Podcasts about Affection

In this episode of Disrupting Divorce, Rhonda sits down with Brett Ward, a nationally recognized family law attorney and litigation leader at Blank Rome, to unpack a topic that many people have never heard of: alienation of affection. But this conversation goes far beyond one legal concept. Together, Rhonda and Brett explore when mediation works, when it does not, and why so many people find themselves stuck in divorce processes that are not actually serving them. They talk candidly about power imbalances, lack of financial transparency, the importance of legal strategy, and what clients should be looking for in the professionals guiding them through divorce. They also dive into how social media is shaping modern family law cases and why public humiliation can intensify already painful situations. This is a grounded, insightful conversation for anyone navigating divorce and trying to understand their options more clearly. In This Episode, We Cover: What "alienation of affection" means and why it still exists in a small number of states The difference between mediation and litigation — and when mediation may not be the right fit Why power imbalances matter in divorce negotiations The warning signs that mediation may actually be putting someone at a disadvantage The role of trust, communication, and financial transparency in choosing the right divorce path How social media can impact family law cases Why clients need to be active participants in their divorce process The importance of building the right support team, including legal, financial, and emotional support Key Takeaways: One of the strongest themes in this conversation is that not every divorce belongs in mediation. While alternative dispute resolution can be valuable, Rhonda and Brett both emphasize that it can become harmful when there is: a history of control or intimidation poor communication lack of transparency hidden assets fear-based decision-making unresolved abuse dynamics Brett shares that mediation requires a certain level of trust and balance. Without that, the process can simply repeat the same unhealthy power dynamic from the marriage. Another powerful takeaway is the reminder that divorce should not just happen to you — it should happen with you. Clients deserve strategy. They deserve advocacy. And they deserve professionals who will communicate clearly and involve them in the process.

Send a textHannah and Laura are covering the second half of The Secret Place by Tana French and questioning how teenagers could possibly have time to be so dramatic. They also chat about a great romance series Laura recently read, Veronica Roth's novella series, and a movie that brings Hannah joy that she still can't believe wasn't a direct to DVD production.*This episode contains SPOILERS for The Secret Place by Tana French. Spoiler section begins at: 21 min 37 secs. ***CW for the episode: discussions of sex, violence, murder, blood, gore, police, detectives, sexual assault, bullying, generational trauma, drugs, religious trauma, sexism, cheating **Apologies for some audio issues on Hannah's end!Media Mentions:The Secret Place by Tana FrenchA Sign of Affection by Suu MorishitaA Brush With Love by Mazy Eddings Lizzy Blake's Best Mistake by Mazy EddingsThe Plus One by Mazy Eddings Grave of the Fireflies---Netflix Wingspan Calico To Clutch a Razor by Veronic Roth Perfect Victims: And the Politics of Appeal by Mohammed El-Kurd Waiting for Guffman---HBO Max Simply Irresistible---NetflixSupport the showBe sure to follow OWWR Pod!www.owwrpod.com Twitter (updates only): @OwwrPodBlueSky: @OwwrPodTikTok: @OwwrPodInstagram: @owwrpodThreads: @OwwrPodHive: @owwrpodSend us an email at: owwrpod@gmail.comCheck out OWWR Patreon: patreon.com/owwrpodOr join OWWR Discord! We'd love to chat with you!You can follow Hannah at:Instagram: @brews.and.booksThreads: @brews.and.booksTikTok: @brews.and.booksYou can follow Laura at:Instagram: @goodbooksgreatgoatsBlueSky: @myyypod

One of the slang terms you might hear male teenagers use these days is “homiesexual.” We all know that a homie is someone who is a close friend. The term homiesexual can be used in a variety of ways, and it's always helpful to ask just what a person means when they say it. One of the most common definitions applies the term to male friendships that are deep and intimate in emotional ways. Sometimes these friendships defy traditional masculine gender roles, as the homies hug and cuddle without any homosexual feelings or inclinations. In other contexts, the term could refer to a homosexual attraction to or relationship with someone who is a friend. It's always a good thing to ask for clarification when the term is used because of the full spectrum of meanings. We are reminded once again of our need to dig into God's Word to help our kids come to an understanding of the gender binary, and the purpose and place of sex, which is in the context of a heterosexual, monogamous, covenantal marriage.

Order “Offensive Christianity” here - https://press.founders.org/shop/offensive-christianity/jchasedavis.comSupport the show!! - https://www.patreon.com/chasedavisBuy Ordered to Love - https://orderedtolove.com/Go to ionlayer.com and use code FPT to get $100 off your first kit. Seven Titans Jeans - https://seven-titans.com/discount/PROOFLegacy Profits Club - https://www.skool.com/legacyprofitsclub/about?ref=1b0c2acb5f0d4781be13ed56801c8fbbAlex Kocman returns to Full Proof Theology to discuss his new book Ordered to Love, published by Founders Press. Alex serves with ABWE as Director of Communications, leads as an elder at Faith Bible Fellowship Church of York, and writes at the intersection of missions theology and cultural engagement.In this conversation, Chase and Alex work through one of the most contested and misunderstood concepts in modern Christianity: the ordo amoris, or the order of loves. Drawing on Scripture, Augustine, and the deep wells of Christian tradition, Alex makes the case that love is not flat—it is hierarchical, particular, and purposeful. They discuss how every current culture war issue is, at root, a question of disordered love; why the Good Samaritan parable actually supports rather than undermines ordered love; what a nation truly is and why it matters for both missions and politics; and why a missionary's love for the nations must be grounded in a genuine love for their own nation and people.Alex also responds to key objections—from progressives who claim the concept is unbiblical, to nationalists who want to abandon foreign missions altogether—and explains why he wrote the book to produce "missionaries with the heart of an activist and activists with the heart of a missionary."Pick up Ordered to Love at orderedtolove.com or at founders.org.Support the showSign up for the Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/chasedavisFollow Full Proof Theology on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/fullprooftheology/Follow Full Proof Theology on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/fullprooftheology/

Bob Dylan and the Beatles watched each other closely. Jim Windolf is fascinated by the parallels in their stories, the obvious moments they influenced each other and the unconcealable tensions at the times they met, all mapped out in his book ‘Where The Music Had To Go: How Bob Dylan and the Beatles Changed Each Other – and Changed the World'. He talks to us here from New York about what he discovered when writing it, which touches on … … deep-end Dylan and Beatles fans: which can be “crankier”? … the Chaplin-like comic timing of Dylan's early shows and the humour of the Beatles' early stage act … the song Lennon and Dylan wrote, recorded and then lost – now possibly in the Dakota archive … the theory that 4th Time Around refers to the four Beatles songs clearly derived from Dylan … first impressions of each other - “Teenybop music!” “Folk crap!” – and how both acts were crowd-pleasers who could feign indifference … when the two superpowers met at the Delmonico, Warwick and Savoy hotels … Dylan in '66: “girls still scream at me … but in a different way” … the night Bob, Paul and Dana Gillespie saw John Lee Hooker at Blaises … how Lennon's I Want You was a direct response to Dylan's song of the same title … the 15 Dylan songs played in the Get Back sessions … Bob's touching low-key visit to Lennon's childhood home … and the failed attempts by Bob and McCartney to collaborate. Order copies of ‘Where The Music Had To Go: How Bob Dylan and the Beatles Changed Each Other – and Changed the World' here:https://www.waterstones.com/book/where-the-music-had-to-go/jim-windolf/9781399627849Help us to keep the conversation going: https://www.patreon.com/wordinyourear Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When you're feeling empty, turn to God and let His river of grace fill your heart. -------- Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible.     Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org   Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

Bob Dylan and the Beatles watched each other closely. Jim Windolf is fascinated by the parallels in their stories, the obvious moments they influenced each other and the unconcealable tensions at the times they met, all mapped out in his book ‘Where The Music Had To Go: How Bob Dylan and the Beatles Changed Each Other – and Changed the World'. He talks to us here from New York about what he discovered when writing it, which touches on … … deep-end Dylan and Beatles fans: which can be “crankier”? … the Chaplin-like comic timing of Dylan's early shows and the humour of the Beatles' early stage act … the song Lennon and Dylan wrote, recorded and then lost – now possibly in the Dakota archive … the theory that 4th Time Around refers to the four Beatles songs clearly derived from Dylan … first impressions of each other - “Teenybop music!” “Folk crap!” – and how both acts were crowd-pleasers who could feign indifference … when the two superpowers met at the Delmonico, Warwick and Savoy hotels … Dylan in '66: “girls still scream at me … but in a different way” … the night Bob, Paul and Dana Gillespie saw John Lee Hooker at Blaises … how Lennon's I Want You was a direct response to Dylan's song of the same title … the 15 Dylan songs played in the Get Back sessions … Bob's touching low-key visit to Lennon's childhood home … and the failed attempts by Bob and McCartney to collaborate. Order copies of ‘Where The Music Had To Go: How Bob Dylan and the Beatles Changed Each Other – and Changed the World' here:https://www.waterstones.com/book/where-the-music-had-to-go/jim-windolf/9781399627849Help us to keep the conversation going: https://www.patreon.com/wordinyourear Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bob Dylan and the Beatles watched each other closely. Jim Windolf is fascinated by the parallels in their stories, the obvious moments they influenced each other and the unconcealable tensions at the times they met, all mapped out in his book ‘Where The Music Had To Go: How Bob Dylan and the Beatles Changed Each Other – and Changed the World'. He talks to us here from New York about what he discovered when writing it, which touches on … … deep-end Dylan and Beatles fans: which can be “crankier”? … the Chaplin-like comic timing of Dylan's early shows and the humour of the Beatles' early stage act … the song Lennon and Dylan wrote, recorded and then lost – now possibly in the Dakota archive … the theory that 4th Time Around refers to the four Beatles songs clearly derived from Dylan … first impressions of each other - “Teenybop music!” “Folk crap!” – and how both acts were crowd-pleasers who could feign indifference … when the two superpowers met at the Delmonico, Warwick and Savoy hotels … Dylan in '66: “girls still scream at me … but in a different way” … the night Bob, Paul and Dana Gillespie saw John Lee Hooker at Blaises … how Lennon's I Want You was a direct response to Dylan's song of the same title … the 15 Dylan songs played in the Get Back sessions … Bob's touching low-key visit to Lennon's childhood home … and the failed attempts by Bob and McCartney to collaborate. Order copies of ‘Where The Music Had To Go: How Bob Dylan and the Beatles Changed Each Other – and Changed the World' here:https://www.waterstones.com/book/where-the-music-had-to-go/jim-windolf/9781399627849Help us to keep the conversation going: https://www.patreon.com/wordinyourear Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ask Anon at www.thehornyhousewifepodcast.com Popstar: Get 20% of your purchase when you visit https://www.popstarlabs.com/hornyhousewife advertising: admin@pleasurepodcasts.com

It is a deeply human experience to find one's heart pulled in two different directions. When someone is in a committed relationship but discovers they have developed feelings for someone else, the internal landscape often becomes quite turbulent.Navigating that dissonance is rarely a straightforward process. Here is how that situation is often navigated from a psychological and interpersonal perspective.The Dynamics of Divided AffectionWhen a person realizes they are in love with someone outside of their relationship, it often triggers a period of intense reflection. Many people do not simply "turn off" those feelings; instead, they grapple with the guilt, the confusion, and the underlying needs that those feelings might represent. * Compartmentalization: This is a common, though often temporary, defense mechanism. Individuals may mentally separate their current relationship from the new feelings, trying to keep the two worlds from colliding. While this can provide a sense of stability in the short term, it rarely resolves the underlying emotional divide. * The "Fantasy" Factor: Often, the person outside the relationship represents an idealized version of what is missing in the current partnership—excitement, validation, or a sense of "newness." Recognizing that the idea of someone often differs significantly from the reality of a daily, long-term commitment is a standard way people gain perspective. * Re-evaluating Needs: Often, these feelings act as a barometer. They can highlight specific deficits in a current relationship—whether that is a lack of intimacy, intellectual stimulation, or shared goals. Many use this period to question what it is they are truly seeking, rather than focusing solely on the object of their new affection. * Distancing: To protect the integrity of their existing commitment, many choose to create physical or emotional distance from the third party. This allows the intensity of the new feelings to fade, making space to re-engage with their partner.The Reality of ChoiceUltimately, coping usually transitions from an internal struggle to a series of choices about integrity and authenticity. * Radical Honesty: Many eventually reach a point where they realize that living with divided loyalties is unsustainable. Whether they choose to commit to fixing the current relationship or to move on, the focus shifts toward being honest with themselves and, eventually, their partner. * The "Why" Matters: Exploring why these feelings emerged is often more important than the feelings themselves. It is rarely just about the other person; it is almost always about what the person feels is missing in their own life or their primary partnership.This process is rarely painless, and there is no "correct" way to handle the weight of these emotions. It usually involves a slow process of stripping away the immediate intensity to see what remains of the original commitment.

Affection of ChristSeries: Centred on Christ Preacher: The Rt. Rev. Mike HillSunday MorningDate: 1st March 2026Passage: Philippians 1:3-11

Gunnar Nelson, self proclaimed “Twin With The Attitude”, is one half of the iconic 90's duo “Nelson” along with his brother Matthew.  They burst onto the rock scene in 1990 with “(Can't Live Without Your) Love & Affection” and followed that with “After The Rain”.  Gunnar joins the “Getting Real With Jon & Beth” podcast to share about the old days of MTV, Nelson's current tour with Night Ranger and the truth about his father's, Rick Nelson, fatal plane crash.  Gunnar also gives insight to what it was like growing up in Hollywood as the grandson of Ozzie & Harriet Nelson.   His family is in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the only family in history with three generations of #1 hitmakers!  Gunnar and Matthew Nelson's new book “What Happened To Your Hair?” is out now and available everywhere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nick Jeffery read Robert Browning's The Ring and the Book, a Victorian epic poem about a murder mystery in 17th Century Italy, to test a theory. John Granger's best guess after surveying the chapter headings of Hallmarked Man last September was that, of all 77 sources for the 139 epigraphs in Strike8, Browning's poem was the most likely to hold a secret message or special meaning inside it. John had said something similar about another Browning poem and Ink Black Heart, Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Aurora Leigh, and Nick had confirmed that through his own reading and confirmation by Rowling herself. He thought John's track record of spotting important epigraph sources merited a test reading.He published his findings on Friday in a post titled ‘The Ring and The Book – A Rowling Reading.' In brief, the murder in Browning's poem is a point-to-point model for the Ironbridge murder mystery in Hallmarked Man with characters in Rowling-Galbraith's book — most notably, Chloe Griffiths, Tyler Powell, and Ian Griffiths — having their astonishing equivalents in Ring. The less obvious but more important links between the two are in their implicit feminism and other messages: Both works critique abusive relationships and patriarchal power: Guido's control of Pompilia and Dino Longcaster's control of Decima Mullins. The legal system (Books 8–9 especially) is satirized as formalistic, pedantic, and often blind to moral reality. True justice requires personal moral intuition beyond mere evidence or procedure. The Pope's monologue (Book 10) weighs this tension most profoundly. In The Hallmarked Man the police are slow to act on new information gained by Strike and Robin and Farah Navabi manages to hoodwink the courts into escaping punishment for her part in Patterson's crimes.The Ring and The Book dramatizes the eternal struggle between good and evil. Pompilia embodies instinctive purity, sacrificial love, and spiritual insight despite her suffering. Guido represents sophisticated, calculating evil that twists morality to justify cruelty. Browning affirms that evil exists but that good can somehow arise from or shine through evil's consequences. In The Hallmarked Man evil is real, monstrous, and often cloaked in normalcy or power structures, but it can be exposed and defeated through persistence, intuition, and moral courage.Nick also discusses in this article the chiastic structure of Ring (!) and the ‘conversation' he heard between Robert Browning in this poem with Aurora Leigh, the masterpiece by his late wife. His ‘Rowling Reading' of Ring and the Book, consequently, will soon be a touchstone piece not only in Rowling Studies but Browning Studies as well (#ArmstrongBrowningLibraryAndMuseum @ Baylor). As they have done before with Nick's ‘Rowling Reading' articles. the Hogwarts Professor team recorded their conversation about the piece (listen to their discussions of I Capture the Castle and Aurora Leigh). Seven High Points of that Ring and the Book epigraph conversation include:* Nick's review of why Serious Strikers and Rowling Readers should read The Ring and the Book along with the story of his immersion in it;* John's explanation of why he was so confident that Browning's poem was a template of some kind for Hallmarked Man even though only six of Strike8's 139 epigraphs were taken from it;* Their survey of Rowling's previous work with epigraphs — Deathly Hallows and Casual Vacancy all the way to Running Grave and Hallmarked Man — for works with similar embedded-in-the-epigraph texts and those without one (or in which it hasn't yet been discovered);* Nick's discussion of Rowling's previous comments about epigraphs and her answer to the question, ‘Which Came First, the Epigraph or the Story?';* John's best guess pre-publication about the text that will be the epigraph source in Sleep Tight, Evangeline and which Strike text it will most resemble with its Whiskey Shambles title;* Nick's commitment to exploring Blue Oyster Cult epigraphs in Career of Evil to see if one of that band's albums, all of which supposedly had sci-fi themes and story continuity, served as a text-within-the-text for Strike3; and* John's suggestion that the relationship of Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Robert Browning, a great love with a shared vocation, might be a point of reflection for Serious Strikers as a template for understanding the Strike-Ellacott partnership.Nick and John will be recording their group charting of Hallmarked Man's Part Eight this week with Sandy Hope and Ed Shardlow (and Presvytera Lois?), a survey of readers is in the works, and the long-awaited close look at the Strike series in light of the Cupid and Psyche myth draws ever nearer. Stay tuned!The Ten Questions, Epigraph Charting, and Links to Previous Epigraph Discussions Here and Elsewhere:The Ring and The Book – A Rowling Reading, Nick Jeffery, February 2026Intro to Epigraphs 101, John Granger, September 2022The Heart is Not About Emotions and Affection but the Human Spiritual Center, John Granger, October 2022A Rowling Reading of Aurora Leigh, Nick Jeffery, November 2025Beatrice Grove's Pillar Post Page at HogwartsProfessor.com* Scroll down for Prof Groves' posts about epigraphs and literary allusion in Cuckoo's Calling, The Silkworm, Troubled Blood, and Ink Black HeartLethal White: Ibsen's ‘Rosmersholm', John Granger, December 2018Rowling, Dylan Thomas, and the I Ching: Three Thoughts on Strike7's Epigraphs, John Granger, April 2023‘Deathly Hallows' and Penn's ‘Fruits of Solitude,' John Granger, October 2008The Aeschylus Epigraph in ‘Deathly Hallows,' John Granger, October 2008Maid of the Silver Sea Epigraphs: Louise Freeman Davis' Collected Posts, 2025The Faerie Queene Epigraphs in Troubled Blood* Scroll down the Troubled Blood Pillar Post for the Faerie Queene commentary by Beatrice Groves, Elizabeth Baird-Hardy and John GrangerRobert-Galbraith.com Posts about the Epigraphs in Each Book* Hallmarked Man's Epigraphs: The Poetry* Hallmarked Man's Epigraphs: The Prose* Scroll Down the site's ‘Features' Page for all the other Epigraph PostsAgents of Fortune: The Blue Oyster Cult Story, Martin Popoff, May 2016Pompilia: A Feminist Reading Of Robert Browning'S The Ring And The Book, Anne Brady, May 1988Roman Murder Mystery: The True Story of Pompilia, Derek Parker, January 2001Sleep Tight, Evangeline: Nick Jeffery and John Granger talk with Dimitra FimiHallmarked Man Epigraphs: The Tally SheetMatthew Arnold: 17 poems, 25 epigraphs, 6 from Merope: A Tragedy* 3, 17, 52, 103, 108, 110 (Merope), 21, 33, 68, 38, 97, 41, 45, 59, 58, 69, 73, 76, 80, 86, 96, 106, 119, 122, 124Robert Browning: 26 poems, 38 epigraphs including frontispiece, 6 from The Ring and the Book* 44, 75, 62, 64, 102, 118 (Ring and Book), frontispiece, 2, 9, 11, 107, 13, 16, 20, 26, 28, 32, 35, 37, 114, 39, 42, 93, 44, 75, 47, 51, 62, 64, 67, 116, 71, 77, 79, 84, 87, 120, 90, 91, 100, 102, 109, 118, 126A. E. Housman: 5 works, 25 poems, 28 epigraphs, 10 from Last Poems* 1, 5, 7, 53, 19, 92, 56, 65, 74, 105 (Last Poems), 23, 30, 34, 36, 40, 43, 46, 49, 57, 63, 78, 82, 89, 94, 98, 112, 115, 125John Oxenham: 1 work, 26 epigraphs* Parts 1-10, Epilogue, 15, 18, 22, 25, 27, 55, 60, 66, 83, 85, 88, 95, 111, 113, 127 (Maid of the Silver Sea)Albert Pike: 3 works (?), 22 epigraphs, 16 from Morals and Dogma* 4, 16, 12, 121 (Liturgy), 8, 10, 14, 29, 31, 48, 50, 54, 61, 70, 81, 99, 101 (Morals and Dogma), 24, 72 (Ancient and Accepted Rite?)Most epigraphs: Robert BrowningFrontispiece: Robert BrowningMost from one poem: Tie, Robert Browning 6 Ring and Book, Matthew Arnold 6 Merope: A TragedyMost from one novel: John Oxenham 26 Maid of the Silver SeaMost from one didactic or discursive argument: Albert Pike 22 (24?) Morals and DogmaConclusions: Ring and Book your best bet as template, Re-read Maid of the Silver Sea, read Merope: A TragedyTally Sheet of Epigraphs for Ink Black Heart:Poet: epigraph numbers, (total)* Christina Rossetti: 8, 14, 22, 24, 25, 35, 38, 50, 52, 54, 56, 84, 86, 90, 98, 103, 105, 107 (18)* Elizabeth Barrett Browning: 12, 21, 33, 39, 42, 45, 47, 58, 67, 71, 72, 82, 96, 101, 102, 104 (16; all but #s 21 and 58 from ‘Aurora Leigh')* Mary Elizabeth Coleridge: Book, 1, 18, 20, 49, 79, 81, 91, 93, 94, 106 (11)* Emily Dickinson: 11, 31, 53, 58, 59, 65, 70, 76, 99 (8)* Charlotte Mew: 16, 17, 40, 55, 66, 92, 95 (7)* Felicia Hemans: 6, 10, 15, 63, 100 (5)* Amy Levy: 7, 23, 32, 80, 85 (5)* Jean Ingelow: 9, 27, 29, 37, 64 (5)* LEL!: 62, 68, 69, 83 (4); see also Rossetti 52 ‘LEL')* Mary Tighe: 36 (Psyche), 43, 60, 88 (4)* Helen Hunt Jackson: 4, 87, 89 (3)* Joanna Baillie: 13, 21, 34 (3)* Augusta Webster: 44, 48, 51 (3)* Emily Pfeiffer: 3, 75 (2)* Charlotte Bronte: 19, 74 (2)* Adah Isaacs Menken: 30, 57 (2)* Constance Naden: 41, 46 (2)* Mathilda Blind: 61, 97 (2)* Mary Kendall: 73, 77 (2)* Martha Jane Jewsbury: 2 (‘To My Own Heart')* Anne Evans: 28* ‘Michael Field' (Katherine Bradley and Edith Cooper): 78The Heart and Vision epigraphs in Ink Black Heart by chapter number:* Heart: 20, 106 (MEC); 21, 67; 52, 107; 68, 85; 2; 63, 80, 85; 17, 40, 55, 95 (Mew); 19, 74; 27; 30; 36, 60; 87 (23)* Vision: Frontispiece, 1, 49, 81 (MEC); 22, 25, 38, 90, 98 (CR); 59; 3; 34; 95; 57; 88; 48; 46 (17)Tally Sheet of Epigraphs for Cuckoo's Calling:* Frontispiece: Rossetti -- A Dirge* Prologue: Lucius Accius, Telephus* Part One: Boethius, The Consolation of Philosophy* Part Two: Virgil, Aeneid* Part Three: Virgil, Aeneid* Part Four: Pliny the Elder, Historia Naturalis* Part Five: Virgil, Georgics* Epilogue: Horace, Odes* [Closing Poem: Tennyson, Ulysses]Brackets/Latch: 19th Century English poets (see Groves)Most epigraphs: Virgil (3); no other author has more than oneMost frequently referenced work: Aeneid (2), shades in UlyssesCenter of Chiasmus: Aeneid (true if ring has 5, 8, or 9 parts)Turtleback lines: Not evident in authors list, perhaps in meanings of specific epigraphsConclusions:* Read Aeneid to look for Cuckoo's parallels;* Study epigraphs to look for parallelsOnline Literature Review for ‘Epigraphs of Cuckoo's Calling:‘https://robert-galbraith.com/epigraphs-of-the-cuckoos-calling/* 2025 connecting the dots between epigraphs and chapter set to follow (generic)* No mention of Strike as Aeneashttps://strikefans.com/the-cuckoos-calling-epigraphs/* Reprinting of epigraphs without commentary* No mention of Strike as Aeneashttps://thesefilespod.com/blog/the-cuckoos-calling-epigraphs/* Includes a very helpful link to The Rowling Library and an article there about the ‘real world' crime serving as a template for the Landry murder* No mention of Strike as Aeneashttps://mugglenet.wpenginepowered.com/2017/09/literary-allusion-cuckoos-calling-part-1-christina-rossettis-dirge/* Brilliant discussion of the Rossetti poem but curiously without reference to resurrection meaning* No mention of Strike as Aeneashttps://mugglenet.wpenginepowered.com/2017/09/literary-allusion-cuckoos-calling-part-2-tennysons-ulysses/* Brilliant discussion of Strike as Ulysses* No mention of Strike as Aeneas, curious becauseh Virgil models Aeneas on UlyssesThe Ten Questions of This Conversation (Sort Of!)1, (Nick) So, John, I finally wrote up my findings about The Ring and the Book as the story template for Hallmarked Man's murder mystery and, as we did with my posts about Aurora Leigh and I Capture the Castle, let's talk about it, expanding on the correspondences between the Browning poem and Strike 8. The natural place to begin is with your guess about Ring and the Book being a template based on your tally of the Hallmarked Man epigraphs, a theory you shared on our first show post-publication. Can you explain your process and what made you so confident about Ring and the Book?2. (John) Looking at that tally, then, Arnold's Merope and Oxenham's Maid of the Silver Sea are quantitatively more likely equivalents to Aurora Leigh in Ink Black Heart, but the Browning frontispiece, number of his epigraphs, the hidden quality of the Ring and Book poem titles, and the relationship with Barrett Browning made it seem the most likely. That the poem is considered one of the great feminist tracts written by a man didn't hurt. I still want to go back to the Arnold poem, though, because of the centrality of his epigraphs in the center Parts and Oxenham deserves a re-read, too, or just a trip to Louise Freeman Davis site, the home of Oxenham Studies online. What struck me while reading your post, Nick, was in the correspondences you found between Ring and the Book and Hallmarked Man. Can you give us the highlights of that?3. (Nick) The Ironbridge murder mystery, then, is largely lifted from the death of Pompilia. Which is unusual isn't it? Has Rowling-Galbraith ever used her epigraphs to point to the template of her story?4. (John) I think, then, that at least four of the previous Strike novels give us the embedded template, per Beatrice Groves The White Divel and The Revenger's Tragedy (and even Hamlet) gives us important clues about The Silkworm crime, Rosmersholm and its incestuous backdrop inform the murder of Lethal White, the Janus deceiver in Faerie Queene should have been a give-away about the poisoner in Troubled Blood, and, as Rowling confirmed and you demonstrated Nick, Aurora Leigh is the working model for Ink Black Heart. I think the closest Rowling epigraph suggestions to story template was in the Rossetti poem that opens Cuckoo's Calling and the Aeschylus epigraph in Deathly Hallows. What has Rowling said, though, about her epigraph sources? Do they precede the novels or follow the writing?5. (Nick) So it's not one or the other, I think, that is, she has a template in mind and if the source doesn't have sufficient quotable pieces to serve a epigraphs for the whole book, she uses other sources from the genre in play or that highlight her central theme (cf., the Gray's Anatomy heart epigraphs in tandem with the hearty women Victorian poets in Ink Black). What I'm struck by here, though, is the shift in importance of epigraphs to Rowling-Galbraith. The numbers are startling, no, between Cuckoo and Hallmarked?6. (John) Not only do we see a jump from eight or nine epigraphs in Strike1 to 139 in Stike8, but Team Rowling is pushing readers to think more seriously about them by posting reviews of the epigraphs in each book, drawing the dot-to-dot correspondences. I confess the Strike novel whose epigraphs are not like the others, Nick, is Career of Evil and its Blue Oyster Cult lyrics. You've been reading a book about Blue Oyster Cult so I'll defer to you in this despite my great fondness for heavy metal groups with sci-fi themed lyrics...7. (Nick) What about the book we haven't got in hand, John: Sleep Tight, Evangeline? We have been told -- sort of! -- the title is from a 2014 song from an American blues band called ‘The Whiskey Shambles.' Which of the previous epigraph models Rowling has used, from Deathly Hallows to Hallmarked Man, do you think we'll be seeing in Strike9? What are your thoughts on that, especially as the best link we have for Sleep Tight, Evangeline is from a rock and blues band?8. (John) So I hope that we're going to see another Running Grave type epigraph experience in Evangeline, though Grave was unique among Rowling novels and their epigraphs in not having a story-book, poem, or play as its primary source. The I Ching, cannot be a story-template per se because it is a divination tool or means to reflection. Unless you think Pike's Morals and Dogmas Freemasonry encyclopedia qualifies as an equivalent of sorts to the I Ching? That's another outlier, isn't it?9. (Nick) To put a Fourth Generation focus on this, John, we should be looking for a technique that Serious Readers can use for Sleep Tight, Evangeline to hunt for the embedded source if its hidden as were Aurora Leigh and The Ring and the Book. You've found the ones no one else noticed in Ink Black Heart and Hallmarked Man, how did you do that and do you think the same method will work for Cuckoo and Career as well as Evangeline?10. (John) So, yes, I found them but you had the first confirmed by Mrs Murray and then connected the dots between the Browning poems and Rowling's work. If this method is going to work on Cuckoo, Career, and Evangeline it will have to involve a spotter and a shooter, though they can be the same person. The spotter technique is nothing but grunt work; chart the epigraphs used and spot the author most frequently referenced and the work of theirs most frequently cited. The shooter work is actually a lot more involved and interesting; tell us about your experiences with the two Browning's' epic poems, that thrill of discovering correspondences. Do you think that excitement is something Rowling is offering her readers a a treasure hunt or as a point of reflection in terms of meaning? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hogwartsprofessor.substack.com/subscribe

Biblical Counseling Africa: Equipping the Church for Gospel-Centered Care in South Africa and BeyondRecorded on the road at the Biblical Counseling Coalition Global Summit, this Speak the Truth podcast episode features interviews with Kyle Johnston and Jane Kratz from Cape Town, South Africa, about their ministry contexts and the growth of Biblical Counseling Africa. Jane shares how her husband's death in 2012 led her to pursue a theologically rich approach to grief and loss, moving from prior psychology studies to biblical counseling training through ABC's Equipped to Counsel material and later studying at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, with additional church experience in Texas before returning to South Africa. Kyle, an ordained minister at Gracefield Church in Fish Hoek, explains how pastoral ministry exposed a gap between confident pulpit preaching and applying Scripture in complex, conversational counseling situations; this led him to training through Wayne Mack's curriculum in South Africa and a master's degree at The Master's University in Los Angeles (2012), while continuing to prioritize pastoral care and counseling in church life.They discuss why they remain committed to serving in Africa despite opportunities elsewhere, noting both the significant needs in Cape Town and South Africa and the mission field created by migration from other African nations. They describe cultural observations, including hospitality and the value of contextual ministry shaped by South Africa's historical experience, including navigating multicultural ministry after apartheid.Kyle outlines how Biblical Counseling Africa began in part to make CCEF training more accessible and affordable in their context and to expand beyond South Africa through online courses. The organization's aim is to equip local churches across Africa to provide wise, loving, gospel-centered pastoral care that restores Christ to counseling. They describe a three-level approach: (1) grassroots seminars, talks, and workshops (including using ABC conference resources with local case studies and courses such as Jane's nine-week grief care course); (2) training such as ABC's Equipped to Counsel offered during COVID and in-person; and (3) advanced CCEF courses, with growing enrollment. Future focus includes helping pastors develop a church-wide culture of care, vulnerability, and mutual ministry beyond sermon-centered expectations.They explain that Biblical Counseling Africa is a nonprofit and invite listeners to support the work through prayer, financial giving, and volunteering. They emphasize the need for resources to sustain operations, relieve volunteer load, and provide scholarships for students from poorer African contexts. They express gratitude for support from American partners including CCEF, ABC, BCC, and others, noting that courses are offered at about a quarter of the normal cost, and direct listeners to biblicalcounsellingafrica.com for more information and contact.00:00 Welcome to Speak the Truth (Podcast Intro)01:09 Meet Jane: From Grief & Loss to Biblical Counseling02:30 Texas Culture Shock & Accent Stories03:39 Meet Kyle: Pastoral Ministry Path into Counseling06:12 Why Stay & Serve in Africa? Calling, Need, and Gifts08:23 Jane's Perspective: Returning Home, Mission Field in South Africa10:56 Culture Notes: Hospitality, Affection, and Multicultural Ministry12:53 What Is Biblical Counseling Africa? Origins, Partnerships, Vision15:20 Equipping the Church: Training Levels & Accessible Resources16:35 Level 1 Training: Seminars, Consultations & Explaining Biblical Counseling17:16 Grief Care Course & Topic-Based Workshops (Burnout, Anxiety, Depression, etc.)17:53 Using ABC Conference Content: Videos, Workshops & Local Case Studies18:41 Advanced Training: Equipped to Counsel & CCEF Courses19:14 Next Step: Building a Churchwide Culture of Care (Pastors + One-Another Ministry)20:31 Beyond the Pulpit: Equipping the Saints & How Counseling Shapes Preaching24:10 How to Support Biblical Counseling Africa: Prayer, Giving & Website Info26:08 Funding Needs: Affordable Training, Supporting Students & Volunteer Capacity29:04 Volunteering with BCA: Gifts, Admin Help & Partnering via Email30:05 Wrap-Up: Invitation to Visit South Africa, Gratitude & Final ThanksEpisode MentionsBiblical Counselling Africa The Comfort of God in Grief - A Nine Week Grief Care Course by Jane  

Send a textIn this episode, we explore how a lack of affection in childhood can show up as adult patterns like deflecting praise, hyper-independence, constant apologies, intimacy struggles, and boundary issues. We unpack the psychology behind these tendencies and how early emotional experiences shape adult relationships and self-worth. Whether your kids are little or grown, it's never too late to show up with warmth and love. Tune in for thoughtful conversation and gentle reminders that connection starts small. Come sit with us—let's slow down, reflect, and grab a warm cup of coffee together. ☕

BJU equips students to impact the world as they live for truth, seize opportunities and embrace life experiences. Standing on the authority of the Bible, BJU shapes heads, hearts and backbones for Christ by equipping students to lead lives of integrity and influence others for God's glory. www.bju.edu

No one wakes up hoping to use a hospital. Patients do not browse health systems the way they browse airlines, hotels, or retailers. They do not long for novelty, delight, or emotional connection in the usual sense. They arrive when something hurts, when something feels wrong, or when uncertainty becomes too heavy to ignore. In healthcare, usage is driven by need, not desire. This distinction changes everything about how a brand is built, perceived, and sustained. It also explains why many branding conversations feel disconnected from patient experience. Consumer research from NRC Health and Press Ganey consistently shows that trust and confidence are the primary drivers of choice and recommendation when stakes are high. Affection or excitement play a minimal role. 

Masterpiece Podcasts: Collection of Chinese Classic Novels

Episode 93: Nostalgia: “A Sentimental Longing Or Wistful Affection....” February 17, 2026 …for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations”. Yeh man! Like the 60s & 70s! Playing for Change remakes songs with musicians from all over the world with sometimes odd instruments. Did you enjoy Joy of Cooking? Not the book, but the band. They're here with a few nostalgic pieces just for you and our silly nostalgia. I'm in the present and love a lot of things about the past. The Doors and Zeppelin on windowpane. Allmans and shrooms. I do hope these tunes today will make you smile and encourage you to be grateful for all you are, here, now. Thanks for listening today.  My email is talesvinyltells@gmail.com.  If you want to hear a Tales Vinyl Tells when it streams live on RadioFreeNashville.org, we do that at 5 PM central time Wednesdays. The program can also be played and downloaded anytime at podbean.com, Apple podcasts, iHeart podcasts, Player FM podcasts, Listen Notes podcasts and many other podcast places. And of course you can count on hearing the Tales on studiomillswellness.com/tales-vinyl-tells anytime. PLAYLIST: 93.1 “In” Crowd-Ramsey Lewis 93.2 Cool Night-Paul Davis 93.3 Kamikaze-Copperhead 93.4 Who Do You Love?-Quicksilver Messenger Service 93.5 Tennessee Rise-Carlile, Morris, Howard, Shires, Emmylou, et al 93.6 Good Shepherd-Jorma Kaukonen 93.7 Doctor My Eyes-Playing for Change band with Jackson Browne 93.8 JIM JAM-Ripple-Grateful Dead 93.9 Wrapped around your finger-Rufus Wainwright and Sting 93.10 Did you go downtown?/A Thousand Miles -Joy of Cooking

Masterpiece Podcasts: Collection of Chinese Classic Novels

Jonathan Kerhoulas. Matthew 22:34-40.

Scripture: Ephesians 6:24+ What you love most is the most important thing about you.“According to Augustine, ‘There is a scale of value stretching from earthly to heavenly realities, from the visible to the invisible; and the inequality between these goods makes possible the existence of them all.' God is one thing, angels are another, as are people, terriers, red oaks, squash, rocks, and dirt. Each item fits in God's overall scheme of creation. The nature of things in the hierarchy is unchangeable, and so is the kind of satisfaction it can provide when we are related to it through love. Because of these actual differences in things, the outcome of loving each actual thing will be different. There is a divinely designed fit between our needs, the character of the things that can satisfy them, and the way we should love them in order to be satisfied. Even though each thing God made is good, delightful, legitimate, and a source of satisfaction as an object of our love, we "must not expect more from it than its unique nature can provide." We must give love and praise to things apportioned to their worth. - David K Naugle, Re-Ordered Loves; Re-ordered Lives."Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship. And an outstanding reason for choosing some sort of god or spiritual-type thing to worship...is that pretty much anything else you worship will eat you alive. If you worship money and things—if they are where you tap real meaning in life—then you will never have enough. Never feel you have enough. It's the truth. Worship your own body and beauty and sexual allure and you will always feel ugly, and when time and age start showing, you will die a million deaths before they finally plant you...Worship power—you will feel weak and afraid, and you will need ever more power over others to keep the fear at bay. Worship your intellect, being seen as smart—you will end up feeling stupid, a fraud, always on the verge of being found out." - David Foster Wallace + What does it mean to love Jesus?-       Adoration - thinking highly of Jesus.-       Affection - feeling deeply for Jesus.-       Allegiance - following faithfully after Jesus.Matthew 10:37–38“All of Christ is to be loved, and He is to be loved above all.” John Gill.Revelation 2:1-5Psalm 34:8 (NIV)+ ExaminePsalm 32:1–5 (NIV)+ Exercise+ Encounter

What would change if you truly believed you are fully known—and fully loved—by God? In this episode, Barb is joined by author Glenna Marshall to talk about her book Known & Loved and the life-changing truths of Psalm 139. Together, they explore how God's love differs from ours, and how the gospel reshapes our understanding of shame, suffering, and doubt. This conversation invites us to lift our eyes from ourselves and fix our gaze on the one true God whose love never runs dry.   RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE Connect with Glenna on Instagram Connect with Glenna on Facebook Known and Loved: Experiencing the Affection of God in Psalm 139 Visit Glenna's Website   ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST Glenna Marshall is married to her pastor, William, and is the mother of two sons. She is the author of The Promise Is His Presence, Everyday Faithfulness, Memorizing Scripture, and Known and Loved. She is a member of Grace Bible Fellowship in Sikeston, Missouri, where she and her husband have served for over twenty years.

Our son Maximus turns 18 this week and joins us on the broadcast to answer your questions. He shares what it means to him to become a “man of God,” favorite childhood memories, his love for movies, art, and comedy, how he handles sensory overload and feelings of loneliness, his fears about college and the future, and a powerful […]

The God Who Made the Stars— Amos 5 1. Lamentation (verses 1 – 3) 2. Exhortation (verses 4 – 7) 3. Creation (verses 8 – 9) 4. Explanation (verses 10 – 13) 5. Exhortation (verses 14 – 15) 6. Lamentation (verses 16 – 17) 7. Anticipation (verses 18-20) 8. Affection (verses 21-27)

Raising godly children begins with relationship, not rules. Affection comes before instruction, and presence matters more than perfection. Kids spell love T-I-M-E. God isn't asking parents to impress their kids — He's asking them to be lovingly present. When children are consistently loved and seen, instruction has meaning and faith becomes believable. Scriptures: Deuteronomoy 6:4-7, 3 John 1:4

Jacob Burns of the Chicago Botanic Garden discusses how anthuriums can be your way of showing love this Valentine's Day!

Send a text- On-Demand Programme Link - https://mailchi.mp/bb2a7b851246/kairos-centreFrom where did you get your Sex Ed knowledge back there during the developing childhood years, which you have been following through and repeatedly practising in adulthood? Was it 'Peers, banter and porn' which set up your sexual template, long before school Sex Ed - which got there way too late; the deed was already done. You give a wry smile when asked about Sex Ed at home from parents! For most - there was none at home; for others, if there was, it came way too late.Once the five senses of sight, smell, taste, touch & sound brings images and experiences onto the brain - those 'firsts' have already set up the templates - which will then be repeatedly played out in adulthood sexuality, as being 'right' and 'works'. Not necessarily true. They are templates, but they may not be accurate of 'right'. They are just what your brain experienced as 'first time' and the template is set up (whether wanted or not) and will reproduce and reproduce; churning out the same old, same old - 'seems to work'; (but you know it isn't working as you want it to work!The setting up of those templates during the childhood development period are called sexual myths. Sexual myths need to be unlearned. Then replaced with accurate knowledge about human sexually and physiological responses. That is what The Kairos Centre provide, when its Therapists are wearing a different hat and skill set called Psychosexual Therapy. (I use the shorted term of 'Sex Therapy').It can be transformation, when (for the first time) you experience Sensuality, Intimacy, Romance, Deep Love & Affection - at a must higher level (after cleansing out the dross); which is so fulfilling on its own; and you haven't even had sex yet!Come and see and experience it for yourself. Then you will have eyes to see and body to feel the difference of 'sex gone wrong' all those years that you have been doing it!Help is here for you: bit.ly/pornaddictionhelpGary McFarlane (BA, LLM, Dip, Certs), Accredited EMDR Practitioner.Key words: sex addiction, addicted, partner, porn addiction, recovery, sex drive, therapy, sex therapy, podcast, relationships, relationship counseling, relationship advice, addiction, couples, couples therapy, sex therapy, emdr, love addiction, behavior, psychology, codependency, sex life, neuroscience, sex ed, sober, sobriety, sexual dysfunction, relationship issues, sex coach, sexual, trauma, ptsd, sex science, The sex porn love Addiction Podcast, The Singles Partners Marrieds and Long Time Marrieds Podcast, Gary McFarlane, porn addiction, what neuroscience says, neuroscience, young adults, sex, sex addict, porn, recovery, porn addiction issue, porn addiction in teens, sex addiction in teens, sex hormones,Support the show

Too often, we treat the "honeymoon phase" as the peak of our affection, only to let laziness, immaturity, and walls slowly dismantle the foundation of our most important relationship. In this episode of The Leader's Cut, we're breaking down the "Architecture of Affection." We explore the five toxic behaviors a loving relationship simply cannot tolerate and the five non-negotiables every couple must maintain to thrive. From shifting out of "roommate syndrome" to the power of mutual submission, this is a deep dive into building a marriage that doesn't just survive the years but gets stronger through them. In this episode, we discuss: The Killers of Intimacy: Why laziness, passive-aggressiveness, and manipulation are the "slow leaks" in a marriage. The Maturity Shift: How to stop thinking like a child and start using your words to affirm rather than attack. Walls vs. Safety: The danger of showing your body while hiding your heart, and how to earn (and offer) true trust. The Power of Submission: Redefining mutual submission as a military-grade strategy for covering each other's weaknesses. The Playfulness Dashboard: Why flirting, laughter, and trying new things are the indicators of a healthy relationship. Are you ready to take your marriage to the next level? Remember, it doesn't come cheap. The person you love the most should always cost you the most.    

Pastor Tyler's new book "Firebrand" is available NOW! https://www.ironworks.media/bookstore/p/firebrand Check out IronWorks Media, our Christian resource network! https://www.ironworks.media/ Give to support the ministry of Calvary Chapel Trussville! https://tithe.ly/give?c=411758 More info on Calvary Chapel Trussville!

Today we’re convincing a woman that her boyfriend secretly attends INTIMACY CLASSES, and Brooke's calling as his teacher to see why he wasn’t in class today! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why does God command emotion? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper shows how Scripture urges us to love truth deeply and respond with joy, awe, and heartfelt praise.

Today we’re convincing a woman that her boyfriend secretly attends INTIMACY CLASSES, and Brooke's calling as his teacher to see why he wasn’t in class today! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ask Joni a question here! --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

Today we’re convincing a woman that her boyfriend secretly attends INTIMACY CLASSES, and Brooke's calling as his teacher to see why he wasn’t in class today! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Enroll Today for 30 Days to DifferentDoes your relationship feel… quieter lately? The butterflies are gone. The texts are shorter. Affection feels different. And now your brain is spiraling:Did they lose interest? Is this my fault? Is the spark gone?In this episode of Top Self, Shanenn breaks down what's actually happening when the intensity fades in a long-term relationship — especially if you struggle with jealousy, insecurity, or fear of abandonment.You'll learn why early love feels intoxicating, why that high is biologically designed to fade, and why the loss of “spark” doesn't mean loss of love. For many anxious or jealous partners, this phase is when insecurity spikes — not because the relationship is failing, but because the nervous system is finally no longer distracted.This episode will help you stop catastrophizing calm, understand your attachment system, and learn how to build security without needing constant reassurance.Key Moments• 1:00 – The questions everyone asks when the spark fades • 2:20 – Why early love feels addictive (and why it can't last) • 7:00 – The shift from dopamine to oxytocin explained simply • 10:00 – Why calm love can trigger anxiety and jealousy • 13:30 – How hypervigilance replaces excitement • 17:50 – Why jealousy often peaks after commitment • 22:00 – When “boring” is actually emotional safety • 25:00 – Why leaving too soon repeats the same cycle • 27:20 – Stop chasing the spark — start building inner securityGolden Episode Nuggets

Stories in this Episode:- Have Courage, and Off You Go- The Commandments and Covenants of God to the Saints of the Last Days- The Voice of Jesus Christ Himself- The Tender Care and Affection of a Loving Husband and Father⁠⁠⁠Sign up⁠⁠⁠ for FREE weekly stories ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠Join my VIP Subscription⁠⁠⁠ and get access to all of my stories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Contact me at Glenn@GlennRawsonStories.com

Message from Stephen Martin on February 8, 2026

On 23 December last year, Rowling changed her Twixter home page header and cameo with this tweeted explanation:The Charm Bracelet header features thirteen charms on nine links:Rowling tweeted an addendum about the Psalter and Jack in the Box charms:Nick Jeffery dropped an explanatory post two days later at the Hogwarts Professor weblog: J. K. Rowling Drops All the Strike 9 Clues for Christmas! It remains the only complete survey of the pieces and compendium of what Serious Strikers around the world have discovered about them.Beatrice Groves, author of Literary Allusion in Harry Potter, wrote up her charm bracelet thoughts at ‘The Strike Ellacott Files' a month later. In ‘Charms, Psalms & Golden Clues: A brace(let) of clues for Strike 9,' Prof Groves discusses the magical quality of charms as talismans and even incantational song:Rowling points out in this 2013 piece the link between the name given to charm bracelets and the magical world: ‘Why do we call those little masterpieces “charms” if not in allusion to their talismanic properties?… they are personal amulets.' To charm someone is also to slightly to bewitch them, something Rowling plays with when Riddle exerts his charm on Ginny and literally possesses her: ‘If I say it myself, Harry, I've always been able to charm the people I needed.' Witch Weekly's Most-Charming-Smile Award is given to a smile that is both literally, as well as metaphorically, bewitching.The word ‘charm' comes, through French, from the Latin ‘carmen' which means ‘song, verse, oracular response, incantation.' Its first meaning in English, therefore, was the magical one: ‘the chanting or recitation of a verse supposed to possess magic power or occult influence; incantation, enchantment; hence, any action, process, verse, sentence, word, or material thing, credited with such properties; a magic spell; a talisman, etc.' (Oxford English Dictionary). From the sixteenth century onwards, ‘charm' meant ‘anything worn about the person to avert evil or ensure prosperity' because such amulets might contain the text of such a charm. And thinking about this made me aware for the first time of how in the most important charms in Harry Potter – the Fidelius Charm and the Patronus Charm – the word is not simply a synonym for spell but encodes this original, protective meaning. These magical ‘Charms' like the charms on charm bracelets encode what Rowling calls ‘talismanic properties.'Nick and John invited Elizabeth Baird Hardy, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts Professor, the genius behind AppalachianInkling.com, Hunger Games expert, and author of Milton, Spenser and the Chronicles of Narnia: Literary Sources for the C.S. Lewis Novels to talk about these charms, especially about what she had written briefly on the subject. The goals of this conversation? * To introduce the subject to everyone not familiar with the Christmas tweets and bracelet-header, * to discuss the ‘Why?' of this present to Strike fans everywhere, * to speculate about the meaning of the bracelet pieces individually and in a series, and * to brainstorm their qualities as clues for Strike9, the penultimate novel in the decalogy.Which is a lot! The good news is that the conversation never flagged and the revelations and possible meanings of the charms, thirteen in total on nine links, reward anyone listening in.Nick starts off the conversation with a review of the six charm bracelets in Rowling's life and writing, one of which was a long forgotten piece in the margins of a Rowling web site:[You can read about those internet ‘Easter Eggs' in ‘Hidden Photos at Rowling's Website' here, here, here, and here.]Nick offered as a guiding idea for our conversation the likelihood that the nine links in the bracelet were meaningful, i.e., that they reflected the structure of the book for which the bracelet is meant to be a clue. There are thirteen charms, he noted, but certainly Rowling-Galbraith could have had a thirteen link chain made if she hadn't thought the nine links more than sufficient, even a pointer to Strike 9 being a nine Part mystery. Since, as Nick noted, she has trouble even passing up a shop selling charms, it seems likely she has been collecting the pieces for this one for some time. Perhaps this bracelet is a “target” toward which she has been writing with these books. It is certainly not something she just threw together for a header photo shoot. The trio elected to read the circular collection of charms, consequently, as pieces with individual meaning — as magical talismans of sorts per Prof Groves — and as a ring composition, with both aspects indicating the place and meaning of the piece in the book.After a brief discussion of why Rowling, Inc., would release this set of clues now, with another Strike novel or Bronte Studios television adaptation in the distant future — John offered the possibility that this bit of fan servicing was meant as a touch of appeasement qua Christmas gift to the many fans disappointed with Hallmarked Man — Elizabeth, John, and Nick tackled the thirteen charms on nine links.In Part One of their conversation, they talk about * the heart shaped engagement ring box;* the golden diamond-laden egg;* the anchor;* the two angels; and * the Trojan horse.Their preliminary conclusions at the half-way point?Mrs. Murray in her Nativity gift to her readers offers them clues not only to the next Strike-Ellacott novel but to the meaning of human life. Each of these five charms is a symbol with obvious and not so obvious Christian meaning. John reconsidered his answer to the ‘Why now?' in light of this avalanche of symbolism; instead of it being fan servicing to rescue the brand, he thinks it may be Rowling's attempt — on the most celebrated remnant Christian holiday in a post-Christian world — to reset her serious readers' understanding of what she is about as a writer, what sort of transformation she is trying to create via story within her readers.Part two of this interpretative deep dive into Rowling's artistry in metallurgical symbolism, her “charm work” literary alchemy, will follow shortly. There are five links with seven charms to come — Jack in the Box, Hourglass, White Rose, Crocodile, Corvid, Psalter, and the Head of Persephone — all as rich in meaning as the first four links.Below are links to subjects mentioned in this first conversation and additions not discussed but discovered after the fact, all shared for your consideration and comments!Thank you as always from the Hogwarts Professor team for your joining us with special appreciation to our paid subscribers!Subjects that Elizabeth, Nick, and John Discussed: The Heart Shaped Engagement Ring Charm:* The first, fourth, fifth, and ninth links are clasped objects with surprises inside,* Ink Black Heart and Deathly Hallows: The Heart is Not About Emotions and Affection but the Human Spiritual Center (John, October 2022)* Hallmarked Man, Part Five: The Center of Strike 8 is about “Inner Light” (Ed Shardlow)* Gold as “solid light” and diamonds as “inner light,” both reflecting in nature the Light of God's Word or Logos that is found with in every man (cf., John 1:9 and Rowling's comments about Casual Vacancy being “all about” her belief that “the light of God shines in every soul”);* The consequent symbolism of a golden wedding/engagement band with two diamonds;* The human being as a ‘heart in a box' either enlightened ‘gold and diamonds' or a dark ‘jack in the box' devil* The two-stone ring, as Nick notes, is a “me and you” ring, alluding to a certain theme song. Also, Elizabeth notes, Robin is faced with a choice between two very different types of proposals, so the duality of the ring in the box connects to that conundrum, and since that is apparently where 9 will begin, it gives us a good idea that we are right in “reading” the bracelet starting with this oneThe Gold Diamond-Laden Egg Charm:* Assuming it is an ‘Easter Egg,' the two meanings of that phrase;* Again, ‘gold and diamonds,' as above; * Paschal meaning of Eggs: The custom of exchanging colored eggs entered the life of the Church. The symbolic meaning of the egg as the beginning of a new life was known even earlier. Christians saw in this symbol confirmation of their faith in the coming general resurrection. The Easter egg's red color symbolized the all-conquering Divine Love, which alone could destroy hell!The Foul-Anchor Charm:* ‘Strike 9 to Heads to Portsmouth!' (Nick, September 2025)* Foul Anchor (Wikipedia);* Eagle, Globe, and Anchor (Wikipedia);* Meaning of ‘Hector' in Homeric Greek is ‘Holding Fast,' and, by interpretation, ‘anchor;'* The Greek word for ‘Anchor' found in the New Testament is ἄγκυρα, pronounced ‘ang-chor-a;' * Hebrews 6:19:13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.* Meaning of "Anchor of the Soul" in Hebrews 6:19?The Immediate Context of Hebrews 6:13-20The writer reassures wavering Jewish Christians by citing God's oath to Abraham (Genesis 22:16-17). Two “unchangeable things” (God's promise and His oath, v. 18) make it “impossible for God to lie.” The “hope set before us” (v. 18) functions as an anchor that has already “entered … behind the curtain” (v. 19), where Jesus, our High Priest, intercedes (v. 20; cf. 4:14-16).Anchor as Hope: Theological Significance1. Objective, not subjective: “hope” (ἐλπίς) is grounded in the historical, bodily resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:17-20).2. Already-but-not-yet: the anchor is cast forward into the heavenly holy of holies, securing believers' future inheritance (1 Peter 1:3-4) while exerting a present stabilizing pull.3. Firm and secure: βεβαία (reliable) and ἀσφαλής (incapable of slipping). The compound assures permanence beyond circumstantial change (Malachi 3:6).Christ Our Forerunner Behind the VeilThe anchor “enters” (εἰσερχόμενον, pres. tense) the inner sanctuary “behind the curtain,” alluding to the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16). Jesus is πρόδρομος (“forerunner,” v. 20), implying that others will follow where He has gone (John 14:2-3). The anchor-rope is His indestructible life (Hebrews 7:16), tethering the believer to God's throne of grace.* Hence its use as a symbol within Christianity: Christ having defeated death is an anchor to those members of His Mystical Body which anchors them to life after death, “beyond the veil;”* The pairing of the anchor charm with the golden egg on the second link of the bracelet reinforces this Paschal symbolism;* Charles Williams' “Co-inherence” ideas: “Who Saved Draco's Soul?” Co-Inherence in Harry PotterThe Two Angels Charms (paired on Link three)* Cupid and Psyche? Maybe!* Angels? Ghosts?* Orlando drawings! A Silkworm flash-back to the Monkey-Bag with the essential clue inside…The Trojan Horse Charm* Trojan Horse (Wikipedia)In Greek mythology, the Trojan Horse (Greek: δούρειος ίππος, romanized: doureios hippos, lit. ‘wooden horse') was a wooden horse said to have been used by the Greeks during the Trojan War to enter the city of Troy and win the war. The Trojan Horse is not mentioned in Homer's Iliad, with the poem ending before the war is concluded, and it is only briefly mentioned in the Odyssey. It is described at length in the Aeneid, in which Virgil recounts how, after a fruitless ten-year siege, the Greeks constructed a huge wooden horse at the behest of Odysseus, and hid a select force of men inside, including Odysseus himself. The Greeks pretended to sail away, and the Trojans pulled the horse into their city as a victory trophy. That night, the Greek force crept out of the horse and opened the gates for the rest of the Greek army, which had sailed back under the cover of darkness. The Greeks entered and destroyed the city, ending the war.Metaphorically, a “Trojan horse” has come to mean any trick or stratagem that causes a target to invite a foe into a securely protected bastion or place. A malicious computer program that tricks users into willingly running it is also called a “Trojan horse“ or simply a “Trojan”.* Could the Strike Series be a Re-telling of Virgil's Aeneid? (John, July 2017)If Cormoran Strike's story is Rowling's postmodern re-telling of the Aeneid, then the Fates theme is more than apt.It is all about, after all, the hero's destiny or fate to recreate Troy in Italy as Rome, a fate which it is pointless for Aeneas to resist. The refugee from Troy, son of the goddess of beauty, is forced ever onward, often over-riding his preferences and pledges, to his destiny to found Rome as the New Troy. A soldier in an eastern country ‘coming home,' Aeneas is a wounded man, haunted by his divine mother, a man of destiny forced to leave a beautiful, powerful woman who curses him at his departure.Sound familiar? The Aeneid is a reverse reflection and re-telling of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey in that it's first six books are about the Trojan's travels and the last six relate his battles with the local tribes in Latium. It seems possible that Rowling might be trying to do with the Aeneid what she did with the Weird Sisters of Macbeth, namely, present what seems to be a tale of inevitability or fate, something prophesied or otherwise seemingly inescapable, as a function really of character choice.In the Peg-Legged PI's story that could mean Rowling's revisiting fate vs choice vis a vis whether he is able to choose to take-or-leave an investigation of Leda's death (and face the dangers inherent in threatening his biological father, Jonny Rokeby) or whether he feels doomed to follow it to its end, whatever the costs to him and to those he loves.* The Trojan Horse is the wisdom of Athene as given to Odysseus, her favorite. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hogwartsprofessor.substack.com/subscribe

2 Peter 1:2-11 (NKJV)Andrew, Isack, and Edwin discuss the path of spiritual maturity for Christians.Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.    Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org.    Join the Facebook community and join the conversation by clicking here. We'd love to meet you. Be a guest among the Christians who meet on Livingston Avenue. Click here to find out more. Michael Eldridge sang all four parts of our theme song. Find more from him by clicking here.   Thanks for talking about the text with us today.________________________________________________If the hyperlinks do not work, copy the following addresses and paste them into the URL bar of your web browser: Daily Written Devo: https://readthebiblemakedisciples.wordpress.com/?p=24314The Christians Who Meet on Livingston Avenue: http://www.christiansmeethere.org/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TalkAboutTheTextFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/texttalkMichael Eldridge: https://acapeldridge.com/ 

In this episode, we unpack the bizarre case of a man who legally registered a potato as a firearm suppressor with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. We explore how changes to the National Firearms Act registration process made this possible, what it says about regulatory boundaries, and why this seemingly absurd stunt — complete with the serial number “TATE001” — raises serious questions about how broad the definition of a silencer really is. Along the way we dive into the politics, the paperwork, and the cultural reaction to one of the strangest regulatory stories in recent memory.This Week's Featured Hashtag#OddWaysToShowAppreciationOther Interesting Things·         ATF Website·         More information on the Potato Registry ·         Alienation of Affection in North Carolina·         Nate the Hoof Guy·         More Information on the Brenay Kennard AffairSend a text to The Ebone Zone! Support the showIf you have questions or comments email ebonezonepodcast@yahoo.com Follow the Ebone Zone on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialEBZLike the Ebone Zone on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebonezoneofficial/Visit www.ebonezone.com for more content!

The Rod and Greg Show Daily Rundown – Thursday, January 29, 20264:20 pm: Utah County Sheriff Mike Smith joins the program for a conversation about how Utah leaders are working with ICE to prevent the state from experiencing events like those in Minnesota from happening in Utah.4:38 pm: Beverly Willet, author and former attorney, joins the show for a conversation about her piece in the Federalist on how former Senator Kyrsten Synema, accused of being a homewrecker, is being sued by a stay-at-home mom over an affair with her husband, and how a similar law is on the books in Utah.6:05 pm: Salena Zito, Reporter and Columnist for the Washington Examiner, joins the show to discuss her piece about how Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman stays true to himself.6:38 pm: Economist Steve Moore, co-founder of Unleash Prosperity, joins Rod and Greg for his weekly visit about politics and the nation's economy, and today they'll discuss how the Trump accounts could turn into millions for future American citizens.

The evolving situation in Venezuela is rife with uncertainty. But as the outlook for Venezuelan crude oil improves, there are significant market issues at play as well, including the potential for renewed competition with Canadian heavy crudes along the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Pastor Kurt takes a deep dive into 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20 highlighting how it is when God's Word truly takes root, it produces affliction for the Word—a cross-shaped endurance even when our own people push back. And it stirs affection for the church—a longing to be face to face, where people themselves become our hope, joy, and crown before Jesus.

What if the difference between feeling like roommates and feeling deeply connected was as simple as dating your spouse again? In this episode, the team unpacks the powerful framework of DATE—Dialogue, Affection, Time, and Ephesians 5 (love and respect)—and how practicing it can transform your marriage in any season.Discussion Questions:1- Which part of DATE do we currently do best? Which one do we tend to neglect?2- How has busyness, kids, or phones affected our dialogue?3- How can I love or respect you more clearly this week—in how I say things, not just what I say?4- What would one simple, realistic date look like in our current season?

In this episode, Breht is joined by Kristen R. Ghodsee to dig into her provocative essay on the political economy of love under capitalism. Using Marx's distinction between use value and exchange value, Ghodsee argues that love is not just a private feeling but a material necessity for human flourishing -- and that our economic system systematically depletes the time, energy, and security required to sustain it. Together, they explore how capitalism commodifies two core components of love, attention and affection, turning them into scarce resources bought and sold in everything from therapy and childcare to the attention economy and the market for professionalized intimacy. But the heart of the conversation is the one thing capitalism can't truly monetize: reciprocal flow -- the non-transactional rhythm of giving and receiving that emerges in long relationships, cooperative play, music, community, and solidarity itself. Breht and Ghodsee discuss how inequality and insecurity train people into transactionalism, why loneliness is not an individual failure but a structural outcome, and what a genuine politics of love might look like beyond mere self-help or lifestyle fixes. Learn more about Dr. Ghodsee and her work HERE Check out AK-47, Kristen's podcast dedicated to Alexandra Kollontai here: https://kristenghodsee.com/podcast ---------------------------------------------------- Support Rev Left and get access to bonus episodes: www.patreon.com/revleftradio Make a one-time donation to Rev Left at BuyMeACoffee.com/revleftradio Follow, Subscribe, & Learn more about Rev Left Radio https://revleftradio.com/

In his book Starved for Affection, Dr. Randy states: Affection is the kind of love that leaves you feeling close, safe, and cared for.  So, today's question is: “When do you feel most loved by your spouse?” But it's also a question you should ask your spouse. Sign up for Dr. Randy’s INTENTIONAL ONE THING […]

As we center our hearts and minds on the Lord Jesus, everything else in our lives begins to fit into place. Today, Sinclair Ferguson shows that our struggle against sin and our weariness at Christmas have the same solution. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/renewed-affection-for-christ/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts