Government & Organizations
**The Day Camp Pod – From Go Camp Pro**

The Day Camp Pod is for day camp leaders who want real answers and practical advice. Each episode covers how to build a resilient camp, face daily challenges, and support every camper. Our hosts and guests are experienced camp directors who believe in problem-solving, teamwork, and helping staff grow. We talk about staff training, making camps more welcoming for everyone, and building strong connections with parents. If you want to learn how empathy and creativity make camps better, and how to keep your camp strong during tough times, you’ll find new ideas here twice a month from Actober to May.

The Day Camp Pod, from Go Camp Pro. Bringing you the best ideas, strategies and discussions in the Day Camp Industry.

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Bonus Episode - The Women of Go Camp Pro Podcasts Nov 16, 2020

Show notes

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/blog/women-of-gcp-podcast

What do you call it when you gather a bunch of female camp and podcasting pros in a room? You call it AWESOME.

In today’s special crossover episode, Beth Allison from Camp Code hosts a conversation with several of the women who podcast with Go Camp Pro. Today’s episode features Rachel Kent and Cassie Bloy from Beyond Camp, Sam Thompson from the Day Camp Pod, Kelly Schuna from The Camp Owner’s Podcast, and Ruby Compton from Camp Code and Gabrielle Raill from CampHacker and Camp Code.

Listen in as these women discuss their mentors who inspired them in the industry, challenges women face working at camp and advice for new camp pros. Interestingly, all of these women have also attended the Women in Camp Summit in previous years. During the episode, they discuss some of their biggest takeaways from the event as well as what they are most looking forward to for this year’s Live Virtual Summit taking place December 2-3. Find out more about the Women in Camp Summit Live Virtual event at https://www.womenincampsummit.com.

Gabrielle announced this year’s Summit will also feature the first of the “Becoming Allies” series with an event titled “Becoming Allies: Supporting Women in Camp” on December 4. Folks who want to participate in the Allies event can register through this link: https://acai.wildapricot.org/event-4051965

The Women in Camp Summit needs your support!

The planning team for the Summit has set a $7,500 fundraising goal to offer scholarships to attendees and off-set the costs of hosting this unique professional development event. Every dollar counts. Donate today and donate again on the Day of Giving for the Women in Camp Summit on November 24. Donate here: https://acai.wildapricot.org/allies/

Love this episode?

Find more Podcast goodness at gocamp.pro/podcast. Also, if you want to support the work that we do, please consider subscribing to the shows, and leaving us a rating in your favourite Podcast app.

On This Episode:

Beth Allison, Camp Consultant and Co-Owner - Go Camp Pro
Gabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau
Ruby Compton, Chief Exploration Officer - Ruby Outdoors
Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District
Kelly Schuna - Owner - Hidden Pines Ranch
Cassie Bloy, Consultant & Freelance Camp Director - Stephane Richard Development Consulting
Rachel Kent, Coordinator, Member Risk - Girl Guides of Canada

Creating a Day Camp from Scratch - The Day Camp Pod #41 Nov 10, 2020

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Find show notes and links at - https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/day-camp-from-scratch

Post-COVID, the world is going to be in need of more connection than ever. What better way is there to connect than at camp? Here’s how to start your own!

Review us on iTunes!

If only one out of every six American children attends summer camp programs, there’s a whole lot of potential campers out there, just waiting for YOU to create a day camp closeby to their neighborhood.

So now what? How do you go from that great little idea to a fully functioning day camp that’s signing up campers, hiring staff, and getting ready for opening day? Stay tuned- and we’ll let you know.

In this episode, we cover:

Location location location!
Business, marketing and branding plans
Quick and easy camper registration.
Set up open house- “Meet the Director” events- Zoom, in-person, etc.
Create YouTube/Facebook/Instagram videos- Tell them who you are, why you’re doing this, and how awesome it’s going to be!
How do you ingratiate yourself with the local community and become a partner
How do you position your proposition? What does the local community need?
Who is the oversight in your area? DCFS, Health Department, ACA?
And much much more!

Do you have a suggestion for a future show? Let us know by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.pro

If you love the Day Camp Pod, we would be grateful if you subscribed and left us a review. It’s SUPER easy, too! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

Day Camp Tip of the Week

Andy: Portable Ga-Ga Court- Inflatable, wooden, plastic- whatever. Create “camp” anywhere!

Sam: T-Shirts for winter that say “Ask me about my awesome camp” or follow me to…

Tiff: Google

YOUR HOSTS:

Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp
Tiffany Gratton-McDuffie, Executive Director - Purposeful Play
Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District

-
SPONSORS:

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:

AM Skier Insurance http://www.amskier.com/
Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) https://crs4rec.com/

Please review and subscribe!

If you’ve gotten even one good thing from the Day Camp Pod, we would be so grateful if you left us a review and subscribed to this show in your favourite Podcast app.

It’s so easy!

Just click here: https://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

Thanks, Camp Pro!

Mini-Pod - Day Camp Kitchen - with Sam Borek - The Day Camp Pod Nov 03, 2020

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Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/day-camp-kitchen

Happy Kitchen - Happy Camp. Here are some best practices for camp kitchens of all kinds!

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Running a food service at your day camp is not typical, and it certainly isn’t in the talent wheelhouse of most camp directors.

But for those who can pull it off, it can be an awesome perk for your camp families- while hopefully not being a huge financial or managerial burden upon you.

We’re joined today by Sam Borek, who honed his kitchen skills at resident camp, and who actually enjoys managing the ins and outs of the day camp kitchen.

Tune in to hear about:

Determining Menu
Choosing food vendors
How do the kids ORDER their meal each day?
How is it served, non-pandemic, during pandemic (next summer)
Desserts
Allergies
Healthy
Not Healthy- Snacks, Ice Cream/Ice Pops

Do you have a suggestion for a future show? Let us know by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.pro

If you love the Day Camp Pod, we would be grateful if you subscribed and left us a review. It’s SUPER easy, too! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

YOUR HOSTS:

Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp

GUESTS:

Sam Borek, Camp Owner/Director - Woodmont Day Camp

SPONSORS:

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:

AM Skier Insurance http://www.amskier.com/
Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) https://crs4rec.com/

Please review and subscribe!

If you’ve gotten even one good thing from the Day Camp Pod, we would be so grateful if you left us a review and subscribed to this show in your favourite Podcast app.

It’s so easy!

Just click here: https://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

Thanks, Camp Pro!

Mental Health - with Linda Erceg - The Day Camp Pod #40 Oct 27, 2020

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Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/mental-health-2020

Mental Health needs to stay front-of-mind. Now more than ever. Welcome the wonderful Linda Erceg to this episode of The Day Camp Pod!

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Mental Health has become one of the biggest issues facing camp professionals - and that was before covid-19 came into our lives.

For summer 2021, we need to be as prepared as possible for the wide array of Mental, Emotional and Social Health issues that will be coming through our doors.

There’s nobody better to discuss this topic with than the wise-woman of camp nursing, and former executive director of the Association of Camp Nurses, the one and only Linda Erceg-

Tune in to this episode to hear about:

Linda’s many years of experience in camp nursing and working with the ACA on studies regarding healthy camps.
How and why the study is now focusing on MESH (mental, emotional, social health),
How did summer 2020 in particular affected both campers and staff?
How do we best prepare mentally for summer 2021?
Much, much more!

Do you have a suggestion for a future show? Let us know by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.pro

If you love the Day Camp Pod, we would be grateful if you subscribed and left us a review. It’s SUPER easy, too! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

Day Camp Tip of the Week

Andy: Formal in-takes for campers (load resources onto show notes)

Sam: Self-care slipper socks

Tiff: Feelings Board - Clip “how you’re feeling” each kid in the mornings, kid to kid

Linda: Tips on self-care.

YOUR HOSTS:

Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp
Tiffany McDuffie, Executive Director - Purposeful Play
Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District

GUESTS:

Linda Ebner Erceg, RN, MS, PHN

SPONSORS:

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:

AM Skier Insurance http://www.amskier.com/
Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) https://crs4rec.com/

Please review and subscribe!

If you’ve gotten even one good thing from the Day Camp Pod, we would be so grateful if you left us a review and subscribed to this show in your favourite Podcast app.

It’s so easy!

Just click here: https://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

Thanks, Camp Pro!

Mini-Pod - Indoor Pandemic Camp - with Melanie Zak Curry - The Day Camp Pod Oct 20, 2020

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It can be done. If you’re running an indoor camp during the COVID-19 pandemic, have no fear, the Day Camp Pod and Melanie Zak Curry are here!

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Tune in to this mini-pod to hear about Melanies’s experience and strategies for running camp inside:

INDOOR CAMP SUCCESS STORY- How they made it happen!
Militant Staff (paid minimum wage) and cleaning regiment
Support from executive directors (tell us what you need)
Created their own protocols early on- which ended up being very similar to what the governor mandated
Quickly got upgraded filters for AC system, masks, cleaning stuff
Examined and modified all protocols
60% new campers- As most originally signed up campers withdrew, and 40% signed back up.
COMMUNICATION!
We were very open and honest with our parents for months leading up to camp. We actually held weekly FACEBOOK LIVE Meetings in our FB camp parent group. This gave parents the opportunity to ask questions in a group setting.
We also spent months calling everyone to “answer any questions they may have”. These calls were 15 mins to 2 hours each!

Do you have a suggestion for a future show? Let us know by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.pro

Bonus Resources

General Camp Pages:

https://e-sportimeny.com/p/18SJ-HX9/school-break-kings-park

https://e-sportimeny.com/p/18SJ-H0J/sportime-kings-park-summer-camp-2020

Global Sportime Guidelines:

https://www.sportimeny.com/covid19_guide

If you love the Day Camp Pod, we would be grateful if you subscribed and left us a review. It’s SUPER easy, too! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

YOUR HOSTS:

Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp

GUESTS:

Melanie Zak Curry, Camp Director - Sportime of Kings Park, NY

SPONSORS:

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:

AM Skier Insurance http://www.amskier.com/
Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) https://crs4rec.com/

Please review and subscribe!

If you’ve gotten even one good thing from the Day Camp Pod, we would be so grateful if you left us a review and subscribed to this show in your favourite Podcast app.

It’s so easy!

Just click here: https://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

Thanks, Camp Pro!

Reenrollment - The Day Camp Pod #39 Oct 13, 2020

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Find more at http://daycamppodcast.com

When’s the right time to think about reenrollment? How do you know they’re ready to come back? Well, it’s at least time to start thinking about it, so let’s get to it.

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As Day Camp Professionals, we can come up with the greatest camp programs and initiatives in the world, but it don’t mean a thang, if you don’t have the campers enrolled to fund your warm and fuzzy amazingness.

It’s basic business that it’s way easier and cheaper to enroll LAST YEAR’s families, than it is to find, tour, schmooze and procure totally new campers.

So let’s discuss what camps are doing to retain last year’s campers, and for camps that didn’t open last summer, or camp families that chose not to attend- how to turn 2019 campers into 2021 campers.

Tune in to this episode to hear about:

Welcoming our guest Andrew “Juice Boy” Yankowitz and hearing about his resilient rise through the ranks to his current role.
What are the challenges to enrollment after a summer with no camp?
How do we get families to trust that the summer will go on when the world is in chaos?
Some great ideas for enrollment in a normal season!
Much, much more!

Do you have a suggestion for a future show? Let us know by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.pro

If you love the Day Camp Pod, we would be grateful if you subscribed and left us a review. It’s SUPER easy, too! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

Day Camp Tip of the Week

Tiff - Bring a Friend to Camp Program

Sam - A Utility Belt with Cleaning Supplies

Andy - CRS Wave Siren Alert System

Andrew - Visiting Day Free Shirt or Something!

YOUR HOSTS:

Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp
Tiffany McDuffie, Executive Director - Purposeful Play
Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District

GUESTS:

Andrew Yankowitz - Owner & Director - Tall Pines Picnics and Retreats

SPONSORS:

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:

AM Skier Insurance http://www.amskier.com/
Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) https://crs4rec.com/

Please review and subscribe!

If you’ve gotten even one good thing from the Day Camp Pod, we would be so grateful if you left us a review and subscribed to this show in your favourite Podcast app.

It’s so easy!

Just click here: https://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

Thanks, Camp Pro!

Mini-Pod - Grasping the Financial Reality of COVID-19 - with Jonathan M. Gold - The Day Camp Pod Oct 06, 2020

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Nothing says financial wake-up call like a global pandemic! Andy welcomes back Jonathan M. Gold to the show to help us grasp the things we need to be thinking about in preparing for a tough financial road ahead.

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Whether you ran in 2020 or not - we've all got a tough road ahead. We need to be prepared with every scenario, every tip and trick, and every bit of help we can get.
Enter friend of the Pod Jonathan M. Gold - our financial correspondent and climate-watcher.
We welcome Jonathan back to this mini-pod with Andy as they discuss what it's going to take to be able to not only survive 2021, but to thrive long-term.
-

Do you have a suggestion for a future show? Let us know by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.pro

Bonus Resources

Jonathan’s Cashflow Chart Video:

https://vimeo.com/465802814

YOUR HOSTS:

Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp

GUESTS:

Jonathan M. Gold, MBA, PhD, Camp Owner/Director - the Arbor Group of Camps

SPONSORS:

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:

AM Skier Insurance http://www.amskier.com/
Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) https://crs4rec.com/

Please review and subscribe!

If you’ve gotten even one good thing from the Day Camp Pod, we would be so grateful if you left us a review and subscribed to this show in your favourite Podcast app.

It’s so easy!

Just click here: https://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

Thanks, Camp Pro!

Summer 2020 Debrief pt. 2 - Camps That Didn't Run in 2020 - The Day Camp Pod #38 Sep 29, 2020

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Find full show notes at https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod

What was it like for Day Camps who DIDN’T RUN this summer? Tune in to this episode of The Day Camp Pod with Kelly Schuna and Ben Esposito to find out more!

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Summer 2020 was challenging for all, especially for those of us who chose to NOT TO OPEN for a traditional summer of camp. While we have the utmost respect for those camps that found a way to make it happen, today’s podcast is dedicated to our colleagues who had to make a choice they never thought they’d have to make.

This episode, we’re featuring the stories of two terrific camp programs and their thoughtful directors- one from the north, and one from the east.

Tune in to this episode to hear about:

Welcoming our guests Kelly Schuna and Ben Esposito and learning a bit more about what the Summer of 2020 looked like for them.
What did the decision-making process look like for Kelly and Ben that lead to them not running this summer?
How did they communicate their hard decision to their staff and camping community?
How were they able to make it work? What did staffing, program development and financing look like?
Much, much more!

Do you have a suggestion for a future show? Let us know by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.pro

If you love the Day Camp Pod, we would be grateful if you subscribed and left us a review. It’s SUPER easy, too! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

Day Camp Tip of the Week

Tiff - Big Life Journal - Free tips every day on Instagram

Sam - Mask accessories - ribbons, fancy things for their masks- beads, lanyards

Andy - Extra Waterbottle Filling Stations

Ben - Keep connected to the PROPERTY- “everybody is on the facility crew”

Kelly - The Ministers of Fun- give responsibility to staff, to keep things fun!

YOUR HOSTS:

Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp
Tiffany McDuffie, Executive Director - Purposeful Play
Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District

GUESTS:

Kelly Schuna - Owner - Hidden Pines Ranch
Ben Esposito, Director - Camp Alvernia

SPONSORS:

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:

AM Skier Insurance http://www.amskier.com/
Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) https://crs4rec.com/

Mini Pod - eLearning Camps - with Sabrina Hinkens - Day Camp Pod Sep 22, 2020

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How two camps embraced the eLearning Camp model during the COIVD-19 pandemic.

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Welcome to another Day Camp Mini-Pod!

We’re so glad to be bringing you new content every week on the Day Camp Pod.

As a reminder, there will be a full episode every two weeks with some Mini-Pods in-between. A HUGE thanks to our hosts, Sam, Andy and Tiff for this extra push this seasons

On mini-pod, Sam and Sabrina Hinkens share how their camp programs have pivoted to eLearning models in response to the push of virtual schooling.

This is a great conversation not only because of the nuggets about how to run an eLearning camp, but to re-assure camp pros out there that no matter how many years you’ve been in the game, you can make brave shifts into unknown territories in the name of serving your facility and your families.

What do you think of the mini-pod? Please let us know by commenting here and leaving us a review at http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

YOUR HOSTS:

Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District, Vice president ACA Illinois
Sabrina Hinkens, Youth Program Supervisor - Gurnee Park District

Summer 2020 Debrief pt. 1 - Camps That Ran - Day Camp Pod #37 Sep 15, 2020

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What was it like for Day Camps who ran this summer? Find out on our first episode of season 3 of the Day Camp Pod!

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Summer 2020 was a whirlwind for us all, especially for those of us who were able to OPEN our doors to the public. We had to use every ounce of leadership, creativity, perseverance and resilience that we could muster.

While we support our comrades who did not open this past summer, and we will have a podcast just for you - this episode is about how three completely different camp programs were able to find a way to make it happen successfully, in this crazy, historic summer of 2020.

Tune in to this episode to hear about:

Welcoming our new host, Tiffany McDuffie!
How Andy, Sam and Tiff turned on the jets when it came to communication with their families and staff teams.
Some of the various precautions they took to make the summer happen safely
How did they manage the fear, uncertainty and duty to remain socially responsible that was present this summer?
What were some of the silver linings of running camp this summer?
Much, much more!

Do you have a suggestion for a future show? Let us know by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.pro

Day Camp Tip of the Week

Tiff - Blending in-person and virtual learning for staff training and using Kahoot to keep it interactive and light

Sam - Using rope and pool noodles to help kids understand social distancing

Andy - Running new/returning parent orientations on Zoom and putting them on Youtube

Bonus Content - Thanks for reading the show notes!

Liberty Lake’s COVID-19 Safety Playbook

Producer’s Note: Andy, you ROCK for sharing this so openly with the industry.

YOUR HOSTS:

Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp
Tiffany McDuffie, Executive Director - Purposeful Play
Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District

-
SPONSORS:

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:

AM Skier Insurance http://www.amskier.com/
Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) https://crs4rec.com/

Please review and subscribe!

If you’ve gotten even one good thing from the Day Camp Pod, we would be so grateful if you left us a review and subscribed to this show in your favourite Podcast app.

It’s so easy!

Just click here: https://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

Thanks, Camp Pro!

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The Day Camp Pod – From Go Camp Pro

What do you call it when you gather a bunch of female camp and podcasting pros in a room? You call it AWESOME.

The Women in Camp Summit needs your support!

Love this episode?

On This Episode:

Post-COVID, the world is going to be in need of more connection than ever. What better way is there to connect than at camp? Here’s how to start your own!

Day Camp Tip of the Week

YOUR HOSTS:

Please review and subscribe!

Happy Kitchen - Happy Camp. Here are some best practices for camp kitchens of all kinds!

YOUR HOSTS:

GUESTS:

Please review and subscribe!

Mental Health needs to stay front-of-mind. Now more than ever. Welcome the wonderful Linda Erceg to this episode of The Day Camp Pod!

Day Camp Tip of the Week

YOUR HOSTS:

GUESTS:

Please review and subscribe!

It can be done. If you’re running an indoor camp during the COVID-19 pandemic, have no fear, the Day Camp Pod and Melanie Zak Curry are here!

Bonus Resources

YOUR HOSTS:

GUESTS:

Please review and subscribe!

When’s the right time to think about reenrollment? How do you know they’re ready to come back? Well, it’s at least time to start thinking about it, so let’s get to it.

Day Camp Tip of the Week

YOUR HOSTS:

GUESTS:

Please review and subscribe!

Nothing says financial wake-up call like a global pandemic! Andy welcomes back Jonathan M. Gold to the show to help us grasp the things we need to be thinking about in preparing for a tough financial road ahead.

Bonus Resources

YOUR HOSTS:

GUESTS:

Please review and subscribe!

What was it like for Day Camps who DIDN’T RUN this summer? Tune in to this episode of The Day Camp Pod with Kelly Schuna and Ben Esposito to find out more!

Day Camp Tip of the Week

YOUR HOSTS:

GUESTS:

How two camps embraced the eLearning Camp model during the COIVD-19 pandemic.

YOUR HOSTS:

What was it like for Day Camps who ran this summer? Find out on our first episode of season 3 of the Day Camp Pod!

Day Camp Tip of the Week

Bonus Content - Thanks for reading the show notes!

Please review and subscribe!

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