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35 HARSH TRUTHS NOBODY WANTS TO ADMIT! Brutally honest advice from the man that makes millionaires. One of the Best Motivational Speeches featuring Alex Hormozi. Edited by Motiversity.Special thanks to:Chris Williamson: https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisWillxFollow Alexhttps://www.instagram.com/hormozi/https://www.youtube.com/c/alexhormozihttps://www.acquisition.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanderhormozi/https://twitter.com/AlexHormoziMusicEpic Motiversity Musichttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqEh1qsx0I6HKF6EuzDJhvA/Confidential Music - Archangelhttps://www.youtube.com/@ConfidentialMXEpidemic Sound Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Admit it... there's something that drives you nuts that everybody else thinks is ridiculous. Jason and Dan are no different. Jason rants about weather advisories - are there really too many? And Dan thinks the "cycle" is the dumbest "achievement" in baseball - he's wrong, right?
Sermon Notes:· Philippians 4:4 – Rejoice in the Lord always; I will say it again, Rejoice!· Admit we are powerless.· Realize God is greater than us and he can restore us to sanity.· We make a decision to turn our will and lives over to the care of God.· We make a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.· We admit to God, ourselves, and another person the exact nature of our wrongs.· We are ready to have God remove all the defects of our souls.· We humbly ask God to remove our sins.· “How do I get him/her/them to change?”· “How do I get God to change him/her/them?”· You can't change another person· Groveling doesn't heal the relationship.· You can only change you.· You are responsible for your slice of the pie.· Matthew 7:3 – Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?· Make a list of people we harmed and become willing to make amends to them all.· Matthew 5:23-24 – Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar and there remember your brother something against you, 24 Leave! Your gift before the altar and Go! First to be reconciled with your brother; then come, offer your gift.· Your relationships with others impacts your relationship with God.· “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.”· Make a list of people we have harmed.· Become willing to make amends.· They don't deserve it.· I don't want to.· God will forgive me without me making amends· Galatians 6:7: Do not be deceived; God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.· I can't think of anyone I harmed.· Luke 19:8 – Look, Lord! Here and now I give half my possessions to the poor and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.· Heavenly Father, forgive me for the harm I have done. I want to make amends. Please guide me.LIFE Group Discussion QuestionsOpener: In your opinion, why do people have a hard time admitting they have harmed someone else?1. Read Matthew 5:23-242. Notice the immediacy Jesus demands. What does this tell you about being reconciled with other people?3. In your opinion, how do broken relationships impact our relationship with God?4. In your opinion, what kind of character traits are required to leave your offering and go to be reconciled with your brother or sister?5. Read Luke 19:1-106. Is there anyone in your life that reminds you of Zaccheus?7. What does it say about Zaccheus that he is willing to make amends?8. Imagine the scene at Zaccheus' house after Jesus leaves Jericho. How many people take Zaccheus up on his offer? How do they feel about Zaccheus after he reconciles with him? How does Zaccheus collect taxes from this moment forward?
35 HARSH TRUTHS NOBODY WANTS TO ADMIT! Brutally honest advice from the man who makes millionaires. One of the Best Motivational Speeches featuring Alex Hormozi. Speaker: Alex Hormozi Alex Hormozi is a first-generation Iranian-American entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist. In 2013, he started his first brick-and-mortar business. Within three years, he successfully scaled his business to six locations. He then sold his locations to transition to the turnaround business. From there, he spent two years turning 32+ brick & mortar businesses around using the same model that made his privately owned locations successful. After that experience, he packaged his process into a licensing model that scaled to over 4000+ locations in 4 years. Over that same four-year period, he founded and scaled three other companies to $120M+ in cumulative sales across four different industries without taking on outside capital. He has scaled and exited 7 companies. His most notable exit was the majority sale of his licensing company for $46.2M in 2021.
Was Bryan Kohberger 'Proud' To Admit His Guilt In Court, Ret FBI Behavior Chief Breaks It Down In one of the most chilling moments in recent courtroom history, Bryan Kohberger stood up and calmly pleaded guilty to the brutal murders that shocked the nation. But was he actually proud to admit what he'd done? Retired FBI Behavioral Chief Robin Dreeke joins us to dissect the disturbing nuances of Kohberger's courtroom demeanor. Known for his expert analyses on criminal behavior and body language, Dreeke explores subtle signals of arrogance, self-satisfaction, or defiance in Kohberger's admission, shedding light on what may have been occurring inside the convicted killer's mind during this crucial moment. Dreeke leverages his years of experience decoding the minds of some of the most dangerous criminals in the country, discussing how Kohberger's educational background in criminology and criminal justice may have influenced his attitude toward the plea. Was this calmness indicative of someone believing he was still in control, or a final act of twisted defiance and superiority? Throughout the conversation, we delve into Kohberger's psychological profile—his narcissism, the need for control, and the unsettling possibility of pride in his horrific actions. Dreeke also provides insights into how this behavior will influence his life behind bars and what this could signal about his mental state moving forward. This detailed breakdown of Kohberger's courtroom conduct helps us understand not only his disturbing behavior but also offers critical lessons for recognizing signs of dangerous narcissism and arrogance in other offenders. Prepare for a deep dive into criminal psychology with one of the FBI's most seasoned behavioral analysts. Hashtags: #BryanKohberger #CourtroomBehavior #GuiltyPlea #FBIProfiler #BodyLanguageAnalysis #NarcissisticCriminal #PsychologyOfCrime #RetFBIRobinDreeke #TrueCrimeAnalysis #HiddenKillers Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872
Hidden Killers With Tony Brueski | True Crime News & Commentary
Was Bryan Kohberger 'Proud' To Admit His Guilt In Court, Ret FBI Behavior Chief Breaks It Down In one of the most chilling moments in recent courtroom history, Bryan Kohberger stood up and calmly pleaded guilty to the brutal murders that shocked the nation. But was he actually proud to admit what he'd done? Retired FBI Behavioral Chief Robin Dreeke joins us to dissect the disturbing nuances of Kohberger's courtroom demeanor. Known for his expert analyses on criminal behavior and body language, Dreeke explores subtle signals of arrogance, self-satisfaction, or defiance in Kohberger's admission, shedding light on what may have been occurring inside the convicted killer's mind during this crucial moment. Dreeke leverages his years of experience decoding the minds of some of the most dangerous criminals in the country, discussing how Kohberger's educational background in criminology and criminal justice may have influenced his attitude toward the plea. Was this calmness indicative of someone believing he was still in control, or a final act of twisted defiance and superiority? Throughout the conversation, we delve into Kohberger's psychological profile—his narcissism, the need for control, and the unsettling possibility of pride in his horrific actions. Dreeke also provides insights into how this behavior will influence his life behind bars and what this could signal about his mental state moving forward. This detailed breakdown of Kohberger's courtroom conduct helps us understand not only his disturbing behavior but also offers critical lessons for recognizing signs of dangerous narcissism and arrogance in other offenders. Prepare for a deep dive into criminal psychology with one of the FBI's most seasoned behavioral analysts. Hashtags: #BryanKohberger #CourtroomBehavior #GuiltyPlea #FBIProfiler #BodyLanguageAnalysis #NarcissisticCriminal #PsychologyOfCrime #RetFBIRobinDreeke #TrueCrimeAnalysis #HiddenKillers Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872
State lawmakers convened at the Capitol Tuesday for the first legislative hearing since two colleagues were shot last month.An effort to start the process of modifying a Minneapolis police reform agreement is now on pause. The Minneapolis City Council has voted to pause the effort to start modifying the existing MPD agreement with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. Supporters of the proposal want the city to add provisions from a federal consent decree that was dismissed by a judge earlier this year to its existing pact with the human rights department.The organization Abbey‘s Hope reached a milestone Tuesday in its effort to match Minnesota kids with life jackets. Scott and Katey Taylor formed the group after their 6-year-old daughter Abbey died following an incident in a wading pool where she got stuck in a filter pump.The historic Stone Arch Bridge in downtown Minneapolis is reopening in full next month.The Minnesota Department of Transportation has temporarily turned off the lights on the Mississippi River bridges at Winona amid an ongoing mayfly hatch. The twin bridges carry State Highway 43 across the river to Wisconsin. The lights attract the insects in swarms and can create dangerous driving conditions.
Was Bryan Kohberger 'Proud' To Admit His Guilt In Court, Ret FBI Behavior Chief Breaks It Down In one of the most chilling moments in recent courtroom history, Bryan Kohberger stood up and calmly pleaded guilty to the brutal murders that shocked the nation. But was he actually proud to admit what he'd done? Retired FBI Behavioral Chief Robin Dreeke joins us to dissect the disturbing nuances of Kohberger's courtroom demeanor. Known for his expert analyses on criminal behavior and body language, Dreeke explores subtle signals of arrogance, self-satisfaction, or defiance in Kohberger's admission, shedding light on what may have been occurring inside the convicted killer's mind during this crucial moment. Dreeke leverages his years of experience decoding the minds of some of the most dangerous criminals in the country, discussing how Kohberger's educational background in criminology and criminal justice may have influenced his attitude toward the plea. Was this calmness indicative of someone believing he was still in control, or a final act of twisted defiance and superiority? Throughout the conversation, we delve into Kohberger's psychological profile—his narcissism, the need for control, and the unsettling possibility of pride in his horrific actions. Dreeke also provides insights into how this behavior will influence his life behind bars and what this could signal about his mental state moving forward. This detailed breakdown of Kohberger's courtroom conduct helps us understand not only his disturbing behavior but also offers critical lessons for recognizing signs of dangerous narcissism and arrogance in other offenders. Prepare for a deep dive into criminal psychology with one of the FBI's most seasoned behavioral analysts. Hashtags: #BryanKohberger #CourtroomBehavior #GuiltyPlea #FBIProfiler #BodyLanguageAnalysis #NarcissisticCriminal #PsychologyOfCrime #RetFBIRobinDreeke #TrueCrimeAnalysis #HiddenKillers Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872
As of Wednesday morning, the Minnesota State Fair has released its new foods list and we just have to say - we do not care and neither do you. We also hear from one of the most notable food (and Fair) experts Stephanie Hansen who calls in to respond to Adam.
Dan Kahn is the Founder and CEO of Kahn Media, a public relations and marketing agency based in Los Angeles specializing in the automotive aftermarket. A lifelong car enthusiast, Dan began his career at age 16 by pitching and landing magazine features on a Mustang he restored with his father. Before founding Kahn Media in 2008, he worked as an automotive journalist and launched digital content platforms. His latest book, The New Rules of the Road, outlines his philosophy on transparency, digital strategy, and authority marketing in a fast-evolving business world. In this episode… Trust and transparency are reshaping the way brands connect with customers. In industries like automotive repair and aftermarket services, reputation is everything. How can leaders and marketers build lasting customer relationships without relying on old-school sales tactics? According to Dan Kahn of Kahn Media, authentic engagement starts with openness and education. Drawing from decades of experience in automotive journalism and agency leadership, Dan explains how businesses can thrive by prioritizing customer empowerment and honesty. He highlights the power of authority marketing and the need to communicate value without overpromising. On this episode of Gain Traction, Mike Edge chats with Dan about keys to brand authenticity, customer trust, and business resilience. Dan shares personal stories of success and failure, insights from his book, and actionable tips for both local tire shops and national brands. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: [01:53] The Mustang project that launched Dan Kahn's media career at 16 [05:32] The significance of converging PR and marketing in modern business [07:09] Why Dan founded Kahn Media to serve a gap in the auto industry [8:38] The concept of "open, honest, and transparent" brand storytelling [11:36] How education trumps selling in building customer loyalty [12:46] Flat-rate pricing and transparency in auto repair shops [13:52] Owning mistakes and regaining trust with clients [25:49] How a small-town tire shop survived national competition through community ties Resources mentioned in this episode: Dan Kahn Website | LinkedIn Kahn Media The New Rules of the Road by Dan Kahn Mike Spagnola on LinkedIn SEMA Mike Edge on LinkedIn Tread Partners Quotable Moments: "Don't sell — just educate. If people don't get it, they're not your customer." "Transparency makes me feel like I'm part of the process — and I'm happy to pay more for that." "Our biggest hurdle with new clients is fixing the damage done by other agencies." "When you own your mistakes, people respect you more and keep coming back." "Marketing is like falconry — you need to stay just hungry enough to stay sharp." Action Steps: Adopt a transparency-first mindset: Build trust with customers by openly sharing your process, costs, and updates. Stop selling, start educating: Empower your audience with knowledge rather than pressure them with sales pitches. Commit to consistent business development: Avoid complacency by always nurturing your pipeline, no matter how busy you are. Engage in community marketing: Sponsor local events and be present — authenticity creates brand resilience. Turn mistakes into loyalty builders: Admit errors quickly, provide solutions, and use failures to deepen relationships. Sponsor for this episode... This episode is brought to you by Tread Partners. At Tread Partners, we provide digital marketing for multi-location tire dealers and auto repair shops. By using our strategy, branding, and marketing services, we help shops sell more tires and put more cars in bays. We've helped companies like Action Gator Tire, Colony Tire and Service, and Ulmer's Auto Care Center bring extreme growth in paid leads, ROI, and searches. So, what are you waiting for? Visit www.treadpartners.com or email info@treadpartners.com to learn more.
It's hard to admit, but I had this reputation in school. "I hate to admit it but I was known as the thong girl in high school. My mom only bought me low rise jeans!!" "Apparently, I was known as being a "nerd." I barely graduated so I'm not sure why people thought that!" "Hate to admit that I was known as the class unicorn champ. I slept with all the football and basketball players."See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
This episode has been published and can be heard everywhere your podcast is available.Book a One on One coaching session HEREUnchained -https://www.rawmotivations.com/unchainedWant to help support this podcast?https://anchor.fm/rawmotivations/supportListen to the wife's perspective on our new podcast Trauma, Drama & Life:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trauma-drama-life/id1639753152Tune in to hear the perspective of a self aware narcissist.That's me - Ben Taylor a a narcissist in recovery trying to promote awareness, healing, growth and change. I do that by these videos on here, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.Please reach out to me if you are a: Victim of Narcissistic Abuse -Helping provide closure, reduce guilt and break free from the trauma bond that toxic people imprison you in. Narcissist -I understand you better than you probably understand yourself because I have been there, I am there and I am fighting daily for a better life. You can do that too.From Fantasy to Reality: A Journal for after the Toxic RelationshipGrab yoursHERE.Platforms I am on:TikTok (71k followers) - https://www.tiktok.com/@raw_motivationsInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/rawmotivationsFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/Raw-Motivations-105074738842639/Linkedin -https://www.linkedin.com/in/rawmotivations/YouTube -https://www.youtube.com/c/rawmotivations?sub_confirmation=1
This week on the podcast, we sat down with Dave Garrison, author of The Buy-In Advantage, to unpack what it really takes to build trust, unlock collective genius, and lead in a way that makes people want to follow — not just comply. Big Ideas from the Episode 1. Lead with Questions, Not Answers Too many leaders default to "solving" when they should be curious. Dave challenges us to create space for others' ideas by asking better questions — and letting silence do some of the heavy lifting. 2. Trust Is Built Through Vulnerability Want more openness from your team? Go first. Admit mistakes, be transparent about uncertainty, and model the behavior you want to see. Trust follows behavior — not titles. 3. Rethink Your Meetings No more "death by update." Share status reports in writing and use meeting time to solve real problems, explore new ideas, and tap into group intelligence. Pro tip: Leaders should speak last to avoid biasing the room. 4. Use the ‘Collective Genius' Framework To unlock true collective intelligence, start by defining the problem and the criteria for success before any brainstorming begins. This ensures everyone is solving the same problem and aiming at the same outcome. Next, give people time to reflect individually before the meeting — even a short pause or overnight buffer allows for deeper thinking and better ideas. When it's time to gather input, capture every idea without judgment or immediate evaluation. This creates psychological safety and encourages contributions from all voices, not just the loudest. Once ideas are on the table, use cumulative voting — where participants can allocate multiple votes — to prioritize the most promising directions. Finally, focus the group's energy and discussion only on the top-voted ideas. This keeps the conversation productive, targeted, and respectful of everyone's time and input. 5. Make Feedback a System, Not a Surprise Regular process checks after meetings, employee-led reviews, and clear growth conversations build a culture of continuous improvement. Ask often: “How can I better support you?” Leadership in Action Use “Connection Questions” in meetings to build trustTry “honorable closure” — end meetings with a quick reflection or feedback momentSet reminders (even on Post-its) to ask before tellingHave your team lead their own reviews — it builds ownership Try This This Week: ✅ Ask one more question before offering an opinion ✅ Run a meeting where you speak last ✅ Do a 60-second feedback loop at the end of your next team session Learn more about Dave Garrison over at Garrison Growth. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn. You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems. As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I'll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!
Episode 97: Gershwin Prize Winner July 6, 2025 And the Gershwin Prize goes to …….The aging process on humans is real. What we do and dont do may play a big part in how that process affects us or not. The vinyl LPs of that era and the new ones being purchased today will last a lot longer than the color in our hair or our smooth and youthful skin. All Im saying is that the age of rock is so wide and varied, from Elvis to Zappa, we have a lot of ground to cover in these short one-hour shows. And, who knows, maybe listening to the music of our youth may give a moment in time when we can enjoy those times or not. Admit it, it wasnt all bad. If you have some input, like my friend, Puh-mella did, let me know your taste in music, who/what/when. Email all your comments to me at TalesVinylTells@gmail.com. The podcasts are all available at http://www.studiomillswellness.com/tales-vinyl-tells, on Apple podcasts, podbean.com and a whole bunch of good podcast apps.
Kyle & Jackie got through the forbidden thoughts that men have nowadays that were once a lot more acceptable and even still in some countries. Have a listen...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Cáel Defeats The Illuminati: Part 19The Great Hunt.Book 3 in 19 parts, By FinalStand. Listen to the ► Podcast at Explicit Novels.‘The Hunt is never an easy thing because in the Wild there are things which hunt the hunters'September 11th: First Day Of The Great HuntCentral ArgentinaFelix was still nursing his hurt hand when I came back from my Ishara-space."Well?" he smirked."Plenty of good news," I smirked right back from the place where I had dropped when Felix had cold-cocked me. "Suffice it to say the weather on the final day will be in our favor ~ no more precise answer than that from the goddess SzélAnya ~ plus our horses will not throw us, or give away our position. That's from the Goddess Epona by the way.""Finally, the Goddess Ishara will be watching over us and our travails... she will send omens to warn us of hunters closing in as well as talk to me in my dreams. Apparently she doesn't want me; us; to shame her in this contest so is taking this competition seriously. Mind you, this means the other goddesses will be taking this contest seriously as well, so we have our work cut out for us again.""What is Ishara the Goddess of again?" the teased me."Oaths, love and medicine," I repeated my answer."Fine," the grinned, "is there any goddess in my corner?""None that bothered talking to me," I snorted. "Want me to knock you out and see what you can see?""Nah... I'm Felix Melena. I work better alone.""You mean in alone in a team of two, right?""Yeah; a team of four actually, Nyilas. Don't forget our mounts," Felix motioned to our two horses.I was ecstatic because they had brought Peppermint down from 'Summer Camp' for this romp through the Pampas. To me she was the perfect mare for this endeavor.Felix had been gifted with a spirited gelding named 'Thunderbolt'; 'Rayo' in Spanish. He was a black haired beast with white sox and a white diamond on his forehead. Felix had wanted a stallion, but the Horse-mistresses of Epona had nixed that choice as highly impractical for a horse-virgin such as himself. I had to agree as stallions had far too much spirit and the likelihood of one making noise when it smelled an unknown mare was far too high... so a gelding it was.Not that an 'unknown' mare was that much of a possibility. See, we had been put down where the other thirty huntresses would also be starting from; a makeshift corral our host Freehold had put together as the entrance to some 'badlands' in which the hunt would be taking place. There ten Amazons; with their own mounts; manned the place, fed the horses and made sure no one cheated out of the starting gate.We had our 24 hours head start on our pursuers, but that didn't turn out to be the huge edge we thought it would be. We were given the first part of our map... which led to the area we would find our second part of our map... and so on until sometime late Saturday night, or Sunday morning, we would find the final part of our map which would direct us to where our extraction point would be.We were to be extracted at Noon; not sunset as we had originally been told; on Sunday. Actually, anytime between ten minutes before to ten minutes after... so fair this was not seeing as we were novice outdoorsmen. Still, those were the rules we were given so off we went early Thursday morning. In the truest Amazon fashion, this was to be a contest which required the utmost skill and endurance to win.Heading out, Felix and I were deciding on what the enemy strategy, or strategies, would be. We figured some would start by simply trailing us seeing as how they were better both at tracking as well as doing so from horseback. The second group would follow a different, but equally difficult 'Treasure Hunt' toward our final point of extraction and wait for us there.I reminded Felix that neither he nor I nor any of the Amazons would be riding our horses to death, or even injury, because that wasn't the Amazon way. Such callous disregard for one's mount wasn't in them and we had to follow that dictum, or suffer irreparable harm to our own 'honor' should we do so and somehow win. Doing so and losing... we decided to not even go there.This also meant we had to take time for our horses to graze and find water for them to drink along the way. After getting that lecture, Felix wondered out loud if it wouldn't be a better idea for us to let our horses loose and 'hoofing' it ourselves seeing as how the Amazons would also have to follow the same horse etiquette. I had to remind him reluctantly how much faster horses could travel. Horses were the way to go.The difference was there was no rapid charging across the landscape with the Sun at our backs as we headed out. No, we took it at a steady trot until we hit our first terrain feature; a steady gradient cut in the side of a canyon which had been created over the millennia by the forces of wind and rain. Down we went. Our horizon sunk down until all we had were the walls of the canyon.Our map directed us to take this route to the first 'treasure horde', whatever that was. By the way we were moving and how the Sun slowly crawled up above us; recall it was almost 'spring' down under; we figure we were making good progress toward our first target... which we located without too much hassle around noon.It was a Bonanza! Not for us, but for the horses. We had four bags of grain for our mounts. We humans received some sort of indescribable jerky (since it was probably not human we decided to eat it... later [it turned out to be the local flightless bird and it tasted like chicken jerk jerky too!]). There was also the second part of our map which led us farther out into the wilderness. Off we went.Third Treasure Trove.By evening we had found our third treasure trove. The second had contained two compasses and two hatchets (Yippee!). The third had contained two sections of twenty-five meter rope and some flint and tinder so we could start a fire. Felix was all for this as it was butt-numbing cold already and we were damn tired from a day full of riding.We compromised by creating a banked fire. We also decided to sleep instead of pushing on. It was pretty dark outside even with the three-quarters Moon above. We definitely didn't want to walk our mounts into something which could bring them up lame this early in the contest. I assured Felix we couldn't abandon them and leading them would be torture. Essentially we would be disqualified.I won the compass toss and got to sleep the first part of the night. Felix woke me around Moon-set and then I kept watch; there were predators about, or so we believed; until sunrise. Then we ate the last of the jerky, fed and watered our mounts then head out once more. This time our hearts began to hammer within their cages and every noise had sinister implications.See, the Amazons are cheating bitches of all cheating bitches and could have started after us at 12:01 last night and pushed on following our trail through the night. Being expert horsewomen and spectacular trackers they could do shit like that. We, their prey, had to be clever in other ways. What those ways were weren't relatively apparent though.Maybe Pamela could show up and, after slapping me upside my head, give me a clue. No Pamela arrived though so we were on our own. Shortly after the Sun crested the canyon walls; we kept to the canyons just in case; we came across the fourth 'trove'... and it was chilling. We received two binoculars and some more jerky (it was to be our lunch). The binoculars were the chilling part because if WE had some then most likely the Amazons behind us had some as well.Also, the way from our fourth treasure to out fifth put us in the horns of a dilemma. We could either cut over the sides of the canyon to where the fifth treasure trove/map was, or keep to the canyon and travel three times the distance. After a quick discussion followed by some 'rock-paper-scissors' (complete with a prayer to Dot Ishara), I won, so up and over the side we went.To reduce the size of our silhouette, we dismounted and led our horses across the... and stumbled across a herd of cattle; Sweet Mother Ishara! We moved through the herd, waved to the accompanying Amazon gaucho, and went on our way. Felix muttered something about my 'dumb' luck. He-he-he-he-he... We talked to the gaucho, turned on the charm and convinced her to not tell any of our pursuers we had come by this way.She was like nineteen years old and I could tell really took a shine to Felix... so he promised to come back and visit her the moment he won the contest. After we departed her and her track-erasing herd of cattle, I pulled him aside."You had better keep that promise to that girl. If you don't, she and her kinfolk will hunt your ass down and tag you like a mule deer in the Yellowstone," I cautioned him."I know. I know," he grinned. "These are some crazy ass bitches. Besides, being the lone male in a freehold of women has its own appeal."I thought we were in safe territory again when Felix finally asked that doom-laden question."Cáel , where have all their dudes gotten off to?"'Oh shit', I mused. How much of the truth could Felix handle?"I'm only telling you this because I like you," I said then took a deep breath. "They sold them to the Nine Clans... they are a bunch of assassins.""Really?" he studied me. Like he was going to catch me in a lie after four years of dating the most dangerous game on this Earth; girlfriends."Really. Where do you think they get those legion of ninja and combat fighters from? Sure their life expectancy isn't what we have, but it is much better than they would have if they stayed home." There was some part of the truth in that."That seems... short-sighted.""What do you think guys like us are for? Now they won't have to kidnap local passer-byers for weeklong orgies.""How come words has never gotten out about this?" Felix was relentless."It has from time to time, but Havenstone makes sure such reports are relegated to the realm of tabloids and UFO aficionados. If that doesn't work, they bribe some people to bury the story. If that doesn't work, they kill some people.""Now that I believe," Felix nodded."That they kill people to keep their secrets?""Absolutely. They look like the kind of girlfriend who wouldn't be happy unless she burns your balls before your eyes after you break up.""How succinct," I nodded back."So, are we ever going to see Khalid, Trent, or Brian again?""Sure... they are only being kept prisoners and milked of their seeds... but I can arrange for you go to go meet them if you really want to," I offered."No thanks," Felix shook his head then grinned. "They washed out while only you and I remain. Let me find them on my own and get some sort of permission from Ms. Love (Katrina) first. I thought Khalid was kind of cool and Trent was the kind of brother I could invite out for a beer, or ten.""Not Brian?""Brian was too invested in himself and his weevil-ing ways. I couldn't trust him at my back, or with my girl. Mind you, I wouldn't trust you with my girl either, but we are otherwise okay.""Smart move. I have exceedingly low impulse control around the ladies plus an over-developed libido.""Yeah," he smiled my way. "I'd trust you in a knife fight, but not with someone I loved. You are way too smooth, Nyilas. Way too smooth.""What brought that revelation on?""Ms. Lee (Brooke). Normally I can mend any fence with any girl I come across, but not with her after she'd been with you. I admire that," he studied me."So, are you and Gene going to be a regular thing?""Yeah. I think so. I still expect me to be getting plenty of tail at Havenstone once I win this thing, but having a less-lethal girl on the outside wouldn't suck either."So much like me... I admired that about the guy."Once we win, don't ya mean?""Sure thing, Nyilas," he chuckled. "I figure it helps me to help you across the finish line. The better standing you end up in the better an ally you make back at work.""That reminds me; Katrina told me they are going to spin this; your participation in this inaugural Great Hunt is that all sins are forgiven; yadda, yadda, yadda. Thus you still walking around Havenstone being the bad boy you are.""Clever lady and always thinking ahead. Is she seeing anybody?""No, and dude, you don't want to go there. She is far too clever by half to fall for any of our reindeer games. She scares me," I cautioned him."All the more reason to pursue her," he snorted."Go for it," I shrugged. Hey, I'd warned the guy."What about that blonde number I saw you with... Elsa was it?"Oh, he knew exactly who Elsa was, but he was acting all nonchalant about his treatment at her hands."Yeah. Elsa. What about her?""Is she in your stable?""Nope. Not really," I shrugged. "Going after her too?""Oh, definitely.""Good luck with that," I sighed. He'd learn the hard way."There is something you are not telling me.""Yeah. She has the hots for me. Wants to own me... and not in a good way.""Oh... is that your way of cautioning me to be wary of her?""Most definitely. Elsa is one scary lady and she already knows who and what we both are.""What are we?" he was eyeballing me again."Hunters on the prowl. Guys who like a challenge. In your case, the guy who only wants the best. I'm more of an omnivore.""You mean you are a man-slut," he snorted."Got me," I chuckled."So, you think she's out of my league?""No. I think she is Katrina's friend and Katrina sees right through both of us. Elsa might not have those interpersonal skills, but she's twice as lethal. Trust me on that; I've fought her.""How tough was she?""Beat me black and blue then choked me out because I wouldn't surrender.""Oh... I'd like to get her on the mats.""Good luck with that then. Become a 'Runner' and there is even more I can tell you about her. Right now it is all simply in-house stuff.""Corporate confidentiality details, eh? Executive Services purview and stuff like that. Man, I was wrong to look down on your branch of service. I apologize.""Why thank you. I honestly never thought I'd get a sincere apology from you.""I can be wrong once in your lifetime," Felix laughed, "and I'm man enough to admit it.""Oh... and thanks for the sim-cards. They helped me get off that deserted atoll.""No problem. That was Katrina's idea though.""Well, you got them to us so surreptitiously the Chinese suspected nothing.""Don't you mean those rogue Albanians?""Yeah... them too," I laughed along with him."I think we can be friends, Nyilas," he grinned."I think so too. I didn't think so originally. On the first day you and the others treated me like the country bumpkin, but now I think you see me as a survivor... just like you.""Precisely. You know I had the option of leaving Havenstone... no matter how this affair turns out.""And you didn't take it? Who offered you this opportunity anyway?""Katrina.""It might have been a ruse," I warned him. "These bitches don't play fair.""I took that into account... but I love the challenge of this place. It is like no other work environment on Earth. Challenges every day, hot women all around, and the chance to risk my life on a monthly basis. Screw regular corporate America. I've found the place where I belong."Felix sounded so enthusiastic. I hoped he understood the fate he was embracing. I also hoped he found a niche in Havenstone which allowed him to live out his life... hopefully a long, long life. Maybe I should warn him about the 'cliffs'? Perhaps once we had won and were safely back in Havenstone's motherly embrace.Hiding.Fortune favored us backtracking from our seventh treasure trove; our dinner and more grain for the horses. A few birds flew up out of the brush ahead of us. I took that as a sign from Ishara."Felix," I hissed. "Hide!"We looked around and found a draw away from the main canyon floor for us to slink into. I used some brush to cover our side tracks then ran back to cover.No sooner had I gotten there than two Amazons came trotting past us. The lead one was Svetlana Inara and she was tracking us from the saddle. The second one was Beatrice Astarte who was scanning the environment as they moved together following our trail up this vein of the canyon. As soon as they were around the next corner of the vein, Felix and I mounted up and raced down the other way.The sand floor covered our hoof-falls and we had to go that way anyway. We had barely covered the distance to the next draw when we spotted two more Amazons following our earlier trail this way. We had Two Amazon parties on our trail and it wasn't even Friday night yet! This group spotted us and gave chase. They must have ridden their horses hard to get this far because we quickly left them in our dust.This allowed us to slow down a bit and deviate over to where the eight 'treasure' was. Our map had us going back down his particular draw which I thought was most unwise, so we went over the lip of the draw dismounted and led our horses at a rapid run; for us humans; across the greater landscape. Thank SzélAnya, a late afternoon rainstorm fell upon us as we dropped down into the next vein of the canyon before the pursuing Amazons crested the draw we had exited.We walked through the rain until the sun set then debated what to do next. We were going to need light to figure out where the eighth treasure was at; they were all somewhat hidden. We had to keep moving no matter what because we doubted the Amazons on our asses were going to let up. We decided when we got close to the eighth treasure horde I would do the searching while Felix stood watch on the entrance to the draw.Using a hatchet I cut off a branch from a bush and set it alight so I could see what I was doing. It took me twenty long minutes to figure out where the treasure was hidden... night-vision goggles and the map to the ninth map piece. Gleefully, I went back down to where Felix was except... no Felix. Oh Shit! I slipped back and put on my night-vision goggles, got a hatchet at the ready and returned, scanning about.I spotted one Amazon... she was Carla Nemain... and I recalled her being teamed with Ella Mielikki. Anyway, I tried to sneak up on Carla and it almost worked. At the last moment the cloud cover cleared and the three-quarters Moon revealed me. She spun on me with twin fighting sticks while I tried to brain her with the flat side of my hatchet.Yours truly took two punishing blows to his ribs while only clipping her with my hatchet. Still, the blow appeared to cause her to stumble so I pressed my advantage. I knocked one of her two sticks out of her hand then missed twice. I thought I heard someone coming up hard behind me. Well... fuck!"What do you have?" Carla grumbled. "Are you trying to kill me?"I kept silent, pulling out my second hatchet and pressing my luck a little further. I disarmed her and then hammered her down with a hatchet to the top of her skull. Down she went. I spun around just in time to see Ella Mielikki coming at me with a lasso. She launched it a second too late and I was able to bat it aside. She drew her honor blade and kept coming though."Ella... I have two hatchets. This is not a fight you can win," I addressed her."You won't kill me," she kept advancing."Of course not. We are sisters, but I can do... this!" and I attacked her with the flat ends of my twin hatchets. I so had her too... or I would have had I had the extra moment to ensure Carla was unconscious.She wasn't. She jumped me from behind then Ella rushed in from the front and I went down in a tangle of arms, legs and torsos. I was doing surprisingly well wrestling them both despite the odds until Ella put her knife against my throat."Give up," she panted. "You have been captured. Admit it!""I surrender," I sighed then relaxed my body. My two hatchets dropped to the ground."Let's bind him up too," Carla grinned. They proceeded to tie my hands behind my back then my legs together. Then then gave each other a celebratory 'high-five'. Then came their pillaging of our loot. They especially loved our night vision goggles and the grain for 'their' horses. They abandoned our horses, put loose nooses around our necks and began riding off down the canyon, their horses feeding on the grain in feedbags... and there was a suitably humbled Felix...To do so they had to untie our legs, but they compensated for that by tying our elbows together behind our backs as well as our hands. It was a rather painful affair. All in all, our captors were quite triumphant. After a while, I decided to speak."So, how did you catch us so fast?" I asked Carla. She had my noose."I prayed to Nemain and then picked a compass point and rode that way. We came across your path and followed you here."So you weren't the group following us from the afternoon?""No... you were being followed?""Yes... by two groups... both of whom tracked us from the beginning," I sighed."Ella," Carla addressed her companion. "We had better get a move on. There are four others on our track.""Damn it," Ella grumbled. "You take both males. I'll double back and start masking our trail. You pick a different compass point and I'll catch up.""Okay. Come here," Carla accepted Felix's noose from Ella. "We are going... north by northwest."Ella doubled back and was soon out of sight. Carl took the next draw she came across and kept up a steady walking pace. As a matter of safety, she didn't wrap our tethers around her saddle horn on the off chance her horse took off. We could be dragged to death of we were attached to the horse. So, we had a momentary advantage... and took it.I spotted Felix counting down with his fingers behind his back. I spotted him at '4'. I rapidly signaled '3', he went to '2' and I finished up with '1' then we lunged backwards trying to pull her off her horse. With my luck, she tumbled down on Felix's side, horse rearing up. I ran for it, quickly pulling my noose along with me. I heard Carla and Felix cursing behind me.It was gut-check time. I could abandon Felix or attempt to double back and help him with only my legs because my hands were behind my back."Fuck it," I cursed silently as I doubled back. In the forefront of my mind was the notion Felix would come back for me if the roles were reversed. In I charged.Felix was standing, trying to use his martial arts kicks to keep her at bay.He was also absorbing the majority of her concentration because; again; she didn't notice me until I was right on top of her. I put a shoulder into her diaphragm, taking her down and knocking her knife out of her hands. Felix didn't waste a moment giving her as snap-kick to the cranium... knocking her out. I picked up the knife and backed up toward my partner.First I had to saw through his elbow bonds and then his bound hands to free him. This all took precious time. I had just freed him when Carla began moaning. Felix looked to me then to the horse."Go," I urged him on. "Go to the next site and then double back for me. You know which way they will be heading and it is you on horseback versus two of us who aren't."He gave me a quick nod of the head then jumped into the saddle... and almost spilled himself over the other side, but then was off like a flash. I ran off in the other direction. Of course with the minimal lighting and my arms tied behind my back I didn't expect to get too far, but what realistic choice did I have. I certainly wasn't going to give up, damn it.[The Politics Of Not Playing Fair]In hindsight, knowing the Amazons were cheating bitches of cheating bitches, I should have tried to cheat more, but I ended up thinking too much about the male version of honor and not enough about winning. Thankfully, others were much more invested in me winning than that. Add to this and I had family I really hadn't counted on seeing things that way.And then there was the Sanctity of the Contract to consider... which I clearly hadn't, though the opportunity to do so was right there all along.As I was fleeing for my life I caught sight of one person running past me to my right and another to my left as a third slammed into me and took me down. For an instance I was thinking 'now they are operating in groups of four!' then the clothing of the three entered my consciousness. They weren't dressed like Amazons. Their camouflage was all wrong unless you were deliberately trying to hide in this environment.The only people I knew who would do something like that without a plethora of modern weapons being evident; thus being the Seven Pillars; were the Ninja![in Japanese] "Hey there, are you looking for me?"[in Japanese] "Yes we are, Ishara-sama," a feminine voice answered. "Where is your companion? We are supposed to make a good faith effort to save them as well.""Wait... who hired you?""Well, it is supposed to be something of a secret so tell no one, but it was your brother," she replied in thickly accented English. With a few flashes of steel in the moonlight and I was a free Amazon once more."Were did the other two go?""Covering your tracks and laying out a few nuisance traps to confuse the two following you.""Your body feels... awfully familiar," I hazarded conversation of another sort."I am Miyako's older sister; and married. Happily so though I have been repeatedly reminded of your... horn-dog status. It is 'horn-dog' correct?""Yeah," I sighed. "That's me. Let's go find Felix before he gets hopelessly lost."By this time the other two had made it back to us, expertly covering my tracks; they were not leaving any; because, you know, they were ninjas. By the looks of things it must have seemed I flew away because I had simply vanished as well. I wish I could have hung around long enough to see the looks of consternation on the pursuing Amazons' faces, but I had real work to take care of."So basically, my Brother, the Great Khan, has hired three ninja to help me win," I whispered as we made our getaway into the moonlit darkness."Oh no," I could have sworn she smiled, "There are seven of us. We each have other tasks to perform, be it carry extra equipment, or scouting ahead to make sure we don't bump into any more of your girlfriends.""They are not my girlfriends... yet... maybe," I shrugged."Don't make me hit you," she whispered back. "I will hit you if you cheat too much on my little sister. She is so impressionable you know.""Oh... boy," I groaned. A protective older sister while I was on a time table. "Is all of your team female?" I asked instead."Yes. When dealing with our allies the Amazons it was considered the diplomatic thing to do. Now we most move like the autumn breeze over the grass, Ishara-sama.""Please, call me Cáel . What's your name?""Not something I can reveal while on a mission. My name in the team is 'First' as I am the team leader.""I could call you Hatsuyuki," I kept going. Hatsuyuki meant 'First Snow'. We were angling in a different direction suggesting to me we had come across Felix's path and were racing to catch him."I will help you out a bit," she chuckled ever so slightly. "Every woman on the team is a sister, or sister-in-law of Miyako, so we have all heard the tales of your exploits and been suitably warned by Grandmother to not fall for your... reindeer games.""Wow... cut off at the knees before even leaving the starting gate," I frowned."Please concentrate on the task at hand Ishara-sama," she whispered then, "Four more ahead of us. I swear they must have some sort of divine assistance as well.""Cheating bitches of all cheating bitches," I quietly cursed. Hatsuyuki put her hand over my mouth despite the low volume of my words.I risked a peek. It was fucking Elsa and Rachel and they were having a pow-wow with Tormé Maeve and Parul Nammu. By the rules of the Great Hunt, no Amazon could subdue, or otherwise hinder any other Amazon; as long as they didn't have a male. Then all bets were off. After a while the two teams flipped a coin and departed in different ways... which were eerily close to our actual track.The moment they were safely away, we took off once more at a steady jog. Mind you, I was in pretty damn good shape... and these little ninja babes were threatening to run me into the ground such was their stamina. The big thing was breath control. We had to be prepared to be utterly still at a moment's notice. Every Amazon around us was as hunter of some sort, be it of big game, or of humans.Even with their precautions we found ourselves being tracked by Daryna Šauška and Yatta Oxóssi within the hour. Exactly what they were tracking wasn't known to me and was a source of consternation to the Ninja. It was impossible to outrun horse-bound foes at our current pace and if we moved faster, the odds of our enchantment failing would drastically increase."Fuck!" I hissed."What?" Hatsuyuki made brief eye contact then scanned around for whatever threat I might have detected."They are tracking the magic of the enchantment," I enlightened her."Are you sure?""Alal; my Grandfather is," I held her eyes this time. "Honestly, I was going through the Rolodex of my mind when this thought occurred to me. I think it was a mystic rite the Egyptians invented millennia ago, but he knows it.""What is the counter?""I don't know," I sighed, "but I do know your movement is leaving a magical trail behind which glows like the failing light of a sunset to the searcher."Hatsuyuki whispered some arcane words which my ears failed to focus on while making several complicated hand gestures. She gave me one head nod then we took off, jogging in another direction though still angling to intercept Felix. I noticed the change immediately. Dry grass crackled beneath our feet and standing grass bent at our passage. I was the worst offender without a doubt.Later when we stopped for a break, 'Three' returned to tell us the followers had initially been confused by the loss of the spell energy betraying us, but then they dismounted and began tracking us on foot; slower yet still a persistent menace."New plan," I decided. "We set an ambush for them.""We can't do that, Cáel ," Hatsuyuki informed me. "We are forbidden to directly confront our foes."My mind barely hesitated in its skullduggery."But if I confront them, could you steal their horses?""Yes," she grinned once more, or so I thought. "Then set up a field of simple traps with a path I can maneuver through so I can lose them once I have their undivided attention. Can you do that?""Yes," and another smile."Let's get on it," I grinned back. I could tell she was warming up to me. After all, I wasn't pressuring her to save me, or violate her Contract. Instead I was thinking on my feet and utilizing what they were best at to avoid my enemies.[in Japanese] "Team, here is what we must do," Hatsuyuki gathered her girls together and laid out what they needed to accomplish.Twenty minutes later, the ambush was set and the two ladies walked right into it. Apparently the idea I would fight back so aggressively hadn't occurred to them. I smashed straight into Daryna first, knocking her down and running past her. Instinctively she jumped up, cursing me even as she gave chase. For an instance Yatta hesitated, considering mounting up and giving chase, or pursuing on foot. Rapidly riding a horse even in this partially moonlit night was risky so she decided to join Daryna on foot as I raced away. She did grab her lasso first though. Seeing as Daryna was following in my footsteps, it was Yatta who stumbled into the first series of traps, spraining her ankle in the process.Hearing that, I took a quick detour, allowing Daryna to catch up if she cut crossways in her pursuit. Predictably she did so and crashed into her own series of traps while I continued to beat feet out of there. As Daryna untangled herself from the 'spider web' trap; really just a tangle of silk strings; she heard the horses neigh and then take off. The ninja had exploded smoke bombs in the horses' faces to accomplish this feat.By the time Daryna stood up, I was long gone in the foot race. She carefully picked her way back to Yatta, helped her up and then worked her way back to find their saddles cut loose and packs set aside... and their horses long gone as well. From what 'Five' related to us later, Daryna elected to take after their lost steeds while Yatta treated her sore ankle. 'Five' didn't hang around to see how long it took Daryna to return with their mounts. The rest of us had successfully slipped away by that time.Reunited.By the time we had reunited with Felix he had already discovered our next Treasure Trove; more grain, a compass and a map of the whole region. Woot! We still only had one mount until an hour past sunrise when our two steeds came trotting into our brief camp. Now we had three horses. We elected to release Carla's mount to find its way back to her mistress... eventually, we hoped."Care to explain the entourage?" Felix joked."Somebody who is somebody loves me," I shrugged. "I can't tell you who though. I've been sworn to secrecy.""Damn... five female ninja. We have got to not waste this opportunity.""I am so onboard with that plan," I grinned, "but it going to be tough. Most of the only speak Japanese and they are all related to a girl I've already knocked up.""So they all know what a stud you are, Cáel ," Felix laughed. "Give it time and they'll be begging for it. I know the type. Fit, but silent with minimal social skills. They want to know all about how you seduced their sister, cousin, what have you.""God, I hope so," I groaned. "All this abstinence is driving me crazy.""Me too," he chuckled. "Me too."Oh, what we had planned was horribly irresponsible. We had the inaugural First Great Hunt to win for all Mankind after all. Still, it took only three elements to be effective; a stream, river, or lake of some kind to bathe in; to convince the ninja we had to take a bath to remove any scent the Amazons who captured us may have sprayed on us; and the ninjas' willingness to believe such an outlandish excuse to get naked. Once they saw us naked nature would take its course.Well, despite our awesome masculine arsenals... we got nowhere. The ninja babes didn't buy our excuses, blew away our pseudoscientific ramblings (pheromones don't work that way, they insisted) and seriously; we didn't really have the time. So while putting our shirts back on and then going for our boots, two more Amazons came our way. We barely had the warning time to seek cover when Elsa and Rachel came riding down the stream, looking each way for any signs of us.Thanks to our horses remaining perfectly still as well, they gradually moved past our hidey-holes and out of our view. The second the ninjas gave us the 'all clear' we hurriedly finished dressing then headed off in a different direction. The last two Amazons I wanted to confront were Elsa and Rachel. I liked Rachel too much and quite frankly was too afraid of Elsa.Once more we risked using some Ninja Magics to aid our passage through a light, early morning rain. This one put off a confusing area of tracks which were both difficult to follow; Amazons were no dummies; and included our chosen pathway to the next treasure trove. Shortly after an overcast noontime Sun, we hunkered down for a few hours and took a short nap.I would have liked to sleep longer, but according to the two ninja who had stood watch, the whole area appeared to be crawling with Amazons out and about, mounted and dismounted and following our misleading trails, but still being close enough around to make traveling above the canyons frankly impossible. Felix and I had a meeting of the minds with Hatsuyuki.Sending two Ninja off on our steeds wouldn't work because at least one group of the opposition had our binoculars and none of the Ninja could pass for us under such scrutiny. In fact, we couldn't come up with a single plan which guaranteed us a chance to move about unseen. So, we came up with a crazy plan instead. I would take off on Peppermint in an elliptical path meant to draw off as many Amazons as possible.It had to be me because a few of the Amazons might not pursue Felix if he tried the same stunt, focusing on capturing Ishara first... so Ishara had to be the one to play decoy. We shook hands, hugged then scouted around for the best opportunity for me to make a bolt for it... then off I went. What the Ninja planned to do wasn't revealed to us though I had a feeling they weren't enamored with my plan.Peppermint and I came out of the closest draw and set off with a meandering gate; we would need all the speed she could muster soon enough. Unthinkingly, I had also stumbled across an added bonus to my plan. Me and my dumb luck. See, all the Amazons anywhere close to me at the start had been pressing their mounts hard for a day and a half now plus hadn't spent any time last night sleeping whereas me and Peppermint were relatively well fed and watered as well as well rested.Still, my initial sense was that I was simply fucked. All across the plain, Amazons noted my presence within a minute and began moving to hem me in. I imagine once I was unmounted and bound, the grand melee to see who would claim me would begin. I counted twelve of the fine ladies and while none were directly ahead of the direction I was heading in, some were far too close for me to hold out much hope.I didn't give up though. I wasn't in me and apparently it wasn't in Peppermint either. She picked up the pace instinctively when I leaned forward and off we went. Incrementally, all thirteen steeds picked up their speeds. I wasn't going to make it... and then it got worse. Coming out of a draw to my front-right was none other than Ella Mielikki.See appeared as surprised to see me as I was to see her, but that didn't last. She whipped out her lasso and spurred her mount to go faster. She was going to cut me off. I had no out in any other direction. All I had was a plain full of grass and thunderclouds in the distance; just too far away to do me any good.'Remember who you were...' came unbidden to my mind.I leaned forward and began whispering in Peppermint's ear in a language I did not know... but three thousand years ago it had been the language of horse peoples like the Scythians who taught it to their noble young... and so had another people long forgotten by history... the Medians. The words spilled out of me until all that was left was the final benediction; words that would bind man and mount together.[Median] "For Aya," I whispered.Remember who you were; wasn't meant for me. It was for the hundreds of Median steeds my Grandfather had ridden into battle... with his comrades-in-arms for over a thousand years two thousand years ago.Ella was whirling the lasso over her head. We were so close I could read the prayer to Mielikki on her lips as she strove to close those last few hoof-falls. The lasso flew through the air...Peppermint took off in a burst of speed utterly unlooked for. Her ghostly white plume rose majestically over her head; Grandfather's symbol... and now mine. The thunder of a hundred such steeds filled my ears with their power as we pulled away from the falling lasso... now less than a foot... too short. She had missed us and with that throw, passed the last chance the Amazons had to catch me.Rachel would later tell me they were all completely aghast at the pace Peppermint set as we rode past Mielikki, easily outdistancing her thus everyone else. We had escaped them and they knew it. They didn't know how and the looks of utter disbelief the Amazons behind me exchanged left them no doubt I had led them a merry chase only to vanish in a whirlwind of dust as I raced all the way into the storm-burst. Gone, gone, gone.Rachel told me she had then turned to Elsa and laughed heartily."I should have given him my honor blade," she chuckled, "because unlike the rest of you, I knew better.""But, what did he do?" Elsa had asked, truly curious and a bit frustrated."Just being Cáel ," Rachel had shaken her head as she replied. "Just being Cáel ."[Sunday]It was a thick, pounding rain as promised. No one could ride in this. Visibility was down to a few yards and the ground had turned into a morass. Only the greyness of the clouds betrayed the coming of day to us while our final treasure trove; a compass, map and coordinates for the rescue; pointed us in the proper direction... us and thirty Amazons.In our favor, the Ninja threw up a marching cordon around us so we didn't walk into any ambushes, and any Amazons not already at least even with us in the distance separating us from our evacuation point had a chance of catching us. Again, no Amazon worthy of their name would ride in weather like this and in a foot race, we men actually finally had the advantage.I wish I knew who was closest so I could plan accordingly. In strictly hand to hand combat, Felix and I had the advantage on over half those we were confronting. While most excelled at being hunters, beating up their prey with hands and knives wasn't normally their second best feature. No, they were fine combatants, just not in Felix's, or my, league.But then there were the Amazons like Tormé Maeve and Elsa Zorja who could kick our asses without a doubt, and planning how to fight them required a completely different game plan."What's on your mind?" Felix leaned in and shouted into my ear."This ain't over. Not only do we have to reach the evacuation site within a twenty minute window, we have to hope a half-dozen Amazons aren't waiting there for us."Felix nodded."Who is going to be the worst team?""Elsa and Rachel. I'm not sure I can beat Rachel and I'm damn sure I can't beat Elsa," I answered."Leave Elsa to me then. While I've never fought her before, she's also never fought me," he reasoned. "My best bet is an all-out offense; holding nothing back and hope I can outmuscle her before she pulls some surprise on me.""That's about right," it was my turn to nod.One of the Ninja came running back to us."There are two Amazons ahead of us going in the same direction. What do you want to do?"I looked to Felix who cracked his knuckles. He was right too. We didn't have enough time left to race around them; not in this mud; so jumping them and putting them down was our best bet.Bleeding.Our fists were bleeding, I had a knife wound on my left thigh, and Felix's nose was most likely broken, but we had put down two pairs of Amazons in the closing hour of the Great Hunt... and we were still free. We had even recorded the coordinates of where we left the four bound Amazons because leaving them all tied up in these conditions didn't seem fair.So far we had put down Niranjana Ereshkigal and Anna Cybele whose strategy was to figure out where the evacuation point was and then set up an ambush close by, and our old buddies, Tormé Maeve and Parul Nammu, who had been racing up to the evacuation point after some piece of divine intervention. They stumbled into us as we were binding up the first two.Thanks to the Ninja we had a moment's warning before they jogged right into us. It was on! Felix immediately challenged Tormé while I circled Parul, each seeking an advantage. Unfortunately, Tormé began cleaning Felix's clock so spun around and we switched partners."I wanted it to be me and you," she snarled."I was hoping to miss you entirely," I replied. She laughed and closed... and then slipped in the mud and slid right into my knee strike. Before she could clean the cobwebs from her head, I had landed three solid fist strikes to her jaw, rendering her incapable of immediate resistance; one tough chick! I quick glance back to Felix showed me he had Parul well in hand, so I quickly bound Tormé up and took her honor blade so she wouldn't be cutting herself free too soon.After we had Parul secured, Felix slapped me on the back and laughed."You bastard, I saw that," he chuckled. "She slipped.""I'll take it," I was unapologetic. Explaining to Felix how she was Katrina's #1 assassin would take too long. I'd leave it to Katrina to warn him how dangerous dating her would be.And then we heard the helicopter... and looked at our watches. It Was 11:48! We raced up the last bit of the slope to see the helicopter finish its descent. We'd made it... and then we saw Elsa and Rachel climbing up the slope beside us, disguised as we were by the downpour."Cáel !" Elsa screamed out my name. Rachel simply charged Felix wordlessly.I drew Tormé's honor blade and faced Elsa down. "Do you honestly think you can defeat me?" Elsa laughed. "Because Cáel , you cannot. You are already beaten, bruised and bleeding. Surrender and I promise to be gentle.""On any other day, I would agree with you, but this is not like any other day," I held my captured small knife out in a fighting stance."Today... today I have my Grandfather's knowledge and my Father's boundless spirit, Elsa. Today; you cannot defeat me. Come at me and find out, if you must." My stance flowed into an alien design... which came from a time when knives were the only close combat weapon anyone was lucky enough to have. My knife raised up over my head yet still pointing at my opponent while my empty left hand pointed at my foe.Then it occurred to me... if I could withstand the pain, I could grab her blade and hold it in place while I slashed down with my own ceremonial weapon. I could regenerate the damage; that was my edge and this was a fighting stance my Grandfather had perfected with that knowledge when all blades were either sharp stones, or smelted copper.I could see Elsa studying me rapid-quick before she made her lunge. It was so On! The first series of slashing strikes saw me barely missing having my hand cut open. I wasn't so lucky my second time around. Elsa sliced my ring finger to the bone."Damnit, Cáel !" Elsa snapped. "If you are going to fight me, at least use the training Pamela gave you. I have no idea what this crazy stance is supposed to show, but I think it is nothing more than your made-up style again. This time I am going to really hurt you if you don't surrender... Right Now!"Yeah, Elsa was upset she had to actually hurt me. I sensed that in her. Still, the pain quickly receded and I continued to stalk her... silently and with great determination on my face. No response was necessary and I was sure my quietude was unsettling her even more. On the next exchange Elsa moved so fast I couldn't track her blade. Still, I moved my empty palm across to stop her most likely angle of attack.I was wrong. By shifting my entire body to stop her slash, I put myself in the wrong positon; closing the distance between us and intercepting her surprise backslash with my left side at the kidney level. Ouch! Motherfucker! I grunted but used my positioning disadvantage as an advantage. As Elsa's hand recoiled from the dire wound she had given me, I reached out with my left hand and grabbed her wrist.My right hand came down attempting to slash her wrist in this exchange. She caught my right wrist in her left hand. Our bodies collided then my forward momentum slammed into her form and we both fell over. She rolled so we ended up crashing down on our sides, but I refused to release my hold while driving my blade ever downward.I didn't have much advantage over Elsa, but I was superior in upper body strength. It was my old buddy except coming out in my favor today. Slowly my blade inched toward its target."How... can... you... still... be... fighting?" Elsa ground out between her teeth."I am Ishara," was my reply. "The power of the goddess runs through me," I added a lie meant to confuse and dishearten her.She tried to break away by rolling around. I wouldn't let her. I tangled my legs up with hers until we were one conjoined mess. Then she surprised me with a head-butt right as the option was just occurring to me. She smashed my nose. There was blood everywhere, but I wouldn't relent on my hold. Instead, I followed up her head-butt with one of my own.Elsa caught mine with the hardest part of her forehead instead. Our skulls collided. I refused to feel the pain so while she was still reeling from that contact I smashed forward once again; this time impacting her temple and really shocking her. I had to have seemed like a monster to Elsa by this point in our bout; I could feel no pain and no infirmary would hold me back.Lacking every other point of leverage, she went for the 'Tried and True'; her knee impacted my precious gonads and for just that instance, my hold on her weakened. She broke free then rolled away."Stay down," she almost screamed at me. I didn't, instead rising up and resuming my archaic stance once more."This is going to hurt you a whole lot more than me," she promised next. Just then we both heard a titanic scream to my left. By the sound of the grunt which followed, I realized Felix had connected with one of his powerful kicks to Rachel's ribs. I used the positional advantage to charge. We collided once more, each one's opposite hand clamping down on the other's knife hand.While standing, we pushed each other back and forth, attempting kicks and foot stomps all the while my knife approached Elsa's collarbone. We were both too on guard for head-butts to pull one off this grapple, but I didn't need it... because we were in fact, grappling and I had a whole martial art devoted to grappling; Brazilian Jujutsu!I dropped Tormé's honor blade and flipped us around so I landed on top of her. Her blade drew a bloody line along my hip, but not enough damage to cause me any consternation. I could see it in her eyes, the moment we landed in the mud. She realized her mistake by allowing me too close, but the last time she had let that happened she had succeeded in stabbing me in the kidney, so she was taken off-guard for just that instance."Yeah," I chortled, "Just recalling my Brazilian Jujutsu aren't ya?""I can beat it," she ground out."You and an MMA Army," I growled back. She was in danger of having me roll her over... then it would be light's out!Right then Rachel and Felix came crashing down on the two of us, breaking my concentration and my hold. The four of us rolled up and separated once more.Rachel moved to Elsa's side while Felix helped me stand."We are running out of time," Felix informed me. We were. That appeared to be Rachel and Elsa's strategy all along. Keep us occupied for the remaining... eighteen minutes... damn was I out of breath and hurting."Switch," Felix tapped me on the forearm. "I got this."He didn't and he knew he didn't. For some god damn unknown reason, Felix was doing a selfless act for the first time in his life and I couldn't comprehend why."She'll destroy you," I pointed out."You're bleeding; badly," he stated, "and failing fast.""Listen to your friend," Rachel interjected herself into the conversation. Worse, she stepped aside and clearly indicated she would let me pass."Rachel!" Elsa snapped."He's earned it. For the past eighty-four days and then some, Cáel has earned; our respect," Rachel reminded us."Okay," I acknowledged the act of kindness. I moved behind Felix so he could screen me from Elsa... then shoved him as hard as I could across the muddy surface toward freedom. The look he sent back my way was priceless. Reluctantly, he looked back once then jogged to the helicopter and the rewards he deserved for surviving against so many for so long; just like me, but without the Goddesses and my troop of ruthless Amazon allies..."Two on one," I joked."No. I've surrendered my trophy," Rachel smile to me was emotionally crushing."Fine," Elsa nodded then, "Let's continue." This time I didn't have a knife.When we collided this time, she didn't hesitate to stab me in the left pectoral; above the heart, but not by much. I failed to catch her wrist and realized I was all out of game. My regeneration couldn't tackle both bleeding wounds and I was beginning to feel woozy.Elsa fell back."Surrender, Cáel ," her own voice had softened."Never surrender," I laughed back then I began to sway.This time as Elsa closed, she went for the grapple as well. I countered as best I could, but my reflexes were slowing down too. I wasn't going to make it then something tackled us both, slamming Elsa into my chest, stunning her."Felix... you came back," I groggily mumbled as Felix hammered Elsa hard, twice in the temple."You would come back for me. I see that now," he confessed. He half pulled, half-dragged me to our waiting chariot. The clock was a 'ticking."Rachel," I looked over to the other combatant. She hadn't started advancing on us like she should have."Go," she waved us away. "Today... today you have won your freedoms. Now go."What honors Rachel had passed over for whatever reasons were unknown to me. I was terrified she had done it out of love for me. Terrified because I felt so unworthy of such devotion and affection.Yet, Felix and I had made it and as the helicopter took off, I could sense the tension leave my body. My wounds were indeed healing and my blood supply, so witlessly spent was returning to me. Felix leaned into me as the nice Epona medic aboard our ride began to administer her traumatic injury training. I winced because it felt appropriate, not because I was allowed to feel any of the passing pain."You are a Runner now," I looked over to Felix. "Welcome aboard.""Sure thing, Ishara.""Ha," I chuckled. "Call me Cáel . You have earned that right.""I imagine there is something to that," he nodded. "Tell me what it is when you get the chance.""I will," I promised. "That and a few thousand other critically important things none one else will bother to teach you. As the saying goes, 'you've earned it'."Thus Ends The First Great HuntNow onto the final chapter of the First Part of Cáel 's journey.By FinalStand for Literotica.
As CNN chokes on the economic and jobs data, the numbers don't lie. Consumer confidence is roaring, jobs numbers have beaten expectations, and the administration even had to revise April and May's job numbers UPWARDS. Democrats wail and rumor monger pre-determined talking points - alleging the OBBB will kill people. But the White House is ready with the one sheet to debunk them.
We have to be honest with our selves, if it ain't working... stop trying to fix it. If you keep thinking back to when it was just you and things made more sense, you probably doing something against your better judgement. Lets talk about it tonight on #RRR #episode10.Thank you for supporting the show Follow us on Stereo @dungeon x @chanbepoddin.Follow us on Twitter: @therealrrshow .Support the show in Redcircle We appreciate it!!!! https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-chanbepoddin-spot/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-real-relationship-rapport/exclusive-content
Authorities in Damascus are capturing high-profile figures from Syria's former Assad regime. US contractors guarding aid distribution sites in Gaza are firing live ammunition and stun grenades at Palestinians rushing to get food near the deadly distribution centres. And business activity in the UAE's non-oil private sector grew in June but was hindered by the Iran-Israel war. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: US contractors guarding Gaza aid sites admit to firing live ammunition at hungry Palestinians UAE non-oil private sector grew in June but Israel-Iran war weighs on demand This episode features Jihan Abdallah, Senior Correspondent; Deena Kamel, Senior Business Reporter — Aviation; and Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Jordan Correspondent. Editor's note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.
-- On the Show: -- Senator Elizabeth Warren, Democrat from Massachusetts, joins David and Jesse Dollemore to discuss her opposition to Trump's "big beautiful bill" -- Republican leaders openly say they're supporting bad legislation solely because Trump tells them to -- Republicans privately criticize Trump but publicly enable him out of fear -- JD Vance once warned Trumpism would collapse when voters felt the pain of failed promises -- CNN attempts to create false equivalence by pressuring Democrats to offer praise for Trump's spending bill -- Trump launches misleading boasts and personal attacks on Truth Social instead of defending his policies -- State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce's religious-style praise for Trump highlights the cult-like devotion around him -- New reports show independent creators like David and Brian Tyler Cohen are now key news sources -- On the Bonus Show: Nancy Mace's pajama stunt, judge strikes down Trump's attempt to suspend asylum status, Denmark lets people copyright their features, and much more...
Her (and it is HER) wedding is pissing people off—but honey badger don't care. Admit it though: would you go if you were invited?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The media is forced to admit Trump's tariffs are working as U.S. revenue spikes without raising consumer prices. PBD and the crew break down the data, media backpedaling, and a series of major wins for Trump, from NATO deals to Supreme Court rulings. A powerful momentum shift is underway.
Watch Bryan Kohberger Admit To Murders & Accepts Plea Deal Live In Court In a courtroom twist that shocked many who've been closely following this high-profile murder case, Bryan Kohberger—the former criminology student accused of brutally killing four University of Idaho students—officially pleaded guilty today. In this episode, we're giving you an in-depth breakdown of exactly what went down in court, minute-by-minute, including Kohberger's chilling admission, emotional reactions from the victims' families, and the controversial details surrounding this plea agreement. We'll dissect the terms of the plea deal, including the life sentences Kohberger now faces, why the death penalty was taken off the table, and the startling conditions attached to his plea. Plus, we'll cover the judge's critical role in the hearing, why some of the victims' families vehemently oppose this outcome, and how this case has deeply divided public opinion on what real justice looks like. If you're looking to understand the full weight of what happened in court today, from courtroom dynamics to raw emotional statements, this video will give you clarity, context, and the key details you won't find anywhere else. Subscribe for sharp, no-fluff true crime analysis of the most significant cases unfolding right now. #BryanKohberger #PleaDeal #CourtHearing #IdahoMurders #JusticeForVictims #TrueCrime #KohbergerGuilty #CourtroomDrama #VictimStatements #TrueCrimeNews Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872
Hidden Killers With Tony Brueski | True Crime News & Commentary
Watch Bryan Kohberger Admit To Murders & Accepts Plea Deal Live In Court In a courtroom twist that shocked many who've been closely following this high-profile murder case, Bryan Kohberger—the former criminology student accused of brutally killing four University of Idaho students—officially pleaded guilty today. In this episode, we're giving you an in-depth breakdown of exactly what went down in court, minute-by-minute, including Kohberger's chilling admission, emotional reactions from the victims' families, and the controversial details surrounding this plea agreement. We'll dissect the terms of the plea deal, including the life sentences Kohberger now faces, why the death penalty was taken off the table, and the startling conditions attached to his plea. Plus, we'll cover the judge's critical role in the hearing, why some of the victims' families vehemently oppose this outcome, and how this case has deeply divided public opinion on what real justice looks like. If you're looking to understand the full weight of what happened in court today, from courtroom dynamics to raw emotional statements, this video will give you clarity, context, and the key details you won't find anywhere else. Subscribe for sharp, no-fluff true crime analysis of the most significant cases unfolding right now. #BryanKohberger #PleaDeal #CourtHearing #IdahoMurders #JusticeForVictims #TrueCrime #KohbergerGuilty #CourtroomDrama #VictimStatements #TrueCrimeNews Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872
Watch Bryan Kohberger Admit To Murders & Accepts Plea Deal Live In Court In a courtroom twist that shocked many who've been closely following this high-profile murder case, Bryan Kohberger—the former criminology student accused of brutally killing four University of Idaho students—officially pleaded guilty today. In this episode, we're giving you an in-depth breakdown of exactly what went down in court, minute-by-minute, including Kohberger's chilling admission, emotional reactions from the victims' families, and the controversial details surrounding this plea agreement. We'll dissect the terms of the plea deal, including the life sentences Kohberger now faces, why the death penalty was taken off the table, and the startling conditions attached to his plea. Plus, we'll cover the judge's critical role in the hearing, why some of the victims' families vehemently oppose this outcome, and how this case has deeply divided public opinion on what real justice looks like. If you're looking to understand the full weight of what happened in court today, from courtroom dynamics to raw emotional statements, this video will give you clarity, context, and the key details you won't find anywhere else. Subscribe for sharp, no-fluff true crime analysis of the most significant cases unfolding right now. #BryanKohberger #PleaDeal #CourtHearing #IdahoMurders #JusticeForVictims #TrueCrime #KohbergerGuilty #CourtroomDrama #VictimStatements #TrueCrimeNews Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872
What do world-class persuasion, the secret storytelling power of “Baby Mozart,” and the real reason most B2B startups fail all have in common? In this episode of Predictable B2B Success, we're joined by Dr. Yaniv Zaid, aka Dr. Persuasion, an economist, attorney, public speaking coach, and the author of 11 bestselling business books, including The 21st Century Sales Bible. Broadcasting from Tel Aviv but consulting with companies worldwide, Dr. Zaid reveals why so many organizations struggle to turn technical brilliance into commercial success and how a simple shift in communication can transform the fate of your business. If you've ever wondered why your incredible product isn't winning over customers or if your marketing team keeps missing the emotional mark, Dr. Zaid shares actionable frameworks to bridge the gap between tech teams and buyers, plus the art of “selling the problem before the solution” (using examples that will stick with you). He unpacks the psychology behind how buyers make decisions, the four crucial steps every sale must pass through, and the overlooked power of social proof and storytelling, even for the most technical founders. Prepare for myth-busting insights and practical tactics that could change the way you pitch, write, and sell. Dive in; you might discover the persuasion secrets your business never knew it needed. Some areas we explore in this episode include: The Importance of Communication in B2B: Why poor communication leads to failure and the need to bridge knowledge gaps.Yaniv Zaid's Background in Persuasion: His journey from debate and law to helping organizations persuade and connect.Common Startup Mistakes: Overemphasis on product development at the expense of sales and marketing.Focusing on Problems, Not Just Solutions: The value of selling by addressing the customer's core problem.Translating Technical Jargon: Making complex ideas understandable to non-technical audiences.Balancing Logic and Emotion: Combining facts with storytelling to connect with clients.The Know, Like, Trust, Buy Framework: The buying steps every client takes.Effective Web and Copywriting: Structuring websites and marketing messages to prioritize customer pain points.Storytelling and Social Proof: Using stories and testimonials to build trust and credibility.Customer-Centric Mindset: Always focusing on customer needs and emotions over features.And much, much more...
Chad opens the show venting on road construction in his area of town and admitting that, like all of us, he only cares about construction when it impacts him and he'll openly complain about the shape of our roads and MNDOT's efforts to fix them.
Steak Shapiro and Abe Gordon discuss the 2025 Braves, and while there is still a half of a baseball season left to go, it may be time for the team to start thinking about 2026.
Are you worried your YouTube videos are too boring to get views? In this video, I reveal the truth about boring videos and how to make even dull topics engaging for your audience. I'll share strategies for business owners, like the spider web strategy, the three magical questions to spark ideas, and how to use tools like the Zinger YouTube title generator. We'll cover content silos, decision fatigue, and how to create binge-worthy videos that grow your channel and business. ▶︎ 3x4 Method: https://videobrand.link/7NmJLSs✨ Cringe or Binge: How does your channel rank? Download the VBA app to analyze your channel in 1 simple step. It's free! https://videobrand.link/app
Everyone is tempted. That is not the sin. Even Jesus was presented with temptation. It is what we do with the temptation that matters. When we allow ourselves to dwell on sinful desires, it is almost inevitable that we will eventually give in to that temptation. The desire must be defeated while it is still in our minds, or it will inevitably result in action. Then, once we have made up our minds to sin, we will go to great lengths to satisfy that desire.
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Things we all do but don't admit - Watching our own Instagram stories, fake laughing at peoples jokes, attempting to see if we can actually sing.... The list goes on. Tune in as we share common things humans do but are too afraid to admit.
Get the latest entertainment news & gossip from Smallzy's The Hot Minute. For more listen live on the Nova Player & follow Smallzy on Instagram, TikTok & Facebook.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Trump can't help himself from doubling down on lies and misinformation - and neither can his MAGA movement, because nothing - NOTHING - is worse than looking stupid in front of the liberals.
Resurrection expert Dr. Gary Habermas returns to discuss Volume 3 of his magnum opus, 'On the Resurrection: Scholarly Perspectives', which includes 500+ scholarly treatments related to the resurrection. From far-left critics to conservative theologians, this collective volume provides a strong overview of everything that has ever been written about the resurrection and includes over 8,000 footnotes!During their conversation, Frank and Gary answer questions like:Why do critical scholars deny miracles but still affirm that Jesus was a miracle worker?Why does Gary think many atheists don't want to say "I do" to Jesus?Is biblical inerrancy a requirement for the Gospel and what about apparent Bible contradictions?What are the 3 things you need in order for Christianity to be true?How do you respond to those who say the deity of God evolved over time?What do creeds teach us about high Christology and how did it get started?What's the best explanation for the rapid growth of early Christianity?If you're looking for the most comprehensive survey of scholarship for and against the resurrection, this is it! Whether you're a skeptic, seeker, or committed believer, this discussion offers rich insight and a reason to take the resurrection seriously. As Gary would say, "It's a bold argument to say that Jesus rose from the dead, but try to get out of it!"Resources mentioned during the episode:PODCAST: Did Jesus REALLY Rise From the Dead? - https://bit.ly/3VnrtiDOn the Resurrection: Evidences (Vol.1) - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1087778603On the Resurrection: Refutations (Vol.2) - https://a.co/d/48jozEvOn the Resurrection: Scholarly Perspectives (Vol.3) - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1087778646Gary's website - https://www.garyhabermas.com/
#574 In this episode of the podcast, I got brutally honest about an uncomfortable truth many photographers—myself included—often avoid: believing new gear will instantly make us better photographers. I dove into why so many of us, at some point, fixate on the idea that lack of equipment stands between us and the images we want to create. Drawing from my own experiences—like nearly convincing myself to buy a $7,500 Fujifilm GFX100 medium format camera after I left wedding photography—I shared how easy it is to fall into the "gear will fix it" trap, when what I really needed was to spend more time shooting.I challenged listeners (and myself) to rekindle excitement by using the equipment we already own. Whether that's taking a “camera date” or giving ourselves quirky creative assignments, the goal is to reconnect with the fun and freedom of shooting—without the pressure of perfection or the itch for an upgrade.KEY TOPICS COVEREDThe Gear Myth and Creative Ruts - Raymond explains how photographers often blame their uninspiring work on having outdated or entry-level gear. He shares his own experience almost buying an expensive Fujifilm GFX100, only to realize his creative rut was due to not shooting, not his equipment.What Really Makes a Great Photo? - Instead of megapixels and advanced specs, Raymond outlines the four essential elements of great photography: moment, light, composition, and exposure. He likens the camera to a toaster—it's the photographer's decisions that determine the quality of the image.Practical Steps for Rekindling Creativity - To break out of gear-focused thinking, Raymond suggests simple exercises like going on a “camera date” with the least-used gear or imposing creative constraints. He also stresses the value of learning manual mode and studying light and composition.IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS & CONCEPTS• Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS): The compulsion to buy new cameras or lenses as a solution to creative blocks or skill limitations; often a distraction from the real means of improvement.DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONSThink back to your favorite photo you've taken—what role did your gear actually play in the outcome?Have you ever felt creatively stagnant and blamed your equipment? What actions could you take instead?What are some ways you can challenge yourself to see new possibilities with the gear you already own?Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.comConnect with Raymond! Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group Get your Photo Questions Answered on the show - https://beginnerphotopod.com/qa Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/ Thanks for listening & keep shooting!
Rob's Man Cave - Things Guys Don't Admit to their FriendsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Contributor: Taylor Lynch, MD Educational Pearls: How do we risk-stratify chest-pain patients? One option is the HEART score This score predicts a patient's 6-week risk of a major adverse cardiac event. Ex. Cath procedure, CABG, PCI, death H stands for History Ask 1) Was the patient diaphoretic? 2) Did they have nausea and/or vomiting? 3) Did the pain radiate down the right or left arm? 4) Was it exertional? Yes to one = one point. Two or more = two points. E stands for EKG One point for left ventricular hypertrophy, t-wave inversions, new bundle-branch blocks. No points for first degree AV block, benign early repolarization, or QT-prolongation Two points for ST-depression A stands for Age >65 gets two points 45-64 gets one point R stands for Risk factors Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, obesity, family history, smoking, previous MI, previous CABG, stroke, peripheral arterial disease 1-2 risk factors get 1 point More than two risk factors gets two points T stands for Troponin 1-3x upper limit of normal gets one point >3x upper limit of normal gets two points This gives you a score between zero and ten 0-3 points, patients have a ~2% chance of an adverse event These patients likely go home 4-6 points, patients have a ~20% chance of an adverse event These patients get admitted or expedited outpatient stress test/echo 7-10 points, patients have a ~60% chance of an adverse event Admit and call cardiology. These patients likely get catheterized References Backus BE, Six AJ, Kelder JC, Bosschaert MA, Mast EG, Mosterd A, Veldkamp RF, Wardeh AJ, Tio R, Braam R, Monnink SH, van Tooren R, Mast TP, van den Akker F, Cramer MJ, Poldervaart JM, Hoes AW, Doevendans PA. A prospective validation of the HEART score for chest pain patients at the emergency department. Int J Cardiol. 2013 Oct 3;168(3):2153-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2013.01.255. Epub 2013 Mar 7. PMID: 23465250. Laureano-Phillips J, Robinson RD, Aryal S, Blair S, Wilson D, Boyd K, Schrader CD, Zenarosa NR, Wang H. HEART Score Risk Stratification of Low-Risk Chest Pain Patients in the Emergency Department: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Ann Emerg Med. 2019 Aug;74(2):187-203. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2018.12.010. Epub 2019 Feb 2. PMID: 30718010. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/1752/heart-score-major-cardiac-events Summarized by Jeffrey Olson, MS4 | Edited by Jorge Chalit, OMS4 Donate: https://emergencymedicalminute.org/donate/
The King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) launched in 2020 with great fanfare. But now, with up to to a fifth of its staff facing layoffs due to budget shortfalls, it may be facing a slow death by a thousand cuts. In this week's episode, with David still gallivanting in parts unknown, Erica and Sandeep take a hard look at the current state of KCRHA, and ask a pointed question: What purpose, exactly, does this diminished and largely neutered agency serve? As Erica reported on PubliCola this week, KCRHA's budget proposal could lead to a 21 percent cut to its administrative budget (resulting in 22 job cuts) along with an across-the-board cut to homelessness services. KCRHA clearly hopes to persuade the city to increase its funding to stave off those cuts, though the initial response from city officials has been noncommittal at best. Budgetary wrangling aside, this back-and-forth is exposing the agency's flaws, including its clunky (and costly) reimbursement procedures, internal morale issues and power struggles, and the KCRHA's lack of independent taxing authority, which leaves the authority dependent on the largesse of elected officials at the city and county. With the city clawing back control of outreach and homelessness prevention efforts—and the agency no longer even pretending to operate independently—we discuss whether the only function KCRHA provides is to insulate local politicians from public scrutiny of their decisions on homelessness policy, strategy, and funding.Our editor is Quinn Waller. Have a question or comment? Send us an email at realseattlenice@gmail.com.Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.comHEARTH Protection: Do not let fear make your world smaller. Thanks to Uncle Ike's pot shop for sponsoring this week's episode! If you want to advertise please contact us at realseattlenice@gmail.com.Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.comHEARTH Protection: Do not let fear make your world smaller. Support the showYour support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.
Nick Wilson and Jake Vulinec react to the Pacers forcing a Game 7 in the NBA Finals.
Nick Wilson and Jake Vulinec react to the Pacers forcing a Game 7 in the NBA Finals, and they talk about the trade market for Kevin Durant. Then, they give each other quick stories around sports and give their instant reaction to them.
No one likes to admit when we make mistakes, but the more religious we become, the more prone we are to deflecting responsibility because we don't want to appear weak or sinful. Part of maturity is about admitting when we're immature.
#639 Well, almost. The name of the medication is Oxfluza.
Bobby shared what big mistake he made regarding his 4th wedding anniversary that's coming up next month. Lunchbox brings in a bombshell that he acquired from snooping on Morgan. He has reason to believe they are moving too fast and brings in evidence to support his case. We all got vulnerable and shared people in our lives that we are jealous of and why. We also revealed what our phone wallpapers are and are surprised by the guys on the show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This one hit deep. I'm talking to a founder who's done everything “right.” Built the business. Achieved success. Carried the weight. But now… she's just tired. Tired of running, of holding it all together, of pretending she still wants what she once did. She thought we'd be talking about planning and priorities. Instead, we had one of the most honest conversations I've ever had with a woman who's quietly—and bravely—acknowledging that her current chapter is over. In this episode, we talk about: The invisible weight of being everyone's go-to What it means when your ambition fades—but your worth hasn't Why admitting you're done is the first brave step toward your next beautiful beginning This is Beyond the CEO work in real time. And if you've been secretly wondering if you're allowed to want something new, this episode is your permission slip. Contact Information and Recommended Resources Join me in Sonoma in August so we can meet in person! Go to www.thevisionary.ceo/beyondceo to register your interest. Linkedin Instagram Facebook Pinterest
Swipe left, feel empty, and wonder why? Esther Perel reveals the hidden truths behind the dating crisis, loneliness, and the shocking decline in sex and intimacy. Esther Perel is a world-renowned psychotherapist and relationship expert, widely recognised as one of today's most insightful and original voices on modern relationships. She is the bestselling author of books such as, ‘The State of Affairs'. She explains: Why MEN Over 30 Aren't Having Sex Anymore. The SEX GAME that could Save Your Relationship. How CHILDHOOD TRAUMA is Secretly Sabotaging Your Marriage. Why Investing in AUTHENTIC CONNECTION is the key to a Fulfilling Life. The ONE RED FLAG that Predicts Divorce. 00:00 Intro 02:29 Esther's Main Concern About Human Connection 03:22 What's the Consequence of Losing Social Skills? 04:19 Is Online Dating the Only Choice Nowadays? 07:13 The Value of Rejection 07:52 Rejection from the Apps 08:48 What to Do If Dating Apps Don't Work for You 11:26 Is Too Much Choice Making Dating Harder? 13:01 How to Cope with Online Dating Burnout 14:30 The Changing Role of Masculinity and Its Impact on Society 15:57 Loneliness Today 17:17 Why Do People Have Less Sex Nowadays? 20:17 Importance of Deep Connection in Relationships 21:51 How Phone Use Affects Connection and Sexual Attraction 28:07 Questions from Steven's Friends 28:53 Is It Always a Good Idea to Admit to Infidelity? 31:17 Attraction with a Partner 33:36 Is Long-Term Faithfulness in a Relationship Possible? 37:06 Importance of Taking Accountability 39:21 How People Are Energizing Their Relationships 42:59 How to Revive Intimacy When Gone for So Long 44:52 Ads 45:55 Do People Enjoy Sex Less Than Before? 48:15 Do I Have to Work on Myself Before I Can Have a Good Relationship? 49:49 Has the Culture of Self-Love Gone Too Far? 51:19 Are Men Emasculated by the Success of Women? 59:08 What Is Social Confidence? 1:02:56 What Gives a Traumatic Experience Meaning? 1:14:10 Would You Delete Mobile Phones to Help Connection? 1:17:08 Can Social Connection Principles Apply to a Workplace? 1:22:06 How Are You Going to Adapt to a World of AI and Robots? Follow Esther: Instagram - https://bit.ly/4l2Et6S Twitter - https://bit.ly/3SJEMaD Website - https://bit.ly/4kTR8ca Podcast - https://bit.ly/3HCfnNv You can purchase Esther's new 100 question game, ‘Where Should We Begin? At Work', here: https://bit.ly/4kF0F7h You can purchase Esther's book ‘The State of Affairs', here: https://amzn.to/4l0KaSv The Diary Of A CEO: Join DOAC circle here -https://doaccircle.com/ Get your hands on the Diary Of A CEO Conversation Cards here: https://bit.ly/conversationcards-mp Get email updates: https://bit.ly/diary-of-a-ceo-yt Follow Steven: https://g2ul0.app.link/gnGqL4IsKKb Sponsors: Stan Store - Visit https://link.stan.store/joinstanchallenge to join the challenge! Ekster - http://partner.ekster.com/DOAC with code STEVEN Linkedin Ads - https://www.linkedin.com/DIARY #EstherPerel #DatingCrisis #ModernLove #RelationshipAdvice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, guest Jason Evert discusses healing after past relationships, struggling with chastity, lust in marriage, and talking to family about same-sex issues. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 14:23 – Any advice for someone who is living a chaste life but still has attachments from previous relationships before conversion? 22:48 – At what point do you tell your significant other that you struggle with chastity? 33:44 – Can a married couple lust for each other? 41:50 – I have four granddaughters that are now young women. One of them has a girlfriend. I think I'm the only person in her life telling her this is wrong. She is open to talking to me about it. What can I tell her, or what information can I send her? 50:36 – How does one clear one's mind from impure images seen in the past?
Alex Hormozi is a founder, investor and an author. Alex's Twitter has been one of my favourite sources of insights over the last few years. Today we get to go through some of his best lessons about life, human behaviour, psychology, business and resilience again. And as always this is so, so good. Expect to learn the skills needed to thrive in todays every changing world, why a few bad days shouldn't ruin the rest of your year, how Alex's mind has changed about work and happiness in the past year, how to figure out what you want in life, the rare dynamic between Alex and his wife Leila, why having a work life balance isn't all it's cracked up to be, why more money won't buy you more happiness, how to get a top tier girls and much more… Sponsors: See discounts for all the products I use and recommend: https://chriswillx.com/deals Get 35% off your first subscription on the best supplements from Momentous at https://livemomentous.com/modernwisdom Get a free Sample Pack of LMNT's most popular flavours with your first purchase at https://drinklmnt.com/modernwisdom Get the best bloodwork analysis in America at https://functionhealth.com/modernwisdom Get up to $350 off the Pod 5 at https://eightsleep.com/modernwisdom Extra Stuff: Get my free reading list of 100 books to read before you die: https://chriswillx.com/books Try my productivity energy drink Neutonic: https://neutonic.com/modernwisdom Episodes You Might Enjoy: #577 - David Goggins - This Is How To Master Your Life: https://tinyurl.com/43hv6y59 #712 - Dr Jordan Peterson - How To Destroy Your Negative Beliefs: https://tinyurl.com/2rtz7avf #700 - Dr Andrew Huberman - The Secret Tools To Hack Your Brain: https://tinyurl.com/3ccn5vkp - Get In Touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/modernwisdompodcast Email: https://chriswillx.com/contact - Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices