POPULARITY
Send us Fan MailSupport the showDownload Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase!Download Fetch app using this link, submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points.Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more.I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources.I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant.Join here: Empowered Educator CommunityBook: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance SuccessGrab a complimentary Power Surgeemail: melinda@empowereducator.com
On episode 280 of the Atlantic City podcast, Kyle and Craig discuss the latest Irish Pub news and the revamped happy hour menu at Angeloni’s Club Madrid, then provide a... Read more »
Zero To Audience – https://www.marketingsharks.com/zero-to-audience-from-marlon-sanders/Zero To Audience – From Marlon Sanders – The Complete Platform-by-Platform Playbook for Building a Buyer-Ready Email List From ScratchHow To Build a Hungry, Buyer-Ready Email List From Scratch — Using 10 Proven Platforms That Are Giving Away Free Traffic Right Now — Even If You Have Zero Followers, Zero Budget, and Zero Idea Where to Start“Finally — A System That Reveals the Exact Nuances, Rules, and Hidden Tricks of Each Platform… So You Stop Wasting Time Doing the Wrong Things on the Wrong Channels and Start Building the Audience That Actually Buys”every single platform that can send you free traffic has its own hidden rules, hidden traps, and hidden “insider moves” — and if you don't know them, you will get ignored, banned, shadow-banned, or simply overlooked. No matter how good your content is.Post the wrong thing on Reddit — and a mob of strangers will destroy your reputation and ban your account in minutes. You'll never see it coming.Put a link in your YouTube Shorts description thinking it'll drive traffic to your list — and discover that YouTube killed that feature entirely in 2023. Millions of creators still don't know this. They're sending “link in the description” CTAs that point to nothing.Spend six months building a Facebook group to 5,000 members, go live… and have ONE person show up. (Sound familiar?)
What is Made in the USA Investing? In this video, Darin R. Garman explains why serious investors may want to look past hype-driven opportunities and focus on real U.S. assets, tenant demand, cash flow, and conservative multifamily fundamentals. You'll learn: 00:00 Why Made in USA Investing Matters 00:45 What Made in USA Investing Means 02:20 Why Investors Chase the Wrong Things 04:10 The Case for U.S. Multifamily 06:30 Why the Heartland Still Matters 09:00 Cash Flow, NOI, and Tenant Demand 11:40 The Risks Investors Must Underwrite 14:20 Who This Strategy Is For 16:30 Final Thoughts and Next Steps This is not financial advice; do your own due diligence. Subscribe for no-BS multifamily investing. Follow me on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedaringarman/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedaringarman Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thedaringarman
This episode covers the engine vs vehicle diagnostic: how to tell what to protect and what to cut before the cost is locked in.
John DiJulius explains why so many leaders believe their customer experience is improving while customers feel something very different. Summary: In this episode of The Customer Service Revolution Podcast, Denise Thompson and John DiJulius unpack one of the most dangerous gaps in business today: the difference between what leaders think customers are experiencing and what customers are actually feeling. A 2026 customer experience report referenced in the episode found that 66% of CX practitioners believe customer experience improved last year, while only 17% of consumers agree. That gap is not just a measurement issue. It is a leadership issue. John explains why survey scores, dashboards, and internal reports can create false confidence. He also discusses why customer feedback often fails to become customer intelligence, how silos distort the experience, and why frontline employees are often closest to the truth but least empowered to fix recurring friction points. The episode challenges leaders to stop judging customer experience from the conference room and start getting closer to the real customer journey. Companies that want to build loyalty, reduce friction, and create a true competitive advantage must measure what matters, listen to what customers are actually saying, and follow through with systems, standards, and accountability. Takeaways There is often a major gap between what companies think they are delivering and what customers actually experience. Leaders may be investing in CX, tracking scores, and launching initiatives, but customers may still not feel meaningful improvement. Survey scores alone are no longer enough. John argues that survey fatigue has made traditional feedback less reliable. Many customers do not complain; they simply leave. Customer feedback and customer intelligence are not the same. Feedback tells you how someone feels about an interaction. Customer intelligence helps you understand who the customer is, what they need, what they value, and where friction exists. Frontline employees often know the problems before leadership does. Contact center teams, sales teams, and customer-facing employees hear recurring complaints daily. The problem is that many companies lack a system to capture and act on that intelligence. Silos create customer experience breakdowns. Departments often optimize for their own numbers, but customers experience the company as one organization. Implementation is where most CX initiatives fail. Launching the idea is easy. Measuring, training, coaching, reinforcing, and holding people accountable is the hard part. Leaders need to become their own customers. Ordering your own product, calling your own contact center, testing your own digital journey, and experiencing your own process can expose friction dashboards miss. Customer experience is not a short-term ROI play. Cost-cutting, discounting, layoffs, and acquisitions may improve short-term numbers, but they can damage the long-term experience. AI can help leaders hear the real customer voice. Customer sentiment analysis can reveal recurring issues across calls, chats, emails, and support interactions without relying only on low-response surveys. The ultimate question is not, "Are we working on CX?" It is, "Would our customers say it is actually better?" Quotes "Customer experience can't be judged from the conference room alone." "If customers are not feeling the improvement, then the work isn't finished." "Survey scores can create false confidence if they are not connected to the real customer journey." "Feedback is one thing. Customer intelligence is another." "The frontline often knows where the friction is. The question is whether leadership has a system to hear it and fix it." "EX equals CX. What employees experience, customers will experience." "Don't just ask, 'Are we working on customer experience?' Ask, 'Would our customers say it is actually better?'" "Implementation is the hard part. Launching the idea is easy." "Some customers do not complain. They just quietly leave." "Leaders need to roll up their sleeves and get closer to the customer." Chapters List 00:00 – Introduction: The Gap Between CX Perception and Reality Denise introduces a major disconnect between what CX professionals believe and what consumers report feeling. 01:58 – Why Companies Think Experience Is Improving John explains why there may be a lag between CX initiatives and customer perception, but also why leaders may be missing the real experience. 03:43 – Why CX Initiatives Fail After Launch John discusses flavor-of-the-month initiatives, poor execution, and the importance of measurement, training, coaching, and accountability. 04:52 – How Leaders Become Disconnected from Customers John explains how growth, P&L pressure, and short-term decision-making can distance leaders from the actual customer experience. 06:54 – The Role of Silos in Customer Experience Gaps Denise and John discuss how departments can unintentionally create friction when they do not understand one another's impact on the customer. 08:48 – Signs of a Customer Experience Delusion John challenges companies that rely too heavily on surveys and NPS without understanding what those metrics may be missing. 10:26 – AI, Customer Sentiment, and Real-Time Intelligence John explains how AI can help companies identify recurring customer issues through calls, emails, chats, and sentiment analysis. 11:45 – Customer Feedback vs. Customer Intelligence John defines customer intelligence and explains why different customer avatars have different needs, expectations, and pain points. 14:14 – Why Companies Collect Feedback but Fail to Act Denise and John discuss why employees and customers stop giving feedback when nothing changes. 16:51 – How Leaders Can Stay Close Without More Surveys John recommends AI sentiment analysis, contact center focus groups, and direct conversations with frontline employees. 18:41 – Becoming Your Own Customer Denise shares an example of executives testing their own product experience and finding major improvements before launch. 20:04 – How to Know CX Strategy Is Working John explains the importance of a return-on-experience dashboard, employee energy, task forces, and internal alignment. 21:54 – Consulting CTA Denise explains how The DiJulius Group helps organizations uncover friction, build systems, and create consistency at scale. 22:43 – The Danger of Relying Only on Survey Scores John explains why low response rates and incomplete survey answers can distort the truth. 23:27 – What Companies Should Do This Quarter John recommends speaking directly with VIP customers, creating a CX champion, forming a task force, and following a proven methodology. 24:44 – Closing Challenge Denise challenges leaders to ask whether customers would say the experience is actually better. Links: The DiJulius Group Methdology: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/x-commandment-methodology/ Company Service Aptitude Test: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/c-sat-forms/individual-c-sat/ Schedule a Complimentary Call with one of our advisors: tdg.click/claudia Ask John! Submit your questions for John, to be aired on future episode: tdg.click/ask Customer Experience Executive Academy: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/project/cx-executive-academy/ Experience Revolution Membership: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/membership/ Books: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/shop/ Contacts: Lindsey@thedijuliusgroup.com , Claudia@thedijuliusgroup.com If you want to learn how world-class organizations build cultures customers cannot live without, explore The Experience Revolution Membership. Inside the membership you'll gain access to livestream workshops, practical frameworks, and proven strategies used by organizations around the world. Learn more at https://thedijuliusgroup.com/membership/ Learn More If your organization is working to improve customer experience but struggling to connect it to measurable business outcomes, The DiJulius Group can help. Visit: https://thedijuliusgroup.com Listen to more episodes: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/the-customer-service-revolution-podcast/ Subscribe We talk about topics like this each week; be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts so you don't miss an episode.
Do you ever wonder if you are wasting money on your marketing efforts? Or how do you navigate today's big changes in paid marketing? Our guest today is Jeff Greenfield, and he shares with us his marketing insights and the changing paid advertising landscape. TODAY'S WIN-WIN: Aspire to be less wrong today than you were yesterday as there is no right answer to measurement. LINKS FROM THE EPISODE:Schedule your free franchise consultation with Big Sky Franchise Team: https://bigskyfranchiseteam.com/. You can visit our guest's website: www.getprovalytics.com.Attend our Franchise Sales Training Workshop: https://bigskyfranchiseteam.com/franchisesalestraining/Connect with our guests on social:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffgreenfield/ABOUT OUR GUEST:Jeff Greenfield is an entrepreneur, advisor, and disruptor with more than three decades of leadership in strategy, growth, and marketing. He is the Co-Founder and CEO of Provalytics, an AI-driven, cookie-less attribution and measurement platform that helps marketers prove the impact of upper funnel channels such as CTV and podcasts to drive smarter budget decisions. Previously, Jeff was the COO and Co-Founder of C3 Metrics, a leading multi-touch attribution platform serving brands such as JP Morgan, US Bank, Hertz, Nestlé, Carhartt, Edward Jones, Fender, and Peapod. Widely known as the “Cookie Monster,” Jeff is a recognized expert on cookies and their impact on the digital advertising ecosystem.Jeff has spoken at hundreds of industry conferences and his thought leadership has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, ABC, CBS, and Investor's Business Daily.This episode is powered by Big Sky Franchise Team. Big Sky Franchise Team is consistently recognized as one of the best franchise consulting firms in the United States, helping entrepreneurs franchise their businesses through a proven 3-Step franchise process rooted in ethical principles, hands-on guidance, and customized deliverables. If you are ready to talk about franchising your business you can schedule your free, no-obligation, franchise consultation online at: https://bigskyfranchiseteam.com/. The information provided in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered financial, legal, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making any business decisions. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Big Sky Franchise Team, or our affiliates. Additionally, this podcast may feature sponsors or advertisers, but any mention of products or services does not constitute an endorsement. Please do your own research before making any purchasing or business decisions.
If you've ever bought a laser, a skincare line, or a rewards app that another clinic is crushing it with — and watched it sit there doing nothing for you — Leisa has news. The tool didn't fail you. Your strategy failed the tool, and the strategy failed because nobody in the building did the work on the data and the demographic before the contract got signed.In this episode, Leisa walks through the six disciplines that separate the clinics winning in medical aesthetics from the clinics guessing their way through it — the numbers you must know cold, the patient avatar most owners are still drawing in crayon, the questions you have to answer before you buy another device, the positioning shift that changes your price ceiling, the brutal truth about why workshops don't translate into revenue, and what a curated practice looks like when every service ladders up to a real result instead of cluttering the menu like a cosmetic convenience store. If you're tired of blaming the tools, this is the episode that hands you the mirror.Not a member yet? No worries! Just head over to ScalpelOfTruth.com and sign up today! Get the full episodes in your own private, personal podcast feed all while ensuring this show continues to grow and thrive! Thank you!ScalpelOfTruth.com • Join Club Bitchacho for full episodes today!Check out our MedSpa Workshops and Trainings and schedule a discovery call today
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3546: Louis Chew explores how the “Diderot Effect” quietly traps us in cycles of consumption, revealing how our purchases often stem from a deeper desire for status rather than true fulfillment. By unpacking the psychology behind signaling and social comparison, he shows why chasing possessions can leave us empty. The real opportunity lies in redirecting that drive toward pursuits that build genuine value, not just appearances. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://nosidebar.com/pursuit-of-status/ Quotes to ponder: "The greatest reward in becoming a millionaire is not the amount of money that you earn. It is the kind of person that you have to become to become a millionaire." "The poor man may take his ease without thinking of appearances, but the rich man is always under a strain" "We can never have enough if we need to have more than our neighbor" Episode references: Spent: Sex, Evolution, and Consumer Behavior: https://www.amazon.com/Spent-Evolution-Consumer-Behavior-Miller/dp/0143117238 Regrets for My Old Dressing Gown: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regrets_on_Parting_with_My_Old_Dressing_Gown Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What if everything you're chasing still leaves you empty?This message hits the tension we all feel but rarely admit. Success, money, status, even the dream life we imagine can't carry the weight of our identity. Through stories of Tom Brady, Solomon, and real-life struggles with approval and achievement, we see a pattern. We chase more to prove we're enough, but it never delivers. The truth is simple but hard. The things we build for ourselves will never satisfy the deeper need inside us.Something shifts when we stop trying to prove ourselves and start surrendering. Jesus flips the script. Instead of building a life around taking, He shows us a life built on giving. Purpose isn't something you create through success. It's something you discover by serving something bigger than you. When you let go of control, approval, and identity tied to performance, you finally find freedom, meaning, and a life that actually matters.Key Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:11, Matthew 16:25, Mark 10:45, Philippians 2:6–7, Ephesians 2:10
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3546: Louis Chew explores how the “Diderot Effect” quietly traps us in cycles of consumption, revealing how our purchases often stem from a deeper desire for status rather than true fulfillment. By unpacking the psychology behind signaling and social comparison, he shows why chasing possessions can leave us empty. The real opportunity lies in redirecting that drive toward pursuits that build genuine value, not just appearances. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://nosidebar.com/pursuit-of-status/ Quotes to ponder: "The greatest reward in becoming a millionaire is not the amount of money that you earn. It is the kind of person that you have to become to become a millionaire." "The poor man may take his ease without thinking of appearances, but the rich man is always under a strain" "We can never have enough if we need to have more than our neighbor" Episode references: Spent: Sex, Evolution, and Consumer Behavior: https://www.amazon.com/Spent-Evolution-Consumer-Behavior-Miller/dp/0143117238 Regrets for My Old Dressing Gown: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regrets_on_Parting_with_My_Old_Dressing_Gown Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bartimaeus was blind, broke, and sitting on the side of the road. His desperation led him to shout past the crowd—who were telling him to shut up—and to get the attention of the one who could do something. This Sunday we're talking about the kind of bold, persistent, holy-hustle faith that refuses to stay seated and discovers that Jesus is already waiting, already asking, already wanting to hear all about how he can answer your deepest needs. Check out the weekly sermon here or on our SRBC podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify. This Sunday we're exploring:Why faith is not passive and what bold, persistent faith actually looks like in practiceThe question Jesus asks twice in Mark 10, and why he answers it differently each time — What do you want?Why the version of Christianity that tells you to want nothing and need nothing is unbiblical and antithetical to the Jesus wayHow sacred striving and holy hustle are not opposed to grace but the key that unlocks the grace that awaits youHow the mature follower of Jesus knows who they are, knows what they need, and is satisfied with the God's answers to their requests Like what you hear? We'd love to know.At South Run, we read every message personally. Whether you have a question, want to share how God is moving in your life, or are thinking about visiting in person, this is the place to start. If you click the link below, Pastor Eric will personally reach out to you. Listening online? Let us know. Sermon Transcript What Do You Want? — Sermon TranscriptSouth Run Baptist Church | Springfield, VAPastor Eric GilchrestMark 10:46–52This is a full sermon transcript from South Run Baptist Church in Springfield, Virginia. In this message, Pastor Eric Gilchrest preaches on the healing of blind Bartimaeus from Mark 10:46–52. This sermon is part of the ongoing "The Jesus Way" transformation series and addresses the question Jesus asks Bartimaeus — "What do you want me to do for you?" — exploring what it means to bring our deepest desires to God, why active faith matters, and how to pursue the abundant life with what Pastor Eric calls "holy hustle."Opening Prayer: The Hope and Possibility That Children RepresentHeavenly Father, I thank you for these children, for the life that they represent, the energy, the possibility, the hope of their future. They are a reminder to us all, the adults in the room, of just what is possible when we give our lives over to you. And so, Lord, today we do so again, and we ask that you speak to us right here, right now. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.What Do You Desire from God? A Question That Broke a Pastor's BrainA few years ago, I was part of a small group of pastors. We met about once a month, and it was over Zoom, and in the first meeting that we had together, it was in person, and it was for a full day. And during this full day session, we really got to know each other well. We hadn't really met each other prior to this, and so there was just a lot of sharing, a lot of honesty, and then periodically in the meeting, we would be given a prompt that we would then have to go journal about for about 30 minutes or so.The very first prompt that we were given and we were supposed to go journal about was really quite simple. And it's a question, which is: what do you desire from God? What do you desire from God? And I remember I took the question, and I still have the journal, and I went off to my own little place, and I wrote the question at the top of the journal, and I sat there, and I felt like my brain was breaking, because despite 40 years of living on this earth at that point, I had never really asked that question. Like, I was always tuned to ask, what does God want, right? What does God desire from me? And I think this is a very good question, too, but they were asking me to think about, what do I desire? Like, what do I want in this life?And this is the question Jesus asks to Bartimaeus today — what do you want from me, is what he asks him. And it's the question I think you should be asking of yourself. And the truth is this, right? Even if you say, well, I don't have a desire, or I'm not supposed to have one — it's always there. It's lurking underneath. You're just kind of squashing it down. There are things sitting in your heart right now. You just simply need to be honest about them, and you need to bring them to God, and you need to see, like, God, is this what you desire? And then we tune our desires with the desires of God. And God may say, as he said to Bartimaeus, a big yes, be healed. And he may say no. And we must learn what it means to receive both of these answers.But with this sermon, my hope for you today is that as we continue down this path together of the Jesus way, the abundant life way, we get serious about what it is that we actually want ourselves in this life, but then we do something about it — that we don't just sit still and we don't wait for the thing to happen and we sit on our hands and do nothing. We actually then pursue and we proceed to go somewhere.Mark 10:46–52: Blind Bartimaeus on the Road to JerichoJesus is asking Bartimaeus today, what is it that you want me to do for you? And I actually think God is asking this same question of each of us. What do you want me to do for you? The truth is this: it's obvious that only you can live your life. No one's going to live it for you. God's not even going to live your life for you. And so part of being a follower of Jesus and finding our way down that path toward abundance is walking with an active kind of faith — moving and doing, pursuing, working in the world. And as we do so, coming back to God regularly, daily, asking God, is this what I should be doing in the world? Use me today for your ends.Let's go ahead and pick up Mark. If you've got your scriptures, we're in Mark 10:46 to 52. If you don't have a Bible with you, there's definitely one in the pew back, and I would encourage you to pull that out right now.Jesus is nearing the end of his life. He's heading out of Jericho and actually into Jerusalem for the very last time, and this is where we pick him up. It says:"They came to Jericho, and as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside."I really want you to envision this scene. I want you to put yourself into it. I want you to be Bartimaeus. I want you to sit there blinded for decades. I want you to be the beggar on the side of the road who is desperate. And then you know who Jesus is, and he's walking by. I want you to ask yourself what you would do in this situation.We continue in verse 47: "When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me. Have mercy on me." And he cries out. Oh, you might do this too, right? You might cry out and you know this is your one shot. You're going to shoot your shot and you are going to find that man that can actually do something.But then there's probably some of you in the room who might think, well, he's a very important person and he's got other big things that he needs to do. He's on his way to save the world, in fact, and probably doesn't want to be bothered by my petty needs. And so maybe I'll just continue to sit here and do nothing. But this is not what Bartimaeus does, right? Bartimaeus shouts out, and he says, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me. Help me out. I'm in a desperate place.And he goes on. "Many rebuked him, and they told him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, Son of David, have mercy on me." Second time around, he is told by the crowds, be silent. Stop speaking up. And what does he do? Does he listen to the crowds and say, yeah, they're right, I probably should just sit here and be quiet? No, he shouts out all the more. And he says, Jesus, help me.Bartimaeus as the Opposite of Vanity: Seeking Jesus Above the Crowd's OpinionNow, if you were here last week, we talked about vanity, right? And if you remember what vanity is, it's being more worried about the crowds and what they think than about the one audience you should be seeking. Bartimaeus is a beautiful example of the opposite of vanity. He cares nothing about what the crowds think. He is not worried at all if they think he is immoral, if they think he is not worthy of Jesus' attention, if they think whatever they might think of him. He's a nuisance on the side of the road. He does not care about them. He cares about the only one in the room who needs to care for him. And so he shouts out all the more. Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.Jesus hears him and stops, says, call him to me. And they called the blind man, and they said to him, take heart, get up, he's calling you. And what does he do? He throws off his cloak, he sprang up, and he came to Jesus. And Jesus says the question of the day: "What do you want me to do for you?" And the blind man said, "Rabbi, teacher, let me recover my sight." And Jesus says, "Go your way. Your faith has made you well." And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.Holy Hustle: The Active, Pursuing Faith of BartimaeusA couple key pieces of this that I want to draw out — really just one big one — is the nature of his faith, Bartimaeus. It is an active faith. He is pursuing Jesus. He is shouting out, not once but twice. He is not allowing the crowds to stop him. He is not allowing people to say, no, no, no, go over here and do this other thing. He is going to pursue Jesus actively, and he's going to go after the one who can indeed help him. And then when he gets the call, what does he do? He doesn't sit there in the dust. He throws it all off. The cloak, by the way, is everything he owns. And he leaves it all behind, unlike the rich man who appears just prior to this. He gives it all up, and he begins to follow Jesus in this moment.This is what Bartimaeus does, and he represents what I'm calling this morning holy hustle. Holy hustle. He is somebody who in a holy kind of way is hustling and doing something to reach the ends that not only he desires, but it turns out God desires these ends for him as well.The Persistent Widow of Luke 18: Another Portrait of Holy HustleLuke tells the same story about Bartimaeus. Luke tells it slightly differently. This will appear, if you want to look it up at some other point, in Luke chapter 18. But what Luke does in 18 is he pairs it with what happens in Luke 1 to, I want to say, 6 or 8. And in that little passage, Jesus tells a parable. And this parable is about a widow. And it's a widow who has been treated unjustly — something has been done to her that is unjust. And if you recall this parable, what does she do? Middle of the night, she goes and she finds the judge, the one who is supposed to mete out justice in the world, and she goes and she knocks on his door.It turns out he is an unjust judge. He doesn't really care about her at all. But what does she do? She knocks again, and then she goes again, and then she goes again, and she is persistent. She doesn't stop. She too has this holy hustle. And then finally, what happens in this parable? Well, this unjust judge who the passage says is evil and unrighteous, well, he finally relents and he gives her what she wants because he's just tired of her asking.And then it says, but if that's an unjust person, if that's somebody who is evil, imagine what a good God does when he hears our needs, our desires, and our prayers. What does that God do? Well, he looks upon us, as Bartimaeus asks for, with mercy.The Plastic Lawnmower: What Grace Actually Looks Like in PracticeThere is a holy hustle about the persistent widow. There is a holy hustle about Bartimaeus this morning. Now, all of this, by the way, gets at the nature of maybe one of the Bible's biggest topics, which is grace and how grace works. And I'm going to guess that at this point, some of you might be a little uncomfortable with the notion that you are somehow doing something to affect God's grace in your life. Because many of us have grown up in a Protestant tradition where we recite good Protestant phrases like sola gratia, by grace alone, and it's all God's doing and it's none of our doing. I'm not going to necessarily take aim directly at that, just close to it.Because what I think about how grace works is there is a part that you and I must play in it. Bartimaeus, for example, he could have sat there and said nothing, done nothing, waited, watched Jesus walk by, and then he would have remained blind for the rest of his life. But this is not what he does, is it? He shouts out. He is active. His faith pushes him to do something.I want you to think of it this way. I meant to bring a prop, by the way. I don't bring props often, and I was really happy about this one, and now I'm very sad that I didn't. So I want you to imagine, up on this stage is one of those plastic lawnmowers that kids have. Do you know these? We have one at our house still. A child who is five years old says to his dad, I want to help you mow the lawn. Now the dad chooses to give him the fake plastic lawnmower that does very little real good, but the fake plastic lawnmower is still something. And then the dad goes out and grabs his real metal lawnmower, one that is quite dangerous, but very effective. And he begins to mow. Well, alongside him is this five-year-old with the plastic mower, thinking that he is mowing the grass very well alongside his father.This is not a perfect analogy, but that little boy is doing something — something very important. He is showing up. He is engaging with the father. He is participating alongside of him. It looks like he's mowing, even though he's clearly not. If someone walked by to see this scene, they would know immediately that the father is doing all of the mowing out there. But when the grass is finally cut, and the father and the son walk inside, sweating profusely, and grab a drink, both of them have had a hard day's work together, and no doubt, the five-year-old son will look at the dad and be proud of what they did together. Did the son do anything? Yes, he did. Did the father do everything? Yes, he did.But you can also imagine a very different scene in which the five-year-old does not ask to mow with the dad. He just stayed inside and he watched. He wasn't part of it at all. He didn't ask the father for a mower, and he didn't walk alongside the father every step of the way. When the grass is cut and the father is inside getting the long drink, will that son look at the yard and say to the dad, look what we've done together, dad? No, he will not.This is what grace looks like. It is God who is doing it all. Obviously, it is Jesus who heals Bartimaeus. Jesus effectuates the grace. Jesus does the work of healing that blind man. Jesus does what Bartimaeus cannot. Bartimaeus sat there for decades, blind, begging, and could do nothing about it. And Jesus comes along, and he does what Bartimaeus simply cannot do — much like the five-year-old cannot do anything about really mowing that lawn. But he can show up. And he can be with his dad. And he can choose not to stay indoors, but to go outdoors and to mow with the father.I think the showing up is what Jesus rewards here. It's not that Bartimaeus has done anything, and yet he's done something — something very important. He has opened himself to the grace that God offers. That is what Jesus is asking of you right now. He is walking by and he wants you to call out. Maybe to be obnoxious and to forget about what the crowds are saying and to seek his grace.Two Traps to Avoid: The Genie Lamp and the Bootstraps TrapNow I will warn you, there are two traps that we should talk about. I don't want you to be confused. The first has to do with the play that I saw last night, Aladdin, in which there is a genie that pops out, and you rub the lamp, and you simply ask for your wish, and the genie says, your wish is my command, and he gives it to you. This is not how God works. Not at all, in fact. And we know this with certainty, because if you turn with me back to Mark chapter 10, I'll show you something that would be easily missed.You see, if you go to the passage right before this one, it's a passage about two men, James and John, the brothers, and they come to Jesus, and they have a request themselves. And so in verse 35, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and they said to him, teacher, we want you to do something for us, whatever we ask of you. We want to rub the lamp, right? And we want our wish to be your command. And so he says to them, interestingly, what do you want me to do for you? This is the precise question — like word for word — what he says to Bartimaeus, right? What do you want me to do for you? And they proceed to say, well, we want to sit at your right hand and your left hand in glory, right? We are self-seeking in this moment, they may as well say out loud. And Jesus says, you don't know what you're asking. Sometimes this is God's answer to us. We might be in prayer and rubbing what we think is the God lamp and saying, God, we want you to give me this thing. And sometimes God says back to us, you don't know what you're asking for.But sometimes it's actually a little deeper than that. I don't know if you caught the 60 Minutes this week, but there's a former senator from Nebraska named Ben Sasse. He's in his mid-50s. And in December of last year, he was given a cancer diagnosis, and he should not and probably will not make it to the end of this year. He is an honorable man. He is, in terms of politicians, we'll say he's one of the good ones. And he is a man of deep faith. And it is interesting to watch him because he has certainly asked God to take this cancer away from me. And God's answer has been to this point, no. No, I am not going to take that away from you. And this is sometimes the answer we get from God. Our desire, our will, our hopes, our dreams are much like Bartimaeus' — and we want to be healed of the blindness or whatever it is that's besetting us. But sometimes God says, no, I have other plans.And then Ben Sasse shows us a way forward. Because he will stand there and he will say, I trust the God of the universe to have a plan that is in all of our best interests. And so I am going to use the rest of my life, the life that I have left, that God has given me, and I am going to pour life into this world as long as I have breath in my lungs. And so this is what he has set out to do for however many months he has left.The second trap we might fall into — I was struggling to find a name for it — it might be like the bootstraps trap or the entitlement trap or the ownership trap, which is to say that that little boy that goes out there and mows the lawn with his father might turn around and then tell one of his friends, hey, look what I did, right? I am the keeper of this lawn. This is my domain. I own all of this. Look at how great I am. The holy hustle only remains holy if you don't fall into the bootstraps trap, which is to say that when the success comes, if the success comes, you always recognize that it's grace. From top to bottom, it's grace. And so you always point back to the one giving the grace, and you give him thanks for the successes that you have in life.Three More Traps: Suppressing Desire, Dying to the Wrong Things, and the Trap of InactivityBut there are some traps that this whole sermon has been trying to keep you out of, and I want to make sure you catch those as well. One of those traps says that we have or are supposed to have no desires or wants or needs. But as I started with, this is just silly. Of course, you will always have desires, so I think it's better to simply name them and to start working on them and to try to figure out if they are holy or not, if they are God's desires or not.Another trap says something along the lines of, we're supposed to die to ourselves, right? And this is true. The scriptures talk about this all the time. But sometimes we end up dying to the wrong things. We are supposed to die to that which makes us unholy, that which works against the grace of God working in us and through us. But instead, some in this room, and myself included, have fallen into the trap where we die to noble things and good things, things that actually give us life — maybe even desires that God himself has planted deep in your soul. And we say, we're not allowed to have those desires. I'm supposed to die to that old self. And to you, I would simply say, it's quite possible God has planted that seed in you and is really trying to grow it and is trying to nourish it and wants you to nourish it because that part of you might be the very thing that is going to change the world that is all around you. But this requires wisdom, knowing what parts of yourself to die to and what parts of yourself to live into — this is a life's journey. And it requires wise guides and people in your life, being discipled by someone else or others, coming to church on Sundays.Finally, there is this other trap. And this other trap is the trap of inactivity. It's just sitting there, waiting for God to move or to do something. It's as if Bartimaeus had not called out to Jesus, or the persistent widow had not walked next door to the judge's home and knocked on it ten times. The trap of inactivity says, well, God will do what God will do when God wants to do it. And I would encourage you, maybe the right thing to do is to get up, and to shout out, and to be a little obnoxious, and to go knock on somebody's door, and to do something about what God is trying to do in your life.This walking with Jesus on the narrow road to life requires a tremendous amount of wisdom. And here's why. The scriptures tell us routinely to wait on God. And so one might mistake what Bartimaeus is doing as not waiting on God. Bartimaeus is maybe being too active. And so it requires wisdom to know when I lean in and when I wait. This again requires good friends and wise counsel and people who are helping you discern what to do with your life.Easter Morning, the Amphitheater, and the Shout That Surprised a PastorOn Easter morning this year, in that early service, many of us gathered outside at the amphitheater down there, and something remarkable happened, for me at least. I don't know if you remember this, but for me it was a moment. You see, I didn't think it was going to work, and then it did work. I said to the congregation, I want you to be thinking of something that you're hoping for this year, something that you're dreaming about, something that you want, a desire that's deep down in you, and I'm going to ask you to shout it out. We're not doing this again this morning, by the way. And then I thought, well, no one's gonna do it, or they're just gonna whisper it. And so I kind of prompted it, and then we got to the point where I asked, okay, shout it out now — and like everybody shouted at the same time. And I was shocked because you clearly had some strong desires deep down in your hearts that you want, that you hope for.And I want you this morning to name those again. Not out loud this time. But I want you to name them in your heart and in your head. Because the first step toward living a faithful life is to name what we desire, to start walking toward it, and then allowing God to course correct along the way. To hustle, but to make sure it's a holy hustle.What Is Your Deep Desire? God Is Asking You the Same Question He Asked BartimaeusAnd so this morning, just to kind of prompt you and pump the well a little bit, you might be hoping or longing or desiring for one of these things. To be a present, engaged father. To find a spouse. To leave the job that is killing you and find the courage to do what you were made for. You might be desiring to find freedom from that thing that you've never told anyone about. To get sober. To get into the right school or the right grad program. To experience the real and living God rather than just study about him. To find a community where you actually belong, where someone knows you and you know them. To have one real friend. To eat right and to lose weight. To see a family member come to faith. To leave something behind that outlasts you.I don't know what your deep desire is. But God wants to know. And God is coming to you this morning and asking you the same question he asked Bartimaeus. What do you want? It starts with honesty. And God's answer may be no. But God's answer may be yes. And he's just waiting for you to say it out loud and to start walking toward him.Because there's this other part of the story that would be easily missed again, but I don't want us to miss it. Because right at the end of all of this, Bartimaeus comes forward, and he tells Jesus what he wants, and Jesus heals him. And then it says he followed him on the way. Which is everything that Jesus is trying to get us to do this morning — to follow him along the road. And our hopes and our dreams and our desires, it should all be aiming for that road of life, for that way of Jesus that he wants to walk us down.But God is not going to live this life for you. And yet, paradoxically, he is the one who will enable all the work you are supposed to be doing. He's got his mower out and he's ready. You just have to pick up your plastic mower, head outside, and walk where Jesus walks the path ahead of you, following where he has prepared a way. A path that is intended for your good and for the good of all around you.Let us pray together. Jesus, we come this morning and we hear echoing in our ears, what do you want me to do for you? What do you want me to do for you? God, sometimes we don't answer that question out of fear. Fear that we actually don't have faith, that we don't trust you enough to give it over, that you might disappoint us, that maybe you're not even really there. And so God, this morning, give us that faith to trust you enough, to hand over our life's deepest desires to you. And God, whatever answer that is that comes back, whether it's that resounding yes or a quiet no or a I want to make you holy — God, I pray this morning that we trust you, that we have the faith of Bartimaeus to leap up and to ask you for exactly what we want and then to follow you along the way. We pray this in Christ's holy name. Amen.South Run Baptist Church | 8712 Selger Drive, Springfield, VA 22153 | Sunday Worship at 11amServing Springfield, Burke, West Springfield, Lorton, Alexandria, Fort Belvoir, and Franconia, Virginia.Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3546: Louis Chew explores how the “Diderot Effect” quietly traps us in cycles of consumption, revealing how our purchases often stem from a deeper desire for status rather than true fulfillment. By unpacking the psychology behind signaling and social comparison, he shows why chasing possessions can leave us empty. The real opportunity lies in redirecting that drive toward pursuits that build genuine value, not just appearances. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://nosidebar.com/pursuit-of-status/ Quotes to ponder: "The greatest reward in becoming a millionaire is not the amount of money that you earn. It is the kind of person that you have to become to become a millionaire." "The poor man may take his ease without thinking of appearances, but the rich man is always under a strain" "We can never have enough if we need to have more than our neighbor" Episode references: Spent: Sex, Evolution, and Consumer Behavior: https://www.amazon.com/Spent-Evolution-Consumer-Behavior-Miller/dp/0143117238 Regrets for My Old Dressing Gown: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regrets_on_Parting_with_My_Old_Dressing_Gown Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Former Things vs. The Former Things - Personal Bible Study of Isaiah 46 Are you replaying memories that keep you stuck, or remembering the truth that steadies you?" In this episode, Dr. Nanette Floyd Patterson shares a "run around the building" revelation from Isaiah 46:9 that clarifies the difference between the former things we must release and the ones we must carry as evidence. We often hold onto memories that make us hesitant, guarded, and unsure of ourselves. But God is pointing us toward a different kind of remembering. One that builds trust instead of worry. We're exploring the "Tale of Two Histories" and how a simple Memory Audit can help you trade the weight of your past for the weapon of your testimony. TIMESTAMPS 0:00 – Intro: Slowing down and growing through it 1:13 – The Revelation: Isaiah 43 vs. Isaiah 46 1:58 – The "Run Around the Building" Moment 2:48 – The Mental Chain: How memory shapes your life 4:05 – When the Wrong "Former Things" lead you 6:07 – Isaiah 46:9: The shift to remembering God 8:18 – Taking a Holy Pause 10:13 – Your Action Step & The Remember & Respond™ Worksheet If you prefer to read it, visit the blog. Don't forget to subscribe and share. If this message helped you find clarity, click the Subscribe button and tap the notification bell. I share weekly insights to help you feel, heal, grow, and flow in your life and business. More Resources for You 1. THE MINDSET TOOL (Free Download) Grab your Remember & Respond™ Memory Audit worksheet here. Use it to identify what you're replaying and swap it for the evidence of who God has been. 2. THE BUSINESS TOOL For Christian Coaches - Download Dr. Nanette's 50 Income Producing Activities for Christian Coaches Guide and stop wondering "what's next." Focus on the specific actions that actually grow your coaching business.
Women's basketball recruiting is changing fast — from NIL opportunities and the transfer portal to the pressure of exposure, rankings, and finding the right fit.In this episode of It's Just Different, Ashley Roberts sits down with Sasha Leverentz-Palmer, founder of Her Elite, former Division I coach, and McDonald's All-American Committee member, to break down what athletes and parents need to understand about today's recruiting landscape.From choosing the right AAU program to navigating exposure opportunities, building relationships with coaches, and developing beyond basketball skill, Sasha shares honest insight on what truly matters in player development. She also offers a behind-the-scenes look at the McDonald's All-American selection process and why allowing young athletes to struggle, grow, and learn is essential for long-term success.If you're a player, parent, or coach trying to navigate the ever-changing world of women's basketball, this episode is full of perspective you need to hear.About the GuestSasha Leverentz-Palmer is a respected basketball coach, scout, and player development leader with experience at the Division I and high school levels. She is the founder of Her Elite, a Nike EYBL-certified girls basketball program, and serves on the McDonald's All-American Committee, helping evaluate and select the nation's top high school talent. Sasha is known for her commitment to athlete development, mentorship, and advancing women's basketball.Key Takeaways• Why character and respect still matter deeply in recruiting• How athletes outside the top rankings can still create opportunities• What college coaches are actually evaluating beyond talent• Why finding the right fit matters more than joining the biggest name program• The importance of letting young athletes fail, adapt, and grow through adversityResources for Basketball ParentsJoin the Basketball Parent Community:https://www.ashleynroberts.com/communityDownload the FREE Guide (Save Time, Money & Stress):https://ashleyroberts.kit.com/subscribeGet the Basketball Parent Toolkit:https://www.ashleynroberts.com/produc...Shop DIFFERENT merch (Use code Podcast for 15% off):https://itsjustdifferentapparel.com
Don't Bury the Wrong Things Pastor Jordan Tardo
This week Fred & Dylan discuss pursuit and what actually matters in life. From gratitude on how far you've come, to writing down your ideas for the future, they cover a wide range of topics in this one.2:54 - The Importance Of The People Around You8:27 - What Actually Matters21:17 - Write Down Your Ideas28:46 - Thinking About Death35:47 - Fred's TikTok Finds
✈️ SOFTWARE FOR HOME SERVICE BUSINESS: https://home.works
A monk kept a human skull on his desk for one reason—to never forget that life is temporary.St. Benedict understood something most people avoid:If you don't think about eternity, you'll waste your life on things that don't matter.So be honest—What's been consuming your attention lately?Is it building a meaningful life… or distracting you from it?If we haven't met yet, I'm Gavin Lance Topp, founder of The Man Alive Experience, a men's coaching and leadership program focused on helping men grow in masculinity, purpose, faith, leadership, and personal development.I mentor men who want to become stronger husbands, fathers, leaders, and men of God.Through live mentorship, group coaching, Zoom calls, and structured training, I've helped hundreds of men around the world build stronger families, stronger faith, and stronger lives.If you're ready to become the man you were created to be, explore everything we offer here: https://gavintopp.com
In this episode, I share another insight from Mel Robbins' book "The Let Them Theory": Gain control by not trying to control the wrong things.
Pastor Gerrit teaches through 2 Samuel 24 in this verse-by-verse Bible study, concluding the book of 2 Samuel by examining David's census of Israel and the consequences that follow. This passage focuses on the danger of relying on human strength rather than the Lord, showing how David's heart led him to count on the wrong things and how conviction, repentance, and God's mercy unfold in response. The teaching walks through the three movements of the chapter, the census, the judgment, and the altar, highlighting both God's justice and His compassion. Pastor Gerrit also explains the role of temptation, human responsibility, and God's sovereignty, while emphasizing the importance of humble dependence on God. The message concludes by pointing to the altar built on Araunah's threshing floor and its connection to God's provision for atonement, ultimately directing attention to the greater sacrifice fulfilled in Jesus.
The Hidden Habit Behind Every Smart Creator
Tony talking about how Democrats fight for the wrong thing, like defunding ICE and supporting illegal immigrants. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ted Dintersmith, education advocate and author, joins Scott Galloway to argue that American schools aren't broken, they're just optimized for the wrong century. They discuss why chasing test scores is failing kids, what math we should actually be teaching, the growing gender gap in K-12, and why embracing AI in schools may be the most important thing we can do for the next generation. Also, friendly reminder that we're live on Substack. Subscribe at profgmedia.com to get ad-free versions of all our podcasts, the full archive of Scott's newsletters, and exclusive content including deep dives, livestream conversations, and subscriber Q&As. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
If you've been showing up to the gym, trying to eat well, and doing "all the right things," and still not seeing the results you deserve, this episode is going to reframe everything. Because the problem isn't that you're inconsistent. It's that you've been incredibly consistent with things that were never designed to move the needle. In this episode, I'm breaking down the four areas where high-achieving women are putting in real effort and getting almost nothing back for it: chaotic nutrition that looks clean on the surface, gym attendance without a real program, a stress load that's canceling out every good habit, and hitting targets just often enough to feel like progress without ever actually making any. We're also getting into a framework I use with every single client that I think is going to change how you think about progress entirely: the difference between building consistency and stacking consistency. And yes, we're talking about why flexibility in your plan is earned, not assumed, and what a real lock-in period actually looks like when it's done sustainably. This episode is brought to you by AX3 Life. AX3 Bio-Pure Astaxanthin is a daily longevity supplement that fights oxidative stress and inflammation at the cellular level, supporting your brain, skin, joints, muscles, and recovery from the inside out. AX3 absorbs 3x better than ordinary astaxanthin and was validated in an NIH-funded longevity study. I take it every day and I'm not going back. Get 20% off your first order at ax3.life with code EMBODY Interested in a luxury 1:1 online health coaching experience? Look no further than FENIX ATHLETICA, where we fuse science and soul for life-long transformation (inside AND out). Follow me on Instagram Follow EMBody Radio on Instagram
SummaryIn this episode, Chase and Chris break down why so many people feel stuck in their fitness journey even when they're trying really hard. They explain that most people focus on the small things that don't matter as much instead of the big habits that actually drive results.They talk about the difference between the “90%” and the “10%.” The 90% includes things like calories, protein, steps, workouts, sleep, and stress. The 10% includes things like supplements, meal timing, and tiny details that don't make a big impact.They also explain how social media, past diets, and even your environment can cause you to focus on the wrong things. This leads to overwhelm, burnout, and feeling like nothing works.The main takeaway is simple: focus on a few key habits, stay consistent for several weeks, and stop chasing every new trend. When you get the basics right, that's when real progress happens.Chapters(00:00) Why You Feel Stuck Right Now(02:00) The Problem With Trying to Do Everything(03:30) What Actually Makes Up the “90%”(06:00) Calories vs Food Quality Debate(08:30) Why People Focus on the Wrong Things(10:15) How Your Environment Shapes Your Habits(13:00) Personality Types and Shiny Object Syndrome(15:00) Social Media and Information Overload(17:30) The “Marathon in the Middle” Explained(18:30) What Really Belongs in the 10%(20:30) Common Mistakes That Kill Progress(21:30) Why Nutrition Matters More Than Workouts(23:30) The Truth About Consistency(25:30) Taking Ownership of Your Results(28:30) The Cost of Focusing on the 10%(30:00) How to Simplify and Optimize Your Plan(32:30) How to Refocus on What Actually Matters(34:00) Coaching Giveaway AnnouncementSUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS to be answered on the show: https://forms.gle/B6bpTBDYnDcbUkeD7How to Connect with Us:Chase's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/changing_chase/Chris' Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conquer_fitness2021/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/665770984678334/Interested in 1:1 Coaching: https://conquerfitnessandnutrition.com/1on1-coachingJoin The Fit Fam Collective: https://conquerfitnessandnutrition.com/fit-fam-collective
Are you putting in hours at the range but still not seeing your handicap drop? You're not alone. This week on The IMAGEN Golf Podcast, Daniel Guest (Top 100 Coach, PXG Staff Pro) reveals why 90% of golfers are wasting their practice time by grinding on the wrong things.Daniel breaks down three real-world examples from students who recently visited the IMAGEN Golf Performance Center. We explore why obsessing over backswing positions, desperately trying to fix your early extension, and relying on wrist manipulation might be the exact things keeping you stuck in a rut.In this episode, you'll learn:The "Perfect Pose" Illusion: Why focusing on a picture-perfect takeaway won't save you if your swing dies at the ball, and how the "Finish Pose Drill" can instantly fix your tempo and power.The Early Extension Trap: Why doing endless chair drills to keep your hips back is useless if your swing path is 6-9 degrees over the top. Discover why your brain forces you to early extend just to make contact, and how fixing your steep swing path first will often make your posture problems disappear naturally.The "Hands and Wrists" Band-Aid: Why trying to fix a slice with split-second timing is impossible, and how connecting your core with the "Belly Button Drill" creates effortless power and a reliable ball flight.Stop guessing and start knowing. Tune in for no-nonsense advice and functional drills to help you play the best golf of your life this season!Learn more about Daniel's "Golf Better Guarantee" and book a session (in-person or virtual) at ImagenGolf.com. Follow IMAGEN Golf on Instagram @imagengolf.
You're not stuck.You're over-available.In this episode, we're breaking down what's really holding you back and why giving too much access is costing you your peace, your growth, and your alignment.This is about:Choosing yourselfSetting standardsUnderstanding your patternsMoving with intention instead of reactionIf this hit, you already know why.
Jimmy's Monologue - Dems are still fighting for all the wrong things Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
High schools across the country are making a big shift—replacing traditional economics classes with personal finance. On the surface, it sounds like a win. After all, most of us could've used a better understanding of credit cards, debt, and how money actually works when we were 18. But is this really progress… or just a tradeoff? In this episode, Pete, Damian, and Kristen break down what's changing—and what might be getting lost in the process. Is the goal of high school to create informed citizens who understand the economy, or functional adults who can manage their own money? And can we realistically do both? Then the team builds the ultimate personal finance class from scratch. What do teens actually need to know before they leave home? From cash flow and credit to compounding and big life decisions, they cover the essentials—and call out what most adults still get wrong. Finally, they bring it home. Because let's be honest—most of us didn't get this class either. So what can parents and families do now to teach these lessons in real life, without turning dinner into a lecture? If you've ever thought, “Why didn't anyone teach me this?”—this episode is for you.
We all hold on to things that offer identity, security, and purpose. The question is: are you holding on to the wrong things? Bucky and Brooke discuss the subtle but powerful pull of misplaced security. You'll discover why earthly success can become a spiritual barrier, what it looks like to give everything to Jesus, and how focusing on eternity strengthens your faith today. This episode is a call to embrace the freedom, joy, and significance of total dependence on Jesus. What you cling to reveals what you truly trust—click to find out what that means for you.
Your shop isn't stuck—but it's likely leaking time and profit every single day. The same problems keep coming back, no matter how many times you “fix” them. You're changing processes, adding rules, reacting fast—but nothing sticks. Why? Because you're focused on the SENTENCES in your shop—the visible actions—without understanding the story behind them. And that mistake is costing you hours, efficiency, and real money. In this episode, Rick breaks down the READ framework so you can stop chasing symptoms and finally fix what's actually broken. Listen to the full episode now and start fixing the problems that are costing you money.
We may achieve our goals, but if our ladder is one someone else's wall, than that is the ultimate failure. This episode we'll uncover how to get clear about the thing that really matter to you.Watch the live video by visiting www.donnyraus.com/blog.
Michelle Mikel reveals why most professionals waste money chasing trends and how authentic prospecting, storytelling, and proactive outreach create real business opportunities that lead to sustainable growth and long-term success.See article: https://www.unitedstatesrealestateinvestor.com/stop-chasing-algorithms-and-start-creating-massive-opportunity-with-michelle-mikel/(00:00) - Introduction to The REI Agent Podcast(00:20) - Welcoming Guest Michelle Mikel(01:10) - Michelle's Background and Why She Got Her Real Estate License(03:10) - Military Life and Relocation Influence on Her Career(04:40) - Transition Into Social Media Prospecting Coaching(06:30) - Why Agents Spend Thousands on Social Media Without Results(08:10) - Branding, Videography, and Social Media Outsourcing Mistakes(09:45) - Reactive vs Proactive Marketing Explained(11:40) - The Power of Direct Messaging and Intentional Outreach(13:30) - Understanding Business Drivers That Create Opportunities(15:10) - One-to-Many vs One-to-One Prospecting Strategies(17:20) - A Real Estate Agent's Popeyes Chicken Marketing Story(19:30) - Why Good Content Still Matters(21:00) - Michelle's Opinion on Viral Trends and Social Media Burnout(23:10) - Burnout Happens When You Do the Wrong Things(25:30) - Creating Authentic Content Instead of Chasing Trends(27:50) - The “Value Series” Content Strategy Explained(30:20) - Using Personal Passions to Build Powerful Analogies in Content(33:10) - Authenticity vs AI Generated Content in Branding(36:00) - How AI Should Be Used as an Assistant, Not a Replacement(38:40) - Michelle's Process for Writing Her Book With AI Assistance(40:40) - Lifestyle Reels and Humanizing Your Brand(43:00) - Identifying Your Ideal Audience Through Your Lifestyle(45:10) - Getting Comfortable on Camera and Practicing Video Content(46:50) - The Storytelling Power of Authentic “God Moment” Videos(48:10) - Golden Nuggets: Burnout, Faith, and Learning From Failure(49:10) - Michelle's Favorite Books for High Performers(49:40) - Where to Follow Michelle Online and Closing RemarksContact Michelle Mikelhttps://bermanmediapd.com/https://www.facebook.com/michelle.berman.75/https://www.instagram.com/bermanmediasocial/https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-berman-mikel-9a1ab448/https://www.youtube.com/@bermanmediasocialSuccess is not built by chasing algorithms or copying trends. It is built by showing up authentically, creating real relationships, and taking proactive action every single day. Michelle Mikel reminds us that opportunity does not come to those who wait. It comes to those who intentionally create it. If this conversation inspired you to rethink your approach to business and growth, visit https://reiagent.comIs success destroying your peace? Most pros grind until they break. Download The Investor's Life Balance Sheet: A Holistic Wealth Audit to see if you are building a legacy or heading for burnout. Presented by The REI Agent Podcast & United States Real Estate Investor® https://sendfox.com/lp/m4jrl
Ever feel stuck between wanting to start something new and actually making it happen? Whether it's launching a business, updating a resume, or initiating a difficult conversation, something often gets in the way—and it's not always what we think. We often label our hesitation as "roadblocks," but more often than not, those roadblocks are actually places we hide from fear—fear of the unknown, failure, or disappointment. Roadblocks are often external barriers we point to, such as busy schedules or endless tasks, which usually cover our inner fears. What's the thing you've been thinking about—and what's stopping you from moving forward? Let's start calling things what they are and make progress toward what matters to us. Connect with Paul If you're a family with multiple kids who feel like your money should be working harder but aren't sure where to start, I do complimentary 30-minute financial reviews. Schedule a meeting here. For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast. Follow Paul on LinkedIn. Resources Featured in This Episode: How to Use Emotions as Information Fear of the Unknown 3 Reasons Why We Worry About the Wrong Things
As a property investor, it's completely normal to worry. But too often, that worry is focused in the wrong places. Rob & Rob have spoken to thousands of investors over the years, and they've noticed a pattern: worry tends to be misdirected. In this episode, they're setting the record straight by running through the concerns you can safely strike off your list and highlighting the ones that genuinely deserve your attention. (01:35) News story of the week (04:44) The things you can stop worrying about (21:19) What you should focus on (27:36) Hub Extra Links mentioned: Ikea Standing Desks They Just Changed Property Tax Forever! Watch on YouTube here Enjoy the show? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts - it really helps others find us! Sign up for our free weekly newsletter, Property Pulse Find out more about Property Hub Invest
Read the full article on Oncology Data Advisor: https://oncdata.com/oncology-unfiltered-molecular-testing In the rapidly evolving landscape of modern oncology, molecular testing has emerged as one of the most powerful tools for personalizing patient care. However, this explosion of data has also created a "molecular testing chaos" that can overwhelm even the most seasoned clinicians. In this episode of Oncology Unfiltered, Melissa Cutrona, Co-Founder and General Manager of i3 Health and Oncology Data Advisor, sits down with Dr. Matthew Hadfield, Oncology Data Advisor Editor in Chief, to discuss whether we are over-testing, under-testing, or simply testing the wrong things at the wrong time. Thank you for watching Oncology Unfiltered. Check out our playlist and stay tuned for next month's topic, “Molecular Testing Chaos: Are We Over-Testing, Under-Testing, or Testing the Wrong Things at the Wrong Time?”
Automation was sold as a way to scale good experiences. It scales bad ones just as efficiently. Healthcare has spent the last decade deploying chatbots, portals, AI-generated content, and personalization engines in the name of patient experience. The ROI case was built on efficiency: lower cost per interaction, faster throughput, reduced call center volume. What was never put on the balance sheet is what happens to patient trust when those systems fail — and they fail regularly, quietly, and without anyone in the organization knowing it happened. That's trust debt. Every time an automated system fails a patient and the patient absorbs the cost silently — closes the portal, hangs up, stops engaging — a withdrawal is made from an account most health systems never knew they had. It doesn't show up in satisfaction scores. It shows up in churn, in rising call volumes that automation was supposed to reduce, in patients who schedule once and don't come back. Chris Boyer and Reed Smith work through where the debt is accumulating right now — and where automation is actually doing the opposite: Why AI-generated health content optimized for fluency, not accuracy, is seeding doubt in the patients most likely to engage with it How portal adoption metrics are measuring the wrong signal — and why enrollment without satisfaction is just a larger audience for your frustration Where DXP personalization crosses from service into surveillance — and how thin consent frameworks are accelerating that perception What trust-building automation actually looks like, and what it has in common with the best human interactions in healthcare The three questions every team should ask before the next automated touchpoint goes live The research is catching up to what practitioners already sense. AI safety disclaimers in patient-facing responses dropped from 26% in 2022 to under 1% in 2025. Sixty-one percent of patients say they'd consider switching providers over a better digital experience. And the 2025 Edelman Trust and Health report found that no institution — not business, not government, not NGOs — is trusted to address patient needs. Healthcare is operating in a trust deficit it didn't create alone, but automation is making it worse in ways that are largely invisible to the organizations doing it. The question isn't whether to automate. It's whether you've been honest about what you're actually scaling. Mentions from the Show: TP456: When AI Speaks for the Patient — touchpoint.health TP460: When Digital Speaks for the Patient — touchpoint.health TP470: When AI Becomes the First Stop for Care — touchpoint.health AI errors in healthcare — Healthcare Brew, August 2025: https://www.healthcare-brew.com/stories/2025/08/20/healthcare-execs-ai-errors Declining medical safety messaging in AI — npj Digital Medicine, October 2025: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41746-025-01943-1 ECRI Top 10 Patient Safety Concerns 2025: https://www.medtechdive.com/news/ecri-patient-safety-report-2025-ai/742114/ ONC Patient Portal Access Data Brief 2024: https://healthit.gov/data/data-briefs/individuals-access-and-use-patient-portals-and-smartphone-health-apps-2024/ Experian Health patient portal switching stat: https://www.experian.com/healthcare/solutions/patient-engagement-solutions 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer: Trust and Health: https://www.edelman.com/trust/2025/trust-barometer/special-report-health 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer: https://www.edelman.com/trust/2026/trust-barometer Reed Smith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reedtsmith/ Chris Boyer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisboyer/ Chris Boyer website: http://www.christopherboyer.com/ Chris Boyer on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/chrisboyer.bsky.social Reed Smith on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/reedsmith.bsky.social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
John Dunigan is the cofounder of the Practice Golf Coach app. I haven't used the app personally yet, but one of my mental coaching clients uses it and he swears by it. He's sent me screenshots and it looks awesome. It uses AI combined with John and cofounder Dr. Will Wu's expertise and experience to build you custom workouts that change with you as you enter in more data. I'll have to check it out. But this was an awesome conversation with John. He's extremely passionate about golfers practicing better and having a more well-rounded view of their game and improvement. Which is a soapbox I've been standing on for a long time, before and since starting this podcast. Timestamps and Topics: 00:00 - Thinking Too Much About the Golf Swing 08:42 - Embrace Golf Like a Roller Coaster 16:58 - Fairways & Fundays ad 20:24 - Bigger Picture Perspective Enhances Acceptance of Outcomes 25:39 - Does the Golf Swing Matter? 32:13 - Shot Pattern ad 34:41 - Should We Strive for Consistency in the Golf Swing? 40:00 - Golf is Hard. Make Your Practice Just as Hard. 56:09 - Do Most Golf Instructors Teach the Wrong Things? 59:10 - Using a Golf Club as a Tool 1:01:51 - Errors are a Good Thing 1:05:40 - John Dunigan - Practice Coach app ----- John Dunigan's stuff: The Practice Golf Coach app John Dunigan on Instagram Website - johndunigangolf.com ----- Mentioned in this episode:
"Strip out the bullsh*t." Brian Garrett reveals the hard-won lessons from 18+ years in venture capital and how he survived his most devastating year yet.Discover why one of LA's most seasoned investors is pivoting away from generalist VC to go all-in on Frontier Tech and the "techno-industrial era."In this episode of Demo Day, we sit down with Brian Garrett, Partner at Crosscut Ventures. Brian has spent nearly two decades at the center of the LA startup ecosystem, but 2025 changed everything. From losing his home in the Palisades fires to navigating profound personal loss, Brian shares a raw, unfiltered look at the resilience required to lead in the world of high-stakes venture capital.We dive deep into the "techno-economic analysis" Crosscut now uses to evaluate seed-stage companies in space, defense, and energy. Brian breaks down the common mistakes founders make when pitching, the difference between confidence and arrogance, and why the "lead investor" brand matters more than ever in today's fundraising landscape. Whether you are a founder raising your first round or an investor looking for the next paradigm shift, this episode offers a masterclass in staying focused on what truly matters.Key Takeaways:The Synthesizer Superpower: How to distill complex ideas into three sentences.Frontier Tech Thesis: Why Crosscut is betting on energy independence and the re-industrialization of America.The "Why Now" Question: What VCs are actually looking for in a defensive fundraising market.Personal Resilience: How to find joy and purpose after a "gut punch" year.
Read the full article on Oncology Data Advisor: https://oncdata.com/oncology-unfiltered-financial-toxicity In this episode of Oncology Unfiltered, Melissa Cutrona, Co-Founder and General Manager of i3 Health and Oncology Data Advisor, and Matthew Hadfield, DO, Oncology Data Advisor Editor in Chief, explore how financial and geographic toxicities in oncology are, in reality, clinical toxicities. If a patient can't afford to fill the prescription, is it really a treatment option? They discuss what financial toxicity truly means—far beyond drug prices—covering travel, parking, time off work, and the hidden costs of tests and therapies. Dr. Hadfield shares real-world examples of patients turning down innovative treatments and clinical trials because they can't afford the logistical burden, and explains how geography and income create a two-tiered system of cancer care. The conversation examines how financial and geographic barriers distort shared decision making, limit participation in clinical trials, and skew our understanding of real-world efficacy. They also highlight the role of institutions, policymakers, and pharma in improving access, and why oncologists must reconsider ordering patterns, testing habits, and how they counsel patients about the full “cost” of care. Thank you for watching Oncology Unfiltered. Check out our playlist and stay tuned for next month's topic, “Molecular Testing Chaos: Are We Over-Testing, Under-Testing, or Testing the Wrong Things at the Wrong Time?”
In this insightful episode, Dr. Sheena Fraser welcomes back Dr. Anastasia Theodosiou and introduces Baroness Natalie Bennett to discuss the Consumer Products (Control of Biocides) Bill. They unpack the hidden dangers of unregulated antimicrobial chemicals found in everyday items, from toothpaste to treated textiles, and the urgent need to protect our microbiomes from this "chemical cocktail". The trio discusses the critical distinction between medical antibiotics and consumer biocides, advocating for a shift from a "war on microbes" to a system that prioritizes planetary and human health.Key Topics:Defining biocides and distinguishing them from regulated medical antibioticsThe concept of "microbiotoxicity" and the impact of disinfectants on oral and gut healthThe environmental consequences of biocide runoff and the rise of antimicrobial resistanceWhy we need systemic regulation rather than relying solely on individual consumer choicesYou can find out more about the Women's Environmental Network at https://www.wen.org.uk/This podcast is brought to you in collaboration with the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine.Disclaimer:The content in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast.
The NBA is so preoccupied with tanking that it is ignoring real issues on the court
Do you want to know why your relationship keeps failing? Divorce Lawyer James Sexton discusses relationship advice, the impact of AI on love, communication skills, why prenups are rising, and why people stay in toxic cycles! James Sexton is America's top divorce lawyer with over 2 decades of experience in divorce and family law. He is the founder of a private law firm, and bestselling author of books such as, 'How to Stay in Love' and 'If You're in My Office, It's Already Too Late'. He explains: ▪️The "yours, mine, ours" framework for a fair prenuptial agreement ▪️How AI companions and algorithms are quietly destroying human intimacy ▪️Why social media has become the ultimate infidelity-generating machine ▪️The 1 communication exercise involving a monk that saves marriages ▪️The "seven-year spike" that triggers automatic asset sharing 00:00 Intro 02:47 How to Avoid Ending Up in Divorce 06:28 When to Give a Relationship a Second Chance And When Not To 10:50 Why Prioritizing Your Partner Can Save Your Relationship 25:36 What Signals the Start of a Fading Relationship 30:47 What to Do When the Relationship Starts to Fall Apart 41:07 The Powerful Ritual Every Couple Should Practice 49:51 How Your Childhood Shapes the Way You Love 51:47 The Real Reason Relationships Fail And How to Stop It 58:30 Can Independent People Truly Find Lasting Love? 1:08:54 Are You Focused on the Wrong Things in Your Relationship? 1:13:54 How Addiction Blocks You From Feeling Love 1:15:00 Why You Shouldn't Give Up on Love Even If It Hurts 1:20:36 Do Prenups Actually Make Marriages Stronger? 1:21:46 I'm Scared to Ask for a Prenup, Here's What to Do 1:23:58 True Divorce Stories You Won't Believe 1:29:37 Why a Prenup Might Be the Healthiest Choice for Your Marriage 1:44:01 Should You Get a Prenup for Your Pets? 1:47:31 Is Divorce Really Becoming More Common? 1:52:58 The #1 Mistake Couples Make After Marriage 1:56:44 Why Authenticity Is the Most Attractive Trait in Love Enjoyed the episode? Share this link and earn points for every referral - redeem them for exclusive prizes: https://doac-perks.com Follow James: Instagram - https://linkly.link/2a6EF X - https://linkly.link/2a6EH YouTube - https://linkly.link/2a6EZ Website - https://linkly.link/2a6EL You can purchase James' book, ‘How Not to F*ck Up Your Marriage: Straight talk from a divorce lawyer who's seen it all', here: https://linkly.link/2a6EQ The Diary Of A CEO: ◼️Join DOAC circle here - https://doaccircle.com/ ◼️Buy The Diary Of A CEO book here - https://smarturl.it/DOACbook ◼️The 1% Diary is back - limited time only: https://bit.ly/3YFbJbt ◼️The Diary Of A CEO Conversation Cards (Second Edition): https://g2ul0.app.link/f31dsUttKKb ◼️Get email updates - https://bit.ly/diary-of-a-ceo-yt ◼️Follow Steven - https://g2ul0.app.link/gnGqL4IsKKb Sponsors: Stan: Join Stan's Dare to Post 30-day Challenge. Post one video per day for 30 days. Finish the challenge and split $100,000. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. For Official Rules, visit https://DaretoDream.stan.store Pipedrive - https://pipedrive.com/CEO Apple Card - https://Apple.co/get-daily-cash Apple Card issued by Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Salt Lake City Branch. Offer may not be available everywhere. Terms and limitations apply.
This is part two of our team update — and we're getting into some specifics. The big topic: the COD's recommendation for biennial synods, which will come before Synod 2026. Willy serves on the Council of Delegates and voted against the recommendation, and he explains why. The proposal came from a task force looking to cut costs. Their solution? Hold synod every other year instead of annually. But as Willy lays out, this isn't just a budget issue — it's an ecclesiology issue. Synod has its authority because synod is the church. It's not something we get to skip when money's tight. And here's the kicker: under this plan, COD would meet six times in two years while synod meets only once. That should concern all of us. Coming out of the battles over human sexuality, departures, and division, this is the wrong time to pull back from gathering. We need more connection, not less. And as Willy points out, it's ironic that the denomination just ran a whole initiative called Gather — and now wants to gather less as a synodical body. On the encouraging side, Lora Copley has been hired as interim editor of the Banner — and that gives us real hope. Herb Scheur's recent article was exactly the kind of accessible, Reformed content the Banner should be putting out. If you stopped reading the Banner, now's the time to come back. And if God's tapping you on the shoulder to write, submit something. We close with a call to serve — on COD, committees, boards, wherever God is leading. The priesthood of all believers isn't just a doctrine we confess; it's how renewal actually happens. Timestamps: - 0:00 — Intro - 2:11 — The biennial synod recommendation explained - 4:33 — "Synod has its authority because synod is the church" - 5:14 — Why Willy voted against it: COD meets 6 times, Synod just once - 7:02 — "A recommendation for biennial synods coming out of a war like we've had is foolish" - 9:30 — Churches feel disconnected from Grand Rapids - 11:10 — Biennial synods would undo efforts toward unity and vision - 13:00 — You need a vision before you write a budget - 16:29 — The denomination needs to cut bureaucracy - 18:16 — Lora Copley hired as interim Banner editor - 20:49 — Herb Scheur's article and the call to support the Banner - 24:47 — Call to serve: COD, committees, boards - 28:47 — Renewal of ecclesiology and the priesthood of believers - 33:22 — Final words: pray for the church, act boldly from a place of victory Join and support us on Substack: https://themessyreformation.com/ Check out the Abide Project: https://www.abideproject.org Intro music by Matt Krotzer
Stop. Stop trying to learn everything. Stop collecting certifications. Stop feeling like you're not ready because you don't know enough.Because I'm about to tell you the only four skills that actually matter when it comes to building wealth as a service provider. And if you master these four things, you will never be broke again - no matter if you're a nine-to-fiver, a freelancer, or you want to create your own digital products.In fact, skill number four is the one that actually puts money in your bank account, and most of you are completely ignoring it.Here's what I know to be true after working with over 3,000 service providers: You don't need to know everything. You need to know four things. That's it. Just four.Topics Covered In This Episode:Why most service providers focus on the wrong things - the trap of endless learning instead of mastering high-leverage skillsPersuasive messaging - how to communicate value in a way that attracts premium clientsHow the 4 skills work together - messaging, traffic, funnels, and selling as an integrated systemSelling as the skill that actually deposits money - why most people avoid it and how to get good at it through repsAdding the strategy layer - becoming invaluable by understanding the "why" behind execution, not just doing tasksually the best opportunity for service providers willing to evolveFind the full post at: https://brandimowles.com/271Want More Like This? ⬇️
Betting markets are increasingly pointing to Kevin Warsh as a potential successor to Jerome Powell, with Kevin Hassett expected to remain in his White House role under Donald Trump. Which begs the question: What would a Warsh-led Federal Reserve actually bring to markets? Lance Roberts & Michael Lebowitz explore the possibilities of a Warsh Fed: Would such likely be more tolerant of volatility, rely less on emergency interventions, and place greater emphasis on valuation, fundamentals, and disciplined policy rules? 0:00 INTRO 0:18 - Earnings, Economics, & Imminent Greenland Deal 2:48 - Markets Break Trendline - Look for Volatility 8:22 - Greenland, Denmark, & Danish Bonds 15:10 - What the Media Doesn't Say About Bond Auctions 17:14 - Texas Winter & Nat Gas Futures 20:32 - Warsh vs Wallace as Fed Head 23:58 - Keep an Eye on Rick Rieder 26:14 - The Marriage of Blackrock & The Fed 27:52 - Markets are Driven by the Wrong Things 31:12 - The Reflation Narrative 34:29 - Speculation, ETF's & Fighting for the same Dollars 39:05 - The Gamification of Markets 41:29 - The Importance of Risk Management 45:00 - End of the 1st Half of the Secular Period Hosted by RIA Advisors Chief Investment Strategist, Lance Roberts, CIO, w Portfolio Manger, Michael Lebowitz, CFA Produced by Brent Clanton, Executive Producer ------- Watch Today's Full Video on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4roSFzE3Ww&list=PLVT8LcWPeAugpcGzM8hHyEP11lE87RYPe&index=1 ------- Watch our previous show, "It's Q&A Day — and (almost) anything goes" here: https://www.youtube.com/live/jFDHVzdwNdo -------- The latest installment of our new feature, Before the Bell, "Markets Stall at Resistance - Volatility Ahead?" is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EviI_k5gb8&list=PLwNgo56zE4RAbkqxgdj-8GOvjZTp9_Zlz&index=1 ------- Get more info & commentary: https://realinvestm entadvice.com/newsletter/ -------- SUBSCRIBE to The Real Investment Show here: http://www.youtube.com/c/TheRealInvestmentShow -------- Visit our Site: https://www.realinvestmentadvice.com Contact Us: 1-855-RIA-PLAN -------- Subscribe to SimpleVisor: https://www.simplevisor.com/register-new -------- Connect with us on social: https://twitter.com/RealInvAdvice https://twitter.com/LanceRoberts https://www.facebook.com/RealInvestmentAdvice/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/realinvestmentadvice/ #MarketVolatility #TechnicalAnalysis #SP500 #RiskManagement #InvestingStrategy #FederalReserve #KevinWarsh #MarketVolatility #MonetaryPolicy #RiskManagement
When Jesus opened the Sermon on the Mount with the words “Blessed are…,” He wasn't just offering inspirational quotes for wall art. These powerful statements, known as the Beatitudes, were spoken to people living under Roman occupation—people whose lives looked anything but “blessed” by worldly standards. Yet, through these words, Jesus extended a bold invitation to a radically different way of life: one that honors the values of God's Kingdom, not the world's. In this message, Pastor Shawn Williams unpacks the meaning behind Jesus' Beatitudes and explores how this call to countercultural, Kingdom-centered living still challenges and shapes the Church today.
Dr. James Doty achieved every material goal he set as a 12-year-old kid in poverty—the Rolex, the Porsche, the mansion overlooking the ocean—only to realize he'd built a prison of his own insecurity. Most people stumble through manifestation inefficiently because they're operating from fear, shame, and limiting beliefs that were wired into them before they were ten years old. The real power of manifestation isn't about attracting more stuff—it's about understanding the neuroscience of how your brain networks work together when you shift from sympathetic nervous system activation (fear and survival) to parasympathetic engagement (openness and creativity). When you stop chasing hedonic happiness and start living with purpose that serves others, your brain's executive control network, attention network, and salience network align to create synchronicities that feel like magic. The key is learning to manifest from love instead of fear, from service instead of selfishness, and from compassion for yourself instead of that relentless inner critic telling you you're not enough.Dr. Doty's books:Into the Magic ShopMind MagicIn this episode you will:Break through the myth that external achievements will heal internal shame and finally feel worthyMaster the difference between hedonic happiness (pleasure-seeking that leaves you empty) and eudaimonic happiness (purpose-driven fulfillment that lasts)Transform your relationship with failure by understanding how childhood baggage controls every decision and relationship you have as an adultDiscover why manifesting from fear and insecurity limits your brain's ability to create what you actually needUncover the neuroscience of why your sympathetic nervous system blocks manifestation and how to shift to parasympathetic engagementFor more information go to https://lewishowes.com/1868For more Greatness text PODCAST to +1 (614) 350-3960More SOG episodes we think you'll love:Jim CurtisDr. Daniel AmenRhonda Byrne Get more from Lewis! Get my New York Times Bestselling book, Make Money Easy!Get The Greatness Mindset audiobook on SpotifyText Lewis AIYouTubeInstagramWebsiteTiktokFacebookX Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
#673: Welcome to Greatest Hits Week – five days, five episodes from our vault, spelling out F-I-I-R-E. Today's second letter I stands for Investing. This episode originally aired in April 2022, but the framework remains one of the most practical guides we've shared for building wealth at any age. Nick Maggiulli joins us to reveal why most young investors obsess over the wrong metrics — and shares his Save-Invest Continuum that shows exactly when your savings beat your investment returns, and when that changes. _____ When Nick Maggiulli was in his twenties, he spent countless hours obsessing over his investment portfolio – tweaking his asset allocation, running net worth projections, and building complex spreadsheets. Meanwhile, he was blowing $100 every weekend partying in San Francisco. It took him years to realize the absurdity. His annual investment returns on his tiny $1,000 portfolio might earn him $100 – the same amount he'd spend in a single night out. Maggiulli joins us to explain why young investors focus on the wrong things and shares his framework for knowing when to prioritize saving versus investing. He introduces the Save-Invest Continuum, which compares your expected annual savings against your expected investment returns. When you're starting out, your ability to save dwarfs any investment gains. A $6,000 annual savings capacity beats a $100 investment return every time. We discuss the math behind saving 50 percent of future raises, not for guilt or deprivation, but to maintain lifestyle balance while building wealth. This rule applies only to real raises above inflation. If you get a 3 percent raise during 3 percent inflation, you haven't actually gotten ahead. The conversation turns to unconventional income-producing assets. Beyond stocks and bonds, Maggiulli explores farmland investing, which offers returns uncorrelated with traditional markets. He shares the story of someone who bought the royalty rights to Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' "Empire State of Mind" for $190,000. The song earned $32,733 in royalties the previous year — an 11 percent return if that income stays constant. We examine why 85 to 90 percent of your portfolio should generate income through dividends, rent, interest, or business profits. Maggiulli keeps his speculative investments — cryptocurrency, art, and individual stocks — under 10 percent of his net worth. He admits his two individual stock picks are down 60 to 70 percent, proving his own point about avoiding stock picking. The episode reveals that time remains your most important asset. Warren Buffett would likely trade his entire fortune — and go into debt — to be 35 again. This perspective shapes every financial decision, from choosing income strategies to deciding between assets that merely appreciate versus those that pay you while you sleep. Timestamps: Note: Timestamps will vary on individual listening devices based on dynamic advertising run times. The provided timestamps are approximate and may be several minutes off due to changing ad lengths. (00:00) Nick's mistake of obsessing over investments while partying away returns (05:31) The Save-Invest Continuum explained (08:11) When savings matter more than investment returns (12:31) Focusing on both saving and investing in midlife (13:11) Crossover point: when investment returns exceed spending (14:11) The 2X Rule for guilt-free spending (15:31) Save 50 percent of future raises (20:41) Five ways to increase income (26:31) Selling time versus selling skills (28:11) Teaching and creating products for income (30:11) Climbing the corporate ladder (31:11) Converting human capital to financial capital (32:31) Income-producing versus speculative assets (36:11) Individual stocks and cryptocurrency allocation (43:51) Farmland investing basics (45:31) Royalty investing example (49:31) Art and non-income producing assets (51:11) Inflation and debt strategies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices