Author Archives: Edward Brownlee

Bank Accounts for the Unbanked

Posted on by
Reply

Today nearly 5.6 million households in the U.S. are still without a traditional bank account—and of those households, nearly 50 percent are within communities of color, according to Wells Fargo

A bank account is paramount to overall financial success. It’s imperative that providing unbanked and underserved individuals with financial education and easier access to low-cost banking solutions is essential.

Build Positive Financial Habits

A basic building block of financial wellness is understanding how you spend your money. By keeping track of spending with a checking account, you can start building good habits and address the not-so-great ones. Having a checking account simplifies managing your upcoming charges—no more jotting them down with pen and paper or dealing with stacks of receipts.

Keep More of Your Money

Being without a checking account often translates to reliance on services like check cashing locations, cash-deposit options at convenience stores, and payday loans when things get tight. All of these ultimately cost you money.

Source:  https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/work-money/a63444093/how-wells-fargo-is-helping-customers-achieve-long-term-financial-success

Resveratrol: A Powerful Antioxidant

Posted on by
Reply

Resveratrol is a natural compound found in the skin of red grapes, berries, and peanuts. It’s a type of polyphenol, which acts as a powerful antioxidant.

Sirtuins are a group of genes that are believed to protect many organisms, including mammals, against diseases of aging. Mounting evidence has demonstrated that resveratrol, a compound found in the skin of grapes as well as in peanuts and berries, increases the activity of a specific sirtuin, SIRT1, that protects the body from diseases by revving up the mitochondria, a kind of cellular battery that slowly runs down as we age. By recharging the batteries, SIRT1 can have profound effects on health.

Resveratrol has been studied for its potential to improve heart health, protect brain function, and reduce inflammation. It may also help lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels.

Red wine is a well-known source of resveratrol, as it is fermented with grape skins. Other sources include natural grape juice, blueberries, and cranberries.

Resveratrol is available as a dietary supplement, but the effectiveness of high doses is still under research. It’s always best to consult a healthcare provider before starting any supplement.

Several recent studies have explored the health benefits of resveratrol:

Longevity and Anti-Aging: Research from Harvard Medical School highlights that resveratrol activates a protein called SIRT1, which promotes health and longevity by enhancing mitochondrial function.

This could potentially help prevent age-related diseases

https://hms.harvard.edu/news/new-study-validates-longevity-pathway

John Fetterman’s NYT Opinion on GLP-1

Posted on by
Reply

“Drugs, like Ozempic and Wegovy, can be a game changer. I know firsthand.” – U.S. Senator John Fetterman

Recently, U.S.Senator John Fetterman has been advocating for Medicare to cover GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, which are used for diabetes and weight loss

In July, Fetterman was prescribed a drug called Mounjaro. As a stroke survivor, he was interested in studies showing it could significantly reduce the risk of major cardiac events and chronic disease.

Mounjaro is used to treat Type 2 diabetes, and a version recently received Food and Drug Administration approval for weight loss.

Even though he started taking it for his heart health, he was struck by how much better it has made him feel across the board. He stated that “it made a significant impact on his overall health. Aches, pains and stiffness have vanished. Physically, he feels a decade younger, clearer-headed and more optimistic than he’d been in years. As far as side effects, he has also lost around 20 pounds.”

And it’s not just him — millions of Americans have experienced similar life-changing benefits, regardless of why they started on these medications.

Source:  https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/08/opinion/glp1-ozempic-mounjaro-trump.html

Improving the Process

Posted on by
Reply

James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, emphasized that focusing on the process rather than just outcomes leads to “success. He suggested a simple framework for process improvement:

1. Decide what you want to achieve.
2. Try different ways of achieving it until you find one that works for you.
3. Do more of what works. Do less of what doesn’t.

Clear distinguishes between goals (the results you want) and systems (the processes that lead to those results), arguing that sustainable success comes from building effective systems and habits, not just setting goals.

If you focus on the controllable inputs and the process to improving your business, in the long term, you get better results.

Say somebody came up to me, Jeff Bezos, and said, “Jeff, I want your job to be to drive up the Amazon stock price, and just manage that directly.”

Many companies actually try to do this. They go out and try to “sell” the stock. That’s a silly approach, that’s not sustainable.

It’s much better to say, “What are the inputs to a higher stock price?” OK, well, free cash flow and return on invested capital are inputs to a higher stock price. Let’s keep working backwards. What are the inputs to free cash flow? And you keep working backwards until you get to something that’s controllable.

A controllable input for free cash flow would be something like lower cost structure.

Then you back up from there and say, if we can improve our picking efficiency in our fulfillment centers and reduce defects — reducing defects at the root is one of the best ways to lower cost structure — that starts to be a job you would accept.

If you’re a reasonable person, you would say, “I have no idea how to drive up the stock price. I can’t manage that directly. It’s not a controllable input.” But I can make picking algorithms more efficient, and that will reduce cost structure.

And then you follow that chain all along the way.

The same holds true for your business. Want to increase sales?

Focus on controllable inputs: the number of leads generated, the number of cold calls made, the type and frequency of follow-ups. Turn the goal into a series of controllable, manageable inputs

(“Manageable” not in terms of easily attainable, but a task or process that can be actively and objectively managed.)

Clear’s approach is to focus on consistent, small improvements in your process, trusting that good outcomes will follow from good systems.

Results and achieving goals do matter. But if you optimize for the outcome and goal, you win one time. But, if you optimize for a process and inputs you can control that leads to great outcomes, you can win again and again.

Sources:

  1. https://jamesclear.com/quotes/the-process
  2. https://jamesclear.com/quotes/why-focus-on-the-process-when-the-world-is-outcome-driven-dont-results-matter

FY2024 Federal Fiscal Spending

Posted on by
Reply

“The time has come for your public servants to bring spending down into line with tax revenues. No matter how much more tax money comes to Washington, it won’t amount to a hill of beans if government won’t curb its endless appetite to spend.” – President Ronald Reagan’s 1985 address

The Department of Health and Human Services takes 25.4% of the total federal fiscal spending due to Medicare and Medicaid costs.

The Social Security Administration makes up about 22.4% of the budget, while the Treasury Department takes up 19.5%.

The Department of Defense accounts for 13.5% of federal fiscal spending, followed by Veterans Affairs at 4.8% and the Department of Education at 4%.

It is widely reported in the media that the U.S. government spends wastefully a significant amount of money annually on unnecessary projects.

According to Senator Rand Paul’s 2024 “Festivus” Report, approximately $1 trillion was identified as wasteful spending in FY2024.

Examples include $4.8 million spent by the U.S. Federal government on Ukrainian influencers and $6 million to promote tourism in Egypt.

Additionally, the Government Accountability Office estimates that between $233 billion and $521 billion is lost annually to fraud and inefficiencies.

Other reports highlight specific waste, such as $20 billion annually on ineffective animal testing and $247 billion wasted in 2023 due to improper payments and inefficiencies (Source: perplexity.ai).

Here are some bizarre examples of government waste (Source: perplexity.ai):
• Massaging Rabbits: The NIH spent $387,000 to provide Swedish massages to rabbits as part of a research project.
• Fish on Treadmills: The National Science Foundation allocated $1.5 million to study the endurance of mudskipper and bluegill fish on treadmills.
• Mountain Lions on Treadmills: Another NSF project spent $856,000 training mountain lions to use treadmills to study their energy use while hunting.
• Responsible Drinking for Chinese Prostitutes: The federal government spent $2.6 million on a campaign to encourage Chinese prostitutes to drink responsibly.
• Guantanamo Soccer Field: $750,000 was spent to build a soccer field for inmates at Guantanamo Bay.
• IHOP Construction: The Department of Health and Human Services provided $500,000 to build an IHOP in Washington, D.C., ostensibly to create jobs.

“Keep your eye on one thing and one thing only: how much government is spending, because that’s the true tax. If you’re not paying for it in the form of explicit taxes, you’re paying for it indirectly in the form of inflation or in the form of borrowing” – Milton Friedman

Bourbon Tasting Notes

Posted on by

The terms balance, complex and long are often used in tasting notes to describe the overall experience of bourbon. Here’s what they mean in this context:

– Balance: This refers to how the flavors of the bourbon work together. A balanced bourbon has a harmony between its sweetness (from the corn), spiciness (from the rye), and richness (from the barrel aging), without one element overpowering the others. It’s smooth and well-rounded.

– Complex: Complexity in bourbon means there’s a range of different flavors and aromas to discover. A complex bourbon might have layers like vanilla, caramel, oak, spices, fruit, or even smoky undertones. It’s like a story that unfolds as you sip.

– Long: This describes the finish—the lingering taste and sensation after you’ve swallowed the bourbon. A long finish means those flavors persist in your mouth, allowing you to savor them longer. It’s a sign of quality and depth.

Keep Showing Up

Posted on by

Keep Showing Up. Slow progress is still progress!

Success doesn’t follow a schedule.

You can grind for years with nothing to show. Then everything changes in a moment.

But the point isn’t to win fast. It’s to become unshakable, grateful and positive, no matter how long it takes to achieve your destination or goal.

The men and women who endure aren’t lucky, they’re relentless and believe in themselves.

And the world eventually moves for those men and women who are relentless and refuse to quit.

Repeat after me:  I am an amazingly awesome person!, who has dealth with so many challenges, made it through it all, and is still handsome, smart, kind, grateful, intelligent and awesome.  

Dear Self:  I will win…I promise!

Keep going, difficult roads and journeys can lead to beautiful destinations! 

Success is often less about reaching a beautiful destination and more about the process and journey—about living with purpose, staying true to who you are, and finding joy in the everyday.

Own your strengths, believe in yourself, be always grateful, and have faith and confidence in your abilities. Your self-confidence relies on your ability to focus on your talents, achievements and advantages. By simply committing to spend a little time each day to remind yourself of your strengths, you can boost your self-worth and build that confidence!  

Thoughts are Powerful

Posted on by

Thoughts are powerful forces that shape your reality, because you are always moving in the direction of your strongest thoughts. Essentially, you cannot achieve positive outcome with negative thoughts.

Your mind is a powerful force, and what you think has a profound impact on your entire being. Whether your thoughts are negative or positive, truthful or deceitful, your whole self will follow. Positive, constructive thoughts lead to positive outcomes, while negative, destructive thoughts hinder our progress. This underscores the importance of controlling our thoughts to achieve our goals.

This highlights the importance of guarding your mind against negative influences, such as negative people, negative self-talk, and limiting beliefs. Surrounding yourself with positive influences and cultivating a positive mindset is essential for success.

While positive thinking is essential, it must be combined with persistent action. Author Napoleon Hill emphasized that success required consistent effort, determination, and the willingness to overcome obstacles.

If you harbor negative thoughts, they can weigh you down and hold you back. On the other hand, positive thoughts can uplift and empower you, propelling you forward towards your goals and aspirations.

It’s essential to be mindful of your thoughts, recognizing that they have the power to shape your reality and determine your future. By choosing to focus on positive, truthful, and empowering thoughts, you can transform your life and unlock your full potential.

Remember, your strongest thoughts and beliefs are the architects of your destiny. So, choose wisely, and let your mind be the catalyst for a life of purpose, happiness, and fulfillment.,

The Courage to Be Disliked

Posted on by

The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga (P)2018 Simon & Schuster.

In this book, the philosopher explains to his pupil how you can determine your own life, free from the shackles of past experiences, doubts, and the expectations of others. This way of thinking is deeply liberating, allowing you to develop the courage to change and ignore the limitations that you and other people have placed on you.

Seven lessons bring transformation.

1. Your Past Does Not Define You: Your past doesn’t determine your future—your choices and thoughts do. Your history does not trap you unless you choose to be and believe you are. The past is a reference for learning, not a sentence. You can finally move forward if you stop seeing it as an anchor holding you back.

2. Seeking Approval Is a Prison: You suffer because you want everyone to like you. And that’s impossible. Much of your stress comes from trying to control something you can’t control—other people’s feelings. True freedom comes when you let go of that need to be liked by everyone, not rudely or recklessly, but in a way that allows you to live authentically.

3. All Problems Are Interpersonal Relationship Problems: Personal struggles like laziness or lack of motivation are often traced to fears of failure, rejection, or judgment. Your biggest struggles aren’t just about you—they’re about how you navigate relationships. And when you master personal relationships, you master a lot.

4. Freedom Comes from Taking Full Responsibility: It’s easy to blame circumstances, people, or luck. But, when you accept the philosophy “My life is my responsibility,” everything changes. The message isn’t that nothing affects you; you still get to decide how you respond. And in that response, you reclaim our power.

5. Happiness Is Found in Contribution, Not Recognition: True fulfillment comes when you give—not to be seen, but because it aligns with who you are. You would feel different if you stopped looking for validation and just did good for the sake of it. What if happiness isn’t about being admired but knowing you’ve lived meaningfully?

6. You Don’t Need to Be Special to Be Valuable: You grow up hearing that you need to be extraordinary—stand out, be unique, and prove your worth. But real peace comes when you stop chasing specialness and embrace who you are. What if you didn’t have to be the best, the smartest, the most talented? What if you were already enough? This idea isn’t about giving up on growth and self-development—it’s about letting go of the exhausting need to prove something constantly.

7. Have the Courage to Live for Yourself: Life is about realizing your life is yours. You’ll never be free if you spend it trying to meet other people’s expectations. You will be disliked. No matter how kind, thoughtful, or successful you are, someone will disapprove. The question is, will you live your life for them or yourself? Let go of the weight of expectations and finally breathe.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0rCyPK7GPqbfnyPwDpXX95iJL832bWxkrDvJd1zLRQCABEbuDxt7vk5BmYUUEKSKbl&id=100086157527268

Winning the War in Your Mind by Craig Groeschel

Posted on by

Winning the War in Your Mind—Change your thinking, change your life?

“Your life is always moving in the direction of your strongest thoughts.” – Craig Groeschel, author “Winning the War in Your Mind”

This book by Pastor Craig Groeschel is about rewiring the way you think, breaking cycles of negativity, and fighting the battles and negative thoughts in your mind that you’d been losing without even realizing it. If you believe a lie long enough, you begin to live as if the lie was true.

Many individuals, young and old, deal with anxiety and toxic thoughts. Here are seven lessons that should resonate with you regarding anxiety and toxic thoughts—seven truths you can’t ignore.

1. Your Life Moves in the Direction of Your Strongest Thoughts: If you believe you’re stuck, you’ll stay stuck. If you think you’ll never change, you won’t. The mind is like a steering wheel—whatever dominates your thinking determines where you go. How many times have you let negative thoughts define your reality? Whether you realize it or not, the lesson is that your thoughts set the course of your life. And maybe, just maybe, you need to change the script.

2. Lies Become Truth If You Believe Them Long Enough: One of the most powerful moments in the book is when Groeschel talks about mental strongholds—deep-rooted lies we’ve accepted as truth. Maybe it’s “I’m not good enough,” “I’ll never be successful,” or “I always mess things up.” These lies start small but, over time, build walls around your potential. The way he explains it, you can’t just think your way out—you have to replace those lies with truth. Scripture. Affirmation. Anything that counters the false stories playing on repeat in your mind. Your strongholds are not going to disappear until you actively tear them down.

3. Reframing Changes Everything: Life doesn’t always change, but how we see it can. Cognitive reframing—a concept that means shifting how we interpret situations. The same event can be a crisis or an opportunity, depending on how you frame it. How often do you assume the worst? How frequently do you believe that setbacks are proof that things will never work out? This book challenges you to shift your focus. Instead of “Why is this happening to me?” ask, “How can this grow me?” Instead of “I failed,” say, “I’m learning.” It sounds simple, but the impact is life-changing.

4. Worry is a Waste of Imagination: Worry is a misuse of creativity—it’s imagining a future that hasn’t even happened yet, and usually, it’s the worst possible version. Realizing how much energy you waste on fear and uncertainty is essential. What if, instead of picturing everything that could go wrong, you started picturing everything that could go right? What if you trained your brain to expect good things instead of bad? That shift alone could change your life.

5. You Can’t Control Everything, But You Can Control Your Response: Most of life is out of your hands. The only thing you can truly control is how you respond. This lesson is that you always have a choice. Even when life feels unfair, even when people disappoint you, even when the unexpected happens—you still get to decide how you respond. And that, in itself, is power.

6. You Have to Rewire Your Mind Daily, Not Just Once: Winning the war in your mind isn’t a one-time fix. It’s a daily battle. You should compare it to training your body. You don’t hit the gym once and expect to stay fit forever. You show up consistently. The same goes for your thoughts. This is why change has always felt so temporary. You would get inspired, make a few mental shifts, but then drift back into old patterns. True transformation happens when you commit to the process—day after day, thought after thought.

7. Gratitude is a Weapon, Not Just a Feeling: Gratitude should be seen as a weapon, as a superpower against negativity, anxiety, and fear. Focusing on what’s good and actively searching for blessings drowns out the noise of everything going wrong. The next time you feel overwhelmed, force yourself to list five things you are grateful for.  Gratitude shifts your perspective faster than any pep talk ever could. It doesn’t erase your problems, but it will remind you that there’s good to be found even in the mess.

Book/Audiobook: https://amzn.to/3E0egpp