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Business and economic studies reveal a strong connectionbetween creativity and enhanced financial success. A 2023 report from the U.S.Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) found that arts and cultural economicactivity—a key component of the creative economy—is growing at a rate thatexceeds the broader U.S. economy. In 2023, this sector accounted for 4.2% ofthe U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP), totaling $1.17 trillion. Its growth rateof 6.6% in 2023 outpaced the overall U.S. economy's growth of 2.9%.

Business creativity is defined as the ability to generatenovel and useful ideas to address challenges, improve processes, or develop newproducts and services. It involves adapting to change, questioning the statusquo, and combining existing concepts in unique ways to create a competitiveadvantage or achieve organizational goals.

Paul Eric Pape, a TEDx speaker, author, and creativebusiness strategist known as “Santa for Nerds,” has over 20 years of experienceas a successful creative entrepreneur. He has designed custom collectibles formajor companies like Disney, Universal, and Nickelodeon while building his ownthriving design studio. Paul is the creator of "Gamify Business" andthe author of “The Creative Player’s Handbook to Business,” which presentscomplex business concepts in a language that resonates with creative minds. Utilizinggaming principles and adventure mechanics, he helps artists, designers, andcreative entrepreneurs build profitable businesses without sacrificing theirartistic integrity. His mission is simple: to demonstrate that you don’t haveto be a “starving artist” to find success. Paul guides creatives to viewbusiness as an exciting adventure, helping them realize that running a businesscan be enjoyable, engaging, and deeply fulfilling.

If you want to learn more, check out [GamifyBusiness](https://www.gamifybusiness.com/) and discover more at [thepodcast](https://www.gamifybusiness.com/podcast).

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Home ownership is becoming harder for many Americans, with78% citing affordability issues like income and down payments (2024Bankrate/Yahoo Finance). Most buyers (74%) require financing, assessed by rulessuch as the 28/36 rule. The number of loan officers dropped by half from 2021to 2023 (Investopedia), and only 27–40% of buyers use them; most get loansthrough banks or credit unions.

Michael Newmann, Branch Manager & Senior Loan Officer atCMG Home Loans, offers expertise in wealth-building home loans nationally. Withover 20 years in the industry and a background in psychology, he leadshigh-profile clients using strategies like CMG's innovative All-In-One Loan—a30-year HELOC with daily interest calculations and equity access. Michaelcombines financial knowledge with empathetic client service and strategicthinking, aiming to help clients save money and reduce their mortgage terms.

For more information, For More Information: https://www.cmghomeloans.com/mysite/mike-newmann/team/The-Newmann-Group or call (541) 227-2722.

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Brand visibility refers to how well a brand is seen,recognized, and remembered by its target audience across various marketingchannels. It measures the frequency with which a brand appears before potentialcustomers through touchpoints such as search engines, social media,advertisements, and physical locations. High visibility increases thelikelihood that a brand will be considered during a purchase decision.

  A 2025 Nielsen study found that 92% of consumers trustrecommendations from individuals or trusted sources more than traditionaladvertisements.

- High investment by executives: According to a report byTenet, 77% of marketing executives consider branding essential for businessgrowth.

As the principal at Lynn Aronberg Public Relations (LAPR), Ilead a global communications agency that delivers strategic and innovativemedia relations, government relations, and investor relations campaigns forclients around the world. With over 15 years of experience, I have developedstrong expertise in marketing communications, new media, and editorial work.

My company helps clients achieve their goals and reach theiraudiences through effective and creative storytelling. My team has securedmedia coverage for an impressive roster of clients in leading outlets such asForbes, Vogue, CNN, and The Wall Street Journal. We also leverage new mediaplatforms and technologies to enhance our clients' online presence andengagement. We are continually seeking new opportunities to learn and grow inthis dynamic and ever-evolving field.

For more information, visit:https://www.lynnaronberg.com/ 

Follow us on social media: @LynnAronberg 

Email: [email protected]  

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As of 2025, approximately 83% of American employees believethey would trust their company more if their direct supervisor included them inimportant decisions. Furthermore, employees who feel their voices are heard are4.6 times more likely to feel empowered to deliver their best work. Despitethis, overall employee engagement remains low, highlighting a disconnectbetween what employers claim to value and employees' perceptions, according toPricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

"You can't scale chaos; start with clarity." Thisstatement by Dusty Holcomb, CEO and founder of Arcqus Group, emphasizes theneed for organizational clarity. If your team isn’t executing as required, theproblem likely lies not in effort but in friction.

Dusty Holcomb is a former CEO, a five-time Ironman, and anentrepreneur dedicated to helping leaders exchange burnout for clarity andchaos for alignment. However, his identity is not defined by titles alone;rather, it is shaped by a 28-year daily practice of sharing leadership quotes,a firm belief in the importance of self-leadership, and a mission to helpleaders create lives that embody their values, not just build companies.

As the founder of The Arcqus Group and host of the"Leadership Unlocked" podcast, Dusty explores the critical momentsthat influence how we lead and live. His approach is personal rather thanperformative. He emphasizes the need to distill leadership down to its essenceby asking: Who are you becoming? Why does your work matter? And how do you leadin a way that multiplies rather than depletes your impact?

Through "Leadership Unlocked," his podcast, andevery conversation he engages in, Dusty brings this perspective. He offers notjust theories but practical frameworks developed through real leadershipexperiences, along with tools and stories that help leaders reconnect withtheir purpose, lead with intentionality, and identify the pivotal moments thatcan transform their impact.

For more information, visit: [ArcqusGroup](https://arcqusgroup.com/) 

LinkedIn:[@DustyHolcomb](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustyholcomb) 

Get the Guide: [Lead withClarity](https://connect.arcqusgroup.com/lead-with-clarity-weekly-insights-and-tools-for-senior-executives) 

Find out More:[Podcast](https://arcqusgroup.com/podcast/)  

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Gallup's annual update on trust in government institutionsreveals that Americans have the highest level of trust in local government(67%) and the lowest in the legislative branch of the federal government, knownas Congress (32%). In between these two extremes, majorities express trust instate government and the American people. However, less than half of Americansare confident in the executive and judicial branches of the federal government,elected officials and candidates for office, as well as in the federalgovernment's ability to address both domestic and international issues.

Michael Butler is currently the first African American Chairof the Missouri Democratic Party. He is also a former Missouri StateRepresentative and was the first African American and Millennial Recorder ofDeeds in St. Louis history. As a former mayoral candidate, Butler is dedicatedto ensuring that "government works for the people" and is activelyleading technological innovations.

This week, he joined me to discuss the current state of theDemocratic Party, exploring whether they have developed an identity thatresonates with Americans and can help them win future elections. Butler alsoshared his thoughts on the state of America under President Donald Trump'sleadership and how the country can begin to heal and move forward after Trumpleaves office.

For more information, visit:https://stlouiscityrecorder.org/

Instagram: @michaelbutlerstl

Facebook: @City Of St Louis, Recorder Of Deedseds

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When askedabout their preferred platforms for receiving news, approximately one-third ofAmericans (34%) say they prefer television. Only a small percentage preferradio or print, with each garnering 5% of responses.

Americanshave diverse preferences when it comes to digital news platforms. About 21% ofU.S. adults prefer getting their news from websites or apps, while 14% favorsocial media. Additionally, 10% prefer using search engines, 6% opt forpodcasts, and 3% prefer email newsletters. Fewer than 1% select AI chatbots astheir preferred source for news. According to a recent Pew Research survey.

JackBrewster, the founder and CEO of Newsreel, is leading the charge in redefininghow we consume news. With a background as a journalist for Forbes andNewsGuard, as well as a Fulbright researcher focused on the effects of theinternet on our thinking, Jack aims to make news simple, engaging, andunmissable.

Over thepast decade, he has pondered a critical question: What if the way we consumenews is not only broken but purposefully designed to fail us? After researchingmisinformation, online extremism, and AI-generated content at NewsGuard andForbes, Jack created Newsreel—an app that reimagines news for those who havetuned out traditional forms of media. Imagine a combination of Duolingo and TheNew York Times, featuring interactive timelines, daily briefings, and newstailored to match short attention spans rather than encouraging endlessscrolling.

JackBrewster's work has been featured in The New York Times, CNN, and TheWashington Post, and he has appeared on national television numerous times.What distinguishes Jack is that he is not just identifying the problems in newsconsumption; he is actively creating solutions. His work lies at theintersection of media, design, psychology, and technology.

For moreinformation, visit: https://newsreel.co/

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Effective communication is the cornerstone of consistentrevenue conversion in sales. This sentiment is particularly relevant today.According to Salesforce, 53% of sales professionals believe it’s harder to sellthan it was a year ago.

Sales leaders and managers cite their top challenge asadapting to changing customer needs and expectations, such as demands for lowercosts, deeper understanding, and greater value. Additionally, 57% of salesleaders and managers report that competition has increased since last year.

Boyd Hoffmann is a sales and leadership speaker and thecreator of The C.L.O.S.E.D. Formula™, a simple six-step process that helpspeople sell through authentic conversation, without pressure, scripts, ormanipulation. With over 10,000 personal sales consultations and more than $100million in total sales, Boyd knows one thing for certain: people don't buyperfection; they buy connection. He has trained high-performing teams, soldfrom the stage, and led organizations to record-breaking growth through clarityand empathy in communication. Boyd’s philosophy is straightforward: “A personconvinced against their will is of the same opinion still.” He now assistscoaches, consultants, and small business owners in communicating with empathyand confidence, enabling them to lead with influence and close with integrity.

For more information, visit: https://boydhoffmann.com/

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According tothe American Bar Association, between 120,000 and 200,000 young people residein various types of group homes, residential treatment centers, boot camps, orcorrectional facilities in the United States. Although the exact number ofprivate placements is uncertain, it is estimated that over 50,000 of theseyouth have been placed in such facilities privately by their parents. TheAssociation also reports that the “troubled teen” industry is a significantbusiness, receiving around $23 billion annually in public funds to supposedlyaddress the behavioral and psychological needs of vulnerable youth. Many ofthese residential facilities operate as for-profit organizations.

The AmericanCommunity Survey indicates that approximately 17% of all children under the ageof 18 in the U.S. live in families below the poverty line, which means over 10million children are part of low-income families considered at-risk.

The $23billion figure refers to congregate care facilities, which include wildernessand boot camps for youth with behavioral issues, residential treatmentprograms, hospitals, “therapeutic” boarding schools (also known as“academies”), behavior modification programs, and youth justice facilities.

Dr. CoreyJentry, author of "Selling Sanity: The Troubled-Teen Industry, the InsaneProfits, and the Kids Who Pay the Price," is a survivor of this industryand holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the London School of Economics. Heexposes how troubled-teen programs, often marketed as providing help, can causelong-lasting harm.

Jentrystates, “Most parents, educators, and even mental health professionals don’trealize that there’s a multi-billion-dollar industry quietly profiting fromvulnerable kids. It’s called the troubled-teen industry. Behind the glossybrochures and promises of healing, it often delivers abuse, coercion, andtrauma. I know this because I lived it. As a teenager, I was drawn into one ofthese programs. What I thought would be a lifeline quickly turned into a trap.I experienced manipulation, control, and abuse that left deep scars—experiencesthat countless other kids are still enduring today.”

Today,Jentry helps families, educators, and advocates recognize warning signs,protect children, and advocate for meaningful reform—equipping people, with theknowledge to understand and challenge the systems that threaten vulnerableyouth.

For moreinformation: https://www.jentryconsultingservices.com/

LinkedIn: @CoreyRJentry,PhD

Get theBook: https://www.amazon.com/Selling-Sanity-Troubled-Teen-Industry-Profits/dp/B0FLVCG4CV

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Corporate culture refers to the shared values, beliefs, andbehaviors that shape how employees interact, make decisions, and collaborate.The importance of strategic initiatives is reflected in a survey by TheEconomist, which found that 88% of C-level executives consider the successfulexecution of these initiatives to be "essential" or "veryimportant" for their organization's competitiveness.

Carly Pepin is an international speaker and consultant whospecializes in leadership and scaling businesses through principles of humanbehavior and strategic growth strategies. She emphasizes that regardless ofbackground, occupation, or origin, everyone faces personal and professionalchallenges related to their perceived flaws. Carly showcases the transformativepower of reframing these narratives to lead a fulfilling life. Having dedicatedher life to understanding human behavior, Carly combines this knowledge withstrategic business processes and systems to empower her clients bothprofessionally and personally. Through her guidance, individuals andorganizations learn to intentionally design their paths, moving from a sense ofobligation to true fulfillment and achievement.

For more information, visit:https://www.westcoastgrowthadvisors.com/

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Americans say it takes more money to feel financiallycomfortable now than it did a year ago, according to a survey by Charles Schwaband The Globe and Mail. Nearly half (48%) of those surveyed reported that theyare either already financially comfortable or are on track to achieve thatstatus. A quarter (25%) believe that achieving financial comfort is possible,but it will require changes in their lifestyle.

In terms of wealth, a third (35%) of Americans think theyare either on track to be wealthy or already are, while a quarter (26%) feelthat they can reach wealth but will need to make significant lifestyleadjustments.

Overall, achieving financial comfort and wealth issignificantly more attainable for individuals who identify as savers,investors, and planners. Andrew Gold, Vice President of Wealth and Tax Strategyat Prestige Wealth Management in Southlake, TX, specializes in helpingindividuals take control of their finances, grow their wealth, and retain moreof what they earn through strategic tax planning, smart deductions, and realestate insights.

One of the main reasons I entered this profession is due toan experience I had at a young age. After receiving an insurance check from ahit-and-run accident, I sought advice on how to manage the money responsiblyfor long-term wealth. To my surprise, no one wanted to work with me because Iwas too young and didn't have enough money. I faced two choices: work hard andblindly save until I had enough to earn someone's attention, or work hard,save, and learn from the ground up on my own. By age 24, as a husband and afather to a one-year-old, I took a leap of faith and left a comfortable job infinance, choosing to cut my pay in half to pursue a career sharingwealth-building strategies, trading techniques, and real estate tips that I hadlearned along the way.

Today, with my third child on the way, I have experience ininvestments across businesses and real estate. I dedicate my time to helpingothers grow and diversify their wealth through proven strategies and thoughtfultax planning.

Facebook: @PrestigeWealthMgmt - Andrew Gold 

For more information: https://www.pwealthmgmt.com/

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