The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA's research center responsible for robotic space missions, will lay off more workers before the year ends due to budget constraints. JPL Director Laurie Leshin has announced in a memo addressed to employees that the reduction will affect 325 people, or about five percent of its whole workforce. Leshin explained that the lab took various measures to meet its budget allocation for the 2025 fiscal year and to minimize the adverse effects of a limited budget on its workers. In the end, though, JPL "reached the difficult decision" to make "one further workforce reduction."

The lab already cut 530 employees and cut over 100 contractors from its roster earlier this year because of uncertainty over the final budget that the Congress will give NASA for 2024. It also froze hiring in response to the dilemma. The main reason why the lab had to implement those measures was because the Mars Sample Return Program was allocated a much smaller budget than it needed. NASA had requested $950 million for the mission, but only $300 million was allocated for it. 

NASA's original plan was to bring home the samples collected by the mission in 2040. But its budget ballooned from $7 billion to $11 billion, and as The Washington Post notes, the government found the return date "unacceptable." For the 2025 fiscal year, NASA only requested $200 million for the project that could go through significant changes. The agency is now looking for ways to alter the mission and is even considering proposals from private companies. 

Leshin said that the layoffs will affect all areas of the lab, including its technical, business and support divisions. "[W]e had to tighten our belts across the board, and you will see that reflected in the layoff impacts," she said. JPL's director also said that the US presidential election results have nothing to do with the reduction that the "action would be happening regardless" of its outcome. 

Today, Dr. Rossi talks about thankfulness for all things—good or bad. It's an attitude we all need to cultivate.

After coming home from a visit with Matushka Juliana Schmemann, Dr. Rossi reflects on aging and the preparation for the next life.

Dr. Albert Rossi discusses the role of "narrative" in the life of Orthodox Christians with Fr. John Shimchick. Fr. John is the rector of the Orthodox Church of the Holy Cross (OCA) in Medford, NJ. The video interview by Fr. John with Dr. Rossi that is reference in this podcast can be found here.

Fr. Lawrence Farley argues that we must show love for all people—male or female, straight or gay or transgendered—but as we articulate and transmit our Christian culture to our young and to our catechumens, we must also take care to include a traditional understanding of gender.

Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick posts a picture of the incorrupt hand of St. Katherine of Alexandria every year on Facebook. And every year, people freak out. But why?

Fr. Eugen Pentiuc connects the creation narrative with the reality of the incarnation.

Bobby Maddex interviews George Matsoukas, the Executive Director of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL), which will be celebrating 25 years of service this coming October 24 through 27. The video below recounts the history of OCL.

Bobby Maddex interviews Fr. John Mefrige, a professional Marriage and Family Therapist from San Antonio, Texas. From February 15 through 18, Fr. John will be leading a marriage preparation seminar at Antiochian Village in Ligonier, Pennsylvania. The registration deadline for this retreat is February 1.

Bobby Maddex interviews John Maddex again to get an update on the streaming music station. Special thanks to our anonymous donor who sent us $3,000 to cover the remaining expenses on our new generator and surge protection system. The donation was made on behalf of St. Cyprian of Carthage Orthodox Church in Richmond, Virginia. Thanks be to God!

In honor of the 75th anniversary of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, Bobby Maddex interviews Fr. Chad Hatfield, the Chancellor and CEO of St. Vlad's, about the school's Strategic Plan 2020, which includes a Center for Liturgical Arts, a Continuing Education program, and an International House of Studies.

We talk with Nicholas Chakos, the Executive Director of FOCUS North America, and Theodora Polamalu, wife of Pittsburgh Steeler Troy Polamalu, about "Operation Lace Up," a new initiative to provide shoes to children who cannot afford them, as well as FOCUS's Pittsburgh Health Center and "Tackle Poverty" campaign.

Fr. Tom Soroka of The Path and Sermons at St. Nicholas conducts an interview with Fr Igor Soroka as he discusses the 50th anniversary of the Cathedral Choir of the Archdiocese of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania (OCA) as well as his significant contribution to the development of Orthodox music in the English speaking world. A liturgical choral concert celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Cathedral Choir of Pittsburgh will be held at St John the Baptist Orthodox Church, 601 Boone Avenue, Canonsburg, PA on Sunday, September 29, at 6:00 pm. The concert is open to the public and a social hour will follow the concert in the church hall. For further information, contact Rebecca Danchenko at 412-478-7252.

Bobby Maddex interviews Fr. Tom Soroka, the host of the daily podcast “The Path" and the priest at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in McKees Rocks, PA, which will be celebrating its 100th anniversary this coming October 10th through the 12th.

Fr. Joe Allen joins us from the Antiochian convention in Boston to talk about the 35th anniversary of the Antiochian House of Studies and the new Coptic module.

Bobby Maddex interviews Dr. Frank Papatheofanis, the founder and president of St. Katherine Orthodox College, about the A rating that the school received from the American Council of Trustees and Alumni. The two also discuss the new National Orthodox Christian Education Association.

On this special edition of Ancient Faith Presents, Metropolitan Kallistos Ware speaks on the Transfiguration during the course of a weeklong pilgrimage to Mull and Iona that was organized by Friends of Orthodoxy on Iona.

Join special host, Richard Rohlin, as he interviews brilliant authors and educators, Dr. Edith Humphrey and Angelina Stanford. Together they engage in rich conversation about literature, fantasy, art, and faith. Topics include: what makes literature good or bad? How do we choose good literature for our children? How do we write good literature for our children? And more! To learn more about Dr. Edith Humphrey and her newest book, "Beyond the White Fence" here. To learn more about Angelina Standford and her work at the House of Humane Letters, check out their website. To learn more about Richard Rohlin and his Finding the Golden Key project, click here.

Ancient Faith Radio correspondent Chrysanthe Loizos takes us "behind the scenes" at the Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration in Ellwood City, PA. With the blessing of the Abbess, Mother Christophora, Chrysanthe gives us a glimpse into the daily life of the nuns as well as their purpose and goals.

⁠The story of the Orthodox Deaconess is largely unknown today. When did they exist, and what was their function? In recent decades, there has been a call for restoring the female diaconate, causing no small debate between Orthodox proponents and opponents.⁠ In the first special edition of Ancient Faith Today Live, Fr. Tom Soroka and John Maddex take a deep dive into the topic with a full-length audio documentary, which will feature scholarly experts from both sides of the issue and reflect upon the views shared and what we can conclude about the Church’s wisdom on this issue today.

Fr. Pat discusses the history of Great Lent and the practice of fasting.

Fr. Pat uses Aristotle's four causes to explore the consecrated life of the Mother of God.

Father Pat compares the characteristics of faith in Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the events in their lives which shaped that faith.

Fr. Pat looks at three images of the Church found in 1 Corinthians 3 and Matthew 14.

Each of us is the servant of the Lord, which means that we do not belong to ourselves. And if we do not belong to ourselves, we certainly do not belong to the world, we belong to God.

Fr. Pat takes a closer look at the true meaning of Hanukkah.

In this homily from 2006, Fr. Pat reflects upon the Body of Christ, the Sacraments, and our own transfiguration in Christ.

On the occasion of the third night of Hanukkah, Fr. Pat talks about the divisions God built into creation, about the consecration and desecration of sacred space, and about dedication of God's temple and of ourselves.

What can the Transfiguration teach us about being the bee?

What are icons, and why are they important?

"On this day, the first Sunday of Lent, we commemorate the restoration of the holy and venerable icons…” (Synaxarion for the Sunday of Orthodoxy) After weeks of learning about forgiveness and pride and judgment, we begin Great Lent with a Sunday dedicated to icons. Why? On one level, this is the anniversary of the triumph over Iconoclasm in 843 AD. But there's more to this triumph than meets the eye. So we'll take a deep dive into the theology of icons to learn that God made a promise to His saints. That He would unite heaven and earth. That we could look upon the face of the Lord and live. And this promise is fulfilled in us. We hold up icons as proof of this promise, the treasures we display in the Triumph of Orthodoxy. As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn: https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee169

Guests: Father John Whiteford (ROCOR) and David J. Dunn, PhD, author of the Huffington Post article, “Gay marriage: An Eastern Orthodox Perspective.”

We hear from a former moderator in Kenya who was left traumatised by his previous job.

What the heros and forefathers of the Old Testament could only dream about is yours for the having. So Come and See!

What do you think God is like?

Fr. Philip reflections on the Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ. "... you will do well if you take heed, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day breaks, and the Morning Star dawns forth in your hearts."

So What had the other nine apostles been getting up to?

You will do well to pay attention to this says Apostle Peter. 2 Peter 1: 10 - 19, Matthew 17: 1 - 9

Matthew interviews historian Fr. Oliver Herbel about a little-known—though very important—1940s precursor to SCOBA. Learn more HERE.

Demand generation vs lead generation? Which should you use? You could be missing out on some qualified leads if you're not using both.

The post Demand generation vs lead generation: Do you need both? appeared first on Coaching and training to scale your copywriting business, plus programs for new copywriters, startups, and marketers.

What is a flywheel? My first real life encounter with a flywheel was on a water well in South Africa. I was working at an orphanage where one of our projects was to provide a reliable water source. Because electricity was unreliable, we mounted a hand-powered pump. But we couldn’t use the kind of pump […]

The product that drove webmasters crazy was back...for a moment, at least.

This week I'm headed to WordCamp US (#WCUS) and will see folks that I haven't seen in a couple of years. I stepped away from a full time focus on WordPress about 18 months ago, and I'm excited to circle back and see so many friends in a single event. I'm not speaking, sponsoring, or ... Read more

The post Choosing a Pricing Strategy appeared first on Chris Lema.

World number one Jannik Sinner brushes past Alex de Minaur after Taylor Fritz defeats an irate Daniil Medvedev as the ATP Finals begin.

There are 3 things you need to accomplish your goals: (1) a clear goal; (2) a winning action plan; and (3) consistency. For things where you are just getting started, you may not yet know what your winning action plan is. When this is the case you need the right blend of iteration and feedback […]

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No: “Where is the one thing that will fix all my problems for me right now?” Yes: “Will this thing give me one new, good idea I can use right now?” Invest in things that will help you fix a small problem so you can get a little bit better at what you do. Find […]