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Two callers, two problems every practice owner runs into. The first is a self-described systems guy whose team keeps reverting to old habits two weeks after every meeting, vision cast, and lunch-and-learn. The second is an associate who just carved out one day a week away from the chair and wants to know how to actually use it. Peter and Craig push back on both. To the first caller: "I've tried everything" is the language of defeat, and the issue usually isn't the team, it's leadership, incentives, and whether you've ever asked your people what they actually want. To the second: an admin day isn't the same as working on the business, and stacking marketing or payroll onto a practice with a leaky recare rate or unanswered phones is just stepping over dollars to grab pennies. Find the real constraint first. Along the way: why incentives beat vision casting, the John Maxwell line on leaders with no followers, anonymous team surveys, finding your big rocks before your sand, and why the owner's psychology is so often the chokehold of the business. Got a question for the hotline? Call 561-933-5575. DESCRIPTION The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode: 443 HOSTS: Dr. Peter Boulden, Dr. Craig Spodak, and Ian de Jongh In this engaging Hotline episode, Peter Boulden, Craig Spodak, and Ian de Jongh answer listener questions about team motivation, leadership, practice growth, and working on the business. Drawing from their own experiences building successful practices, they share practical frameworks for creating team alignment, identifying practice bottlenecks, and investing in the people and systems that drive sustainable growth. CONTACT US Want Peter, Craig, and Ian to answer your question on the Bulletproof Hotline? Call and leave a message: (561) 933-5575 Whether you're facing a leadership challenge, a growth obstacle, or simply want feedback on your next move, the team may feature your question on a future episode. TIME STAMPS 01:00 Why Your Team Keeps Reverting Back 02:08 The Real Reason Team Buy-In Fails 04:55 Incentives Drive Outcomes 07:13 Leadership vs. The Wrong Team 09:06 What's Most Important to Your Team? 10:58 The Psychology of Practice Owners 11:43 Practical Action Steps for Team Alignment 13:47 How Should You Use an Admin Day? 15:20 Working In the Business vs. Working On the Business 17:48 Why Marketing Isn't Always the Answer 19:03 Define the Outcome Before the Tactics 20:50 Find the Real Bottleneck First 22:28 Stop Stepping Over Dollars to Pick Up Pennies 23:58 Why Bringing Your Team to Summit Changes Everything 26:25 Final Thoughts and Hotline Wrap-Up REFERENCES Bulletproof Summit

You got your real estate license. But did you actually build a business, or did you just start collecting transactions? We get messages from y'all all the time, and so many of the problems you are writing about could be solved with one mindset shift: treat your business like a business. So this episode is your pep talk and your reality check, all in one. Real estate has a sneaky way of deceiving you into thinking you are working when you are really just busy. Nobody warns you in real estate school that you will be the marketing department, the admin department, the accounting department, AND the person running every appointment. Whether you are solo or on a team, all of that still lands on you. And we have lots of stories to bring this home. There is the put-together Realtor Alissa met at the nail salon who is leaving a team she loves, not on emotion, but because she finally tracked her numbers and it was time. There is Stacy, who slid a buyer rep cancellation across the table after offer number five. There is the friend group chat that taught Alissa why everyone, especially friends and family, needs the same consultation and the same rules.  This is the episode where we give you permission to have rules, communicate them, track your numbers, and behave like the professional you already are. Here's what we cover in this episode: Why being busy in real estate is not the same as running a business Wearing all the hats: marketing, admin, accounting, and the actual job The nail salon Realtor who is leaving her team because of what her tracking revealed Why you have to know your ROI on every dollar you spend (postcards, leads, brokerage splits) Professionalism vs. being everyone's best friend, and where that line really is How to set communication rules (email vs. text) and actually enforce them Why the buyer and seller consultation matters even more with friends and family Treating every client the same: same consultation, same rules, same buyer rep agreement When a price point or location is not a good business decision, and how to refer out and collect a referral fee Working ON your business, not just IN it (taxes, LLC, CPA, a monthly admin day) Key Quotes & Takeaways: "Real estate has a way of deceiving you into thinking you're working." Katy "She's not making an emotional decision, she's basing it on facts and numbers." Katy "Businesses have rules and expectations of their customers. If you never tell your clients, how would they know what the rules are?" Katy "At what cost is your business running? Are you stepping over a dollar to pick up a penny?" Alissa "You are a business, but you aren't acting like a business just because you got your real estate license." Alissa Products, People & Previous Episodes Mentioned: -Episode 113: Be the Boss (hustlehumblypodcast.com/113) -Episode 198: Real Estate Side Hustles (hustlehumblypodcast.com/198) -Hustle Humbly Community (hustlehumblypodcast.com/membership) -Number Tracking freebie (hustlehumblypodcast.com/track) Want to toast someone on the show? Send us a voice or video message with your name, who you are toasting, and why! Email it to team@hustlehumblypodcast.com. Leave us a review at http://ratethispodcast.com/hustlehumbly Get your FREE Database Template: http://hustlehumblypodcast.com/starthere Email Templates 101: http://emailtemplates101.com All Resources: http://hustlehumblypodcast.com Submit your topic ideas and toasts to Team@HustleHumblyPodcast.com

Before we jump in, this episode is a little different. I was recently invited to be a guest on Business Owner Tales from the Trenches, hosted by Cannon Carr. They were kind enough to let me share that conversation here on Business, Finance and Soul. This time, I am not the one asking the questions. I am the one answering them. We talked about my journey starting Transition Staffing Group, the lessons I learned from watching my grandparents struggle financially later in life, the idea of building what I call a Freedom Fund, and why business ownership should be about more than revenue, profit, or a future exit. This conversation touches on entrepreneurship, risk, financial independence, delegation, legacy, and the question every business owner eventually has to face: What is enough? Key Topics Entrepreneurship as a Creative Outlet Shaun reflects on how he was always drawn to leadership, mentorship, and the opportunity to build something meaningful. He explains that entrepreneurship gave him both a creative outlet and a platform to help others grow. The Early Days of Business Ownership The conversation explores how Shaun and his wife considered different business ideas before he ultimately stayed in the recruiting industry and helped build Transition Staffing Group. Lessons from Family and Financial Independence Shaun shares how his grandparents' retirement experience deeply influenced him. Their lack of financial planning created dependency later in life, and that experience shaped Shaun's belief in creating security and independence before it is needed. The Freedom Fund Shaun explains the Freedom Fund as a personal financial foundation built outside the business. Instead of assuming the company would eventually sell or always remain valuable, he wanted a separate plan that would create independence regardless of what happened to the business. Defining "Enough" A major theme of the episode is understanding how much is enough. Shaun discusses how business owners can get caught constantly chasing more unless they define what kind of life they actually want to build. Scaling Beyond Yourself Shaun talks about the difficulty of moving from being deeply involved in client and candidate work to creating a company that could grow beyond his personal production. Letting Employees Make Mistakes One of the hardest parts of scaling, Shaun explains, is allowing team members to make mistakes with relationships and responsibilities that the founder once personally owned. But without that trust, the company cannot grow. Building a Platform for Entrepreneurial Employees Shaun shares his vision for TSG as a place where ambitious, entrepreneurial employees can grow, earn, lead, and have a voice without needing to leave and start their own firm. Legacy and the Enders Scholarship After reaching a level of financial independence, Shaun and his wife shifted more attention toward giving back. The Enders Scholarship supports students who have lost a parent to gun violence, drugs, or alcohol. Timestamped Show Notes 00:00 – Opening: More Than Revenue The episode opens with a question for business owners who want more than revenue. The conversation is framed around personal freedom, impact, and building something bigger than yourself. 00:19 – Introduction to the Episode Cannon Carr introduces the episode and sets up Shaun's story as one centered on fulfillment, purpose, risk, financial planning, and intentional business growth. 01:15 – Three Questions for Business Owners Listeners are invited to consider three major questions: What does your Freedom Fund look like? Is your wealth strategy dependent on a future sale? Are you scaling with a clear definition of enough? 02:00 – Shaun's Entrepreneurial Beginning Shaun reflects on whether he always saw himself as an entrepreneur. He shares that he was always drawn to leadership, mentorship, and people who had collected wisdom and passed it on. 02:40 – Leadership, Mentorship, and Creativity Shaun explains that entrepreneurship became the right path because it gave him a creative outlet and the ability to build a platform where others could succeed. 03:35 – Creating Opportunity for Employees Shaun discusses the responsibility he feels to create a company where employees can have a voice, grow financially, and feel some of the ownership mentality he once wanted for himself. 04:00 – Searching for the Right Business Shaun shares how he and his wife would spend weekends at Barnes & Noble, exploring business ideas, franchises, and different models before deciding what path made sense. 05:00 – Visualization Before Knowing the Word Shaun talks about imagining different business paths and paying attention to how each one felt when he said it out loud. This helped him move closer to the right opportunity. 05:45 – Staying in the Recruiting Industry Although Shaun initially explored many types of businesses, a respected partnership opportunity helped him realize that the staffing and recruiting industry was the right place to build. 06:30 – Family Influence on Money and Business Shaun explains how family experiences shape the way people view money, risk, security, and independence. 07:15 – His Grandparents' Retirement Experience Shaun shares the story of his grandparents retiring early without a strong financial plan. He watched them later become financially dependent on their children. 08:30 – Living in the Moment vs. Planning for the Future Shaun reflects on the beauty of his grandfather's ability to live in the moment, while also recognizing the danger of not planning for a future self who may need security. 09:40 – The Importance of Independence Later in Life The experience taught Shaun that joy, independence, and financial security become especially important as people age and may no longer be able to earn. 10:00 – Early Definition of Business Success Shaun explains that in the earliest days of Transition Staffing Group, success simply meant survival: having enough cash to meet payroll and keep going. 10:45 – Scarcity, Fear, and Motivation The early years were driven by fear and scarcity, but Shaun explains how the right mindset can turn those pressures into resilience and motivation. 11:20 – Success Evolves from Survival to Abundance As the business grew, Shaun's definition of success shifted from his own survival to helping employees succeed and creating abundance for others. 12:20 – Profitability from the Beginning Shaun discusses how his former business partner's conservative approach shaped the company's early financial discipline, including avoiding debt and focusing on profitability. 13:15 – The Balance Between Profit and Growth The conversation explores the tension between keeping profits for security and reinvesting enough back into the company to create future growth. 14:00 – Using Profit to Build Freedom Instead of using profits only to increase lifestyle, Shaun and his wife focused on building a financial foundation that could support their future independence. 15:00 – Defining the Freedom Fund Shaun introduces the Freedom Fund as a financial equation built around desired lifestyle, annual spending needs, investable assets, and the ability to create optionality. 16:00 – The 4% Rule and Financial Targets Shaun explains how he thought about investable assets and withdrawal rates, using the example of $5 million producing roughly $200,000 per year under a 4% framework. 17:00 – Everyone's Number Is Different The conversation emphasizes that financial independence is personal. For some people, an amazing life may require far less than someone else's target. 17:30 – Not Depending on a Business Sale Shaun explains why he never wanted his entire financial future dependent on selling Transition Staffing Group. The business had value, but the future was never guaranteed. 18:15 – Industry Disruption and Uncertainty Shaun reflects on how technology, job boards, LinkedIn, and now AI have all raised questions about the future of recruiting, making diversification even more important. 19:15 – Hitting the Freedom Fund Number Shaun shares that he and his wife eventually reached their Freedom Fund number after roughly 20 years of consistency, discipline, investing, and time in the market. 20:00 – Moving from Security to Legacy Once financial independence became more secure, Shaun and his wife began focusing more on impact, giving, and legacy. 20:30 – The Enders Scholarship Shaun discusses launching the Enders Scholarship, which supports students who have lost a parent to gun violence, drugs, or alcohol. 21:15 – Giving Instead of Lifestyle Inflation The conversation explores how Shaun and his wife chose to use financial security to give back in meaningful ways rather than simply increasing lifestyle. 22:15 – Managing Difficult Business Seasons Shaun talks about down years, industry headwinds, and the challenge of continuing to invest in the business while protecting personal and company finances. 23:00 – Freedom Fund Mindset During Storms The Freedom Fund mindset allows business owners to ride out difficult seasons with less panic, similar to having cash reserves during a market downturn. 24:00 – Adjusting Owner Compensation Shaun explains that during difficult periods, he may reduce what he pays himself to make sure the business remains healthy and positioned for future opportunity. 24:45 – Playing Catch-Up Financially The conversation explores how to recover when financial contributions need to pause during a difficult year. Shaun discusses the importance of doing the math and keeping the long-term plan alive. 25:45 – Seasons of Life and Business Shaun reminds listeners that life and business both have seasons. Feeling behind does not mean you are failing; it means you adjust the plan and keep moving. 26:30 – Advice for Service-Based Entrepreneurs Shaun offers advice for professionals who leave corporate roles to start service businesses. He stresses the importance of deciding early whether you want to remain a solopreneur or build a team. 27:30 – Understanding the Business You Want to Build The conversation highlights the difference between building a lifestyle business, remaining the technician, or creating a company that can scale beyond the founder. 28:30 – The E-Myth and the Technician Trap Shaun references the idea that many entrepreneurs remain stuck as the technician inside their own business. That can be fine if it is intentional, but frustrating if the owner expected something different. 29:30 – Replacing Yourself Takes Longer Than Expected Shaun explains that replacing yourself in a service business often takes two to three times longer than expected, especially when you are growing through profit rather than outside capital. 30:00 – Shaun's Shift in 2019 Shaun shares that in 2019 he made a major commitment to work himself out of the day-to-day client and candidate role so he could focus more on building the company. 30:45 – Working On the Business Instead of Only In It Once Shaun moved out of the most intense day-to-day role, he was able to focus more on staff development, systems, leadership, and long-term company growth. 31:15 – The Difficulty of Delegation Shaun talks about how hard it is to watch people make mistakes with clients and relationships he personally built, but he also explains that this is the only way people truly learn. 32:00 – Building for the Next Generation Shaun shares his vision for creating a company where entrepreneurial employees can have upside, voice, creativity, and opportunity inside the organization. 33:00 – Why Entrepreneurial Employees Leave Shaun reflects that if earlier in his career a company had given him more ownership, voice, and opportunity, he may not have needed to leave to start his own firm. 33:30 – The Future Size of TSG Shaun discusses his vision for Transition Staffing Group growing intentionally to around 25 to 30 people while maintaining quality, culture, and reputation. 34:00 – How to Connect with Shaun Shaun shares where people can find him, including LinkedIn, Transition Staffing Group, CallTSG.com, and the Business, Finance and Soul podcast. 35:00 – Cannon Carr's Closing Reflections Cannon reflects on the conversation and highlights how Shaun's approach aligns with the principles of intentional business ownership, financial independence, and reinvesting in people. 36:00 – The Power of Personal Narrative The recap emphasizes how Shaun's childhood observations and family experiences helped shape the financial philosophy that guided his business decisions. 37:00 – Building a North Star The conversation highlights the importance of documenting your "why" and defining success before growth, disruption, or distraction pulls you off course. 38:30 – Letting Go to Scale Up The recap focuses on Shaun's move from technician to builder, showing how letting go allowed others to lead and helped the company grow beyond him. 39:45 – Repurposing Wealth Along the Way Cannon connects Shaun's Freedom Fund concept to the idea of repurposing wealth: creating independence outside the business before needing a perfect exit. 40:30 – Legacy Through Giving The Enders Scholarship is highlighted as an example of using business success and financial freedom to help others and create a lasting impact. 41:00 – Final Takeaway The episode closes with the reminder that business is more than revenue and profit. At its best, it aligns purpose, values, people, financial independence, and impact. Memorable Takeaways Business ownership should create freedom, not just more responsibility. A future business sale should not be your only financial plan. Defining "enough" gives business owners clarity, confidence, and better decision-making. Profit matters, but so does what profit allows you to build. Scaling requires letting other people make mistakes. Legacy often begins after security. The goal is not just to build a bigger company. The goal is to build a better life and a better platform for others. www.BusinessFinanceAndSoul.com   

"Culture doesn't just happen; if you let it grow from the bottom, you're going to get weeds." Manny Palachuk joins Josh to explain why leadership must be the gardener of organizational culture. They dive into the "mutiny" that happens when communication breaks down and why keeping a high-performer with a toxic attitude is a mathematical mistake for your business. Josh and Manny explore the "Human Element" in corporate spaces, the difference between healthy tension and toxic dissent, and how to systematize your business so you can work on it, not just in it. Whether you're a startup of three or a corporation of three hundred, this episode provides the four pillars—Vision, Mission, Values, and the Human Element—needed to build a culture that thrives. In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ The Side-of-the-Mouth Dissent: How to spot the first signs of a culture shift after a meeting ends. ✅ The Brilliant Jerk: Why holding onto a technical expert with a bad attitude is "holding your company hostage." ✅ Three-Level Deep Coverage: The system that gives you the freedom to let toxic people go without tanking the business. ✅ Vision-Coupling vs. Leader-Coupling: Why the best organizations (like Zappos) survive even after the founder is gone. ✅ Working ON vs. IN the Business: Lessons from The E-Myth Revisited on systematizing for scale. ✅ The Human Element: How small shifts, like personalized cubicles and diverse thought, prevent the "dead building" syndrome. ✅ First Who, Then What: Why the "We" mindset is more powerful than the "I" mindset in leadership. Connect with Manny Palachuk: His Website: https://www.mannypalachuk.com/ Free Culture Assessment: https://www.mannypalachuk.com/culture... Contact Josh: leadinquarters@gmail.com Follow Leadership in Quarters: Instagram, YouTube & TikTok @leadinquarters Music: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-f... License code: M2UXD4PEZ9DVVQ9N Artist: : Marcus P. #LeadershipInQuarters #MannyPalachuk #Toxiculture #CompanyCulture #TheEMyth #ExtremeOwnership #BrilliantJerk #BusinessSystems #LeadershipDevelopment #JoshSeldin #YourGrowthAscent

In this episode, we're doing something a little different. We're recording together from the car for episode two of our Car Chats series… slightly unhinged, a little all over the place, but still packed with the kind of conversations we know you actually need to hear.And today, we're diving into a concept that has shaped so much of our growth over the years… the idea of “overpaying” in your business.Not just financially, but with your time, your energy, your willingness to go further than what feels normal.We're sharing real stories from the early days… shooting weddings for next to nothing just to build experience, saying yes to everything, investing in education, and the moments where we overpaid without a strategy and saw nothing from it.Because here's the truth… overpaying only works when it's intentional.We also get into what this actually looks like in practice. The small details that elevate your work. The opportunities most people pass on. The difference between playing the short game versus building something long-term.And the honest conversation around what we would do differently if we were starting again.This episode is part mindset shift, part reality check, and part encouragement to stop doing what's normal… and start doing what actually moves the needle.Because the people at the top? They didn't get there by doing the bare minimum.This episode was sponsored by Wanderlust Videos, use LEVELUP100 for $100 off your first edit at https://www.wanderlust-videos.com/And thank you to VidFlow for sponsoring today's episode. Level up your delivery experience at https://vidflow.co/thelevelupcoTimestamps:00:00 - 01:13 | Car Chat Intro: Road Trip Episodes & Casual Format01:14 - 05:22 | The Concept of Overpaying: Time vs Money in Business Growth05:23 - 08:32 | Overdelivering Early: Using Time to Elevate Your Work08:33 - 13:09 | Building Experience Fast: Volume vs Perfection Mindset13:10 - 17:58 | Strategic vs Unstrategic Overpaying: Missed Opportunities17:59 - 22:03 | Investing for Growth: Education, Networking & Long-Term ROI22:04 - 26:41 | Working On vs In Your Business: Time Allocation & Vision26:42 - 29:13 | Motivation, Dopamine & Reaching the Next Level29:14 - 33:49 | Final Thoughts: Going the Extra Mile & Embracing DiscomfortThe next round of The Luxury Mastermind will start in Spring 2026! We are thrilled to welcome you inside our signature 8 week program. Learn more + save your seat here >> https://thelevelupco.com/mastermind

Send a textHow do you build and scale an online business when AI is replacing entire skill sets? The new million dollar skill isn't coding, copywriting, or media buying — it's assembly.Josh Gavin is 23 years old, has created over 800 low-ticket offers, and partners with 7- and 8-figure creators to launch digital products for their audiences. In this episode of The Alchemist's Library, Josh breaks down the new million dollar skill for building and scaling a business in the AI era: becoming an assembler. If you're a young entrepreneur trying to future-proof your career with AI replacing entire job titles overnight, this is the playbook for launching offers, leveraging AI tools, and building online businesses without doing everything yourself.Josh shares how he took a brand new health info business from zero to $145K with no experience in that market, his exact offer architecture for coaching and expert businesses, why most guys get stuck chasing identities instead of solving problems, and how to use paid ads without fear. We also deep dive into low ticket vs. high ticket funnels, why the "ads will break when you scale" narrative is propaganda, and how to choose the right online business model in 2026 and beyond.Drop a comment with your biggest takeaway and subscribe for new episodes every Monday through Thursday.Time Stamps:00:00 – How to Build a Business in the AI Era01:00 – Why Job Titles Are Dead and Assembly Is the New Skill04:11 – Zero to $145K With No Experience in the Market06:29 – Working On the Business vs. In the Business10:07 – Chasing Problems Instead of Revenue Goals13:29 – Why You Should Want to Spend More on Ads15:07 – Organic vs. Paid Advertising Debate Breakdown19:27 – How to Structure a Health or Coaching Offer24:16 – Creating a Unique Mechanism That Sells28:26 – Low Ticket Funnels for Doctors and Experts36:41 – How AI Makes Running Paid Ads Easier Than Ever39:38 – How to Choose the Right Online Business Model45:17 – What Is Whop and How Entrepreneurs Use It52:39 – How to Grow a Podcast From Hobby to Business#OnlineBusiness #AIEntrepreneur #FutureProofYourCareerhttps://ascensionofficer.com/Connect with Josh! https://x.com/joshdgavinConnect with Us!https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala

Building better foundations isn't about chasing the newest framework, tool, or trend. Instead, it's about reinforcing the fundamentals that consistently support good software, healthy teams, and sustainable businesses. This episode closes out the Building Better Foundations series by stepping back and asking a practical question: are we still doing the things that matter most? Foundations rarely feel urgent. Because they're repetitive and often invisible, they're easy to deprioritize when deadlines tighten. However, when quality drops, focus slips, or growth stalls, the root cause is almost always the same—the foundations weren't maintained. Why Building Better Foundations Start With "Why" At the core of every strong foundation is clarity. Why does this work matter? Why does this business exist? Why are you building this product at all? Without clear answers, priorities blur and effort becomes reactive. As a result, teams stay busy without making meaningful progress. Re-centering on purpose provides a filter for decisions, helping teams choose what not to do just as much as what to pursue. The same principle applies to software and business. When purpose is clear, design decisions improve, roadmaps stabilize, and trade-offs become easier to justify. Building Better Foundations and Process Before Tools Tools are tempting—especially automation and AI. However, tools don't fix broken processes; they amplify them. If the underlying workflow is unclear or inefficient, adding technology only creates faster chaos. For that reason, building better foundations requires understanding the process first and then deciding where tools truly add value. This approach helps teams avoid constant tool churn and keeps attention focused on outcomes rather than novelty. Process Before Automation Clarify and stabilize workflows before introducing AI or automation Automating broken processes increases complexity, not productivity Building Better Foundations in Daily Developer Work Foundations show up in everyday habits. For example, designing before coding, writing meaningful comments, and committing code with intent all contribute to long-term stability. Although these practices may feel optional under pressure, they're what make systems maintainable and resilient. Skipping them might save minutes today, but it usually costs hours later. Over time, consistency in these habits separates fragile codebases from durable ones. Building Better Foundations for Business Growth For independent developers, consultants, and leaders, building better foundations also means working on the business—not just in it. While billable work feels productive, it doesn't scale by itself. Sustainable growth requires time spent on branding, marketing, process improvement, and planning. Although this work is often non-billable, it directly supports future stability. Working On vs. In the Business Non-billable work creates long-term opportunity Small, consistent investments compound over time Building Better Foundations and Focused Execution Distraction is one of the biggest threats to strong foundations. New ideas, side projects, and constant context switching quietly erode momentum. Focused execution means regularly checking whether current work aligns with real priorities. Short work cycles, clear goals, and intentional pauses help prevent drift and keep effort aligned. Foundation Checkpoint Are today's tasks aligned with your core goals? What can be deferred, simplified, or removed? Using AI to Strengthen Building Better Foundations AI can be a powerful accelerator when used intentionally. In practice, the most effective use cases target repetitive, low-value work and free up time for higher-impact thinking. Used thoughtfully, AI reinforces better foundations by supporting focus and experimentation. On the other hand, used carelessly, it becomes just another source of noise. Resetting Your Year With Building Better Foundations As this series wraps up, the takeaway is straightforward: revisit your foundations. Write down your goals. Clarify your priorities. Then build a roadmap and commit to it. Ultimately, building better foundations isn't a one-time effort. It's an ongoing discipline that enables growth, resilience, and adaptability. If you want better outcomes this year, start by strengthening what everything else depends on. Stay Connected: Join the Developreneur Community We invite you to join our community and share your coding journey with us. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting, there's always room to learn and grow together. Contact us at info@develpreneur.com with your questions, feedback, or suggestions for future episodes. Together, let's continue exploring the exciting world of software development. Additional Resources Finding A Mentor – Creating a Solid Foundation Strong Foundations Start with Strong Requirements Building And Reinforcing Your Foundational Skills Building Better Foundations Podcast Videos – With Bonus Content

In this episode of The Friday Habit, host Mark Labriola II interviews Emma Tessler, founder and CEO of NinentyFiveMedia, a digital marketing agency. Emma shares her journey from a side hustle in interior design to leading a successful remote team specializing in social media strategy and brand storytelling. The conversation covers the importance of building a strong company culture, the challenges of scaling a business, and the evolving landscape of video content in the age of AI. Emma emphasizes the significance of authenticity in marketing and offers actionable advice for entrepreneurs looking to grow their brands.

You're Not a Worker — You're the Leader Most business owners get stuck working IN their business instead of ON it… and that's exactly why growth stalls, stress piles up, and freedom disappears. In this SoTellUs Time episode, we break down the real job of a business owner—and why leadership, not labor, is the key to scaling, profitability, and peace of mind. If you've ever wondered: "What happens if I step away for two weeks?" "Why does everything still come through me?" "Why can't my business run without me?" This episode is for you. What You'll Learn in This Episode The Trap Most Owners Fall Into If you disappeared for two weeks, would your business grow… or grind to a halt? We explain the critical difference between: Working IN the business → tasks, firefighting, filling gaps Working ON the business → leadership, systems, strategy Key Truth: If you're the bottleneck, your business can't scale. The Real Role of the Business Owner Your job isn't to do more—it's to lead better. We reframe what ownership actually means: Vision Direction Accountability High-level owner responsibilities include: Setting priorities Making strategic decisions Removing obstacles for your team "Your job isn't to be the best worker—it's to build the best workplace." Leadership Over Labor The fastest-growing businesses are led, not micromanaged. You'll learn how real leadership looks: Coaching instead of fixing Asking questions instead of giving answers Strong leadership: Builds confident employees Improves retention Eliminates constant interruptions We compare two owners: One who jumps into every issue… and one who builds leaders to solve them. Monitoring Without Micromanaging You don't need to touch everything to know what's working. We cover: Monitoring vs. micromanaging KPIs & scorecards Weekly dashboards & check-ins "If you need to touch everything, nothing can grow." SOPs & Processes: The Bridge to Freedom Systems are what allow owners to step back without chaos. We explain why SOPs create: Consistency Scalability Owner freedom Examples of systems to document: Employee onboarding Customer experience Daily operations Mindset Shift: SOPs aren't about control—they're about clarity. Final Takeaway & Action Steps If you're stuck in the day-to-day, your business will stay stuck too. Do this this week: Identify one task only YOU should do Identify one task you must stop doing Start documenting one repeatable process "You didn't start a business to create a job—you started it to create freedom." Subscribe for More Real Business Growth Conversations https://www.youtube.com/@sotellus Learn more about reviews, leadership systems & growth tools: https://youtube.com/sotellus from operator to owner business leadership for entrepreneurs working on your business not in it how to scale a business business owner mindset leadership vs management SOPs for small business how to delegate as a business owner systems for business growth stop being the bottleneck entrepreneur leadership how to build a self-running business SoTellUs Time podcast

In this episode of the Fleet Success Show: Fleet Management 101 Series, Fleet Success Ambassador Facundo Tassara sits down with Bill Griffiths, Fleet Administrator for the District of Columbia, to unpack the essentials every fleet professional needs to succeed. With over 30 years in the game, managing fleets from the Smithsonian to Montgomery County to the nation's capital, Bill reveals how he transformed underperforming fleets with one radical principle: get the fundamentals right.From crafting a killer elevator pitch to navigating NTSB investigations, from PM compliance to creating scorecards that drive accountability—this episode is an unfiltered masterclass in fleet management done right. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned veteran, this conversation will challenge your thinking and upgrade your strategy. Key Takeaways:Fleet Fundamentals: Why missing the basics—like asset classifications, accounting codes, or PMs—can cripple your operation.The Power of Metrics: How to choose the right KPIs (and what 5 Bill thinks are non-negotiable).Elevator Pitch Mastery: Why every fleet leader should be ready to present fleet value in 30 seconds or less.Customer Service as a Fleet Strategy: How proactive service communication builds internal trust and budget support.Scorecards That Drive Culture: How Bill uses shop-level scorecards to increase ownership, technician efficiency, and fleet availability.Working On the Business: The difference between reacting to problems and planning for a future with EVs, telematics, and shifting tech. Speaker Bios:Facundo TassaraFleet Success Ambassador, RTAWith 25 years of experience across government and private fleets, Facundo is a champion of operational excellence. As RTA's Fleet Success Ambassador, he brings a unique blend of hands-on experience and tech innovation to help fleets run smarter, leaner, and more effectively.Bill GriffithsFleet Administrator, District of ColumbiaA fleet industry veteran with 34 years of experience, Bill has led transformative fleet initiatives at Montgomery County, the Smithsonian Institution, the MBTA, and now Washington D.C. He's known for his strategic mindset, obsession with data-driven decisions, and no-BS approach to leadership and fleet accountability.

Send us a textAre you constantly putting out fires instead of building your future? This eye-opening Five-Minute Friday breaks down the four critical levels of time management that determine your productivity and success.Most people get trapped in the lower levels of time usage. At Level 1 (Reacting), you're at the mercy of notifications, messages, and other people's priorities. Level 2 (Managing) feels productive as you follow up with contacts and schedule meetings, but often leads to burnout without real progress. The transformation happens when you reach Level 3 (Building), where you actively create content, develop relationships, and establish foundations for growth. The ultimate goal is Level 4 (Leveraging), where you implement systems and processes that multiply your effectiveness without requiring proportional time investment.The secret weapon shared in this episode is the power of 90-minute focus blocks dedicated not to routine tasks, but to high-level strategic thinking. Working ON your business rather than IN it creates pivotal moments for breakthrough success. After listening, conduct your own time audit to discover where your hours actually go. The path to greater productivity isn't about working harder—it's about strategically shifting your time to higher-level activities. Which level are you operating at most frequently? Your answer might surprise you, and changing it could transform everything. To Reach Jordan:Email: Jordan@Edwards.Consulting Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ejFXH1_BjdnxG4J8u93Zw Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jordan.edwards.7503 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanfedwards/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanedwards5/ Hope you find value in this. If so please provide a 5-star and drop a review.Complimentary Edwards Consulting Session: https://calendly.com/jordan-edwardsconsulting/30min

Here is the republish of my chat with Rob Walling, author of the SaaS Playbook. We delved into product pricing, focusing on value alignment rather than greed, and discussed strategic price increases to reduce churn and bolster marketing. Rob also shared when to start paid ads and how to create impactful content. He offered advice on assembling a team within budgetary limits and revealed that smart business structuring can lead to profit with less work. Our conversation ended on the importance of joy in entrepreneurship, emphasizing freedom, purpose, and relationships.These shownotes were created with PodsqueezeLinks and MentionsSAS Playbook: 01:31:58Startups for the Rest of Us Podcast: 01:31:58MicroConf YouTube Channel: 01:31:58The Zen Founder Guide to Founder Retreats: 01:30:39Twitter Thread for Book Recommendations: 01:32:37TimetsampsRob Walling's Book (00:01:16)Writing the Book (00:02:13)Pricing Strategies (00:06:36)OpenAI's Pricing Strategy (00:11:54)Competitive Pricing Strategy (00:13:50)Greed and Motivation (00:16:40)Reasons for Raising Prices (00:17:50)Impact of Pricing on Marketing (00:19:24)Paid Advertising Considerations (00:20:59)Using Ads for SEO Strategy (00:24:57)Marketing Approaches for SaaS (00:29:50)Creating Compelling Content for Reddit (00:32:38)Navigating Reddit and Other Forums (00:34:17)Understanding Marketing and Content Strategies (00:35:20)Challenges of Early-Stage Product Development (00:38:03)Defining Product-Market Fit (00:44:48)Size of the Market (00:48:24)Total Reachable Market (00:49:01)Reaching 100% of the Paying Market (00:50:42)Total Addressable Market (00:51:00)Escape Velocity (00:54:20)Business Plateau (00:55:39)Hiring and Team Growth (00:57:24)Managing People (01:03:09)Owner and Founder Level Thinkers (01:04:35)Challenges of Hiring and Paying Employees (01:05:33)Remote Work and Cost-Effective Hiring (01:07:18)Working On vs. In the Business (01:10:33)Achieving Work-Life Balance and Financial Success (01:14:51)Earning Wealth and the Challenges of Autopilot Income (01:19:44)Investing and Selling Assets (01:20:21)Tax Treatment and Selling SaaS Companies (01:21:14)Wealth and Freedom (01:22:09)Finding Happiness as an Entrepreneur (01:23:04)Retreats and Self-Reflection (01:30:10)Recommendations and Conclusion (01:31:58)

Ryan shares the hard truth that discipline, not hustle, is the real path to freedom in your video business. He breaks down the three key strategies that helped him build a seven-figure agency while working only three days a week: understanding the difference between working in vs. on your business, setting clear quarterly priorities, and implementing time blocking. This solo episode is a wake-up call for video business owners who are stuck reacting to whatever's in front of them instead of intentionally building toward their goals. Key Takeaways Work ON your business, not just IN it - Schedule regular CEO time for vision-setting, process creation, and strategic planning instead of only doing shoots, edits, and admin work Focus on one clear quarterly goal - Break down annual goals into quarterly milestones with clearly defined "done" criteria, then create weekly tasks to achieve them Implement time blocking - Create themed days or dedicated blocks for different types of work (deep work, admin, marketing, sales) to stay focused and avoid distractions Hope isn't a strategy - While hope is important, you need a focused plan and the discipline to execute it consistently to achieve real business growth In This Episode  [00:00] Welcome to the show! [08:10] Reclaim Control in Your Business [10:54] Doing the Hard Things [14:55] Knowing What You Want [16:09] The Price of Freedom [19:56] Working In Vs. Working On [22:36] Get Clear On Your Goals [24:46] Time Blocking [33:15] Share Your Goals [36:56] Outro Quotes "Growth only happens when you're uncomfortable. You can't grow any other way." - Ryan Koral "Discipline is the price of freedom." - Ryan Koral (quoting Elton True Blood from the 1920s) "Hope isn't a strategy. You must have hope. You should have hope... But the problem is that we get stuck in this like just hoping that our previous project is going to get our next work." - Ryan Koral "Excellence comes at a price and one of the major prices is that of inner control." - Ryan Koral (quoting Elton True Blood) "Being the best filmmaker isn't the thing that has helped this business be around for 20 years... I've had a plan and I've been executing on that plan." - Ryan Koral Links Find out more about 10xFILMMAKER   Find out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

In this episode, Louisiana farmer and entrepreneur Grant Estrade shares a grounded, no-nonsense approach to running a regenerative farm business without sacrificing personal well-being or profitability. As the co-owner of Local Cooling Farms and Laughing Buddha Nursery, Grant has spent over two decades balancing the tension between growth and sustainability. He explores the internal tug-of-war many graziers feel between "saving the world" and simply maintaining a farm that works — financially, personally, and relationally. Rather than chasing every opportunity for expansion, Grant challenges farmers to step into the mindset of an economist, making clear-eyed decisions based on realistic assessments of production capacity, sales channels, and return on investment.

In this episode, Dale and Brian explore the Builder Stage—the third phase in the four-stage business journey. After navigating the Startup and Running Man phases, the Builder Stage marks a pivotal shift: business owners begin expanding beyond themselves. It's a time of hiring a team, opening the “front door” to customers, and establishing deeper roots that bring real substance to the business.The brothers discuss the transition from doing everything solo to building systems, delegating responsibilities, and stepping into true leadership. They share insights on how investing in people creates exponential returns, why developing a professional presence matters, and how strategy begins to take center stage as leaders reclaim their time.The Builder Stage brings its own set of challenges—but also the potential for big wins, greater impact, and the freedom to finally work on the business instead of just in it. Whether listeners are in this stage now or moving toward it, this episode offers valuable perspective and encouragement to keep building something that lasts.Episode Highlights: Let's Recap.Entering the Builder Stage.Owner's Investment of Time and Money.Builder Stage Benefits.Working On the Business, Not Just In It.Why the Builder Stage Is Worth the Challenges.Links Mentioned in Episode/Find More on ForeverLawn:www.foreverlawn.comImpact Without Limits Instagram: @impact_withoutlimitsForeverLawn's Instagram: @foreverlawnincGet Grass Without Limits HereVisit our show notes page HERESubscribe to Our Newsletter HEREDale's Instagram: @dalekarmieBrian's Instagram: @bkarmieThis show has been produced by Adkins Media Co.

While on vacation, Ryan drops in with one of his most thought-provoking episodes yet, diving deep into what it really means to work on your business – not just in it. This solo episode is a wake-up call for garage door business owners and home service leaders who may be feeling stuck, slowed down, or uncertain in today's economic climate.Episode Takeaways:

Unlock your entrepreneurial potential and build a business empire. In this must-listen episode of the Burn Your Boats Wealth podcast, Clark Lunt sits down with Chris McVety, a proven business titan, who demystifies the strategies behind explosive growth. Imagine mastering the art of delegation, forging strategic partnerships that propel you forward, and confidently navigating the lucrative world of acquisitions. Chris doesn't just talk theory; he reveals the practical steps to create customer experiences that generate unwavering loyalty and secure your financial future with rock-solid cash flow management. This isn't just another interview; it's a blueprint for success. If you're ready to ditch the guesswork and build a thriving, sustainable business powered by relentless self-motivation and unshakeable integrity, this episode is your catalyst. Don't just dream of success—achieve it. Listen now.TakeawaysYou navigate the It requires more than just luck.Delegation is key to running multiple businesses efficiently.Identifying high-quality partners can significantly impact business success.Self-starters are essential for a thriving business environment.Don't buy a job; focus on acquiring businesses that allow for investment.Creating memorable customer experiences is crucial in service-based industries.Cash flow management is vital for business sustainability.Surround yourself with people who have integrity and a strong work ethic.Planning for the future involves understanding cash flow and potential risks.The journey of entrepreneurship is about continuous learning and adaptation.Sound Bites"You have to make them a winner.""We sell an experience here.""Cash flow is everything."Chapters00:00 Introduction to Chris McVety06:50 Chris's Diverse Business Background10:26 The Burn Your Boats Moment14:41 Working On vs. In the Business17:38 Empowering Management20:29 Identifying Quality Operators24:18 Integrity and Self-Starter Traits28:24 Overcoming Personal Barriers28:57 The Reality of Business Acquisitions29:56 Navigating Career Transitions31:33 Understanding Owner Benefits in Acquisitions32:53 Identifying True Business Opportunities34:16 Franchises: Training Wheels for Entrepreneurs34:48 The Myth of Easy Street in Business36:40 Creating Memorable Experiences in Business39:59 Balancing Partnership Dynamics40:19 Planning for the Future42:49 Preparing for Market Uncertainty45:28 The Survivor Experience: A Personal Story49:46 Navigating the Real Estate Market50:08 Engaging with Our Community50:39 Introduction to Burn Your Boats Wealth Podcast51:07 Engagement and Community BuildingKeywords: entrepreneurship, business strategy, delegation, partnerships, experience economy, cash flow, business acquisitions, personal growth, mentorship, small business#entrepreneurship #businessstrategy #delegation #partnerships #experienceeconomy #cashflow #businessacquisitions #personalgrowth #mentorship #smallbusiness #burnyourboatswealthpodcast #investormindset #entrepreneurmindset #success #investor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Playlist: Zac Harmon - Never Have A Better NightMark Hummell - GhostedBlackburn - Why I Sing the BluesAngel Forrest, featuring Kal David & Lauri Bono - Just EnoughD.K. Harrell - Not Here For A Long Time pt. 1Misty Blues - I'm A GrinderNigel Mack - Damn You Mr. BluesmanMarcus Trummer - Not the SameKid Ramos - I'm Working On a BuildingGaye Adegbalola - Ain't Technology GrandDavid Gogo - Better Be RightKat Danser - Get Right, ChurchSam Joyner - Too Many Cooks

Long-time views of the show know that I've always been skeptical of equating Trump/MAGA with European fascism. I've always thought it historically facile and misleading. But I'm beginning to change my mind. Take, for example, David Masciotra's thoughts on Trump's “ravenous bigotry” toward the trans community. As Masciotra warns, this is the kind of organized, willful persecution of powerless minorities that fascist parties openly pursued while in power. Meanwhile, as Masciotra notes, prominent Dems like Gavin Newsom are staging a “shameful retreat” on trans rights and inviting neo-fascists like Steve Bannon onto their podcast shows. And then there's Schumer. Oy.Here are the five KEEN ON AMERICA takeaways with our conversation with Masciotra* Democrats' retreat on trans rights: Masciotra argues that Democrats, including figures like Gavin Newsom and Rahm Emanuel, are retreating from defending transgender rights after the election loss, which he views as both a moral failure and a strategic mistake.* Targeted anti-trans rhetoric: According to Masciotra, 41% of Trump's campaign ads specifically targeted transgender Americans, demonstrating how the issue has been deliberately weaponized for political purposes despite transgender people making up less than 1% of the population.* Trans rights as the "first course": Masciotra warns that "bigotry is ravenous," suggesting that abandoning transgender rights opens the door to attacks on other minority groups, comparing it to a restaurant menu where "trans people are the first course."* Democratic leadership criticism: David Masciotra is highly critical of Democratic leadership, particularly Chuck Schumer, whom he describes as "pathetic" and "inert" in his response to Trump's policies, with Masciotra noting a generational divide in the party's approach to resistance.* Authoritarian tactics and erasure: Masciotra discusses concerning developments like the National Park Service removing transgender references from Stonewall Rebellion information, which he characterizes as a "totalitarian termination of knowledge" mirroring authoritarian tactics described in Orwell's 1984.David Masciotra is an author, lecturer, and journalist. He is the author of Exurbia Now: The Battleground of American Democracy (Melville House Publishing, 2024) I Am Somebody: Why Jesse Jackson Matters (I.B. Tauris, 2020), Mellencamp: American Troubadour (University Press of Kentucky), Barack Obama: Invisible Man (Eyewear Publishers, 2017), and Metallica by Metallica, a 33 1/3 book from Bloomsbury Publishers, which has been translated into Chinese and Greek. In 2010, Continuum Books published his first book, Working On a Dream: The Progressive Political Vision of Bruce Springsteen. Masciotra writes regularly for the New Republic, Washington Monthly, Progressive, the Los Angeles Review of Books, CrimeReads, No Depression, and the Daily Ripple. He has also written for Salon, the Daily Beast, CNN, Atlantic, Washington Post, AlterNet, Indianapolis Star, and CounterPunch. Several of his political essays have been translated into Spanish for publication at Korazon de Perro.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting the daily KEEN ON show, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy interview series. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Litigation & Discovery, and has two grown children.Keen On America is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe

Continuing my look back on 15 years of working on the internet (and the last decade as working as a podcaster), I'm addressing a question that I've gotten fairly often recently: Any advice on starting a podcast?Based on my own mistakes working on three different shows, and observations about the podcast listening community and industry, in this episode I'm sharing what I would do if I started a new podcast today. While I speaking pretty specifically about podcasting in this episode, I also think that a lot of what I talk about applies to most creative endeavors on the internet in 2025.I'm talking about creativity, marketing, mindset, equipment, and more. And at the end I give a little pep talk that maybe we all need.FULL SHOW NOTES HEREMENTIONED in this episode:Audacity recording/editing softwareRiverside.fm software for remote recordingSingle microphone I used for years recording in personCurrent microphone I useRELATED episodes:Ep 124: Behind the Scenes of PodcastingEp 205: 10 Things All Podcast Fans Should KnowEp 253: Regrets and Reflections After 15 Years of Working On the Internet SUBSCRIBE to 10 Things To Tell You so you never miss an episode!CLICK HERE for episode show notesFOLLOW @10ThingsToTellYou on InstagramFOLLOW @10ThingsToTellYou on FacebookSIGN UP for episode emails, links, and show notesJOIN Laura Tremaine's SECRET SUBSTACKBUY THE BOOK: Share Your Stuff. I'll Go First. by Laura TremaineBUY THE BOOK: The Life Council: 10 Friends Every Woman Needs by Laura Tremaine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Continuing my look back on 15 years of working on the internet (and the last decade as working as a podcaster), I'm addressing a question that I've gotten fairly often recently: Any advice on starting a podcast? Based on my own mistakes working on three different shows, and observations about the podcast listening community and industry, in this episode I'm sharing what I would do if I started a new podcast today. While I speaking pretty specifically about podcasting in this episode, I also think that a lot of what I talk about applies to most creative endeavors on the internet in 2025. I'm talking about creativity, marketing, mindset, equipment, and more. And at the end I give a little pep talk that maybe we all need. FULL SHOW NOTES HERE MENTIONED in this episode: Audacity recording/editing software Riverside.fm software for remote recording Single microphone I used for years recording in person Current microphone I use RELATED episodes: Ep 124: Behind the Scenes of Podcasting Ep 205: 10 Things All Podcast Fans Should Know Ep 253: Regrets and Reflections After 15 Years of Working On the Internet   SUBSCRIBE to 10 Things To Tell You so you never miss an episode! CLICK HERE for episode show notes FOLLOW @10ThingsToTellYou on Instagram FOLLOW @10ThingsToTellYou on Facebook SIGN UP for episode emails, links, and show notes JOIN Laura Tremaine's SECRET SUBSTACK BUY THE BOOK: Share Your Stuff. I'll Go First. by Laura Tremaine BUY THE BOOK: The Life Council: 10 Friends Every Woman Needs by Laura Tremaine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode of The Wize Way Podcast for Accountants and Bookkeepers, Brenton Ward and Ed Chan discuss the importance of time and focus for every accounting firm. Ed explains that growing the right way is about transitioning your workload from working IN the business as the technician to working ON the business as a business owner. As we often hear the Working ON vs Working IN argument but many coaches and colleagues, find out how this journey plays out and how a firm owner can free up 8+ hours of a week working on their business.  ________________ PS: Whenever you're ready… here are the fastest 4 ways we can help you fix and grow your accounting firm: 1. Take the Wize Accountants Scale Scorecard – Find out your potential to scale and the next steps you should follow – Start Your Scorecard 2. Download our famous Wize Freedom Strategy Map for FREE - Find out the 96 projects every firm owner must implement to build a $5M+ firm that can run without them - Download here 2. Need to Hire right now? Book a 1:1 FREE discovery call with our WizeTalent hiring coaches to help find your next team member the Wize Way – Click Here 4. Book a 1:1 Wize Discovery Session – Spend 30mins with our Wize CEO, Jamie Johns, a $7M firm owner who is ready to give you his entire business plan to build a firm that can run without you – Find out more here

Remember that time in 1977 when Jesse Jackson debated KKK grand wizard David Duke on national tv? As David Masciotra reminds us, it was one of those now forgotten moments from the recent past that can help bring some clarity to today's American politics. In particular, Masciotra argues, the 1977 debate underlines the idiocy of Kamala Harris' refusal to go on Joe Rogan show. As Masciotra explains, this primetime tv debate in which Jackson crushes Duke shows why progressives like Harris should always take on ideological enemies Joe Rogan. Civil argument matters, Masciotra insists. Even if it involves jousting with people whose views you consider beyond the pale. David Masciotra is an author, lecturer, and journalist. He is the author of Exurbia Now: The Battleground of American Democracy (Melville House Publishing, 2024) I Am Somebody: Why Jesse Jackson Matters (I.B. Tauris, 2020), Mellencamp: American Troubadour (University Press of Kentucky), Barack Obama: Invisible Man (Eyewear Publishers, 2017), and Metallica by Metallica, a 33 1/3 book from Bloomsbury Publishers, which has been translated into Chinese and Greek. In 2010, Continuum Books published his first book, Working On a Dream: The Progressive Political Vision of Bruce Springsteen. Masciotra writes regularly for the New Republic, Washington Monthly, Progressive, the Los Angeles Review of Books, CrimeReads, No Depression, and the Daily Ripple. He has also written for Salon, the Daily Beast, CNN, Atlantic, Washington Post, AlterNet, Indianapolis Star, and CounterPunch. Several of his political essays have been translated into Spanish for publication at Korazon de Perro. His poetry has appeared in Be About It Press, This Zine Will Change Your Life, and the Pangolin Review.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy show. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Litigation & Discovery, and has two grown children.Keen On is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of "The Free Lawyer," host Gary Miles interviews RJon Robins, a coach for small law firms. They discuss the challenges small law firm owners face, particularly in managing the business side of their practice. RJon emphasizes the importance of outsourcing tasks, separating personal identity from business, and avoiding false economies. He also highlights the need for clear role definitions, identifying profit leaks, and developing a focused marketing strategy. The episode provides valuable insights and practical tips for small law firm owners to improve efficiency, profitability, and work-life balance. RJon Robins is an 8-figure entrepreneur, licensed attorney, and bestselling author. He founded How To Manage A Small Law Firm at his kitchen table while flat broke in 2009; he has since achieved 8,000% revenue growth and now has over 600 of the fastest-growing small law firm owners in the country as members. Operating in multiple countries, RJon works in the business about 90 days a year and spends 170 workdays launching new and profitable business ventures. He speaks to thousands of law firm owners annually, helping them define the meaning of profit and break free from the mindset that they need to suffer to build a profitable business. Challenges for Small Law Firm Owners (00:02:54)Lack of Business Training in Law School (00:03:30)Misconceptions About Law Firm Management (00:06:21)Understanding the Business of a Law Firm (00:09:04)Defining the Business of a Law Firm (00:10:33)Profitability Tips for Law Firms (00:13:24)Time Management and Delegation (00:14:31)Tracking Time Effectively (00:17:31)When to Expand Legal Staff (00:19:25)Cost of Doing Low-Value Work (00:21:41)Outsourcing Solutions (24:21)Understanding Costs (24:32)Stop Doing Low-Value Tasks (26:33)Three Key Tips for Lawyers (27:44)Identifying Revenue Growth Challenges (28:58)Fixing Marketing Strategies (30:03)Defining 'Emergency' (30:05)Client Prioritization (31:39)Defining Job Roles (34:32)Cost Efficiency Through Definition (35:42)Marketing Focus (37:12)Importance of Niche Marketing (38:25)Case Studies of Success (42:50)Working On vs. In the Business (44:32)Choosing a Business Model (46:35) Would you like to learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy? https://www.garymiles.net/break-free  Would you like to schedule a complimentary discovery call? You can do so here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call

In this KEEN ON Andrew Keen special, guest host David Masciotra interviews Andrew about his controversial book Cult of the Amateur. While David generously describes it as prescient, Andrew focuses more on what the 2007 book got blatantly wrong - like dismissing Google's $1.5 billion acquisition of YouTube. Duh. What both David and Andrew agree on, however, is that the book'sn focus on the damage that the supposedly “democratizing” Web 2.0 revolution did to both our culture and politics is still of massive significance. Perhaps it might be time for a 20th anniversary rewrite, a Cult of the Amateur 2.0 for our brave new AI world. Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy show. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Litigation & Discovery, and has two grown children.David Masciotra is an author, lecturer, and journalist. He is the author of I Am Somebody: Why Jesse Jackson Matters (I.B. Tauris, 2020), Mellencamp: American Troubadour (University Press of Kentucky), Barack Obama: Invisible Man (Eyewear Publishers, 2017), and Metallica by Metallica, a 33 1/3 book from Bloomsbury Publishers, which has been translated into Chinese. In 2010, Continuum Books published his first book, Working On a Dream: The Progressive Political Vision of Bruce Springsteen. His next book, Exurbia Now: Notes from the Battleground of American Democracy, is scheduled for publication from Melville House Books in 2024. Masciotra writes regularly for the New Republic, Washington Monthly, Progressive, the Los Angeles Review of Books, CrimeReads, No Depression, and the Daily Ripple. He has also written for Salon, the Daily Beast, CNN, Atlantic, Washington Post, AlterNet, Indianapolis Star, and CounterPunch. Several of his political essays have been translated into Spanish for publication at Korazon de Perro. His poetry has appeared in Be About It Press, This Zine Will Change Your Life, and the Pangolin Review. Masciotra has a Master's Degree in English Studies and Communication from Valparaiso University. He also has a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the University of St. Francis. He is public lecturer, speaking on a wide variety of topics, from the history of protest music in the United States to the importance of bars in American culture. David Masciotra has spoken at the University of Wisconsin, University of South Carolina, Lewis University, Indiana University, the Chicago Public Library, the Lambeth Library (UK), and an additional range of colleges, libraries, arts centers, and bookstores. As a journalist, he has conducted interviews with political leaders, musicians, authors, and cultural figures, including Jesse Jackson, John Mellencamp, Noam Chomsky, all members of Metallica, David Mamet, James Lee Burke, Warren Haynes, Norah Jones, Joan Osborne, Martín Espada, Steve Earle, and Rita Dove. Masciotra lives in Indiana, and teaches literature and political science courses at the University of St. Francis and Indiana University Northwest. Keen On is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe

So how can The Dude and The Boss save America? According to the cultural critic, David Masciotra, Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski and Bruce “The Boss” Springsteen, represent the antithesis of Donald Trumps's illiberal authoritarianism. Masciotra's thesis of Lebowski and Springsteen as twin paragons of American liberalism is compelling. Both men have a childish faith in the goodness of others. Both offer liberal solace in an America which, I fear, is about to become as darkly surreal as The Big Lebowski. Transcript:“[Springsteen] represents, as cultural icon, a certain expression of liberalism, a big-hearted, humanistic liberalism that exercises creativity to represent diverse constituencies in our society, that believes in art as a tool of democratic engagement, and that seeks to lead with an abounding, an abiding sense of compassion and empathy. That is the kind of liberalism, both with the small and capital L, that I believe in, and that I have spent my career documenting and attempting to advance.” -David MasciotraAK: Hello, everybody. We're still processing November the 5th. I was in the countryside of Northern Virginia a few days ago, I saw a sign, for people just listening, Trump/Vance 2024 sign with "winner" underneath. Some people are happy. Most, I guess, of our listeners probably aren't, certainly a lot of our guests aren't, my old friend John Rauch was on the show yesterday talking about what he called the "catastrophic ordinariness" of the election and of contemporary America. He authored two responses to the election. Firstly, he described it in UnPopulist as a moral catastrophe. But wearing his Brookings hat, he's a senior fellow at the Brookings Institute, described it as an ordinary election. I think a lot of people are scratching their head, trying to make sense of it. Another old friend of the show, David Masciotra, cultural writer, political writer. An interesting piece in the Washington Monthly entitled "How Francis Fukuyama and The Big Lebowski Explain Trump's Victory." A very creative piece. And he is joining us from Highland Indiana, not too far from Chicago. David. The Big Lebowski and Francis Fukuyama. Those two don't normally go together, certainly in a title. Let's talk first about Fukuyama. How does Fukuyama explain November the 5th? DAVID MASCIOTRA: In his. Well, first, thanks for having me. And I should say I watched your conversation with Jonathan Rauch, and it was quite riveting and quite sobering. And you talked about Fukuyama in that discussion as well. And you referenced his book, The End of History and the Last Man, a very often misinterpreted book, but nonetheless, toward its conclusion, Fukuyama warns that without an external enemy, liberal democracies may indeed turn against themselves, and we may witness an implosion rather than an explosion. And Fukuyama said that this won't happen so much for ideological reasons, but it will happen for deeply psychological ones, namely, without a just cause for which to struggle, people will turn against the just cause itself, which in this case is liberal democracy, and out of a sense of boredom and alienation, they'll grow increasingly tired of their society and cultivate something of a death wish in which they enjoy imagining their society's downfall, or at least the downfall of some of the institutions that are central to their society. And now I would argue that after the election results, we've witnessed the transformation of imagining to inviting. So, there is a certain death wish and a sense of...alienation and detachment from that which made the United States of America a uniquely prosperous and stable country with the ability to self-correct the myriad injustices we know are part of its history. Well now, people--because they aren't aware of the institutions or norms that created this robust engine of commerce and liberty--they've turned against it, and they no longer invest in that which is necessary to preserve it.AK: That's interesting, David. The more progressives I talk to about this, the more it--there's an odd thing going on--you're all sounding very conservative. The subtitle of the piece in the Washington Monthly was "looking at constituencies or issues misses the big point. On Tuesday, nihilism was on display, even a death wish in a society wrought by cynicism." Words like nihilism and cynicism, David, historically have always been used by people like Allan Blum, whose book, of course, The Closing of the American Mind, became very powerful amongst American conservatives now 40 or 50 years ago. Would you accept that using language like nihilism and cynicism isn't always associated--I mean, you're a proud progressive. You're a man of the left. You've never disguised that. It's rather odd to imagine that the guys like you--and in his own way, John Rauch too, who talks about the moral catastrophe of the election couple of weeks ago. You're all speaking about the loss of morality of the voter, or of America. Is there any truth to that? Making some sense?DAVID MASCIOTRA: That's a that's a fair observation. And Jonathan Rauch, during your conversation and in his own writing, identifies a center right. I would say I'm center left.AK: And he's--but what's interesting, what ties you together, is that you both use the L-word, liberal, to define yourselves. He's perhaps a liberal on the right. You're a liberal on the left.DAVID MASCIOTRA: Yes. And I think that the Trump era, if we can trace that back to 2015, has made thoughtful liberals more conservative in thought and articulation, because it forces a confrontation and interrogation of a certain naivete. George Will writes in his book, The Conservative Sensibility, that the progressive imagines that which is the best possible outcome and strives to make it real, whereas the conservative imagines the worst possible outcome and does everything he can to guard against it. And now it feels like we've experienced, at least electorally, the worst possible outcome. So there a certain revisitation of that which made America great, to appropriate a phrase, and look for where we went wrong in failing to preserve it. So that kind of thinking inevitably leads one to use more conservative language and deal in more conservative thought.AK: Yeah. So for you, what made America great, to use the term you just introduced, was what? Its morality? The intrinsic morality of people living in it and in the country? Is that, for you, what liberalism is?DAVID MASCIOTRA: Liberalism is a system in and the culture that emanates out of that system. So it's a constitutional order that creates or that places a premium on individual rights and allows for a flourishing free market. Now, where my conception of liberalism would enter the picture and, perhaps Jonathan Rauch and I would have some disagreements, certainly George Will and I, is that a bit of governmental regulation is necessary along with the social welfare state, to civilize the free market. But the culture that one expects to flow from that societal order and arrangement is one of aspiration, one in which citizens fully accept that they are contributing agents to this experiment in self-governance and therefore need to spend time in--to use a Walt Whitman phrase--freedom's gymnasium. Sharpening the intellect, sharpening one's sense of moral duty and obligation to the commons, to the public good. And as our society has become more individualistic and narcissistic in nature, those commitments have vanished. And as our society has become more anti-intellectual in nature, we are seeing a lack of understanding of why those commitments are even necessary. So that's why you get a result like we witnessed on Tuesday, and that I argue in my piece that you were kind enough to have me on to discuss, is a form of nihilism, and The Big Lebowski reference, of course--AK: And of course, I want to get to Lebowski, because the Fukuyama stuff is interesting, but everyone's writing about Fukuyama and the end of history and why history never really ended, of course. It's been going on for years now, but it's a particularly interesting moment. We've had Fukuyama on the show. I've never heard anyone, though, compare the success of Trump and Trumpism with The Big Lebowski. So, one of the great movies, of course, American movies. What's the connection, David, between November 5th and The Big Lebowski? DAVID MASCIOTRA: Well, The Big Lebowski is one of my favorite films. I've written about it, and I even appeared at one of the The Big Lebowski festivals that takes place in United States a number of years ago. But my mind went to the scene when The Dude is in his bathtub and these three menacing figures break into his apartment. They drop a gerbil in the bathtub. And The Dude, who was enjoying a joint by candlelight, is, of course, startled and frightened. And these three men tell him that if he does not pay the money they believe he owes them, they will come back and, in their words, "cut off your Johnson." And The Dude gives them a quizzical, bemused look. And one of them says, "You think we are kidding? We are nihilists. We believe in nothing." And then one of them screams, "We'll cut off your Johnson." Well, I thought, you know, we're looking at an electorate that increasingly, or at least a portion of the electorate, increasingly believes in nothing. So we've lost faith.AK: It's the nihilists again. And of course, another Johnson in America, there was once a president called Johnson who enjoyed waving his Johnson, I think, around in public. And now there's the head of the house is another Johnson, I think he's a little shyer than presidents LBJ. But David, coming back to this idea of nihilism. It often seems to be a word used by people who don't like what other people think and therefore just write it off as nihilism. Are you suggesting that the Trump crowd have no beliefs? Is that what nihilism for you is? I mean, he was very clear about what he believes in. You may not like it, but it doesn't seem to be nihilistic.DAVID MASCIOTRA: That's another fair point. What I'm referring to is not too long ago, we lived in a country that had a shared set of values. Those values have vanished. And those values involve adherence to our democratic norms. It's very difficult to imagine had George H. W. Bush attempted to steal the election in which Bill Clinton won, that George H. W. Bush could have run again and won. So we've lost faith in something essential to our electoral system. We've lost faith in the standards of decency that used to, albeit imperfectly, regulate our national politics. So the man to whom I just refered, Bill Clinton, was nearly run out of office for having an extramarital affair, a misdeed that cannot compare to the myriad infractions of Donald Trump. And yet, Trump's misdeeds almost give him a cultural cachet among his supporters. It almost makes him, for lack of a better word, cool. And now we see, even with Trump's appointments, I mean, of course, it remains to be seen how it plays out, that we're losing faith in credentials and experience--AK: Well they're certainly a band of outlaws and very proud to be outlaws. It could almost be a Hollywood script. But I wonder, David, whether there's a more serious critique here. You, like so many other people, both on the left and the right, are nostalgic for an age in which everyone supposedly agreed on things, a most civil and civilized age. And you go back to the Bushes, back to Clinton. But the second Bush, who now seems to have appeared as this icon, at least moral icon, many critics of Trump, was also someone who unleashed a terrible war, killing tens of thousands of people, creating enormous suffering for millions of others. And I think that would be the Trump response, that he's simply more honest, that in the old days, the Bushes of the world can speak politely and talk about consensus, and then unleash terrible suffering overseas--and at home in their neoliberal policies of globalization--Trump's simply more honest. He tells it as it is. And that isn't nihilistic, is it?DAVID MASCIOTRA: Well, you are gesturing towards an important factor in our society. Trump, of course, we know, is a dishonest man, a profoundly dishonest--AK: Well, in some ways. But in other ways, he isn't. I mean, in some ways he just tells the truth as it is. It's a truth we're uncomfortable with. But it's certainly very truthful about the impact of foreign wars on America, for example, or even the impact of globalization. DAVID MASCIOTRA: What you're describing is an authenticity. That that Trump is authentic. And authenticity has become chief among the modern virtues, which I would argue is a colossal error. Stanley Crouch, a great writer, spent decades analyzing the way in which we consider authenticity and how it inevitably leads to, to borrow his phrase, cast impurity onto the bottom. So anything that which requires effort, refinement, self-restraint, self-control, plays to the crowd as inauthentic, as artificial--AK: Those are all aristocratic values that may have once worked but don't anymore. Should we be nostalgic for the aristocratic way of the Bushes?DAVID MASCIOTRA: I think in a certain respect, we should. We shouldn't be nostalgic for George W. Bush's policies. I agree with you, the war in Iraq was catastrophic, arguably worse than anything Trump did while he was president. His notoriously poor response to Hurricane Katrina--I mean, we can go on and on cataloging the various disasters of the Bush administration. However, George W. Bush as president and the people around him did have a certain belief in the liberal order of the United States and the liberal order of the world. Institutions like NATO and the EU, and those institutions, and that order, has given the United States, and the world more broadly, an unrivaled period of peace and prosperity.AK: Well it wasn't peace, David. And the wars, the post-9/11 wars, were catastrophic. And again, they seem to be just facades--DAVID MASCIOTRA: We also had the Vietnam War, the Korean War. When I say peace, I mean we didn't have a world war break out as we did in the First World War, in the Second World War. And that's largely due to the creation and maintenance of institutions following the Second World War that were aimed at the preservation of order and, at least, amicable relations between countries that might otherwise collide.AK: You're also the author, David, of a book we've always wanted to talk about. Now we're figuring out a way to integrate it into the show. You wrote a book, an interesting book, about Bruce Springsteen. Working on a Dream: the Progressive Political Vision of Bruce Springsteen. Bruce Springsteen has made himself very clear. He turned out for Harris. Showed up with his old friend, Barack Obama. Clearly didn't have the kind of impact he wanted. You wrote an interesting piece for UnHerd a few weeks ago with the title, "Bruce Springsteen is the Last American Liberal: he's still proud to be born in the USA." Is he the model of a liberal response to the MAGA movement, Springsteen? DAVID MASCIOTRA: Well, of course, I wouldn't go so far as to say the last liberal. As most readers just probably know, writers don't compose their own headlines--AK: But he's certainly, if not the last American liberal, the quintessential American liberal.DAVID MASCIOTRA: Yes. He represents, as cultural icon, a certain expression of liberalism, a big-hearted, humanistic liberalism that exercises creativity to represent diverse constituencies in our society, that believes in art as a tool of democratic engagement, and that seeks to lead with an abounding, an abiding sense of compassion and empathy. That is the kind of liberalism, both with the small and capital L, that I believe in, and that I have spent my career documenting and attempting to advance. And those are, of course, the forms of liberalism that now feel as if they are under threat. Now, to that point, you know, this could have just come down to inflation and some egregious campaign errors of Kamala Harris. But it does feel as if when you have 70 some odd million people vote for the likes of Donald Trump, that the values one can observe in the music of Bruce Springsteen or in the rhetoric of Barack Obama, for that matter, are no longer as powerful and pervasive as they were in their respective glory days. No pun intended.AK: Yeah. And of course, Springsteen is famous for singing "Glory Days." I wonder, though, where Springsteen himself is is a little bit more complex and we might be a little bit more ambivalent about him, there was a piece recently about him becoming a billionaire. So it's all very well him being proud to be born in the USA. He's part--for better or worse, I mean, it's not a criticism, but it's a reality--he's part of the super rich. He showed out for Harris, but it didn't seem to make any impact. You talked about the diversity of Springsteen. I went to one of his concerts in San Francisco earlier this year, and I have to admit, I was struck by the fact that everyone, practically everyone at the concert, was white, everyone was wealthy, everyone paid several hundred dollars to watch a 70 year old man prance around on stage and behave as if he's still 20 or 30 years old. I wonder whether Springsteen himself is also emblematic of a kind of cultural, or political, or even moral crisis of our old cultural elites. Or am I being unfair to Springsteen?DAVID MASCIOTRA: Well, I remember once attending a Springsteen show in which the only black person I saw who wasn't an employee of the arena was Clarence Clemons.AK: Right. And then Bruce, of course, always made a big deal. And there was an interesting conversation when Springsteen and Obama did a podcast together. Obama, in his own unique way, lectured Bruce a little bit about Clarence Clemons in terms of his race. But sorry. Go on.DAVID MASCIOTRA: Yeah. And Springsteen has written and discussed how he had wished he had a more diverse audience. When I referred to diversity in his music, I meant the stories he aimed to tell in song certainly represented a wide range of the American experience. But when you talk about Springsteen, perhaps himself representing a moral crisis--AK: I wouldn't say a crisis, but he represents the, shall we say, the redundancy of that liberal worldview of the late 20th century. I mean, he clearly wears his heart on his sleeve. He means well. He's not a bad guy. But he doesn't reach a diverse audience. His work is built around the American working class. None of them can afford to show up to what he puts on. I mean, Chris Christie is a much more typical fan than the white working class. Does it speak of the fact that there's a...I don't know if you call it a crisis, it's just...Springsteen isn't relevant anymore in the America of the 2020s, or at least when he sang and wrote about no longer exists.DAVID MASCIOTRA: Yes, I agree with that. So first of all, the working class bit was always a bit overblown with Springsteen. Springsteen, of course, was never really part of the working class, except when he was a child. But by his own admission, he never had a 9 to 5 job. And Springsteen sang about working class life like William Shakespeare wrote about teenage love. He did so with a poetic grandeur that inspired some of his best work. And outside looking in, he actually managed to offer more insights than sometimes people on the inside can amount to themselves. But you're certainly correct. I mean, the Broadway show, for example, when the tickets were something like a thousand a piece and it was $25 to buy a beer. There is a certain--AK: Yeah and in that Broadway show, which I went to--I thought it was astonishing, actually, a million times better than the show in San Francisco.DAVID MASCIOTRA: It was one of the best things he ever did.AK: He acknowledges that he made everything up, that he wasn't part of the American working class, and that he'd never worked a day in his life, and yet his whole career is is built around representing a social class and a way of life that he was never part of.“Not too long ago, we lived in a country that had a shared set of values. Those values have vanished. And those values involve adherence to our democratic norms.” -DMDAVID MASCIOTRA: Right. And he has a lyric himself: "It's a sad, funny ending when you find yourself pretending a rich man in a poor man's shirt." So there always was this hypocrisy--hypocrisy might be a little too strong--inconsistency. And he adopted a playful attitude toward it in the 90s and in later years. But to your point of relevance, I think you're on to something there. One of the crises I would measure in our society is that we no longer live in a culture of ambition and aspiration. So you hear this when people say that they want a political leader who talks like the average person, or the common man. And you hear this when "college educated" is actually used as an insult against a certain base of Democratic voters. There were fewer college-educated voters when John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan ran for president, all of whom spoke with greater eloquence and a more expansive vocabulary and a greater sense of cultural sophistication than Donald Trump or Kamala Harris did. And yet there was no objection, because people understood that we should aspire to something more sophisticated. We should aspire to something more elevated beyond the everyday vernacular of the working class. And for that reason, Springsteen was able to become something of a working-class poet, despite never living among the working class beyond his childhood. Because his poetry put to music represented something idealistic about the working class.AK: But oddly enough, it was a dream--there's was a word that Springsteen uses a lot in his work--that was bought by the middle class. It wasn't something that was--although, I think in the early days, probably certainly in New Jersey, that he had a more working-class following.DAVID MASCIOTRA: We have to deal with the interesting and frustrating reality that the people about whom Springsteen sings in those early songs like "Darkness on the Edge of Town" or "The River" would probably be Trump supporters if they were real.AK: Yeah. And in your piece you refer to, not perhaps one of his most famous albums, The Rising, but you use it to compare Springsteen with another major figure now in America, much younger man to Ta-Nehisi Coates, who has a new book out, which is an important new book, The Message. You seem to be keener on Springsteen than Coates. Tell us about this comparison and what the comparison tells us about the America of the 2020s.DAVID MASCIOTRA: Well, Coates...the reason I make the comparison is that one of Springsteen's greatest artistic moments, in which he kind of resurrected his status as cultural icon, was the record he put out after the 9/11 attack on the United States, The Rising. And throughout that record he pays tribute, sometimes overtly, sometimes subtly, to the first responders who ascended in the tower knowing they would perhaps die.AK: Yeah. You quote him "love and duty called you someplace higher." So he was idealizing those very brave firefighters, policemen who gave up their lives on 9/11.DAVID MASCIOTRA: Exactly. Representing the best of humanity. Whereas Ta-Nehisi Coates, who has become the literary superstar of the American left, wrote in his memoir that on 9/11, he felt nothing and did not see the first responders as human. Rather, they were part of the fire that could, in his words, crush his body.AK: Yeah, he wrote a piece, "What Is 9/11 to Descendants of Slaves?"DAVID MASCIOTRA: Yes. And my point in making that comparison, and this was before the election, was to say that the American left has its own crisis of...if we don't want to use the word nihilism, you objected to it earlier--AK: Well, I'm not objecting. I like the word. It's just curious to hear it come from somebody like yourself, a man, certainly a progressive, maybe not--you might define yourself as being on the left, but certainly more on the left and on the right.DAVID MASCIOTRA: Yes, I would agree with that characterization. But that the left has its own crisis of nihilism. If if you are celebrating a man who, despite his journalistic talents and intelligence, none of which I would deny, refused to see the humanity of the first responders on the 9/11 attack and, said that he felt nothing for the victims, presumably even those who were black and impoverished, then you have your own crisis of belief, and juxtaposing that with the big hearted, humanistic liberalism of Springsteen for me shows the left a better path forward. Now, that's a path that will increasingly close after the victory of Trump, because extremism typically begets extremism, and we're probably about to undergo four years of dueling cynicism and rage and unhappy times.AK: I mean, you might respond, David, and say, well, Coates is just telling the truth. Why should a people with a history of slavery care that much about a few white people killed on 9/11 when their own people lost millions through slavery? And you compare them to Springsteen, as you've acknowledged, a man who wasn't exactly telling the truth in his heart. I mean, he's a very good artist, but he writes about a working class, which even he acknowledges, he made most of it up. So isn't Coates like Trump in an odd kind of way, aren't they just telling an unvarnished truth that people don't want to hear, an impolite truth?DAVID MASCIOTRA: I'm not sure. I typically shy away from the expression "my truth" or "his truth" because it's too relativistic. But I'll make an exception in this case. I think Coates is telling HIS truth just as Trump is telling HIS truth, if that adds up to THE truth, is much more dubious. Yes, we could certainly say that, you know, because the United States enslaved, tortured, and otherwise oppressed millions of black people, it may be hard for some black observers to get teary eyed on 9/11, but the black leaders whom I most admire didn't have that reaction. I wrote a book about Jesse Jackson after spending six years interviewing with him and traveling with him. He certainly didn't react that way on 9/11. Congressman John Lewis didn't react that way on 9/11. So, the heroes of the civil rights movement, who helped to overcome those brutal systems of oppression--and I wouldn't argue that they're overcome entirely, but they helped to revolutionize the United States--they maintained a big-hearted sense of empathy and compassion, and they recognized that the unjust loss of life demands mourning and respect, whether it's within their own community or another. So I would say that, here again, we're back to the point of ambition, whether it's intellectual ambition or moral ambition. Ambition is what allows a society to grow. And it seems like ambition has fallen far out of fashion. And that is why the country--the slim majority of the electorate that did vote and the 40% of the electorate that did not vote, or voting-age public, I should say--settled for the likes of Donald Trump.AK: I wonder what The Dude would do, if he was around, at the victory of Trump, or even at 9/11. He'd probably continue to sit in the bath tub and enjoy...enjoy whatever he does in his bathtub. I mean, he's not a believer. Isn't he the ultimate nihilist? The Dude in Lebowski?DAVID MASCIOTRA: That's an interesting interpretation. I would say that...Is The Dude a nihilist? You have this juxtaposition... The Dude kind of occupies this middle ground between the nihilists who proudly declare they believe in nothing and his friend Walter Sobchak, who's, you know, almost this raving explosion of belief. Yeah, ex-Vietnam veteran who's always confronting people with his beliefs and screaming and demanding they all adhere to his rules. I don't know if The Dude's a nihilist as much as he has a Zen detachment.AK: Right, well, I think what makes The Big Lebowski such a wonderful film, and perhaps so relevant today, is Lebowski, unlike so many Americans is unjudgmental. He's not an angry man. He's incredibly tolerant. He accepts everyone, even when they're beating him up or ripping him off. And he's so, in that sense, different from the America of the 2020s, where everyone is angry and everyone blames someone else for whatever's wrong in their lives.DAVID MASCIOTRA: That's exactly right.AK: Is that liberal or just Zen? I don't know.DAVID MASCIOTRA: Yeah. It's perhaps even libertarian in a sense. But there's a very interesting and important book by Justin Tosi and Brandon Warmke called Why It's Okay to Mind Your Own Business. And in it they argue--they're both political scientists although the one may be a...they may be philosophers...but that aside--they present an argument for why Americans need to do just that. Mind their own business.AK: Which means, yeah, not living politics, which certainly Lebowski is. It's probably the least political movie, Lebowski, I mean, he doesn't have a political bone in his body. Finally, David, there there's so much to talk about here, it's all very interesting. You first came on the show, you had a book out, that came out either earlier this year or last year. Yeah, it was in April of this year, Exurbia Now: The Battleground of American Democracy. And you wrote about the outskirts of suburbia, which you call "exurbia." Jonathan Rauch, wearing his Brookings cap, described this as an ordinary election. I'm not sure how much digging you've done, but did the exurbian vote determine this election? I mean, the election was determined by a few hundred thousand voters in the Midwest. Were these voters mostly on the edge of the suburb? And I'm guessing most of them voted for Trump.DAVID MASCIOTRA: Well, Trump's numbers in exurbia...I've dug around and I've been able to find the exurbian returns for Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Arizona. So three crucial swing states. If Kamala Harris had won those three states, she would be president. And Trump's support in exurbia was off the charts, as it was in 2020 and 2016, and as I predicted, it would be in 2024. I'm not sure that that would have been sufficient to deliver him the race and certainly not in the fashion that he won. Trump made gains with some groups that surprised people, other groups that didn't surprise people, but he did much better than expected. So unlike, say, in 2016, where we could have definitively and conclusively said Trump won because of a spike in turnout for him in rural America and in exurbia, here, the results are more mixed. But it remains the case that the base most committed to Trump and most fervently loyal to his agenda is rural and exurban.AK: So just outside the cities. And finally, I argued, maybe counterintuitively, that America remains split today as it was before November the 5th, so I'm not convinced that this election is the big deal that some people think it is. But you wrote an interesting piece in Salon back in 2020 arguing that Trump has poisoned American culture, but the toxin was here all along. Of course, there is more, if anything, of that toxin now. So even if Harris had won the election, that toxin was still here. And finally, David, how do we get rid of that toxin? Do we just go to put Bruce Springsteen on and go and watch Big Lebowski? I mean, how do we get beyond this toxin?DAVID MASCIOTRA: I would I would love it if that was the way to do it.AK: We'll sit in our bathtub and wait for the thugs to come along?DAVID MASCIOTRA: Right, exactly. No, what you're asking is, of course, the big question. We need to find a way to resurrect some sense of, I'll use another conservative phrase, civic virtue. And in doing--AK: And resurrection, of course, by definition, is conservative, because you're bringing something back.“Ambition is what allows a society to grow. And it seems like ambition has fallen far out of fashion.” -DMDAVID MASCIOTRA: Exactly. And we also have to resurrect, offer something more practical, we have to resurrect a sense of civics. One thing on which--I have immense respect and admiration for Jonathan Rauch--one minor quibble I would have with him from your conversation is when he said that the voters rejected the liberal intellectual class and their ideas. Some voters certainly rejected, but some voters were unaware. The lack of civic knowledge in the United States is detrimental to our institutions. I mean, a majority of Americans don't know how many justices are on the Supreme Court. They can't name more than one freedom enumerated in the Bill of Rights. So we need to find a way to make citizenship a vital part of our national identity again. And there are some practical means of doing that in the educational system. Certainly won't happen in the next four years. But to get to the less tangible matter of how to resurrect something like civic virtue and bring back ambition and aspiration in our sense of national identity, along with empathy, is much tougher. I mean, Robert Putnam says it thrives upon community and voluntary associations.AK: Putnam has been on the show, of course.DAVID MASCIOTRA: Yeah. So, I mean, this is a conversation that will develop. I wish I had the answer, and I wish it was just to listen to Born to Run in the bathtub with with a poster of The Dude hanging overhead. But as I said to you before we went on the air, I think that you have a significant insight to learn this conversation because, in many ways, your books were prescient. We certainly live with the cult of the amateur now, more so than when you wrote that book. So, I'd love to hear your ideas.AK: Well, that's very generous of you, David. And next time we appear, you're going to interview me about why the cult of the amateur is so important. So we will see you again soon. But we're going to swap seats. So, David will interview me about the relevance of Cult of the Amateur. Wonderful conversation, David. I've never thought about Lebowski or Francis Fukuyama, particularly Lebowski, in terms of what happened on November 5th. So, very insightful. Thank you, David, and we'll see you again in the not-too-distant future.DAVID MASCIOTRA: Thank you. I'm going to reread Cult of the Amateur to prepare. I may even do it in the bathtub. I look forward to our discussion.David Masciotra is an author, lecturer, and journalist. He is the author of I Am Somebody: Why Jesse Jackson Matters (I.B. Tauris, 2020), Mellencamp: American Troubadour (University Press of Kentucky), Barack Obama: Invisible Man (Eyewear Publishers, 2017), and Metallica by Metallica, a 33 1/3 book from Bloomsbury Publishers, which has been translated into Chinese. In 2010, Continuum Books published his first book, Working On a Dream: The Progressive Political Vision of Bruce Springsteen.His 2024 book, Exurbia Now: Notes from the Battleground of American Democracy, is published by Melville House Books. Masciotra writes regularly for the New Republic, Washington Monthly, Progressive, the Los Angeles Review of Books, CrimeReads, No Depression, and the Daily Ripple. He has also written for Salon, the Daily Beast, CNN, Atlantic, Washington Post, AlterNet, Indianapolis Star, and CounterPunch. Several of his political essays have been translated into Spanish for publication at Korazon de Perro. His poetry has appeared in Be About It Press, This Zine Will Change Your Life, and the Pangolin Review. Masciotra has a Master's Degree in English Studies and Communication from Valparaiso University. He also has a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the University of St. Francis. He is public lecturer, speaking on a wide variety of topics, from the history of protest music in the United States to the importance of bars in American culture. David Masciotra has spoken at the University of Wisconsin, University of South Carolina, Lewis University, Indiana University, the Chicago Public Library, the Lambeth Library (UK), and an additional range of colleges, libraries, arts centers, and bookstores. As a journalist, he has conducted interviews with political leaders, musicians, authors, and cultural figures, including Jesse Jackson, John Mellencamp, Noam Chomsky, all members of Metallica, David Mamet, James Lee Burke, Warren Haynes, Norah Jones, Joan Osborne, Martín Espada, Steve Earle, and Rita Dove. Masciotra lives in Indiana, and teaches literature and political science courses at the University of St. Francis and Indiana University Northwest. Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy show. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Litigation & Discovery, and has two grown children.Keen On is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe

Baby E will be making his way earth side any day now and we wanted to record an episode together asking each other 3 questions each. Our main focus right now with our masterclass and a lot of our content is surrounding relationships because we believe with the work we've put into our relationship along with receiving so many questions regarding relationships, it's our proud duty to share everything. We dive into what it looks like to work on the relationship vs in the relationship, why emotional support from the male perspective is the solution more often than not, Lauren's fears at the beginning of our relationship vs now, and so much more.   --------------------- Rate, Review, and Follow on Apple Podcasts   “I love these conversations!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing the show. This helps us support more people in their efforts to create a meaningful life. Also, if you haven't already done so, subscribe to our WTHN Newsletter! For additional support, you can apply for 1:1 coaching with Lauren by clicking here. Or, you can join the waitlist for our next round of WTHN Coaching by clicking here.   ---------------------   Time Stamps:    (2:14) Big Relationship Focus Right Now (5:16) Working On vs In A Relationship (9:48) Pulling Out of Survival (11:58) Establishing Emotional Intimacy (15:24) Emotional Support Is The Solution (22:46) Fears At The Beginning Of The Relationship vs Now (39:06) Getting The Male Partner To Do The Work (43:33) Intrinsic Motivation (45:06) What Is Allowed and Not In Our Relationship AKA Boundaries (53:44) Politics and Judgement (55:12) Different Beliefs in Politics (59:51) Our Free Email Masterclass --------------------- Join Our Free WTHN Facebook Group   Follow Lauren on Instagram   Follow Joseph on Instagram   Follow WTHN on Instagram

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss, and 360 Payments AJ Nealey shares his journey from technician to business owner, highlighting key constraints to business growth in the auto repair industry. AJ emphasizes the importance of recognizing personal limitations, building a strong team, and implementing effective processes. He advocates for working "on" the business rather than "in" it and stresses personal development and accountability. This episode provides valuable strategies for overcoming challenges and creating a scalable business model, ultimately fostering long-term success. AJ Nealey, Nealey Auto Service, 5 locations, Edgewater, MD. AJ's previous episodes HERE Show Notes Watch Full Video Episode Identifying Constraints (00:00:28) AJ discusses the primary constraint to business growth, drawing from his journey as a technician turned owner. Personal Experience and Growth (00:01:50) He shares insights on overcoming growth ceilings and emphasizes the importance of mentorship in his journey. The Biggest Constraint: Self (00:02:31) AJ identifies the self as the main constraint, urging owners to recognize personal limitations. Understanding Business Constraints (00:03:16) He explains the need to identify specific constraints like marketing or process issues for effective growth. Building a Strong Team (00:04:10) AJ stresses the importance of hiring the right people and developing a capable team for business scalability. Developing Middle Management (00:05:52) He discusses the necessity of creating a middle management layer as businesses grow from multiple locations. Hiring and Training Challenges (00:06:40) AJ highlights the significance of effective hiring and training processes in the automotive repair industry. Sales Process and Customer Retention (00:08:31) He emphasizes improving the sales process to retain existing customers and identify growth constraints. Working "On" vs "In" the Business (00:09:31) AJ reflects on the need to focus on strategic tasks rather than day-to-day operations for business growth. Identifying and Prioritizing Constraints (00:10:23) He encourages creating a power list of tasks that contribute to business growth and overcoming constraints. Creating Processes for Growth (00:11:26) AJ stresses the importance of documenting processes to ensure scalability and operational efficiency. Coaching and Accountability (00:12:56) He discusses using processes as tools for coaching and holding team members accountable for their performance. Personal Development and Business Growth (00:14:10) AJ emphasizes the importance of personal development for business owners and how it reflects on their business. Reflecting on Personal Constraints (00:15:04) Discussion on identifying personal limitations and the impact of self-awareness on business success. Embracing Challenges and Growth (00:15:48) AJ highlights the necessity of facing challenges and learning from failures on the path to success. Value of Time and Opportunity (00:17:30) The importance of recognizing time as a valuable commodity and serving the community with gratitude. Closing Thoughts on Constraints (00:18:09) AJ concludes by reiterating that personal constraints affect...

Kinds of Kindness, Working On set, And Les Blank

We are living in interesting political times. A month ago, the Presidential election appeared over. Today, however, it appears as if it's barely begun. So in my conversation today with the prolific columnist David Masciotra, I asked him if he glimpsed the outlines of a “Harrisist” ideology behind the avalanche of Kamala memes on TikTok. Is the Harris excitement simply a repeat of the Obama mania from 2008, or has something fundamentally changed over the last fifteen years? Then, of course, there's Trump and his weird cult of fake masculinity. What does the wrestling-mania of the Republican party tell us about the fate of young men in 2020's America? And how can progressive patriots like Bruce Springsteen make the American left great again?David Masciotra is an author, lecturer, and journalist. He is the author of I Am Somebody: Why Jesse Jackson Matters (I.B. Tauris, 2020), Mellencamp: American Troubadour (University Press of Kentucky), Barack Obama: Invisible Man (Eyewear Publishers, 2017), and Metallica by Metallica, a 33 1/3 book from Bloomsbury Publishers, which has been translated into Chinese. In 2010, Continuum Books published his first book, Working On a Dream: The Progressive Political Vision of Bruce Springsteen. His new book, Exurbia Now: Notes from the Battleground of American Democracy, was published by Melville House Books in 2024. Masciotra writes regularly for the New Republic, Washington Monthly, Progressive, the Los Angeles Review of Books, CrimeReads, No Depression, and the Daily Ripple. He has also written for Salon, the Daily Beast, CNN, Atlantic, Washington Post, AlterNet, Indianapolis Star, and CounterPunch. Several of his political essays have been translated into Spanish for publication at Korazon de Perro. His poetry has appeared in Be About It Press, This Zine Will Change Your Life, and the Pangolin Review.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy show. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Litigation & Discovery, and has two grown children.Keen On is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome into the The Thicket with Mike & Josh! A country music show where we highlight artists that your local radio stations always seem to ignore! On today's show Mike and Josh re-cap Laurel Cove, feature loads of new music, and talk with Drayton Farley and Jordan Lee King. On Today's Show: "Don't Care" - Red Clay Strays "Tulsa" - 49 Winchester "Next to You" - Ole 60 "Best Show of The Year" - Jordan Lee King "Wild Juanita's Cactus Juice" - Kailtin Butts "The Lasso" - Low Water Bridge Band "Something I'm Working On" - Silverada ft. Brent Cobb "Double Wide" - Rob Leines Get 10% Off at Sticker Mule: ⁠https://www.stickermule.com/unlock?⁠⁠ref_id=0553195701&utm_medium=link&utm_source=invite Spotify Playlist for Today's Songs: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2PWEuEMAWAVcWQpQ2AAH33?si=xj94Gjd9R_6fRkngKMXSow&pi=u-xJ24mF-UTNi3

Shiba Robinson is a mortgage broker and founder of Homeownership Is Popping Mortgage Company with over 12 years of experience.00:00 Intro10:40 Proper preparation & education.20:41 “Home ownership ain't free”30:25 Working ON your business VS Working IN your business42:00 Make your peers stronger, greater, and better.

Nick Friedman, co-founder of the successful moving and hauling company, shares his journey of how a simple summer gig transformed into a thriving business empire. It all began during college when a spontaneous idea from a friend's mom sparked the birth of "College Hunks Hauling Junk." Embracing the unexpected, they ventured into uncharted territory, learning to navigate the moving and hauling industry. From their humble beginnings, they transitioned from working in the business to working on the business, realizing the importance of creating systems and processes. The pivotal shift towards franchising and expanding their services marked a new chapter in their entrepreneurial story. Nick's candid account of the challenges and triumphs in building a distinctive brand resonates with budding entrepreneurs, showcasing the power of adaptability and resilience. This episode provides a rich source of content for future discussions on leadership, company culture, and brand impact, making it a valuable listen for entrepreneurs and established businesses navigating changing market conditions. In this episode, we cover: How to uncover effective strategies for shifting from working in your business to working on it. The secrets to successfully franchising a moving company. How to explore innovative marketing tactics tailored for moving services. Connect with Paul here: Website: https://innovativewealth.com/Podcast Website: https://businesslegacypodcast.com/ Resources: Legacy Podcast: For more information about the Legacy Podcast and its co-hosts, visit businesslegacypodcast.com. Nick Friedman's website: Nickfriedman.com - This is where you can find more about Nick Friedman and his work with College Hunks. College Hunks website: Collegehunks.com or collegehunksPaulingjunk.com - Visit these websites to learn more about College Hunks and their services. Leave a Review: If you enjoyed the episode, leave a review and rating on your preferred podcast platform. For more information: Visit businesslegacypodcast.com to access the shownotes and additional resources on the episode. The key moments in this episode are:00:00:00 - Introduction and Unconventional Start 00:01:58 - Working On the Business 00:05:28 - Grassroots Marketing and Client Experience 00:08:29 - Franchise Onboarding and Vision 00:10:09 - Lessons from Market Cycles 00:11:47 - Thriving in Challenging Times 00:12:34 - Creating a Positive Culture 00:13:42 - Satisfying Impact 00:15:18 - Brand Recognition and Impact 00:16:53 - Legacy and Impact

Here is my chat with Rob Walling, author of the SaaS Playbook. We delved into product pricing, focusing on value alignment rather than greed, and discussed strategic price increases to reduce churn and bolster marketing. Rob also shared when to start paid ads and how to create impactful content. He offered advice on assembling a team within budgetary limits and revealed that smart business structuring can lead to profit with less work. Our conversation ended on the importance of joy in entrepreneurship, emphasizing freedom, purpose, and relationships.These shownotes were created with PodsqueezeLinks and MentionsSAS Playbook: 01:31:58Startups for the Rest of Us Podcast: 01:31:58MicroConf YouTube Channel: 01:31:58The Zen Founder Guide to Founder Retreats: 01:30:39Twitter Thread for Book Recommendations: 01:32:37TimetsampsRob Walling's Book (00:01:16)Writing the Book (00:02:13)Pricing Strategies (00:06:36)OpenAI's Pricing Strategy (00:11:54)Competitive Pricing Strategy (00:13:50)Greed and Motivation (00:16:40)Reasons for Raising Prices (00:17:50)Impact of Pricing on Marketing (00:19:24)Paid Advertising Considerations (00:20:59)Using Ads for SEO Strategy (00:24:57)Marketing Approaches for SaaS (00:29:50)Creating Compelling Content for Reddit (00:32:38)Navigating Reddit and Other Forums (00:34:17)Understanding Marketing and Content Strategies (00:35:20)Challenges of Early-Stage Product Development (00:38:03)Defining Product-Market Fit (00:44:48)Size of the Market (00:48:24)Total Reachable Market (00:49:01)Reaching 100% of the Paying Market (00:50:42)Total Addressable Market (00:51:00)Escape Velocity (00:54:20)Business Plateau (00:55:39)Hiring and Team Growth (00:57:24)Managing People (01:03:09)Owner and Founder Level Thinkers (01:04:35)Challenges of Hiring and Paying Employees (01:05:33)Remote Work and Cost-Effective Hiring (01:07:18)Working On vs. In the Business (01:10:33)Achieving Work-Life Balance and Financial Success (01:14:51)Earning Wealth and the Challenges of Autopilot Income (01:19:44)Investing and Selling Assets (01:20:21)Tax Treatment and Selling SaaS Companies (01:21:14)Wealth and Freedom (01:22:09)Finding Happiness as an Entrepreneur (01:23:04)Retreats and Self-Reflection (01:30:10)Recommendations and Conclusion (01:31:58)

Imran and Qiao sat down to talk about the Bitcoin Halving, Geopolitics, and Telegram (TON) with special guests: Alexei Zamyatin (BOB) and David Tse (Babylon).No BS crypto insight for founders.Timestamps(00:00) Intro(01:13) Welcome to Good Game(02:58) Is The Bull Market Over?(09:20) Keeping Up With Everything That's Happening(11:32) NodeMonkes and Bitcoin Puppets Competing for The #1 Spot(17:55) Imran's Bridging Experience(21:12) BitVM Fud(25:14) Welcome Alexei (BOB)(26:33) What Alexei is Working On(30:51) What Does Layer 2 Mean for BOB?(32:41) When Will BOB Launch and What Will Be The Security Assumptions?(34:49) What Alexei is Excited About(40:17) How Easy Is It To Support Runes On A Layer 2?(44:07) One Advice for Somebody That Wants To Build On Bitcoin Today(49:21) Welcome David (Babylon)(50:20) What Makes David Excited To Work In The Bitcoin Ecosystem(52:44) David Talks About Babylon(55:16) Explaining BitVM(01:02:33) Thoughts On The Halving(01:04:59) "Attention Matters Most"(01:07:56) (TON) Telegram(01:15:48) The Open Platform (www.top.co)(01:16:57) OP_CAT Announcement(01:18:48) Hong Kong ETFsAlexei Zamyatin Twitter/X: https://x.com/alexeiZamyatinDavid Tse Twitter/X: https://x.com/dntseSpotify: https://spoti.fi/3N675w3Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3snLsxUWebsite: https://goodgamepod.xyzTwitter: https://twitter.com/goodgamepodxyzWeb3 Founders:Apply to Alliance: https://alliance.xyzAlliance Twitter: https://twitter.com/alliancedaoDISCLAIMER: The views expressed herein are personal to the speaker(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of any other person or entity. Discussions and answers to questions are intended as generalized, non-personalized information. Nothing herein should be construed or relied upon as investment, legal, tax, or other advice.

Today we're welcoming Jen Atkin, dubbed “The Most Influential Hairstylist in the World,” by The New York Times. Prior to founding Ouai, Mane Addicts and now Mane, Jen lent her highly polished hair skills to a veritable who's who of young Hollywood – everyone from the Kardashians, the Jenner sisters, Hailey Bieber, Chrissy Teigen and even Madonna!Listen in as we chat about:What inspired Jen Atkin to launch Mane, after years of being an ambassador to the industry's most famous luxury $$$ hairdryerTips galore: How-to get the perfect blow dry at home, choosing the right barrel size for your hair type and banishing those dreaded curling iron kinksWhy the cool shot on your blow dryer is seriously underratedThe one hair product that Jen created which she now admits, was a flop momentThe secret habit she practices to bring focus as a busy Mom and serial entrepreneurPlus! Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch our conversation with Jen Atkin And follow us on Tiktok to see Jen Atkin style retro waves on Carlene's hair Get social with us and let us know what you think of the episode! Find us on Instagram, Tiktok, Twitter. Join our private Facebook group, or give us a call and leave us a voicemail at 1-844-227-0302. For any products or links mentioned in this episode, check out our website: https://breakingbeautypodcast.com/episode-recaps/Related episodes from back catalog: Celebrity Hairstylist Jen Atkin Tells us Everything About the New Dyson AirWrap InnovationKim Kardashian's Mane Man Chris Appleton Reveals His Celeb Hair SecretsMakeup By Mario is Here to Share The New Makeup Rules for 2024, The Secret Project He's Working On and The Never-Heard-Before, Very Personal Manifestation for The Year AheadPROMO CODES: When you support our sponsors, you support the creation of Breaking Beauty Podcast! OUAIFrizz-free up your schedule with OUAI. Go to theouai.com and enter promo code BEAUTY15 for 15% off any Ouai product.*Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, all products reviewed are gratis media samples submitted for editorial consideration.*Hosts: Carlene Higgins and Jill DunnTheme song, used with permission: Cherry Bomb by Saya
Produced by Dear Media StudioSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

According to David Masciotra, the real battleground for the future of American democracy lies in that no-man's land between suburban and rural America - what he calls the “exurb”. It's here, Masciotra argues in his new book EXURBIA NOW, that we can find the pathologies of a 21st century American totalitarianism. The America that Masciotra finds in these outer suburbs is the antithesis of Tocqueville's small town America - a fragmented, alienating place without public space or communal interaction. What Masciotra uncovers is Marjorie Taylor Greene's America and this grey often overlooked zone between suburb and countryside, he suggests is the Gettysburg of American democracy, the battleground which will determine the fate of the Republic in the 2020's and beyond.David Masciotra is an author, lecturer, and journalist. He is the author of I Am Somebody: Why Jesse Jackson Matters (I.B. Tauris, 2020), Mellencamp: American Troubadour (University Press of Kentucky), Barack Obama: Invisible Man (Eyewear Publishers, 2017), and Metallica by Metallica, a 33 1/3 book from Bloomsbury Publishers, which has been translated into Chinese. In 2010, Continuum Books published his first book, Working On a Dream: The Progressive Political Vision of Bruce Springsteen. His next book, Exurbia Now: Notes from the Battleground of American Democracy, is scheduled for publication from Melville House Books in 2024. Masciotra writes regularly for the New Republic, Washington Monthly, Progressive, the Los Angeles Review of Books, CrimeReads, No Depression, and the Daily Ripple. He has also written for Salon, the Daily Beast, CNN, Atlantic, Washington Post, AlterNet, Indianapolis Star, and CounterPunch. Several of his political essays have been translated into Spanish for publication at Korazon de Perro. His poetry has appeared in Be About It Press, This Zine Will Change Your Life, and the Pangolin Review. Masciotra has a Master's Degree in English Studies and Communication from Valparaiso University. He also has a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the University of St. Francis. He is public lecturer, speaking on a wide variety of topics, from the history of protest music in the United States to the importance of bars in American culture. David Masciotra has spoken at the University of Wisconsin, University of South Carolina, Lewis University, Indiana University, the Chicago Public Library, the Lambeth Library (UK), and an additional range of colleges, libraries, arts centers, and bookstores. As a journalist, he has conducted interviews with political leaders, musicians, authors, and cultural figures, including Jesse Jackson, John Mellencamp, Noam Chomsky, all members of Metallica, David Mamet, James Lee Burke, Warren Haynes, Norah Jones, Joan Osborne, Martín Espada, Steve Earle, and Rita Dove.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy show. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Litigation & Discovery, and has two grown children. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe

Weaponizing Efficiency: Is it really helping your software development, product, and teams?Efficiency is crucial, but at what cost? This episode digs deep into the dark side of "weaponized efficiency" in software development, product management, and team & business agility. We discuss how seemingly well-intentioned practices can stifle creativity, breed fear, and ultimately hurt value creation. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion that will challenge assumptions about efficiency and equip you with strategies to push back against pedantic optimization efforts.0:00 Topic Intro: Weaponizing Efficiency0:41 Standardizing Creativity out of the Org4:37 Fear-Based Management7:33 Garbage Metrics, Discouraging Peering11:31 Where Ideas Come From14:43 Financing Siloes17:29 Learning is Wasted Time19:49 Driving Costs (and Value) Down24:07 Working ON (versus IN) the Business25:53 Real Efficiency Gains are Outside Development Teams29:13 Making/Saving Money33:33 Wrap-Up= = = = = = = = = = = =Watch it on YouTube= = = = = = = = = = = =Subscribe to our YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8XUSoJPxGPI8EtuUAHOb6g?sub_confirmation=1 Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/agile-podcast/id1568557596 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/362QvYORmtZRKAeTAE57v3 Amazon Music:https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ee3506fc-38f2-46d1-a301-79681c55ed82/Agile-Podcast= = = = = = = = = = = =

What I'm Going to be Working On in the Garden Measuring pH Testing Garden Planning Pollinator Planning Seed Inventory  Soil Testing and Correcting Storing and Preserving Your Harvest Trees, Shrubs, and Bushes Maintenance RegionalPlanting and Maintaining Trees in the FallFruit TreesDeciduous TreesPalm TreesEvergreen/Gymnosperm Trees Northwest Region Southwest Region Northeast Region Southeast Region Hawaiian Region Alaskan Region

Are you looking to safeguard and grow your wealth while maintaining a legacy for generations to come? Join Martin & Khalil, with special guest Nolan Bradbury of Bradfield Accounting, as they unpack the world of Family Offices and discuss why setting up one might be one of the best financial decisions you can make.Time Stamps 00:39 - Intro to Nolan Bradbury 03:47 - Episode Intro 05:21 - Why Have a Family Office? 08:20 - What You Need in a Family Office 14:13 - When is the Right Time to Start a Family Office? 17:42 - Prevention is Better Than Cure 21:07 - Are You Running a Business or Just an Operation? 23:03 - Identifying Your North Star 26:19 - Finding the Time to Set Up a Family Office 31:49 - Understanding Where You're Going 37:16 - What Do You Really Want? 39:35 - Working ON vs. Working IN the Business 40:36 - What is Your Ideal Day? 42:50 - Trading Risk for Stability 48:51 - Finding the Right People For Your Family Office 58:27 - How to Get In Touch with Nolan Bradbury Quotable Moments "It isn't about whether you can, it's about whether you should, right? What is the best use of your time?" - Nolan Bradbury "The step by step is key." - Nolan Bradbury "A plan has direction. And the thing about taking a step, and then another step, and then another, is that you have, by virtue of taking a step, determined a direction." - Martin Holland "Happiness is really the difference between expectations and reality. And the smaller the difference between those two, the happier we are, to be quite honest." - Nolan Bradbury "90% of the businesses in the United States, and there are 30 million of them, do not know if they made a profit last month, last quarter, or last year. They don't know." - Martin Holland "You have to give yourself time to do the things you want to do. You can't just always do the things you think you have to do, because otherwise there's no time to do those things that will lead to the things you want to do." - Nolan Bradbury "Understanding who someone truly is and their desires and what they want, that's the hardest question to ask. What do you want?" - Khalil Benalioulhaj Ready to take your contracting business to the next level? Subscribe to The Cashflow Contractor today and get instant access to the FREE Ultimate Buyer's Guide for Contractors!Don't miss out on essential insights, tips, and strategies to boost your profits and streamline your operations. Subscribe now and download your exclusive guide to securing more clients and maximizing your earnings.Resources Need Marketing Help? We Recommend Benali Watch On Youtube Follow On Social: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram Have Questions? Email us More from Nolan Bradbury Website LinkedIn Email More from Martin theprofitproblem.com annealbc.com    Email Martin Meet With Martin LinkedIn Facebook Instagram More from Khalil benali.com  Email Khalil Meet With Khalil LinkedIn Facebook Instagram More from The Cashflow Contractor Ask Us A Question Sign Up For A Free Consultation thecashflowcontractor.com  Email The Cashflow Contractor LinkedIn Facebook Instagram

Listen to part 2 of our discussion with Brigham Dickinson, Founder of Power Selling Pros and author of “Something to Give: A Journey to Become a Leader Worth Following”. Join us as Brigham breaks down the five steps we mentioned in part 1. These steps will help you gain freedom as an entrepreneur, create a vision for your business, leverage your team's strengths, delegate more, and prioritize business growth. Towards the end, we discuss Brigham's approach to growing a business by optimizing customer acquisition, retention, and customer experience. SHOW NOTES - Recap of Episode 1 [10:19] - Step 1: Holding your team accountable [14:32] - Step 2: Setting the vision of your business [30:07] - Step 3: Discovering the strengths of your team [37:12] - Step 4: Writing down everything you do on a daily basis [38:32] - Step 5: Working ON your business, instead of IN it [55:07] Resources & People Mentioned: Visit Brigham's website & Pre-order “Something to Give”: https://www.brighamdickinson.com/hero-page1676928646975 Connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brigham-dickinson Patterned After Excellence by Brigham Dickinson: https://bit.ly/3r89iAC Interplay Learning: https://www.interplaylearning.com Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman & Mark Winters: https://bit.ly/3sQGsFz Watch Next: Part 1 with Brigham Dickinson: https://open.spotify.com/episode/43obq1NhqAsz5Ul9ruvSsj?si=819c449a68804c72 This episode is kindly sponsored by: - Sera (visit their website) - UpFrog (visit their website) - Relentless Digital (visit their website) - Copeland (visit their website). - CompanyCam (visit their website)  Visit www.companycam.com/SBM and use code SBM for a free 2-week trial, 1:1 training and account setup, and 50% off your first two months! Join the Service Business Mastery Facebook group Visit our website: https://www.servicebusinessmastery.com Learn the latest information in the HVAC industry with our state-of-the-art training for HVAC Distributors and Dealers HVAC Learning Campus Tune in to hear the latest and greatest in business services trends on Service Business Mastery on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and our website.  Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Service Business Mastery in your favorite podcast player.

Show notes: We're back after a short summer hiatus! Did you miss us? We missed you and we missed talking about books. In this episode, it's our monthly recap and we're sharing 10 books we read in August. Spoiler alert: there were only 3 five star books between us, gasp! Also, don't miss the beginning of the episode for a very special recording!   Click here to join us on Patreon to get an exclusive bookish goodie every single Friday. With fun bonus episode series like: Monthly Overflow Books, Backlist Book Club, The New Books in Our Lives plus a private community for RTL Book Nerds only, you're going to love being a part of our Patreon. Not only that, but you're helping to support our show by saying I LOVE WHAT YOU DO.    Find the time stamped show notes below with links to all of the fun things we mentioned.   What We're Working On: [5:58] M: Follow Mia on Instagram: @fastlifeinslowlane [7:02] S: Subscribe to Sarah's newsletter, Human Feelings     The Books We Read in August: [11:18] M: Three Fates by Nora Roberts [13:15] S: Shark Heart by Emily Habeck [15:37] M: Writers & Lovers by Lily King [18:25] S: Out of Love by Hazel Hayes [20:09] M: Stay Awake by Megan Goldin [22:06] S: My Husband by Maud Ventura [23:50] M: Tell It Like It Is: My Story by Aaron Neville [25:53] S: Glaciers by Alexis M. Smith [27:47] M: Las Cruces by Bart Hopkins (Kane Montgomery series #2) The Bends by Bart Hopkins (Kane Montgomery series #1) [29:49] S: The Summer of Broken Rules by K.L. Walther   [31:57] The Rest of the Books We Read in August   Also Mentioned: RTL Episode 7 featuring Mia's review of Fluke by David Elliott and Bart Hopkins Follow RTL on Instagram: @readingthroughlifepod Follow Sarah on Instagram: @sarahhartleycoaching  Follow Mia on Instagram: @fastlifeinslowlane + @miamanagementco    * The books noted above contain affiliate links. This means that we may get a small kickback if you purchase through our links, at no additional cost to you.  

At this point has become a cliche of sorts, but it doesn't make it any less true. Working “On” your business is a necessary component of building the practice of your dreams that offers the highest quality patient care, provides great jobs, and supports your family's wonderful life. Too many of you are starving artists and will die on that hill. Some of you know it doesn't have to be that way, but you are mired in the weeds of patient care, patient notes, and dirty diapers. Some of you even have hired coaches but didn't do the work and confirmed your self-limiting beliefs that “coaching doesn't work”. Having the view, I do inside the mindsets and practices of some of the best clinics in the world, I can tell you one common theme. The vast majority figured out early that working on their business had to be baked into the daily, weekly, and monthly schedules. I get it, we get busy. I wasn't planning on going back into patient care and fully running MCM. Both companies are fully involved businesses, and I am no Elon Musk. My solution has been to work from 5 am-6 am “on” MCM 5 days per week, followed by 6am-7:30am with the young kids, then off to work to treat patients. We all have a story, but we are also all professionals. Often being a Pro doesn't allow for stories and excuses. It requires a different mindset and a different level of commitment. Some of you may just need guidance on what to do and how to do it. We have all been there. In this episode, I discuss what it means to work on your business and how to strategically accomplish it. We are also diving deep into this topic in our coaching calls this week and ensuring our members are being Pros. Being a Pro is just different.

EPISODE 299: What does it take to grow a successful custom home building company? In today's episode, we've invited a Systematize Your Construction Business (SYCB) client, Alex Gregg, a teacher-turned-construction-business-owner of Gregg Homebuilding, a Tennessee-based company specializing in custom-built and spec homes. Today, Alex shares the key concepts that moved the needle for his custom home building business and how he became a better leader. He also talks about how his company was able to switch from giving away free estimates to charging pre-construction services agreements, the major takeaways he had from joining SYCB, and more. Make sure to tune in so you won't miss it!   Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) From teaching to homebuilding (01:07) What was it like starting a construction company in 2008? (04:19) Spec vs. custom home building (05:48) Misconceptions about custom home building (09:26) Keys to  growing a successful custom building  business (13:57) The truth about giving away free estimates (16:52) The Kent Hooper story (20:28) Why is it important for Alex to become a better leader? (27:07) Delegating outcomes vs. delegating tasks (32:07) The biggest problems that Alex had before joining SYCB (36:01)  What is nailing the handoff and its impact on Alex's business? (52:43) The turning-the-tables concept (56:29) Working ON vs. working IN (58:03) The 3 key concepts that grew his construction business (59:27) Life after implementing what he learned from SYCB (1:07:53) His most valuable takeaway as being part of the CEO Alliance (1:11:41) The biggest truth about running a business  (1:16:06) Rapid-fire lightning round questions (1:19:20)   Additional Resources: - Join the FREE Get Paid for Estimates Masterclass HERE - Hear our clients' success stories HERE  - Book a FREE call with our team HERE - Visit Construction Leading Edge for more HERE   Connect with Alex - Follow Gregg Homebuilding on Instagram HERE - Visit their website for more information HERE   Books Mentioned - Traction: Get A Grip On Your Business by Gino Wickman - Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink & Leif Babin - The Ultimate Sales Machine by Chet Holmes, Jay Conrad Levinson, Michael Gerber, and Amanda Holmes -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!  

With over $1.1 Billion raised and 6 Million acres conserved, the Federal Duck Stamp Program is the most successful and efficient wetlands conservation program on the planet. Katie Burke and Mike Brasher go behind the scenes with Jerome Ford, assistant director of USFWSMigratory Bird Program, and Suzanne Fellows, manager of USFWS Duck Stamp Program, to learn about its history, conservation successes, art competitions, and new efforts underway to grow interest and investments in this iconic program.www.ducks.org/DUPodcastwww.fws.gov/service/buy-duck-stamp-or-e-stamp

July 16, 2023The Funny Thing About YogaCan You Teach Poses You Can't Do? Episode No. 23In this episode Giana and Bradshaw talk about whether or not yoga teachers should teach poses that they themselves cannot do. It is never black and white and so they detail different scenarios and talk about pivotal memories during their more formidable yoga student years. Bradshaw explains how teaching things he can do easily is actually a challenge for him, whereas Giana talks about one of her big “AHA” moments from a teacher who could not do a pose she taught. This topic leads them through tangents about why challenging poses are necessary and what an advanced practice means. They end the episode with cancel, commit, explore and also share what they're working on or struggling with in their own practice right now. As always listen through to the funny stories at the end and let us know what you think! Rate, Review and Subscribe and share the podcast with your friends !00:00 Intro00:30 Welcome Back Banter 04:00 Can You Teach a posture You cannot do?06:15 Bradshaw talks about how its Hard for him to Teach Handstands08:51 Yoga Teachers don't have to be a Certain Way 09:38 Physical Capabilities Doesn't mean Great Teacher11:36 Giana gives an Example from her Experience as a Student14:28 We talk Visual Learners19:40 You don't Always have to Teach Hard Things 21:30 The More I Practice the Less I Practice “Hard” Pose23:20 “Hard” Poses Bring Big Lessons25:50 Find Ease rather than Creating Dis-Ease27:35 Discomfort Vs. Pain30:20 Advance Pose Versus Advance Practice 37:39 The Practice Changes You41:30 Summarizing Our Convo and How to…42:13 Cancel, Commit, Explore43:00 What Postures Can't You Do that You've Taught?46:00 What Postures Are you Working On?48:45 The Funny Thing About YogaFollow Us on Instagram:@TheFunnyThingAboutYoga @CayaYogaSchool @GianaGambino @BradshawWishJoin us in Nicaragua: https://www.cayayogaschool.com/nicargua Be Featured on the Podcast: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSck2nTNc_UlcCKBhZId5DmDwoU6aslkFfGKtdz-1uSo-HNY8g/viewformSubscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.cayayogaschool.com/contactFollow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thefunnythingaboutyoga/Learn more about C.A.Y.A. Yoga School: https://www.cayayogaschool.comGiana's Website: https://www.gianayoga.com/ Bradshaws Website: https://www.bradshawwish.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Today’s Show: Try The Galileo Game IN PROGRESS: Introduction 0:00.000 Still Poz’ed Up With Covaids 2:55.058 Play The Galileo Video Game I’m Working On 5:48.715 Update From Pig Slave Norm! 7:56.792 Extreme Church Sermons 10:11.097 Master Lady Bits Licker / Idiot 14:30.315 Hungry For Mommy’s Milkers 17:44.832 A Painful Sounding Full Body Crush 18:38.414 […] The post Tone Deaf Temple Pilots first appeared on Distorted View Daily.

On Today’s Show: Try The Galileo Game IN PROGRESS: Introduction 0:00.000 Still Poz’ed Up With Covaids 2:55.058 Play The Galileo Video Game I’m Working On 5:48.715 Update From Pig Slave Norm! 7:56.792 Extreme Church Sermons 10:11.097 Master Lady Bits Licker / Idiot 14:30.315 Hungry For Mommy’s Milkers 17:44.832 A Painful Sounding Full Body Crush 18:38.414 […] The post Tone Deaf Temple Pilots first appeared on Distorted View Daily.

This week Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett and David Picciuto talk about ups and downs in life and story. Our collaboration videos: Jimmy – David – Bob What We’re Working On...