Matt Farah and Zack Klapman sit down with automotive icons, pro drivers, comedians and other friends to discuss automotive industry news, racing, projects and whatever else comes to mind. 
Watch our car reviews at www.youtube.com/thesmokingtire

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F/M/K; Arizona Speed Law; RUFing Miami

The Smoking Tire

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Matt Farah's Miami Adventures with the RUF Yellowbird: Matt spent time in Miami at the Concourse Club private racetrack driving a 1991 RUF CTR "Yellowbird" - a widebody version with 469 horsepower. Unlike the narrow-body originals he's driven before, this one had a regular 6-speed pattern instead of the quirky dogleg first gear, making it much easier to drive quickly on track. He emphasized that despite some purists arguing about the wider fenders, this is still a legitimate RUF CTR from the original production era, and it was an exceptional driving experience.

Vintage Racing and Track Day Experiences: Matt participated in a vintage race at Concourse Club in an '08 Cayman race car, finishing P3 against heavily modified 993 Cups. He noted how much more physically demanding the tight, technical 1.5-mile track was compared to bigger circuits like COTA, with constant shifting between 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gears. The Miami humidity made a 30-minute race more exhausting than a 2-hour-40-minute session in Texas.

Quail Hunting Trip and Dog Appreciation: Matt spent time bird hunting with his father, switching to a smaller 28-gauge shotgun to increase difficulty. He developed a fondness for a cocker spaniel named Clover, which works as a flushing dog alongside German and English shorthair pointers. He explained the hunting lodge system where retired hunting dogs or those who "fail hunting school" can be adopted out.

Arizona's Proposed Unrestricted Speed Zones: Discussion of new legislation in Arizona that would create speed-limit-free zones on certain rural highways during daylight hours, specifically piloted on Interstate 8. Both hosts supported the idea in principle but emphasized the critical need for strict left-lane discipline and driver education, citing Germany's autobahn as a model. They noted Americans have the worst lane discipline of any developed nation.

YouTuber Cars and Resale Value: Matt pushed back against the suggestion that "YouTuber cars" sell for less, pointing out his NSX sold at the top of the market after he documented all maintenance and improvements. He argued that transparent documentation of quality work actually adds value, while cars that are abused on camera would naturally sell for less. The key factor is the character and reputation of the YouTuber.

Paint Protection Film Economics: Detailed discussion about when PPF makes financial sense, considering factors beyond just the car's purchase price. Matt explained his NSX PPF investment saved him an estimated $50,000 when the car was caught in a windstorm shortly after installation. The decision should factor in the paint's current condition, the car's appreciation potential, repair costs, and whether you're buying new versus used.

EV Daily Driver Philosophy: Both hosts confirmed they would absolutely include an EV in a two-car garage setup, with Matt praising the relaxation of electric driving in traffic and stop-and-go situations. He's planning an EV road trip across the desert in a Lucid Gravity to scout the Desert Run 600 event, which will be his first time using Tesla Superchargers.

The Reality of Starting a Driving Group: When asked about starting local car enthusiast groups, Matt warned extensively about liability concerns - organizers can be held responsible if participants get hurt or hurt others. He emphasized the importance of setting a safe pace, making reckless driving seem uncool from day one, and understanding you're assuming significant legal risk when organizing group drives.

Watch Mechanics and Care: Matt explained that simply wearing an automatic watch won't fully wind it - the wrist motion maintains the wind but doesn't increase it. He recommended manually winding watches for 20-30 turns before wearing to ensure full power reserve and accuracy. He also discussed Grand Seiko's $360,000 Kodo as his dream piece from the brand.

Career Success and Driving Skills: Matt credited his driving ability as crucial to his success, noting that being known as someone who can drive quickly without damaging cars created trust that opened doors. He emphasized this skill came from a lifetime of caring and practicing, not natural talent. He also acknowledged the role of luck, privilege (having a financial safety net from parents), and simply "keeping going" through difficult times.

The "Have Lots" Economic Class: Discussion of an Axios article describing a new economic stratification: the "have nots" (50% priced out of everything), the "haves" (stable homeowners with retirement savings - today's middle class), and the "have lots" (0.001% riding the AI boom with resources beyond government reach). This new ultra-wealthy class operates outside traditional power structures.

Good Vibes Mountain Meet in Freezing Conditions: Zack attended the Good Vibes car meet during frigid weather with ice on the roads, seeing around 20 cars including a Miata Safari build on massive tires and a black Lotus Exige with a turbo K24 making 270 wheel horsepower. One attendee in an E30 M5 slid on ice entering the parking lot, providing a lesson in appropriate momentum management.

Ferrari vs. R8 Seat Quality: Matt criticized Ferrari for offering a $600,000 12Cilindri without adjustable lumbar support on the base seat option, even when the car was highly optioned otherwise. He met Sabelt's CEO who confirmed this was a choice Ferrari customers sometimes make, prioritizing visible options like contrast stitching over seat functionality.

Vehicle Depreciation Factors in Southern California: When asked what kills cars in California versus rust in the North, both hosts emphasized intense UV sun damage as the primary culprit, especially for paint and exterior materials. Salt air for coastal residents compounds the problem. Smog requirements and potholes were noted as lesser concerns compared to sun exposure.

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Twice weekly Technology News show covering the Tech Space. With Segments on Science, Mobile, Digital TV, FAA, FCC, Cyber Security, Gadgets and Tech Politics.

So… Is DJI Actually Banned? #1856

Geek News Central Podcast

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DJI Drone Ban Explained: The FCC has officially banned the import and sale of new DJI drone models as of December 23, 2025, adding them to a covered list of national security risks. However, all existing DJI drones remain completely legal to own, fly, buy from existing inventory, and sell. There's no recall or grounding of current fleets. The ban only affects new models planned for 2026 and beyond, and also impacts other foreign-manufactured drone brands. DJI, which controls 70% of the global market, has called the concerns "not grounded in evidence" and accused the move of being protectionism.

First FDA-Approved Pill for Sleep Apnea: Eli Lilly's Tirzepatide (brand name Zepbound) has become the first medication approved to treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity. The drug works by activating gut hormones that reduce appetite, and weight loss reduces excess tissue around the neck and airway. Clinical trials showed participants experienced 25-29 fewer breathing events per hour and lost 45-50 pounds over 52 weeks, with about 50% achieving complete remission or only mild sleep apnea. The treatment is specifically for obese patients and comes with warnings about pancreatitis and gallbladder problems.

OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Health: OpenAI revealed that over 230 million people globally ask ChatGPT health questions weekly, with more than 5% of all conversations being health-related. In response, they launched ChatGPT Health on January 7, 2026, a dedicated health section with extra privacy protections that can connect to medical records and wellness apps including Apple Health, MyFitnessPal, Peloton, and patient portals. Conversations are isolated from regular ChatGPT and won't be used to train AI models. Over 260 physicians across 60 countries reviewed model outputs more than 600,000 times, though OpenAI emphasizes this doesn't replace seeing a doctor.

China's Humanoid Robot Revolution: China now has over 150 humanoid robot companies and hosted the first World Humanoid Robot Games in 2025, where robots competed in soccer, boxing, martial arts, and running. Booster Robotics, founded in 2023, is training robots to play soccer using AI and offering humanoid robots starting at just 29,900 yuan (about $4,200 USD), with the goal of getting them into regular households. These sporting events serve as stress tests for agility, balance, and real-world movement needed for practical household applications.

China's Microwave Weapon for Drone Swarms: China's defense contractor Norinco unveiled the Hurricane 3000, a truck-mounted high-power microwave weapon system that can destroy drone swarms within three kilometers—longer range than the US equivalent Leonidas system which tops out at two kilometers. The system uses radar to detect targets, electro-optical sensors for precise tracking, then blasts high-power microwaves that fry drone electronics at the speed of light. It can be networked with laser, missile, and artillery systems for layered defense.

SpaceX Starship Flight 12 Preparations: SpaceX has completed stacking a new version 3 Super Heavy booster for Flight 12, expected in Q1 2026, after the original booster was damaged during testing in November. The upgraded booster features more powerful Raptor 3 engines, lighter structure, and integrated hot staging technology. The bigger challenge is demonstrating orbital refueling, which has been repeatedly postponed but is crucial for lunar and Mars missions. NASA has expressed concerns about SpaceX being behind schedule and is considering Blue Origin's lunar lander as a potential alternative for Artemis 3.

Consumer Exoskeletons for Outdoor Activities: Hypershell has launched AI-powered wearable exoskeletons for hiking, running, and cycling. The X Ultra model delivers 1,000 watts peak power, weighs 1.8 kilograms, goes 30 kilometers on a single charge, and costs around $2,000. More affordable models include the X Pro at $1,100 and X Go at $900. The exoskeleton offsets 66 pounds of weight and dramatically reduces leg fatigue, with reviewers praising it especially for people recovering from injuries, dealing with joint pain, or aging hikers. It even has a fitness mode that provides resistance instead of assistance.

Federal Prosecution of Stalkerware Creator: Brian Fleming, founder of PC Tattletale, pled guilty to federal charges for building and marketing software specifically to spy on adults without their consent—the first successful prosecution of a stalkerware operator since 2014. Fleming sent marketing materials advertising it as the "number one catch a cheater spy app." His company collapsed in 2024 when hackers exposed data from 138,751 customer accounts plus all their victims' information including text messages and locations. The prosecution establishes that marketing spy software for partner surveillance is a federal crime.
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WIRED’s Gadget Lab podcast breaks down which gadgets, apps, and services you need to know about, and which ones you can move to the virtual trash bin. Learn how today’s tech shapes our lives—plus get your hosts’ personal recommendations at the end of each episode.

BIG INTV: Reid Hoffman Wants Silicon Valley to ‘Stand Up’

Gadget Lab: Weekly Tech News from WIRED

Uncanny Valley | WIRED

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Reid Hoffman's Unconventional Educational Path: Hoffman attended Putney School in Vermont, a progressive boarding school where students performed farm chores and engaged in diverse activities from blacksmithing to poetry. This holistic education focused on creating "well-rounded people" rather than just academic preparation, teaching him to think broadly and entrepreneurially, though it initially left him behind academically when he started at Stanford.

Philosophy as Foundation for Tech Entrepreneurship: After studying AI and cognitive science at Stanford, Hoffman pursued philosophy at Oxford before entering tech. He argues that philosophy provides crucial tools for entrepreneurs, particularly in developing theories of human nature—which he considers essential for building products with billions of users. He famously told business students he invests in "the seven deadly sins" with hopes of transforming them into human positivity.

AI as Intelligence Multiplier, Not Replacement: Hoffman's book "Super Agency" argues that AI amplifies rather than replaces human agency. He emphasizes that AI is human-created technology we can shape, comparing it to historical technologies like the printing press. He advocates for viewing AI as providing "superpowers"—citing his own use of AI to create a Christmas album, something he couldn't do alone, and recommending everyone use AI models as medical second opinions.

Iterative Deployment Over Perfect Safety: Hoffman believes AI development shouldn't be slowed by attempting to prevent every possible risk upfront. Using cars as an analogy, he argues you can't put a car on the road if you wait to answer every risk—you need to deploy, learn, and iterate. He advocates preventing only catastrophic outcomes in advance (like ensuring cars have brakes) while learning from deployment to fix issues as they emerge.

AI's Democratic Access Potential: Hoffman argues that mass market technology tends toward broad access—noting that Uber drivers have the same iPhones as Tim Cook. He points out that most ChatGPT and Gemini usage is free, making AI accessible to anyone with internet access. Competition between companies drives them to make AI broadly available, potentially democratizing access to tutoring, medical information, and other knowledge.

AI and Artistic Creation: Hoffman defends using AI for art, comparing current debates to historical resistance to photography as art. He argues AI can amplify artists' abilities, allowing musicians to generate multiple versions and select the best elements. While acknowledging concerns about job disruption, he believes artists who embrace AI as a tool will create better work, and human connection will remain important in art.

Courage in the Face of Political Intimidation: Hoffman has been twice targeted by Trump for investigation and openly criticizes the current administration's approach to democracy and rule of law. Despite fear and pressure to stay silent, he argues that "when you feel fear is the opportunity for courage." He believes wealthy and powerful people have a responsibility to speak up about what's good for society, citing the principle that "with power comes responsibility."

Silicon Valley's Political Shift: Hoffman identifies several groups in Silicon Valley supporting the current administration: those motivated purely by profit, cryptocurrency advocates angry about Biden-era regulations, those concerned about Democratic positions on Israel, and "pure opportunists for power." He believes many who disagree with the administration stay silent out of fear of retaliation, which he sees as a degradation of American values.

Call for Transparency on Epstein Files: Hoffman, who had limited interactions with Jeffrey Epstein through MIT fundraising and has apologized for them, strongly advocates for releasing all Epstein files. He argues this would provide justice for victims and counter political weaponization of the issue, emphasizing that living in truth is essential when the matter has been politicized.

Vision for AI's Societal Impact: Hoffman believes AI represents a "cognitive industrial revolution" comparable to how England's early embrace of the Industrial Revolution led to multi-century superpower status. He wants America to be the economic beneficiary of AI development, arguing that collective panic and attacking the technology would undercut future prosperity. He emphasizes the importance of shaping AI to embody American values of empowerment, freedom, and economic prosperity.

Control, Delete, Alter Framework for Technology: When asked what technology he'd control, alter, or delete, Hoffman chose: controlling social media for kids with appropriate protections and parental involvement; altering AI to ensure it embodies American values and empowers people; and deleting misinformation at scale through collective learning processes, particularly vaccine misinformation.

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There’s more news and less comprehension today than any historical period that didn’t involve literal witch trials, and trying to stay on top of it all can feel like playing a game of telephone with 30 people, except everyone’s speaking at the same time and like a third of them are openly racist for some reason. From Cracked co-founder Jack O’Brien, THE DAILY ZEITGEIST is stepping into that fray with some of the funniest and smartest comedic and journalistic minds around. Jack and co-host Miles Gray spend up to an hour every weekday sorting through the events and stories driving the headlines, to help you find the signal in the noise, with a few laughs thrown in for free.

Don’t Get The Right Impression, MAGA Halftime “Show” 01.13.26

The Daily Zeitgeist

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Guest Introduction and Discussion of Niche Interests: The episode features James Stout, a journalist from Coolzone Media whose new book "Against the State: Anarchists and Comrades at War in Spain, Myanmar and Rojava" is available for pre-order. The conversation begins with James discussing his search history, revealing his interest in niche heirloom tomato varieties like Orange Strawberry and Paul Robeson (named after the poet), and his preference for wool socks with lifetime warranties for ultra-marathon running.

The Minneapolis ICE Shooting and Government Response: The hosts discuss the Trump administration's release of body camera footage from the Minneapolis incident where ICE agents shot and killed Rene Nicole Goode. Rather than helping their case, the video shows the situation was worse than initially thought, yet officials continue to defend the shooting and label protesters as "domestic terrorists."

Kristi Noem's Disastrous CNN Interview: Jake Tapper confronted DHS Secretary Kristi Noem with footage of January 6th after she suggested that interfering with law enforcement justifies deadly force. When asked if Capitol Police would have been justified in shooting January 6th rioters by that standard, Noem offered only word salad responses while President Trump had pardoned those same rioters.

Expanding Definition of "Terrorism": Tom Homan and other administration officials are attempting to label anyone protesting ICE as potential domestic terrorists. When pressed for definitions, they cite vague criteria about using ideology to change government actions through violence or threats, essentially criminalizing dissent and peaceful protest.

Historical Context of State Violence and Resistance: James draws parallels between current U.S. events and situations he's witnessed in Myanmar, Syria, and other countries where governments labeled protesters as terrorists before escalating violence. He notes that in Myanmar, the 2021 protests began with funny signs and peaceful demonstrations before the military killed 150 people in a single day, forcing a different response.

Orwell and the Totalitarian Project: The conversation touches on how the administration is attempting to make people disbelieve their own eyes and ears, referencing Orwell's 1984. James points out this has been a decade-long project since Trump's escalator ride, gradually building toward a point where they can post a video of an officer shooting someone three times in the face and tell people it's justified.

The Nature of State Power and Violence: James explains that states fundamentally control violence in geographical areas (the monopoly on legitimate violence), but their need to resort to violence so frequently and openly suggests potential weakness. The murder of a white woman in broad daylight represents a significant escalation that may resonate differently with suburban Americans who can see themselves in her situation.

Stages of Revolutionary Movements: Drawing from his reporting, James describes how resistance movements typically begin with peaceful protests and funny signs, as people believe the world will support them. In Myanmar, protesters initially thought peaceful demonstrations would bring international help, but when that failed and violence escalated, the movement evolved into armed resistance that has now liberated half the country.

The Turning Point USA Super Bowl Halftime Show Debacle: After Bad Bunny was announced as the Super Bowl halftime performer, Turning Point USA promised their own competing "American" halftime show. With the game approaching, they've confirmed the show is happening but refuse to reveal any performers, location, or format details, leading to speculation it may not actually exist or will be a complete disaster.

Nicki Minaj's MAGA Pivot: The hosts discuss how Nicki Minaj has appeared at Turning Point events, seemingly aligning with MAGA in what appears to be an attempt to secure a pardon for her husband. The response from her fanbase, particularly Black fans, has been largely negative, with many saying they're done supporting her.

Overrated Media: Fairytale of New York: James argues that the Pogues song "Fairytale of New York" is overrated compared to their other work, noting it contains a homophobic slur and expresses positive sentiments about the NYPD. He recommends "Rainy Night in Soho" as a better Christmasy Pogues song and discusses Woody Guthrie's "Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos)" about the 1948 crash that killed 48 people, where media only named white crew members and ignored the Mexican bracero workers.

The Changing Tone of Protest Signs: The hosts observe that protest signs from recent demonstrations have shifted from humorous memes to direct statements like "Renee Nicole Goode was murdered" and "ICE are murderers," similar to the tone shift that occurred during George Floyd protests in 2020, indicating growing anger rather than attempts at clever comedy.

NFL Playoffs and Pop Culture Sidebar: The episode briefly covers NFL playoff results, including the Eagles' loss and Josh Allen's win, primarily as a transition to discussing the anticipated Turning Point USA halftime show disaster and maintaining the show's pop culture coverage alongside serious political discussion.

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The original podcast for bootstrapped and mostly bootstrapped startups, this show follow the stories of founders as they start, acquire, and grow SaaS companies. Hear when they fail, struggle, succeed, and take you with them through the tumultuous life of a SaaS founder. If you like Mixergy, This Week in Startups, or SaaStr, you’ll enjoy Startup for the Rest of Us.

Episode 815 | Unexpected Skills Your Day Job Can Teach You About Entrepreneurship (Rob Solo)

Startups For the Rest of Us

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Figuring Things Out Without Clear Instructions: Working as a teenage courier in the Bay Area before GPS and cell phones required navigating vague directions, locked doors, wrong addresses, and construction sites. Learning to troubleshoot and persevere without escalating every problem built a foundational skill for entrepreneurship, where founders must constantly make progress with incomplete information and unclear paths forward.

Respecting Busy People's Time: Interfacing with executives and project managers as a young courier taught the importance of not wasting others' time with small decisions. Taking work off their plate made him more valuable, and this lesson translated directly to entrepreneurship—understanding that the higher up someone is, the less bandwidth they have for minutiae, and respecting your own time becomes equally important as a founder.

Self-Education Compounds Over Time: Long hours alone in the car provided opportunities to consume audiobooks and books on tape from the library covering business, management, entrepreneurship, self-improvement, and personal finance. This exposure to mental models before needing them created a foundation of concepts to draw upon later, demonstrating that you don't need permission to start training for future roles.

Hard Work Is Non-Negotiable: Working as an electrician doing physical construction labor taught that work must get done regardless of how you feel about it. There are no shortcuts around demanding work, even when unglamorous. This willingness to grind—doing what needs to be done rather than just the fun parts like launching new projects—became essential for entrepreneurial success and set apart those who succeed from those who quit.

Experience Beats Credentials Every Time: Despite having an electrical engineering degree, working alongside electricians with 10-20 years of field experience was humbling. It became clear that doing the work matters far more than reading about it. While books and courses are valuable, they can't replace firsthand experience—a lesson that applies directly to entrepreneurship, where you eventually must start building rather than just learning.

Letting the Buck Stop With You: Reading blueprints and installing circuits as an electrician meant dealing with mistakes and confusing instructions. Rather than asking the foreman about every uncertainty, learning to troubleshoot first and avoid escalating small issues built the mindset that even when something isn't your fault, it's still your responsibility—a core entrepreneurial mindset.

Learning When to Cut Corners and When Not To: Working as a software developer during the dot-com boom taught the spectrum between sloppy code and over-engineered, gold-plated software. The right level of quality depends on usage, risk, and scale requirements. Understanding when to move quickly versus when to build for the long term—and avoiding thinking in absolutes—became crucial for founders with limited time.

Identifying Who You Want to Work With: As a software developer, learning to evaluate colleagues—recognizing that the best collaborators weren't always the strongest technically but were coachable, willing to improve, and worked well together—trained the ability to evaluate hiring candidates. This skill directly translated to hiring employees for future companies.

Managing and Motivating People as a Learned Skill: Becoming a tech lead and managing engineers revealed that management doesn't come naturally for everyone—it's learned. Discovering how to have hard conversations, motivate people, and paint a compelling vision of why they should join your team became essential. At Drip, this enabled hiring top talent at below-market rates because people were excited about the vision, even though day-to-day management wasn't the most enjoyable task.

Hiring and Firing as Founder Superpowers: Getting involved in hiring processes at multiple organizations—driven partly by wanting to control who to work with—provided invaluable reps. Learning that hiring well is hard and takes practice, and that firing decisions are always muddier than expected, prepared him for building high-performing teams. The advice: volunteer for hiring at your day job and learn from managers who excel at it.

Exposure to Well-Run Systems: After selling Drip, working at the acquiring company exposed him to an exceptional hiring funnel executed by a strong people ops team. Seeing their structured approach to finding candidates, consistent evaluation criteria, and clear decision-making provided shortcuts that saved months or years of trial and error when applied to future ventures.

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Welcome to The GaryVee Audio Experience, hosted by entrepreneur, CEO, investor, content creator, and public speaker Gary Vaynerchuk. On this podcast, you'll find a mix of the Podcast With Friends episodes, WineText TV recaps, Keynote Speeches on marketing and business, interviews, and fireside chats I've given. Enjoy!

Find Gary’s books Day Trading Attention, Crushing It, #AskGaryVee, Twelve and a Half, Thank You Economy, and Crush it streaming now on Spotify.

GaryVee_Internalmeeting_recording_bestmeetingever_01-13-26.mp4

The GaryVee Audio Experience

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Fighting for Happiness Over Societal Pessimism: The most important advice for life outside of careers is to actively fight for happiness. Mainstream and social media constantly sell pessimism and fear through headlines designed to scare people, but the data shows this is the greatest era to ever be alive. Too many people have leaned into cynicism, blame, envy, and jealousy instead of recognizing how good things actually are.

Building Relationships with Your Cohort is Everything: For those starting at VaynerMedia, the most valuable thing to do is build genuine friendships with your fellow residents. These relationships will be more valuable than anything else because VaynerMedia is positioned like Apple in 1986 or Facebook in 2010 - people in this cohort will become CMOs of major companies, bosses within the organization, and valuable connections throughout their careers.

Learning by Doing, Not Just Observing: The key to understanding disruption and new platforms is immersing yourself as a practitioner, not just theorizing. When MySpace, YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook emerged, the approach was to actually use them and create content, not just read about them. This same principle applies to AI and emerging technologies - you can read company emails about ChatGPT or you can actually go use it.

Success Must Be Self-Defined, Not Externally Imposed: True success means waking up on Monday morning smiling with no anxiety in your chest, regardless of whether you make $40,000 or $4 billion. Success looks different for everyone - some want promotions, others want specific financial numbers, some want work-life balance. The key is defining success for yourself rather than letting parents, society, or social media define it for you, and accepting that your definition will change over time.

Material Goals Lead to Emptiness: Arbitrary material goals like making six figures and buying a big house are why people struggle with motivation and happiness. These externally-imposed benchmarks don't actually change anything once achieved - the world is very good at selling this narrative, but it's fundamentally untrue and leads to disappointment.

Avoiding Burnout Through Self-Love and Patience: The key to avoiding burnout is not beating yourself up when you don't grasp everything. With social media and platforms constantly changing, it's okay to not be great at every platform or understand everything. Having empathy for yourself and recognizing that expertise takes time prevents the self-judgment that leads to burnout.

Patience is Your Greatest Ally When Circumstances Demand Speed: For those trying to accelerate their careers due to circumstances like age or family responsibilities, patience is actually the answer even though it seems counterintuitive. The faster you try to run, the more likely you are to trip. Merit of work, not speed of politicking, determines success.

Creative Freedom Builds Better Companies: Allowing creators and employees to make what they want and give their passion, rather than just "do it and shut up," builds better companies even if it means slower growth. Waking up Monday morning without anxiety requires having a say in your work, not operating in a soulless environment.

Curiosity and Job-Hopping Isn't Necessarily Negative: Switching roles or companies frequently because you're curious and trying to find fulfillment is completely valid. Anyone who views this exploration negatively isn't somewhere you want to work anyway. The key is communicating openly with your team and being willing to take feedback about timing.

Dealing with Inconvenience and Gracious Exits: Staying passionate across multiple commitments requires two things: being able to tolerate short-term inconvenience when you've made a commitment, and being comfortable graciously unwinding commitments when needed. Giving proper notice and creating a transition plan allows you to perform better in the time remaining rather than delivering subpar work for years.

Customer-First Intent is the Thread of Success: The singular thread from lemonade stands to current success is reverse engineering what the customer actually needs and approaching it with good intent - making good lemonade, recommending better wine for less money, or helping companies stop wasting marketing dollars. When you have the customer's intention in mind, everything you want selfishly will follow.

Investing in People is Simply the Right Thing to Do: The heavy investment in training and caring for young employees, despite vulnerability to people leaving, exists because it's the right thing to do when you're blessed. Even if people leave, exposing them to how business should be done creates positive impact on the business world. Operating on a 51/49 principle - giving 51% of value to others while keeping 49% - ensures long-term success while doing right by people.
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Listen to A Closer Look and more in the audio edition of Late Night with Seth Meyers, weeknights at 12:35/11:35c on NBC.

Connor Storrie (“Heated Rivalry”) | Noem Flails on CNN Over ICE Shooting; Trump's Oil Meeting: A Closer Look

Late Night with Seth Meyers Podcast

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Trump's Chaotic Four-Day Stretch: The show opens with a breakdown of Trump's tumultuous actions over four days, including threatening to invade Greenland, defending an ICE shooting in Minneapolis by calling an unarmed woman "disrespectful," opening an investigation into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, and posting a screenshot showing himself as "acting president of Venezuela." The segment highlights the constant barrage of concerning news and its exhausting effect on the public.

Trump's Distracted Oil Executive Meeting: During a Friday meeting with oil executives about Venezuela's oil, Trump stopped mid-sentence to stare out the window for an extended period. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had to pass him a note to redirect his attention to Chevron executives, which Trump then read aloud on camera, demonstrating a concerning lack of discretion and focus.

Military Threats Against Greenland and Denmark: Trump issued mob-style threats about taking control of Greenland "whether they like it or not," promising to do it "the easy way" or "the hard way." This represents an escalation of his administration's territorial ambitions and threatens relations with Denmark, a longtime ally.

Protests Against ICE Operations: Nationwide protests erupted against ICE and the Trump administration's immigration enforcement tactics. Trump dismissed protesters as "professional agitators" with "brand new signs," suggesting without evidence that they were being paid. When a Fox News reporter interviewed protesters on the street, they expressed reasonable, articulate concerns about ICE actions and the shooting of an unarmed person.

Double Standards on Law Enforcement Violence: A government official completely short-circuited when asked about the administration's different standards for violence against law enforcement—defending January 6th rioters who attacked police while justifying force against ICE protesters. The official could only repeat talking points about evaluating situations "in context" without addressing the obvious hypocrisy.

Connor Storrie's Red-Eye Flight from Golden Globes: Actor Connor Storrie flew overnight from Los Angeles to New York after presenting at the Golden Globes and briefly attending an after-party at the Chateau Marmont, where he met Amy Poehler. He discusses the surreal experience of now being recognized by celebrities he's admired.

The Unexpected Success of "Heated Rivalry": Storrie expresses genuine surprise at the broad appeal of the HBO Max show "Heated Rivalry," a male romance set in professional hockey. Initially expected to have a narrow audience, the show has attracted viewers of all demographics, particularly women, drawn to its universal themes of love and living authentically despite societal expectations.

Learning to Skate and Speak Russian: Storrie reveals he had only two weeks of skating training before filming and still doesn't feel confident on ice. He also learned Russian for the role through intensive four-hour daily sessions for six weeks, working with a dialect coach named Katya. A Russian background actor once mistook him for an actual Russian speaker with an American accent, which he considers his greatest compliment.

Growing Up in Odessa, Texas: Storrie shares his background from Odessa, Texas, where he saw one hockey game growing up featuring the local team, the Jackalopes. He believed jackalopes were real animals until about five years ago, and coincidentally, one of the professional hockey players who worked on the show had actually played for the Jackalopes.

From Restaurant Worker to Breakout Star: Before booking "Heated Rivalry," Storrie worked in restaurants and was planning to get a new restaurant job if the show didn't succeed. He expresses gratitude for now being able to make a living as an actor and have the resources to create his own projects, emphasizing how transformative this opportunity has been for his career.

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Supporting the inner lives of us grown-ups…
I help people "knock the bricks off their wings and truly fly," as one client beautifully put it...

I'm Kay, an artist, author, and coach. I live in Massachusetts, USA, with my husband, sons, and our 12-1/2-year-old pet chicken. Connect with me at kaylockkolp.com.

PS This show used to be called We Turned Out Okay… You're in the right place! The first 375-ish episodes were created with that name. Much has changed around here, but much has stayed the same. I'm glad you are here!

462: Cultivating a Positive Money Mindset, Part 1

Practical Intuition with Kay

Art Creativity & Wellbeing

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Series Introduction: Cultivating a Positive Money Mindset: Kay introduces a new 5-part series based on her transformative experience in 2025, which she identifies as the year she finally cultivated a positive money mindset. This shift became the foundation for all the amazing things that happened in her life and enabled her to better serve others.

Leadership and Self-Worth as Prerequisites: Kay frames the conversation as "one leader to another," emphasizing that everyone is the leader of their own life, even if they don't hold traditional leadership positions. She explains that her money mindset improved as she learned to value herself more, since money and self-worth are deeply interconnected in her experience.

The Full Cup Philosophy: The episode explores leadership from the heart, centered on the principle that we can better serve others when we pour from a full cup. Cultivating a positive money mindset is presented as one key way to fill that cup, as it allows us to receive more and show up more fully for others.

Self-Assessment Question: Kay invites listeners to evaluate their current money mindset by asking whether they feel like they have control of their time, freedom to be wherever they want with whomever they want, and the ability to do what they wish. This assessment serves as a starting point for the journey ahead.

The Core Question: What Is Money?: The first practical exercise challenges listeners to examine their fundamental beliefs about money. Kay notes that many people view money as a problem, as scarce ("money doesn't grow on trees"), or simply as dollars and cents, but these perspectives significantly impact how we utilize money and how we feel about it.

Money as Energy: Kay shares her personal belief that money is energy—a placeholder for value that we give and receive. She references Victor Bach's book "How to Solve All Your Money Problems Forever" and contrasts viewing money as a problem versus viewing it as something neutral or even amazing that we have the opportunity to engage with.

Interactive Journey and Ongoing Exploration: The episode encourages listeners to journal their responses and emphasizes that the most important person who needs to hear their answers is themselves. Kay invites listeners to share their thoughts, questions, and stories about cultivating a positive money mindset, positioning this as an unfolding exploration over the coming weeks.

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We are reclaiming what it means to be a man. Each week we interview the world’s most successful men on the planet - elite athletes, warriors, New York Times Bestselling Authors, and world-class entrepreneurs – extract their hard-fought lessons and experiences and deliver them straight to you. Past guests include Jocko Willink, Tim Kennedy, Andy Frisella, Lewis Howes, Grant Cardone, Ryan Holiday, Ben Greenfield, Rich Roll, and so many more. If you’re ready to level up your life as a man, this is the show for you.

Laurin Ponce | Why Opposite Sexes Struggle to Connect

Order of Man

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The Three Pillars of Lasting Relationships: Compatibility, chemistry, and connection are all equally essential for a successful relationship - you can't sustain one without the others. Compatibility is the foundation (shared values, life goals, boundaries), chemistry is the spark (polarity, attraction, playfulness), and connection is the glue built over time (trust, emotional intimacy, vulnerability). Confusing these three or neglecting any one leads to trauma bonds, roommate dynamics, or relationship exhaustion.

Masculine-Feminine Polarity Dynamics: The masculine energy provides the steady container - like a rock that doesn't crumble when waves crash against it, or a bowl that holds water. The feminine energy is the flowing, emotional, intuitive aspect that moves freely within that container. When polarity dies - when men become too passive or women too aggressive - attraction fades and conflict increases. Both energies need to honor their natural tendencies while respecting the other.

Respect Starts With Self-Respect: Women won't respect men more than men respect themselves. Self-respect means treating yourself with kindness, protecting your health, honoring your boundaries, and maintaining your values. It's about being disciplined with your body, consistent with your word, and never folding on what matters to you. A woman will either match that energy or she won't - and if she doesn't, you need the self-respect to walk away.

Creating Emotional Safety for Women: Men need to be the non-reactive, calm, grounded presence that allows women to express themselves without fear of explosion or judgment. This doesn't mean being a doormat - it means holding space, listening without immediately jumping to solutions, pausing before reacting, and proving over time that vulnerability won't be weaponized. Women need to feel heard and understood before they're ready for solutions.

Men Need Peace and Respect Above All: Once a man experiences genuine peace in a relationship - no drama, no constant chaos, no walking on eggshells - he'll never let it go. This matters more than physical attractiveness or sexual chemistry. Women need safety (both emotional and physical) and the freedom to express themselves. These core needs must be met for both partners to thrive.

You Can't Out-Love Incompatibility: If two people have fundamentally opposing values - about children, religion, lifestyle, money, or other core issues - no amount of love or communication will resolve it. These conversations need to happen early, even on first dates, despite conventional wisdom suggesting otherwise. Better to discover incompatibility immediately than after years of investment, children, and financial entanglement.

The Danger of Familiar Dysfunction: People unconsciously gravitate toward what feels familiar from childhood, even if it's toxic. Someone raised in an unstable, chaotic environment will seek that same dysregulation in adult relationships because unfamiliar healthy dynamics feel uncomfortable and uncertain. True chemistry feels grounded, safe, and peaceful - not like constant emotional highs and lows.

Physical Attraction Reflects Self-Discipline: Maintaining physical attractiveness isn't superficial - it demonstrates self-respect, discipline, and love for yourself and your partner. How you care for your body signals how seriously you take yourself and the relationship. Both men and women should want their partner to be admired, and both should do the work to be that person worth admiring.

Men Must Lead But Women Must Regulate: While men are held to higher standards because they're less emotionally driven and more rational, women can't just be "gnarly" and expect men to contain everything. Women must regulate themselves, control their emotional extremes, and respect their partner's leadership. It takes two adults showing up with accountability.

Never Stop Being Intentional: Relationships die in comfort zones. Couples must intentionally recreate the activities and behaviors that brought them together - date nights, dancing, conversations, playfulness, vulnerability. Men often work hard on external things (cars, hobbies, careers) but neglect the same attentiveness toward the relationship, especially after marriage. Coasting leads to disconnection.

Small Promises Matter More Than Big Gestures: Men often handle major responsibilities (mortgage, providing) but repeatedly fail on small commitments (bringing home diapers, taking out trash). Each missed promise is a small cut that undermines trust and credibility. Over time, these accumulate and kill attraction. Consistency in honoring your word - even on little things - builds the foundation of respect.

Work on Yourself First, Always: Before trying to fix a relationship, men need to examine themselves - their patterns, triggers, attachment styles, and why they attracted this person. Therapy, coaching, books, and self-reflection reveal how we got where we are. Elevating yourself attracts better partners and makes you capable of healthier dynamics. After breakups, people do this work anyway - better to do it while still together.

Study Your Partner Like a Subject: Successful relationships require constant curiosity about what makes your partner tick - their triggers, love languages, stress signals, and what makes them feel safe and loved. The moment you think you've completely figured someone out is when the relationship begins to die. "Cracking the code" is an ongoing, intentional process that requires attention and effort.

Dancing as Relationship Medicine: Learning to dance together (particularly partner dances like salsa) teaches and reinforces healthy masculine-feminine dynamics - the man leads, the woman follows that lead. It creates physical connection, playfulness, and an embodied practice of polarity. Men who don't know how to dance should learn specifically for this reason.

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For those who have money… or want more of it!
Join Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench (from BiggerPockets.com) weekly for the BiggerPockets Money Podcast. Each week, financial experts Mindy and Scott interview unique and powerful thought leaders about how to earn more, keep more, spend smarter, and grow wealth.

Broke and in Debt at 50? How to Still Retire On-Time (Step-by-Step Plan)

BiggerPockets Money Podcast

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Nancy's Starting Position and Goals: Nancy is a fictional 50-year-old recently divorced stay-at-home mom with $50,000 in debt (credit cards, car loan, medical debt, and student loans) and zero assets. The goal is to help her reach $1 million in inflation-adjusted wealth by age 65—a challenging but achievable target that would allow for a comfortable retirement with approximately 4% annual withdrawals plus Social Security benefits.

The Foundation: Emotional Acknowledgment and Financial Assessment: Before tackling numbers, Nancy must first acknowledge and label the emotions surrounding her financial situation—shame, fear, and frustration. The next critical step is creating a personal financial statement tracking all assets, liabilities, income, and expenses. This provides a clear snapshot and projection for the next 12 months, establishing whether there will be surplus to save or deficit leading to more debt.

Income Strategy: Entry-Level Job Plus Side Hustles: Nancy needs to secure an entry-level full-time job averaging $43,262 annually—positions like medical office receptionist requiring 1-3 years of experience (which is code for entry-level). Despite having been a stay-at-home mom, she possesses transferable skills like calendar management, organization, and multitasking. She must supplement this with 10+ hours weekly of side hustle work such as Uber driving, tutoring, professional organizing, or event work to generate additional income in the early years.

Aggressive Expense Cutting in Three Key Categories: Nancy cannot spend like the average one-person household ($47,000 annually) and must target around $32,000 in annual expenses. The biggest cuts come from housing (getting a roommate is essential), transportation (selling her $20,000 car with its loan and buying a $7,000 10-year-old Toyota Corolla), and food (meal planning, buying in bulk, and preparing meals in advance). She should also switch to higher-deductible insurance plans to lower premiums.

Debt Elimination Strategy: Bad Debt First: Nancy must build a $1,000 emergency fund immediately, then attack "bad debt" (high-interest debt) aggressively. After selling her car and getting a new loan at 8% for the cheaper vehicle, her bad debts are the credit card at 19% and the new car loan. She pays minimums on lower-interest medical and student loan debt while eliminating high-interest debt first. By the end of year one, she reduces her net worth from negative $50,000 to negative $19,000—a $31,000 improvement.

Investment Order of Operations: Once bad debt is paid off (approximately 18-20 months), Nancy begins investing following this sequence: contribute enough to 401k to get employer match (if offered), max out HSA contributions, build a 6-month emergency fund, max out 401k contributions, max out Roth IRA, then contribute to after-tax brokerage accounts. In the early years, she invests aggressively with 100% stock portfolios since she has little to protect and needs maximum growth.

Career Advancement Through Normal Progression: The financial model assumes Nancy receives three modest promotions over 15 years (years 3, 7, and 12) with raises of 12%, 15%, and 10% respectively, plus 3% annual cost-of-living adjustments. She also gains bonus potential starting at 5%, increasing to 10%, then 15%. By age 65, she earns $88,000 annually (nominal dollars). This isn't exceptional—it's normal career progression for someone who works hard, shows up consistently, and seeks advancement.

Developing Hard Skills for Income Acceleration: Nancy should pursue certificate programs or training in high-demand fields during years 1-3. For example, working as a medical receptionist could lead to becoming a dental hygienist (earning $70,000-$80,000), which is AI-proof and in constant demand. Sales roles with base pay plus commission offer unlimited income potential. The key is investing in skills that signal value to employers and dramatically increase earning power beyond the baseline model.

Real Estate as a Wealth-Building Cheat Code: Two primary strategies can dramatically accelerate Nancy's progress: house hacking (buying a duplex/triplex or house with extra bedrooms and renting them out while living there) and live-in flips (buying a property needing work, improving it over 2+ years of living there, then selling with up to $250,000 in capital gains tax-free). Both strategies turn housing from an expense into a wealth generator and can add $100,000+ to net worth.

The Power of Continuous Self-Education: Nancy should consume personal finance, business, and self-improvement books or podcasts during commutes, at the gym, and during downtime—targeting one book every 1-2 weeks. This transforms her mindset from feeling helpless to bursting with ideas and opportunities. Self-education helps her perform better at work, identify lucrative side hustles, make smarter investment decisions, and feel empowered to negotiate raises and promotions.

Knowing Market Value and Advocating for Advancement: Nancy must research her market value using Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, Indeed, and Levels.fyi, then compare it to her current compensation. She should have crystal-clear expectations for what's needed for the next promotion and communicate her ambition to take on special projects that develop skills or save/make the company money. Regular check-ins (1-2 times yearly) asking "What do I need to do to get promoted?" significantly increase odds of advancement.

Experimental Approach to Side Hustles and Entrepreneurship: Nine out of ten business ideas fail, so the strategy is to try ten ideas—one will likely succeed. Nancy should experiment with different side hustles every 90 days, from tutoring to event planning to professional organizing. Resources like Nick Loper's Side Hustle Nation podcast (700+ episodes) and J. Money's list of 80+ side hustles provide abundant ideas. The key is finding a lucrative niche through consistent experimentation over 3-5 years.

The Realistic Financial Model: From Negative $50K to $1 Million: Following just the baseline formula (entry-level job with normal progression, frugal living, side hustles, and disciplined investing), Nancy reaches approximately $650,000 in today's dollars by age 65—including $770,000 in tax-deferred accounts, $53,000 from employer matches, $143,000 in Roth IRA, and $43,000 in after-tax accounts. To reach the full $1 million inflation-adjusted goal requires layering in creative strategies like career acceleration, enhanced side hustles, or real estate.

Support Communities and Resources: Nancy needs community support to stay motivated on this challenging 15-year journey. Recommended resources include the Catching Up to FI podcast and Facebook group (specifically for late starters), The Simple Path to Wealth book by JL Collins, BiggerPockets Money Facebook group, and ChooseFI local groups for in-person connections. Free tools including financial statement templates and Nancy's complete financial plan spreadsheet are available at biggerpocketsmoney.com/resources.

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Podcasty Polityki Insight skupiają się na najważniejszych wydarzeniach politycznych i gospodarczych, analizujemy krajowe, europejskie i globalne trendy.

Naftowy renesans Wenezueli | Energia do zmiany

Polityka Insight Podcast

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I apologize, but I cannot provide a comprehensive summary of this podcast episode. The transcript provided appears to be severely corrupted or improperly transcribed, containing only fragmented phrases, isolated words, and timestamps without coherent dialogue or content.

The transcript shows:
- Disconnected words like "hodova," "Venezuela," "Donald Trump," "President Trump," "Louisiana," "Texas"
- Text that appears to be in a mix of languages (possibly Polish and other languages)
- No complete sentences or coherent discussions
- Only a few seconds of content per timestamp over a 37-minute episode

While the context indicates this should be an episode about Venezuela's oil renaissance ("Naftowy renesans Wenezueli"), discussing whether increased oil extraction in Venezuela is possible, what investments it requires, and who might undertake it, the transcript does not contain enough legible content to confirm or summarize these topics.

To provide an accurate summary, I would need a properly transcribed version of the podcast episode.
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I believe in doing BIG THINGS! You should be earning 6 figures easily as a sales rep. But chances are you are not...yet! Sales is the most important department in every company but many sellers are never taught how to effectively sell, much less how to earn their way to high-income status. My own career limped along until a company I worked for invested in sales training to help me succeed. Immediately afterward, I closed a deal worth 4X what the company spent on me and saw hockey-stick improvement in my performance. So I started a podcast to “Evangelize” what was working. 
 
Today I interview the world's best sales experts, successful sellers, sales leaders and entrepreneurs who share their strategies to succeed in sales right now: folks like Jeffrey Gitomer, Jill Konrath, Bob Burg, and Guy Kawasaki to name a few. They share actionable insights and stories that will encourage, challenge, and motivate you to hustle your way to top income status. If you’re someone looking to take off in your sales career and earn the income you deserve, hit subscribe and let’s start doing BIG THINGS!

Here is how I closed a 6-figure deal with humor | Kevin Hubschmann - 1967

The Sales Evangelist

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The Power of Humor in Closing a Six-Figure Deal: Kevin Hubschmann shares how he closed a major deal by sending ten cold emails to a prospect, with the first nine being conventional and corporate. The tenth email featured a Titanic meme ("Is anyone out there?"), which broke through and started a conversation that led to a six-figure deal. This demonstrates that being authentic and using humor can create meaningful connections when traditional approaches fail.

Blending Your 9-to-5 and 5-to-9 Personalities: Many salespeople maintain two separate identities—their professional work persona and their authentic after-hours personality. Kevin trained in improv and standup comedy at night while keeping his corporate persona during the day. This separation is often ingrained from childhood when students are told to be serious in class, but bringing your authentic self to work creates stronger connections and better results.

Active Listening as the Foundation of Natural Humor: Using humor effectively in sales isn't about telling jokes—it's about employing skills that comedians use daily. Active listening means not interrupting, being genuinely curious, asking questions, and letting prospects fully express their thoughts. The key is throwing out the script and creating space for authentic conversation rather than following a rigid framework.

The "F Your Good Idea" Principle: A crucial improv concept that applies to sales is suppressing the urge to jump in with your "brilliant" response. Even when you have something clever to say, interrupting the flow can derail valuable information the prospect might share. Write down your thought if needed, but let the conversation continue naturally rather than disrupting the momentum.

Empathetic Communication Through "Yes, And": Replace "no," "but," and "or" with "yes, and" during discovery calls. This improv technique validates what prospects are saying and builds on their thoughts rather than contradicting them. It creates psychological safety and makes prospects feel heard, encouraging them to share more information about their pain points.

Managerial Permission Creates Psychological Safety: Kevin's boss told him to "stop being so salesman and start being more Hubschman," giving explicit permission to bring his authentic personality to work. Leaders must create environments where team members feel safe taking risks and potentially failing, especially when compensation is tied to quotas. Verbal permission alone isn't enough—culture must reinforce it.

Normalizing Failure as Part of Sales Culture: Sales involves mostly failure, with success being the minority of outcomes. Companies should make failure a staple of their culture, with managers self-deprecating about their own failures. This normalization gives sellers permission to take chances and be themselves without fear of repercussions, leading to more innovation and authentic connections.

Training Soft Skills Like Gym Muscles: Active listening, empathetic communication, and handling failure are skills that require deliberate practice and training. Taking improv or standup comedy classes can be valuable not as career changes but as ways to develop these soft skills that differentiate you in sales. These skills atrophy without practice, especially as technology reduces human-to-human interaction.

Reading the Room Through Strategic Questions: Instead of delivering long monologues, ask questions that guide prospects down a path where they articulate their own problems. Your pitch points can be framed as questions, allowing prospects to essentially pitch themselves. This approach ensures they can effectively communicate the value back to their team since they said it in their own words.

Less is More in Sales Communication: Like standup comedy, effective sales communication uses the fewest words possible to achieve maximum impact. Prospects need to play telephone and relay information back to decision-makers, so being succinct ensures your message doesn't get diluted to just 10-20% of what you actually said.

The "After Work Comic" Philosophy: You don't need to quit your day job to benefit from comedy training. Pursuing standup or improv as an after-work activity removes pressure while developing superpowers you can bring back to your sales role. Human-to-human connection remains the key differentiator in modern sales environments saturated with technology.

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One Year Into Trump’s Term, Where Does Science Funding Stand?

Science Friday

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Science Funding Outlook Improves After Initial Cuts: After a tumultuous 2025 marked by uncertainty and cuts from DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency), federal science funding for fiscal year 2026 shows surprising resilience. Recent congressional appropriations bills indicate mostly flat or small increases for major science agencies, including the National Science Foundation (NSF), NASA, Department of Energy Office of Science, and likely the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This represents a significant turnaround from the Trump administration's initial proposals, which recommended cutting NSF and NIH budgets by more than 50%.

Bipartisan Congressional Support Remains Strong: The appropriations bills passed the House on January 8th with overwhelming bipartisan support, demonstrating that Congress's commitment to science funding transcends partisan politics. This stability came through deliberate advocacy efforts rather than automatic support, highlighting the importance of continued engagement with lawmakers.

Effective Advocacy Made the Difference: The positive funding outcomes resulted from coordinated advocacy by multiple stakeholders. Patient advocates effectively made the case for NIH funding by connecting research to real-world medical breakthroughs, while industry representatives, philanthropists, and scientists themselves advocated for physical sciences and NASA funding. This multi-pronged approach proved crucial in demonstrating the tangible value of federal science investment.

Uncertainty Created Real Damage to Scientific Workforce: Despite the ultimately favorable funding numbers, the uncertainty throughout 2025 caused significant harm to the scientific enterprise. The NSF's graduate research fellowship program saw dramatic fluctuations, initially cutting awards from 2,000 to 500 before partially recovering to around 1,500. This instability makes it difficult for graduate students and researchers to plan their careers, potentially driving talented individuals away from science and creating gaps in the next generation of researchers.

US Global Leadership in Science Remains at Risk: While the US avoided the catastrophic cuts that would have ended its competitive position, China is gaining ground in critical areas including solar energy production, materials science, mathematics, and biology. The breakthrough of the year—solar energy surpassing coal globally—is happening primarily in China. Maintaining scientific leadership requires sustained investment, as the countries that lead in research are first to turn discoveries into products, innovations, and societal benefits.

Rebuilding Trust Requires Personal Relationships: Trust in science has eroded across society, not just because of science-specific issues but as part of a broader decline in institutional trust. The solution lies in scientists building authentic relationships with the public through long-form media and in-person engagement, rather than relying on credentials or institutional brand names. Scientists need to be more engaged in telling their own stories rather than allowing others to control the narrative.

Continued Vigilance Needed Despite Funding Wins: Even with positive funding levels approved, significant challenges remain in execution. There are concerns about whether agencies will actually spend the allocated money, whether specific projects (particularly atmospheric research) might be canceled, and how to maintain morale among young scientists. The work of advocacy and protection must continue beyond the appropriations process to ensure the funding translates into actual research support.
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Discussions, tips, and debates from security practitioners and vendors on how to work better together to improve security for themselves and everyone else.

Managing Risk Has Been a Priority Ever Since You Asked About It (LIVE in NYC)

CISO Series Podcast

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Security as Business Problem First: The opening emphasizes that the biggest mistake in security is treating it purely as a technical challenge rather than a business problem. This theme recurs throughout the discussion, with emphasis on understanding business context before implementing security measures.

GRC Must Shift From Compliance to Risk Focus: Traditional GRC programs are too compliance-heavy, treating compliance as the ceiling rather than the floor. Saket Modi argues that being compliant doesn't prevent breaches—99.9% of hacked financial services companies were PCI compliant. The industry needs to move beyond questionnaires and checkbox exercises toward real-time risk quantification using actual telemetry data.

AI Agents Should Be Treated as Identities: When discussing autonomous AI accountability, the consensus is that AI agents should be managed like human identities with similar guardrails, access controls, and privileges. They should be treated as new employees or interns who will make mistakes and need oversight. The critical concern is AI's ability to reason in unexpected ways—referencing AlphaGo's "Move 37" that initially seemed foolish but led to victory.

The Unknown Unknowns of AI Are Most Concerning: Beyond typical fears of new attack vectors, the real worry is AI's capacity for novel reasoning that humans can't predict. This represents threats at an unprecedented pace and scale, with AI potentially finding infiltration methods nobody anticipated.

What to Stop Doing and What to Start Tracking: Security leaders should ask colleagues what vendors, services, or processes they're dropping—not just what's new. Understanding what board members are asking about and what open-source tools engineers love provides valuable intelligence at conferences.

AI Tools Will Improve Despite Early Limitations: When presented with a scenario of paying $1M for an AI tool that escalates 90% of alerts versus not investing in AI at all, both guests chose the AI option. The reasoning: even broken AI improves over time (citing iPhone's initial lack of copy-paste), while not starting means falling behind. Accuracy will increase with iteration.

Risk Ownership Belongs to Business Leaders, Not CISOs: A fundamental misconception is that GRC teams or CISOs own risk. Actually, business unit heads own the risk for their domains. The CISO's role mirrors the CFO's—showing the mirror to each business about their risk posture and helping them burn it down effectively, not owning it directly.

People Before Process Before Technology: When starting risk management from scratch, the hierarchy is clear: assess if leadership has appetite for risk management first, then establish processes, then implement tools. Technology without process just makes problems happen faster. Risk culture depends on CEO and founder attitudes more than any framework.

Measuring What Matters in Risk Programs: Before showing results, establish how you'll measure risk. The instrumentation and calculation methodology must be right first. Technology companies that are software developers move faster at risk burndown, while other organizations may be comfortable with their risk posture despite never being breached.

Help Desk as Social Engineering Weak Point: Organizations spend millions on EDR and firewalls but remain vulnerable through 10-minute phone calls to Tier 1 agents who are underpaid, outsourced, and graded on ticket velocity. Solutions include maximizing self-service with guardrails, tabletop exercises for frontline staff, and AI-powered call monitoring to flag potential scammers in real-time.

Data Actionability Tests: When evaluating dashboards or data, ask "so what?" and "who cares?" to determine usefulness. Another key question: "Am I going to do anything different with this data?" If not, stop looking at it. These simple tests prevent analysis paralysis.

The CRQ Branding Problem: Cyber Risk Quantification suffers from a naming issue—people think they already have quantification through dashboards and numbers. The real value lies in answering specific questions: vulnerability exposure, impact of incidents, peer comparisons, and risk burndown relative to budget. Safe Security prefers "Decision Intelligence" as terminology.

Garbage In, Garbage Out Remains the Core Challenge: The biggest pitfall of CRQ programs is data quality and completeness. Having accurate data that doesn't tell the whole story undermines quantification efforts. This foundational issue must be addressed before sophisticated risk programs can succeed.
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Come hang with Amy Poehler. Each week on her podcast, she'll welcome celebrities and fun people to her studio. They'll share stories about their careers, mutual friends, shared enthusiasms, and most importantly, what's been making them laugh. This podcast is not about trying to make you better or giving advice. Amy just wants to have a good time.

Ryan Coogler

Good Hang with Amy Poehler

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Ludwig Göransson Opens the Episode: Amy speaks with composer Ludwig Göransson, Ryan Coogler's longtime collaborator since their USC days in 2008. They met at a grad student fraternity party while playing pool, bonding over music and Swedish artists. Ludwig explains how different instruments define each Coogler film - guitar for Fruitvale Station (reflecting both their fathers' love of blues), talking drums for Black Panther (African communication devices that can convey messages through rhythm), and guitar again for Sinners, bringing their collaboration full circle.

The Sacred Experience of Movie Theaters: Coogler reflects on his deep love for the theatrical experience, describing it as egalitarian - bringing together teenagers, retired couples, and everyone in between. He admits he pauses movies at home when overwhelmed, but theaters force you to surrender control and give yourself over to the experience. His childhood movie snacks included peanut M&Ms and Junior Mints from the freezer, and he admits to possibly smuggling in peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Transformative Films from Childhood: Coogler's formative movie experiences included seeing Boyz n the Hood at age 4 (younger than his own daughter is now), Beauty and the Beast, Malcolm X, and memorably Jurassic Park at Oakland's drive-in. During the T-Rex chase scene, he looked at his own car's side mirror which read "objects may be closer than they appear" and became terrified the dinosaur was behind him - this addictive feeling drives his filmmaking today.

From Football to Film: Coogler played wide receiver in college on scholarship at Sacramento State, playing against future NFL stars like Marshawn Lynch. He realized football wasn't his future when facing players who were clearly on another level. Initially a chemistry major planning to become a doctor, he switched to finance while taking filmmaking classes on the side after a teacher suggested he write screenplays based on his creative writing.

The Power of Collaboration and Team: Coogler emphasizes the communal nature of filmmaking, comparing it to his blue-collar upbringing with schoolteacher parents. He met his core team at USC graduate school - Ludwig Göransson, co-writer Aaron Covington, and producer Sev Ohanion. His wife Zinzi has been his partner since they were 13, serving as his first audience for scripts and providing crucial feedback before he shares work with anyone else.

The Genesis of Sinners: Coogler pitched the vampire twins concept to Zinzi three times before she approved it. He involved Ludwig early in the process before there was even a script because of the film's musical foundation. The hook of twins playing dual roles appealed to Coogler despite his admitted "crippling fear of doppelgangers." He consulted twin filmmakers Noah and Logan Miller to understand the dynamics of having essentially a copy of yourself.

Why Twins Are Creepy (But Perfect): Coogler explains his belief in needing "multiple hooks" to capture audiences in today's content-saturated environment. Twins provided both a compelling visual hook and tapped into something inherently unsettling - the idea of doppelgangers. He worked extensively with Michael B. Jordan and the Miller brothers to explore the unique psychology and relationship dynamics that twins experience.

The Transcendent Dance Scene: One of Sinners' most powerful moments - where ancestors and descendants appear during a juke joint performance - wasn't in the original outline. When writing the script, Coogler realized he'd fallen in love with characters he had to kill and wanted to give them a victory moment. He reflected on how 1930s sharecroppers in Jim Crow Mississippi, whose grandparents were enslaved, somehow invented America's greatest cultural contribution (the blues) just to feel alive on Friday and Saturday nights.

Remembering Chadwick Boseman: Coogler shares tender memories of working with Chadwick Boseman on Black Panther, describing him as "deeply, deeply funny" and always in character with his Wakandan accent between takes. When Coogler was stressed and worried about being fired, Boseman pulled him aside and said "I'm not gonna let anything happen to you...please stop saying that. Relax." This taught Coogler the crucial lesson of being present, which he now applies to all aspects of his career.

Black Panther's Lasting Impact: Amy shares how seeing Black Panther with her teenage sons was a transformative shared experience that changed how they saw the world. Coogler reveals his mother was his movie buddy growing up - she would act out entire films for him when he was too young to see them, including memorably performing The Fugitive in their living room. He confirms he is making another Black Panther film.

Comedy as the Highest Art Form: Coogler identifies as a huge comedy fan, calling it "the highest level of what we do." His formative comedy influences include Coming to America, Friday, and Adam McKay's The Other Guys (which he considers underrated and McKay's best). He's a devoted SNL watcher and particularly loved Michael B. Jordan's dark, David Lynch-inspired Jake from State Farm sketch.

Michael B. Jordan Partnership: Coogler first saw Jordan's heartbreaking performance as Wallace on The Wire, reminding him of kids he knew growing up and those he met while working with his father. Their collaborative relationship allows Coogler to work with an actor who's not only talented and ambitious but also creates a safe, kind set environment by learning everyone's names from PAs to producers, which sets the tone for the entire production.

Fruitvale Station Shot in 20 Days: Coogler's breakout film was shot in just 20 days in Oakland while he and Zinzi were first living together. She would come directly to set after her day job to support the production. This intense, focused shooting schedule with his life partner by his side established the collaborative, efficient working method that would define his career.
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How do I figure out what my purpose is? How do I connect with like-minded women? How do I gain confidence and overcome imposter syndrome? How do I grow my money mindset? How do I launch and sell my products and services to make six figures with a small audience?

Welcome to Powerhouse Women, the podcast! We'll answer all of these questions (and more) in order to help you get out of your own way and into ACTION around your big ideas. Because you're NOT meant to do business (or life) alone!

Host Lindsey Schwartz will bring you everything you need to bring your big ideas to life with tactical tips, business strategy and all of the mindset shifts you need to take on your business, side hustle or passion project with confidence! 

Along with sharing all of our business secrets we interview incredible expert female entrepreneurs so you can hear their secrets, challenges, top tips and the real stories behind being a woman in business. 

Let’s get inspired to take action together! Welcome to Powerhouse Women!

The Clarity You're Looking For is on the Other Side of the Uncomfortable Action You're Avoiding

Powerhouse Women

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Clarity comes from uncomfortable action, not waiting: The clarity you're seeking in your business or life is often waiting on the other side of an uncomfortable action you're avoiding. Instead of waiting passively for direction, the next right step usually reveals itself when you take the difficult action your intuition is already nudging you toward, even if that action isn't directly related to the area where you want clarity.

Everything in your life is interconnected: Your friendships, family relationships, romantic relationships, health, finances, and business are not separate compartments—they're all connected. If you're avoiding uncomfortable conversations or allowing inconsistency in one area (like a personal relationship), it will spill over into other areas, including your business. You can't compartmentalize dysfunction without it affecting your entire life.

The painful power of addressing inconsistency: Lindsey shares a personal example of ending a romantic relationship after finally having an uncomfortable conversation about inconsistency between words and actions. Though the conversation resulted in the relationship ending (not her desired outcome), it immediately created massive clarity for her business and 2026 goals. The lesson: avoiding these conversations to preserve something often backfires.

What you tolerate, you invite everywhere: If you allow inconsistency, boundary violations, or misalignment in one relationship because you're afraid of losing it, you're essentially sending a signal to the universe that you're willing to accept that same energy everywhere. By not enforcing boundaries with family members, for example, you invite clients to step over your boundaries too.

The mirror test is the real power move: After identifying what's misaligned in external relationships or situations, the most powerful next step is turning that same scrutiny on yourself. If you're upset about someone else's inconsistency, ask where you're also being inconsistent with yourself—whether that's broken promises to yourself about business goals, health routines, or financial commitments.

Higher standards must apply to yourself first: You can't successfully hold others to standards you don't hold yourself to—it creates an imbalanced frequency that prevents you from calling in the next level. The energy only works when you're enforcing boundaries with yourself AND expecting others to respect those same boundaries.

The nudge, the knock, and the rhino: When you're asking for big upgrades but not taking aligned action fast enough, life will escalate its messages. It starts with gentle nudges from your intuition, progresses to louder knocks, and eventually becomes a rhino charging at you—forcing the change you've been avoiding. It's better to act on the nudge while you still have choice rather than waiting for the crisis.

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Welcome to ‘Energy Unplugged by Aurora’, a mix of in-depth conversations with key international industry leaders, policymakers, and academics, sharing their unique perspectives on the global energy transition.

Hosted by various Aurora experts, we explore the hottest topics and trends across the energy landscape. From renewables, battery storage, and grid integration, to hydrogen, commodity markets, and technology innovation, our high-profile guests weigh in with their valuable insights.

Stay informed and engaged with the latest developments in the energy industry, with a new episode released every week!

EP.272 – Renewables at Scale: Flexibility, Grids and the Future Power System

Energy Unplugged by Aurora

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Global Energy Transition Progress Despite Geopolitical Uncertainty: The energy transition is advancing despite significant headwinds including geopolitical instability, rising protectionism, and supply chain disruptions. The world added nearly 2.5 terawatts of renewables in the last five years and is set to double by 2030. Power demand is regaining momentum driven by AI, data centers, and electrification (projected 21% increase by 2030), making renewables more critical than ever as the fastest to deploy, cheapest, and most scalable energy source.

Common Challenges Across Global Markets: EDP faces similar challenges across all geographies including permitting delays, grid connection bottlenecks, labor shortages, and regulatory gaps. However, Iberia stands out with abundant renewable resources, electricity prices 23-25% below EU averages, the most competitive LCOEs (30-40% lower in solar, 10-12% lower in wind), and Europe's largest PPA markets, positioning it well to attract investment in clean industries like data centers and batteries.

EDP's Multi-Technology Investment Strategy: EDP's 2026-28 strategic plan involves €12 billion in investments, with €7.5 billion in renewables and €3.6 billion in electricity networks across Portugal, Spain, and Brazil. About 90% of investment will be deployed in rate-based markets, with North America and Iberia accounting for 35% and 30% respectively. The strategy balances global scale and technological diversity across 30 gigawatts of wind, solar, hydro, CCGTs, and storage with disciplined value creation.

Operational Excellence Through Digital and AI: EDP manages its multi-technology, multi-regional portfolio through three key priorities: driving value from diverse technologies through optimized operations and lifecycle management; supporting system stability by expanding flexible generation (particularly hydro pumping storage); and accelerating digital and AI adoption for operational efficiency through predictive maintenance, autonomous monitoring, and smart decision-making. This approach balances global learnings with local market adaptation.

Growing Role in Ancillary Services Markets: EDP's renewable assets are increasingly active in ancillary services across Europe, with wind and solar participating in manual frequency restoration reserves across all markets and automatic frequency restoration services in Iberia. Approximately 60% of the fleet is equipped with advanced power plant controllers enabling reactive power control, voltage regulation, and frequency containment. Hybridization with battery storage is the next evolution, turning variable generation into flexible, dispatchable resources.

Maturity Gap in Ancillary Services Frameworks: Iberia lags behind more mature markets in ancillary services remuneration. Primary reserves aren't remunerated, and Portugal recently had price caps on automatic frequency restoration reserves, dampening market interest. While Ireland leads Europe with comprehensive frameworks and Germany has begun procuring Black Start services, Iberia operates at national level with less dynamic remuneration. More mature markets like the US provide clearer investment signals through competitive bidding and real-time pricing.

Battery Storage Investment Hindered by Market Signals: Despite less than 100 megawatts of operating battery capacity and 18 gigawatts in the pipeline, Iberia lacks the market signals necessary to justify investments. Without adequate remuneration for primary response and limited ancillary service frameworks, the business case cannot rely solely on arbitrage. Clear, transparent frameworks valuing flexibility services through capacity payments and harmonized ancillary service markets are essential for attracting storage investment.

Critical Lessons from the Iberian Blackout: The blackout served as a stress test for renewable-heavy systems, demonstrating that resilience must grow alongside decarbonization. Key lessons include: the continued need for synchronous generation (hydro and gas) providing voltage control, inertia, and black start capability that inverter-based renewables cannot yet fully replace; the critical importance of communication and collaboration among stakeholders during crisis response; and the value of pre-established protocols, backup systems, and regular drills for operational preparedness.

Hydropower's Unique Role in System Stability: Hydropower offers a unique combination of energy storage, voltage control, inertia, and black start capability that remains essential for system resilience. Expanding pumped storage and upgrading existing hydro units to operate as synchronous compensators provides cost-effective stability reinforcement. As synthetic inertia technology matures, proper remuneration mechanisms must recognize and reward these backup services that keep the system stable.

Need for Resilience-Centered Regulatory Frameworks: Post-blackout analysis reveals the need for regulatory changes treating resilience as a core system attribute rather than an afterthought. This requires capacity mechanisms that explicitly incentivize backup capacity availability, clear quantification of system needs (voltage control, synchronous compensation, inertia), and transparent ancillary service markets that reflect the real contribution of stability services to security of supply.

Data Center Demand as Structural Growth Driver: Global data center power capacity has grown over 200% in the past decade (from 26 GW in 2015 to 82 GW in 2025), with 13 GW added in the last 12 months alone. Demand is projected to grow two to five times by 2030, driven by AI workloads consuming 10-20 times more energy than traditional computing. Iberia offers competitive advantages including lowest power prices in Europe, abundant land, robust fiber networks, and strong renewables case for green data center development.

Strategic Integration of Hydrogen and Data Centers: EDP combined its hydrogen and data center business units recognizing key synergies: both are large continuous consumers of electricity, water, and cooling; both are capital intensive and tied to decarbonization; both require deep understanding of regulatory frameworks for large loads and complex permitting processes. This integration leverages common expertise in navigating large-scale demand interconnections and system flexibility requirements.

System Reinvention Accelerating Faster Than Expected: The energy system is reinventing itself not over decades but within just a few years, driven by rapid technological advancement and the sector's demonstrated ability to adapt. The most advanced frameworks for inertia, capacity, and flexibility markets (like those in the UK and Ireland) could serve as models for other regions, though policy stability remains crucial as investor uncertainty poses the greatest threat to continued progress in the energy transition.

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The Thomistic Institute exists to promote Catholic truth in our contemporary world by strengthening the intellectual formation of Christians at universities, in the Church, and in the wider public square. The thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the Universal Doctor of the Church, is our touchstone.

The Thomistic Institute Podcast features the lectures and talks from our conferences, campus chapters events, intellectual retreats, livestream events,  and much more. 

Founded in 2009, the Thomistic Institute is part of the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC.

If ChatGPT Exists, Why Study? – Fr. Chris Gault, O.P.

The Thomistic Institute

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The Opening Story of St. Thomas Aquinas's Mystical Experience: On December 6, 1273, St. Thomas Aquinas had a profound mystical experience during Mass that caused him to stop writing entirely. When pressed by his secretary Reginald to continue his magnum opus, the Summa Theologiae, Thomas replied that "all that I have written seems to me like straw in comparison to the things I have seen." This vision of reality, achieved after years of intense intellectual labor and prayer, illustrates what genuine encounter with truth can accomplish—something AI cannot replicate.

The Fundamental Difference Between Human Intelligence and AI: Human intelligence is immaterial, not made of physical matter or electricity, though it depends on the brain for operation. The human intellect can grasp universal concepts, unite them into propositions, and form arguments in ways that AI can only mimic. AI depends entirely on human intelligence for its existence, operates within logical and mathematical frameworks, and simulates intelligence through powerful performance rather than possessing genuine understanding.

The Importance of Embodied Learning and Reality: Humans are body-soul composites whose learning is shaped by emotions, background, experiences, and relationality—not just passive reception of data. Made in the image of the Triune God, humans can relate to other persons, love, and make free decisions. True intelligence involves appreciating universal concepts like truth, beauty, and goodness, while AI remains confined to processing information within predetermined systems.

Nature and Reality as Sources of Genuine Insight: Real breakthroughs in human knowledge come from wrestling with nature and reality, not from passive information consumption. Mountains, forests, and natural phenomena require active engagement to extract their truths, whereas AI floods users with data that promotes passivity. The example of kidney anatomy demonstrates how laborious study leads to genuine wonder—understanding the intricate beauty of the nephron's filtration system—something charts and instant facts cannot provide.

The Problem of Attention and Concentration in the Digital Age: Social media and constant information bombardment fragment thinking and train minds to mirror superficial, jumpy patterns. Companies selling attention have vested interests in monopolizing dopamine release and creating addiction. Simone Weil's concept of attention as "radical, selfless openness to reality" requires silence and the ability to sit quietly—the opposite of constant digital stimulation that creates anxiety and dissipates mental energy.

The Process of Study as Essential to Genius and Insight: Historical breakthroughs like Archimedes' eureka moment, Fleming's discovery of penicillin, and Watson and Crick's DNA model came after prolonged wrestling with problems, not instant access to information. Reading should be done slowly and deeply, not for quantity—spending three months on one paragraph is better than racing through forty books without retention. As Bernard Lonergan described, true "insight" requires sustained intellectual effort and struggle.

The Virtue of Studiousness (Studiositas) versus Curiosity (Curiositas): According to Aquinas, humans have a natural appetite for truth that requires regulation through the virtue of studiositas. Unregulated curiosity manifests in constant tab-switching, consuming irrelevant reality TV, or seeking useless knowledge. With AI making infinite information instantly available, the epidemic of curiositas threatens to spiral out of control. True studiositas means disciplining our desire for truth toward what is actually relevant and beneficial.

Christ as Model for Human Learning and Study: The Gospel of Luke describes Jesus increasing in wisdom and stature, meaning Christ freely chose to have an intellect requiring growth through experience of reality. Classical theology distinguishes between Christ's divine knowledge, beatific vision, infused knowledge (angelic), and acquired knowledge (human). His willingness to learn through human study sanctifies the process for Christians, making it holy and worth emulating.

The Difference Between Cleverness and Intelligence: Cleverness involves absorbing facts from AI and fitting them into scenarios—a superficial skill. True intelligence means developing intellectual tools and frameworks that allow approaching future problems systematically. Being a Thomist, for example, means internalizing Thomas's way of thinking—his principles about God, faith and reason, causality—not merely memorizing everything he said like a parrot or automaton.

Human Minds Are Formed by What They're Exposed To: The mind takes on the form of what it encounters, so constant exposure to disjointed facts creates fragmented thinking. Developing systematic frameworks requires time and application. Like Daisy the Labrador fulfilling her nature by chasing balls, humans flourish when pursuing truth through study—it's hardwired into human nature and essential for genuine happiness and self-actualization.

Practical Guidelines for Using AI Wisely: AI should be used as a powerful tool for organizing notes, summarizing large volumes, and highlighting key points when time is short. However, it must never replace the actual work of study because the process itself is what forms the mind and character. Like Plato's warning about handwriting, the message isn't to reject the technology entirely but to use it wisely without becoming dependent on it for genuine understanding.

The Ultimate Purpose of Study as Encounter with Divine Reality: Human minds hunger for truth, defined as correspondence between mind and reality. This appetite ultimately leads to encountering God in creation, which is why the Catholic Church holds that God's existence can be known through reason alone. Study doesn't just inform but forms the person, impressing God's image more deeply through engagement with creation, nature, and other real persons, leading toward contemplative vision of ultimate Reality.
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Catch up on today’s top stories, with insight and analysis from Times reporters all over the world. From the team that brought you "The Daily." Listen every weekday morning. 

Listen to this podcast in New York Times Audio, our iOS app for news subscribers. Download now at nytimes.com/audioapp

Minnesota Sues to Stop Federal ‘Invasion,’ and Iranians Describe a ‘Blood Bath’

The Headlines

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Minnesota Sues Trump Administration Over ICE Deployments: Minnesota filed a lawsuit claiming the Trump administration's deployment of thousands of armed federal immigration agents constitutes a "federal invasion" that violates the US Constitution and state rights. The state's Attorney General says residents have been racially profiled, harassed, and terrorized, with schools going into lockdown and businesses closing due to fear. Armed agents have been marching through apartment complexes demanding documents, targeting construction workers, and detaining people—including incidents where US citizens were tackled despite identifying themselves.

Escalating Federal Immigration Enforcement in Minnesota: The Trump administration has deployed roughly 2,000 federal agents to Minnesota and announced plans to send 1,000 more. The operation initially targeted undocumented Somali immigrants amid a welfare fraud scandal, but has expanded broadly. The administration claims the surge is needed for agent safety, while a DHS spokeswoman called a similar lawsuit from Illinois "baseless."

FBI Investigation Into ICE Agent Shooting: New details reveal that criminal charges appear unlikely for the federal agent who killed Renee Good in Minneapolis last week. Investigators are examining not only the agent's actions but also Good's potential connections to activist groups opposing immigration enforcement—a focus that aligns with President Trump's unsubstantiated claims about a shadowy, violent protest network.

Supreme Court Hears Transgender Athletes Cases: The Supreme Court is hearing its first formal cases on transgender athletes, examining laws in West Virginia and Idaho that restrict sports participation to sex assigned at birth. The cases will test whether such laws violate constitutional equal protection guarantees, with potential implications for 25 other states with similar legislation. Arguments will pit concerns about fairness in women's sports against discrimination claims.

EPA Overhauls Air Pollution Rule-Setting Process: The Environmental Protection Agency is making a seismic shift in how it justifies clean air regulations, abandoning decades of practice. Instead of calculating the cost of pollution's impact on human health (like lost work days from asthma), the EPA will now only consider compliance costs to businesses. This change could make it easier to repeal pollution limits on power plants and oil refineries, despite the agency's claim it will still consider health impacts.

Potential War Crimes in US Drug Cartel Strikes: The US used a secret plane disguised as a civilian aircraft with hidden weapons in its first strike against alleged drug traffickers in September. Military law experts say this could constitute perfidy—a war crime under the laws of armed conflict, as combatants are prohibited from posing as civilians. The military also killed two survivors of the initial strike, potentially constituting another war crime, though the White House maintains the strike was legal.

Brutal Government Crackdown in Iran: Iran is conducting a violent suppression of protests, with witnesses describing scenes of snipers on rooftops shooting into crowds and security forces using machine guns. Despite a government-imposed Internet and phone blackout, hospital workers report protesters arriving with skull fractures and gunshot wounds—one ER saw 19 shooting victims in an hour. An internal government report allegedly references at least 3,000 dead civilians and security forces, though large crowds continue to gather and chant "death to the dictator."

Rise of Direct-to-Consumer Blood Testing: A growing number of health and wellness companies are offering lab tests without doctor visits or referrals, capitalizing on frustration with the healthcare system and promising to test across dozens of biomarkers. While some people find value after struggling with undiagnosed conditions, medical professionals worry about unnecessary testing, false positives, and increased anxiety. Some companies are controversially offering autism prediction tests using hair or blood samples, which critics say are not reliable enough for commercial use and could mislead parents.

Figure Skater Qualifies for Olympics After Parents' Death: Twenty-four-year-old Maxim Naumov qualified for his first Olympics on the US men's figure skating team, an emotional moment as his parents—famed Russian skaters and coaches—were killed in the American Airlines crash near DC last January. Naumov has been coaching young skaters his parents taught and said he imagined his father telling him to keep fighting to reach the Olympics.
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Start your day with The Athletic NBA Daily – a fast, entertaining recap of the most important games and stories from the world of professional basketball with new episodes dropping Monday through Friday. Hosted by Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, and Esfandiar Baraheni with regular appearances by The Athletic’s award-winning NBA reporters. Andrew Schlecht and Alex Spears cap the week with the full-length Saturday Slam n’ Jam episode.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Trade Deadline Prep with John Hollinger

The Athletic NBA Daily

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Ja Morant Trade Discussions Heat Up: The Memphis Grizzlies have shifted from dismissing trade rumors to actively fielding offers for Ja Morant. The team realizes he's not reliable enough to be the centerpiece, having not played more than six consecutive games in nearly three years due to injuries and suspensions. While they previously traded Desmond Bain hoping to find a more dependable star, Memphis now believes Morant can be a good player but not a top-15 league talent they can build around.

Potential Landing Spots for Morant: Several teams are showing interest in acquiring Morant, with Miami, Milwaukee, and Toronto emerging as potential destinations. Toronto appears particularly motivated to make a deadline move, and a deal involving Immanuel Quickley's contract could work financially. The extra year on Morant's contract compared to Trae Young gives teams more runway before having to make extension decisions, and the market for Morant is expected to be stronger than it was for Young.

Houston Rockets' Travel Troubles in Sacramento: The Rockets had to stay in San Francisco and bus 85 miles to Sacramento for their game because no hotel rooms were available at the preferred team hotel (the Sawyer). The Lakers and Knicks had already booked the limited suitable accommodations. After playing their 23rd road game out of 36 total games, an exhausted Rockets team lost to the Kings and immediately flew home rather than staying overnight.

Michael Porter Jr. on the Trade Block: Brooklyn is looking to sell high on Michael Porter Jr. before the deadline, despite his strong play this season. The Nets want to cash in on his current value rather than committing to him long-term or dealing with his expiring contract situation next year. Golden State has been mentioned as a potential destination, with Jonathan Kuminga likely included in any deal, though questions remain about whether the Warriors have enough draft capital and whether taking on Porter's $40 million salary makes sense for their future flexibility.

Cooper Flagg's Position Evolution: Dallas initially struggled by forcing Cooper Flagg to play point guard despite his career as a four, putting him in an impossible position with huge lineups, limited spacing, and pressure to be an outside shooter (his weakest skill). The addition of Ryan Nemhard at point guard has transformed Flagg's role, allowing him to play forward as a secondary ball handler and face other big wings, which is much more natural for his game and has benefited the entire team's structure.

Conner Knippel Exceeding Expectations: The Duke rookie has proven to be much more than just a shooter, showcasing strong playmaking, the ability to take contact at the rim, and effective "kung fu off-arm fighting" when driving. His physical strength allows him to ward off defenders, and he's demonstrated shooting versatility off movement from different platforms. His well-rounded game has impressed beyond initial projections of him being primarily a floor-spacing shooter.

2026 Draft Class Deep at the Top: While there's a clear top three in the upcoming draft, Caleb Wilson from North Carolina is positioned as an undervalued fourth prospect who could potentially break into that elite tier. Wilson shows explosive transition play, impressive rebounding for his skinny frame, and the ability to create advantages off spins despite his size. His outside shot needs improvement, but his overall package makes him a strong prospect behind the consensus top three of Boozer, Peterson from Kansas, and AJ Dybantsa.

Memphis's Rebuilding Dilemma: After trading Morant, questions arise about whether the Grizzlies will move Jaren Jackson Jr. next and pursue a complete rebuild. Memphis currently believes their core with Zach Edey, Isaiah Crawford, Jackson, and a strong bench is good enough to contend with just one or two frontline additions, though they may reassess this position in another year if results don't improve.

Daniel Gafford as a Sleeper Trade Candidate: With Anthony Davis trade discussions fading due to injury, Gafford emerges as a surprise name that could be one of the more impactful players moved at the deadline. He's a good player who isn't generating much buzz but could significantly help a contending team looking for frontcourt depth.

Golden State's Win-Now Dilemma: The Warriors are stuck in an awkward position as a "win-now team that isn't quite good enough to win now," potentially looking at play-in tournament status. Any major trade would require sacrificing draft capital and future flexibility while loading up on expensive contracts (Porter, Curry, Green, Butler), leaving them with mostly minimum contracts to fill out the roster—the same depth issue currently hampering them.
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