Daily Boost — Clear Thinking for Real Life

Scott Smith
  • 3.9 (1.3K)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
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The Daily Boost is a real-life conversation about thinking clearly, living well, and navigating the world without losing your sense of humor—or yourself. Hosted by longtime coach and broadcaster Scott Smith, the show feels less like traditional personal growth and more like finally talking about life the way thoughtful adults actually experience it. Scott has a rare ability to go deep without getting heavy—covering money, work, faith, purpose, relationships, and the world around us—while keeping the conversation human, honest, and often surprisingly light. This isn’t personal growth as performance—it’s personal growth, grown up. Each episode is recorded within 24 hours of release with no scripts, no hype, and no agenda. Just real perspective delivered in a way that helps you feel heard, think more clearly, and make choices that actually make your life work better. Episodes run about 15 minutes and stand alone, making them easy to fit into your day and worth revisiting when you need perspective. Many listeners say it feels like the conversation they wish more people were willing to have—especially with their kids. Now in its 20th year, with over 5,000 episodes and more than 130 million downloads, The Daily Boost has become a trusted daily companion for people who want real wisdom without the theater. Learn more about coaching and masterminds at motivationtomove.com

  1. 23H AGO

    Pre-Planned Responses

    Ever feel like you're doing everything right but still stuck going in circles? I spent the weekend at Daytona watching a guy in 19th place never hold a single lead lap. Then chaos hit. While everyone else crashed, he stayed calm, navigated through the mess, and won the race. That's the power of being prepared when it matters most. Today I'm teaching you my pre-planned response system. It's changed everything for my clients who are crushing it in business but keep getting blindsided in important conversations. This is applied awareness before the moment happens. Featured Story Years ago, I was dating Joy, who's now my wife of 19 years. I was terrible at dating but determined to nail every moment. We're at this French restaurant in Mount Dora, and she looks at me and asks, "Mr. Smith, what are your intentions, sir?" Without hesitation, I said, "My intentions are to get you to fall madly in love with me, marry me, and spend the rest of your life with me. Is that okay?" Her jaw hit the table. Was it random? Not even close. I'd practiced that response over and over. I had it dialed in and ready to fire. That's what pre-planned responses do. They turn the moments that matter into wins instead of regrets. Important Points Important conversations trigger emotions, emotions narrow your thinking, and that narrow thinking creates regret. Most regret doesn't come from bad intentions but from showing up unprepared when the moment demands your best. Pre-planned responses give you composure when stakes are high and emotions want to hijack the conversation. Memorable Quotes "Confidence in any conversation isn't about charisma. It's about preparation and showing up ready to execute." "If you think through what you'll do when you're totally surprised, you'll never be totally surprised by anything." "We're not controlling the conversation. We're controlling ourselves inside the conversation when it matters." Scott's Three-Step Approach Identify the specific conversation coming your way, what concerns you about it, and what's actually at stake here. Anticipate the angles of attack like pushback, objections, emotions, blame, and surprise questions heading your way. Write short anchor responses you can repeat calmly when pressure hits and you need composure fast under fire. Chapters 0:02 - Racing metaphor that changes how you think (chaos wins) 4:00 - The restaurant moment that locked in my marriage 5:06 - Why successful people still say stupid things 8:53 - The four-step system for never getting caught off guard 11:12 - Anchor responses that give you control instantly 13:04 - Emergency saves when conversations go sideways fast 13:39 - One issue rule that stops the emotional spiral completely Connect With Me Search for the Daily Boost on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify Email: support@motivationtomove.com Main Website: https://motivationtomove.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/dailyboostpodcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/heyscottsmith Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/motivationtomove Facebook Group: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    17 min
  2. You Might Also Like: On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    23H AGO · BONUS

    You Might Also Like: On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    Introducing Michael Pollan: The Hidden Cost Of Constant Distraction (Use THIS Practice To Reclaim Your Attention, Clarity, And Inner Freedom) from On Purpose with Jay Shetty. Follow the show: On Purpose with Jay Shetty The real hardship of our time isn’t only the challenges we face, it’s that we rarely slow down enough to fully experience and process them. Jay is joined by bestselling author and journalist Michael Pollan for a deeply thoughtful exploration of consciousness, attention, and what it truly means to be present. Known for reshaping how we think about food, nature, and the human mind, Michael shares why his work always begins with curiosity rather than certainty. Together, they unpack how perception shapes reality and why the most important questions in life aren’t meant to be solved quickly, but held with patience. Jay and Michael dive into how modern life pulls us away from awareness, leaving many of us distracted, overstimulated, and disconnected from ourselves. Drawing from research on meditation, neuroscience, and psychedelic therapy, Michael explains how rigid thought patterns, rumination, and ego-driven narratives can keep us stuck. They discuss how practices that quiet the mind don’t erase our identity, but soften it, creating space for clarity, creativity, and deeper connection with the world around us. In this invterview, you'll learn: How to Stop Living on Autopilot How to Train Your Attention in a Distracted World How to Use Curiosity Instead of Certainty How to Break Free from Mental Rumination How to Quiet the Ego Without Losing Yourself How to Interrupt Stuck Thought Patterns Awareness isn’t something you have to earn or master, it’s something you already possess. Small moments of attention, pausing before reacting, listening more deeply, and learning to sit with your thoughts, can quietly reshape how you experience life. Michael Pollan’s A World Appears is a sweeping exploration of consciousness, what it is, who has it, and what it reveals about the essence of being human. Get your copy here: https://michaelpollan.com/books/a-world-appears/ With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty JAY’S DAILY WISDOM DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX Join 900,000+ readers discovering how small daily shifts create big life change with my free newsletter. Subscribe here.  Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast  What We Discuss: 00:32 Why Great Thinkers Start With Questions 02:32 Is There Such a Thing as a Bad Question? 05:53 What is Consciousness? 07:55 Why Consciousness Matters in Daily Life 12:54 What Happens When You Put Your Phone Down 14:05 Building a Daily Meditation Practice 16:05 When Consciousness Transcends the Self 19:47 Is Everything Conscious? 25:46 What’s the Difference between the Mind and Consciousness? 31:16 Meditation and Psychedelics: The Overlap 33:36 Using Psychedelics With Intention 35:30 Is the Brain Creating Reality? 41:09 Breaking OCD Thought Loops 44:24 The Real Risks of Psychedelics 49:04 Why Psychedelics Can Help Break Addiction 51:23 How Altered States Change Our Fear of Death 53:54 Do Near-Death Experiences Change Science? 57:21 Redefining Consciousness in the AI Age 01:02:41 What Our Need for Constant Validation Says About Society  01:05:06 What Makes Humans Different From Machines 01:10:38 Why Asking Better Questions Matters 01:12:17 Michael on Final Five Episode Resources: Website | https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/   Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/jefferson_fisher/  YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXjnpu6lK0HoUyOMh2ZBwhQ  TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@justaskjefferson   Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/justaskjefferson/   X | https://x.com/jefferson_fishr  LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffersonfisher/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

  3. 1D AGO

    Staying in Control When You Feel Out of Control

    Ever had your brain just go blank at the worst possible moment? You can see where you need to go, but you have no idea how to get there. I had this happen at 3,000 feet while flying my daughter home from college. The airport was right in front of me, but I was completely disoriented. Terrifying. What I did next saved the day. In this episode, I share the three-rule framework pilots use in moments of confusion that works just as well when your brain quits on Tuesday afternoon. Ready to stay steady when everything feels uncertain? Featured Story I was flying my Cessna to pick up my daughter from the University of Florida. Clear day, smooth air, nothing special. About 15 minutes from landing, the heat and drone had me snoozing. Then suddenly, I had this overwhelming sensation that I had no idea where I was. The airport was right in front of me, but I couldn't figure out how to get lined up. Panic kicked in. I was minutes from controlled airspace and hadn't called the tower. I could have faked it, but instead I keyed the mic: I'm confused and need help. Within minutes, they vectored me to a perfect final. Worst landing ever, but I got it stopped. Not bad for a lost pilot. Important Points When your brain goes blank and you feel disoriented, stabilize first before making any dramatic decisions or changes. Small confusion turns into a catastrophe when people stop flying the airplane, spiral, overreact, or pretend they're fine. Procedure beats panic every time—training kicks in when thinking shuts down and your brain switches to threat mode. Memorable Quotes "Just because you feel lost doesn't mean you are. Sometimes you're just a little south of the field you're looking for." "Aviate, navigate, communicate. Fly steady, get clear, speak up early. That's how you land the plane in daily life too." "Ask for help before it becomes an emergency. Don't wait until it's a catastrophe to open your mouth and communicate." Scott's Three-Step Approach Aviate first—stabilize your behavior and don't make dramatic decisions that could make your situation even worse. Navigate second—once you're stable and nothing's getting worse, get clear on where you are and the path forward. Communicate third—ask for help early before it becomes an emergency, whether with clients, vendors, or your spouse. Chapters 0:02 - Happy Monday (yes, Mondays can be happy too) 1:43 - When your brain goes blank at the worst moment 3:03 - Flying disoriented at 3,000 feet (a true story) 5:25 - The three rules pilots use when confused 8:05 - Asking for help when you don't want to admit it 10:26 - How to apply aviate, navigate, communicate daily 11:35 - Using this framework in your personal relationships Connect With Me Search for the Daily Boost on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify Email: support@motivationtomove.com Main Website: https://motivationtomove.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/dailyboostpodcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/heyscottsmith Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/motivationtomove Facebook Group: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    16 min

  4. 4D AGO

    Should, Can, Must: 3 Questions That End Overwhelm

    Feeling overwhelmed? You're not alone. Most people are drowning in endless to-dos, convinced they need to do more to achieve more. But successful people know a secret: more is on the other side of less. In this episode, I share a powerful three-question framework that cuts through the chaos and helps you focus on what actually moves you forward. If you're tired of rushing around like a chicken with its head cut off, this simple filter will change how you approach your day. Ready to eliminate 80% of what you think you need to do? Featured Story I was working with an Inner Circle member leading a high-performance team. Smart people, ambitious, aggressive. Lots of chaos. She was overwhelmed trying to manage everyone's input and competing priorities. I told her to stop playing the consensus game. Put your head down, decide what you want to do, and go do it. Don't announce it. Just let them catch up. She filtered everything through three simple questions: should, can, must. Within weeks, people noticed her momentum and asked how they could do the same thing. It's not about working harder. It's about getting ruthlessly clear on what actually matters. Important Points More money, happiness, and time exist on the other side of doing less, not more. That's the real secret to success. Most to-do lists are built for someone with 40 hours a week and zero responsibilities—and that's definitely not you. One powerful decision made right now can completely change your trajectory before this podcast even ends today. Memorable Quotes "If you're rushing around all the time like crazy, you're proving loud and clear you have no control or discipline." "Should is brainstorming. Can is reality. Must is the priority layer where you finally stop negotiating with yourself." "If everything feels urgent all the time, congratulations—you've successfully avoided deciding what actually matters." Scott's Three-Step Approach Ask what should you do that will lead directly and quickly to achieving your goal—this is your brainstorm layer. Then ask what can you realistically do today given your actual time, energy, resources, and other commitments. Finally ask what must you do if you only had one hour tomorrow with something critical at stake—that's your priority. Chapters 0:02 - Happy Friday the 13th (and Daytona 500 weekend) 2:03 - Why you're overwhelmed (and why it keeps happening) 3:38 - The truth about massive action (you're doing it wrong) 5:40 - How fast can you actually change your life? 7:05 - The should, can, must framework (that ends overwhelm) 10:25 - Marcus Aurelius on doing less (ancient wisdom wins) 12:23 - Real talk about putting your oxygen mask on first Connect With Me Search for the Daily Boost on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify Email: support@motivationtomove.com Main Website: https://motivationtomove.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/dailyboostpodcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/heyscottsmith Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/motivationtomove Facebook Group: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    16 min

  5. 5D AGO

    Framework for an Amazing Life

    Are you living comfortably, miserably, or actually excited about what's ahead? Most people are stuck in between, capable but confused. I pulled back the curtain on the exact framework I use with my Inner Circle clients to create an amazing life. It's built on three foundations: awareness of where you really are, options to do what you want, and a peaceful base so you're not operating from chaos. This is the system that drives everything I do. If you can't figure out how to get from where you are to where you want to go, this will change that. Featured Story Fresh off a coaching call with nine Inner Circle members, I realized something powerful. New people needed orientation, but everyone else needed reorientation. We're all capable and doing fine on the surface, but most of us are slightly out of alignment. So I walked them through the triangle framework I've been developing for 20 years. Amazing life in the center. Awareness on the left because you can't fix what you don't know is broken. Options on the right because I've never met anyone who didn't want more choices. And peaceful base at the bottom as the foundation, because you can't operate from chaos. The call went deep. Multiple people said afterward it completely shifted how they see everything. Important Points Awareness is everything. Until you wake up and realize something needs to change, you're living in ignorant bliss. Options mostly come from money. I don't argue about it anymore. Cash in your pocket means choices in your life, period. You need a peaceful base across six life areas. Without that foundation, you're a hot mess no matter what you achieve. Memorable Quotes "Everything in life applies to everything in life. Stop siloing things off, or you're missing all the juice right there." "If you have one big-ass goal, you don't need any more. You'll be so obsessed that's all you're going to do anyway." "Inspiration is the key to motivation. Get fired up enough and motivation comes out of nowhere and stays there." Scott's Three-Step Approach Build awareness across every aspect of your life. You can't fix problems you don't know exist in the first place. Create options through money and choices. With enough options, you have the freedom to do whatever you actually want. Maintain a peaceful foundation in six key areas. From that stable base, you can pursue anything without chaos. Chapters 0:03 - Living comfortably, miserable, or truly excited? 0:29 - The triangle framework that changes everything 5:42 - Why options matter more than freedom itself 6:17 - Your peaceful base makes everything else possible 8:55 - How exploring possibilities leads to motivation 11:53 - From passion to purpose to your actual legacy 13:04 - The power of one big-ass goal that scares you Connect With Me Search for the Daily Boost on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify Email: support@motivationtomove.com Main Website: https://motivationtomove.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/dailyboostpodcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/heyscottsmith Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/motivationtomove Facebook Group: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    17 min

  6. 6D AGO

    Stop Saying Yes So Much

    I've been noticing something about you. And me. We're saying yes too much. Saturday afternoon hits. You're deep into Netflix or binging Guy Fieri. Then you remember you committed to dinner that night. Good friends. You really want to go. But in that moment, you're thinking, why did I say yes? Been there. Done that. Last two weeks straight. All self-inflicted. The small yeses become big ones. The automatic yeses stack up. And suddenly you're exhausted from conversations you never agreed to have. Today we're fixing that by learning how to say yes to yourself more. Featured Story I'm standing in my kitchen, coffee in hand, phone out, scrolling through messages. They all seem so urgent. So important. Somebody writes something really nice. I can tell they ran it through ChatGPT to make it sound good. Too slick. You're not that nice. But I'm compelled to say yes to all of it. Nothing dramatic is happening. Just normal deadlines. Normal requests. Expectations that weren't even announced but somehow just showed up. And I realize something quiet but powerful. It wasn't the work making my life complicated. It was all the yeses. Small ones. Automatic ones. Yeses I never consciously chose. All self-inflicted because I allowed them into my life. Important Points The stress you feel isn't from big decisions but from the constant volume of little yeses piling up every day. When someone gives you something first, the law of reciprocity kicks in and you've just stacked up obligations. Most of us are exhausted from conversations we never agreed to have and urgency that was never actually even ours. Memorable Quotes "If you're constantly saying yes to others first, you're automatically saying no to yourself and your dreams." "When generosity shows up before they ask, it builds trust and connection, but make no mistake, you just said yes." "Simplicity isn't doing less for the sake of it, but consciously choosing what actually deserves your precious yes." Scott's Three-Step Approach Pause before agreeing to anything and create a clear pre-planned response for when people ask you for things today. Either decline the gift upfront or accept it while clearly stating you don't accept the obligation that comes with it. Practice going dark on requests that don't deserve your energy because not everything actually needs an answer. Chapters 0:02 - You've been saying yes way too much lately 2:07 - The kitchen moment when everything felt urgent 5:18 - Decision fatigue is killing your energy slowly 7:13 - The law of reciprocity is trapping you daily 11:09 - Two simple ways to escape the obligation cycle 13:04 - Pre-planned responses will save your sanity Connect With Me Search for the Daily Boost on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify Email: support@motivationtomove.com Main Website: https://motivationtomove.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/dailyboostpodcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/heyscottsmith Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/motivationtomove Facebook Group: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    17 min

  7. FEB 10

    Life Isn't Random, It's Fast

    Life feels chaotic and random until you realize it's just fast. I discovered this standing in front of an old pinball machine at a friend's house in Daytona Beach. The bells, the bumpers, the ball bouncing everywhere. It's exactly like your day-to-day life. The difference between average players and great ones isn't effort. It's timing and awareness. Great players don't hit harder. They hit smarter. They wait. They watch the speed and control their response. Most of us aren't bad at the game. We're just playing like it's our first turn instead of learning the patterns. Featured Story I'm standing in my friend's house, staring at this vintage pinball machine that's been in his family since it was brand-new. I tell him it looks exactly like life. You get launched out of the chute when you're born. The ball explodes into chaos. Bells ringing, lights flashing, bumpers everywhere. You're hitting those flippers fast, trying to keep everything in play. Score going up, score going down. The game feels completely random because it moves faster than we can process. But it's not random at all. It's a closed system with the same angles, same physics, same patterns. The only thing that changes is how well you understand the game. Important Points Life isn't random. It's fast. Once you learn the patterns, timing, and physics, everything changes for the better. Your brain goes offline under speed and pressure. A peaceful base lets you respond instead of constantly reacting. The game doesn't change. What changes is where your attention goes while everything is moving fast around you. Memorable Quotes "Great players in life don't hit harder. They hit smarter. They wait, watch, and control their timing perfectly." "My experience is what I agree to attend to. The game doesn't change, what changes is your attention." - William James "Most people aren't bad at the game. They're just still playing like it's their very first turn at the machine." Scott's Three-Step Approach Stop reacting to every ball that comes your way. Learn to watch the speed and the patterns before you respond to life. Create awareness of what's getting your attention. Once you see it clearly, you can change absolutely everything. Find your peaceful base outside of the chaos. From there you can time your moves right and stay in the game much longer. Chapters 0:02 - Life is randomly fast (or fastly random) 0:27 - Patriots plane and why winners don't show losses 2:33 - Finding a pinball machine from my childhood 5:07 - Life gets launched just like a pinball game 7:52 - Average players vs great players who watch 10:42 - Staying in the game longer gets you bonus points 12:22 - Learning to play while the game is happening Connect With Me Search for the Daily Boost on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify Email: support@motivationtomove.com Main Website: https://motivationtomove.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/dailyboostpodcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/heyscottsmith Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/motivationtomove Facebook Group: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    17 min

  8. FEB 9

    Resetting Again on Monday

    Mondays keep showing up whether you're ready or not. Every single week, they arrive without warning, and suddenly you're halfway through before you even realize what happened. You probably planned to do things differently this week. But then the phone rings, the inbox explodes, and autopilot takes over. The gap between Sunday optimism and Monday reality is real. You don't need better planning. You need one conscious moment before the momentum kicks in. Stop for a second and notice where you are. That's your reset. That's how you get back in your week instead of letting it happen to you. Featured Story I had a client on the phone who was telling me about her goals. I asked her to share them, and she said, "Hang on." Then I heard her digging through her desk. I cannot tell you how many times I've used the metaphor of goals tucked away in the bottom drawer. And there it was, happening in real time. If you're going to write something down and commit to it, have it in front of you. Because somewhere between planning your week and Monday morning, something else takes over. Autopilot kicks in. You're reaching for your phone without thinking, checking Facebook, letting your inbox decide your priorities. Important Points Awareness isn't about planning better. It's about catching yourself before autopilot runs your entire week away. Monday happens in your habit brain. If you want different results, you need one conscious moment to interrupt it. The week happens whether you reset or not. People still email, life gets loud—but awareness puts you back in it. Memorable Quotes "If you're unhappy and you don't want to show up, your boss knows it. As soon as he can, he's getting rid of you." "You don't need to plan better. You just need one conscious moment right before all the Monday momentum takes over." "Awareness doesn't stop the week from happening. It puts you right back in it. Show up awake. That's your reset." Scott's Three-Step Approach Notice when autopilot kicks in. The phone, the inbox, the busyness before breakfast—catch yourself moving unconsciously. Create an intentional check-in. Pick a moment you already do—shower, brushing teeth, dressing—and use it to reset. Ask yourself if you're online or just moving. Then decide what you actually want from this week and choose it. Chapters 0:00 - Monday's the #1 sick day (we know why you called in) 2:28 - Mondays never wait until you're actually ready 4:26 - The gap between Sunday plans and Monday reality 6:31 - When autopilot takes over your whole morning 9:01 - Your habit brain runs on Monday automatically 10:30 - The intentional reset moment you're missing 13:14 - Awareness puts you back in control of the week Connect With Me Search for the Daily Boost on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify Email: support@motivationtomove.com Main Website: https://motivationtomove.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/dailyboostpodcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/heyscottsmith Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/motivationtomove Facebook Group: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    17 min
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The Daily Boost is a real-life conversation about thinking clearly, living well, and navigating the world without losing your sense of humor—or yourself. Hosted by longtime coach and broadcaster Scott Smith, the show feels less like traditional personal growth and more like finally talking about life the way thoughtful adults actually experience it. Scott has a rare ability to go deep without getting heavy—covering money, work, faith, purpose, relationships, and the world around us—while keeping the conversation human, honest, and often surprisingly light. This isn’t personal growth as performance—it’s personal growth, grown up. Each episode is recorded within 24 hours of release with no scripts, no hype, and no agenda. Just real perspective delivered in a way that helps you feel heard, think more clearly, and make choices that actually make your life work better. Episodes run about 15 minutes and stand alone, making them easy to fit into your day and worth revisiting when you need perspective. Many listeners say it feels like the conversation they wish more people were willing to have—especially with their kids. Now in its 20th year, with over 5,000 episodes and more than 130 million downloads, The Daily Boost has become a trusted daily companion for people who want real wisdom without the theater. Learn more about coaching and masterminds at motivationtomove.com

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