Podcasts about validate

This week on ShrinkChicks, Em and Jen are joined by Johanna Kulp, licensed therapist, speaker, and body image specialist, who helps individuals and families break free from diet culture and rebuild trust in their bodies. Johanna shares how her own eating disorder recovery shaped her work, and why so many of today's “wellness” trends still keep people stuck.They talk about raising kids in a world where diet messages are unavoidable, how to find balance without swinging to extremes, and what it actually takes to reconnect with your body through intuitive eating. Topics cover GLP-1s and body autonomy, accepting a postpartum body in “bounce-back” culture, and small daily practices that interrupt generational body shame; plus, how to handle relatives who comment on food or bodies around your kids. Johanna also shares her VIRR framework (Validate, Inquire, Refute, Reinforce) and calls BS on the idea that there's a “perfect” body or finish line to reach.Find Johanna @johannakulp.lcsw and make sure to get her book, Finding Peace with Your Body: A Body Image Guide for WomenTune in to gain insight, awareness, and action!⁠Get Matched With One of Our Therapists⁠ at The Therapy Group!⁠ShrinkChicks on Instagram⁠Our ⁠Know Yourself Grow Yourself Journal⁠!!Check out ShrinkChicks on YouTube by subscribing here! ⁠https://youtube.com/channel/UCrxuhDqoL4ML3UE8b2J2BBg⁠A special thank you to this week's sponsors for supporting ShrinkChicks! We have these exclusive offers for our listeners:AG1: Go to DRINKAG1.com/SHRINKCHICKS to get their best offer, and for a limited time only, get a FREE AG1 duffel bag and FREE AG1 Welcome Kit with your first subscription orderBobbie: If you want to feed with confidence too, head to hibobbie.com to find the formula trusted by parents and loved by their babiesQuince: Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠quince.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping and 365-day returns on your next orderGreenChef: Right now, go to GreenChef.com/shrinkchicksgraza and use code shrinkchicksgraza to get started with 50% off Green Chef + FREE Graza Olive Oil Set in your 2nd and 3rd boxesDavid Protein: David is offering our listeners a special deal: buy 4 cartons and get the 5th free when you go to davidprotein.com/SHRINKCHICKSOlive & June: Visit OliveandJune.com/SHRINKCHICKS for 20% off your first SystemPique Life: Secure 20% off your order and begin your intentional wellness journey today at Piquelife.com/shrinkchicksSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Travis and his producer get brutally honest about the offers, products, and business models they would never build again—and why that matters if you want to make more money with less stress. From overpriced courses to overbuilt software and Travis's hard “no” on ever starting a restaurant from scratch, this conversation focuses on pattern recognition: how to spot red flags earlier, avoid expensive mistakes, and build offers people actually want to buy.​ On this episode we talk about: Why Travis's early webinar-to-course funnel “worked” on paper but could never scale without a real backend offer.​ How he would redesign that same funnel today: free or low-ticket course, then selling implementation (done-with-you and done-for-you).​ The expensive lessons from building a software company before validating demand—and why you must build what the market wants, then deliver what it needs.​ The hidden stress and complexity of certain business models (like restaurants) and why Travis would never launch one from scratch.​ How ego, perfectionism, and “romanticizing your idea” can cost you time, money, and opportunity.​ Top 3 Takeaways Courses aren't dead—but information isn't enough. Use courses as lead magnets and make real money on implementation offers (coaching, consulting, done-for-you services).​ Validate before you build big. Especially with software, ship the embarrassing V1, get feedback fast, and only scale what people are already using and asking for.​ Choose business models that match your life. Some ideas (like restaurants) can be wildly profitable for the right person, but come with low margins, high stress, and operational headaches Travis doesn't want.​ Notable Quotes “You have to build what they want—and then give them what they need on the back end.”​ “If you're not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you launched too late really hit home for me—because I launched way too late.”​ “I would never start a restaurant from scratch. One successful store isn't enough reward for all the headache it takes to get there.”​ ✖️✖️✖️✖️

The ombudsman who monitors the Virginia Corrections Department completed two investigations into a pair of prisons during fiscal year 2025. Dave Cantor has more.

The idea of reparenting yourself can feel overwhelming — especially if you grew up having to take care of yourself emotionally at a young age. In Episode 5 of 6 in the Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents series, we break down what reparenting actually means, what it does not mean, and why this work is meant to be gentle — not perfect. Reparenting isn't about fixing your parents, erasing the past, or doing everything on your own. It's about learning how to offer yourself the emotional safety, validation, and attunement that may not have been consistently available growing up. In this episode, we explore: What reparenting yourself really is Common misconceptions that make this concept feel intimidating Why receiving care — even from yourself — can feel unfamiliar or uncomfortable How self-abandonment shows up when care once came with conditions What reparenting looks like in everyday, real-life moments This episode isn't about doing more or getting it right. It's about beginning to relate to yourself with compassion and curiosity.

In this episode of Player Driven, Greg Posner sits down with Laura Norwicke Hall, Senior Player Support Specialist at Schell Games, to unpack what modern player experience really looks like when games scale.Laura shares her unconventional journey from managing communications at a zoo to building player support and trust & safety systems for games like Among Us 3D and I Expect You to Die. Along the way, she breaks down how studios should think about moderation, community feedback, AI, and player trust not as reactive systems, but as core product infrastructure.This is a practical, behind-the-scenes conversation for anyone building or operating live games, platforms, or digital communities.

Check out Christ Church, Charlottesville, VA (https://www.christchurchcville.org/), where Amanda serves as Associate Rector.

Matthew 3:13-17

If you're a developer or founder, you already know how to build. The hard part is building the right thing, for the right people, at the right time. In Part 1 of our interview with Samir ElKamouny, we dig into a practical market validation strategy that helps you avoid the most expensive mistake in software: investing months of effort into something the market didn't ask for. Samir's message is refreshingly grounded: big ideas are great, but execution is everything. And execution doesn't start with code—it starts with clarity, research, and small tests that tell you whether you're on the right path. About Samir ElKamouny Samir ElKamouny is an entrepreneur and marketing expert who believes execution is everything—an early lesson inspired by his father's legacy of big ideas. He's helped scale businesses by pairing strategic action with a commitment to impact, guided by values like Freedom, Happiness, Health, Family, and Spirituality. In this episode, that philosophy shows up as practical market validation: test demand and messaging before you overbuild. Market Validation Strategy: Start With "Is This Real?" Before "Can I Build It?" One of the biggest mindset shifts Samir reinforces is that your first job isn't product development—it's discovery. Before you worry about features, tech stacks, or perfect UI, you need answers to questions like: What problem are we solving—and for whom? What alternatives do people already use? Why would someone switch (or pay)? What would make this stand out in the market? This is where market research becomes your leverage. It reduces risk, sharpens your messaging, and keeps your roadmap tied to real-world demand instead of assumptions. Ideas Don't Win—Execution Wins: You can have a great idea, but if you can't clearly explain why it matters and who it's for, you'll struggle to sell it—even if you build it perfectly. Market Validation Strategy: Use Market Research to Find Differentiation Samir talks about loving market research because it forces you to look for what actually matters: differentiation. A useful way to think about this (especially for builders) is to treat your market research like a product spec—but for the buyer's brain: What are the top 3 pains people complain about? What outcomes do they want most? What language do they use to describe the problem? What do they distrust about existing options? That last point is gold: distrust is often where your positioning lives. If buyers think "all solutions in this space are overpriced and confusing," your market edge might be "simple, transparent, and fast to implement." Market Validation Strategy: Run the $5/Day Test (Before You Write Code) Here's where Samir gets extremely actionable: you don't need a perfect product to validate interest. You need a simple way to test messaging and capture intent. Think lightweight experiments: a basic landing page with one clear promise a short form ("Interested? Tell me your biggest challenge.") a tiny ad budget to test demand and messaging (Samir mentions even $5/day) a few direct conversations with the people you're building for This isn't about "launching." It's about getting signals—fast. The Goal Isn't Perfection—It's Proof: If people won't click, reply, or sign up when the idea is explained clearly, a bigger build won't fix that. Validation comes before optimization. Market Validation Strategy: Build a Funnel That Matches the Buyer's Learning Curve Samir also breaks down why funnels aren't one-size-fits-all. The funnel you need depends on how much your buyer must be educated before they can decide. If you're in a well-known category—say "CRM"—buyers already understand the problem and the solution type. Your job becomes differentiation and trust. But if your product is new, complex, or requires behavior change, you may need a longer funnel: more education, more examples, more proof, and more clarity before a buyer is ready to act. Either way, the key is to define the conversion goal (lead, consultation, free trial, signup) and build only what supports that path. Market Validation Strategy: A 48-Hour Checklist for Builders Try this quick validation sprint before you commit to a full build: Write a one-sentence offer (who it's for + outcome). Build a simple landing page (problem, promise, proof, CTA). Run a tiny ad test or post where your audience hangs out. Track clicks + form submissions (signals > opinions). Talk to 3–5 responders and ask what they expected. If the message lands, you've earned the right to build the next layer. If it doesn't, you just saved yourself months of building the wrong thing. Closing Thoughts: Execute Small, Learn Fast, Build Smart A strong market validation strategy is less about "finding the perfect idea" and more about building the habit of learning quickly. Samir's approach helps you move from assumptions to evidence—without betting your time, energy, or budget on hope. So before you spin up a repo, define your offer, test your messaging, and look for real-world signals. Once you have proof, then you can build with confidence—because you're not just building software. You're building something people actually want. In Part 2, we'll take the next step: how to diagnose funnel bottlenecks, improve clarity, and use smarter testing to increase conversions once you've got traction. Stay Connected: Join the Developreneur Community We invite you to join our community and share your coding journey with us. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting, there's always room to learn and grow together. Contact us at info@develpreneur.com with your questions, feedback, or suggestions for future episodes. Together, let's continue exploring the exciting world of software development. Additional Resources Branding and Marketing Fundamentals with Kevin Adelsberger Leverage YouTube For Marketing And Brand Growth How to Succeed with Digital Marketing for Small Businesses Building Better Foundations Podcast Videos – With Bonus Content

Struggling to turn your skills, passion, or expertise into a profitable online business? In this episode, I share the secret sauce for crafting offers that sell, so your clients say, “Where do I sign?”Learn how to:Validate your business idea and read the marketCreate an irresistible offer with the 5 E's: Event, Expert, Enhanced Opportunities, Experience, ExecutionStand out with your unique story and styleSpeak in simple, human language that convertsWhether you're building a coaching program, online course, or digital product, this episode will help you turn your expertise into income.

Episode 531 Show Notes: The 5 AI Prompts Every Parent Should Know How to turn your lunch break into a six-figure business blueprint using questions everyone has access to Episode Summary Discover the 5 specific ChatGPT prompts that are helping parents build AI-powered side hustles without sacrificing family time. Host Ace Allan reveals the exact questions that turn lunch breaks into business breakthroughs and shows why the biggest AI goldmine isn't in fancy tools—it's in asking better questions. Key Timestamps & Insights 00:00 - Opening 00:35 - Overview 01:15 - The Paradigm Shift 02:50 - Prompt #1: The Market Detective Prompt: "I'm a parent with [X hours] available per week. Analyze the top 5 problems that [target audience] are actively paying to solve right now. For each problem, tell me: the average price people pay for solutions, how saturated the market is, what skills I need to serve this market, what solutions have they already tried and failed, and rank them by opportunity for a beginner. 04:25 - Prompt #2: The Business Blueprint Prompt: "Create a detailed business plan for a [service/product] targeting [specific audience]. Include startup costs under $500, time commitment of [X hours/week], step-by-step launch sequence, pricing strategy, and first 90-day action plan. Make this realistic for someone with no prior business experience." 05:55 - Prompt #3: The Content Machine Prompt: "Generate 30 days of content ideas for [your business niche]. For each idea, provide: the main topic, 3 key points to cover, a compelling headline, a specific problem it solves for my audience, and format this as a content calendar that I can batch create in one weekend." 07:15 - Prompt #4: The Problem Solver Prompt: "I want to solve [specific problem] for [target market]. Give me 5 different business models I could use, ranging from low effort/low income to high effort/high income. For each model, explain how it works, what I would charge, how to get my first customer, and realistic income potential in months 1, 6, and 12." 08:35 - Prompt #5: The Launch Accelerator Exact Prompt: "Create a 30-day launch plan for [your business idea]. Include daily tasks that take maximum [X hours per day], what to post on social media, how to find my first 10 clients, what tools I need (free options preferred), and how to validate my idea before investing a single dollar. Make this actionable for a busy parent." 10:35 - Why This Matters 11:20 - Whiskered Wisdom Strategies Shared The 5 Core AI Prompts Market Detective - Rapid market research and opportunity identification Business Blueprint - Comprehensive business planning with realistic constraints Content Machine - Systematic content creation and calendar planning Problem Solver - Multiple business model exploration and validation Launch Accelerator - Step-by-step 30-day implementation plan Implementation Framework Use during lunch breaks, naptime, or evening "side hustle mode" Start with constraints: available time, budget, family commitments Focus on problems you already understand as a parent Validate before investing significant time or money Parent-Specific Advantages Parenting experience provides unique market insights Time constraints force efficiency and focus Family-first values align with sustainable business models Existing problem-solving skills transfer to entrepreneurship Episode On Deep AI Deep Research DarkHorseSchooling.com/EP513 Resources Mentioned Primary Resource AI Escape Plan Newsletter - Weekly practical AI strategies for parents. DarkHorseInsider.com ChatGPT Toolkit - Advanced versions of all 5 prompts plus templates Upcoming 50 AI Prompts Collection - Specific side hustle prompts for beginners (joint the newsletter to get 1st access) Tools Referenced ChatGPT - Primary AI tool for all prompts Deep Research Mode - Enhanced research capabilities (separate episode referenced) Any LLM model (Claude, Gemini, Perplexity) - Alternative AI platforms Action Steps to Take Immediate Actions (Tonight) Choose one prompt that resonated most during the episode Open ChatGPT (or preferred AI tool) Customize the prompt for your specific situation, available time, and target audience Hit enter and start the conversation - don't overthink it Ask follow-up questions to refine and improve the output This Week Test the Market Detective prompt with 2-3 different target audiences Run the Business Blueprint prompt for your most promising opportunity Sign up for AI Escape Plan newsletter for ongoing strategies and community Next 30 Days Implement the Launch Accelerator prompt for systematic business development Use Content Machine prompt to plan and batch-create marketing content Apply Problem Solver prompt to validate and refine your business model Join the AI Escape Plan newsletter - your weekly dose of practical, AI-powered strategies designed specifically for parents who refuse to choose between family time and financial freedom. Join here -> DarkHorseInsider.com Sign up now and get the complete "ChatGPT Toolkit" including: Advanced versions of all 5 prompts Exact templates used by successful parent entrepreneurs Early access to the upcoming 50 AI Prompts collection Your roadmap to more money, more freedom, and more of what truly matters starts here.

  Episode Summary: Is emotional intelligence the ultimate superpower? In this episode, we dive into how mastering your emotions can improve every relationship and professional interaction you have. We discuss why reacting instantly is almost always a mistake and share a 3-step action plan to help you control your impulses, understand your own feelings, and become a master communicator. Learn how to use the "Six-Second Rule," the power of a "Draft Folder Policy," and how to truly listen without just waiting for your turn to speak. Key Takeaways & Action Steps: ·        Why EQ Matters: Emotional intelligence isn't just about being "nice." It is about effectiveness. Dealing with humans requires a skill set that goes beyond logic. ·        Step 1: Master the Gap: o   The Six-Second Rule: Anger causes a chemical flush in the brain that lasts about six seconds. If you can pause for just that long (drink water, take a breath), you can regain control. o   The Draft Folder Policy: Never send an angry email or text immediately. Write it, save it, and sleep on it. You will almost always edit or delete it the next day. o   Control the Space: You can't control the delayed flight, but you can control your reaction. "If the flight is delayed, there is something wrong with the plane, the pilot, or the weather—and you don't want to be on it anyway." ·        Step 2: Name it to Tame it: o   Engage Logic: When you specifically name an emotion (e.g., "I feel disrespected" instead of just "I'm mad"), your brain shifts from the emotional center to the logic center, instantly lowering stress. o   Separate Self from Feeling: Stop saying "I am angry." Start saying "I am experiencing anger." You are not the emotion; you are the vessel experiencing it. ·        Step 3: The Listener's Lens: o   Stop Reloading: Most people aren't listening; they are just waiting for their turn to talk. Stop reloading your next argument and actually hear what is being said. o   The Looping Technique: Before you respond, summarize what the other person said ("So what I hear you saying is..."). This validates them and clarifies any misunderstandings before they blow up. o   Validate to Influence: You don't have to agree with someone to validate their feelings ("That sounds frustrating"). Connection precedes influence. Quotes from the Episode: ·        "Anger causes a chemical flush in your brain that lasts about six seconds. If you can pause, you win." ·        "Stop reloading. Stop waiting for your turn to speak and actually listen." ·        "You can't fire a behavior, but you can change it. Name it to tame it." ·        "If you only have short-term friends, look in the mirror. You might be the problem." Action Plan: 1.   Practice the 6-Second Pause: Next time you feel triggered, count to six before doing anything. 2.   Use the "Draft" Rule: Commit to waiting 24 hours before sending any difficult communication. 3.   Try "Looping": In your next conversation, repeat back what you heard before you offer your opinion. ARN Suggested Reading: Blessings In the Bullshit: A Guided Journal for Finding the BEST In Every Day – by Mark Cardone & Theron Feidt https://www.amazon.com/Blessings-Bullshit-Guided-Journal-Finding/dp/B09FP35ZXX/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=blessings+in+the+bullshit&qid=1632233840&sr=8-1 Full List of Recommended Books: https://www.achieveresultsnow.com/readers-are-leaders Questions? 1.   Do you have a question you want answered in a future podcast? 2.   Go to www.AchieveResultsNow.com to submit. Connect with Us: Get access to some of the great resources that we use at: www.AchieveResultsNow.com/success-store www.AchieveResultsNow.com www.facebook.com/achieveresultsnow www.twitter.com/nowachieve Thank you for listening to the Achieve Results NOW! Podcast.  The podcast that gives you immediate actions you can take to start seeing life shifting results NOW!

John Hill was lying in a hospital bed after surviving a massive heart attack when he faced a life-altering choice: give up, or stay and find a higher purpose. Choosing to stay, John walked away from his stable job with only one paycheck left, no safety net, and a yellow legal pad to map out a business idea that experts called "the worst model ever." He set out to clean up a dirty industry by doing the unthinkable—personally guaranteeing the work of contractors to protect homeowners.In this interview, John sits down with Ryan Atkinson to share how he built The Good Contractors List, a company that has backed over $5 billion in work and paid out $127,000 in claims to fix bad jobs. He reveals why the "sell the lead" model is broken and how his unique approach of "giving more than you take" created a community-driven ecosystem that generates revenue without sacrificing integrity.You'll learn why ignoring "business experts" was the best decision John ever made, how to identify if you are a Visionary or an Integrator, and the crucial difference between self-promotion and community authority. We also dive deep into how faith fueled John through financial rock bottom and the practical steps entrepreneurs can take to build a business that prioritizes purpose over profit.Takeaways:- Purpose Beats Credentials: John didn't have a business degree or a safety net; he had a "hospital bed promise" to live with purpose. This intrinsic motivation fueled him through obstacles that would have stopped a purely profit-driven founder. - The "Anti-Lead" Business Model: John disrupted the industry by refusing to sell leads. Instead of charging per lead (which incentivizes quantity over quality), he charges a flat membership fee, aligning his success with the contractor's reputation rather than their marketing spend.- Validate with Sales, Not Software: You don't need a website to start. John launched his business with a yellow legal pad and a pen, collecting checks and validating the concept before spending a dime on digital infrastructure.- Ignore the "Experts": Multiple business consultants told John his model—personally guaranteeing contractor work—was "suicide." He ignored them, and that specific differentiator is what allowed him to back over $5 billion in projects.- The Visionary vs. Integrator Dynamic: John struggled with structure until he recognized he was a "Visionary" and needed an "Integrator" partner to handle operations. Knowing your personality type is crucial for scaling past the startup phase.-Crowdsourced Quality Control: Instead of just hunting for contractors himself, John built a referral program where he pays homeowners and other contractors to refer trusted pros, effectively letting the community build his vetting pipeline.- Risk is Lower Than You Think: Guaranteeing work sounds risky, but the data proves otherwise. Because the vetting process is so strict, The Good Contractors List has only had to pay out ~$127,000 on $5 billion worth of jobs.- Give More Than You Take: This isn't just a moral stance; it's a growth strategy. By not nickel-and-diming contractors for every lead, John built a loyal community that self-polices and promotes the brand organically.- Faith as a Stress Management Tool: John attributes his ability to handle the "Valley of Death" (running out of money) to a spiritual surrender. Removing his ego from the outcome allowed him to make clear decisions without panic.- Community Authority: A single contractor saying "I'm good" is marketing. A third-party organization backing that contractor with their own money is authority. John built a business on selling trust, not just advertising space.Tags: Home Services, Entrepreneurship, Business mindset, Faith, Startup, LeadershipResources:Grow your business today:  https://links.upflip.com/the-business-startup-and-growth-blueprint-podcast Connect with John: https://thegoodcontractorslist.com/contractor-listings-and-our-team/

Join us for Motivation – Enlightenment – Transcendence – Renewal – Outreach – Networking. Happy Holidays. +website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow I – AI Overview of “Holding Space” Holding space means being fully present, creating a non-judgmental, safe environment where someone can express their feelings, experiences, or struggles without you trying to fix, change, or guide them, allowing them to feel heard, seen, and supported in their own process. It’s about compassionate witnessing, offering a safe “container” for their emotions, and simply being there, which builds trust and deeper connection. Key aspects of holding space: Presence: Being authentically and undistractedly present in the moment, focusing on the other person’s experience. Non-judgment: Accepting their feelings and story as valid without criticism or imposing your own views. No fixing: Resisting the urge to offer unsolicited advice or try to solve their problem, which can feel dismissive. Safe environment: Creating a sense of security where they feel safe to be vulnerable and express difficult emotions. Bearing witness: Acting as a supportive witness to their pain, joy, or uncertainty, letting them lead. How it’s different from other interactions: Not “hijacking” space: The opposite is taking over, controlling the narrative, or making it about your own anxiety or ego. Not just being nice: It’s a deeper, intentional act of support, distinct from just sharing laughs or being polite. When to use it: When someone is grieving, stressed, or in crisis. To foster deeper, more authentic relationships. In therapy, coaching, or supportive friendships. How to do it: Listen actively and ask clarifying questions like, “What are you feeling about that?”. Validate their experience with phrases like, “That sounds incredibly difficult,” or “I can see why you’d feel that way”. Sit with them in silence if needed, offering your quiet presence. Communicate your presence, e.g., “I’m here for you, no fixing needed”. _______________________________________ II – #jimswilleybooks “But the angel spoke immediately and authoritatively, saying to them, “Do not be afraid! I am here to announce good news to you…good news of a great and joyful event, and of a new reality! And this good news…this new reality…is for all people everywhere…it is for the entirety of humanity! This very night a Savior has been born in the City of David…a Savior who will perfectly embody the Christ, and will be known as the Lord! If you seek Him you will find Him…and this is what you’re to look for: a baby swaddled in a blanket, and lying in a feeding trough for animals!” As soon as the angel made this declaration, the sky above the shepherds’ heads lit up, and was filled with a seemingly infinite number of angels who formed a thunderous, mass choir, singing God’s praises, and shouting, “GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST PARTS OF THE HEAVENLY REALM…AND IN THE EARTHLY DIMENSION, PEACE…PEACE TO EVERY SINGLE PERSON ON THE EARTH…AND A REVELATION TO THEM THAT GOD’S WILL TOWARD ALL OF HUMANITY IS ONLY GOOD!”” (Luke 2:10-14 – Luke In The Now/Gospels In The Now) _____________________________ III – José y Maria by Everett Patterson

How To Find a Cofounder Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. A founding team includes someone who is building it and someone who is selling it. It's important that the startup has two founders. Here are some steps to find a cofounder for your startup. Figure out which role the founder is taking and look for a cofounder to fill the other. The key to finding and recruiting the co-founder is to show how the business will be successful. This typically starts with a customer or market ready to pay for the product to be produced. Show the key insight you have into the market and how you can use it to create a successful business. Validate with customers who are ready to buy the product and place them on a waitlist. Sign up customers who are ready to pay and provide the service manually till you have an automated solution. Gain agreement on the goals of the company for the coming three years. Negotiate compensation based on what each founder is bringing to the table. Use the negotiation process to test out the other's skills. Go on joint sales calls to see how each performs. Work on the product development to see what progress can be made. Consider these steps in finding a cofounder. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Welcome to the Leading Edge in Emotionally Focused Therapy, hosted by Drs. James Hawkins, Ph.D., LPC, and Ryan Rana, Ph.D., LMFT, LPC—Renowned ICEEFT Therapists, Supervisors, and Trainers. We're thrilled to have you with us. We believe this podcast, a valuable resource, will empower you to push the boundaries in your work, helping individuals and couples connect more deeply with themselves and each other. In this episode of “Push the Leading Edge”, James Hawkins and Ryan Rana dive into one of the most anxiety‑provoking parts of EFT: when the caregiving system red-lights right in the middle of beautiful vulnerability. Drawing on attachment theory and years of EFT training experience, they explore “caregiving nightmares”—those predictable moments when a partner can't respond with comfort, even when their loved one is wide open and reaching. They unpack how pursuers and withdrawers each bring their attachment strategies into the caregiving role: withdrawers often “loan out their avoidance” as a form of love, and pursuers “up the ante” as their way of fighting for the bond. Rather than shaming these moves or bypassing them to “get to the heart,” James and Ryan show how to move toward the blocks themselves as emotional material, validating the attachment logic inside them and using structured, attuned interventions to help partners reclaim their caregiving systems. With rich clinical examples, regulation strategies for therapists, and practical language you can use tomorrow, this episode helps you trust the process, trust the caregiving system, and stay with the red lights long enough for new attachment experiences to emerge. Main Points from the Episode Framing: “Caregiving Nightmares” & Red Lights  - Focus on stage 2 / step 6 caregiving positions, and the “back half” of vulnerable enactments.    - The “red light” is the blocked caregiving system: the partner can't offer simple comfort even when they want to. Predictable Attachment Patterns in Caregiving  - Withdrawers as caregivers:    - “Loan out their avoidance” or self-reliance: advice, positivity, “be comfortable in your own skin.”      - This is a form of love and responsiveness, but often misattuned.    - Pursuers as caregivers:      - “Up the ante”: test, push, or kick the tires on vulnerability (“it's just words,” “you only do this in here”).      - Driven by hope and fear of being dropped again. Therapist Regulation & Preparation  - Pre‑regulate before couples sessions; expect blocks as part of the process, not a failure.  - If the therapist dysregulates, you now have three protection systems in the room. Working with Withdrawer Red Lights  - Steps:    1. Regulate yourself.        2. Offer an attuned, assertive interruption (contain the cycle).        3. Give 3–5 concrete validations of the withdrawer's strategy as attachment‑driven care.        4. Reframe the strategy's attachment function (“this is how you love/protect”).        5. Then gently move toward the part that wants to reach.      - Don't bypass the strategy; work with it as emotional material. Working with Pursuer Red Lights  - Normalize that pursuers often lash out or test the first vulnerabilities they've begged for.    - Validate their vision, hope, and fight for the relationship (3–5 validations).      - Help them notice their somatic/empathic response to the partner's pain (1% of reach or comfort).      - Avoid shaming language like “you're going to your head.” Use of Numbers & Repetition  - “Magic” 3–5 validations to regulate a nervous system.    - Sue Johnson's idea: clients often don't really hear you until about the 5th repetition. Tourniquets & Sender Protection  - After a strong send + strong red light, layer tourniquets on the sender so they:    - Feel caught and not blamed.        - Are reinforced to risk again.      - Never make the sender give up their experience just to soothe the blocked caregiver. Trusting the Caregiving System  - Leanne Campbell's idea: trusting the process = trusting the caregiving system.    - People do know how to care; the cycle paralyzes access.      - Our job is to create conditions for that caregiving instinct to re‑emerge experientially. Hope, Respect, and Attachment Change  - Both pursuer protest and withdrawer avoidance are hopeful, survival strategies.    - Change often comes through “begrudging respect”: seeing a partner fight their old pattern for the relationship. We aim to equip therapists with practical tools and encouragement for addressing relational distress. We're also excited to be part of the team behind Success in Vulnerability (SV)—your premier online education platform. SV offers innovative instruction to enhance your therapeutic effectiveness through exclusive modules and in-depth clinical examples.  Stay connected with us: Facebook: Follow our page @pushtheleadingedge Ryan: Follow @ryanranaprofessionaltraining on Facebook and visit his website James: Follow @dochawklpc on Facebook and Instagram, or visit his website at dochawklpc.com George Faller: Visit georgefaller.com If you like the concepts discussed on this podcast you can explore our online training program, Success in Vulnerability (SV). Thank you for being part of our community. Let's push the leading edge together!

 Many women feel frustrated with their health not because they're doing something wrong, but because they've been disconnected from trusting their own bodies for far too long.   On today's episode, we're joined by Catie Perkins, an Integrative Health Practitioner who uses functional medicine lab testing to help women rebuild self-trust and understand what their bodies have been communicating all along.   Catie shares how reframing lab results as evidence of the body's resilience, not failure, can be a powerful catalyst for healing, especially for women who have felt dismissed, overwhelmed, or stuck despite "doing everything right."   She also explains how chronic stress, overgiving, and hyper-discipline can show up on labs, impact the nervous system, and keep women trapped in survival mode and why compassion, curiosity, and individualized support are essential for true recovery.   If you want to learn how to use functional labs to empower clients, validate their experiences, and support deeper, more sustainable healing, tune in to today's Integrative #HealthCoachSuccess episode 417.   Enjoy the show, and let us know what you think!   - - -   Listen or Watch At:  IHP.Coach/417   - - - Dr. Cabral's Book, The Rain Barrel Effect: https://amzn.to/2H0W7Ge - - - Become an Integrative Health Practitioner: https://integrativehealthpractitioner.org  

AI is transforming how software is built, but testing AI systems requires an entirely new mindset. Don't miss AutomationGuild 2026 - Register Now:  https://testguild.me/podag26 Use code TestGuildPod20 to get 20% off your ticket. In this episode, Joe Colantonio sits down with Imran Ali to break down what AI testing really looks like when you're dealing with LLMs, RAG pipelines, and autonomous QA workflows. You'll learn: Why traditional pass/fail testing breaks down with LLMs How to test non-deterministic AI outputs for consistency and accuracy Practical techniques for detecting hallucinations, grounding issues, and prompt injection risks How RAG systems change the way testers validate AI-powered applications Where AI delivers quick wins today—and where human validation still matters This conversation goes beyond hype and gets into real-world AI testing strategies QA teams are using right now to keep up with AI-generated code, faster release cycles, and DevOps velocity. If you're a tester, automation engineer, or QA leader wondering how AI changes your role,not replaces it,this episode is your roadmap.

+website www.bishinthenow.com +Youtube – BishInTheNow Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307 Watch the video on Facebook:   Here Watch the video on Youtube :   Here Follow Jim Swilley on Facebook to see the videos live Sundays at 11 am – https://www.youtube.com/bishinthenow I – AI Overview of “Holding Space” Holding space means being fully present, creating a non-judgmental, safe environment where someone can express their feelings, experiences, or struggles without you trying to fix, change, or guide them, allowing them to feel heard, seen, and supported in their own process. It’s about compassionate witnessing, offering a safe “container” for their emotions, and simply being there, which builds trust and deeper connection. Key aspects of holding space: Presence: Being authentically and undistractedly present in the moment, focusing on the other person’s experience. Non-judgment: Accepting their feelings and story as valid without criticism or imposing your own views. No fixing: Resisting the urge to offer unsolicited advice or try to solve their problem, which can feel dismissive. Safe environment: Creating a sense of security where they feel safe to be vulnerable and express difficult emotions. Bearing witness: Acting as a supportive witness to their pain, joy, or uncertainty, letting them lead. How it’s different from other interactions: Not “hijacking” space: The opposite is taking over, controlling the narrative, or making it about your own anxiety or ego. Not just being nice: It’s a deeper, intentional act of support, distinct from just sharing laughs or being polite. When to use it: When someone is grieving, stressed, or in crisis. To foster deeper, more authentic relationships. In therapy, coaching, or supportive friendships. How to do it: Listen actively and ask clarifying questions like, “What are you feeling about that?”. Validate their experience with phrases like, “That sounds incredibly difficult,” or “I can see why you’d feel that way”. Sit with them in silence if needed, offering your quiet presence. Communicate your presence, e.g., “I’m here for you, no fixing needed”. _______________________________________ II – #jimswilleybooks “But the angel spoke immediately and authoritatively, saying to them, “Do not be afraid! I am here to announce good news to you…good news of a great and joyful event, and of a new reality! And this good news…this new reality…is for all people everywhere…it is for the entirety of humanity! This very night a Savior has been born in the City of David…a Savior who will perfectly embody the Christ, and will be known as the Lord! If you seek Him you will find Him…and this is what you’re to look for: a baby swaddled in a blanket, and lying in a feeding trough for animals!” As soon as the angel made this declaration, the sky above the shepherds’ heads lit up, and was filled with a seemingly infinite number of angels who formed a thunderous, mass choir, singing God’s praises, and shouting, “GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST PARTS OF THE HEAVENLY REALM…AND IN THE EARTHLY DIMENSION, PEACE…PEACE TO EVERY SINGLE PERSON ON THE EARTH…AND A REVELATION TO THEM THAT GOD’S WILL TOWARD ALL OF HUMANITY IS ONLY GOOD!”” (Luke 2:10-14 – Luke In The Now/Gospels In The Now) _____________________________ III – José y Maria by Everett Patterson

In this episode of Crowdfunding Demystified, Salvador Briggman talks with Anthony Mattana, founder of Fraimic, a voice-powered smart art frame that raised over $1.1M on Kickstarter. Anthony pulls back the curtain on what really happened before Fraimic ever launched—and why the momentum looked almost effortless on the surface.  He also points to a quiet shift happening on Kickstarter right now, especially around videos and trust, that most creators still haven't adapted to—but the platform already has. You'll learn how to: Validate demand before launch Build momentum early Create Kickstarter videos that convert And more! If you're building a physical product, working on AI-powered hardware, or planning a Kickstarter campaign, this episode offers real-world insights from a founder who's done it successfully. Resources and Tools Mentioned: Book a coaching call Subscribe for Weekly Crowdfunding Tips Fulfillrite: Kickstarter and crowdfunding reward fulfillment services. They come highly recommended! Download their free shipping and fulfillment checklist FREE Kickstarter Course Kickstarter Launch Formula Audiobook Fraimic: A Smart E Ink Canvas That Turns Your Voice Into Art on Kickstarter Fraimic Official Website

GreenLite delivers private construction plan review as an alternative to traditional city permitting processes. After spending six months testing both sides of the construction permitting transaction, the company identified owner-developers as their ICP and built a business model around Florida's privatization legislation—legislation that has now expanded to nine additional states including Texas, Tennessee, and California. In this episode of BUILDERS, we sat down with James Gallagher, CEO and Co-Founder of GreenLite, to explore how his fifth startup leveraged regulatory shifts, rejected workflow software in favor of outcomes, and scaled by targeting chief development officers at enterprise retailers struggling with permitting delays. Topics Discussed: How GreenLite discovered architects were heavy users but wrong customers due to two-part sales dynamics Why owner-developers became the ICP after six months of customer discovery across applicants and agencies The accidental discovery of private plan review through conversations with Fort Worth and Miami-Dade agencies GreenLite's platform combining regulatory permissions, licensed AEC professionals, and AI-augmented software How natural disasters and AEC talent shortages are accelerating privatization legislation nationwide Cold email strategies that converted enterprise retailers by surfacing acute pain points GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Map two-sided markets to find where purchasing authority and pain intersect: GreenLite pitched a CTO at a major architecture firm who responded positively but said "I just need to talk to my client, my customer." This revealed architects required approval from owner-developers despite being the heaviest product users. James pivoted to owner-developers who "carry the land, carry the construction loans" and feel revenue delays most acutely. The lesson: usage intensity doesn't equal buyer authority. In complex ecosystems, systematically test which party controls budget and feels enough pain to sign contracts independently. Recognize when procurement cycles kill early-stage validation velocity: Cities explicitly told James their "crazy procurement cycles" made early partnership impractical despite genuine interest. State and local education and government sales require specialized expertise and extended timelines that prevent rapid iteration. James chose to prove the model with private sector customers first. For founders: government can be a lucrative eventual market, but unless you have sled sales expertise and 12+ month runway per deal, validate PMF elsewhere first. Capitalize on regulatory tailwinds before markets realize they exist: Only Florida permitted private plan review when GreenLite launched in July 2022. By late 2024, nine states passed enabling legislation driven by natural disaster reconstruction needs and talent shortages in city building departments. James positioned GreenLite to ride this wave rather than selling transformation to resistant agencies. Founders should monitor legislative and regulatory changes in their verticals—new compliance requirements or permissions can suddenly open massive TAMs with minimal incumbent competition. Enterprise cold email converts when you surface non-obvious acute pain: GreenLite cold emailed chief development officers at major retail chains and quick-service restaurants with "Are you missing your openings due to permitting?" The response rate validated that permitting delays—not site selection or construction costs—were a critical path blocker for store rollout velocity. James targeted CDOs rather than real estate or design teams because they own the full development timeline. For enterprise sales: identify the executive accountable for the metric your solution impacts, then lead with how you move that specific number. Validate outcome-based models before building sophisticated workflow tools: GreenLite's customers rejected "another workflow product or system of record" that required API integrations with their ERPs and construction management systems. Instead, they wanted "faster, more predictable, more transparent permits." James built a viable business delivering finished permits through licensed professionals augmented by software, with the AI sophistication coming later. The business was "super viable well before the product was" by early 2023. For founders in industries resistant to software adoption: test whether buyers want tools to operate or outcomes to purchase—outcome-based pricing can achieve PMF faster and command premium willingness-to-pay. // Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe. www.GlobalTalent.co // Don't Miss: New Podcast Series — How I Hire Senior GTM leaders share the tactical hiring frameworks they use to build winning revenue teams. Hosted by Andy Mowat, who scaled 4 unicorns from $10M to $100M+ ARR and launched Whispered to help executives find their next role.  Subscribe here: https://open.spotify.com/show/53yCHlPfLSMFimtv0riPyM

Many bright kids struggle daily in school, and it's not because of laziness or lack of effort. The real reason your child is struggling in school is often a dysregulated nervous system. I'll show you how Regulation First Parenting™ strategies help kids calm, focus, and thrive.Every parent knows the sinking feeling when homework, tests, or transitions turn your child's school day into a battle. It's tempting to think the problem is effort, attitude, or ability—but the truth is, learning, focus, and motivation depend on regulation. When a child's nervous system is overstimulated or under stimulated, even the brightest students can struggle academically.In this episode, I break down why kids across all ages—from preschoolers to college students—face learning challenges, and how parents can partner with schools and use evidence-based strategies to unlock their child's full potential.Why does my child melt down over schoolwork or transitions?Many children experience sensory or emotional overload, leading to meltdowns, avoidance, or shutdowns. Younger kids often face developmentally inappropriate expectations or tasks that feel too big, which triggers fight, flight, or freeze responses.Recognizing that every child has different learning styles is key, because what feels overwhelming to one child may feel manageable to another. Understanding your child's learning process helps you tailor support and maintain progress in their child's education, whether during the regular school year or even summer school.Tips for parents:Break tasks into manageable steps and offer sensory breaks.Validate your child's feelings: “I see this is overwhelming, let's take a minute.”Incorporate short nervous system resets, like deep breathing, gentle movement, or butterfly tapping.Real-Life ScenarioA preschooler refuses to start writing. Using a 3-minute reset and offering a small, achievable writing goal helps her calm and complete the activity.How can I help my middle or high schooler stay motivated?Middle and high school kids face growing demands on executive functioning—planning, organizing, and emotional regulation—all while managing increased homework, quizzes, and tests.Chronic stress can lead to procrastination, anxiety, or perfectionism, even in academically strong students.Tips for parents:Request a team meeting with teachers, guidance counselors, or case managers.Identify simple classroom supports, like sensory breaks or visual schedules.Encourage small, consistent self-regulation practices daily.

Welcome to the Leading Edge in Emotionally Focused Therapy, hosted by Drs. James Hawkins, Ph.D., LPC, and Ryan Rana, Ph.D., LMFT, LPC—Renowned ICEEFT Therapists, Supervisors, and Trainers. We're thrilled to have you with us. We believe this podcast, a valuable resource, will empower you to push the boundaries in your work, helping individuals and couples connect more deeply with themselves and each other. In this powerful conversation, Dr. James Hawkins sits down with Dr. Leanne Campbell to explore the heart of EFT and trauma and to honor the legacy of Dr. Sue Johnson. Leanne pulls back the curtain on writing the new EFT and Trauma text with Sue—sharing what it was like to co-create Sue's final formal publication, how their moment‑by‑moment clinical commentary came to life, and why clarity in the model matters now more than ever.  Together, James and Leanne dive into the caregiving system, window of tolerance, and how EFT therapists can help clients move through trauma without retraumatizing, using themselves as temporary attachment figures. You'll hear vivid clinical language and examples around: trusting the caregiving system, working with highly reactive couples, tracking your own nervous system as a therapist, and using transparency to give traumatized clients back their agency and hope.  This episode is a blend of theory, practical process, and deep emotion—a tribute to Sue's legacy and an inspiring guide for any therapist working at the leading edge of EFT and trauma.  Main Points / Episode Highlights Leanne's “Leading Edge” in EFT    - Getting radically clear about the model: moment‑by‑moment commentary on what therapists are doing and why.     - Making EFT more accessible and teachable through precision and process clarity. Trusting the Caregiving System    - “Trust the process” = “trust the caregiving system” when emotion and connection are alive in the room.     - Importance of responding in the same channel as the emotional bid (emotion with emotion, not facts or data).  Working on the EFT and Trauma Text with Sue Johnson    - The process was inspiring, clarifying, exhilarating, and at times sidelined by other EFiT projects.     - The book was well underway before Sue's death and now stands as her last formal publication—a “parting gift” of stories of hope and resilience. Using the Therapist as a Temporary Attachment Figure    - Central answer to “How do I help clients move through trauma without retraumatizing them?”     - Therapist “sings the song and dances the dance of attunement,” keeping clients at their leading edge without overshooting the window of tolerance. “It Begins With Us” – The Therapist's Nervous System    - Leanne tracks her own felt sense—especially with reactive couples—and uses it to guide interventions.     - She slows things down, names process elements (tone, eyes, posture) to:       - Validate the receiving partner.       - Grow awareness in the reactive partner whose nervous system is firing outside awareness. Window of Tolerance: Respect and Stretch    - Respecting the window of tolerance while stretching it—within sessions and in the client's broader socio‑cultural context.     - Normalizing that trauma work often happens in cycles (do a piece, step back, integrate). Validation as Psychoeducation    - Validation reframes trauma responses as survival strategies, not character flaws.     - Helps the traumatized partner feel understood and the other partner release blame and grow compassion. Transparency Gives Agency    - Being explicit about what the therapist is doing and why (“the best surgeon explains the procedure”).     - Therapist's transparency and emotional honesty give traumatized clients predictability and agency, reversing their history of non‑transparent harm. Parts / Versions and Rewriting Identity    - Leanne's language of “versions” of self helps distinguish old survival strategies from the current, wiser self.     - Core EFT aim: “You are not your trauma.” Clients move from “This is who I am” to “This is a fear and a history I carry.” Hope and Resilience as the Core Message    - If listeners remember one thing: hope and belief in the power of human connection and healing.     - The book is intentionally a story of hope and resilience for clinicians and clients, continuing Sue's attachment legacy. We aim to equip therapists with practical tools and encouragement for addressing relational distress. We're also excited to be part of the team behind Success in Vulnerability (SV)—your premier online education platform. SV offers innovative instruction to enhance your therapeutic effectiveness through exclusive modules and in-depth clinical examples.  Stay connected with us: Facebook: Follow our page @pushtheleadingedge Ryan: Follow @ryanranaprofessionaltraining on Facebook and visit his website James: Follow @dochawklpc on Facebook and Instagram, or visit his website at dochawklpc.com George Faller: Visit georgefaller.com If you like the concepts discussed on this podcast you can explore our online training program, Success in Vulnerability (SV). Thank you for being part of our community. Let's push the leading edge together!

Have you ever wondered if the words you say to your daughter could help boost her confidence as an athlete? In this episode, I share practical, go-to phrases you can use to support your daughter in her sport and life. Whether she's preparing for a big game, processing a tough loss, or just navigating day-to-day challenges, these tips will help you build her confidence and strengthen her mental game.What's Covered in This Episode:How your words can shape your daughter's confidence on and off the field.Simple phrases to boost confidence during:Day-to-Day: Highlighting her positive qualities beyond her sport.Pre-Game: Encouraging focus with short, impactful phrases.Post-Game: Supporting her through wins and losses with the LOVE framework.How to validate your daughter's feelings without reinforcing negativity.The importance of combining parental support with your athlete's mental skills training.Practical examples like the “snapback routine” to help her bounce back from mistakes.Ready to Learn More? Listen to this episode for actionable strategies that will make a real difference in your athlete's confidence and resilience. Plus, find out how you can get access to a free training and a cheat sheet with 25 confidence-boosting phrases!Episode Highlights: [0:00] Introduction to boosting athletes' confidence through simple phrases.[01:00] Shoutout to Renata and her success using mental training tools.[02:00] Importance of combining verbal communication with athlete mental skills.[03:00] Overview of the key focus: day-to-day, pre-game, and post-game confidence strategies.[04:00] Encouraging athletes to develop self-trust and skills for overcoming setbacks.[05:00] Highlighting positive qualities outside of sports to build confidence.[06:00] Simple strategies like sticky notes and verbal affirmations for day-to-day encouragement.[07:00] Using the phrase "I believe you" to validate athletes' feelings.[08:00] Adjusting responses to support athletes without reinforcing negative self-talk.[09:00] Playful ways to engage teens and tweens in positive conversations.[10:00] Pre-game strategies: keeping phrases short and focused on what's in their control.[11:00] Examples of pre-game taglines and humor to ease nerves.[12:00] Post-game reflections: emphasizing effort and controllable factors over outcomes.[13:00] Supporting athletes' emotional processing after wins or losses.[14:00] LOVE framework for post-game confidence building: Let her lead, Open the space, Validate feelings, Encourage inward.[15:00] Examples of post-game questions to foster self-reflection and learning.[16:00] Athletes' post-competition routines to build confidence objectively.[17:00] Recap of day-to-day, pre-game, and post-game strategies with key takeaways.[18:00] Reminder to download the free PDF with 25 key phrases at trainhergame.com.Next Steps:Join our FREE Training for Sports Moms - How to Strengthen Your Athlete Daughter's Mental Game so She Believes in Herself as Much as You DoVisit our podcast website for more great episodesThank you in advance for joining us on our mission and leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

Want help uncovering the real reasons behind your urges and building a plan to overcome your pornography use? Click here to book a free call with Sam to get help to overcome pornography – https://stopporn.info/    Have questions you want me to address on future podcast episodes? Email me here:  sam@healingcouples.org   Episode show notes: In this episode, we dive deep into the real root cause of pornography addiction and why so many men feel stuck in a cycle of porn addiction, compulsive porn use, and porn relapse even when they genuinely want to change. If you've been trying to overcome porn urges, struggling with constant pornography triggers, or fighting to implement strong relapse prevention strategies but still fall back into old patterns, this conversation reveals what's actually driving the cycle beneath the surface. We explore how unmet needs for worth, acceptance, and emotional stability fuel the urge to escape into porn, why external validation never satisfies the deeper wound behind porn addiction, and how shame blocks men from receiving the love and reassurance that would support real healing. You'll hear a powerful breakdown of why willpower alone can't stop pornography compulsions, why avoiding triggers isn't enough, and why so many men seek attention or emotional validation outside their marriage while also battling chronic porn addiction behaviors. This episode is essential listening for anyone navigating porn addiction recovery, porn addiction counseling, emotional healing, rebuilding trust in marriage, or trying to understand what causes porn habits to feel so overwhelming. Whether you're working to stop porn for good or supporting someone you love through porn addiction recovery, this conversation offers a clear and compassionate look at the emotional and relational dynamics driving the cycle — and what finally begins to break it.

Ever find yourself waiting for someone to notice how hard you're struggling? Waiting for your partner to ask if you're okay, your doctor to take you seriously, or someone—anyone—to validate that yes, what you're going through really IS that hard? Here's the truth: you can't control if someone else gives you that validation. But you can give it to yourself. And no, that's not the same as toxic positivity or forcing yourself to "look on the bright side." It's about giving yourself the same compassion you'd give a friend going through the exact same thing. In this episode, I'm sharing a 6-step framework for self-validation that's helped me navigate everything from grief to everyday struggles. I'll walk you through how to actually process what you're feeling instead of bypassing it, how to connect your emotions to your values so you don't stay stuck, and the common mistakes that keep people trapped in either self-denial or self-pity. Because here's what I want you to hear: You don't need anyone else's permission to feel what you're feeling. The validation you're waiting for? You can give it to yourself. Key Topics: The difference between self-validation and toxic positivity Why naming your emotions literally calms your nervous system The 6-step framework for validating yourself through hard things Common mistakes (and what self-validation is NOT) How to honour what you actually need right now   Ready to Actually Stop Waiting for Others to Validate You? You can listen to every podcast episode and know all the strategies, but if you're still waiting for someone to notice you're struggling, nothing changes. That's where coaching comes in. I help women get clear on what they actually need (not what they think they should need), how to validate themselves without falling into toxic positivity, and most importantly—how to stop making their worthiness dependent on other people's recognition. Book your free Coaching Clarity Call: https://www.kategladdin.com/coaching It's one-on-one with me, completely private, and you'll walk away with actionable strategies whether or not coaching is right for you. A huge shoutout to Kevin Lowe at K-Lowe Music, the talent behind my intro song. Listen to the full version here. Or explore custom music options here. Connect with Kate: Instagram: @kategladdin Website: https://www.kategladdin.com/  

In this mind-bending episode of SaaS Fuel, Jeff Mains chats with Darren Milne, co-founder and CEO of VividQ, about the future of holographic displays and how true 3D experiences will revolutionize everything from automotive HUDs to the way we watch TV, work, and interact with AI. Darren Milne unpacks his journey from academia to entrepreneurship, describes the defining moment when he saw a real hologram for the first time, and outlines how his team is making science fiction a reality—including progress toward room-scale “holodecks.” Along the way, you'll learn practical lessons about bridging science and commercialization, building successful licensing models, scaling with partnerships, and staying grounded while pursuing world-changing innovation.Key Takeaways00:00 "Holographic AI Revolution"05:15 From Academia to Business Shift14:08 "Holographic Display Business Strategy"19:31 Automotive HUDs: Future-Ready Adaptability24:48 "VR Nausea Explained by Science"29:41 Building-Sized Holograms Revolution32:57 "Creating Our Own Category"42:25 "Software-Driven Hardware Control"47:05 "Challenges of Licensing Innovation"51:59 "Rethinking Growth and Investment"56:05 "Epic Holographic Display Project"01:02:20 "Insights, AI Growth, and Holodecks"Tweetable Quotes“Sometimes, in the pursuit of knowledge, you need a lot more money—and the way to get that is to create things people want to buy.” — Darren Milne“The cars are all different, but with holography, the HUD doesn't have to be. Software solves what used to take an assembly line.” — Darren Milne “Every time I show a real hologram demo, people still ask if it's fake. Once you see it, everything changes.” — Darren Milne“You don't need to build all the hardware to win big—sometimes licensing your tech brings more scale and staying power.” — Darren Milne“If money were no object, I'd build the holodeck—an entire room of interactive holograms for training, gaming, everything.” — Darren Milne“We thought building-sized holograms required new tech, but turns out we could do it with off-the-shelf laptop screens…and a lot of them.” — Darren Milne SaaS Leadership LessonsEmbrace Mindset ShiftsMoving from academia to entrepreneurship means valuing impact as much as knowledge. Sometimes, making ideas real requires leaving comfort zones.Specialize, Then DelegateYou can't be both the chief researcher and the chief executive for long. Recognize your strengths and trust your team to handle complementary roles.Validate with Partners, Not Just ProductEarly commercial traction can come from licensing and partnerships, especially when full-scale manufacturing or hardware isn't feasible.Solve for ROI, Not Just CoolnessCustomers may love new tech, but recurring revenue comes from solving their biggest, most overlooked pain (e.g., HUD manufacturing savings).Don't Hire for Vanity, Hire for NecessityRapid hiring because “everyone else is scaling” can lead to layoffs and wasted resources if the technology isn't ready for mass adoption.Stay Resilient & HonestLong sales cycles and the need to “build the category” require grit. When mistakes happen (such as premature scaling), own them, learn, and course correct.Guest Resourceshttps://www.vividq.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/darran-milne/Episode SponsorThe Captain's KeysSmall Fish, Big Pond – https://smallfishbigpond.com/ Use the promo code...

Send us a textIn this episode of ABC's Parenting Adult Children podcast, host James Moffitt welcomes back Dr. David Marcus, a clinical psychologist specializing in families under stress. Dr. Marcus discusses the concept of a 'soothing presence' and the process of 'emptying out' emotions, emphasizing the importance of understanding emotional communication with children. He explains the three levels of emotional intensity: the logical here-and-now, the history level, and the tapped-into level, and how these need to be addressed for effective communication. The conversation also touches on the cultural and familial influences on emotional intelligence and the importance of validating feelings in relationships.Keywordsparenting, emotional communication, soothing presence, emptying out, emotional intelligence, family stress, Dr. David Marcus, James Moffitt, podcast, relationshipsTakeawaysA soothing presence is someone who is okay when you're not.Emotional communication involves understanding three levels: logical, history, and tapped-into.Emptying out emotions requires addressing all three levels for effective communication.Cultural and familial influences shape emotional intelligence.Validating feelings is crucial in relationships.Men often struggle with emotional expression due to cultural norms.Parents should avoid trying to 'make' children feel better, instead allowing them to express emotions.Children learn emotional resilience by observing adult interactions.Opposites attract in relationships, allowing partners to soothe each other.Effective communication involves both partners feeling heard and understood.Sound bitesA soothing presence is key.Emptying out emotions is essential.Validate feelings for better relationships.Men struggle with emotional expression.Children learn from adult interactions.Opposites attract in soothing relationships.Cultural norms shape emotional intelligence.Effective communication needs understanding.Parents shouldn't force emotions.Emotional resilience starts young.Chapters00:00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction00:00:00 Understanding Soothing Presence00:00:00 Emptying Out Process00:00:00 Cultural and Familial Influences00:00:01 Validating Feelings in Relationships00:00:01 Conclusion and Book PromotionWant to be a guest on ABCs of Parenting Adult Children? Send James Moffitt a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/parentingadultchildren Listen here for our sponsors list. Many thanks to them for helping to underwrite the costs of producing this podcast. Support the showSocial Media Links https://www.youtube.com/@JamesMoffitt https://www.instagram.com/parentingadultchildren125/ https://www.tiktok.com/@chiefpropellerhead ABC's of Parenting Adult Children Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581576308055 r/parentingadultchildren Feel free to subscribe to these channels and share the links with your social media portals.

In this focused solo episode, Bridger Pennington breaks down the most overlooked part of launching a fund: validating your idea before you spend months building the wrong thing. Pulling from real conversations with emerging managers and seasoned operators, Bridger unpacks:Vision vs. reality: how to stress-test your fund idea against actual market demand instead of wishful thinking.Avoiding “founder fog”: why early conviction can trick you into chasing deals that don't fit your thesis — and how to recalibrate fast.LP psychology 101: the questions investors care about far more than your pitch deck, and how to position your idea so it resonates.Market proof without millions: simple ways to validate a niche, a strategy, or a target asset class using traction signals anyone can gather.The clarity multiplier: how a validated idea turns your fund vision into a roadmap, helping you recruit partners, attract LPs, and build momentum with confidence.Whether you're refining your first concept or pressure-testing a new strategy, this episode gives you the tools to make sure your fund idea isn't just exciting — it's viable.Want to launch a fund? Click to watch a free training:https://fundlaunch.click/how-to-leadSign up to watch the free training and discover how to launch a fund. Stop leaving carry on the table doing one-off deals. Your track record deserves a fund.All Information Shared Are The Sole Thoughts and Opinions Of The Author. Do Not Take Any Information As Legal Or Financial Advice. You Should Seek A Certified Accountant And A Professional Legal Team Before Taking Any Further Action.‍*Results may vary depending on a number of factors, including but not limited to market conditions, investor demand, and investment strategy. While our courses are designed to provide you with the knowledge and tools necessary to launch a fund, we cannot guarantee any specific results or outcomes. Your success will depend on your own efforts, diligence, and ability to execute on the strategies and techniques that you decide to pursue. We make no representation or warranty that you will achieve any particular level of success or earnings, and you accept the risk that the results may differ from those described in our materials.****We are not selling or soliciting a security in any way, shape, or form. This content is for educational purposes only and is not financial or legal advice.fundlaunch.com

What was supposed to be a "mini episode" turned into a full-blown yap session (shocking, we know). This week we talked about how to find confidence in your queerness when the people around you don't understand it. While we only took a couple of questions, we will be back with more in two weeks. Thank you for being here with us while we all try to finish the year as "strong" as possible. We love you. You're so hot. Keep sliding in our IG DMs!If you liked this episode please leave us a review!If you didn't...mind your business...Follow LittleQueerPod On instagram https://www.instagram.com/littlequeerpod/?hl=enFollow Ashley On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleyelizabeth_11/?hl=enFollow Capri On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/capricampeau/

In this episode your host and Co-Founder of PADT, Eric Miller is joined by PADT's Sr. Systems Application Engineer Josh Stout and Embedded Software Engineer Noah Asherbranner to discuss the state of digital twin design and application through Ansys simulation. If you have any questions, comments, or would like to suggest a topic for the next episode, shoot us an email at podcast@padtinc.com we would love to hear from you!

AI Assisted Coding: Treating AI Like a Junior Engineer - Onboarding Practices for AI Collaboration In this special episode, Sergey Sergyenko, CEO of Cybergizer, shares his practical framework for AI-assisted development built on transactional models, Git workflows, and architectural conventions. He explains why treating AI like a junior engineer, keeping commits atomic, and maintaining rollback strategies creates production-ready code rather than just prototypes. Vibecoding: An Automation Design Instrument "I would define Vibecoding as an automation design instrument. It's not a tool that can deliver end-to-end solution, but it's like a perfect set of helping hands for a person who knows what they need to do."   Sergey positions vibecoding clearly: it's not magic, it's an automation design tool. The person using it must know what they need to accomplish—AI provides the helping hands to execute that vision faster. This framing sets expectations appropriately: AI speeds up development significantly, but it's not a silver bullet that works without guidance. The more you practice vibecoding, the better you understand its boundaries. Sergey's definition places vibecoding in the evolution of development tools: from scaffolding to co-pilots to agentic coding to vibecoding. Each step increases automation, but the human architect remains essential for providing direction, context, and validation. Pair Programming with the Machine "If you treat AI as a junior engineer, it's very easy to adopt it. Ah, okay, maybe we just use the old traditions, how we onboard juniors to the team, and let AI follow this step."   One of Sergey's most practical insights is treating AI like a junior engineer joining your team. This mental model immediately clarifies roles and expectations. You wouldn't let a junior architect your system or write all your tests—so why let AI? Instead, apply existing onboarding practices: pair programming, code reviews, test-driven development, architectural guidance. This approach leverages Extreme Programming practices that have worked for decades. The junior engineer analogy helps teams understand that AI needs mentorship, clear requirements, and frequent validation. Just as you'd provide a junior with frameworks and conventions to follow, you constrain AI with established architectural patterns and framework conventions like Ruby on Rails. The Transactional Model: Atomic Commits and Rollback "When you're working with AI, the more atomic commits it delivers, more easy for you to kind of guide and navigate it through the process of development."   Sergey's transactional approach transforms how developers work with AI. Instead of iterating endlessly when something goes wrong, commit frequently with atomic changes, then rollback and restart if validation fails. Each commit should be small, independent, and complete—like a feature flag you can toggle. The commit message includes the prompt sequence used to generate the code and rollback instructions.  This approach makes the Git repository the context manager, not just the AI's memory. When you need to guide AI, you can reference specific commits and their context. This mirrors trunk-based development practices where teams commit directly to master with small, verified changes. The cost of rollback stays minimal because changes are atomic, making this strategy far more efficient than trying to fix broken implementations through iteration. Context Management: The Weak Point and the Solution "Managing context and keeping context is one of the weak points of today's coding agents, therefore we need to be very mindful in how we manage that context for the agent."   Context management challenges current AI coding tools—they forget, lose thread, or misinterpret requirements over long sessions. Sergey's solution is embedding context within the commit history itself. Each commit links back to the specific reasoning behind that code: why it was accepted, what iterations it took, and how to undo it if needed. This creates a persistent context trail that survives beyond individual AI sessions. When starting new features, developers can reference previous commits and their context to guide the AI. The transactional model doesn't just provide rollback capability—it creates institutional memory that makes AI progressively more effective as the codebase grows. TDD 2.0: Humans Write Tests, AI Writes Code "I would never allow AI to write the test. I would do it by myself. Still, it can write the code."   Sergey is adamant about roles: humans write tests, AI writes implementation code. This inverts traditional TDD slightly—instead of developers writing tests then code, they write tests and AI writes the code to pass them. Tests become executable requirements and prompts. This provides essential guardrails: AI can iterate on implementation until tests pass, but it can't redefine what "passing" means. The tests represent domain knowledge, business requirements, and validation criteria that only humans should control. Sergey envisions multi-agent systems where one agent writes code while another validates with tests, but critically, humans author the original test suite. This TDD 2.0 framework (a talk Sergey gave at the Global Agile Summit) creates a verification mechanism that prevents the biggest anti-pattern: coding without proper validation. The Two Cardinal Rules: Architecture and Verification "I would never allow AI to invent architecture. Writing AI agentic coding, Vibecoding, whatever coding—without proper verification and properly setting expectations of what you want to get as a result—that's the main mistake."   Sergey identifies two non-negotiables. First, never let AI invent architecture. Use framework conventions (Rails, etc.) to constrain AI's choices. Leverage existing code generators and scaffolding. Provide explicit architectural guidelines in planning steps. Store iteration-specific instructions where AI can reference them. The framework becomes the guardrails that prevent AI from making structural decisions it's not equipped to make. Second, always verify AI output. Even if you don't want to look at code, you must validate that it meets requirements. This might be through tests, manual review, or automated checks—but skipping verification is the fundamental mistake. These two rules—human-defined architecture and mandatory verification—separate successful AI-assisted development from technical debt generation. Prototype vs. Production: Two Different Workflows "When you pair as an architect or a really senior engineer who can implement it by himself, but just wants to save time, you do the pair programming with AI, and the AI kind of ships a draft, and rapid prototype."   Sergey distinguishes clearly between prototype and production development. For MVPs and rapid prototypes, a senior architect pairs with AI to create drafts quickly—this is where speed matters most. For production code, teams add more iterative testing and polishing after AI generates initial implementation. The key is being explicit about which mode you're in. The biggest anti-pattern is treating prototype code as production-ready without the necessary validation and hardening steps. When building production systems, Sergey applies the full transactional model: atomic commits, comprehensive tests, architectural constraints, and rollback strategies. For prototypes, speed takes priority, but the architectural knowledge still comes from humans, not AI. The Future: AI Literacy as Mandatory "Being a software engineer and trying to get a new job, it's gonna be a mandatory requirement for you to understand how to use AI for coding. So it's not enough to just be a good engineer."   Sergey sees AI-assisted coding literacy becoming as fundamental as Git proficiency. Future engineering jobs will require demonstrating effective AI collaboration, not just traditional coding skills. We're reaching good performance levels with AI models—now the challenge is learning to use them efficiently. This means frameworks and standardized patterns for AI-assisted development will emerge and consolidate. Approaches like AAID, SpecKit, and others represent early attempts to create these patterns. Sergey expects architectural patterns for AI-assisted development to standardize, similar to how design patterns emerged in object-oriented programming. The human remains the bottleneck—for domain knowledge, business requirements, and architectural guidance—but the implementation mechanics shift heavily toward AI collaboration. Resources for Practitioners "We are reaching a good performance level of AI models, and now we need to guide it to make it impactful. It's a great tool, now we need to understand how to make it impactful."   Sergey recommends Obie Fernandez's work on "Patterns of Application Development Using AI," particularly valuable for Ruby and Rails developers but applicable broadly. He references Andrey Karpathy's original vibecoding post and emphasizes Extreme Programming practices as foundational. The tools he uses—Cursor and Claude Code—support custom planning steps and context management. But more important than tools is the mindset: we have powerful AI capabilities now, and the focus must shift to efficient usage patterns. This means experimenting with workflows, documenting what works, and sharing patterns with the community. Sergey himself shares case studies on LinkedIn and travels extensively speaking about these approaches, contributing to the collective learning happening in real-time.   About Sergey Sergyenko   Sergey is the CEO of Cybergizer, a dynamic software development agency with offices in Vilnius, Lithuania. Specializing in MVPs with zero cash requirements, Cybergizer offers top-tier CTO services and startup teams. Their tech stack includes Ruby, Rails, Elixir, and ReactJS.   Sergey was also a featured speaker at the Global Agile Summit, and you can find his talk available in your membership area. If you are not a member don't worry, you can get the 1-month trial and watch the whole conference. You can cancel at any time.   You can link with Sergey Sergyenko on LinkedIn.

This particular hour from "The Best Of Archives!" is last years model!  November 26, 2024!  One more sleep until The Big Bird Day!  Appreciate!  Validate!  Communicate!  Reach out to those you care for, as tomorrow is a wish, not a promise.  I do hope you continue to download and share the podcast of TheMusicAuthority.com over the holiday weekend.  It certainly would give me something more to be be thankful for!

Staycation is going well.  First pressure wash run on the sidewalk done...my washer isn't really too powerful, so a second go is needed.  No new recorded shows until December 1st.  Please download and listen to "The Best Of Archive Show!' that will be posted from November 25, 2020.  Appreciate!  Communicate! Validate!  Do this for all the people in your life that you love and care for.  Tomorrow is not a promise...let them know how you feel, now, before you can't!

Episode Summary Host Tracy Brinkmann reveals how a Phoenix mom of three built a $2,847/month income stream by creating custom GPTs during her kids' naptime. This episode breaks down the exact 3-step system for turning parental pain points into profitable AI solutions, featuring real strategies that work around family schedules without sacrificing precious time with kids. Key Timestamps & Insights 00:00 - Opening 00:51 - Podcast Introduction & Episode Overview 01:20 - The Naptime Entrepreneur Revolution 02:42 - Lisa's Breakthrough Story 04:15 - Step 1: The Pain Point Audit (15 minutes) 06:05 - Step 2: The Naptime Build (45-90 minutes) 06:25 - Step 3: The Family-Proof Launch (30 minutes setup) 08:20 - The Bigger Picture: AI Democratization 09:40 - Whiskered Wisdom: 15-Minute Pain Point Inventory Episode on using AI for Deep Research - https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/EP513 Strategies Shared The 3-Step Parent GPT System Pain Point Audit (15 minutes during morning coffee) Naptime Build (45-90 minutes focused time) Family-Proof Launch (30 minutes setup, then runs itself) Profitable Niches Parents Are Dominating Birthday party planning Meal planning for picky eaters Youth sports team organization School fundraiser coordination Family budget tracking The Family-Proof Monetization Strategy Start pricing at $3-5 per conversation Upload to ChatGPT store Share in relevant parent communities Let word-of-mouth drive growth Resources Mentioned OpenAI GPT Store - Platform for selling custom GPTs AI Escape Plan Newsletter - Weekly strategies for parent entrepreneurs https://DarkHorseInsider.com Facebook Groups - Primary distribution channel for parent-focused GPTs Parenting Forums - Secondary distribution for validation and sales Action Steps to Take Immediate Action (Tonight) 15-Minute Pain Point Inventory: Set timer, brain dump every frustrating task you've Googled as a parent in past month Circle the 3 most frustrating problems These become your first 3 custom GPT ideas This Week Choose your most frustrating pain point Validate demand in 3 relevant Facebook groups Block out 90 minutes for your first GPT build This Month Build and launch your first custom GPT Price at $3-5 per conversation Share in parent communities where your audience gathers Call to Action Join the AI Escape Plan Newsletter - Your weekly roadmap for parents ready to break free from the 9-to-5 grind. Each issue delivers practical, AI-powered strategies to start, grow, and streamline side hustles—all designed to protect your family time while boosting your income. https://DarkHorseInsider.com Key Message: Your goal isn't to become an AI expert—it's to use AI to get your life back. Episode Quotes "The custom GPT market isn't being dominated by tech bros in Silicon Valley. It's being conquered by soccer moms in suburbia." "Your pain points are your profit points. If you're struggling with it, thousands of others are too." "The parents who take action on this simple exercise will be the ones building their first GPT next week." "Stop waiting for the perfect time. Start building during naptime. Your future self and your family will thank you."

Ever wonder if you're pushing your teen too hard, or not enough? Dr. Carmen Bell-Ross joins Rebecca Greene to show parents how to trade pressure for purpose with The College Smarter Method™, a proven framework that turns the college process into a journey of confidence, clarity, and joy. Dr. Carmen Bell-Ross, founder and CEO of SP Grace, LLC, and creator of The College Smarter Method™, helps students and parents transform the stressful college admissions process into a meaningful, growth-focused experience. In this heartfelt conversation, she and Rebecca laugh, swap motherhood stories, and discuss what it truly takes to raise confident, self-driven young adults. From choosing the right college to adjusting after move-in day, Dr. Bell-Ross brings the calm and wisdom every parent needs during this season of change.

Ever wonder if you're pushing your teen too hard, or not enough? Dr. Carmen Bell-Ross joins Rebecca Greene to show parents how to trade pressure for purpose with The College Smarter Method™, a proven framework that turns the college process into a journey of confidence, clarity, and joy. Dr. Carmen Bell-Ross, founder and CEO of SP Grace, LLC, and creator of The College Smarter Method™, helps students and parents transform the stressful college admissions process into a meaningful, growth-focused experience. In this heartfelt conversation, she and Rebecca laugh, swap motherhood stories, and discuss what it truly takes to raise confident, self-driven young adults. From choosing the right college to adjusting after move-in day, Dr. Bell-Ross brings the calm and wisdom every parent needs during this season of change.

This episode continues the practical series on the Inner Villain system by breaking down how to communicate with each villain type. Kristina and Anna pull from real life, therapy, and relationship work to translate a complex shadow-work system into clear tools you can use with partners, friends, coworkers, and family.Before the communication section, the episode also covers:• Purpose vs meaning• Why your purpose isn't defined by you• How creation works when it's not about control• A new metaphor for the 9 Villains as phases in the lifecycle of a flowering plant• Why people “get stuck” in certain villain phases• What it means to grow in order vs out of orderEPISODE BREAKDOWN00:00 — Opening & Check-InKristina and Anna reconnect after a break from recording.They talk somatic healing, practical implementation struggles, and the tension between “etheric narrative work” and real-life applicability.05:00 — Purpose vs MeaningAnna shares insights from her Kabbalah class:• Meaning is personal interpretation.• Purpose is assigned externally (source, God, universe).• You don't get to define your purpose. Others and life events reveal it.Kristina connects this to Viktor Frankl, creation without attachment, and Buckminster Fuller's idea that purpose arrives at a perpendicular angle to your intentions.13:00 — BREAKTHROUGH DREAM: The 9 Villains as the Life Cycle of a Flowering PlantKristina shares a liminal-space dream that reframed the entire Villain System through the natural growth stages of a plant.A concise map:Obedient Critic — Seed. Rules, inherited limitations, instruction set.Vengeful Martyr — Cotyledon (baby leaves). Self-generated energy. Doing everything alone.Vain Controller — True leaves + root establishment. Channels, resources, trust.Eternal Child — Explosive growth, abundance, chaos.Evasive Expert — Balancing inputs. Regulating water/light.Divisive Immortal — Flowering. Death, risk, community, cross-pollination.Hungry Shapeshifter — Seed production. Creativity, potentiality.Righteous Bully — Seed release. Letting go. Not controlling outcomes.Invisible Destroyer — Desiccation / return to soil. Crone, surrender, dissolution.Use it to locate yourself. If you're “stuck,” look at the developmental stage you skipped.41:53 — PRACTICAL SECTION: COMMUNICATING WITH EACH VILLAINThis is the part listeners asked for. Clear, real-world communication strategies, conflict prevention tools, and repair patterns for each villain.1. The Obedient Critic (OC)Rule-set oriented, easily offended, perfectionistic, rigid.Preventive strategies:• Exchange rule-sets explicitly. Ask: “What does X mean to you?”• Agree on shared relationship rules or a “contract.”• Avoid assuming your interpretation matches theirs.• Overshare context up front to avoid catastrophic misinterpretation.During conflict:• Use permissive, soft entry language: “Could we try…?” “Maybe we consider…?”• Validate their meaning first: “I see how in your world this means X.”• Never say “You're wrong.” Reframe instead: “In my world, this means something different.”2. The Vengeful Martyr (VM)Energy-banker, does everything alone, keeps score, collapses into exhaustion.Preventive strategies:• Do not exploit their over-functioning.• Build real competence in the areas they normally shoulder alone.• Remove responsibility from them physically (take the kids out of the house, run point on meals, etc.).• Combine gratitude + competent action.During conflict / meltdown:• Open with: “I'm sorry I hurt your feelings.”• Listen. Don't defend. Don't reason.• Offer immediate relief from responsibility.• After they calm: reduce the systemic over-responsibility that created the blowup.3. The Vain Controller (VC)Status-driven, work-driven, image-driven, terrified of betrayal.Preventive strategies:• Avoid competition or one-upping.• Celebrate small vulnerability when they offer it.• Keep your promises. No exceptions.• Reward their hard work in tangible, visible ways.During conflict:• Acknowledge the breach directly: “I recognize I broke a promise here.”• Use “I will work harder” language.• Outline concrete steps you will take to restore trust.• Don't joke about their insecurities. They will not take it well.4. The Eternal Child (EC)Dream-logic, confabulation, entitlement, dramatic swings.Preventive strategies:• Set clear expectations + consequences. Consistency matters more than anything.• Bring in practicality without shaming their dream-side:“I love your vision. Let's anchor it with two practical steps.”• Give them structure, timelines, and follow-through.During conflict / tantrum:• Do not debate their story. It won't land.• Provide grounding: “I'm here. I'm not abandoning you.”• Hold consistent consequences afterward.• If they escalate to destructive behavior: remove yourself and hold the boundary firmly.ClosingNext week: Part 3, continuing through the remaining villains (Evasive Expert → Invisible Destroyer) with more scripts, tools, and examples.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Girlfriend, if you're struggling with self-worth, feeling like you'll never measure up, or can't separate yourself from your eating disorder - this episode is for you. Host Lindsey Nichol shares an incredibly vulnerable and inspiring episode about finding worth from within and discovering your true identity beyond the eating disorder. After a powerful moment during yoga listening to Lauren Daigle's "You Say," Lindsey was reminded of a truth that changed everything: You are not your eating disorder. Your true, authentic self lives underneath all of that. In this encouraging episode, Lindsey walks you through: Why eating disorders consume our identity over time How to separate yourself from the disorder The trap of measuring your worth by external things (weight, appearance, achievements, others' opinions) A beautiful self-compassion exercise you can do right now when you feel unworthy How to cultivate self-acceptance and kindness toward yourself The difference between your false identity (the ED) and your true identity (who you really are) This isn't just inspiration - this is an invitation to remember who you are beyond the eating disorder. To find worth from within. To practice self-compassion on the hard days. And to stop settling for a false version of yourself. If you're having a down day or need encouragement, grab your favorite Tarjay journal and let's sit together. You are worthy just because you are. In This Episode, You'll Hear: The Yoga Moment: Lauren Daigle's "You Say" How Lindsey was practicing yoga with Christian music When Lauren Daigle's song "You Say" came on and brought all the feels The powerful lyrics about fighting voices that say "I'm not enough" How the song speaks about finding worth and identity The theme of surrender: laying failures and victories at God's feet Why Lindsey encourages everyone (Christian or not) to listen to this song The Worth Trap: Measuring Yourself by External Things How people struggling with eating disorders tie worth to external factors The trap: worth measured by weight, appearance, achievements, what others think Why this gives temporary relief but not lasting joy How it leaves you feeling you'll never measure up or be enough The cycle of seeking external validation that never satisfies Identity Consumed: You Are Not Your Eating Disorder The truth: Eating disorders consume our identity over time In order to truly heal, we must separate ourselves from the disorder Your true, authentic, best self is NOT the voice on repeat in your mind That voice saying you're not enough, you'll never measure up, you're weak - that's the ED, not you Your real self, your warrior self, your champion self lives underneath The false identity vs. the true identity Finding Worth From Within (And Above) Your identity must be rooted in who you are at your core Your journey to internal worth is filtered by false identity right now Your true, authentic identity lives underneath all of that You're worthy just because you ARE - you cannot earn it For those with faith: trusting that God has you right where you are For everyone: your worth is inherent, not earned Creating Awareness: The Identity Shift How to become aware that you are not your eating disorder Observing the difference between your thoughts and the ED's thoughts Getting in community with people who support and build you up Listening to music that reminds you of truth Investing in yourself and seeking support (coaching, therapy, community) The importance of separating yourself from the disorder voice The Self-Compassion Research Kristin Neff: world-leading expert on self-compassion Research on self-compassion's impact on positive mental health What self-compassion means: treating yourself with love and understanding Even when life is full of pain and failure, choosing kind words over criticism Choosing to stop judging yourself and start honoring yourself Leaning into believing there is more for you Mindful Awareness Practice Eating disorders are framed around exaggerated, negative beliefs The ability to observe negative thoughts with clarity and openness Learning that feelings and thoughts aren't truths - they're just feelings and thoughts It's okay to not feel enough in this moment - that doesn't mean you aren't enough This moment doesn't define your forever The land of "not knowing what to do next" is temporary The Self-Compassion Exercise: Hand Over Heart A guided practice you can do right now (or come back to) Think of your biggest challenge - the thing you're most terrified of Place your hand over your heart Feel the warmth, the touch, the beat Acknowledge: You're human. You're here. You have purpose. You're worthy just because Let the heaviness of the challenge be there - don't fight it Breathe in, breathe out the heaviness Talk to yourself with compassion: "This is just a season" Validate the hard: "This moment is so hard. This day is so much. I'm scared" Let the feeling sit, then breathe it out - it's temporary Offer kindness as you would to your best friend or daughter "I can do hard things. I can embrace the journey. Maybe this is exactly where I need to be" The Truth About Your Worth You're not designed for everyone to like you You're not designed for everyone to find you worthy You're not designed to pull up a chair to everybody's table There is a radical need for YOUR uniqueness in this world When external factors weigh on you, it's a trap giving temporary relief Stop signing up for it. Stop settling for this version of life This isn't your authentic self. You're designed for more Healing means choosing YOU daily What You're Worth You're worth finding what makes you tick You're worth finding what foods you enjoy again You're worth stepping into the unknown with grace You're worth knowing, loving, and living Don't spend one more day believing you're unworthy ALL of you is worth it Key Takeaways: ✨ You are not your eating disorder - your true self lives underneath the disorder ✨ Eating disorders consume identity over time - healing requires separating yourself from the disorder ✨ Worth measured by external things is a trap - weight, appearance, achievements, others' opinions don't define you ✨ You're worthy just because you ARE - you cannot earn worth, it's inherent ✨ The voice on repeat is not YOU - that critical voice is the eating disorder, not your true self ✨ Self-compassion is research-backed - Kristin Neff's work shows its impact on mental health ✨ Feelings and thoughts aren't truths - they're temporary, not facts ✨ It's okay to not feel enough right now - this moment doesn't mean you aren't enough ✨ Your true identity lives underneath - beyond the false identity of the eating disorder ✨ Healing means choosing you daily - and that's okay, that's the work ✨ You're designed for more - there's a radical need for your uniqueness in this world Powerful Quotes from This Episode: From Lauren Daigle's "You Say": "I keep fighting voices in my mind that say I'm not enough" "Every single lie that tells me that I will never measure up" "You say I am loved when I can't feel a thing" "You say I am strong when I think I am weak" "You say I am held when I am falling short" "In you I find my worth, in you I find my identity" From Lindsey: "Eating disorders consume our identity, and in order to truly heal from them, we have to separate ourselves from the disorder" "You are so trapped in the eating disorder that your worth is tied to your weight, your appearance, what other people think about you, your achievements" "This trap gives you temporary relief and temporary control, but it's not lasting joy" "Your identity has to become so rooted in who you actually are at your core" "Your true, authentic identity lives underneath all of that" "You're worthy just because you are. You cannot earn it" "You are not the eating disorder. You observe" "The voice on repeat in your mind saying you're not enough - that's not your true self" "This is just a season. This is how I want you to talk to you" "This moment is so hard. This day is so much. I'm scared to death. Let that feeling sit there, then breathe it out" "It is just a temporary emotion" "When you challenge and change what's inside of you, everything changes around you" "You are not designed for everyone to like you. You are not designed for everyone to find you worthy" "There is a radical need for your uniqueness in this world" "This is just a trap that is giving you temporary relief. Stop signing up for it" "This isn't your authentic self. You're designed for more" "Healing just means that you're choosing you, and yes you're gonna have to do that on the daily" "You are worth finding. You're worth loving. You're worth living" "Your true and authentic self lies underneath it. We're gonna go on a quest to find out more about her" The Self-Compassion Exercise (Step-by-Step): Step 1: Identify Your Biggest Challenge Think about your biggest challenge right now - the one thing you're most terrified of. Maybe it's weight gain, taking the next step, letting go of control, being honest, or something else. Name it. Step 2: Place Your Hand Over Your Heart If you're able (not driving or operating machinery), place your hand over your heart. Feel: The warmth of your hand The touch against your chest The beat - the thump of your heart Your humanness. You're here. You're alive. Step 3: Acknowledge Your Worth Say to yourself: "I'm human" "I'm here" "I have purpose" "I'm worthy just because" Step 4: Let the Heaviness Be Acknowledge that the challenge feels super heavy. That's not wrong. That's not bad. It just IS. Allow it to be there. Allow the feeling of heaviness. Let it wash over you. Step 5: Breathe Breathe in deeply. Then breathe out the heaviness. This is just a season. Step 6: Talk to Yourself with Compassion Say these words to yourself: "This is just a season when I'm feeling not enough" "This is just a season when I'm feeling stuck" "This moment is so hard. This day is so much" "I'm scared to death" (name the specific fear) "I feel miserable and alone" Let that feeling sit there. Don't push it away. Step 7: Breathe It Out Breathe in. Exhale it out. It is just a temporary emotion. This moment is not permanent. Step 8: Practice Self-Compassion Tell yourself: "This is okay. This is just a season" "This is teaching me about my worth" "This is an experience, an experiment, an observation" "I am learning through this process" "So many people struggle with this - I'm not alone" "I'm human" Step 9: Offer Kindness As though you're speaking to your best friend or your daughter: "I can do hard things" "I can learn to embrace the journey" "I can lean into fear" "Maybe this is exactly where I need to be right now" Step 10: Remember the Truth When you challenge and change what's inside of you, everything changes around you. The Kristin Neff Self-Compassion Research: Who is Kristin Neff? Recognized worldwide as a leading expert on self-compassion and its impact on positive mental health and psychology. What is Self-Compassion? Treating yourself with love and understanding Even in circumstances full of pain and failure Choosing careful words over criticisms Choosing to stop judging yourself Leaning into honoring, nourishing, believing there is more for you Why It Matters in Recovery: Ties into mindful thoughts and awareness Helps you observe negative thoughts and emotions with clarity and openness Teaches you that feelings and thoughts aren't truths - they're just feelings and thoughts Helps separate the eating disorder thoughts from your true thoughts The Connection: Eating disorders are framed around exaggerated, glamorized negative beliefs. Self-compassion creates the space to observe these beliefs without identifying with them. Questions to Reflect On: About Your Identity: Can you separate yourself from your eating disorder? What does your "true self" look like underneath the disorder? When did the eating disorder start consuming your identity? Who are you beyond the eating disorder voice? About Your Worth: What external things are you using to measure your worth? (weight, appearance, achievements, others' opinions) Have these ever given you lasting satisfaction? Can you accept that you're worthy just because you ARE? What would change if you believed you couldn't earn or lose your worth? About Self-Compassion: How do you talk to yourself when things are hard? Would you talk to your best friend or daughter the way you talk to yourself? Can you offer yourself kindness even when life doesn't make sense? What would it feel like to treat yourself with love and understanding? About Your Uniqueness: What makes you uniquely YOU? What did you enjoy before the eating disorder consumed your identity? When's the last time you laughed or did something purely for joy? When's the last time you did something because you enjoyed it, not out of fear or obligation? The Big Questions: What is your biggest challenge right now? What are you most terrified of? What's one thing you can do today to choose yourself? Ready for Support? Option 1: The Recovery Collective Join Lindsey's group coaching program where you'll get: Community support from women who understand Weekly guidance and tools Accountability for hard days Strategies for stomach triggers and body image struggles Option 2: One-on-One Personalized Coaching work directly with Lindsey for: Custom plan for YOUR triggers and challenges Weekly support and accountability Tools specific to your recovery journey Personal guidance through the hardest moments Learn more about both options at www.herbestself.co You don't have to navigate stomach hate alone. Let's walk through this together. Connect with Lindsey Website: www.herbestself.co  Private Facebook Community: Her Best Self Society www.herbestselfsociety.com  1:1 Client Applications: HBS Co. Recovery Coaching - Client Application - Google Forms . Subscribe & Review: If this episode resonated with you—if you saw yourself in Lindsey's rejection story—please subscribe to Her Best Self wherever you listen to podcasts and leave a review. Your reviews help other women who are tired of perfectionism and people-pleasing find this show and realize they're not alone. Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear that her rejection story can become her redemption story. About the Host Lindsey Nichol is a former competitive figure skater turned God-led entrepreneur, boy mom, and digital CEO. She understands how core beliefs formed in childhood can create and maintain eating disorder patterns, and she's passionate about helping women identify and transform these beliefs to find lasting freedom. If this episode helped you feel hopeful again and remember your worth isn't found in your body or on your plate, please share it with someone who needs to hear this message. Your support helps more women break the chains of limiting beliefs. *While I am a certified health coach, anorexia survivor & eating disorder recovery coach, I do not intend the use of this message to serve as medical advice. Please refer to the disclaimer here in the show & be sure to contact a licensed clinical provider if you are struggling with an eating disorder.

Low-Cost, High-Impact CX Improvements The Power of Language: Transform "I can't" into "How can we" Shift from "I have to" to "We get to" Being "impeccable with your word" (inspired by The Four Agreements) Words trigger emotional responses that shape customer perception Getting CX Buy-In Across Organizations The Alignment Problem: CX initiatives fail when metrics aren't shared across departments Success came when executives adopted the same CX metrics as the CX team Without shared goals, customer insights get shelved with "we'll get to it later" The Pilot Program Strategy: Start small before asking for big budgets Show proof of concept with intentional, measurable pilots Use success to rally and align different areas of the company Real Example - CX Day Success: Introduced first-ever CX Day celebration at 145-year-old engineering company Started small despite skepticism Now an annual tradition that continues after her departure Rethinking CX Metrics Beyond Traditional Measurements: NPS and effort scores are starting points, not endpoints "Satisfaction" is no longer good enough (it's the equivalent of "fine") New focus: Emotional altitude across every touchpoint The Emotional Impact: Brains constantly cycle between thinking and feeling Emotions create lasting imprints that shape brand perception Research shows: 12 positive experiences needed to overcome 1 negative Measure emotional highs to identify gaps and successes The Four Rs of CX Impact: Revenue Retention Reputation Referrals The Future of Contact Centers Human + AI Integration: Smart companies intentionally map where humans add value vs. where AI should handle interactions The answer is "both/and" not "either/or" Critical: Validate designs with real customers, not just internal teams The Contact Center Superpower: Contact center teams speak to more customers in a week than other departments do in a year This proximity to customers gives agents unique power to be organizational change agents Voice of customer insights should inform product development, marketing messaging, and more Words Matter in the AI Era: Example: Website offering "24/7 support, our guides are happy to help you" "Guides" for both humans and AI feels impersonal Naming and framing still matters The Power of Customer Voice The 10-Minute Video Story: A contact center leader captured customer feedback about a failed new product. At an executive meeting, he played a 10-minute compilation of customer complaints. The CEO's initial advisor said it was a career-ending mistake The CEO walked out during the video Result: CEO returned and said it was "the best 10 minutes anybody's ever played" and named him employee #1 Customer voice changed the company's trajectory The Validation Imperative: Internal perspective isn't enough Customer validation must be iterative, not one-time Can't use internal team as proxy for outside voice Both internal knowledge AND customer validation matter The Fundamental C-Suite Challenge When C-suite leaders aren't aligned in their meetings, misalignment trickles down through the entire organization. This is the root problem preventing effective CX implementation. Notable Stories The Morgan & Morgan Tattoo Story: Leadership promised to get company logo tattoos if the team hit an unprecedented conversion rate goal. When they achieved it, 40 leaders got matching tattoos - four tattoo artists came in for the day. The question became: "Is your brand tattoo-worthy?" Stacey's Podcast Origin: Bought her first microphone for under $50, then waited six months before taking it out of the box due to fear. That mic ignited her journey to intentionally sharing her voice through podcasting. Living Podcasting: At the conference, Stacey pulled out her mic to record a 10-minute session where Amas (who has Parkinson's) gave direct advice to her relative with a similar condition - creating immediate, personal value rather than secondhand communication. Takeaways for Contact Center Leaders Language shapes reality - Small word changes create emotional shifts in customer experience Demand metric alignment - CX can't succeed unless executives share the same measurements Start with pilots - Prove value small-scale before requesting major investment Leverage your proximity to customers - Use it to become the organizational glue and change agent Validate everything with real customers - Internal assumptions aren't enough Map the human-AI journey intentionally - Design where each adds value, then test with customers Bring customer voice to leadership - Sometimes the most powerful thing is making them listen directly Average isn't acceptable - Move beyond satisfaction to creating emotional highs

FOLLOW UP: Validate A Business Idea In Five Minutes In this episode of Join Up Dots, David Ralph dives into real listener questions from around the world about how to validate a business idea before wasting time or money. From knowing when to refine or walk away, to overcoming the fear of idea theft, getting honest feedback, and figuring out whether your passion can last the long haul — David shares practical, down-to-earth advice to help you move from dreaming to doing. If you've ever wondered whether your business idea will actually work, this episode gives you the clarity and confidence to test it fast and smart. Share this episode with anyone stuck in "planning mode" and spread the message using #JoinUpDots #EntrepreneurMindset #ValidateYourIdea Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more people and continue bringing you valuable content. See you in the next episode!

Ever wonder why you didn't see the betrayal coming—or why you feel so angry now that you know the truth? In today's episode of Beauty Beyond Betrayal, we're diving deep into betrayal blindness—a term developed by Dr. Jennifer Freyd as part of Betrayal Trauma Theory. You'll discover how this unconscious survival mechanism causes many women to “not know” what's happening right in front of them when infidelity or deception is taking place. Lisa unpacks:

Tom E. Curran and Phil Perry react to the Patriots' 28-23 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. New England improves to 8-2 on the season and has now won seven straight games to cement their place as a legitimate Super Bowl contender heading into the stretch run of the regular season. 1:00- Patriots' gritty win over Buccaneers elevates them into true contender status in the AFC4:30- New England proves they can overcome a huge mistake in Drake Maye's late-game end zone interception13:45- Patriots have flipped from a 'who's going to screw up?' to a 'who's going to make a play?' team in a few short months19:15- Patriots team stats through 10 games prove what we're seeing on the field is real23:35- Debating the end-of-half game management... was Drake Maye really trying to score on first and goal? WATCH every episode of the Patriots Talk podcast on YouTubeFollow NBC Sports Boston:NBCSportsBoston.comX @NBCSpatriotsFacebookInstagramTikTok Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What's the right thing to say before the game to build her confidence? What's the right thing to say after when she's beating herself up or crying? This episode changed everything for me and it will for you too! I'm sitting down with Coach Bre Smedley, former college athlete and co-founder of The Elite Competitor, to talk about what it really takes to raise confident girl athletes (and this totally applies to boys too!) — the kind who can bounce back after mistakes, play free under pressure, and believe in themselves (no matter what the scoreboard says). We're breaking down Bre's signature LOVE post-game framework, how to build a calming pre-game ritual that steadies the nerves, and why real confidence has nothing to do with perfection — and everything to do with self-trust.   In this episode, you'll learn:     • How Bre went from quitting before college to walking on — and earning a full-ride scholarship     • The quick quiz that gets athletes hooked on the mental game     • What to say (and what to skip) before and after games     • The LOVE framework that can totally change your car rides home     • Why your best role as a parent isn't "coach" — it's "calm, steady presence"   Timestamps • 00:01:53   Bre's story: quitting, regret, and the walk-on chance that changed it all • 00:04:12   From practice invite → roster spot → full-ride scholarship • 00:10:36   How The Elite Competitor and the "Competitor Style" quiz were born • 00:19:04   Pregame wisdom for parents: short phrases + steady routines • 00:22:03   Post-game LOVE Framework: Let. Open. Validate. Encourage. • 00:31:24   Inside the program: coaching calls, "coach-on-call" texting, and pro-level guest mentors   Resources & Guest Links • Follow Coach Bre on Instagram → @elitecompetitorcoach (https://instagram.com/elitecompetitorcoach) • Grab the free training for moms + program info → https://trainhergame.com   Subscribe To My Newsletter: https://moirakfitness.activehosted.com/f/28 Join My FREE High Vibe Life Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/811935653862055 Learn more about MAKE Wellness:  https://meet.makewellness.com/?referral=74249EEEC5 FREE Habit Tracker https://bit.ly/HighVibeHabitTracker Rise up planner + Book Of Proof Journal https://bit.ly/moirakucababooks  Rise Up Course https://bit.ly/moirariseupcourse Follow Me On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moirakucaba/?hl=en Watch On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@moirakucaba5802  

BIO: Scott Alldridge is CEO of IP Services and President of the IT Process Institute, a bestselling author of the VisibleOps series, and a Certified Chief Information Security Officer.STORY: Scott's worst investment was a stake in a startup promising to deliver hot coffee by drone. Excited by the futuristic idea, he invested before the concept was proven—but the project quickly crashed when the FAA banned drone deliveries and a prototype failed spectacularly.LEARNING: Being first doesn't always mean being right. Due diligence is non-negotiable. “You don't have to jump in. Being the first with the most doesn't matter if it's a bad idea—you'll lose money anyway.”Scott Alldridge Guest profileScott Alldridge is CEO of IP Services and President of the IT Process Institute, a bestselling author of the VisibleOps series, and a Certified Chief Information Security Officer. He holds an MBA in cybersecurity and has over 30 years of experience in IT and cybersecurity leadership. Scott empowers organizations to achieve resilience through process excellence, Zero Trust, and AI-driven security.Worst investment everIf you live in the Pacific Northwest, coffee isn't just a drink; it's a way of life. Seattle is home to Starbucks, and in Oregon, coffee culture runs deep. So when Scott was pitched an idea that combined coffee and technology—delivering hot coffee via drone—he couldn't resist.The concept sounded revolutionary: push a button on your phone, and a drone drops off your piping-hot Americano right at your doorstep. It felt like the future—part Amazon innovation, part TED Talk dream.Excited, Scott invested for a 3% stake in the startup. The founders promised a caffeinated empire built on convenience and cutting-edge tech.But just three months later, the buzz wore off. The FAA issued a cease-and-desist order on all drone delivery experiments, particularly those involving liquids.And then came the final straw: the company's prototype drone spilled an entire cup of hot coffee mid-flight, grounding both the drone and Scott's hopes. The “coffee drone revolution” turned into a $10,000 lesson in wishful thinking. Delivering hot coffee by drone was never going to fly—literally.Lessons learnedBeing first doesn't always mean being right.It's tempting to jump into the next big idea, especially when it sounds exciting and visionary. However, early-stage innovation carries significant risk, especially when the concept hasn't been tested or proven.Enthusiasm can cloud judgment. Instead of investing based on a slick pitch deck or futuristic concept, it's smarter to wait until an idea is validated, tested, and compliant with regulations.Andrew's takeawaysEvery idea looks brilliant until reality—and regulation—show up.Even in large corporations, where top analysts and executives lead multi-million-dollar mergers, success isn't guaranteed. Only about 20% of them added value within three to five years.Business is hard, and due diligence is non-negotiable.Actionable adviceAlways do your due diligence. Before investing in any idea—no matter how exciting—slow down and dig deep:Validate the concept. Is there a working prototype, or just a fancy pitch?Check the regulations, especially if the business operates...

I'm working with a client who is a gifted communicator with years of real-world experience. He kept hearing that paid speaking is off limits unless you are already well known, can sell tickets by name alone, or have a massive audience. I knew that wasn't the full story. So I brought in someone I trust and have known for nearly 15 years, Grant Baldwin, to walk through what actually works today for getting paid to speak without celebrity status. Grant has trained thousands of speakers and built The Speaker Lab into a respected, enduring brand, one that has ranked on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest, growing privately held companies in the United States for five consecutive years. What This Episode Is… And Who It's For This conversation is designed for strong communicators who are comfortable on a stage and want to translate that skill into paid opportunities. If that's you, you'll find a clear framework, realistic fee guidance, what event planners actually want, and the specific outreach and follow-up cadence that moves you from “aspiring” to “booked.” Core Mindset Shift: From “Be Famous” To “Solve A Specific Problem” Event planners aren't always evaluating your follower count. They are reducing risk. They want a reliable speaker who can solve one specific problem for one specific audience and make the organizer look like a hero for choosing wisely. If Oprah or a former president is headlining, tickets sell on name alone. For the rest of us, the job is to solve a defined problem so well that attendees are grateful and organizers are relieved they chose us. The trap to avoid: “I can speak to anyone about anything.” Don't be a buffet. Be a steakhouse. A steakhouse does one thing exceptionally well. Most buffets do many things mediocre. Your positioning must signal sharp focus, not “I do it all.” Practical implication: Choose a niche problem and audience, and let everything else in your marketing reinforce that narrow, valuable focus. The SPEAK Framework Grant Teaches (And How To Apply It) Grant uses a five-part framework. I'll restate it with my commentary and application steps you can take immediately. S - Select a problem to solve Pick one clear problem for one identifiable audience. Validate it by confirming that organizations actually hire speakers on that topic. Avoid niche passions that no one budgets for on stage. Look for the Venn overlap between what you love, what you're skilled at, and what event buyers pay for. Quick validators you can run this week: Make a list of real conferences or associations where your topic would fit. Start with local, state, and regional events rather than national headliners that pay six figures to celebrity keynoters. Identify a few working speakers one or two steps ahead of you as benchmarks. If no one exists in your proposed niche, that's not a blue ocean. It's likely a market that doesn't buy talks on that topic. P - Prepare your talk Design a talk that offers a concrete solution to the chosen audience's felt need. Make sure the talk aligns with what planners already hire speakers to address. Your talk is a product. It must reduce the organizer's risk and fulfill the promise in the program description. Tip: If there's a personal subtopic you care about that isn't a main-stage draw, embed it as a 5 to 10 percent segment within a widely purchased theme, rather than making it the headline. This blends your passion with market reality without performing a bait-and-switch. E - Establish yourself as the expert You need a sharp, professional website and a demo video. Event planners who hire speakers will compare you to several other speakers. Your materials must look as good or better than your fee peers, because people judge books by their covers, especially under risk. You do not need to spend tens of thousands, but you do need clarity and quality. What to include: Crisp positioning: audience, problem, outcome. A talk page with titles, descriptions, and learning outcomes. Select testimonials that match your audience and topic. A short, high-quality demo reel showing stage presence and audience engagement. A - Acquire paid speaking gigs This is where most speakers falter. Do not wait passively for inquiries. Identify target events, start conversations, and follow up with discipline. Smaller events are not “lesser.” They are accessible and often pay in the $1,000 to $5,000 range for quality speakers who fit well. Those reps build momentum and referrals. A starter outreach line that works: “When will you start reviewing speakers for your [season/year] event?” You're aligning to their process, not forcing a pitch at the wrong time. If they say, “in three months,” get explicit permission to follow up, then actually follow up in three months with a helpful, short note. They won't expect you to do it. Showing up reliably previews how good you'll be to work with. My added tactic: Use Facebook groups where your audience gathers to crowdsource a list of live events they already attend. Ask, “If someone wanted to fully immerse in solving [problem], what live events should they attend?” Now you have a prospect list drawn from the market itself. Then apply the outreach process above. I share the exact post volume thresholds and how I used this approach during my Free The Dream years. K - Know when to scale Speaking can be the whole business or the front end of a larger business. Some speakers aim for many gigs and fee growth. Others use speaking primarily to acquire coaching, consulting, or long-term clients worth tens of thousands, which can dwarf the fee itself. Decide your model early, then shape your targeting and topic accordingly. What To Charge When You're Getting Started Set expectations realistically. Most speakers who are early in their professional journey charge between $1,000 and $5,000 for the first several paid gigs, with growth as reps, results, and marketing assets improve. Fees vary by industry: corporations generally pay more than nonprofits, for example. Your website, demo video, testimonials, and relevance to that organizer's audience all factor into perceived value. If you are already collecting checks in the $10,000 to $25,000 range, you're likely in a pond that routinely books at that level, with the credentials and references to match. Your materials and proof must stand shoulder to shoulder with other speakers priced similarly. The decision-maker is weighing risk. Your job is to make the yes feel safe. How Event Planners Think: Risk, Fit, Proof Event planners and committees are in the risk mitigation business. They need to justify why choosing you is safe. The fastest way to help them feel safe is to present tightly aligned positioning, a clear solution for their audience, relevant testimonials, and a professional demo that shows what they will see on their stage. If you're a known quantity in their industry, you reduce risk further. Translation: Your niche experience matters. Even if you want to speak beyond your current industry later, start where you already have credibility and connections. Build momentum there, then expand. Be The Steakhouse, Not The Buffet We swapped a memorable story about a dinner in Vegas that nails this point. A top steakhouse has a short menu. It's exceptional at one thing. Too many speakers showcase a menu of twenty topics across every domain. That spreads you thin and confuses buyers. You don't become referable as “the person who solves X.” Choose X. Then keep saying X. Building Momentum: Breakouts, Workshops, Local and Regional Stages Keynotes are the glory slot, but many buyers hire outstanding breakout or workshop speakers they've never heard of. Target smaller, local, or state-level events where budgets are sensible and competition is less fierce. Use these to gather testimonials and in-industry proof. The more you speak, the more you speak. People in the seats are often the next bookers. Referrals compound. Proactive Prospecting And Follow-Up: Exactly How To Do It Most speakers fail because they wait. Here's a workable cadence: Build a prospect list of the right-fit events. Send a short, no-pressure opener: “When will you start reviewing speakers?” Capture their answer and permission to follow up. Follow up exactly when promised with a crisp, helpful note. Keep the thread warm with brief check-ins aligned to their process, not your pitch calendar. This shows the organizer what it's like to work with you. Reliability beats bravado. My supplement to this: Source events by asking active Facebook groups where your audience congregates which conferences they actually attend. Then research and contact those events using the cadence above. Two Viable Business Models: Fee-First vs. Lead-Gen-First Fee-first speakers optimize for the check, the travel schedule, and fee growth over time. Lead-gen-first speakers optimize for speaking to rooms filled with ideal buyers, then convert into higher lifetime value offers such as retainers, advisory, or premium programs. In some niches, a single client is worth more than the speaking fee. Choose the model that matches your goals and build your targeting and talk to support it. Host Your Own Stage To Create Reps And Proof You don't have to wait for an invitation. Design a focused one-day workshop around your problem-audience fit, sell tickets, and put yourself on stage. This both validates your topic and produces assets, testimonials, and compelling footage for your reel. Tactical Tips, Stories, And Subtleties You Might Miss On First Listen Expectations prevent discouragement. Speaker fees range from a few hundred to hundreds of thousands. Unless your name sells tickets, start where the market is and grow. Manage expectations early so you stay persistent long enough to break through. Industry matters. Corporate, association, education, nonprofit, faith, and government markets all have different norms and ranges. Choose the pond that fits your topic, background, and goals. Marketing assets are not optional. At minimum, have a professional, focused site and a tight demo. Decision-makers compare several speakers side by side. Present like a pro. Momentum is real. The more stages you're on, the more invitations you'll receive. Some referrals hit years later. Plant seeds now. Harvest later. Start where you have leverage. If your career was in real estate, restaurants, law, healthcare, or tech, begin there. You speak the language, know the players, and reduce buyer risk. You can always evolve your niche after you build proof. Breakouts build keynotes. Deliver great breakout sessions that solve concrete problems. That creates case studies and word of mouth that lead to higher-fee keynote opportunities. Small and local is a feature, not a bug. Many high-quality regional events have budgets in the $1,000 to $5,000 range and want excellent speakers who fit. Those are perfect on-ramps. Be personable and reliable. The subtle signals you send in email cadence, brevity, and clarity matter as much as your sizzle reel. Planners notice. Use audience hubs to find events. Facebook groups with significant daily activity are a goldmine for discovering exactly which conferences your market actually attends. Ask the right question, harvest the list, then do surgical outreach. Speaking as impact. Opportunities come in all shapes and sizes. Grant shared doing a virtual session for inmates in a county jail, and he has also spoken to arenas of 10,000. There isn't one “correct” venue. There are aligned venues for your mission and model. If You're A Strong Communicator And Ready To Start, Do This In The Next 7 Days Define your niche: Write a one-sentence positioning statement: “I help [audience] solve [problem] so they can [outcome].” Keep it painfully specific. List 25 target events: Use Google, LinkedIn, and active Facebook groups your audience frequents. Ask what events they already attend and compile answers. Tidy your materials: Ensure your site and speaker page reflect your niche clearly, with outcomes and a clean bio. If you don't have a reel, assemble a short, honest highlight cut from any footage you have. Send five concise outreach emails: “When will you start reviewing speakers for [event]?” Track replies. Ask for permission to follow up at their timeline. Build a simple follow-up system: Calendar reminders or a basic CRM. Follow up exactly when promised with a short, service-oriented note. Reliability is your advantage. Book or create one rep: Pitch a breakout locally or host a focused micro-workshop yourself. Capture testimonials and footage. Momentum starts here. Resources Mentioned The Speaker Lab website The Speaker Lab podcast The Speaking Fee Calculator The Successful Speaker book by Grant Baldwin My Closing Thought If you're gifted on stage and willing to do the unglamorous prospecting and follow-up, there is a clear, repeatable path to getting booked and paid. You do not need to be famous. You do need to be focused, professional, and persistent. Choose your “steak,” serve it beautifully to the right diners, and keep showing up. The rooms you want will start asking for you by name. Ready to Turn Your Experience Into Income? If you're still here reading this, I have a feeling I know something about you. You're a communicator, a creator, someone with real experience, skill, and a genuine desire to serve others. You've been working hard to build your business, grow your audience, and create content that helps people. Yet even with all that effort, the profit still doesn't reflect the impact you're making. If that sounds familiar, it might be time for a different approach. Over the years, I've worked with countless creators, coaches, and entrepreneurs who started by doing what everyone said they should: creating content, building websites, and growing an audience. The problem? That's actually Step 8 in the process of building a profitable business. They skipped the first seven steps, the ones that make everything else work. That's why I created my Building an Online Business Program. It's the same proven 11-step framework I've used and taught to help others finally see consistent, sustainable income from the work they love. The program includes my complete course, recorded live in the Next Level Studio, and two private 90-minute one-on-one coaching sessions with me. Those sessions are where we take what you're learning and apply it directly to your goals, your challenges, and your business model. It's personalized guidance designed to bring focus, clarity, and predictable income to your business. If you've been creating content for years but still feel like you're spinning your wheels, this is your chance to change that. You'll get the clarity, structure, and strategy that can finally convert your experience into income, and build the freedom you set out to create in the first place. Click Here To Learn More And Enroll Today Let's journey together.

Dr. Caroline Fleck shares with Gabby Reece the #1 communication skill from psychology (DBT) you need to master: VALIDATION. Learn how this essential relationship tool will transform your marriage, parenting, and friendships. The psychologist & author of Validation breaks down the exact steps to build deep connection, manage conflict, and achieve emotional regulation. In this powerful episode of The Gabby Reece Show, host Gabby Reece and Dr. Caroline Fleck, a clinical psychologist and author of the book Validation: How the skillset that revolutionized psychology will transform your relationship, increase your influence, and change your life, discuss the profound impact of true validation. Validation is more than just listening or feeling empathy; it is a communication skill that must be mastered to truly convey understanding and acceptance. Dr. Fleck reveals why this essential skill is typically only taught in advanced doctoral psychology programs (Dialectical Behavior Therapy or DBT) and how you can apply it to your everyday life to build stronger bonds and reduce conflict. Key Takeaways You'll Learn: The crucial difference between "problem-solving" and "validation" in real-life scenarios, especially with children. The six levels of validation (the "validation ladder") and how to use them to instantly improve your communication. Practical strategies for managing intense emotions and conflict using DBT's TIP skills (Temperature, Intense Exercise, Paced Breathing). The power of a genuine apology, even as a parent, to model the behavior you want your kids to learn. How to disclose your own experience to connect without overshadowing the other person's pain (the "flip it back" technique). Don't miss these evidence-based strategies for better communication and personal transformation! Subscribe to The Gabby Reece Show for more conversations on health, relationships, and human performance. Follow Caroline Fleck: On Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/carolinefleckphd  Caroline's Website - https://drcarolinefleck.com/  Order Caroline's Book - https://www.amazon.com/Validation-Revolutionized-Psychology-Transform-Relationships/dp/0593541219  For more on Gabby Instagram @GabbyReece: https://www.instagram.com/gabbyreece/ TikTok @GabbyReeceOfficial https://www.tiktok.com/@gabbyreeceofficial The Gabby Reece Show Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GabbyReece  The Gabby Reece Show podcast is Produced by Rainbow Creative (https://www.rainbowcreative.co/)  Thank you to our sponsors Fatty15 - Get an additional 15% off Fatty15's 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/GABBY and using code GABBY at checkout. Get 35% off your entire order at Lolablankets.com by using code GABBYREECE at checkout. Wrap yourself in luxury with Lola Blankets. Laird Superfood - High-quality ingredients paired with incredible taste. Use the code GABBY20 for 20% off your purchase at lairdsuperfood.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever had a five-minute conversation that felt like you'd known someone for years? That's not luck — it's a loop. In this short, high-impact episode, AJ and Johnny break down the 90-second formula for instant connection. You'll learn how to spot subtle “bids” for attention, validate emotional cues, and shift conversations from surface-level small talk to real trust and rapport. This isn't networking fluff — it's a science-backed conversational loop you can use in meetings, dates, sales calls, or social events to turn polite chats into powerful relationships. Whether you want to build influence, deepen trust fast, or simply stop missing connection opportunities, this episode gives you a repeatable framework to make conversations stick. What to Listen For [00:00:00] The 90-second loop for instant connection [00:00:31] Why polite conversations fall flat [00:00:52] What a “bid” is and how to spot it [00:02:06] How validation lowers threat and builds trust [00:03:14] The “we” bridge — shifting from me vs. you [00:04:51] Real-world example: meeting someone new at an event [00:07:21] Using the loop in client and sales conversations [00:09:20] Emotional signals to listen for (and mirror) [00:11:24] How “we statements” build subconscious connection [00:12:32] The micro step — why small, soon, and specific wins [00:14:14] Common mistakes that break connection [00:16:38] Final recap: Spot. Validate. Bridge. Micro step. A Word From Our Sponsors Stop being over looked and unlock your X-Factor today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠unlockyourxfactor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  The very qualities that make you exceptional in your field are working against you socially.  Visit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠artofcharm.com/intel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for a social intelligence assessment and discover exactly what's holding you back. Indulge in affordable luxury with Quince. Upgrade your wardrobe today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠quince.com/charm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping and hassle-free returns. Grow your way - with Headway! Get started at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠makeheadway.com/CHARM ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and use my code CHARM for 25% off. Ready to turn your business idea into reality? Sign up for your $1/month trial at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠shopify.com/charm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Need to hire top talent—fast? Claim your $75 Sponsored Job Credit now at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Indeed.com/charm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. This year, skip breaking a sweat AND breaking the bank. Get your summer savings and shop premium wireless plans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/charm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Save more than fifty percent on term life insurance at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SELECTQUOTE.COM/CHARM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TODAY to get started  Curious about your influence level?  Get your Influence Index Score today! Take this 60-second quiz to find out how your influence stacks up against top performers at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theartofcharm.com/influence⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Check in with AJ and Johnny! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AJ on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Johnny on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AJ on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Johnny on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Art of Charm on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Art of Charm on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Art of Charm on TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I'm exploring why self-care for mothers often feels like an impossible task. It's not a lack of self-compassion or personal development that's to blame, but the invisible labor—those daily habits and tasks that women silently shoulder. This understanding is crucial for self-improvement; it helps us identify how to stop being a perfectionist trying to manage everything perfectly. To truly embrace self care, and to feel happy in our lives, we need to share these responsibilities, allowing us the space for growth and fulfillment. Past episodes to support: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/how-to-have-more-fairness-in-housework-why-doing-so-dramatically-improves-your-relationships; https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/what-to-do-when-things-need-to-change-in-your-marriage  Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! More for Moms Conference (now a self-paced course!) Leave a rating and review Check out my ⁠workshops⁠! Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE! Book Launch Committee Free DSL Training Full Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4 Questions That Improve Self-Confidence October 13, 2025 | Episode 5201 Host: Scott Smith Episode Description Ever notice how confident you are until you're not? Scott's been "training" for his annual physical like it's the Olympics. More cardio, cleaner eating, the works. His wife called him out on it. And yeah, he admits it—that white coat syndrome is real. But here's the thing about confidence. It's not about swagger you can buy at the store. It's about knowing exactly what you're stepping into and having a simple way to validate it. Scott shares four questions from "The Three Minute Rule" that'll change how you approach anything scary. From breaking boards to asking for that raise. Featured Story Scott got his black belt at 33 years old. Walking into that dojo for the first time? People in pajamas making strange noises. But the real terror? Breaking boards. It's just a one-inch pine board. Nothing dramatic. But that first punch through changes everything. Suddenly you want two boards. Then four. Can I use my elbow? What about a kick? That's the moment confidence shifts. From "I can't do this" to "give me more." Scott reveals what happens in your brain when you master that first scary thing—and why the next level always brings a new devil. Important Points Confidence lives at your current level until you step up—then everything feels scary again and you need a new toolkit. The four validation questions work for anything from breaking boards to breaking through your mundane routines. Wisdom isn't being chicken—it's knowing which boards to break and which ones to walk away from. Memorable Quotes "Swagger is expensive. You can't buy it at the store. It's hard to get." "New level, new devil. Every time you step up to a new level, things get a little bit, it throws you out of your confidence zone." "If you can't answer 'are you sure?,' how are you going to be confident?" Scott's Three-Step Approach Ask yourself what it is and how it works—if you can't explain it, your confidence is built on air. Validate you can actually do it with the time, skill, and resources you have right now. Answer "are you sure?" honestly—this question separates real confidence from empty motivation. Connect With Me Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Email: support@motivationtomove.com Main Website: https://motivationtomove.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/dailyboostpodcast Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/motivationtomove Facebook Group: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices