Latest news with #Oberlin
Boston Globe
6 days ago
- Business
- Boston Globe
With the opening of Claudine, is Rhode Island ready for a fine dining comeback?
Get Rhode Map A weekday briefing from veteran Rhode Island reporters, focused on the things that matter most in the Ocean State. Enter Email Sign Up Related : Advertisement Many Rhode Island chefs steer clear of attaching themselves to a fine dining moniker altogether, wary of the baggage it carries: a high price point, pretension, exclusivity, and unsustainable economics. But walk into some of the state's most lauded restaurants and you'll find a full dining room, caviar, Advertisement For Claudine, however, embracing a The interior of Claudine, a fine dining restaurant in Providence, Rhode Island. Maurisa Arieta 'I think that when I was a young boy, fine dining was something that maybe your parents would show you, or you would see on television,' said Josh Finger, Claudine's co-founder and executive chef who believes there's a wider audience for fine dining than ever before. 'Now, with the rise of people being foodies, it's very cool. And the exposure is incredibly high, which I think only helps.' Chefs across the state embraced Claudine's arrival, but are watching closely. Some said the traditional, high pressure fine dining model comes with a unique set of challenges, but they also recognize its place in Rhode Island's culinary culture. They're also asking: Could Claudine's success set the stage for a fine dining resurgence in the smallest state? A few other 'Rhode Island is interesting because it's a microcosm of the greater world,' said Matt Jennings, who previously headed the now-shuttered Farmstead in Providence for eight years. Not long after opening Newport's 'No one wants to have a special occasion restaurant, because that's an unsustainable restaurant,' said Rojas, who previously cooked at Advertisement He expects Claudine will have a place in Rhode Island, and points to Patrons dine inside Oberlin in Providence, R.I. Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe Before Oberlin, chef Benjamin Sukle owned Birch, the tiny haute cuisine hotspot in Providence that opened in 2013. The restaurant was praised nationally, but closed six months into the pandemic. Two years later, 'When Birch closed, and then when Big King closed, I felt like, I don't say the word 'shameful,' but I felt like it was a big hole missing in what to me rounds out any place that's to be considered a dining destination,' Sukle said. No matter the concept — fine dining or fast casual — the biggest challenge is always the same: keeping the seats full. Inside of Persimmon in Providence, R.I. John Tlumacki/Globe Staff/The Boston Globe Champe Spiedel, the chef and co-owner of Persimmon in Providence, said he views Michelin-starred Per Se, Advertisement 'We want to take all the trappings — all the plates, and the silver, and the crystal, and the hospitality,' said Spiedel. 'And the food as well — I wanted the same ingredients, I just wanted to do it a different way.' Speidel, who has been nominated for multiple Many restaurants are embracing what Speidel describes as 'modern fine dining,' which strikes a balance between elevated and approachable. The debate over fine dining comes as the Michelin Guide — which recognizes outstanding restaurants with one, two, or three stars — is coming to Boston. Some chefs applauded the move. Outside of Boston, critics said they are skeptical of Michelin's traditional benchmarks, and said it overlooks smaller markets, like Rhode Island. Related : 'There are a lot of places in New England that are 'Michelin-worthy' but would never get that recognition without the guide expanding here — including my own,' Sukle Some chefs said Michelin needs to reinvent itself to stay relevant. For years, the Michelin guide awarded stars to mostly European cuisine led by white chefs. Advertisement 'I don't see Michelin as the benchmark of excellence,' said Jennings, who now lives in Vermont. 'We're seeing the adaptation to smarter menu engineering and more experiential dining.' The next wave of fine dining is not 'going to be white tablecloth candlesticks and giant Bordeaux glasses. We're headed in a new direction,' said Jennings. Michelin isn't what keeps Robert Andreozzi up at night. Though best known as the chef behind Providence's 'I hope that where that lands us is we're able to open up that premier fine dining spot,' said Andreozzi. 'I would love to do that. I think you sort of need to go into it knowing that you're not going to make any money.' Opening any restaurant remains a challenge: real estate is scarce, build outs are pricey, and banks are hesitant to invest. 'I hope Claudine is successful in that regard. We need a restaurant like that, and a restaurant like that being successful is going to inspire another young chef to take that risk and open up,' said Andreozzi. Nicks on Broadway chef and owner Derek Wagner. Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff Derek Wagner agreed that there's been a 'broadening' of what fine dining means in the years since he opened Nicks on Broadway in 2002. At the time, he wanted it to be a place 'where my peers could come and eat — the musicians, students, and the artists — and can experience fine dining in an approachable way.' Advertisement Wagner said he crafts his menus to express a sense of place, and today's fluidity of fine dining's definition allows chefs like him to be creative in every facet of the dining experience. He said he's unsure if a typical fine dining restaurant's priorities 25 years ago included ethos, staff welfare, farmer welfare, community engagement — all a driving force behind Nicks. Just a few weeks into service, Claudine is betting on it. Chefs and co-owners Josh Finger and Maggie McConnell in front of their restaurant Claudine in downtown Providence, R.I. Maurisa Arieta The restaurant is the dream of chef-owners Maggie McConnell and Finger, who met at Per Se in New York. McConnell, a Providence native and former pastry chef at The French Laundry, always imagined returning home to open a restaurant. 'Josh and I separately have both dreamed of Claudine our whole lives, and then upon meeting and falling in love, Claudine became a reality,' said McConnell. McConnell said the word the couple keeps coming back to is 'intentionality,' which she explained manifests in everything, including the decor, menu, and beverage service. Every dish is chosen with purpose, and the tasting menu is meant to be conceived as an entire body of work. 'We want everybody to feel like they're comfortable here,' said Finger. 'With fine dining, some people might find it to be stuffy, and that's one thing that we really want to break down the walls on.'
Business Insider
22-07-2025
- Business Insider
3 moms reveal how their kids' lives changed after moving out of the US
Makayla Oberlin wanted more time with her kids — so she moved to a new time zone. "There were never mornings really consistently where we could both get up with our kids and get them ready for school and cook breakfast and just be the family that I always wanted to be," Oberlin, 36, told Business Insider. The mom of three moved from Texas to Panama in April. Oberlin's husband had served in the Army for 12 years, so her family was used to moving, but she said it made it difficult for both her and her husband to be fully present for their kids. They began researching affordable destinations abroad where they could get by without working while their kids were in school, and they ultimately settled on Panama. "It was really just, how can we do what we want to do for our family properly? And so we knew leaving the States would give us the opportunity to live off of what we had, where we could just be present with our kids," Oberlin said. BI spoke to three moms who moved abroad with their families. They described the unique challenges that accompany moving to a new country with younger kids, especially when it means leaving other family and friends behind. Still, the moves were overall beneficial — they said that there were more educational and career opportunities for their kids outside the US, and they could enjoy a more affordable life. Here's how the three families transitioned with their kids to new lives outside the US. Texas to Panama One of Oberlin's top priorities for her kids was to immerse them in Panamanian culture, and learning Spanish was a key way to do that. Oberlin researched and toured a range of schools in Panama and enrolled her kids in one that offered a mix of Spanish and English classes. Most of the classes are primarily in Spanish, and her kids have a classmate who helps translate anything they don't understand. "It's been going really well, but definitely different," Oberlin said. In her observation, language learners in the US are often moved to a different classroom with a separate teacher. In contrast, she wanted her kids to learn by immersion and be an integrated part of their school."They are truly thrown in and acclimated from day one," she said. Leaving Texas was difficult for her 14-and 12-year-old sons; Oberlin said they were apprehensive about moving away from their friends and nervous about learning Spanish. With her youngest daughter being 10 years old, Oberlin said she's still at the age "where everything was just fun" and viewed the move as an adventure. While they're still working to adjust to the new culture, Oberlin said she's already impressed with the educational opportunities her kids can access as they get older. She said that the Panama school offers international university advising once kids hit high school, in which they invite universities from all over the world to speak with students. In contrast, she said, most US schools teach a standard life formula: "You go to high school, you go to college, and you stay here and you get a job, and this is where you are," Oberlin said. "Whereas here, I feel like they truly are expanding their horizons, where they could go anywhere in the world to college, and they could do anything. So I definitely do think it's more globally aware for them." Maryland to New Zealand A lot went into Elissa Johnsen's decision to move from Maryland to New Zealand in 2022. Johnsen was working as a nurse during the start of the pandemic, which took a severe mental toll. On top of that, there was a school shooting at the high school right next to her daughter's elementary school in 2020, and Johnsen said the frequent lockdown drills were weighing her daughter down emotionally. Around that time, Johnsen said she received a recruiting email from a New Zealand-based agency looking for nurses. While it initially seemed like an unattainable dream, she and her husband started seriously considering the offer, and they ultimately made the move when her youngest child was 11 months old. "Everything we read about New Zealand felt like a dream, the natural beauty, the cultural values, the emphasis on work-life balance, and a school system that seemed to put child well-being first," Johnsen told BI in an email. Her kids are now 4, 5, and 10, and she said that the school system in New Zealand is more well-rounded than the US. Johnsen said that the preschools follow a "play-based curriculum" built on well-being and relationships. While primary school still follows core curriculum, "it's balanced with outdoor play, culturally responsive teaching, and a whole-child approach," she said. "As someone who's now seen both systems up close, I'm struck by how much more relaxed and emotionally safe my younger two are," Johnsen said. "It feels like they're actually getting a childhood, something my oldest, in her early U.S. school years, missed out on." Expenses in New Zealand also aren't as burdensome as they were in the US. Johnsen said she takes home more of her paycheck and has affordable health insurance, and day care is significantly more affordable. In the US, she said she was quoted $1,500 per child for part-time day care, while she gets 20 hours of free childcare in New Zealand a week. While the cost of living in New Zealand is comparable to what she paid in the US, lower childcare and insurance costs make it manageable. "I think it's important to say that this choice isn't easy or cheap," Johnsen said. "Moving across the world with three young kids meant letting go of everything familiar and building a life from the ground up. We questioned ourselves often in the beginning. And even now, we miss family deeply, visiting the U.S. is financially and logistically hard. But we don't regret it for a second." Minnesota to Belgium Ahnika White, 32, moved from Minnesota to Belgium in September 2024, and she was fortunate that her kids were already familiar with living abroad. Her husband is from the Netherlands, and her oldest daughter lived there for the first few years of her life before moving back to the US. As her daughter was finishing preschool in Minnesota, White said she was uncomfortable enrolling her in a US school due to the prevalence of school shootings. While juggling medical bills and other expenses, she and her husband decided that going back to Europe was their best bet. When her husband landed a job in Belgium, they made the move with their two kids. "Financially, we're way better off here," White said. "It was taking a toll on us in the US, between mortgages, and kids are really expensive. Those bills rack up really quickly." Her daughter's background with speaking Dutch also allowed her to largely avoid the typical language barrier that accompanies moving abroad. White said that while the schools in Belgium use a different dialect, it was fairly easy for her daughter to adjust. She said she plans to stay in Belgium at least until her kids graduate from high school. She's setting money aside for both of her kids that they can use after they turn 18, either for college or a different route that they choose to pursue. "A lot of people are so worried about moving their kids and uprooting their kids, which is such a valid concern," White said. "But we've taken my daughter from continent to continent now, and they're so resilient and they adapt. And so I wouldn't let that be a reason why you don't make the move."
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Severance's Jen Tullock on overcoming financial trauma and shame
In this candid and emotional interview, actor and writer Jen Tullock opens up about the deeply personal intersections of financial trauma, queerness, and healing. Jen tells hosts David & John Auten-Schneider how growing up in an emotional and cultural chaos environment shaped her early relationship with money. Tullock reveals how she hit financial rock bottom - but also gives great insight, emphasizing the importance of therapy for separating self-worth from economic status. With vulnerability, humor, and heart, Jen Tullock offers a story that many in the queer community will recognize - and celebrates thriving with your real, authentic full episodes of Living Not So Fabulously, listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch on our website. Yahoo Finance's Living Not So Fabulously is produced by Dennis Golin. My value is linked to the money I do or don't have. In this interview, pay particular attention to our discussion around healthcare in the movie and TV industries, and the hamster wheel that everyone seems to be on. I'll say it'll shock you. Yeah, I agree, it shocked us, and it begs the question why we make it so hard for actors and musicians trying to get their big break, AKA startup hearing that term here first, and I'm publicly givingnullo the copyright privileges to to living not so fabulously. So David, be honest, if you had the option to sever your professional self from your personal self, would you doit? no, absolutely not. That would mean forgetting you. And let's be real, I forget enough of what you tell me on a dailybasis. How rude is that? But fair. Besides, who wants to separate their professional self from the work self and not share the best parts of themselves with their favoriteperson? Exactly. And speaking of brilliant people who blur all the boundaries in all the best ways, Jen Tulloch is a Kentucky and all-round scene stealer, best known as Devon in Severance on Apple TV, and Anita Saint Pierre on HBO's Perry Mason. She's a Sundance alum, a stroke survivor, and a proud lesbian who once said her goal in life was to be a character actress who gets fan mail from librarians. So she's our kind of people, to the show, Jen. Thanks y'all. I'm so happy to be with you. Thank you. Yeah, so you portrayed queer actors on several shows including Severance and uh as as Anita uh Saint Pierre on Perry Mason. How do you infuse your personal experience as a queer person into roles like that? Those two were were certainly different beasts to take on with Severance, um, my character is married to a man, but our show creator Dan Erickson and I had always discussed the fact that she had probably had a pretty splashy time in her twenties and dated people of all genders, and I always joked that I think she probably played rugby at Oberlin and had like a hot rugby girlfriend, you know, named like Tank or and then, and then met, met her husband, fell in love and settled down, but we had talked about before, before the episode or sort of revealed officially that she was queer, that she had been, and I said, you know, something we don't see very often represented, I think, in TV and media at large is uh our queer people in straight relationships. And um I've I've never ventured that way myself. I'm about as gay as a sequined handbag, butI did think it was important for that character to distinguish, whereas with Anita on Perry Mason, that was obviously such a different situation playing someone who's closeted for obvious reasons in 1933 and um having to that that entailed, both story wise and just physically what it looks like to be in a relationship with someone, for which, you know, you could have been jailed. So uh that was really special and and bittersweet to play. Yeah, absolutely. So in severance, if we understand correctly, you sort of impro improvised the line revealing that Devin was a queer character. Dude, I left you like 5 messages. Are you better? No, well, I'm still sick. Well, you can't not pick up when we're doing corporate espionage shit. The floodlight thing was a bust, right, because I have had an idea that is a little dumber. OK, Devin, do you remember the rich lady from baby camp, the one I like kinda hard to crush on? Do you have that kind of autonomy and was was like were the producers and directors all prepared for that coming out? We're pretty biblical with the script on that show, I think because it's so meticulous and focused and intentional, it's not a huge improv heavy set, um, but because of the space, I think that my character and Adam Scott's character, his Audi, uh Occupy on the show, I think we probably have a little bit more wriggle room because they uhThey wanted to feel lived in and fraternal. So that was one of those moments where we were just being cheeky. I, if I remember correctly, it was the end of a long shoot day and it was one of the last takes and I just set it off the cuff. Um, and I was so pleased that they kept it, and I ended up texting Dan and I was like, is this OK? I think I accidentally outed her. And he was like, no, we'd always talked about that, so we were eager to keep it in, but it was funny to see the internet response to it. It was wild. So then that that's really interesting, not surprising, but it's really interesting that, of course, the internet caught on fire when you say like when you outed your character. So, what was, what were some of the things that they were saying and, and what was your reaction? How did you handle that? I, it was,it was twofold for me or or two pronged I should say. One, I was just thrilled that that people, straight and queer, seemed really excited at the prospect. There was a lot of uh there were a lot of responses I saw online that were like, oh this makes so much sense, of course, um, but one thing I did have to contend with and felt like it was my responsibility to contend with, was when people would say fans would say, oh well, that's know, there's a fissure in her her marriage. That's why she's with somebody like Rick and who we don't think is right for her, and I get really defensive of their relationship, both because I trust why they're together as characters and because of my personal love for Michael Turners, the actor who plays Rickon so much. And I had to say, no, it's not because she's actually gay. I think this is a pansexual person who who fell in love with this man and has for whatever to carve out a life with him and um I think that it was important for me to to respond to some of those and say, no, it it's, you know, we, my, uh, there are plenty of people in my life that are queer and have dated and had meaningful relationships with all genders that found themselves in an opposite or, or hetero, you know, normative relationship and felt a little, you know, erased and, and because of that, and I, I, I respect that feeling, so I wanted to make sure people knew it wasn't, oh well, she's gay, and so that's why she's not all over her husband. I think she's just in a boring marriage cause they just had a baby and we ran an interview once and somebody said, why they together, we don't get it, and Michael Turner said, have you ever been to an airport?Like, have you ever, what a marriage actually looks like? And I thought that was so well said. Yes, but I appreciate that you had the courage to throw that in there and that the producers and directors kept it there, because I don't know that straight people can truly understand what it means to get that indication that there's somebody like me in this particular world that I can, I can, I can understand with, and it was done with such authenticity and um not like overblown in any way, shape or form, it was just said in passing and it's more like real life. it should be, you know, I think there was the, the Reddit lore that that came out after that time, uh, I had friends send me a lot, and it was I was tickled reading it and and that you tickled that people cared, but also, um,Uh, making it a big coming out moment to me wasn't the focus, because my, my hope is that in life, that's what we're moving towards, that our, our queerness, our gayness is just 11 aspect of many, you know, about ourselves. And, um, for Devin, that's certainly true. I think that she didn't leave behind women to be with a man. She's a queer person who dated people before Rickon and is now with Rickon. And also,Normalize married people having crushes, you know, I think like it doesn't mean stepping out on your partner. I think that uh it was it was a funny moment for me to be like, yeah, I just met this really cool, you know, uh, gorgeous person at the birthing cabin and woo, uh, it's funny the actress who plays Abby, a person that Devin is the character Devin is talking about in that name is Nora Dale, she's great. And I texted her and I said, listen, sorry to accidentally drag you into this too, but we're in itnow. Yeah, absolutely. So thanks for sharing that. If you're just joining us, we're talking with actor and writer Jen Tullo. So you, you've mentioned that me. You mentioned that fiction is cheaper than therapy. Do you mind elaborating on that? What does that mean exactly? I think like many people that were raised in restrictive religious environments, I was raised uh in an incredibly conservative evangelical community in Kentucky, and I knew early on that I didn't fit there in many ways, um, namely my queerness, but also just being a weirdo, and uh I think that I had alwaysBe acting any way that I can, like I was taking, I, I was, if it meant being on stage at church, yes, I would take it. If it meant finally convincing my parents to let me audition for a community theater uh production of Fiddler on the Roof in Southern Indiana, I took it. And let me tell you, I dazzled, I dazzled in the ensemble, but I, I think there'sI'll, I'll tell you what it is. When I was young and and saw Funny Girl for the first time, which is the story of, I think so many actress, um.I thought, that looks closer to the outline of how I see myself, and my grandparents, my beloved grandparents did a wonderful job of introducing me to old jazz, like they played Bill Evans for me and I can Cole and EiddoJ and Betty Carter and uh showed me all the old MGM musicals, and I remember thinking I felt suchRespite and comfort when I was living inside of those musicals that I wanted a life that kept me in close proximity to those stories and that genre that felt like my friend. I was like, I just want to be with my friends. And these old movies were my friends. And so I, I think I wasI knew early on that I wanted to be in show business and umI guess to answer your question more pointedly, when you're having to channel intense feelings as a character, I find it easier to grab when you have the mask of a character than it is for me in my waking life, where I, I think there, I probably have some more restrictions I've put on myself emotionally. So the irony of, um,You know, having to live a truthful moment that is make-believe is not lost on me, and probably my therapist either. Gotcha. Thank you. I, I really appreciate you sharing that. Um, I, I, I, for two reasons. One, I was raised a Jehovah's Witness, so I know exactly where you're coming from in that kind of being raised in that kind of household, and the idea that fiction is something that you would I I gravitated towards, um, literally whenever my parents would go out of out of town when I was a teenager.I had set aside money so that I could go to the video store and rent queer themed videos that I could only watch when they were out of town. And so I, that was kind of my therapy during that time period, you know, we're talking about my my later teens, and so I completely understand that. It it kind of speaks to this idea that sometimes we do need to, as queer some of the aspects of our lives and some of that sometimes is financial. Have, have there ever been any financial constraints that have shaped your creative endeavors? Oh my God. Financial restraints have have shaped every aspect of my life. I think being raised in a conservative Christian environment meant that scarcity was often mythologized and ultimately weaponized because it was part of a system that posited that you had no control of your predestined life. And so any moment of abundance or scarcity was divinely appointed. And so if it was abundance, well, you must have done something right. And if it was scarcity, well, you must have not done something right. AndThatThat honestly colored my relationship with money. It still does, uh, for a long time in a really detrimental way. I, I think, um, I was raised in an environment where there wasn't money in the money, that there was was often, um,Uh, mismanaged and, and by no fault of my parents, they were very young when they had me, um, and.I thinkI realized early on that this is also very Southern. My, my, my mother's from Arkansas. My dad's from North Carolina, and I was brought up in Kentucky, and the mythologizing scarcity is very Southern. It's very Tennessee Williams to me. It's like, well, we can't do that. Well, we can't, we don't have the money to do that. And it would be, you know, there would be moments where I would say, oh, I, you know, I need, I think a new pair of shoes for school, like my shoes are falling apart, and you'd be like, what do you think this is?You know, but, you know, we don't have that money, and they were doing. My parents were doing their best. Like I, they were struggling and, and, uh, but, but I remember thinking at that time, oh, my value is linked to the money I do or don't have, and I think there are certainly ways to live a life with not very much money and not feel that way, but I think it was baked into the culture, especially as a in the church, it was like, well, the Lord will grant you what you need, and if you are not granted that, then maybe that's something to examine, you know. Yeah, yeah, absolutely, sort of weaponized in a way. So I'm, I'm curious with all the anti-LGBTQ plus initiatives today, thinking about your backstory, do you think a young gen Tullock from KentuckyStill feels hopeful today? I think I have I, I, my head will pop off my body and roll across the floor like a bowling ball. It's a terrifying time in this country. It's certainly terrifying in other parts of the queer people, um, I think especially like our trans siblings right now, um, that keeps me up at night, but I, you know, I have a 10 year old stepson andAs cliched as it is, it's true. I haveMy relationship with him has altered the way I think about I, I look at him and the freedom with which he lives his life and the friends of his that are gender expansive, um, and so very much themselves and so situated comfortably in themselves in a way that I didn't have access to at that age. And I think, well, they, if they're doing it now, we're going to be OK. And, um,Yeah, but it's scary. It's, it's, it's scary, and you know, I think for those of us that are lucky enough to live in communities that feel safe for queer folks, it's also been a great wake up call to remember thatUh, just because your state is blue doesn't mean there isn't bigotry, and I've, I've experienced since this current president has been back in office, um, a, energy shift and moments where I thought, oh, this person that lives in my very progressive New York community feels deputized now to say questionable about queer people that they wouldn't have otherwise. Yeah, it's an interesting word deputized. It's a very poignant. Yeah, it definitely is. Speaking of another scary experience in your life, um, you went through having a stroke, and you have a solo show about this. You talk about it in your show, you shall not, I'm sorry, you shall inherit the earth, did this health event affect your financial planning or perspective? I think it affected me uh generally in the sense that IAny any semblance of security or safety or implied uh like rights to safety and health went out the window. I think this probably is often the case for people that suffer any type of sudden health event, shook me in a couple of ways, uh, namely that when I didn't know what was gonna happen when I'd got into the hospital and I had expressive aphasia, so I wasn't really able to speak properly, um, and they said, oh, you know, we need to just make sure you don't go to a brain bleed cause that's where things can get really dicey. I thought, oh, right, this isn't, OK, this is happening. And I remember being, I talked about this on my show, but being uh pushed into the MRI machine and I found myself I hadn't prayed in in decades, and I, whether or not it was by rote or, you know, just sort of a trauma response from muscle memory.I don't know, but all I know is that my body did something that my mind did not give consent to. And I remember thinking, I have to look at this. If I, if I make it through this and I'm fine on the other side, which, you know, thankfully I was, I, I need to look at this moment and what that means for me. And, um, but as far as finances are concerned, I don't have to tell you, the American medical system is a the the health insurance system is a gauntlet, it is, it is built to fail. It is a a a classist, capitalist, in my opinion, that does not serve way that uh the way that it could and should. And I was very lucky when I had my stroke that I had good health insurance, um, through my job, and that I was able to get the care that I needed. But I also know, you know, I, I was telling you before, when my wife and I were in France, I had like a little problem with my eye. I had this thing called neurovascularization of your cornea, which means I had like a blood vessel content warning, like growing into my cornea, and it burst and it was bleeding in my I had, I spent hours on the phone when we got back to the states finding someone that took my insurance. But the first doctor I saw said, you have to see a corneal specialist, otherwise you could lose vision in your eye. But I was like, I can't find anyone that takes my insurance and out of pocket, it was going to be astronomical. And I remember thinking, yeah, this is how it happens. There's so many preventable health emergencies in our country because we make it nearly impossible to get care. Absolutely. So please hold that thought. I want to continue this discussion right after this back to Living Not So Fabulously. We're talking with one of the stars of everyone's favorite dystopian sci-fi, Severance Gent continuing the discussion we were having before the break, Chapo Rone recently famously shared that the music, the music industry's inadequacies with covering performers' health insurance. How are the movie and television industries the same or different with health care coverage, especially for startup stars? Yeah, I for one thing startup stars is the most generous description I've ever heard of a fledgling actor. Um, I think that that's incredible. I'm gonna start, I'm gonna start referring to myself as a startup star. I think, um, I think when, when we had the SAG and and WGA strikes a couple years ago, uh, which actually started the day before I had my stroke. I always joke that's why I had one, but I, you know, we were, everyone was doing their best during that time to negotiate better with our, with, with my union, and I'm in a couple, I know for actors Equity, for stage actors it functions a little differently, but with SAG, it's commensurate with your, uh, your quarterly income, so you can lose it just as quickly as you, you got it. And I've had friends that had insurance because they had worked enough in that have their insurance, have a health problem. I, I know a a a person I I really like in LA, a gifted comedian was, was diagnosed with cancer and had just lost her insurance, but couldn't work enough to make it back because she was so I know, I know that people in the union are working hard to rectify that and and make it more accessible to people, but it's tough, you know, where we live under capitalism and it's, it's, it's pay or play more often than not. And so I evenThere, I, I think I'll I'll speak for only for myself, but you could be in a situation where you're on a successful show and maybe you've just shot a string of successful things, a big studio movie and a couple of shows, but then if you have a a hiatus where you're not shooting, meaning you're not technically on payroll, you could be on the highest gross grossing show in the country and still lose your Els and res because you didn't technically have enough coming that quarter to maintain it and now with the residual model being what it is, um, you know, now some of that changed uh during the strikes, which is great, and I'm sure someone in the comments is going to correct me from the union, but I may be misquoting it, but well we, you know, we, most of the streaming shows did residuals uh until the strike. So back in the day, you know, TV actors on network shows, you'd be good if you didn't work for a while, you had some residuals coming in that would maintain you and your insurance, an ever changinglandscape. That's so convoluted and way harder than it needs to be. Well, I yeah, I think we, we have this kind of perception of you're, you're on a big show and oh, once you've landed your big gig, your life is like, oh, it's easy now. you just hit the easy button. It's easy in the sense that it's wonderful to be a part of something I feel proud of and it's amazing to have more access to other work that that for me has always been like the biggest but no, none of it goes away, you know, like you can't, uh, for by no one's fault, you know, we, we, we, as, as everyone sort of knows now, it took a, took a while to make these two seasons of severance, and it, again, it was no one's fault. We, we, COVID happened and then the strikes happened. We keep joking but like what's left a hurricane, a tsunami, or an asteroid, um, to keep us, keep us from season 3, but of that, you know, weWe're all scrambling to work elsewhere in between, but then when the strikes happen, we couldn't work at all. And so most of us went back to the stage, which was great, but, uh, not always the most uh lucrative endeavor. And it, it's, it's one of the number one, I think, misconceptions about, um, what I'll call middle class actors, which is working actors, consistently working actors, working on great things, um, but you don' I wish I had been told as a young actor, as a as a startup uh star was um much, what a big percentage of your income goes to other people. You know, you're, uh, you could be making more money, which is great, but you're, you're paying lawyers, managers, agents, publicists, sometimes stylists out of pocket, um, and those things sound, uh, elective or, or, um, by choice, but they're they're not always, like you, those are all things that you need to sort of keep the train uh yeah, so it's like the more, the more you make, the more you have to make to keep it up. Yeah, very insightful. Definitely. So I'm gonna kind of weave two questions here. We usually like to, to get when we get towards the end of the show, ask folks that we're interviewing, what is one piece of personal finance advice that you would give to the LGBT community, but I'm gonna actually weave this in with idea that you're talking about right now is of how do you cope with income fluctuations because we're seeing more and more queer people end up in 1099 roles and roles where they don't have work, yeah, contract work. So do you have any suggestions or what piece of advice would you share with the community? Yeah, and that doesn't surprise me because I think oftentimes when you're in a sort of life where you're having to hide part of yourself, where, you know, I'm 41 and coming out at 19, it still was, um, it, it, it still wasn't a totally safe time to be out, um, in the workplace, you could still certainly be discriminated against or not hired altogether, especially if it were straight men that were making the decisions. And I'd flat out been told that before, early on in my career. not to say I suffered greatly. I've been very lucky in a lot of ways, but um I think because a lot of queer people come from a scarcity place, whether it was because they were kicked out of their home or didn't feel safe in their home, that it is generally harder, I think, for for queer folks to find consistency and to prioritize consistency because we were raised in a in a sort of chaos and in an emotional chaos, a cultural chaos. And so my advice would just beIt it by by any by hook or crook, if you can get into therapy for me healing, the first part of that experience is imperative to developing a healthy relationship with money, even if you don't have any. It took me years to get to the point where in a moment of financial tumult, I didn't go into total adrenal overdrive, where I was in my amygdala, where I was in like fight or flight. Um, I, the greatest shame I've ever experienced in my life has been around the greatest terror and has been aboutBecause the worst case scenario did happen to me a couple times when I was younger. I did run out of money. I did sleep in my car a couple times and like I did not have any resources, and thenAt points in my life, I was lucky enough to have folks that helped me, um, and eventually was able to work enough to survive and and thrive, but I would just say,It sounds impossible, but if you can find the mental health resources to try and separate the shame from the money you do or don't have, it's really, to me, very important. That is great advice. Thank you so much for sharing that and thank you so much for coming on the show, Jen. It's been a thrill having you. Thank you for having me. It's lovely to talk to you. So I love that interview. Jen is so super insightful. So what was your takeaway? So I think that Jen's take on how religion shapes our money beliefs is really powerful. If those beliefs are hurting more than they're helping, it may be time toSever them, or at least realign them with support from a therapist or even a financial therapist. I mean, did you know that many of our money habits are actually formed by the time we're age 7, oftentimes shaped by our family, our faith, or even fear. Yeah, it's quite surprising. So, did you also know that there are certifications for financial therapy? If money stress runs deep for you, this might be the help that you need. For even deeper healing, check out the chum of money Financial Therapy Association or the Chama Money Institute for more information. Thanks for tuning in. Like what you see, scan the QR code and follow Yahoo Finance podcast for more videos and expert insights, because when you do, you get all of the financial insight with none of the creepy break room vibes. And until next time, stay fabulous. This content was not intended to be financial advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional financial services. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Mid East Info
20-03-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Farnek launches Flexitalent to address increasing demand for technology-driven workforce outsourcing solutions
Leading UAE-based smart and green facilities management (FM) company Farnek has launched Flexitalent, a dedicated technology-driven workforce provider, offering versatile and tailored solutions for a range of vertical industry sectors throughout the UAE. Flexitalent, part of the Farnek Group of companies, integrates technology-driven workforce management solutions, through smart payroll systems, digital attendance tracking and AI-powered workforce analytics, enabling organisations to streamline staffing operations across a range of diverse industry sectors. Farnek launched Flexitalent as a dedicated workforce solutions company to satisfy the increasing demand from businesses that want to enhance operational efficiency, compliance, flexibility and cost-effectiveness. According to a report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), the total spending by UAE-based organisations on outsourcing services was expected to reach $6.8 billion in 2023, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 7%. Carrying that growth estimate forward to 2025 would put the UAE market value at around $7.8 billion. 'Flexitalent benefits from Farnek's many years of experience in workforce management and has the expertise to tailor staffing models that align with specific organisational needs. 'Its solutions are compliant with UAE labour laws and in addition, the company uses technology-driven workforce management tools for transparency, accountability and enhanced performance. Flexitalent can also integrate eco-friendly practices into staffing operations to support broader sustainability goals,' commented Markus Oberlin, Group CEO of Farnek. 'Since its inception, Flexitalent has already successfully onboarded over 3,000 professionals across multiple sectors, demonstrating its capacity to meet complex workforce demands with efficiency and agility,' he added. Flexitalent offers AI-powered recruitment and selection, which utilises smart talent-matching tools to ensure precision hiring for businesses. Its Fully automated Wage Protection System (WPS)-compliant payroll ensures seamless salary processing, in line with current UAE labour laws. The company has managed to develop a competitive edge, not only through its flexible staffing models, but also through its AI-driven business strategy. Real-time GPS-enabled tracking of its workforce increases transparency and accountability. Furthermore, Flexitalent's HR outsourcing and workforce analytics provide AI-driven insights for data-backed HR decision-making and its digital learning platforms increase employee upskilling and workforce productivity. 'By leveraging these advanced HR tech innovations, Flexitalent can provide a broader range of solutions to key industry sectors such as, hospitality and events, e-commerce and logistics, manufacturing and construction, as well as retail and customer service,' said Oberlin. About Flexitalent: Flexitalent is a leading manpower supply company based in the UAE, providing seamless outsourced staffing and recruitment solutions. From short-term projects to long-term workforce needs, Flexitalent combines compliance, efficiency, and industry-leading technology to deliver tailored services. Backed by Farnek Group's legacy and expertise, Flexitalent specialises in supporting industries such as logistics, hospitality, manufacturing, marketing, and more. About Farnek: Farnek is the leading provider of sustainable and technology-driven Facilities Management in the United Arab Emirates. Established in the UAE since 1980, Farnek Services LLC is a Swiss-owned independent total facilities management company. With a skilled workforce of more than 9,000 employees, Farnek delivers professional Facilities Management and security services across several sectors; Aviation, Hospitality, Banking, Retail, Shopping Malls, Telecom, Residential, Commercial, Infrastructure, Government, Education, Leisure and Entertainment.
Zawya
20-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Farnek launches Flexitalent to address increasing demand for technology-driven workforce outsourcing solutions
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Leading UAE-based smart and green facilities management (FM) company Farnek has launched Flexitalent, a dedicated technology-driven workforce provider, offering versatile and tailored solutions for a range of vertical industry sectors throughout the UAE. Flexitalent, part of the Farnek Group of companies, integrates technology-driven workforce management solutions, through smart payroll systems, digital attendance tracking and AI-powered workforce analytics, enabling organisations to streamline staffing operations across a range of diverse industry sectors. Farnek launched Flexitalent as a dedicated workforce solutions company to satisfy the increasing demand from businesses that want to enhance operational efficiency, compliance, flexibility and cost-effectiveness. According to a report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), the total spending by UAE-based organisations on outsourcing services was expected to reach $6.8 billion in 2023, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 7%. Carrying that growth estimate forward to 2025 would put the UAE market value at around $7.8 billion. 'Flexitalent benefits from Farnek's many years of experience in workforce management and has the expertise to tailor staffing models that align with specific organisational needs. 'Its solutions are compliant with UAE labour laws and in addition, the company uses technology-driven workforce management tools for transparency, accountability and enhanced performance. Flexitalent can also integrate eco-friendly practices into staffing operations to support broader sustainability goals,' commented Markus Oberlin, Group CEO of Farnek. 'Since its inception, Flexitalent has already successfully onboarded over 3,000 professionals across multiple sectors, demonstrating its capacity to meet complex workforce demands with efficiency and agility,' he added. Flexitalent offers AI-powered recruitment and selection, which utilises smart talent-matching tools to ensure precision hiring for businesses. Its Fully automated Wage Protection System (WPS)-compliant payroll ensures seamless salary processing, in line with current UAE labour laws. The company has managed to develop a competitive edge, not only through its flexible staffing models, but also through its AI-driven business strategy. Real-time GPS-enabled tracking of its workforce increases transparency and accountability. Furthermore, Flexitalent's HR outsourcing and workforce analytics provide AI-driven insights for data-backed HR decision-making and its digital learning platforms increase employee upskilling and workforce productivity. 'By leveraging these advanced HR tech innovations, Flexitalent can provide a broader range of solutions to key industry sectors such as, hospitality and events, e-commerce and logistics, manufacturing and construction, as well as retail and customer service,' said Oberlin. -Ends- About Flexitalent Flexitalent is a leading manpower supply company based in the UAE, providing seamless outsourced staffing and recruitment solutions. From short-term projects to long-term workforce needs, Flexitalent combines compliance, efficiency, and industry-leading technology to deliver tailored services. Backed by Farnek Group's legacy and expertise, Flexitalent specialises in supporting industries such as logistics, hospitality, manufacturing, marketing, and more. For more details, visit About Farnek: Farnek is the leading provider of sustainable and technology-driven Facilities Management in the United Arab Emirates. Established in the UAE since 1980, Farnek Services LLC is a Swiss-owned independent total facilities management company. With a skilled workforce of more than 9,000 employees, Farnek delivers professional Facilities Management and security services across several sectors; Aviation, Hospitality, Banking, Retail, Shopping Malls, Telecom, Residential, Commercial, Infrastructure, Government, Education, Leisure and Entertainment. For more information please visit, For media enquiries, please contact: STEVEN JONES Managing Director E-mail: Indigo Icon Tower, Jumeirah Lakes Towers PO Box 337521 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates Website: A member of the ECCO Communications Network
