Podcasting Morning Chat

Marc Ronick

The only daily morning show for creators, by creators! Join 20-year podcast pro, Marc Ronick and an incredible team of podcasters as they dive into everything from starting a podcast, to audience growth, monetization, booking guests, using the latest AI tools and more. It's a 'morning show meets mastermind' for content creators! Tune in live weekdays at 7 AM EST on Clubhouse (yes, Clubhouse!) or catch up anytime right here or any podcast platform. The Podcasting Morning Chat - Connect. Grow. Create.

  1. 457. Are You Measuring Podcast Success All Wrong?

    1H AGO

    457. Are You Measuring Podcast Success All Wrong?

    What actually makes podcasting worth it? Downloads, money, recognition, or something else entirely? While our fearless leader, Marc, is out, Ralph Estep Jr. takes the lead as we answer your questions from the mailbag and explore what progress and value really look like in podcasting. From there, we tackle a tough business question: when does it make sense to charge guests to be on your show? We weigh the pros and cons without taking sides. We also dig into cold PR emails and guest pitches, how to spot what’s legit, and what deserves your time. Finally, we explore AI in editing. If your editor is using AI tools behind the scenes, should you care? We unpack trust, cost, and the balance between human skill and automation. If you’re thinking about growth, sustainability, and where this industry is headed, this episode gives you practical insights. Episode Highlights:  [02:01] Cold outreach podcast promotion offers: spam or legit? [08:13] When podcasting finally feels worth it and measuring progress beyond downloads [13:35] Guest pitch emails and PR agents: how to vet and respond [19:21] Should you charge guests? Reciprocity versus real production costs [29:59] Turning a podcast appearance into a broader marketing package [33:29] Should you care if your editor uses AI? [35:50] AI as a tool: balancing cost, speed, skill, and human oversight [47:19] Disclosure and regulation: Do you have to say AI was used? Links & Resources:  The Podcasting Morning Chat:  www.podpage.com/pmc Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠ Book A Free Call With Me:  https://calendly.com/ironickmedia/freestrategycall Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠ Application To Submit Your Show For Evaluation:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8-Xv6O6lrNPcPJwj3N0Z5Osdl-5kHGz_PiAU45U57S-XgoA/viewform?usp=header Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to the podcasting community. Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7 am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠⁠ Live on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@marcronick⁠ Brought to you by⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠⁠  Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you! --- Send in your mailbag question at:⁠ https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/⁠ or ⁠marc@ironickmedia.com⁠ Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Chat? Send me a message on PodMatch, here:  ⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b⁠

    52 min
  2. 456. NPR Broadcaster Takes On Google’s Voice Cloning

    1D AGO

    456. NPR Broadcaster Takes On Google’s Voice Cloning

    What happens when a tech giant is accused of copying your voice? Podcast host David Greene is suing Google, claiming his voice was used to create an AI clone inside NotebookLM without his permission and raising serious questions about how far AI tools can go when training on public content. That is just one headline in this week’s news roundup. We also look at Apple finally leaning into native video on its platform and ask the obvious question: Why now? Is this a response to YouTube and Spotify gaining ground, or a long-overdue shift in strategy? Plus, we touch on SAG-AFTRA and ongoing union conversations around AI. Big tech is making big moves, and tensions between platforms and creators continue to grow. Are we watching the start of a major reset in how voice, video, and ownership are regulated in podcasting? Episode Highlights:  [03:56] Newsday metrics and Apple and Spotify top five charts [06:04] Upcoming podcasting events, conferences, and weekly meetup [08:13] Creator money tip on 1099-K traps, tracking income, and tax prep [17:09] Captivate hires Rob Walsh and Elsie Escobar [25:27] SAG-AFTRA vs.Netflix and defining the Pete Davidson show as a podcast [32:47] Concerns about union impact on indie podcasting [38:27] NPR’s David Greene sues Google over AI voice likeness [45:06] Apple Podcasts expands native video distribution [49:24] Apple’s long-term video strategy and hardware positioning Links & Resources:  The Podcasting Morning Chat:  www.podpage.com/pmc Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠ Book A Free Call With Me:  https://calendly.com/ironickmedia/freestrategycall Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠ Application To Submit Your Show For Evaluation:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8-Xv6O6lrNPcPJwj3N0Z5Osdl-5kHGz_PiAU45U57S-XgoA/viewform?usp=header Podnews:  www.Podnews.net NPR’s David Greene Sues Google Over AI Voice Cloning: www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2026/02/15/david-greene-google-ai-podcast  SAG-Aftra and Netflix Agree on Terms for Pete Davidson Show  https://variety.com/2026/digital/news/pete-davidson-show-sag-aftra-podcast-agreement-netflix-1236661709/ Apple Goes All In On Video:  https://podcasters.apple.com/video-apple-podcasts?src=email Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to the podcasting community. Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7 am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠⁠ Live on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@marcronick⁠ Brought to you by⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠⁠  Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you! --- Send in your mailbag question at:⁠ https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/⁠ or ⁠marc@ironickmedia.com⁠ Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Chat? Send me a message on PodMatch, here:  ⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b⁠

    56 min
  3. 455. What ‘Ear Hustle’ Can Teach You About Storytelling

    2D AGO

    455. What ‘Ear Hustle’ Can Teach You About Storytelling

    What makes a story so striking that it changes how you see the person telling it? In this installment of our Obsession Worthy series, we study the narrative craft behind the podcast Ear Hustle and what makes its storytelling so effective. Co-host Jonathan walks us through how layered sound design, emotional contrast, and thoughtful narration can shift perception and deepen listener connection. We explore how devices like curiosity loops and identity shifts reveal that structure is not accidental; it is intentional. This episode shows how production choices shape meaning and turn a simple story into something bingeable. We also examine the impact of ad placement on storytelling flow and what podcasters should consider when balancing monetization with emotional momentum. If you want your episodes to resonate more deeply, this conversation will change how you think about your production style and storytelling structure. Episode Highlights:  [02:02] Four Years of PMC [09:00] Obsession-Worthy series: why Ear Hustle works [10:18] The universal doorway and flipping listener expectations [13:57] Why the opening pulls listeners in [23:50] Sound as foreshadowing and subtle emotional cues [26:11] Clip three and the messy middle: nurture and show-don’t-tell [34:15] Improving ad strategy with placement and brand alignment [42:32] What makes it obsession-worthy: clarity, humanity, and structure [48:08] End-of-episode stingers and rewarding loyal listeners Links & Resources:  The Podcasting Morning Chat:  www.podpage.com/pmc Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠ Book A Free Call With Me:  https://calendly.com/ironickmedia/freestrategycall Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠ Ear Hustle:  https://www.earhustlesq.com/episodes/2017/7/12/looking-out Application To Submit Your Show For Evaluation:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8-Xv6O6lrNPcPJwj3N0Z5Osdl-5kHGz_PiAU45U57S-XgoA/viewform?usp=header Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to the podcasting community. Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7 am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠⁠ Live on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@marcronick⁠ Brought to you by⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠⁠  Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you! --- Send in your mailbag question at:⁠ https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/⁠ or ⁠marc@ironickmedia.com⁠ Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Chat? Send me a message on PodMatch, here:  ⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b⁠

    59 min
  4. 454. What’s Quietly Killing Your Podcast Right Now

    6D AGO

    454. What’s Quietly Killing Your Podcast Right Now

    It’s Friday the 13th, so we’re talking about the scary stuff… the habits that quietly drain the life out of a podcast. Not the obvious mistakes. The subtle ones. Today, we’re reflecting on what can slowly stall your growth. We explore the lack of clarity, poor consistency, and the small choices that add up over time.  We share about the practical shifts we’ve made that make a real difference, and remind you that growth rarely comes from perfection. It comes from intention. We also talk about ways to avoid burnout, and giving yourself permission to adjust when life happens. To close out the week, we celebrate wins from our community. Big and small. Because progress deserves to be recognized and cheered on. Episode Highlights:  Episode Highlights: [02:40] What’s quietly killing your podcast? [06:02] The importance of planning ahead [10:56] Managing expectations realistically [16:44] Balancing passion with practicality [26:29] The reality of podcasting success [33:42] Promoting yourself effectively [34:07] Mailbag segment with Sid [34:41] Podcast recording challenges [35:47] Exploring video recording alternatives [42:49] Wins and celebrations Links & Resources:  The Podcasting Morning Chat:  www.podpage.com/pmc Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠ Book A Free Call With Me:  https://calendly.com/ironickmedia/freestrategycall Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠ Application To Submit Your Show For Evaluation:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8-Xv6O6lrNPcPJwj3N0Z5Osdl-5kHGz_PiAU45U57S-XgoA/viewform?usp=header Songs & Poems From A Hat Group:  https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Bs6S5WMHP Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to the podcasting community. Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7 am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠⁠ Live on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@marcronick⁠ Brought to you by⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠⁠  Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you! --- Send in your mailbag question at:⁠ https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/⁠ or ⁠marc@ironickmedia.com⁠ Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Chat? Send me a message on PodMatch, here:  ⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b⁠

    59 min
  5. 453. Dissecting a Podcast That Actually Works

    FEB 12

    453. Dissecting a Podcast That Actually Works

    Can a podcast be strong and still have room to grow? We’re breaking down a recent episode of indie podcast, Movies in a Nutshell , and exploring what happens when a show gets most things right. Believe us, this episode leaves plenty to study. We unpack what worked, including their approach to segment structure and intentional ways to speak to both new and returning listeners. We also look at areas where a little polish could elevate the experience even more. Because the gap between good and great is often smaller than you think... Episode Highlights:  [01:56] Podcast evaluation begins [02:51] First clip and podcast intro review [08:05] Explaining plosives and practical audio techniques [12:06] Intentional small talk and nostalgia [19:58] Referencing past episodes [26:44] Creating segments that engage an audience [29:32] Nostalgia and cultural context [31:51] Podcast structure and segment flow [33:55] Balancing new and returning audiences [41:42] Episode titles and SEO considerations Links & Resources:  The Podcasting Morning Chat:  www.podpage.com/pmc Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠ Book A Free Call With Me:  https://calendly.com/ironickmedia/freestrategycall Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠ Application To Submit Your Show For Evaluation:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8-Xv6O6lrNPcPJwj3N0Z5Osdl-5kHGz_PiAU45U57S-XgoA/viewform?usp=header Movies in a Nutshell:  https://pod.link/1156902852/episode/ZjNkYzI4NDUtZDExMi00NTZkLThkZTQtNGFhZTY5NGRlM2Yz?view=apps&sort=popularity Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to the podcasting community. Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7 am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠⁠ Live on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@marcronick⁠ Brought to you by⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠⁠  Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you! --- Send in your mailbag question at:⁠ https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/⁠ or ⁠marc@ironickmedia.com⁠ Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Chat? Send me a message on PodMatch, here:  ⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b⁠

    53 min
  6. 452. The 2026 Podcast Shakeup Creators Can’t Ignore

    FEB 11

    452. The 2026 Podcast Shakeup Creators Can’t Ignore

    YouTube says it’s cracking down on AI slop in 2026. At the same time, it’s rolling out more AI tools for creators. So which is it? Today, we share more of YouTube's upcoming shakeups, including tighter standards around low-quality AI content and monetization shifts that could reshape how podcasters get discovered and paid. Is this a clean-up… or a quiet pivot? Since it’s news day, we’re also bringing you the latest headlines across the podcasting space. Rumble is pushing short-form video, and Bill Simmons is questioning YouTube’s long-term strategy. And a new hosting platform is betting big on paywalls over downloads. If you want to stay ahead of platform shifts instead of reacting to them, this episode will get you thinking. Episode Highlights:  [02:47] Vanderbilt University speaking engagement [05:27] Preview of an upcoming podcast evaluation [07:56] Podcast data and industry trends [08:57] Top podcasts on Spotify and Apple [10:27] Events and conferences [12:03] Content creator business tips [20:10] Hulu enters the podcast licensing race [27:52] New podcast trends and AI content removal [29:12] Debate on YouTube’s viability for podcasts [39:30] YouTube’s 2026 overhaul and built-in AI tools [45:16] True Fans and the paywall-first hosting model Links & Resources:  The Podcasting Morning Chat:  www.podpage.com/pmc Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠ Book A Free Call With Me:  https://calendly.com/ironickmedia/freestrategycall Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠ Application To Submit Your Show For Evaluation:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8-Xv6O6lrNPcPJwj3N0Z5Osdl-5kHGz_PiAU45U57S-XgoA/viewform?usp=header Upcoming Evaluation Movies in a Nutshell:  https://pod.link/1156902852/episode/ZjNkYzI4NDUtZDExMi00NTZkLThkZTQtNGFhZTY5NGRlM2Yz?view=apps&sort=popularity Podnews: www.podnews.net Meetup & Match Up Virtual Event Use Code PMC for Free Admission:   https://luma.com/pdevents Empowered Podcasting Conference:  http://empoweredpodcasting.com Big YouTube Shakeups:  https://digiday.com/media/the-rundown-what-youtube-creators-should-expect-to-change-in-2026 Previous Episode Discussing Substack:  www.podpage.com/pmc/354-how-to-get-more-from-spotify-for-creators-with-chris-stone How to Monetize Your Content on Facebook: www.facebook.com/business/help/1049081556813520 Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to the podcasting community. Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7 am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠⁠ Live on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@marcronick⁠ Brought to you by⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠⁠  Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you! --- Send in your mailbag question at:⁠ https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/⁠ or ⁠marc@ironickmedia.com⁠ Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Chat? Send me a message on PodMatch, here:  ⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b⁠

    55 min
  7. 451. Most Podcasts Don’t Fail, Their Schedule Does

    FEB 10

    451. Most Podcasts Don’t Fail, Their Schedule Does

    Many podcasters hit a moment where they start asking themselves, Should I be publishing more often? Today’s episode kicks off with a mailbag question from co-host Jonathan Howard that opens up an honest conversation about episode release frequency and the pressure to do more. From there, we dig into why more episodes do not automatically lead to more growth and how increasing your cadence without intention can quietly lead to burnout. The panel shares guiding principles around consistency, listener trust, sustainability, systems, and personal capacity without pushing a one-size-fits-all answer. Instead, we focus on helping you think clearly about what makes sense for your show. Regardless of whether you are new to podcasting or an experienced host feeling the weight of doing more, this episode offers reassurance and perspective so you can make smarter decisions about your release schedule and actually stick with them. Episode Highlights:  [04:35] Breaking news on Alex Sanfilippo’s Facebook ban [06:40] Discussion on platform ownership and control [17:17] Mailbag Q&A on show release frequency [26:38] Sid’s experience with weekly publishing [35:22] Examining systems and sustainability [38:19] Annual peaks and valleys in podcast listenership [44:04] Planning content around audience emotions Links & Resources:  The Podcasting Morning Chat:  www.podpage.com/pmc Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠ Book A Free Call With Me:  https://calendly.com/ironickmedia/freestrategycall Alex Sanfilippo’s Facebook Account Banned by Meta:  https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7426653266471469056 Podcasting Peaks and Valleys Question:  www.reddit.com/r/podcasting/comments/1r06ukg/what_are_the_annual_peaks_and_valleys_for_podcast Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠ Application To Submit Your Show For Evaluation:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8-Xv6O6lrNPcPJwj3N0Z5Osdl-5kHGz_PiAU45U57S-XgoA/viewform?usp=header Upcoming Evaluation Movies in a Nutshell:  https://pod.link/1156902852/episode/ZjNkYzI4NDUtZDExMi00NTZkLThkZTQtNGFhZTY5NGRlM2Yz?view=apps&sort=popularity Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to the podcasting community. Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7 am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠⁠ Live on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@marcronick⁠ Brought to you by⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠⁠  Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you! --- Send in your mailbag question at:⁠ https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/⁠ or ⁠marc@ironickmedia.com⁠ Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Chat? Send me a message on PodMatch, here:  ⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b⁠

    52 min
  8. 450. The Curiosity Loop That Forces Listeners to Stay

    FEB 9

    450. The Curiosity Loop That Forces Listeners to Stay

    Great podcasts don’t just share information. They guide listeners through an experience. In this installment of our Obsession Worthy Podcasts, co-host Jonathan Howard guides us on a close look at Hyperfixed to understand why some narrative shows are so easy to fall into and so hard to forget. Using this show as a case study, we explore how strong storytelling choices shape attention and keep listeners engaged from start to finish. We unpack what makes Hyperfixed obsession-worthy and how its design choices can spark new ideas for your show. This is for anyone who wants to tell better stories and experiment with structure, and our conversation might send you back to your own podcast with inspiration on how you can tell better stories. Episode Highlights:  [01:46] Overview of the Hyper Fixed podcast [05:06] Discussion on narrative podcast storytelling [13:22] Building tension and emotional connection [17:51] The role of AI in storytelling [22:03] Curiosity loops and pacing [26:03] Initial takeaways and reflections [28:10] The role of the host in podcast success [28:39] Building curiosity and emotional engagement [32:37] Crafting intentional and impactful content [41:54] Super Bowl commercials discussion Links & Resources:  The Podcasting Morning Chat:  www.podpage.com/pmc Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠ Hyperfixed: www.hyperfixedpod.com/listen/hyperfixed/two-birds-one-hundred-stones Application To Submit Your Show For Evaluation:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8-Xv6O6lrNPcPJwj3N0Z5Osdl-5kHGz_PiAU45U57S-XgoA/viewform?usp=header Book A Free Call With Me:  https://calendly.com/ironickmedia/freestrategycall Upcoming Evaluation Movies in a Nutshell:  https://pod.link/1156902852/episode/ZjNkYzI4NDUtZDExMi00NTZkLThkZTQtNGFhZTY5NGRlM2Yz?view=apps&sort=popularity Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to the podcasting community. Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7 am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠⁠ Live on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@marcronick⁠ Brought to you by⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠⁠  Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you! --- Send in your mailbag question at:⁠ https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/⁠ or ⁠marc@ironickmedia.com⁠ Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Chat? Send me a message on PodMatch, here:  ⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b⁠

    47 min

Trailer

4.9
out of 5
28 Ratings

About

The only daily morning show for creators, by creators! Join 20-year podcast pro, Marc Ronick and an incredible team of podcasters as they dive into everything from starting a podcast, to audience growth, monetization, booking guests, using the latest AI tools and more. It's a 'morning show meets mastermind' for content creators! Tune in live weekdays at 7 AM EST on Clubhouse (yes, Clubhouse!) or catch up anytime right here or any podcast platform. The Podcasting Morning Chat - Connect. Grow. Create.

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