Podcasts about what matters

After a long break from posting on The Incrementalist, I am back on the channel. To know whether to continue, start or stop any project, you must know the WHY before the HOW. The Busyness Trap: Escape Overload and Focus on What Matters is now available for early enrollment at dyan-williams.thinkific.com/courses/busyness-trapModule 2 is now up. It contains 16 minutes of 5 video lessons: 1)  What is the Busyness Trap?2) How Do You Know You're in the Busyness Trap? 3) The Psychology of Busyness4) The Culture of Busyness5) The Business of BusynessFor updates on the course, subscribe to my enewsletter or The Incrementalist YouTube channel or podcast.website: http://www.dyanwilliams.com/e-newsletter at: https://bit.ly/3J9EbsDThe Incrementalist: A Simple Productivity System to Create Big Results in Small Steps, is available on Amazon and Leanpub:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFHYHGFZ(Pros: lowest price for readers and readily available on Kindle)https://leanpub.com/incrementalist(Pros: price flexibility for readers and 60-day money back guarantee)

In this episode of Matthew Wayne Selznick Creates, I observe what would have been the 90th birthday of my mother, who was a real champion of my creativity. In thinking of her, I think about creative legacy, and why it’s important, and what I — and so, perhaps, you — can do to make sure we’re doing something every day to ensure it. The biggest thing, the most important strategy, is right there in the title. This episode was recorded on December 09, 2025. Watch the Episode (No video? Click to watch on YouTube.) Links and Topics Mentioned in This Episode My creative services for authors and podcasters. Can I help you? Book a free discovery call and let’s find out. My fiction and non-fiction. What Matters is my single-purpose countdown app to keep you focused on… what matters! “My Champion,” an article remembering my mother, Priscilla Brieck. The latest book I helped bring into the world is Sam White Owl’s Letters of a Cryptid Hunter Volume 1 by Elías Ramos. While the quote, “Profit is permission to do the thing again tomorrow” is often attributed to marketer and thinker Seth Godin, it turns out he may not have actually said it (though it’s in line with his philosophies). All about Prodigy, one of the first online community platforms. This episode was recorded (audio and video) using my Insta360 webcam via Meld Studio. Support the show with a one-time donation, with my thanks! Thanks to the Patron Members of the Multiversalists Community Thank you to J.C. Hutchins, thank you to Jim Lewinson, thank you Amelia Bowen, thank you Ted Leonhardt, thank you to Charles Eugene Anderson, thank you to Scott Roche, thank you to Harold Johnson, thank you to David Mackler, and thank you to Sam Cherubin. Chapters / Timestamps 0:00:00 – Introduction 0:01:06 – New Lighting 0:01:56 – Remembering Priscilla Brieck 0:04:14 – Putting Creative Endeavors Last 0:05:00 – 13,000 Days Left 0:06:56 – The Urgency / Guilt Demon 0:08:46 – Chronic Stress and Creativity 0:11:50 – The Dangers of Deferring Your Creative Life 0:14:01 – Feed Yourself First 0:17:53 – Definition of Art 0:19:04 – Discovering a Lifetime of Deferred Creativity 0:22:46 – Creation as an Act of Honoring Those Who Supported You 0:23:12 – There is Only So Much Time to Be Alive 0:25:52 – Stop Letting Systems Serve as Sources of Procrastination 0:28:35 – Don’t Have Goals, Build a Practice 0:32:17 – Creation as an Act of Service 0:36:34 – You Are Responsible for Bringing Your Unique Creative Perspective to the World 0:38:56 – Does It Hurt When You’re Not Creating? 0:40:10 – Have You Been Feeling Constrained from Creating? 0:40:56 – What’s One Thing You Can Do Every Day for Your Creativity? 0:41:30 – How to Contact Matthew Wayne Selznick About this Episode 0:43:17 – How Matthew Wayne Selznick Can Help You Create a Creative Practice 0:44:37 – In Closing / Call to Subscribe ~ Did you listen to this and decide you like the cut of my jib? Are you interested in directly benefiting from my quarter century of online indie publishing experience? Click to learn more about my services for writers, authors, and other creators! Never miss an episode! Join the Multiversalists community of readers, writers, friends, and fans at the free level. Or (and!), find this podcast anywhere you get your podcasts, or subscribe manually by copying https://www.mattselznick.com/feed/podcast/sonitotum into your favorite podcast app. This content is by Matthew Wayne Selznick and came from his website.

Return to What Matters is a gentle meditation that invites you to pause, breathe, and reconnect with what truly matters in this moment. Through guided reflection and mindful awareness, you'll release distractions, ground yourself in the present, and realign with your values, intentions, and inner calm. This practice offers a soft reset—helping you move forward with clarity, steadiness, and purpose. BIG NEWS! Only ONE Meditation Teacher Training in 2026! For the first time ever, I am offering a 12 month payment plan to hopefully make this more accessible for you. Learn more about the virtual MTT here. Fill out the interest form here so we can hop on a phone call and have a heart to heart to see if this training is for you!

In this episode of Beer and Money, Ryan Burklo and Alex Collins discuss the significance of the holiday season as a time for reflection on family, values, and financial planning. They explore the emotional aspects of spending time with loved ones, the expectations that come with hosting, and the importance of having meaningful conversations about legacy and future planning. The hosts encourage listeners to take actionable steps towards what truly matters in their lives, emphasizing that money is merely a tool to facilitate a fulfilling life. Check out our website:  beerandmoney.net Find us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beerandmoney Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.quantifiedfinancial.com/subscribe-now Check out our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanburklofinance?igsh=ZTJzN3Jnajd5M2Mw Ryan Burklo's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanburklo/ Alex Collin's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandercollins/ For a quick assessment of your current financial life go to: https://www.livingbalancesheet.com/lbsVision/lite/RyanBurklo #holidays #family #financialplanning #personalgrowth #legacy #expectations #hosting #reflections #futureplanning #actionsteps   Takeaways The holidays reveal what we truly care about. Spending time with family can be eye-opening. Hosting comes with expectations and financial implications. It's important to reflect on family dynamics during holidays. Conversations about legacy should happen when families gather. Planning for the future starts with understanding values. Small action steps can lead to significant changes. Money is a tool, not the ultimate goal. Designing a powerful future reshapes the present. Regular conversations about finances lead to happier outcomes. Chapters 00:00 Holiday Reflections and Family Connections 05:10 The Expectations of Hosting 08:58 Navigating Family Dynamics 11:26 Planning for the Future 15:16 Taking Action on What Matters

Marking the 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen, we'll discuss her life and legacy. Featuring: Lizzie Dunford, director of the Jane Austen House museum, John Mullan, author of the book What Matters in Jane Austen?, and Janet Todd of the University of Cambridge.

Tuesday is the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth, so today I spoke to John Mullan, professor of English Literature at UCL, author of What Matters in Jane Austen. John and I talked about how Austen's fiction would have developed if she had not died young, the innovations of Persuasion, wealth inequality in Austen, slavery and theatricals in Mansfield Park, as well as Iris Murdoch, A.S. Byatt, Patricia Beer, the Dunciad, and the Booker Prize. This was an excellent episode. My thanks to John!TranscriptHenry Oliver (00:00)Today, I am talking to John Mullen. John is a professor of English literature at University College London, and he is the author of many splendid books, including How Novels Work and the Artful Dickens. I recommend the Artful Dickens to you all. But today we are talking about Jane Austen because it's going to be her birthday in a couple of days. And John wrote What Matters in Jane Austen, which is another book I recommend to you all. John, welcome.John Mullan (00:51)It's great to be here.Henry Oliver (00:53)What do you think would have happened to Austin's fiction if she had not died young?John Mullan (00:58)Ha ha! I've been waiting all this year to be asked that question from somebody truly perspicacious. ⁓ Because it's a question I often answer even though I'm not asked it, because it's a very interesting one, I think. And also, I think it's a bit, it's answerable a little bit because there was a certain trajectory to her career. I think it's very difficult to imagine what she would have written.John Mullan (01:28)But I think there are two things which are almost certain. The first is that she would have gone on writing and that she would have written a deal more novels. And then even the possibility that there has been in the past of her being overlooked or neglected would have been closed. ⁓ And secondly, and perhaps more significantly for her, I think she would have become well known.in her own lifetime. you know, partly that's because she was already being outed, as it were, you know, of course, as ⁓ you'll know, Henry, you know, she published all the novels that were published in her lifetime were published anonymously. So even people who were who were following her career and who bought a novel like Mansfield Park, which said on the title page by the author of Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice, they knew they knew.John Mullan (02:26)were getting something by the same author, they wouldn't necessarily have known the author's name and I think that would have become, as it did with other authors who began anonymously, that would have disappeared and she would have become something of a literary celebrity I would suggest and then she would have met other authors and she'd have been invited to some London literary parties in effect and I think that would have been very interesting how that might have changed her writing.John Mullan (02:54)if it would have changed her writing as well as her life. She, like everybody else, would have met Coleridge. ⁓ I think that would have happened. She would have become a name in her own lifetime and that would have meant that her partial disappearance, I think, from sort of public consciousness in the 19th century wouldn't have happened.Henry Oliver (03:17)It's interesting to think, you know, if she had been, depending on how old she would have been, could she have read the Pickwick papers? How would she have reacted to that? Yes. Yeah. Nope.John Mullan (03:24)Ha ha ha ha ha!Yes, she would have been in her 60s, but that's not so old, speaking of somebody in their 60s. ⁓ Yes, it's a very interesting notion, isn't it? I mean, there would have been other things which happened after her premature demise, which she might have responded to. I think particularly there was a terrific fashion for before Dickens came along in the 1830s, there was a terrific fashion in the 1820s for what were called silver fork novels, which were novels of sort of high life of kind of the kind of people who knew Byron, but I mean as fictional characters. And we don't read them anymore, but they were they were quite sort of high quality, glossy products and people loved them. And I'm I like to think she might have reacted to that with her sort of with her disdain, think, her witty disdain for all aristocrats. know, nobody with a title is really any good in her novels, are they? And, you know, the nearest you get is Mr. Darcy, who is an Earl's nephew. And that's more of a problem for him than almost anything else. ⁓ She would surely have responded satirically to that fashion.Henry Oliver (04:28)Hahaha.Yes, and then we might have had a Hazlitt essay about her as well, which would have been all these lost gems. Yes. Are there ways in which persuasion was innovative that Emma was not?John Mullan (04:58)Yes, yes, yes, yes. I know, I know.⁓ gosh, all right, you're homing in on the real tricky ones. Okay, okay. ⁓ That Emma was not. Yes, I think so. I think it took, in its method, it took further what she had done in Emma.Henry Oliver (05:14)Ha ha.This is your exam today,John Mullan (05:36)which is that method of kind of we inhabit the consciousness of a character. And I I think of Jane Austen as a writer who is always reacting to her own last novel, as it were. And I think, you know, probably the Beatles were like that or Mozart was like that. think, you know, great artists often are like that, that at a certain stage, if what they're doing is so different from what everybody else has done before,they stop being influenced by anybody else. They just influence themselves. And so I think after Emma, Jane Austen had this extraordinary ⁓ method she perfected in that novel, this free indirect style of a third-person narration, which is filtered through the consciousness of a character who in Emma's case is self-deludedly wrong about almost everything. And it's...brilliantly tricksy and mischievous and elaborate use of that device which tricks even the reader quite often, certainly the first time reader. And then she got to persuasion and I think she is at least doing something new and different with that method which is there's Anne Elliot. Anne Elliot's a good person. Anne Elliot's judgment is very good. She's the most cultured and cultivated of Jane Austen's heroines. She is, as Jane Austen herself said about Anne Elliot, almost too good for me. And so what she does is she gives her a whole new vein of self-deception, which is the self-deception in the way of a good person who always wants to think things are worse than they are and who always, who, because suspicious of their own desires and motives sort of tamps them down and suppresses them. And we live in this extraordinary mind of this character who's often ignored, she's always overhearing conversations. Almost every dialogue in the novel seems to be something Anne overhears rather than takes part in. And the consciousness of a character whodoesn't want to acknowledge things in themselves which you and I might think were quite natural and reasonable and indeed in our psychotherapeutic age to be expressed from the rooftops. You still fancy this guy? Fine! Admit it to yourself. ⁓ No. So it's not repression actually, exactly. It's a sort of virtuous self-control somehow which I think lots of readers find rather masochistic about her. Henry Oliver (08:38)I find that book interesting because in Sense and Sensibility she's sort of opposed self-command with self-expression, but she doesn't do that in Persuasion. She says, no, no, I'm just going to be the courage of, no, self-command. know, Eleanor becomes the heroine.John Mullan (08:48)Yes. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. But with the odd with the odd burst of Mariannes, I was watching the I thought execrable Netflix ⁓ persuasion done about two or three years ago ⁓ with the luminous Dakota Johnson as as you know, as Anne Elliot. You could not believe her bloom had faded one little bit, I think.John Mullan (09:23)And ⁓ I don't know if you saw it, but the modus operandi rather following the lead set by that film, The Favourite, which was set in Queen Anne's reign, but adopted the Demotic English of the 21st century. similarly, this adaptation, much influenced by Fleabag, decided to deal with the challenge of Jane Austen's dialogue by simply not using it, you know, and having her speak in a completely contemporary idiom. But there were just one or two lines, very, very few from the novel, that appeared. And when they appeared, they sort of cried through the screen at you. And one of them, slightly to qualify what you've just said, was a line I'd hardly noticed before. as it was one of the few Austin lines in the programme, in the film, I really noticed it. And it was much more Marianne than Eleanor. And that's when, I don't know if you remember, and Captain Wentworth, they're in Bath. So now they are sort of used to talking to each other. And Louisa Musgrove's done her recovering from injury and gone off and got engaged to Captain Benwick, Captain Benwick. So Wentworth's a free man. And Anne is aware, becoming aware that he may be still interested in her. And there's a card party, an evening party arranged by Sir Walter Elliot. And Captain Wentworth is given an invitation, even though they used to disapprove of him because he's now a naval hero and a rich man. And Captain Wentworth and Anna making slightly awkward conversation. And Captain Wentworth says, you did not used to like cards.I mean, he realizes what he said, because what he said is, remember you eight years ago. I remember we didn't have to do cards. We did snogging and music. That's what we did. But anyway, he did not used to like cards. And he suddenly realizes what a giveaway that is. And he says something like, but then time brings many changes. And she says, she cries out, I am not so much changed.Henry Oliver (11:23)Mm. Mm, yes, yes. Yep.Yes.Cries out, yeah.John Mullan (11:50)It's absolutely electric line and that's not Eleanor is it? That's not an Eleanor-ish line. ⁓ Eleanor would say indeed time evinces such dispositions in most extraordinary ways. She would say some Johnsonian thing wouldn't she? so I don't think it's quite a return to the same territory or the same kind of psychology.Henry Oliver (12:05)That's right. Yes, yes, yeah.No, that's interesting, yeah. One of the things that happens in Persuasion is that you get this impressionistic writing. So a bit like Mrs. Elliot talking while she picks strawberries. When Lady Russell comes into Bath, you get that wonderful scene of the noises and the sounds. Is this a sort of step forward in a way? And you can think of Austen as not an evolutionary missing link as such, but she's sort of halfway between Humphrey Clinker and Mr. Jangle.Is that something that she would have sort of developed?John Mullan (12:49)I think that's quite possible. haven't really thought about it before, but you're right. think there are these, ⁓ there are especially, they're impressionistic ⁓ passages which are tied up with Anne's emotions. And there's an absolutely, I think, short, simple, but extraordinarily original one when she meets him again after eight years. And it says something like, the room was full, full of people. Mary said something and you're in the blur of it. He said all that was right, you know, and she can't hear the words, she can't hear the words and you can't hear the words and you're inside and she's even, you're even sort of looking at the floor because she's looking at the floor and in Anne's sort of consciousness, often slightly fevered despite itself, you do exactly get this sort of, ⁓ for want of a better word, blur of impressions, which is entirely unlike, isn't it, Emma's sort of ⁓ drama of inner thought, which is always assertive, argumentative, perhaps self-correcting sometimes, but nothing if not confidently articulate.John Mullan (14:17)And with Anne, it's a blur of stuff. there is a sort of perhaps a kind of inklings of a stream of consciousness method there.Henry Oliver (14:27)I think so, yeah. Why is it that Flaubert and other writers get all the credit for what Jane Austen invented?John Mullan (14:35)Join my campaign, Henry. It is so vexing. It is vexing. sometimes thought, I sometimes have thought, but perhaps this is a little xenophobic of me, that the reason that Jane Austen is too little appreciated and read in France is because then they would have to admit that Flaubertdidn't do it first, you know. ⁓Henry Oliver (14:40)It's vexing, isn't it?John Mullan (15:04)I mean, I suppose there's an answer from literary history, which is simply for various reasons, ⁓ some of them to do with what became fashionable in literary fiction, as we would now call it. Jane Austen was not very widely read or known in the 19th century. So it wasn't as if, as it were, Tolstoy was reading Jane Austen and saying, this is not up to much. He wasn't. He was reading Elizabeth Gaskell.Jane Eyre ⁓ and tons of Dickens, tons, every single word Dickens published, of course. ⁓ So Jane Austen, know, to cite an example I've just referred to, I Charlotte Bronte knew nothing of Jane Austen until George Henry Lewis, George Eliot's partner, who is carrying the torch for Jane Austen, said, you really should read some. And that's why we have her famous letter saying, it's, you know, it's commonplace and foolish things she said. But so I think the first thing to establish is she was really not very widely read. So it wasn't that people were reading it and not getting it. It was which, you know, I think there's a little bit of that with Dickens. He was very widely read and people because of that almost didn't see how innovative he was, how extraordinarily experimental. It was too weird. But they still loved it as comic or melodramatic fiction. But I think Jane Austen simply wasn't very widely read until the late 19th century. So I don't know if Flaubert read her. I would say almost certainly not. Dickens owned a set of Jane Austen, but that was amongst 350 selecting volumes of the select British novelists. Probably he never read Jane Austen. Tolstoy and you know never did, you know I bet Dostoevsky didn't, any number of great writers didn't.Henry Oliver (17:09)I find it hard to believe that Dickens didn't read her.John Mullan (17:12)Well, I don't actually, I'm afraid, because I mean the one occasion that I know of in his surviving correspondence when she's mentioned is after the publication of Little Dorrit when ⁓ his great bosom friend Forster writes to him and says, Flora Finching, that must be Miss Bates. Yes. You must have been thinking of Miss Bates.John Mullan (17:41)And he didn't write it in a sort of, you plagiarist type way, I he was saying you've varied, it's a variation upon that character and Dickens we wrote back and we have his reply absolutely denying this. Unfortunately his denial doesn't make it clear whether he knew who Miss Bates was but hadn't it been influenced or whether he simply didn't know but what he doesn't… It's the one opportunity where he could have said, well, of course I've read Emma, but that's not my sort of thing. ⁓ of course I delight in Miss Bates, but I had no idea of thinking of her when I... He has every opportunity to say something about Jane Austen and he doesn't say anything about her. He just says, no.Henry Oliver (18:29)But doesn't he elsewhere deny having read Jane Eyre? And that's just like, no one believes you, Charles.John Mullan (18:32)Yes.Well, he may deny it, but he also elsewhere admits to it. Yeah.Henry Oliver (18:39)Okay, but you know, just because he doesn't come out with it.John Mullan (18:43)No, no, it's true, but he wouldn't have been singular and not reading Jane Austen. That's what I'm saying. Yes. So it's possible to ignore her innovativeness simply by not having read her. But I do think, I mean, briefly, that there is another thing as well, which is that really until the late 20th century almost, even though she'd become a wide, hugely famous, hugely widely read and staple of sort of A levels and undergraduate courses author, her real, ⁓ her sort of experiments with form were still very rarely acknowledged. And I mean, it was only really, I think in the sort of almost 1980s, really a lot in my working lifetime that people have started saying the kind of thing you were asking about now but hang on free and direct style no forget flow bear forget Henry James I mean they're terrific but actually this woman who never met an accomplished author in her life who had no literary exchanges with fellow writersShe did it at a little table in a house in Hampshire. Just did it.Henry Oliver (20:14)Was she a Tory or an Enlightenment Liberal or something else?John Mullan (20:19)⁓ well I think the likeliest, if I had to pin my colours to a mast, I think she would be a combination of the two things you said. I think she would have been an enlightenment Tory, as it were. So I think there is some evidence that ⁓ perhaps because also I think she was probably quite reasonably devout Anglican. So there is some evidence that… She might have been conservative with a small C, but I think she was also an enlightenment person. I think she and her, especially her father and at least a couple of her brothers, you know, would have sat around reading 18th century texts and having enlightened discussions and clearly they were, you know, and they had, it's perfect, you know, absolutely hard and fast evidence, for instance, that they would have been that they were sympathetic to the abolition of slavery, that they were ⁓ sceptics about the virtues of monarchical power and clear-eyed about its corruption, that they had no, Jane Austen, as I said at the beginning of this exchange, had no great respect or admiration for the aristocratic ruling class at all. ⁓ So there's aspects of her politics which aren't conservative with a big C anyway, but I think enlightened, think, I mean I, you know, I got into all this because I loved her novels, I've almost found out about her family inadvertently because you meet scary J-Night experts at Jane Austen Society of North America conferences and if you don't know about it, they look at scants. But it is all interesting and I think her family were rather terrific actually, her immediate family. I think they were enlightened, bookish, optimistic, optimistic people who didn't sit around moaning about the state of the country or their own, you know, not having been left enough money in exes will. And...I think that they were in the broadest sense enlightened people by the standard of their times and perhaps by any standards.Henry Oliver (22:42)Is Mansfield Park about slavery?John Mullan (22:45)Not at all, no. I don't think so. I don't think so. And I think, you know, the famous little passage, for it is only a passage in which Edmund and Fanny talk about the fact it's not a direct dialogue. They are having a dialogue about the fact that they had, but Fanny had this conversation or attempt at conversation ⁓ a day or two before. And until relatively recently, nobody much commented on that passage. It doesn't mean they didn't read it or understand it, but now I have not had an interview, a conversation, a dialogue involving Mansfield Park in the last, in living memory, which hasn't mentioned it, because it's so apparently responsive to our priorities, our needs and our interests. And there's nothing wrong with that. But I think it's a it's a parenthetic part of the novel. ⁓ And of course, there was this Edward Said article some decades ago, which became very widely known and widely read. And although I think Edward Said, you know, was a was a wonderful writer in many ways. ⁓I think he just completely misunderstands it ⁓ in a way that's rather strange for a literary critic because he says it sort of represents, you know, author's and a whole society's silence about this issue, the source of wealth for these people in provincial England being the enslavement of people the other side of the Atlantic. But of course, Jane Auster didn't have to put that bit in her novel, if she'd wanted really to remain silent, she wouldn't have put it in, would she? And the conversation is one where Edmund says, know, ⁓ you know, my father would have liked you to continue when you were asking about, yeah, and she says, but there was such terrible silence. And she's referring to the other Bertram siblings who indeed are, of course, heedless, selfish ⁓ young people who certainly will not want to know that their affluence is underwritten by, you know, the employment of slaves on a sugar plantation. But the implication, I think, of that passage is very clearly that Fanny would have, the reader of the time would have been expected to infer that Fanny shares the sympathies that Jane Austen, with her admiration, her love, she says, of Thomas Clarkson. The countries leading abolitionists would have had and that Edmund would also share them. And I think Edmund is saying something rather surprising, which I've always sort of wondered about, which is he's saying, my father would have liked to talk about it more. And what does that mean? Does that mean, my father's actually, he's one of these enlightened ones who's kind of, you know, freeing the slaves or does it mean, my father actually knows how to defend his corner? He would have beenYou know, he doesn't he doesn't feel threatened or worried about discussing it. It's not at all clear where Sir Thomas is in this, but I think it's pretty clear where Edmund and Fanny are.Henry Oliver (26:08)How seriously do you take the idea that we are supposed to disapprove of the family theatricals and that young ladies putting on plays at home is immoral?John Mullan (26:31)Well, I would, mean, perhaps I could quote what two students who were discussing exactly this issue said quite some time ago in a class where a seminar was running on Mansfield Park. And one of the students can't remember their names, I'm afraid. I can't remember their identities, so I'm safe to quote them. ⁓ They're now probably running PR companies or commercial solicitors. And one of them I would say a less perceptive student said, why the big deal about the amateur dramatics? I mean, what's Jane Austen's problem? And there was a pause and another student in the room who I would suggest was a bit more of an alpha student said, really, I'm surprised you asked that. I don't think I've ever read a novel in which I've seen characters behaving so badly as this.And I think that's the answer. The answer isn't that the amateur dramatics themselves are sort of wrong, because of course Jane Austen and her family did them. They indulged in them. ⁓ It's that it gives the opportunity, the license for appalling, mean truly appalling behaviour. I mean, Henry Crawford, you know, to cut to the chase on this, Henry Crawford is seducing a woman in front of her fiance and he enjoys it not just because he enjoys seducing women, that's what he does, but because it's in front of him and he gets an extra kick out of it. You know, he has himself after all already said earlier in the novel, oh, I much prefer an engaged woman, he has said to his sister and Mrs. Grant. Yes, of course he does. So he's doing that. Mariah and Julia are fighting over him. Mr. Rushworth, he's not behaving badly, he's just behaving like a silly arse. Mary Crawford, my goodness, what is she up to? She's up to using the amateur dramatics for her own kind of seductions whilst pretending to be sort of doing it almost unwillingly. I mean, it seems to me an elaborate, beautifully choreographed elaboration of the selfishness, sensuality and hypocrisy of almost everybody involved. And it's not because it's amateur dramatics, but amateur dramatics gives them the chance to behave so badly.Henry Oliver (29:26)Someone told me that Thomas Piketty says that Jane Austen depicts a society in which inequality of wealth is natural and morally justified. Is that true?John Mullan (29:29)Ha⁓Well, again, Thomas Piketty, I wish we had him here for a good old mud wrestle. ⁓ I would say that the problem with his analysis is the coupling of the two adjectives, natural and morally right. I think there is a strong argument that inequality is depicted as natural or at least inevitable, inescapable in Jane Austen's novels.but not morally right, as it were. In fact, not at all morally right. There is a certain, I think you could be exaggerated little and call it almost fatalism about that such inequalities. Do you remember Mr. Knightley says to Emma, in Emma, when he's admonishing her for her, you know, again, a different way, terribly bad behavior.Henry Oliver (30:38)At the picnic.John Mullan (30:39)At the picnic when she's humiliatedMiss Bates really and Mr Knightley says something like if she'd been your equal you know then it wouldn't have been so bad because she could have retaliated she could have come back but she's not and she says and he says something like I won't get the words exactly right but I can get quite close he says sinceher youth, she has sunk. And if she lives much longer, will sink further. And he doesn't say, ⁓ well, we must have a collection to do something about it, or we must have a revolution to do something about it, or if only the government would bring in better pensions, you know, he doesn't, he doesn't sort of rail against it as we feel obliged to. ⁓ He just accepts it as an inevitable part of what happens because of the bad luck of her birth, of the career that her father followed, of the fact that he died too early probably, of the fact that she herself never married and so on. That's the way it is. And Mr Knightley is, I think, a remarkably kind character, he's one of the kindest people in Jane Austen and he's always doing surreptitious kindnesses to people and you know he gives the Bates's stuff, things to eat and so on. He arranges for his carriage to carry them places but he accepts that that is the order of things. ⁓ But I, you know Henry, I don't know what you think, I think reading novels or literature perhaps more generally, but especially novels from the past, is when you're responding to your question to Mr. Piketty's quote, is quite a sort of, can be quite an interesting corrective to our own vanities, I think, because we, I mean, I'm not saying, you know, the poor are always with us, as it were, like Jesus, but... ⁓ You know, we are so ⁓ used to speaking and arguing as if any degree of poverty is in principle politically remediable, you know, and should be. And characters in Jane Austen don't think that way. And I don't think Jane Austen thought that way.Henry Oliver (33:16)Yes, yes. Yeah.The other thing I would say is that ⁓ the people who discuss Jane Austen publicly and write about her are usually middle class or on middle class incomes. And there's a kind of collective blindness to the fact that what we call Miss Bates poverty simply means that she's slipping out of the upper middle class and she will no longer have her maid.⁓ It doesn't actually mean, she'll still be living on a lot more than a factory worker, who at that time would have been living on a lot more than an agricultural worker, and who would have been living on a lot more than someone in what we would think of as destitution, or someone who was necessitous or whatever. So there's a certain extent to which I actually think what Austin is very good at showing is the... ⁓ the dynamics of a newly commercial society. So at the same time that Miss Bates is sinking, ⁓ I forget his name, but the farmer, the nice farmer, Robert Martin, he's rising. And they all, all classes meet at the drapier and class distinctions are slightly blurred by the presence of nice fabric.John Mullan (34:24)Mr. Robert Martin. Henry Oliver (34:37)And if your income comes from turnips, that's fine. You can have the same material that Emma has. And Jane Austen knows that she lives in this world of buttons and bonnets and muslins and all these new ⁓ imports and innovations. And, you know, I think Persuasion is a very good novel. ⁓ to say to Piketty, well, there's nothing natural about wealth inequality and persuasion. And it's not Miss Bates who's sinking, it's the baronet. And all these admirals are coming up and he has that very funny line, doesn't he? You're at terrible risk in the Navy that you'd be cut by a man who your father would have cut his father. And so I think actually she's not a Piketty person, but she's very clear-eyed about... quote unquote, what capitalism is doing to wealth inequality. Yeah, yeah.John Mullan (35:26)Yes, she is indeed. Indeed.Clear-eyed, I think, is just the adjective. I mean, I suppose the nearest she gets to a description. Yeah, she writes about the classes that she knows from the inside, as it were. So one could complain, people have complained. She doesn't represent what it's like to be an agricultural worker, even though agricultural labour is going on all around the communities in which her novels are set.And I mean, I think that that's a sort of rather banal objection, but there's no denying it in a way. If you think a novelist has a duty, as it were, to cover the classes and to cover the occupations, then it's not a duty that Jane Austen at all perceived. However, there is quite, there is something like, not a representation of destitution as you get in Dickens.but a representation of something inching towards poverty in Mansfield Park, which is the famous, as if Jane Austen was showing you she could do this sort of thing, which is the whole Portsmouth episode, which describes with a degree of domestic detail she never uses anywhere else in her fiction. When she's with the more affluent people, the living conditions, the food, the sheer disgustingness and tawdryness of life in the lodgings in Portsmouth where the Price family live. And of course, in a way, it's not natural because ⁓ in their particular circumstances, Lieutenant Price is an alcoholic.They've got far too many children. ⁓ He's a useless, sweary-mouthed boozer ⁓ and also had the misfortune to be wounded. ⁓ And she, his wife, Fanny's mother, is a slattern. We get told she's a slattern. And it's not quite clear if that's a word in Fanny's head or if that's Jane Austen's word. And Jane Austen...Fanny even goes so far as to think if Mrs. Norris were in charge here, and Mrs. Norris is as it were, she's the biggest sadist in all Jane Austen's fiction. She's like sort Gestapo guard monquet. If Mrs. Norris were in charge, it wouldn't be so bad here, but it's terrible. And Jane Austen even, know, she describes the color of the milk, doesn't she? The blue moats floating in the milk.She dis- and it's all through Fanny's perception. And Fanny's lived in this rather loveless grand place. And now it's a great sort of, ⁓ it's a coup d'etat. She now makes Fanny yearn for the loveless grand place, you know, because of what you were saying really, Henry, because as I would say, she's such an unsentimental writer, you know, andyou sort of think, you know, there's going to be no temptation for her to say, to show Fanny back in the loving bosom of her family, realising what hollow hearted people those Bertrams are. You know, she even describes the mark, doesn't she, that Mr Price's head, his greasy hair is left on the wall. It's terrific. And it's not destitution, but it's something like a life which must be led by a great sort of rank of British people at the time and Jane Austen can give you that, she can.Henry Oliver (39:26)Yeah, yeah. That's another very Dickensian moment. I'm not going to push this little thesis of mine too far, but the grease on the chair. It's like Mr. Jaggers in his horse hair. Yes. That's right, that's right. ⁓ Virginia Woolf said that Jane Austen is the most difficult novelist to catch in the act of greatness. Is that true?John Mullan (39:34)Yes, yes, yes, it is these details that Dickens would have noticed of course. Yes.Yes.⁓ I think it is so true. think that Virginia Woolf, she was such a true, well, I think she was a wonderful critic, actually, generally. Yeah, I think she was a wonderful critic. you know, when I've had a couple of glasses of Rioja, I've been known to say, to shocked students, ⁓ because you don't drink Rioja with students very often nowadays, but it can happen. ⁓ But she was a greater critic than novelist, you know.Henry Oliver (39:54)Yeah.Best critic of the 20th century. Yes, yes. Yeah. And also greater than Emson and all these people who get the airtime. Yes, yes.John Mullan (40:20)You know.I know, I know, but that's perhaps because she didn't have a theory or an argument, you know, and the Seven Types, I know that's to her credit, but you know, the Seven Types of Ambiguity thing is a very strong sort of argument, even if...Henry Oliver (40:31)Much to her credit.But look, if the last library was on fire and I could only save one of them, I'd let all the other critics in the 20th century burn and I'd take the common reader, wouldn't you?John Mullan (40:47)Okay. Yes, I, well, I think I agree. think she's a wonderful critic and both stringent and open. I mean, it's an extraordinary way, you know, doesn't let anybody get away with anything, but on the other hand is genuinely ready to, to find something new to, to anyway. ⁓ the thing she said about Austin, she said lots of good things about Austin and most of them are good because they're true. And the thing about… Yes, so what I would, I think what she meant was something like this, that amongst the very greatest writers, so I don't know, Shakespeare or Milton or, you know, something like that, you could take almost a line, yes? You can take a line and it's already glowing with sort of radioactive brilliance, know, and ⁓ Jane Austen, the line itself, there are wonderful sentences.)Mr. Bennett was so odd a mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humor, reserve and caprice that the experience of three and 20 years had been insufficient to make his wife understand his character. I mean, that's as good as anything in Hamlet, isn't it? So odd a mixture and there he is, the oddest mixture there's ever been. And you think he must exist, he must exist. But anyway, most lines in Jane Austen probably aren't like that and it's as if in order to ⁓ explain how brilliant she is and this is something you can do when you teach Jane Austen, makes her terrific to teach I think, you can look at any bit and if everybody's read the novel and remembers it you can look at any paragraph or almost any line of dialogue and see how wonderful it is because it will connect to so many other things. But out of context, if you see what I mean, it doesn't always have that glow of significance. And sometimes, you know, the sort of almost most innocuous phrases and lines actually have extraordinary dramatic complexity. but you've got to know what's gone on before, probably what goes on after, who's in the room listening, and so on. And so you can't just catch it, you have to explain it. ⁓ You can't just, as it were, it, as you might quote, you know, a sort of a great line of Wordsworth or something.Henry Oliver (43:49)Even the quotable bits, you know, the bit that gets used to explain free and direct style in Pride and Prejudice where she says ⁓ living in sight of their own warehouses. Even a line like that is just so much better when you've been reading the book and you know who is being ventriloquized.John Mullan (43:59)Well, my favourite one is from Pride and Prejudice is after she's read the letter Mr Darcy gives her explaining what Wickham is really like, really, for truth of their relationship and their history. And she interrogates herself. And then at the end, there's ⁓ a passage which is in a passage of narration, but which is certainly in going through Elizabeth's thoughts. And it ends, she had been blind, partial, prejudiced, absurd. And I just think it's, if you've got to know Elizabeth, you just know that that payoff adjective, absurd, that's the coup de grace. Because of course, finding other people absurd is her occupation. It's what makes her so delightful. And it's what makes us complicit with her.Henry Oliver (44:48)Yeah.That's right.John Mullan (45:05)She sees how ridiculous Sir William Lucas and her sister Mary, all these people, and now she has absurded herself, as it were. So blind partial prejudice, these are all repetitions of the same thought. But only Elizabeth would end the list absurd. I think it's just terrific. But you have to have read the book just to get that. That's a whole sentence.You have to have read the book to get the sentence, don't you?Henry Oliver (45:34)Yep, indeed. ⁓ Do we love Jane Austen too much so that her contemporaries are overshadowed and they're actually these other great writers knocking around at the same time and we don't give them their due? Or is she in fact, you know, the Shakespeare to their Christopher Marlowe or however you want to.John Mullan (45:55)I think she's the Shakespeare to their Thomas Kidd or no even that's the... Yes, okay, I'm afraid that you know there are two contradictory answers to that. Yes, it does lead us to be unfair to her contemporaries certainly because they're so much less good than her. So because they're so much less good than her in a way we're not being unfair. know, I mean... because I have the profession I have, I have read a lot of novels by her immediate predecessors. I mean, people like Fanny Burnie, for instance, and her contemporaries, people like Mariah Edgeworth. And ⁓ if Jane Austen hadn't existed, they would get more airtime, I think, yes? And some of them are both Burnie and Edgeworth, for instance. ⁓ highly intelligent women who had a much more sophisticated sort of intellectual and social life than Jane Austen ⁓ and conversed with men and women of ideas and put some of those ideas in their fiction and they both wrote quite sophisticated novels and they were both more popular than Jane Austen and they both, having them for the sort of carpers and complainers, they've got all sorts of things like Mariah Regworth has some working-class people and they have political stuff in their novels and they have feminist or anti-feminist stuff in their novels and they're much more satisfying to the person who's got an essay to write in a way because they've got the social issues of the day in there a bit, certainly Mariah Regworth a lot. ⁓ So if Jane Austen hadn't come along we would show them I think more, give them more time. However, you know, I don't want to say this in a destructive way, but in a certain way, all that they wrote isn't worth one paragraph of Jane Austen, you know, in a way. So we're not wrong. I suppose the interesting case is the case of a man actually, which is Walter Scott, who sort of does overlap with Jane Austen a bit, you know, and who has published what I can't remember, two, three, even four novels by the time she dies, and I think three, and she's aware of him as a poet and I think beginning to be aware of him as a novelist. And he's the prime example of somebody who was in his own day, but for a long time afterwards, regarded as a great novelist of his day. And he's just gone. He's really, you know, you can get his books in know, Penguin and Oxford classics in the shops. I mean, it's at least in good big book shops. And it's not that he's not available, but it's a very rare person who's read more than one or even read one. I don't know if you read lots of Scott, Henry.Henry Oliver (49:07)Well, I've read some Scott and I quite like it, but I was a reactionary in my youth and I have a little flame for the Jacobite cause deep in my heart. This cannot be said of almost anyone who is alive today. 1745 means nothing to most people. The problem is that he was writing about something that has just been sort of forgotten. And so the novels, know, when Waverly takes the knee in front of the old young old pretender, whichever it is, who cares anymore? you know?John Mullan (49:40)Well, yes, but it can't just be that because he also wrote novels about Elizabeth I and Robin Hood and, you know... ⁓Henry Oliver (49:46)I do think Ivanhoe could be more popular, yeah.John Mullan (49:49)Yeah, so it's not just that this and when he wrote, for instance, when he published Old Mortality, which I think is one of his finest novels, I mean, I've read probably 10 Scott novels at nine or 10, you know, so that's only half or something of his of his output. And I haven't read one for a long time, actually. Sorry, probably seven or eight years. He wrote about some things, which even when he wrote about and published about, readers of the time couldn't have much known or cared about. mean, old mortalities about the Covenant as wars in the borderlands of Scotland in the 17th century. I mean, all those people in London who were buying it, they couldn't give a damn about that. Really, really, they couldn't. I mean, they might have recognized the postures of religious fanaticism that he describes rather well.But even then only rather distantly, I think. So I think it's not quite that. I think it's not so much ignorance now of the particular bits of history he was drawn to. I think it's that in the 19th century, historical fiction had a huge status. And it was widely believed that history was the most dignified topic for fiction and so dignified, it's what made fiction serious. So all 19th century authors had a go at it. Dickens had a go at it a couple of times, didn't he? I think it's no, yes, yes, think even Barnaby Rudge is actually, it's not just a tale of two cities. Yes, a terrific book. But generally speaking, ⁓ most Victorian novelists who did it, ⁓ they are amongst, you know, nobodyHenry Oliver (51:22)Very successfully. ⁓ a great book, great book.John Mullan (51:43)I think reads Trollope's La Vendée, you know, people who love Hardy as I do, do not rush to the trumpet major. it was a genre everybody thought was the big thing, know, war and peace after all. And then it's prestige faded. I mean, it's...returned a little bit in some ways in a sort of Hillary man, Tellish sort of way, but it had a hugely inflated status, I think, in the 19th century and that helped Scott. And Scott did, know, Scott is good at history, he's good at battles, he's terrific at landscapes, you know, the big bow wow strain as he himself described it.Henry Oliver (52:32)Are you up for a sort of quick fire round about other things than Jane Austen?John Mullan (52:43)Yes, sure, try me.Henry Oliver (52:44)Have you used any LLMs and are they good at talking about literature?John Mullan (52:49)I don't even know what an LLM is. What is it? Henry Oliver (52:51)Chat GPT. ⁓ John Mullan (53:17)⁓ God, goodness gracious, it's the work of Satan.Absolutely, I've never used one in my life. And indeed, have colleagues who've used them just to sort of see what it's like so that might help us recognise it if students are using them. And I can't even bring myself to do that, I'm afraid. But we do as a...As a department in my university, we have made some use of them purely in order to give us an idea of what they're like, so to help us sort of...Henry Oliver (53:28)You personally don't feel professionally obliged to see what it can tell you. Okay, no, that's fine. John Mullan (53:32)No, sorry.Henry Oliver (53:33)What was it like being a Booker Prize judge?heady. It was actually rather heady. Everybody talks about how it's such a slog, all those books, which is true. But when you're the Booker Prize judge, at least when I did it, you were treated as if you were somebody who was rather important. And then as you know, and that lasts for about six months. And you're sort of sent around in taxes and give nice meals and that sort of thing. And sort of have to give press conferences when you choose the shortlist. and I'm afraid my vanity was tickled by all that. And then at the moment after you've made the decision, you disappear. And the person who wins becomes important. It's a natural thing, it's good. And you realize you're not important at all.Henry Oliver (54:24)You've been teaching in universities, I think, since the 1990s.John Mullan (54:29)Yes, no earlier I fear, even earlier.Henry Oliver (54:32)What are the big changes? Is the sort of media narrative correct or is it more complicated than that?John Mullan (54:38)Well, it is more complicated, but sometimes things are true even though the Daily Telegraph says they're true, to quote George Orwell. ⁓ you know, I mean, I think in Britain, are you asking about Britain or are you asking more generally? Because I have a much more depressing view of what's happened in America in humanities departments.Henry Oliver (54:45)Well, tell us about Britain, because I think one problem is that the American story becomes the British story in a way. So what's the British story?John Mullan (55:07)Yes, yes, think that's true.Well, I think the British story is that we were in danger of falling in with the American story. The main thing that has happened, that has had a clear effect, was the introduction in a serious way, however long ago it was, 13 years or something, of tuition fees. And that's really, in my department, in my subject, that's had a major change.and it wasn't clear at first, but it's become very clear now. So ⁓ it means that the, as it were, the stance of the teachers to the taught and the taught to the teachers, both of those have changed considerably. Not just in bad ways, that's the thing. It is complicated. So for instance, I mean, you could concentrate on the good side of things, which is, think, I don't know, were you a student of English literature once?Henry Oliver (55:49)Mm-hmm.I was, I was. 2005, long time ago.John Mullan (56:07)Yes. OK.Well, I think that's not that long ago. mean, probably the change is less extreme since your day than it is since my day. But compared to when I was a student, which was the end of the 70s, beginning of the 80s, I was an undergraduate. The degree of sort of professionalism and sobriety, responsibility and diligence amongst English literature academics has improved so much.You know, you generally speaking, literature academics, they are not a load of ⁓ drunken wastrels or sort of predatory seducers or lazy, work shy, ⁓ even if they love their own research, negligent teachers or a lot of the sort of the things which even at the time I recognise as the sort of bad behaviour aspects of some academics. Most of that's just gone. It's just gone. You cannot be like that because you've got everybody's your institution is totally geared up to sort of consumer feedback and and the students, especially if you're not in Oxford or Cambridge, the students are essentially paying your salaries in a very direct way. So there have been improvements actually. ⁓ those improvements were sort of by the advocates of tuition fees, I think, and they weren't completely wrong. However, there have also been some real downsides as well. ⁓ One is simply that the students complain all the time, you know, and in our day we had lots to complain about and we never complained. Now they have much less to complain about and they complain all the time. ⁓ So, and that seems to me to have sort of weakened the relationship of trust that there should be between academics and students. But also I would say more if not optimistically, at least stoically. I've been in this game for a long time and the waves of student fashion and indignation break on the shore and then another one comes along a few years later. And as a sort of manager in my department, because I'm head of my department, I've learned to sort of play the long game.And what everybody's hysterical about one moment, one year, they will have forgotten about two or three years later. So there has been a certain, you know, there was a, you know, what, what, you know, some conservative journalists would call kind of wokery. There has been some of that. But in a way, there's always been waves of that. And the job of academics is sort of to stand up to it. and in a of calm way. Tuition fees have made it more difficult to do that I think.Henry Oliver (59:40)Yeah. Did you know A.S. Byatt? What was she like?John Mullan (59:43)I did.⁓ Well...When you got to know her, you recognized that the rather sort of haughty almost and sometimes condescending apparently, ⁓ intellectual auteur was of course a bit of a front. Well, it wasn't a front, but actually she was quite a vulnerable person, quite a sensitive and easily upset person.I mean that as a sort of compliment, not easily upset in the sense that sort of her vanity, but actually she was quite a humanly sensitive person and quite woundable. And when I sort of got to know that aspect of her, know, unsurprisingly, I found myself liking her very much more and actually not worrying so much about the apparent sort of put downs of some other writers and things and also, you know, one could never have said this while she was alive even though she often talked about it. I think she was absolutely permanently scarred by the death of her son and I think that was a, you know, who was run over when he was what 11 years old or something. He may have been 10, he may have been 12, I've forgotten, but that sort of age. I just think she was I just think she was permanently lacerated by that. And whenever I met her, she always mentioned it somehow, if we were together for any length of time.Henry Oliver (1:01:27)What's your favourite Iris Murdoch novel?John Mullan (1:01:33)I was hoping you were going to say which is the most absurd Aris Murdoch novel. ⁓ No, you're an Aris Murdoch fan, are you? Henry Oliver (1:01:38)Very much so. You don't like her work?John Mullan (1:01:59)Okay. ⁓ no, it's, as you would say, Henry, more complicated than that. I sort of like it and find it absurd. It's true. I've only read, re-read in both cases, two in the last 10 years. And that'sThat's not to my credit. And both times I thought, this is so silly. I reread the C to C and I reread a severed head. And I just found them both so silly. ⁓ I was almost, you know, I almost lost my patience with them. But I should try another. What did I used to like? Did I rather like an accidental man? I fear I did.Did I rather like the bell, which is surely ridiculous. I fear I did. Which one should I like the most?Henry Oliver (1:02:38)I like The Sea, the Sea very much. ⁓ I think The Good Apprentice is a great book. There are these, so after The Sea, the Sea, she moves into her quote unquote late phase and people don't like it, but I do like it. So The Good Apprentice and The Philosopher's Pupil I think are good books, very good books.John Mullan (1:02:40)I've not read that one, I'm afraid. Yes, I stopped at the sea to sea. I, you know, once upon a time, I'm a bit wary of it and my experience of rereading A Severed Head rather confirmed me in my wariness because rereading, if I were to reread Myris Murdoch, I'm essentially returning to my 18 year old self because I read lots of Myris Murdoch when I was 17, 18, 19 and I thought she was deep as anything. and to me she was the deep living British novelist. And I think I wasn't alone ⁓ and I feel a little bit chastened by your advocacy of her because I've also gone along with the ⁓ general readership who've slightly decided to ditch Irish Murdoch. her stock market price has sunk hugely ⁓ since her death. But perhaps that's unfair to her, I don't know. I've gone a bit, I'll try again, because I recently have reread two or three early Margaret Drabble novels and found them excellent, really excellent. And thought, ⁓ actually, I wasn't wrong to like these when I was a teenager. ⁓Henry Oliver (1:04:11)The Millstone is a great book.John Mullan (1:04:22)⁓ yes and actually yes I reread that, I reread the Garrick year, the Millstone's terrific I agree, the the Garrick year is also excellent and Jerusalem the Golden, I reread all three of them and and and thought they were very good. So so you're recommending the Philosopher's Apprentice. I'm yeah I'm conflating yes okay.Henry Oliver (1:04:31)first rate. The Good Apprentice and the Philosopher's Pupil. Yeah, yeah. I do agree with you about A Severed Head. I think that book's crazy. What do you like about Patricia Beer's poetry?John Mullan (1:04:56)⁓ I'm not sure I am a great fan of Patricia Beer's poetry really. I got the job of right, what? Yes, yes, because I was asked to and I said, I've read some of her poetry, but you know, why me? And the editor said, because we can't find anybody else to do it. So that's why I did it. And it's true that I came.Henry Oliver (1:05:02)Well, you wrote her... You wrote her dictionary of national... Yes.John Mullan (1:05:23)I came to quite like it and admire some of it because in order to write the article I read everything she'd ever published. But that was a while ago now, Henry, and I'm not sure it puts me in a position to recommend her.Henry Oliver (1:05:35)Fair enough.Why is the Dunciad the greatest unread poem in English?John Mullan (1:05:41)Is it the greatest unread one? Yes, probably, yes, yes, I think it is. Okay, it's great because, first of all, great, then unread. It's great because, well, Alexander Poet is one of the handful of poetic geniuses ever, in my opinion, in the writing in English. Absolutely genius, top shelf. ⁓Henry Oliver (1:05:46)Well, you said that once, yes.Mm-hmm. Yes, yes, yes. Top shelf, yeah.John Mullan (1:06:09)And even his most accessible poetry, however, is relatively inaccessible to today's readers, sort of needs to be taught, or at least you have to introduce people to. Even the Rape of the Lock, which is a pure delight and the nearest thing to an ABBA song he ever wrote, is pretty scary with its just densely packed elusiveness and...Henry Oliver (1:06:27)YouJohn Mullan (1:06:38)You know, and as an A level examiner once said to me, we don't set Pope for A level because it's full of irony and irony is unfair to candidates. ⁓ Which is true enough. ⁓ So Pope's already difficult. ⁓ Poetry of another age, poetry which all depends on ideas of word choice and as I said, literary allusion and The Dunciad is his most compacted, elusive, dense, complicated and bookish poems of a writer who's already dense and compact and bookish and elusive. And the Dunceyad delights in parodying, as I'm sure you know, all the sort of habits of scholarly emendation and encrustation, which turn what should be easy to approach works of literature into sort of, you know, heaps of pedantic commentary. And he parodies all that with delight. But I mean, that's quite a hard ask, isn't it? And ⁓ yeah, and I just and I think everything about the poem means that it's something you can only ever imagine coming to it through an English literature course, actually. I think it is possible to do that. I came to it through being taught it very well and, you know, through because I was committed for three years to study English literature, but it's almost inconceivable that somebody could just sort of pick it up in a bookshop and think, ⁓ this is rather good fun. I'll buy this.Henry Oliver (1:08:26)Can we end with one quick question about Jane Austen since it's her birthday? A lot of people come to her books later. A lot of people love it when they're young, but a lot of people start to love it in their 20s or 30s. And yet these novels are about being young. What's going on there?John Mullan (1:08:29)Sure, sure.Yes.I fear, no not I fear, I think that what you describe is true of many things, not just Jane Austen. You know, that there's a wonderful passage in J.M. Coetzee's novel Disgrace where the reprehensible protagonist is teaching Wordsworth's Prelude.to a group of 19 and 20 year olds. And he adores it. He's in his mid fifties. And he, whilst he's talking, is thinking different things. And what he's thinking is something that I often think actually about certain works I teach, particularly Jane Austen, which is this book is all about being young, but the young find it tedious. Only the aging.You know, youth is wasted on the young, as it were. Only the aging really get its brilliance about the experience of being young. And I think that's a sort of pattern in quite a lot of literature. So, you know, take Northanger Abbey. That seems to me to be a sort of disly teenage book in a way.It's everything and everybody's in a hurry. Everybody's in a whirl. Catherine's in a whirl all the time. She's 17 years old. And it seems to me a delightfully teenage-like book. And if you've read lots of earlier novels, mostly by women, about girls in their, you know, nice girls in their teens trying to find a husband, you know, you realize that sort ofextraordinary magical gift of sort Jane Austen's speed and sprightliness. You know, somebody said to me recently, ⁓ when Elizabeth Bennet sort of walks, but she doesn't walk, she sort of half runs across the fields. You know, not only is it socially speaking, no heroine before her would have done it, but the sort of the sprightliness with which it's described putsthe sort of ploddingness of all fiction before her to shame. And there's something like that in Northanger Abbey. It's about youthfulness and it takes on some of the qualities of the youthfulness of its heroine. know, her wonderful oscillations between folly and real insight. You know, how much she says this thing. I think to marry for money is wicked. Whoa. And you think,Well, Jane Austen doesn't exactly think that. She doesn't think Charlotte Lucas is wicked, surely. But when Catherine says that, there's something wonderful about it. There is something wonderful. You know, only a 17 year old could say it, but she does. And but I appreciate that now in my 60s. I don't think I appreciated it when I was in my teens.Henry Oliver (1:11:55)That's a lovely place to end. John Mullen, thank you very much.John Mullan (1:11:58)Thanks, it's been a delight, a delight. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.commonreader.co.uk/subscribe

Rund takes Ramtin on a tour of the enduring world of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice... and our two hosts make a bet.Guests:John Mullan, professor of English Literature at University College London and author of What Matters in Jane AustenDevoney Looser, professor of English at Arizona State University and author of Wild for Austen: A Rebellious, Subversive and Untamed JaneLizzie Dunford, director of Jane Austen's HouseTo access bonus episodes and listen to Throughline sponsor-free, subscribe to Throughline+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/throughline.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Today, I can finally share the news I've been bursting to tell you, my very first traditionally published book is here, and I'm giving you all the behind-the-scenes details!  Tiny Tweaks, Happy Life: Simple Changes to Create Space for What Matters releases January 27, 2026, and I'm spilling everything from why I wrote it to who it's for to how a season of overwhelm and exhaustion birthed this “book baby.”  In true SPL fashion, this episode is heartfelt, practical, story-driven, and overflowing with encouragement for the overwhelmed woman who wants to create a simpler, more intentional, happier life one tiny tweak at a time. I share the moment that sparked this entire message, and the deep belief that small changes really can transform your whole year. You'll also hear the wild publishing journey, the rejections, the rewrites, the writing coach, the agent who championed the message, and the long runway that led to this dream finally becoming real.  If you've ever felt stuck, tired, or unsure how to move forward, consider this episode, and this book your permission slip to start small, start now, and finally create space for what matters most. Let's dive in, friend… I've been waiting years to share this with you! Mentioned in This Episode:

MONDAY MANNA - "What Matters?" (Bro. Richard Samuel) - 22nd September 2025

Episode 231 - Why Am I Feeling More Like The Grinch and Less Like Jolly Santa - Where Did My Love for the Holidays Go?Feeling indifferent or apathetic about the Christmas holidays, especially if you once loved the season, is more common than you might think. Many people lose their holiday joy over time due to changes in life circumstances, stress, or shifting priorities. If you're wondering where your love for the holidays has gone and how to navigate this season when you feel disconnected, here are some helpful approaches shared by others who've faced similar feelings:Start Small and Build Your Own Spirit: Don't wait for that magical feeling to return—begin by playing nostalgic Christmas music, putting up a few meaningful decorations, or watching a favorite holiday movie. Creating new or revisiting old traditions can gradually rekindle your excitement.Focus on What Matters to You: Let go of perfectionism or feeling obligated to do everything. Find one or two things that bring you comfort or joy—whether that's baking, cozy evenings in Christmas pajamas, or taking winter walks with a hot beverage.Create New Connections and Traditions: Engage with others by volunteering, donating, or simply reaching out to friends or family who may also be struggling. Generosity and connection can reignite the true spirit behind the holidays.Give Yourself Grace: Holiday apathy is okay. Be kind to yourself and acknowledge your feelings without guilt. Sometimes just accepting where you are emotionally can reduce stress.Add Visual Cues: Even if your heart isn't fully in it, small seasonal changes like lights, candles, or a wreath can create subtle reminders that help shift your mindset.Get Outside: Fresh air, exercise, and nature walks—even in chilly weather—can improve mood and help you feel more present.Seek What Sparks Joy for You: Whether it's singing carols, decorating a tiny tree, or making thoughtful gifts, engaging senses and doing activities you love can jumpstart holiday feelings.Remember, the holidays don't have one set definition or way to be celebrated. Find your own version that feels authentic and manageable, and gradually you may find your appreciation and joy returning.___https://dadspace.camusic provided by Blue Dot SessionsSong: The Big Ten https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/258270

In this episode of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) Podcast, host Marilyn Bulloch, PharmD, BCPS, FCCM, speaks with Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, FAAN, President of the John A. Hartford Foundation, about her Norma J. Shoemaker Honorary Lecture at the 2025 Critical Care Congress and the transformative impact of the 4Ms framework—What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility—on age-friendly critical care. Dr. Fulmer shares her journey from bedside critical care nurse to national leader in geriatric health, emphasizing the need to adapt healthcare systems to meet the needs of an aging population. She discusses the development of the Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative, a collaboration among the John A. Hartford Foundation, Institute for Healthcare Improvement, American Hospital Association, and Catholic Health Association. Now implemented in nearly 5000 facilities, the initiative is supported by evidence from models such as the Acute Care of the Elderly (ACE) units, Hospital Outcomes Program for Elders (HOPE) initiative, and Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders (NICHE) program. The episode highlights the January 2025 adoption of a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services measure that incorporates the 4Ms into inpatient care standards. Dr. Fulmer explains how hospitals of all sizes can implement age-friendly practices using existing resources and how multiprofessional collaboration is key to success. She also discusses findings from a national survey from Age Wave and the John A. Hartford Foundation, which revealed that only 19% of older adults feel their clinicians consistently address all 4Ms. Listeners will gain insight into how the 4Ms framework improves outcomes and promotes functional recovery in older adults. Whether you're a clinician, educator, or healthcare leader, this episode offers practical strategies and a compelling call to action to join the age-friendly health systems movement.

On this episode, our guest is author, philosopher, and animal activist Jeff Sebo. Jeff is an associate professor of environmental studies and an affiliated professor of bioethics, medical ethics, philosophy, and law at New York University. He is the author of two books, "Saving Animals, Saving Ourselves" (2022) and "The Moral Circle: Who Matters, What Matters, and Why" (2025). This conversation covers human exceptionalism, why we must give moral consideration to insects and bugs, and much more. Visit www.JeffSebo.netAAC Linktree (follow us, donate, bookshop, merch store, future events, and more):https://linktr.ee/animalactivismcollective To support our work monthly: Patreon.com/AnimalActivismMentorshipTo keep up with the podcast, follow @AnimalActivismCollective on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube.Want to get active for the animals but don't know where to start?Sign up for a free mentor at AnimalActivismCollective.com

Isabella La Rocca Gonzalez is an artist, writer, photographer, teacher and activist. She describes her work as "part of a long tradition in art and photography: to bring to light and find beauty in the hidden, unconscious, or disregarded. As the daughter of emigrants from Mexico and Italy respectively, I strive to reconcile values from my Indigenous roots with my European heritage." Her artistic work is richly entangled with her ecofeminist, total liberation activism.Her book of photographs and creative nonfiction, "Censored Landscapes", which exposes sites of animal agriculture, was published in December 2024 by Lantern Publishing. The book has been widely endorsed, including by previous Sentientism guests Jo-Anne McArthur, Marc Bekoff, Robert Grillo, Jonathan Balcombe and Lisa Kemmerer.In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the most important questions: “what's real?”, “who matters?” and "how can we make a better world?"Sentientism answers those questions with "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." The video of our conversation is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.00:00 Clips“It took me 11 years to create the book… I love the tradition of American landscape photography. So I decided to just find as many different kinds of farms where animals are bred, exploited, and slaughtered and photograph the context… When you photograph an animal or a person, it's almost an act of empathy because you know when you're really in the flow of it, you are the thing you're photographing... My utopian world would be vegan. There's just no way that a world that I imagined would exploit or slaughter animals in any way, shape, or form… The path to that was very imaginable.”00:51 WelcomeEndorsements of "Censored Landscapes" by previous Sentientism guests Jo-Anne McArthur, Marc Bekoff, Mark Grillo, Jonathan Balcombe and Lisa Kemmerer.02:55 Isabella's IntroVeganism, art, photography, writing.Censored Landscapes: “It took me 11 years to create the book.”“It started because I photographed an abandoned egg farm where 50,000 hens had been abandoned in a battery cage egg farm.”“I don't have the bravery to infiltrate these facilities and go in and expose the cruel practices of these facilities, but I love landscape photography.”“I decided to just find as many different kinds of these kinds of farms where animals are bred, exploited, and slaughtered, and photographed the context.”Photographing in sanctuaries: “So that these animals are represented as individuals”07:03 What's Real?23:28 What Matters?30:29 Who Matters?49:37 A Better World?01:16:00 Follow Isabella:- Glissi- Censored Landscapes- @eyelarocca- Isabella on BlueSkyAnd more... full show notes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sentientism.info⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Sentientism is “Evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings.” More at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sentientism.info⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Join our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠"I'm a Sentientist" wall⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ this simple form⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Everyone, Sentientist or not, is welcome in our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠groups⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The biggest so far is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here on FaceBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Come join us there!

Dominic is joined by returning guest, the inimitable Professor John Mullan: author of What Matters in Jane Austen? (now released in a 250th Birthday Edition) and The Artful Dickens - both published by Bloomsbury PressIn a lively chat, John sheds light on the tricks, devices and styles of these two incredible writers: Jane Austen and Charles Dickens ...And in case you haven't heard John's previous conversation on Great Expectations we thoroughly recommend you scroll back to Episode 5 of this series also! Support the showIf you'd like to make a donation to support the costs of producing this series you can buy 'coffees' right here https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dominicgerrardThank you so much!Host: Dominic GerrardSeries Artwork: Léna GibertOriginal Music: Dominic GerrardThank you for listening!

Palaver by National Book Award finalist Bryan Washington is a moving story about mother and son, identity, home and humanity. Bryan joins us to talk about Tokyo, writing in 3rd person, navigating intimacy, utilizing space on the page, honesty, memory and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang.                     New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): Palaver by Bryan Washington Lot by Bryan Washington Memorial by Bryan Washington Family Meal by Bryan Washington No Time to Spare: Thinking about What Matters by Ursula K. Le Guin Steering the Craft: A Twenty-First-Century Guide to Sailing the Sea of Story by Ursula K. Le Guin Koolaids by Rabih Alameddine The True True Story of Raja the Gullible by Rabih Alameddine A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdar The Antidote by Karen Russell North Sun: Or, the Voyage of the Whaleship Esther by Ethan Rutherford Featured Books (TBR Top Off): Middle Spoon by Alejandro Varela The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong  

In this episode of Restitch America, host Alma Ohene-Opare talks with Anna Matson about the themes of Alma's essay “United in What Matters.” Together they explore how Americans can reclaim shared ground by focusing on core values — dignity, faith, family, and civic responsibility — instead of letting minor doctrinal or political differences drive us apart.Anna and Alma discuss how tribalism and purity tests fracture communities, why we too often define each other by disagreement rather than common convictions, and practical ways to rebuild trust across divides. They emphasize that unity does not require uniformity: instead, it asks us to locate the deep moral terrain we already share and act from it.The conversation also pauses to reflect on the recent Grand Blanc, Michigan attack on an LDS church — a tragic reminder of how quickly social bonds can be shattered and why compassionate solidarity matters now more than ever. Alma and Anna call listeners to mourn together, resist moral distancing, and recommit to protecting the sacred spaces and values that bind communities.If you're craving honest dialogue, value-driven conversation, and a hopeful roadmap for rebuilding trust in America, this episode is for you.Watch now on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. Let's start restitching the nation — one conversation at a time.Connect with us!Website: www.willfulpositivity.comConnect with our guest Anna!Website: www.annamatson.comX, IG, TikTok: @annarmatson

In this episode of Matthew Wayne Selznick Creates, I’m pleased to officially release the countdown app with a point of view I brought into the world and have been using myself for many months: What Matters. What Matters does one thing: displays how many days are left until a deadline you set, and presents a single question: “Are you doing what matters?” Listen to the episode to learn why I wanted such a thing to exist, and how to get your copy for Windows, Mac, and Linux machines. Don’t want to wait? Buy it now and tinker with What Matters while you listen to the episode! Also: all about my now fully-functional battlesta— I mean, online shop. It’s not quite as pretty as I’d like, and there are things I’d like it to do differently, but you can once again purchase e-books, audiobooks, chapbooks, and yes, software directly from me. Learn all about it, especially the WordPress plugins that make it possible, FluentCart and FluentCRM. This episode was recorded on November 11, 2025. Watch the Episode (No video? Click to watch on YouTube.) Links and Topics Mentioned in This Episode My creative services for authors and podcasters. Can I help you? Book a free discovery call and let’s find out. My fiction and non-fiction. What Matters is a single-purpose countdown application for Windows, Mac, or Linux. A video walkthrough of what’s cool about What Matters. There are many websites like this one that will estimate your life expectancy. FluentCart is a new shopping cart plugin for WordPress that’s much more cost-effective than WooCommerce. FluentCRM is a marketing / mailing list / customer relationship management plugin for WordPress that makes third party solutions like Kit, Mailchimp, or Mailerlite unnecessary… and it’s much, much less expensive, to boot! Amazon SES makes it possible to send marketing emails for fractions of a penny each. This episode was recorded (audio and video) using my Insta360 webcam via Meld Studio. Support the show with a one-time donation, with my thanks! Thanks to the Patron Members of the Multiversalists Community Thank you to J.C. Hutchins, thank you to Jim Lewinson, thank you Amelia Bowen, thank you Ted Leonhardt, thank you to Charles Eugene Anderson, thank you to Scott Roche, thank you to Harold Johnson, thank you to David Mackler, and thank you to Sam Cherubin. ~ Did you listen to this and decide you like the cut of my jib? Are you interested in directly benefiting from my quarter century of online indie publishing experience? Click to learn more about my services for writers, authors, and other creators! Never miss an episode! Join the Multiversalists community of readers, writers, friends, and fans at the free level. Or (and!), find this podcast anywhere you get your podcasts, or subscribe manually by copying https://www.mattselznick.com/feed/podcast/sonitotum into your favorite podcast app. This content is by Matthew Wayne Selznick and came from his website.

Welcome to Friday! This is your Daily Detroit sharing What's Next, What's Now and What Matters in the Motor City. Devon O'Reilly and Jer are your hosts and today's bucket of topics include: Detroit development updates: Henry Ford campus expansion, new Amsterdam Lofts, and transformation around Grand Boulevard Discussion of the changing Milwaukee Junction, originally the crucible of the auto industry and generally an industrial neighborhood and now turning to lofts and residential Where we've been: Fishbones in St. Clair Shores and the new Nick Gilbert Way for the holidays Devon laments the loss of the "kitschy" vibe in dining — and the rise of homogenized minimalism in Detroit restaurants Are you a minimalist or a maximalist with design? New placemaking features: There's a giant teddy bear at Nick Gilbert Way and improved Woodward corridor with outdoor "rooms" Pingree Detroit's opening on Columbia  Retail update: Timberland store opening on Woodward today Abrupt closure of the Sonder Hotel (Gabriel Richard Building) due to national bankruptcy; what's next for the property Our main topic: A new $75 million DDA incentive for Renaissance Center conversion and riverfront redevelopment; breakdown of funding and vision for more public access and a "Navy Pier-like" experience Comparing Detroit's Riverfront to other U.S. cities and discussion on what it still needs to truly be the best Upcoming events: David Whitney building tree lighting on November 22nd Feedback as always - dailydetroit -at- gmail -dot- com or leave a voicemail 313-789-3211. Follow Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942 Or sign up for our newsletter: https://www.dailydetroit.com/newsletter/  

"Investing in What Matters" - Clay Stauffer - Nov. 9, 2025 by Sermon

Join Rowena Hicks, an experienced teacher and deputy head, as she shares her experience of burnout – a challenge faced by so many school leaders. You'll hear Rowena talk about the role of self-reflection, core competencies, micro changes and psychological safety, and offer practical suggestions for schools to transform their approach to burnout and bring about better outcomes for students.Rowena is facilitating NAHT's Make Time for What Matters webinar, which takes place from 9.30am to midday on Thursday 6 February 2026. For more about Rowena's work, see rowenahicks.com, where you can also learn more about her podcast, Beat Teacher Burnout!For more insightful and engaging discussions on key issues in education and school leadership, explore NAHT's online magazine ⁠⁠Leadership Focus⁠⁠.

#253: My top 10 takeaways from a retreat for high-net-worth investors, which will cover investing, managing risk, investing in your health, building meaningful relationships, parenting with purpose, and defining success in a way that goes far beyond money. Tad Fallows is the co-founder of Long Angle, a private community for investors with more than $2.2 million in assets. He previously co-founded iLab Solutions, a global leader in cloud-based lab management software, which was acquired by Agilent Technologies. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/10-lessons-wealth-health-happiness Partner Deals LMNT: Free sample pack of my favorite electrolyte drink mix Vuori: 20% off the most comfortable performance apparel I've ever worn Gelt: Skip the waitlist on personalized tax guidance to maximize your wealth Fabric: Affordable term life insurance for you and your family MasterClass: Learn from the world's best with 15% off For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: chrishutchins.com/deals Resources Mentioned Long Angle: Join a free private community for high net worth investors What Is BRCA2? Sober Founders ATH Podcast Ep #248: How to Stop Over-Optimizing and Focus on What Matters with Tim Ferriss Leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: podcast@chrishutchins.com Full Show Notes (00:00) Introduction (02:01) Why Health Is Your Most Important Asset (04:13) How to Become Your Own Health Advocate (08:14) Different Ways to Invest in Fitness and Accountability (12:27) Relationships: The Ultimate Compound Asset (14:03) Why Adult Friendships Are So Hard to Build and Maintain (16:05) Reclaiming Time for Relationships and Family (17:15) The Power of Intentional Travel (20:43) Lighthouse Parenting: Why You Should Allow Your Kids to Struggle (25:01) Learning From Your Kids' Limitless Imagination (25:56) A Simple Exercise to Expand What's Possible in Every Area of Life (28:47) Redefining Success and Purpose (34:09) Defining Your Objective to Simplify Complex Decisions (38:44) How to Think About Managing Risk (43:28) Diversifying Beyond the S&P 500 (47:53) Two Spectrums of Diversification and Liquidity (50:38) The Danger of Over-Optimizing (52:14) Why True Wealth Isn't About Dollars (55:45) The Importance of Designing a Life That Works For You Connect with Chris Newsletter | Membership | X | Instagram | LinkedIn Editor's Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Clough is Professor and Chair in Theology and AppliedSciences at the University of Aberdeen. He is a Local Preacher in the Methodist Church. David is also co-president of the charity CreatureKind and he founded the DefaultVeg project, now part of the work of the Better Food Foundation. From 2018 to 2021 hewas Principal Investigator on the Christian Ethics of Farmed Animal Welfare (CEFAW) project. David is the author of "On Animals" volumes one and two.In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the most important questions: “what's real?”, “who matters?” and "how can we make a better world?"Sentientism answers those questions with "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." The video of our conversation is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.00:00 Clips00:48 Welcome02:45 David's Intro- Christian theology and ethics particularly re: non-human animals- Writing "On Animals"- "The moral emergency is the way that we're making use of other animals for food"- "That makes very little sense if you care about non-human animals, if you care about human wellbeing or you care about our shared environment"- "Once you've seen the problem... exposing billions of fellow creatures to significant unnecessary suffering... I've met first hand one to one a lot of animals who are caught up in this system... it's very hard to let go of that"- "What motivates me each day... think of ways to help others glimpse what I've seen about the wrongness of what we're doing and how we might change it"05:03 What's Real?- "Thinking about how to make sense of things wasalways a big deal for me"- Raised in the #christian #methodist Church- Father from a line of Methodist ministers- "That sense of being formed in a particular traditionand encountering other worlds through that experience of faith"- "That was never in competition with exercising myrational faculties to the utmost"- "I always wanted to ask bigger and bigger questionsabout the world"- "If the kinds of things Christians believed in... auniverse dependent on God... if that made sense... then pushing with our utmostintellectual ability to try to understand better... could never be discoveringanything that was foreign to faith."- "A faith-based formation and real a commitment topursuing intellectual and deep philosophical questions... always felt to me tobe one and the same project"- Separate magisteria vs. a more integrated, consistentepistemology?- "I would find it deeply, intellectually, unsatisfyingif I needed to compartmentalise in that kind of way"16:45 What Matters?40:36 Who Matters?01:17:33 A Better World?01:28:25 Follow David- David on BlueSky- David at Aberdeen University- David on Wikipedia- David on LinkedIn- David's talks on YouTubeAnd more... full show notes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sentientism.info⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Sentientism is “Evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings.” More at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sentientism.info⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Join our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠"I'm a Sentientist" wall⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ this simple form⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Everyone, Sentientist or not, is welcome in our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠groups⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The biggest so far is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here on FaceBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Come join us there!

We're excited to welcome Dr. Patricia Zurita Ona (FKA Dr. Z) back to the podcast for another thought-provoking conversation. In her first appearance, we explored how fear-based struggles can keep us stuck. Today, we take that discussion even deeper as we dive into her latest book, The ACT Workbook for the Anxious Procrastinator: How to Accept Yourself, Get Things Done, and Do More of What Matters – a guide that helps readers understand why we put things off, and how to break these patterns… Click play for fresh insights into: How Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can help overcome procrastination. The negative impacts of postponing tasks. How to build a new pattern of behavior surrounding procrastination. Practical tools for managing anxiety, overwhelm, and perfectionism. Dr. Z is the Director of the East Bay Behavior Therapy Center and has over 18 years of experience helping children, adolescents, and adults break free from anxiety, perfectionism, and emotional avoidance. Beginning her career as a school psychologist before becoming a clinical psychologist, she brings an effective combination of both compassion and science to her work.  In addition to The ACT Workbook for the Anxious Procrastinator, Dr. Z has written six books, including Living Beyond OCD Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Skills for Perfectionism and High-Achieving Behaviors. She was also nominated as a Fellow of the Association of Contextual Behavioral Science. Stay up to date with Dr. Z and her work at East Bay Behavior Therapy Center here!

Laura Vanderkam⁠ is the author of several time management books, including the just-out ⁠"Tranquility by Tuesday: 9 Ways to Calm the Chaos and Make Time for What Matters."⁠ She hosts the every-weekday-morning podcast "Before Breakfast" and also co-hosts "Best of Both Worlds" with Sarah Hart-Unger. She lives outside Philadelphia with her husband and five children. Laura explains: How to create a "resilient" schedule How to start small with prioritizing the more important things What keeps people from taking ownership of their time Starting small is the key, Laura says, by investigating how you currently spend your time and using that information as a launch point to move towards a more "resilient" schedule. Here's where you can find Laura: https://lauravanderkam.com @lvanderkam on Twitter and IG @lauravanderkamauthor on FB Buy Laura's book: https://bookshop.org/a/12099/9780593419007 We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: ⁠⁠https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/⁠⁠ mom friends, funny moms, parenting advice, parenting experts, parenting tips, mothers, families, parenting skills, parenting strategies, parenting styles, busy moms, self-help for moms, manage kid's behavior, teenager, tween, child development, family activities, family fun, parent child relationship, decluttering, kid-friendly, invisible workload, default parent, productivity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#250: Chris dives into listener questions, covering open enrollment, investing, buying gold, life and auto insurance, RSUs, practical ways to leverage AI tools and more. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/open-enrollment-AMA-2025 Partner Deals Fabric: Affordable term life insurance for you and your family Superhuman: Free month of the fastest and best email with code ALLTHEHACKS Gusto: Free 3-month trial of the #1 payroll software DeleteMe: 20% off removing your personal info from the web Mercury: Help your business grow with simplified finances For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: chrishutchins.com/deals Resources Mentioned PEOs: TriNet | Justworks Insurance Broker: Rich Sterling Productivity/AI Tools Notion NotebookLM Replit Cursor v0 Figma Perplexity Claude Mesa Homeowners Card (50k bonus with code CHRIS50) $1,200 U.S. Bank Bonus ATH Podcast Newsletter Ep #34: Insider Tricks to Healthcare, Prescriptions and Medical Bills with Marshall Allen Ep 104: Optimizing Your Insurance Policies Ep #140: Navigating Open Enrollment Ep #168: Building an Investment Portfolio to Grow and Protect Your Wealth Ep #248: How to Stop Over-Optimizing and Focus on What Matters with Tim Ferriss Submit questions for our next AMA here Leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: podcast@chrishutchins.com Full Show Notes (00:00) Introduction (00:30) Quick Episode Overview (01:22) How to Select Your Insurance Plan (05:19) Saving with a High Deductible Health Plan (14:19) Tips for Specific Drugs and Providers (15:27) Dental and Vision Plans (17:17) Benefits of FSAs (19:10) Getting Health Insurance Outside of an Employer (21:08) Getting Insurance for Your Business (23:20) Insurance via Medical Research Companies and Affinity Groups (24:52) Direct Primary Care (25:48) Reimbursing Medical Expenses Charged on a Credit Card (30:45) Diversification in an Incredibly High Stock Market (36:20) Investing in Precious Metals: Gold & Silver (40:55) Strategy for Handling RSU Compensation (43:35) Variable Universal Life Policy (48:05) The Rise in Auto Insurance Premiums Following an Accident (55:22) Buying A Used vs. New Car (58:06) Chris's Favorite Work Tools Including AI (01:02:07) Is AI an Actual Threat to Our Jobs? (01:04:26) Chris's Pre and Post W2 Job Experience (01:06:50) Find the Best Deals on the ATH Newsletter (01:10:53) The Next Gift Card Sale Connect with Chris Newsletter | Membership | X | Instagram | LinkedIn Editor's Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Increase our faith" the disciples cry out (Luke 17:1-7)When we read the news, when we struggle with health diagnoses, when we worry about the next generation growing up, we feel overwhelmed and pray, like the disciples, "Increase our faith."In our series on What Matters, we reflect on the power of faith and our culture's need for faith to confront the challenges it faces.Unfortunately (fortunately, really) we cannot gain faith from Jesus.  Rather, we recognize that it is not about what we have or don't have, but that all Jesus has and has given to us is sufficient.  And so, we get to work, invited by Jesus, to use what little faith we have to move mulberry bushes!The artwork is "The Mulberry Tree" by Vincent Van Gogh, currently on display at the Norton Simon Museum.

In this sermon from the series What Matters, Pastor Josh Brewer unpacks the heart of discipleship—what it means to truly grow up in Christ. God hasn't only saved us from something; He's saved us for something greater. Discipleship is more than information—it's transformation and multiplication as we become fully devoted followers of Jesus who love and live like Him. From the call to follow, to the process of daily growth, to the mission of making disciples, this message will challenge and inspire you to take your next step in your walk with Christ.

Don't wait until burnout forces you to slow down. Take the Scorecard to discover how to sustain high performance while protecting your health and happiness

Tom Cledwyn describes himself as the "chief emailer" at Drop Dead Generous (he's actually the co-founder). Inspired by Chris Anderson's (of TED) book, "Infectious Generosity", Tom and his co-founder John Sweeney set up DDG as an experiment in sparking creative, fun, hopefully infectious generosity. They're giving away half a million dollars in $500 chunks to people who want to do something kind for someone else (whether human or not).In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the most important questions: “what's real?”, “who matters?” and "how can we make a better world?"Sentientism answers those questions with "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." The video of our conversation is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.00:00 Clips01:15 Welcome- Our introduction by Zoe Weil. Her two Sentientism episodeshere and here04:00 Tom's Intro-  @dropdeadgenerous  "It is a little left-field"- Background in advertising, design and creative roles "A marketing guy"- Working at Meta "for my sins" in Singapore and London- Doing "silly boy experiments... self-discovery... in the direction of service and doing good and trying to  make adifference"- Now bringing marketing & creative skills directly into the space of social good- "Championing kindness, generosity and giving... my heart and head have fallen into alignment for the time being"06:04 What's Real?- Family and community "that didn't really hold religion particularly closely", despite attending church schools- Shifting from apathy about religion to "I became a quite aggressive #atheist "- If someone had asked Tom as a child "Do you believein God"... "I would have thought you were referring to Le God, who is Matthew Le Tissier, Southampton's best ever football player... now, unfortunately, a very strange conspiracist"- "I don't think I really asked myself those questions... I felt totally detached from it [religion]"- "The history of war. How often it seemed, and stillseems, that religion plays a big part in what people are fighting for or against... I found that very hard"- Reading the story of Prometheus stealing fire from Zeusand giving it to the people, then being eternally punished- "That story really framed what I felt... religion wasa real was also a real shame... it seemed to give people an opportunity to put, through faith, whether their accountability, responsibility or hope in the hands of something other than themselves"- "Angry teenage years"- Moving to London "A big place to be lonely in... Ihave a history of depression"18:40 What Matters?42:45 Who Matters?01:02:20 A Better World?01:24:42 Follow Tom:- Drop Dead Generous project- @Dropdeadgenerous- Tom on LinkedIn - Tom@dropdeadgenerous.org- The DropDeadGenerous ideas voicemail podcastAnd more... full show notes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sentientism.info⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Sentientism is “Evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings.” More at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sentientism.info⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Join our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠"I'm a Sentientist" wall⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ this simple form⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Everyone, Sentientist or not, is welcome in our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠groups⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The biggest so far is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here on FaceBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Come join us there!

Du har sikkert hørt påstanden om, at nogle minder gør så ondt, at hjernen helt fortrænger dem. Den idé lever i bedste velgående i populærkulturen. Serien Sharp Objects, Broadchurch og filmen Memento fortæller alle historier om mennesker, der langsomt opdager skjulte traumer fra barndommen. På YouTube og Reddit kan man finde utallige beretninger fra folk, der mener at have genfundet fortrængte minder. Men kan man virkelig glemme traumatiske oplevelser - og senere huske dem igen? Det spørgsmål dykker vi ned i i denne episode, hvor vi undersøger, om hjernen virkelig rummer et hemmeligt kammer, hvor smertefulde barndomsminder gemmer sig. Rejsen efter svar fører os længere, end vi havde troet. Vi starter i 1800-tallet hos psykoanalysens fader Sigmund Freud, men undervejs støder vi også på nationalt massehysteri, en fejde mellem hukommelsesforskere og den såkaldte satanpanik, der lammede USA i 1980'erne og 90'erne. Lyt med og få svar på, hvordan hukommelsen egentlig håndterer traumer - og om den kan narre dig så meget, at din hjerne skjuler begivenheder fra dit eget liv. Medvirkende Charan Ranganath Leder af Dynamic Memory Lab og professor ved Center for Neuroscience and Department of Psychology på University of California, Davis.  Har forsket i hukommelse i over 25 år ved hjælp af billeddannelsesteknikker, computermodeller og undersøgelser af patienter med hukommelsesproblemer. Forfatter til bestselleren ‘Why We Remember: Unlocking Memory's Power to Hold On to What Matters'. Redaktion Anne Sophie Thingsted, Nana Elving Hansen, Eva Berg Søndergaard og Benjamin D'Souza Charan Ranganath besøgte København i forbindelse med arrangementet Science and Cocktails Copenhagen.  Brainstorm er støttet af Lundbeckfonden.

Are you running on empty? In a world that celebrates hustle, many of us live with no room to breathe—no margin in our schedules, budgets, emotions, or spiritual lives. In this practical and powerful series, Margin: Making Space for What Matters, we'll learn how to create healthy space in four key areas: time, finances, emotions, and faith. God never meant for us to live maxed out and burnt out. When we build margin into our lives, we make room for rest, generosity, peace, and deeper connection with God and others. Discover how less stress and more space can actually lead to more purpose.

Are you running on empty? In a world that celebrates hustle, many of us live with no room to breathe—no margin in our schedules, budgets, emotions, or spiritual lives. In this practical and powerful series, Margin: Making Space for What Matters, we'll learn how to create healthy space in four key areas: time, finances, emotions, and faith. God never meant for us to live maxed out and burnt out. When we build margin into our lives, we make room for rest, generosity, peace, and deeper connection with God and others. Discover how less stress and more space can actually lead to more purpose.

Keith Frankish is a philosopher and writer, British-born but now living in Crete, Greece. He is an Honorary Professor in the Philosophy Department at the University of Sheffield, a Visiting Research Fellow with The Open University, and an Adjunct Professor with the Brain and Mind Programme at the University of Crete. He is also editor of the Cambridge University Press series Elements in Philosophy of Mind. He spent many years thinking about the nature of belief and reasoning, developing a ‘two-level' view of the human mind that he set out in his 2004 book, Mind and Supermind. Now he focuses mostly on Philosophy of Mind and says "I now spend much of my time defending the unpalatable but salutary view that phenomenal consciousness is an introspective illusion."In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the most important questions: “what's real?”, “who matters?” and "how can we make a better world?"Sentientism answers those questions with "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." The video of our conversation is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.00:00 Clips00:52 Welcome03:15 Keith's Intro- "By the way I don't think sentience is an illusion"- "I'm best known as a person who thinks consciousness is an illusion... I don't think that"- "I spend most of my time thinking about the human mind"- "I suppose I have a sort of campaigning streak"- "The state of consciousness science is unsettled... a revolutionary state"- "It's important for science... for philosophy... for knowledge... ethical implications too"- "Trying to invite people to look at things a different way"- Moving from UK academia to Greece "I moved more tothe edges... I think it freed me... to spend more of time doing I think are important... devote energies to things that perhaps wouldn't have got so well rewarded in the formal academic structures"08:23 What's Real?- Working class family- "Religion was present but in a very watered down typically sort of English way... I was baptised... go to church... Sunday School"- "It was never oppressive"- Uncle "... a wonderful example of the compassion and... the commitment to social justice that can come with religion"- Reading an encyclopaedia about the scientific scepticismabout the soul "Oh right, there's no soul then... and that was it!"- "I had a very strong inclination to trust science... certainly against religious interpretations of the world"- "...there's another world in which I would have become a scientist."- "You can't really educate yourself in science but you can educate yourself in philosophy... philosophy can only be taught by self-education."01:04:55 What Matters?01:15:10 Who Matters?01:47:26 A Better Future?01:58:12 Follow Keith:- keithfrankish.com - Keith on BlueSky (“I do not post on Twitter any more”)- Keith on Mastodon  - Keith on Wikipedia And more... full show notes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sentientism.info⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Sentientism is “Evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings.” More at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sentientism.info⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Join our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠"I'm a Sentientist" wall⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ this simple form⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Everyone, Sentientist or not, is welcome in our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠groups⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The biggest so far is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here on FaceBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Come join us there!

This passionate sermon by Pastor Robert Tisdale at Tampa Life Church emphasizes the importance of purity, obedience, and eliminating compromises in one's spiritual life. Drawing from biblical narratives like the Passover in Egypt and the teachings of Jesus and Paul, Pastor Tisdale underscores the need for 'sweeping the house'—removing sin and influences that hinder spiritual freedom and growth. He highlights examples from both the Old and New Testaments, including the metaphor of yeast representing sin and impurity, and the impact of one person's actions on their community. The sermon encourages believers to stand firm in their faith, fight for their families, and resist the trends of normalization of compromising behaviors, ultimately inspiring them to create a legacy of obedience and blessing.00:00 Getting Ready for Urgent Matters00:18 The Night in Egypt: A Prelude to Freedom01:03 The Command to Sweep the House01:59 The Symbolism of Yeast and Purity02:29 God's Fast Deliverance02:59 The Call to Sweep the House05:08 The Annual Tradition of Unleavened Bread06:11 Paul's Warning to the Galatians07:25 Jesus' Teachings on Leaven08:21 The Leaven of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herod11:06 The Story of Aiken's Sin14:35 The Rechabites' Obedience18:07 The Importance of Consistency and Obedience22:52 The Power of Small Things24:49 Shamma's Stand Against the Philistines29:30 The Call to Stand Firm and Fight32:04 Fighting for What Matters32:34 The Power of Standing Firm36:06 Learned Helplessness and Overcoming It43:09 The Importance of Small Things46:02 A Call to Action and Prayer50:23 Fighting for Family and Faith55:30 Breakthrough and Joy

Are you running on empty? In a world that celebrates hustle, many of us live with no room to breathe—no margin in our schedules, budgets, emotions, or spiritual lives. In this practical and powerful series, Margin: Making Space for What Matters, we'll learn how to create healthy space in four key areas: time, finances, emotions, and faith. God never meant for us to live maxed out and burnt out. When we build margin into our lives, we make room for rest, generosity, peace, and deeper connection with God and others. Discover how less stress and more space can actually lead to more purpose.

When you belong to a strong religious tradition the questions of life after death are often very clearly delineated for you. You know what's coming next. When you step away from your faith tradition, life after death, or what comes next, often becomes the biggest question you will wrestle with.The Good Book Club read the book, "Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande and we're bringing the insights and information from our discussion to Mormonish. Special guest Kate Flint, Landon and Rebecca open up about their previous and new perspectives on the great unknown of death in this very important episode.Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast!***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you'd like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: mormonishpodcast@gmail.com #mormonish #lds #mormon #exmormon #postmormon #religion #news, #ldschurch #comeuntochrist #churchofjesuschrist #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #byu #byui #josephsmith #comefollowme #polygamy #bookofmormon #becauseofhim #hearhim #ldstempleFAIR USE DISCLAIMER All Media in this video (including the thumbnail) is used for the purpose of review and critique. The images in the thumbnail are used as the primary means of visually identifying the subject matter of the video

If you've ever come home from vacation feeling more exhausted than when you left, you're not alone. You think you're getting away to rest, but instead, you're managing everyone's emotions, meal plans, and messes in a new location. And deep down, you're wondering: Why do I feel so drained when I was supposed to recharge?That's exactly what we're unpacking today — why vacation doesn't actually give you the rest your soul needs… and what real rest looks like instead.Episode HighlightsThe common struggle of needing a vacation after your vacationVacation vs Retreat - what's the difference?What we see Jesus modeling for us in scripture when it comes to taking a break from All The ThingsHow we can actually get true restResources MentionedJoin us at the Renewal RetreatExploring the Heart of Rest and Sabbath with John Mark Comer- Episode 993 of That Sounds Fun with Annie F. DownsThe Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark ComerRelated Episodes You Might Also LikeEP 5 - Reader Review: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark ComerEP 12 - Summer Survival Tips for Work-at-Home MomsEP 55 - Breathing Room: How Stepping Back Makes You a Better MomEP 56 - The Truth About Self-Care: What It Is and What It's NOTEP 62 - From Panic to Peace: How to Make Room for What Matters with Rachel EarpEP 66 - Faith-Based Body Awareness for Overwhelmed Women with Cheryl WeaverConnect with RachelWebsite: racheldbaker.comInstagram: @rachel.d.baker Email: rachel@racheldbaker.comIt means so much to me that you are part of this community! I never recommend anything to you that I don't truly love and believe is worthwhile. Some of the links I share are affiliate links, and I will earn a tiny commission if you go through them to make a purchase. It's no extra cost to you, and buying through the links I share is one small way you can support this ministry and our podcast. Mentioned in this episode:FREE Printable Permission SlipsIf you've been feeling like you need a minute to catch your breath, hear from God, and remember who you are outside of all the chaos... this is for you. It's a Printable Permission Slip. Yes, an actual fill-in-the-blank reminder that you are allowed to rest, reflect, and realign with what really matters. When you download it, you'll get four designs of beautiful, fill-in-the-blank permission slips and 20 permission slip ideas to...

Jeny Wood: Wild Courage Over an 18 year career at Google, Jenny Wood grew from entry-level to executive, most recently leading a large operations team that helped drive billions of revenue per year. In 2021, she started a passion project within Google called Own Your Career, which grew to one of the largest career development programs in Google's history. Her work has since been featured in Harvard Business Review, Entrepreneur, and Forbes and she's now the author of Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It*. Leadership is about serving others – and it's also ensuring that we take care of ourselves along the way. Sometimes leaders over-index on helping their organizations and teams, to their own detriment. In this conversation, Jenny and I explore where being a little more selfish might actually be better for everyone. Key Points Selfish redefined means having the courage to stand up for what you want. People want to join a winning team, even if they don't say that out loud. Guilt is natural, but always caving to it is self-defeating. Don't do work that's not actually promotable. There's no prize for an empty inbox. A belief like “I owe it to them,” may signal an over-commitment to the organization. They will not love you back. Appreciate truth when you get it, but don't sign up for a burned-out boss. It's inefficient to always be in the lead. Draft in another leader's wake. Resources Mentioned Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It* by Jenny Wood Interview Notes Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes Align Your Calendar to What Matters, with Nir Eyal (episode 431) The Ways Leadership Can Derail Us, with Bill George (episode 596) The Path to More Joy in Work and Life, with Judith Joseph (episode 734) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

Are you running on empty? In a world that celebrates hustle, many of us live with no room to breathe—no margin in our schedules, budgets, emotions, or spiritual lives. In this practical and powerful series, Margin: Making Space for What Matters, we'll learn how to create healthy space in four key areas: time, finances, emotions, and faith. God never meant for us to live maxed out and burnt out. When we build margin into our lives, we make room for rest, generosity, peace, and deeper connection with God and others. Discover how less stress and more space can actually lead to more purpose.

Discover the way ahead at Indiana Wesleyan University. Learn more here. Do you spend a lot of time managing stuff? Finding things? Storing things? Buying things? Julia Ubbenga has found a way to cut through the clutter - it turns out having more isn't necessarily better. We're talking through Julia's book, Declutter Your Heart and Home: How a minimalist life yields maximum joy. On today's episode, you'll learn: 3:00 Shopping is fun! Right??? 7:30 Help! I'm attached to all of the things I need to declutter! 10:25 How decluttering affects your heart and your home 12:50 Short, practical ways to start decluttering your home 17:50 How do we prioritize people over possessions 22:45 Systems that can make decluttering easy for you and your kids 28:55 The key to decluttering Julia Ubbenga's projects at Rich in What Matters have attracted over 50 million views and helped people restructure their lives around what matters most. She lives in Kansas City with her husband and five children. Learn more about Julia Ubbenga at Rich in What Matters https://richinwhatmatters.com/Get Julia's book, Declutter Your Heart and Your Home https://www.amazon.com/Declutter-Your-Heart-Home-Minimalist/dp/0310368960 Follow Julia on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richinwhatmatters/ Check out Arlene Pellicane's books Parents Rising and Screen Kids https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/books You're invited to see David Thomas, Sissy Goff, and Arlene at the Parents Rising Conference in San Diego, September 6, 2025. Get your ticket today. https://parentsrisingconference.com/ Purchase the Storyteller's Bible HERE.

We're diving deep into the world of spiritual discernment with Cheryl Weaver. Cheryl breaks down what spiritual discernment really is and why it's not just some lofty, intimidating concept, but a super practical tool for everyday life. We explore how tuning into God's invitations can transform our decision-making processes and help us move away from the pressure of going it alone. Plus, Cheryl shares some gems about the role of a spiritual director, making it clear that this journey is all about creating space for genuine connection with God and others.Episode HighlightsSpiritual discernment involves being aware of God's guidance as we make daily decisions.Community plays a crucial role in spiritual discernment, offering support and perspective along the journey.The practice of spiritual direction is about creating space for personal growth and connection with God.It's essential to prioritize intentional living and create space for spiritual practices in our lives.Resources MentionedCedar Rock Ministries Sacred Companions: The Gift of Spiritual Friendship & Direction by David G. BennerThe Next Right Thing by Emily P. FreemanThe Next Right Thing Podcast with Emily P. FreemanRelated Episodes You Might Also LikeEP 5 - Reader Review: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark ComerEP 33 - Creating Breathing Room: Why I'm Taking a SabbaticalEP 39 - The Source of Empowerment with Becky BeresfordEP 41 - Are You Sleepwalking Through Life?EP 55 - Breathing Room: How Stepping Back Makes You a Better MomEP 62 - From Panic to Peace: How to Make Room for What Matters with Rachel EarpEP 66 - Faith-Based Body Awareness for Overwhelmed Women with Cheryl WeaverConnect with CherylEmail: Cheryl@CedarRockMinistries.com Connect with RachelWebsite: racheldbaker.comInstagram: @rachel.d.baker Email: rachel@racheldbaker.comIt means so much to me that you are part of this community! I never recommend anything to you that I don't truly love and believe is worthwhile. Some of the links I share are affiliate links, and I will earn a tiny commission if you go through...

Rich in What Matters to God: A Reflection on Independence and Humility The Homily reflects on the 249th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, . . . . . . acknowledging the progress the U.S. has made since 1776, while emphasizing that the nation is still a work in progress. The original declaration stated that “all men are created equal,” but in practice, equality was historically denied to many groups . . . Catholics, non-whites, African Americans, and women. Over time, the concept of equality has expanded, but the work continues. The Declaration and the Teachings of Jesus The Homily draws parallels between the ideals of the Declaration and the teachings of Jesus, particularly the gospel parable of the rich man who stores up wealth for himself but is spiritually empty. The Homily warns against placing faith in materialism or self-sufficiency, especially in a culture where young people often feel they don't need God. True richness, they argue, is found in justice, humility, truth, and care for others . . . values that align with God's vision. The homily ends by referencing a post-WWII statement from Bing Crosby, suggesting that even in moments of national victory, we should feel humbled rather than proud, recognizing the sacrifices made and the opportunity to serve as instruments of peace and justice. Listen more to this Meditation Media. Listen to Rich in What Matters to God: A Reflection on Independence and Humility -------------------------------------------------------------- Quote From The Homily That's true for each person, each country, our country to be rich in what matters to God. And that's what's so important, and to be rich in what matters to God is to be rich in justice, in truth, in humility, in caring for the needy. That's what matters to God. That's what God preached throughout the whole Old Testament and what Jesus lived and died for. -------------------------------------------------------------- Declaration of Independence: American Artist: John Trumbull, 1817 He has been called “The Painter of the Revolution”. -------------------------------------------------------------- Gospel Reading: Matthew 9: 9-13 First Reading: Genesis 23: 1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67

All July long, we're featuring a special replay series of standout episodes—and this week is no exception.Join us for a special episode as we welcome Christine Benz to discuss her book, "How to Retire." In a captivating conversation in the Rock Retirement Club, we dive into topics like long-term care, the 4% rule, investing strategies, and simplification. Featuring insights from Fritz Gilbert, a member of the club and contributor to Christine's book, this episode offers a holistic view of retirement planning. Discover how to balance financial and non-financial aspects for a fulfilling retirement journey.*Episode Originally Aired December 4, 2024*OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN(00:55) We are going to play some past impactful episodes for the whole month of July INTERVIEW WITH CHRISTINE BENZ(01:28) Today we start off the month with a replay of our interview with Christine Benz.(03:17) Roger asks about the goal for the readers of this book.(04:48) Christine: The goal was to cover retirement in a really holistic way and include as much non-financial as financial information on retirement planning.(06:10) Roger thinks the interview style of the book helped make it more approachable.(08:13) Roger asks Christine about any big, unexpected insights that came up when she was writing her book.(11:12) Fritz Gilbert says I give Christine serious kudos for the approach she took and the amount of homework she did.(12:35) Christine tells Fritz that she loves his methodical approach to dealing with the years leading up to retirement.(14:16) Marla asks Christine if she would change anything if she was writing this book today to accommodate the 2024 election results and also asks about managing portfolios on Morningstar.(18:15) Roger says when it comes to portfolio construction, it's easy to overcomplicate things(21:14) Larry asks Christine what challenges her or confounds her most about her own retirement planning.(23:35) Larry asks “Are you concerned that we may not find people to provide long term care?”(31:08) Kevin Lyles asks Christine about asset allocation in retirement.(37:55) Laura asks: When talking about high quality bond portfolios, do bond funds work?(42:00) Roger asks about indexes and broad diversification. (44:37) Roger says someone had a comment related to some of the research on small cap value and asks Christine her view on having a more diversified small cap value tilt?(48:19) Eric asks “what is the argument for using TIPS (Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities)  for retirees?” (51:28) Roger asks Fritz if he has been simplifying his portfolio or working more on optimization since retiring in 2018.(53:52) Roger says the optimization part of retirement sometimes dominates the conversation.(54:44) Roger asks Christine: Have you found in your own life a balance between making sure you don't get too complicated in investments?(57:55) Brianna asks Christine what question she has been reflecting on after the 20 interviews?(58:45) Christine she's been thinking more about whether the concept of retirement is flawed.BONUS(01:01:26) Roger reads an excerpt from his grandfather's WWII journalResources Mentioned In This EpisodeWade PfauMorningstar The Retirement Manifest- Fritz GilbertDaughterhood.orgChristine BenzSix Shot SaturdayBOOKSHow to Retire: 20 Lessons for a Happy, Successful, and Wealthy Retirement - Christine BenzBeing Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End - Atul GawandeKeys to a Successful Retirement: Staying Happy, Active, and Productive in Your Retired Years - Fritz GilbertRock Retirement: A Simple Guide to Help You Take Control and Be More Optimistic About the Future - Roger Whitney

The most powerful antidote to a fragmented health care system may be something deceptively simple: listening. In this episode, Maureen Bisognano shares how compassion, curiosity, and relational care can transform health care by improving communication, trust, and outcomes for patients and providers alike. Through personal stories and global initiatives like What Matters to You and Kindness in Healthcare, she highlights the power of listening, kindness, and cross-industry learning to create more humane and effective care systems. Tune in and learn how a few simple questions can spark a global transformation in care! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it mean to age with dignity in today’s healthcare system? What will it take to truly transform how we care for older adults in America? In this episode, the first of a six-part series, we explored the documentary Aging in America: Survive or Thrive, created by the John A. Hartford Foundation. We spoke with Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, FAAN, president of The John A. Hartford Foundation, to explore the legacy of Dr. Robert Butler and how hospitals are utilizing the “4 Ms” framework (What Matters, Medication, Mentation, Mobility) to enhance care for older adults. We dive into the stark disparities based on income, race, and geography, and highlight programs working to close those gaps. From dementia care models to creative workforce solutions and caregiver support, this conversation offers a hopeful, practical look at reimagining aging in America. Visit johnahartford.org/agefriendly for information about the 4Ms of age-friendly care. Helpful articles and videos can also be found here. Additional resources: Harvard Business Review article on how employers can support family caregivers of older adults The RUSH University Medical Center Caring for Caregivers program My Health Checklist The Reframing Aging Initiative The UCLA Alzheimer's and Dementia Care programSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the deepest spiritual truths could be distilled into just ten words? In this episode, we sit down with Lauryn Axelrod — interfaith minister, spiritual director, and author of Ten Words: An Interspiritual Guide to Becoming Better People in a Better World. Lauryn brings her no-nonsense wisdom and grounded insight into what it means to live a spiritually centered life today.We dive into her interspiritual path, the role of radical compassion in a chaotic world, and how ancient truths can still guide us — no matter your tradition (or none at all). From hospice care to handmade ceramics, Lauryn's journey is a soulful tapestry of art, service, and sacred presence. This conversation will leave you grounded, inspired, and reconnected to what really matters.Lauryn Axelrod is an ordained Interfaith/Interspiritual minister, chaplain, spiritual director, and teacher. A graduate of One Spirit Interfaith/Interspiritual Seminary, she is the founding Spiritual Director of Three Mountains Interspiritual Community and author of Ten Words: An Interspiritual Guide to Becoming Better People in a Better World. She also pens the popular Substack newsletter, Radical Spirituality: Getting to the Root of What Matters, and leads transformative retreats and workshops online and in-person. Lauryn is known for her deeply grounded, no-nonsense style and her ability to translate ancient spiritual truths into practical wisdom for modern life. She's also a hospice chaplain, End-of-Life Doula, award-winning ceramic artist, and New Monastic — blending contemplative living with active service. She lives on a serene farm in Vermont where she grows organic vegetables, cares for a maple forest, serves tea with intention, and finds peace in the quiet rhythm of nature.https://www.laurynaxelrod.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/i-am-refocused-radio--2671113/support.

Today's episode, “De-Influenced: The Power of Minimalism in a World of Exhausting Consumerism,” with host, Lindsey Maestas, and author and mom-of-four Julia Ubbenga, invites listeners to consider the freedom found in having less stuff. They talk about the temptation of Influencer hauls, consumer culture, how clothes in your closet can suck joy and peace from you, and so much more. Julia shares how her family gave away 75% of their belongings in pursuit of a simpler, more intentional life. We discuss her book, Rich in What Matters, which walks through the process of simplifying not just your physical space, but also your soul, mind, and relationships. Julia speaks to the cultural overwhelm of “more, more, more,” and how minimalism has reoriented her faith, motherhood, and marriage. We also give practical tips for simplifying daily life as busy moms, the mental load of parenting, and how saying no to excess has helped her say yes to what truly matters. The abundant life Jesus promises often begins with subtraction. Whether you're drowning in toys, trapped in comparison on Instagram, or just craving more peace in your home and marriage, this episode will remind you that less really can be more.

Gillian doesn't eat pork and doesn't eat shellfish. It's her version of keeping kosher and she's been doing it for the past decade. Recently, however, she realized that she doesn't really know why she's doing it anymore. Is it still a meaningful practice in her life? Or is it something it's time to set aside? This week, Mauricio and Gillian reflect on the difference between 'habits' and 'rituals.' **There's still time to register for What Matters, our small cohort sacred reading program! It's a 28-week intensive which includes one-on-one time with Mauricio. The Real Question is a Not Sorry ProductionFind us at our website | Follow us on Instagram--This show is completely funded by Patreon, and we are so grateful to our supporters who make it possible. If you can, please considering chipping in! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Vanessa and special guest Micaela Blei explore the theme of Storytelling in Chapter 8 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! They discuss Dumbledore's legacy, Krum's wedding experience, and Bill and Fleur's wedding! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how do the stories we tell shape the way we view the world?Thank you to Stacie for this week's voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 9, A Place to Hide, with special guest Courtney Brown through the theme of Uncertainty.Harry Potter and the Sacred Text is a Not Sorry ProductionFind us at our website | Follow us on InstagramLearn more about What Matters--It's two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only five dollars to join our Patreon for extra content every week! Please consider helping us fill our Gringotts vault so we can continue to make this show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Vanessa and special guest Mauricio Bruce explore the theme of Memory in Chapter 5 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! They discuss Hedwig and Moody's deaths, and how the body keeps the score in this chapter! Throughout the episode we consider the question: how does memory push us forward, and when can it hold us back?Learn more about What Matters here.Thank you to Natalie for this week's voicemail! Next week we're reading Chapter 6, The Ghoul in Pyjamas, through the theme of Commitment.Harry Potter and the Sacred Text is a Not Sorry ProductionFind us at our website | Follow us on Instagram--It's two sickles to join S.P.E.W., and only five dollars to join our Patreon for extra content every week! Please consider helping us fill our Gringotts vault so we can continue to make this show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.