad was able to introduce the Stuxnet worm, and use pagers as remote explosive devices. In the second phase, the two were more evenly matched. Israel's Iron Dome was unable to deal with sustained barrages of Iranian missiles, as no anti-missile system can be more than 90% effective. Both began to suffer from depleted stocks of arms and ammunition. Thus the metaphor of two grievously wounded boxers struggling to stay on their feet in the ring. It took the bunker-busting US B-2 bombers in the third phase to penetrate deep underground to the centrifuges, but there is still the possibility that Iran managed to ship out its fissile material.We are now in a fourth phase: both parties are preparing for the next round of kinetic warfare.The lessons here were once again the remarkable rise of UCAVs or drones as weapons of war, and the continued usage of high-quality human intelligence. It is rumored that Israeli agents had penetrated to high levels in the Iranian military hierarchy, and there was allegedly a high-level mole who was spirited away safely out of Iran.Both of these are important takeaways for India. The success of India's decoy drones in the suppression of Pakistani air defenses will be hard to repeat; the Ukrainian drone strike against Russia's strategic TU-44 and other strategic bombers, which were sitting ducks on the ground, shows us what drones can do: India has to substantially advance its drone capability. India's counterintelligence and human intelligence suffered grievous blows when various personalities, including a Prime Minister, a Vice President, and the head of RA&W all turned hostile, with the result that India's covert presence in Pakistan will have to painfully recreated again. Perhaps India also does not have a policy of decapitation strikes. Should it?Impact on the rest of the world, especially IndiaIn general terms, it's hard to declare an outright non-loser in this war, except possibly China, because it is the one player that seems to be quite unaffected: its saber-rattling on Taiwan continues unabated. Russia lost, because it had been viewed as being an ally of Iran; it was unable to do much, enmeshed as it is in the Ukraine mess. Israel and Iran both came out, in the end, looking weakened, as neither could deliver a fatal blow.The US got kudos for the B-2 bombers and the bunker-busters, but it is not entirely clear if there was some kind of ‘understanding' which meant that Iran is still not that far away from being able to build its nuclear bomb. Indians will remember how President Reagan winked at Pakistan's efforts to nuclearize with Chinese help, and issued certificates of innocence.Pakistan in particular, and the Islamic Ummah in general, took a beating. Instead of expressing Islamic solidarity with Iran, it turns out Pakistan was quite likely opening up its air bases for possible US strikes on Iran. That would explain why Indian strikes on Pakistan's Nur Khan air base alarmed the Americans, who may have been bulking up their presence there partly as a way of opening a new front against Iran.None of the other Islamic powers, with the possible exception of Turkey, paid more than lip service to Iran's troubles, which was interesting to note. The Sunni-Shia schism holds. The worst outcomes were averted: the nightmare scenarios, in order of seriousness, would have been a) World War 3, b) nuclear bombs being dropped on one or more of the belligerents, c) a broad war in West Asia, c) the closing of the Straits of Hormuz and a serious spike in energy prices.From the point of view of a nation like India, it demonstrated, yet again, that superpowers have their own rationale of amoral transactional relationships with other countries. India, as an aspiring superpower needs to internalize the fact that foreign policy is the pursuit of war by other means, and there are only permanent interests, not permanent friends. Instead of the highfalutin' moralizing of the Krishna Menon and Jawaharlal Nehru days, what India needs is the pursuit of its own national interests all the time.In this context, both Israel and Iran are useful to India. There is a billion-dollar arms trade between Israel and India (and Israel long ago offered to destroy Pakistan's Kahuta nuclear reactor with India's help, but shrinking-violet India refused). Today India is Israel's biggest arms buyer, with products ranging from Phalcon AWACS to Barak missiles to Harop and other drones, with Hermes 900 drones co-produced in India and exported to Israel.As for Iran, India's investment in Chabahar port is a strategic counter to China's CPEC and Gwadar port in Pakistan. It enables India to avoid Pakistan in its trade to Afghanistan and Central Asia. It is also a node on the International North South Transport Corridor, using which India can connect to Russia and Europe. It cuts time and cost of shipping to Europe by 30% as compared to the Suez Canal. India has invested more than a billion dollars in Chabahar.Besides, India used to be a big customer for Iranian oil, but that has been cut to near-zero from 20+ million tons a year because of US sanctions on Iran. If and when sanctions are lifted, India will have an interest in buying Iranian oil again. India has interests in both Israel and Iran, and it should continue to maintain its good relations with both. Nevertheless, West Asia remains a tinderbox. Hostilities will resume again, the only question is when. Iran will not give up on its nuclear ambitions, and as with Pakistan, some nuclear power will proliferate to it sooner or later, quite possibly China. The grand ambition to topple Iran's mullahs is not likely to come to fruition. Israel will continue to be beleaguered. Status quo ante, after the current round of noise dies down.2075 words, 1 Jul 2025The AI-generated podcast in Malayalam from notebookLM.google.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rajeevsrinivasan.substack.com/subscribe
This is the story of interwar preparation–not that the United States realized it was preparing for World War II, new technologies, innovation, and a constant pushing of the limits in the 1930s did indeed help Uncle Sam prepare for the fight to come. To get us into an interwar mindset of praying for peace while preparing for war, Professor Jackson tells us the tale of the B-17 bomber and is then joined by GEN James E. Rainey, Commanding General, U.S. Army Futures Command, to discuss how the current day Army thinks about history to prepare for the future. In this informative conversation, GEN Rainey talks about the lessons, leaders, and innovations from the Army's 250 years of service to the nation that can inform and inspire officers, soldiers, and leaders of all vocations to meet the missions of tomorrow. General James E. Rainey is the Commanding General Commander, Army Futures Command (AFC). Headquartered in Austin, Texas, AFC is the Army's newest major command, responsible for transforming the Army to ensure war-winning future readiness, employing 30,000 Soldiers and Civilians at 128 locations worldwide. In his previous position, General Rainey served at the Pentagon, where he oversaw the Army's operations and plans. General Rainey commissioned as an infantry lieutenant upon graduating from Eastern Kentucky University in 1987. He has commanded at every level from platoon to division and has served in numerous combat deployments in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He earned a master's degree in advanced military arts and science from the School of Advanced Military Studies and another in Public Administration from Troy University. He also completed a Senior Service Fellowship at the University of Denver's Korbel School of International Relations. Disclosure: HTDS has not paid nor received any remuneration for this episode from the US Army or any other government agency. The opinions of the guest are his own and do not represent the opinions of Professor Jackson or HTDS. We are grateful to the many soldiers who have served our nation throughout history, and proud to bring discussions like this to the public in the spirit of education and access to the leaders in whom We the People place our trust. Books referenced in the interview: The official US Army field manual number one, “A Primer to our Profession of Arms” Freedom's Forge: How American Business Produced Victory in World War II by Arthur Herman Prodigal Soldiers: How the Generation of Officers Born of Vietnam Revolutionized the American Style of War by James Kitfield Real Soldiering: The US Army in the Aftermath of War, 1815-1980 by Brian McAllister Linn America's First Battles, 1776-1965 by Charles E. Heller (Editor), William A. Stofft (Editor) General Fox Conner: Pershing's Chief of Operations and Eisenhower's Mentor (Leadership in Action) by Steven Rabalais Connect with us on HTDSpodcast.com and go deep into episode bibliographies and book recommendations join discussions in our Facebook community get news and discounts from The HTDS Gazette come see a live show get HTDS merch or become an HTDS premium member for bonus episodes and other perks. HTDS is part of Audacy media network. Interested in advertising on the History That Doesn't Suck? Contact Audacyinc.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Send us a textIn this episode of FedBiz'5, Bobby Testa breaks down Executive Order 14240—"Eliminating Waste and Saving Taxpayer Dollars by Consolidating Government Procurement"—and why it's shaking up the entire landscape of federal contracting.If you're a current or aspiring government contractor, this EO isn't background noise—it's your new playbook.Uncle Sam is cleaning house. The goal? Streamline procurement, eliminate duplication, and centralize control under the General Services Administration (GSA). Agencies are being asked to submit lists of their most commonly purchased goods and services—and GSA will take it from there. That means fewer contract vehicles, more centralized buying, and a big shift in how agencies shop for solutions.This isn't a budget cut. It's a procurement evolution.And the biggest shake-up? IT. The GSA is taking a stronger lead on tech procurement, from SaaS to cybersecurity. Programs like SEWP and CIO-SP are now under a microscope. If you're in tech and not already tied into GSA contracts, it's time to get moving.Bobby's five-step FedBiz'5 Survival Guide outlines exactly how to prepare:Audit Your Contracts: Know which vehicles are vulnerable to consolidation.Get GSA Ready: If you're not on a GSA Schedule, now's the time.Refocus Your Capability Statement: Emphasize cost-effectiveness and performance, not just qualifications.Engage Early: Don't wait for the RFP—respond to RFIs and attend Industry Days.Team Strategically: Partnering with a GSA-savvy prime could be your fast track forward.EO 14240 is not the end of opportunity—it's a redefinition of it. Contractors who move quickly and align with GSA's centralized priorities can come out ahead. The ones who wait? They risk becoming invisible.The bottom line: Adaptability wins. Visibility is key. And staying passive is not an option.
This week Pastor Scott continues taking a look at Romans 13:1-7
This week Pastor Scott continues through Romans 13:1-4.
I feel like a lot of people expect propaganda to be on the nose. War posters, Uncle Sam pointing directly at you to recruit you for the war or directly glorifying it. But I am starting to notice how propaganda is becoming more and more insidious and targeted and effective. In an episode a long time ago, I remember talking about the concept of Dialectical thinking, which refers to the ability to hold space for multiple, contradictory truths at once. The ability to use multiple truths and perspectives to arrive at a more comprehensive understanding of things. But it is work. It may feel more intuitive for some people, but as I have come to realize, holding space for nuance and complexity in understanding something, is not a task every person is capable of doing.So, if we're talking about propaganda, and we are at the baseline of understanding that everything is political, I think it's important to call out that this means propaganda is in EVERYTHING we consume, whether it's in support of an ideology or a religion or control, it's it is rarely obvious and typically buried in things we love for other reasons. SOURCES:Who's afraid of socialism? https://ips-dc.org/whos-afraid-of-socialism/What is democratic socialism + critiques: https://socialstudieshelp.com/economics/what-is-democratic-socialism-key-features-and-criticisms/Communism vs. Socialism https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/100214/what-difference-between-communism-and-socialism.aspThe DSA's “What is Democratic Socialism?” https://www.dsausa.org/about-us/what-is-democratic-socialism/Resources for Resisting a Coup: https://makeyourdamnbed.medium.com/practical-guides-to-resisting-a-coup-b44571b9ad66SUPPORT Julie (and the show!): https://supporter.acast.com/make-your-damn-bedDONATE to the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund: www.pcrf.netGET AN OCCASIONAL PERSONAL EMAIL FROM ME: www.makeyourdamnbedpodcast.comTUNE IN ON INSTAGRAM FOR COOL CONTENT: www.instagram.com/mydbpodcastOR BE A REAL GEM + TUNE IN ON PATREON: www.patreon.com/MYDBpodcastOR WATCH ON YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/juliemerica The opinions expressed by Julie Merica and Make Your Damn Bed Podcast are intended for entertainment purposes only. Make Your Damn Bed podcast is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/make-your-damn-bed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
John has an awkward encounter with a possum and issues a retraction about St. Bernards. Meanwhile, Jonnie performs at a wedding reception and reveals the world record for most people shaved in an hour. Plus, a conversation about gratitude and why "counting our blessings" changes our mindset. Today's episode is NOT sponsored by Memory Foam Pillows: "We Forgive, but We Never Forget.” FOLLOW Jonnie W: https://jonniew.com FOLLOW John Driver: https://johndriver.com LISTEN, SUBSCRIBE, SEND MESSAGE, OR SUPPORT at http://talkaboutthatpodcast.com WATCH/SUBSCRIBE on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwjExy_jWIdNvGd28XgF2Dg Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Send us a textWe're taking it back to where it all began—the countdown episode! That's right, we're honoring our roots with not one, but two top ten lists that are guaranteed to leave you laughing, nodding, and possibly questioning your entire existence.First up, we're diving deep into the cookout to bring you the Top Ten Sayings Heard at a Black Family Reunion—because you already know somebody's auntie is about to say something that lives rent-free in your memory forever.Then we're flipping the script and breaking down the Top Ten Things We'd Rather Do Than Get Drafted—because if Uncle Sam calls, we just might hit him with the ol' ‘new number, who dis?'So grab your folding chair, a plate of that cousin-you-don't-trust's potato salad, and get ready to countdown with us like it's 1999. Let's go!"Hosted by Nicholas Finch & Kirstan Cunningham New Episodes every Thursday!! Please subscribe, rate, and review! Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts! Head to truecomedypod.com for all things True Comedy! Follow us on social media! Facebook: facebook.com/truecomedypodcast Instagram: instagram.com/truecomedypodcast Twitter: twitter.com/podcast_true
While the last three issues of Captain America and the Falcon we looked at were rather underwhelming, issues 209 to 211 give us all the kooky science fiction and Kirby Crackle we could want! The appearance of Arnim Zola, in his first face-off with Cap, has revitalized the story. But Falcon seems shunted off to … Continue reading #845 Jack Kirby's “Cap and Falcon” 209-211: An Uncle Sam Person
Give me a "K! ..."K"! give me an "I"! ..."I"! Give me a "T"! ..."T" Give me a "M"! ..."M"! WHATS THAT SPELL? David Waldman and Greg Dworkin return this week with a golden oldie that some of you out there might remember: Well, come on all of you big strong men, Uncle Sam needs your help again. He got himself in a terrible jam, way down yonder in Iran! Put down your books and pick up a gun, we're gunna have a whole lotta fun! Turns out that Donakd… Donald K. Trump has never been awfully TACO when it comes to other people's lives… and we're talking Muslims here. He's also not against regime change when it's other people's regimes. However, he hates capitalism when it gets in the way of his capitalism. And, never, ever, dare to take his limelight. CHORUS And its 1,2,3 what are we fightin for? Don't ask me, I don't give a damn, the next stop is Iran. And its 5,6,7 open up the pearly gates. Well, there ain't no time to wonder why... Whoopee we're all gunna die! It appears that Donald and Bibi arranged to reach around and wag each other's dogs in Iran. It was an intimate circle wag, however, so Democrats and JD Vance weren't invited. People could watch it on the internet if they chose to, and even Pete Hegseth got midnight hammered... Now come on wall street don't be so slow, why man this's war a-go-go-go! There's plenty good money to be made, supplyin' the army with the tools of the trade. Just hope and pray that when they drop the bomb, they drop it on the other ones! … Anyhow, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED, except Trump is no W, more of an L. Who knows what the future might bring? (We kind of know...) CHORUS And its 1,2,3 what are we fightin for? Don't ask me I don't give a damn, the next stop is Iran. And its 5,6,7 open up the pearly gates. Well, there ain't no time to wonder why...Whoopee we're all gunna die! Now, come on generals let's move fast, your big chance is here at last. Tonight, you go out and get those reds, cuz the only good commie is one that's dead, You know that peace can only be won, when you blow em all to kingdom come! CHORUS And its 1,2,3 what are we fightin for? Don't ask me I don't give a damn, the next stop is Iran. And its 5,6,7 open up the pearly gates. Well, there ain't no time to wonder why...Whoopee we're all gunna die! … Oh, and there's an election in New York City. Vote Zohran. ABC: Anybody but Cuomo. Not as a joke, not out of name recognition, this is ranked choice voting, so too many second-choice picks could elect the wrong guy... Now come on mothers throughout the land, pack your boys off to Iran. Come on fathers don't hesitate, send your sons off before it's too late, Be the first one on your block, to have your boy come home in a box! CHORUS And its 1,2,3 what are we fightin for? Don't ask me I don't give a damn, the next stop is Iran. And its 5,6,7 open up the pearly gates. Well, there ain't no time to wonder why...Whoopee we're all gunna die!
This week Pastor Scott begins taking a look at Romans 13:1-7
Iowa politics is heating up—even in the summer. In this episode, Chris and John discuss behind-the-scenes moves in the 2026 Iowa governor's race, including State Representative Eddie Andrews' growing focus on property tax reform. They also cover Governor Reynolds' recent veto and the potential for a special legislative session to override it.The conversation turns to local government spending, highlighting Iowa City's plan to pursue a local-option sales tax—despite already implementing a franchise fee. Chris and John ask why local governments insist on spending more, even while claiming to prioritize property tax relief.The hosts dig into housing policy, questioning the role of cities like Waukee in subsidizing affordable housing despite ample federal incentives already in place. Is government the right entity to address housing shortages—or is it just chasing the next big narrative?They close with reflections on the importance of civic education in Iowa, concerns about ideological bias in new university-led civics centers, and a call to return to foundational civic principles—maybe even through a little Schoolhouse Rock.
Hello all, I recently had cataract surgery in both eyes, and my eyes get tired if I look at the computer too long. I need to take breaks while recovering. Instead of discussing shared and individual LTC annuities this week, I need to share an episode that was aired last summer. This will remind you how LTC annuities can help both protect your family if you need extended care and also eliminate all those gains on your non-IRA annuities you've been holding on to because you don't want to pay more in taxes. LTC annuities have very few health questions and are more easily approved. Schedule with me to learn how you can avoid sharing your annuity earnings with Uncle Sam.
National Go fishing day. Entertainment from 1973. War of 1812 began, Napolean defeated at Waterloo, Sally Ride 1st US woman in space. Todays birthdays - James Montgomery Flagg, George Mallory, Paul McCartney, Carol Kane, Isabella Rossellini, Nathan Morris, Blake Shelton. Clarence Clemons died.Intro - God did good - Dianna Corcoran https://www.diannacorcoran.com/ I wanna go fishing - Randy HeavinMy love - Paul McCartney & WingsSatin Sheets - Jeannie PruettBirthdays - 50 Cent http://50cent.com/She love you - The BeatlesEnd of the road - Boys II MenAustin - Blake SheltonExit - Whisikey & Tequila - Robinson Treacher https://robinsontreacher.com/countryundergroundradio.comhttps://www.coolcasts.cooolmedia.com/show/history-factoids-about-today/
Andy and Jeff talk about JJ Spaun's US Open win and how much he'll owe in taxes on the prize money.
June is Dog Bite Awareness Month. How much of a bite will Uncle Sam take out of your retirement money? Subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode! Learn more at GoldenReserve.com or follow on social: Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Pre-order Why Trump Won—the Kindle edition—today: https://amazon.com/dp/B0FBS5QF4L.This episode was livestreamed on June 15, 2025.
In this jam-packed episode of the Experience Milwaukee podcast, we dive deep with Patty Pritchard Thompson from the Bayview Neighborhood Association in our Hometown Voices segment sponsored by Habush Habush & Rottier. Patty reveals the magic behind Chill on the Hill – from rubber chicken symphony performances to how this all-volunteer operation draws 5,000 people weekly with help from 75+ local sponsors!Then, in our VISIT Milwaukee segment, John Blust delivers the ultimate June festival guide, covering everything from free Father's Day perks (hello, dinosaurs and geodes!) to an absolutely stacked weekend featuring Polish Fest, lakefront art shows, and the East Side's Summer Solstice street takeover before Summerfest kicks off.The Milwaukee Admirals' segment features Mr. Bitter who shares the secrets of hockey's offseason hustle, from maintaining those deep fan friendships to creative promotions like $17.76 Uncle Sam bobbleheads that double as military ticket donations – plus hints at next season's surprises!We close with our nvisia tech segment with two tech scene dynamos Lena DeLaet and Dana Moyano, fresh off their 40 Under 40 wins, who school us on Milwaukee's tech ecosystem while juggling their own massive events – proving why our city's collaborative spirit makes every conference and gathering uniquely valuable!Experience Milwaukee is presented by Summerfest and Crescent 9 THC Seltzers and our official beer partner is New Barons Brewing Cooperative.Thanks for listening.Love you, Milwaukee.
Cloudflare says yesterday's widespread outage was not caused by a cyberattack. Predator mobile spyware remains highly active. Microsoft is investigating ongoing Microsoft 365 authentication services issues. An account takeover campaign targets Entra ID users by abusing a popular pen testing tool. Palo Alto Networks documents a JavaScript obfuscation method dubbed “JSFireTruck.” Trend Micro and Mitel patch multiple high-severity vulnerabilities. CISA issues multiple advisories. My Hacking Humans cohost Joe Carrigan joins us to discuss linkless recruiting scams. Uncle Sam wants an AI chatbot. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Miss an episode? Sign-up for our daily intelligence roundup, Daily Briefing, and you'll never miss a beat. And be sure to follow CyberWire Daily on LinkedIn. CyberWire Guest Today, we are joined by Joe Carrigan, one of Dave's Hacking Humans co-hosts, to talk about linkless recruiting scams. You can learn more in this article from The Record: FIN6 cybercriminals pose as job seekers on LinkedIn to hack recruiters. Tune in to Hacking Humans each Thursday on your favorite podcast app to hear the latest on the social engineering scams that are making the headlines from Joe, Dave and their co-host Maria Varmazis. Selected Reading Cloudflare: Outage not caused by security incident, data is safe (Bleeping Computer) Predator Mobile Spyware Remains Consistent with New Design Changes to Evade Detection (Cyber Security News) Microsoft confirms auth issues affecting Microsoft 365 users (Bleeping Computer) TeamFiltration Abused in Entra ID Account Takeover Campaign (SecurityWeek) 270K websites injected with ‘JSF-ck' obfuscated code (SC Media) Palo Alto Networks Patches Series of Vulnerabilities (Infosecurity Magazine) SimpleHelp Vulnerability Exploited Against Utility Billing Software Users (SecurityWeek) Trend Micro fixes critical vulnerabilities in multiple products (Bleeping Computer) Critical Vulnerability Exposes Many Mitel MiCollab Instances to Remote Hacking (SecurityWeek) CISA Releases Ten Industrial Control Systems Advisories (CISA) Trump team leaks AI plans in public GitHub repository (The Register) Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at cyberwire@n2k.com to request more info. The CyberWire is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode of Roadmap to Heaven, the Adam discusses the significance of Ember Days, reflecting on the importance of prayer, penance, and growing closer to God. Dr. Ray Guarendi joins the show to share insights on how to get along with "almost anyone," emphasizing the importance of being less offendable and focusing on self-change rather than trying to change others. The episode also features a bonus interview with Julie Lassiter, her husband Peter Lassiter, and Fr. Peter Pomposello (aka "Fr. Uncle Sam") who discuss the parallels between military service and priesthood, as well as the importance of spiritual warfare and patron saints in the lives of soldiers. In this conversation, Fr. Peter shares his spiritual journey, particularly focusing on his connection to relics and their significance in his ministry. The conversation also delves into the challenges of military life, particularly regarding family dynamics, communication during deployments, and the importance of maintaining spiritual fitness through prayer. The discussion highlights the unique bond formed among military personnel and the role of chaplains in fostering community and support. Fr. Charles Samson wraps up a week of Gospel reflections in the show's Lectio Divina segment. Download the Covenant Network app today! Pray the Visual Rosary at VisualRosary.org For more information on Covenant Network, visit OurCatholicRadio.org
Tax talk without the snooze-fest! This mid-week episode is the recording of a session done with the smart women of the WE (Women Empowered) Wealth Collective, titled: What Every Woman Should Know About Minimizing Taxes in Retirement. ‘Catching Up to FI' co-host and author of ‘F.I.R.E for Dummies' Jackie Cummings Koski, CFP®, AFC®, turns this insightful discussion into a masterclass on trimming Uncle Sam's tab at every phase of retirement. Jackie rewinds to her own FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) journey: the divorce-day "401(k) gap" that lit her savings rocket, supersizing her HSA past $200,000, and hitting FI at 49 with a 40% savings rate. Expect plain-English breakdowns, plenty of ‘there are no dumb questions' crowd chat, and Jackie's trademark mix of CFP level and girlfriend realness. Topics for the series include: Age-band tax checklist (pre-55, 55-65, 65-75, 75+) Separating "macro" worry (markets, policy) from micro action (what you control) Early withdrawal strategies (Rule of 55/50, 72(t) / Equal Payments, HSAs, Affordable Care Act/Tax Credits, Brokerage Accounts, ect) Tax Minimizing tips during normal retirement (Social Security, Medicare Surcharge, Increased Standard Deduction, Balancing account types) Later in life considerations (RMDs, Qualified Charitable Distribution, Inheritances, ect) This is part one of a two-part series and the second part will be aired next Wednesday (6/18/25). This session references visuals from a presentation that is better viewed on youtube or you can follow along using this slide deck. Disclaimer for this session: The intent of this session is open discussion about money topics that makes us all a little smarter. The content is for general education and information purposes only, and is not providing financial, legal, or tax advice. Always do your own research or consult a professional before making important decisions.
Caleb has returned from the vile clutches of Uncle Sam and is back to making episodes! In this episode the boys take a bit of a ramble discussing a variety of topics, but man it's good to be back!
Law schools manipulate scholarships to obscure what they're actually willing to pay for LSAT scores. Ben and Nathan reveal how some schools offer up to $40,000 per LSAT point. They introduce the “Disparity Index” to show how wildly different financial outcomes can be for students at the same school. Don't settle for mediocre scores—top LSAT performance unlocks the best deals.Study with our Free PlanDownload our iOS appWatch Episode 510 on YouTube0:30 – LSAT Buyer's ClubBen and Nathan dig into how much law schools pay for LSAT scores. They introduce the Disparity Index—calculated by subtracting a school's 75th percentile grant from full price—as a measure of that school's willingness to buy scores. Some schools pay $10,000 per point while others offer up to $40,000. At full price, you might be paying 20 times more than a classmate. The key takeaway: the 75th percentile grant should be your floor, not your ceiling.LSAT Demon Scholarship Estimator31:09 – Scholarship ReconsiderationsThe guys explain why you shouldn't expect schools to negotiate openly. Many schools pretend to have fixed offers or use pre-law advisors to dissuade students from pushing back. Protect your leverage—don't visit schools, don't volunteer information. “Exclusive” opportunities are often just marketing ploys to increase tuition revenue.50:43 – Last Call for Uncle Sam's WalletRecently proposed policy changes threaten to disrupt the current tuition landscape of law schools. Limitations on student visas, loan amounts, and repayment options all have the capacity to change the way law schools play the scholarship game. 1:07:05 – RC ComprehensionRicky scores nearly perfectly on Logical Reasoning, but underperforms at Reading Comprehension. Ben and Nathan suggest that Ricky aim for two perfect passages and guess on the rest. With time and practice, two will lead to three, but perfection on two gives a strong base and builds confidence.1:10:07 – GrammerlyBen and Nathan discuss the value of Grammarly. They suggest a smart workflow: use tools like Grammarly to generate suggestions, then double-check those suggestions with Google or other AIs. Cross-referencing recommendations can teach you good writing while improving your output.1:13:00 – Personal Statement Gong ShowIan sends in his submission for the Personal Statement Gong Show, the show where Ben and Nathan read personal statements and hit the gong when something goes wrong. The standing record to beat is ten lines, held by Greta.1:18:31 - Word of the Week - CompatibleWhich one of the following statements about cells is most compatible with the views of late nineteenth-century biochemists as those views are described in the passage?Get caught up with our Word of the Week library.
A new June 2025 documentary from TMZ addresses the “fifth plane” of September 11, 2001, with testimonies from United 23 flight crew about what was almost another act of terrorism. Although certainly a missing piece of the story, the documentary does more to speculate and imply who and what was responsible for the other events than actually prove anything about the flight. The film has flight attendants, and a dramatization over their stories, who believed men who wore tan suits, a person in a burka, a sweating passenger, and passengers who didn't eat meat, were highly suspicious - all 24 years after the fact with post-911 perceptions. This follows the June 2024 release of a video that implied Saudi was directly involved in 911. These two stories follow the motif - going back to 2002 - when the Guardian reported “Uncle Sam's Lucky Finds,” which documented “the discovery of a flight manual in Arabic and a copy of the Koran in a car hired by Mohammed Atta and abandoned at Boston airport…” Then, a few days later, “another find, two blocks away from the twin towers, in the shape of Atta's passport.” Something was similarly said of another suspected plotter of 911.After the early 2025 New Orleans truck attack we likewise saw a reporter enter Shamsud-Din Jabbar's supposed home to find “religious materials, his Quran, an open Quran, with the passage there… and his prayer rug.”This follows the official description of 911 as Islamic “suicide attacks committed in 2001 by 19 militants associated with the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda against targets.”All of this is despite the fact that these terrorists were documented to have been drinking alcohol, eating meat (even pork), hanging out with strippers, and spending lots of time in Las Vegas. And that is despite the fact that Muslims are forbidden from committing suicide, drinking alcohol or eating general meat, forbidden to engage with prostitution, and that there are no 72 virgins promised in their holy book. This is also despite the fact that at least 4 of the 19 supposed hijackers were still alive weeks after that fateful day. One story that is either lost, ignored, or debunked, is the report about 5 Dancing Israelis, an ABC story documenting how a witness named Maria in New Jersey watched three men on the roof of a white van “taking a movie.” She said they were taking video and phots of themselves with the World Trade Center burning in the background; they were “like happy, you know… they didn't look shocked to me.” After contacting authorities, police found the van filled with five men, a box cutter, lots of cash, and a curious defense: "We are Israeli. We are not your problem. Your problems are our problems. The Palestinians are the problem.” The media then, as today, ran stories about Dancing Palestinians with no context to the short clips. Conveniently, an Israeli also happened to be at the Boulder, Colorado, fire attack recently to provide evidence of another Mohammed hurting innocent people. And this follows the embassy worker shooting in Washington by a man who happened to have a Jewish name. Both of these cases resulted in the ADL and US-AG calling for hardcore crackdowns of the First Amendment, just as 911 was used to wage the Israeli-US agenda of endless conflicts for regime change, resource theft, and systematic extermination of Arab populations across the Middle East. Just as General Wesley Clark claimed to have seen as part of a plan at the pentagon (7 countries in 5 years) prior to the invasion of Iraq - and with zero reasoning or evidence. And this followed the PNAC think tank - founded by William Kristol and Robert Kagan in 1997 (both Jewish) - that produced a document called Rebuilding America's Defenses, calling for a “catastrophic and catalyzing event - like a new Pearl Harbor”; which is exactly what President Bush said in the White House daily log after 911: "The Pearl Harbor of the 21st century took place today. We think it's Osama bin Laden." And many years later in 2008, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the use of 911 for just such a plan: “We are benefiting from one thing, and that is the attack on the Twin Towers and Pentagon, and the American struggle in Iraq.” He said in one interview, “It's very good…. well, not very good, but it will generate immediate sympathy.” And this doesn't account for the Jewish Larry Silverstein who pulled Building 7 or the Jewish Michael Chertoff, former Secretary of Homeland Security, who co-wrote the Patriot Act and sold body scanners to airports. All the while Islam and Muslims have been blamed for 911 and virtually every other form of terrorism, while the entire Arab world has grown justifiably more angry with the western world and Israel (a country founded on terrorism) for their condemnation of that world and for their subsequent destruction of the same - creating immense blowback. And then profiting from said destruction with defense contractors, private security firms, and the general military industrial complex enriching themselves on the backs of a widespread ethnic cleansing of the Arab world. Now that the Arab world is fully prepared to retaliate against the western world, there is modern justification to finish the job that Israel started - all to their benefit.And the same exact operation is occurring with Blackrock and Zelensky (the gay-Jewish-actor) in Ukraine with minerals, agricultural land, strategic land, and other resources. Ukraine, a country he said was going to be “a big Israel.”*The is the FREE archive, which includes advertisements. If you want an ad-free experience, you can subscribe below underneath the show description.-FREE ARCHIVE (w. ads)SUBSCRIPTION ARCHIVEX / TWITTER FACEBOOKYOUTUBEMAIN WEBSITECashApp: $rdgable EMAIL: rdgable@yahoo.com / TSTRadio@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-secret-teachings--5328407/support.
Why does the economy keep falling into recession, and why don't most economists see it coming? In this thought-provoking conversation, Chris Casey of WindRock Wealth Management breaks down the real cause of recessions: central banks. Drawing on the Austrian School of Economics, Casey argues that artificially low interest rates and explosive monetary expansion fuel malinvestment and set the stage for inevitable downturns. He explains why mainstream economists and even Fed officials often have no coherent theory of the business cycle, and why their repeated interventions actually guarantee the next crisis. Chris and Maggie Lake also walk through the top indicators to watch, like money supply, the yield curve, and credit spreads, and share how investors should position themselves in this uncertain phase of the business cycle. Get to Know Chris Casey: His Journey, Strategy, and Financial Philosophy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2DdcqtoBYs Chapters: 00:17 - The Impact of Recessions on Your Money 01:30 - What Really Sparks a Boom, and a Bust? 05:14 - Why Cyclical Stocks Get Hit the Hardest 07:56 - Why Wall Street Keeps Missing the Big Turns 10:48 - Are Fed Economists Out of Touch with Reality? 13:35 - Is This Time Different, Or Just Déjà Vu? 15:24 - Red Flags: How to Spot a Recession Early 18:47 - Uncle Sam's Spending: Fuel or Fire for the Economy? 20:26 - Do Credit Spreads Still Tell the Truth? 21:23 - Smart Moves: Positioning Your Portfolio Before the Storm 23:14 - The First Assets to Feel the Fed's Pain 24:30 - Beware the Debt Trap: What to Avoid Now 25:44 - Playing Defense: How Much Is Too Much? 27:11 - Can the Fed Actually Prevent the Next Crash? Volatility got you concerned? Get a free portfolio review with WindRock's Chris Casey at https://bit.ly/43rdX11 Hard Assets Alliance - The Best Way to Invest in Gold and Silver: https://www.hardassetsalliance.com/?aff=WTH Connect with us online: Website: https://www.wealthion.com X: https://www.x.com/wealthion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wealthionofficial/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wealthion/ #Wealthion #Wealth #Finance #Investing #Recession #FederalReserve #AustrianEconomics #InterestRates #EconomicCycle #MoneyPrinting #ChrisCasey #BusinessCycle #Macroeconomics ________________________________________________________________________ IMPORTANT NOTE: The information, opinions, and insights expressed by our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of Wealthion. They are intended to provide a diverse perspective on the economy, investing, and other relevant topics to enrich your understanding of these complex fields. While we value and appreciate the insights shared by our esteemed guests, they are to be viewed as personal opinions and not as investment advice or recommendations from Wealthion. These opinions should not replace your own due diligence or the advice of a professional financial advisor. We strongly encourage all of our audience members to seek out the guidance of a financial advisor who can provide advice based on your individual circumstances and financial goals. Wealthion has a distinguished network of advisors who are available to guide you on your financial journey. However, should you choose to seek guidance elsewhere, we respect and support your decision to do so. The world of finance and investment is intricate and diverse. It's our mission at Wealthion to provide you with a variety of insights and perspectives to help you navigate it more effectively. We thank you for your understanding and your trust. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this high-octane episode of The Higher Standard, Chris and Saied officially welcome Rajeil to the show—and initiate him with a healthy dose of sarcasm and button-pushing. They hop right in to Moody's U.S. credit downgrade. What does it mean when Uncle Sam takes a hit to his credit score? It's not just a bad look—it signals rising debt, inflation, and interest payments spiraling out of control. With 30-year mortgage rates back above 7%, the crew dives into why your rate acts more like a moody teenager than a constant, and how the 10-year Treasury is the true puppet master behind housing affordability.➡️ But wait—there's more. Chris explains why your home isn't an investment, it's a utility (no, you can't charge rent to your shower), and why “marry the house, date the rate” is advice best left in 2019. The guys talk taxes and why today's housing market may be the most unaffordable in U.S. history—yes, even worse than 2006. Whether you're scraping by on Top Ramen or flexing your broker's license, this episode delivers a reality check wrapped in a warm tortilla of wit and wisdom.
From wine valleys to White House stand-offs, we're in South Africa as the continent's biggest economy finds itself caught between China, Russia, and a sulking Uncle Sam. Reporting from Franschhoek, we trace the Huguenot legacy, the Dutch East India Company, and how South Africa became the West's favourite refuelling stop, until now. With President “Cupcake” Ramaphosa headed to the White House this week, US aid frozen, and Afrikaner “refugees” granted asylum, tensions are flaring. South African podcaster Pumi Mashigo joins us to unpack the realignment: BRICS, Palestine, misinformation campaigns, and why the Global South is finally saying: enough. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.