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Social Security is regarded by many as our national safety net. We all pay into the system if we work. This is supposed to be guaranteed income for every employed American once we retire. However, if we unfortunately become disabled we are supposed to be able to take advantage of the safety net the Social Security program is supposed to provide. However, woe to any American if they truly have a need. The system as it stands is built to deny those who apply for disability. Social Security Disability denies the claims of the vast majority of those who apply. This begs the question … what is the truth about Social Security? With our guest, expert Spencer Bishins we dive into this topic and uncover harrowing truths that are lost on almost all Americans. This is powerful material that rests in the very foundations of America. Let’s etch some etches. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/etchtheedges/support

America is more divided than ever. The elevation of innovation in technology, once thought to be the great unifier has only served to be our greatest divider. It has created immense echo chambers in which far too many of us thrive on a menu of rhetoric of confirmation bias. We stand on the precipice of change, but what change will it be? Our guest on this episode is Marc Wendt and he has a vision for a tomorrow that incorporates all our perspectives. Believe it or not it is finding reason through the elevation of technology. It is Hope, Innovation, and Love. Join us as we unpack this powerful conversation on the edge. Let’s etch some edges. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/etchtheedges/support

This episode is all about learning how to leverage SEO techniques to drive more traffic to your website. Our special guest for this episode is Brandon Leibowitz. He provides us with a wealth of knowledge on just what it takes to drive traffic to your website. Without question this is critical information that you must have if you’re to succeed online in this continuously evolving web-driven interconnected world. Join us and listen in as Brandon etches the edges on optimization. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/etchtheedges/support

The truth is discovered through the narrative. It’s the stories that we share, the telling of our lives and experiences. Nate brings the heat and the truth to our platform with Edges etched aggressively using passion and tenacity. A man who is not afraid to call bullshit what it is, bullshit. And that is real shit. The journey towards truth regarding the black experience through the perspective of a white man is a powerful idea, a thought formed into action that needs to be shared, understood, internalized, and replicated. Nate is doing incredible work, truly work that must be done. We lean in deep on this one and truly take it to the real.  Grab a moment and etch the edges with us. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/etchtheedges/support

Excuse me, what are you doing in this space? A question Sharyl often receives as someone firmly standing in the space of diversity proponent. Her life experiences and environment informed her decisions and shaped her actions. Sharyl grew up as one of the few white kids in her neighborhood. Seeing the bad things that to her friends and neighbors is the root of the story. Hear and truly listen as she shares the details from the edges. Living a life as a white person who saw so much inequality and the powerful lack of equity not only elevated her perspectives as a human being, it transformed her into a champion for the cause of change. Walking such a rode in life and even love is no easy thing. Still, her choice is to walk it like she talks it. She has dedicated her life to helping others learn to live and thrive in a diverse world. Listen to Sharyl as she Etches The Edges. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/etchtheedges/support

Bob makes a statement that speaks to making a difference. He says he’s a white male American and he is among the safest human beings on the planet. A powerful truth in perspective. On Etch The Edges we always talk about being an aspiring critical thinker and leaning deep into discomfort to have the conversations that need having, to advocate for the people and positions that need support, doing the real work of building a society that is truly good for all of us, not just some of us. Realizing the American ideal is all about being equal, about realizing equity. The American ideal is not about authoritarianism, espousing divides while at the same time accusing others of doing the dividing. America is not about elevating the basket of deplorables. We can and must say that because it is the truth. The deplorables descended upon the capital on January 6th and tried their very best to turn our nation into a banana republic, at the behest of a narcissistic moron. This is simply the unfortunate truth. Bob clearly is stepping up to do the right thing, realizing our ideal. Listen in as he etches the edges. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/etchtheedges/support

We can’t show you the accent in this episode’s title but just understand if you’re in Atlanta you can call him Pete Marin. In Gwinnett County it’s Pedro Marin. Listen to the episode and get the inflection. It is a joy to lean in and work on pronouncing his name as it was given to him. Why do we say this? We say it because it is part of the story, it is us getting familiar, comfortable and trusting, it is us doing the work of closing the divides and standing on common ground. It’s us being the best of America. This is the work. Listen in as Pedro Etches the Edges on this episode of being one of the first Latino’s to serve in the Georgia State Legislature. Hear his stories on building bridges that serve the people, and doing the work necessary to ensure all Americans get to realize the full breadth of opportunities America provides, while at the same time staying committed to forging a path to true freedom. Let’s Etch some Edges. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/etchtheedges/support

The question is always appropriate for any given candidate that is running for office. However, as the electorate we’re often far too busy, or too lazy, to actually answer the question. It’s a critical thinker’s question and if a person would fully embrace the gift of American Freedom then it must be answered for each and every election, for each candidate on your ballot. That’s the work. On this episode we get to speak with one of our favorite people. Yes, we’re biased and we freely admit it. Ruwa Romman is running for Georgia State House District 97. She represents what’s best in America. But don’t take our word for it. Listen, as she Etches The Edges on why voting is so important and why we say voting for Ruwa Romman to represent District 97 in the great state of Georgia is a vote for America. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/etchtheedges/support

We state it plainly because it needs to be said. Mike Ford is running for Congress in Georgia’s 9th District.  It ain’t easy. He’s a Democrat running in a GOP bastion of the state. Over 78 percent of the electorate voted for Donald Trump. He’s got his work cut out for him. However, as ever the point is to tell the stories, understand the facts, and do the hard things, work to close the divide. Now more than ever it is so critically important. The courage of Congresswoman Liz Cheney points the way. Be willing to take a stand. Take a moment and listen as we Etch the Edges with Mike on why it is so important that we do all the things we advocate for on this program. We have to UNITE THE BLUE, unite the Democrats and get people to be rational in the midst of this crisis. Make no mistake it is a crisis. If we want to keep America this is the work. Make reason a blinding beacon that burns in common sense and burns out mendacity. Make your vote matter. Listen, and I think you just might find out why WE LIKE MIKE for Georgia’s 9th District. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/etchtheedges/support

Being focused on local elections is a requirement. That’s the opinion of us here on Etch The Edges. For us our local official is Kirkland Carden, Gwinnett County Commissioner for District 1. On this episode we talk about his journey and his focus on local politics; how he got engaged and what spurred him to seek office. Listen as he shares how and why he became hyper-focused, as he says, on local politics. It does matter, and it is critical. We have stated as much many times on this podcast. Everyone wants to live in a community that is safe, comfortable, efficiently run, and prosperous. Unfortunately, the vast majority of people don’t have this option, this luxury, and that is the point. You can’t even begin to chart a path to such an environment in a given community unless the people get engaged. As the saying goes, “All politics is local.” Give us a listen and let’s etch the edges. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/etchtheedges/support

Who is Keybo Taylor? The Sheriff of Gwinnett County is without question a man on a mission. He lives a life of purpose and he says with emphasis that “Failure is never final.” The Sheriff makes it clear that his perspective mandates that we practice life. The journey is important. Why and how things happen are critical. There is the perception of Law Enforcement and there is the work that gives rise to the facts. Sheriff Taylor is taking the time with us to Etch The Edges and talk about the issues that are so very important. He openly talks about the atrocities, the breakdowns, and the work that needs to take place to make things better. He and his department are in the community in a way that matters. In the practice of life he fully believes in finding a path and mapping out a better way. It’s an open and honest conversation, a powerful conversation about the facts. Take a moment, take some time, enjoy us and Etch The Edges with Gwinnett’s own Sheriff Keybo Taylor. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/etchtheedges/support

In his new book Finding Washington, Richard Raines takes us on a look back at America’s first founding father and his virtues. He shares with us how through the benefit of the perspective his book provides we can leverage those virtues to navigate our way through what many consider to be the most difficult times in our nation’s history. As ever Etch The Edges is about working away the edges in order to clear what’s keeping us from coming together. With the right work we can close the gap. On this episode we discuss how things have become so difficult and so charged. We talk about how we see each other across the divide and how it is the labels, and tribal mentality that makes it so difficult for us to see each other as we truly are. We are without question all human beings, and in this country we are all Americans. How do we move away from seeing each other as the other, and see each other as us? Let’s Etch the Edges with Richard and get some insight on how his book helps us do just that. Let’s learn how to do the right thing. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/etchtheedges/support

Brenden Kumarasamy is a communications expert and the founder of MasterTalk, how to become a master communicator. Where one may at first consider what he does only applicable to corporate environments and high-dollar situations, all one need do is think about the chaos of our daily lives as individuals trying to thrive in our social settings and we realize that the power of better communication applies to all of us, at all levels. He teaches us how to overcome our fears, and just talk to each other, truly talk to each other, which as so many of us often forget requires that we truly listen to each other. Listen in as we Etch The Edges with Brenden and learn how he came upon this field and became such an expert. How he honed his skill into helping others. And now, why he is taking the time to make sure the gifts he provides can be utilized by anyone, not just big business. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/etchtheedges/support

Jason Butler’s mission is to help others flourish.  He helps leaders realize the power of compassion and how it can open doors to greater opportunity and prosperity. In fact, his message to us all is to realize that compassion is the new SUPER POWER! He also thoroughly believes in the power of diversity and how it can truly help us close the gaps between us, all the gaps, not just color but modes of thinking, different dimensions of diversity. This is truly important for leaders in business and those in the heart of our communities. What he provides most certainly is needed. I don’t think anyone would readily say that America has enough compassion. In fact, it’s quite plain that we don’t have enough compassion. Jason’s work is most certainly needed. He also is Vice President of the Wake County (Raleigh NC) chapter of the Progressive Democrats. Take a moment and listen in as we Etch The Edges on compassion and diversity and why just now it is so very important. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/etchtheedges/support

A CPA by day and a conservative blogger and podcaster by night, Josh Lewis is on a mission. He’s Saving Elephants.  Josh presents as an aspiring critical thinker, which we love on this show. He’s an intellectual that voraciously consumes knowledge in order to seek and find higher levels of understanding. He is the thinking man’s, thinking man, thought and exposition filtered and clarified through the prism of his perspective. Listen to our conversation as he leans into what he says he does, reading a ton of stuff written by old white guys with the intent to understand it, figure out how it informs our present, and perhaps help us create a better future. For Josh, he holds fast to the sentiment of conserving good things and sharing these good things for the prosperity of everyone. Conservatism, and what it is, is not a readily, easily defined thing, same for liberalism. Hear him when says Conservatives in America have a goal of preserving American Liberalism. That is a mouthful of a statement for lay conservative and liberals. Check this powerful episode out. Let’s Etch some Edges. Oh, and when I say matriarchy, know I meant monarchy. Edged my word there. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/etchtheedges/support

On Etch The Edges we always remind ourselves and our listeners that the work is talking, conversations, leaning in even when it is most uncomfortable, to etch away at the parts of us that keep us from coming together, from serving in order to make our world better. And if you choose to lead, lead as a servant of the people, not the kind of person that would lord over the people. It is our pleasure to bring to you on this episode Ryan Cox, servant of the people who now seeks to serve as a leader.  He is the founder of Gwinnett Chatt, an outreach organization that partners with public and private organizations to provide opportunity and ensure that the people of Gwinnett continue to thrive. Now, Ryan is running for State Representative of Georgia District 111. Listen in as we etch the edges on Ryan’s personal journey that led him to this moment. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/etchtheedges/support

Being a Judge is one of the most important jobs in our society.  A judge must walk a fine line that is charged with complications and challenges to push the human soul to the limit … if you are truly doing the job right. This is no trite thing and cannot be dismissed. On this episode of Etch The Edges we have a conversation with Gwinnett County Superior Court Judge Angela Duncan to talk about how as a judge you must maintain your humanity, not dismiss it, adhere to the law, because that is what is required, but always see and meet people where they are. In order to do the work of administering justice one cannot be blind, as so many assume by looking at the statue of Lady Justice and her Scales of Justice. The law must be applied as the law is written but as the arbiter of the law Judge Duncan cannot lose sight of fairness, opportunity and of course justice for all equally, no matter who you are, how you present yourself, or where you are from. To be clear, it’s not easy being the judge, but it is a job she has leaned deep into with the mindset of a servant, as it is a job for the people. Listen in, learn, and enjoy a conversation as we etch the edges with Judge Duncan. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/etchtheedges/support

When you walk a path of service your way of life becomes consumed by the commitment, or so we have often observed. On Etch The Edges we take the time to hear people in their own words, share their own stories, and when it comes to people running for office we listen for the commitment, to see if they are on the path, if service is truly a way of life. BT Parker has worked hard, put in the time, and made it her purpose to serve. She has taken the time and done the work of extending herself throughout the environs of this county, to get engaged, to see the who and the what of the details of our county and where she can best contribute in order to better serve the people. With an effervescence that sparks positivity she says it best in her own words, “BT PARKER … BE SURE TO MAKE HER!” Listen in as she etches the edges on getting engaged and fixing the inefficiencies. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/etchtheedges/support

There is no question we have a social dilemma. Hands and eyes remain fixed on devices worldwide, absorbing snippets of information voraciously. There are any facets to the dilemma that need to be addressed. Our guest on this episode is Peter Zaborszky, serial entrepreneur and founder of RealTalk.com, the social platform for the center and center-right conservative. However, don’t let the labels lock your perspective. As with us all his history, his life story, informs his perspective. However, the label, which he is not overly fond of, do not prevent him from being an aspiring critical thinker. He seeks to enhance the conversation and provide a medium for people who feel they are being ignored. Now, there are many who will say those who claim they are being ignored taking up the majority of the space in any echo chamber, but again we must be reminded that with all things in life, it is truly about perspective. Peter has decided to lean in and address a need, moving away from the megalithic social media platforms, carving a space for others. Whether or not that space is for you is not the question. The question is will you be aspiring and etch the edges on the topic, the supposition, and the challenges our platforms provide. Give us a listen. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/etchtheedges/support

A critical thinker’s plan to methodically re-engage the Georgia Department of Labor on the job of labor. That is truly the thing to do. It is a task that requires immediate tactical engagement that builds to a strategic plan which will do the necessary work of enabling the workers of Georgia at all levels. If Georgia is to become the best state in the nation for business, then it stands to reason that we should be the first state in the nation to truly realize that what’s best for business can and must include what is best for labor. With critical consideration and due perspective we can realize that these two objectives are not mutually exclusive. Nadia Surrency is aware of this and she has a plan. She states it’s a “new day,” for a “new leader,” to lead the Labor Commissioner role. Sit down and take some time to etch some edges with us. Listen to the conversation and learn how Nadia plans to bring her considerable skills and versatility to the role and how she will effectively chart a course for Georgia labor into the 21st careers of tomorrow. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/etchtheedges/support