Podcasts about United States Postal Service

How can horror writing help readers — and writers — work through psychological trauma? Why does cross-genre fiction take longer to find an audience, but pay off in the long run? Is running a direct sales store actually worth the inventory, postage, and learning curve? And how can SubStack work for fiction authors? With psychotherapist and award-winning author P.D. Alleva. In the intro, thoughts on why in-person conferences are still worth it, even when they are a challenge for sensitive introverts! and tips for making the best of conferences [Self-Publishing Show]. Today's show is sponsored by Draft2Digital, self-publishing with support, where you can get free formatting, free distribution to multiple stores, and a host of other benefits. Just go to www.draft2digital.com to get started. This show is also supported by my Patrons. Join my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn P.D. Alleva is the award-winning author of horror, sci-fi, thrillers, and fantasy books. He's also a psychotherapist. You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below. Show Notes Why horror puts the human condition on display better than any other genre Emotional trauma as the silent psychological killer most people overlook The pros and challenges of cross-genre writing and finding your audience Practical lessons from running a direct store, including integration and signed-copy fulfilment How a 3 a.m. writing routine keeps the writing separate from the marketing and admin Serialising fiction on Substack, multiple newsletters, and avoiding paid subscriber promotions Why Facebook groups, TikTok Lives, and the three-to-one rule are working right now You can find P.D. at PDAlleva.com or on Substack. Transcript of the interview with P.D. Alleva Jo: P.D. Alleva is the award-winning author of horror, sci-fi, thrillers, and fantasy books. He's also a psychotherapist. So welcome, Paul. PD: Thank you very much. Thank you for having me. This is a great opportunity. I love doing interviews, and I love talking to great people. Jo: Oh, good. Well, first up— Tell us a bit more about you and how you got into writing and being an indie author. PD: So I've been writing since I was a kid, at least second grade and more than likely even before that. I've always had that creative itch. Getting into indie author publishing, I published my first book in 2011. At the time I was also operating my own business, which took up about 24 hours of my time every single day. Then I kind of got through that and sold that in 2016, and I'm like, you know what? The time has come. I'd always written books, poetry, short stories, but never really did anything with them because I just didn't have the time. So in 2017, that's when I really came out and said, all right, the time is now. Indie publishing was doing great. The one good thing I do love about Amazon is they allowed us to come out there and start showing our craft to people. So in 2017, I just started—let's do this. Let's write full time. Let's put books out there. Let's be creative. Let's really get those juices flowing. Plus, I was getting a little bit old, and I was like, now is definitely the time to do this. Since then I've been publishing consistently, and most of my books are horror books, but I dabble. I have a sci-fi series, and I'm starting to get into psychological thrillers too. I've got a new psychological thriller that'll be published in early 2027 called Girl on a Mission. For the most part, I'm definitely into the horror genre—books, short stories, all that good fun stuff. Jo: Right, so a couple of follow-ups. You said you're a bit old. Can you give us what decade you're in at least? PD: Well, I'm 51, so born in 1971. Jo: Oh, there you go. Same age as me. PD: All right, good. See that? So we're going head-to-head there. Jo: I don't think that's old at all. Also, you mentioned you sold your business in 2016. So what was your business before? Because I think business experience is so important. PD: Agreed 100%. So I'm a psychotherapist, and I had owned a treatment centre for mental health and addiction. That was started in 2011, and in 2016 is when it sold. Since then, my wife and I started a private practice. So I still, even to this day—well, about a year and a half ago is when I stopped. I specialise in trauma, PTSD, and addiction. Trauma mostly. Most of my caseload has always been trauma, PTSD, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, war-type trauma. I was doing that mostly individually since 2016 in private practice, and I'll still go into treatment centres and see patients there too, specifically for trauma. About a year and a half ago is when I started wanting to do writing 100% full time. I thought about becoming a professor, maybe going to college, but then I wasn't sure if I wanted to get into that full time, as far as a caseload and school and everything like that. So I decided to just do group therapy, group facilitation, and I've been doing that consistently since then. It may be 15 hours a week. I do love to give back, and to me, it's more what I teach. I specialise in neuro-linguistic programming, bilateral stimulation or EMDR, hypnotherapy, science of mind concepts, psychopharmacology, biological bases of behaviour—which is pretty much how your brain works—ancient wisdom, quantum physics. I do this in a drug addiction treatment centre mostly, also mental health. And of course, just living an addictive lifestyle is traumatic, too, in and of itself. So pretty much I'm teaching them. Behaviour modification is a big part of what I'm teaching during that time. You'll see that, too, if you read my books. There's two things you can figure out from my books. You can figure out how to murder people and get away with it, and two, you can figure out how to overcome trauma as well. The whole “murder people and get away with it” comes from my upbringing. I have a very sorted past, let's put it that way. My upbringing was very different than what most people grow up in. Jo: Oh, can you give us any more than that? Now everyone's like, “Oh.” PD: “What's going on with this guy, right?” So I grew up, let's say, quote unquote, “in an Italian New York family.” Jo: Okay. All right. PD: That might give people ideas, right? Jo: That's going to give people a lot of ideas. PD: If you've ever seen the movie Goodfellas, I kind of grew up in that atmosphere, and with even some of those people too. My family had connections to those people in that movie, which I find very funny. If you watch that movie with me, you get a very different perspective on what's going on in the movie. Jo: Wow. So you're an interesting guy with an interesting background, with a very interesting backstory job as well. Some people are like, “Well, of course he's writing horror because horror is just awful and full of slasher gore and all that.” I often have to say to people who don't read horror, “Look, it's not like that.” Maybe some of it is, sure. But most of it isn't. Could you talk about how reading and writing horror can also be psychologically healthy? How do these worlds intertwine for you? PD: Well, sure. It 100% can be healthy. Especially over the last few years, there's a trend going on out there right now where people are taking their trauma and putting it into a creative process through poems, short stories, and even novels. They're taking their trauma and giving it a face, like a monster, where people are overcoming that monster within the creative process. I always say that horror is the genre that puts on display, better than any other genre out there, the human condition. Why is that? When people are in a terrifying situation, you really see who they are. You get to the heart of the matter of who that person is by putting them in these horrific but undefinable situations where it's like, what are they going to come out as? That real true personality needs to come out, and that courage comes out. That's huge in horror, and I think horror gets such a bad name. Now, I know there's the extreme horror and the splatterpunk, and that has its kind of role too in what I'm saying, but that's where horror is getting its bad reputation out there with the over-the-top type of gore. For the most part, that's a small part of the horror genre. It's a subgenre for a reason. It has its readership, and that's fine. Nothing wrong with it. I read it all the time. I find a lot of joy in it, a lot of excitement. However, for the most part, any horror novel that is not completely with the gore and stuff like splatterpunk can be seen as a psychological thriller, and a lot of psychological thrillers can be seen as a horror novel. Look at books like The Silence of the Lambs, Red Dragon. That's horrific as well, but if you read the novel, it's in there. It just gets that bad rap right now, and it's not all gore. Most horror novels that I read today are psychological horror. It's tame on the gore, and the psychological aspect is there. I always see that psychological aspect—it's like psychological trauma. Most people, even in my industry, when people are out there and you mention trauma, PTSD, they're thinking about sexual abuse, physical abuse, or war-type trauma. The silent psychological one—I once wrote an article called “Emotional Trauma: The Silent Psychological Killer.” The one that's out there is the psychological trauma, the emotional trauma that is widespread. Most people go through that, and it could even be from parent to child, and most people don't understand that that's a traumatic experience. It's like a distortion of reality that you're experiencing that then creates a belief system in your brain, and you're constantly acting out that belief system. That's where the psychological component of horror really comes out. People breaking through that psychological belief system that was created through a traumatic experience by reaching courage and coming out through a horrific situation. Jo: Yes, it really annoys me, because with romance, of course people understand that romance is a huge genre. Something like a small town sweet romance is a world away from the bully romantasy, dark, or mafia. Mafia romance is a really big thing with very dark themes. I'm like, well, how can you understand that romance is a huge genre with all these different subgenres, and not think that horror or thriller or fantasy or sci-fi all have so many different subgenres within them? I personally read a lot of supernatural horror, but rarely the slasher gore kind of stuff. So I'm really glad you said that, and hopefully more people will open up a bit more. I did also want to ask you about what you write. You write all these different things. You write standalone—I mean, often horror is standalone—but you also have some series. How do you balance it? What are the benefits of cross-genre writing, but also the challenges of it? PD: Okay. So obviously I love cross-genre writing. To me, I use fantasy to explain the supernatural elements. I blend mostly a tad of fantasy to help explain the supernatural components in my supernatural novels. When I write sci-fi, specifically sci-fi, that has the fantasy element in it too, but there's also a tad of horror in there as well. It's just who I am. When I grew up, I had a lot of different influences. I had Star Wars on one side, and then I'm watching B-rated '80s slasher films on the other side. Those two mixes just kind of followed me throughout my life, and that's why I like putting them into my novels. As I tell my patients, don't limit yourself. Never limit yourself. If you're just limiting yourself to one genre, you're missing out on so much more that's out there. So I love the blend of mixing genres. It just gets my goat each and every time. It is a challenge though. I remember when I first started getting into indie publishing, I was never big into Facebook and social media up until I started becoming an indie author. Before that, with my type of upbringing, you don't advertise yourself. You don't advertise where you're going. That's a big no-no. So I always had this aversion to social media. I'll tell you a funny story. It was the late 2000s, probably 2006. I was a full-time single father at that time, and I was living in Florida. My family—brothers and sisters-in-law—were living in New York, and my sister-in-law said, “Get a Facebook account so we can see pictures of the kids.” I said, “Oh.” I didn't want to do it, but I said, “Okay,” so I did it. And I'm thinking, looking at this Facebook thing, “How do I put pictures on here?” So I figured out how to put pictures in folders. Then I phone called her, and I'm like, “Okay, so they're on there.” And they're like, “Well, where are they?” I'm like, “I put them in these folders. You can go and look at them.” She's like, “No, you've got to post them.” That to me was like, “I'm not posting pictures of my kids.” That was a big no-no. It didn't click. When I got on there finally in 2016, 2017, I'm like, “Okay, so I need to figure out social media. As an indie author, I need to be on there, so I need to get through this aversion and get on there.” I started noticing how people are so particular with their genres. If they're reading a romance, it had to be very specific with that exact type of romance, and if you deviated from it, they're not going to like it. So that was the challenge. I was like, “All right, number one, I'm not going to dilute myself” and say, “All right, take things out of my writing or out of my novel just so I could cater to a certain type of audience.” I'm like, “I'm not going to do that.” I know with me, myself, as a reader, I'll read everything. I don't limit myself to a specific genre. I'll read psychological thrillers. I'll read romance. I've been doing that all my life. So I'm like, if there's a person like me out there—and look at this, I just met like four other people who also read cross genres—then I know that there's at least another 30,000 people, and I know that at least then there's 300,000, then there's three million people out there. So just write the books that you're writing and find your audience. Now, that takes longer. So you've got to chip away. Chip away. You're going to find readers here and there, and then that reader kind of tells a few people about you, and then you've got a few more readers. Then you keep going, and you go on these Facebook groups, and you do a whole bunch of different things, and then you gather a few more readers. Then they're telling some friends, and then you've got more. The process takes a lot longer, yes, 100% agreed, but I would say be true to yourself and you can never go wrong. Jo: Yes, I agree. I write cross-genre as well, and I've browsed your collection. Golem was the one I was like, “Ooh, yes, I like that one.” I haven't read it yet, it's on my list. I think when you're cross-genre, my people come to my store as well, and it's like, “Okay, I'm interested in lots of things, but this is the one by this author that I'm interested in.” Whereas with other authors who only write one type of thing, then I might not like any of their stuff. So I think there are definitely pros and cons and different ways into our world. I also wanted to ask you about the differences in business. Obviously you ran this treatment centre and there were physical humans on all sides, and now you've got a business as an author. So what have you learned in business from what you used to do and what you do now? PD: Okay. You're right. The treatment centre industry is very different from what I'm doing now, but it's still people. Treat those people right, have integrity. If you say you're going to do something, follow through with it. My word is my bond type of thing. That definitely has fed into the writing and publishing industry that I'm in now in a huge way. Just connecting with people is, to me, the biggest part of it. I mean, treatment centres, you've got to connect with people. When I would market the treatment centre, where would I go? I would go to hospitals, residential facilities, detoxes, and talk to them about my programme and why they should be referring clients there. It's the same thing here. Why should you be reading my books? You get there through interviews like what I'm doing here with you. Other podcasts. You get there by doing Facebook Lives, TikTok. I haven't started TikTok Lives yet, but I actually love that platform. I'm falling in love with it. IG Lives, anything like that where you're talking to people and you're making a connection with those people. Through that, I've gathered so many different types of readers who are like, “Yes, I'll give this book a shot.” And then they read it and they're like, “Hey, this is really good, and I'm going to read another book.” With my books, I have very different books. Golem is my psychological horror novel. It's my slow-burn psychological horror novel, heavily inspired by Frankenstein and the Pygmalion myth. It's my first true horror book that I published. Then there's Jigglyspot and the Zero Intellect, which is inspired by B-rated '80s horror movies and the old grindhouse movies of the '70s, and it's mind manipulation. It's just wild and bizarre. And then The Sleepy Hollow Incident is my Gothic tale—it's like a dark romance mixed in with Gothic horror. So I always try to put something for everyone that's out there. To me, when I'm writing, it's got to be about depth, psychological depth. I always refer to my books to be like peeling layers off a Texas-sized onion. The more you read, the more in-depth you get into not only the characters, but the story. It's just something that comes out of me. It's part of me. That's the way I always have to do it. I always have to put that depth in there. To me, that's good storytelling. When I grew up, I read a lot of classic literature. Yes, Edgar Allan Poe, but also Dante's Inferno, Milton's Paradise Lost, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the Brontë sisters. Keep going. Ray Bradbury, Ayn Rand, Daphne du Maurier, Shirley Jackson. Those to me are my books that I absolutely love. So there's a sweet science in today's fast-paced, social media type of world in marrying the depth of the old classic literature and the entertainment value that is required today for being an author. There's that sweet science behind it, and I love just hitting that nail on the head every time. Jo: So did you ever pitch traditional publishing, or have you thought about going that way? Because I also find that a lot of horror actually sits very close to literary. Like, I read a lot more literary horror than I do in some of the other genres. PD: Correct. So in the beginning, yes. Not in a long time. I maybe went to a couple of indie publishers, but as far as traditional, the Big Five publishers, I have an aversion to them for a big reason. I know people who have worked in that industry that have told me some pretty bad horror stories about those places. So I haven't sent anything to that type of place in a very, very long time. Maybe close to 20 years. Indie publishers, the small presses, yes, here and there, but even then, I'm always moving at a fast pace. So if I've got a book and I'm sending it out as a query letter, by the time that query letter is even read, I'm almost done publishing. I love that aspect of it. The control of my story, where I know where this character's going. And listen, I've got my beta readers, I've got my ARC readers. They're there to tell me, “Hey, maybe you should change this or change that.” Whether I take that advice or not, of course my editor too, is really up to me. I always put out the book that I know is the one I want to read. And to me, I haven't gone wrong in doing so. I know with traditional publishing, you sometimes get too many thoughts in the pot there. Let's put it that way. Jo: Okay, so coming back to being indie then. You mentioned Amazon earlier, but you have a store where you sell direct. Many authors are doing this now, but it can be a challenge. So what have you found are the pros and cons of your direct store? What's working? Any lessons there? PD: Okay. So I use a place called Big Cartel. They're the platform where the books are on. They're hosting my website, PDAlleva.com. The big challenge was actually just starting it. It was so overwhelming. How do I put this on there? At the time, I've got all these books, so how do I present them? I'm even going to be doing another revamp with it too, because I want better pictures—taking pictures of the books, stuff like that, instead of just having the covers on there. I also have a lot of shirts that I'm selling. So I think the biggest challenge is just getting on there and starting it. Then of course, you've got to learn a whole new platform, and the mechanics, and how people are going to be downloading, and how that's done on an e-book versus a print version of the book. So it's a huge learning curve that you've really got to put your focus on and give it time. What most people like in indie publishing is signed copies. It's a huge part of indie publishing, selling those signed copies. People love a signed copy, and that's primarily what my website is for. You can order signed copies from me. I also use a place called IngramSpark, and they're more like a distributor. They're used by everyone. They've been around for a very long time. Traditional publishing uses them too, and they're just distributing your novel. I'd say about a year ago, maybe two years ago, they started where you can sell your books on discount through them as well. So I have that on my website too, where you're just clicking on the book and you're pretty much going directly to their site and you're buying paperbacks and hardbacks at a discount. That's going well too. For the most part, people are definitely coming to my site because they want the signed copies. A good thing with indie publishing is limited editions, first print copies, special editions. That type of stuff really just takes off. People love to see that, especially in the indie community. You can sell them too. I go to a few different book conventions during the year, and the limited editions are there. Like I said, people love the signed copies. They love being a part of that and getting that signed copy. They treasure it, just like I treasure my books too. I'm not referring to my books that I've written, but books that I have as well. I love my e-reader, don't get me wrong, but I still prefer the physical copy—the paperback, and even more so than the paperback, the hardback. So people love those signed copies, and that's why I created the website, to sell on there for them. Jo: Yes, I mean, we're getting to a point now though where I think some people are questioning the pros and cons of it. For example, you doing the signed copies—I don't do that from my Shopify store because I don't want to hold stock and I don't want to deal with postage. So I only do it when I do a Kickstarter. I've just finished one recently, Bones of the Deep, and I'm going up to the printer, and I'm going to sign a couple of hundred copies and then they do the postage. That's the only way I'm willing to do it because of the pain of getting books to your house, signing them, getting them in the post. So how do you manage that practically? PD: Okay, so the inventory's there. I don't go and sign everything right away. I just keep the inventory. Once somebody buys the book, then I'll pull out the book, log it and all that good fun stuff, sign it, and then ship it out immediately. Here in my country, we get discounts at the United States Post Office because they're books. So they pass that shipping cost over to the reader too, so it's a little bit cheaper for shipping. I'll just take books once or twice a week over to the United States Postal Service and ship those books out. I don't sign them until I actually get that order. Jo: How many do you have in your house? It's the holding stock of all the backlist that is the problem. PD: Ooh, gotcha. All right. That's why I have a two-car garage. But here's the thing, I won't order 500 at a time. I'll order 20 at a time. Jo: Okay. Right. PD: When I see that inventory's getting low, I'll order another 20 at a time. Jo: And you get those from IngramSpark? PD: Correct. When the new one comes out, maybe at that time I'm just selling those, bringing those to conventions that I go to. Or maybe doing a sale on those books at that time to get rid of the inventory so it's not sitting around anymore. Jo: I think that's so important. Then like you mentioned, you do T-shirts or shirts. That is also really hard because of sizing. So is that all print on demand? PD: Yes. So I don't really hold the stock on the shirts. When I get an order, whatever the size is at that time, I go directly to the place and order it. I use a place called Sublimation Station that's here in Orlando. They do great all-over print T-shirts. They're fantastic. I just did one for The Sleepy Hollow Incident. So The Sleepy Hollow Incident is one long story, and it's broken up into four books. Each book has its own. The covers are fantastic. I use a lady named Cherie Foxley. She's a phenomenal cover designer. So the shirts are, like, book one is on the front of one shirt with book two on the back, and then the second shirt is book three on the cover and book four on the back. However, I can customise those. I just did a giveaway in my Facebook group and I let people know I could customise them, and she wanted book one and book four, so I just got that and sent it out to her. Now, if people go ahead and order that on the website, I can just order it right away from them, boom, and that place will get it shipped right then and there. Jo: Right, so they do the shipping. These are all sort of practical things that people need to answer because I feel like sometimes it's like, “Oh, yes, having a direct store is great,” but there's actually quite a lot of work that goes into it, isn't there? PD: There is. There's a lot of work. You're pretty much opening almost like your own brick-and-mortar store at that point. You just don't have walk-in traffic coming in—your traffic is all coming online. So there is a lot to it, but it's worth it. If you're a self-published author or even a small indie press, it's good to have. Because like I said, people love the signed copies. Jo: When you say it's worth it, is it worth it financially or just because you like to serve the customers in that way? PD: Both. Jo: Right. So it is financially worth it for you? PD: Yes. Jo: I was talking to a friend of mine and saying, are you valuing your time in terms of things like taking the books to the post office and stuff like that? Do you find it eats into your writing at all, or do you just manage it all separately? PD: No, I manage it separately. So I'm an early morning riser. I get up at 3:00 in the morning, and that's when I write my books or do editing or brainstorming. I'm about to write a new novella now called The Adam and Eve Story, which is actually based on a little-known CIA shelved book from the 1990s called The Adam and Eve Story as well. So I've been brainstorming that, and I was doing that this morning. I get up at 3:00 a.m. and I do my writing, and by the time the kids are up and by the time the wife is up, it's like 8:00 a.m. is rolling around and I'm pretty much done at that point. Then I have my days. Tuesday I'm completely working from home and I do my thing in the morning, and then the rest of the day is marketing, fulfilling orders, stuff like that. On the days when I'm going to do group facilitation, I'll of course still get up at 3:00 o'clock in the morning, and then I'll plan out the day. I've got an hour between this group and I can go ahead and do that, and I'm already there so it's not a problem. The post office is right around the corner. You kind of figure out all the logistics for yourself. There are some days, like on Monday, I don't facilitate groups until the afternoon, so I've got the whole morning to work on marketing and do other things, and fulfilment. Then of course Saturday's a big day for that too. Jo: Oh, that's good. I feel like people always need to know how to balance their time, but it sounds like you manage, because at 3:00 a.m., as you say, there's not much else to do other than write. You mentioned marketing, and you have a Substack, pdsalternativefiction.substack.com. Talk about that and serialising fiction and how Substack works. Because I feel like a load of people are jumping in but might not necessarily know how it works, especially for fiction. PD: Correct. It is becoming quite popular out there. I think the one before that was Patreon, and Patreon is pretty big for that too, kind of the same thing. I wanted to start something and just get the work out there. I was very interested when Amazon came out a few years ago with what was called Vella. They kind of started that. I was like, “This is kind of cool.” Couple chapters at a time. I'm writing the books anyway, so why don't we kick this off and see how it goes—a type of experiment. I had a lot of fun doing it. I started on October 4th, 2024. I've done four novels so far. One is still going, which is Volume 3 of my Dark Veil serie— that's a sci-fi series. I wrote three other novels. The Hypnotist, which is a thriller, heavy on the sci-fi and a tad of horror in there too. And then I wrote Girl on a Mission, which is my psychological thriller, and then Cat Fight, which is a horror novel—all within that time. I think I finished all three of those novels in January, and then the first week of February they were all pretty much done. Now what I'm doing is, I went paid recently on the Substack. It's like everything else that's out there—chip away, chip away. I fell into that hole where they say, “Hey, we can promote you and get people to sign up for your newsletter.” And I'll be honest with you, don't do it. It's not worth it. You spend money, and what happens is they're what I refer to as dead leads. They don't click. You wind up shuffling them off after three to six months, because they're just not clicking. Everybody gets a star rating, so you know—are they clicking, are they staying on, are they not? So I got rid of pretty much all of those people, and I'll never do that again. It's got to be done organically. That's why when you read my books, especially the new books, towards the end it'll say, “Sign up for my newsletter.” I do more with that newsletter too. If you're on the free tier, every month I do a monthly newsletter, which is just me talking about updates, things going on in the publishing industry, things going on with me. My daughter puts together a weekly Horror and Sci-Fi Chronicles newsletter, which gives what's going on in new releases in the industry—sci-fi, horror, books, movies, television. She does deep dives into industry tropes, historical tidbits, and a weekly quiz. I also do a monthly Terrors and Tales newsletter. I started this last year, and it was a quarterly newsletter. It's other authors who are new, upcoming, never been published before, looking to get published. It's a chance for them to be on the newsletter where they have a flash fiction story or poem or even a short story that I publish for them. It's called the Terrors and Tales newsletter. What happened is I would put out calls for submissions. And a place called Duotrope—I don't even know who these people are, but all of a sudden I got an email from them stating, “Hey, we found that you're looking for submissions, and we posted your link. We hope you don't mind.” I'm like, “No, of course I don't mind.” I got so many submissions from that one link. I'm like, “Okay.” Do I really want to deny people? I'm not like that. I want to help promote other authors. I know what it's like when you're new and upcoming, no matter what age you are, to say, “Hey, here's a platform for you to see your stuff in print.” Obviously, I read through them just to make sure they're up to a certain standard, but for the most part, if you submit, you're getting in there. With Duotrope, I'm like, I have enough here to put out one a month. So in May 2026, the first one goes out, and then I'll have one each month until December, and then who knows? In 2027 I might go back to quarterly. I might get enough submissions to just keep it going once a month. So that's the Terrors and Tales newsletter, and it usually comes out towards the end of the month—the last two weeks. I have nothing to do with it in terms of content. None of my stories are on there. None of my poems are on there. None of my flash fiction. It's all other authors, just for them to see their name in print, see their work in print, share it with their friends, and put something on their resume, and to encourage people to keep reading and keep the craft going. Jo: When you say in print, you don't mean in physical print? PD: Oh, I mean in the newsletter. I'm sorry. Jo: I think that's important, or you're going to get a lot more submissions, and you will need to do publishing contracts and all that kind of thing. I think that's the difficult thing with a Substack newsletter approach—it's difficult to know where to categorise it. Is it marketing? Is it publishing? It's all of these things, I suppose. A bit like this podcast, it's all kinds of things. In terms of Substack actually making money on its own or leading to book sales that make money, do you think it does serve that purpose? PD: I think I've gotten more book sales through it, and also ARC readers who are enjoying the books and giving reviews. As far as the paid tiers, that's kind of a little bit slow, and that's where I'm saying chip away at it. Keep it up there. Keep it going. Over time, you're going to build that type of audience where it's going to be like, “Hey, this is financially feasible for me to continue to do this.” That's the response that I'm getting out there. Jo: Yes. Before, you mentioned you were doing Facebook Lives and you're looking at TikTok, but— Is anything else working for you in book marketing? If people have a few books and they're like, “What is working for book marketing right now?”—what do you recommend? PD: Okay. For me, the thing that has made the most sense is making sure the reader knows the book is out there through some sort of social media. I've had really good success on TikTok since the beginning of this year especially. I started it about a year ago, year and a half ago, but then my father got sick and passed away, and it was a new venture and I put it off to the side. I really got the flavour going at the beginning of this year. February, March of this year. It seems to be going really well, and I've noticed an uptick in sales from just getting the videos out there and getting it in front of people's eyes. There's an event I'm going to in August called ShiverCon, which is a pretty big event. After that event, I'm going to look to see what type of inventory I have left over from the event, and I'm going to start doing TikTok Lives. I'm very comfortable being on camera. So I'm like, “Yeah, that seems like a good way to go.” I know there's a few other horror authors who are doing it and having good success with TikTok Lives as well. A guy named Jason Davis is doing really well with TikTok Lives, and a few other authors too. I'm like, “Yes, I could definitely do that.” I want to get up to a certain number of people, and I want these events. I'm going to one in July, and then ShiverCon in August. Once those are done, I'm going to have more time to do the TikTok Lives. As far as Facebook is concerned, what I've had really great success with on Facebook is being in the groups and meeting other authors. That's not always about my book per se, but whatever books I'm reading, I'm posting my reviews about those books in those groups and meeting readers. Then obviously, they always say the three-to-one rule. Post about three different books and then post about your own book, whether you're doing a sale or a new release or a re-release or whatever. I've found success through that just by interacting with readers. When they post a book, I'll comment, “Hey, I've read that book,” or, “Hey, that book looks really cool. I like the review.” Commenting on it so you start these relationships with people who are out there in these Facebook groups. I've recently started my own Facebook reader group. I kind of go with the same thing. Last night, we did a live reading for another author. I like other authors to be on there. I always like to think, what does the reader need? What do I want to see as a reader? I would love to hear live readings from authors. So I kind of learn about them, learn about the book, and get a live reading. To me, that's a good way to go. So I started that recently, and it seems to be going well. I've got a new folk horror coming out soon, and I put out a call for ARC readers and got a fantastic response from that. That kind of drives the sales anyway, because when you get those reviews, then people see it gives credibility to the book, and then other people see it, and then they're buying it too. So that comes from the groups. There's so many wheels to spin in this industry as an indie author when you're doing this, especially when you're doing 99% of it on your own. You've got to get out there. No one's going to know your book exists if you don't get out there and tell somebody about it. Jo: Brilliant. Well, tell us— Where can people find you and your books online? PD: All right. Perfect. So obviously I'm on Amazon like everyone. Most of my books are worldwide, so you'll find them in Barnes & Noble as well. And of course, if you want the signed copies or discount print books, I always lead people straight to my website, PDAlleva.com. Then, of course, if you go to my Substack, you'll get all the updates, and you'll get all the links to purchase or find out where they are on Amazon and Barnes & Noble and things like that too. Jo: Brilliant. Well, thanks so much for your time, Paul. That was great. PD: Thank you very much for having me. It was great chatting with you. The post Writing Cross-Genre, Selling Direct, And Serialising On SubStack With P.D. Alleva first appeared on The Creative Penn.

When a package arrives at your door, it's easy to focus on what's inside rather than what it's shipped in—but the United States Postal Service is working to change that. In this episode, our hosts sit down with USPS Chief Sustainability Officer Jennifer Beiro-Reveille to unpack how the Postal Service is helping boost the “circular economy” by keeping packaging waste out of landfills. Discover how the USPS is turning throwaway materials like cardboard and shrink wrap into valuable resources, crushing its greenhouse gas emission targets, and how BlueEarth® services help securely and sustainably process e-waste and undeliverable mail. Tune in for this eye-opening look at how the USPS is ensuring its efforts with smart recycling, electric vehicles, and green innovation are moving customers towards a more sustainable future. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's guest Tom Murphy is one of the nation's top nature photographers.  His photographic passion and specialty is Yellowstone National Park.  Sicne 1975 Tom has traveled extensively within its 3400 square miles, hiking and skiing on extended trips throughout the back country.  He has skied across the entire park several times.  Tom is featured in the PBS documentary “Christmas in Yellowstone” and his works can be found in private, public and museum collections around the world.  Dedicated to honoring and protecting the natural beauty and wildlife of Yellowstone, Tom has been recognized by the United States Postal Service,  which is  issuing a commemorative stamp for America's 250th birthday, featuring one of Tom Murphy's majestic bison photographs.

Could the United States Postal Service soon become a major option for shipping handguns? In this episode of MX3 Podcast, we discuss the proposed change to the long-standing USPS handgun mailing ban, why the Department of Justice says the rule raises Second Amendment concerns, and what critics worry could happen with background checks, fake IDs, and firearm transfers.We also talk through how this could affect gun owners, licensed dealers, concealed carry rules, interstate travel, and the debate between personal freedom and public safety.At MX3 Podcast, our mission is discussing money, motivation, and relevant events in a way that gets people thinking and talking.What do you think? Should handguns be allowed through the mail, or is this a bad idea? Drop your opinion in the comments.Visit us at www.mx3.vipLike, subscribe, and hit the bell so you don't miss new episodes from MX3 Podcast.

8:05PM: The American Academy of Pediatrics finds kids of all ages K-12 need regular recess for physical and mental health. First new guidance in 13 years about this unstructured time at school and how it needs to be protected. Guest: Dr. Charles Hannum, MD, General Pediatrician at Tufts Medical Center 8:15PM: Boston 2026 World Expo offers 8 days of free, first-class fun for all ages. Happening May 23-30, 2026 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.- Sponsored by the United States Postal Service, Boston 2026 will play host to all sorts of collectors, former collectors and folks interested in history, geography and art. With over 1,000 fascinating displays and 300+ presentations on all sorts of topics (many of them provided by the Smithsonian Institution). Guest: Lloyd de Vries - former ABC/CBS/NPR Writer/Producer - President of two of the stamp collecting organizations participating in this show, the Writers Unit and the American First Day Cover Society. Both have meetings and seminars at the show. 8:30PM: Red Sox inconsistency, clubhouse dynamics, trade deadline outlook, and front-office scrutiny. Guest: Peter Abraham – Boston Globe sportswriter and columnist 8:45PM: Women’s football finally gets its Olympic spotlight & Women’s flag football could become an NCAA sport… Guest: Andra Douglas - former national champion in rugby and quarterback in women’s tackle football, she later became a creative executive at Atlantic Records—and for nearly two decades owned the two-time national champion New York Sharks women’s pro football team, She also wrote a book that just came out: Changing Cadence: Friendship, Football and the Art of TransitionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Justin and Evan discuss the United States Postal Service. Listen to the full episode here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/158528793 https://rockhardcauc.us

This week on the Long Island Tea Podcast, Sharon and Stacy are fully embracing the spirit of Memorial Day Weekend and all the national celebrations happening across Long Island — from Memorial Day to National Wine Day, National Maritime Day, National Craft Distillery Day, and so much more! The ladies kick things off by recapping some exciting recent events they attended including the Latino Business Awards, downtown revitalization announcements, and other exciting happenings across the region. Plus, after patiently waiting, they're finally cracking open their custom RGNY vintage to celebrate on-air! Between the laughs, local stories, summer energy, and one absolutely hysterical impression from Stacy that you truly do not want to miss, this episode perfectly captures everything we love about Long Island this time of year.#ShowUsYourLongIslanderThis week we're spotlighting Chris R. Vaccaro, who was recently honored with the Suffolk County Sheriff's Community Leadership Award for his decades of impact across education, journalism, sports history, and community service.#RevolutionaryRootsThis week we're visiting North End Burial Ground in Southampton, a historic Revolutionary War era site honoring local patriots and soldiers connected to Long Island's colonial history.#LongIslandLifeJones Beach is preparing for America's 250th anniversary celebration with a massive Fourth of July weekend event featuring live music, reenactments, and a drone show.We're also reflecting on Mental Health Awareness Month and the many peaceful places across Long Island that help people recharge and reconnect.The United States Postal Service is encouraging homeowners to participate in Mailbox Improvement Week by making sure mailboxes are safe and accessible for postal workers.The Whaling Museum & Education Center of Cold Spring Harbor is launching a public naming contest for its new inflatable sperm whale ahead of World Ocean Day.Blue Point Brewing has officially launched Magic Hour IPA, a new tropical inspired summer beer perfect for Long Island sunsets.iVogue Couture in Huntington is creating a unique blend of fashion, entrepreneurship, and community through custom designs and networking tea gatherings.Montauk was ranked the second best fishing destination in the country for Memorial Day Weekend 2026.We're celebrating National Maritime Day by spotlighting Long Island's deep connection to waterfront history and local maritime museums.National Craft Distillery Day is also shining a spotlight on Long Island favorites like Twisted Cow Distillery and Spy Trail Distillery.Long Island Wine Country is kicking off another season of brunches, tastings, and vineyard weekends ahead of National Wine Day.Splish Splash Water Park officially opens for its 36th season with Neon Nights, Kids Fest, and exciting new additions for summer 2026.Stony Brook University will host Long Island's official FIFA World Cup watch party this June with outdoor screenings, entertainment, and family fun.Long Island's official 2026 History Hunt challenge launches this weekend, inviting visitors to explore 26 historic sites stretching from Brooklyn to Montauk.#ThisWeekendOnLongIslandThis weekend features everything from concerts and theater performances to farmers markets, vineyard brunches, and live music across Long Island.#CelebriTEATate's Bake Shop cookies were featured on the latest season of HBO's Hacks, giving another exciting spotlight to the iconic Southampton brand.Michael Kors is making headlines after listing his Fire Island retreat for $6.3 million.#hotTEAsCall 877-386-6654 x 400, leave us a review, and send us a screenshot to score $5 off merch while staying connected with all things Long Island Tea.Connect With UsInstagram: @longislandteapodcastTikTok: @longislandteapodcastYouTube: Discover Long Island YouTubeFacebook: Long Island Tea Podcast FacebookX: @liteapodcastEmail: spillthetea@discoverlongisland.comShop: Discover Long Island Shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

LEO Round Table with Chip DeBlock S11E096, Trump Admin Overhauls The ATF Cutting Major Biden-Era Gun Restrictions UPS considers throwing out century old ban on shipping handguns. ATF announces huge changes to their rulebook. Trump admin overhauls the ATF cutting major Biden-era gun restrictions. California's open carry ban challenged by gun rights activists. AG of Florida sues city over secret registry of guns. Ex-security guard sentenced for the shooting of a teen in the back who was returning a BB gun. Gun Law Changes, Open Carry, Firearm Registries, and the Risks of Off-Duty Intervention Opening the Gun-Focused Roundtable In this episode of LEO Roundtable, host Chip DeBlock opens the law enforcement talk show by introducing the panel and explaining that this will be a firearms-heavy episode. He is joined by former LA County Sheriff's Office member and former police chief Ralph Ornelas, along with former ATF agent Dan O'Kelly of GunLearn. Chip also acknowledges the show's sponsors and distribution platforms before previewing several gun-related stories, including proposed changes to firearm shipping rules, ATF rule revisions, open carry litigation, a Florida gun registry lawsuit, and officer-involved shooting cases. Postal Service Handgun Shipping and Federal Firearm Rules The first major discussion centers on the possibility of the United States Postal Service ending its long-standing ban on private citizens mailing handguns. Chip explains that the policy dates back to 1927 and that a recent Department of Justice legal memo questioned whether the ban is consistent with current Second Amendment precedent, especially after the Supreme Court's Bruen decision. Dan O'Kelly clarifies that long guns can already be mailed in certain circumstances, but handguns have been treated differently by the postal system. He also explains that interstate firearm transfers still generally must go through licensed dealers or manufacturers, and that mailing a firearm directly to another private person across state lines remains legally restricted. ATF Rule Changes, FFLs, Braces, and Registration The panel then discusses broader ATF rule changes under the Trump administration, including rollbacks of Biden-era firearm regulations. Chip highlights changes involving stabilizing braces, the definition of being “engaged in the business” of selling firearms, recordkeeping rules, and Federal Firearms License issues. Dan explains that although the brace rule may be rolled back, firearms configured with shoulder stocks or short barrels still raise legal questions under short-barreled rifle definitions. He also discusses the practical realities of FFL compliance, including how state and local zoning or security requirements can affect whether someone can operate as a licensed dealer. Open Carry, Training, and Practical Concerns Another major topic is the legal challenge to California's restrictions on open carry. Chip explains that several gun rights groups filed a brief in the Ninth Circuit arguing that the Second Amendment and American historical tradition protect public open carry. Ralph supports lawful carry but stresses his belief that people carrying firearms should receive proper training. Dan adds that open carry often becomes less dramatic in practice than critics fear, citing Texas and Florida as examples where open carry did not lead to widespread visible gun carrying. The panel agrees that training is important, while also acknowledging the tension between practical safety concerns and constitutional carry rights. Jacksonville's Alleged Secret Gun Log The panel next discusses Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier's lawsuit against the City of Jacksonville over allegations that city personnel maintained an illegal registry of firearms. Chip summarizes the report that security personnel at two city-owned locations allegedly recorded personal information and firearm serial numbers from armed visitors over a two-year period. Dan compares the concern to federal prohibitions against national firearm registries and praises the attorney general for acting against the alleged practice. Ralph questions what the purpose of such a log would have been and whether the information was shared with law enforcement or used for any operational purpose. Security Guard Shooting and the Value of Being a Good Witness The final major story concerns an off-duty security guard in Washington State who was convicted after shooting and killing a teenager outside a sporting goods store. According to the report discussed on the show, the guard believed the teen and others were carrying a real gun and possibly preparing to rob the store, but prosecutors said the teen was returning a BB gun. Ralph uses the case to stress that off-duty officers and armed security personnel should often be good witnesses unless they or their family are directly threatened. Dan agrees that a realistic-looking BB gun could reasonably create concern, but says the reported shooting after the teen allegedly dropped the gun and raised his hands would be extremely difficult to justify. The episode closes with reminders about the show's sponsors and related law enforcement resources.

A photo of a bison Montana photographer Tom Murphy took will be printed on a United States Postal Service stamp. The stamp will be available starting May 25.

Amazon packages represent 15% of the United States Postal Service's package volume, but about 7.5% of their revenue. Amazon is USPS's biggest customer, even though Amazon passed the USPS to become the largest domestic parcel carrier in 2025. The current Amazon - USPS agreement expires on September 30, 2026, just days before the USPS may run out of the cash required to operate. Amazon has signaled that they would like to replace the USPS with their own network, but doing so will be more expensive than the company may have bargained for. In this episode of the Art of Supply podcast, Kelly Barner covers the public positioning and power dynamics playing out between Amazon and the U.S. Postal Service: The history and current status of the relationship between the two organizations How the U.S. Post Office is trying to bring market pricing into their negotiations with shippers - and how Amazon responded to that strategy Why the final outcome in this story is something all consumers may be affected by Links: UPS Picks Profitability Over Volume, and The Teamsters Push Back Kelly Barner on LinkedIn Art of Supply LinkedIn newsletter  Art of Supply on AOP Subscribe to the Art of Procurement Newsletter  

In this episode of Say What You Mean with Jéan P the MC, we tap into something that hits close to home—community, compassion, and showing up for one another.Jéan sits down with Stephanie Sweany, Executive Director of the Stark County Hunger Task Force, and Rebecca Ray of the United States Postal Service, for a powerful conversation about fighting food insecurity right here in our own neighborhoods.We break down what hunger really looks like in Stark County, the impact the Hunger Task Force is making every single day, and how something as simple as donating food can change lives. Stephanie shares her journey into nonprofit leadership and the mission behind serving thousands of families each month, while Rebecca gives insight into what it's like being on the front lines as a mail carrier—especially during community-driven efforts like the annual food drive.As a mail carrier himself, Jéan brings a personal perspective to the conversation, highlighting the connection between the work we do and the people we serve.This episode is a reminder that real change starts with small actions—and that we all have a role to play.

From September 1, 2020: On August 13, President Trump said in a news interview that he opposed supplemental funding for the United States Postal Service because such funding is needed for the delivery of universal mail-in ballots for the 2020 election. His comments sparked panic about whether the Trump administration is slowing Postal Service delivery in order to sway the election. Images of blue mailboxes being removed and anecdotes about slow mail delivery added fuel to the fire. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy was called to testify before Senate and House oversight committees. Lawsuits were filed by a host of state attorneys general.So what's really going on here? Is this election interference, the implementation of legitimate policies or something else? Margaret Taylor sat down with Kevin Kosar of the American Enterprise Institute and Anne Joseph O'Connell of Stanford Law School to sort through the facts, the policy changes, the investigations and the lawsuits—and what it all means for the 2020 election.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The United States Postal Service has delivered mail for 250 years, from the busiest cities to the most remote parts of the country. But decades of money troubles have left the USPS billions of dollars in debt.Now, the postmaster general warns that the agency could run out of money by October – and is urging Congress to save it.We explore the uncertain future of USPS with a panel of experts.Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

This month, the United States Postal Service unveiled a new set of stamps honoring the lowrider community. This federal recognition comes three years after California lifted a decades-old ban on lowrider cruising. The state, widely understood as the birthplace of lowrider culture, has also historically been unfriendly to it. For decades, lowriding was blamed for traffic and alleged connections to gang violence. KQED's Paloma Yaritza Abarca explains the years-long fight by community members to let their cars ride freely. This episode originally aired Nov 3, 2023. Links: The Provocative, Rebellious and Flamboyant Origins of Lowriding | KQED For Lowriders in San Francisco, It's Not Just a Stamp — It's Respect at the Federal Level Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Iran war is escalating. The US is targeting Kharg Island, which is Iran's oil export hub, and it could backfire catastrophically. Oil prices are spiking. Global energy markets are in chaos. This is Trump's dumbest war getting dumber.Plus: Joe Kent, a former Trump administration intelligence official, just resigned over the legitimacy of the Iran war. This is not a small deal—it's a sign of major internal fractures inside the MAGA movement that will likely resonate into the presidential race in 2028. Markwayne Mullin advanced out of committee for DHS Secretary (John Fetterman voted yes—because of course he did). Trump embarrassed himself and the entire country in front of Japan's Prime Minister with a Pearl Harbor "joke." Elon's xAI is generating sexualized images of real people and now he's being sued by victims. The GOP is getting its wish: the likely death of the United States Postal Service. Trump's $10 billion TikTok deal commission is corrupt as hell.This is the chaos. Let's break it down.⚔️ BIG TOPIC: IRAN WAR CONTINUES

  In "UPS at the Crossroads: Finding Profit in a Disrupted Landscape with Bloomberg's Devin Leonard", Joe Lynch and Devin Leonard, Senior Writer on the global business team at Bloomberg News, discuss how the logistics giant is navigating shifting markets, intense competition, and rising labor costs.  About Devin Leonard Devin Leonard is a senior writer on the global business team at Bloomberg News. His work appears regularly in Bloomberg Businessweek where he has written periodically about the logistics industry. His 2011 cover story, "The End of Mail," about the existential crisis at the U.S. Postal Service was a finalist for the Gerald Loeb award for explanatory writing, In May 2016, Grove Press published Leonard's book, Neither Snow Nor Rain: A History of the United States Postal Service, which the New York Times called "sweeping and entertaining. About Bloomberg News Bloomberg News is a global news agency and a primary division of Bloomberg L.P., a privately held financial, software, data, and media company. Founded in 1990 by Michael Bloomberg and Matthew Winkler, the news service was originally created to provide real-time financial news to subscribers of the Bloomberg Terminal (the Bloomberg Professional® service). Today, it is one of the largest news organizations in the world, producing over 5,000 stories daily. Key Takeaways: UPS at the Crossroads: Finding Profit in a Disrupted Landscape In "UPS at the Crossroads: Finding Profit in a Disrupted Landscape with Bloomberg's Devin Leonard", Joe Lynch and Devin Leonard, Senior Writer on the global business team at Bloomberg News, discuss how the logistics giant is navigating shifting markets, intense competition, and rising labor costs.  Historic Leadership Shift: Carol Tomé is the first woman and first outsider to lead UPS in its 118-year history, breaking a century-long tradition of promoting exclusively from within the "brown" culture. "Better, Not Bigger": UPS has pivoted from chasing high volume to prioritizing high-yield profitability. This means intentionally reducing reliance on low-margin ecommerce (like Amazon) to focus on more lucrative accounts. The Amazon Evolution: Amazon has transformed from UPS's biggest customer into its most formidable competitor, now delivering nearly as many packages as the USPS and utilizing its own massive logistics network. Teamsters Contract Impact: The 2023 negotiations led by Sean O'Brien resulted in a historic contract with top driver compensation reaching $170,000 (wages + benefits), significantly increasing UPS's fixed costs in a cooling market. Market Fragmentation: The industry is no longer a duopoly. UPS now competes against regional carriers using advanced tech to "stitch together" national services, as well as gig-economy players like DoorDash. Strategic Repositioning: To differentiate, UPS is doubling down on specialized sectors like Healthcare (cold-chain) and international logistics—complex services that simple gig-drivers or regional startups cannot easily replicate. "Shrink to Grow" Strategy: To maintain margins, UPS is closing distribution centers, automating facilities, and offering buyouts to senior staff. The challenge remains: can they grow the stock price while shrinking the physical footprint? Learn More About UPS at the Crossroads: Finding Profit in a Disrupted Landscape Devin Leonard | Linkedin Devin Leonard Website Bloomberg News | Linkedin Bloomberg News The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube

On this week's episode of Brews & Cruise, host Chris Jacobson sits down with Matt Schroeder, a Winona native whose career journey took him across the country working with major organizations before ultimately returning home.Matt shares his experiences working in the rapidly evolving worlds of e-commerce, digital media, and home entertainment, including projects involving Amazon, Walmart, NATO, and the United States Postal Service. He also discusses the transition from physical media like VHS and DVDs to today's streaming platforms, and how technology has reshaped the way we consume entertainment.Today Matt works as a financial advisor and also spends time coaching high school pole vault, combining business experience with mentorship in the community.In this episode we discuss:• The evolution from VHS and DVDs to streaming media • Experiences working with Amazon and Walmart e-commerce • Consulting work involving NATO and USPS • Career pivots and becoming a financial advisor • Growing up in Winona, Minnesota and returning after 17 years • Coaching pole vault and mentoring young athletesGrab a drink and enjoy another episode of Brews & Cruise, where interesting conversations happen over a cold beverage.If you enjoy the show, please follow the podcast and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It helps more people discover the show and helps us continue sharing great conversations.Drink: Toppling Goliath Pseudo Sue Financial Services of Winona https://phillipanderson.sarep.com Sponsor Jacobson Real Estate Co.https://jacobsonrealestatecompany.com Brews & Cruise Podcast https://brewsandcruisepodcast.com

OA1239 - Did the Supreme Court just hand Donald Trump the biggest L in US presidential history? We go beyond the headlines to break down the first decision on the merits of any of the second Trump term's policies. What is the deal with the “major questions doctrine” and why can't the conservative justices agree about what it is and how to use it? Why did Neil Gorsuch choose this case to drop a lengthy diss track with bars about every one of his colleagues? And is there anything Clarence Thomas wouldn't let a Republican president do? We then review a lesser-noticed SCOTUS decision from this week on whether you can sue USPS for intentionally stealing your mail for openly racist reasons (the answer may surprise you!).  Finally, in today's footnote: Thomas Takes the ICE Exam! Learning Resources, Inc. et al. v. Trump (2/20/2026) United States Postal Service v. Konan  (2/24/2026) “The Postmaster,” William Shawn, The New Yorker (11/14/1970)(letter addressed to William Faulkner from Post Office Inspector Mark Webster) Memorandum Summary of Documents Newly Received from DHS Whistleblowers, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (2/23/2026)(with leaked ICE training documents attached) Check out the OA Linktree for all the places to go and things to do!

Welcome to The Morning Minute, your definitive source for global supply chain market intelligence. Today we break down the massive news from UPS as the company begins offering delivery drivers $150,000 voluntary buyout packages to shrink its network and reduce headcount. We also look at major structural changes in logistics software, where cargo management maker WiseTech Global is cutting a third of its workforce in a massive artificial intelligence pivot. This two-year restructuring plan will eliminate up to 2,000 jobs as the company integrates new technologies into its customer platforms and internal operations. Finally, we cover a controversial 5-4 Supreme Court ruling that protects the United States Postal Service from being sued over intentionally misdelivered mail. The decision reinforces a postal exception in the Federal Tort Claims Act shielding the agency from liability, despite dissenting arguments that it provides much greater protection than originally intended. Stay tuned for our definitive analysis on how these major shifts will impact transportation industry participants. Make sure to visit FreightWaves for more unparalleled access to news, data, and commentary. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to The Morning Minute, your definitive source for global supply chain market intelligence. Today we break down the massive news from UPS as the company begins offering delivery drivers $150,000 voluntary buyout packages to shrink its network and reduce headcount. We also look at major structural changes in logistics software, where cargo management maker WiseTech Global is cutting a third of its workforce in a massive artificial intelligence pivot. This two-year restructuring plan will eliminate up to 2,000 jobs as the company integrates new technologies into its customer platforms and internal operations. Finally, we cover a controversial 5-4 Supreme Court ruling that protects the United States Postal Service from being sued over intentionally misdelivered mail. The decision reinforces a postal exception in the Federal Tort Claims Act shielding the agency from liability, despite dissenting arguments that it provides much greater protection than originally intended. Stay tuned for our definitive analysis on how these major shifts will impact transportation industry participants. Make sure to visit FreightWaves for more unparalleled access to news, data, and commentary. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The United States Postal Service has implemented a policy change regarding postmarks that could significantly affect voting and healthcare access. The updated rule specifies that postmarks now indicate the date mail is first processed at a sorting facility, rather than when it is deposited in a mailbox. This alteration could lead to the rejection of ballots or healthcare documents if they are postmarked late, potentially disadvantaging vulnerable communities. The shift is poised to impact mail-in voting and medical paperwork, both of which depend heavily on timely postmarks. Dr. Carl Mack joins the Rhythm & News Podcast to share more. Interview by Chris B. Bennett.

President of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 3 - Buffalo/Western New York - Dave Grosskopf on how letter carriers are dealing with the snow and extreme cold this winter full 357 Tue, 27 Jan 2026 17:30:00 +0000 CyFs5fP5inRvavN0qkto50TCsAthiNuP news,weather,wben,winter weather,united states postal service,national association of letter carriers,dave grosskopf WBEN Extras news,weather,wben,winter weather,united states postal service,national association of letter carriers,dave grosskopf President of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 3 - Buffalo/Western New York - Dave Grosskopf on how letter carriers are dealing with the snow and extreme cold this winter Archive of various reports and news events 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc.

A 25 year old Grass Valley man was arrested on January 21 after a lengthy investigation. The United States Postal Service has recently clarified that machine-applied postmarks represent the date that mail is first processed at a regional facility not when when that mail is dropped off at a post office or mailbox.

Today from SDPB - the latest news from Pierre, South Dakota, as the second week of the 101st Legislative Session begins and what Rep. Dusty Johnson is saying about failures with the United States Postal Service

The United States Postal Service provides a pathway for homeless individuals to have a P.O. Box at no cost. A free P.O. box can be incredibly useful for homeless individuals as it provides them with a secure mailing address. This allows them to receive important documents, apply for job opportunities, Read More Shared by United Resource Connection January 13, 2026

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have officially submitted their nearly 7,000-page application to the Surface Transportation Board to create the nation's first Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern file historic rail merger application. If the merger meets regulatory approval, the companies anticipate the deal will be finalized and the new network operational by early 2027. In an effort to restore financial viability, the United States Postal Service is opening its US Postal Services wants retailers to compete for last-mile delivery network to retailers and logistics companies willing to bid for the service. Postmaster General David Steiner's new strategy will begin accepting bids early next year, with service potentially launching in the third quarter of 2026. Meanwhile, DHL Global Forwarding has committed $1.5 million to expand DHL drops $1.5 million to expand cold storage at LAX capabilities near Los Angeles International Airport. This investment targets the growing demand from pharmaceutical and life sciences shippers while strengthening Los Angeles' role as a critical gateway for temperature-sensitive cargo. Stay tuned to FreightWaves TV for new episodes of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Freight Expectations, and Running on Ice later this afternoon. Listen now for a concise summary of today's top logistics stories before heading into the new year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have officially submitted their nearly 7,000-page application to the Surface Transportation Board to create the nation's first Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern file historic rail merger application. If the merger meets regulatory approval, the companies anticipate the deal will be finalized and the new network operational by early 2027. In an effort to restore financial viability, the United States Postal Service is opening its US Postal Services wants retailers to compete for last-mile delivery network to retailers and logistics companies willing to bid for the service. Postmaster General David Steiner's new strategy will begin accepting bids early next year, with service potentially launching in the third quarter of 2026. Meanwhile, DHL Global Forwarding has committed $1.5 million to expand DHL drops $1.5 million to expand cold storage at LAX capabilities near Los Angeles International Airport. This investment targets the growing demand from pharmaceutical and life sciences shippers while strengthening Los Angeles' role as a critical gateway for temperature-sensitive cargo. Stay tuned to FreightWaves TV for new episodes of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Freight Expectations, and Running on Ice later this afternoon. Listen now for a concise summary of today's top logistics stories before heading into the new year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A federal judge on Friday granted the Justice Department's request to unseal grand jury transcripts from a federal investigation in Florida into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Justice Department had renewed its request for the material to be made public last month after Congress passed and President Trump signed a law that requires the attorney general to disclose records related to the government's investigation into Epstein. Friday fined Elon Musk’s social media platform X 120 million euros ($140 million) for breaches of the bloc’s digital regulations that they said could leave users exposed to scams and manipulation The European Commission said Friday it was fining Elon Musk’s social media app X with the equivalent of $140 million, saying that it had breached the bloc’s digital rulebook — a move that will likely draw the ire of the American government. .After over 30 years, Amazon may be cutting ties with the United States Postal Service as it looks to expand its own delivery network, as reported by The Washington Post. The outlet, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, cites anonymous sources who said negotiations between Amazon and Trump-appointed USPS Postmaster General David Steiner have reportedly stagnated, pushing Amazon to consider concluding the partnership altogether.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A federal judge on Friday granted the Justice Department's request to unseal grand jury transcripts from a federal investigation in Florida into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Justice Department had renewed its request for the material to be made public last month after Congress passed and President Trump signed a law that requires the attorney general to disclose records related to the government's investigation into Epstein. Friday fined Elon Musk’s social media platform X 120 million euros ($140 million) for breaches of the bloc’s digital regulations that they said could leave users exposed to scams and manipulation The European Commission said Friday it was fining Elon Musk’s social media app X with the equivalent of $140 million, saying that it had breached the bloc’s digital rulebook — a move that will likely draw the ire of the American government. .After over 30 years, Amazon may be cutting ties with the United States Postal Service as it looks to expand its own delivery network, as reported by The Washington Post. The outlet, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, cites anonymous sources who said negotiations between Amazon and Trump-appointed USPS Postmaster General David Steiner have reportedly stagnated, pushing Amazon to consider concluding the partnership altogether.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazon is considering ending its contract with the United States Postal Service and building out its own competing nationwide delivery network. How big a player is Amazon in parcel deliveries? Meta just poached an executive from another Mega Caps tech company. Why is this hire a big deal in big tech? Finally, the year end stock market phenomenon known as the Santa Claus rally is being closely watched. What could impact the market the markets year end performance?

Reports say Amazon (AMZN) may consider ditching its partnership with the United States Postal Service in favor of building its own postal service. Alex Coffey talks about this headline and other will impact price action as the stock remains fairly flat year-over-year. He talks about why the 5-day and 21-day SMA are metrics traders should watch before turning to the options front. ======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day. Subscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/ About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

Kierra Coles /// Part 2 Episode:716Part 2 of 2  www.TrueCrimeGarage.comKierra Coles is a United States Postal Service employee who went missing in October of 2018.  This year marks five years since her disappearance and unfortunately her case is getting cold. Where is she?  Did Kierra really call off from the job she loved on the same day that she seems to have vanished?  Some say something happened to the young woman in the middle of the night and then someone else with working knowledge of Postal Service Employee business called off for her to cover their tracks and buy some time.  Join Nic & the Captain for this almost “unbelievable” Missing Endangered - Foul Play case out of Chicago, Illinois.  There is a reward for information in Kierra's case, $68,000 last time it was reported.  If you have any information regarding Kierra Coles and persons that knew her please call the United States Postal Inspection Service 877-876-2455.  For more information go to Missingpersoncenter.org and search Kierra Coles.  Beer of the Week - 14 Karat from Sun King Brewery Garage Grade - 4 out of 5 bottle caps  Follow True Crime Garage on X & on Instagram @TrueCrimeGarage / Follow Nic on X @TCGNIC / Follow The Captain on X @TCGCaptain  Listen to True Crime Garage Off The Record where TCG breaks all of the rules and get NASTY, NASTY!!!  Now available on Apple Podcast Subscriptions and to everyone everywhere on Patreon. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kierra Coles /// Part 1 Episode: 715Part 1 of 2  www.TrueCrimeGarage.comKierra Coles is a United States Postal Service employee who went missing in October of 2018.  This year marks five years since her disappearance and unfortunately her case is getting cold. Where is she?  Did Kierra really call off from the job she loved on the same day that she seems to have vanished?  Some say something happened to the young woman in the middle of the night and then someone else with working knowledge of Postal Service Employee business called off for her to cover their tracks and buy some time.  Join Nic & the Captain for this almost “unbelievable” Missing Endangered - Foul Play case out of Chicago, Illinois.  There is a reward for information in Kierra's case, $68,000 last time it was reported.  If you have any information regarding Kierra Coles and persons that knew her please call the United States Postal Inspection Service 877-876-2455.  For more information go to Missingpersoncenter.org and search Kierra Coles.  Beer of the Week - 14 Karat from Sun King Brewery Garage Grade - 4 out of 5 bottle caps  Follow True Crime Garage on X & on Instagram @TrueCrimeGarage / Follow Nic on X @TCGNIC / Follow The Captain on X @TCGCaptain  Listen to True Crime Garage Off The Record where TCG breaks all of the rules and get NASTY, NASTY!!!  Now available on Apple Podcast Subscriptions and to everyone everywhere on Patreon. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

United States Postal Service has announced that it will raise its prices in the new year. PG County is saying that scammers are using the deputy office to scam people. Big Baby news coming out from National Zoo, the Elephant is prego!!! Make sure to also keep up to date with ALL our podcasts we do below that have new episodes every week: The Thought Shower Let's Get Weird Crisis on Infinite Podcasts See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know the post office is older than our country?  The history of the United States Post Office is fascinating and is an excellent reminder of the need for fast communication across the nation before the modern era of instant global communication.  As we celebrate the birthday of the post office, who better to talk us through the history of the post office, including which Founding Father was involved with its operations for more than 40 years, than the historian of the United States Postal Service?  Our guest is Stephen Kochersperger and he began his postal career more than 40 years ago as a clerk and also served as a postmaster in Julian, PA., before becoming the USPS Historian in 2024.

A case in which the Court will decide whether a claim that Postal Service employees intentionally refused to deliver mail to a designated address arises out of “the loss” or “miscarriage” of postal matter under the Federal Tort Claims Act's postal-matter exception.

A surfer has had a narrow escape from a shark at a beach in northern NSW where a teenager was bitten just months ago. A former United States Postal Service letter carrier pleaded guilty today in California to a three-year spree of stealing credit and debit cards and checks from the mail, items she used to pay for luxury goods and international travel. Police say a man arrested Wednesday for driving a stolen 2020 Dodge Charger from the Memphis International Airport's long-term parking garage said he was too large to steal the vehicle. A Movie Car Museum Is Closing Down and Selling Prop Vehicles and Replicas FOLLOW TNR ON RUMBLE: https://rumble.com/c/c-7759604 FOLLOW TNR ON SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/7zlofzL... FOLLOW TNR ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... WEBSITE: https://nextroundlive.com/ MOBILE APP: https://nextroundlive.com/the-ne.... SHOP THE NEXT ROUND STORE: https://nextround.store/ Like TNR on Facebook: / nextroundlive Follow TNR on Twitter: / nextroundlive Follow TNR on Instagram: / nextroundlive Follow everyone from the show on Twitter: Jim Dunaway: / jimdunaway Ryan Brown: / ryanbrownlive Lance Taylor: / thelancetaylor Scott Forester: / scottforestertv Tyler Johns: /TylerJohnsTNR Sponsor the show: sales@nextroundlive.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Voice Of GO(r)D has convened something of an emergency roundtable in the wake of this horrific tragedy in Florida last week, as much of the reporting on it that's out there is weak, inconsistent, politically motivated, and lacking in substantive context and background.This tragic incident, for those who follow this Substack, or pay close attention to the North American trucking industry, is but one of many in a long line of completely unnecessary and preventable crashes, and the causes of all of these crashes are many, but there are notable through-lines and historical context. The media, along with many online commentators, are trying to pin this on bad immigration policy, which is certainly a component, or the corruption of politicians like Gavin Newsom, which is also a factor, but this is merely to find convenient villains who are a regular feature of life in America in 2025, and to miss all of the other problems; which are, quite frankly, of far more consequence to this incident.To help describe the view of this problem in its entirety from 30,000 feet, I have invited colleagues and former guests of this show to join me in a wide ranging roundtable which tackles all of the angles of this story, to help you make more sense of it and arm yourself with accurate complaints to make to your relevant authorities.Shannon Everett is a co-founder and the public face of American Truckers United. He is, like myself, a trucker who comes from a multi-generational trucking family. Shannon now manages an Arkansas based carrier, and his group has done some incredible research into the suspicious and massive increase of CDLs being issued across America over the past 5 years.You can listen to our previous interview here, and find his very active Twitter here.Danielle Chaffin is the granddaughter and daughter of old school truckers in Tennessee, and she has been a freight broker and a social worker, but is now behind the scenes at a TMS company that helps fleets manage all of their data. She is also an independent researcher into the industry, and writes the excellent Highway Veritas substack, which I quote here often. You can find Danielle's previous appearances on this podcast here and here, and Danielle's prolific and informative Twitter here.Justin ‘Supertrucker' Martin is a former trucker and social media operator, who has held many roles behind the wheel, including hauling high security loads for the United States military, mail for the United States Postal Service, and was once the co-host of the FreightWaves podcast ‘Back The Truck Up'. You can find Justin as a guest on my show here, here, here, and here, and his meme-heavy Twitter account here.For the first time, and for those folks who prefer to watch things online, I have made the video from our roundtable available on YouTube. I'm not a fan of the video format, mostly because I don't have time to watch almost anything, but if you like an assemblage of talking heads, here you go -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5I5mxcYgJII am a few short days away from submitting the rough manuscript for this book, which will likewise describe the insourcing of unskilled and illiterate labor onto our highways, as well as many other issues of consequence during the twilight days of the last American cowboy. https://autonomoustruckers.substack.com/p/book-project-announcement-and-a-majorAs always, questions, comments, suggestions, corrections and Hate Mail are welcomed and strongly encouraged - gordilocks@protonmail.com

The United States Postal Service is responsible for issuing postage stamps and that includes choosing the subjects. In 1957, the process was opened to the American public. The Postmaster General appoints members of the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee. Members come from a broad span of public life, including art, science, education, history, sports, and politics.

United States Postal Service spokesperson John Hyatt shares highlights from 250 years of mail delivery; Fernanda Camarena with the Poynter Institute discusses the consequences of media blackouts

This week, our hosts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Dave Bittner⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joe Carrigan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Maria Varmazis⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (also host of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠T-Minus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Space Daily show) are back sharing the latest in social engineering scams, phishing schemes, and criminal exploits that are making headlines. We start with some follow up, as Joe shares with us a complaint he has with Vanguard. Maria's story is on McAfee's latest research revealing that one in five Americans has fallen for a travel scam—often losing hundreds of dollars—despite many trying to stay vigilant, as scammers use fake websites, AI-altered photos, and phishing links to exploit deal-seeking travelers. Joe's got two stories this week: the first one is from Rachel Tobac on LinkedIn, breaking down how attackers like Scattered Spider are using phone-based impersonation, fake domains, and social engineering to breach insurance companies, and the second is on Aflac confirming it was hit in a cyberattack believed to be part of a broader campaign targeting the insurance sector, likely tied to the same threat group. Dave's story is on brushing scams, a scheme the United States Postal Service is warning about, where scammers send unordered packages—often low-cost items—to people's addresses so they can fraudulently post fake “verified” reviews online using the recipient's name and address to boost product rankings. Our catch of the day is from the scams sub-Reddit, where someone shared text messages from a scammer asking for only a small favor. Complete our annual audience survey before August 31. Resources and links to stories: New McAfee Report Finds Young Adults Fall for Travel Scams More Often Than Older Generations Rachel Tobac LinkedIn Aflac Latest Insurer to Suffer Cyberattack and Data Breach Brushing Scam - Unexpected Package US Postal Inspection Service ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hackinghumans@n2k.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

First Lady Barbara Bush is being honored by the United States Postal Service with a Forever Stamp in what would be the centennial year of her birth. Born in New York on June 8th, 1925, Barbara Pierce would go on to marry George Herbert Walker Bush and become an iconic, unelected public servant in her own right. Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association, talks about the life and legacy of Mrs. Bush with three special guests: Pierce Bush, grandson of President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush, and the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star; Chas Fagan, the artist who painted the Official White House Portrait of Mrs. Bush which is featured on the new Forever Stamp; and Andrew Roberts, President of  the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. Mrs. Bush said she wanted to do something every day to help others and was a passionate supporter of the life-changing power of learning how to read. Her lasting legacy of service can be seen through her family, friends, and the Foundation which continues to support literacy efforts to this day in her name.

First Lady Barbara Bush is being honored by the United States Postal Service with a Forever Stamp in what would be the centennial year of her birth. Born in New York on June 8th, 1925, Barbara Pierce would go on to marry George Herbert Walker Bush and become an iconic, unelected public servant in her own right. Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association, talks about the life and legacy of Mrs. Bush with three special guests: Pierce Bush, grandson of President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush, and the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star; Chas Fagan, the artist who painted the Official White House Portrait of Mrs. Bush which is featured on the new Forever Stamp; and Andrew Roberts, President of  the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. Mrs. Bush said she wanted to do something every day to help others and was a passionate supporter of the life-changing power of learning how to read. Her lasting legacy of service can be seen through her family, friends, and the Foundation which continues to support literacy efforts to this day in her name.

Questions on famous plays and shows! Fact of the Day: In 1959 the United States Postal Service tried delivering mail with a cruise missile. Triple Connections: Playing cards, Chess, Proms THE FIRST TRIVIA QUESTION STARTS AT 01:15 SUPPORT THE SHOW MONTHLY, LISTEN AD-FREE FOR JUST $1 A MONTH: www.Patreon.com/TriviaWithBudds INSTANT DOWNLOAD DIGITAL TRIVIA GAMES ON ETSY, GRAB ONE NOW!  GET A CUSTOM EPISODE FOR YOUR LOVED ONES:  Email ryanbudds@gmail.com Theme song by www.soundcloud.com/Frawsty Bed Music:  "EDM Detection Mode" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ http://TriviaWithBudds.comhttp://Facebook.com/TriviaWithBudds http://Instagram.com/ryanbudds Book a party, corporate event, or fundraiser anytime by emailing ryanbudds@gmail.com or use the contact form here: https://www.triviawithbudds.com/contact SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL MY AMAZING PATREON SUBSCRIBERS INCLUDING:   Mollie Dominic Vernon Heagy Brian Clough Nathalie Avelar Natasha raina leslie gerhardt Skilletbrew Yves BouyssounouseDiane White Youngblood Evan Lemons Trophy Husband Trivia Rye Josloff Lynnette Keel Lillian Campbell Jerry Loven Ansley Bennett Jamie Greig Jeremy Yoder Adam Jacoby rondell Adam Suzan Chelsea Walker Tiffany Poplin Bill Bavar Sarah Dan  Katelyn Turner Keiva Brannigan Keith Martin Sue First Steve Hoeker Jessica Allen Michael Anthony White Lauren Glassman Brian Williams Henry Wagner Brett Livaudais Linda Elswick Carter A. Fourqurean KC Khoury Tonya Charles  Justly Maya Brandon Lavin Kathy McHale Chuck Nealen Courtney French Nikki Long Mark Zarate Laura Palmer  JT Dean Bratton Kristy Erin Burgess Chris Arneson Trenton Sullivan Jen and Nic Michele Lindemann Ben Stitzel Michael Redman Timothy Heavner Jeff Foust Richard Lefdal Myles Bagby Jenna Leatherman Albert Thomas Kimberly Brown Tracy Oldaker Sara Zimmerman Madeleine Garvey Jenni Yetter JohnB Patrick Leahy Dillon Enderby James Brown Christy Shipley Alexander Calder Ricky Carney Paul McLaughlin Casey OConnor Willy Powell Robert Casey Rich Hyjack Matthew Frost Brian Salyer Greg Bristow Megan Donnelly Jim Fields Mo Martinez Luke Mckay Simon Time Feana Nevel

The history of the United States Postal Service as it plays out in the streets of New York City -- from the first post road to the first postage stamps. From the most beautiful post office in the country to the forgotten Gilded Age landmark that was once considered the ugliest post office.The postal service has always served as the country's circulatory system, linking the densest urban areas to the most rural outposts, a necessary link in moments when the country feels very far apart in other ways. The early American colonies knew this. Benjamin Franklin knew this The Founding Fathers who placed the postal service within the Constitution knew this.And inventions such as the stagecoach, the steamship, the railroad, the pneumatic tube and even the electric car have helped keep the mail steadily flowing over the centuries.New York has even played a pivotal role in the development of the American mail service, from the creation of the Boston Post Road (the first mail road which snaked through Manhattan and the Bronx) to the first mail boxes. Even the first postage stamps were sold in New York -- within former church-turned-post office in lower Manhattan.Why are there so many post offices from the 1930s? Why is New York's largest post office next to Penn Station? And why does New York City have so many individual ZIP codes? And who, pray tell, is Barnabas Bates?Visit our website for more information and imagesMore information here on the Bowery Boys: Gilded Age Weekend This episode was produced and edited by Kieran Gannon

It's Hump Day! Emma speaks with Elizabeth Pancotti, managing director of policy at the Groundwork Collaborative, to discuss Elon Musk and DOGE's efforts to curb government spending, and how it's faring in terms of public opinion. Then, she speaks with Tyler Vasseur, shop steward with the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 9, to discuss the NALC's recent decision to reject a tentative contract deal with the United States Postal Service. First, Emma runs through updates on Trump's plummeting approval rating, Hannity's sit down with the Trump/Musk regime, Trump's government funding freeze, Trump's support for Russia, Trump's agency raids, Trump's cabinet confirmations, record credit card debt, dropping homicide rates, Brazil's systems of political accountability, and Kansas' gender-affirming care ban, before watching Elon and Trump blatantly lie about their cost-cutting efforts on Hannity. Elizabeth Pancotti then joins, giving us an even more expansive view into the failures of the Musk/Trump regime to actually weed out the “$1 trillion” in “waste, fraud, and abuse” they claim to be going after, with the alleged $55 billion in progress they've made so far undermined by the fact it's only $8 million, before touching on the problem of relying on legal and constitutional strategies after decades of conservatives packing our courts. Expanding on this latter point, Pancotti and Emma dive deep into the Democratic Party's – particularly leadership's – ongoing failure to appropriately message the threat and devastation posed by the Musk/Trump regime, with a refusal to highlight the efforts to cut YOUR benefits and steal YOUR data to give more money and more power to the wealthiest man in the world and his billionaire buddies, not to mention their long-lasting refusal to present an alternative affirmative vision to this ideology of destruction. Tyler Vasseur then walks Emma through the recent decision by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to step down from his post, exploring DeJoy's nomination under Trump 1.0 to spearhead an effort to privatize the USPS, Biden's decision to keep him on, and why it was his failure to privatize fast enough that led him to get pushed out, and what that could mean for the future of the institution. Next, Vasseur dives deep into the National Association of Letter Carrier's historic “No” vote on a contract with USPS after nearly two years of negotiations, highlighting various failures in the agreement, including keeping wages in line with inflation. After expanding on the “Vote No” campaign efforts, Tyler unpacks why their biggest push in this bargaining process is for the right to strike, with the ongoing bargaining effort now lasting well over 600 days, wrapping up the show by highlighting coming rallies to support NALC's fight. And in the Fun Half: Emma is joined by RM Brown as they talk with a 412 caller about his experience with a Democratic polling group, unpack the astonishingly pro-Israel history of Russell Brand, and explore the truly atrocious messaging on display by Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries. Molly from Brooklyn discusses teaching journalism in the age of Trump and AI, Dylan from Atlanta touches on a new democratized social media project, and the MR Team looks at the most recent data disproving the right-wing crime narrative of the last two years, plus, your calls and IMs! Follow Elizabeth on Twitter here: https://x.com/ENPancotti Check out the Groundwork Collaborative here: https://groundworkcollaborative.org/ Find out more about the NALC and their actions here: https://www.fightingnalc.org/ Check out RM Brown's YouTube channel!: https://www.youtube.com/@rmbrown5736 Become a member at JoinTheMajorityReport.com: https://fans.fm/majority/join Follow us on TikTok here!: https://www.tiktok.com/@majorityreportfm Check us out on Twitch here!: https://www.twitch.tv/themajorityreport Find our Rumble stream here!: https://rumble.com/user/majorityreport Check out our alt YouTube channel here!: https://www.youtube.com/majorityreportlive Gift a Majority Report subscription here: https://fans.fm/majority/gift Subscribe to the ESVN YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/esvnshow Subscribe to the AMQuickie newsletter here: https://am-quickie.ghost.io/ Join the Majority Report Discord! https://majoritydiscord.com/ Get all your MR merch at our store: https://shop.majorityreportradio.com/ Get the free Majority Report App!: https://majority.fm/app Go to https://JustCoffee.coop and use coupon code majority to get 10% off your purchase! Check out today's sponsors: Delete Me: Take control of your data and keep your private life private by signing up for DeleteMe. Now at a special discount for our listeners.  Today get 20% off your DeleteMe plan by texting MAJORITY to 64000. That's MAJORITY to 64000.  Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. Zippix Toothpicks: Ditch the cigarettes, ditch the vapes and get some nicotine infused toothpicks at https://ZippixToothpicks.com today. Get 10% off your first order by using the code MAJORITYREPORT at checkout. Your lungs will be glad you did. ZBiotics: Stay in the loop and go to https://ZBiotics.com/MAJORITY and use MAJORITY at checkout. You can also sign up for a subscription using my code - so you can stay prepared no matter the time or occasion. ZBiotics is backed with 100% money back guarantee so if you're unsatisfied for any reason, they'll refund your money, no questions asked. Follow the Majority Report crew on Twitter: @SamSeder @EmmaVigeland @MattLech @BradKAlsop Check out Matt's show, Left Reckoning, on Youtube, and subscribe on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/leftreckoning Check out Matt Binder's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/mattbinder Subscribe to Brandon's show The Discourse on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/ExpandTheDiscourse Check out Ava Raiza's music here! https://avaraiza.bandcamp.com/ The Majority Report with Sam Seder - https://majorityreportradio.com/

We're discussing the ongoing labor disputes with the United States Postal Service with Tyler Vasseur, a shop steward with the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC). We discuss the BFN rank and file movement to transform the postal unions, fighting for transparency in bargaining on the long-stalled new contract for letter carriers, what an equitable contract would look like, how the letter carriers fight fits in the broader labor movement, cost of living adjustments in an era of high inflation, changes in work environments post-COVID, and ongoing efforts to privatize the Post Office. More on BFN here: https://www.fightingnalc.com/about-bfn

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also today, Clark is truly concerned about the chaotic state of the United States Postal Service right now. In many regions of the country, people are dealing with serious consequences of delayed or undelivered mail. Know what you can do to protect yourself Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Unreliable Mail Delivery - Action Required: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Google Fi Review: My Experience as a Five-Year Customer (Pros and Cons) Government Executive: GOP senator to DeJoy: I will 'kill' your plan to reform USPS What Should I Do With My 401(k) at My Old Company? 401(k) Rollover: How To Roll Over a 401(k) What to Do if You're Facing Car Repossession Clark.com resources Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is this a podcast about birds and the United States Postal Service or about the 2010 made-for-TV rom-com Christmas Mail? Slap on a red clip-on tie and judge for yourself! HDTGM all-star Jessica St. Clair (The Deep Dive) brings her Big Crone Energy and Postmaster General family experience to help break down this new holiday classic. The gang discusses the sprinkles fight scene, if Santa Claus f%$ks, the poster of the underwater mail truck, if Matt has male menopause, all the fedoras, and so much more. Plus, we learn truly everything there is to know about the USPS AND new Paul childhood trauma drops. Listen now or the Ragman will get ya! Tix for our Spring 2025 tour in Austin, Denver, Seattle, Boise, San Fran, Portland, & Los Angeles are on sale now at hdtgm.com.Order Paul's book about his childhood: Joyful Recollections of TraumaFor extra content on Matinee Monday movies, visit Paul's YouTube page: youtube.com/paulscheerTalk bad movies on the HDTGM Discord: discord.gg/hdtgmPaul's Discord: discord.gg/paulscheerFollow Paul's movie recs on Letterboxd: letterboxd.com/paulscheer/Check out new HDTGM movie merch over at teepublic.com/stores/hdtgmPaul and Rob Huebel stream live on Twitch every Thursday 8-10pm EST: www.twitch.tv/friendzoneLike good movies too? Subscribe to Unspooled with Paul and Amy Nicholson: listen.earwolf.com/unspooledSubscribe to The Deep Dive with Jessica St. Clair and June Diane Raphael: www.thedeepdiveacademy.com/podcastWhere to find Paul, June, & Jason:@PaulScheer on Instagram & Twitter@Junediane on IG and @MsJuneDiane on TwitterJason is not on social mediaGet access to all the podcasts you love, music channels and radio shows with the SiriusXM App! Get 3 months free using the link: siriusxm.com/hdtgm.

In-person early voting kicked off this weekend in Nevada, one of the key swing states that will decide the upcoming election. Like all the other major battlegrounds, polling averages show the race there between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump is a statistical dead heat. Four years ago, President Joe Biden won Nevada's six electoral votes by about 2.5 points. But Nevada is also a state where Republicans could chip away at the Democrat Party's historical advantage with two major voting blocs: union voters and Latino voters. Manuel Santamaria, the Nevada state director for the nonprofit Mi Familia Vota, talks about where things stand in the state with just about two weeks to go until Election Day.And in headlines: Trump waxed poetic about the late golfer Arnold Palmer's genitalia, Cuba suffered its worst blackout in decades, and letter carriers agreed to a tentative new contract with the United States Postal Service.Show Notes:Check out Mi Familia VotaSubscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday