Pleasing an Audience of One: DJT

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Gifting all of you this article from The New York Times and reported by Ana Swanson (from Washington).

Many employees believe Mr. Lutnick is focused on an audience of one: the man he refers to as “DJT.” Mr. [Howard] Lutnick often speaks of the president’s intuition, wisdom and prescience; has boasted of having regular Friday night dinners with Mr. Trump; and describes any day that he speaks to the president as a “good day.”

Access entire article here.

We all hope Mr. Trump takes a less aggressive approach to tariffs for the business owners who have built their businesses around international business.

Today in Global Small Business: Rewire Your Decision Making

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What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners:

• How to be a better decider.
• Jewish women entrepreneurs take action.
• How businesses can own their next move.
• Quote of the week:  “The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward." – Amelia Earhart
• Tariffs will impact the economy ... and so will uncertainty.
• Why do you need to expand internationally?

Art Is Not What You See

©2025 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Art is not what you see, but what you make others see." – Edgar Degas

Yes. No. Yes. No. We Are Talking China and United States Trade Talks

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After an early wobble (4/24/25 at 4:07 PM ET), markets resumed rising after Chinese officials contradicted suggestions from President Trump and others about tariff negotiations.

Stocks rose on Thursday (4/24/25), and then ...

The rally then paused after officials in China said they were not holding talks with the United States about easing trade tensions. But indexes continued to swing on scraps of information about tariffs and monetary policy, in the absence of concrete developments about the escalating global trade war.

Yes. No. Yes. No.  We are talking about China and United States trade talks.

The Secret Side of YouTube

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There's a secret side of YouTube, just beyond the guiding hand of the algorithm – and it’s nothing like what you know. The vast majority of YouTube's estimated 14.8 billion videos have almost never been seen. Until now.

There's a hidden world beneath the shadows of YouTube's algorithm.

Who Believes In Angels?

‘Who Believes In Angels? Stories From The Edge Of Creation’ featuring Elton John, Brandi Carlile, Bernie Taupin and Andrew Watt is a candid, 30-min film series capturing thousands of hours of raw footage and ultimately documenting the album's entire creation. 

Offering fans an unprecedented, searingly honest insight into the emotionally turbulent creative process - breakdowns, breakthroughs, tears, torn up lyric sheets and all. ‘Stories From The Edge Of Creation’ marks the first time that Elton has allowed cameras to film his writing and recording sessions while creating an album.

Thanks for the tip Dee Dee Martin of Soothe Our Souls. 

The World Mourns Over the Death of Pope Francis

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The Vatican said Francis, the first pope from Latin America, had died on Monday, April 21, 2025, after a stroke, and revealed that his will requested a simple tomb in Rome.

His love of people and acts of charity will forever be in our hearts.  RIP.

Today in Global Small Business: In China, One of Many Nicknames for Trump Is Chuan Jianguo

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What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners:

• Dr. Moira Weigel, an assistant professor at Harvard University is researching a book on e-commerce platforms and writes an Opinion for the NY Times, "When the Chinese Call Him 'Comrade Trump,' It's Not a Joke."  She says, "In China, one of many nicknames for President Trump is Chuan Jianguo. It literally translates as “Trump the Nation Builder.” My best translation is “Comrade Trump.” The joke is that Mr. Trump is a patriotic son of China who is diligently advancing Chinese interests by causing chaos in the United States." 
• The Trump administration received bipartisan criticism on Sunday (4/20/25) for its deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia — a Salvadorian citizen who lived in Maryland and was deported to a prison in El Salvador due to an "administrative error."
• Easter truce or hogwash?
• Quote of the week:  “The best way to look stylish on a budget is to try second-hand, bargain hunting, and vintage." – Orlando Bloom
• U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared detailed plans about a military operation against the Houthis in Yemen on a second Signal group chat, this one on his personal phone and including his wife, lawyer and brother, three people familiar with the chat told CNN.  
• Prolonged tariffs could cause a “huge uptick” in short-term sales of used and refurbished devices, especially smartphones, says Dan Ives, Wedbush Securities global head of technology research.

Peaceful Revolution Impossible

©2025 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." – John F. Kennedy

Solemn Reflection and Remembrance

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Good Friday is a day of solemn reflection and remembrance of Jesus' crucifixion. Activities include attending church services, praying, fasting, and engaging in acts of charity. Many also choose to observe silence (turning off phones, TV, and other devices), particularly between 12 pm and 3 pm, when Jesus was on the cross.

The Effect of Owning a Pet On Life Satisfaction

©2025 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

People all around the world have pets, and it has been shown in many studies that having a pet can have a positive effect on various aspects of health.

A new study examines the impact of owning a pet on life satisfaction. 

The study was conducted by two UK researchers, Michael W. Gmeiner from the London School of Economics and Adelina Gschwandtner from the University of Kent. The scientists analyzed data from the so-called Innovation Panel, a survey from the UK that contained various information on pet ownership and life satisfaction. Overall, data from 2600 households were included in the study, making the sample quite large and the results statistically robust. 

The good news (spoiler alert) for all cat and dog owners: Owning a pet clearly makes its owner happier and more satisfied with their lives in the long run!

I know for me [Laurel Delaney] it does.  Pictured is my Wellington.  Learn more about the results of the study here.

Tulips in The Netherlands

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During tulip season, the national flower splashes color through Amsterdam’s parks, canals and city streets, with magnificent displays further afield including the spectacle at Keukenhof Gardens, along with cycling routes through the bulb fields, and events including a flower-festooned Bloemencorso (Flower Parade).

If only all of us could tiptoe through the tulips in The Netherlands right now to break away from all the stress in our world.  So if you can't get away, take a remote break to learn the history of tulips in The Netherlands, when is the best time to visit, what is the top sight during tulip season and more.