Podcasts about Vaden

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Did you ever see the video of two regular people trying to fight Eddie Hall, the strongest man on earth? Ben and Vaden bring that same energy to this conversation, where they gang up on Robert Wright on the subject of his forthcoming book The God Test: Artificial Intelligence and Our Coming Cosmic Reckoning. Bob is a sport about it (well, there was no choice really: we have an advanced copy of his book that we're holding hostage) and there are only one or two black eyes by the end. Subscribe to Robert Wright's podcasting empire NonZero on youtube and substack. And go buy one of his many books. We discuss Whether Bob was the OG podcaster Is there a directionality to evolution? Where Bob is on the AI fear and awe spectrum Whether LLMs have decoded the meaning in language Is AI best viewed as a tool or as superintelligence? AI-as-slingshot analogy References The God Test by Robert Wright Nonzero by Robert Wright William Paley and his pocket watch The Blind Watchmaker by Richard Dawkins Our conversation with Scott Aaronson Socials Follow us on Twitter at @RobertWrighter, @IncrementsPod, @BennyChugg, @VadenMasrani Come join our discord server! DM us on twitter or send us an email to get a supersecret link Become a patreon subscriber here. Or give us one-time cash donations to help cover our lack of cash donations here. Click dem like buttons on youtube What's the directionality of this podcast? Tell us at incrementspodcast@gmail.com.Special Guest: Robert Wright.

Join me as I talk with another legend in UAB sports, Robert Vaden! Robert shared his story about his journey from recruitment in high school to Indiana, then to UAB, and finally his professional career in the NBA G League and playing overseas. He also gave a great glimpse into the mind of a player preparing for games, playing in some of the biggest environments in basketball, and how it translates to his training of young players today. I really enjoyed this conversation, and I think you will too!Be sure to follow my social media pages (@DragonsDenEFEL) on Facebook, X, and Instagram for new episode announcements to see who is joining me next! Go Blazers!

We've seen this movie before. Band comes out hot with their debut, have hits, sell millions of records, and then record a follow-up the label says isn't good enough so it gets shelved for a while and all that momentum stalls and never comes back. Fort Worth's Toadies lived it, After Rubberneck and the smash "Possum Kingdom" exploded, the label didn't hear a hit on the follow-up and told them to try again. Four years pass and when a new album does get completed, the label doesn't promote it. Though it was bumpy at first, Toadies carried on anyway and even have a new album called The Charmer and a huge North American tour kicking off any second. Front man Vaden Todd Lewis joins us this week to explain it all and share his stories. Enjoy!  www.thetoadies.com www.patreon.com/c/thehustlepod

Turning on our own! Vaden sits down with Bruce Nielson and Peter Johansen to discuss some of the bad memes that run rampant in the online "crit-rat" community, in an attempt of some intra-tribal error-correction. Ben, scared of the retribution, runs away with his tail uncomfortably close to his thighs. Follow Bruce and Peter's work on the Theory of Anything Podcast. Sign up for the Theory of Anything podcast Patreon here, and Check out Peter's Many World of David Deutsch facebook group here. We discuss Bruce and Peter's origin stories Anarcho-capitalism and its (pseudo) connections to Popperian philosophy CritRat disbelief in mental illness What does the Universal Explainer hypothesis imply about mental illness and IQ? Is Anarcho-capitalism a foundationalist and utopian philosophy? Why are so many crit-rats Trump supporters? See Also Theory of Anything Podcast #136: Michael Golding on Mental Illness Theory of Anything Podcast #82: Popper's Ratchet Socials Follow us on Twitter at @IncrementsPod, @BennyChugg, @VadenMasrani, @bnielson01 Come join our discord server! DM us on twitter or send us an email to get a supersecret link Become a patreon subscriber here. Or give us one-time cash donations to help cover our lack of cash donations here. Click dem like buttons on youtube I before E except after B? Send your best guess as to the spelling of Bruce's last name (no one knows) over to incrementspodcast@gmail.com.Special Guest: Bruce Nielson.

Send us Fan MailOn this episode, QUEER VOICES dives into the theater. We have Derek Charles Livingston, who is the artistic director of STAGES HOUSTON. He breaks down his coming season. Jack Wagner tells us about a TRUMP musical called STABLE GENIUS that is premiering right here in Houston. Finally, Logan Vaden turns 35 for his special production of COMPANY from THE GARDEN THEATRE.Stages Houston - https://stageshouston.com/STABLE GENIUS - https://matchouston.org/events/2026/stable-geniusCOMPANY - https://matchouston.org/events/2026/company Queer Voices airs in Houston Texas on 90.1FM KPFT and is heard as a podcast here.  Queer Voices hopes to entertain as well as illuminate LGBTQ issues in Houston and beyond.  Check out our socials at:https://www.facebook.com/QueerVoicesKPFT/ andhttps://www.instagram.com/queervoices90.1kpft/

Episode #305 - Vaden Todd Lewis is the lead vocalist and guitarist from The Toadies, who are getting ready to release their long awaited 8th album The Charmer on 5/01/26. The band is also heading out on the road for a headlining North American tour. He checked in with Mistress Carrie to talk about woring with the late Steve Albini on the new release, 90's music, mental health, forgiveness, Mississippi Queen, AC/DC, his first guitar, Possum Kingdom, For All Mankind, working with Steve Albini, songwriting, Spinal Tap, truck stops, travel, and so much more! See The Toadies at the House of Blues Boston on 5/20/26Check out the custom playlist for Episode #305 here! Find The Toadies online:WebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitterYoutubeBlueskyTikTokFind Mistress Carrie Online:Official WebsiteThe Mistress Carrie Backstage Pass on PatreonXFacebookInstagramThreadsYouTubeCameoPantheon Podcast NetworkFind The Mistress Carrie Podcast online:InstagramThreads   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

100 episodes! To celebrate, Vaden tries to get personal with Ben, while Ben dodges his questions and wants to know how Vaden feels about incest. All in all, a pretty typical episode. The questions From Vaden to Ben: How is your side hustle going? Who are some of your major influences outside of Popper? How has the Popperian worldview influenced your day-to-day? What is the life of a nomadic academic like? What would you say to people who are considering mathematics as a career? Which charities do you recommend? From Ben to Vaden: How do you feel about looksmaxxing? Thoughts on medical assistance in dying? Ethics of Alex Honnold free soloing Taipei 101? Thoughts on Nation-Buiding? Incest - into it? Episode References #22 - Thinking Through Thought Experiments #66 - Sex Research, Addiction, and Financial Domination (w/ Aella) #58 - Ask Us Anything V: How to Read and What to Read #70 - ... and Bayes Bites Back (w/ Richard Meadows) #76 (Bonus) - Is P(doom) meaningful? Debating epistemology (w/ Liron Shapira) References Angus Deaton debates Abhijit Banerjee: https://nyudri.wordpress.com/initiatives/deaton-v-banerjee/ Christopher Hitchens and Robert Wright Sam Harris and Garry Kasparov Private Empire: ExxonMobil and American Power The Bomb in My Garden: The Secrets of Saddam's Nuclear Mastermind Socials Follow us on Twitter at @IncrementsPod, @BennyChugg, @VadenMasrani Come join our discord server! DM us on twitter or send us an email to get a supersecret link Become a patreon subscriber here. Or give us one-time cash donations to help cover our lack of cash donations here. Click dem like buttons on youtube What is your favorite form of ince... actually nevermind, too much. Just email us at incrementspodcast@gmail.com.

S&P Global Energy's Global Power Markets Conference will be held April 13–15, 2026, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Learn more and register at: bit.ly/POWERPOD. Use the code POWERPOD at checkout to get a 10% discount on registration. The event returns at a pivotal moment for the energy sector. With national energy policy undergoing rapid transformation, federal incentives shifting, and geopolitical pressures reshaping global trade, the stakes for market participants have never been higher. From new tax structures to tariffs and a renewed emphasis on baseload generation, decision-makers are navigating profound changes that will impact the U.S. and global power markets. Join many of the industry's top experts in Las Vegas to network with energy executives from around the world and discuss the challenging volatility of the global financial markets, the opportunities available in transformative technologies, and all the latest topics impacting businesses. Get actionable insight from industry leaders, including: • Changing investor strategies as growing power demand transforms regional markets • Opportunities and advances in key technologies: new nuclear, renewables, battery storage, and carbon sequestration • Innovative financing models, M&A outlook, and public-private partnerships • New directions and critical changes in policy, impacting every energy industry. Be a part of the conversations shaping the future of power markets. Learn more and register at: https://bit.ly/POWERPOD. Use the code POWERPOD at checkout to get a 10% discount on registration.

The Front Row Network welcomes independent wrestler Blackjack (Izzy Vaden). Brandon and Blackjack chat about his origins in wrestling and career highlights. They also discuss his background in the arts and how he incorporates that into the ring. Blackjack also discusses the evolution of his various characters. 

In this we hear from Mike Badger - one of the founder members of the legendary Liverpool band The La's and an established artist in his own right.Mike recently released  'Devils, Ghosts & Firearms', his first studio album in 5 years.Mike's continues to have a successful career as a film-maker (cult folk-horror movie,"The Vaden") and as an acclaimed sculptor whose current exhibition with Jeff Young at the Kirkby Gallery has received rave reviews.You can hear Mike's and artistic passion in every word he speaks.

"What is Truth?", said jesting podcasters, who then stuck around for an answer. Back at it again with The Conjectures and Refutations Series (part three) on Chapter 10: Truth, Rationality, and the Growth of Scientific Knowledge. Can we say what truth is, even if we can never be certain we've found it? If not, can we say that science is approaching truth? How would we ever know? And why are so many theories of truth untrue? We discuss Ben's early reflections on Abigail Shrier's book Bad Therapy Why did Popper feel the need to answer this particular "what is" question? Can asking "what is truth" be a demogogic and bad-faith question? The correspondence theory of truth vs The pragmatic theory of truth vs The coherence theory of truth Alfred Tarski's formalization of the correspondence theory of truth Are there problems with the correspondence theory? The disagreement between Vaden and Deutsch on truth References Daniel Bonevac on the Correspondence theory of truth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlG_VaN1LHQ Tarki's 1944 paper on the semantic conception of truth Tarki's 1933 paper "On the concept of truth in formalized languages" Deutsch's 2022 talk on truth: Musings about Truth # Socials Follow us on Twitter at @IncrementsPod, @BennyChugg, @VadenMasrani Come join our discord server! DM us on twitter or send us an email to get a supersecret link Become a patreon subscriber here. Or give us one-time cash donations to help cover our lack of cash donations here. Click dem like buttons on youtube It would be both useful, coherent, and correspond to our happiness if you signed up for our patreon or discord. Hit us up at incrementspodcast@gmail.com

This week's Open Mic guest is USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden who explains significant strides toward the reorganization of the Agriculture Department. Vaden shares the challenges of occupancy and maintenance at current buildings, including the Beltsville research facility. He also reviews how bridge assistance funds will be distributed to farmers, outlines upgrades to USDA technology, and says there will be increased dialogue and review over agency crop reports. 

Joe's Premium Subscription: www.standardgrain.comGrain Markets and Other Stuff Links —Apple PodcastsSpotifyTikTokYouTubeFutures and options trading involves risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone.

Two years without discussing effective altruism -- did you miss it? Not as much as Vaden, surely. And probably a right bit more than Ben. Well, we're back in the game with a spicy one. Was EA a front for AI safety from the beginning? Did the leaders care not a wit for global poverty? Is Ben going to throw himself out window if Vaden keeps this up? We discuss Feedback on our introspection episode The motives of the EA founders The felicia forum Is this a conspiracy theory? EA's strategic ambiguity Bostromism, transhumanism, and AI safety EA funding The public/core divide and the funnel model Quotes new effective altruists tend to start off concerned about global poverty or animal suffering and then hear, take seriously, and often are convinced by the arguments for existential risk mitigation - Will MacAskill Existential risk isn't the most useful public face for effective altruism – everyone inc[l]uding Eliezer Yudkowsky agrees about that - Scott Alexander, 2015 Utilitymonster: GWWC is explicitly poverty-focused but high impact careers (HIC) is not. In fact, hardcore members of GWWC are heavily interested in x-risk, and I estimate that 10-15% of its general membership is as well. I'd take them seriously as a group for promoting utilitarianism in general. I'm a GWWC leader. [Redacted]: but HIC always seems to talk about things in terms of “lives saved”, ive never heard them mentioning other things to donate to. […] Utilitymonster: That's exactly the right thing for HIC to do. Talk about lives saved with their public face, let hardcore members hear about x-risk, and then, in the future, if some excellent x-risk opportunity arises, direct resources to x-risk. - From felicia forum. References Gleiberman's paper: https://medialibrary.uantwerpen.be/files/8518/61565cb6-e056-4e35-bd2e-d14d58e35231.pdf Old EA wikipedia page (web archive): https://web.archive.org/web/20170409171350/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effective_altruism Old CEA webpage (web archive): https://web.archive.org/web/20161219031827/https://www.centreforeffectivealtruism.org/fundraising/ Socials Follow us on Twitter at @IncrementsPod, @BennyChugg, @VadenMasrani Come join our discord server! DM us on twitter or send us an email to get a supersecret link Become a patreon subscriber here. Or give us one-time cash donations to help cover our lack of cash donations here. Click dem like buttons on youtube Let us funnel you into the core group of super secret patreon supporters. Send us an email at incrementspodcast@gmail.com

Happy Christmas and Merry Festivus y'all! Today we're releasing a patreon episode, as both of us are away on vacation with the family for the holidays. In this episode we have a meandering discussion about parenting, Robert Kegan's four stages of development, the limits of introspection, and relationship counseling. We discuss Advice for new fathers Vaden comes out to the world (about snowboarding) Robert Kegan's four stages of development The limits of introspection Countertransference The show Couples Therapy with Dr. Orna Guralnik # Socials Follow us on Twitter at @IncrementsPod, @BennyChugg, @VadenMasrani Come join our discord server! DM us on twitter or send us an email to get a supersecret link Become a patreon subscriber here (https://www.patreon.com/Increments). Or give us one-time cash donations to help cover our lack of cash donations here (https://ko-fi.com/increments). Click dem like buttons on youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_4wZzQyoW4s4ZuE4FY9DQQ) Introspect a little, and tell us why you haven't signed up to our Patreon feed over at incrementspodcast@gmail.com

USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden says the Trump administration started from ground zero on opening trade opportunities for U.S. farmers. Vaden says the agency will announce a financial assistance package for farmers next week. The Plant Based Products Council announces new research showing favorable consumer acceptance for plant based products. 

Welcome to The Wealthy and Well-Known Podcast — hosted by Rory Vaden and AJ Vaden, co-founders of Brand Builders Group. This is the show for mission-driven messengers who want to build reputation and revenue at the same time. Whether you're launching a book, scaling a business, or trying to become a recognized expert in your space, you'll learn how to craft a Monetized Personal Brand™ that drives massive impact. Each episode features real coaching, case studies from our 1-on-1 clients, and insider strategies from 8-figure entrepreneurs, viral speakers, New York Times bestselling authors, and trusted BBG partners. You'll hear directly from the minds behind some of today's most influential personal brands. Subscribe and turn on notifications — because your message matters, and the world needs to know your name.

From Chris DeMakes A Podcast (originally released as Episode 139 on 1/23/23)... In this episode, Toadies vocalist and guitarist Vaden Todd Lewis discusses the writing, recording, and release of the band's 1994 hit single "Possum Kingdom". The song's eerie lyrical content matched with its unique composition made it stand out in an era of inventive rock music, leading to a long and storied career for the legendary Fort Worth band. One Hit Thunder is brought to you by DistroKid, the ultimate partner for taking your music to the next level. Our listeners get 30% off your first YEAR with DistroKid by signing up at ⁠http://distrokid.com/vip/onehitthunder⁠ ⁠Join our Patreon⁠ ⁠Buy some merch⁠ ⁠Follow us on IG⁠ ⁠Join our FB Group Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a long hiatus where we both saw grief counsellors over our fight about Popper's theory of content in the last C&R episode, we are back. And we're ready to play nice ... for about 30 seconds until Vaden admits that two sentences from Popper changed his mind about something Ben had arguing for literally years. But eventually putting those disagreements aside, we return to the subject at hand: The Conjectures and Refutations Series: Chapter 10: Truth, Rationality, and the Growth of Scientific Knowledge (Part II). Here all goes smoothly. Just kidding, we start fighting about content again almost immediately. Where are the guests to break us up when you need them. We discuss Why Vaden changed his mind about "all thought is problem solving" Something that rhymes with wero horship Is Popper sloppy when it comes to writing about probability and content Is all modern data science based on the wrong idea? (Hint: No) Popper's problem-focused view of scientific progress How much formalization is too much? The difference between high verisimilitude and high probability Why do we value simplicity in science? Historical examples of science progressing via theories with increasing content Quotes Consciousness, world 2, was presumably an evaluating and discerning consciousness, a problem-solving consciousness, right from the start. I have said of the animate part of the physical world 1 that all organisms are problem solvers. My basic assumption regarding world 2 is that this problem-solving activity of the animate part of world 1 resulted in the emergence of world 2, of the world of consciousness. But I do not mean by this that consciousness solves problems all the time, as I asserted of the organisms. On the contrary. The organisms are preoccupied with problem-solving day in, day out, but consciousness is not only concerned with the solving of problems, although that is its most important biological function. My hypothesis is that the original task of consciousness was to anticipate success and failure in problem-solving and to signal to the organism in the form of pleasure and pain whether it was on the right or wrong path to the solution of the problem. In Search of a Better World, p.17 (emphasis added) The criterion of potential satisfactoriness is thus testability, or improbability: only a highly testable or improbable theory is worth testing, and is actually (and not merely potentially) satisfactory if it withstands severe tests—especially those tests to which we could point as crucial for the theory before they were ever undertaken. - C&R, Chapter 10 Consequently there is little merit in formalizing and elaborating a deductive system (intended for use as an empirical science) beyond the requirements of the task of criticizing and testing it, and of comparing it critically with competitors. - C&R, Chapter 10 Admittedly, our expectations, and thus our theories, may precede, historically, even our problems. Yet science starts only with problems. Problems crop up especially when we are disappointed in our expectations, or when our theories involve us in difficulties, in contradictions; and these may arise either within a theory, or between two different theories, or as the result of a clash between our theories and our observations. - C&R, Chapter 10 Socials Follow us on Twitter at @IncrementsPod, @BennyChugg, @VadenMasrani Come join our discord server! DM us on twitter or send us an email to get a supersecret link Become a patreon subscriber here (https://www.patreon.com/Increments). Or give us one-time cash donations to help cover our lack of cash donations here (https://ko-fi.com/increments). Click dem like buttons on youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_4wZzQyoW4s4ZuE4FY9DQQ) Is "Ben and Vaden will fight about content" high or low probability? Tell us at incrementspodcast@gmail.com

With global markets shifting and input costs squeezing producers, policy decisions at the top levels of U.S. agriculture are being closely watched across North America. In this interview with RealAgriculture, USDA deputy secretary Stephen Vaden outlined the administration’s stance on trade, affordability, and the potential for a “Golden Age” in agriculture. Vaden pushed back on... Read More

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The time has come for Vaden to defend his faith in the face of cold, hard scientific rationality. Will AI take over the world, automating away everything that makes humans distinct? Or can Vaden defend the church of just-ism, the radical belief that AI is simply "just a tool." Scott Aaronson, professor of computer science at UT Austin, goes to head to head against the zealotry. Check out Scott's website (https://www.scottaaronson.com/) and his blog, Shtetl Optimized (https://scottaaronson.blog/). We discuss Scott view's on education. Should we radically reform K-12? Is ChatGPT changing Scott's approach to teaching The religion of "justa-ism" Is AI just a tool? Is there any principle which lets us say that AI won't be as general as humans? Aaronson's thesis of Artificial Intelligence Computational universality vs explanatory universality The many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics Socials Follow us on Twitter at @IncrementsPod, @BennyChugg, @VadenMasrani Come join our discord server! DM us on twitter or send us an email to get a supersecret link Become a patreon subscriber here (https://www.patreon.com/Increments). Or give us one-time cash donations to help cover our lack of cash donations here (https://ko-fi.com/increments). Click dem like buttons on youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_4wZzQyoW4s4ZuE4FY9DQQ) Have you been converted? Tell us at incrementspodcast@gmail.com Special Guest: Scott Aaronson.

Back to basics baby. We're doing a couple introductory episodes on Popper's philosophy of science, following Chapter 10 of Conjectures and Refutations. We start with Popper's theory of content: what makes a good scientific theory? Can we judge some theories as better than others before we even run any empirical tests? Should we be looking for theories with high probability? Ben and Vaden also return to their roots in another way, and get into a nice little fight about how content relates to Bayesianism. We discuss Vaden's skin care routine If you find your friend's lost watch and proceed to lose it, are you responsible for the watch? Empirical vs logical content Whether and how content can be measured and compared How content relates to probability Quotes My aim in this lecture is to stress the significance of one particular aspect of science—its need to grow, or, if you like, its need to progress. I do not have in mind here the practical or social significance of this need. What I wish to discuss is rather its intellectual significance. I assert that continued growth is essential to the rational and empirical character of scientific knowledge; that if science ceases to grow it must lose that character. It is the way of its growth which makes science rational and empirical; the way, that is, in which scientists discriminate between available theories and choose the better one or (in the absence of a satisfactory theory) the way they give reasons for rejecting all the available theories, thereby suggesting some of the conditions with which a satisfactory theory should comply. You will have noticed from this formulation that it is not the accumulation of observations which I have in mind when I speak of the growth of scientific knowledge, but the repeated overthrow of scien- tific theories and their replacement by better or more satisfactory ones. This, incidentally, is a procedure which might be found worthy of attention even by those who see the most important aspect of the growth of scientific knowledge in new experiments and in new observations. - C&R p. 291 Thus it is my first thesis that we can know of a theory, even before it has been tested, that if it passes certain tests it will be better than some other theory. My first thesis implies that we have a criterion of relative potential satisfactoriness, or of potential progressiveness, which can be applied to a theory even before we know whether or not it will turn out, by the passing of some crucial tests, to be satisfactory in fact. This criterion of relative potential satisfactoriness (which I formu- lated some time ago,2 and which, incidentally, allows us to grade the- ories according to their degree of relative potential satisfactoriness) is extremely simple and intuitive. It characterizes as preferable the theory which tells us more; that is to say, the theory which contains the greater amount of empirical information or content; which is logically stronger; which has the greater explanatory and predictive power; and which can therefore be more severely tested by comparing predicted facts with observations. In short, we prefer an interesting, daring, and highly informative theory to a trivial one. - C&R p.294 Let a be the statement ‘It will rain on Friday'; b the statement ‘It willbe fine on Saturday'; and ab the statement ‘It will rain on Friday and itwill be fine on Saturday': it is then obvious that the informative contentof this last statement, the conjunction ab, will exceed that of its com-ponent a and also that of its component b. And it will also be obviousthat the probability of ab (or, what is the same, the probability that abwill be true) will be smaller than that of either of its components. Writing Ct(a) for ‘the content of the statement a', and Ct(ab) for ‘thecontent of the conjunction a and b', we have (1) Ct(a) = Ct(b). This contrasts with the corresponding law of the calculus of probability, (2) p(a) >= p(ab)

We're joined by Jonathan Rauch to discuss what it means to be a radical incrementalist, how to foment revolution on geological timescales, and whether Christianity can be a force for good in politics. Can Jon convince angry-Hitchens-atheist Vaden that Christianity has some benefits? Will both Vaden and Ben be at Sunday prayer? Follow Jonathan on his website (https://www.jonathanrauch.com/about.html), at Brookings (https://www.brookings.edu/people/jonathan-rauch/), at The Atlantic (https://www.theatlantic.com/author/jonathan-rauch/) or on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/jonrauch.bsky.social). We discuss The constitution of knowledge and whether it's holding Norms vs laws, and whether we should introduce more laws to codify norms Popper's paradox of tolerance How should liberals respond to illiberalism? Which tactics, if any, should democrats adopt from MAGA to fight MAGA? Sharp Christianity and Christian nationalism Rauch's plea to Christians References The Constitution of Knowledge: A Defense of Truth (https://www.amazon.com/Constitution-Knowledge-Jonathan-Rauch/dp/0815738862) Cross Purposes: Christianity's Broken Bargain with Democracy (https://www.amazon.com/Cross-Purposes-Christianitys-Bargain-Democracy/dp/0300273541) Errata Jonathan Rauch is the author of nine books, not eight! Socials Follow us on Twitter at @JonRauch, @IncrementsPod, @BennyChugg, @VadenMasrani Come join our discord server! DM us on twitter or send us an email to get a supersecret link Become a patreon subscriber here (https://www.patreon.com/Increments). Or give us one-time cash donations to help cover our lack of cash donations here (https://ko-fi.com/increments). Click dem like buttons on youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_4wZzQyoW4s4ZuE4FY9DQQ) Anyone in Canada have a basement suite Jonathan could rent for a while? Send your address over to incrementspodcast@gmail.com Special Guest: Jonathan Rauch.

Diluted focus gets diluted results. In this episode of The Persistent Entrepreneur Podcast, host David Hill sits down with AJ Vaden, CEO and Co-Founder of Brand Builders Group, to uncover why personal branding is the key to long-term success. AJ shares her journey of losing a multi–8-figure business overnight, rebuilding from scratch, and discovering that the one thing no one can take away from you is your reputation. From working with top thought leaders like Lewis Howes to helping entrepreneurs define their “who” and break through obscurity, AJ explains why clarity, intentionality, and focus are the foundation of building wealth and influence. If you've ever felt stretched too thin or unsure how to stand out, this conversation will help you reframe your approach and get laser-focused on the one thing that truly moves the needle.   Key Takeaways: Why multiple streams of income might be killing your momentum. The difference between a reputation and a personal brand (hint: intentionality). How AJ and her husband rebuilt from zero after losing their first business. The Sheehan's Wall framework for breaking through obscurity. Why focusing on who you serve is the #1 step in building a personal brand. 3 actionable strategies to start building your personal brand today. About the Guest: AJ Vaden is the CEO and Co-Founder of Brand Builders Group, a personal brand strategy firm dedicated to helping mission-driven messengers become wealthy and well-known. She is also the host of The Influential Personal Brand Podcast, a keynote speaker, and author of the upcoming book Wealthy and Well-Known: Build Your Personal Brand and Turn Your Reputation into Revenue. AJ has worked with clients ranging from New York Times bestselling authors to 8-figure entrepreneurs, teaching them how to clarify their message, stand out, and monetize their reputation.

It was a packed Monday on the AgNet News Hour as hosts Nick Papagni, the Ag Meter, and Josh McGill delivered a show full of breaking updates for California agriculture. From shifting almond yields to critical relief for the dairy sector, farmers had plenty to tune in for. Almond Industry Update Nick sat down with Steve Malanka of West Valley Hauling for a ground-level perspective on this year's almond crop. Early in the season, projections of a massive three-billion-pound harvest had many in the industry worried about oversupply and falling prices. But Malanka's firsthand reports from the field paint a different picture. Yields are consistently off across the Central Valley, with haulers seeing reductions ranging anywhere from 10 to 22 percent compared to last year. Nonpareil yields are down significantly in many orchards, with some growers harvesting closer to 1,200 to 1,800 pounds per acre rather than the state's average of over 2,000. That decline is already strengthening prices, with growers seeing firmer markets and the possibility of hitting $3 per pound by spring. Malanka also broke down the quality challenges. This year, almond hulls absorbed much of the trees' energy, leaving smaller kernels and lower “turnouts.” While that's a concern for nut buyers, the dairy industry may benefit from the abundance of heavier hulls that are a valuable feed source. Major USDA Announcement for Dairy Producers The biggest news of the day came directly from USDA Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Vaden, who joined the show to announce an additional $1 billion in relief for livestock producers, including California's struggling dairy farmers. The funds, part of the Emergency Livestock Relief Program, are designed to offset increased feed costs caused by the flooding and wildfires of 2023 and 2024. This brings total ELRP funding to a record $2 billion. Importantly, Vaden emphasized that money will go directly to producers through their local FSA offices, with signups beginning September 15 and running through October 31. “This is going directly into the hands of California dairy producers,” Vaden said. “They need this money now, and we're making sure it gets to them quickly.” Why It Matters For California's farmers, the dual updates highlight both challenge and opportunity. Almond growers are watching yields decline but prices rebound, while dairymen finally see long-awaited federal support. As Nick and Josh noted, it's one of the most exciting Monday shows yet, with tangible news that could shape the season ahead for two of California's most important industries.

On this edition of Hoosier Ag This Week: We were on the road at Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Illinois earlier this past week. You'll hear from USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden who talks about a possible “bridge” policy to help corn and soybean producers facing low commodity prices. Vaden also tells Hoosier Ag Today why Indianapolis was chosen as one of five regional hub locations for USDA. Also from the Farm Progress Show, Eric Pfeiffer reports on new equipment that has just been introduced by Can-Am, and Greg Allen highlights an organization called Modern Ag Alliance which is making sure that farmers have the crop protection tools they need to succeed. Brian Basting reviews Friday's grain markets, and Ryan Martin has your Indiana Farm Forecast as we inch closer to harvest season. That's all part of the Hoosier Ag This Week Podcast!

I am so excited to introduce AJ Vader the New York Times Best Selling author of the book Wealthy and Well Known (co-written with her husband Rory Vader.)  AJ lived, slept, and breathed her work. Until she didn't. This sudden change forced AJ to dig deep and identify her personal brand. She and Rory had a unique opportunity extended to them, with divine timing, that became their signature program - Brand Builders.I have been a big fan of AJ and Rory since I completed their program Brand Builders in 2021. Personal Brand AJ and Rory were working at the same business when one of her superiors came to her and notified her that her services were no longer needed; effective immediately. Those next days were tough as AJ did a lot of self reflection. Out of the blue a long time friend reached out to Rory and AJ for consultation on how to improve their brand and business. That business owner was so impressed they said “This is it! THIS is what you are meant to do!” They could have said no. They could have come up with every excuse in the book to pass on the idea. Instead Rory put in his notice to quit his job and AJ and Rory joined forces to build Brand Builders. Brand Builders Brand Builders is a program that guides and teaches members to identify their personal brands. They help people to identify their why which is really their who. I completed this program in 2021. I wanted to complete this program to see if there were any gaps in my business knowledge. Remember I have a teaching degree not a Masters in Business Administration! I will always be a life long learner. AJ pointed out that we are no longer paying for information, we are paying for application of that information. And through the 4 stages that they teach that's what the business owner learns. They value the community feedback, much like Organize 365®, and continue to iterate and provide results.  I am planning on attending one of their upcoming masterminds. The reason I am so ecstatic? I have found it difficult to find other women business owners who have shared their path to success. Women are running their homes (business #1), then their businesses (business #2), and lastly possibly business #3 if they are in active parenting. I can find all kinds of advice on growing a business from men. But what I see with Brand Builders is a more equal divide of men and women who participate. The mastermind will be led of course by AJ and Rory. It's such a great example for my women running businesses and myself. A woman who understands the unique struggles of being a mom, wife, and household manager.  Wealthy and Well Known This book was written to help the people AJ and Rory used to be. AJ reiterated many times that for $27 you too can learn everything I learned in 2021! Nothing is held back. Their desire is to change reader's lives with the transformation of their business and mindset and hopes that readers will share the book with others. The other driver behind the book is to find business owners that need additional help and guidance. They want to come alongside business owners and help to succeed.  I believe in this book so much that I purchased 150 copies to give to my team, mastermind attendees, certified organizers, and all female business owners that I have relationships. I hope you will consider purchasing the book or download the free audio book so you too can identify your personal brand and apply the information that you learn. EPISODE RESOURCES: The Sunday Basket® Free Audio Download of Wealthy and Well Known Sign Up for the Organize 365® Newsletter Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Share this episode with a friend and be sure to tag Organize 365® when you share on social media!

Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden spent the day at the Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Illinois. Vaden said the Trump administration is tracking low commodity prices and seeking options to assist farmers through negative balance sheets. Vaden said the discovery of New World Screw Worm in a traveler is no concern to the livestock industry. 

Feeling Called to More, But Unsure How to Be Seen and Heard?If you've ever wondered how to build a personal brand without chasing followers or faking who you are, this episode of Competitive Edge is your roadmap. Brian Covey sits down with AJ Vaden, co-founder of Brand Builders Group and co-author of Wealthy and Well Known, to unpack how real influence begins with authenticity, purpose, and serving the right people.Whether you're building a business, launching a new chapter, or simply looking to show up more fully in your life, this conversation will help you understand why being “well known” by the right people matters more than being popular.Grab your copy of AJ and Rory Vaden's new book, Wealthy and Well Known, and start building a brand that's aligned with who you are: wealthyandwellknown.com

U.S. Secretary of AGriculture Brook Rollins made a visit to the Volunteer State Monday. She addressed the 10th annual Tennessee FFA Ham Breakfast at the Tennessee State Fair. Rollins was joined by Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Vaden. Both Rollins and Vaden also took part in a listening session with Tennessee farmers from across the state, listening to their concerns about the current tough farm economy.

Always the uncool kids at the table, Ben and Vaden push back against the AGI hype domininating every second episode of every second podcast. We react to "We're not ready for superintelligence" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KVDDfAkRgc) by 80,000 Hours - a bleak portrayal of the pre and post AGI world. Can Ben keep Vaden's sass in check? Can the 80,000 hours team find enough cubes for AGI? Is Agent-5 listening to you RIGHT NOW? Listener Note: We strongly recommend watching the video for this one, available both on youtube and spotify: - https://www.youtube.com/@incrementspod - https://open.spotify.com/show/1gKKSP5HKT4Nk3i0y4UseB We discuss The incentives of superforecasters Arguments by authority Whether superintelligence is right around the corner The difference between model size and data Are we running out of high quality data? Does training on synthetic data work? The assumptions behind the AGI claims The pitfalls of reasoning from trends References Michael I Jordan (https://people.eecs.berkeley.edu/~jordan/) Neil Lawrence (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Lawrence) Important technical paper from Jordan pushing back on Doomerism (A Collectivist, Economic Perspective on AI) Jordan article talking about dangers of using AlphaFold data (https://news.berkeley.edu/2023/11/09/how-to-use-ai-for-discovery-without-leading-science-astray/) Nature paper showing you can't use synthetic data to train bigger models (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07566-y) Paper estimating of when training data will run out (https://arxiv.org/abs/2211.04325v2) (Coincidentally enough, sometime between 2027-2028) Socials Follow us on Twitter at @IncrementsPod, @BennyChugg, @VadenMasrani Come join our discord server! DM us on twitter or send us an email to get a supersecret link Become a patreon subscriber here (https://www.patreon.com/Increments). Or give us one-time cash donations to help cover our lack of cash donations here (https://ko-fi.com/increments). Click dem like buttons on youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_4wZzQyoW4s4ZuE4FY9DQQ) But how many cubes until we get to AGI though? Send a few of your cubes over to incrementspodcast@gmail.com Episode header image from here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=0Jsrux_XY8Y&ab_channel=TheAlgorithmicVoice).

What do Amazon, The Rock, and personal branding have in common? More than you might think. This week, Mike welcomes AJ Vaden—CEO of Brand Builders Group, co-author of Wealthy and Well-Known, and a trailblazing entrepreneur—to explore the secrets behind building a powerful personal brand. This dynamic conversation is packed with actionable insights to elevate your influence and success. From art major to advertising executive, AJ takes us on her unconventional journey into the world of business, sharing how she launched her first company at 22 and why reputation is your most valuable asset. Learn how a single relationship with Lewis Howes helped ignite a national brand, and why strong offline connections still matter in a digital-first world. Packed with stories, strategy, and soul, AJ reveals her secret weapon for content creation, the trick to getting your family involved in your business (without losing your mind), and the one question you must ask if you want to grow: “Can you help me?” If you've ever felt overwhelmed by trying to offer too much, this episode is your permission slip to narrow your focus and amplify your impact. IN THIS EPISODE: ➡️ The Power of Reputation and Personal Branding ➡️ The Art of Business and Creativity ➡️ Avoiding the Pitfalls of Over-Diversification ➡️ The Importance of Offline Relationships  

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Stephen Vaden, was in Tennessee Friday addressing Tennessee farmers at the Tennessee Farm Bureau County Presidents Conference. Vaden updated on some of the things the Trump administration is doing to boost American agriculture & how he's fighting for them daily at USDA.

In this engaging interview, the host sits down with AJ Vaden to discuss her newly released book, 'Wealthy and Well-Known,' co-authored with her husband Rory. AJ shares insights into the book's creation, emphasizing their seamless partnership and collaborative process. The conversation shifts to inspiring listeners considering writing their own stories, highlighting the impact of personal branding beyond just business, and revealing the misconceptions around the topic. AJ also recounts a pivotal personal story from her childhood and the revelation that her story mattered. In addition, she describes the transformative call from Lewis Howes that catalyzed the launch of their now-thriving business. Throughout, AJ underscores the significance of embracing our stories and the belief that everyone has a unique narrative capable of changing lives.Menu: 00:00 Introduction and Initial Reactions00:24 Discussing the Book: Wealthy and Well-Known02:31 Encouragement for Aspiring Authors05:23 Defining Personal Branding09:43 AJ Vaden's Personal Story: Getting Fired15:08 The Aftermath and New Beginnings21:24 The Importance of Reputation and Relationships24:54 A Life-Changing Invitation25:18 The Birth of a Business27:25 The Power of Trust and Personal Branding31:26 Serving Your Former Self38:53 The Miracle Story47:12 Hopes for the Book

Kelsey Barnes is joining fellow Obion County native, Steven Vaden, in our nation's capital at USDA. Vaden was officially sworn is as U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture earlier this week and Barnes is serving as senior advisor to Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. Barnes describes what it means to her to serve in this roll and how her agriculture roots in Tennessee are helping her.

This week we take a break from our regularly scheduled programming to listen to Ben, Rich, and Cam loutishly pontificate on one of the oldest poems in history. That's right, three fiction noobs take on Homer. Ladies, have you ever wondered what your fella is doing when you're out for the evening? Look no further. The podcast you're listening to is Do You Even Lit? (https://doyouevenlit.podbean.com/) which you can find on any podcast platform and on youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@DoYouEvenLit). The hosts are Richard Meadows (https://thedeepdish.org/blog/), Cam Peters (https://falliblepieces.substack.com/), and some third guy. Back to increments in a couple weeks! In the meantime: - find us on twitter at @BennyChugg, @VadenMasrani, and @Incrementspod - come join our discord channel! Send us a message or an email to get a supersecret link - hit those like buttons on youtube to show off your virtuosity Should we switch out Vaden for Rich and Cam? Tell us at incrementspodcast@gmail.com. Special Guest: Richard Meadows.

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From his century farm in Union City to now the second in command at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington DC, Stephen Vaden says its been surreal to be sworn-in as deputy secretary.

Do you want to take your personal brand to the next level? I'm joined by personal branding expert, AJ Vaden, the CEO & Co-Founder of Brand Builders Group! We dig into her brand new book, Wealthy and Well-known: Build Your Personal Brand and Turn Your Reputation into Revenue, to break down what it takes to become a personal branding master. We explore why investing in yourself is a MUST if you want to expand the impact you create, and the sneaky blocks that keep people from breaking through in their personal brand. AJ also reveals simple tips and concepts for entrepreneurs of all stages to get specific, find your niche, shift the way you approach marketing, sales, and branding, and become a magnet for who you are meant to serve.   HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Meet AJ Vaden, the CEO & Co-Founder of Brand Builders Group! 03:25 When did you decide to go all-in on personal branding? 07:05 Should you build a personal brand or your business brand? 11:45 The biggest misconception surrounding personal brands. 14:45 Three tips for beginner entrepreneurs to get clear on their brand. 22:35 How to shift the way you think about your brand. 31:30 Does the size of your audience matter for your success? 37:15 A BTS peek into the first chapter of Wealthy and Well-Known. 43:20 How to stay the course and avoid distractions. 47:45 What is one takeaway from your book you want women to leave with? 50:30 Celebrating AJ's Powerhouse moment of her son coming to her with honesty.   RESOURCES + LINKS Get the audiobook of Wealthy & Well Known for FREE here: https://freebrandaudiobook.com/powerhouse Click HERE for tickets to the 2025 Powerhouse Women Event August 15-17th in Scottsdale, Arizona! Powerhouse Women is a COMMUNITY and YOU are part of it! Take a screenshot of this episode and tag us on Instagram so we can keep the conversation going and create more of the episodes you need!    FOLLOW Powerhouse Women: @powerhouse_women Lindsey: @lindseymarieofficial Visit the Powerhouse Women website: powerhousewomen.co Join the PW Community Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/powerhousewomencommunity

At BossMom, we're normalizing the conversations that help you grow a business while raising a family. In this powerful episode of the Boss Mom Podcast, Dana Malstaff sits down with AJ Vaden, CEO and co-founder of Brand Builders Group, to break down what personal branding really means for moms who want to build a purpose-driven business. Together, they unpack how your story, your reputation, and your willingness to show up authentically can transform not just your income but your peace and fulfillment too. AJ shares honest insights about why wealth is more than money, how to let people love you (even when it's uncomfortable!), and why so many moms accidentally build a brand by default instead of on purpose. If you've ever felt stuck in survival mode, or wondered how to turn who you really are into a thriving business, this episode is for you. Explore More Resources from BossMom BossMom is your go-to home base for content, support, and community designed specifically for moms growing businesses → https://bossmom.com

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Ben and Vaden test their French skills and have Hugo Mercier on the podcast to discuss who we trust and what we believe. Are humans gullible? Do we fall for propaganda and advertising campaigns? Do we follow expert consensus or forge ahead as independent thinkers? Can Vaden go for one episode without bringing up Trump? Hugo Mercier (https://sites.google.com/site/hugomercier/) is a research director at the CNRS (Institut Jean Nicod, Paris), where he work with the Evolution and Social Cognition team. Check out his two books: The Enigma of Reason (https://www.amazon.com/Enigma-Reason-Hugo-Mercier/dp/0674368304) and Not Born Yesterday (https://www.amazon.com/dp/0691208921) . We discuss Mercier's thoughts on the cognitive bias literature Open vigilance mechanisms Criticism of the System 1 vs System 2 dichotomy Why Kahneman misinterpreted the bat and the ball thought experiment Do flat earthers really believe the earth is flat? The Asch conformity experiment Preference falsification vs internalization of professed beliefs How important is social signaling? Trump, MAGA, gullibility, and Tariffs How effective are advertisements? How effective is propaganda? Is social science reforming? References The Enigma of Reason (https://www.amazon.com/Enigma-Reason-Hugo-Mercier/dp/0674368304) by Hugo Mercier and Dan Sperber Not Born Yesterday (https://www.amazon.com/dp/0691208921) Our previous episodes on Not Born Yesterday (https://www.incrementspodcast.com/84) and The Enigma of Reason (https://www.incrementspodcast.com/39) Socials Follow us on Twitter at @hugoreasoning, @IncrementsPod, @BennyChugg, @VadenMasrani Come join our discord server! DM us on twitter or send us an email to get a supersecret link Become a patreon subscriber here (https://www.patreon.com/Increments). Or give us one-time cash donations to help cover our lack of cash donations here (https://ko-fi.com/increments). Click dem like buttons on youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_4wZzQyoW4s4ZuE4FY9DQQ) How much system 2 thinking does it take to misunderstand system 1 vs system 2? Tell us at incrementspodcast@gmail.com Special Guest: Hugo Mercier.

Stephen Vaden, Tennessee native, former USDA general counsel and judge on the Court of International Trade has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture at USDA.

Go fund me page for Dr. Alaa Al-Najjar Please donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-dr-alaa-alnajjar-and-her-family-in-gaza Podcast w/ Dr. Ali Al Najjar https://open.spotify.com/episode/2f6twY40sjd0zwT0Eks3NX Further Reading https://www.thesun.ie/news/15281868/sligo-doctor-ali-al-najjar-nieces-nephew-killed-gaza/ https://www.thejournal.ie/brother-woman-nine-kids-gaza-6717437-May2025/ https://amp.rte.ie/amp/1515399/ https://www.oceanfm.ie/northwest-today-show/fundraiser-launched-after-sligo-doctors-9-nieces-and-nephews-killed-in-gaza-attack-504443 https://www.oceanfm.ie/news/dail-hears-of-devastation-caused-to-sligo-doctors-family-in-gaza-503064 https://m.independent.ie/regionals/sligo/news/sligo-doctors-nine-nephews-and-nieces-killed-in-devastating-gaza-attack/a121298480.html Episode Blurb Back with part two of our reaction to What's the most rational way to know? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNQlmVJxySc&t=3614s&ab_channel=CordialCuriosity), a discussion between Brett Hall and Peter Boghossian on the relationship between confidence and evidence. Listen to part 1 first, availble here: https://www.incrementspodcast.com/85 It seems weird to try to be funny in this blurb, given the introduction, so going to keep the description lean. Back with our usual lighthearted nonsense next episode! Check out more from Brett Hall here (https://www.bretthall.org/) and Peter Boghossian here (https://peterboghossian.com/). We discuss A falliblist's view of confidence Confidence as a form of implicit knowledge Problems with attempting to define "knowledge" Can we "derive" moral facts? Being triggered by the word 'derive' References Paper discussing how it took the wider scientific community over 40 years (after Eddington's experiment!) to become convinced in the truth of general relativity: The 1919 measurement of the deflection of light (https://arxiv.org/abs/1409.7812) Eddington's original paper (https://w.astro.berkeley.edu/~kalas/labs/documents/dyson1920.pdf): Vaden and Brett's blog exchange (https://vmasrani.github.io/blog/2023/predicting-human-behaviour/) Socials Follow us on Twitter at @IncrementsPod, @BennyChugg, @VadenMasrani Come join our discord server! DM us on twitter or send us an email to get a supersecret link Become a patreon subscriber here (https://www.patreon.com/Increments). Or give us one-time cash donations to help cover our lack of cash donations here (https://ko-fi.com/increments). Click dem like buttons on youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_4wZzQyoW4s4ZuE4FY9DQQ) Please donate to: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-dr-alaa-alnajjar-and-her-family-in-gaza

From the archive: This episode was originally recorded and published in 2021. Our interviews on Entrepreneurs On Fire are meant to be evergreen, and we do our best to confirm that all offers and URL's in these archive episodes are still relevant. AJ Vaden is the CEO and Co-Founder of the personal brand strategy firm Brand Builders Group, as well as an 8 figure entrepreneur, international speaker and Co-Host of The Influential Personal Brand podcast. Top 3 Value Bombs 1. It is not about what you do. It's about who you are. Figure out what you want to be known for and then get a plan to get known for that thing. It will grow your business and your life. 2. Personal branding truly is the future of marketing. It's not a thing of popularity and vanity. It's a critical and essential part of doing business. 3. Influencer marketing is not about being an influencer. It's about being trustworthy. Having a personal brand means people are more likely to trust you. It doesn't matter how many followers or likes you have. Download the study and make smarter and more informed decisions for your personal brand - Brand Builders Group Sponsors Northwest Registered Agent - Protect your privacy, build your brand, and set up your business in just 10 clicks in 10 minutes. Visit NorthwestRegisteredAgent.com/fire and start building something amazing. ThriveTime Show - Become the next success story, schedule a free consultation and request tickets to join Football Star, Tim Tebow and President Trump's Son, Eric Trump at Clay Clark's next business conference today at - ThrivetimeShow.com/eofire.

Struggling with clarity in your business? Feeling stuck in transition or unsure how to pivot your brand or purpose? In this powerful and heartfelt episode of the Influential Personal Brand podcast, AJ Vaden sits down with Jamal Miller—founder of Miller Media Group and a purpose-driven entrepreneur who went from food stamps to leading a $3M launch in just 30 days. Together, they unpack the raw, behind-the-scenes journey of what it really looks like to chase purpose over profit, build a thriving brand with your spouse, and navigate the highs and lows of success—all while staying aligned with your calling. Jamal shares his personal transformation from youth pastor to 7-figure business owner, the spiritual breakthroughs that changed his life, and the mindset shifts that helped him scale without losing his soul. If you're in a season of transition, feeling overwhelmed, or searching for a breakthrough, this episode is for you. You'll also learn the secret behind his "Circle of Purpose" framework and the business philosophy that led him to build brands that make both impact and income. Don't miss: How Jamal and his wife built a personal brand from a viral love story The danger of chasing money over meaning Why every entrepreneur needs to constantly redefine success The power of sowing into purpose—even when you have nothing Jamal's top advice for getting unstuck and growing faster This episode is packed with purpose, strategy, and truth—and will leave you inspired to take bold, aligned action. Ready to turn your mess into your message and build a brand that actually makes a difference? Start by booking your Free Brand Call with Brand Builders Group today!

In 2024, AJ committed to reading two books every month of the year, a tradition she's been building on for three consecutive years! Today, she shares her most influential books for 2024, how they have shaped her outlook, and why you might want to check them out yourself. Discover why Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara is required reading for the entire Brand Builders Group team; how Gary Thomas's Sacred Marriage has deepened AJ's understanding of what it means to be married; what The Go-Giver by Bob Burg teaches readers about learning through relationships; why AJ decided to revisit Take the Stairs, written by her husband, Rory Vaden; and why What Got You Here Won't Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith is essential reading for anyone ready to level up. Regardless of whether you decide to read these books in the coming year, ask yourself, ‘Am I implementing what I've learned, and how can I use it to create real change in my life?' Don't miss out on this inspiring conversation with AJ Vaden on her top books and lessons from 2024!