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Abe and Michael are joined by fellow podcasting funnymen Jacob Reed and Danny O'Malley. You may recognize Jacob as the lead to our film Kill Me Now. They join us to talk about the 1997 Bill Murray hitman comedy The Man Who Knew Too Little and tell us about their new podcast Jacob Reed and Me where Jacob seeks out other people named Jacob Reed and interviews them. Find that here: https://jacobreedandme.com/ Features: Danny O'Malley: https://www.instagram.com/dannyomalley.film Jacob Reed: https://www.instagram.com/jacobreedfilm/ Michael Swaim: https://bsky.app/profile/michaelswaim.bsky.social Abe Epperson: https://bsky.app/profile/abeepp.bsky.social Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store
Ask Me Anything and takeaways of the day featuring Andy, Randy, Beau, and Abe.
This week's Out Now with Aaron and Abe delivers a double dose of arthouse films. Humanoids from the Deep Dive's Jeff Ewing joins Aaron and Abe to talk How to Make a Killing, starring Glen Powell. There's also a review between the hosts for Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie from director Matt Johnson. Hear what this group has to say about all these films and what they have to offer. Plus, we also discuss the recent passing of some legendary movie stars, and there's plenty of time for other movie chatter, thoughts on new previews, games, and listener comments. Tune in for Out Now Quickies™ (18:45), Trailer Talk for Toy Story 5 (34:36), the main reviews (41:43) and (57:15), Games (1:24:51), and Out Now Feedback (1:48:43). So now, if you've got an hour or so to kill…
Ask Me Anything and takeaways of the day featuring Andy, Randy, Beau, and Abe.
In Episode 266, Greg and Pam discuss the Olympics, bus knitting, and inspiring knitters. Many thanks to Greg's Computer for the episode introduction! We would love to have YOU record an introduction to the show! You can find details in the Ravelry Group Pages or on our website here. Check out our group on Facebook! We would love to have you join us there. GIVEAWAY: Check out our MONTHLY giveaway just because our listeners are AWESOME! You can enter the monthly giveaway using this Google Form. SUPPORT THE SHOW KnitPicks & Crochet.com We are KnitPicks and Crochet.com (owned by KnitPicks) Affiliates! This means if you are going to shop at KnitPicks or Crochet.com, and start by clicking their names, the Unraveling Podcast will get a small commission at no extra cost to you! It's an easy way to support the podcast passively. (Note: links to specific yarns or products will appear like https://shrsl.com/3xzh0 or https://tidd.ly/4mGsyws. These are correct and are custom links to track our account. They are safe!) Patreon You can financially support Unraveling…a knitting podcast on Patreon! Monthly membership levels are available at Swatch ($1), Shawl ($3), and Sweater ($6) and come with rewards like early access to book club episodes, access to a quarterly Zoom call, discounts on all Knitting Daddy patterns, and holiday cards. Everything available via Patreon is extra, the show remains unchanged and free. Financial support through Patreon helps us cover expenses like web hosting, prizes, prize shipping, and equipment upgrades. ***Our next Patreon & Community Zoom call will be on Saturday, February 28 at 2pm Eastern! All are welcome! Links will be posted in Patreon, Ravelry, and Facebook or email us if you need it.*** NOTES Greg's Projects Greg finished(?) a hat in Leading Men Fiber Arts yarn, using Doodle Card Decks by Pacific Yarn Co. Greg darned some socks using the Katrinkles Darning Loom. Greg is working on socks using the Fish Lips Kiss Heel pattern and String Theory Colorworks yarn in the Dark Matter colorway. Pam's Projects Pam is working a pair of Fish Lips Kiss Heel Socks. She is using String Theory Colorworks yarn in the displacement base and the colorway Black Body Radiation. Pam worked on a thermal stitch crochet potholder using KnitPicks Dishie. She uses these wooden rings in 35mm. Pam uses the pattern/recipe from My Crochet Space. The written directions can be found here and the Youtube tutorial can be found here. Pam finished a Melt the Ice Hat by Paul S. Neary. She used Patons Kroy Socks Fx in Geranium Colors, held double. Pam started the Cloud Iridescence blanket by Kathyrn Bernard. She is using KnitPicks Mighty Stitchin fingering weight and several colors of mohair/alpaca silk yarns. Miscellaneous Pam is attending Faithful Resistance: A Public Witness for Immigrant Justice in Washington, DC. People are able register to livestream the event if they want to. We talked about Nadia Bolz-Weber. We mentioned the passing of Barbara Walker. Greg pointed out that Abe's Books is a great resource for purchasing used books. Pam and Greg are planning to attend Carolina FiberFest March 13-14 and will have a meetup on the morning of Saturday, March 14 at 8am at Lucky Tree coffee shop in Raleigh. Greg talked about Humble Bundle. Some of our Denver area listeners are meeting to knit monthly. If you are in the area and want to join in, reach out to martaschmarta. Greg can also be found talking about knitting and playing Dungeons & Dragons at Crits and Knits. Affiliate Link Disclosure We are a KnitPicks Affiliate! This means that if you click on a KnitPicks link or Crochet.com, or the banner ad and make a purchase, we will receive a commission at no extra cost to you. This post contains affiliate links. That means that if you click on a link to Amazon and subsequently make a purchase, we'll receive a small commission from the sale. You pay the same, and the commissions will help cover our podcasting expenses. Our opinions are always our own. Find us all over the Internet Patreon: Unraveling…a knitting podcast Subscribe in iTunes: The Unraveling Podcast Podcast RSS Feed: Unraveling Podcast Facebook: Unraveling Podcast Instagram: @UnravelingPodcast Ravelry Group: Unraveling Podcast Greg is KnittingDaddy on Ravelry, @KnittingDaddy on Instagram, and also writes the KnittingDaddy blog. Pam is pammaher on Ravelry and @pammaher on Instagram
Ask Me Anything and takeaways of the day featuring Andy, Randy, Beau, and Abe.
Trigger Warning / Content Disclaimer This raw, true survivor story contains explicit details of heavy drug use, narcissistic abuse, physical violence, and attempted murder. Listener discretion is strongly advised. In this powerful episode of When Dating Hurts, we interview Abe, now 20 years old. Before diving in, we strongly recommend listening to episodes 310 and 311 where Abe's mother, Heather, shares her own harrowing story of serial narcissistic abuse, near-fatal domestic violence, and survival at the hands of her ex-husband Rick. Abe was also repeatedly emotionally and physically abused by Rick during those years. Abe bravely opens up about his experience starting at age seven and lasting until he was thirteen. He paints a vivid picture of daily abuse in a home where a child feels powerless — and reveals how his own actions played a key role in helping his mother survive. Heather and Rick were both deep in active addiction throughout this nightmare. While many assume drugs caused the abuse, Heather has always been clear: drugs do not cause narcissistic abuse or domestic violence — they make it far more dangerous and deadly. This episode drives that truth home through a child's eyes. In this episode you'll hear: • What it's really like growing up with narcissistic parents and early childhood trauma • A string of emotionally and physically abusive acts from a violent stepfather • How a young boy became an unlikely hero in his mother's fight to survive attempted murder • The brutal reality of drug addiction combined with intimate partner violence • A child's perspective on living in constant fear with no escape It is nothing short of a miracle that both Heather and Abe are alive today. If you or someone you love is trapped in narcissistic abuse, domestic violence, toxic relationships, or addiction-fueled trauma, this story delivers raw hope, validation, and proof that recovery and freedom are possible. Perfect for anyone searching: • Narcissistic abuse recovery stories • Domestic violence survivor interviews • Child survivors of narcissistic abuse • Escaping abusive relationships with children • Healing from narcissistic parents • Drug addiction and intimate partner violence • Real stories of surviving attempted murder
Gold and silver prices are making headlines—but what’s really driving the surge, and how should retirement savers think about it? In this episode of The Retirement Key, Abe Abich breaks down why precious metals behave the way they do, what recent volatility actually means, and how gold and silver can fit into a long-term retirement strategy. From inflation hedging and diversification to ETFs versus physical metals, the conversation cuts through the noise to focus on disciplined planning, managing risk, and avoiding emotional decisions when markets swing. Schedule your complimentary appointment today: TheRetirementKey.com Get a free copy of Abe’s book: The Retirement Mountain: The 7 Steps To A Long-Lasting Retirement Follow us on social media: YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedInSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Trigger Warning / Content Disclaimer This raw, true survivor story contains explicit details of heavy drug use, narcissistic abuse, physical violence, and attempted murder. Listener discretion is strongly advised. In this powerful episode of When Dating Hurts, we interview Abe, now 20 years old. Before diving in, we strongly recommend listening to episodes 310 and 311 where Abe's mother, Heather, shares her own harrowing story of serial narcissistic abuse, near-fatal domestic violence, and survival at the hands of her ex-husband Rick. Abe was also repeatedly emotionally and physically abused by Rick during those years. Abe bravely opens up about his experience starting at age seven and lasting until he was thirteen. He paints a vivid picture of daily abuse in a home where a child feels powerless — and reveals how his own actions played a key role in helping his mother survive. Heather and Rick were both deep in active addiction throughout this nightmare. While many assume drugs caused the abuse, Heather has always been clear: drugs do not cause narcissistic abuse or domestic violence — they make it far more dangerous and deadly. This episode drives that truth home through a child's eyes. In this episode you'll hear: • What it's really like growing up with narcissistic parents and early childhood trauma • A string of emotionally and physically abusive acts from a violent stepfather • How a young boy became an unlikely hero in his mother's fight to survive attempted murder • The brutal reality of drug addiction combined with intimate partner violence • A child's perspective on living in constant fear with no escape It is nothing short of a miracle that both Heather and Abe are alive today. If you or someone you love is trapped in narcissistic abuse, domestic violence, toxic relationships, or addiction-fueled trauma, this story delivers raw hope, validation, and proof that recovery and freedom are possible. Perfect for anyone searching: • Narcissistic abuse recovery stories • Domestic violence survivor interviews • Child survivors of narcissistic abuse • Escaping abusive relationships with children • Healing from narcissistic parents • Drug addiction and intimate partner violence • Real stories of surviving attempted murder
Ask Me Anything and takeaways of the day featuring Andy, Randy, Beau, and Abe.
Playlist: One the of the greatest civil right leader Rev Jesse Jackson Die at age 84 - One the of the greatest civil right leader Rev Jesse Jackson Die at age 84Daniel Smith she is going to put 9 question on referendum one of the is non permanent residency immigrant control - Daniel Smith she is going to put 9 question on referendum one of the is non permanent residency immigrant controlAbe ketama metsewa - Abe ketama metsewaUS supreme court Trump Tariff was unconstitutional - US supreme court Trump Tariff was unconstitutionalKunama Song - KunamaGergis life story 50 years of in dispara journey part 10 - Gergis life story 50 years of in dispara journey part 10
Episode Details:In this week's episode West and Grinch are joined by MOC builder Hypolite Bricks, also known as Abe. Abe specializes in capturing stories from different classic shows and IPs, while somehow finding a way to make it completely his own original.Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/afols_welcome/https://www.youtube.com/@hypolitebrickshttps://www.instagram.com/hypolite_bricks/?hl=enEpisode Timestamps:0:00 - 5:49 Intro / Brick Banter5:49 - 18:14 Exciting Lego News18:14 - 1:24:19Today's Topic1:24:19 - 1:30:47 Brick-MailThe music we use in our show is our own, please inquire if any questions:About AFOL's Welcome:AFOLs Welcome is a weekly podcast where co-host Grinch and West have discussions about the brick built world of LEGO®. Join us as we dive deep into hot topics, LEGO® themes, and more from the perspective of two adult fans of Lego.If you would like to reach out to the podcast and be featured in an episode please email us at AFOLsWelcome@gmail.com or follow us on Instagram at AFOLs Welcome.Reviews and constructive polite feedback are strongly encouraged. Please review, like, or subscribe wherever you find yourself listening to our show!As always thank you for listening and we'll catch you on the next one!Please Note:LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this site
Let us know what you think!Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen is the genealogy podcast that features your questions and her answers, with a focus on clear reasoning, historical context, and practical research methods. In this episode, Kathleen and John Brandt are joined by guest Denise Cross to explore how a one-place study transforms scattered historical records into a working model of a town—and how that model can be used to solve difficult genealogy problems.Denise shares practical methods for defining research scope, mapping census visitation routes to historical land parcels, and linking neighbors, deeds, taxes, wills, church, and newspaper records to uncover relationships that traditional research approaches often miss.In This Episode, You'll Learn• How to define a one-place study and choose a manageable scope • How to build a full-town research spreadsheet using census, deeds, probate, church, tax, and newspaper records • How neighbors and associates can help identify missing women in the historical record • How to map census visitation order to historical parcel maps • How to research frontier communities using indirect evidence • How place-based research supports surname studies and resolves endogamy challengesTopics Covered• One-place studies as a genealogy research method • Linking community networks to uncover family relationships • Mapping households to land ownership and movement • Frontier research with limited records • Endogamy and surname studies through place context • Registering and sharing one-place studies on WikiTree and research directories • Resources, webinars, and collaboration strategiesEpisode Discussion & Key MomentsDenise explains how building a place-based research framework allows genealogists to move beyond individual ancestors and instead understand entire communities. By organizing census, tax, probate, land, and church records into a town-level model, researchers can identify patterns, relationships, and identity clues that would otherwise remain hidden.The conversation also highlights how mapping census routes to historical land parcels helps clarify neighbor relationships, track movement over time, and provide indirect evidence—especially in frontier eras or communities with thin documentation.Key questions examined include:• How can a one-place study help solve identity problems? • What role do neighbors and associates play in genealogical proof? • How do researchers work effectively in communities with limited documentation?Why This Episode MattersWhen records are incomplete or identities unclear, understanding the place can be just as important as understanding the person. This episode demonstrates how community-level research strengthens genealogical conclusions and supports evidence-based reasoning.About the PodcastHittin' the Bricks with Kathleen is hosted by Kathleen and John Brandt and helps listeners turn scattered historical records into meaningful family narratives using modern research tools and practical methodology.Subscribe & ConnectVisit https://hittinthebrickswithkathleen.buzzsprout.com for more episodes and resources.Do you have aBe sure to bookmark linktr.ee/hittinthebricks for your one stop access to Kathleen Brandt, the host of Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen. And, visit us on YouTube: @HTBKRB with Kathleen John and Chewey video recorded specials. Hittin' the Bricks is produced through the not-for-profit, 501c3 TracingAncestors.org.
Market volatility, gold headlines, and Social Security timing are colliding—and retirees are feeling it. In this episode of The Retirement Key, pulled from this past weekend’s radio show, Abe Abich breaks down why income planning matters more than market predictions. The conversation covers diversification beyond stocks and bonds, building reliable retirement income, planning for longevity, and the real trade‑offs behind delaying Social Security. Through real‑world examples, Abe explains why retirement decisions must balance income, lifestyle, and risk—especially as people transition from saving to spending. Schedule your complimentary appointment today: TheRetirementKey.com Get a free copy of Abe’s book: The Retirement Mountain: The 7 Steps To A Long-Lasting Retirement Follow us on social media: YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedInSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This month's Out Now with Aaron and Abe is the eyes and ears of this institution. The Brandon Peters Show's Brandon Peters and The Milky Way Blues' Yancy Berns join Aaron to discuss The Breakfast Club, the iconic ‘80s high school movie from writer/director John Hughes. This is the second entry in Out Now's “Teenage Wasteland” series of commentaries. Listen in as the group discusses why this film was among the few to help define a decade for teenagers. Plus, there are many stories about the making of the film, the hosts' feelings about and connections to the movie, various tangents, and so much more. So now, if you've got an hour to kill… Follow all of us on Twitter/Bluesky: @Outnow_Podcast, @AaronsPS4, @WalrusMoose, @Brandon4KUHD, @YancyJack Check out all of our sites and blogs: The Code Is Zeek, Why So Blu?, The Brandon Peters Show, The Milky Way Blues Watch the trailer for The Breakfast Club (1985) Next Month: Clueless
In this jam-packed segment, we kick things off with the return of Mets and Yankees baseball, breaking down the actual storylines of spring training—from top prospects like Carson Benge to the MLB's new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system. We explain why the TV strike zone box is disappearing and how the new challenge rules will impact players and fans alike. Switching gears to the gridiron, we debate the Jets' quarterback options, detailing why Zach Wilson is universally crossed off the free-agent list and why Geno Smith might actually be a viable backup option. Then, we make an impassioned plea regarding the one Jets free agent no one is talking about: Alijah Vera-Tucker. To top it all off, we take a hilarious detour into historical hypotheticals, asking the ultimate pop-culture question: if we found out Mary Todd Lincoln was behind Abe's assassination, would anyone with today's short attention spans actually care?
Ask Me Anything and takeaways of the day featuring Andy, Randy, Beau, and Abe.
Ask Me Anything and takeaways of the day featuring Andy, Randy, Beau, and Abe.
This week, Porto's construction is a bit of a headache, Walt and Abe are swapping places finally, we talk about “the Josh Effect” and “Experience Intelligence”, A chance to meet Bob Gurr and see a great documentary, a limited time tour is coming to Disneyland, we talk Epic Universe and Josh as the CEO with Philander, and more! Please support the show if you can by going to https://www.dlweekly.net/support/. Check out all of our current partners and exclusive discounts at https://www.dlweekly.net/promos. News: Walls for the construction of Porto's have moved outwards, causing a bottleneck near World of Disney and the tram loading area. The extended walls are necessary for the construction work going on, but causing crowd control issues at peak times. The resort did open an alternate route backstage in DCA, but that just caused extra confusion. – https://www.micechat.com/431774-disneyland-update-sold-out-parks-opera-house-split-chaotic-construction/ The switchover has finally been made at the Disneyland Opera House and Walt Disney – A Magical Life is rotating with Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. As of this past weekend, Lincoln is featured from open until 1:30pm, then Walt from 2pm to 8pm. Be sure to check the times in the Disneyland App for the day you are in the park, just to be sure. – https://www.micechat.com/431774-disneyland-update-sold-out-parks-opera-house-split-chaotic-construction/ We are just a little under a month from Josh D'Amaro becoming the CEO of the Walt Disney Company. Last week, the Harvard Business Review published a story about Josh D'Amaro, describing him as having “experience intelligence.” They defined this as “the ability to read and shape the human experience.” The author of the article followed Josh around and witnessed the “Josh effect.” This effect is people being genuinely happy to work for him. – https://www.micechat.com/431774-disneyland-update-sold-out-parks-opera-house-split-chaotic-construction/ Any Weeklyteer in the Southern California area the weekend of February 28th should pick up some tickets for a screening of “Bob Gurr Living By Design. Bob Gurr himself will be there for the screening and will be autographing merchandise. General admission starts at just $39, and will take place from 3pm-6pm on February 28th at the Fine Arts Theater is Beverly Hills. Tickets can be purchased at the link in our show notes. – https://www.micechat.com/431774-disneyland-update-sold-out-parks-opera-house-split-chaotic-construction/ https://www.tickettailor.com/events/fandomproductions/2016940 There is a limited time guided tour called Women who Make the Magic. This tour will be available from March 6th through May 10th, which is Mother's Day. The tour is 90 minutes, includes a photo op with an it's a small world doll. – https://www.micechat.com/431774-disneyland-update-sold-out-parks-opera-house-split-chaotic-construction/ The next Disney Pixar feature will be Hoppers, coming to theaters March 6th. The gallery area on the second floor of the Pixar Place Hotel is currently featuring artwork from the movie. There is concept art, paintings, and models of the characters and scenes from the film. – https://www.micechat.com/431774-disneyland-update-sold-out-parks-opera-house-split-chaotic-construction/ SnackChat: Din Tai Fung – https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/downtown-disney-district/din-tai-fung/menus/dinner/ https://dtf.com/en-us/locations/anaheim Discussion Topic: Epic Universe with theme park fan and Disney Cast Member Philander Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
This episode was paid for by special bean Mike Scorpio via the Pick the Flick tier. They picked it and we flicked the bean! Thanks, Mike! This episode covers the 1984 anime from the highly popular Urusei Yatsura series. Abe and Swaim discuss its dreamlike filmmaking style, its relevance to modern movies, and its legacy. Michael also gives anime an ultimatum. Features: Michael Swaim: https://bsky.app/profile/michaelswaim.bsky.social Abe Epperson: https://bsky.app/profile/abeepp.bsky.social Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store
Ask Me Anything and takeaways of the day featuring Andy, Randy, Beau, and Abe.
This week's Out Now with Aaron and Abe comes undone through podcasting passion. Le Noir Auteur's Terence Johnson joins Aaron (in the same room) and Abe for a review of “Wuthering Heights,” from director Emerald Fennell. Hear what this group has to say about this latest adaptation of the classic English novel, now starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. Plus, there's plenty of time for other movie chatter, thoughts on new previews, games, and listener comments. Tune in for Out Now Quickies™ (10:27), Trailer Talk for The Devil Wears Prada 2 (34:43), the main review (45:33), Games (1:45:32), and Out Now Feedback (2:00:34). So now, if you've got an hour or so to kill… Get yourself a free audiobook and help out the show at AudibleTrial.com/OutNowPodcast! Follow all of us on Twitter/Bluesky/Letterboxd: @Outnow_Podcast, @AaronsPS4, @WalrusMoose, @TerenceBJohnson Check out all of our sites, podcasts, and blogs: TheCodeIsZeek.substack.com, Why So Blu?, Le Noir Auteur Read Aaron's review for “Wuthering Heights” Read Terence's review for “Wuthering Heights” Trailer Talk: The Devil Wears Prada 2 Next Week: How To Make A Killing
This was a fun episode! We talk about the Olympic "ding-dong" scandal (please answer the poll below if you are listening on Spotify). Then we rank some Olympic sports, and answer a question about using "what do you say?" in conversation. Big Rich and Ben are coming to the even in Sendai this Saturday! Please register to join us!10-year podcast anniversary event in Sendai:https://www.55freebird.com/events Abe's 10-year podcast anniversary goods!https://www.55freebird.com/shopFree Bird English: Teacher Talk (Socials)X: @FBEteachertalkInstagram55freebird.com (Abe's Website: Lessons, Events, & Goods) FBE Teacher Talk YouTube ChannelGoGoエイブ会話 Podcast (Apple)GoGoエイブ会話 Podcast (Spotify)GoGoプロジェクト#EnglishLearning #EnglishPodcast #LearnEnglish #ESL #EFL #EnglishListeningPractice #EnglishForBeginners #SlowEnglish #英語学習 #StudyEnglish #PodcastForESL
This is part two, the final part of a two-part story with Heather. Trigger Warning / Content Disclaimer: This raw, true survivor story contains explicit details of heavy drug use, narcissistic abuse, physical violence, and attempted murder. Listener discretion is strongly advised. Heather bravely steps forward to share her unfiltered journey in this two-part series. Many assume drugs were the root of her nightmare — but Heather makes one thing crystal clear: drugs do not cause abuse; they only make abuse far worse. She knows this truth from painful, firsthand experience. In Part 2, you'll hear about: • Growing up with narcissistic parents who shaped her early trauma • A string of emotionally and physically abusive boyfriends • Her dangerous marriage to a violent ex-husband who nearly ended her life It's nothing short of a miracle that Heather is still here today. Despite the years of manipulation, control, beatings, and terror, Heather fought her way back to the strong, authentic woman she was always meant to be. Her greatest lifeline? Herself — and her son, Abe. Together, this mother-son duo refused to give up. They saved each other, broke the cycle, and are now both thriving in freedom and healing. If you or someone you love is trapped in narcissistic abuse, domestic violence, toxic relationships, or battling addiction-fueled trauma, Heather's story will give you hope, validation, and proof that recovery and freedom are possible. Perfect for anyone searching: • Narcissistic abuse recovery stories • Domestic violence survivor interviews • Escaping abusive relationships with children • Healing from narcissistic parents • Drug addiction and intimate partner violence • Real stories of surviving attempted murder
Heather's Powerful Survivor's Story: Overcoming Narcissistic Abuse, Domestic Violence, Drug Addiction & Attempted Murder – Part 1 of 2 Trigger Warning / Content Disclaimer: This raw, true survivor story contains explicit details of heavy drug use, narcissistic abuse, physical violence, and attempted murder. Listener discretion is strongly advised. Heather bravely steps forward to share her unfiltered journey in this two-part series. Many assume drugs were the root of her nightmare — but Heather makes one thing crystal clear: drugs do not cause abuse; they only make abuse far worse. She knows this truth from painful, firsthand experience. In Part 1, you'll hear about: • Growing up with narcissistic parents who shaped her early trauma • A string of emotionally and physically abusive boyfriends • Her dangerous marriage to a violent ex-husband who nearly ended her life It's nothing short of a miracle that Heather is still here today. Despite the years of manipulation, control, beatings, and terror, Heather fought her way back to the strong, authentic woman she was always meant to be. Her greatest lifeline? Herself — and her son, Abe. Together, this mother-son duo refused to give up. They saved each other, broke the cycle, and are now both thriving in freedom and healing. If you or someone you love is trapped in narcissistic abuse, domestic violence, toxic relationships, or battling addiction-fueled trauma, Heather's story will give you hope, validation, and proof that recovery and freedom are possible. Perfect for anyone searching: • Narcissistic abuse recovery stories • Domestic violence survivor interviews • Escaping abusive relationships with children • Healing from narcissistic parents • Drug addiction and intimate partner violence • Real stories of surviving attempted murder
This is part two, the final part of a two-part story with Heather. This survivor's story comes with disclaimers having to do with heavy drug usage, narcissism, physical violence, and attempted murder. Heather has selflessly brought her story to us. It would be a mistake to think what happened to her was due to drug usage. Drugs do not cause abuse; they make abuse worse. And Heather knows all about this. You'll hear about her narcissistic parents, abusive boyfriends, and her abusive ex-husband. It is practically a miracle that she is still alive today. Heather somehow managed to find the good person she was always meant to be. She can thank herself and her son, Abe, for saving her life. Together, they kept her alive and today are both flourishing. Be sure to share the story with someone who needs to hear it. Thank you, Bill Mitchell NOTE: If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: BillMitchell@WhenDatingHurts.com The WHEN DATING HURTS book (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon. HELPFUL RESOURCES: • National Domestic Violence Hotline – The Hotline.org – Call 800-799-SAFE • LoveIsRespect – Call 866-331-9474 • RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – RAINN.org – Call 800-656-4673 • SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988 Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast, Bill Mitchell WhenDatingHurts.com DISCLAIMER: The WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast is providing this platform for information to be shared. We do not state with any certainty that anything is true or untrue. Understand that what you hear is the viewpoint of the people sharing. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only. Any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This is part one of a two-part story with Heather. This survivor's story comes with disclaimers having to do with heavy drug usage, narcissism, physical violence, and attempted murder. Heather has selflessly brought her story to us. It would be a mistake to think what happened to her was due to drug usage. Drugs do not cause abuse; they make abuse worse. And Heather knows all about this. You'll hear about her narcissistic parents, abusive boyfriends, and her abusive ex-husband. It is practically a miracle that she is still alive today. Heather somehow managed to find the good person she was always meant to be. She can thank herself and her son, Abe, for saving her life. Together, they kept her alive and today are both flourishing. Be sure to share the story with someone who needs to hear it. Thank you, Bill Mitchell NOTE: If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: BillMitchell@WhenDatingHurts.com The WHEN DATING HURTS book (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon. HELPFUL RESOURCES: • National Domestic Violence Hotline – The Hotline.org – Call 800-799-SAFE • LoveIsRespect – Call 866-331-9474 • RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – RAINN.org – Call 800-656-4673 • SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988 Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast, Bill Mitchell WhenDatingHurts.com DISCLAIMER: The WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast is providing this platform for information to be shared. We do not state with any certainty that anything is true or untrue. Understand that what you hear is the viewpoint of the people sharing. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only. Any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Your Social Security check went up—but so did your Medicare costs. In this episode of The Retirement Key, Abe Abich breaks down the key Social Security and Medicare changes for 2026, from the new COLA increase and full retirement age rules to higher Medicare premiums, IRMAA surcharges, and prescription drug pricing updates. Abe explains how these shifts connect to taxes, income planning, and retirement timing, and why small details can have an outsized impact on your long-term plan. A clear, practical overview of what retirees and near-retirees need to know now. Schedule your complimentary appointment today: TheRetirementKey.com Get a free copy of Abe’s book: The Retirement Mountain: The 7 Steps To A Long-Lasting Retirement Follow us on social media: YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedInSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This episode, we talk about two monumental projects that were started in this reign. One was the historiographical project that likely led to the creation of the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki. And then there was the start of the first permanent capital city: the Fujiwara Capital. Listen to the episode and find more on our website: https://sengokudaimyo.com/podcast/episode-143 Rough Transcript Welcome to Sengoku Daimyo's Chronicles of Japan. My name is Joshua and this is Episode 143: Temmu's Monumental Projects Ohoama sat astride his horse and looked out at the land in front of him. He could still see the image of the rice fields, now long fallow, spreading out on the plain. To the north, east, and west, he could see the mountains that would frame his vision. As his ministers started to rattle off information about the next steps of the plan, Ohoama began to smile. He thought of the reports his embassies to the Great Tang had brought back, about the great walled cities of the continent. In his mind's eye, Ohoama envisioned something similar, rising up on the plain in front of him. There would be an earth and stone wall, surrounding the great city. The gates would be grand, much like the temples, but on an even greater scale. Houses would be packed in tight, each within their own walled compounds. In the center painted red and white, with green accents, would be a palace to rival any other structure in the archipelago. The people would stream in, and the city would be bustling with traffic. This was a new center, from which the power of Yamato would be projected across the islands and even to the continent. Greetings everyone, and welcome back. This episode we are still focused on the reign of Ohoama, aka Temmu Tennou, between the years 672 and 686. Last episode we talked about the Four Great Temples—or the Four National Temples. Much of this episode was focused on the rise and spread of Buddhism as we see in the building of these national temples, but also on the changes that occurred as the relationship between Buddhism and the State evolved. This was part of Ohoama's work to build up the State into something beyond what it had been in the past—or perhaps into something comparable to what they believed it to have been in the past. After all, based on the size of the tomb mounds in the kofun period, it does seem that there was a peak of prosperity in the 5th century, around the time of Wakatakeru, aka Yuryaku Tennou, and then a decline, to the point that the lineage from Wohodo, aka Keitai Tennou, seemed to have come in during a time when they were rebuilding Yamato power and authority. This episode we are going to talk about two projects that Ohoama kicked off during his reign. He wouldn't see the completion of either one, since both took multiple decades to complete, but both focused on linking the past and the future. The first we'll talk about is a new attempt to gather historical documents and records—the last time that was done was in the time of Kashikiya Hime, over 50 years ago. That was during the height of Soga power. Since then a lot had changed, and presumably there were even more stories and records that had been written down. Plus the tide had changed. So they needed to update—and maybe even correct—the historical record. But beyond that, there was a greater goal: Ohoama and his court also needed to make sure that the past was something that they wanted to go back to, among other things. The other thing we are going to discuss is the start of a project to build a brand new capital city. And when we talk a bout city, we really mean a city. This was a massive undertaking, likely unlike anything that we've seen so far. Sure, there had been monumental building projects, but this was something that was going to take a lot more work - how much more monumental could you get than a new city? And it would create a physical environment that would be the embodiment of the new centralization of power and authority, and the new state that Ohoama was building, with his administration—and Yamato—at the center. Let's start with the big ones. First and foremost, we have the entry from the 17th day of the 3rd month of the 681. Ohoama gave a decree from the Daigokuden to commit to writing a Chronicle of the sovereigns and various matters of high antiquity. Bentley translates this as saying that they were to record and confirm the Teiki, which Aston translated as the Chronicle of the Sovereigns, and various accounts of ancient times. This task was given out to a slew of individuals, including the Royal Princes Kawashima and Osakabe; the Princes Hirose, Takeda, Kuwada, and Mino; as well as Kamitsukenu no Kimi no Michichi, Imbe no Muraji no Kobito, Adzumi no Muraji no Inashiki, Naniwa no Muraji no Ohogata, Nakatomi no Muraji no Ohoshima, and Heguri no Omi no Kobito. Ohoshima and Kobito were specifically chosen as the scribes for this effort. We aren't told what work was started at this time. Aston, in his translation of the Nihon Shoki, assumes that this is the start of the Kojiki. Bentley notes that this is the first in a variety of records about gathering the various records, including gathering records from the various families, and eventually even records from the various provinces. And I think we can see why. Legitimizing a new state and a new way of doing things often means ensuring that you have control of the narrative. Today, that often means doing what you can to control media and the stories that are in the national consciousness. In Ohoama's day, I'd argue that narrative was more about the various written sources, and how they were presented. After all, many of the rituals and evidence that we are looking at would rely on the past to understand the present. The various family records would not only tell of how those families came to be, but would have important information about what else was going on, and how that was presented could determine whether something was going to be seen as auspicious, or otherwise. Even without getting rid of those records, it would be important to have the official, State narrative conform to the Truth that the state was attempting to implement. Ultimately, there is no way to know, exactly, how everything happened. If the Nihon Shoki had a preface, it has been lost. The Kojiki, for its part, does have a preface, and it points to an origin in the reign of Ohoama—known as the sovereign of Kiyomihara. In there we are told that the sovereign had a complaint—that the Teiki and Honji, that is the chronicles of the sovereigns and the various other stories and legends, that had been handed down by various houses had come to differ from the truth. They said they had many falsehoods, which likely meant that they just didn't match the Truth that the State was trying to push. Thus they wanted to create a so-called "true" version to pass down. This task was given to 28 year old Hieda no Are. It says they were intelligent and had an incredible memory. They studied all of the sources, and the work continued beyond the reign of Ohoama. Later, in 711 CE, during the reign of Abe, aka Genmei Tennou, Oho no Yasumaro was given the task of writing down everything that Hieda no Are had learned. The astute amongst you may have noticed that this mentions none of the individuals mentioned in the Nihon Shoki. Nor does the Nihon Shoki mention anything about Hieda no Are. So was this a separate effort, or all part of the same thing? Was Are using the materials collected by the project? As you may recall, we left the Kojiki behind some time ago, since it formally ends with the reign of Kashikiya hime, aka Suiko Tennou, but realistically it ended with Wohodo, aka Keitai Tennou—after that point there are just lists of the various heirs. As such, there is some speculation that this was originally built off of earlier histories, perhaps arranged during the Soga era. The general explanation for all of this is that Hieda no Are memorized the poems and stories, and then Yasumaro wrote them down. Furthermore, though the language in the Kojiki does not express a particular gender, in the Edo period there was a theory that Hieda no Are was a woman, which is still a popular theory. Compare all of that to the Nihon Shoki. Where the Kojiki was often light on details and ends with Suiko Tennou, the Nihon Shoki often includes different sources, specifically mentions some of them by name, and continues up through the year 697. Furthermore, textual analysis of the Nihon Shoki suggests that it was a team effort, with multiple Chroniclers, and likely multiple teams of Chroniclers. I have to admit, that sounds a lot more like the kind of thing that Ohoama was kicking off. We have an entry in the Shoku Nihongi, the work that follows the Nihon Shoki, that suggests 720 for the finished compilation of the Nihon Shoki. So did it take from 681 to 720 to put together? That is a really long project, with what were probably several generations of individuals working on it. Or should this be read in a broader sense? Was this a historiographical project, as Bentley calls it, but one that did not, immediately, know the form it would take? It isn't the first such project—we have histories of the royal lineage and other stories that were compiled previously—much of that attributed to Shotoku Taishi, but likely part of an earlier attempt by the court. In fact, given that the Kojiki and Sendai Hongi both functionally end around the time of Kashikiya hime, that is probably because the official histories covered those periods. Obviously, though, a lot had happened, and some of what was written might not fit the current narrative. And so we see a project to gather and compile various sources. While this project likely culminated in the projects of the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki, I doubt that either work was necessarily part of the original vision. Rather, it looks like the original vision was to collect what they could and then figure things out. It would have been after they started pulling the accounts together, reading them, and noticing the discrepancies that they would have needed to then edit them in such a way that they could tell a cohesive story. That there are two separate compilations is definitely interesting. I do suspect that Oho no Yasumaro was working from the efforts of Hieda no Are, either writing down something that had been largely captured in memory or perhaps finishing a project that Are had never completed. The Nihon Shoki feels like it was a different set of teams, working together, but likely drawing from many of the same sources. And as to why we don't have the earlier sources? I once heard it said that for books to be forgotten they didn't need to be banned—they just needed to fall out of circulation and no longer be copied anymore. As new, presumably more detailed, works arose, it makes sense that older sources would not also be copied, as that information was presumably in the updated texts, and any information that wasn't brought over had been deemed counterfactual. Even the Nihon Shoki risked falling into oblivion; the smaller and more digestible Kojiki was often more sought after. The Kojiki generally presents a single story, and often uses characters phonetically, demonstrating how to read names and places. And it just has a more story-like narrative to it. The Nihon Shoki, comparatively, is dense, written in an old form of kanbun, often relying more on kanbun than on phonetic interpretations. It was modeled on continental works, but as such it was never going to be as easy to read. And so for a long time the Kojiki seems to have held pride of place for all but the most ardent scholars of history. Either way, I think that it is still fair to say that the record of 681 was key to the fact that we have this history, today, even if there was no way for Ohoama, at the time, to know just what form it would take. Another ambitious project that got started under Ohoama was the development of a new and permanent capital city. Up to this point we've talked about the various capitals of Yamato, but really it was more that we were talking about the palace compounds where the sovereign lived. From the Makimuku Palace, where either Mimaki Iribiko or possibly even Himiko herself once held sway, to the latest palace, that of Kiyomihara, the sovereigns of Yamato were known by their palaces. This is, in part, because for the longest time each successive sovereign would build a new palace after the previous sovereign passed away. There are various reasons why this may have been the case, often connected to insular concepts of spiritual pollution brought on by the death of an individual, but also the practical consideration that the buildings, from what we can tell, were largely made of untreated wood. That made them easier to erect, but also made them vulnerable to the elements, over time, and is probably one of the reasons that certain shrines, like the Shrine at Ise, similarly reconstitute themselves every 20 years or so. Furthermore, we talk about palaces, but we don't really talk about cities. There were certainly large settlements—even going back to the Wei chronicles we see the mention of some 70 thousand households in the area of Yamateg. It is likely that the Nara basin was filled with cultivated fields and many households. Princes and noble households had their own compounds—remember that both Soga no Umako and Prince Umayado had compounds large enough that they could build temples on the compounds and have enough left over for their own palatial residences, as well. However, these compounds were usually distributed in various areas, where those individuals presumably held some level of local control. It is unclear to me how exactly the early court functioned as far as housing individuals, and how often the court was "in session", as it were, with the noble houses. Presumably they had local accommodations and weren't constantly traveling back and forth to the palace all the time. We know that some houses sent individuals, men and women, to be palace attendants, even though they lived some distance away. This was also likely a constraint on the Yamato court's influence in the early days. We do see the sovereign traveling, and various "temporary" palaces being provided. I highly doubt that these were all built on the spot, and were likely conversions of existing residences, and similar lodging may have been available for elites when they traveled, though perhaps without such pomp and circumstance. What we don't really see in all of this, are anything resembling cities. Now, the term "city" doesn't exactly have a single definition, but as I'm using it, I would note that we don't see large, permanent settlements of significant size that demonstrate the kind of larger civil planning that we would expect of such a settlement. We certainly don't have cities in the way of the large settlements along the Yangzi and Yellow rivers. We talked some time back about the evolution of capital city layouts on the continent. We mentioned that the early theoretical plan for a capital city was based on a square plan, itself divided into 9 square districts, with the central district constituting the palace. This design works great on paper, but not so much in practice, especially with other considerations, such as the north-south orientation of most royal buildings. And then there are geographic considerations. In a place like Luoyang, this square concept was interrupted by the river and local topography. Meanwhile, in Chang'an, they were able to attain a much more regular rectangular appearance. Here, the court and the palace were placed in the center of the northernmost wall. As such, most of the city was laid out to the south of the palace. In each case, however, these were large, planned cities with a grid of streets that defined the neighborhoods. On each block were various private compounds, as well as the defined markets, temples, et cetera. The first possible attempt at anything like this may have been with the Toyosaki palace, in Naniwa. There is some consideration that, given the size of the palace, there may have been streets and avenues that were built alongside it, with the intention of having a similar city layout. If so, it isn't at all clear that it was ever implemented, and any evidence may have been destroyed by later construction on the site. Then we have the Ohotsu palace, but that doesn't seem to be at the same scale as the Toyosaki palace—though it is possible that, again, we are missing some key evidence. Nonetheless, the records don't really give us anything to suggest that these were large cities rather than just palaces. There is also the timeline. While both the Toyosaki palace and the Ohotsu palace took years to build, they did not take the time and amount of manpower that would be needed to create a true capital city. We can judge this based on what it took to build the new capital at Nihiki. This project gets kicked off in the 11th month of 676. We are told that there was an intent to make the capital at Nihiki, so all of the rice-fields and gardens within the precincts, public and private property alike, were left fallow and became totally overgrown. This likely took some time. The next time we see Nihiki is in the 3rd month of 682, when Prince Mino, a minister of the Household Department, and others, went there to examine the grounds. At that point they apparently made the final decision to build the capital there. Ohoama came out to visit later that same month. However, a year later, in the 12th month of 683, we are told that there was a decree for there to be multiple capitals and palaces in multiple sites, and they were going to make the Capital at Naniwa one of those places. And so public functionaries were to go figure out places for houses. So it wasn't just that they wanted to build one new, grand capital. It sounds like they were planning to build two or three, so not just the one at Nihiki. This is also where I have to wonder if the Toyosaki Palace was still being used as an administrative center, at the very least. Or was it repurposed, as we saw that the Asuka palaces had been when the court moved to Ohotsu? This is further emphasized a few months later, when Prince Hirose and Ohotomo Yasumaro, at the head of a group of clerks, officials, artisans, and yin yang diviners were sent around the Home Provinces to try and divine sites suitable for a capital. In addition, Prince Mino, Uneme no Oni no Tsukura, and others were sent to Shinano to see about setting up a capital there as well. Perhaps this was inspired by the relationship between the two Tang capitals of Chang'an and Luoyang. Or perhaps it was so that if one didn't work out another one might. Regardless, Nihiki seemed to be the primary target for this project, and in the third lunar month of 684 Ohoama visited the now barren grounds and decided on a place for the new palace. A month later, Prince Mino and others returned with a map of Shinano, but there is no indication of where they might want to build another capital. After that, we don't hear anything more of Shinano or of a site in the Home Provinces. We do hear one more thing about Naniwa, which we mentioned a couple of episodes back, and that is that in 686 there was a fire that burned down the palace at Naniwa, after which they seem to have abandoned that as a palace site. And so we are left with the area of Nihiki. This project would take until the very end of 694 before it was ready. In total, we are looking at a total of about 18 years—almost two decades, to build a new capital. Some of this may have been the time spent researching other sites, but there also would have been significant time taken to clear and level. This wasn't just fields—based on what we know, they were even taking down old kofun; we are later told about how they had to bury the bodies that were uncovered. There was also probably a pause of some kind during the mourning period when Ohoama passed away. And on top of it, this really was a big project. It wasn't just building the palace, it was the roads, the infrastructure, and then all of the other construction—the city gates, the various private compounds, and more. One can only imagine how much was being invested, especially if they were also looking at other sites and preparing them at the same time. I suspect that they eventually abandoned the other sites when they realized just how big a project it really was that they were undertaking. Today we know that capital as Fujiwara-kyo, based on the name of the royal palace that was built there, and remarkably, we know where it was. Excavations have revealed the site of the palace, and have given us an idea of the extent of the city: It was designed as a square, roughly 5.3 kilometers, or 10 ri, on each side. The square itself was interrupted by various terrain features, including the three holy mountains. Based on archaeological evidence, the street grid was the first thing they laid out, and from what we can tell they were using the ideal Confucian layout as first dictated in the Zhouli, or Rites of Zhou. This meant a square grid, with the palace in the center. Indeed, the palace was centered, due south of Mt. Miminashi, and you can still go and see the palace site, today. When they went to build the palace, they actually had to effectively erase, or bury, the roads they had laid out. They did the same thing for Yakushi-ji, or Yakushi-temple, when they built it as part of the city; one of the reasons we know it had to have been built after the roads were laid out. We will definitely talk about this more when we get to that point of the Chronicles, but for now, know that the Fujiwara palace itself, based on excavations of the site, was massive. The city itself would surpass both Heijo-kyo, at Nara, and Heian-kyo, in modern Kyoto. And the palace was like the Toyosaki Naniwa palace on steroids. It included all of the formal features of the Toyosaki Palace for running the government, but then enclosed that all in a larger compound with various buildings surrounding the court itself. Overall, the entire site is massive. This was meant as a capital to last for the ages. And yet, we have evidence that it was never completed. For one thing, there is no evidence that a wall was ever erected around it—perhaps there was just no need, as relations with the mainland had calmed down, greatly. But there is also evidence that parts of the palace, even, were not finished at the time that they abandoned it. Fujiwara-kyo would only be occupied for about 16 years before a new capital was built—Heijo-kyo, in Nara. There are various reasons as to why they abandoned what was clearly meant to be the first permanent capital city, and even with the move to a new city in Nara it would be clear that it was going to take the court a bit of time before they were ready to permanently settle down—at least a century or so. Based on all the evidence we have, and assuming this was the site of the eventual capital, Nihiki was the area of modern Kashihara just north of Asuka, between—and around—the mountains of Unebi, Miminashi, and Kagu. If these mountains are familiar, they popped up several times much earlier in the Chronicles--Mostly in the Age of the Gods and in the reign of the mythical Iware-biko, aka Jimmu Tennou. Yet these three mountains help to set out the boundaries of the capital city that was being built at this time. There is definitely some consideration that they were emphasized in the early parts of the Chronicles—the mythical sections, which were bolstering the story of Amaterasu and the Heavenly Grandchild, setting up the founding myths for the dynasty. Even though the Chronicles were not completed until well after the court had moved out, the Fujiwara capital is the climax of the Nihon Shoki, which ends in 697, three years into life at the new palace. And so we can assume that much of the early, critical editing of the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki were done with the idea that this would be the new capital, and so it was woven into the histories, and had it continued as the capital, the very landscape would have recalled the stories of the divine origins of the Royal family and the state of Yamato itself. This was the stage on which Ohoama's state was built. He, and his successors, didn't just change the future path of the Yamato government. They rearranged the physical and temporal environment, creating a world that centered them and their government. I suspect that Ohoama didn't originally consider that these wouldn't be finished during his reign. That said, he came to power in his 40s, only slightly younger than his brother, who had just died. He would live to be 56 years old—a respectable age for male sovereigns, around that time. From a quick glance, Naka no Oe was about 45 or 46 years old, while Karu lived to about 57 or 58. Tamura only made it to 48. The female sovereigns seem to have lasted longer, with Ohoama's mother surviving until she was 66 or 67 years old, and Kashikiya Hime made it to the ripe old age of 74. That said, it is quite likely that he thought he would make it longer. After all, look at all the merit he was accruing! Still, he passed away before he could see these projects fully accomplished. That would have to be left for the next reign—and even that wasn't enough. The Fujiwara Capital would only be occupied for a short time before being abandoned about two reigns later, and the histories as we know them wouldn't be complete for three more reigns. So given all of this, let's take another quick look at Ohoama himself and where he stands at this pivotal moment of Yamato history.When we look at how he is portrayed, Ohoama is generally lionized for the work he is said to have accomplished. I would argue that he is the last of three major figures to whom are attributed most of the changes that resulted in the sinification of the Yamato government. The first is prince Umayado, aka Shotoku Taishi, who is said to have written the 17 article constitution, the first rank system, and the introduction of Buddhism. To be fair, these things—which may not have been exactly as recorded in the Chronicles—were likely products of the court as a whole. Many people attribute more to Kashikiya Hime, aka Suiko Tennou, as well as Soga no Umako. Of course, Soga no Umako wasn't a sovereign, or even a member of the royal family, and Kashikiya Hime, aka Suiko Tennou, seems to have likewise been discounted, at least later, possibly due to the fact that she is thought to have come to power more as a compromise candidate than anything else—she was the wife of a previous sovereign and niece to Soga no Umako. Many modern scholars seem to focus more on the agency of Kashikiya Hime and suggest that she had more say than people tend to give her credit for. That said, Shotoku Taishi seems to have been the legendary figure that was just real enough to ascribe success to. That he died before he could assume the throne just meant that he didn't have too many problematic decisions of his own to apparently work around. The next major figure seems to be Naka no Oe, aka Tenji Tennou. Naka no Oe kicks off the period of Great Change, the Taika era, and is credited with a lot of the changes—though I can't help but notice that the formal sovereign, Naka no Oe's uncle, Karu, seems to have stuck with the new vision of the Toyosaki Palace and the administrative state while Naka no Oe and his mother moved back to the traditional capital. And when Naka no Oe moved the capital to Ohotsu, he once again built a palace more closely aligned to what we see in Asuka than the one in Naniwa, which brings some questions about how the new court was operating. But many of his reforms clearly were implemented, leveraging the new concepts of continental rulership to solidify the court's hegemony over the rest of the archipelago. Ohoama, as represented in the Chronicles, appears to be the culmination of these three. He is building on top of what his brother had implemented through the last three reigns. Some of what he did was consolidate what Naka no Oe had done, but there were also new creations, for which Ohoama is credited, even if most of the work was done outside of Ohoama's reign, but they were attributed to Ohoama, nonetheless. Much of this was started later in Ohoama's reign, and even today there seem to be some questions about who did what. Nonetheless, we can at least see how the Chroniclers were putting the story together. There are a lot of scholars that point to the fact that the bulk of the work of these projects would actually be laid out in the following reigns, and who suggest that individuals like the influential Uno no Sarara, who held the control of the government in Ohoama's final days, may have had a good deal more impact on how things turned out, ultimately. In fact, they might even have been more properly termed her projects—there are some that wonder if some of the attributions to Ohoama were meant to bolster the authority of later decrees, but I don't really see a need for that, and it seems that there is enough evidence to suggest that these projects were begun in this period. All of this makes it somewhat ironic that by the time the narrative was consolidated and published to the court, things were in a much different place—literally. The Fujiwara capital had been abandoned. The court, temples, and the aristocracy had picked up stakes and moved north. Fujiwara no Fuhito had come on the scene, and now his family was really taking off. This was not the same world that the Chronicles had been designed around. And yet, that is what was produced. Perhaps there is a reason that they ended where they did. From that point on, though, there were plenty of other projects to record what was happening. Attempts to control the narrative would need to do a lot more. We see things like the Sendai Kuji Hongi, with its alternative, and perhaps even subversive, focus on the Mononobe family. And then later works like the Kogoshui, recording for all time the grievances of the Imbe against their rivals—for all the good that it would do. With more people learning to write, it was no longer up to the State what did or did not get written down. But that has taken us well beyond the scope of this reign—and this episode, which we should probably be bringing to a close. There are still some things here and there that I want to discuss about this reign—so the next episode may be more of a miscellany of various records that we haven't otherwise covered, so far. Until then if you like what we are doing, please tell your friends and feel free to rate us wherever you listen to podcasts. If you feel the need to do more, and want to help us keep this going, we have information about how you can donate on Patreon or through our KoFi site, ko-fi.com/sengokudaimyo, or find the links over at our main website, SengokuDaimyo.com/Podcast, where we will have some more discussion on topics from this episode. Also, feel free to reach out to our Sengoku Daimyo Facebook page. You can also email us at the.sengoku.daimyo@gmail.com. Thank you, also, to Ellen for their work editing the podcast. And that's all for now. Thank you again, and I'll see you next episode on Sengoku Daimyo's Chronicles of Japan.
"Brand is your story. That's the one thing that is unique about you." -Nick Usborne Abe Kasbo is the Founder and CEO of Verasoni, a global marketing communications advisory and agency that delivers integrated strategies for Fortune 500, middle-market, and startup clients, and he serves as a trusted advisor to C-suite leaders on branding, communications, and public relations. He is the author of Irresponsibly Digital, a call to action challenging businesses to rethink digital-first strategies with greater purpose, creativity, and measurable impact, and he has been featured in major outlets including The New York Times, Forbes, PBS, and Fox Business. Abe is an award-winning entrepreneur and humanitarian, including the 2025 Small Business Council of America Humanitarian Award, a documentary filmmaker whose PBS-distributed film The Arab Americans explores 150 years of cultural impact, and a founder of multiple philanthropic initiatives. He is a Seton Hall University Entrepreneur Hall of Fame inductee and holds advanced degrees in public administration, political science, and international relations. Website: https://verasoni.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abe-kasbo-3828913/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/verasoni Nick Usborne is a veteran copywriter, trainer, and digital marketing pioneer with over 40 years of experience helping brands and writers create clear, human-centered content. He trains digital marketers, copywriters, and content teams to protect authentic brand stories while using AI responsibly to generate content at scale, through his "AI + Emotional Intelligence" approach. Nick has written for global brands including Apple, Reuters, The New York Times, and Citibank, spoken at leading industry conferences, and led in-house trainings for organizations such as Intuit, Merck, and Walt Disney Attractions. He is widely recognized by industry leaders for his clarity of thought and continues to teach writers how to future-proof their work in the age of AI. Website: https://storyaligned.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickusborne/ In this episode, we discover expert insights on blending AI, brand storytelling, and authentic marketing. Apply to join our marketing mastermind group: https://notypicalmoments.typeform.com/to/hWLDNgjz Follow No Typical Moments at: Website: https://notypicalmoments.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/no-typical-moments-llc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4G7csw9j7zpjdASvpMzqUA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notypicalmoments Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NTMoments
"Brand is your story. That's the one thing that is unique about you." -Nick Usborne Abe Kasbo is the Founder and CEO of Verasoni, a global marketing communications advisory and agency that delivers integrated strategies for Fortune 500, middle-market, and startup clients, and he serves as a trusted advisor to C-suite leaders on branding, communications, and public relations. He is the author of Irresponsibly Digital, a call to action challenging businesses to rethink digital-first strategies with greater purpose, creativity, and measurable impact, and he has been featured in major outlets including The New York Times, Forbes, PBS, and Fox Business. Abe is an award-winning entrepreneur and humanitarian, including the 2025 Small Business Council of America Humanitarian Award, a documentary filmmaker whose PBS-distributed film The Arab Americans explores 150 years of cultural impact, and a founder of multiple philanthropic initiatives. He is a Seton Hall University Entrepreneur Hall of Fame inductee and holds advanced degrees in public administration, political science, and international relations. Website: https://verasoni.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abe-kasbo-3828913/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/verasoni Nick Usborne is a veteran copywriter, trainer, and digital marketing pioneer with over 40 years of experience helping brands and writers create clear, human-centered content. He trains digital marketers, copywriters, and content teams to protect authentic brand stories while using AI responsibly to generate content at scale, through his "AI + Emotional Intelligence" approach. Nick has written for global brands including Apple, Reuters, The New York Times, and Citibank, spoken at leading industry conferences, and led in-house trainings for organizations such as Intuit, Merck, and Walt Disney Attractions. He is widely recognized by industry leaders for his clarity of thought and continues to teach writers how to future-proof their work in the age of AI. Website: https://storyaligned.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickusborne/ In this episode, we discover expert insights on blending AI, brand storytelling, and authentic marketing. Apply to join our marketing mastermind group: https://notypicalmoments.typeform.com/to/hWLDNgjz Follow No Typical Moments at: Website: https://notypicalmoments.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/no-typical-moments-llc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4G7csw9j7zpjdASvpMzqUA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notypicalmoments Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NTMoments
Andy and Abe discuss the Braves roster as they get going in Spring Training
Andy and Abe square off in a tense battle of Sports Jeopardy
Andy and Abe discuss the Falcons quarterback room, and how it stacks up to others among the league
NFL No Huddle: Andy and Abe discuss the softness of NFL owners for getting rid of team surveys, as well as the levels of parent support, and how it differs from belief.
With this being Hawks star Jalen Johnson's first All-Star Game, Andy and Abe discuss where he stands among Jalens, and other NBA talk.
Andy and Abe get in to the popularity of the NBA All Star game, or lack thereof.
Andy and Abe get in to Trinidad Chambliss getting closer to a 6th year of eligibility, and why we may see more of this in the future.
Join us LIVE on February 12th at 1:00 PM CTHow Accountable Is Your Insurance Agency—Really?
Andy and Abe discuss the press conferences by the Falcons new coordinators, and how they may handle the James Pierce Jr. situation. While they are being tight-lipped on it, there is definitely a plan in place.
Andy and Abe get in to the Hawks roster as it is constructed, and what to look forward to as they dredge through this season.
Andy and Abe get in to the tanking problem in the NBA, and how it differs so much from other sports. You can visibly see teams tanking before mid-season!
Andy and Abe get in to what the 2026 Falcons may look like after hearing from the coordinators.
Andy and Abe get in to the Braves at the start of Spring Training, and something positive coming from Ronald Acuña Jr. There are a lot of other positives out of North Point thus far...
Andy and Abe get in to what would make the rest of this Hawks season a success.
Falcons insider Joe Patrick joins Andy and Abe to talk about the future of James Pierce Jr, and where the Falcons could go from there.
Send a textWe're back with The Skinny On...three wild stories: confusing jobs data, Japan's equity market rally, and why everyone's freaking out about AI killing SaaS companies.Confused by the latest Non-Farm Payrolls report? So were we. The blowout headline number was nothing compared to the massive downward revisions to 2025's data. Yet somehow, bonds still sold off and the market has priced out March rate cuts. Huh?? We're not buying it.Then we jump to Japan, where the Nikkei's been ripping. Everyone's talking inflation, but the real story is decades in the making: Japan's finally ditching "holder capitalism" (where companies hoarded cash and protected jobs) for actual shareholder value. Prime Minister Takaichi's landslide win just accelerated reforms that started under Abe. With an aging population, pension funds need equities to work — so corporate Japan has no choice but to unlock value.Next: the "SaaS-pocalypse." Software stocks got obliterated on fears that AI will replace them entirely, pushing many loans in the tech sector into distressed territory. But remember: corporate cash flows don't vanish overnight. We share lessons from the past that suggest the current panic feels overblown, even if the existential threat is real.As our philosophical debate continues over the appropriate role for AI in the workplace, we bring on Charlie Schilling, CEO of Macabacus, to talk about how his company (creators of a beloved Wall Street productivity toolkit) is navigating this chaos and what AI actually means for financial modeling.Learn about our favorite tool, Macabacus, here: https://macabacus.com/wssFor a 14 day FREE Trial of Macabacus, click HEREShop our Self Paced Courses: Investment Banking & Private Equity Fundamentals HEREFixed Income Sales & Trading HERE Wealthfront.com/wss. This is a paid endorsement for Wealthfront. May not reflect others' experiences. Similar outcomes not guaranteed. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. Rate subject to change. Promo terms apply. If eligible for the boosted rate of 4.15% offered in connection with this promo, the boosted rate is also subject to change if base rate decreases during the 3 month promo period.The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC ("Wealthfront Brokerage"), Member FINRA/SIPC. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") on cash deposits as of 11/7/25, is representative, requires no minimum, and may change at any time. The APY reflects the weighted average of deposit balances at participating Program Banks, which are not allocated equally. Wealthfront Brokerage sweeps cash balances to Program Banks, where they earn the variable APY. Sources HERE.
Andy and Abe get in to the news of Spencer Schwellenbach needing surgery to begin the season, and the likelihood that he will be replaced via free agency.
Andy and Abe get in to the Hawks roster as they head in to the All-Star break.
Andy and Abe get in to the supposed parody in the NFL, and YES, every team should be able to repeat the Seahawks success, so why don't they?
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