Podcasts about what do you think

This week's guest is Andy Crocker. Ron and Andy discussed Andy's book, "The Unconditionals," what it was like working on a project for NASA, the importance of stability, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Andy likes (3:18) His background (4:27) Competing for a NASA project (6:19) How he felt after it ended (10:08) The key takeaways (11:50) Living conditionally vs. unconditionally (13:50) What it means to "love" unconditionally (16:29) Comparing and contrasting unconditional values and leadership (21:54) The importance of stability (27:12) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 The Unconditionals Andy's Website Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? How do you "love" unconditionally in a work environment? What does that look like?

This week's guest is James Turk. Ron and James discussed James' book "The Giving Game," choosing between leadership styles, dealing with personality conflicts, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote James likes (2:37) His background (3:36) Why he wrote the book (6:59) The human side of leadership (8:11) Dealing with personality conflicts (15:55) Strategies for leadership instead of "command and control" (18:47) James's parting thoughts (27:02) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Drive by Daniel Pink The Giving Game by James Turk The Turk Group James on LinkedIn Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What leadership style do you resonate with the most?

Should Hypnosis Pros Touch Their Hypnotized Clients? Click here to view the video for this podcast The post Hypnosis Training Video #677 – What Do You Think about Touching Clients In Hypnosis? appeared first on Free Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Training Videos.

This week's guest is Dr. Adil Dalal. Ron and Adil discussed the rapid evolution of AI and technology, how it affects lean and operational excellence, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Adil likes (2:51) His background (3:13) His thoughts on lean and AI (8:13) AI and value stream maps (11:44) What operational excellence will look like in the future (18:20) The transformation Adil is most proud of (29:21) His final words of wisdom (40:25) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Adil on LinkedIn Adil's Website Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? How do you envision the future of lean and operational excellence in terms of technology and AI?

Hey Detroit! We are back in our TechTown studio for your Daily Detroit, and on this Thursday, May 15th, 2025, the city is absolutely buzzing with news – from delicious new spots, to political shifts, to the city growing population for a second year in a row.  On today's show: Corktown Coffee & Bagel in Core City First up, Devon brought in a treat from the brand new Haraz Coffee in Corktown, which just had its soft opening. Located at 1501 Church Street (right off Michigan & Trumbull in a new parking deck), this Yemeni coffee shop is already impressing. Not to be outdone on the new-eats front, I shared my excitement about Bev's Bagels, the latest venture from James Beard-nominated Max Sussman. Tucked into a space on Grand River (south of Warren), Bev's offers an old-school diner counter feel but with amazing bagels.  Detroit's Growing Population & Development News The big headline? Detroit's population has grown for the second consecutive year, according to new U.S. Census estimates. This is the first time since 1957 the city has seen two straight years of growth, adding 7,000 residents and becoming the 26th largest city proper in America. Mayor Duggan credits reduced crime, more jobs, and new housing.  While positive news, there's much more work to do. We discuss the big pluses and what's ahead.  Speaking of development, the groundbreaking for Lee Plaza on West Grand Boulevard (in the Northwest Goldberg neighborhood) is a monumental step. This 100-year-old, long-vacant iconic eyesore is being transformed into 117 units of affordable senior housing, with rents capped at 30% of income. It's a complex project with 7-8 layers of financing, but it's a "jewel" being added outside of downtown. Political Tremors: 2026 Governor's Race Polls New polling for the 2026 Governor's race is turning heads. A Target Insyght poll shows Mayor Mike Duggan, running as an independent, with 48% overall support among Detroit voters (up 9 points since February). He's even leading 51-28 among Black voters in the city.  Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has slipped to 32%, and Republican Congressman John James is at just 3% with Detroit voters.  Although it's early, we get into it because it shows the former Mayor has more juice than some expected. Though it's kind of in line with what we predicted. What Do You Think? What are your favorite new spots in the city? Are you feeling the growth? And what's your take on these early political polls? Let us know!  Email us at dailydetroit@gmail.com or leave a voicemail at 313-789-3211. Thanks for tuning in, and remember — you are somebody.  Daily Detroit shares what to know and where to go in Detroit every day. Follow us on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942  Or sign up for our newsletter: https://www.dailydetroit.com/newsletter/  

In Episode 194 of the Pu'u Muay Thai Podcast, recorded at Teep Studios in Scottsdale, AZ, Jonathan Puu returns from a jam-packed trip to Ventura, California to share major updates and powerful insights into the future of Muay Thai officiating in the U.S.

This week's guest is Brian DeVries. Ron and Brian discussed Brian's new book "The Big Thinking of a Small Knight," the roles storytelling and leadership play in continuous improvement, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Brian likes (2:39) What to do when someone is struggling (4:18) His background (6:01) The roles leadership and storytelling play in continuous improvement (9:55) About his book (13:29) His "knight's hat" (18:39) The biggest takeaway from the book (19:22) What Brian learned from writing it (20:24) The role his kids played in writing the book (21:38) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 GA 222 | How to Sustain Improvements with Brian DeVries Brian on LinkedIn The Big Thinking of a Small Knight Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? How else can storytelling be used in continuous improvement?

Could AI create a $20 trillion professional services earthquake? In this episode, Blake and David dive into the data showing that AI firms generate $45,000 more revenue per employee than non-adopters. You'll discover how AI is reshaping traditional accounting and what Claude's new ability to connect with your Gmail and calendar means for productivity. They also demonstrate how indistinguishable AI-cloned voices have become, sharing practical tips to protect yourself and clients from increasingly sophisticated voice scams. Plus, hear why the "impossible" US customs broker exam (with its shocking 4% pass rate) might offer accountants a lucrative alternative career path as tariff disputes heat up.SponsorsOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpay Bluevine - http://accountingpodcast.promo/bluevine (Bluevine is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking Services provided by Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC.)   Reframe - http://accountingpodcast.promo/reframe2025 Payhawk - http://accountingpodcast.promo/payhawkChapters(00:37) - The Impact of AI on Accounting Firms (02:04) - Voice AI Scams and Protection Tips (03:34) - Legislative Updates and Industry News (05:44) - Live Stream Shoutouts and Sponsor Acknowledgements (06:50) - AI in Accounting: Revenue and Efficiency Insights (14:01) - AI Voice Cloning Demonstration (16:29) - Protecting Against AI Voice Scams (24:12) - AI's Impact on Work and Productivity (32:32) - AI in Tax and Accounting Firms (38:19) - Success in Contract Drafting (38:43) - Starbucks' Automation Reversal (41:07) - AI and Productivity Gains (53:58) - The Great Legacy Extinction (01:08:58) - The Impossible Tariff Test (01:13:09) - Private Equity in Accounting Firms (01:16:03) - Conclusion and CPE Credits  Show NotesFirms with AI report higher per-employee revenue vs othershttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/firms-with-ai-report-higher-per-employee-revenue-vs-othersNine Ways to Protect Yourself from 'Impostor' Voice Scams https://www.magzter.com/stories/newspaper/The-Wall-Street-Journal/NINE-WAYS-TO-PROTECT-YOURSELF-FROM-IMPOSTOR-VOICE-SCAMSDanish study challenges claims about AI disrupting the labor market https://getcoai.com/news/danish-study-challenges-claims-about-ai-disrupting-the-labor-market/50% of finance teams still take over a week to close the books https://www.cfo.com/news/50-of-finance-take-week-to-close-books-ledge-month-end-close-time-cfo-three-day-close-myth-/746085/The Great Legacy Extinction: AI's $20T Takeover of Professional Services https://www.venrock.com/insights/insights-technology/the-great-legacy-extinction-ais-20t-takeover-of-professional-services/What Do You Think of the New PwC Logo? https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2025/04/30/what-do-you-think-of-the-new-pwc-logo/159946/Big Four accounting firm PwC to slash about 1,500 jobs in the US https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/accounting-firm-pwc-cut-1500-us-jobs-ft-reports-2025-05-05/How are different accounting firms using AI? https://tax.thomsonreuters.com/blog/how-do-different-accounting-firms-use-ai/Customs Broker License Exam (CBLE)https://www.cbp.gov/trade/programs-administration/customs-brokers/license-examination-notice-examinationNeed CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring the Cloud Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsREFRAME 2025 - http://accountingpodcast.promo/reframe2025Want to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job posting, or that fancy Excel macro you just created? Let the listeners of The Accounting Podcast know by running a classified ad. Go here to create your classified ad: https://cloudacctpod.link/RunClassifiedAdTranscriptsThe full transcript for this episode is ...

Premier Danielle Smith says her Canada includes Alberta...but she'll trigger a referendum question on separation if enough Albertans petition her to do so. This, just days after her UCP government made it (much) easier to do exactly that. Meantime, as Alberta sovereigntists grow louder after Mark Carney's election win, First Nations leaders are pushing back with a reminder about treaty agreements. Advocates fighting poverty, inequality, and inaction are crying foul over political stunts and distractions. Where is all of this headed? We approach from a couple different angles in this episode of Real Talk.  3:30 | Jespo picks out a few key moments from Premier Smith's live TV address and shares his thoughts.  WHAT DO YOU THINK? talk@ryanjespersen.com  13:10 | Grand Chief Greg Desjarlais says Smith's referendum talk is "reckless" and the Confederation of Treaty Six First Nations is prepared to fight in court.  41:50 | Jespo and Johnny get into the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power.  SAVE on ELECTRICITY, NATURAL GAS, and INTERNET: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/ 45:50 | Albertans with disabilities are living with more challenges than ever due to funding cuts, dwindling supports, and lack of accessibility legislation. We connect with advocates Zachary Weeks and Michelle Kristinson ahead of a rally at the Alberta Legislature. LEARN MORE: https://www.barrierfreeab.ca/ 1:13:00 | Jespo and Johnny debrief, including a look at Real Talkers' lived experiences as shared in the Live Chat. (Subscribe to our YouTube channel and be part of the conversation!) 1:25:30 | Real Talkers Tom and Ron have thoughts - many thoughts - after Premier Smith's live address. EMAIL THE SHOW ANYTIME: talk@ryanjespersen.com  REGISTER FOR THE REAL TALK GOLF CLASSIC: https://www.ryanjespersen.com/real-ta... FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen  JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen  REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: patreon.com/ryanjespersen THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

This week's guest is Eric Recker. Ron and Eric discussed Eric's mental health struggles, how he handled having panic attacks, "winning the now," and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Eric likes (3:21) Eric's background (4:08) His burnout journey (5:51) How Eric handled his panic attacks (14:53) How he "wins the now" (26:07) What Eric is excited about (29:50) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Eric's Website Eric on LinkedIn Eric on Facebook Eric on Instagram GA 511 | Winning the Now with Eric Recker Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? Have you ever dealt with burnout?

In Episode 193 of the Pu'u Muay Thai Podcast, recorded at Teep Studios in Scottsdale, AZ, Jonathan Puu dives into the exciting chaos happening in May for Pu'u Muay Thai!We talk about Eat Sleep Teep 3, our next big semi-contact Muay Thai event taking place on May 17th at Ventura High School, featuring competitors from across California, Arizona, Nevada, and beyond. Plus, Jonathan reveals all the details about Pu'u Muay Thai Ventura's big move to our brand-new upgraded facility just down the street on Main Street in Ventura!This episode covers: 

This week's guest is Patrick Adams. Ron and Patrick had an extremely profound conversation about Patrick's childhood, the personal transformation he's gone through, and how he now helps others do the same. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Patrick likes (3:10) His background (4:34) What it means to equip and empower people for positive change (6:24) His personal transformation (8:25) Patrick's high school years (15:49) Why gratitude matters to him (22:38) The role faith has played in his transformation (25:15) How involved he is with Remembrance Ranch today (31:17) His advice for parents with struggling teens (34:33) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Patrick's Website Patrick on LinkedIn Remembrance Ranch GA 354 | Avoiding the Continuous Appearance Trap Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? Have you ever undergone a significant personal transformation?

In Episode 192 of the Pu'u Muay Thai Podcast, we sit down in-person at Teep Studios in Scottsdale, AZ with a very special guest: Jason Cruz, the legendary frontman of the punk rock band Strung Out and a dedicated student at Pu'u Muay Thai Ventura. Jason was in town for the Punk in the Park festival in Chandler, AZ, but made time to talk about his powerful journey through music, fighting, and finding purpose.At 51 years old, Jason shares how Muay Thai has transformed his life—and how discovering it with his wife during COVID gave them a shared mission of empowerment, discipline, and community. From touring the world with his band to stepping into the ring at our Eat Sleep Teep event, Jason's story is a unique and deeply authentic one that bridges punk rock and martial arts like few can.Topics include: 

This week's guest is Tony Hayes. Ron and Tony discussed the meaning behind authentic leadership, the importance of humility and vulnerability, dealing with poor leadership, and more. MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Tony likes (2:33) His background (3:19) What "Authentic Leadership" means (5:05) Handling not having the answers (7:18) What humility really means (10:48) Why vulnerability is scary for a leader (13:45) Misconceptions about leadership (15:45) Tony's advice for when you're dealing with bad leadership (17:50) Practical examples of the positive impacts of Respect for People (25:10) Tony's final words of wisdom (31:13) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Tony on LinkedIn Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What are some misconceptions you've heard or noticed about leadership?

What if the cure for Alzheimer's, heart disease, and erectile dysfunction already exists? Dr. Nathan Bryan breaks the silence on the missing molecule that could reverse disease.  Dr Nathan Bryan is a renowned nitric oxide biochemist, entrepreneur and author, who has researched nitric oxide for the past 18 years and made many seminal discoveries in the field. He is also the author of books such as, ‘The Secret of Nitric Oxide-Bringing The Science To Life'. In this conversation, Dr Nathan and Steven discuss topics such as, how doctors are trapped in a broken system, the link between oral infection and cancer, why blood pressure medicine doesn't work, and how nitric oxide can make you 15 years younger.  00:00 Intro 02:33 Nathan's Mission 04:38 Decline in Nitric Oxide (NO) Production 05:40 Symptoms of Low NO Levels 06:55 Diseases Linked to NO 08:21 What Prompted Nathan's Interest in NO? 10:35 Your Experience With Your Dad Setting You on This Path 12:07 Who Are You & Your Experience 13:14 Nitric Oxide Breakdown 14:24 Is Everything You See Just Aging? 16:07 How to Measure Vascular Age 17:50 Chronic Diseases Associated With NO Deficiency 21:54 The Medical Industry Is Broken 27:40 Doctors Are Trapped in the Broken System 29:18 The Molecule of Longevity 33:00 What Do You Think of Bryan Johnson? 34:38 Can NO Be Overdosed? 36:33 NO's Role in Increasing Telomere Length 38:33 Relationship Between NO and Oral Microbiome 40:54 Nathan's View on Antibacterial Products 44:04 Negative Impacts of Using Mouthwash 46:08 Oral Microbiome and Blood Pressure Connection 48:25 Link Between Oral Health and Cancer 54:10 Ads 56:19 How to Improve Our Oral Microbiome 58:21 Are Tongue Scrapers Beneficial for Oral Microbiome? 59:26 Relationship Between NO and Hormones 1:00:14 Should We Be Seeing Dental Hygienists? 1:00:45 Mouthwash Eliminates Benefits of Exercise 1:01:05 Foods to Boost Nitric Oxide Production 1:03:54 Wound-Healing Properties of NO 1:05:02 Foods for NO Production 1:05:36 *Beet the Odds*: Why Nathan Wrote a Book About Beetroots 1:09:06 Growth of Interest in Antacid Medication 1:12:22 Link Between NO Levels and Nasal Breathing 1:15:05 Humming Increases NO Levels 1:16:23 Things to Stimulate NO 1:17:45 The Future of Medicine Relies on This 1:20:01 Are You Happily or Unhappily Mated? Follow Dr. Nathan: Instagram - https://g2ul0.app.link/bRZbIr6ZtSb  YouTube - https://g2ul0.app.link/urFHgP9ZtSb  Website - https://g2ul0.app.link/AJpc3jc0tSb  You can purchase Dr Nathan's book, ‘The Secret of Nitric Oxide-Bringing The Science To Life', here: https://g2ul0.app.link/uHJ9hcf0tSb  Watch the episodes on Youtube - https://g2ul0.app.link/DOACEpisodes  Get your hands on the Diary Of A CEO Conversation Cards here: https://bit.ly/conversationcards-mp Independent research - https://nathanbryan.tiiny.co Sign up to receive email updates about Diary Of A CEO here: https://bit.ly/diary-of-a-ceo-yt  Ready to think like a CEO? Gain access to the 100 CEOs newsletter here: https://bit.ly/100-ceos-newsletter  Follow me: https://g2ul0.app.link/gnGqL4IsKKb  Sponsors: Perfect Ted - https://www.perfectted.com with code DIARY40 for 40% off Vivobarefoot - https://vivobarefoot.com/DOAC with code DOAC20 for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In episode two of this special series, LoreForged, Dr. Burns, and VlhadusGaming sit down to talk about Ashes of Creation. From discussing whether Ashes of Creation is a hardcore MMO, to examining what threatens the integrity of the game, we cover all this and more in LoreForged & Friends! Enjoy!Chapters0:00 - Intro3:53 - What Do You Think is Leading to Burnout?28:30 - What is the Greatest Threat to Ashes of Creation's Integrity?1:01:33 - Is Ashes of Creation a Hardcore MMO?

In Episode 191 of the Pu'u Muay Thai Podcast, we're coming to you straight from Bangkok, Thailand with a special crossover segment from CHOK Chats—hosted by content creator and RWS commentator Joe Comerford, joined by Jonathan Puu and Josh Soliva.This wide-ranging, no-filter conversation digs into the realities of training and fighting Muay Thai in Thailand, the cultural expectations for foreigners, and the ongoing issue of influencer fraud—people selling online content and courses without real experience.We discuss:

This week's guest is Christopher Lieb. Ron and Chris discussed Chris's transition from practicing continuous improvement at a large company to a startup, the mentality he likes to adopt, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The "mentality" Chris likes (2:45) What happens when someone has a bad attitude or doesn't care (4:49) His background (5:59) Using SPC and other tools in a startup environment (11:52) The fact that no one else had continuous improvement knowledge (14:39) How it's impacted the supply chain (18:35) How Chris avoided being the "annoying" guy (21:51) His final words of wisdom (30:48) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Christopher on LinkedIn Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? Have you practiced continuous improvement at different sized organizations?

  Welcome to Hope for the Caregiver here on American Family Radio. This is Peter Rosenberger and I will be your host today through all things caregiver related. I've been a caregiver so long that the hospital Wi-Fi connects automatically. You know you've been a caregiver a long time when you call 911 and they say, Hey Peter, that's my life. I've been a caregiver so long my idea of vacation is waiting in the car during surgery. And even Siri whispers to me, bless your heart. We are still in Denver, in the hospital. And Gracie now has to go back into surgery on Monday or Tuesday. This left leg just does not want to heal up. This will be her 93rd and her 6th during this particular 10-week stretch we pulled. So yeah, I know a little bit about the journey. And I've learned a few things. I'm going to give you some practical things right now. Okay? Just some practical. We're going to get into some heavy stuff later on in the program. But I've got some practical things. One of them is when you're in an elevator. A couple of points in an elevator. For elevator etiquette. And it's not what you think. But it's... I always let ladies exit and enter the elevator before me. I hold the door and make sure they go in properly. I told one guy, there was a bunch of them, and this guy tried to go in. I said, no, you wait for me. I was raised in the South. I'll help the ladies, but I'm not going to help you. You're a grown man. I actually told him that on the elevator. I mean, I've spent a lot of time in the hospital. So these are things I observed. But a lot of people will line up in front of the elevator on the bottom floor. Now, why is that problematic? Why? Well, I'll tell you why. Because there are people going to be getting off that elevator, and they can't get off if there's some yahoo standing right in front of them. And I'm like, has it not occurred to you maybe to wait over to the side? Another thing is, don't be on speakerphone and having a conversation while on the elevator. I understand being on the phone. I'm often on Bluetooth, giving updates and so forth. But when I get on the elevator, I will tell whoever I'm talking to, I'm getting ready to get on the elevator. You keep talking, I'll listen. I got a buddy of mine I was talking to back in Montana. And I said, all right, I'm getting on the elevator. You talk, I'll listen. So he started asking me questions. And I'm like, you didn't understand the point. The point is, I'm getting on the elevator. I'm not going to talk. You talk, I'll listen. Well, what do you want me to talk about? Oh, for heaven's sakes. And so I just kind of, you know, but that's another thing. People get on the elevator and they got speakerphone going. And I'm like, I jump into the conversation sometimes, you know, figured it's there. It's a public conversation now. And then here's something else. And I'm not faulting you for this, but be aware that Be aware of a few things when you're walking into a hospital, into a corridor. Number one is if you're going around corners, drive in the right lane. Okay? Drive in the right lane. We're not in Great Britain. We're in America. Drive in the right lane. So hug the wall on your right side. So when you go around a corner, you're not doing like in NASCAR when you're getting way down low there. You got to go up a little high and come around because there's somebody else coming around that corner and they're driving in their right lane. I have been involved in many near collisions because people were hugging the left corner. Now, that may sound stupid to you, but you spend 10 weeks in a hospital, and then you come back and tell me what you think, okay? And this ain't my first 10 weeks in the hospital with Gracie. So these are things I observed that people are, this is a very big hospital, a lot of people, and everybody's busy, and I understand that. Here's another little tidbit. Situational awareness is everything. Be aware of how you are in space and in time as you're moving in and out of this labyrinth of of a place there where a lot of people are. People are very busy. This is, again, a teaching hospital. So it's very busy. It's always going 24-7. And you have to be aware of where you are in space and in time. Not just, you know... ambling along. I was on the elevator with two women, and they were older women, but not that old. Well, now that I think about it, they're probably younger than me, which, now that's just kind of sad, isn't it? They looked older, but I realized they're probably younger than me. Okay, well, all right, let me just go and cry over that one in the pantry. But Regardless, they were on the elevator and one of them had a walker and they were very nicely dressed. They were very pleasant ladies. And I held the door and they started walking. Well, I was in a bit of a hurry. And these two women, one of them was rather large. I mean, she wasn't gargantuan, but she's a big woman. And the other one was a bit hefty as well. And she had a walker, but a little, not a walker, but one of those things with wheels on it. You know what I'm talking about. And she would sit down and into the elevator and then get up and start moving. That's fine. I live with somebody with mobility impairments. I understand it. But I am always aware of Gracie and me in time and space. Always. When I'm walking anywhere with her, I'm aware of who's behind me, who's in front of me, who's to my left. I'm always aware of things like that. That's just the way I kind of Some of it's my martial arts training, check your six, always look around, head on a swivel. I get that. Some of it's just common courtesy and some of it is just, I just don't want somebody to run into me or me run into someone else. And these two women were ambling along for a little afternoon stroll. But they took up the entire corridor. You couldn't get around them. It was just not a space where I could. And they walked wide, and they were wide. And it wasn't just because of the one with the mobility device. It was just because they were big and clueless. And they went along at their stroll, and I had to go with their pace behind them. And I was in a bit of a hurry. I was like... You know, do you have to take up the entire hallway? You know, because there's always little carts or something on the side of the thing, and you can't easily pass in certain places. And, you know, crash carts and things such as that scattered around the corridor there. So it was like... And you say, you know, Peter, you're being petty. Well, yes, I am. But I've been here for 10 weeks, and I've just, you know... Move it, people. That's what I'm talking about. Thank you for that. That's what it feels like. I'm telling you, that's what it feels like. Move it, people. There's nothing like being in a hospital for a lengthy period of time to... force you into a different kind of, I don't know. But I never cease to be amazed on how people amble and stroll and mosey in a place where there's a high traffic area. And it's a bit jarring because I'm moving quickly. And I'm not just sitting there with Gracie all day long doing nothing. I mean, oh, I think I'll stretch my legs and go down to the cafeteria. I'm working. I have to work all the time. I mean, I don't have to work all the time, but I have to work I can't put my life on hold for 10 weeks. And I've written, by the way, I've written quite a bit here, 40,000 plus words since I've been here. Five published articles and I finished a new book that's going to be out next year. Got one coming out this summer and we'll talk about that. And then I've got a new book that'll be out next year that I think you're going to really like. But I've been working and then I've gotten shipments over to Africa and so forth. I mean, I work. And then I'm looking after her. I'm back and forth to the hospital frequently. I come to do this radio program. I do a live show on Wednesdays. And that's one of the reasons I went in a hurry that day because I had to get back over to the hotel across the street where I do a live show on Wednesday afternoons. And so I was, you know, wanting these women to move a little faster or at least move over, you know, just same thing as being on a highway. You don't go on the interstate at 30 miles an hour. And they just, you know, were clueless. I mean, truly clueless. And I see this a lot in the hospital. If you have to go into the hospital for an extended period of time, be aware that you're going to see high traffic areas and stay to the right. And don't stand right in front of an elevator blocking it so people on the elevator can't get off. You're not getting on unless they get off. And so give them space to maneuver. My father used to always say that. He said, keep moving forward, but give space to maneuver. That was one of his trademark lines. And he was such a student of observing people and their behaviors that he would probably chuckle at this. I don't know if you are, but I'm sorry. I just had to take this moment to vent out because I'm tired of running into people by the elevators and through the hallways of this hospital. Listen, we got more to go. This is Peter Rosenberger, Hope for the Caregiver, hopeforthecaregiver.com. We'll be right back. Thank you. Welcome back to Hope for the Caregiver. I am Peter Rosenberger, PeterRosenberger.com. PeterRosenberger.com. If you want to explore more of what I put out there for you as a family caregiver, I hope you'll take advantage of it. Right up at the top of the page, you say, check out Peter's Substack page. Well, what does that mean? Well, Substack is an online newsletter. And there are lots of different things that I put out there. You can put video and audio and print and so forth, and that's what I do. And On this page, my latest post is, what do you think? It's called What Do You Think? And it's from my book, A Minute for Caregivers, When Every Day Feels Like Monday. And I post these out every Monday. So if you go out today and subscribe to this, you'll get a missive on Monday to tell you about a new one. But right now, you can go out and read this today, look at it, and there's some other things out there. Some of it's behind a paywall, and you have to subscribe for that if that's your choice you want to do. But this I put out every Monday for free. And this is one I think that would connect deeply with you as a caregiver. I'll give you a bit of a preview of this, okay? And the concept behind it. That's the special bonus that you're going to get today on this program. Like I said, I've been here for a long time. I've devolved into elevator etiquette for a conversation topic. I mean, you get a little bit loopy here when you have these kinds of lengthy hospital stays. But I have often and embarrassingly inserted my opinion during Gracie's long medical journey. I know you're saying to yourself, no, Peter, that couldn't happen. You wouldn't give your opinion. You would be quiet and demure and genteel, and you would be a wallflower. I know you might think that. That may be your first inclination to go there, but... Let me dispel you of that and tell you that I have done this and I don't recall being frequently asked for my opinion, particularly by surgeons. Yet, as the team was observing Gracie's response during the recovery process of one of her surgeries, the lead surgeon looked at me and said, what do you think? All right, now think through that for just a moment. This guy is a serious surgeon, not a lightweight. You don't serve in this particular hospital, this teaching hospital. You don't serve in this capacity as a teacher, as the attending, unless you've got some real game to you. Let me just add, I don't let you work on my wife unless you have some real game to you. Okay? We're pretty hard on docs and surgeons. I had a resident tell me that, you know, I've never seen this before. They were looking at some stuff with Gracie and said, we've never seen this before. I looked at this surgeon and I said, you know, the first time I heard that from a surgeon, Ronald Reagan was president. And they couldn't believe it. I mean, they were stung it. They really don't know how to wrap their mind around that. So anyway, this surgeon looked at me, and he's not a lightweight surgeon. What do you think? Well, you know, four decades of living with Gracie, I understand nuances about her that no medical professional could ever hope to know. They don't have the kind of time to be brought up to speed on Gracie. I have a PhD in Gracie. And it came from the School of Hard Knocks. Most of them, she's knocked on my head. And I hear an amen from Gleason, Tennessee, where Betsy has just said amen. She listens to this program and she's saying amen. I've known Betsy and her husband Tommy for a very, very long time. They've known me since I was 14 or 15 years old. But anyway, the School of Hard Knocks, that's it. A lengthy list of unpleasant events, and I'm saying that with a great deal of diplomacy, has taught me and continues to teach me the value of keeping my opinion to myself and only sharing what I've witnessed and experienced to the best of my abilities. Now, sometimes it gets the best of me, I admit. But I try to stay with my experience. and what I've observed. So when the surgeon graciously sought my thoughts, I stayed on message. I shared what I've observed of my wife and her challenges and avoided speculating. Here's what I've observed. One of the things I've observed that post-operatively, when something can go wrong with a patient, it usually will go wrong with Gracie. That's what I've observed. And I went on to share with him some other things i've observed about her lengthy history nodding with understanding he ordered a few additional tests evidently in part based upon my response and he continued looking for solutions now as a caregiver i'm learning to stay in my lane i really am i don't Don't jump to conclusions that I'm not, even though I went on the whole elevator diatribe at the last block. I'm learning to stay in my lane while speaking with calm authority about what I know. recognizing that my experience is far worthier than my opinion. And I put a quote on there from Kurt Cobain. You may not know who he is. He's a particularly sad, tragic figure who was the lead singer, guitarist, songwriter for Nirvana, a very troubled young man who took his life when he was 27. He had been just a very sad, troubled man, but he was a very deep thinker. And he wrote something once that said, we have no right to express an opinion until we know all of the answers. And again, he was an extremely troubled young man. who sadly took his life. Many attempts tried to take his life before, dealt with drugs and so forth. But in the middle of his distress, he had such profound things that he said, the way he approached things. And I love that quote, we have no right to express an opinion until we know all the answers. And I think of my own life and how many times I have shot my mouth off with an opinion and I didn't even know what I was talking about. And I go back to what I said with this doctor. In my experience, this is what I've seen. This is what I've witnessed. This is what I've observed. And I thought that may be helpful to some of you as caregivers when dealing with your physicians and the medical providers treating your loved one or in general with anyone. Here's what I've witnessed. Here's what I've seen. Because your experience is unimpeachable. It's yours. You've experienced this. Your eyewitness is unimpeachable. This is what you saw. This is what you have encountered. And if you stay in that place, you're not going to get off into the weirdness of opinion. And I also think about that with our Christian faith. How many of us give our opinion versus, here's my experience. That's why I love going back to some of these hymns who have said it so beautifully, O God, our help in ages past. our hope for years to come, our shelter from the stormy blast and our eternal home. Well, that's saying, look, here's our experience. This is what we've seen, what he's done. You know, look at 1 Samuel 7, 12. Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mitzvah and Shem and called its name Ebenezer. For he said, thus far the Lord has helped us. And the word Ebenezer means stone of help. Do you know the only hymn that uses the word Ebenezer? It's from Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. Here I raise my Ebenezer, hither by thy help I come, and I hope by thy good pleasure safely to arrive at home. Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. It's such a great hymn. Sadly, the writer of that hymn, struggled with his faith. Even though he had that great line, bind my wandering heart to thee, prone to wonder, Lord, I feel it. And he struggled, I think, all of his life, or certainly later on in his life, and struggled with his faith. But at that time, he wrote that. Again, sometimes some of the best things can come from people who are struggling mightily with stuff. like Kurt Cobain or like the author of this hymn. His name was Robert Robertson. He wrote that hymn back in 1758. He was just a kid. He was just 22. Kurt Cobain was 27 when he killed himself. And I don't know if Robert Robertson ever... was able to resolve some of those issues in his life that he struggled with as he grew older, and he supposedly left the faith. I don't know. I have no idea. Somebody who knows more about him can maybe let me know. But he wrote this hymn, and it was a powerful hymn, and it's been sung all over the world. Here I raise my Ebenezer. Hither by thy help I've come. So far, thus far, the Lord has. This is my experience. You know, look at Revelation. They overcame by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their opinion. No, that's not what it says. It says they overcame by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, their experience. When I listen to preachers, one of the things I listen for is their experience. I'm not interested in really your opinion. Show me what the text says. Show me how you've seen this in your life or in others, what you've observed. And anchor me in this text. I'm not interested in your opinion that much. What I am interested in is understanding Scripture on an experiential level, to see these things fleshed out. And so when I talked to that surgeon, I said, look, in my experience, this is what I've watched with Gracie. I've seen this. I am testifying to this. And that was enough for this surgeon to use that in a protocol because it's firsthand experiential. That's the thing about our faith. We're not asked to take a leap of faith into the dark. We're invited by Scripture, asked, commanded by, to anchor our faith in the light. And this is the experience. I look at John, the Apostle John, when he's talking about Jesus being crucified. He said, I've witnessed this. Look at John 1935. He who saw it has borne witness. His testimony is true. And he knows that he is telling the truth that you may also believe. It's almost like John, and I don't know, if you're a theologian or scholar, you could tell me, but it's almost like he is saying this as an affidavit in court. Like, do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? And he's saying, if you go back and look at the message, sometimes it helps me to understand it if you go back and look at different translations and paraphrases. In the message, it says, "...the eyewitness to these things has presented an accurate report. He saw it himself and is telling the truth so that you also will believe." I gave a firsthand account of credible witness to my wife's medical journey. The surgeon acted on that and made some changes in this. The Apostle John, the prophet Samuel, gave credible witness to what God has done. John gave witness to that. This is what happened to Jesus on the cross so that we will also believe. That's not stepping into the dark. That's acting on the light. And that is hope for the caregiver. This is Peter Rosenberger, PeterRosenberger.com. We'll be right back. Peter Rosenberger. He's not a preacher, but he's got great hair. Welcome back to Hope for the Caregiver. I am Peter Rosenberg. Glad to be with you today. And you know what? You may have just turned this show on midstream. You might be right here in the middle of the show. And you've been up all night having a conversation with the ceiling fan. And you wake up and you hear a program that's for family caregivers of all things. And you think, where has such a program been? Well, it's been right here. But I'm glad you're here with us now. And I've been doing this for 14 years. I've been on American Family Radio now for seven years. And I understand how difficult this journey is. I really do. And I understand what brings me comfort. And I ask you, think about that for just a moment. Most of you know my story. And if you're brand new to the audience and you're just coming in halfway through the show, that's okay. Four decades later. And on Monday or Tuesday, my wife will have her 93rd surgery. Car wreck back in 1983. Now think through the lengthy amount of time this is. How many hospitalizations? We've been here for this particular stretch for 10 weeks. Doesn't show, I don't know when we're going home. But we can't go home until this is done. And I understand how difficult this journey is. So what brings me comfort? What brings Gracie comfort in this? Is it anesthesia? Is it painkillers? Well, it helps ease her pain. But is that what brings her comfort? Is that what brings me comfort? What brings me comfort? I mean, think about it. I mean, I'm working out of a hotel room across the street in not the best part of town in Aurora, Colorado. I'd like to be at home. I could have been out on the snowmobile. and enjoying a beautiful Montana winter. Instead, I'm over here in a hotel, and sometimes I know the other night I had ramen noodle soup. I was tired. I didn't feel like going anywhere, so I just had ramen soup. I remember I was staying at a hotel down the road here. There's several hotels across the street, but now I've camped out at this one. I've been here now multiple times. We've been out here, and this is where I'm going to be permanently, but I don't think we're going to have to come back for another stretch. But I was staying at one down the road, and they got it messed up. This was some years ago. And they got it messed up in our room. But I was in the middle of Gracie's surgery, and I didn't do anything about it until about a week or two after she'd kind of stabilized. And I was checking out one. I mean, I was at the counter, and they had a little, you know how hotels do, they have a little place where you can buy overpriced items. And they had some soup. And I just, you know, it goes back to my college days, some ramen soup. And I had there on the counter my dinner that night because I was tired and I didn't feel like going anywhere. And I paid overpriced ramen soup, you know, and you know how much that stuff costs. But I mentioned the night manager. I said, look, I'm just now getting back with you. But when we got here, they were supposed to have this kind of room for my wife. They didn't have it. They really kind of messed it up and it was very difficult. And I just want to bring that to your attention. And she saw my soup on the counter there and she said, oh, I'm so sorry. Here, take that on us. It's the least we could do. And I used a great deal of restraint. You have no idea the torque involved in this. And I almost said, but I didn't say, it's ramen soup. There ain't no leaster. Of course, it's the least you could do. But she was very sincere, and I let it slide. Eventually, I talked to the daytime manager, and they worked out the problem and got it all squared away. So, you know, this is the way I'm living here. And Gracie's not certainly enjoying where she is. I mean, she's had now, this will be her sixth surgery in this 10-week stretch here. This leg just doesn't want to heal. And they have to go in there and redo something even different now. And so here we are. But we can't leave. This is for all the marbles. If we get this right, she has a better quality of life. If we get it wrong, she's in pretty dire circumstances for the rest of her life on earth. And so I get the journey. What brings me comfort? What has settled my heart down? What has given me the ability to focus and be clear-headed during this? And that is thinking on the things of God. Not abstractly. I'm talking about up close and personal, really contemplating these things. I've been studying. I've been going through the book of John while I'm here. And I am resolved to these things because I know that there's a greater work going on. And that I go back to what I've been saying over the last couple of weeks here with the Heidelberg Catechism. What is my only comfort in life and in death? And that is I belong to Christ. And in this world, he will see fit to allow us to go through very painful things, sometimes horrific things. I don't know why. I'm not really all that excited about it. I don't like it. But I am so committed to this because I see that he has saved me from something far worse. And I belong in his service. And that this is where he's asked us to go. And this is what Gracie said when I was praying for her. I mentioned this two weeks ago before her 91st surgery. And I was like, Lord, this is too many. Gracie said, no, it's not. This is how many he thinks is necessary. And we're going to do what he has led us to do. And I know that, I think it was Karl Marx or Stalin or somebody, one of those guys, who said that religion is the opioid for the masses, right? I can't say that I disagree with that. But I'm not talking about religion. I'm talking about theology. Understanding and knowing, discovering, learning about God. Religion is man's attempt to do these things. Theology is studying what God has already shown us in His Word. That we can know Him. And I've said this before on this program, but I had a caller call in to the Wednesday live show that I do and asked, is suffering required in order to grow in our Christianity? And my answer was, suffering is required to be a human being. In this world, we're going to have it. I mean, it's part of the condition. And you can live your whole life without being afflicted by trauma or disease of any magnitude, not even approaching anywhere near where Gracie is. But you're still going to die. Your body's going to get old and die. Unless Christ returns, none of us are getting out of this thing alive. That's just part of the human condition. It's how we trust God in those things. That's where the difference is. And I go back to this surgical event that we're dealing with here in our life right now. Now, these surgeons that I've been working with here, and they're wonderful men. I've worked with them now for some time, and I've gotten to know them a little bit, but I don't know them all that well. I don't know, for example, her attending surgeons, wife and kids and all those kinds of things. I really don't know a lot of his background. I know where he's from, but that's pretty much about it. But this man, who I barely know, will take my wife into a room with a bunch of strangers who I do not know, and they will do ghastly things to her body with ghastly tools that I wouldn't want to even touch. And then when he comes out, I'll thank him. And Gracie does too. She took his hand one time. Thank you. How often do we do that to people who wear white lab coats or surgical scrubs? Thank you, doctor. Thank you, doctor. And we treat them with reverence and respect, and we barely know them. We don't know where their doctrinal stances are. We don't know what they believe, why they believe it. We don't know those things. We just know that they've been certified to do such and such by the governing authorities of the state and the medical licensing board, and this hospital has vetted them, and the teaching university they went to has properly instructed them. And we take that on faith, even though we've never looked at their transcripts. we've never looked at their grades we don't know anything about them but we will let them go in there and do things to our loved ones and we will thank them for it how much more can we approach the king of kings and lord of lords when he does these things how much more skilled is he and we can know him he has made it possible that's what theology is he's laid it all out this is who i am Now, we will never know Him absolutely because we're not infinite beings like He is. But we can know Him truly. He's immutable. His loving kindness never fails. His grace, His mercy, His wisdom, His justice, His wrath, all of those things laid out. Corrie Ten Boone once said, don't be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. What brings us comfort is that I am not trusting Gracie to a bunch of people in medical gear that I don't know. I'm trusting her to the one I do know. You're going to hear me do this probably for the rest of the time I have a program. But I love to quote my father. And mom told me this story about him one time. And I've seen this in his life. And I have so many great, wonderful memories of things that he has said and imparted to us. But she was struggling with something young into their marriage. And I don't know how young it was, mom. Mom listens every week. I don't know how young you were, but it was some time ago. And she kind of popped off. How do you know that? because dad was sharing something from scripture with her she said well how do you know this and dad responded very calmly because i know god because i know god what gives me comfort i know god he's told me who he is and i take him at his word And that's what strengthens me. That's what equips me. That's what settles me down. I can produce a lengthy line of people, some of them in this audience, who have known me for a very long time and would say, yeah, that ain't Peter. That's evidence of the redemptive work of Christ in Peter's life because that ain't him. We know Peter. We've seen his work. And that's not me. And thanks be to God, it isn't me. It doesn't have to be you either. We don't have to be reactive all the time. We are invited by Scripture to cast all our cares on Him. We're invited to walk in His statutes, to trust Him, to take Him in His Word. And He gives us all the evidence that we need of said step of faith. And like I said in the last block, we're not stepping by faith into the dark. We're stepping by faith into the light. The credible testimony of others who have observed this, who have walked this, like John himself said in the Gospel of John, I saw it. I was there. Like I said to that surgeon, here's what I've seen. And so when I look at people like my father and like so many who said, here's what I have observed. Here's what I know. Here's what I've experienced. That is what comforts and strengthens me and equips me and fortifies me. And then I could take that into Gracie's hospital room and offer her the same comfort that I myself have received from the God of all comfort. And you know what that is? That is hope for this caregiver. This is Peter Rosenberger. We'll be right back. Welcome back to Hope for the Caregiver. This is Peter Rosenberger. Do you know what that hymn is? That hymn is called Abide With Me. And it's from my CD, Songs for the Caregiver. I've always loved this hymn. This is my mother's favorite hymn. And I've played this countless times. You can see this, like I said, on my CD, Psalms for the Caregiver. You can download the whole thing wherever digital music is streamed, or you can call Logos Bookstore in Nashville, Tennessee and get a copy of it. They're the only ones that care. It's all out at my website, PeterRosenberger.com, but that's not the purpose of me telling you all this. I used to play this hymn and many others in the sanctuary church where we attended in Nashville for many years and My pastor at the time asked me to play on Sunday mornings as people were coming in to help create a more reverent atmosphere for the church. So people would just talk, you know, yabber. They would come in and be more reflective. So I would work out a lot of these hymn arrangements that I did there. And during the week, I would practice this. And I noticed that I wasn't alone in the sanctuary. And at the back, there was a custodian there at the church And he would be putting hymnals back in the racks and sweeping and straightening it up, very much like my father used to do when he was a young man. And I've got a picture of my father when he was working at a church as a custodian. So I had a very special place in my heart for custodians of churches, and this man was no exception. And I would stop and ask him, I'd say, hey, do you want me to play something for you? And he said, no, just keep playing, just keep playing. So I'd play and sometimes I'd practice there for an hour, maybe more. And a beautiful Steinway up at the front of the church. And that's the cover of my CD is me playing in that sanctuary by myself. Except I have one picture of me playing there. It was taken from the choir loft area where I was. And you can make out Mike in the very back there. And that picture hangs on a wall in my parents' home. I gave that to my father and That picture is juxtaposed against the picture of my dad when he was in the sanctuary serving. Now, why am I telling you all this? Well, this week in the news, they released more of the writings from the shooter at the Covenant School there in Nashville. The first victim that she shot and killed was Mike, the custodian who used to listen to me play the piano. Two years ago this week, I went back to Nashville to play at his funeral And I played for him one last time. I look at the horrific things about that event, and it's still surreal. It's hard to believe. Hard to believe it happened. And the unspeakable tragedy with so many. I refuse, and if this gets me in trouble, you can write letters to peter at the internet dot Google. But I refuse to call this individual a transgender or a guy. was a girl it was a woman 28 years old i believe who was very very very disturbed according to the news reports she had been writing horrifically violent plans for some time and i don't know why it wasn't caught i don't know why nobody seemed to intercept this or say something, but I just know that from the facts, she showed up that day, and Mike was the first person in her path, and she shot and killed him. And I think about all the times that Mike said to me, just keep playing, just keep playing. So I do, and I played at his funeral two years ago this week, and I played, the opening hymn was Great Is Our Faithfulness, And I got to tell you all, I laid into it. I didn't hold back. I didn't play it like a mourner. Mike wouldn't have wanted me to. Play it with conviction. Play it like a believer. And he would want me to do so. I said, this time I was in the front of the church in the choir loft area, different sanctuary. But Mike's casket was just, instead of him being at the back of the church sitting there listening, His casket was right there up front, just 10, 15 feet away from me. And these are hard things. We don't have the words for it. We groan. But we're not alone in our groaning. And I just want to leave you with today. I know this is a bit of a somber note for the show, but I wanted to leave this with because I never forget that the reason why people listen to this program is because they're hurting. And the reason why people give me an hour of their time to listen to this is because they feel like they're drowning. And I understand that sometimes the person who understands you the most is the one who's bled like you have. And I have. Still do. Many times in that sanctuary when I was playing, I was pouring out my heart because I didn't have the words for some of the things that Gracie and I were going through. Mike kept saying, just keep playing. Just keep playing. Just keep playing. The Spirit groans on our behalf. Scripture tells us to pray without ceasing. Just keep praying. Just keep praying. when we don't have the words. And that's why I'm grateful for music. I wish I had the caregiver keyboard here at this hotel while we're in this hospital visit, but I don't. So I have to make do. I look forward to being able to getting home and playing the piano some more. Just keep playing. It's a hard thing to read about that in the news. And this is the world we're in. And it's not going to get any better anytime soon. It doesn't look like. But we are not absolved from walking into that craziness and heartache with the confidence of the gospel. And that is what I am committed to doing. I've been writing a song when the shooting occurred. I've been writing a song that had it for about a month or two, but it wasn't finished. I finished it right after the shooting. In fact, I finished it within that evening because I was just so overwhelmed by watching this. And I had Gracie sing it. I titled the piece Covenant Lament. I really didn't know what else to call it. What else can you say? He's just lamenting. And I went to the words of Scripture that helped shape this. This is all Scripture. And I wanted to leave this with you all today. At the end of this program, some of you are groaning. Some of you are weeping. And I want you to know that there's one who weeps for us and groans for us. And we can trust him. Listen to Gracie sing as we take the show out today. And thank you for your time. I'm Peter Rosenberger. And I remember what my friend Mike told me. Keep playing. Just keep playing.

In Episode 190 of the Pu'u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu visits the stunning Marrok Gym in Bangkok, Thailand, for a powerful in-person conversation with co-owners Mimm and Golf, alongside special guest Josh Soliva. This episode dives deep into how Marrok is reshaping the Muay Thai and MMA landscape in Thailand—focusing on fighter empowerment, fair contracts, and long-term athlete development.Jonathan explores:

This week's guest is Tanner McClure. Ron and Tanner discussed Tanner's introduction to lean, dealing with resistance from management and supervisors, the "paper doll" tool, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Tanner (2:53) Tanner's background (3:50) How his background affected his introduction to lean (6:29) Dealing with resistance from management or from supervisors (7:52) How to reassure employees who are new to lean (13:31) The "paper doll" tool (19:34) Tanner's advice for those just getting started (25:57) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Tanner on LinkedIn Tanner McClure Consulting on LinkedIn Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? Have you ever been met with resistance from management or supervisors? How did you handle it?

This week's guest is Jackey Lin. Ron and Jackey discussed Jackey's diverse career background, deploying operational excellence on a global scale, overcoming communication barriers, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Jackey's favorite quote (2:43) His background (4:52) Initiating operational excellence on a global scale (7:36) Jackey's advice on dealing with resistance (15:55) Examples of how they communicate (21:35) How these improvements lead to operational results (24:34) What Jackey is most proud of (29:45) His final words of wisdom (34:03) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Jackey on LinkedIn Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? Have you ever worked on continuous improvement in multiple countries?

In Episode 189 of the Pu'u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu exposes the harsh realities and hidden truths about fighting in Thailand—things most fighters never hear before stepping into the ring. If you've ever dreamed of fighting in the birthplace of Muay Thai, this episode is a must-listen to understand what you're really signing up for.

This week's guest is Steven Langer. Ron and Steven discussed what it means to optimize workplace culture, what a strong organizational culture looks like, dealing with burnout, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Steven likes (2:51) His background (3:42) What he means by "healthy" (5:15) How to know whether you're winning or losing (7:07) How the size of the company factors in (9:40) What a strong organizational culture looks like (11:18) Balancing taking care of people with revenue (12:57) His experience with burnout (17:12) How to tell when you're burnt out (19:23) Steven's final words of wisdom (25:10) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Steven's Website Steven on LinkedIn Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? Have you ever suffered from burnout? How did you remedy it?

In her first interview since officially leaving the Prime Minister's Office, our pal Supriya Dwivedi is back with a behind the scenes look at what was going down in Justin Trudeau's inner circle through the party's polling woes, Trudeau's resignation, and the transition to a Mark Carney government.  Supriya tells us what she really thinks about Chrystia Freeland's blindside resignation, Pierre Poilievre's fiery attacks, and Karina Gould's exclusion from Carney's first cabinet.  WHAT DO YOU THINK? Leave a comment here or email talk@ryanjespersen.com  1:24:30 | Did you hear about that Larry fella going viral in Wisconsin? Thanks to Real Talker Gerald for passing along this unexpected heartwarming moment - a perfect fit for Positive Reflections presented by Solar by Kuby.  GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE TODAY: https://kuby.ca/ REGISTER FOR THE REAL TALK GOLF CLASSIC: https://www.ryanjespersen.com/real-ta... FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen  JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen  REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: patreon.com/ryanjespersen THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

In Episode 188 of the Pu'u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu dives deep into the harsh reality of why most Muay Thai fighters struggle financially—and more importantly, how they can change that. Despite being one of the toughest and most respected combat sports, Muay Thai fighters often earn little to nothing, even at high levels. But does it have to be this way?Jonathan, with over 18 years in the industry as a fighter, coach, gym owner, and ring official, breaks down:

This week's guest is Craig Coyle. Ron and Craig discussed Craig's experience as an Apache pilot, what employee engagement is and isn't, why new leaders quit, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Craig's favorite quote (2:37) His background (3:26) The first time Craig flew an Apache on his own (7:01) Why employee engagement is critical (8:40) What engagement looks like (12:29) Craig's advice he gives to senior leaders (17:26) Why new leaders quit (21:21) His advice for finding community (27:25) Mentorship versus community or fellowship (30:32) Empowering people on the frontlines (31:45) What Craig would recommend to people who are struggling (35:35) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Craig on LinkedIn Operation Lead Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What is employee engagement and what is it not?

This week's guest is Uriel Eisen. Ron and Uriel discussed the importance of kanban, why increasing your inventory isn't always a bad thing, Uriel's background and projects, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Uriel likes (2:33) His background (5:14) What "tripling production" means (9:03) How he increased their inventory (14:01) How it's measured (19:13) Uriel's advice on how to get started (22:14) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Austere Manufacturing Austere Manufacturing on Instagram Arda on Instagram Arda Uriel on LinkedIn Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? Why is kanban so powerful?

In Episode 186 of the Pu'u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu breaks down the flawed ranking system in Muay Thai and why it continues to be a challenge for fighters, promotions, and organizations worldwide. Unlike MMA and boxing, where structured ranking systems dictate title contention, Muay Thai still lacks a standardized, universally recognized system—and that's holding the sport back.Jonathan dives into:

This week's guest is Adam Lawrence. Ron and Adam discussed reliability kaizen, what it means, how it relates to the Wheel of Sustainability, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Adam likes (2:25) His background (3:17) What reliability kaizen means to Adam (4:52) About OEE (8:59) The steps he and his team follow (10:12) What this has to do with reliability (14:38) The resistance he's seen teams face (16:58) About the Wheel of Sustainability (22:28) How he and his teams have applied it to reliability kaizen (28:15) Adam's final words of wisdom (33:05) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Adam's Website Adam on LinkedIn Adam's Past GA Podcasts  Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What does reliability kaizen mean to you?

In Episode 186 of the Pu'u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to run a successful Muay Thai gym in 2025. Whether you're an aspiring gym owner, a coach, or a dedicated student, this episode will give you a raw, unfiltered look at the business side of Muay Thai—beyond just training fighters and hosting events.Jonathan shares his insights from over 18 years in the industry, discussing:✅ Why treating your gym as a business is essential for survival.✅ The hidden costs—rent, insurance, marketing, staff, and equipment.✅ Why pricing matters and how charging too little can kill your gym.✅ The importance of student retention and building a strong community.✅ How marketing & social media can make or break your gym's success.✅ The biggest mistakes new gym owners make—and how to avoid them.If you've ever wondered why some gyms thrive while others struggle, this episode lays it all out. Jonathan also emphasizes the deeper impact of Muay Thai—how it transforms lives beyond just fighting, creating lasting change for students who walk through the doors.

This week's guest is Sarah Tilkens. Ron and Sarah discussed The KPI Lab (which Sarah founded), why talent development is critical, what leaders can do to help, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Sarah likes (2:14) Her background (3:19) About the KPI lab (4:27) Why talent development is critical (5:23) What leaders can do (8:38) Combining lean and talent development (12:18) What it's been like working on the KPI lab (17:01) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Sarah on LinkedIn GA 275 | Leading vs. Serving with Sarah Tilkens GA 408 | Lean and Life Coaches with Sarah Tilkens GA 474 | Integrating Coaching and Lean with Sarah Tilkens Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What does it mean to combine lean and talent development?

This week's guest is Thomas Gelmi. Ron and Thomas discussed Thomas's unique background, how he helps leaders develop their "human" skills, navigating different personalities at work, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Thomas likes (2:48) His background (4:16) What "human skills" refers to (7:33) Why how we feel about ourselves matters (10:29) Navigating personality differences (16:36) His opinion on why developing human skills is good for business (21:38) A leader's ability and willingness to be vulnerable (27:48) Thomas's final words of wisdom (32:53) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Thomas on LinkedIn Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? Why is it important to develop human skills (aka soft skills)?

Muay Thai is evolving—but is it for the better? In this episode, Jonathan Pu'u breaks down one of the most heated debates in the sport: Are foreigners helping Muay Thai grow, or are they diluting its authenticity?As more Western fighters, gyms, and trainers flood Thailand, we're seeing major shifts in how Muay Thai is practiced, promoted, and taught. Some argue that this globalization is bringing more money, exposure, and opportunities to the sport. Others believe that Muay Thai is being over-commercialized, losing its deep Thai cultural roots and turning into a tourist-friendly business model rather than a warrior's sport.

This week's guest is Alen Ganic. Ron and Alen discussed visual management, examples of visual management they have seen and created, dealing with any resistance you might meet, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Alen likes (2:46) His background (3:12) What visual management is (5:28) Examples he's seen and created (6:20) A story about Ron's time at FlowServe (11:08) Alen's story about how he helped saved a company (15:35) Dealing with resistance (20:23) The practical mistakes people make (25:26) Tips for getting started (27:26) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Alen on LinkedIn Lean Case Study: The City of Grand Rapids GA 521 | Celebrating Quick Wins GA 544 | Flow Efficiency vs. Resource Efficiency Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? How do you describe visual management?

This week's guest is Dr. Brad Miller. Ron and Dr. Miller discussed what it's like to teach Lean and Six Sigma at a university, the business lessons that can be learned from academia, his grocery store simulation, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Dr. Miller (3:01) His background (4:29) How he started working at a university (6:51) What students are like these days (9:07) How he structures his classes (13:53) About his grocery store checkout simulation (18:37) How mixing different personalities works (21:39) Balancing "getting it right" with experimenting (32:38) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Brad on LinkedIn Brad on YouTube Brad on the University of Houston Site Inside Brad's Classroom GA 111 | How to Teach Continuous Improvement GA 310 | The Role of Motivation in Continuous Improvement Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What else can we learn from the way continuous improvement is taught at the university level?

This week's guest is Ridha Dhrifi. Ron and Ridha discussed ISO 9001, how it aligns with lean manufacturing, balancing compliance with operational efficiency, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Ridha's favorite quote (3:01) His background (4:29) The alignment between ISO 9001 and lean manufacturing (5:49) About ISO 9001 (7:09) Industries interested in ISO 9001 (8:31) Making sure it's an authentic certification adding real value (10:42) How lean thinking can help and harmonize (12:45) How current and future state works in ISO (14:16) Combining ISO and lean (16:30) Advice for a quality manager on balancing compliance and operational efficiency (20:03) How long it takes to realize ISO 9001 certification (22:49) The order of operations (25:44) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Ridha on LinkedIn Integration of the Lean in ISO 9001 Integration of the Lean in Chemical Industry Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What are the upsides to combining lean and ISO? The downsides?

This week's guest is Ron Pereira. In this new years-themed episode, Ron explains why forming new habits is often more effective than keeping new resolutions, how to form those habits, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Why resolutions fail (3:20) Outcomes versus the process (4:51) Ron's habit of exercising (7:05) Creating standard work for habits (8:14) Lean and new habits (11:06) Define value (11:20) Start small (12:07) Measure your progress (14:22) Eliminate waste (15:15) Standardizing the approach (16:22) Sustaining these habits over time (17:50) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 GA 261 | Building the Habit of Excellence with James Clear Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What are some new habits you'd like to form this year?

This week's guest is Brandon Bunn. Ron and Brandon discussed what it looks like to leverage lean and continuous improvement inside prison facilities, some of the obstacles that arise, and how other lean leaders can get involved. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Brandon (3:06) Brandon's background (4:06) Why he got into the prison industry (7:45) What a "Day in the Life" looks like (9:05) The improvements that are being done (12:13) Some of the obstacles (18:28) The role that motivation plays (26:02) Brandon's advice for those in similar situations (28:33) How lean leaders can get involved (30:45) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Brandon on LinkedIn Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? How else can lean be used to change lives in profound ways?

This week's guest is Beau Groover. Ron and Beau discussed people and process integration, lean leadership, Beau's "GSD" system, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Beau likes (2:52) His background (3:16) What people and process integration is (5:54) Why it's so important and why it's difficult (7:42) What it means to be vulnerable (10:16) Where we're "missing the mark" (14:10) Some practical tips (17:14) An example of improvement Beau has seen (23:46) Beau's final words of wisdom (27:29) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Beau's Website Beau on LinkedIn Building a Kick-Ass Culture: 20 Effective Steps Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What are some other challenges of people and process integration?

This week's guest is Steve Pereira. Ron and Steve discussed flow engineering, Steve's latest book, the relationship between value, clarity, and flow, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Steve likes (3:57) His background (5:29) About his book "Flow Engineering" (7:48) Defining flow engineering (10:28) The relationship between value, clarity, and flow (16:01) The role AI plays in flow (20:39) His favorite applications (25:03) The reception he's gotten on the book (27:44) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Flow Engineering GA 382 | Simplifying Value Stream Mapping with Steve Pereira Steve on LinkedIn Visible Flow Consulting Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What are your thoughts on the concept of flow engineering?

This week's guest is Matt White. Ron and Matt discussed problem solving, Matt's backgrounds in both manufacturing and healthcare, the importance of using the "language" of a company, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quotes Matt likes (3:22) His background (4:40) Why lean works in many different industries (8:41) Matt's thoughts on identifying problems in organizations (9:45) Using PDCA and A3 Reporting (14:06) How scientific thinking plays a role (15:09) Using the language of the company (16:43) Getting the right people involved (20:15) The leader's role in problem solving (27:19) Advice for getting leadership commitment (29:30) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Matt on LinkedIn Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What's your approach to problem solving? What tools do you use?

John in Pennsylvania doesn't have bonds in his investment portfolio. Should he add them, and if so, where? That's today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 508 with Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA. The fellas also spitball on retirement plans for James in Tierrasanta, California, who has $4 million plus annuities, Esther in the San Francisco Bay Area, who has nearly $12M net worth, and Tiger and Lioness, who wonder about a safe level of lifestyle creep. Also, Charlie in Castlerock, Colorado has an “exciting” new question on how to balance collecting Social Security with making withdrawals from his pre-tax retirement account for living expenses. And a Worrywart Mom in Seattle asks whether her 27-year-old daughter should focus on paying off her student loans or saving for the future. Access all the following free financial resources and the episode transcript: https://bit.ly/ymyw-508 DOWNLOAD the Retirement Income Strategies Guide DOWNLOAD the Social Security Handbook DOWNLOAD the Retirement Readiness Guide WATCH Retirement Sabotage! on YMYW TV REQUEST: Ask Joe & Big Al for your Retirement Spitball Analysis SCHEDULE: free financial assessment SUBSCRIBE: YMYW on YouTube DOWNLOAD: more free guides READ: financial blogs WATCH: educational videos SUBSCRIBE: YMYW Newsletter Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro: This Week on the YMYW Podcast 00:58 - Where Should We Add Bonds in Our Investment Portfolio? (John, PA) 06:58 - Does Our Retirement Spending Plan Work? What's a Safe Level of Lifestyle Creep? (Tiger & Lioness) 13:39 - Download the Retirement Income Strategies Guide for free 14:24 - Collecting Social Security vs. Living Off of Pre-Tax Retirement Withdrawals (Charlie, Castlerock, CO) 21:52 - Download the Social Security Handbook for free 22:27 - Should 27 Year Old Pay Off Student Loan or Save for the Future? (Worrywart Mom, Seattle, WA) 27:01 - I Have $11.8M Net Worth and Want to Retire in 2 Years. Can I Pull This Off? (Esther, SF Bay Area) 32:41 - Watch Retirement Sabotage: 12 Post-Retirement Money Mistakes to Avoid on YMYW TV, download the Retirement Readiness Guide for free 33:40 - We Have $4M + Annuities and Want $180K/Year in Retirement. What Do You Think? (James, Tierrasanta, CA) 39:42 - Outro: Next Week on the YMYW Podcast

This week's guest is Topaz Adizes. Ron and Topaz discussed Topaz's studio The Skin Deep, his film {The And}, and the conversation cards he created. Focused on the power of human connection, this interview will stay with you long after it's over. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that Topaz likes (3:30) His background (4:13) About his {The And} project (9:28) An example of the questions (11:27) The three conversations that are actually going on (18:17) The different types of decks they offer (20:02) Topaz's take on AI (24:25) What Topaz doesn't like about people (28:48) His final words of wisdom (30:44) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Topaz on LinkedIn Topaz's Website The Skin Deep 12 Questions for Love: A Guide to Intimate Conversations and Deeper Relationships Prison Couldn't Keep Me From You Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? How can you see yourself benefiting from using these thought provoking questions in your everyday life?