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<h2>What If We Just Told the Truth? The Quiet Crisis of Withholding in Human Connection &nbsp; </h2>By Candace Goodman | The Good BlogIt always starts the same way.A glance held just a second too long. A question half-answered. A promotion passed over with no explanation. A child asking something difficult, and the parent saying, “You’ll understand when you’re older.”We live in a world stitched together by things unsaid. And somehow, we’ve come to believe this is how it’s supposed to be.But what if it’s not?What if withholding isn’t a sign of strength, wisdom, or maturity—but a glitch in the human operating system? What if connection, real connection, is hiding in the things we refuse to say?<h3>The Science of the Silence</h3>Psychologists call it the Mum Effect—our collective tendency to withhold information that might cause discomfort, embarrassment, or conflict. We think silence protects people. But research from Harvard, MIT, and the University of Chicago reveals the opposite: it isolates us.A study from the Stanford Behavioral Lab showed that when employees withheld feedback—either to avoid hurting feelings or to maintain an upper hand—team performance plummeted. Productivity dropped. Trust dissolved. Creativity vanished.In romantic relationships, the effect is even more pronounced. According to the Gottman Institute, couples who regularly avoid difficult conversations are 80% more likely to break up within five years. Why? Because unresolved truths metastasize. They become assumptions. And assumptions kill intimacy.But we don’t just withhold to protect others. We withhold to protect ourselves—from rejection, from vulnerability, from the terrifying possibility that, once revealed, our truth might not be accepted.<figure id="figure-w5r3slhd38m9x3232i"><img id="w5r3slhd38m9x3232i" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1496554277/photo/lies-about-climate-change-pinocchio-with-leaf.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=05C-QOFZSIRpavBPYUVmh6ofO-FGqt28GayVVgUieGA=" alt="Lies about climate change. Pinocchio with leaf." title="Lies about climate change. Pinocchio with leaf." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1496554277/photo/lies-about-climate-change-pinocchio-with-leaf.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=05C-QOFZSIRpavBPYUVmh6ofO-FGqt28GayVVgUieGA=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The Glitch in the Code</h3>Picture this:A newly hired employee at a Fortune 500 company is handed a laptop and a vague job description. “You’ll figure it out,” says their boss. Meanwhile, two offices down, another colleague knows exactly what to do—but won’t share. “They need to struggle a bit,” the colleague shrugs. “It builds character.”Or a teenage boy, watching his father drink in silence every night, senses there’s something dark in his family history—but every time he asks, the room goes quiet. Later, he repeats the same silence with his own son, like an invisible inheritance.Or two people on a date. One already knows they aren’t emotionally available. But instead of saying that, they smile, nod, and leave the other to guess what went wrong. Was it something I said? Was I not enough?This isn’t rare. This is everywhere.And the worst part? We’ve accepted it as normal.<figure id="figure-2ajn3x0e4mm9x33nfi"><img id="2ajn3x0e4mm9x33nfi" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/936117884/photo/thats-it-im-done.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=d7itbPNXOQhHeM5KcdNeXz6tlb-IYsxZdNpUs0f_7XM=" alt="That’s it, I’m done!" title="That’s it, I’m done!" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/936117884/photo/thats-it-im-done.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=d7itbPNXOQhHeM5KcdNeXz6tlb-IYsxZdNpUs0f_7XM=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Why We Don’t Say It</h3>According to Dr. Brené Brown, “We armor up.” We use silence like a shield. Not because we’re cruel, but because we’re scared.Scared that honesty will hurt someone. Scared that it will undo us. Scared that we’ll lose control.Behavioral economists argue that people withhold in high-stakes environments (like boardrooms or marriages) because transparency levels the playing field. If I give you the map, we arrive at the destination together. But if I withhold it—I arrive first.Power loves a secret.But here’s what we’ve learned from studying the most successful teams, marriages, and families: the ones that thrive share more, not less. They overcommunicate. They risk discomfort. They say the thing. Because clarity is love. And silence? Silence is decay.<figure id="figure-xiafuylwv5m9x34fy3"><img id="xiafuylwv5m9x34fy3" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/174806096/photo/isolated-shot-of-red-confidential-rubber-stamp-on-white-background.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=x8VosxBx3gqU5eo6SL95Hny6NV9SIE6fC4qHAk6Sn64=" alt="Isolated shot of red CONFIDENTIAL rubber stamp on white background" title="Isolated shot of red CONFIDENTIAL rubber stamp on white background" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 25%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="25%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/174806096/photo/isolated-shot-of-red-confidential-rubber-stamp-on-white-background.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=x8VosxBx3gqU5eo6SL95Hny6NV9SIE6fC4qHAk6Sn64=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 25%;"></figure><h3>The Unseen Cost</h3>We’ve built an entire world on half-truths and withheld truths. It's not that we lie—it’s that we never say the whole thing.But what if we did?What if the coach didn’t let their player “figure it out,” but said, “Here’s exactly what greatness looks like in you”?What if the CEO stood in front of their team and said, “We’re not okay. But I trust us to get there”?What if, instead of playing the long game in dating, someone looked across the table and said, “Here’s what I need. What about you?”What if parents told their children, “I was scared once too”?It’s easy to imagine a world like this unraveling into chaos. But that’s a myth—a fear story we tell ourselves to justify the status quo.Because truth doesn’t break us. It binds us.<figure id="figure-yfmr96wt0pm9x36rya"><img id="yfmr96wt0pm9x36rya" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/642501464/photo/wonderful-ill-see-you-first-thing-on-monday.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=1HZhC4VhEUmD3sLRJ9RwknPuynW8_mrgWlcjFgWTbtU=" alt="Wonderful, I'll see you first thing on Monday" title="Wonderful, I'll see you first thing on Monday" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/642501464/photo/wonderful-ill-see-you-first-thing-on-monday.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=1HZhC4VhEUmD3sLRJ9RwknPuynW8_mrgWlcjFgWTbtU=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The Thought Experiment</h3>Now, pause. Imagine a world that ran on truth.Imagine a school where teachers openly shared not just grades, but how the system works. A workplace where leadership meetings were livestreamed. A dinner table where every “How was your day?” was answered with the real answer.Would it be messy? Absolutely. But would it be better?Maybe not at first. Maybe people would flinch, cry, storm out. But then—maybe they’d breathe deeper. Sleep sounder. Finally feel seen.We don’t have global data for what happens when everyone tells the truth. It’s never been done. Not at scale. Not in history. We’ve always been too scared of the cost.But what if the cost of not doing it is even higher?<figure id="figure-gwzv7dsqfpm9x37p0e"><img id="gwzv7dsqfpm9x37p0e" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/172766669/photo/celebrate-the-world-xxl.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=A93JdRsjSU57a9f8HJKxZAMev3RFfel0DjO2I2XUW0A=" alt="Celebrate the World (Americas) XXL" title="Celebrate the World (Americas) XXL" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/172766669/photo/celebrate-the-world-xxl.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=A93JdRsjSU57a9f8HJKxZAMev3RFfel0DjO2I2XUW0A=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The Ending That’s Not</h3>This is the part of the story where you expect a conclusion. A “so here’s what to do.” A resolution.But life isn’t scripted. We’re all improvising.So here’s what I’ll say instead:Try it. Say the thing. The small one. The big one. The scary one.Give someone the answer you wish you had gotten.If it feels unfamiliar, it should. You’re breaking a thousand-year cycle. You’re rewriting the code.Not everyone will join you. That’s okay.But one person will.And that’s where the real change begins—not in silence, but in saying it out loud.— Candace Goodman, The Good Blog &nbsp; Truth is a revolution. Whisper it. Then shout.<figure id="figure-rz6jv2iaycm9x38gnd"><img id="rz6jv2iaycm9x38gnd" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/478732352/photo/broken-chain-a11.jpg?b=1&s=2048x2048&w=0&k=20&c=M02EVybysl9zqeZ2sWJXNgp1igS01t_m-TFFy_wj8x8=" alt="Broken Chain A11" title="Broken Chain A11" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="undefined" data-positionY="undefined" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>

"The Truth Shall Set You Free"

<h2> “Where There’s Smoke, There’s Ski: A Backyard Interview with ATL’s Favorite Neighborhood Chef” </h2>By Candace Goodman | Food &amp; Culture | April 2025 ATLANTA, GA –&nbsp;There’s a certain kind of magic that happens when food, family, and fire come together—and if you’re lucky enough to find yourself on the Southside of Atlanta on a Wednesday or Sunday, you just might witness that magic for yourself in the backyard of Alan “Chef Ski” Dix.Known across the city for his BBQ Sundays, Taco Tuesdays, and Pasta Wednesdays—Chef Ski is what happens when you mix culinary instinct, community love, and a whole lot of flavor. His food isn’t just good—it’s felt. Every bite, a memory. Every plate, a reunion.“I cook how I talk—straight from the soul, no filter, all love,” he told me as he stirred a pan of creamy Alfredo so good it could make you call your ex and apologize.Candace Goodman: Tell me how this journey started.Chef Ski: &nbsp; “Grew up splitting summers in Indiana with all my cousins—like 10 of us in one house. If you got hungry? You figured it out. I started with egg and cheese sandwiches, burnt a lot of them at first, but I kept going. Food became my peace, my pride. Now it’s my purpose.”Candace: And today, you’re running the hottest home kitchen in Atlanta?Chef Ski: &nbsp; “I wouldn’t say all that,” he says with a grin, “but yeah—folks know what time it is when they pull up.”That’s no exaggeration. Every day of the week, Chef Ski brings a new flavor to the streets:<ul><li>Taco Tuesday: tacos and nachos dripping with flavor.</li><li>Pasta Wednesday: Creamy Alfredo—sometimes with chicken, sometimes with seafood, always a problem.</li><li>BBQ Sunday: The day legends are made. Wings, ribs, mac, greens, cornbread. And don’t forget the broccoli casserole.</li></ul>And the best part? It’s all served with the kind of hospitality that makes you feel like family.<figure id="figure-cdsybt0vxsm9vt6e62"><img id="cdsybt0vxsm9vt6e62" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/3aSoiDJcsXBWs7OGm98cvAxUBNvZVyfB3N8M1cNEbFgCbouN21KVzjUObzQbopxU.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 60%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="60%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/3aSoiDJcsXBWs7OGm98cvAxUBNvZVyfB3N8M1cNEbFgCbouN21KVzjUObzQbopxU.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 60%;"></figure>Candace: What makes your kitchen different?Chef Ski: &nbsp; “Ain’t no reservations here. You just pull up. Could be a Rolls Royce, could be a bike—you getting the same plate and the same love. This ain’t no restaurant. This my house. This my heart.”As we spoke, friends and customers drifted in—some for the game, some for the food, all for the vibe. Cold drinks in hand, music thumping from a speaker in the corner, and Ski in the center of it all—flipping meat with one hand, hugging folks with the other.Candace: And BBQ Sunday?<figure id="figure-so0dxh6l3m9vt8mf8"><img id="so0dxh6l3m9vt8mf8" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/dEz6aB75zduCMd2GFmn9cIwKVG1vA1IdSnRbMY6exu0ByvZPz7Lxt3xe2s7PZiw1.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 3/2; object-position: 25% 40%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="3:2" data-caption="" data-positionx="25%" data-positiony="40%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/dEz6aB75zduCMd2GFmn9cIwKVG1vA1IdSnRbMY6exu0ByvZPz7Lxt3xe2s7PZiw1.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 3/2; object-position: 25% 40%;"></figure>Chef Ski: &nbsp; “That’s church. That’s therapy. That’s where folks come to laugh, cry, eat, whatever they need. We watch football, we talk life, we eat good. Ain’t nobody leave here empty.”There’s no pretense with Chef Ski. No chef coat. No food network crew. Just a man with a dream, a flame, and a whole city rooting for him. You won’t find his food in a five-star restaurant—because it’s being served hot out the backyard, where it was always meant to be.If you haven’t followed him yet, go do that now: @maziski&nbsp;Trust me—his Alfredo alone is worth the trip.—Candace Goodman, The Good Blog&nbsp; “Where the food heals, and the people feel it.”&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure id="figure-tgd2j2r36m9vtgx57"><img id="tgd2j2r36m9vtgx57" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/3Rs31DdL5EOZhQBkTscnPdOxGbVBXTY4I7d7dTKfLyHkhNV6rvMJVndzNZpYbfyB.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="undefined" data-positionY="undefined" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>

Chef Ski

Young woman using a smart phone while sitting on a couch in a living room

<h2>"Capped: The Hidden Limits of Your Texts, Pics, and Messages—and Why They Exist" &nbsp;</h2> By Candace Goodman | The Good Blog<h3>Opening Shot:</h3>Imagine you’re pouring your heart out—an 8-page text confession to an ex, complete with emojis, tearful metaphors, and a photo from prom. You hit “send,” but half of it never makes it. No error message, no warning—just digital silence.&nbsp;Welcome to the invisible world of texting limits, where every emoji, every word, and every selfie faces a gatekeeper. You’ve been texting under surveillance, bound by a hidden web of restrictions—and you likely never even knew.Let’s unravel the tight-lipped truth about message caps, character limits, MMS boundaries, and why, in 2025, we still can’t send a digital love letter without bumping into Big Telecom’s invisible ceiling.<h3>The 160-Character Rule: A Tale from the 1980s</h3>Most people don’t know that the 160-character SMS limit dates back to 1985. Friedhelm Hillebrand, a German engineer, was typing random sentences to see how long a typical thought would be. He discovered that most messages were under 160 characters—and that became the global standard.&nbsp;But here's the kicker: That limit was designed before smartphones, emojis, or even texting as we know it existed. So why are we still handcuffed to it?Enter the Emoji Problem (and Unicode’s Revenge)When you send a smiley face, your message gets re-encoded from GSM-7 (the basic alphabet) to Unicode, slashing your message cap from 160 characters to just 70. That cute wink you added? It just stole 90 characters from your message.In the world of telecom, every byte counts. Literally. And every emoji is a byte-hungry emoji bandit.<figure id="figure-uwlxdkl2t2m9vo8gz9"><img id="uwlxdkl2t2m9vo8gz9" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/175523157/photo/i-must-not-use-my-phone-in-class.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=eAKhCFDiV5bHNOhlwULDwz-n-ABZFdYLEFdk7uP-Gig=" alt="I Must Not Use My Phone in Class" title="I Must Not Use My Phone in Class" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 20%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="20%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/175523157/photo/i-must-not-use-my-phone-in-class.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=eAKhCFDiV5bHNOhlwULDwz-n-ABZFdYLEFdk7uP-Gig=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 20%;"></figure><h3>MMS: Not So “Multi” After All</h3>Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) was supposed to be the liberator—allowing pictures, videos, and long messages. But each carrier has its own rules. Here’s what they don’t advertise:<ul><li>Verizon: 1.7 MB | No resizing. Oversized? It’s trashed.&nbsp; </li><li>AT&amp;T: 1 MB (3 MB max) | Larger files get resized, if you're lucky.&nbsp; </li><li>T-Mobile: 1 MB sending / 3 MB receiving | Files over 3 MB? Dead on arrival.&nbsp; </li></ul>Most MMS messages cap out around 1.5 MB, barely enough for a short video or a high-res image. If you thought you could send a cinematic masterpiece via MMS, think again. You’re better off mailing a DVD.<figure id="figure-ba1ph4zhum9voai89"><img id="ba1ph4zhum9voai89" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/182839320/photo/dvd-stack.jpg?b=1&s=2048x2048&w=0&k=20&c=C1oCHO78NbsQDWg0LeYbBg1NGMn1Epy61xzUeUNpSns=" alt="DVD Stack" title="DVD Stack" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="undefined" data-positionY="undefined" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure><h3>Group Texts: Why You Can’t Message Your Whole Cousin Crew</h3>Every major U.S. carrier limits group texts to 10-20 recipients. Why? Carriers say it’s to prevent spam. But some insiders whisper it’s more about network strain and control. After all, if you can text 100 people for free, why use a paid app or premium service?<h3>Why the Caps Still Exist (and the Billion-Dollar Question)</h3>Let’s ask the obvious: Why do limits still exist in a world of 5G, terabyte plans, and unlimited data?Experts suggest three main reasons: 1. Legacy Infrastructure – Much of our SMS system still runs on tech from the early 2000s. 2. Carrier Profit Models – Limits mean more segmenting, which means more charges behind the scenes. 3. Control &amp; Monitoring – Shorter messages are easier to track, filter, and analyze. (Yes, that’s a conspiracy theory—and possibly a fact.)It’s why apps like WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram exist—to escape the capped, surveilled, and splintered world of native messaging.<h3>Could We Eliminate the Limits Entirely?</h3>Technically, yes.Using protocols like RCS (Rich Communication Services), we could: <ul><li>Send files up to 100 MB</li><li>Hold group chats with 100+ people</li><li>Include read receipts, typing indicators, and yes—8-page letters</li></ul>But there’s a catch: RCS is not universally adopted, and many carriers have been slow to push it. Why? Because open, borderless messaging threatens the walled gardens** telecom giants have carefully built.<h3>Final Thoughts:</h3>So the next time your heartfelt message gets cut off, your video gets downgraded to potato quality, or your group chat won’t add cousin Tasha—you’re not crazy. You’re experiencing a system engineered to be limited.We live in an age where we can livestream a protest from space, but still can’t send a selfie over 2 MB.The good news? You have options—messaging apps, RCS-supported devices, and soon, perhaps a world where communication isn’t confined by invisible fences.Until then, keep it short. Keep it clever. And remember: your words matter—but so do your bytes.

Texting Limits

<h2>&nbsp;“Return to Sender: America’s College Degree Refund Program Shakes the Nation” </h2>By Candace Goodman | The Good Blog&nbsp;April 23, 2025 — Washington, D.C. &nbsp; It’s official. For the first time in modern civilization, you can return your college degree like a defective toaster from Amazon.Let that sink in.Under a historic legal settlement reached this month between the United States government, major collegiate institutions, and student advocacy groups, Americans now have the option to trade in their college degrees for complete student loan forgiveness. But here’s the twist: when you give your diploma back, you also surrender all the proof you ever went.Your GPA? Gone. &nbsp; Dean’s list? Deleted. &nbsp; NCAA stats? Wiped clean. &nbsp; That Philosophy paper that got published in a peer-reviewed journal? Vanished. &nbsp;You’re free—but so is your past.<h3>The Timeline: How We Got Here</h3>The seeds for this unprecedented “Degree Refund” program were planted during the chaotic summer of 2023, when former President Donald Trump, in his bid for reelection, signed Executive Order 14449-B: the Fair Education Accountability Act (FEAA). Meant to pressure universities into greater transparency around the cost-to-value ratio of degrees, it instead triggered a storm.By fall of 2023, a bipartisan coalition of students and economists filed a class-action lawsuit titled Bennett v. United States Department of Education, citing “institutionalized misrepresentation of career outcomes.” A wave of digital protests followed, fueled by TikTok videos of millennials shredding diplomas to Billie Eilish songs. The hashtag #DegreeRefundNow&nbsp;exploded.After a year of legal ping-pong, the case landed in the Supreme Court in March 2025. And in a 5-4 decision, Chief Justice Elena Chase (yes, the first AI-human hybrid justice) ruled in favor of the students, citing the "right to retroactive withdrawal from educational commerce under the 2033 Fair Contracts Doctrine."<figure id="figure-12co3y4h6pm9thbgu8"><img id="12co3y4h6pm9thbgu8" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2161544509/photo/artificial-intelligence-act-and-ai-operated-judge.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=8Q165rXKVreaz75_HruiGFxBuVQYLVBxji3pu2f9OaE=" alt="Artificial Intelligence Act and AI-operated Judge" title="Artificial Intelligence Act and AI-operated Judge" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 10%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="10%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2161544509/photo/artificial-intelligence-act-and-ai-operated-judge.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=8Q165rXKVreaz75_HruiGFxBuVQYLVBxji3pu2f9OaE=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 10%;"></figure><h3>What the Program Offers</h3>As of today, April 23, 2025, eligible borrowers can apply for full federal and private student loan forgiveness by returning their college credentials and erasing their academic records. This includes:<ul><li>Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate degrees &nbsp;</li><li>Transcripts and academic honors &nbsp;</li><li>Athletic records and campus leadership awards &nbsp;</li><li>University-affiliated work-study and internships &nbsp;</li></ul>In exchange, participants commit to 120 hours of community leadership, a softer reimagining of the old Public Service Loan Forgiveness model. These hours can include:<ul><li>Hosting resume and interview workshops &nbsp;</li><li>Mentoring local high school students &nbsp;</li><li>Building local nonprofits &nbsp;</li><li>Teaching digital literacy in underserved areas &nbsp;</li></ul>The program is managed by the newly-formed Federal Office of Academic Reconciliation, which works with universities to purge records upon request. A digital seal labeled “Degree Nullified” is affixed to the National Student Database entry of each participant.<figure id="figure-cc3huma5s2m9thckbv"><img id="cc3huma5s2m9thckbv" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/468768136/photo/mentor-and-role-model-spending-time-with-the-youth.jpg?b=1&s=2048x2048&w=0&k=20&c=9N9bQjq-j5HAdFlnuYs2uZSoVgliqIHaekUbgBoGJws=" alt="Mentor and role model spending time with the youth." title="Mentor and role model spending time with the youth." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 30%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="50%" data-positionY="30%" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure><h3>Why People Are Doing It</h3>Maria Soto, 29, a former biochemistry major from Arizona State, gave up her $124,000 in loans and her 3.89 GPA.“Best decision I’ve ever made,” she said. “No more debt, no more explaining to recruiters why I haven’t used my degree. It’s like I’m reborn—with real options.”In Brooklyn, former D1 athlete Jordan Cole did the unthinkable: traded in his All-American football stats to wipe out six figures in student loans.“Yeah, the NFL never called. So I took the refund,” he told The Good Blog. “Now I’m using my community hours to coach flag football for kids. Full circle, man.”<h3>The Critics&nbsp;</h3>Naturally, there’s outrage. Ivy League institutions have issued joint statements condemning the decision, claiming it “devalues human capital and undermines institutional legacy.”Economists warn this could destabilize alumni giving and permanently alter employer trust in degrees. Some GOP leaders called it “cultural erasure via debt amnesty.”There are even conspiracy theories that this is the first phase in the "Academic Reset" agenda—where future hiring will be determined by AI behavior profiles rather than resumes. (Spoiler: we’ll investigate that next week.)<h3>Where This Leads: A Post-Degree America</h3>Candace Goodman here—and let me level with you.This isn’t just a policy change. This is a reckoning. A whole generation of Americans is calling the system’s bluff: “If my $180,000 degree didn’t deliver, I want a refund.” And they’re getting one.This moment will ripple across history. Expect corporate hiring to shift toward skill tests and digital portfolios. Expect community centers to thrive as they host “service-for-wipe” bootcamps. And don’t be surprised if other sectors follow. Trade schools. Medical boards. Even bar associations.A decade ago, we asked “Is college worth it?” &nbsp; Today, we have the answer: Only if you're willing to keep the receipt.Welcome to the return policy of the century.

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<h2>The Hidden Industry of Serving the Super-Rich</h2> &nbsp;By Candace Goodman | The Good Blog&nbsp;In a world captivated by the lifestyles of the ultra-wealthy, surprisingly little attention is paid to the highly skilled professionals who make those lifestyles possible. Beneath the glitz and headlines lies a thriving, under-the-radar market powered by chefs, stylists, wellness consultants, bodyguards, designers, personal assistants, and coaches — all dedicated to providing elite, deeply personalized services to the world's wealthiest individuals.This is the private luxury services market, an industry of specialists and entrepreneurs whose client lists include royalty, celebrities, tech billionaires, and legacy families. While the world fixates on the visible faces of power, these professionals operate in the margins — earning sizable incomes, building discrete businesses, and often shaping how the elite live, eat, look, and feel.<h3>A Market Built on Privacy, Precision, and Trust</h3>According to the latest data from Wealth-X, there are over 400,000 ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) worldwide — each with a net worth of $30 million or more. This demographic doesn’t simply buy luxury; they outsource experience curation, lifestyle management, and day-to-day operations to professionals.These clients don't browse Yelp or wait in line. Instead, they rely on exclusive networks, referrals, private agencies, and luxury management firms to find their talent. Hiring is done quietly, with interviews often held in private residences or via personal assistants. In many cases, new hires are required to sign non-disclosure agreements before a conversation even begins.<figure id="figure-r0lz4ybgljm9tbw9s6"><img id="r0lz4ybgljm9tbw9s6" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/28LC4ge0EiqTykoAUuWKKIXvzVGucKyKe8nEx009LY4Y8heKy7TWhCh74JEkMcmf.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 5%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="5%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/28LC4ge0EiqTykoAUuWKKIXvzVGucKyKe8nEx009LY4Y8heKy7TWhCh74JEkMcmf.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 5%;"></figure><h3>How Entrepreneurs Break Into the Space</h3>Getting hired to work for the super-rich is as much about discretion and compatibility as it is about skill. Unlike corporate roles, these positions often begin with a single introduction or an informal trial. The path typically includes one or more of the following:Referral Networks: Personal recommendations from within the luxury services world carry immense weight. Elite Placement Agencies: Firms like British American Household Staffing, Mahler Private Staffing, and The Nanny League place top-tier professionals with UHNW clients globally. Reputation-Based Portfolios: For chefs, stylists, and designers, curated social media (particularly Instagram) and word-of-mouth in elite circles serve as calling cards. High-End Hospitality Backgrounds:&nbsp;Many candidates transition from luxury hotels, Michelin-star restaurants, and five-star resorts, where they’ve built reputations for high performance and discretion. Certifications &amp; Training: Personal trainers may require NASM or ISSA credentials. Private security professionals often have law enforcement or military experience, sometimes paired with specialized VIP protection training.Successful candidates are almost always emotionally intelligent, highly adaptable, and attuned to the unspoken etiquette of wealth.&nbsp;“You’re not just hired to do a job,” says Amari Chen, a private estate manager for a Saudi family. “You’re hired to disappear into a life and make it seamless. That’s a different kind of professionalism.”<h3>Earning Potential: Quiet Roles, Extraordinary Income</h3>While data on exact earnings is limited due to the private nature of these arrangements, the following ranges are based on aggregated reports from luxury placement firms, salary surveys, and confidential interviews:Private Chef: $100,000 – $250,000+ Often includes travel; Michelin experience highly valued Personal Hairstylist/Groomer: $80,000 – $300,000+ Some earn $2,000+ per day during major events | Bodyguard/Security Consultant: $120,000 – $500,000 &nbsp;Executive protection training is a must&nbsp; Interior Designer: $150,000 – $1M+ per project &nbsp;Fees based on square footage and exclusivity&nbsp; Life Coach/Wellness Consultants: $150 – $1,000 per hour Many work under annual retainer models&nbsp; Stylist/Wardrobe Consultant: $90,000 – $250,000+ Travel required; luxury fashion knowledge essential Gardeners/Landscape Designers:<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal);" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal);">$70,000 – $200,000 Employed by estate, often full-time with benefits&nbsp;Private Tutor/Education Advisor:<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal);" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal);">$100,000 – $250,000+ Ivy League credentials or Montessori certifications preferredThese roles often come with free housing, international travel, performance bonuses, and access to exclusive experiences. Some professionals — especially in wellness, beauty, and culinary fields — eventually leverage their reputations to launch product lines, write books, or open elite private practices.<h3>A Culture of Confidentiality</h3>Almost every role within this ecosystem requires a signed non-disclosure agreement (NDA). High-profile clients value discretion above all else, often preferring professionals who maintain low-to-no digital presence. In many cases, contracts prohibit employees from even acknowledging who they work for, let alone posting about it online.This discretion is not only about privacy, but about brand protection. For entrepreneurs in this space, loyalty and silence are often rewarded more than publicity.<h3>The Market’s Future: Expansion, Not Saturation</h3>While the luxury goods market faces saturation and scrutiny, the luxury services sector continues to grow. According to Deloitte, demand for private staff and bespoke experience providers rose by over 20% between 2020 and 2023, driven by post-pandemic lifestyle changes and increasing numbers of remote ultra-wealthy families.Key trends to watch:&nbsp; <ul><li>A growing demand for female security personnel due to increased sensitivity and discretion.</li><li>Expansion in wellness concierge services, including mobile IV therapy, breathwork practitioners, and biohacking consultants.&nbsp;</li><li>Surge in sustainability-driven estate services (organic chefs, permaculture landscapers, eco-interior designers).</li><li>The rise of spiritual advisors and performance coaches, especially among tech elites and second-generation wealth inheritors.</li></ul><h3>&nbsp;A Market That Runs on Trust</h3>The luxury services industry is not loud. It is not built on fame. But it is powerful, intimate, and evolving.Behind every immaculate gala, flawless interview look, or stunning architectural reveal, there is a network of entrepreneurs operating at the intersection of service and status. And while they may not appear on the guest list, they are often more critical to the outcome than the attendees themselves.As wealth becomes more concentrated — and more personalized — these support roles will only grow in value. For those with the skill, discretion, and entrepreneurial instincts to navigate the high-wire act of elite service, the rewards are immense.Just don’t expect a job listing on LinkedIn.

The Hidden Industry

<h2>The #2 &nbsp; </h2>By Candace Goodman | The Good Blog <span style="font-family: var(--head-fontFamily); font-size: calc(28px * var(--head-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--head-fontStyle, normal);" data-mce-style="font-family: var(--head-fontFamily); font-size: calc(28px * var(--head-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--head-fontStyle, normal);">When the Spotlight Burns Out, the Shadow Inherits the Flame History has a strange way of repeating itself. Especially when it comes to brilliance extinguished too soon.The world remembers the icons — Biggie, Tupac, Kobe, Nipsey, MLK. Their images are canonized, their voices looped eternally on playlists and documentaries. But behind each of these legends stood someone else. Someone just as committed. Just as invested. Someone who knew their thoughts before they said them.Someone who survived.In hip-hop, sports, politics, and history, these individuals are known informally as the #2s — the right-hand, the co-architect, the brother, the confidante. The person just outside the frame, but deeply woven into the legacy.Some go on to carry the mission. Others, to inherit the empire. A few quietly disappear. And some, despite their loyalty, are suspected of more than grief.The role of the #2 is as powerful as it is dangerous. It raises a haunting question: &nbsp; Does proximity to greatness bless you — or curse you?<figure id="figure-s0lfw59kz5m9t9ukfh"><img id="s0lfw59kz5m9t9ukfh" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/14tdajrJ0ggMe6uNjerlSp0EagJX6xuCWO4oxUZAu5zlbmFU6zj2p3pKS2WwOOFH.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/14tdajrJ0ggMe6uNjerlSp0EagJX6xuCWO4oxUZAu5zlbmFU6zj2p3pKS2WwOOFH.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The Pattern Few Want to Admit</h3>The statistics are chilling: a staggering number of influential, rising stars have died before reaching the age of 40 — many of them within months of their peak visibility.<ul><li>Martin Luther King Jr. – 39 &nbsp;</li><li>The Notorius B.I.G. - 25</li><li>&nbsp;John Lennon – 40 &nbsp;</li><li>Tupac Shakur – 25 &nbsp;</li><li>Aaliyah – 22 &nbsp;</li><li>Pop Smoke – 20 &nbsp;</li><li>Nipsey Hussle – 33 &nbsp;</li><li>Juice WRLD – 21 &nbsp;</li><li>Avicii – 28 &nbsp;</li><li>Mac Miller – 26 &nbsp; </li></ul>Many of these figures were killed. Others overdosed. A few died under bizarre, still-disputed circumstances. And nearly all of them had just begun to harness global influence.Why does ascension so often precede destruction?Is it jealousy? Is it conspiracy? Is it the weight of visibility in a world unkind to unfiltered excellence?The public mourns the stars. But what about those standing beside them?<h3>The #2s We Know — and the Ones We Should</h3>Sean "Diddy" Combs &amp; The Notorious B.I.G. &nbsp; Diddy was Biggie’s mentor, producer, business partner — and in many ways, the architect of the Bad Boy empire. After Biggie’s 1997 murder, Combs emerged as a solo star. He released “I’ll Be Missing You” and catapulted into mogul status. Today, he runs multi-million-dollar ventures. But the whispers have never stopped — questions about the East Coast-West Coast feud, about industry politics, about how quickly grief became gold.&nbsp;Jesse Jackson &amp; Martin Luther King Jr. &nbsp; Rev. Jesse Jackson was on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis when King was assassinated. Jackson went on to become a national civil rights figure, even running for President. But critics have long debated his handling of King’s legacy. Was he the faithful steward? Or an opportunist who stepped into a void too quickly?Blacc Sam &amp; Nipsey Hussle &nbsp; Unlike many others, Samiel “Blacc Sam” Asghedom never sought the spotlight. He co-founded The Marathon brand with his brother and continues to run the business after Nipsey’s 2019 murder. In a rare display of silent loyalty, Sam has become a symbol of legacy over fame — fighting to protect what Nipsey built, not replace it.Vanessa Bryant &amp; Kobe Bryant &nbsp; After losing Kobe and their daughter Gianna in a 2020 helicopter crash, Vanessa Bryant emerged not just as a grieving widow, but as a fierce protector of her husband’s image. She fought lawsuits, corporate exploitation, and media intrusion — transforming herself into an unexpected power player in Kobe’s posthumous empire.Rich Paul &amp; LeBron James &nbsp; One of the few living examples of a #2 rising alongside, not after. Childhood friend turned NBA super-agent, Rich Paul turned his proximity to LeBron into a career path that redefined sports management. Now head of Klutch Sports, Paul holds a position of influence never before seen for someone in his role.<figure id="figure-f6osevrmk9m9tan00e"><img id="f6osevrmk9m9tan00e" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1bJtjMpGlAaqTUhpG5D8bAyX1kasrs9s1yJhPTWCiKnb3oyD01rwz4RV5ZEJUN5s.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1bJtjMpGlAaqTUhpG5D8bAyX1kasrs9s1yJhPTWCiKnb3oyD01rwz4RV5ZEJUN5s.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>When Proximity Becomes a Risk</h3>Being close to greatness is seductive — but it comes with consequences. The #2 sees everything: the deals made, the enemies created, the masks dropped behind closed doors.Some #2s carry guilt they can’t name. Others carry secrets they’ll never speak. In some cases, they carry suspicions.In 2022, crypto innovator Nikolai Mushegian tweeted: &nbsp; “CIA and Mossad and pedo elite are running some kind of sex trafficking entrapment blackmail ring… they will kill me.” &nbsp; He drowned in Puerto Rico days later.Are all of these deaths connected? No. But are there patterns worth examining? Absolutely.Success, especially sudden and unfiltered success, attracts attention. Not all of it is benevolent. And often, it's the #2 who is left with the burden — to clean up, carry on, or cash in.<h3>The Two Types of #2s</h3>In examining dozens of legacies, two archetypes emerge:The Torchbearer &nbsp; This is the #2 who carries the message forward. They honor the vision, protect the values, and build without erasing the original.Examples: &nbsp; <ul><li>Blacc Sam &nbsp;</li><li>Vanessa Bryant &nbsp;</li><li>Rich Paul &nbsp;</li></ul>The Beneficiary&nbsp; This is the #2 who steps into the vacuum, sometimes prematurely. They capitalize on association, reframe the narrative, and often become more famous than they were ever meant to be.Examples: &nbsp; &nbsp;Contested. &nbsp; &nbsp;Suspected. &nbsp; &nbsp;Often protected by silence and contracts.The difference? &nbsp; One carries the mission. &nbsp; The other inherits the spotlight.<figure id="figure-1c8y508q0qm9tanumw"><img id="1c8y508q0qm9tanumw" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/318CWamyYErbFYNBVmMKttJzEvNGNoRtpErpyTiwHd7RPUgRQu4FLWOXVVrYv9uq.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 0%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="50%" data-positionY="0%" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure><h3>Why This Story Matters Now</h3>You don’t have to be famous to understand this dynamic. &nbsp; We all have a #2. &nbsp; And for someone, you might be theirs.The question isn’t just who’s beside you — it’s what happens when one of you disappears.Do they continue your vision or replace your image? &nbsp; Do they fight for your truth or sell your story?And perhaps more uncomfortably:What kind of #2 are you?<h3>Final Word</h3>To be close to greatness is not just to witness history — but to be written into it.Sometimes in ink. &nbsp; Sometimes in blood. &nbsp; Always in shadow.History remembers the stars. But it is the #2 who buries the body, signs the paperwork, and decides which version of the truth gets published.The curse of the #2 is this: &nbsp; You live. &nbsp; And now, everyone’s watching.

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