Audiobooks narrated by Lyle Blaker

HBR's 10 Must Reads on Managing Projects and Initiatives

Everyone is now a project leader-learn how to manage them more effectively. If you read (or listen to) nothing else on managing projects and initiatives, listen to these ten articles. We've combed through hundreds of Harvard Business Review articles and selected the most important ones to help you lead initiatives that will inspire your people, tackle your biggest challenges with agile, and prepare yourself and your organization for a world driven by projects. This book will inspire you to deliver on time and within budget; become a better project sponsor; allocate resources to the highest-potential projects; understand when agile versus traditional methods are best; get deeper insight into your organization's project portfolio; and prioritize your projects and stop what needs stopping. HBR's 10 Must Reads series is the definitive collection of books for new and experienced leaders alike. Leaders looking for the inspiration that big ideas provide, both to accelerate their own growth and that of their companies, should look no further. The series focuses on the core topics that every ambitious manager needs to know: leadership, strategy, change, managing people, and managing yourself.

Harvard Business Review (Author), Kitty Hendrix, Lyle Blaker (Narrator)

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Beyond the Wager: The Christian Brilliance of Blaise Pascal

Blaise Pascal, the seventeenth-century French philosopher and scientist, is perhaps best known for his 'wager,' an argument about the existence of God. But there was much more to Pascal and his brilliance. In this accessible and well-documented study, philosopher Douglas Groothuis introduces listeners to Pascal's life as well as the breadth of his intellectual pursuits, including his contributions to mathematics, science, ethics, and theology. Groothuis overviews the key points of Pascal's Pensees, which captures his thoughts about God, humanity, and Jesus Christ. Listeners will also explore Pascal's views on a range of topics, including culture, politics, Islam, and miracles. Often quoted and often misunderstood, Pascal is a complex figure whose writings have charmed, puzzled, and inspired readers across the centuries. With guidance from a leading Christian thinker and longtime student of Pascal, Beyond the Wager takes you on a journey to discover the riches Pascal has to offer today.

Douglas Groothuis (Author), Lyle Blaker (Narrator)

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Becoming Story: A Journey Among Seasons, Places, Trees, and Ancestors

A gently powerful memoir about deepening your relationship with your homeland. For the first time in more than twenty-five years, Greg Sarris-whose novels are esteemed alongside those of Louise Erdrich and Stephen Graham Jones-presents a book about his own life. In Becoming Story he asks: What does it mean to be truly connected to the place you call home-to walk where innumerable generations of your ancestors have walked? And what does it mean when you dedicate your life to making that connection even deeper? Moving between his childhood and the present day, Sarris creates a kaleidoscopic narrative about the forces that shaped his early years and his eventual work as a tribal leader. He considers the deep past, historical traumas, and possible futures of his homeland. His acclaimed storytelling skills are in top form here, and he charts his journey in prose that is humorous, searching, and profound. Described as 'jewellike' by the San Francisco Chronicle, Becoming Story is also a gently powerful guide in the art of belonging to the place where you live.

Greg Sarris (Author), Lyle Blaker (Narrator)

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Discover: Questioning Your Way to Faith

It's ok for you to have questions about your faith. You aren't the only one that has those questions, and you shouldn't be embarrassed by them. In Discover: Questioning Your Way to Faith, Mike McGarry explores the twenty most common questions teenagers ask. In nearly twenty years as a youth pastor, Mike has heard just about every question students ask. Your questions are important-and they may prove to be the very thing that actually leads you into deeper faith. Discover covers a wide range of questions that teens like you ask about faith including: Why does God allow suffering? Why should we trust the Bible? Is church relevant? Does God care about my sexual identity? and more. Mike wants you to see your questions as an opportunity to dig deeper and grow in your faith. Each chapter is short and tackles important topics such as doubt, the resurrection, tolerance, sexual issues, prayer, and more. He thinks you will be encouraged to see what God has to say. - Equips you to help you answer the questions your friends have. - Helps you to understand what the Bible teaches about the issues we face today. - Shows how doubt and questioning can be a pathway to greater faith.

Mike Mcgarry (Author), Lyle Blaker (Narrator)

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What Every Christian Needs to Know

Every Christian ought to be a soul-winner. Regardless of your occupation, your primary business is to win souls. Failing to do so means not only failure in this life but also regret and remorse in the life to come. The world has always been willing to listen to a man with a real message from heaven. As Christians, we possess the greatest news ever told. Upon becoming a Christian, one should realize that, armed with the Gospel, he has more to offer the world than the whole world has to offer in return. To be effective in personal evangelism, study human tendencies and the best ways to approach your fellow man. Study the Bible and learn how to apply its principles. Above all, uplift Christ, confident in the absolute assurance that the Holy Spirit will bless your efforts each time you speak for Christ. 'My word will not return to Me void.' This book is designed to help those who wish to share the gospel with others but have limited experience and would welcome guidance and practical tips from a fellow laborer.

Howard W. Pope (Author), Lyle Blaker (Narrator)

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Cloud FinOps, 2nd Edition: Collaborative, Real-Time Cloud Value Decision Making

FinOps brings financial accountability to the variable spend model of cloud. Used by the majority of global enterprises, this management practice has grown from a fringe activity to the de facto discipline managing cloud spend. In this book, authors J. R. Storment and Mike Fuller outline the process of building a culture of cloud FinOps by drawing on real-world successes and failures of large-scale cloud spenders. Engineering and finance teams, executives, and FinOps practitioners alike will learn how to build an efficient and effective FinOps machine for data-driven cloud value decision-making. Complete with a road map to get you started, this revised second edition includes new chapters that cover forecasting, sustainability, and connectivity to other frameworks. You'll learn: the DNA of a highly functional cloud FinOps culture; a road map to build executive support for FinOps adoption; how to understand and forecast your cloud spending; how to empower engineering and finance to work together; cost allocation strategies to create accountability for cloud and container spend; strategies for rate discounts from cloud commitments; when and how to implement automation of repetitive cost tasks; and how to empower engineering team action on cost efficiency.

J.R. Storment, Mike Fuller (Author), Lyle Blaker (Narrator)

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Widespread Panic in the Streets of Athens, Georgia

In April 1998, legendary southern jam band Widespread Panic held a free open-air record release show in downtown Athens, Georgia, its home base. No one involved could have known that the predicted crowd of twenty thousand would prove to be nearly five times that size. The show, now known as 'Panic in the Streets,' went on to become a cult favorite of fans and a decisive moment in Athens music history. This event holds the record for the world's largest record release party, but the story of how the it came to be has not been told until now. Widespread Panic in the Streets of Athens, Georgia places listeners at the historic event, using in-depth investigation and interviews with the band, city officials, and 'Spread Heads' who were there. Music journalist Gordon Lamb's narrative takes the listener from conception to aftermath and uncovers the local controversies and efforts that nearly stopped the show from happening altogether. This deeply researched and richly sourced book follows every stage of the concert's development from the spark of an idea to approximately one hundred thousand people packing the streets of a legendary music town. Taking us back to 1990s Athens through vibrant, on-the-scene writing, Lamb gives us the story of a band on the verge of greatness and a town reckoning with its significant place in music history.

Gordon Lamb (Author), Lyle Blaker (Narrator)

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HBR's 10 Must Reads 2024: The Definitive Management Ideas of the Year from Harvard Business Review (

A year's worth of management wisdom, all in one place. We've combed through the ideas, insights, and best practices from the past year of Harvard Business Review to help you get up to speed fast on the relevant concepts driving business today. Discover new ideas and sample the latest thinking from our vast array of management experts. Revisit these topics now to make sure your organization is incorporating the best, most up-to-date practices, or keep this book as a reference so that you can turn to these memorable pieces when you need them the most. The collection includes articles on leadership, diversity, and strategy, as well as articles that will help you manage yourself and others. HBR's 10 Must Reads series is the definitive collection of books for new and experienced leaders alike. Leaders looking for the inspiration that big ideas provide, both to accelerate their own growth and that of their companies, should look no further. HBR's 10 Must Reads series focuses on the core topics that every ambitious manager needs to know: leadership, strategy, change, managing people, and managing yourself. Harvard Business Review has sorted through hundreds of articles and selected only the most essential reading on each topic. Each title includes timeless advice that will be relevant regardless of an ever-changing business environment.

Harvard Business Review (Author), Kitty Hendrix, Lyle Blaker (Narrator)

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Can Your Customer Service Do This?: Create an Anticipatory Customer Experience that Builds Loyalty F

Customer service done right is one of today's most powerful competitive advantages. In Can Your Customer Service Do This?, customer service turnaround wizard and renowned customer service training expert Micah Solomon shares everything he knows, and everything you need to know, about how to create a truly Five-Star customer service experience and use it to build sustainable bottom-line success. In this book, you'll find the proven hands-on methods for: - Applying the secret 'Gold Touch' customer service method that Five-Star companies in hospitality and other high-touch industries have secretly (well, secretly until now!) used to increase customer engagement - Moving every customer systematically up the loyalty ladder-from disengaged to loyalty to becoming a vocal advocate, online and off - Transforming your most angry, upset, 'I'll never use you again!' customers into true company loyalists via the scientifically proven principles of customer service recovery - Harnessing the latest technology, including AI, to deliver top-shelf customer service in collaboration with your customer-facing employees and on a self-service basis - and more

Micah Solomon (Author), Lyle Blaker (Narrator)

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“And Peter”

Most people want to live forever. They desire long, healthy, fulfilling lives. But God has a bigger, better plan, though it comes at a cost. There is a training process that we need to go through. More than that, a complete change of heart is needed – we must be born again. And to follow Christ, our will must be submitted to His will, and our lives must be filled with His Spirit. There is only one way to eternal life. The Apostle Peter signed up for a life like that. He left his career, his family, and whatever meager enjoyments he might have had to follow a humble, nondescript Teacher named Jesus. During those three years of training, Peter was taught by the Master. Some of those lessons were not easy at all; yet Peter was given grace in the eyes of the Lord, and when he fell, the Lord forgave him, strengthened him, and kept him to the end. What about you? Do you need courage, strengthening, and training? In this book, J. Wilbur Chapman admonishes, teaches, and encourages. Chapman's love for the Lord and for His people shines clearly in his messages. He expounds on Scripture, relates real-life stories, and tells us about the only way to be saved – and how we may experience the fullness of life in Christ.

J. Wilbur Chapman (Author), Lyle Blaker (Narrator)

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Friendship with the Friend of Sinners: The Remarkable Possibility of Closeness with Christ

The Bible calls Jesus the friend of sinners, but it's hard to imagine what friendship with Jesus really looks like. We so often don't even know how to do friendship with the people around us, despite all the options we have to connect. So how are we supposed to feel that close to a holy, perfect, and invisible God? How do we see Jesus as the real person he is? And how do we experience true friendship with him when we struggle to maintain true friendship on earth? Join author Jared C. Wilson as he explores what it means to be a friend of Jesus. Through candid personal stories and insights into the Gospels, Wilson uncovers easily overlooked details of the close relationship Jesus had with his followers. He reveals the ways we often hold Jesus at arm's length and shows how to draw close to him through radical honesty, consistent communication, and unconditional love. If you've found yourself lonely and longing for connection and friendship, it's time to discover the remarkable possibility of closeness with Christ.

Jared C. Wilson (Author), Lyle Blaker (Narrator)

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Hillbilly Highway: The Transappalachian Migration and the Making of a White Working Class

Over the first two-thirds of the twentieth century, as many as eight million whites left the economically depressed southern countryside and migrated to the booming factory towns and cities of the industrial Midwest in search of work. The 'hillbilly highway' was one of the largest internal relocations of poor and working people in American history, yet it has largely escaped close study by historians. In Hillbilly Highway, Max Fraser recovers the long-overlooked story of this massive demographic event and reveals how it has profoundly influenced American history and culture-from the modern industrial labor movement and the postwar urban crisis to the rise of today's white working-class conservatives. The book draws on a diverse range of sources-from government reports, industry archives, and union records to novels, memoirs, oral histories, and country music-to narrate the distinctive class experience that unfolded across the Transappalachian migration during these critical decades. As the migration became a terrain of both social advancement and marginalization, it knit together white working-class communities across the Upper South and the Midwest-bringing into being a new cultural region that remains a contested battleground in American politics to the present.

Max Fraser (Author), Lyle Blaker (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Lyle Blaker