Europe’s security has depended on the United States for decades. But with Washington distracted and Russia pushing harder, can the EU actually defend itself?

Veronica Anghel—coauthor of Europe’s Delayed Reckoning With Russia in Foreign Affairs—joins Elevated Thoughts to explain Europe’s struggle for independence, how Trump and Putin have reshaped transatlantic politics, and what a world without U.S. protection might look like.

We break down NATO’s fractures, European defense gaps, and whether the EU’s leaders are ready to act—or just hoping America keeps showing up.

📖 Read the article Veronica authored here → https://www.foreignaffairs.com/russia/europes-delayed-reckoning-russia

🛍️ Support Elevated Thoughts by shopping our affiliate link! https://www.amazon.com/shop/broopersimms🧠 Find more from us → http://www.ElevatedThoughtsPod.comWe are also on YouTube and Apple Podcasts!🎧 YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@ElevatedThoughtsPod🎙️ Apple Pods → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/elevated-thoughts/id1736414535💬 What do you think? Comment below!

Life can flip upside down in an instant. In this episode of Elevated Thoughts, Cooper and Mike talk with Danielle Sprouls — former attorney, corporate executive, and author of WTF: Women That Flourish — about how to pivot when everything feels like it’s falling apart. Danielle shares her journey from high-powered careers to executive coaching, revealing how she created the WTF framework to turn breakdowns into breakthroughs.

Together, we explore how to navigate career transitions, imposter syndrome, and the emotional toll of big life changes. Danielle explains why awareness, acceptance, and small wins are the foundation for building resilience. She also opens up about parenting pivots, financial independence, sobriety, and the difference between fulfillment and comfort — all while reminding us that discomfort can be the spark for real transformation.

If you’ve ever faced burnout, job loss, or the feeling of being stuck, this conversation will give you the tools and inspiration to move forward. Learn how to reframe shame, overcome comparison, and discover alignment in your life and career. Danielle’s story proves that WTF moments aren’t the end — they’re the beginning of something new.

-

00:00 Introduction to WTF Moments and Flourishing

03:04 Danielle's Career Transition and WTF Moments

05:50 The Importance of Acceptance and Action

08:56 Tools for Navigating Crisis and Change

12:13 The Role of Parenthood in Career Choices

15:09 Finding Fulfillment and Alignment in Work

18:02 Cultural Perspectives on Work and Parenting

21:04 The Challenges of Financial Independence

23:59 The Balance of Career and Family Life

27:03 The Power of Curiosity and Teachability

30:14 Overcoming Shame and Comparison

33:26 The Power of Gratitude and Self-Reflection

35:04 Navigating Shame and Acceptance

36:10 Faking It Till You Make It: Confidence in Transition

38:17 Understanding Imposter Syndrome

39:59 Coaching vs. Therapy: Finding the Right Support

41:33 The Importance of Willingness to Change

45:33 The Journey to Becoming a Coach

51:21 Spirituality and Daily Habits

56:48 Embracing Sobriety and Self-Trust

-

📖 Get our guest's book → https://a.co/d/iZdPwrs

𝕏 Follow our guest on X → https://x.com/The_WTF_Lady

🛍️ Support Elevated Thoughts by shopping our affiliate link! https://www.amazon.com/shop/broopersimms

🧠 Find more from us → http://www.ElevatedThoughtsPod.com

We are also on YouTube and Apple Podcasts!

🎧 YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@ElevatedThoughtsPod

🎙️ Apple Pods → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/elevated-thoughts/id1736414535

💬 What do you think? Comment below!

Archaeologist Carl Feagans traces the rise of pseudo-archaeology and its role as a “gateway drug” to larger conspiracy theories. He opens by examining the Cerutti Mastodon claims, outlandish assertions of a 130,000-year-old American mastodon, showing how selective evidence and sensational headlines drive false narratives. Listeners will hear Carl dissect the methodology of amateur “myth hunters” and contrast it with rigorous field practices.

We also chat about prohibition-era moonshine stills unearthed in the backwoods, where Carl shares stories of discovering hidden distilleries and connecting them to local oral histories. He discusses the process of authenticating improvised copper pot stills, the nuances of dating illicit equipment, and how these finds offer a window into rural ingenuity and cultural resilience. Throughout, Carl emphasizes the value of peer review, structured community forums, and transparent reporting to keep real archaeology, and public trust, intact.

#Archaeology #Conspiracies #History

📖 Visit Carl's Blog → https://ahotcupofjoe.net

𝕏 Find Carl's Facebook Group here → https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16ekfikMyP

🛍️ Support Elevated Thoughts by shopping our affiliate link! https://www.amazon.com/shop/broopersimms

🧠 Find more from us → http://www.ElevatedThoughtsPod.com

We are also on YouTube and Apple Podcasts!

🎧 YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@ElevatedThoughtsPod

🎙️ Apple Pods → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/elevated-thoughts/id1736414535

💬 What do you think? Comment below!

--

00:00 Intro: Pseudo-Archaeology as a “Gateway Drug”

04:31 Cerutti Mastodon Site & 130,000-Year Claim

06:53 Extraordinary Claims Need Extraordinary Evidence

33:29 Provenance & Site Disturbance as Crime Scenes

35:23 Millimeter-Perfect Recording & Handheld LIDAR

36:08 LIDAR “Last-Bounce” Technique Explained

38:42 The “Casey Jones” Square Still Innovation

41:54 Discovering & Measuring a Hidden Still

45:17 Ethnography & Oral Traditions of Hollow Stills

59:58 Dinosaur Misconceptions & Archaeology vs. Paleontology