• EP42 - Why RTLS Is Core Infrastructure in Healthcare - Todd Frantz, Ali Youssef, Paul Zieske
    Dec 29 2025
    In this episode we're joined by Todd Frantz (AdventHealth), Ali Youssef (Henry Ford Health), and Paul Zieske (Why Where Matters) to explore how next-gen real-time location systems are reshaping care delivery. Together, we dive into the evolution from dots-on-a-map asset tracking to intelligent platforms that drive staff safety, streamline workflows, and generate high-fidelity data for AI. From ED duress alerts to ambient analytics and digital wayfinding, this conversation is a roadmap for health leaders rethinking how hospitals move, sense, and respond in real time. Whether you're planning a new facility or optimizing frontline operations, this episode will change how you think about RTLS—and why it belongs at the center of your infrastructure strategy. Key Takeaways RTLS 2.0 goes beyond asset tracking—it integrates workflow, staffing, and safety data for real-time decision-making.Hospitals lose thousands of staff hours each year searching for equipment, impacting patient care and satisfaction.Successful RTLS adoption requires cultural alignment, transparency, and trust—not just technology deployment.Staff duress alerts and par level management are delivering fast wins and improving frontline safety.Enterprise-wide RTLS platforms unlock more value than siloed deployments—especially when integrated with EHRs and facility systems.High-fidelity location data is foundational for AI-driven insights, workflow automation, and digital twins.The ROI of RTLS includes reduced burnout, improved patient flow, equipment utilization, and faster care team coordination.Integration remains a challenge—vendors must support open standards and shared APIs to break down data silos.RTLS should be treated like core infrastructure—designed into new buildings, not bolted on after.Emerging tech like computer vision will extend RTLS into human activity recognition, situational awareness, and predictive care. Episode Highlights 00:00 | Why RTLS Adoption Starts with Trust, Not Tech 01:53 | Welcome to Beyond the Blueprint 02:30 | From Dots on a Map to Real-Time Intelligence 03:09 | Meet the Panel: AdventHealth, Henry Ford, and Why Where Matters 04:00 | Is RTLS Now Core Infrastructure? 05:09 | The Hidden Costs of Outdated RTLS Platforms 06:02 | Workflow Integration and the Role of Location Data in AI 07:17 | Where Hospitals Miss Safety & Workflow Red Flags 08:14 | Real-Time Context and Robotics Integration 09:00 | The Chessboard Effect: Duress Alerts as a Point of Entry 10:00 | Are Enterprise Standards Emerging Across IDNs? 11:16 | Choosing the Right Tool for the Right Workflow 12:00 | Intelligent Lighting and Digital Front Doors 13:00 | Open Epic and the Rise of Indoor Wayfinding 14:00 | Integrating RTLS into Daily Workflow: It's Cultural 15:00 | When RTLS Fails the First Time—and Why That's Normal 16:15 | The Location Team: A Hidden Implementation Advantage 17:15 | "Blame the Process, Not the People" 18:21 | Safety Stats and Clinician Buy-In for Duress Alerts 19:49 | From Staff to Patient Expectations: The Culture Shift 20:00 | Why RTLS Data Integration Is Still So Hard 21:15 | Strategic Vendor Relationships > APIs Alone 22:45 | Will Epic Open Up? A Look at Market Influence 24:00 | How AI Wrappers Could Solve Interop Gaps 25:15 | The AAA Model: Analytics, Automation, and AI 26:00 | Why You Should Never Throw Away RTLS Data 27:15 | Use Cases for Retrospective AI + Workflow Analysis 28:16 | AI Isn't the Goal—It's a Tool in Your Automation Stack 29:11 | What's Next? Computer Vision & Human Activity Recognition 30:03 | From ORs to Restrooms: Situational Awareness at Scale 31:35 | The Future of RTLS: Friction Reduction + Design Insight 33:57 | Customer Experience in Outpatient and Waiting Areas 34:55 | Final Takeaways: Safety, Trust, and Strategic Deployment Guests: Todd Frantz, Ali Youssef and Paul Zieske Host: Gregg Malkary - Spyglass Consulting Group Cohost: Keith Washington - Companions in Courage Foundation Sponsored by: Simplifi Medical Audio/Video: Tim Jones - Health Nuts Media Marketing: Josh Troop - Troop-Creative Learn More at: www.beyond-blueprint.com
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    36 mins
  • EP41 - From Mannequins to Metaverse: The Future of Nursing Simulation - Dr. William Scott Erdley (
    Dec 13 2025
    What if the future of nurse training didn't just include mannequins—but holograms, AI conversations, and full-on metaverse environments? In this episode of Beyond the Blueprint, we're joined by Dr. William Scott Erdley, a retired simulation pioneer and former Director of Simulation & Clinical Skills Labs. With decades of experience in nursing education, Dr. Erdley unpacks the evolution of clinical simulation—from standardized patients and mannequin drills to immersive technologies like VR, AI, and even wetware. Together, we explore how simulation builds confidence, strengthens care team collaboration, and prepares clinicians for rare, high-stakes scenarios. And we take a bold look at what's next: from smarter simulators to holographic mentors. Whether you're leading a health system or reimagining nursing education, this episode is a front-row seat to the future of clinical readiness. Key Takeaways Simulation offers high-fidelity, repeatable practice that boosts confidence and reduces clinical error. Nursing simulation now extends far beyond mannequins—into VR, AI-powered patients, and virtual tele-simulations. Standardized patients and realistic role-playing help build empathy, communication, and interprofessional collaboration. OB, neonatal, and code-team scenarios benefit especially from regular simulation refreshers. ROI is seen in fewer adverse events, reduced turnover, improved morale, and onboarding efficiency. Emerging tools like AI and VR are making simulations more accessible and scalable. Simulation is not just about tech—it's about mindset, pedagogy, and patient-centered design. Debriefing is where the deepest learning happens—focus on reflection and resilience, not performance. Academic-medical partnerships can expand access without massive capital investments. The future of simulation is immersive, intelligent, and increasingly personalized. Episode Highlights 00:00 | What Exactly Is Clinical Simulation? 00:29 | Real-World Save: Simulation Training Takes Flight 01:22 | Meet Dr. Scott Erdley: From Logic Tests to Leading Simulation Labs 03:23 | Simulation as Clinical Experience: The Early Days 05:29 | Skills, Communication, and Confidence: Why Sim Matters 06:26 | Learning to Call the Doctor at 2AM 07:13 | Repeatable Scenarios: Standardizing High-Stakes Practice 08:24 | When Simulation Saves Lives—Even at 30,000 Feet 09:18 | 75% of Nursing Programs Now Use Simulation Labs 09:58 | Code Team Drills with Mannequins: Practice Under Pressure 11:16 | OB and Neonatal Use Cases—and Legal Implications 13:52 | Strategic Planning: Why Are You Investing in Sim? 14:32 | Simulation for Onboarding, Oncology, and More 15:35 | ROI: From M&M Rates to Hiring Efficiency 16:20 | Academic Partnerships as an Access Strategy 17:21 | AI and VR: Opening the Simulation Toolbox 18:19 | Conversational AI and Psych Nursing Sim Scenarios 19:26 | Standardized Patients: Humanizing the Training Process 20:45 | Merging AI with Robotics: A Future with Thinking Mannequins 24:11 | From Wetware to Brain Interfaces: A New Era in Care 25:06 | Ready Player One Meets Real-World Nursing 26:02 | Why Debriefing > Critique: Coaching Through Reflection 27:04 | Simulating Conflict: Aggressive Patients, Interdisciplinary Tension 29:18 | Prompt-Based Simulations: A Natural Language Future 30:00 | Final Advice: Simulation as Strategy—and a Whole Lot of Fun Guest: Dr. William Scott Erdley Host: Gregg Malkary - Spyglass Consulting Group Cohost: Keith Washington - Companions in Courage Foundation Sponsored by: Simplifi Medical Audio/Video: Tim Jones - Health Nuts Media Marketing: Josh Troop - Troop-Creative Learn More at: www.beyond-blueprint.com
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    36 mins
  • EP40 - AMDIS Roundtable - Why Hospital Pilots Fail and What It Takes to Actually Scale
    Nov 22 2025
    What happens when pilots become more than experiments?

    In this AMDIS collaboration, Dr. Eve Cunningham (Cadence, formerly Providence), Kaitlyn Torrence (WellSpan, formerly MUSC), and Dr. Camille Bradley (Baylor Scott & White) reveal what separates failed pilots from scalable innovation. Drawing on real-world deployments of virtual care, ambient listening, and decision support tools, this episode dives deep into the operational, cultural, and clinical realities behind adoption. From rebranding "pilots" to building internal trust, the panel offers a blueprint for moving from spark to scale in health system innovation.

    Together, they explore why scaling digital care requires more than good tech—it demands strong partnerships, clinician champions, and a relentless focus on solving real problems.

    Key Takeaways
    • Most pilots fail because they aren't designed for scale—think phased deployment, not one-off testing.

    • Rebranding "pilots" as experiments or phase-one initiatives improves credibility and staff buy-in.

    • Clinician champions ("entrepreneurial weirdos") are key to real-world feedback and viral adoption.

    • Operational leaders help navigate workflows, align stakeholders, and ensure accountability at scale.

    • Innovation labs must be tied to informatics and operational realities—not siloed showcases.

    • Health systems need platform partners, not point solutions, to meet long-term strategic goals.

    • Trust, process clarity, and iterative design drive clinical adoption—especially post-EMR trauma.

    • Change management resources are essential; adoption is emotional, not just technical.

    • Prioritization must follow clear goals (e.g., "cut 400,000 admin hours"), not shiny tech trends.

    • Vendors succeed when they understand the system's priorities—and show up ready to co-develop.

    Episode Highlights

    00:00 | Why So Many Pilots Fail
    01:14 | Meet the Leaders Scaling Innovation
    02:30 | The Pilot Graveyard: When Good Ideas Die
    04:17 | Rebranding Pilots as Experiments
    06:08 | Finding Your "Weirdos": The Power of Clinical Champions
    07:56 | Designing for Process, Not Just Technology
    09:34 | Defining the Problem Before Testing a Solution
    10:23 | From Frustration to Trust: Winning Clinician Buy-In
    12:14 | How Ambient Scribes Went Viral
    13:58 | Socializing Tools with Frontline Feedback
    15:27 | Why Operational Champions Matter
    17:00 | The Role of Communication in Scaling
    18:20 | Are Innovation Labs Working—or Just Expensive Showrooms?
    20:37 | Partnerships Over Products: Building the Right Ecosystem
    22:37 | Creating Safe Spaces to Fail and Pivot
    24:10 | Aligning IT, Clinical, and Finance Around a North Star
    26:00 | Strategic Prioritization: What Moves Forward and Why
    27:44 | Attacking Admin Waste with AI and Clear Goals
    29:34 | From Point Solutions to Platform Partners
    31:11 | Vendor Advice: Do Your Homework, Bring Specific Value
    33:20 | Three Takeaways for Innovation Leaders

    Guests: Dr. Eve Cunningham, Dr. Camille Bradley, Kaitlyn Torrence
    Host:
    Gregg Malkary - Spyglass Consulting Group
    Cohost:
    Keith Washington - Companions in Courage Foundation
    Sponsored by:
    Simplifi Medical & Storage Systems Unlimited
    Audio/Video:
    Tim Jones - Health Nuts Media
    Marketing:
    Josh Troop - Troop-Creative
    Learn More at:
    www.beyond-blueprint.com

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    35 mins
  • EP39 - AMDIS Roundtable - Beyond the digital front door: Empowering Pediatric Families in the Digital Age
    Nov 15 2025

    What happens beyond the digital front door? In this AMDIS collaboration, Dr. Yaa Kumah-Crystal, Dr. Natalie Pageler, and Dr. Sarah Rush unpack the complex realities of digital family engagement in pediatric care. From patient portals and teen privacy laws to ambient documentation and AI-enabled translation, this panel explores how hospitals can rebuild trust, reduce barriers, and design systems that truly work for families. Together, they examine cultural readiness, access equity, and why health systems must treat family engagement as both a design challenge and a clinical imperative.

    Key Takeaways
    • Pediatric digital tools must account for evolving autonomy and privacy needs.
    • Teen portal adoption is still widely misunderstood by patients and staff.
    • Telehealth and virtual quick care reduce burden and boost access.
    • AI tools like ambient scribes and LLMs are reshaping provider-patient connection.
    • Language and literacy remain persistent access barriers.
    • Even tech-savvy families fall through the cracks due to system complexity.
    • Consumer tools and sports analytics offer inspiration for pediatric innovation.
    • True patient-centered care requires redesigning care around family workflows.
    • Success metrics should include trust, connection, and clinical relief—not just logins.
    Episode Highlights

    00:00 | Intro
    00:41 | A Mom Uses the Portal—and Reshapes the Encounter
    02:25 | ChatGPT in the Stanford ER
    04:17 | When Confidential Care Becomes a Privacy Risk
    06:09 | Rethinking Telehealth and Access for Families
    07:56 | Extending Specialist Reach through Virtual Care
    09:34 | Building Digital Trust
    13:34 | The Case for Anonymity in Sensitive Teen Encounters
    15:10 | ChatGPT vs. Truancy Policies
    16:17 | Designing Tech for Younger, Digitally Native Families
    18:19 | Change Management Across Literacy and Trust Barriers
    21:41 | Why Spanish-Language Portals Still Miss the Mark
    23:39 | Legal, Cultural, and Logistical Gaps in Teen Consent
    26:30 | Are Providers Ready for Empowered Families?
    27:35 | Humanizing Tech: Ambient Scribes and Burnout
    29:51 | How to Measure Success Beyond the Click
    33:00 | Peer Challenge: Consumer Tools We Should Steal
    38:11 | Three Takeaways for Pediatric Hospital Leaders

    Guests: Dr. Natalie Pageler, Dr. Yaa Kumah-Crystal, Dr. Sarah Rush
    Host:
    Gregg Malkary - Spyglass Consulting Group
    Cohost:
    Keith Washington - Companions in Courage Foundation
    Sponsored by:
    Simplifi Medical & Storage Systems Unlimited
    Audio/Video:
    Tim Jones - Health Nuts Media
    Marketing:
    Josh Troop - Troop-Creative
    Learn More at:
    www.beyond-blueprint.com

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    40 mins
  • EP38 Why AI in Healthcare Fails Without Nurses at the Table - Athena Fernandez, Jing Wang, Troy Seagondollar
    Oct 18 2025

    In this episode we explore why so many AI initiatives in healthcare stall—and how nursing leaders can change that. Dr. Jing Wang (FSU Nursing), Athena Fernandez (Penn Medicine), and Troy Seagondollar (formerly Kaiser Permanente) reflect on the current AI landscape and what it takes to make tools truly work for nurses at the bedside. From sepsis prediction models to staffing automation, they share hard-won lessons in AI governance, change management, and clinical trust. Our panel dives into the growing gap between innovation and implementation—and how nurse-led strategies can help close it.

    Key Takeaways
    • AI projects often fail when nurses are excluded from planning and implementation.
    • Augmented intelligence offers more clinical value than full automation.
    • Nurse informaticists are essential to bridging IT and frontline workflows.
    • Change management begins with bedside relevance, not just executive strategy.
    • Sepsis prediction models reveal the risks of misaligned AI tools.
    • AI should enhance—not replace—clinical judgment.
    • National frameworks can help standardize and scale ethical AI use.
    • Transparency and education are key to building trust in AI systems.
    • Governance structures must include frontline feedback loops.
    • Empowering nurses helps ensure AI improves care, not burdens it.
    Episode Highlights

    00:00 Welcome & Framing the Episode
    01:55 Nursing's Role in AI Adoption
    04:16 Lessons from Sepsis Prediction Tools
    07:41 When Nurses Are Left Out of the Process
    09:13 Hidden Costs: Workflow Disruption and Trust Erosion
    11:23 Building a Feedback-Driven Governance Model
    13:01 National Nursing + AI Framework
    15:52 Bridging Academia and Clinical Reality
    20:06 Traits of an AI-Savvy Nurse Leader
    21:26 How Nurse Leaders Can Get Started
    24:46 Artificial vs. Augmented Intelligence in Practice
    28:28 The Tsunami of Tools: Change Management in Action
    31:15 Building Clinical Trust in AI
    34:22 Final Thoughts & Call to Action

    Guests: Aretha Fernandez Jing Wang Troy Seagondollar
    Host:
    Gregg Malkary - Spyglass Consulting Group
    Cohost:
    Keith Washington - Companions in Courage Foundation
    Sponsored by:
    Simplifi Medical & Storage Systems Unlimited
    Audio/Video:
    Tim Jones - Health Nuts Media
    Marketing:
    Josh Troop - Troop-Creative
    Learn More at:
    www.beyond-blueprint.com

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    39 mins
  • EP37 Healthcare Communications: Bridging Technology & Care - John Elms (JH Elms & Company)
    Oct 12 2025
    Join us for a conversation with healthcare communications veteran John Elms as he breaks down what it really takes to design digital systems that frontline clinicians will actually use. Drawing on decades of leadership at TigerConnect, Critical Alert, and Spectralink, Elms shares hard-won lessons on user-centered design, project governance, and the hidden costs of fragmented communication tools. We explore a real-world case study that improved patient transport efficiency by 55%, and dive into strategies for aligning IT, operations, and clinical teams around change that sticks. Whether you're driving digital transformation, managing clinical workflows, or evaluating vendor tools, this episode offers a blueprint for building smarter, simpler, and more sustainable communication systems. Key Takeaways Accessing stakeholder input is increasingly challenging due to resource constraints.User-centered design is essential for effective digital transformation in healthcare.Engagement from leadership is crucial for project success.Compliance should focus on adoption and governance rather than oversight.Interoperability is key to integrating new tools into existing workflows.Eliminating redundancies in healthcare technology can improve efficiency.Celebrating successes can enhance team morale and motivation.Resistance to change is a common barrier in healthcare organizations.Measuring task turnaround time can correlate with patient satisfaction.Continuous feedback loops are vital for refining healthcare solutions. Episode Highlights 00:00 Accessing Stakeholder Input in Healthcare 01:07 Introduction to Healthcare Communication Innovations 04:09 User-Centered Design in Digital Transformation 10:13 Case Study: Improving Patient Transport Efficiency 16:43 Cultural Trends in Healthcare Leadership 19:08 Challenges in Implementing Collaboration Tools 24:48 Measuring ROI in Digital Transformation Projects 28:44 Key Takeaways and Closing Remarks Guest: John Elms - JH Elms & Company Host: Gregg Malkary - Spyglass Consulting Group Cohost: Keith Washington - Companions in Courage Foundation Sponsored by: Simplifi Medical & Storage Systems Unlimited Audio/Video: Tim Jones - Health Nuts Media Marketing: Josh Troop - Troop-Creative Learn More at: www.beyond-blueprint.com
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    34 mins
  • EP36 How to Lead Without a Title: Nurse Influencer Secrets - Michelle Lingner (ECU Health)
    Oct 4 2025

    Join hosts Keith Washington and Kris Baird for a conversation with Michelle Lingner, FNP-C, RN-BSN, RNFA—a trauma nurse practitioner at ECU Health who's redefining what it means to lead without formal authority. Michelle shares how intentional mindset shifts transformed her from burned out to energized, and how that shift rippled through her entire team. Drawing on her experience in a 1,000-bed Level 1 trauma center, she reveals practical strategies for peer-to-peer influence, closing communication gaps that delay patient care, and choosing positivity even in high-pressure environments.

    Kris Baird, nurse executive, author, and CEO of the Baird Group, guides the conversation with coaching insights on self-management, creating cultures of feedback, and knowing when toxic team members need to be coached up or moved out. Together, they explore how self-awareness, consistent micro-habits, and simple handoffs can shift culture from the bedside. Whether you're in nursing leadership, healthcare operations, or healthtech innovation, this conversation offers a blueprint for becoming an influencer in your organization—no title required.

    Key Takeaways

    • You don't need a formal leadership role to positively influence those around you
    • Intentionally showing up with positivity takes less energy than being negative
    • Leading yourself first gives others permission to do the same
    • Simple communication handoffs can reduce patient care delays by hours
    • Small acts of follow-up build your "influencer bank account"
    • Positivity spreads through teams when practiced consistently as a routine
    • Staying curious about what triggers negativity helps shift toxic dynamics
    • Dead weight employees can be influencers too—just in the wrong direction
    • Taking ownership and closing communication loops improves ED throughput
    • Culture change starts with self-awareness and one repeated action

    Episode Highlights

    00:00 Introduction: Leading Without a Title
    02:00 Michelle's Role at ECU Health's Level 1 Trauma Center
    03:48 Who to Follow: Positivity, Problem-Solvers, and Bridge Builders
    04:54 Managing Your Own Mindset: From Burnout to Intentional Leadership
    06:48 The Power of Routine: Making Positivity a Practice
    08:14 Staying Present in High-Stress Trauma Care
    10:25 How One Person's Attitude Shifts an Entire Culture
    13:16 Dealing with Toxic Team Members: When to Coach, When to Let Go
    17:00 The Communication Gap That Delays Patient Care
    20:14 Building Your Influencer Bank Account Through Small Acts
    23:29 How Communication Impacts ED Throughput and Bed Availability
    25:26 Closing Thoughts: Self-Awareness and Repeated Action
    26:00 "When You Lead Yourself First, You Give Others Permission to Do the Same"

    Guest: Michelle Lingner, FNP-C, RN-BSN, RNFA - ECU Health
    Host:
    Keith Washington - Companions in Courage Foundation
    Cohost:
    Kris Baird - Baird Group
    Sponsored by:
    Simplifi Medical & Storage Systems Unlimited
    Audio/Video:
    Tim Jones - Health Nuts Media
    Marketing:
    Josh Troop - Troop-Creative
    Learn More at:
    www.beyond-blueprint.com

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    27 mins
  • EP35 Revolutionizing Patient Safety: A Deep Dive Into Wearable Technology - Patrick Baker, RN (Palarum)
    Sep 26 2025

    Join us for a conversation with nurse executive and healthtech innovator Patrick Baker shares the story behind Palarum's smart sock—an advanced wearable that's dramatically reducing patient falls without adding to clinical workload. With insights shaped by decades on the frontlines, Baker walks us through how alarm fatigue, design thinking, and data transparency inspired a smarter approach to patient safety. We explore how real-time mobility tracking, clinical workflow integration, and human-centered innovation are shifting the paradigm in hospital care. Whether you're in nursing leadership, patient safety, or digital health innovation, this conversation offers a blueprint for rethinking fall prevention and mobility as a strategic advantage.

    Key Takeaways

    • Our goal was to reduce patient falls by 20-25%.
    • We've exceeded 40,000 patient days with our socks.
    • We had zero patient falls at Ohio State during the trial.
    • The smart sock alerts nurses when patients get up.
    • We aim to document patient mobility accurately.
    • Every patient gets a pair of socks for safety.
    • The technology helps mitigate hospital costs from falls.
    • Remote monitoring is the future of patient safety.
    • We need to address alarm fatigue in hospitals.
    • Effective fall prevention requires a strategic approach.

    Episode Highlights

    00:00 Introduction to Patrick Baker and Palarum
    02:15 From CNO to Inventor: The Origins of the Smart Sock
    05:48 Why Traditional Fall Prevention Methods Fail
    07:33 The Epiphany Moment: Bed Alarms and Alarm Fatigue
    10:45 Building a Smart Sock: Design, Sensors, and Accuracy
    13:09 Real-World Results: 60%+ Reduction in Patient Falls
    15:32 Clinical Trial Insights and Fall Rate Benchmarks
    18:43 The ROI Conversation: Costs, Sitters, and FTEs
    21:27 Rethinking Hospital Surveillance Strategies
    23:15 The Power of Real-Time Staff Proximity Alerts
    25:05 Future Vision: Patient Mobility and EMR Integration
    27:18 How to Connect with Palarum and What's Next

    Guest: Patrick Baker - Palarum
    Host:
    Gregg Malkary - Spyglass Consulting Group
    Cohost:
    Keith Washington - Companions in Courage Foundation
    Sponsored by:
    Simplifi Medical & Storage Systems Unlimited
    Audio/Video:
    Tim Jones - Health Nuts Media
    Marketing:
    Josh Troop - Troop-Creative
    Learn More at:
    www.beyond-blueprint.com

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    31 mins