Bryan Barley

*A Quarter Million* We have much gladness to announce that our “Living with Heart: From Birth to Death” Podcast has crossed the 250,000 streams milestone! Thank you for the many who listen, engage, encourage and take this content into the lives of those around them. Live Fully. Love Deeply. Lead Well. ❤️

How is it not a national news story that the @Braves broadcast team caught foul balls on back to back at-bats in different parts of Coors Field?! That has to be the only time that’s happened in MLB broadcast history. cc @CJNitkowski @BrandonGaudin @wileyballard_

But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead […] For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you. 2 Cor. 1:9, 12

‘Of course I'll do it!' said Frodo. 'And of course I'll come back soon: it won't be dangerous any more. There is a real king now, and he will soon put the roads in order.' ‘Thank you, my dear fellow!' said Bilbo. ‘That really is a very great relief to my mind' And with that he fell asleep again.

“Sauron had few servants but many slaves of fear.”

It's not just about being "successful" There are people who are: successful in their success or unsuccessful in their success I help people live the former and reject the latter (which is life on the ladder).

Ronald Acuña. 🐐

“Finally, being a parent should naturally lead you to shape your heart for reconciliation. Love is all about forgiving, again and again and again. Families survive only if this is happening. A parent is meant to be the compassion of God, the father and mother of the prodigal son and the bitter brother, who embraces the child not because the child is worthy, but in spite of all unworthiness. A parent must ever say in word and attitude, "Return as far as you can and I will come the rest of the way."

"His grief he will not forget; but it will not darken his heart, it will teach him wisdom.” - Aragorn

“The hands of the king are the hands of a healer, and so shall the rightful king be known.” - Gandalf

"Great heart will not be denied" - Théoden

His golden shield was uncovered, and lo! it shone like an image of the Sun, and the grass flamed into green about the white feet of his steed. For morning came, morning and a wind from the sea; and darkness was removed, and the hosts of Mordor wailed, and terror took them, and they fled, and died, and the hosts of wrath rode over them. And then all the host of Rohan burst into song, and they sang as they slew, for the joy of battle was on them, and the sound of their singing that was fair and terrible came even to the City. Return of the King

This is truly the new golden age of the @Braves 🔥 @BrandonGaudin @CJNitkowski @BravesVisionTV

@EmergenceKirk This sums it up! The people’s game that’s supposed to be about accessibility has become centralized in all the worst ways!

Venice.ai helped provide me a comprehensive analysis of the FIFA grift, which I was interested to better understand: " # The FIFA World Cup Financial Machine: Who Really Profits? ## Ticket Pricing and Revenue Streams The 2026 World Cup in North America showcases FIFA's sophisticated pricing strategy. According to the ESPN article, FIFA has introduced "front category" tickets that command premium prices - up to $4,105 for the US opener against Paraguay in Inglewood, California. This represents a significant markup from the previously highest-priced category 1 tickets at $2,735. For the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, FIFA raised the top ticket price to $10,990 during a sales period - a substantial increase from the initial $8,680 price point. Even category 2 tickets for the final were priced at $7,380 (up from $5,575), with category 3 at $5,785 (up from $4,185). This tiered pricing structure allows FIFA to maximize revenue by: 1. Creating artificial scarcity with limited premium categories 2. Implementing dynamic pricing that increases over time 3. Adding new premium categories without public announcement ## Where the Money Goes: FIFA's Financial Structure FIFA operates as a non-profit organization, but its financial structure reveals where the money flows: **FIFA's Major Revenue Sources:** - Broadcasting rights (approximately 50% of revenue) - Marketing rights (around 30% of revenue) - Ticket sales (roughly 10-15% of revenue) - Licensing and hospitality **FIFA's Major Expenses:** - Prize money distributed to participating federations - Tournament organization costs - Development programs for member associations - Administrative costs and salaries The real "grift" lies in FIFA's operational model. As a Swiss non-profit, FIFA pays minimal taxes while generating billions in revenue every four-year World Cup cycle. ## The FIFA Hierarchy: Who Gets Paid **Top FIFA Officials:** - The FIFA President (currently Gianni Infantino) reportedly earns over $3 million annually - Council members receive substantial daily rates and expense allowances - Senior executives command six-figure salaries plus generous benefits **National Federations:** - Receive development funds from FIFA - Get a share of World Cup prize money - Some officials receive questionable payments and "gifts" **Confederation Leaders:** - Heads of continental bodies (UEFA, CONMEBOL, etc.) wield significant power - Control substantial budgets and marketing rights ## Player Compensation vs. FIFA Revenue Players see only a fraction of World Cup revenue: **National Team Payments:** - Players receive modest daily allowances during tournaments - Some teams have performance-based bonuses negotiated with their federations - Star players may have separate marketing deals with FIFA sponsors **Club Compensation:** - Clubs receive approximately $10,000 per player per day released for World Cup duty - This is considered minimal compared to the players' actual value and club revenue loss ## The Referee Situation World Cup referees receive relatively modest compensation: - Match fees around $3,000-5,000 per game - Daily allowances during the tournament - Travel and accommodation covered This minimal compensation has raised questions about potential vulnerability to corruption, especially considering the massive betting volumes on World Cup matches. ## The Real "Grift" Mechanisms 1. **Bid Process Corruption:** Historical evidence shows host nation selection processes have involved bribes and kickbacks. 2. **Construction Contracts:** Stadium and infrastructure projects in host nations often involve inflated contracts with politically connected companies. 3. **Marketing Rights Distribution:** FIFA's exclusive partners pay massive fees, with distribution of these rights often involving questionable relationships. 4. **Ticket Reselling Networks:** Despite official channels, significant ticket allocations go to VIPs, sponsors, and football officials who profit from secondary markets. 5. **Hospitality Packages:** FIFA sells exclusive hospitality packages at extreme markups through third-party companies with opaque ownership structures. ## The 2026 World Cup Specifics The expanded 48-team format for 2026 means: - 104 matches instead of 64 - More opportunities for revenue generation - Increased logistical complexity and costs - More federations receiving prize money, potentially diluting payments The North American host nations (US, Canada, Mexico) have existing infrastructure, reducing construction-related corruption opportunities but potentially increasing focus on other revenue streams. ## Conclusion The FIFA World Cup represents one of the most sophisticated financial operations in sports. While players and referees receive relatively modest compensation, FIFA executives, national federation officials, and connected business interests profit enormously through a complex system of revenue distribution that lacks transparency. The "grift" operates through: - Exorbitant ticket pricing with artificial scarcity - Opaque financial structures - Questionable allocation of rights and contracts - Minimal compensation for those actually performing (players, referees) - Massive profits for FIFA officials and connected entities The system is designed to maximize revenue for those at the top of the football hierarchy while maintaining the appearance of supporting the sport's development globally."

This World Cup has gone from “I can’t wait to take my kids and give them a core memory” to “I don’t even think about it being in my own country.” espn.com/soccer/story/_…

“The sweetest thing in all my life has been the longing — to reach the Mountain, to find the place where all the beauty came from — my country, the place where I ought to have been born. Do you think it all meant nothing, all the longing? The longing for home? For indeed it now feels not like going, but like going back.” @CSLewis

Love is all about forgiving, again and again and again. Families survive only if this is happening. A parent is meant to be the compassion of God, the father and mother of the prodigal son and the bitter brother, who embraces the child not because the child is worthy, but in spite of all unworthiness. A parent must ever say in word and attitude, "Return as far as you can and I will come the rest of the way." Rolheiser

@MLB @Braves 🙏

Atlanta, you’re going to love this 🩵 We are giving away a new Braves City Connect jersey just for you! Repost and reply for your chance to win!