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In this Podcast Extra, Join John as he answers a wide range of grower-submitted questions covering challenges in agriculture. The discussion focuses on managing high summer leaf temperatures, optimizing organic nitrogen budgets, and navigating severe base saturation imbalances. John emphasizes the critical connection between precise crop nutrition, active soil biology, and the natural suppression of destructive diseases and pests. Other topics discussed include: Managing nutrition and the microbiome through AEA's integrated approach to help achieve crop resistance to spotted wing drosophila in berries. Reducing pecan scab and weevil pressure by balancing trace minerals and applying AEA products like Pinion and PhotoMag. Evaluating plant metabolism and internal health by measuring sugar levels, EC, and pH/EH homeostasis on a sap analysis. Managing almond bloom diseases and pests like navel orange worm using AEA's Pinion alongside targeted applications of calcium and boron. Executing safe foliar applications of solubilized urea by managing overall solution concentration and electrolyte levels to prevent crop leaf burn. Improving late-season calcium absorption in fruit crops through soil shading and foliar boron applications. Pre-blending AEA nutritional products before spraying to create a synergistic response because the formulations are designed to support living biology. Addressing insect pests like the apple borer using a foliar combination of AEA's PhotoMag, Rejuvenate, and Rebound Boron. Mitigating crop damage from herbicide drift using AEA products like SeaStim, MacroPak, MicroPak, HoloCal, and Rebound minerals to bind chelating herbicide molecules. Utilizing micronized mineral products like AEA's Accelerate and HoloCal to deliver fast results as leaf-surface microbes rapidly metabolize the minerals. Generating disproportionate crop responses in soil by fertigating and feeding rhizosphere microbes with the same consistency as foliar feeding. Increasing lipid levels in pasture forage through adequate soil levels of calcium, sulfur, and boron combined with strategic grazing management. Understanding how high sodium and chloride accumulation distorts refractometer brix readings by inflating total dissolved solids rather than indicating pure sugar content. About John Kempf A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it. Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology. Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA's science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits. Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide. Visit https://advancingecoag.com to learn more.
Haydn from Price A Plan breaks down the massive operational flaw of residential builders doing their own estimating. Because owners lack the time to concentrate, they fall into the bad habit of delivering broad-brushstroke estimates just to win the job. This creates a chaotic cycle where the builder is forced to sit back down in the office and manually reprice materials while the project is already active, leading to nasty financial surprises for the client and locked-in losses for the business.To break this cycle, Hayden introduces the concept of partnering with an outsourced estimating firm like Price to Plan. By delivering highly detailed front-end estimates, the builder can immediately transition a signed contract straight into accurate purchase ordering. This system saves the owner 80 hours of weekend work per million dollars of project value and eliminates the massive risk of hiring and training an in-house estimator who might leave to start their own company.Links & Resources Price to Plan Website - priceaplan.com.au
⚠ CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains extensive, highly detailed accounts of real-world serial murder, financial exploitation, the complete thermal destruction of human remains, and themes of animal cruelty. Listener discretion is absolutely mandatory.Welcome back to Stories Fables Ghostly Tales. Tonight, we present The Art of Transparency: The Saitama Dog Lover Murders — Japan, 1993.Deep within the mountain passes of Saitama Prefecture, a remote wooden hut once hid a factory of absolute non-existence. We pull back the friendly, commercial facade of a luxury pet breeding kennel to dissect a terrifying pattern of cold-blooded, economically driven slaughter.
Tesiah “Tess” Frame is a Latter-day Saint digital content creator, author, and podcaster based in Southern California. Focusing on motherhood, practical scripture study, and active discipleship, she aims to bring optimism, authenticity, and joy to the online conversation surrounding Latter-day Saint women. Alongside Becky Squire, she co-hosts the Certain Women Podcast, a Come, Follow Me scripture study program specifically geared toward women, and is the co-owner of the children’s faith brand Happy Sacrament. Outside of her media work, Tessis a mother of three boys and a resilient survivor of a highly traumatic medical crisis during late pregnancy, during which she was placed in a temporary medical coma to safely deliver her youngest son. Utilizing her platforms and personal experiences, she actively encourages Church members to lean into personal initiative, love the gospel, and fearlessly minister on a local scale. Links TesiahFrame.com Certain Women Podcast @certainwomenpodcast HappySacrament.com Instagram @tesiahframe Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community Highlights Tess Frame talks about the female experience in the Church and the proactive role of covenant discipleship. The conversation centers on navigating local leadership dynamics, finding purpose outside of official callings, and historical and scriptural frameworks for the Relief Society. 00:04:08 – Tess Frame’s Journey and Unique Birth Experience 00:07:00 – Finding Purpose and Taking Initiative in the Church 00:10:01 – The Libertarian Approach to Church Programs 00:12:34 – Women's Experience in Church Leadership 00:14:18 – Advice for Relief Society Leaders 00:16:33 – Empowering Women Beyond Official Roles 00:17:30 – Lessons from Women in the Scriptures 00:19:07 – Studying Women in the Scriptures 00:25:25 – Continuity Among Women in the Scriptures 00:27:56 – The Role of Women in the Relief Society 00:30:01 – Navigating Social Media as a Woman 00:35:46 – Understanding the Addictive Nature of Social Media 00:39:42 – The Historical Context of the Relief Society 00:44:29 – The Essential Role of Women in God's Kingdom Key Insights Proactive Discipleship: Members should not wait for system-wide institutional changes or official permissions to address local ward needs; recognizing a need is often a spiritual prompting to act. Avoiding Local Hierarchies: Over-regulation by local leadership can accidentally create organizational barriers that prevent auxiliary leaders from fully acting within their stewardships. The Spirit of Relief Society: The true, foundational purpose of the Relief Society is providing local, practical relief and ministering rather than just organizing social activities. Scriptural Continuity: Studying scriptural women—such as Ruth, Rahab, Sarah, and Hannah—reveals flawed but profoundly faithful individuals whose inter-generational commitments parallel modern sisterhood. Mindful Social Media Use: Platforms use algorithms designed to trigger primitive emotional responses like anger and comparison; creators and consumers must intentionally cultivate self-awareness to remain peacemakers online. Supporting Male Experiences: Ward groups must also remain attentive to the emotional, mental health, and connection needs of men, as structural shifts and heavy callings can leave them feeling disconnected. Leadership Applications Encourage Autonomous Ministering: Bishops can empower Relief Society presidencies by explicitly clarifying which matters require priesthood approval and which allow them to act independently to provide immediate community relief. Foster Local Adjustments: Ward leaders can prioritize home-centered gatherings or small-group rotations to break down ward cliques without requiring formal budgets or institutional approval. The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Cleo Paskal exposes Chinese cognitive warfare in the Solomon Islands, where identical pro-Beijing propaganda appeared in separate newspapers. She details China's aggressive pressure on Palau, utilizing economic threats, triad activity, and cyberattacks to force the nation to de-recognize Taiwan before an upcoming regional forum in late August. (6)
Patrick Fabian and his two sons Andrew and Stephen operate a third and fourth-generation farm in Southern Alberta, Canada. Farming on 100% irrigated land, they specialize in producing a diverse range of pedigreed seeds, including cereals, flax, corn, alfalfa, canola, and peas. Their operation encompasses roughly a thousand acres and revolves around cultivating high-quality seeds that boast robust germination and exceptional vigor. In their transition to regenerative agriculture, the Fabians drastically reduced upfront synthetic nitrogen, opting instead to spoon-feed crops with highly efficient foliar applications of solubilized urea. By combining biological seed treatments like compost tea with targeted carbon sources and micronutrients, they successfully eliminated the need for conventional fungicides and insecticides. Their practices focus heavily on maximizing net income per acre and enhancing soil biology rather than chasing sheer volume. In this episode, John and the Fabians discuss: The efficiency gains achieved by switching from upfront soil nitrogen to foliar applications of solubilized urea. The operational shift from chasing maximum gross yield to prioritizing net income per acre. Replacing conventional synthetic seed treatments with compost tea and biological inoculants. How microbially active soils produce heavier pedigreed seeds with superior cold-stress vigor. Utilizing plant sap analysis and tissue testing to address precise nutritional needs. The remarkable crop resilience and yield recovery observed after severe early-stage hail damage. How Advancing Eco Agriculture helps growers make data-driven decisions through sap testing. Resources To keep up with the Fabians, follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FabianSeedFarmsInc/ To learn more about plant sap analysis: https://advancingecoag.com/plant-sap-analysis/ About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it. Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology. Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA's science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits. Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide. Learn more about AEA's regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com
Many corporate marketing teams struggle to build real customer connection because they rely on transactional, feature-heavy product copy that fails to break through crowded digital channels. Juliana Cobb, Chief Creative Officer, and Rich Santiago, Chief Strategy Officer at 72andSunny New York, break down how to optimize asset development and increase brand relevance by embedding inclusive creative frameworks directly into active cultural spaces.They share their operational playbook for compressing creation timelines through close client collaboration, running authentic creator-led campaigns that bypass forced corporate scripts, and using athletic competitive models to reduce development workflow strain across regional offices.Key tactical themes covered:Transitioning product campaigns into integrated experiential platforms.Bringing clients directly into strategic rooms to shorten production cycles.Differentiating legacy properties inside highly saturated online spaces.Activating employee advocacy networks and creator talent using their natural tone.Utilizing athletic team models to manage operational project strain.Juliana Cobb is the CCO and Rich Santiago is the CSO at 72andSunny New York, directing multi-market creative distribution and brand relevance strategy for premier global enterprises.Connect with us and our guests:Follow Juliana Cobb on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianacobb/Follow Rich Santiago on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-f-santiago/Explore 72andSunny: https://www.72andsunny.com/Streamline paid social with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/Connect with Host Dylan Conroy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/
Interview starts at 27:50 The Secrets Beneath: New Discoveries in Egyptian Monuments & Cutting-Edge Tech In this episode, Darren Grimes hosts George Howard of Cosmic Tusk to delve into the latest groundbreaking research on the Egyptian Sphinx, the possibility of undiscovered underground chambers, and how modern technology like MRI, satellite imaging, and AI are transforming archaeology. The conversation also explores water level changes, ancient climate events, and the search for Atlantis. He's deeply embedded in alternative history, cosmic impact research (Younger Dryas boundary hypothesis), and discussions of lost/advanced ancient civilizations. His platform regularly covers topics like Plato's Atlantis, pre-flood knowledge, and suppressed archaeology. He has interviewed or collaborated with researchers on these themes (including recent conversations linking back to Atlantis interpretations with guests like Randall Carlson). https://cosmictusk.com/about-george/ https://www.youtube.com/@cosmicsummit English Translation of the Presentation. https://youtu.be/rUl0G7N2iGk?si=Z2mZ5PGFfx1Gq9Qx Key Topics: The recent presentation and hypotheses about a second Sphinx hidden beneath the Giza plateau, supported by modern imaging technology The use of satellite imagery, LiDAR, and underground scans to locate buried structures without invasive digging Interviews with experts like Filippo Beyondi and Corrado Malonga, and their role in advancing this research The controversy and skepticism within the archaeological community regarding new discoveries and interpretations The potential evidence for ancient water floods, such as the Younger Dryas impact, water erosion patterns, and the possibility of submerged civilizations The technological leap in geoscience: how tools such as MRI, SAR, and AI are revealing subsurface features at unprecedented detail The implications of these findings for understanding Earth's history, climate change, and ancient civilizations like Atlantis The upcoming expansion of the Cosmic Summit into Titan Network, supporting creators and new scientific revelations The ongoing excavation developments at sites like Hawara, Egypt, and the importance of future physical digs alongside remote sensing Become a Lord or Lady with 1k donations over time. And a Noble with any donation. Leave Serfdom behind and help Grimerica stick to 0 ads and sponsors and fully listener supported. Thanks for listening!! Help support the show, because we can't do it without ya. https://www.simulationmaps.com/#products Suite of Interactive Maps! DisasterMap, VolcanoSim, AsteroidSim, ShipwreckMap, UFOMap etc https://www.amazon.com/Unlearned-School-Failed-What-About/dp/1998704904/ref=sr_1_3?sr=8-3 Support the show directly: https://open.spotify.com/show/2punSyd9Cw76ZtvHxMKenI?si=ImKxfMHgQZ-oshl499O4dQ&nd=1&dlsi=4c25fa9c78674de3 Watch or Listen on Spotify https://grimericacbd.com/ CBD / THC Gummies and Tinctures http://www.grimerica.ca/support https://www.patreon.com/grimerica http://www.grimericaoutlawed.ca/support Our audio book website: www.adultbrain.ca Check out our next trip/conference/meetup - Contact at the Cabin www.contactatthecabin.com www.grimerica.ca/shrooms and Micro Dosing Darren's book www.acanadianshame.ca Join the chat / hangout with a bunch of fellow Grimericans Https://t.me.grimerica grimerica.ca/chats Discord Chats https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/grimerica-outlawed Sign up for our newsletter https://grimerica.substack.com/ SPAM Graham = and send him your synchronicities, feedback, strange experiences and psychedelic trip reports!! graham@grimerica.com Purchase swag, with partial proceeds donated to the show: www.grimerica.ca/swag Send us a postcard or letter http://www.grimerica.ca/contact/ Episode ART - Napolean Duheme's site http://www.lostbreadcomic.com/ MUSIC https://brokeforfree.bandcamp.com/ - Something Galactic Felix's Site sirfelix.bandcamp.com - Should I Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction and overview of recent Egypt research (02:16) The recent conference in Bologna and key figures involved (04:08) The second Sphinx hypothesis based on technology reveals (08:50) The use of SAR, acoustic, and vibrational tech to uncover underground chambers (13:58) Debunking water erosion theories and discussing water flood evidence (16:07) Impact of Younger Dryas event on Earth's crust and climate (19:36) Skepticism and mainstream hesitation regarding new discoveries (24:33) The potential of satellite-based MRI and remote sensing for archaeological exploration (30:30) How AI and computational power are advancing geoscience tools (36:49) The cultural importance of motifs like dual sphinxes and their reflection in ancient cultures (42:46) The ongoing excavations at Hawara and the possibility of revisited underground chambers (50:23) The Atlantis connection and the significance of Cadiz and Gibraltar (56:55) Utilizing disaster maps and sea level data for historical site analysis (58:18) Evidence of ancient tsunamis and flood deposits in Spain and North Africa (62:42) The rise of Titan Network, new media ventures, and community support (70:45) Future plans for studios, events, and integrating scientific research into public awareness
Many corporate marketing groups experience declining conversion tracking metrics because they rely on fragile browser identity tools that are increasingly blocked by privacy updates. Ian Maxwell, CEO at Converge Digital, breaks down how to construct neutral, infrastructure-level artificial intelligence frameworks to maintain tracking accuracy without depending on third-party cookies.He shares his operational playbook for evaluating inbound ad requests in real time, combining advanced real-world datasets like geolocation and point-of-sale actions, and leveraging human strategy context to optimize publisher yields.Key tactical themes covered:Building server-embedded machine learning models to maximize processing speeds.Aligning buy-side DSP targeting and seller channel inventory data protocols.Utilizing strategic human nuance to guide automated network suggestions.Processing ad queries agnostically to handle identity deprecation barriers.Integrating offline transaction metrics with online conversion loops.Ian Maxwell is the Chief Executive Officer at Converge Digital, directing cross-border programmatic ad infrastructure and un-siloed data integration networks.Connect with us:Follow Ian Maxwell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-maxwell-2553761a/Explore Converge Digital: https://www.converge-digital.com/Guaranteed Paid Media, Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/Connect with Host Dylan Conroy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/
Project assistant at PCS Plumbing, Ryan Mullen with tips for best utilizing your air conditioning this Western New York summer full 222 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 08:30:00 +0000 RyuMhI3jOvoYjdPmUvgnMP8FwWgPgusL buffalo,news,western new york,wben,air conditioning WBEN Extras buffalo,news,western new york,wben,air conditioning Project assistant at PCS Plumbing, Ryan Mullen with tips for best utilizing your air conditioning this Western New York summer Archive of various reports and news events 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc.
Domenic Cortese from WBEN's 'Hammertime Radio' with tips for best utilizing your air conditioning this Western New York summer full 259 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 08:30:00 +0000 D6Y4xsb8WdGQq8SAt9PC6q9ANCvmcOWL news,wben,air conditioning,domenic cortese WBEN Extras news,wben,air conditioning,domenic cortese Domenic Cortese from WBEN's 'Hammertime Radio' with tips for best utilizing your air conditioning this Western New York summer Archive of various reports and news events 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc.
Gemara Erachin 16b, Devarim Rabba (Devarim) 1:4,5- who is qualified to give rebuke and importance of using lived experiences in the service of Hashem
Josh Dean highlights Kelly Johnson's struggle with anxiety and health, alongside the emergence of stealth technology. Under his successor Ben Rich, Skunk Works developed the F-117 Nighthawk. Utilizing facets to scatter radar, this "hopeless diamond" proved that an invisible plane was mathematically possible. (11)
SCHEDULE FOR THE JBS, 7-9-2026.1930 BRAZIL ARGENTINA WORLD CUP.Anatol Lieven discusses the impact of the Ukraine war on Russian consumers and potential peace terms. He suggests Russia might settle if it abandons Donbass demands, provided the West bars Ukrainian NATOmembership. Currently, the Russian military is advancing slowly while enduring huge casualties and economic suffering. (1)ZAnatol Lieven explores a potential peace compromise and the risks of escalation. He notes that while Ukraine can make Russia suffer via drone strikes on energy infrastructure, aerial bombardment alone will not force a surrender. A single miscalculation could lead to a direct clash between Russia and NATO. (2) Mary Anastasia O'Grady reports on the earthquake tragedy in Venezuela and the incompetence of the Rodriguezregime. She details how officials like Diosdado Cabello hinder rescue efforts to hide illicit activities. Meanwhile, the opposition leader María Corina Machado is being blocked from returning to the country. (3) Mariam Wahba reports on the brutal persecution of Christians under the Chinese Communist Party's"sinicization" policy. This effort involves rewriting the Bible and mandating state-sanctioned clergy to ensure religion serves the state. Despite this, the underground church continues to grow, posing a challenge to CCPauthority. (4) Josh Dean introduces Kelly Johnson, the brilliant engineer behind the P-38 fighter. Born to hardworking Swedishparents, Johnson overcame poverty to become a legend in aviation. His industrious nature and early mastery of aeronautics led him to Lockheed, where he would transform the industry during WWII. (5) Josh Dean describes the early days of the Lockheed Corporation and the birth of Skunk Works. After saving the company by fixing the Electra, Kelly Johnson promised a jet fighter in just six months. Operating out of a circus tent, his team produced the P-80 in 143 days. (6) Josh Dean explains the Skunk Works method through the development of the F-104 Starfighter. Johnsondemanded total control and minimal oversight from the Air Force, focusing on speed and climb. His test pilots, including Tony LeVier, formed an intimate, trusted team that operated like "cowboys". (7) Josh Dean details the CIA-led U-2 program, designed for high-altitude reconnaissance over the Soviet Union. To achieve 70,000 feet, Johnson created a lightweight glider-like plane. This required the invention of specialized pressure suits for pilots, providing nearly 75% of intelligence gathered during the Cold War. (8) Josh Dean explores the Area 51 mysteries and the Gary Powers incident. Many UFO sightings were actually spy planes like the U-2, tested in secret. Despite the shootdown of Powers in 1960, Johnson had already begun developing the Mach 3.2 Blackbird to maintain an intelligence advantage. (9) Josh Dean recounts Kelly Johnson's creation of the world's first drone for reconnaissance and his failed pitch for an A-12 bomber. He clashed with Defense Secretary Robert McNamara, who ordered the destruction of A-12tools. The segment also highlights Johnson's personal life on his California ranch. (10) Josh Dean highlights Kelly Johnson's struggle with anxiety and health, alongside the emergence of stealth technology. Under his successor Ben Rich, Skunk Works developed the F-117 Nighthawk. Utilizing facets to scatter radar, this "hopeless diamond" proved that an invisible plane was mathematically possible. (11) Josh Dean summarizes Kelly Johnson's 14 rules, emphasizing simplicity and speed. These principles required small teams and minimal paperwork to innovate effectively. Before passing away in 1990, Johnson witnessed a final emotional flyover of his iconic Blackbird, marking the end of a legendary aviation era. (12) Thomas Savage warns that the US national debt is reaching dangerous levels relative to GDP. He explains that rising interest costs are now exceeding national defense spending, which threatens to stifle the productive economy and lead to a decreased standard of living for the average American taxpayer. (13) Thomas Savage argues for stringent budget reforms and spending cuts to address the fiscal crisis. He notes that while many elected officials recognize the problem, the priority of political reelection prevents them from making unpopular decisions, leaving the country in a cycle of unsustainable federal spending. (14) Cliff May explores the historical link between socialism and Islamism, tracing partnerships from early Bolsheviksto the Iranian Revolution. These alliances often end in violence and purges of leftists, as seen when Ayatollah Khomeini executed communist leaders. He warns that these ideologies generally favor oppressive one-party states. (15) Veronique de Rugy uses a 700-year-old Siena fresco to discuss the virtues of good governance. The artwork illustrates that a flourishing society requires the rule of law and justice. She cautions that modern industrial policies and government cronyism represent the same arbitrary governance the fresco warns against. (16) Note: the source had mid-sentence phrases bolded; I've stripped those and kept bolding to proper nouns per house style. Also corrected Tony LeVier (capital V).
In this “Zion Lab Live” episode, Kurt Francom facilitates a live community discussion analyzing recent topics in Zion Lab. The conversation focuses on improving the Sunday meeting experience, addressing the unique cultural and social needs of men in the church, and managing the mental capacity of local leaders. Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community Highlights Key Insights US Constitution Fifth Sunday Lessons: Community feedback regarding the church-mandated Fifth Sunday lessons was generally positive, highlighting a respectful, non-political tone and a spiritual framing of the topic. However, participants noted areas for logistical improvement, such as better structured small-group discussions for youth. The Masculine Experience in Church: There is a perceived gap in curated institutional resources and dedicated advisory councils on the church level specifically tailored to adult men, unlike other church demographics. Fostering Connection for Men: Men naturally connect “shoulder-to-shoulder” through shared physical activities, service, and adventure rather than traditional face-to-face chat formats. Utilizing creative layouts, interactive exercises, or specific musical numbers can drastically improve engagement. Impact of Local Leadership: While institutional resources are helpful, local leadership ultimately has the greatest impact on an individual’s everyday church experience and ward culture. Mental Capacity and Burnout: Serving in high-demand callings creates a significant emotional and mental load. Leaders often mistakenly take on individual responsibilities that belong to others, which risks burning out active members and themselves. Leadership Applications Adapt the Second Hour: Elders Quorum presidencies can pivot away from dry lectures by arranging room seating dynamically (e.g., pulling out tables, utilizing outdoor spaces, or splitting into smaller circles) to prompt natural connection. Establish Call Limits: Bishops and Relief Society presidents can manage emotional fatigue by implementing clear structural boundaries—such as processing welfare and check requests only on Sundays—instead of allowing everyday crises to overlap into family time. Empower Through Accountability: Rather than acting as a “black hole of need” by driving around to manage every logistical demand for struggling members, leaders should focus on helping individuals build personal testimonies so they find motivation to step up independently. 00:04:10 – Leaked Meetinghouse Blueprints and the Chapel Lectern 00:05:42 – Reviewing Fifth Sunday Lessons on the US Constitution 00:07:54 – Examining Men’s Institutional Resources and the Advisory Council Gap 00:12:35 – Cultural Dynamics and How Men Build Peer Connections 00:24:14 – Practical Tips for Building Better Elders Quorum Lessons 00:28:54 – Reimaging Second-Hour Formats, Small Groups, and Music 00:39:43 – Managing the Mental Load and Burnout in Local Ward Leadership 00:43:32 – Handling Inner-City Ward Welfare Dynamics and Establishing Boundaries The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
In this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: Bringing more civil aggression into your sport or police dogs. Utilizing prey guarding to start training young dogs for proactive defense. The difference between uncontrolled aggression and expressive aggression. What to look for in a patrol dog regarding civil aggression. The three ways dogs manifest a reaction to a threat. Key Takeaways: In our training for our police dogs, we're concentrating on these civil aggression essentials and thinking about how that decoy can bring about some of that aggression, and then we can start to minimize the cues that bring out that aggression, and then it becomes much more contextual. Don't let people make you believe that just because a dog shows expressiveness and aggression in an expressive way, the dog will become uncontrollable and incapable. Defense is not a dirty word. There's nothing to be scared of. Defense is not a weakness. When promoting aggression and tapping into the defensive side of the dog, and building confidence in those reactions is ignored, oftentimes the dog cannot figure out how to bring a prey response out of a decoy, which can lead to displacement behaviors. "It's easier to cap a dog when he understands how to be expressive than to never allow him to be expressive in the beginning." — Jerry Bradshaw Get Jerry's book Controlled Aggression on Amazon.com Contact Jerry: Website: controlledaggressionpodcast.com Email: JBradshaw@TarheelCanine.com Tarheel Canine Training: www.tarheelcanine.com YouTube: tarheelcanine Twitter: @tarheelcanine Instagram: @tarheelk9 Facebook: TarheelCanineTraining Protection Sports Website: psak9-as.org Patreon: patreon.com/controlledaggression Slideshare: Tarheel Canine Calendly: https://calendly.com/tarheelcanine Tarheel Canine Seminars: https://streetreadyk9.com/ Tarheel Canine Student Portal: https://tcstudentportal.com/ Sponsors: ALM K9 Equipment: almk9equipment.com PSA & American Schutzhund: psak9-as.org Tarheel Canine: tarheelcanine.com The Drive Company: thedriveco.com The Drive Company Instagram: instagram.com/thedrive.co Dog Armour: dogarmour.com Dog Armour Instagram: instagram.com/dogarmourpro Rogue Arsenal: roguearsenal.com Rogue Arsenal Instagram: instagram.com/rogue_arsenal_official Find out more about Hold The Line Conference 2026 at https://htlk9.com/ Train hard, train smart, be safe. Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
Many corporate marketing groups experience declining conversion rates because they rely on traditional outbound click paths that fail to hook modern enterprise buyers utilizing automated research engines. Sangeeta Prasad, Chief Marketing Officer at Slalom, breaks down how to construct high-performance go-to-market pipelines by aligning brand trust directly with the compressed consumer buying journey.She shares her operational playbook for securing early space on tight customer shortlists, activating internal data teams as trusted category experts, and deploying competitive regional pilot campaigns to accelerate organizational change management and tool adoption.Key tactical themes covered:Restructuring campaign messaging to support the buying committee's need for safe choices.Positioning authority assets for analyst recommendations before standard search link traffic declines.Transforming employee advocacy channels by training in-house staff to serve as deep category educators.Unifying technology systems with deep operational changes to satisfy corporate efficiency directives.Utilizing internal market rivalries to drive swift cross-functional change management.Sangeeta Prasad is the Chief Marketing Officer at Slalom, directing global positioning strategy and integrated systems integrator partner frameworks for dominant corporate clients.Connect with our guest:Follow Sangeeta Prasad on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sangeetaprasad/Explore Slalom: https://www.slalom.com/Automate Performance Paid Social with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/Connect with Host Dylan Conroy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/
Many corporate marketing strategies face dropping conversion tracking metrics because they rely on closed ad-tech vendors that introduce platform bias into campaign attribution. Mathieu Roche, co-founder and CEO of ID5, breaks down how to construct neutral identity infrastructure to protect cross-channel addressability and secure reliable measurement.He shares his operational playbook for navigating the shift toward agentic advertising, altering data graphs to track automated consumer assistants, and using internal team hackathons to automate routine sales and CRM processes.Key tactical themes covered:Building neutral identity channels to protect unbiased attribution tracking.Modifying data graphs to track verified virtual agents across the purchase funnel.Shifting identity tech priorities from baseline audience targeting to outcome measurement.Linking automated AI transactions directly back to programmatic ad investments.Utilizing structured team sprints to automate routine operational follow-up tasks.Mathieu Roche is the co-founder and CEO of ID5, directing un-siloed identity architecture and multi-platform validation systems for leading digital publishers.Connect with our guest:Follow Mathieu Roche on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathieuroche/Explore ID5 Solutions: http://id5.ioOptimize Performance Advertising with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/Connect with Host Dylan Conroy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/
As summer draws to a close, many of us face the annual task of managing our freezers, especially if you have a stockpile of venison from last hunting season. If you're wondering how to use that venison and make room for new stock, you're in the right place. In this post, I'll share five practical methods to utilize your venison effectively, helping you clear out your freezer while enjoying delicious meals. ## Why Use Your Venison? Utilizing your venison is not just about clearing space; it's about making the most of the hard work you put into hunting and processing your meat. Here are a few reasons to prioritize using your venison: - **Quality Control**: Freshly used venison ensures that you maintain the flavor and quality of your meat. - **Space Management**: Freezer space is valuable, and clearing out older stock can prevent you from losing good meat due to power outages or freezer malfunctions. - **Creative Cooking**: Using venison can inspire new recipes and cooking techniques, broadening your culinary skills. ## 1. Grind Your Venison for Burger One of the best and easiest ways to use your venison is to grind it into burger meat. This is a fantastic way to make use of various cuts that might not be as desirable as steaks or roasts. Here's how to do it: - **Why This Matters**: Ground venison is versatile and can be used in countless recipes from burgers to meatballs. - **How to Do It**: Pull out your grinder and process 5-10 pounds of venison at a time. This smaller batch allows for easier handling and quicker cooking. - **Example**: If you have a few cuts that you know you won't use soon, grind those up and mix them into your burger stash. - **Common Mistake**: Many people try to grind too much at once, which can be overwhelming. Stick to smaller batches for better results. ## 2. Make Shredded Venison Another excellent method for using up venison is to prepare shredded meat. This can be done using a pressure cooker or slow cooker, making it easy and convenient. - **Why This Matters**: Shredded venison can be used in a variety of dishes, from tacos to sandwiches, and it can be frozen in portions for later use. - **How to Do It**: Fill your slow cooker or pressure cooker with chunks of venison, some broth, and your favorite spices. Cook until tender, then shred with forks. - **Example**: Use your Instapot to efficiently prepare shanks or other tougher cuts of meat. - **Common Mistake**: Don't skip the seasoning! Properly seasoning your meat while cooking will enhance the flavor. ## 3. Create Venison Stews Stews are a comforting way to use venison, especially as the weather cools down. They allow you to combine your venison with vegetables, making a hearty meal. - **Why This Matters**: Stews not only utilize your meat but also allow you to incorporate seasonal vegetables that may be on hand. - **How to Do It**: Cut your venison into chunks, brown it, and then combine it with broth, herbs, and vegetables in a slow cooker. - **Example**: Try adding potatoes, carrots, and onions for a classic venison stew. - **Common Mistake**: Avoid overcrowding the pot; this can lead to uneven cooking. ## 4. Venison Jerky If you're looking for a long-lasting way to preserve your venison, making jerky is a fantastic option. This not only helps use up meat but also provides a great snack. - **Why This Matters**: Jerky is portable, making it perfect for hikes and road trips. - **How to Do It**: Slice your venison thin, marinate it with your favorite spices, and then use a dehydrator or oven to dry it out. - **Example**: Experiment with different marinades, such as teriyaki or spicy pepper, to create unique flavors. - **Common Mistake**: Make sure to slice the meat against the grain for more tender jerky. ## 5. Venison Sausage Making sausage is another excellent way to utilize your venison and can be a fun project for those who enjoy cooking. - **Why This Matters**: Sausage can be flavored in many ways and can incorporate other meats if you want to stretch your venison. - **How to Do It**: Combine ground venison with spices and casings or use it loose in your recipes. - **Example**: Try a breakfast sausage mix or a spicy Italian sausage blend. - **Common Mistake**: Don't forget to add fat! Venison is lean, and adding some pork fat will enhance the flavor and texture. ## Conclusion Using up your venison before the new hunting season is essential for maintaining a well-stocked freezer and enjoying the fruits of your labor. Whether you choose to grind, shred, stew, make jerky, or whip up some sausage, these methods will not only help clear space but will also allow you to savor the delicious flavors of your hard-earned meat. So, what are you waiting for? Roll up your sleeves, get creative in the kitchen, and make the most of your venison! Frequently Asked Questions **How long can I keep venison in the freezer?** Venison can typically be stored in the freezer for 6 to 12 months if properly packaged. To maintain the best quality, use airtight containers or vacuum-sealed bags. **What's the best way to thaw venison?** The best way to thaw venison is in the refrigerator, allowing it to slowly come to temperature. This method helps to preserve the meat's quality. **Can I use venison in any recipe that calls for beef?** Yes! Venison can be used in most recipes that call for beef, though you may need to adjust the cooking times due to its lean nature. Attribution Code "Slow Burn" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
As genealogical research evolves in the digital age, tracing your South African ancestry has become easier and more accessible than ever. With vast online databases, digitized records, and DNA testing, you can now explore family connections and ancestral roots from the comfort of your home. The key is knowing where to look and how to maximize these resources. In this final article of the series, we'll explore the most useful online tools and DNA testing services available for South African genealogy, offering you practical ways to uncover your heritage... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/utilizing-online-resources-and-dna-testing-for-south-african-genealogy/ Ancestral Findings Podcast: https://ancestralfindings.com/podcast This Week's Free Genealogy Lookups: https://ancestralfindings.com/lookups Genealogy Giveaway: https://ancestralfindings.com/giveaway Genealogy eBooks: https://ancestralfindings.com/ebooks Follow Along: https://www.facebook.com/AncestralFindings https://www.youtube.com/ancestralfindings Support Ancestral Findings: https://ancestralfindings.com/support #Genealogy #AncestralFindings #GenealogyClips
In this episode of The Huddle Breakdown, James and Alan break down Celtic's potential signing, Colombian forward Camilo Duran from Qarabag. Utilizing advanced data scouting, they examine Duran's hybrid positional role, left-footed versatility, and transitional pace—questioning whether he serves as a Liel Abada analog or a long-term Daizen Maeda replacement. Finally, they confront Celtic's wider strategic dilemmas, voicing deep concerns over a degenerating midfield following Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's re-signing and emphasizing the urgent need for a complete engine room overhaul. Last, they dive into the latest from the World Cup. Want to support the channel? - https://huddlebreakdown.comLike this video and want more content like it? Subscribe to the channel below and hit the bell to get notified every time a new video goes live. Follow us on Twitter: @huddlebreakdown@Alan_Morrison67 @jucojames Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Many agribusiness operators and food manufacturing networks face compressed profit margins because they treat premium ingredients as generic wholesale commodities. Ali Cox, founder and CEO of Noble West, breaks down how to build high-performance value-add brands by combining detailed supply chain tracking with targeted client positioning. She shares her strategic framework for analyzing cross-border food systems, maximizing consumer attention by leveraging underutilized physical product surfaces, and leveraging corporate social responsibility records to build deep customer loyalty.Key discussion topics include:Moving past commodity price drops by designing premium value-added brands.Positioning specialized agencies to dominate niche vertical marketing sectors.Sourcing corporate partners through shared operational challenges and transparency.Evaluating international food trends to align campaign copy with taste quality over volume size.Utilizing physical product surfaces for high-reach event marketing placements.Ali Cox is the founder and CEO of Noble West, leading vertical marketing initiatives and value-add brand positioning for the food and agricultural sectors.Connect with our guests or host:Follow Ali Cox on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicox/Explore Noble West Agency: https://wearenoblewest.com/ Automate Multi-Channel Media Budgets with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/Connect with Host Dylan Conroy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/
Preview for Later Today: China's Ambitions for Lunar Colonization. Rick Fisher details China's "Apollo Plus" moon landing plan. Utilizing architecture similar to Soviet systems, the program involves docking in lunar orbit and potential unmanned landings before a full manned attempt at lunar colonization. (2)1999 ROSKOSMOS
Jenny Lisk joins Let's Talk Memoir for a conversation about losing her husband to an aggressive brain cancer and becoming a widowed parent, learning how to do a job she never asked for, being a resource for widowed parents, feeling like you're doing grieving wrong, better understanding grieving children, launching a podcast to learn more about widowhood, incorporating a Caring Bridge blog into memoir, utilizing storytelling principles to flesh out a story and transform it into memoir, fear of vulnerability, defining book marketing broadly, assisting writers in self-publishing, memoir as an act of service, and her memoir Future Widow. Ronit's upcoming workshop: Writing Dynamic Memoir: From Lived Experience to Gripping Story https://www.lmcmurtrylitcenter.org/workshops/writing-dynamic-memoir-from-lived-experience-to-gripping-story Also in this episode: - knowing where to end a memoir - instrumental and intuitive grievers - early marketing and building relationships Books mentioned in this episode: - The Anatomy of Story by John Truby - Real American Julie by Lythcott-Haims The Chicago Manual of Style from University of Chicago Press Jenny Lisk is the founder of the Widowed Parent Institute. She is an award-winning author and widowed mom who is dedicated to helping widowed parents increase their family's well-being. Jenny's books, Future Widow and Widowed Parents Unite, and her show, The Widowed Parent Podcast, guide the journey of solo parenting after loss. Jenny's work has been featured in The Washington Post, Katie Couric Media, Yahoo Life, ParentMap, and more. She lives in Redmond, Washington, with her two college-age kids. Connect with Jenny: Website: https://jennylisk.com https://jennyliskllc.com/ https://widowedparentinstitute.com/ - Ronit Plank bio and links: Ronit Plank is a writer, teacher, and editor whose work has appeared in The Atlantic, Poets & Writers, River Teeth's Beautiful Things, The Rumpus, Salon, Hippocampus, The New York Times, and elsewhere, earning Best of the Net, Best Microfiction, and multiple Pushcart Prize nominations. Her memoir When She Comes Back was a Book Riot Best True Crime Book and Kirkus Reviews calls it, “An intimate, intuitive, emotionally vivid family account that finds hope in reconciliation". Ronit is also the author of the award-winning short story collection Home is a Made-Up Place, and her work has been anthologized in Selected Memories, Vol. 2: 15 Years of Hippocampus Magazine and Manna Songs: Stories of Jewish Culture and Heritage. Ronit is the Creative Nonfiction Editor at The Citron Review, teaches memoir at a host of venues including the University of Washington's Continuum Program, Antioch University, and 92NY's Roundtable, and is host of the podcast Let's Talk Memoir and the Substack Let's Talk Memoir. Find her on social media @ronitplank Website: www.ronitplank.com Substack: https://substack.com/@ronitplank Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ronitplank/ When She Comes Back: https://ronitplank.com/when-she-comes-back/
Before making one of life's most permanent decisions, couples standing on the brink of separation owe it to themselves to pause and unpack a crucial question: are you trying to end your marriage, or are you simply trying to end the pain? In this episode of Through a Therapist's Eyes, our panel explores the deep emotional landscapes of marital distress, helping listeners differentiate between chronic exhaustion and true incompatibility. Utilizing the lens of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), we discuss how the enemy is often not your partner, but rather the negative interaction cycle you've trapped yourselves in. While acknowledging that divorce is sometimes necessary and healthy—particularly in cases of abuse, unaddressed addiction, or repeated infidelity—this episode provides practical reflection questions to help you evaluate your relationship with dignity and intent. Whether the ultimate path forward is intentional reconciliation or letting go with grace, this conversation offers the clarity needed to make a thoughtful, deliberate decision rather than an impulsive one. Tune in to see if your Marriage is Really Over Through a Therapist's Eyes.
In this episode, Dr. Karen Litzy hosts Will Humphreys, a seasoned physical therapist-turned-entrepreneur, to explore practical strategies that healthcare clinicians can use to build thriving practices. From mastering recruitment to leveraging virtual assistants, Will shares actionable insights to elevate your business, improve profit margins, and strengthen team dynamics. Main insights include: · The significance of team building and how Knicks' teamwork mirrors successful business practices · Differentiating purpose and profits for sustainable growth · Creating an ideal hire profile and utilizing job scorecards for effective recruiting · Leveraging relationships with PT schools and students to build a pipeline of future hires · The importance of systems for lead generation and hiring consistency · Navigating firing with integrity and fostering alignment within teams · How virtual assistants can offload administrative burdens and boost profitability · The critical role of ethical billing and a healthy relationship with money · Reframing profit as a driver for mission fulfillment and industry impact · Practical steps to start implementing change today Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome and the importance of teamwork in practice success 02:20 - Lessons from the Knicks: team energy as a business asset 03:44 - Connecting purpose, profits, and team fulfillment 05:33 - Reflecting on the struggles and breakthroughs of building a practice 09:08 - Strategies for turning around a failing business 11:45 - How to create an effective recruiting process for healthcare practices 13:09 - The importance of defining your ideal hire with a clear profile 15:13 - Utilizing job scorecards to measure candidate success early 16:40 - The difference between lead generation and hiring in practice growth 18:23 - Building relationships with PT schools and students for pipeline development 22:41 - Systematic recruiting leveraging university connections and mentorship 23:07 - Recognizing when it's time to let someone go and how to do it ethically 24:00 - How to handle firing with dignity and preserve reputation 26:25 - The mindset of stewardship and continuous alignment with team members 27:51 - Regularly evaluating if your team is a "hell yes" to stay 29:17 - Handling difficult conversations and letting go with compassion 33:00 - The role of virtual assistants in reducing administrative overload 34:44 - Offloading tasks to virtual assistants to enhance profitability and free time 36:34 - The link between ethical billing, profitability, and purpose 38:39 - Strategic reinvestment and industry impact through profitability 40:35 - The importance of aligning money, purpose, and team success 41:35 - The opportunities brought by technology and AI to practice growth 42:04 - Gratitude for physical therapists' contribution to industry and patient care 43:10 - The quickfire lightning round for practical tips Resources & Links: · Virtual Rockstar · Rise, Stand and Lead · The Willpower Podcast · The E Myths Revisited by Michael Gerber · Jim Collins' Good to Great · Topgrading and Brandon Smart's Job Scorecard Connect with Will Humphreys: · LinkedIn · Instagram · Virtual Rockstar Instagram More About Will Humphreys: Will is a passionate entrepreneur, physical therapist, and dedicated family man. With over 26 years of experience, he has built multiple businesses, including Virtual Rockstar, which helps medical entrepreneurs thrive by outsourcing non-clinical tasks. Known for his humor, inspiring leadership, and drive to transform healthcare, Will focuses on empowering others to scale their impact while staying true to their purpose. Beyond business, he cherishes his wife and four sons, seeks adventure, and finds fulfillment in helping others succeed. Jane Sponsorship Information: Book a one-on-one demo here Mention the code LITZY1MO for a free month Follow Dr. Karen Litzy on Social Media: Karen's Instagram Karen's LinkedIn Subscribe to Healthy, Wealthy & Smart: YouTube Website Apple Podcast Spotify SoundCloud Stitcher iHeart Radio
In this week's episode of Healthy and Whole Summer 2026, Stacy Cartmell (FNP-C, IFMCP) lays the groundwork for understanding Functional Medicine and Health. Utilizing her years of experience in both the traditional and functional medical spaces, Stacy unpacks the truth behind what is often really going on in our bodies. Whether it be pain, trauma, or hormonal imbalances, Stacy helps us learn that there is not only a root cause, but a real solution! Learn more about Stacy Cartmell: https://www.stacycartmellwellness.com
Rick Fisher explores China's ambitious plans for a successor space station and lunar presence. He highlights their goal of total domination over the Earth-moon system, utilizing dual-use technology to secure a new permanent celestial foothold. (3)19581
The Authority Asset: Engineering Business Growth and Media Leverage Through Authorship with Donna AmosIn a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sat down with Donna Amos, the founder of Solopreneur Solutions, to dismantle the commercial misconceptions surrounding independent book publishing for B2B professionals. Donna, an elite growth strategist, corporate consultant, and author of Best Damn Marketing Tool Ever: Write a Non-Fiction Book to Grow Your Business, argues that the true metric of a business book is not its position on a bestseller list, but its performance as a high-leverage client acquisition engine. This conversation serves as an essential strategic playbook for solopreneurs, executive coaches, and boutique consultants who want to translate their proprietary frameworks into an authoritative asset that organically opens doors to high-tier media visibility, speaking invitations, and premium inbound lead pipelines.The Content Architecture: Capitalizing on Short-Form Authorship and CRM Workflow IntegrationAttempting to author a dense, multi-hundred-page academic text often traps high-performing consultants in a cycle of perfection paralysis and unfinished drafts, with a striking 97% of aspiring writers failing to ever reach completion. Donna Amos explains that modern, busy business professionals do not require an exhaustive textbook; rather, they seek highly digestible, thesis-driven clarity that articulates a unique methodology in roughly 120 pages. By establishing a clear, multi-pillar framework and mapping out a strict operational outline across paperback, Kindle, and audiobook formats, a founder transforms unstructured intellectual property into a scalable business asset that establishes immediate psychological trust with a prospect. This concise literary blueprint acts as a premier business card that essentially handles the preliminary sales cycle, warming up prospective accounts long before the executive enters a discovery call.To maximize the enterprise valuation of a non-fiction book, authors must treat their manuscript as a core content engine designed to fuel multi-channel inbound marketing workflows for years after the initial publication. Instead of viewing a book launch as a isolated promotional event, savvy founders systematically slice chapters, case studies, and core insights into short-form LinkedIn articles, automated social media updates, and value-rich email newsletters. This continuous distribution model can be further optimized by feeding the proprietary text into advanced artificial intelligence engines to autonomously generate hyper-targeted marketing copy, lead magnets, and customer FAQs that remain perfectly aligned with the brand's core voice. Planning this content diversification strategy at least 90 days prior to publication allows an enterprise to build profound authority in real time, converting raw intellectual capital into sustainable digital real estate.Furthermore, scaling the actual business development output of an authority book requires a disciplined integration into automated Customer Relationship Management (CRM) workflows and outbound PR pipelines. Utilizing white-labeled operational architecture, such as customized GoHighLevel systems, enables a lean business to build seamless backend sequences that capture leads from digital book downloads and instantly trigger nurturing campaigns. This systematic approach streamlines the administrative debt of manual outreach, automatically routing personalized book drop-offs to high-value targets, event organizers, and top-tier podcast hosts alongside tailored press kits and speaker sheets. When an organization treats its literary asset as a strict operational discipline, it eliminates manual prospecting friction and insulates its conversion margins. This holistic alignment transforms independent authorship into a self-sustaining relationship accelerator that predictably multiplies enterprise market share.About Donna AmosDonna Amos is the Founder of Solopreneur Solutions, a premier non-fiction book coach, a corporate marketing strategist, and a veteran consultant specializing in authority positioning for micro-enterprises. Drawing from decades of specialized experience guiding coaches, solo practitioners, and corporate advisors through high-yield brand transitions, Donna focuses on converting complex professional knowledge into clear marketing tools. She is the host of the Breaking Solo podcast and a trusted strategic advisor dedicated to helping independent entrepreneurs build sustainable visibility systems that accelerate enterprise valuation.About Solopreneur SolutionsSolopreneur Solutions is an elite corporate growth and publishing consultancy designed to help solo business owners, consultants, and thought leaders engineer high-impact non-fiction authority books. The firm specializes in delivering comprehensive book-mapping strategy calls, custom operational outlines, content repurposing playbooks, and automated marketing infrastructure design. Through structured accountability frameworks and specialized author-centric CRM configurations, Solopreneur Solutions enables businesses to eliminate administrative scaling friction and predictably command premium authority within their market vertical.Links Mentioned in This EpisodeSolopreneur Solutions Official Website: solopreneursllc.comDonna Amos on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/donnaamosKey Episode HighlightsThe Bestseller Fallacy: Shifting your publishing goals away from royalty checks to treat your non-fiction book as a premium relationship builder and lead generation asset.The 120-Page Consume Mandate: Stripping away complex, dense manuscript structures to engineer a highly approachable text that busy executives can quickly absorb.The Long-Tail Content Engine: Repurposing book pillars and framework text into automated social media campaigns, email newsletters, and AI-driven copy.The Ninety-Day Pre-Launch Pipeline: Implementing structured PR roadmaps, speaker sheets, and podcast guesting pitches long before the official publication date.Automated CRM Author Workflows: Integrating your literary asset with backend software pipelines to capture inbound leads and automate partner follow-up.ConclusionThe conversation with Donna Amos reinforces that writing an authority book is an intentional exercise in structural positioning and automated marketing integration rather than an artistic gamble. By standardizing internal corporate content governance, utilizing short-form publishing frameworks, and ruthlessly protecting automated follow-up infrastructure, business leaders can transform their specialized expertise into a highly structured, self-sustaining corporate asset.More from The Thoughtful Entrepreneur
In this episode of Maximize Your Hunt, Jon Teater discusses various aspects of land management and habitat improvement, focusing on the principles of biomimicry. The host shares personal experiences related to property management and emphasize the importance of sunlight and functional design in creating sustainable ecosystems. The conversation highlights the need for efficient use of natural resources and the role of cooperation in nature. In this conversation, the speakers explore the intricate dynamics of nature, focusing on the balance between competition and cooperation within ecosystems. They discuss the importance of biodiversity, local expertise in managing wildlife, and the natural regulatory mechanisms that maintain ecological balance. The conversation emphasizes the need for sustainable practices in wildlife management, prioritizing quality over quantity, and understanding the limits of nature to ensure long-term ecological health. Takeaways Biomimicry involves mimicking nature's designs for better land management. Personal experiences in property management can inform effective strategies. Sunlight is crucial for the productivity of ecosystems. Nature operates on principles of efficiency and cooperation. Functional designs in nature can inspire habitat improvement techniques. Waste does not exist in nature; everything serves a purpose. Creating a self-sustaining system reduces the need for maintenance. Observing natural landscapes is essential before making design decisions. Leave natural materials in place to support future growth. Utilizing natural resources efficiently can enhance habitat quality. Cooperation among species can enhance ecosystem resilience. Diversity in planting supports a variety of wildlife. Local expertise is crucial for effective wildlife management. Natural feedback loops regulate populations and ecosystems. Quality management practices are essential for healthy wildlife populations. Understanding nature's limits is key to sustainability. Healthy ecosystems require a balance of species and resources. Diverse habitats provide food and cover throughout the seasons. Native species often require less maintenance and are more resilient. Long-term ecological health depends on respecting natural processes. Social Links https://whitetaillandscapes.com/ https://www.facebook.com/whitetaillandscapes/ https://www.instagram.com/whitetail_landscapes/?hl=en Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In this episode of the ThoughtStretchers Education Podcast, Drew Perkins talks with leading education thinkers Dylan Wiliam, Jo Boaler, and Chris Harrison to explore the work and life of Paul Black and his profound impact on teaching and learning, especially the concept of assessment for learning. Links & Resources Mentioned In This Episode Have some feedback you'd like to share? You can email me at drew@thoughtstretchers.org. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it and please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you're listening. Episode Overview In this special episode, host Drew Perkins brings together a panel of world-renowned educational figures, Dylan Wiliam, Jo Boaler, and Chris Harrison, to evaluate the profound, global impact of the late Paul Black on international education policy and classroom practice. Transitioning from a distinguished background in physics and crystallography to become the absolute cornerstone of modern science education and assessment framework, Paul Black fundamentally reshaped how the world defines student evaluation. This conversation bridges historical policy milestones, such as Black's masterful chairing of the 1987 Task Group on Assessment and Testing (TGAT), with modern instructional hurdles, illustrating beautifully why assessment must serve as a vehicle for authentic meaning-making, intellectual humility, and autonomous learner agency rather than a mechanical system for tracking or ranking students. Core Themes & Key Takeaways The Historical Architecture: The 1987 TGAT Reform: Commissioned by Secretary of State for Education Kenneth Baker, Paul Black chaired the Task Group on Assessment and Testing. His team proposed a revolutionary, age-independent progressive assessment scale that reframed student growth as continuous development rather than static metrics. Despite major political pushback, this foundational blueprint successfully dictated national curriculum frameworks in England for two decades. Inside the Black Box: Moving Research directly into Practitioners' Hands: Dylan Wiliam and Chris Harrison recount the deliberate, user-centric choice to look past dense, extensive academic journal articles and publish the seminal 1998 work, Inside the Black Box, as a slim, highly accessible 28-page booklet. This targeted dissemination placed actionable research directly in front of busy classroom practitioners. Furthermore, Wiliam clarifies why their historical look was a configurative review meant to map the conceptual schema of the field rather than a simple meta-analysis. Redefining Assessment for Learning (AfL): Dialogue over Spreadsheets: The panel issues a stark, cross-continental warning against institutional evaluation frameworks (heavily prevalent in the United States) that compress formative assessment into teacher-led data entries on spreadsheets every few weeks. True Assessment for Learning is an interactive, real-time diagnostic process rooted in rich classroom dialogue, extracting student misconceptions, and adjusting the immediate pedagogical path. Cultivating Learner Agency: Releasing "Explorer Mode": Formative feedback must move toward its own redundancy, systematically transitioning students out of passive compliance ("Passenger Mode") or fragile grade-chasing ("Achiever Mode") into self-regulating agents of their own intellectual development ("Explorer Mode"). The Pedagogy of Humility and Curiosity: Jo Boaler and Chris Harrison share intimate reflections on Paul Black's style as a PhD advisor and colleague. Despite his massive national stature, Black routinely deferred to doctoral students, treating them as co-investigators and displaying immense intellectual curiosity about how young minds think. Episode Timeline & Milestone Highlights Use these timestamp tokens to jump directly to key points in the panel's conversation: 00:00:11 – Introductions, cross-continental logistics, and session framing. 00:04:25 – Unpacking the historical impact: Paul Black's transition from physics and crystallography to science education policy. 00:08:16 – Dylan Wiliam outlines his multi-decade intellectual partnership with Black starting at Chelsea College. 00:10:36 – Chris Harrison details Black's post-retirement career and managing 19 international translational action research projects. 00:13:39 – Jo Boaler discusses Black's guidance on validating qualitative research data and handling academic journal rejections. 00:19:43 – The inner workings of the 1987 Task Group on Assessment and Testing (TGAT) and Kenneth Baker's national curriculum scale. 00:22:05 – Subject-specific progression models: Unpacking the "progression is harder" vs. "progression is better" friction across disciplines. 00:26:19 – The rationale behind a configurative review over traditional meta-analysis inside poorly theorized fields. 00:31:57 – Collaborative research dynamics: Working alongside teachers to let them build localized knowledge instead of imposing top-down scripts. 00:36:06 – Integrating growth mindset structures into math classrooms via open-ended, speed-independent tasks. 00:41:44 – Cultivating student self-regulation as an alternative to US data entry tracking spreadsheets. 00:47:47 – Exploring the three distinct pathways of progression: harder, better, and more independent. 00:58:01 – Debunking the mathematical efficiency myth: Reasoning and pattern discovery vs. computational speed. 01:06:02 – Long-term learning goals vs. short-term multiple-choice testing metrics in an AI-driven future. 01:10:05 – Teachers as knowledge workers: David Daniel's research on why lab findings reverse when deployed into complex classrooms. 01:15:56 – Utilizing psychometrics (Mark Wilson's framework) to discover what a student needs to learn next rather than simply to rank them.
Want to know what kind of reader you are? TAKE OUR QUIZ: https://www.currentlyreadingpodcast.com/quiz In this episode of Currently Reading, Meredith and Kaytee are back together to discuss their bookish moments of the week, and then tell you about three current reads each. For this week's episode, our current reads vary from ones we felt bland about, to books that we loved. For our Deep Dive, we answer a listener question about how to utilize the library well. We'll always end with our Before We Go segment, where we shout out a Bookish Friend of the week or talk about a specific small piece of our reading lives that we want to share with you. Today, Meredith shouts out a bookish friend who shared a neat graphic and Kaytee brings something she read about because Meredith read and brought it to the show. Show notes are time-stamped below for your convenience. Read the transcript of the episode (this link only works on the main site). :00 Welcome to Currently Reading 1:22 Bookish Moments of the Week 4:48 Current Reads 4:59 The White Octopus Hotel by Alexandra Bell (Kaytee) https://bookshop.org/a/79394/9798217091799 9:22 Country People by Daniel Mason (Meredith) https://bookshop.org/a/79394/9798217197453 15:44 Sharks Don't Sink by Jasmin Graham (Kaytee) https://bookshop.org/a/79394/9780593685273 19:59 Aunt Dimity and the Family Tree by Nancy Atherton (Meredith) https://bookshop.org/a/79394/9780143120216 25:12 The Beheading Game by Rebecca Lehman (Kaytee) https://bookshop.org/a/79394/9798217086481 28:47 Bad Kids by Ziying Chen (Meredith) https://bookshop.org/a/79394/9781782277620 32:12 Deep Dive: Library Browsing and Bookish Serendipity 48:36 Before We Go 51:35 For Whom the Belle Tolls by Jaysea Lynn (Kaytee) https://bookshop.org/a/79394/9781668208809 54:13 Wrap-Up #books #reading #currentlyreading #podcast #currentreads ❤️ Support Us: Become a Bookish Friend on Patreon | https://patreon.com/currentlyreadingpodcast Grab Some Merch on Zazzle | http://www.zazzle.com/store/currentlyreading Shop Bookshop dot org | https://bookshop.org/shop/currentlyreading Bookish Friends Receive: The Indie Press List with a curated list of five books hand sold by the indie of the month. June's IPL is brought to you by one of our beloved repeat stores, Schuler Books in Grand Rapids, MI. Love and Chili Peppers with Kaytee and Rebekah - romance lovers get their due with this special episode focused entirely on the best selling genre fiction in the business All Things Murderful with Meredith and Elizabeth - special content for the scary-lovers, brought to you with the behind-the-scenes insights of an independent bookseller From the Editor's Desk with Kaytee and Bunmi Ishola - a quarterly peek behind the curtain at the publishing industry The Bookish Friends Facebook Group - where you can build community with bookish friends from around the globe as well as our hosts Connect With Us: The Show: Instagram | https://instagram.com/currentlyreadingpodcast Website | https://currentlyreadingpodcast.com/ Email | hello@currentlyreadingpodcast.com Substack | https://currentlyreadingpodcast.substack.com/ Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/@currentlyreadingpodcast Threads | https://www.threads.net/@currentlyreadingpodcast The Hosts and Regulars: Meredith | https://instagram.com/meredithmondayschwartz Kaytee | https://instagram.com/notesonbookmarks Mary | https://instagram.com/maryreadsandsips Roxanna | https://instagram.com/roxannathereader Production and Editing: Megan Phouthavong Evans | https://instagram.com/mostofmegansreads
Last time we spoke about the battle of Zhongtiao Mountain. On 7 May 1941, Japan launched a three-front assault on the Zhongtiao Mountains, striking multiple axes and using paratroopers to disrupt Chinese command. On the northeastern front, Wu Shimin's 98th Army scored a success at Wangcun, routing about 2,000 attackers. Elsewhere, three-pronged Japanese forces drove south toward Yuanqu with overwhelming artillery, armor, and coordinated movement. During the first night, paratroopers found the Chinese headquarters already disordered: orders were unclear and communications with most units collapsed. By 8 May, the First War Zone could no longer coordinate; armies fought alone. From mid-May into June, Japanese units swept the mountains, manning river crossings to block retreat and eliminating pockets. Surviving Chinese formations escaped or regrouped south of the Yellow River, but the three-year Zhongtiao defensive system was destroyed in about twenty days, sharply worsening Japan's strategic situation in northern China. #208 Operation Plus: The Road to the Second Battle of Changsha Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. In the autumn of 1939, Japanese forces under General Yasuji Okamura launched a major offensive aimed at capturing Changsha — the gateway to China's interior and one of the most important cities still under Nationalist control. The First Battle of Changsha ended without a decisive Japanese victory. Chinese forces, anchored by the Ninth War Zone under General Xue Yue, managed to repel the advance, inflicting significant casualties and preserving the city. It was a notable achievement at a time when Japanese arms had swept across vast swathes of Chinese territory, and it reverberated through both the Chinese military establishment and the watching international community. Following the Japanese withdrawal, Chiang Kai-shek convened the Second Nanyue Military Conference to carry out a thorough assessment of the battle and to plan for the period of relative calm that would follow. The conference sought to answer several pressing questions: What had worked in the defense? Where had coordination broken down? How could the period of Japanese inactivity be used most productively? Chiang made it clear that this respite was not to be wasted. Commanders of all the major war zones were simultaneously expected to serve as governors of their respective provinces, ensuring unity of military and civilian command. Chiang himself set an example by personally assuming the governorship of Sichuan Province and focusing attention on that province's production and reconstruction efforts. The conference produced broad directives for the reconstruction of war-zone provinces and the intensification of military training. For Hunan, responsibility for implementing these directives fell on the shoulders of General Xue Yue, who had emerged from the First Battle of Changsha with greatly enhanced prestige and authority. The reason Changsha and Hunan more broadly attracted such persistent Japanese attention was geographical and logistical. The Yuehan Railway — running from Yueyang in northern Hunan down through Changsha and south toward Guangzhou — was one of the most important transportation arteries in China. Whoever controlled it could move troops, equipment, and supplies across vast distances with speed and reliability. Opening up the Yuehan line would, in Japanese strategic thinking, effectively connect their forces in Central China with those in South China, allowing for a gradual tightening of the strategic noose around Chiang Kai-shek's wartime capital at Chongqing in Sichuan Province. Hunan was therefore not merely a defensive problem for the Chinese; it was a strategic prize that Japan would inevitably seek to take. Xue Yue, whose headquarters were in Changsha, was well aware of this logic. With the First Battle of Changsha behind him and the province in need of recovery, Xue Yue turned his attention to governance. He was not content to wait passively for the next Japanese offensive. He believed that a province that was economically productive, administratively disciplined, and politically stable would provide a far more durable foundation for military resistance than one that was disorganized and demoralized. At the beginning of his tenure as effective governor of Hunan, Xue conducted a thorough survey of the province's situation and then articulated a philosophical framework for his administration in the form of a "three-character policy," consisting of three guiding principles: "Peace" (an), "Convenience" (bian), and "Sufficiency" ( zu). In Xue's formulation, "Peace" meant that the population should be able to live, work, and conduct their daily affairs free from fear and disruption. "Convenience" meant that policies should benefit the people, the nation, and the war effort simultaneously — eliminating bureaucratic obstacles and inefficiencies. "Sufficiency" meant achieving adequate levels in all essential areas: enough soldiers, enough food, and enough wisdom in leadership. These seemingly simple principles were elaborated into extensive implementation guidelines. The announcement of this framework immediately sparked debate across Hunan's intellectual and administrative community. Veteran officials and scholars were divided. Some praised the policy as a clear and practical framework for wartime governance. Others dismissed it as hollow wordplay, offering nothing new or substantive. A minority was more sharply critical, warning that if such superficial philosophizing was all Xue could offer, the province would decay into warlordism. Undeterred by the criticism, Xue Yue built upon the three-character framework with a set of "Six Policies" for governing the people of Hunan: "Benefiting the People, Raising the People, Educating the People, Protecting the People, Managing the People, and Utilizing the People." Each of these six principles came with specific implementation targets and performance metrics, designed to be measurable rather than aspirational. This second round of policy announcements generated yet another wave of debate, but Xue pressed forward with implementation regardless. From the beginning of 1940, Xue vigorously pushed for the expansion of agricultural and industrial production across the province. His approach was comprehensive and at times uncompromising. He approved funds for the reconstruction of the Zhongshan Road National Goods Exhibition Hall in Changsha — which had been destroyed in the catastrophic Changsha Fire of 1938 — and by February 1940, 114 shops had reopened there. In March, he approved the "Eight Measures for the Construction of Sheds in Changsha," drafted by the Changsha Municipal Police Bureau, which relaxed housing regulations and helped address the severe shortage of accommodation for the city's residents, who had largely fled or been displaced during the fire and the Japanese offensive. One of the more creative initiatives of this period was the Ninth War Zone's order requiring all troops stationed in Hunan to cultivate a certain amount of farmland in their spare time, growing grain to supplement military rations. Local residents came to refer to the plots tended by soldiers as "soldier's fields" (bing tian). This policy served a dual purpose: it reduced the logistical burden of feeding the garrison forces from civilian stocks while keeping soldiers productively occupied during lulls in fighting. It also served to maintain a degree of goodwill between the military and the rural communities on which any prolonged resistance ultimately depended. One of the most consequential steps Xue Yue took to stabilize Hunan's governance was an aggressive campaign against corruption. On April 15, 1940, he ordered the execution of Tian Weizheng, the county magistrate of Changsha, and Wang Lun, the county magistrate of Xiangtan, both on charges of corruption and abuse of office. The proclamation accompanying the executions was blunt: "This serves as a warning against corruption and establishes the authority of the law in upholding discipline." The message was not lost on officials across the province. In the months that followed, a sweep of investigations led to the punishment of numerous corrupt officials and illegal businessmen. The effect on public confidence in the provincial government was significant. Citizens and soldiers alike perceived that there was now a leadership willing to hold its own accountable — a stark contrast to the corruption and self-dealing that had plagued Chinese provincial governance throughout the war. Xue was also attentive to the ideological dimension of the war effort. On May Fourth Youth Day — itself laden with nationalist significance, commemorating the great student movement of 1919 — Xue attended the provincial capital's sports meet and delivered a speech before thousands of young people entitled "Iron Youth, Iron Spirit, Sacred Labor, Sacred Survival." The speech was aimed at galvanizing the younger generation, connecting their personal futures to the fate of the nation and the resistance against Japan. That same month, in May 1940, the 110th executive meeting of the Hunan Provincial Government revised and approved the "Hunan Province County Heads Performance Evaluation Method," a document that formalized military service and support for the war effort as the primary criterion in the evaluation of local officials' political performance. Throughout 1940, the provincial government and the Ninth War Zone organized a series of training courses for officials, including courses specifically designed for guerrilla cadres, women cadres, and village chiefs — an indication that preparations for sustained, decentralized resistance were underway. Xue himself addressed the cadre training group with a speech on "The Conditions That a Well-Rounded Cadre Should Possess." By the end of 1940, after more than a year of sustained effort, Hunan had broadly recovered to the administrative and economic condition it had enjoyed before the Changsha Fire, when the reformist official Zhang Zhizhong had governed the province. Agriculture, industry, and commerce all showed measurable improvement over their wartime lows. The government's accounts for the year reflected growth across all sectors. This recovery was not merely statistical; it represented a genuine rebuilding of the province's capacity to sustain a prolonged defense. Soldiers were better fed and equipped, local officials were more disciplined, and the civilian population had a functioning, if still imperfect, relationship with the wartime state. Early in 1941, Xue Yue's reputation had grown to the point where local gentry and public figures jointly petitioned for a bustling street in Changsha to be named after his courtesy name — a mark of genuine popular esteem unusual for a military governor in wartime China. While Xue Yue was rebuilding Hunan, events at the geopolitical level were reshaping the strategic environment in ways that would directly precipitate the Second Battle of Changsha. On September 27, 1940, Japan signed the Tripartite Pact with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, formally joining the Axis powers. The pact alarmed the Western democracies and accelerated their support for China. On December 2, 1940, the United States Congress passed a bill approving a one-hundred-million-dollar loan to China. On December 10, 1940, Britain followed suit, approving a ten-million-pound loan. Both measures were explicitly understood — by all parties — as responses to Japanese expansion and Japan's recognition of Wang Jingwei's collaborationist puppet government in Nanjing. For the Japanese military leadership, these loans signaled that the international community was not prepared to accept Japan's fait accompli in China, and that the war of attrition against the Nationalist government could not be allowed to continue indefinitely. The imperative to resolve the "China Incident" — as Japanese officials euphemistically called the war — before the international situation deteriorated further became more urgent than ever. On January 16, 1941, the Japanese Army adopted the "Long-Term Operational Guidance Plan for China." The document acknowledged a painful internal contradiction: Japan could only sustain a protracted war in China, yet it simultaneously demanded a swift resolution to the conflict through strong military pressure. The plan's solution to this contradiction was to intensify operations while "taking note of the international situation" — meaning that military actions should be calibrated to avoid triggering direct American or British intervention. The plan called for large-scale offensive operations in the summer and autumn of 1941. The companion document, the "Annual Plan for Showa 16 (1941)," was more specific. It required Japanese troops stationed in China to conduct a major operation in the summer and autumn of that year with the aim of dealing a heavy blow to the main force of the "Whampoa Military Academy" — the term used by Japanese planners to describe the core of Chiang Kai-shek's professional officer corps, trained at the Whampoa (Huangpu) Military Academy and regarded as the backbone of the Nationalist army. The stated goal was to destroy the Chongqing government's will to continue resistance and thereby force a resolution to the China Incident. Xue Yue himself read translated summaries of both these documents when he traveled to Chongqing to report on his work in early 1941. He returned to Hunan in a reflective, and determined, frame of mind. For much of the period between the two Battles of Changsha, the Japanese Eleventh Army — the primary force facing Xue Yue's Ninth War Zone — had been commanded by General Yasuji Okamura, a seasoned officer with whom Xue had developed a degree of familiarity through combat. By early 1941, it became known that Okamura was to be transferred to the Military Advisory Council at Imperial General Headquarters in Tokyo — a prestigious but more removed role. Xue Yue reflected on this change with a mixture of relief and characteristic self-confidence, reasoning that whoever replaced Okamura would be a new adversary to be dealt with on the battlefield, and that there was no reason to lose to him regardless. Korechika Anami received his appointment as commander of the Eleventh Army on February 15, 1941. From the first day of his appointment, he carried a detailed battle map of the three provinces facing his command — Hunan, Hubei, and Jiangxi — along with comprehensive intelligence files on both sides' troop dispositions and strengths. He studied these materials constantly, on trains, in waiting rooms, wherever he had a free moment. By the time he formally took up his post on March 10, 1941, he already had a clear operational vision for the coming campaign. Before reaching the front, Anami stopped in Nanjing to meet with General Hata Shunroku, the Commander-in-Chief of the China Expeditionary Army. Hata had himself arrived in China in early 1941, having been summoned by the Emperor before his departure and entrusted with what the Emperor called the sacred mission of resolving the China Incident. The two men talked through the night, their conversation returning repeatedly to the planned summer-autumn offensive. Hata urged Anami to annihilate the main force of the Ninth War Zone in the area south of the Miluo River — to destroy, once and for all, the core of Chiang Kai-shek's best troops. "If this battle is fought well," Hata told him, "the entire war situation in China will undergo a huge change." Anami listened and agreed, though he had his own reasons to want the battle to go well. He had voluntarily relinquished the prominent position of Vice Minister of the Army at General Headquarters in Tokyo to take this field command — a significant personal sacrifice that reflected his deep desire for battlefield achievement. There was a personal dimension to Anami's motivations as well. His second son, a bright and lively boy to whom he was deeply attached, had died in combat in China. Anami carried a photograph of his son wherever he went, and had resolved to transform his grief into a consuming commitment to military excellence, whatever the human cost. At the Eleventh Army's headquarters in Yueyang, Anami found the war game board and operational plans that Okamura had left behind. He did not immediately begin issuing orders. Instead, for weeks he immersed himself in the problem, traveling between divisional headquarters and subordinate commands to gather ground-level perspectives, or sitting alone for hours before the great map, motionless and in deep concentration. His new chief of staff, Kinoshita Isamu, who had come from a divisional unit and was unfamiliar with his commander's temperament, could only keep silent company during these long sessions. When Anami eventually convened his headquarters personnel to explain his operational intentions, he made a pointed critique of the First Battle of Changsha. "The reason why the last battle in Changsha did not achieve great results," he said, "was that the troops were too dispersed and the main direction of attack was not highlighted, so they could not form a strong impact and lethality." He named the new operation "Operation Plus" — a deliberate contrast with what he saw as the subtracted, diluted efforts of the previous campaign. His concept was one of radical concentration: rather than dispersing the attack across multiple fronts in Hubei and Jiangxi while simultaneously advancing on Changsha, Anami proposed pulling the forces from southern Hubei and northern Jiangxi and massing them in front of northern Hunan. The effect on his staff officers when he demonstrated this redeployment on the map was electric; one of them involuntarily exclaimed aloud at the sudden clarity of the advantageous position that mass concentration would create. Anami's personality was, in the judgment of those who worked with him, fundamentally different from Okamura's. A commander's fighting style is shaped by his character, and Anami's character was defined by intensity, focus, and a willingness to commit fully. These traits would shape "Operation Plus" from conception to execution. On June 22, 1941, five and a half million German troops launched Operation Barbarossa — the largest military invasion in history — against the Soviet Union. The news reached the Japanese military establishment with a degree of surprise, since such a momentous operation should, under the terms of the Tripartite Pact, have been communicated in advance. Beyond the procedural slight, German strategists had placed themselves in the position of fighting a two-front war, something Japanese generals found strategically bewildering. The outbreak of the Soviet-German War forced a serious debate within the Japanese General Staff. One faction argued for a "northward advance" — seizing the opportunity to strike the Soviet Union from the east while its military was fully committed in the west. Another faction argued for a "southward advance" — moving into Southeast Asia and the Pacific to secure the oil and raw materials that Japan desperately needed. Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe adopted a wait-and-see compromise, authorizing secret preparations for war in the north known as Operation Kantokuen while continuing to monitor developments. Now it just so happens I released a Patreon/Youtube Members exclusive episode covering Operation Kantokuen the previous month. I highly recommend it, fascinating what if piece of history. For just a teaser I can briefly summarize it: Operation Kantokuen — officially designated "Kwantung Army Special Maneuvers" — was Japan's plan for a large-scale invasion of the Soviet Far East, developed in the summer of 1941 following Germany's launch of Operation Barbarossa. When news of the German invasion reached Tokyo, Foreign Minister Yosuke Matsuoka and senior Kwantung Army officers argued Japan should abandon its neutrality pact with the USSR and strike in coordination with Germany. An Army-Navy compromise on June 24th allowed preparations to proceed so long as they did not interfere with Japan's concurrent southern ambitions. On July 5th, Matsuoka and Major General Shin'ichi Tanaka convinced War Minister Hideki Tojo to back a more ambitious scheme, and the two men then bypassed the War Ministry entirely, securing Emperor Hirohito's personal authorization. The plan was structured in two stages — a buildup and readiness phase followed by an offensive phase — during which the Kwantung Army would await an explicit order to attack. The Army General Staff calculated that any campaign had to conclude by mid-October before Siberian winter conditions made logistics impossible. Their ideal force requirement was 16 to 22 divisions supported by 800,000 tons of shipping, though this assumed the Soviets would first redeploy half their Far Eastern infantry and two-thirds of their armor westward against Germany. The planned order of battle ultimately settled on 24 divisions — 17 committed to the eastern front and 5 concentrated near Mutanchiang. The opening blow was designed to fall on the Primorye (Maritime Province) front. The 1st Area Army, commanding the 3rd and 20th Armies along with elements of the Korea Army, would cross the border south of Lake Khanka to shatter Soviet defensive lines and menace Vladivostok. Simultaneously, the 5th Army would strike south of Iman to cut the Trans-Siberian Railway and isolate the Maritime Province from northern reinforcements. In the north, the 4th Army would hold the Amur River line before pivoting to attack Blagoveshchensk, while two additional reinforced divisions would invade Northern Sakhalin in a land-and-sea pincer. A second phase envisioned capturing Khabarovsk, Komsomolsk, and Sovetskaya Gavan, with amphibious operations considered against Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and Kamchatka itself. The operation was to be supported by a massive air assault — between 1,800 and 2,700 aircraft combining Army and Navy aviation — aimed at annihilating the Soviet Far East Air Force in the opening hours, after which Japanese air power would shift to tactical ground support and interdiction of Soviet supply lines. Armored assets included roughly 800–900 tanks, mostly Type 97 Chi-Has and Type 95 Ha-Gos. Kantokuen was also allocated chemical weapons stockpiled in Manchuria and biological agents produced by Unit 731, intended for deployment against Soviet rear areas and supply lines. Despite the scale of planning, the operation was already fatally compromised before it could be launched. Japan's industry and logistics could not sustain a two-front war while remaining bogged down in China. On August 1st, 1941, the United States enacted a total oil embargo that cut off 80% of Japan's fuel supply, and the Dutch East Indies followed. With oil reserves sufficient for only 12–18 months of peacetime consumption, a Siberian offensive that would consume an estimated one to two million barrels per month was no longer tenable. By August 9th, the Army General Staff conceded that seizing the oil-rich territories of Southeast Asia was the overriding strategic priority. The Kantokuen buildup was formally terminated, and Japan turned south — setting the course toward Pearl Harbor and the Pacific War. Now Kantokuen held some practical consequences for the China Expeditionary Army was disruptive. Serious consideration was given to redeploying units of the Eleventh Army away from their positions facing Hunan and northward toward Manchuria, in anticipation of a possible war with the Soviet Union. This threatened to derail Anami's planning entirely. The cloud of uncertainty hung over the Changsha operation for several weeks. Despite the disruption, Anami refused to let the operation be indefinitely deferred. On June 24, 1941 — just two days after Barbarossa began — he formally approved the operational guidance outline for the Changsha offensive and set a planned launch date of September 15. This was an act of deliberate institutional pressure: by formalizing the plan so quickly in the wake of Barbarossa, Anami made it harder for higher authorities to redirect his forces northward without explicitly cancelling a plan already in motion. The gamble worked. The northward deployment option was ultimately shelved, and the Eleventh Army remained in place to conduct its summer-autumn offensive. While Anami and his staff at Yueyang bent over their map of Hunan, so too did Xue Yue and his staff at Changsha. Two nearly identical colored military maps were laid out on large tables in two different command centers — one in Chinese, one in Japanese — showing the same terrain of Hunan, southern Hubei, and western Jiangxi. The Xiang River appeared on both as a green ribbon; Dongting Lake as a blue maple leaf. For those responsible for commanding the impending battle, the war game was the battle, played out in simulation before blood was shed. Xue Yue, his Chief of Staff Wu Yizhi, Chief of Staff Zhao Zili, and the intelligence and operations officers of the Ninth War Zone Command engaged in extensive map exercises throughout the summer of 1941. Wargaming pieces bearing unit designations moved across the terrain as staff officers reported troop strengths, timings, and geographic objectives. The summer heat was intense, and there was nowhere cool in Changsha; Xue and his staff worked in the heat, sweating heavily as they played out scenario after scenario. It was during these sessions that Xue came to believe he had grasped the essential shape of the Japanese plan. Reasoning from the known Japanese strategic posture and the pattern of the first battle, he concluded that the enemy would again advance roughly the same way. His counter-strategy was as follows: in northern Jiangxi and southern Hubei, the war zone would launch pincer attacks on Japanese forces that were not part of the main offensive, targeting the area north of Chongren and Xingan, east of Yichun, Wanzai, Tonggu, and Xiushui, to defeat them in detail. In northern Hunan — the main theater — the war zone would deliberately allow the Japanese to advance, luring their main force south of the Miluo River into the area north of Jinjing, Fulinpu, and Sanjieqiao, and then launch a devastating counterattack to encircle and annihilate them. After a successful counterattack, Xue imagined pursuing the broken Japanese forces all the way back to Yueyang, and beyond — even, in his more expansive moments, recapturing the great cities of Jiujiang and Wuhan, lost in 1938. This was the "lure and annihilate" strategy, and it was not merely a hope — it was the formal operational order issued to the forces of the Ninth War Zone. In August 1941, the Ninth Military Front officially assessed that Japan intended to capture Changsha and obtain supplies, and the lure-and-annihilate plan was formalized accordingly. What Xue Yue did not know — and could not know through his intelligence network alone — was that Anami's operational philosophy was fundamentally different from Okamura's. The critical assumption underlying the lure-and-annihilate plan was that the Japanese would attack in roughly the same dispersed, multi-front pattern as the first battle. Anami's "Operation Plus" invalidated this assumption entirely. By concentrating his forces in front of northern Hunan rather than dispersing them, Anami would strike with an impact Xue's cordon defenses were not designed to absorb. Xue was, unknowingly, planning to fight a replay of the first battle against an opponent who had studied that first battle as a case study in what not to do. Despite this fundamental intelligence gap, the Chinese were not without information. From mid-August 1941 onward, residents of mountain villages and riverside communities in northern Jiangxi and southern Hubei began reporting unusual nighttime activity. Faint sounds of motor engines and the footsteps of large columns moving on main roads were heard after dark. On moonlit nights, fleets of motorboats were seen moving without lights on the rivers, visible only as dark shadows on the water. The local population was puzzled and unsettled: what kind of unit was this, and what were they doing? The answer was that Anami's forces were conducting their pre-offensive assembly under cover of darkness and strict light discipline, moving four divisions totaling approximately 120,000 troops into position for the attack on Hunan. Military and civilian intelligence agents operating in these areas crouched in the bushes, enduring insect bites through long nights, watching and recording everything they witnessed. The information was relayed by human chain, passed from one agent to another across a network stretching back to Changsha, until it was collated and placed on Xue Yue's desk by staff officers from the Ninth War Zone Command's Intelligence Department. Xue studied the reports carefully, comparing them against his map. The evidence of a large Japanese build-up in northern Hunan was unambiguous. But Xue was suspicious of its implications. "Mobilize troops? All the troops are moved to northern Hunan. What about Tongcheng? What about Yueyang? Impossible! Feint? What does that mean? You want me to concentrate my troops in northern Hunan so you can attack from both sides?" His staff officers were similarly uncertain how to read the intelligence. The scale of the Japanese concentration defied the pattern of previous operations, and Xue's trained instincts — calibrated against years of dealing with Okamura — led him to doubt what his intelligence was plainly showing. He concluded, without firm evidence, that the concentration must be a feint or a deception. On August 26, 1941, Imperial General Headquarters in Tokyo issued Mainland Order No. 538, which authorized the Commander-in-Chief of the China Expeditionary Army to "temporarily conduct operations beyond the designated operational area in Central China during the summer and autumn." This order provided the formal imperial sanction for the Changsha offensive, lifting any remaining bureaucratic constraints on Anami's operational plan. It represented the final piece of institutional authorization, completing a chain that stretched from Anami's June 24 approval of the operational outline through Hata's advocacy at the China Expeditionary Army level to the formal imprimatur of the Imperial General Headquarters. With Mainland Order No. 538 in hand, the Eleventh Army's final preparations could proceed without ambiguity. The original planned launch date of September 15 would in practice be moved forward, with combat beginning on September 7 — itself a date chosen partly to maximize the advantage of late-summer weather conditions in the Hunan river-crossing terrain. By the time Anami's forces were assembled, the operational force was formidable. Estimating that the enemy facing them comprised fifteen divisions from the Chinese 4th, 37th, 99th, 74th, and 26th Corps, Japanese planners calculated — somewhat optimistically — that two infantry battalions would suffice to handle one enemy division. To provide a margin for error and to ensure decisive striking power, the Eleventh Army committed forty-one infantry battalions distributed across four full divisions and three specialized task forces, supported by twenty-nine artillery battalions. This represented a massive concentration of firepower and manpower along a relatively narrow axis of advance, precisely as Anami had intended. The objective was clearly stated: "to deal a major blow to the Ninth Military Front in order to thwart the enemy's plan for resistance." Japanese senior leadership reiterated at every briefing that the mission was emphatically not territorial — the army was not to occupy Changsha or secure it for long-term administration, and it was not to forage for supplies. The goal was destruction of Chinese combat power. On the Chinese side, the Ninth Military Front had not been idle. Since the Battle of Shanggao in March 1941 — a significant Chinese defensive victory in Jiangxi that had inflicted heavy casualties on Japanese forces attempting to advance into the province — the Ninth Military Front had ordered its troops to cooperate with guerrilla units operating in the Hunan-Hubei-Jiangxi border region, conducting harassment operations against Japanese logistics and communications. This cooperation served both to maintain offensive pressure and to train the irregular forces that would prove invaluable in a war of attrition. By August 1941, Xue Yue had assembled a force of thirty-five divisions organized into thirteen armies across three army groups, totaling 378,307 troops. The headquarters of the Ninth Military Front remained in Changsha. Xue had also assessed his forces' combat readiness with some confidence: in the summer of 1940, the Ninth War Zone had dispatched one corps from each army group and one division from each corps on summer offensive operations against Japanese positions, explicitly testing their readiness in real combat. Although no major victories had been achieved in those operations, the exercise confirmed that troop morale was high and that combat effectiveness had recovered to the level of the First Battle of Changsha. If anything, Xue thought, after another full year of training, they should be better. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. Operation Plus, emphasized concentrating forces and creating a decisive breakthrough rather than dispersing attacks across multiple fronts like in earlier battles. On the Chinese side, commander Xue Yue developed a "lure and annihilate" strategy, expecting the Japanese to fight like before; however, Anami's concentrated approach undermined these assumptions, making a Chinese counteroffensive far harder to execute.
The Law of Trade-Offs is the idea that because your time and mental energy are finite, every "yes" in your business is simultaneously a "no" to something else. Because of this trade off, business owners need to think beyond the comfort of one-on-one coaching, which offers fast but limited returns, and instead pursue higher-leverage models like group programs, courses, and automated evergreen funnels. You also have to push back on the tempting mindset of "just maintaining," because in this rapidly saturating online space, you have to actively grow just to stay in place, since client rosters naturally shrink and audiences go stale if you're not continuously building. Identify whatever decision you've been avoiding—the problem client, the underpriced package, the task you should have outsourced—and rip the band-aid off by consolidating, outsourcing, or deleting. Get on the waitlist for FBA: https://jillfitfree.com/fba-waitlist/ Jill is a fitness professional and business coach who effectively made the transition from training clients in person and having no time to build anything else to training clients online and actually being more successful. Today, Jill helps other coaches to do the same. Connect with me! Instagram: @jillfit | @fitbizu Facebook: @jillfit Website: jillfit.com
Are you letting the fear of rejection keep you from achieving your ultimate real estate dreams? In this inspiring masterclass episode, Brent Daniels sits down with Galen Ikonomov, a determined wholesaler who moved to the United States from Bulgaria with just $11 in his pocket. Fast forward 10 months, and Galen has made nearly $60,000 by taking massive imperfect action and personally calling over 8,000 property owners.Discover how Galen overcame his insecurities about his accent, why he walked away from a $100,000-a-year W-2 mortgage career, and the powerful mindset shift that allowed him to view every cold call rejection as a step closer to success. Galen also breaks down his very first wholesale deal, a high-equity property owned by a hoarder and explains how relentless, empathetic follow-up over four months beat out seven other investors. If you need the ultimate motivation to pick up the phone, face your fears, and "break the cycle" for your family, you cannot miss this episode. Be a part of the TTP training program now.---------Show notes:(0:00) Beginning of today's episode(0:52) Introducing Galen Ikonomov, who came to America from Bulgaria with just $11(1:46) Taking massive imperfect action by making 8,000 to 10,000 calls in 10 months(4:45) Walking away from a lucrative W-2 mortgage career to find true fulfillment(9:20) Generating nearly $60,000 in assignment fees in under a year(11:11) How to reframe rejection and get over the fear of picking up the phone(16:22) Understanding the true essence of wholesaling and solving deep problems for property owners(19:49) The transition from outbound grinding to receiving inbound leads(21:20) Utilizing your "why" and family legacy to push through the hardest days(24:00) Why Galen named his company "Break the Cycle"(25:24) The exact list criteria Galen used to land his first wholesale deal(28:05) Nurturing a lead for four months and helping a hoarder transition smoothly----------Resources:BatchLeadsPatrick Bet-DavidInstagram: @realbrentdanielsTo speak with Brent or one of our other expert coaches call (281) 835-4201 or schedule your free discovery call here to learn about our mentorship programs and become part of the TribeGo to Wholesalingincgroup.com to become part of one of the fastest growing Facebook communities in the Wholesaling space. Get all of your burning Wholesaling questions answered, gain access to JV partnerships, and connect with other "success minded" Rhinos in the community.It's 100% free to join. The opportunities in this community are endless, what are you waiting for?
Are you carrying hidden burdens that cloud your vision of the future? In this guided Reiki journey, Colleen Benelli leads you across the Bridge of Light and into the River of Peace to gently dissolve the anxiety, stress, and old stories holding you back. Step into the Field of Possibilities to clarify your next steps and open your awareness to the aligned opportunities presenting themselves in your life right now. Key Insights Somatic Release in the Fascia: High levels of collective stress accumulate physically within the human body's nervous system and fascia. Utilizing the purifying energy of Reiki at the River of Peace gently lifts away these energetic blockages, clearing out the underlying tension, anxiety, and doubt that obscure your true vision. Sovereignty Through Cord Detachment: Throughout our lives, we inadvertently maintain heavy cords, attachments, and expectations originating from ancestral history, cultural conditioning, or lived trauma. Activating the power of love and divine compassion allows you to dissolve these energetic attachments safely, reclaiming your personal sovereignty and opening up mental space for new pathways. The Butterfly Effect of Opportunities: Within the Field of Possibilities, every butterfly floating through the meadow represents a unique potential direction or creative idea. Some of these options are meant to be light daydreams, while others will directly approach you; learning to pause allows your body's innate intuition to discern which ones are meant for physical manifestation. Integrating Divine and Human Research: True spiritual manifestation relies on balance; you must successfully bridge the metaphysical insights gained in the higher realms with real-world execution. Bringing your "divine research" back across the Bridge of Light into your lower chakras ensures your highest insights are securely anchored into logical, everyday action. People Also Ask (FAQ) What is the 'Tree of Life' meditation in Reiki? The Tree of Life meditation is a practice used to establish structural stability and alignment. It serves as a powerful conduit, allowing you to stay balanced and securely rooted into the earth's light while simultaneously opening your heart and soul star to receive higher divine compassion from above. How do I use automatic writing during a guided meditation? Automatic writing involves relaxing your analytical focus and letting a pen move across paper immediately following or during a meditation. By bypassing the logical human mind, this practice brings forward direct, uncensored guidance regarding the exact timing and practical reality of your future goals. Why should I combine my logical mind with intuitive guidance? True discernment blends your internal guidance with your human guidance (instincts and lower chakras) and your divine guidance (upper chakras). When your logical human mind communicates seamlessly with your heart and soul's knowledge, you gain the clarity necessary to choose authentic paths over passing daydreams. Connect with Robyn and Colleen Website: https://reikilifestyle.com Podcast: https://reikilifestyle.com/podcast/ Community: Join our next Distance Reiki Share: https://reikilifestyle.com/reiki-share/ **DISCLAIMER** This episode is not a substitute for seeking professional medical care but is offered for relaxation and stress reduction, which supports the body's natural healing capabilities. Reiki is a complement to and never a replacement for professional medical care. Colleen and Robyn are not licensed professional healthcare providers and urge you to always seek out the appropriate physical and mental help professional healthcare providers may offer. Results vary by individual.
Welcome back to Books at Bedtime. Tonight, let your mind drift away from the stresses of the day as we journey back into the shifting landscapes of H.G. Wells' classic science fiction masterpiece. If you are searching for an effective bedtime story for grown-ups to quiet a racing mind, this chapter offers the perfect escape. In Chapter 8, our Time Traveler begins to look beneath the beautiful, serene surface of the year 802,701. As he discovers a strange network of deep ventilation shafts and catches his first terrifying glimpse of the nocturnal, subterranean Morlocks, a darker truth about the future of humanity begins to take shape Wrapped in rich, descriptive prose, tonight's reading provides an immersive journey that serves as an excellent guided meditation for deep sleep. Turn down the lights, get comfortable, and let this classic tale ease you into a night of profound rest.Key Timestamps & Journey Points00:00 – Introduction & Breathing Space: Settling down with Calming Anxiety for tonight's classic audio reading. 02:15 – The Whispering Wells: The Time Traveler investigates the mysterious, rhythmic thudding beneath the earth.07:22 – An Unexpected Friendship: The rescue of Weena and the blooming of a gentle bond in a distant age.13:00 – The Creatures of the Half-Light: Ghostly white figures appearing in the chilly, uncertain dawn.17:40 – Eyes in the Darkness: A startling encounter inside the ancient, sun-blocked ruins.24:30 – The Two Branches of Humanity: Unraveling the economic and evolutionary mystery of the Eloi and the Morlocks.Seeded Long-Tail Keywords Used for SEO OptimizationTo help those seeking relief find this episode, we have structurally targeted the following search terms:Deep sleep reading for insomnia – For listeners who need a calming narrative voice to quiet night-time anxiety and block out racing thoughts.Relaxing bedtime stories for adults – Perfect for creating a comforting, predictable evening routine that signals to your brain it is time to rest.Mindful meditation story for sleep anxiety – Helping you gently transition from the analytical focus of the daytime to a soft, imaginative headspace.Calming audio for overactive minds – Designed with a slow, deliberate cadence to help lower your heart rate and ease physical tension before sleep.Natural insomnia relief through storytelling – Utilizing the classic, familiar rhythm of literature to encourage a natural drift into REM sleep.Connect with the ShowIf tonight's reading helped you find a sense of peace, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone currently struggling to find rest.Be Kind.
In this episode, Josh interviews George Meressa, founder of Clear Ads, about effective Amazon DSP advertising strategies. George explains how to vet DSP agencies, select high-performing products for campaigns, and leverage remarketing, cross-selling, and competitor targeting using Amazon's data analytics. He emphasizes the importance of choosing certified partners, analyzing product conversion rates, and methodically building campaigns. The discussion includes actionable tips for maximizing ROAS and practical advice for supplement brands and other sellers aiming to scale with DSP. The episode concludes with key takeaways for listeners interested in leveraging Amazon DSP for business growth.Chapters:Introduction & Guest Background (00:00:00)George Meressa's experience in digital advertising and focus on Amazon PPC and DSP.Vetting a DSP Agency (00:00:40)Checklist for choosing a DSP agency, importance of official partners, and due diligence questions.Transition to DSP Strategies (00:03:16)Emphasizing the importance of agency selection before starting DSP strategies.Selecting Products for DSP (00:03:41)Criteria for choosing products: retail readiness, sales volume, impressions, and conversion rates.Remarketing as First Strategy (00:03:45)Remarketing setup: targeting product viewers who haven't purchased, and audience segmentation.Product Data & Conversion Rate Analysis (00:04:59)Importance of product data, minimum impressions, and conversion rate benchmarks for DSP success.Audience Segmentation for Retargeting (00:06:27)Creating and excluding specific audiences for more effective retargeting campaigns.Cross-Selling & Market Basket Analysis (00:07:14)Using brand analytics and market basket analysis to build cross-sell campaigns.Advanced Audience Targeting & Overlap Reports (00:08:18)Utilizing overlap reports, refining audience targeting, and future of display ads.Bespoke ASIN Targeting & Subscribe & Save Strategies (00:09:13)Custom ASIN targeting, strategies for subscribe & save products, and using purchase window data.Competitor Targeting for Supplements (00:11:17)Targeting competitor's customers for supplements and the strong DSP fit for supplement brands.Episode Wrap-Up & Actionable Takeaways (00:11:41)Summary of key strategies, actionable steps, and importance of methodical DSP campaign building.DSP Product Fit & Data-Driven Decisions (00:13:37)Discussion on product suitability for DSP, importance of impressions and conversion rates.Layering DSP Strategies Up the Funnel (00:14:37)Methodical approach: start with retargeting, analyze results, and progressively add advanced strategies.Closing & Contact Information (00:15:27)How to contact George Meressa and Clear Ads for DSP services and further advice.Links and Mentions:Amazon Accredited Partners Page: "00:01:48" Brand Metrics: "00:05:47" Overlap Reports: "00:08:18" Prosper Show: "00:08:18" Nozzle: "00:10:12" ClearAds: "00:15:53"Transcript:Josh 00:00:00 I am super excited to introduce you all to George Meressa. George has been in digital advertising since 2009, working on a wide range of platforms including Amazon, Google, Bing, LinkedIn and Facebook. Paid advertising. Using these platforms, he has worked with hundreds of advertisers across the world in numerous industries and sectors to maximize their ROAS. His agency, Clear Ads, now focuses purely on Amazon PPC and DSP advertising, helping deliver the best results for his clients. So with that introduction, welcome to the show, George.George 00:00:38 Thank you so much for having me, Josh. It's a pleasure.Josh 00:00:40 What are some of the what's a checklist that you should kind of go through and walk through to vet an agency that you're looking to have, do DSP for you?George 00:00:48 The first thing is don't go with Amazon. Right. But I'm sure they won't mind me saying this. Right. But actually they will. But I'm going to say anyway, Amazon's core strategy is to get you to spend as much money as possible. That's their KPI because that's how they get promoted.George 00:01:02 Right. So the way they treat your account is they go, hey, look at all these amazing impressions that you've got. Isn't that great? And as I said, you're like, hold on one step. Precious isn't really the key thing for us. Like we're trying to get. We're trying to we're trying to grow our business. Not not just increase our reach. So that's the big thing that they go with, especially with the slight uncertainty with attribution at the moment. It could look to to their favor. Right. That's the first thing. Now second, when you do go to an agency, the first step you should take is go onto Amazon's accredited partners page. Right. And check out DSP providers. So Amazon DSP providers just put stuff on Google. Go onto Amazon's page and there's a list of DSP providers. Right. So what you tend to find if you find any company. Right. If they're if they're if they are an official partner with Amazon, they will tend to have a partner badge somewhere which links straight to that page which shows you, hey, their official partner.George 00:01:58 Now, if they're not an official partner, they might be piggybacking off someone else's suit. Right. You don't want to get into that. Because if they're piggybacking off someone else's seat. Right. Let's just say there's some internal issues and they get kicked out of that seat. They no longer have access to your account. Who do you contact? Yeah. Who do? Who do you reach? You don't know. Right. So you want to make sure you've got someone who's got their own first thing. The second thing is, I'm sure every seller that's listening to this, they're savvy. They have a pool. An audience of other savvy sellers. Speak to them, find out who are they using that's doing DSP. That's working really well. Right. Get their first, first, first glance and say, okay, what's your experience been like? and ensure that they're happy with whoever it is. So they're the steps that I would recommend taking when trying to find a DSP agent. I would even go as far as ask them questions about the business.George 00:02:49 What's the purpose of the business? What are you looking to do? How big is it? How long has it been going? Is it? Is it a brand new business that's business. Me starting up for a bit and might not be there tomorrow. Yeah. Is it one that's been there for a while? Is it, you know, you want to you just want to really find out how many DSP, agents you have. How many of them are certified? how many have taken the exams? I would just do your due diligence. Ask those questions before it's too late, and then before you're stuck with someone.Josh 00:03:16 Yeah, I think that is foundation number one for sure. So I hope our listeners follow those best practices because it's true. You make this decision, and it's not like you could just change course after six months or a year. otherwise you're just starting from ground zero all over again. All right. Now let's jump into these strategies. Let's say you have found the right agency to work with.Josh 00:03:41 What's the first strategy you should be implementing with DSP?George 00:03:45 Yeah. So the first strategy is 100% remarketing. You want to you want it. You want to okay. No, n...
In this episode, Caroline, Taryn, and Liz talk with kitchen expert Cyndy Cantley, principal designer of Cantley & Company. Cyndy joins the show to share her wealth of knowledge on building bespoke, beautifully functional kitchens that stand the test of time, drawing from a legendary career that includes a Bon Appétit magazine cover feature early in her business. The hosts pick Cyndy's brain about shifting kitchen trends—from the cringe-worthy pink laminates of the past to modern hyper-functional layouts—and get her top recommendations for cabinetry, countertop materials, and space planning. Embrace the English Inset: To design a kitchen that looks gorgeous decades later, stick to timeless styles like simple English flush inset cabinetry. Limit your options rather than getting overwhelmed by hundreds of trendy door styles. Prioritize Drawers Over Doors: Base cabinets with deep drawers are far superior to standard doors for storage because they eliminate the need to move items in the front to get to the back, making heavy pots and pans completely accessible. The Case for Clear Islands: If space permits, aim for a clean kitchen island devoid of sinks, cooktops, or appliances. An uninterrupted surface creates an ideal multi-use environment for meal prep, serving, homework, and entertaining. Design for Reality, Not a Dream: Avoid tailoring an expensive kitchen remodel around an idealized version of your lifestyle. If you only host formal dinners twice a year, don't sacrifice daily functionality for features meant only for entertaining. The Magic of Real Stone: Don't let builders scare you away from natural marble. It's far more resilient than people think, ages with a beautiful European patina, and chips can easily be blended because it is solid rock. 00:34 – Introduction to kitchen expert Cyndy Cantley. 01:17 – Cyndy's serendipitous start: Designing a show house kitchen that led to a project for award-winning chef Frank Stitt and a Bon Appétit cover. 03:24 – The history of kitchen design trends, from pink Corian and pickled wood to painted finishes. 06:04 – Falling in love with English inset cabinetry and keeping a portfolio timeless. 09:17 – The anatomy of a cabinet door: Rails, styles, and maintaining perfect proportions. 11:16 – Understanding the standard 4-inch toe kick and aligning it with major American appliances. 12:24 – The functionality of wide drawers vs. standard doors and pull-outs. 14:48 – Smart corner solutions: Why swing-out organizers beat old-school lazy Susans. 16:35 – High-value internal inserts worth your budget: Alphabetical spice drawers, dual cutlery organization, and tray dividers. 25:00 – Designing for pets: Incorporating custom dog bowl cubbies built with slab scraps. 28:39 – Smart alternative storage: Utilizing ceiling-height cabinets and 12-to-15-inch deep floor-to-ceiling dish cabinets. 30:36 – Appliance garages, coffee stations, and pocket door mechanics. 36:38 – The truth about microwave placement, microwave drawers, and hidden panel-ready fridges. 47:36 – Countertop deep-dive: Falling in love with marble, managing budgets, and color matching slabs. 55:34 – Choosing kitchen flooring: The warmth of wood vs. traditional cold tiles. 56:45 – Kitchen hardware layout tips: Mixing knobs, drop pulls, and custom backplates. 01:00:06 – Functional spatial rules: Why right-handed cooks should always place dishwashers on the left and trash pull-outs on the right. Mentioned in This Episode Cantley & Company: Cyndy's custom design studio specializing in bespoke cabinetry and space design. Frank Stitt's Kitchen: The career-launching project featured on the cover of Bon Appétit. Calacatta & Carrara Marble: The pros, cons, and budgeting realities of high-movement stones. Instagram: @cantleytoulman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Are you truly in control of the demand for your short-term rentals, or have you quietly outsourced it to the OTAs without even realizing it? Relying solely on large platforms means you don't actually own your customer base; the hosts who master true demand generation are the ones who will thrive in the next phase of our industry.In this episode, I sit down with Amber Knight, the founder of Bookings Cloud and a seasoned veteran of vacation rental heavyweights like Vacasa, Rented, Inhabit, and LiveRez. We're unpacking what it really means to build a direct guest acquisition engine for your properties and step into true ownership of your business.We talk about:How public booking platforms control the narrative using your listing content, and why reclaiming that control is vital for long-term business survival.Why a beautiful direct booking website means nothing if it breaks guest trust by kicking them over to an unbranded, clunky PMS engine at the final step.Utilizing true paid social ads, not just boosted posts, to feed rich property data into algorithms that match your stay with the perfect guest.Why clicks on Meta can be pennies compared to dollars on Google, why you should never put pricing in your ads, and how to automate property-level campaigns at scale.Clear guidance on when to focus strictly on guest communication versus when your portfolio size justifies a full website investment.We pull back the curtain on the messy reality of data tracking and attribution in a world of privacy laws and GA4. You'll hear why diversifying your booking sources isn't just a quick fix for the low season, but a long-game retirement strategy that compounds over time and builds a business with real enterprise value.If you are ready to move from hoping bookings show up to intentionally creating your own demand, this conversation will give you the playbook. Get ready to stop letting other platforms dictate your revenue and start engineering your own growth.HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:[01:03] A short introduction about our guests Amber Knight, and journey from growing up around vacation rentals to building a career focused on strengthening local hospitality businesses and destination communities[04:12] Amber reflects on how intentionally building a life and business through consistent daily actions creates opportunities that once seemed out of reach[06:10] Amber explains how owning guest demand has become a critical competitive advantage as short-term rental operators can no longer rely solely on OTAs to drive bookings[10:58] Amber emphasizes that successful demand generation starts with building trust and creating a direct-booking experience that converts website visitors into guests[18:24] How demand generation moves beyond simply having a trusted website and focuses on actively driving qualified traffic to it [21:07] Amber breaks down Meta advertising as a layered system—from organic content to fully automated, property-level ads—designed to turn raw property data into targeted demand at scale[28:15] Amber explains when paid social becomes viable for STR operators based on ad spend consistency and unit economics versus OTA commissions[30:40] What are the effective Meta ads for STRs rely on high-intent, property-specific visuals and structured data feeding rather than pricing-driven creatives[33:35] Amber explains that attribution is imperfect and long-term direct booking growth should be measured through influence, pacing, and consistent investment rather than immediate ROAS results[42:16] The lightning round Golden Nuggets:“It's really empowering that we each have the ability to build a business around a life that we love.”“If every day you make another step to get to the life you want, the career you want, in the place that you want, eventually you'll get there.”“A business that is sellable does not require the owner to be in the day to day.”“You can't change what happens to you, you can change how you respond to it.”Let's Connect:Website : www.bookingscloud.com Instagram : https://www.linkedin.com/company/bookingscloud/ Email : aknight@bookingscloud.comProudly sponsored by PriceLabsEnjoyed the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!
How can career design transform student success when integrated directly with academic courses and advising, starting in the first year? How can higher education institutions shift student mindsets from passive box-checking to true agency and self-discovery where every experience is an experiment or prototype they can reflect on and learn from? How will AI change the “products” of career development like a LinkedIn profile or a project portfolio and what does that mean for students? We talk through these with Christa Acampora the Dean of the College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and Julia Lapan the Director of Career Design and Discovery at University of Virginia. Episode highlights include: [5:56] Redefining Success Beyond Graduation Statistics - True student success focuses on human formation and life authorship rather than just employment data. [9:36] Scaling Career Design via First-Year Curricula - Integrating self-discovery directly into mandatory first-year courses provides equitable access for all entering students. [14:57] Shifting Mindsets from Box-Checking to Agency - Helping high-achieving students move past rigid, linear plans by framing the future as a series of prototypes. [21:22] Utilizing the Commonplace Book for Self-Reflection - Introducing practical tools that help students track their curiosities, values, and real-world experiments. [25:54] Human Formation in the Generation of AI - Recruiting students into their own learning by focusing on human capabilities that machines cannot replicate.
HDR Displays have been around for a while, but the technology is still rapidly improving, and the process is simplifying. Yet so many photographers still choose to use SDR images on social media, even when HDR is supported and far more stunning. In this podcast episode, HDR expert and photographer Greg Benz shares what you need to know to start using HDR displays to their fullest capability, and how you can use this type of image to help differentiate yourself from other photographers.Links from this episode:Greg's WebsiteSee if You Have an HDR DisplayWeb Sharp PRO PanelGreg's YouTubeGreg's InstagramToday's podcast is sponsored by my friends over at MPB, the place to buy and sell used photography gear. Go online to get a quote for your gear today: https://tinyurl.com/mse6bzk2
This week we are throwing out the rulebook on productivity and replacing it with something way more our speed: compassion, curiosity, and the radical act of being devoted to yourself. In This Episode
Plenty as always to get into with our Smart Gardens program and we begin discussing what is foodscaping, including a fun event at the University of Minnesota - Foodscaping at the Arb where you can plant and plan your growing project with the help of master gardeners. Of course, we answer some of your questions on creeping charlies, crabgrass, trimming stems, branches, zinnia plant problems, blight on the apples and more with our friend Julie Weisenhorn. Learn more from horticulturist Julie Weisenhorn at extension.umn.edu !
Advancements in Small Satellite Propulsion. Guests: Paulo Lozano and Amelia "Mia" Bruno. Paulo Lozano and Mia Bruno introduce electro-spray thrusters utilizing green ionic liquid monopropellant for small satellites. This technology allows a single tank to fuel both efficient electric and high-thrust chemical maneuvers. Unlike toxic hydrazine, this fuel is safe and allows satellites greater mobility for Earth observation. 3MAY 1952
Today on episode 313 Chris sits down with returning guest Dillon Harper! They break down their recent scouting trip in the mountains and go over some of the key details as to why and where they went scouting. Topics Include: E-Scouting Philosophy Environmental and Habitat Mapping In Field Observations and Sign Assessment Navigating steep terrain and identifying sign Terrain and Water Source Analysis Monitoring and Trail Camera strategy in Mountainous Terrain And more! Take time to visit out sponsors! Hawke Optics - Click HERE! USE CODE MHP15 AT CHECKOUT FOR A DISCOUNT! Latitude Outdoors - Click HERE! Satties LLC - Click HERE! We would love to hear your thoughts on this one as well so feel free to hit us up in the email or send us a message! If you haven't already check out our YouTube page and subscribe! As always if you enjoy listening to the podcast please like, share, and give us 5 stars on any of the major podcast platforms we are found on. Hear something we missed? Let us know what we are doing wrong or doing right, or if you have a question; Email us at Richardcates@themobilehuntersexpo.com Happy Hunting and Tight Lines! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Preview for Later Today: Amelia Bruno discusses modular electro-spray thrusters about the size of a postage stamp. Utilizing green monopropellant and solar power, this compact technology allows small satellites, like CubeSats, to change orbits or planes efficiently. It offers an affordable propulsion solution for universities and researchers exploring space using modular, scalable components.1962
In this Podcast Extra, Join John as he answers a wide range of grower-submitted questions covering challenges in agriculture. The discussion focuses on managing high summer leaf temperatures, optimizing organic nitrogen budgets, and navigating severe base saturation imbalances. John emphasizes the critical connection between precise crop nutrition, active soil biology, and the natural suppression of destructive diseases and pests. Other topics discussed include: Distinguishing between air temperature and leaf temperature, highlighting how a healthy wax lipid layer lowers a plant's canopy temperature by 8 to 10 degrees. Managing the photorespiration process in C3 and C4 plants to prevent protein degradation and the buildup of high ammonium levels. Utilizing trace amounts of nickel (3 to 10 grams per acre) as an essential enzyme cofactor to rapidly lower ammonium in plant sap. Applying Rejuvenate as a foliar tool to provide stressed crops with carbohydrates, enzymes, and high-energy compounds. Addressing low magnesium and potassium in soils with extreme calcium base saturation using targeted applications. Citing historical 1960s data on fire blight indicating the disease cannot establish when sap sucrose levels remain above a 22–26% threshold. Restructuring high-chloride potato programs by pairing Rebound micronutrients with Holo-K, SeaShield, and SeaStim. Remediating the typical "burnt leaf tips" on garlic by satisfying the crop's unusually high molybdenum requirement. Evaluating the limitations of indigenous microorganisms (IMOs) and acknowledging that 90% of living soil microbes require active plant roots to propagate. Deploying PhotoMag to optimize plant sap ratios, delivering magnesium, sulfur, molybdenum, and boron to efficiently convert excess ammonium into complete proteins . Advocating for a national food policy focused on nutritional quality and farmer economic viability over cheap, abundant food. Utilizing MacroPack and MicroPack within target foliar combinations to halt disease progression. Understanding why high-salt content fertilizers solubilize trace minerals and leach them down the soil profile over a 20- to 40-year period. About John Kempf A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it. Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology. Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA's science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits. Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide. Visit https://advancingecoag.com to learn more.
In this episode of "Financial Crime Matters," Kieran talks with Megs Shah, the CEO and founder of The Parasol Cooperative, a not-for-profit that has created an AI tool to reach and serve the victims of domestic violence, child sex abuse, and labor trafficking. Drawing on her successful career in AI working with large corporations and her experience as a survivor of child sexual abuse, Megs discusses how the cooperative has created technology that allows victims of violence to safely seek emotional support and ultimately resources that can help free them.
Are you stuck in the "education loop" without any real checks to show for it? In this episode, Brent Daniels breaks down Part 1 of his foundational 8 Do's and Don'ts of Wholesaling Real Estate. Stop striving for perfection and start taking massive imperfect action! Brent explains why you must master the art of discovery instead of just trying to be a "master closer," why you make your money when you buy (not when you sell), and why isolating yourself as an island will set your business up for failure. Discover how to effectively navigate seller conversations, lock up real opportunities, and build a powerful local network. Be a part of the TTP training program now.---------Show notes:(0:00) Beginning of today's episode(2:44) Why you must escape the education loop and focus on massive imperfect action(4:42) How Brent wasted four years stuck in the education loop before getting his first deal(7:14) How to easily contact property owners and the six typical responses you will hear(9:39) You make your money when you buy, not when you sell(12:44) Why you should strive to master finding great deals before becoming an investor(15:48) Stop trying to be a "master closer" and start mastering the art of discovery(18:08) Utilizing the four pillars of pre-qualifying to determine true seller motivation(20:11) How to effectively compress a seller's timeline and discover their true objections(21:44) Market differences and Brent's strategy for navigating the 2008-2011 foreclosure era(29:43) Why isolating yourself as an island will ultimately destroy your wholesaling business(33:22) Finding your local real estate tribe to dramatically cut your learning curve tenfold----------Resources:Rich Dad Poor DadPropStreamDealMachineBatchLeadsTrue People SearchBiggerPocketsInstagram: @realbrentdanielsTo speak with Brent or one of our other expert coaches call (281) 835-4201 or schedule your free discovery call here to learn about our mentorship programs and become part of the TribeGo to Wholesalingincgroup.com to become part of one of the fastest growing Facebook communities in the Wholesaling space. Get all of your burning Wholesaling questions answered, gain access to JV partnerships, and connect with other "success minded" Rhinos in the community.It's 100% free to join. The opportunities in this community are endless, what are you waiting for?