Podcasts about what you will learn

Welcome to another inspiring episode of Build a Better Agency! In this episode, Jeannie Walters breaks down the real distinction between customer experience and customer service, and why treating them as the same thing keeps agencies from measuring what actually drives retention and referrals. You'll learn how a concise CX mission statement becomes the judgment call every employee uses when things get messy, and why vague goals like "be the friendliest" never translate into real behavior change. If you've ever wondered why some brands earn fierce loyalty while others just get by, Walters explains the frameworks that separate the two. Walters and Drew dig into the CX Strategic Success Blueprint and the CX Charter, two tools for turning customer experience from a poster on the wall into a cross-functional discipline with real accountability. They also unpack the difference between manufactured "wow" moments and genuinely reducing friction, using real examples from a utility company, a car dealership, and the pet brand Chewy to show what actually earns trust. Whether you're trying to sharpen your own agency's client experience or help your clients think differently about theirs, this episode gives you a practical starting point. Tune in to learn how to turn customer experience into a real business strategy instead of just a nice sentiment! A big thank you to our podcast's presenting sponsor, White Label IQ. They're an amazing resource for agencies who want to outsource their design, dev, or PPC work at wholesale prices. Check out their special offer (10 free hours!) for podcast listeners here. What You Will Learn in This Episode: Learn the exact difference between customer experience and customer service, and why the distinction changes how agencies plan Discover why a concise CX mission statement matters more than a lengthy list of values nobody remembers Understand how to build a CX Strategic Success Blueprint that ties customer experience directly to revenue and expense goals Learn how a CX Charter creates cross functional accountability so customer experience isn't treated as "a marketing thing" Discover why reducing friction matters more than manufactured "wow" moments, and how to tell the difference Learn how customer journey mapping uncovers friction points your team can't see from inside the org chart Understand why agencies should weave customer experience into marketing and sales conversations, not just delivery Learn the two changes Walters recommends every agency make to their own client experience in the next 90 days Discover why tone matters as much as content in contracts, invoices, and other easy-to-overlook client touchpoints

From bartending in Estes Park to golf lessons to running a multimillion-dollar CUSO, Michael Nagl's story proves that the best leaders take unexpected roads. He and Mark Ritter dig into mortgage-lending boom-and-bust cycles, why member service still beats automation, and how a niche auto-leasing program now serves credit unions nationwide. They also swap stories about golf at altitude and Estes Park, Colorado. Whether you run lending or just love a great career journey story, this episode of Credit Union Conversation delivers insight, humor, and real talk about building lasting credit union partnerships in a shifting rate environment.What You Will Learn in This Episode: ✅ How credit union lending partners like Centennial balance mortgage rate cycles with steady member service✅ Why member business loans and commercial real estate lending demand local market expertise✅ How indirect auto loans and leasing give credit unions a low-delinquency, high-yield product✅ What separates a true credit union partnership from a simple vendor relationshipSubscribe to Credit Union Conversations for the latest credit union trends and insights on loan volume and business lending! Connect with MBFS to boost your credit union's growth today.TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Meet Michael Nagl, CEO of Centennial Lending, and learn about his ties to Estes Park, Colorado05:10 From bartending to golf pro, Michael's unconventional path into credit union lending12:19 Managing mortgage lending boom and bust cycles, including the 2023 workforce reduction16:02 Why member service still wins over automation in today's mortgage lending market22:56 Inside Centennial's member business loans and commercial real estate lending strategy29:53 How indirect auto loans and leasing became a niche win for the credit union service organization37:13 What makes a strong credit union partnership work, plus Centennial's four strategic pillarsKEY TAKEAWAYS:

Welcome to another can't-miss episode of Build a Better Agency! Drew McLellan is joined by Rita Ainsworth, a media buyer turned nervous system coach who works with agency people and performance marketers to help them recognize and reverse the slide toward burnout prevention before it costs them their health or their team. In this episode, Ainsworth breaks down why performance doesn't actually drop during high stress, it only craters once you cross into true burnout, and why that makes burnout so easy to miss until it's severe. You'll learn the subtle early warning signs your body sends long before things get loud, from difficulty switching off after work to a creeping sense of irritability and disengagement. If you've ever wondered why your smartest, hardest working team members seem to run themselves into the ground, this conversation explains the nervous system science behind it. Ainsworth and Drew dig into why high performers often don't feel safe when they slow down, and how that belief gets wired in long before anyone ever takes a client call. They cover practical, in-the-moment tools like orienting, breathwork, and a simple eye pressure technique that can shift your nervous system state in under a minute, plus the supplements that help replenish what chronic stress depletes. Whether you're an agency owner quietly running on fumes, a leader trying to build a healthier culture for your team, or someone who just wants to perform at a high level without burning out doing it, this episode gives you real, usable tools. Tune in and start paying attention to what state you're actually in. A big thank you to our podcast's presenting sponsor, White Label IQ. They're an amazing resource for agencies who want to outsource their design, dev, or PPC work at wholesale prices. Check out their special offer (10 free hours!) for podcast listeners here. What You Will Learn in This Episode: Why performance doesn't drop during normal stress, and why that makes burnout so easy to miss until it's already severe The early warning signs your nervous system sends before you hit full burnout, from irritability to disengagement to trouble sleeping Why high performers often don't feel safe when they slow down, and where that pattern actually gets wired in How to reconcile wanting to be generous and available for clients with protecting yourself from burnout A simple orienting exercise you can use at your desk to shift out of a stress response in seconds How breathing with a longer exhale calms your nervous system, and how to use it during a stressful call A one-minute eye pressure technique (the "eye support" exercise) that can feel like a micro nap = Which supplements help replenish what chronic stress depletes from the body How to build a team culture that treats rest as a performance tool instead of a weakness

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On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Bradley Kautenburg, Executive Director of the Algoma Area Chamber of Commerce in Algoma, Wisconsin. Bradley shares how a small lakeside community neighboring some of Wisconsin's best-known tourism destinations has embraced its authentic character as its greatest strength. We discuss the power of collaboration, the importance of remaining open to change, and how destination leaders can build stronger organizations by focusing on community, partnerships, and a willingness to challenge long-held assumptions. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Bradley's career journey shaped his approach to destination and chamber leadership Why Algoma has embraced its welcoming culture as a defining competitive advantage How changing organizational mindsets can unlock new opportunities for growth What questions Bradley's team asks before making strategic decisions Why collaboration between neighboring chambers creates better outcomes than competition How intentional partnerships help strengthen both tourism and local communities Why staying open to change is one of the most important leadership skills for today's destination professionals Discovering the Competitive Advantage That's Been There All Along Located along the shores of Lake Michigan at the base of Wisconsin's Door County peninsula, Algoma sits beside some of the state's most recognizable tourism destinations. Rather than trying to compete with larger neighbors, Bradley explains how the community has learned to lean into what visitors consistently remember most: the friendliness of its people, its active arts community, and the genuine sense of belonging guests experience during their stay. One of the biggest lessons Bradley shares is that sometimes a destination's greatest competitive advantage is hiding in plain sight. For years, Algoma's welcoming culture simply felt normal to the people who lived there. It wasn't until the Chamber began viewing the community through the eyes of visitors that they recognized this authentic sense of place as something truly distinctive. That shift in perspective now influences how the destination tells its story and creates memorable visitor experiences. Building an Organization That Is Ready for the Future When Bradley stepped into his leadership role, the Chamber was navigating financial challenges familiar to many community organizations. Rather than focusing solely on budgets, he recognized that lasting change required something deeper: helping the organization become comfortable with change itself. Throughout our conversation, Bradley shares how his team evaluates new ideas through three simple questions: Does it strengthen the organization? Does it benefit members? Does it serve the community? Those guiding principles have helped shape decisions ranging from investing in new technology to expanding business resources while continuing to support tourism. His approach demonstrates that sustainable leadership often comes from creating a culture that welcomes innovation instead of resisting it. Why Collaboration Will Always Beat Competition One of my favorite parts of our conversation centers on Bradley's belief that neighboring organizations accomplish far more by working together than by competing for attention. Regular meetings between local chambers have become opportunities to coordinate events, exchange ideas, share professional development, and support one another through common challenges. Bradley also offers practical advice for building successful collaborations. He explains why establishing shared goals, agreeing on boundaries, and approaching partnerships with intentionality creates stronger relationships over time. Whether coordinating community events, recognizing educators across multiple school districts, or simply providing one another with fresh perspective, these partnerships illustrate how collaboration strengthens destinations, organizations, and the people who lead them. Above all, Bradley reminds us that openness—to new ideas, new perspectives, and new partnerships—is often the catalyst that allows both organizations and communities to evolve while remaining true to the qualities that make them special. Resources: Website: https://visitalgomawi.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradley-kautenburg-3b674315a/

Do you ever wonder what the real signs of good health look like when nothing is technically wrong yet? Most people wait until a medical diagnosis to pay attention. Still, your body sends honest signals every single day, long before any lab report or blood test ever catches up to the truth about how you feel inside.In this episode of Salad with a Side of Fries, host Jenn Trepeck breaks down nutrition and movement, mental health, sleep quality, digestion and elimination, hormonal balance, and self-trust, giving listeners a practical, judgment-free way to recognize true wellness and learn to trust their own bodies.What You Will Learn in This Episode:✅ How to evaluate digestion and elimination patterns as an everyday marker of real health✅ Why sleep consistency matters just as much as total hours for genuine recovery✅ The link between nervous system regulation and how well you handle everyday stress✅ How body composition and menstrual cycle regularity offer clues about hormonal balanceThe Salad With a Side of Fries podcast, hosted by Jenn Trepeck, explores real-life wellness and weight-loss topics, debunking myths, misinformation, and flawed science surrounding nutrition and the food industry. Let's dive into real-life wellness and weight loss, including drinking, eating out, and skipping the grocery store.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Previewing some of the signs of good health05:11 Debunking the cultural myth of what signs of good health are supposed to look like08:26 Exploring your relationship with food, appetite awareness, and building mindful eating habits10:28 Digestion and elimination patterns reveal your gut health12:52 The real purpose of movement and how healthy exercise and movement differs from punishment-based workout habits15:46 Body composition, menstrual cycle regularity, and other hormonal balance clues worth tracking closely17:12 Emotional health, self-trust, and the power of setting healthy boundaries in everyday relationships24:30 Sleep quality, sleep consistency, and why deep sleep matters more than total hours logged nightly31:59 Hair, nails, skin, gum health, and other overlooked health markers worth watching for wellness38:52 Should you trust your body or the influencers onlineKEY TAKEAWAYS:

Careers in the credit union industry can take unexpected turns, as Kendall Boyle proves in this episode of Credit Union Conversations. From wedding-planning chaos to underwriting spreadsheets, Kendall's career path is anything but ordinary. Host Mark Ritter chats with the MBFS portfolio analyst about surviving hospitality burnout, thriving in remote work, and finding calm through animal fostering. Kendall opens up about the emotional side of fostering kittens, the perks and pitfalls of working from home, and why Michigan summers on the lake make the long winters worth it. It's a warm, funny, and honest conversation about building a career that actually fits your life, on your own terms.What You Will Learn in This Episode: ✅ How Kendall moved from event planning and hospitality burnout into mortgage underwriting✅ Why remote work at a credit union CUSO can support real work-life balance✅ What it takes to become a foster home for kittens through your local humane society✅ How credit union careers can lead to meaningful work in business lending nationwideSubscribe to Credit Union Conversations for the latest credit union trends and insights on loan volume and business lending! Connect with MBFS to boost your credit union's growth today.TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Mark welcomes Kendall Boyle, portfolio analyst at MBFS, who shares her origin story06:24 Kendall describes her career change into mortgage underwriting during the 2020 pandemic08:52 Kendall discusses the pros and cons of remote work and finding true work-life balance12:35 Kendall talks about fostering kittens and volunteering with the Capital Area Humane Society16:44 Mark and Kendall close out discussing Michigan summers, snow belt winters, and MBFSKEY TAKEAWAYS:

"Your partner is not broken. Your relationship is not unsalvageable. She is simply going through one of the most profound biological transitions of a human life—and she shouldn't have to navigate it alone." — Dr. Rachel PopeWhy This Guide ExistsWhy is it that the most common question women in menopause support groups ask is: "How do I explain this to my partner?"How do you explain that the irritability, the sleep loss, the brain fog, and the sudden physical changes are not personal attacks or signs of a relationship unraveling, but rather the result of a massive, systemic neurological and hormonal transition?To bridge this gap, board-certified OBGYN and sexual medicine specialist Dr. Rachel Pope created this comprehensive audio guide. Written with equal measures of clinical precision and direct, honest language, this guide is designed specifically for the partner who loves a woman in transition. It is not designed to help you "fix" or "manage" her; it is designed to help you understand the profound science of what she is experiencing so you can show up as a true, informed partner.What You Will Learn in This Guide: Perimenopause: The actual timeline (it can last 4 to 10 years), ovarian decline, the pituitary "shout" (FSH), and why standard blood tests frequently miss it. Physical Body Transition: The real thermoregulatory science of hot flashes, night sweats, sleep architecture changes, metabolic shifts (visceral fat distribution), and cardiovascular safety. Psychological Landscape: Why her brain is not betraying her. The neurochemical connection between fluctuating estrogen, serotonin, GABA, sudden anxiety, panic, and "brain fog." Sex, Desire, Intimacy: Demystifying Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM), painful intercourse, the drop in testosterone, and the crucial shift from spontaneous to responsive desire. Practical Protocols for Partners: How to own the cognitive labor of the household, optimize the bedroom temperature (65°F to 68°F), utilize better intimacy tools (like UberLube), and support her medical treatment decisions (including Menopause Hormone Therapy).The Partner's Quick Communication Cheat Sheet:Instead of saying the wrong thing, try shifting your language to show partnership:Instead of: "You're being so emotional about this." Try: "I can see this is hard. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."Instead of: "Is it your hormones again?" Try: "What does support look like for you right now?"Resources Locate a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP) near you at menopause.org Follow @drrachelpope on Instagram Love, Sex, and MenopauseIf you found this guide helpful, please leave us a 5-star review and share this episode with a friend or partner who needs to hear it!

Three Cipro Pills Changed Her Life: April's Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Recovery StorySchedule Zoom call click hereApril was healthy, active, and worked out every day. Then she took only three Cipro pills for a suspected urinary tract infection.Soon after, her health began to fall apart.In this powerful podcast episode, April shares her personal experience with Cipro side effects, fluoroquinolone toxicity, and her long road toward fluoroquinolone toxicity recovery.She developed many serious symptoms, including:Fast heart rate and heart palpitationsHigh blood pressureSevere anxietyTrouble sleepingHair lossCold hands and feetNeuropathy in her hands and feetAchilles tendon painRinging in her earsInternal tremorsDigestive problemsFood sensitivitiesRapid weight lossApril explains how doctors could not find the cause of her symptoms. Some believed she only had anxiety or depression. However, April knew something was wrong with her body.Her husband later researched Cipro and found stories from other people who had been harmed by fluoroquinolone antibiotics.What You Will Learn in This EpisodeApril and Dr. Hugh Wegwerth discuss:How three Cipro pills affected her healthHow to heal from being floxedWhy fluoroquinolone toxicity can be hard to understandHow antibiotic injuries may affect the nervous systemWhy Cipro toxicity treatment must be personalWhy recovery is not based on one supplementHow diet changes supported her healingWhy testing must lead to a clear treatment planHow functional neurology exercises helped herWhy physical medicine was an important part of her recoveryHow she slowly used a sauna blanket and Chi machineHow removing silica from supplements may have helped reduce her tremorsWhy each person needs a personal recovery planHow faith, family, and community gave her hopeHer Progress TodayApril's tremors are now much smaller and happen less often. Her sleep has improved. Her hair loss has slowed down. She gained her weight back and feels stronger, happier, and more hopeful.Her story shows that fluoroquinolone antibiotic damage reversal may require many small steps. There may not be one pill or one simple answer.April worked on several areas of her health, including:Nervous system supportDiet changesMovement and exercisePhysical medicineTargeted supplementsBlood sugar supportFaith and emotional strengthThis is not a story about one miracle supplement. It is a story about listening to the body, finding the right support, and refusing to give up.Functional Medicine Support for Antibiotic InjuryMany people search for functional medicine for floxed patients because their symptoms are complex. Each person may have different problems that need to be addressed.Some people may also search for a Levaquin toxicity specialist because Levaquin and Cipro are both part of the fluoroquinolone antibiotic family.April's message is simple:You are not alone. Listen to your body. Keep searching for answers. Take recovery one step at a time.This podcast is for anyone searching for information about:Fluoroquinolone toxicity recoveryHow to heal from being floxedCipro toxicity treatmentFluoroquinolone antibiotic damage reversalFunctional medicine for floxed patientsLevaquin toxicity specialistCipro nerve damageAntibiotic injury recoveryCipro side effectsFluoroquinolone black box warningsThis podcast shares one person's personal experience. It is for education only and is not medical advice. Every person is different, and results may vary.

Get ready for an eye-opening episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, Drew McLellan is joined by the always generous and sharp Joe Pulizzi, author of "Burn the Playbook" and a longtime leader in the content marketing world. Together, they dig into some big questions facing agencies today: Why does the old way of doing things feel stale? How do you keep showing up—and standing out—when everything around you is changing at warp speed? You'll hear Joe Pulizzi make a compelling case for "leaning into your weirdness"—that special mix of obsession, expertise, and audience that sets your agency apart. He shares why going broad just doesn't cut it anymore and how being someone's favorite—even in a narrow niche—beats trying to be liked by everyone. Drew McLellan and Joe swap ideas for digging deep into your agency's true mission, trusting your team to help tell your story, and making sure your marketing is as good as what you create for clients (yes, really!). They dive into honest conversations about what's working, what's not, and how trust has become the secret sauce to building real, lasting relationships—especially in an AI-saturated, hyper-competitive moment. Joe also gets real about how to build your "board of life," the handful of people who support you, challenge you, and help keep you grounded as a leader.   If you're feeling the itch to shake things up—or just want some candid advice for making your agency more meaningful and resilient—this episode's for you. Walk away with a bunch of practical tips to rethink how you talk about what you do, rally your team, and create the kind of agency clients and employees can't help but trust.   A big thank you to our podcast's presenting sponsor, White Label IQ. They're an amazing resource for agencies who want to outsource their design, dev, or PPC work at wholesale prices. Check out their special offer (10 free hours!) for podcast listeners here. What You Will Learn in This Episode: Understand why the traditional content marketing model is breaking down under AI pressure and what agencies need to replace it with   Discover how to find your agency's content tilt, the recombination of existing expertise, passion, and audience that makes you unmistakably different Learn why being a generalist is increasingly dangerous and what becoming somebody's absolute favorite actually means for agency findability and growth  Find out why transparency and human vulnerability in your content build more durable trust than any feature list or capabilities deck ever could Understand why you should never try to build a community and what you should focus on doing instead Learn how to strategically assemble a board of life around you, including mentors, peers, and champions, with real intention and regular accountability Discover the less is more audit that helps agency owners eliminate scattered marketing efforts and double down on what actually moves the needle Learn why your individual employees, not your agency brand, may be your most powerful and most underleveraged marketing asset Get a practical starting framework for clarifying your agency's mission, cutting energy drains, and empowering your team to communicate with authority  

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On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Chris Temple, Director of Communications at Visit Erie. Chris shares how Visit Erie has transformed its destination brand through an extensive research-driven process, positioning Erie as a four-season destination built around authentic experiences, outdoor recreation, and the lifestyle of the Great Lakes. We also discuss how strategic partnerships, community engagement, and thoughtful destination development are helping Erie build momentum while creating lasting benefits for residents and visitors alike. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Visit Erie approached a research-based destination rebrand that aligned with visitor expectations and community assets Why authentic storytelling and a clearly defined brand voice help destinations stand out in a competitive marketplace How Visit Erie creatively responded to the challenges of the pandemic by supporting local businesses and launching Erie Restaurant Week What major Bayfront redevelopment projects mean for Erie's future as a visitor destination and community gathering place How collaboration with other destination organizations strengthens media relations, marketing efforts, and shared success Why engaging local residents and content creators has become an important part of modern destination marketing How destination organizations continue to evolve by balancing visitor attraction with community quality of life Building a Brand That Reflects the Good Life Rather than simply creating a new logo or tagline, Visit Erie invested eighteen months in a comprehensive branding process grounded in research, stakeholder engagement, and visitor insights. Chris explains how the organization evaluated its existing positioning, identified its strongest assets, and developed messaging that reflects both the experiences travelers seek and the authentic character of the destination. The result is the "Good Life, Great Lake" brand, which captures Erie's unique identity as a place where visitors can slow down, reconnect with nature, and experience the rhythm of life along Lake Erie. Chris shares how developing a consistent brand voice has helped Visit Erie focus on what truly differentiates the destination instead of trying to appeal to everyone. Turning Challenges into Lasting Opportunities Like destinations across the country, Visit Erie faced unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chris reflects on how the organization quickly shifted its focus from attracting visitors to supporting local tourism businesses and encouraging residents to reconnect with the outdoor experiences available in their own backyard. One of the most successful initiatives to emerge from that difficult period was Erie Restaurant Week. What began as a creative response to support local restaurants during a challenging time has grown into a signature annual event that continues to expand each year. Chris shares how moments of adversity can become catalysts for innovation when organizations remain focused on serving both their partners and their communities. Collaboration as the Foundation for Destination Growth Throughout the conversation, Chris emphasizes that destination success is built through collaboration. From Visit Erie's long-standing involvement with the Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance to partnerships that connect multiple destinations along travelers' journeys, he demonstrates how collaboration creates stronger visitor experiences while helping destinations learn from one another. Chris also discusses how Visit Erie's role within the community continues to evolve. New initiatives like the Local Creator Program invite residents to help tell Erie's story through their own perspectives, creating authentic content that resonates with both visitors and locals. Combined with the ongoing transformation of Erie's Bayfront, these efforts illustrate how destination organizations can strengthen community pride while building sustainable tourism for the future. Resources: Website: VisitErie.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-temple-47223b7/

What if the word uncurable really just means a doctor has run out of ideas? This episode dares you to question that verdict and discover a functional medicine approach built on gut health, trace minerals, and nervous system repair that has helped many people defy impossible odds and rewrite a hopeless diagnosis into a story of hope.Host Jenn Trepeck welcomes Dr. Aaron Hartman to Salad with a Side of Fries, where he shares how chronic illness recovery starts with the basics everyone overlooks, and why patients in remission from conditions like multiple sclerosis prove healing is possible even when doctors say there is nothing more they can do.What You Will Learn in This Episode:✅ Why the label “incurable” often just means idiopathic (unknown cause) and how functional medicine looks deeper✅ How gut health, sleep, and stress form the foundation of true chronic illness recovery✅ The connection between hypermobility, dysautonomia, mast cell activation, and autoimmune disease✅ Why organ meats, bone broth, and trace minerals support the nervous system and healingThe Salad With a Side of Fries podcast, hosted by Jenn Trepeck, explores real-life wellness and weight-loss topics, debunking myths, misinformation, and flawed science surrounding nutrition and the food industry. Let's dive into real-life wellness and weight loss, including drinking, eating out, and skipping the grocery store.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Introduction to this episode on functional medicine and rethinking an incurable diagnosis03:47 Dr. Aaron Hartman explains cerebral palsy and his daughter Anna's dire early diagnosis07:17 Why incurable and idiopathic are labels Dr. Hartman refuses to accept and exploring the mast cell activation, hypermobility, autoimmune, gut, and dysautonomia super syndrome15:28 The big three foundations of gut health, stress regulation, and quality sleep for healing21:41 Why trace minerals, organ meats, and bone broth matter for true nutrient-dense nutrition24:38 Practical sleep hygiene tips rooted in circadian rhythm and nervous system regulation28:58 Balancing sugar addiction and dopamine-driven cravings with real food healing habits31:43 How the body's self-healing capacity applies at any age, from childhood through adulthood37:12 Lipid medicine: Using fats to heal your bodyKEY TAKEAWAYS:

Betrayal is something that no one is prepared for. Whether you've been betrayed by a relative, close friend, or spouse, these traumatic experiences can leave lasting emotional and physical wounds. Chandler sits down with Dr. Debi Silber, founder of the Post Betrayal Transformation Institute, to discuss why betrayal impacts us so deeply and what it takes to move beyond it. Drawing from both her personal experience with betrayal and years of research, Debi explains the stages of betrayal recovery, how to recognize when you're stuck, and what true transformation looks like. What You Will Learn[00:08:00] Why betrayal creates a unique kind of heartbreak[00:11:30] The moment she realized traditional healing wasn't enough[00:16:30] How her personal story became the foundation of her work[00:24:30] Why rebuilding trust starts with yourself[00:33:00] The five stages of healing after betrayal[00:36:30] How unresolved betrayal can keep you emotionally stuck[00:43:00] Who Unstuck was written for and why[00:47:30] What transformation looks like on the other side of betrayalResources MentionedTrust Again by Dr. Debi SilberUnstuck by Dr. Debi SilberLet's Connect!Dr. Debi SilberWebsite | Instagram | TEDx Talk: Do You Have Post Betrayal Syndrome?Chandler StroudWebsite | LinkedIn | InstagramHappiness Academy is now Healing Heroines, a signature space for women who are ready to feel more grounded, more peaceful, and more aligned — inside and out. Download a complimentary Healing Roadmap to discover our Past, Present, and Possible framework.Want personalized guidance for your healing journey? Book a call with Chandler!Mixing and editing provided by Next Day Podcast.Text message us questions, requests, or comments!

What if the abuse you experienced never left a bruise, but still changed everything about who you believed you were? In this episode of UNITED State of Women, Julie Deem sits down with Jen Lee, founder of Healing in Sharing, author of Why I Survived, and advocate for women healing from trauma. Jen courageously shares her personal story of surviving emotional and psychological abuse, the subtle manipulation that kept her trapped, and the long road toward reclaiming her identity.If you've ever questioned your worth, struggled to trust yourself, or felt invisible, this episode will remind you that your voice matters, your story has value, and healing is always possible.What You Will Learn:How emotional abuse often develops slowly, making it difficult to recognize.Why trusting your intuition can become one of your greatest sources of protection.How manipulation, isolation, and codependency can quietly reshape your identity.Why survivors often stay longer than others expect—and why compassion matters.How unresolved childhood trauma can influence adult relationships.The role journaling and storytelling play in emotional healing.Why finding the right community can accelerate your healing journey.How to begin rebuilding confidence after experiencing emotional abuse.Why healing isn't linear and looks different for every survivor.How sharing your story can become part of your purpose.FAQ:Why is it so difficult to leave an emotionally abusive relationship?Emotional abuse often creates trauma bonds, dependency, fear, and confusion over time. Many survivors experience cycles of affection and manipulation that make leaving incredibly difficult. The decision to leave is often one of the most dangerous and emotionally complex parts of the relationship.How do you begin healing after emotional abuse?Healing often begins by acknowledging what happened, seeking safe support, working with qualified professionals when needed, practicing self-compassion, journaling, building healthy relationships, and allowing yourself time to process the experience without rushing recovery.What is Healing in Sharing?Healing in Sharing is an organization founded by Jen Lee that creates safe spaces for women to heal through storytelling, community, speaking events, journals, and one-on-one listening sessions. Its mission is to help women feel seen, heard, and empowered on their healing journey.Connect with Jen Leehttps://www.thehealinginsharing.com/Learn more about the latest tool for dynamic professionals in the self-improvement industry, LyfQuest. A mobile CRM platform that's uniquely made for you!Learn more at: https://lyfquest.io/Instagram:USW Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@uswkokomo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kalena James ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@yesitskalenajames⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Julie Deem ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@indymompreneur⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠--------------------------------------------------USW Kokomo ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Production by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Business Podcast Editor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What does it take to leave a prestigious law career, join the most hated government program in history, and then launch a fintech startup with no clients, no marketing materials, and no industry relationships? Ian Lampl did exactly that. Host Mark Ritter welcomes Ian, founder and CEO of LoanStreet, to discuss the evolution of loan servicing, commercial lending, and the broader fintech landscape. Ian shares his journey from Wall Street attorney to TARP deputy counsel to entrepreneur, offering candid insight into what it takes to build a company from scratch in the credit union space. The conversation covers how credit union balance sheet management tools have matured and where the biggest gaps remain.What You Will Learn in This Episode: ✅ How loan participation has grown from a niche liquidity tool into a sophisticated balance sheet management strategy that more credit unions are using as a primary resource rather than a last resort.✅ Why credit unions tend to overestimate charge-off risk while underestimate prepayment risk, and how a stronger focus on total return could meaningfully improve lending program performance.✅ What sets modern loan servicing platforms apart from legacy systems, and why the complexity of commercial lending infrastructure makes it one of the hardest and most underserved areas in fintech.✅ How LoanStreet is expanding into private credit, Canadian credit unions, and European markets while deepening its consumer analytics capabilities through a partnership with Experian.Subscribe to Credit Union Conversations for the latest credit union trends and insights on loan volume and business lending! Connect with MBFS to boost your credit union's growth today.TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Mark opens with a look at 2026 lending trends and introduces loan participation expert Ian Lampl01:44 Ian reflects on his time at TARP, government oversight challenges, and lessons from the 2008 financial crisis06:18 From law firm to entrepreneur: Ian discusses the risk of leaving a stable career to build a fintech startup, and shares advice regarding starting your own business12:06 How the loan participation marketplace has grown in sophistication, scale, and frequency across the credit union industry15:15 Ian explains why credit unions underweight prepayment risk and how focusing on total return improves outcomes22:28 Inside LoanStreet's commercial loan servicing platform and why modern solutions in this space remain rare28:31 Ian discusses the upcoming growth expected for LoanStreetKEY TAKEAWAYS:

Welcome to another can't-miss episode of Build a Better Agency! Drew McLellan sits down with Laura Lopuch, client and partner acquisition expert and creator of the WARM cold email methodology, to challenge everything you think you know about cold email outreach. If cold email is something you have written off as spammy, pushy, or simply ineffective, Lopuch has a fundamentally different approach that has already helped over 2,000 agency owners and solo service providers land high-value clients without feeling gross about it. In this episode, Laura walks through the four-part WARM framework, welcoming, addressing what's in it for the recipient, revealing yourself as the solution, and moving the conversation forward, showing exactly how to build a cold email that reads like a real human wrote it for one specific person. You'll learn why making 75 to 80 percent of your email about the recipient is the core principle that separates cold emails that get forwarded from ones that get deleted. If you've ever wondered how to reach a prospect who has never heard of your agency and actually get a reply, Lopuch's cold email system delivers a clear and repeatable answer. Laura and Drew dig into the tactical details that make this work in practice, from research strategies that uncover the right hook for each prospect, to subject line construction built around open loops and curiosity, to the follow-up sequence that most agency owners skip entirely. They also explore how to identify a prospect's driving motivator, the deeper goal that makes them willing to say yes before they have even finished reading your email. Whether you're an agency owner who has never tried cold email, someone who has tried it and given up after a round of silence, or a veteran looking to systematize new business outreach, this episode will reshape the way you think about reaching out to prospects. Tune in and discover why the right cold email does not feel cold at all. A big thank you to our podcast's presenting sponsor, White Label IQ. They're an amazing resource for agencies who want to outsource their design, dev, or PPC work at wholesale prices. Check out their special offer (10 free hours!) for podcast listeners here. What You Will Learn in This Episode: Discover the four-part WARM framework and how each element works together to create a cold email that earns real replies Learn why making 75 to 80 percent of your email about the recipient, not yourself, is the single biggest shift that changes your results Understand how to identify a prospect's driving motivator and tie your pitch to an existing goal they are already pursuing Learn the research tactics that let you write personalized, relevant emails without spending hours hunting for details Find out why "are you interested?" is the most effective call to action for high-ticket agency services Discover the subject line approach that generates curiosity and open loops instead of getting ignored Learn how many follow-ups to send, when to send them, and what to say to keep the conversation alive Understand how to turn cold email into a predictable client acquisition system with clear inputs and consistent outputs Get the open rate and reply rate benchmarks you should be hitting when the WARM method is working correctly

In this episode I share something I never thought I would talk about on this microphone: quantum physics. Not the wellness version. The actual physics. The kind that won the 2022 Nobel Prize. I walk you through why some of us feel things in our bodies that other people do not, why midlife makes us more sensitive (not less), how quantum entanglement actually works in plain English, and what happened when I flew to Germany and got my brain measured in a high-density EEG lab. The data is on paper. The lab is real. The results are mine. And I think every midlife woman who has ever been told she is too sensitive deserves to hear this one.   LINKS:  • Leela Quantum:  Get 10% off your first Leela Quantum order with the code NATALIEJILL at checkout  at https://midlifeconversations.com/leela  • Quantum Upgrade: Try Quantum Upgrade completely free for 15 days—no credit card required. Use code NATALIEJILL at checkout on http://quantumupgrade.io/start  • EEG report visuals + summary: https://www.midlifeconversations.com/nataliejillresults/    WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:  • Why classical physics says distance is real and quantum physics says it might not be  • What quantum entanglement actually is, explained two ways  • Why your body is more than chemistry and what that means for midlife  • Why estrogen shifts make us more reactive to EMFs  • What a 30-minute 5G call did to my brain in a 256-channel EEG lab  • What Quantum Upgrade did during the same call  • How Leela Quantum and Quantum Upgrade actually work (it is not streaming, it is not draining your battery, your phone is just a locator)  • Six things you can do with this knowledge starting tonight, zero dollars, no product required   Free Gifts for being a listener of Midlife Conversations! Mastering the Midlife Midsection Guide: https://theflatbellyguide.com/ Age Optimizing and Supplement Guide: https://ageoptimizer.com   Connect with me on social media! Instagram: www.Instagram.com/Nataliejllfit Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Nataliejillfit   For advertising inquiries: https://www.category3.ca/  Disclaimer: Information provided in the Midlife Conversations podcast is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. Do not use the information provided in this podcast for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before making any changes to your current regimen.  Information provided in this podcast and the use of any products or services related to this podcast does not create a client-patient relationship between you and the host of Midlife Conversations or you and any doctor or provider interviewed and featured on this show. Information and statements may have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease. Advertising Disclosure: Some episodes of Midlife Conversations may be sponsored by products or services discussed during the show. The host may receive compensation for such advertisements or if you purchase products through affiliate links. Opinions expressed about products or services are those of the host and/or guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any sponsor. Sponsorship does not imply endorsement of any product or service by healthcare professionals featured on this podcast.

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What happens when the business you've worked so hard to build no longer feels aligned with who you've become? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Allison Maslan, CEO of Pinnacle Global Network, Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author of, Scale or Fail, which is endorsed by Daymond John and Barbara Corcoran of Shark Tank.  From nearly losing her life after pushing herself beyond her limits to becoming a homeopathic physician and ultimately founding Pinnacle Global Network, Allison's journey is a powerful reminder that every experience prepares you for your next evolution. If you've been feeling disconnected from the work you've built or wondering if it's time for your next chapter, this conversation will give you both the permission and the practical wisdom to move forward with confidence. What You Will Learn: How to recognize the early signs that it's time to pivot before burnout takes over. Why success without alignment eventually leads to dissatisfaction. The importance of trusting your intuition alongside business strategy. How every business experience prepares you for your future purpose. Why following your passion can become your greatest competitive advantage. The mindset shift that allows entrepreneurs to let go of old identities. How scaling requires releasing perfectionism and learning to delegate. What trapeze has taught Alison about fear, trust, resilience, and leadership. Why learning how to fail is essential for long-term success. How to build a legacy business that reflects who you've become. Connect with Allison Maslan Pinnacle Global Network https://pinnacleglobalnetwork.com/  Connect with Wickedly Smart Women® Wickedly Smart Women Wickedly Smart Women on X Wickedly Smart Women on Instagram Wickedly Smart Women Facebook Community Wickedly Smart Women Store on TeePublic [5X Award-Winning Book] Wickedly Smart Women: Trusting Intuition, Taking Action, Transforming Worlds Email: listeners@wickedlysmartwomen.com

On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Lauren Bennett McGinty, Executive Director of Explore Minnesota. Lauren shares how Minnesota has evolved its destination marketing strategy beyond traditional tourism promotion to focus on storytelling, quality of life, and reputation leadership. We discuss the development of the state's Star of the North brand, how Explore Minnesota responded to unexpected national attention with authenticity and compassion, and why collaboration across agencies, industries, and communities is shaping a stronger future for tourism. Lauren also shares practical leadership lessons for navigating challenging moments while keeping people, partnerships, and purpose at the center of the work. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Explore Minnesota developed the Star of the North brand to tell a more authentic and enduring story Why storytelling rooted in real visitor and resident experiences creates stronger destination marketing How tourism leaders can respond thoughtfully when unexpected events place their destination in the national spotlight Why taking care of your team first is an essential leadership strategy during times of crisis How collaboration across government agencies and industry partners is strengthening Minnesota's tourism economy What Minnesota's innovative Outdoor Recreation Industry Partnership can teach other destinations about cross-sector collaboration How destination organizations continue to evolve beyond marketing into leadership, stewardship, and community building Building a Destination Brand That Reflects Authentic Experiences As competition for visitors continues to grow, Lauren explains that creativity alone isn't enough. Successful destination marketing begins with understanding what makes a place genuinely unique and finding authentic ways to share those stories. Explore Minnesota's Star of the North brand was designed to showcase not only the state's tourism experiences, but also its quality of life, outdoor recreation opportunities, business climate, and future growth. Rather than relying on traditional tourism advertising, Lauren shares how her team invited first-time visitors and newer residents to experience Minnesota and tell their own stories. Their genuine reactions, combined with thoughtfully designed itineraries, created marketing that feels relatable, trustworthy, and deeply authentic. The result is a brand that highlights the unexpected moments visitors discover while giving residents a story they are proud to share. Leading Through Uncertainty with Compassion and Purpose Lauren offers an honest look at how Explore Minnesota responded when the state unexpectedly became the focus of national headlines. Rather than reacting immediately with marketing campaigns, she explains why the first priority was ensuring her team and industry partners had the support they needed before developing a broader response. That people-first philosophy shaped the "Come Visit Your Neighbors" campaign, which focused on Minnesota's welcoming spirit and strong sense of community. Lauren shares practical leadership advice for destination organizations facing unexpected challenges, including understanding your organization's role, strengthening partnerships, listening carefully to stakeholders, and communicating with authenticity rather than urgency. The conversation highlights how destination organizations can help strengthen community confidence while remaining true to their mission. Expanding the Role of Destination Leadership Throughout the conversation, Lauren illustrates how destination organizations are increasingly serving as connectors, conveners, and community advocates. Beyond promoting travel, Explore Minnesota now supports initiatives focused on resident attraction, business development, film production, and outdoor recreation, recognizing that all of these efforts contribute to the state's overall reputation and economic vitality. Lauren also discusses Minnesota's Outdoor Recreation Industry Partnership, an innovative collaboration that brings together multiple state agencies to support the state's outdoor recreation economy. By connecting government resources with industry stakeholders, the partnership has become a model for other states seeking to strengthen collaboration, grow outdoor recreation, and create long-term economic opportunity. It's a powerful example of how destination leadership continues to evolve through partnerships, shared purpose, and a commitment to serving both visitors and residents. Resources: Website: https://www.exploreminnesota.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenbennettmcginty/

Are your blood markers telling you and your doctor the whole story? Chronic inflammation is the silent driver behind nearly every major disease, and the good news is that your lifestyle choices decide the outcome. Don't wait for a life altering diagnosis to take action.In this episode of Salad With a Side of Fries, host Jenn Trepeck breaks down how blood markers move, how preventable diseases develop, and why epigenetics means your genes are not your fate. If you have ever felt like your health was out of your hands, this episode will change the way you think about your daily choices.What You Will Learn in This Episode:✅ Why chronic inflammation is considered the root cause of virtually every major illness and how oxidative stress accelerates disease progression in the body.✅ How epigenetics reveals that your lifestyle choices, not just your genetics, impact disease-related genes.✅ What specific blood markers to track for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, liver disease, and kidney disease, and realistic timelines for improving them.✅ How to advocate for yourself in a medical system still rooted in a prescription-first approach, and how to ask your doctor for the time and space to make disease prevention changes first.The Salad With a Side of Fries podcast, hosted by Jenn Trepeck, explores real-life wellness and weight-loss topics, debunking myths, misinformation, and flawed science surrounding nutrition and the food industry. Let's dive into real-life wellness and weight loss, including drinking, eating out, and skipping the grocery store.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Preventable diseases don't have to be your story and what blood markers can and cannot tell you05:55 The most common diseases: heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer and how they are linked to lifestyle choices06:46 Epigenetics explained: how your daily habits turn disease risk genes up or down17:21 Lifestyle choices, from gut health to the brain to the endocrine system, impact every organ system20:10 Oxidative stress and free radicals explained: the science behind chronic disease25:01 Lifestyle choices that support overall health rather than disease and healthcare 3.0, being your own advocate32:12 Discussion of food with no labels; vegetables, fruit and lean meat36:19 Movement as disease prevention: why sitting all day quietly drives chronic illness more than we realize41:06 Longevity, community, connection, sleep, and stress management as overlooked pillars of health42:05 Blood marker timelines: how fast insulin, A1C, cholesterol, and blood pressure respond to lifestyle changesKEY TAKEAWAYS:

We're celebrating two years of The Healing Heroes Podcast.In this deeply personal solo episode, Chandler reflects on what she's learned after more than 100 conversations with healing practitioners, courageous women, and our loyal listeners.Along the way, one unexpected pattern began to emerge—one that changed how she thinks about healing, happiness, and what it truly means to come home to yourself.If you've ever looked around at a life that seems good on paper but still felt like something was missing, this conversation is for you.In this episode, Chandler shares the realization that's shaping the future of The Healing Heroes, and why it may change the way you think about wellness altogether.What You Will Learn[00:08:01] Why every healing journey looks different—and why that's a good thing.[00:10:37] The biggest lesson Chandler discovered after two years of conversations.[00:11:08] The three relationships that create a meaningful, purpose-driven life.[00:13:08] Why spirituality deserves a larger role in the wellness conversation.[00:16:18] The subtle signs that you've drifted away from yourself.[00:18:03] Five ways spiritual disconnection quietly shows up in everyday life.[00:20:16] Why transcendence belongs at the top of human development.[00:22:23] What modern wellness still can't replace—and what's coming next for The Healing Heroes.Let's Connect!Chandler StroudWebsite | LinkedIn | InstagramHappiness Academy is now Healing Heroines, a signature space for women who are ready to feel more grounded, more peaceful, and more aligned — inside and out. Download a complimentary Healing Roadmap to discover our Past, Present, and Possible framework.Want personalized guidance for your healing journey? Book a call with Chandler!Mixing and editing provided by Next Day Podcast.Text message us questions, requests, or comments!

Are your current vendor relationships helping you solve real problems or just cluttering your technology stack? In this episode, Mark Ritter sits down with Melissa Kopp, Chief Revenue Officer for the League of Credit Unions and its affiliate Leverage, to discuss how credit union fintech partnerships are shifting from standard product pitching to collaborative problem solving. Melissa shares her insider perspective on how institutions can build a trusted member journey by moving past isolated products and focusing on connected experiences. This conversation delivers practical advice on maximizing conference ROI, evaluating vendor ecosystems, and leveraging the true spirit of cooperation among cooperatives.What You Will Learn in This Episode: ✅ Why shifting from isolated product evaluations to comprehensive ecosystem evaluation is critical ✅ How prioritizing problem solving over aggressive sales tactics drives credit union growth ✅ What fintech disruption means for credit unions trying to build modern experiences ✅ Why focusing on credit union collaboration and shared mission outlasts big bank tacticsSubscribe to Credit Union Conversations for the latest credit union trends and insights on loan volume and business lending! Connect with MBFS to boost your credit union's growth today.TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Introduction: Meet Melissa Kopp03:55 The evolution and footprint of the League of Credit Unions and Leverage 05:09 Vendor connection mistakes and building a trusted member journey 08:06 Shifting from simple product sales to strategic ecosystem evaluation 12:17 Packaging financial outcomes over individual product banking 15:57 Navigating conference networking and driving relationship transformation 19:16 Embracing credit union collaboration and cooperation among cooperatives 23:00 Melissa's practical advice on creating modern experiences for membersKEY TAKEAWAYS:

Welcome to another can't-miss episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan ditches the guest chair and goes solo to unpack the agency trends his team has been tracking for months, the trust shifts, the AI shake ups, and the consolidation chaos that are about to reshape how small and mid sized agencies compete over the next twelve to eighteen months. In this episode, Drew digs into why trust has become the most valuable and most personal currency an agency owns, and why businesses, not governments or media, are now the most trusted institution on the planet. You'll learn why the giant holding company mergers happening right now are quietly creating a massive opening for privately held independent agencies, and why CMOs at consolidated firms are desperate for more attention and craft. From there, Drew turns to the AI divide that is separating strategic agencies from production vendors, sharing real numbers on content time savings, pricing models, and why clients want smarter work, not cheaper work. He also covers why your team is staying put but quietly burning out, how account managers need to evolve into strategic advisors, and why agency trends in lead generation show more buyers finding agencies through search and AI than ever before. Whether you're trying to decide if it's finally time to commit to a niche, rethinking your pricing model, or just trying to figure out how to keep your best people from quietly checking out, this episode hands you a clear, practical playbook for the year ahead. Don't miss this one, grab a notebook and tune in. A big thank you to our podcast's presenting sponsor, White Label IQ. They're an amazing resource for agencies who want to outsource their design, dev, or PPC work at wholesale prices. Check out their special offer (10 free hours!) for podcast listeners here. What You Will Learn in This Episode: Discover why trust has become the most valuable, most personal currency your agency can offer clients and employees alike Learn why massive holding company mergers are creating a rare opportunity for privately held independent agencies Understand the real divide AI is creating between strategic agencies and production vendors, and which side pays better Get the specific data on how AI is cutting content production time and why hourly pricing now works against you Find out why your team is staying longer but feeling more burned out, and what they actually expect from you in return Learn why account managers need to evolve into strategic advisors or risk becoming the most replaceable role in the agency Discover how specialized, niched agencies are reporting profit margins 10 to 20 points higher than generalists See the data on how prospects are finding agencies now, including the surge in AI and web search over referrals Get a practical, step-by-step playbook for positioning your agency as a strategic partner instead of a vendor

What are the most critical personal finance pillars that have the greatest impact on our financial wellbeing? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Steph Zhou, the creator of the mandatory financial literacy curriculum for medical students at the University of Toronto. Dr. Steph shares the core components she identified through her research that have the greatest impact on our financial well-being. What You Will Learn in This Episode The Core Pillars of Personal Finance: Discover the critical components of financial literacy that we should all focus on mastering. The Power of Expense Tracking: Why budgeting and/or tracking your expenses is essential, regardless of whether you are a lower-income earner or a highly paid professional. Practical Systems for Busy People: How Dr. Steph manages her finances as a doctor and mother, and the exact strategies she teaches her students. Debt vs. Investing Frameworks: Practical approaches to answer the classic question of whether you should pay off your debt first, invest, or do a combination of the two. Rethinking the Emergency Fund: How to best view your emergency fund, especially if you struggle with the opportunity cost of leaving cash on the sidelines instead of earning a higher return in the markets. About Dr. Steph Zhou Dr. Steph Zhou is the founder of the annual Physicians Financial Wellness conference, a national philanthropic event focused on financial education and practice management for physicians. Her work in improving economic mobility through financial literacy earned her Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women award and the Ascend Canada Social Impact Award. You can find more of her financial education content on her popular Instagram and YouTube channel, Breaking Bad Debt.

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On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Julie Wagner, CEO of the Beverly Hills Conference & Visitors Bureau. Julie shares her journey from the cruise and hotel industries to leading one of the world's most iconic destination brands. We explore how Beverly Hills continues to evolve while staying true to its legacy, the challenges and opportunities of marketing a globally recognized destination, and the importance of collaboration, innovation, and destination stewardship. Julie also discusses how Beverly Hills is redefining luxury for the next generation of travelers and preparing for a future shaped by major global events, changing consumer expectations, and increased competition. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Beverly Hills is redefining luxury through a philosophy of customizable experiences Why managing a legacy destination brand requires both innovation and perception management How creative campaigns and emerging technologies help Beverly Hills connect with new audiences What lessons destination leaders can learn from Beverly Hills' approach to crisis response and resilience How collaboration across hotels, government, tourism organizations, and businesses strengthens destination success Why protecting and differentiating a destination brand has become increasingly important in a crowded marketplace How Beverly Hills is leveraging major sporting events and global tourism opportunities to build long-term awareness and economic impact Redefining Luxury for a New Generation As one of the most recognizable destination brands in the world, Beverly Hills enjoys extraordinary global awareness. Yet Julie explains that brand recognition alone is not enough. One of the CVB's most important responsibilities is challenging outdated perceptions and ensuring the destination remains relevant to future generations of travelers. Rather than focusing solely on exclusivity, Beverly Hills has embraced the concept of customizable luxury. Whether visitors are seeking a family-friendly getaway, a wellness-focused retreat, a boutique hotel experience, or a once-in-a-lifetime luxury vacation, the destination offers a wide range of experiences that allow travelers to define luxury on their own terms. Julie shares how this flexibility has become a key differentiator in an increasingly competitive tourism landscape. Creativity, Innovation, and Building Brand Relevance Maintaining relevance for a legacy brand requires a willingness to experiment. Julie discusses how Beverly Hills has embraced innovative storytelling and emerging technology to engage new audiences. One example is the destination's creative "Imagine" campaign, which combined AI-generated artistic concepts with real-world experiences to showcase Beverly Hills as a place where imagination and aspiration intersect. Throughout the conversation, Julie emphasizes that innovation is not simply about adopting new tools. It is about finding fresh ways to communicate a destination's unique value while staying true to its core identity. Whether through partnerships with content creators, experiential campaigns, or new marketing channels, Beverly Hills continues to evolve its messaging to resonate with the next generation of luxury travelers. Collaboration, Stewardship, and Preparing for the Future A recurring theme throughout our discussion is the power of collaboration. Julie shares examples of how hotels, city leaders, tourism partners, and neighboring destinations work together to strengthen Beverly Hills' position while supporting broader regional goals. From crisis-response initiatives during COVID-19 and wildfire recovery efforts to international sales missions and cooperative marketing programs, these partnerships demonstrate the value of what I often call coopetition. Julie also discusses how Beverly Hills is preparing for a wave of major global sporting events, including the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games. Rather than focusing solely on hotel occupancy, the destination is creating opportunities to build long-term brand awareness, drive visitor spending throughout the city, and reinforce Beverly Hills' position as a world-class destination. Through strategic partnerships, thoughtful stewardship, and a commitment to protecting the integrity of its brand, Beverly Hills continues to balance its celebrated legacy with a forward-looking vision for the future. Resources: Website: https://lovebeverlyhills.com/about LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-wagner-cdme-a5147210/

Curious whether peptide therapy is the missing piece in your wellness routine, or just another overhyped trend? This episode breaks down what these powerful chemical messengers do in the body, from healing injuries to balancing brain chemistry, cellular energy and more, plus why sourcing and dosing make all the difference.Host Jenn Trepeck sits down with Dr. Aleksandra Gajer to explore BPC 157, brain-supporting peptides, and mitochondrial function, while tackling how to use peptides safely, who should avoid them, and why they work best as a tool rather than a magic fix-all.What You Will Learn in This Episode:✅ How peptide therapy acts as a chemical messenger system that supports the body's own healing pathways rather than overriding them✅ Why BPC 157 has become one of the most talked about peptides for tendon repair, gut healing, and recovery✅ How neuroinflammation, not just neurotransmitter imbalance, may be driving anxiety, depression, and brain fog✅ The role of mitochondrial function and insulin sensitivity in body composition, energy, and long-term metabolic healthThe Salad With a Side of Fries podcast, hosted by Jenn Trepeck, explores real-life wellness and weight-loss topics, debunking myths, misinformation, and flawed science surrounding nutrition and the food industry. Let's dive into wellness and weight loss for real life, including drinking, eating out, and skipping the grocery store.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Dr. Aleksandra Gajer's path from emergency medicine to proactive, personalized healthcare08:04 Defining peptides and their relationship to inflammation and healing10:04 Exploring BPC 157 for tendon injury, gut healing, and tissue recovery12:31 How peptides support autoimmune conditions by regulating immune balance15:35 Brain peptides Selank and Semax and the truth behind the neuroinflammation link to anxiety18:57 Understanding mitochondrial function, fatigue, and brain fog as cellular energy issues20:35 MOTS-c, insulin sensitivity, and the connection to body composition22:18 Why peptides work best as a tool, not a replacement for healthy habits26:03 Safe peptide sourcing, endotoxins, and who should avoid peptide therapy33:54 Hormone health, dosing strategy, and cycling peptides for sustainable resultsKEY TAKEAWAYS:

We've reached the final episode of our Season 1 Re-Release Series, and we're revisiting our first conversation with Hero and Confidence Coach Cait! She explains what exactly tarot is and how it can help guide your next steps in whatever season you're about to step into.Thanks so much for joining our Re-Release Series! Stay tuned for all new episodes, stories, and Healing Heroines in July.-----Tarot cards hold a unique power in their ability to serve as a mirror to our inner selves, offering insights and guidance that tap into our subconscious mind. Each card, with its rich symbolism and archetypal imagery, acts as a tool for self-reflection and introspection, helping us to gain clarity on our life situations, emotional states, and spiritual journeys. By providing a structured yet intuitive framework, Tarot cards enable us to access our intuition and uncover truths that may not be immediately apparent. Whether used for daily guidance or deep soul-searching, Tarot cards enhance personal growth, self-awareness, and healing as we confront and navigate our inner landscapes.In this episode, we explore the power of Tarot cards and their role in helping us tune into our intuition and gain a vantage perspective on our lives and circumstances with a special guest, Cait. Cait is a business and embodiment coach who describes herself as an inner power activator dedicated to helping women reclaim the power within to develop their businesses from a place of inner strength. With a master's degree in coaching and certification in over 20 modalities, including inner child work, parts work, and breathwork, Cait has deeply invested in her spirituality and credits Tarot with saving her life by deepening her connection to her inner voice.For the past seven years, she has used Tarot to help clients quickly access deeper insights, lower their defenses, tap into their intuition, and clear away the blocks holding them back. Through the processes of embodying clarity, rebuilding beliefs, and reintegrating parts, Cait creates a dynamic space for solo-led women to reclaim their voices, stand in their unshakable worth, and make business decisions aligned with their highest selves.What You Will Learn[05:16] An overview of what tarot is and how it works[08:09] How to use tarot as a tool for better self-understanding [09:58] How tarot cards make it easier to accept difficult information[13:00] Why people reach out to Cait for a one-on-one session[17:02] How to tap into the power of tarot in your everyday life[19:35] How Cait has used Tarot in the past [25:10] Ways tarot has helped people seeking Cait's advice and guidance  [31:06] New modalities Cait is using to help women in her coaching business[32:30] The most surprising thing Cait has seen in her journey of healing others [34:43] How to build your self-confidence and self-worthLet's Connect!Cait DeMelloWebsite | Instagram | LinkedInChandler StroudWebsite | LinkedIn | InstagramHappiness Academy is now Healing Heroines, a signature space for women who are ready to feel more grounded, more peaceful, and more aligned — inside and out. Download a complimentary Healing Roadmap to discover our Past, Present, and Possible framework.Want personalized guidance for your healing journey? Book a call with Chandler!Mixing and editing provided by Next Day Podcast.  Text message us questions, requests, or comments!

What happens when you do everything "right" and still feel unfulfilled? In this episode Julie Deem sits down with life coach Lisa Pirinelli to discuss her journey from climbing the corporate ladder to building a coaching business centered around helping high-achieving women create lives they actually enjoy living.Lisa shares how years of chasing traditional success left her feeling disconnected, exhausted, and questioning why achievement wasn't bringing fulfillment. Today, she helps women who are carrying the weight of leadership, family responsibilities, and high expectations find clarity, balance, and freedom.What You Will Learn:How to recognize when success no longer aligns with your values.Why burnout often affects high-achieving women differently.The surprising role coaching can play in personal and professional growth.How fear and self-doubt can keep you stuck in situations that no longer serve you.Why identity shifts are one of the hardest parts of career transitions.How to navigate the gap between where you are and where you want to be.The difference between coaching and simply getting advice from friends or family.Why finding a coach who aligns with your values matters.How faith influenced Lisa's decision to leave corporate leadership.Practical ways to create more balance without sacrificing ambition.FAQ:Can life coaching help with career transitions?Yes. Life coaching can help you navigate career changes by clarifying your values, identifying what you truly want, overcoming self-doubt, and creating an action plan that aligns with your goals.What should I expect during a coaching session?A coaching session typically involves exploring your current challenges, identifying priorities, uncovering limiting beliefs, and creating practical next steps. Lisa's Freedom Map session provides a personalized roadmap for moving forward.How do I find the right life coach?Look for a coach whose values, communication style, and life experiences resonate with you. The best coaching relationships are built on trust, connection, and alignment with your goals.Connect with Lisa Pirinellihttps://www.lisapirinelli.com/Learn more about the latest tool for dynamic professionals in the self-improvement industry, LyfQuest. A mobile CRM platform that's uniquely made for you!Learn more at: https://lyfquest.io/Instagram:USW Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@uswkokomo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kalena James ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@yesitskalenajames⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Julie Deem ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@indymompreneur⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠--------------------------------------------------USW Kokomo ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Production by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Business Podcast Editor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Are you exhausted from optimizing your rest? Discover why high-achieving women struggle to truly rest and how to reclaim genuine restoration without guilt.Rest is not a reward for exhaustion. It is a requirement for brilliance.If you are treating rest like a metric to conquer, or a luxury you have to earn by completely emptying your tank first, you are not resting. You are recovering from burnout. In this episode, work-life harmony strategist SaCola Lehr breaks down the critical difference between genuine restoration and the kind of "rest" that leaves you just as depleted as when you started.If you have ever returned from a vacation feeling like you need another vacation, or if you find yourself optimizing your downtime so much that it starts to feel like work, this episode was made for you.What You Will Learn in This EpisodeThe Problem with How High-Achieving Women RestWomen who are used to driving results, managing households, and leading teams have been conditioned to believe that every minute must be productive. So when we finally take a break, we turn rest into a project. We read self-improvement books on the beach. We listen to industry podcasts while we run. We use our weekends to meal prep, organize, and catch up on emails. Our bodies may be resting, but our minds are still running a marathon. This kind of optimized downtime does not restore us, it just changes the scenery of our exhaustion.Why We Cannot StopStillness feels dangerous when your entire identity is built on being capable and productive. If you stop moving, you might have to sit with the exhaustion you have been outrunning. Society ties our value to our output, which turns rest into a source of anxiety rather than a source of renewal. We believe that if we are not constantly moving forward, we are falling behind.The PRONE to Power Framework : Navigating Boundaries. This episode focuses on the N in the PRONE to Power framework. Navigating your boundaries is not just about saying no to other people, it is about saying no to the voice in your own head that tells you to keep working when you are supposed to be resting. It means creating a boundary around your downtime and fiercely protecting it from the infiltration of productivity.Resources Mentioned:• Grab your copy of Harmony Hustle for Women: Master the Art of Thriving in Life and Career• PRONE to Power FrameworkConnect:• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workitliveitownit/• Website: https://SaColaLehr.com/Email for business inquiries: info@workitliveitownit.com

Are you tired of clients telling you that your recruitment fees are too high? In this episode, we break down why you should never defend your price tag and what you must do instead to win the business. When a client pushes back on your fee, they are usually comparing it to two flawed metrics: the perceived "free" cost of doing nothing or the price of a cheaper agency. It is time to change the number they use to judge your worth!What You Will Learn in This Episode:The "Dripping Tap" Trap: Discover why an unfilled vacancy is like a slow leak that quietly drains massive resources from a business, making the cost of doing nothing far more expensive than your fee.Behavior Driven by Fees: Understand why a low contingent fee simply buys a rushed race for CVs, whereas a higher retained fee guarantees research, exclusivity, and true accountability.Results vs. Chance: Learn how to reframe the client's mindset so they realize they are not choosing between different price points, but between a guaranteed outcome and a risky gamble.Calculating the Real Cost: Actionable strategies to make hiring managers calculate the exact weekly financial impact of an empty seat, instantly making your fee look like a minor, necessary investment.Stop losing out to cheaper competitors and stop letting clients believe that delaying a hire is free. Tune in to learn how to take control of the conversation, because the expensive thing is never your fee it's the wrong outcome!

We'd love to hear from you. Send us fan mail!Workplace dispute resolution is one of the least discussed and most costly blindspots in executive leadership. In this episode of Shedding the Corporate B!tch, executive coach Bernadette Boas sits down with Felicia Harris Hoss, of Harris Hoss Mediations & Arbitration, a nationally recognized mediator with 30 years of trial law experience, to break down early dispute resolution and why it is one of the most powerful, underutilized tools available to corporate executives and HR leaders.Felicia explains why less than five percent of filed lawsuits ever reach trial, what that means for how executives should be approaching conflict, and why the decision to mediate early is not a sign of weakness, it is a strategic move that preserves relationships, resources, and reputation. She walks through the four Cs of mediation, the questions every executive should be asking their attorney, and how to shift from a reacting posture to a responding one in any dispute.If you lead people, manage HR concerns, or sit in any seat where workplace conflict can escalate into legal action, this conversation will change how you think about resolution. What You Will Learn• What early dispute resolution (EDR) is and why it is ABA official policy• When to engage a mediator before a lawsuit is filed• Why litigation means surrendering control — and what executives can do instead• The four Cs of mediation: confidentiality, control, creativity, certainty• What questions to ask your attorney about workplace disputes and resolution options• How the respond vs. react mindset shifts negotiation outcomes• What 'winning' actually looks like in a corporate dispute Key Quote"If you go to the courthouse, you pass that baton called control to strangers. — Felicia Harris Hoss" Episode Chapters00:00:00 — The Legal Dispute Already Living in Your Organization 00:02:00 — Why Staying in the Room Changes Everything 00:03:00 — Meet Felicia Harris-Hoss: From Trial Partner to Neutral 00:06:00 — What Mediation Actually Is (And Isn't) 00:09:00 — Workplace Scenarios That Call for a Mediator 00:12:00 — Why Early Mediation — Before Positions Harden 00:13:00 — The Human Cost Behind Every Corporate Lawsuit 00:15:00 — Why Early Mediation Wasn't Working — And What Changed 00:17:00 — Ego, Fear, and the Real Reason Leaders Avoid Resolution 00:18:00 — The Courtroom Hands Control to Strangers 00:21:00 — The Four C's of Mediation: Confidentiality, Control, Creativity, Certainty 00:26:00 — Key Questions Every Leader Should Ask Their Attorney 00:27:00 — What to Know Before You Bring a Dispute to HR 00:31:00 — Why Even Lawyers Get Confirmation Bias 00:32:00 — Respond, Don't React: The Mindset That Changes Outcomes 00:34:00 — Bernadette's Takeaways for Every Leader and HR Professional About the GuestFelicia Harris Hoss, of Harris Hoss Mediations & Arbitration, is a 30-year trial attorney and nationally credentialed mediator who specializes in early dispute resolution for executives, corporations, and complex business conflicts. She co-authored Resolution 500 for the American Bar Association, which was unanimously adopted in 2024, making early dispute resolution official ABA policy. She also helped establish the American Arbitration Association's EDR Mediation Panel.Learn more at HarrisHossPLLC| Connect on LinkedIn HERE Related Episodes Employee Engagement Strategies That Actually Move the Needle with Ian Watts— HEREYour Calendar is Lying - The Timer Leadership Framework— HERESlow Down To Go Fast with Loretta Stagnitto — HERE Subscribe CTAIf this conversation gave you a new way to think about conflict, leadership, and control, subscribe to Shedding the Corporate Bitch on YouTube at @ShedtheCorpBitchTV for new episodes every week. You can also DOWNLOAD our free Leadership Gap Diagnostic and identify where your leadership needs the most attention right now. Support the show

Join the  Uplift Community App  TODAY!    Shifts are happening. Women in their 40s are coming to therapy not because life is unraveling, but to rediscover who they are. Therapist Niro Feliciano, a Today Show regular, calls this process excavating, pulling back layers of output, caretaking, and self-doubt to find the woman underneath. In this episode of Smart Girl Summer, Niro and I talk about the real reasons women hesitate to bet on themselves, where those self-limiting beliefs actually start (yes, middle school makes an appearance), and the two questions every woman needs to start asking herself right now. What You Will Learn in This Episode Why so many women over 40 are seeking therapy, and what is driving the shift Ask the two questions Niro uses to help clients reconnect with what they truly want. What is happening in your brain when you do not invest in yourself Notice the sting of childhood and middle school moments shaping the harsh inner critic you hear today. The difference between healthy caution and self-sabotage disguised as wisdom Why sacrificing yourself and erasing yourself are not the same thing Tune in to what you genuinely desire and what fills you with joy, and imagine the vibrant life awaiting you when you finally leave autopilot behind. Timestamps: (02:37) - How Niro's work has shifted, why she's back seeing clients full time, and what it taught her about saying no (05:42) - What Niro is seeing in women right now, the rise of women over 40 in therapy, and the concept of "excavating yourself" (07:42) - The two questions women don't ask themselves enough: What do you want? What brings you joy? (10:09) - Alli on writing her motherhood book and the moment women realized they'd been withering on the vine (11:09) - Why women won't invest in themselves, the fear of failure, and the guilt spiral that follows (13:11) - What's actually happening in the brain when a woman won't bet on herself (14:35) - Where self-limiting beliefs come from, childhood, critical parents, and yes, middle school (16:08) - Alli on what she sees as a business coach and why she sends clients to therapy (18:31) - How to tell the difference between healthy caution and self-sabotage dressed up as wisdom (20:17) - Why uncertainty creates more anxiety than the bad thing itself (the electric shock study) (21:23) - The line between sacrificing yourself for your family and erasing yourself for them (23:38) - The first step: what are you doing just for yourself this week that nobody else benefits from?   Links to great things we discussed:  Niro's Website Function Health Uplift App Wise Woman Era Alli on YouTube   I hope you loved this episode!

Are you trying to advance your career, but unsure who to ask for help? Have you ever wondered if you need a mentor, a coach, or a sponsor—and what the difference actually is? In this episode from the archive, Andy Lopata sits down with two giants of the mentoring world: Vanessa Vallely OBE (founder of WeAreTheCity) and Kerrie Dorman (founder of the Association of Business Mentors). Together, they dismantle the confusion surrounding these crucial professional relationships. Discover the "CCM" approach to support, learn the golden rule that separates a mentor from a sponsor, and find out the exact formula for asking a busy executive to mentor you (without getting a "no"). If you've ever felt stuck in your career, this episode provides the ultimate roadmap for building a "personal boardroom" that will propel you forward. What You Will Learn in This Episode: The "Been There, Done That" Rule: What is the fundamental difference between a coach (who asks questions) and a mentor (who shares scars and experience)? The Talk To vs. Talk About Rule: How to instantly distinguish between a mentor who gives you advice and a sponsor who puts their reputation on the line to get you promoted. The Myth of Age and Rank: Why you don't need to reach a specific level of seniority to deserve a mentor—and why you are actually never too old to have one. The Perfect "Ask": The specific, structured formula you must use when asking someone to be your mentor to guarantee they say "yes." The "Personal Boardroom": Why having just one mentor is a mistake, and how to build an "agile" formula of mentors, coaches, and accountability partners. Actionable Insights Structure Your "Ask": Stop asking people, "Will you be my mentor?" It's too vague and demanding. Instead, use Vanessa's formula: State why you chose them (flattery helps!), define the specific skill you want to learn, set a clear timeline (e.g., three 30-minute sessions over three months), and define what success looks like. Make it easy for them to say yes. Turn Mentors into Sponsors: A mentor talks to you; a sponsor talks about you in rooms you aren't in. To turn a mentor into a sponsor, you must demonstrate your capability so they feel confident putting their integrity on the line for you. Audit Your "Personal Boardroom": Do not rely on one person for all your professional support. Map out your current network. Do you have an accountability partner who pushes you? Do you have an industry expert who shares their scars? Do you have a coach who asks hard questions? Build a diverse "formula" of mentors to cover your blind spots. SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE Connect with Andy Lopata: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter | YouTube Connect with Vanessa Vallely OBE: Website |LinkedIn | Connect with Kerrie Dorman: Website |LinkedIn | The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring Episode Featuring Vanessa & Kerrie

Welcome to another insightful episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan is joined by seasoned project management expert Danielle McCier to shine a spotlight on one of the most critical—and sometimes underestimated—roles in any agency: project management. Together, they unpack how powerful project management isn't just about checking boxes, but about leading with clarity, protecting your agency's profit, and creating alignment across chaotic workflows. Danielle McCier shares her unique journey from the music industry to advertising operations, offering firsthand wisdom on how project management elevates agencies beyond glorified administration. She describes the evolution of her own role, distinguishing the difference between being a task-oriented admin and a proactive leader who wrangles multiple teams, deliverables, and shifting client requests. Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of why clear communication, defined asks, and structured processes form the backbone of any successful project—and, by extension, the agency itself. This episode delves into actionable strategies for building trust internally, facilitating tough conversations, and managing expectations across creatives, account teams, and clients. Danielle McCier and Drew McLellan also discuss common pitfalls like assumption-driven burnout, the importance of sources of truth in organizing project details, and how systems don't stifle creativity—they enable it. If you've ever wondered when it's time to add a project manager to your team, how to hire for the right blend of hard and soft skills, or how to truly empower your agency's engine room, this episode is packed with hard-won advice. Get ready to walk away with a renewed appreciation for project management as the unsung hero of agency growth, culture, and sustainability. A big thank you to our podcast's presenting sponsor, White Label IQ. They're an amazing resource for agencies who want to outsource their design, dev, or PPC work at wholesale prices. Check out their special offer (10 free hours!) for podcast listeners here. What You Will Learn in This Episode: The evolving role of project management as a core agency function, not just an administrative task How detailed communication and clear processes drive better client and internal outcomes The critical importance of aligning expectations at every project stage Building trust through personalized relationships and consistent, candid conversations The project manager's influence in establishing and maintaining effective agency systems Recognizing and addressing burnout by clarifying roles, responsibilities, and workload Why great project managers embody leadership, emotional intelligence, and agency protection

Is your heart racing? Are you wondering if it's a panic attack or a heart attack? In today's episode of Calming Anxiety, we dive deep into the physiological response of a racing heart due to anxiety. Hosted by Martin Hewlett, a clinical hypnotherapist and former paramedic, this session provides professional insight into why your body triggers the fight or flight response and how to signal to your nervous system that you are safe.If you frequently experience sudden chest tightness, palpitations in your throat, or health anxiety regarding your heart health, this 10-minute guided relaxation and breathing exercise is designed for you. Learn the difference between a medical emergency and an anxiety-driven surge of adrenaline from someone who has seen both on the front lines.What You Will Learn:How to differentiate anxiety symptoms from cardiac emergencies.The role of the parasympathetic nervous system in calming a pounding heart.A guided box breathing technique to lower your heart rate instantly.How adrenaline affects your blood vessels and lungs during stress.Time Chapters00:00 – Emergency Screening: Vital signs of a cardiac event vs. anxiety.01:04 – Introduction: Meet Martin Hewlett, former paramedic and hypnotherapist.01:56 – Guided Breathing: Using the extended out-breath to signal safety.03:38 – The Science of Adrenaline: Why your heart races when you aren't in danger.05:12 – Visualization: The "Control Room" technique for nervous system regulation.07:18 – Affirmations: Rewiring your internal dialogue about heart health.08:32 – 3 Daily Caring Tips: Practical tools for managing heart rate anxiety.10:05 – Closing Thoughts: Embracing your body's natural responses.Heart-Centered AffirmationsRepeat these internally to ground your nervous system:"My heart is strong and it is working exactly as it should"."A racing heart is not proof of danger; it is proof that I am alive and responding"."I know the difference between anxiety and emergency. Anxiety does not require a rescue"."I trust my body to regulate; I trust my breath to lead me home".3 Daily Caring TipsEstablish Your Baseline: Take your resting heart rate on a calm morning to provide a factual reference point for when anxiety spikes.The Physiological Sigh: Use the "double inhale" (two sips of air through the nose) followed by a long, slow exhale to mechanically reset your stress levels.Break the Freeze: Anxiety thrives in stillness. If your heart races, stand up and take three slow, deliberate steps to tell your brain you are not in a "life or death" freeze state.Support the ShowIf this session helped you find a moment of peace, please subscribe to Calming Anxiety on Apple Podcasts. With over 2,300 free episodes, we are here for you every single day.Leave a Review: Your feedback helps others find these tools.Share: Send this episode to a friend struggling with health anxiety.Stay Connected: Visit calminganxiety.fm for more resources.Remember: Smile often, and to your beautiful self, be kind.

What if getting fired was actually the catalyst for building the life you were meant to live? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Merry Korn, entrepreneur, author, and social enterprise pioneer.  After losing a job she desperately wanted to keep, Merry found herself facing uncertainty, fear, and the responsibility of supporting her family. What followed was an extraordinary journey that led her to build Pearl Interactive Network, a company that grew to employ more than 1,300 people and specialized in hiring individuals often overlooked by traditional employers, including people with disabilities, veterans, military spouses, and those living in economically challenged communities. This conversation is a powerful reminder that career setbacks can become the doorway to your greatest work and that purpose often reveals itself when you're willing to listen.   What You Will Learn: How getting fired can become a catalyst for discovering your true purpose. Why many high-achieving women stay too long in careers that no longer align. The role informational interviews can play in career transitions and business growth. How Merry built a social enterprise focused on hiring overlooked talent. Why vision is essential when creating a business with long-term impact. How hiring people with disabilities became a competitive advantage and mission. The importance of recognizing opportunities disguised as setbacks. Why listening to intuition can be a valuable business strategy. How government contracts helped scale a purpose-driven organization. The difference between building a business to operate and building one to sell. Why your mission and purpose can evolve throughout different stages of life. How meaning becomes a greater motivator than money for many entrepreneurs. Connect with Merry Korn Fired to Inspired https://firedtoinspired.com/  Connect with Wickedly Smart Women® Wickedly Smart Women Wickedly Smart Women on X Wickedly Smart Women on Instagram Wickedly Smart Women Facebook Community Wickedly Smart Women Store on TeePublic [5X Award-Winning Book] Wickedly Smart Women: Trusting Intuition, Taking Action, Transforming Worlds Email: listeners@wickedlysmartwomen.com    

On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Shelly Hartfield, Vice President of Destinations for Victory Cruise Lines. Shelly shares how her passion for destinations evolved from a career in maritime operations into a role focused on creating meaningful connections between travelers and communities throughout the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence Seaway, Atlantic Canada, and the U.S. East Coast. We explore the power of collaboration in cruise tourism, how unexpected challenges often lead to remarkable guest experiences, and why destination stewardship, community partnerships, and strategic planning are at the heart of successful cruise itineraries. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Shelly's career journey led her to become a champion for destination-focused cruise experiences Why Victory Cruise Lines views destinations as communities rather than simply ports of call How understanding traveler motivations helps create more meaningful and memorable experiences What cruise operators can learn from unexpected disruptions and the opportunities they create How collaboration between cruise lines, ports, and destinations benefits entire communities Why destination discovery often requires getting off the beaten path and experiencing places firsthand How sustainability initiatives can simultaneously improve visitor experiences and support local economies Viewing Destinations Through a Community Lens Shelly believes the difference between a city and a destination lies in its people, culture, and stories. At Victory Cruise Lines, this perspective shapes how itineraries are developed and how experiences are curated for guests. Rather than simply bringing travelers to a port, the goal is to connect them with the character of a place and the people who call it home. This philosophy aligns closely with the interests of Victory's guests, many of whom are experienced travelers seeking authentic cultural experiences, local history, and meaningful interactions. Shelly shares how these travelers often seek out conversations with residents and appreciate opportunities to learn about communities beyond the typical visitor experience. By focusing on these connections, cruise travel becomes a gateway to deeper destination discovery. When Necessity Becomes Innovation Tourism is filled with variables that cannot be controlled, and cruising is no exception. Weather events, changing water levels, and unexpected operational challenges can quickly require an itinerary to change course. Shelly explains that success in these moments depends on preparation, transparency, and a culture of collaboration across the organization. She shares memorable examples where last-minute changes resulted in unexpected guest favorites. What began as logistical challenges became opportunities to introduce travelers to communities and experiences that were never originally planned. These moments reinforced an important lesson: flexibility and creative problem-solving often reveal hidden gems that might otherwise go undiscovered. Through proactive communication and contingency planning, challenges become opportunities to create unique and memorable experiences for guests. Collaboration as a Driver of Destination Success One of Shelly's strongest beliefs is that collaboration and competition can coexist. Cruise lines may compete for guests, but they share a common interest in supporting the destinations they visit. Whether coordinating schedules to share limited dock space or working together to advocate for infrastructure improvements, collaboration creates benefits that extend beyond any single company. Shelly also discusses how destination partnerships contribute to sustainability and long-term economic development. From encouraging repeat visitation to exploring alternatives to printed materials through digital solutions, she sees opportunities for destinations and cruise operators to work together in ways that improve the visitor experience while reducing waste and increasing measurable impact. Ultimately, Shelly views every cruise itinerary as a collection of stories. Each destination contributes a chapter, and every community plays a role in shaping the traveler's experience. Through thoughtful partnerships, strategic planning, and a commitment to showcasing authentic places and people, cruise tourism can become a powerful catalyst for community growth and destination stewardship. Resources: Website: http://www.victorycruiselines.com/ LinkedIn Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelly-hartfield-1330b919/ LinkedIn Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/victorycruiselines/

Tired of salads that leave you hungry an hour later? This episode reveals how to build a healthy salad that functions as a full meal, using a balance of protein, fiber, and quality fat, along with restaurant-inspired tricks for texture and flavor that make every bite feel indulgent and satisfying.Jenn Trepeck digs into practical, judgment-free strategies for turning whatever is in your fridge into a satisfying salad, covering everything from salad dressing inspiration to creative flavor pairings, on this episode of Salad with a Side of Fries.What You Will Learn in This Episode:✅ The three essential components, protein, fiber, and quality fat, that turn a basic salad into a full meal✅ How texture (crispy, creamy, chewy) transforms a boring salad into a craveable one✅ Why temperature matters and how adding a warm component changes the entire eating experience✅ How to use the five flavors, sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami, to build a balanced salad and even make a dressing from scratchThe Salad With a Side of Fries podcast, hosted by Jenn Trepeck, explores real-life wellness and weight-loss topics, debunking myths, misinformation, and flawed science surrounding nutrition and the food industry. Let's dive into wellness and weight loss for real life, including drinking, eating out, and skipping the grocery store.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Building a satisfying salad that functions as a full meal04:11 Why protein, fiber, and quality fat are the foundation of a filling salad05:49 The overlooked role of healthy fats like avocado and olive oil in salads07:23 Using grains and starches like condiments to boost a chopped salad09:18 Breaking down food texture categories: crispy, creamy, chewy, and more13:45 How the cutting and chopping technique changes salad texture completely17:48 Pro tip: warm components make salads more satisfying21:24 Exploring the five flavors and how to build balance in a salad dressing33:11 Pantry staples like hearts of palm and artichokes for easy, healthy salads34:28 Jenn's recent go-to salad recipe and homemade dressing combinations36:48 Salad for breakfast with eggs to top it offKEY TAKEAWAYS:

We're continuing our Season 1 Re-Release series with Hero and Psychic Medium Lea. While psychic mediumship is often associated with communicating with loved ones who have passed, this conversation is ultimately about connection—connection with ourselves, our intuition, and the possibility that we're supported in ways we may not fully understand.-----Hero and Psychic Medium Lea shares what psychic mediumship is, why people look for help, its benefits, and how this spiritual guidance can help you reconnect with yourself. After a career in advertising and interior design, Lea couldn't shake the pull to open up to and understand her intuitive gifts fully. Her story is one that shows how spirit can guide you throughout your life by providing the opportunities and experiences needed to hone your skills and ultimately be of service to others. All of her offerings are intended to provide her clients with healing, connection, faith, peace, love, and hope. Lea also hopes to normalize the perception of psychic work by sharing her own journey openly through workshops, interviews, and information on her website. What You Will Learn[04:31] What is psychic mediumship, and why people reach out to Lea   [06:10] Spirit guides and why it's important to have open lines of communication [09:29] When Lea realized her special ability to communicate with spirits[17:36] How people interpret and interact with Lea's work[23:05] How Lea's clients heal from communicating with the dead[27:47] How Lea opens a window to bring comfort during grief[29:13] Ways psychic mediumship can help navigate life situations [30:56] How spiritual conversations help people connect with themselves [33:27] Ways to be more receptive and attune with your intuition Let's Connect!Lea MorganWebsiteChandler StroudWebsite | LinkedIn | InstagramHappiness Academy is now Healing Heroines, a signature space for women who are ready to feel more grounded, more peaceful, and more aligned — inside and out. Download a complimentary Healing Roadmap to discover our Past, Present, and Possible framework.Want personalized guidance for your healing journey? Book a call with Chandler!Mixing and editing provided by Next Day Podcast.Text message us questions, requests, or comments!

Promoting a high-producing advisor into a leadership role without teaching them how to lead isn't development, it's a risk transfer. Ray Sclafani has seen this pattern play out across hundreds of advisory firms: the best advisor gets promoted, the firm assumes leadership will follow, and within months the culture quietly starts to fracture. In this episode, Ray makes the case that leadership development is not a soft-skills initiative as it is an operational and economic imperative that directly shapes growth, retention, client experience, and enterprise value.What You Will Learn in This EpisodeWhy promoting high performers without leadership training is one of the most common and costly mistakes in wealth managementThe five direct questions every leadership team should ask to diagnose their management infrastructureHow to define what "meeting," "exceeding," and "far exceeding" expectations looks like for every leadership role in your firmHow to build a leadership scorecard that makes accountability observable, coachable, and measurableWhy leadership depth, not any single rainmaker or founder, is what allows a firm to grow without breakingKey Insight from This Episode"Promoting a high-producing advisor into a manager or leadership role without teaching that person how to lead is not development. That is a risk transfer."Leadership is not a reward for strong performance. It is a distinct skill set that requires training, structure, and ongoing accountability. The firms that invest in building that infrastructure now will have the bench depth, the culture, and the continuity to compete at the highest level — and to scale without depending on any one person.The Five Questions to Diagnose Your Leadership InfrastructureAsk your leadership team right now:Performance Reviews: Do you conduct performance reviews more than once a year?One-on-Ones: Do managers hold one-on-one meetings with their direct reports at least monthly?Feedback: Do employees receive regular, real-time feedback — not just at review time?Defined Standards: Have you defined what meeting, exceeding, and far exceeding expectations looks like for every role in your firm?Manager Accountability: Are managers held accountable for engagement, retention, and the development of the people they lead?If the honest answer to most of those is "no" or "not consistently," you have a leadership development gap and that gap has a direct cost.The Four-Step Framework for Building LeadersStep 1 — Define the Leadership Role Vague expectations produce vague performance. When a person is promoted to manager, their scope must be explicit and written down: What do they own? Which decisions are theirs to make? Which require alignment? Which belong elsewhere? Clarity here is not bureaucratic, because it is the foundation of effective leadership.Step 2 — Define What Strong Performance Looks Like For every leadership role, articulate three levels:Meeting expectations — Holds regular one-on-ones, provides timely feedback, follows through on commitments, keeps the team alignedExceeding expectations — Develops talent ahead of need, strengthens team capacity, reduces confusion, helps others make better decisionsFar exceeding expectations — Develops leaders who develop other leaders, builds scalable systems, improves retention, reduces the firm's dependence on any single personOnce the levels are defined, performance conversations, calibration, comp decisions, and development plans all improve. People stop guessing.Step 3 — Build a Feedback Cadence Annual reviews are too slow. By the time the review occurs, everyone already knows what should have been said months earlier. Managers should hold regular one-on-ones, provide feedback in real time, and ask the questions that matter: What is working? What is unclear? What needs to change? What support is required? What are you learning? Where do you want to grow? Feedback should not be dramatic. It should be normal.Step 4 — Hold Leaders Accountable for the People They Lead A manager should be evaluated not only on their personal performance or technical competence, but on the engagement, retention, development, and performance of their team. If a leader is personally successful but leaves behind confusion, burnout, or turnover, that is not strong leadership. Create a leadership scorecard for every manager in your firm. Include five measures: communication rhythm, feedback quality, talent development, accountability, and team health. Review it quarterly. Coach to it. Compensate it.Coaching Questions for ReflectionWhich leaders in your firm, including you, have been promoted based on production or contribution, but never trained to lead?Where have you clearly defined performance expectations, and where are people still guessing?Which leadership behaviors should be measured because they directly shape culture and retention at your firm?What would change if managers were held accountable for the growth of the people they lead?Why This Matters for Enterprise ValueManagers shape the firm's lived experience. Not the values poster in the break room. Not the retreat agenda. Not the title structure. Managers decide how feedback is delivered, whether accountability is real, whether talent is developed or ignored, whether high performers are challenged, whether underperformance is tolerated, whether meetings are useful, and whether people feel stretched, supported, and included.SHRM research shows that only 44% of managers globally have received formal management training. More than 90% of HR executives say people managers are critically important to organizational success — and job satisfaction nearly doubles among workers with highly effective managers.For advisory firms, this isn't abstract. Leadership development affects growth and retention, client experience, and ultimately the enterprise value of what you are building.The firms that develop leaders will win — because they will not rely on any single founder, rainmaker, or heroic operator. They will build bench depth. And that bench depth is what allows a firm to grow without breaking.Resources & References MentionedSHRM — Global Management Training ResearchKorn Ferry — Workforce 2025 Research ReportBuilding the Billion Dollar Business is hosted by Ray Sclafani, founder and CEO of ClientWise, the financial services industry's leading executive coaching and team development firm for elite advisors and wealth management teams.Find Ray and the ClientWise Team on the ClientWise website or LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTubeBuilding The Billion Dollar Business

What does it really take to grow a business lending CUSO in 2026? Mark Ritter and Jeff Lyons pull back the curtain on eight years of organizational evolution, honest reflections on artificial intelligence, and where credit union technology is finally delivering results. From Microsoft Copilot upgrades that went from frustrating to impressive, to AI-assisted hiring wins, to the unfiltered reality of conference networking, this conversation is refreshingly direct. If you work in fintech or credit unions and want a perspective grounded in real experience rather than buzzwords, this episode is for you.What You Will Learn in This Episode: ✅ How credit union technology like Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT has evolved from clunky early tools into genuinely useful platforms for business efficiency inside a growing CUSO.✅ Why a thoughtful approach to AI adoption paid off for MBFS, including a real example of how updated job descriptions powered by AI led directly to a successful hire.✅ How portfolio management practices and internal team development have transformed credit union growth at MBFS over eight years of organizational change.✅ What conference networking looks like today compared to 20 years ago, and why showing up at trade shows is now more about relationships than closing deals on the floor.Subscribe to Credit Union Conversations for the latest credit union trends and insights on loan volume and business lending! Connect with MBFS to boost your credit union's growth today.TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Jeff Lyons reflects on eight years of credit union growth and his evolving COO role05:14 History of artificial intelligence, from Clippy to ChatGPT and credit union technology09:44 Honest take on Microsoft Copilot, AI adoption struggles, and real business efficiency gains14:21 How AI adoption improved hiring via smarter job descriptions and operational efficiency16:16 The changing reality of conference networking, trade show etiquette, breakfast buffets, and industry trends observations21:52 Wrapping up favorite conferences and final thoughts on AI adoption in credit union growthKEY TAKEAWAYS:

Welcome to another can't-miss episode of Build a Better Agency! Drew McLellan hosts Noel Andrews, founder and CEO of Job Rack, for a deep dive into how AI recruitment is revolutionizing the hiring landscape. Andrews shares eye-opening insights about the dramatic changes agencies face when building teams in today's AI-powered world. In this episode, you'll discover how Andrews and his team are adapting their vetting processes as AI tools make traditional recruitment methods obsolete. You'll learn about the shocking reality that resumes are now largely AI-optimized, making them nearly useless for evaluation. If you've ever wondered how to identify genuine talent when candidates can use AI to generate perfect interview responses in real-time, Andrews reveals the specific questioning techniques and AI recruitment strategies that separate authentic candidates from those hiding behind technology. Andrews and Drew explore advanced tactics for evaluating AI fluency in candidates, including the critical importance of assessing judgment over technical skills. They discuss practical frameworks for writing outcome-focused job descriptions, conducting screen-sharing interviews, and probing deeper into candidates' real experiences to bypass AI-generated responses. Whether you're hiring your first international team member, expanding your leadership team, or simply trying to navigate the complexities of modern recruitment, this episode delivers actionable strategies for success. Tune in to master the art of hiring exceptional talent in an AI-driven world! A big thank you to our podcast's presenting sponsor, White Label IQ. They're an amazing resource for agencies who want to outsource their design, dev, or PPC work at wholesale prices. Check out their special offer (10 free hours!) for podcast listeners here. What You Will Learn in This Episode: Discover why traditional resumes are now largely useless due to AI optimization and how to adapt your evaluation process Learn specific interview techniques to identify when candidates are using real-time AI assistance during conversations Master the art of outcome-based job descriptions that attract genuine talent while deterring AI-generated applications Understand how to evaluate AI fluency in candidates without being an AI expert yourself Explore advanced questioning strategies that bypass AI tools and reveal authentic candidate experiences Gain insights into hiring international talent for senior-level positions including directors and department heads Learn practical methods like screen-sharing interviews and the three-finger test to verify candidate authenticity Understand why focusing on judgment and decision-making processes matters more than technical outputs in AI recruitment

What happens when a successful entrepreneur leaves her own thriving business to get a "real job" only to discover she already knew more than she gave herself credit for? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Arielle Tayar, founder of Whip Creative Studio and Whip Productions.  Arielle shares her journey from growing up in an immigrant family to becoming a serial entrepreneur, her surprising experience in the corporate world, and the lessons she learned about confidence, creativity, leadership, and trusting her own vision. This conversation is an inspiring reminder that confidence grows through action, creativity requires space, and there is no single "right way" to build a meaningful and profitable business.   What You Will Learn: How small opportunities and "little yeses" can grow into thriving businesses. Why imposter syndrome often persists even when you're already successful. What Arielle learned after leaving entrepreneurship for a corporate leadership role. How creative leaders can balance structure without stifling innovation. Why nobody truly has all the answers and why that's good news. The importance of creating space for creativity and inspiration to emerge. How confidence becomes a powerful business asset for women entrepreneurs. What it takes to build seven-figure businesses without outside investment. Why networking and relationships remain essential for business growth. How to navigate the natural seasons of creativity, visibility, and revenue generation. The role intuition and trust play in entrepreneurial success. How experiential marketing creates deeper brand connections and memorable customer experiences. Connect with Arielle Tayar Whip Creative Studio https://www.whipcreativestudio.com/about Whip Productions https://www.whipproductions.com/ Connect with Wickedly Smart Women® Wickedly Smart Women Wickedly Smart Women on X Wickedly Smart Women on Instagram Wickedly Smart Women Facebook Community Wickedly Smart Women Store on TeePublic [5X Award-Winning Book] Wickedly Smart Women: Trusting Intuition, Taking Action, Transforming Worlds Email: listeners@wickedlysmartwomen.com  

On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with John Franklin Rinehart, founder of Austin Film Crew. We talk in depth about his latest project in Gonzalez, Texas, and the Texas Legacy in Lights project, a full-scale live-action film projected onto the Gonzalez Memorial Museum. With the film, John is helping the community prepare for future visitors by developing new branding and digital assets that reflect the community. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How John moved from a career in music to becoming a leader in experiential storytelling How thinking differently can create breakthroughs for small destinations What inspired the Texas Legacy and Lights project in Gonzalez, Texas, and how live-action projection mapping was used to tell a unique local story How John and his team rebuilt Gonzalez's tourism platform after the city lost its website, and what went into creating digital assets for community branding Why translating tourism websites into dozens of languages creates new opportunities to attract international visitors, even for small towns How leadership, vision, and empowering local talent can transform ordinary community assets into extraordinary tourism attractions Lessons John has learned about overcoming skepticism and inspiring communities to believe in bold, world-class projects Challenging the Status Quo in Tourism Marketing Tourism marketing often feels like a tightly-packed field, but John believes the space is less competitive than it is stale. Many marketers follow in others' footsteps, replicating strategies instead of innovating. Real breakthrough requires a willingness to "break your brain a little bit"—to stop asking what everyone else is doing and start challenging your own assumptions. The key is to create something so unique that people and the media cannot help but take notice. If no one is willing to write about your idea or pay attention to it, then it's not bold enough to rise above the noise. The Texas Legacy in Lights Project Gonzalez, Texas, is steeped in history, forever linked to the "Come and Take It" flag and the beginning of the Texas Revolution. But its story has long been overshadowed by the likes of the Alamo. The city's challenge is to tell its tale in a way that stands out not just locally, but on the global stage. Enter Texas Legacy in Lights: a full-scale, live-action film projected using cutting-edge 3D mapping technology onto the city's Memorial Museum. John and his team tackled the much harder task of using live-action film to bring history to life right on the building's facade. The project required extensive technical, creative, and engineering skill, from building accurate period costumes and sets to installing a sound system that's immersive within the venue but virtually silent outside, because of the residential community nearby. Rethinking the Ordinary Tourism Website Tourism starts online, but most tourism websites are mere directories meant for visitors who have already chosen their destination. John's challenge is to ignite aspiration and connection long before travelers decide to visit. Gonzalez's new digital hub goes well beyond the norm: it features content in 50 languages, each tailored and not just run through Google Translate. The site provides unique guides for different cultures, practical tips for international visitors (like where to buy good bread or how to navigate transportation-less Texas), and locally-flavored stories that spark emotion and imagination. This strategic move recognizes overlooked audience segments searching the web, making Gonzalez visible to the world and accessible in unprecedented ways. Resources: Website: https://www.austinfilmcrew.com/

Are your hormones running your life, and not in a good way? If you are struggling with fatigue, mood swings, weight gain, or sleepless nights, this episode is the missing piece you have been looking for. Understanding hormone balance is not just about estrogen and progesterone. It starts much earlier in the hormonal chain, and getting to the root cause changes everything.In this episode of Salad with a Side of Fries, host Jenn Trepeck sits down with Dr. Andrea Colon, a naturopathic doctor and founder of Reclaim Integrative in Newport Beach, California, who specializes in women's hormone health and metabolic medicine. Together, they walk through the steps for lifestyle, nutrition, supplementation, and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy to restore balance, energy, and vitality. From understanding why cortisol imbalance is the upstream driver of so many symptoms women dismiss as inevitable aging, to exploring how to balance hormones naturally for women before ever adding HRT, this conversation is both practical and empowering.What You Will Learn in This Episode:✅ Why cortisol imbalance is the overlooked driver behind perimenopause symptoms, disrupted sleep, and stubborn menopause weight gain, and how chronic stress depletes your hormone production over time✅ How to use foundational nutrition strategies, including adequate protein intake, quality carbohydrates, and consistent meals, to begin restoring hormone balance before reaching for supplements or medications✅ Which key micronutrients, including vitamin D, iron, and B vitamins, are commonly depleted in women and how those deficiencies directly suppress healthy hormone function✅ How practitioners assess when lifestyle and herbs are enough versus when bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is the appropriate next step, including the role of pregnenolone, DHEA, and testosterone in womenThe Salad With a Side of Fries podcast, hosted by Jenn Trepeck, explores real-life wellness and weight-loss topics, debunking myths, misinformation, and flawed science surrounding nutrition and the food industry. Let's dive into wellness and weight loss for real life, including drinking, eating out, and skipping the grocery store.TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Dr. Andrea Colon shares why restrictive diets backfire and how skipping meals worsens cortisol imbalance and hormone balance in women03:54 Dr. Colon shares her personal journey to naturopathic medicine after battling cystic acne 06:48 How stress and hormones connect and why women in their early 40s are entering perimenopause earlier due to cortisol09:16 Nutrition foundations for hormone balance, including protein, complex carbs, and avoiding coffee on an empty stomach 12:04 The truth about exercise and cortisol, why over-training causes menopause, weight gain and disrupts hormone function 14:39 Why sleep is the most underrated tool for hormone health and why catching up on sleep is a myth 18:53 Supplement strategies including vitamin D, iron, B vitamins, ashwagandha, and rhodiola for adrenal support 23:29 When to consider bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, including pellets, patches, creams, and pregnenolone29:05 Using a GLP-1 properly and when it is neededKEY TAKEAWAYS:

Most home service companies don't have a lead problem. They have a follow-up problem. In this episode of Service Business Mastery, Tersh Blissett and Joshua Crouch sit down with Kevin Wu, founder of Leaping AI, to discuss how AI voice agents and automation are helping home service businesses solve some of their biggest call center challenges. From missed calls and slow follow-up times to after-hours booking and lead nurturing, Kevin shares how AI is being used as a practical tool to support customer service teams, improve speed-to-lead, and create better customer experiences without replacing people. The conversation also explores the future of AI-powered call centers, how contractors can automate repetitive tasks, and why business owners should focus on using AI to eliminate bottlenecks instead of simply cutting payroll. What You Will Learn in This Episode Why speed-to-lead is still one of the biggest challenges in home services How AI voice agents help capture missed opportunities The difference between replacing employees and supporting employees Why call centers struggle with consistency and process adherence How AI can improve appointment scheduling and follow-up The role of AI in call monitoring and quality control Why data quality inside your CRM matters more than ever How AI can help clean and organize customer databases The future of automated outbound campaigns The risks of AI abuse and spam calling How responsible AI adoption can improve customer experience Why contractors should start experimenting with AI today If you're looking for ways to improve call handling, increase booked appointments, and build a more efficient service business, this episode is packed with practical insights. Timestamps 00:00 Challenges with contractor responsiveness 03:11 Kevin introduces himself 08:58 Kids' interest in trade careers 09:45 Issues with Customer Support Responsiveness 14:00 AI improving call center efficiency 18:33 Solving data analysis with AI 20:55 Improving business metrics accuracy 25:37 Implementing EOS for business owners 29:31 Focusing on business priorities 32:00 AI for persistent customer follow-up 35:27 Responsible AI use in marketing 39:33 Data export issues in QuickBooks 40:45 Using AI to clean CRM data 43:35 Trying something new for 30 minutes Follow the Host and Guest Tersh Blissett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tershblissett/ Joshua Crouch: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-crouch/ Kevin Wu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-wu-452a6393/ Connect with Us • LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/service-business-mastery • TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@servicebusinessmasterypodcast • Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/servicebusinessmasterypodcast • Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/servicebusinessmasterypodcast This episode is kindly powered by: UpFrog: upfrog.com  MarketStorm is an AI-powered advertising platform. Results vary by market, budget, and campaign configuration: https://marketstorm.ai/  Get Your 14-Day Free Trial with CallRail!: https://www.callrail.com/sbmpod CompanyCam: https://companycam.com/  Breezy: Capture 25-30% more clients with Breezy AI Agents. Use code 'SBM' to book a demo and get $500 on us: https://getbreezyapp.com/schedule-demo PhoneTAP: Your calls hold the key to growing your business. PhoneTAP gives you instant AI analysis, real customer lifetime value, and tools to coach your team. Learn more: phonetap.ai/demo   

Welcome to another episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan is joined by operations expert Trevor Foley for a deep dive into the nuts and bolts of agency operations—where profit is made or lost. With decades of experience across agency and client-side roles, Trevor Foley brings a practical, battle-tested perspective on how agencies can tighten processes, reduce chaos, and build more resilient businesses. Together, Drew McLellan and Trevor Foley unpack why project managers and producers are the agency's unsung heroes—and biggest missed opportunity when stripped of real authority. They discuss how clarity around roles and a return to a disciplined project management structure can swiftly eliminate internal confusion, empower teams, and boost profitability. You'll hear real-world examples of how this shift allowed organizations to streamline communication, reduce revisions, and keep client relationships strong. The conversation doesn't shy away from modern challenges, either. The duo addresses the proliferation of communication channels—a blessing and a curse—and offers actionable advice on consolidating tools and reclaiming a single source of truth within your agency. They also explore the evolving role of AI in agency life, not as a replacement for jobs, but as a means to optimize and automate tedious or repetitive tasks to let human talent flourish in strategic and creative roles. If you're ready to cut through operational noise, empower your team, and reclaim your agency's profitability, this episode will leave you with practical strategies you can implement right away. From better briefs to smarter AI use and truly collaborative—not chaotic—workflows, you'll walk away with a playbook for building an agency that's efficient, effective, and ready for whatever comes next. A big thank you to our podcast's presenting sponsor, White Label IQ. They're an amazing resource for agencies who want to outsource their design, dev, or PPC work at wholesale prices. Check out their special offer (10 free hours!) for podcast listeners here. What You Will Learn in This Episode: Why project managers should be treated as the center spoke of operations, not traffic cops How to eliminate the communication chaos created by multiple platforms and channels The hidden costs of collaboration overload and how to streamline decision-making processes Why giving project managers real authority can immediately improve workflow efficiency How to audit your current operations to identify where time and money are bleeding The difference between collaboration and compromise in agency workflows Why AI amplifies existing processes rather than replacing roles in agency operations How to establish clear lanes of communication that scale with your team The operational frameworks that helped agencies like Lexus maintain premium standards