Podcasts about Afraid

Sign up for FREE COACHING with Alli – https://alliworthington.com/freecoaching    I felt a little nudge to talk about Chapter 9 of Fierce Faith. Back in 2017, I titled that chapter “What If Things Fall Apart?”, and honestly, I don't think anything could be more relevant right now.   It feels like so many of us are wandering through our own wilderness—feeling lost, lonely, and afraid. Afraid of what's ahead. Afraid of what could be. Afraid of what our anxiety says about us. Afraid of what happens if things really do fall apart.   That's why I'm sharing this chapter with you today. My prayer is that it brings peace about the future and reminds you to find your own stones of remembrance—those markers of God's faithfulness that anchor us when fear tries to take over.   At the end of the episode, I'll not only share practical tools and encouragement to help you fight fear, but I encourage you to take one specific step: pick a stone of remembrance today, write it down, and let it remind you of God's faithfulness as you step into 2026 with greater confidence.   Timestamps: (03:38) - Fear of the Unknown: How It Keeps Us Stuck in Our Own Wilderness (13:00) - Focusing on God's Faithfulness: The Shift That Frees Us From Fear (17:17) - We Will Always Face New Giants (and How to Meet Them with Courage) (23:35) - How to Stop Catastrophizing Before It Derails Your Peace (26:11) -A Battle Plan to Fight Your Fear of the Future with Strength and Clarity WATCH ALLI  ON YOUTUBE   Links to great things we discussed:    Catalyst Mastermind The Uplift app is here! Try it free for 30 days. Sign up for FREE COACHING with Alli – https://alliworthington.com/freecoaching 

We are joined by Jay Delsing to discuss growing up everything golf. From success on the PGA tour to getting punched in the face, we chat about having what it takes. His recent book, You Wouldn't Believe Me if I Told You. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE 120 -  “REEL REFLECTIONS: STEVE & NAN'S FAVES IN CLASSIC CINEMA” - 12/29/25  As we say goodbye to 2025, Steve and Nan are wrapping up the year and ringing in the new one with much refection. In this fun episode, join the discussion as they talk about some of their favorite films, movie stars, and directors in a series of fun lists. Get to know our intrepid hosts better and find out just who they think was the Best Villain or Best Screen Kiss or Most Beautiful Actress in the golden era of Hollywood. Steve, Nan, Lindsay, and J.P. also want to thank you all for the steadfast support and kindness throughout the year.  May 2026 bring great things to all of you beautiful listeners out there! SHOW NOTES:  Sources: Wikipedia.com; TCM.com; IBDB.com; IMDBPro.com; Movies Mentioned: Ladies of Leisure (1930); Platinum Blonde (1931); Lady for a Day (1933); Alice Adams (1935); Stella Dallas (1936); My Man Godfrey (1936); These Three (1936); Dodsworth (1936); Come and Get It (1936); Mr. Deed Goes to Town (1936); The Awful Truth (1937); Night Must Fall (1937); Stella Dallas (1937); The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938); You Can't Take It With You (1938); Jezebel (1938); Love Affair (1939); Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939); Wuthering Heights (1939); Dark Victory (1939); The Return of Frank James (1940); The Letter (1940); Citizen Kane (1941); Penny Serenade (1941); Suspicion (1941); Western Union (1941); Meet John Doe (1941); The Little Foxes (1941); Mrs. Miniver (1942); Casablanca (1942); Now, Voyager (1942); Talk of the Town (1942); The Spider Woman (1943); Double Indemnity (1944); Going My Way (1944); The Woman in the Window (1944); Phantom Lady (1944); Christmas Holiday (1944); Ministry of Fear (1944); Woman In the Window (1944); Arsenic & Old Lace (1944); The Bells of St. Mary's (1945); Brief Encounter (1945); Leave Her to Heaven (1945); Mildred Pierce (1945); Our Vines Have Tender Grapes (1945); The Great Flamarion (1945); Two O'Clock Courage (1945); The Strange Affair of Uncle Harry (1945); Scarlet Street (1945); The Spiral Staircase (1946); It's a Wonderful Life (1946); Notorious (1946); Gilda (1946); The Best Years of Our Lives (1946); Kiss of Death (1947); The Bishop's Wife (1947); T-Men (1947); Nightmare Alley (1947); I Remember Mama (1948); Raw Deal (1948); Cry of the City (1948); They Live By Night (1948); Come to the Stable (1949); Criss Cross (1949); The Heiress (1949); White Heat (1949); Sunset Boulevard (1950); Harvey (1950); Side Street (1950); Winchester '73 (1950); The File on Thelma Jordan (1950); A Place in the Sun (1951); Clash By Night (1952); In a Lonely Place (1953); From Here to Eternity (1953); The Big Heat (1953); Shane (1953); The Clown (1950); White Christmas (1954); A Star Is Born (1954); The Night of the Hunter (1955); The Man From Laramie (1955); A Face in the Crowd (1957); An Affair to Remember (1957); The Tin Star (1957); Giant (1956); Elmer Gantry (1960); Splendor In the Grass (1961); The Manchurian Candidate (1962); Take Her, She's Mine (1963); The Sound of Music (1965); The Singing Nun (1966); Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966); Once Upon a Time in the West (1968); The Way We Were (1973); The Godfather Part II (1974); Ordinary People (1980); --------------------------------- http://www.airwavemedia.com Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you afraid to show up online? Today's episode is for the photographer or creative who knows that they have BIG value… but they keep hiding. We're talking all about visibility, identity shifts, and main-character energy so that you can get booked and PAID. Today's episode is brought to you by The Green House, my resource garden for photographers! Let me help you AMPLIFY your heart online and in real life to turn bridesmaids into future brides through templates, workshops, and freebies!Learn More >>You can find the full show notes and transcript for this episode at quiannamarie.com/podcast!Review The Show Notes:If You're Afraid To Be Seen, You're Afraid To Be Paid (2:11)Identity Shifts And Confidence Reminders (2:55)Main Character Energy And The Importance Of Visibility (9:05)Who Suffers If You Hide? (10:54)Easy Ways To Start Showing Up (12:43)Mentioned In This Episode:Easy B-Roll Ideas For Business Owners: quiannamarie.com/brollThe Green House Resource Garden: quiannamarie.com/shopThe Monthly Content Membership: quiannamarie.com/crush-your-contentBook Your VIP Day: quiannamarie.com/vipEpisode 220 Stop ONLY Marketing To Your Dream Clients: quiannamarieblog.com/2025/12/08/220-stop-only-marketing-to-your-dream-clientsEpisode 199 90 Days Of Content In ONE Day: quiannamarieblog.com/2025/07/14/199-90-days-of-content-in-one-dayEpisode 196 Why Your Content Isn't Working (Let's Fix It!): quiannamarieblog.com/2025/06/23/196-why-your-content-isnt-working-lets-fix-itConnect with Quianna:Instagram Facebook TikTok Pinterest Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Afraid of Spiraling After the Holidays? Do This One Thing First.The days after the holidays can feel unsettling, especially if you've ever found yourself swinging between restriction and “throwing it all out the window” when it comes to food.If you're feeling anxious about losing control, gaining weight, or starting another all-or-nothing reset in January, this episode is for you.In this short, grounding conversation, I share one simple, non-overwhelming focus that can dramatically reduce cravings, quiet food noise, and help you feel more stable and in control—starting today.This isn't about dieting, starting over, or forcing perfection.We'll explore:Why post-holiday spirals aren't a character flaw—but a biological patternHow under-fueling quietly fuels cravings, urges, and evening bingesThe overlooked role protein plays in calming food noise and emotional eatingHow stabilizing your body creates more emotional and mental space to respond—not reactA practical “yes-and” approach that allows indulgence without losing controlI also share a real-life example of how prioritizing protein helped me enjoy pizza and dessert—without guilt, shame, or spiraling—by working with my body instead of against it.If you want to move into the new year feeling steadier, calmer, and more self-trusting around food—this episode will help you take that first step.Did you enjoy the episode? DM me on instagram and let me know what you thought.

Lost At Christmas: Part 2 A vulnerable confrontation with an old crush. Based on a post by Tx Tall Tales, in 2 parts. Listen to the Podcast at My First time. Christmas What had started out with the potential for so much disappointment, my first Christmas away from home, was actually quite wonderful. The family embraced me and treated me as one of their own. Dinner was scrumptious, a Christmas ham, with the full complement of side dishes. After dinner we chatted, drank a little too much spiked eggnog, and told stories of the last few years. I sat close to Sheri when I could, beside her at the dinner table, and next to her on the couch while we had our eggnog. I tried to engage her in some quiet conversation of our own, but the setting was all wrong for that, and I eventually abandoned those attempts. It was nice enough just to be near her. Tommy's step-father Dave, insisted I call Santiago, even though I knew the price would be outrageous, and I did. I gave my family my Christmas wishes, and told them how much I missed them and was looking forward to seeing them in a couple of days. Everyone in the room took a minute to say hello and share season's greetings. I had to spend a few minutes trying to get my Mom to stop crying at the far end, before we finally were able to hang-up. The small ones had to go to bed relatively early, and so we all got to open one gift the night before, as was their tradition. I gave Tommy his gift, and his mother opened the family gift and everyone acted pleased. In turn, they had bought me a present which I opened. It was two books for the trip, and they had a card for me. Inside was $50. I was completely in shock. "Dear Steve, Your short visit was a wonderful Christmas gift to us all. Thanks so much for choosing to spend this Christmas with us. Here's some mad money for the trip home. We all love you. Dave, June, Robert, Sheri, John and Jean" I was deeply touched by the gesture. I went over and gave Tommy's Mom a big hug, thanking her for the card and books. The kids jumped up with presents of their own, and I got two new drawings for my dorm room, as well as some mystery invention from John, which was supposed to be a spy tool to stop people from breaking into my room. I thanked them profusely, and they were put to bed shortly after. Dave, Tommy and I discussed the logistics of my morning bus ride back to Charleston. It left at 7:30 am, but was only about 15 minutes away, so we figured on getting a 7:00am start. We relaxed around the fire, ruminating on the poor souls who had the job of driving that bus all day Christmas day. There was a guitar in the corner, Greg's. I was surprised he hadn't taken it with him. I went over and grabbed it, and finding it miserably out of tune, I tuned it up. "Play something Christmassy", Tommy's Mom asked, and so I played a couple of tunes. I'm a fair guitarist; I was studying guitar at the Eastman School of Music since it was convenient, and ROTC was picking up the tab, and had improved quite a bit from the days of our first band. I got rave reviews from my small audience, and took requests for a while, before we broke it up. The parents still had some work to do for the kids, and Tommy and I wanted to hit the hay early, in order to catch that 7:30 bus. More hugs and kisses all around, with a firm handshake for Dave, and I retired to my room to finish my packing. I got ready for bed, dressed in boxers and a t-shirt, laid out my clothes for the morning, and completed my packing. I had one last thing I wanted to do before hitting the sack, so I went back into the bathroom, and knocked on the opposite door into Sheri's room. I heard a muffled "Come in" or something to that effect, and opened the door to find Sheri sitting up in bed, brushing her long blonde hair. She was dressed in a nearly see-through pale green nightie that took my breath away. "Hi." I felt incredibly awkward, like I was 16 all over again. She looked up at me, giving me a quizzically upraised eyebrow. "I had a gift for you, but I felt kind of silly giving it to you out there. I hope you don't mind that I waited until now." I handed her a small leather pouch. She took it, laying her brush to the side, and opened it, pulling out a small cross. She stretched out the cord, and looked at me in surprise. "But this is your mountain cross! You always wear this!" She said, looking at me with a strange look I couldn't quite fathom. The cross was one I had found mountain climbing several years earlier. I had been in a small accident. I'd fallen into a glacier fed stream on a mountain trip, while collecting firewood in a storm. I'd almost frozen before I'd made it back to the cabin. Literally. I thought I was going to die. I was staggering the last 20 feet to the building, in a daze, when a friend returning from the outhouse ran into me, and dragged me inside to warm up. The next morning I found a small ivory cross on a rotted leather lanyard at almost the very place I had climbed out of the stream, and I had worn it for years since then. Sheri knew the story. I had told her the whole thing one evening when I had been giving her driving lessons. I don't know what had motivated me to give it to her, but I had had this urge, and I've always been a pretty impetuous person. "I just want you to have it." I explained. She patted the bed beside her for me to sit down then she handed me the cross to put around her neck and turned her back to me. I passed my hands over the head, letting the cross dangle in the valley between her breasts, and she reached back and pulled her hair up and out of the way, so I could latch the necklace on her. When I was done she turned to me, and fingering the cross she thanked me. "I got the strangest call today." She told me. "Strange how?" I asked. "Kathryn called me. We haven't talked probably in over a year, but she called me out of the blue, and we talked about nothing but you for over an hour." She said with a teasing smile. I could feel my face burning from the blush. We were real quiet for a bit. Then she spoke up softly, not looking at me at all, just looking down at her hands. "Do you remember the skating party where you asked me to skate, like 5 times?" "Do I ever! My hand was so sweaty I was embarrassed to hold yours, but didn't know how to dry it off, and I wasn't good enough a skater to make a real dance out of it." I laughed. "I thought you liked me, and were going to ask me out, but you never did. Why not?" She asked. The memory was embarrassing, and I thought about it a bit before confessing. "I had skated with Kathryn earlier in the evening, and she asked me who I liked. I told her I would answer by the end of the evening. Later, just when I was trying to get the nerve up to skate with you again, and ask you to sit by me on the Pensacola bus trip, Jack found me and told me that I had better ask Kathryn to skate. She was waiting for me to tell her something. Well, I did ask her to skate, and she reminded me of our previous conversation. I admitted that I really liked two people, you and her. Then she asked me if I minded if she 'monopolized' me for a while. I went along. You know the rest. One out-of-town bus trip; one back-row of the movie; and me completely screwing everything up." She listened without showing too much surprise. "But how come you never tried anything after that?" "God! How could I? You knew everything that had happened. Don't you remember the time I stopped by when Net was over here spending the night. Every time I passed you guys, you seemed to be laughing at me. And then when you passed me in the hall and whispered, "Oooh, I Love You," teasing me with what I'd said to Kathryn before completely blowing her off, I was just devastated. I hadn't screwed up just the one chance, but you as well." Sheri had the grace to blush from embarrassment at that. "I really didn't know much of what was going on. Kathryn just told me to go up to you and say that. I'm sorry." "Not half as sorry as I was." I told her. "You had to know how much I liked you. I was always trying to be around you and do things with you." "I didn't know how much of that was just being Tommy's sister, or what. I kept waiting for you to try something, anything, but you never did." She looked at me intensely almost with anguish. I was 16 all over again. I was still embarrassed over my ineptness around women. I had screwed things up with Kathryn. I had screwed up with Teri. And I had screwed up with Sheri. Since then I'd had more than my share of success with the young women I'd known, but all of a sudden, it was like I was a clumsy, scared virgin all over again. Sheri looked at me for a long while, then finally sighed and looked away, picking up her brush and going back to brushing her hair. "Some things will never change, I guess," she muttered, ignoring me. I started to get up, to go to my room, knowing this was neither the time, nor the place to try to start something with Sheri, but I just couldn't leave things as they were. I reached out and took the brush from her, which she relinquished slowly. I then took her by the shoulders and turned her away from me, so I could brush her hair. I brushed her hair in silence for a bit, before speaking. "For at least a year after leaving here, I would dream about you all the time. You were the girl of my fantasies. We wrote so well for a while, and I kept all your letters, reading them over and over again, looking for hidden meaning in the words, wondering if I'd ever get a chance to be with you. I still have those letters." I confessed. Several long seconds later Sheri reached down to the bottom drawer of her chest, next to the bed and opened it. She reached under her sweaters, and pulled out a pile of letters held together with a rubber-band. I recognized my writing. She turned to look at me, and her eyes glistened. I dropped the brush, leaned over and nervously kissed her, hoping beyond hope she wouldn't throw me out of her room with a ruckus. Instead she turned, and returned my kiss with a depth and passion I could only have prayed for. When we broke apart, we just looked at each other. Suddenly I couldn't help but giggle. "What?" She asked, almost crossly. "Do you remember how you thought you'd get pregnant from French kissing?" I recalled. She blushed again. "I can't believe you still remember that, you beast. How did you find that out anyway?" "Kathryn told me on the bus trip. I think she was trying to make you seem naive to me, sort of solidify her hold on me." I told her. "That Bitch! She always denied it, but I couldn't think of anyone else who knew." We laughed a bit, and gradually fell back into kissing each other. At the next break in our kissing, Sheri nailed me again. "Tommy said you did it with Angela. Was she your first?" "No. I never did do it with her. And Colleen was my first." I admitted. "Colleen? From yearbook?" "Yeah. But not until a year later. She went to Mosley with me, and we hooked up at a party. It was weird and nothing much happened of it. Three weeks later I was headed to Chile." I told her. She just shook her head at me. "Since it's time for true confessions, who was your first?" I asked teasing. "Rich? Mike?" "Oh God, no!" she laughed. "Then who?" She never answered, just turned a bright red. "Come on, fair's fair. I told you." I urged her relentlessly. She mumbled something I couldn't make out. "I can't hear you, who was it?" I teased again. She looked up, almost fiercely. "Nobody, all right?" I was stunned, and the ensuing silence seemed endless. "You're kidding me." I finally said, hardly believing. Her answer was so soft I almost missed it. "At one time I thought you'd be my first." This time when we kissed, I allowed my hands to wander, throwing caution to the wind. I cupped her perfect young breast in my hand, letting my thumb brush across her nipple, getting it hard. We were both gasping when we broke apart. "Steve?" "Yes?" "Go close your door, and turn off your light, then turn off the light in the bathroom," she said softly. I did, and she had turned down the light in her room. She was lying in the bed, the covers folded down neatly, waiting for me. She was still in her nightie. I stood beside the bed and made my commitment. I removed my shirt, and then my shorts, sporting a huge hard-on, which she stared at in wonder. I climbed into her bed completely naked. She had been laying sideways, leaning on her elbow, but as I entered the bed, she rolled onto her back, lying down, waiting for me. She was achingly beautiful in the dim light, and I was afraid I was going to come on the spot if she even touched me. I leaned over her and kissed her, but this time the kiss never stopped. I lost my soul in that kiss. I lost all track of time and presence. Our mouths stayed connected as we explored and played with our tongues, and my hands embarked on their exploration of the wonders of her body. My hands touched her all over, before finally settling in the warm crease between her legs. She had panties on, and as my fingers rubbed up and down her hidden folds, I found a small wet spot, maybe the size of a dime slowly spreading. Once I was aggressively rubbing her, sliding the material up and down, half-an inch into her by this time, the wetness enveloped the entire area. I slid my hand less than a foot up her body, and let my finger tips creep under the band of her panties. My hand slid down, the soft down of her hair like a magical lure, the gentle pressure of her panties against the back of my hand trapping me. Our kiss finally broke, and from an inch away we looked into each other's eyes as I slowly slid my middle finger between those forbidden lips, and into her. The aroma of her need assaulted me, and the quiet squish of her wetness against my finger was the ultimate aphrodisiac. I was engulfed with desire. I started to crawl over her, placing my knee between hers when she stopped me. "Wait." Then she raised her hips, and scrunched down, raised her knees, moments later passing me a small, but incredibly erotic piece of plain, white material. I was beyond reason, and I climbed between her legs. She spread them for me, seeming as eager as I. I grabbed my throbbing rod in hand, and by feel, rubbed the head up and down her moistness, adding pressure bit by bit, until I felt it settle in at the mouth of her pussy. She gave a small gasp, as the head slid in just a bit, not quite in her yet, but knowing that I was one small push from being inside. "Be gentle," she said, and I could see a hint of nervousness and fear in her eyes. I leaned over and kissed her softly, and while our lips touched, I pushed, sinking into her. At least for a bit. About halfway in I hit a barrier. I was confused at first. I pulled back and pushed again, a little harder, thinking I was sticking, and she grunted a little as if in pain. It finally sunk in. I had been with plenty of women, and several who had claimed to be virgins, but none with their cherry intact. I wasn't sure what to do. I probed again, and this time elicited a small 'ow'. What was I to do? I lay on top of her, my cock buried four inches deep in the girls of my dreams, and I was at a complete loss. Sheri shifted a bit under me, wrapped her legs around mine, and pulled me close. She whispered into my ear. "Take me." It was the sexiest thing I'd ever heard. Nervously I pulled back until I was just at the opening and I drove down hard, feeling just a pinch before my pelvis was grinding into hers. I was completely inside her. I got up on my elbows and looked down at her. I could see a single wet trail that glistened from the side of her eye to her ear. "Are you ok?" I asked her, holding myself still, deep inside of her. "Wonderful," she said softly, tilting her chin up slightly for a kiss. I accepted the offer, and kissed her gently, while I experimented with moving my cock within her incredibly tight sheath. I felt I was only moments from coming, but I couldn't resist moving my hips just a bit, exploring the feeling of being inside her. I leaned down and whispered in her ear. "I always wanted you. You knew it. I knew it. But I was afraid. I was afraid of the ribbing from your brother. Afraid of being exposed for knowing nothing about what to do with a girl. Afraid of ruining our friendship. Afraid of striking out, and you telling all the other girls, and my being the laughingstock. Afraid of so many stupid things. I was an idiot." "You weren't afraid of Kathryn," she answered softly. "She initiated it all. She pushed forward, asking to monopolize me, holding my hand. I probably never would have made the move. If I could change one thing, it would be that skating party. I should have saved that last moonlight skate for you, and asked you out. I should have told Kathryn that you were the one girl I was interested in. Who knows how things might have worked out? Plus, it wasn't as big a deal. If things didn't work out, oh well. But if I ruined things with you, it would have killed all my dreams." She was hot beneath me, her skin almost burning to my touch, I was finally moving inside of her, but I quickly had to stop, again on the verge of coming, and embarrassed at my short trigger. "Make love to me Steve," she said breathlessly. I gave a few more strokes and had to stop again. "Don't stop," she pleaded. "I'm sorry, I'm so excited I'm on the verge of coming now. If I move I won't be able to stop," I finally confessed. "Do it. Pump me, take me, come deep inside me," she answered. Those words were too much, and with a gasp I drove my cock in hard, and exploded inside her. I pulled back and slammed into her a dozen times or so, making the bed creak alarmingly as I emptied myself inside her virgin moistness. As my heart hammer away in my chest, and my breathing gasped, she gave me a small joyous laugh. "Wow, I guess you were close!" Then she gave a big hug before she pushed me off of her. She climbed over me, her hand pressed between her legs and scrambled into the bathroom, waddling inelegantly but still incredibly arousing to me. I heard her tinkle, and then return to the bed with a facecloth with which she wiped my semi-hard cock clean. Then she climbed into bed, her head on my shoulder and talked. She recounted almost ever time that we'd been together alone, all the adventures we'd had, the summer we'd learned to play tennis together, and what she'd thought might happen. We laughed a little at my ineptness and her caution as well. Then I felt her hand creep down between my legs. "Do you think we could try that again?" she asked me hesitantly. "I'm dying to, but I was afraid I might have hurt you." I laughed my foolish insecure laugh. "So hurt me," she teased, giving a tug on my cock. This time I held out a little better. I climbed between her legs again, and made love to her, still gently, still nervous. But before long I was feeling that familiar rhythm of need, and my strokes became longer and more insistent. I had to have her. I had to take her. I had to fill her deeply, completely. I sat up in the bed, discarding the covers, and raised her legs, pushing them back, and screwing her powerfully, shaking her body, crashing into her with a burning need. She was still wearing her nightie, but it had ridden up above her belly button, just a couple of inches below her breasts. I stopped my motion and whispered to her, "Rise up on your elbows." She looked at me oddly but did, raising her head a few inches off the pillow. I leaned over and lifted her nightie up above her breast, allowing me to see the objects of my desire and fantasies. "God, I've pictured those in my mind for four years, and yet never came close to imagining how perfect and beautiful they are." I said, more to myself than to her. I resumed my fucking, for that was what I was doing now, fucking her. Fucking her hard. She had her bottom lip captured between her teeth, and now she was holding her nightie in her hands, almost to her chin, allowing me an uninterrupted view of her oh-so-perfect tits. The visuals were all too much and pushed me over the edge once again. The beautiful face, the long hair arrayed across the pillow, the full breasts, bouncing a counter-beat to my pounding, her flat stomach, hollowed, and the light fur of her hair parted to allow my pole to penetrate her again and again. With a moan I came for her again, collapsing beside her, sated, and in complete serenity and joy. "I guess you really do like me," she laughed, cuddling up to my side. Then she was asking me about my afternoon meeting with Kathryn. "What did she tell you?" I asked, a little nervous. "No, you tell me what happened. I don't trust her," she insisted. I told her the whole story, including the ending. In full short-but-sweet detail. "I knew it!" She laughed. "She said you tried to come on to her, and made her grab you there, but she turned you down." "If that's how she wants to tell it that's fine by me. I owe her one; let her have it however she wants." I said "When you went to the movies, what really happened there?" she asked, with her one-track mind. I wasn't sure what her preoccupation was but I finally told her the whole scene, everything I'd done, every liberty I'd taken. At the end I waited in judgment. "She's such a liar. She said you tried to reach inside her pants but she stopped you." "Hardly, I could smell her on my fingers for day afterwards." I laughed. Sheri was lost in thought pressed up against me. My hands were idling rubbing her back, the material of her nightie soft and silky against my fingertips. "I guess there's only one thing she's done with you that we haven't done," Sheri started, and then she slid under the covers and a moment later I felt the warm wetness of her mouth enveloping me. I could see the covers moving as she used her mouth to pleasure me, taking only a few moments to make me hard, and then sucking me like there was no tomorrow. Which, in a way I guess there wasn't. I wanted to see her, so I pulled the covers back and looked down at her. She continued a few more strokes, then shifted and faced me a little more, finally lifting her eyes to watch me, watching her, suck my cock. A few more deep strokes and she pulled off with a smile. "I can see that's one thing you like," she said with a grin. "Like is an understatement." I laughed. She gave me a couple more sucks, and then she straddled me, and rose up to take me inside of her again. I wanted her so bad I could almost scream. She got me positioned right, and then slowly lowered herself the full length of my staff with one long, smooth stroke. Then, settled on my hips, my turgid meat buried in her achingly tight recess, she lifted the bottom of her nightie and pulled it up and over her head. I'd been to several strip shows before that, but never in my life had I seen anything so beautiful or so erotic. I could feel my pulse in my cock, throbbing inside her. She opened her eyes wide, and looked down between her legs. "Wow, I could feel that. At least one part of you really likes to see the girls," she laughed, holding her breasts cupped in her hands, and jiggling them for me. "You are the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." I told her. "Right, and now I guess you're going to tell me you love me, just like Kathryn." She said it with a hint of bitterness I didn't understand. "The difference is back then it was the hormones of a 16 year old talking. You on the other hand, I've loved for three years. And you know it." I said, and only as I spoke the words did I realize to my very soul, just how true it was. Sheri didn't answer. She leaned forward and rocked back and forth on my hard cock, enjoying the feeling of controlling the penetration, the pace, the timing. She paced herself to my breathing and excitement. When I started to get really excited she'd slow down and hold me, letting me ease back from the edge. When I was strong and ready, she'd ride me hard. She let my hands explore her as she did the work, and I touched her everywhere I could reach, just wallowing in the sensations. I pulled her down within reach, and tasted her nipples, playing with those perfect globes. The feel of her breasts, that impossible soft pale skin under my lips, making way to the crinkled, tougher skin, peaking to a little nub seemingly designed for me to tease and taste. Finally, after what seemed an eternity of sensual, erotic play, she laid down on me, her breasts pressed against my chest, her mouth on my neck, while she slowly rocked her hips, fucking herself gently on my rod. "Come for me Steve," she said, almost as a command. I reached down and took her full, soft ass cheeks in my hands, grasping them tight, and I held her up a bit off of me, so I could us my hips to drive in and out of her channel more completely. I was able to get a good long stroke established, and I could feel the cool air brushing against my wet shaft each time I pulled outward. We had made love for what seemed ages before she issued that first command for me to come. Now she issued another one. "Tell me again." I couldn't hold back any longer, and didn't want to. I was fucking the prettiest girl I'd ever known; The first girl that I had really badly wanted; The sweet little virgin that I had fantasized about for so long; Whose pretty face had been the image I'd been picturing as I filled enough old gym socks with cum to fill a stadium. "I love you, Sheri. I've loved you as long as I've known you." And with that I pulled her down hard on my cock, coming inside my dream girl again, and absorbing the feeling, knowing I was leaving within hours, not knowing when I'd see her again. "I love you, Steve," she said, I could feel her tears rolling down the side of my face. I looked up to see the sky lightening with the coming dawn, and thought to myself, "That's another one you've got up on Kathryn." I disentangled myself from her limbs and kissed her. "I have to go. Tommy's going to be looking for me any minute." Somehow we had spent the entire night reminiscing, sharing and making love. It was so difficult, but I tore myself from her arms, tucked her in bed, and kissed her goodnight. "Get a couple of hours of sleep; I'll be able to sleep on the bus." I told her. She was still wearing the cross I'd given her. She held it now. "Thanks for the Christmas present." She said with a small sad smile. I kissed her again, and retreated to the bathroom for a quick shower and shave. Back in my room, I dressed, and found a present waiting for me on my suitcase. A 8 by 10 picture of Sheri, as beautiful as I'd ever seen her, with a small inscription on the back. "Merry Christmas. Don't forget about me. Love, Sheri" I had just finished putting it away when Tommy knocked on my door, dragging me out to breakfast, and then off to the bus. The rest of that trip was uneventful; I made it home OK, picked up some presents in Panama, saw some old friends, and made it back to college in one piece. But I'll always recall that first Christmas away from home, and the greatest Christmas present I ever received. Not my first erector set, or the 114 piece Lincoln Log tube. Not my first really Cool bicycle, a purple spider bike with banana seat, big handle bars and a three speed shifter on the bar. Not my first electric guitar, a Fender, and amp, which I think my parents had some second thoughts about. No, Sheri's was the nicest gift I ever received, and probably ever will receive, for Christmas. "Thanks" just doesn't seem to say enough. Based on a post by Tx Tall Tales, in 2 parts, for Literotica

Lost At Christmas: Part 2 A vulnerable confrontation with an old crush. Based on a post by Tx Tall Tales, in 2 parts. Listen to the Podcast at My First time. Christmas What had started out with the potential for so much disappointment, my first Christmas away from home, was actually quite wonderful. The family embraced me and treated me as one of their own. Dinner was scrumptious, a Christmas ham, with the full complement of side dishes. After dinner we chatted, drank a little too much spiked eggnog, and told stories of the last few years. I sat close to Sheri when I could, beside her at the dinner table, and next to her on the couch while we had our eggnog. I tried to engage her in some quiet conversation of our own, but the setting was all wrong for that, and I eventually abandoned those attempts. It was nice enough just to be near her. Tommy's step-father Dave, insisted I call Santiago, even though I knew the price would be outrageous, and I did. I gave my family my Christmas wishes, and told them how much I missed them and was looking forward to seeing them in a couple of days. Everyone in the room took a minute to say hello and share season's greetings. I had to spend a few minutes trying to get my Mom to stop crying at the far end, before we finally were able to hang-up. The small ones had to go to bed relatively early, and so we all got to open one gift the night before, as was their tradition. I gave Tommy his gift, and his mother opened the family gift and everyone acted pleased. In turn, they had bought me a present which I opened. It was two books for the trip, and they had a card for me. Inside was $50. I was completely in shock. "Dear Steve, Your short visit was a wonderful Christmas gift to us all. Thanks so much for choosing to spend this Christmas with us. Here's some mad money for the trip home. We all love you. Dave, June, Robert, Sheri, John and Jean" I was deeply touched by the gesture. I went over and gave Tommy's Mom a big hug, thanking her for the card and books. The kids jumped up with presents of their own, and I got two new drawings for my dorm room, as well as some mystery invention from John, which was supposed to be a spy tool to stop people from breaking into my room. I thanked them profusely, and they were put to bed shortly after. Dave, Tommy and I discussed the logistics of my morning bus ride back to Charleston. It left at 7:30 am, but was only about 15 minutes away, so we figured on getting a 7:00am start. We relaxed around the fire, ruminating on the poor souls who had the job of driving that bus all day Christmas day. There was a guitar in the corner, Greg's. I was surprised he hadn't taken it with him. I went over and grabbed it, and finding it miserably out of tune, I tuned it up. "Play something Christmassy", Tommy's Mom asked, and so I played a couple of tunes. I'm a fair guitarist; I was studying guitar at the Eastman School of Music since it was convenient, and ROTC was picking up the tab, and had improved quite a bit from the days of our first band. I got rave reviews from my small audience, and took requests for a while, before we broke it up. The parents still had some work to do for the kids, and Tommy and I wanted to hit the hay early, in order to catch that 7:30 bus. More hugs and kisses all around, with a firm handshake for Dave, and I retired to my room to finish my packing. I got ready for bed, dressed in boxers and a t-shirt, laid out my clothes for the morning, and completed my packing. I had one last thing I wanted to do before hitting the sack, so I went back into the bathroom, and knocked on the opposite door into Sheri's room. I heard a muffled "Come in" or something to that effect, and opened the door to find Sheri sitting up in bed, brushing her long blonde hair. She was dressed in a nearly see-through pale green nightie that took my breath away. "Hi." I felt incredibly awkward, like I was 16 all over again. She looked up at me, giving me a quizzically upraised eyebrow. "I had a gift for you, but I felt kind of silly giving it to you out there. I hope you don't mind that I waited until now." I handed her a small leather pouch. She took it, laying her brush to the side, and opened it, pulling out a small cross. She stretched out the cord, and looked at me in surprise. "But this is your mountain cross! You always wear this!" She said, looking at me with a strange look I couldn't quite fathom. The cross was one I had found mountain climbing several years earlier. I had been in a small accident. I'd fallen into a glacier fed stream on a mountain trip, while collecting firewood in a storm. I'd almost frozen before I'd made it back to the cabin. Literally. I thought I was going to die. I was staggering the last 20 feet to the building, in a daze, when a friend returning from the outhouse ran into me, and dragged me inside to warm up. The next morning I found a small ivory cross on a rotted leather lanyard at almost the very place I had climbed out of the stream, and I had worn it for years since then. Sheri knew the story. I had told her the whole thing one evening when I had been giving her driving lessons. I don't know what had motivated me to give it to her, but I had had this urge, and I've always been a pretty impetuous person. "I just want you to have it." I explained. She patted the bed beside her for me to sit down then she handed me the cross to put around her neck and turned her back to me. I passed my hands over the head, letting the cross dangle in the valley between her breasts, and she reached back and pulled her hair up and out of the way, so I could latch the necklace on her. When I was done she turned to me, and fingering the cross she thanked me. "I got the strangest call today." She told me. "Strange how?" I asked. "Kathryn called me. We haven't talked probably in over a year, but she called me out of the blue, and we talked about nothing but you for over an hour." She said with a teasing smile. I could feel my face burning from the blush. We were real quiet for a bit. Then she spoke up softly, not looking at me at all, just looking down at her hands. "Do you remember the skating party where you asked me to skate, like 5 times?" "Do I ever! My hand was so sweaty I was embarrassed to hold yours, but didn't know how to dry it off, and I wasn't good enough a skater to make a real dance out of it." I laughed. "I thought you liked me, and were going to ask me out, but you never did. Why not?" She asked. The memory was embarrassing, and I thought about it a bit before confessing. "I had skated with Kathryn earlier in the evening, and she asked me who I liked. I told her I would answer by the end of the evening. Later, just when I was trying to get the nerve up to skate with you again, and ask you to sit by me on the Pensacola bus trip, Jack found me and told me that I had better ask Kathryn to skate. She was waiting for me to tell her something. Well, I did ask her to skate, and she reminded me of our previous conversation. I admitted that I really liked two people, you and her. Then she asked me if I minded if she 'monopolized' me for a while. I went along. You know the rest. One out-of-town bus trip; one back-row of the movie; and me completely screwing everything up." She listened without showing too much surprise. "But how come you never tried anything after that?" "God! How could I? You knew everything that had happened. Don't you remember the time I stopped by when Net was over here spending the night. Every time I passed you guys, you seemed to be laughing at me. And then when you passed me in the hall and whispered, "Oooh, I Love You," teasing me with what I'd said to Kathryn before completely blowing her off, I was just devastated. I hadn't screwed up just the one chance, but you as well." Sheri had the grace to blush from embarrassment at that. "I really didn't know much of what was going on. Kathryn just told me to go up to you and say that. I'm sorry." "Not half as sorry as I was." I told her. "You had to know how much I liked you. I was always trying to be around you and do things with you." "I didn't know how much of that was just being Tommy's sister, or what. I kept waiting for you to try something, anything, but you never did." She looked at me intensely almost with anguish. I was 16 all over again. I was still embarrassed over my ineptness around women. I had screwed things up with Kathryn. I had screwed up with Teri. And I had screwed up with Sheri. Since then I'd had more than my share of success with the young women I'd known, but all of a sudden, it was like I was a clumsy, scared virgin all over again. Sheri looked at me for a long while, then finally sighed and looked away, picking up her brush and going back to brushing her hair. "Some things will never change, I guess," she muttered, ignoring me. I started to get up, to go to my room, knowing this was neither the time, nor the place to try to start something with Sheri, but I just couldn't leave things as they were. I reached out and took the brush from her, which she relinquished slowly. I then took her by the shoulders and turned her away from me, so I could brush her hair. I brushed her hair in silence for a bit, before speaking. "For at least a year after leaving here, I would dream about you all the time. You were the girl of my fantasies. We wrote so well for a while, and I kept all your letters, reading them over and over again, looking for hidden meaning in the words, wondering if I'd ever get a chance to be with you. I still have those letters." I confessed. Several long seconds later Sheri reached down to the bottom drawer of her chest, next to the bed and opened it. She reached under her sweaters, and pulled out a pile of letters held together with a rubber-band. I recognized my writing. She turned to look at me, and her eyes glistened. I dropped the brush, leaned over and nervously kissed her, hoping beyond hope she wouldn't throw me out of her room with a ruckus. Instead she turned, and returned my kiss with a depth and passion I could only have prayed for. When we broke apart, we just looked at each other. Suddenly I couldn't help but giggle. "What?" She asked, almost crossly. "Do you remember how you thought you'd get pregnant from French kissing?" I recalled. She blushed again. "I can't believe you still remember that, you beast. How did you find that out anyway?" "Kathryn told me on the bus trip. I think she was trying to make you seem naive to me, sort of solidify her hold on me." I told her. "That Bitch! She always denied it, but I couldn't think of anyone else who knew." We laughed a bit, and gradually fell back into kissing each other. At the next break in our kissing, Sheri nailed me again. "Tommy said you did it with Angela. Was she your first?" "No. I never did do it with her. And Colleen was my first." I admitted. "Colleen? From yearbook?" "Yeah. But not until a year later. She went to Mosley with me, and we hooked up at a party. It was weird and nothing much happened of it. Three weeks later I was headed to Chile." I told her. She just shook her head at me. "Since it's time for true confessions, who was your first?" I asked teasing. "Rich? Mike?" "Oh God, no!" she laughed. "Then who?" She never answered, just turned a bright red. "Come on, fair's fair. I told you." I urged her relentlessly. She mumbled something I couldn't make out. "I can't hear you, who was it?" I teased again. She looked up, almost fiercely. "Nobody, all right?" I was stunned, and the ensuing silence seemed endless. "You're kidding me." I finally said, hardly believing. Her answer was so soft I almost missed it. "At one time I thought you'd be my first." This time when we kissed, I allowed my hands to wander, throwing caution to the wind. I cupped her perfect young breast in my hand, letting my thumb brush across her nipple, getting it hard. We were both gasping when we broke apart. "Steve?" "Yes?" "Go close your door, and turn off your light, then turn off the light in the bathroom," she said softly. I did, and she had turned down the light in her room. She was lying in the bed, the covers folded down neatly, waiting for me. She was still in her nightie. I stood beside the bed and made my commitment. I removed my shirt, and then my shorts, sporting a huge hard-on, which she stared at in wonder. I climbed into her bed completely naked. She had been laying sideways, leaning on her elbow, but as I entered the bed, she rolled onto her back, lying down, waiting for me. She was achingly beautiful in the dim light, and I was afraid I was going to come on the spot if she even touched me. I leaned over her and kissed her, but this time the kiss never stopped. I lost my soul in that kiss. I lost all track of time and presence. Our mouths stayed connected as we explored and played with our tongues, and my hands embarked on their exploration of the wonders of her body. My hands touched her all over, before finally settling in the warm crease between her legs. She had panties on, and as my fingers rubbed up and down her hidden folds, I found a small wet spot, maybe the size of a dime slowly spreading. Once I was aggressively rubbing her, sliding the material up and down, half-an inch into her by this time, the wetness enveloped the entire area. I slid my hand less than a foot up her body, and let my finger tips creep under the band of her panties. My hand slid down, the soft down of her hair like a magical lure, the gentle pressure of her panties against the back of my hand trapping me. Our kiss finally broke, and from an inch away we looked into each other's eyes as I slowly slid my middle finger between those forbidden lips, and into her. The aroma of her need assaulted me, and the quiet squish of her wetness against my finger was the ultimate aphrodisiac. I was engulfed with desire. I started to crawl over her, placing my knee between hers when she stopped me. "Wait." Then she raised her hips, and scrunched down, raised her knees, moments later passing me a small, but incredibly erotic piece of plain, white material. I was beyond reason, and I climbed between her legs. She spread them for me, seeming as eager as I. I grabbed my throbbing rod in hand, and by feel, rubbed the head up and down her moistness, adding pressure bit by bit, until I felt it settle in at the mouth of her pussy. She gave a small gasp, as the head slid in just a bit, not quite in her yet, but knowing that I was one small push from being inside. "Be gentle," she said, and I could see a hint of nervousness and fear in her eyes. I leaned over and kissed her softly, and while our lips touched, I pushed, sinking into her. At least for a bit. About halfway in I hit a barrier. I was confused at first. I pulled back and pushed again, a little harder, thinking I was sticking, and she grunted a little as if in pain. It finally sunk in. I had been with plenty of women, and several who had claimed to be virgins, but none with their cherry intact. I wasn't sure what to do. I probed again, and this time elicited a small 'ow'. What was I to do? I lay on top of her, my cock buried four inches deep in the girls of my dreams, and I was at a complete loss. Sheri shifted a bit under me, wrapped her legs around mine, and pulled me close. She whispered into my ear. "Take me." It was the sexiest thing I'd ever heard. Nervously I pulled back until I was just at the opening and I drove down hard, feeling just a pinch before my pelvis was grinding into hers. I was completely inside her. I got up on my elbows and looked down at her. I could see a single wet trail that glistened from the side of her eye to her ear. "Are you ok?" I asked her, holding myself still, deep inside of her. "Wonderful," she said softly, tilting her chin up slightly for a kiss. I accepted the offer, and kissed her gently, while I experimented with moving my cock within her incredibly tight sheath. I felt I was only moments from coming, but I couldn't resist moving my hips just a bit, exploring the feeling of being inside her. I leaned down and whispered in her ear. "I always wanted you. You knew it. I knew it. But I was afraid. I was afraid of the ribbing from your brother. Afraid of being exposed for knowing nothing about what to do with a girl. Afraid of ruining our friendship. Afraid of striking out, and you telling all the other girls, and my being the laughingstock. Afraid of so many stupid things. I was an idiot." "You weren't afraid of Kathryn," she answered softly. "She initiated it all. She pushed forward, asking to monopolize me, holding my hand. I probably never would have made the move. If I could change one thing, it would be that skating party. I should have saved that last moonlight skate for you, and asked you out. I should have told Kathryn that you were the one girl I was interested in. Who knows how things might have worked out? Plus, it wasn't as big a deal. If things didn't work out, oh well. But if I ruined things with you, it would have killed all my dreams." She was hot beneath me, her skin almost burning to my touch, I was finally moving inside of her, but I quickly had to stop, again on the verge of coming, and embarrassed at my short trigger. "Make love to me Steve," she said breathlessly. I gave a few more strokes and had to stop again. "Don't stop," she pleaded. "I'm sorry, I'm so excited I'm on the verge of coming now. If I move I won't be able to stop," I finally confessed. "Do it. Pump me, take me, come deep inside me," she answered. Those words were too much, and with a gasp I drove my cock in hard, and exploded inside her. I pulled back and slammed into her a dozen times or so, making the bed creak alarmingly as I emptied myself inside her virgin moistness. As my heart hammer away in my chest, and my breathing gasped, she gave me a small joyous laugh. "Wow, I guess you were close!" Then she gave a big hug before she pushed me off of her. She climbed over me, her hand pressed between her legs and scrambled into the bathroom, waddling inelegantly but still incredibly arousing to me. I heard her tinkle, and then return to the bed with a facecloth with which she wiped my semi-hard cock clean. Then she climbed into bed, her head on my shoulder and talked. She recounted almost ever time that we'd been together alone, all the adventures we'd had, the summer we'd learned to play tennis together, and what she'd thought might happen. We laughed a little at my ineptness and her caution as well. Then I felt her hand creep down between my legs. "Do you think we could try that again?" she asked me hesitantly. "I'm dying to, but I was afraid I might have hurt you." I laughed my foolish insecure laugh. "So hurt me," she teased, giving a tug on my cock. This time I held out a little better. I climbed between her legs again, and made love to her, still gently, still nervous. But before long I was feeling that familiar rhythm of need, and my strokes became longer and more insistent. I had to have her. I had to take her. I had to fill her deeply, completely. I sat up in the bed, discarding the covers, and raised her legs, pushing them back, and screwing her powerfully, shaking her body, crashing into her with a burning need. She was still wearing her nightie, but it had ridden up above her belly button, just a couple of inches below her breasts. I stopped my motion and whispered to her, "Rise up on your elbows." She looked at me oddly but did, raising her head a few inches off the pillow. I leaned over and lifted her nightie up above her breast, allowing me to see the objects of my desire and fantasies. "God, I've pictured those in my mind for four years, and yet never came close to imagining how perfect and beautiful they are." I said, more to myself than to her. I resumed my fucking, for that was what I was doing now, fucking her. Fucking her hard. She had her bottom lip captured between her teeth, and now she was holding her nightie in her hands, almost to her chin, allowing me an uninterrupted view of her oh-so-perfect tits. The visuals were all too much and pushed me over the edge once again. The beautiful face, the long hair arrayed across the pillow, the full breasts, bouncing a counter-beat to my pounding, her flat stomach, hollowed, and the light fur of her hair parted to allow my pole to penetrate her again and again. With a moan I came for her again, collapsing beside her, sated, and in complete serenity and joy. "I guess you really do like me," she laughed, cuddling up to my side. Then she was asking me about my afternoon meeting with Kathryn. "What did she tell you?" I asked, a little nervous. "No, you tell me what happened. I don't trust her," she insisted. I told her the whole story, including the ending. In full short-but-sweet detail. "I knew it!" She laughed. "She said you tried to come on to her, and made her grab you there, but she turned you down." "If that's how she wants to tell it that's fine by me. I owe her one; let her have it however she wants." I said "When you went to the movies, what really happened there?" she asked, with her one-track mind. I wasn't sure what her preoccupation was but I finally told her the whole scene, everything I'd done, every liberty I'd taken. At the end I waited in judgment. "She's such a liar. She said you tried to reach inside her pants but she stopped you." "Hardly, I could smell her on my fingers for day afterwards." I laughed. Sheri was lost in thought pressed up against me. My hands were idling rubbing her back, the material of her nightie soft and silky against my fingertips. "I guess there's only one thing she's done with you that we haven't done," Sheri started, and then she slid under the covers and a moment later I felt the warm wetness of her mouth enveloping me. I could see the covers moving as she used her mouth to pleasure me, taking only a few moments to make me hard, and then sucking me like there was no tomorrow. Which, in a way I guess there wasn't. I wanted to see her, so I pulled the covers back and looked down at her. She continued a few more strokes, then shifted and faced me a little more, finally lifting her eyes to watch me, watching her, suck my cock. A few more deep strokes and she pulled off with a smile. "I can see that's one thing you like," she said with a grin. "Like is an understatement." I laughed. She gave me a couple more sucks, and then she straddled me, and rose up to take me inside of her again. I wanted her so bad I could almost scream. She got me positioned right, and then slowly lowered herself the full length of my staff with one long, smooth stroke. Then, settled on my hips, my turgid meat buried in her achingly tight recess, she lifted the bottom of her nightie and pulled it up and over her head. I'd been to several strip shows before that, but never in my life had I seen anything so beautiful or so erotic. I could feel my pulse in my cock, throbbing inside her. She opened her eyes wide, and looked down between her legs. "Wow, I could feel that. At least one part of you really likes to see the girls," she laughed, holding her breasts cupped in her hands, and jiggling them for me. "You are the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." I told her. "Right, and now I guess you're going to tell me you love me, just like Kathryn." She said it with a hint of bitterness I didn't understand. "The difference is back then it was the hormones of a 16 year old talking. You on the other hand, I've loved for three years. And you know it." I said, and only as I spoke the words did I realize to my very soul, just how true it was. Sheri didn't answer. She leaned forward and rocked back and forth on my hard cock, enjoying the feeling of controlling the penetration, the pace, the timing. She paced herself to my breathing and excitement. When I started to get really excited she'd slow down and hold me, letting me ease back from the edge. When I was strong and ready, she'd ride me hard. She let my hands explore her as she did the work, and I touched her everywhere I could reach, just wallowing in the sensations. I pulled her down within reach, and tasted her nipples, playing with those perfect globes. The feel of her breasts, that impossible soft pale skin under my lips, making way to the crinkled, tougher skin, peaking to a little nub seemingly designed for me to tease and taste. Finally, after what seemed an eternity of sensual, erotic play, she laid down on me, her breasts pressed against my chest, her mouth on my neck, while she slowly rocked her hips, fucking herself gently on my rod. "Come for me Steve," she said, almost as a command. I reached down and took her full, soft ass cheeks in my hands, grasping them tight, and I held her up a bit off of me, so I could us my hips to drive in and out of her channel more completely. I was able to get a good long stroke established, and I could feel the cool air brushing against my wet shaft each time I pulled outward. We had made love for what seemed ages before she issued that first command for me to come. Now she issued another one. "Tell me again." I couldn't hold back any longer, and didn't want to. I was fucking the prettiest girl I'd ever known; The first girl that I had really badly wanted; The sweet little virgin that I had fantasized about for so long; Whose pretty face had been the image I'd been picturing as I filled enough old gym socks with cum to fill a stadium. "I love you, Sheri. I've loved you as long as I've known you." And with that I pulled her down hard on my cock, coming inside my dream girl again, and absorbing the feeling, knowing I was leaving within hours, not knowing when I'd see her again. "I love you, Steve," she said, I could feel her tears rolling down the side of my face. I looked up to see the sky lightening with the coming dawn, and thought to myself, "That's another one you've got up on Kathryn." I disentangled myself from her limbs and kissed her. "I have to go. Tommy's going to be looking for me any minute." Somehow we had spent the entire night reminiscing, sharing and making love. It was so difficult, but I tore myself from her arms, tucked her in bed, and kissed her goodnight. "Get a couple of hours of sleep; I'll be able to sleep on the bus." I told her. She was still wearing the cross I'd given her. She held it now. "Thanks for the Christmas present." She said with a small sad smile. I kissed her again, and retreated to the bathroom for a quick shower and shave. Back in my room, I dressed, and found a present waiting for me on my suitcase. A 8 by 10 picture of Sheri, as beautiful as I'd ever seen her, with a small inscription on the back. "Merry Christmas. Don't forget about me. Love, Sheri" I had just finished putting it away when Tommy knocked on my door, dragging me out to breakfast, and then off to the bus. The rest of that trip was uneventful; I made it home OK, picked up some presents in Panama, saw some old friends, and made it back to college in one piece. But I'll always recall that first Christmas away from home, and the greatest Christmas present I ever received. Not my first erector set, or the 114 piece Lincoln Log tube. Not my first really Cool bicycle, a purple spider bike with banana seat, big handle bars and a three speed shifter on the bar. Not my first electric guitar, a Fender, and amp, which I think my parents had some second thoughts about. No, Sheri's was the nicest gift I ever received, and probably ever will receive, for Christmas. "Thanks" just doesn't seem to say enough. Based on a post by Tx Tall Tales, in 2 parts, for Literotica

I got a comment on a video from “@deanmccabe8783,” compaining, “Me or my grand kids don't need to see a picture of a dead buck with blood all over and a big gash in its chest? Show some respect for our game animals or I'm canceling my subscription!” I'm not sure what part of “Death by Bunjie” you don't understand, but that picture of a smiling Genevieve with her Ohio buck is, well…Death by Bunjie.

Today’s Bible Verse:"It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them." — Psalm 44:3 Psalm 44:3 reminds us that true victory doesn’t come from human strength, strategy, or skill—it comes from God’s power and favor. Israel’s story is a testimony that God’s love and presence, not their weapons, brought deliverance and blessing. “Want to listen without ads? Become a BibleStudyTools.com PLUS Member today: https://www.biblestudytools.com/subscribe/ Meet Today’s Host: Jennifer Slattery Discover more devotions with Jennifer at Your Daily Bible Verse on LifeAudio Jennifer Slattery is a national speaker, multi-published author, and founder of Wholly Loved Ministries. She’s passionate about helping believers live with bold faith, rooted in surrender to Christ’s purpose. Jennifer co-hosts both Your Daily Bible Verse and Faith Over Fear, encouraging listeners to step into their God-given identity. Her teachings blend Scripture with personal insight to help others embrace God’s power over fear and move forward with confidence.

In this encore episode, I'm teaching you how to make decisions with clarity, confidence, and self-trust — especially when the stakes feel high and the fear of "getting it wrong" feels paralyzing. If you've ever second-guessed yourself, stayed stuck in indecision, or looked outside yourself for answers you already have, this conversation is for you. I walk you through a simple three-step decision-making process: exploring your options, deciding deliberately, and then committing — again and again — even when your brain wants to panic or pull you backward. I explain why indecision often feels safer to our brains, how to recognize when fear is driving your choices, and how to reconnect with your wise, grounded self so you can move forward with intention. I also share personal examples, including one of the hardest decisions of my life, and how learning to trust myself changed everything. You don't need perfect certainty to decide — you just need self-honesty and the willingness to follow through. Key takeaways: Indecision keeps you stuck, even when it feels safer You can learn to trust your own judgment again Commitment builds confidence over time Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence by Jeffrey R. Holland: https://youtu.be/pCSs4f9DlVM?si=OihbR5qlp-5c1Nky If you're facing a decision right now and feel overwhelmed or unsure, reach out. Schedule a call with me so we can talk about you joining the small cohort of my January group. https://calendly.com/andreagilescoaching/get-your-life-back EXPAND: Who You Came Here to Be - An immersive, in-person retreat experience. February 5th to 8th, 2026 at the Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa in San Diego, California. Join us here! https://portal.andreagiles.com/expand-retreat-who-you-came-here-to-be-v2  More from me: Please leave a rating and review if you like our podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/healfrominfidelity Sign up for the $47 class "Decide: How to Commit to Staying or Going After Infidelity" here: https://portal.andreagiles.com/decide Apply to join the "Get Your Life Back After Infidelity" group program here: https://andreagiles.com/get-your-life-back/ Follow me on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/theinfidelitycoach/ Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes! For transcripts and other available downloads, please visit my website at https://andreagiles.com/podcast/ © 2020 - 2025 Andrea Giles

Send us a textA romantic anniversary trip to a secluded cabin turns sinister when a dark presence reveals itself, forcing old friends to confront their podcast's haunting past. On Episode 700 of Trick or Treat Radio we eschew the normal pomp and circumstance of a milestone show for our normal format and continue on with December Double Feature Cram Jam. This week we discuss films from two of our favorite directs; Keeper from Osgood Perkins, and Eddington from Ari Aster! We also get inducted into the 700 Club, react to trailers for the films; Amityvillenado and 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, and are faced with the ghosts of 2020 all over again. So grab your jar of honey, post an angry rant online, and strap on for the world's most dangerous podcast!Stuff we talk about: Fickle horror fans, Hellraiser, dinner scene, smoking without burning your mouth, Trish Stratus, scenes in horror that drive you nuts, gimmick as a personality, the 700 Club, fitness sponsors, snikts and krakadooms, roman chairs and russian fingers, gathering of the Juggalos, fluff it up, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, James Mason, The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, Scars of Dracula, Christopher Lee, Hellbound: Hellraiser II, The Bone Snatcher, Death Machine, Pulse 3, Solomon Kane, Hazmat, Evil Remains, Estella Warren, Corey Haim, The Lost Boys, Dario Argento's Trauma, King Kong, John Northpole, Mega Huge Pictures, Amityvillenado, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, Nia DeCosta, Danny Boyle, gratuitous gratuity, Bee Gees, Barry Gibb - the handsome one, Keeper, Osgood Perkins, the 700 Club, nefarious, Tatiana Maslany, breaking the cycle of patriarchy, Ready or Not, folk horror, body horror, Guillermo del Toro, subtle satisfaction, films flipping the script, Joaquin Phoenix, Deirdre O'Connell, Emma Stone, Pedro Pascal, Austin Butler, Ari Aster, Midsommar, Hereditary, Beau is Afraid, Eddington, Christopher Nolan, Odyssey, WWE vs AEW, Ben Affleck, James Gunn's DCU vs Zack Snyder's DCEU, Honey Ripple head cream, and Before and Aster.Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/trickortreatradioJoin our Discord Community: discord.trickortreatradio.comSend Email/Voicemail: mailto:podcast@trickortreatradio.comVisit our website: http://trickortreatradio.comStart your own podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=386Use our Amazon link: http://amzn.to/2CTdZzKFB Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/trickortreatradioTwitter: http://twitter.com/TrickTreatRadioFacebook: http://facebook.com/TrickOrTreatRadioYouTube: http://youtube.com/TrickOrTreatRadioInstagram: http://instagram.com/TrickorTreatRadioSupport the show

Filmmaker, actor, and writer Kazy Tauginas joins the show to discuss his new film Mirror Life: Modern Zombies. Kazy is joined by co‑host and actor Cuyle Carvin, who also stars in the film. Together, they explore the inspiration behind the story, the eerie parallels between fiction and real‑world events, and the creative process behind crafting a film that blends suspense, commentary, and character‑driven tension.WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE.ABOUT THE FILMSet against the backdrop of a global pandemic, the film follows Tracy Kovalsky, who documents her search for her cousin Jordan after he disappears during an illegal clinical trial for a so‑called “miracle drug” called Dumitor. When an outbreak erupts inside the testing facility, the patients are locked down — and hunted. As Tracy digs deeper, she uncovers a conspiracy determined to bury the truth at any cost.You can watch Mirror Life: Modern Zombies (2025) on streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, Youtube and Tubi, and you can also buy the physical DVD. BIOKazy Tauginas is an actor, writer, and filmmaker known for his intense screen presence and grounded performances. Before entering the entertainment world, he was a Golden Gloves boxer — a discipline that informs the physicality and focus he brings to his roles. A few of his notable film and television credits include The Equalizer (tv seLike what you hear? Let us know.$10 Afraid of Nothing merch - and more - at the Afraid of Nothing Shopify store. Visit afraidofnothingpodcast.com or use this url:https://www.afraidofnothingpodcast.com/p/shopify-store/Never be afraid to look good and have cool merch! Support the showSUPPORT THE PODCAST NEW: SHOP OUR STORE ON SHOPIFY!Never Be Afraid to Look Good at https://383e86-d1.myshopify.com/.FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE/REVIEW...On our website at afraidofnothingpodcast.com.SUBSCRIBE...Your gracious donation here helps defray production costs. Beyond my undying gratitude, you will also will be shouted out in an upcoming episode.WATCH ON YOUTUBE...We are uploading past episodes on our Youtube channel. WATCH THE DOC… VIMEO ON DEMAND: Rent the Afraid of Nothing documentary here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/aondoc. TUBI: watch for free with ads on tubitv.com. REVIEW OUR FILM ON ROTTEN TOMATOES...Write your five-star review here.

What if dreaming isn't about outcomes—but about staying open? Meghan and Maria share why dreaming still matters after disappointment, how God works in seasons of waiting, and why your desires were never an accident.✨ You're invited: The Dreaming Workshop ✨If this episode stirred something in you, we'd love to hold space for you to go deeper.The Dreaming Workshop is one of our most loved experiences inside TIS—a spacious, guided, half-day retreat designed to help you reflect on the past year, honor what's been hard, and gently open your heart to what God may be inviting you into next.This isn't about forcing goals or fixing your life.It's about slowing down, staying open, and letting God meet you right where you are.

Thomas CarlyleA boreNightmare at a cocktail partySelf centeredBob Dylan

The birth of Jesus was the turning point in a cosmic battle between darkness and light. Christmas Eve with pastor Kaleb Allen.

Rev. Dr. Tassie Green, Interim Senior Pastor

Welcome to the DMF! I'm Justin Younts, and today we're spotlighting the wisdom and creative spirit of Christine La Monte, who reminds us of the power of one simple word: yes. For Christine, saying yes has opened doors throughout her life and career — from directing plays to embracing unexpected film projects. One such opportunity is tied to her husband's book, Justice Deferred, which was once optioned by Warner Brothers and has now returned to her control. With screenwriter Laura Curran attached, Christine is actively pushing forward to bring it to life as a feature or series.Christine speaks openly about embracing challenges with purpose. She often reflects on the book The Journey of the Everyday Hero, a philosophy she lives by — that every challenge carries the seed of growth. She believes deeply that experiences, both good and difficult, shape who we are meant to become.Her commitment to self-care and spirituality also fuels her creative work. Through walking meditation, saying the rosary, and carving out moments of quiet connection, Christine finds balance amid a whirlwind of meetings, screenings, and creative responsibilities.Books remain a core source of joy and expansion for her — she belongs to two book clubs and loves the way literature broadens perspective and sparks conversation.Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker, a writer, or someone simply looking for motivation, Christine's journey is a reminder to say yes, lean into challenge, and trust that your path is unfolding as it should.Thank you for joining us on this episode of the DMF. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more inspiring conversations!00:00:00 - Introduction00:00:09 - Justice Deferred and Future Projects00:00:57 - The Power of Saying Yes00:02:01 - The Journey of the Everyday Hero00:02:56 - Personal Beliefs and Practices00:03:58 - Daily Routine00:05:07 - Film and Television Preferences00:06:18 - Professional Associations and Experiences00:08:25 - Meditation Practices00:10:55 - Physical Activities00:11:54 - Current Reads00:15:23 - Influence of Filmmakers00:16:13 - Working with David Lynch00:16:34 - Lessons from Masters00:16:59 - Music Preferences00:20:02 - Work Ethic00:20:35 - The Role of Producers00:21:34 - Current Watchlist00:22:33 - Contact Information

Sermon By: Sister DawnScripture Reference: Act 28:26,27

Christmas doesn't always feel joyful.For many of us, it feels heavy… lonely… or painful.

In this conversation from 2024, Alex speaks with Kevin Erdmann about how zoning, the 2008 economic crisis, and the desire to live away from "those people" is effecting the state of housing.  Episode Notes: Kevin's page at the Mercatus Centre: https://www.mercatus.org/scholars/kevin-erdmann The Erdmann Housing Tracker: https://kevinerdmann.substack.com/  Kevin on X: https://x.com/KAErdmann?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor  Kevin's book "Shut Out: How a Housing Shortage Caused the Great Recession and Crippled our Economy" on Amazon Canada:  https://a.co/d/gIh82Og 

Heather reminds us to holds on to the simple faith and obedience of Mary and Joseph as we look ahead to the new year.

Emma, Tabitha, and Maura get into the holiday spirit with Krampus, eggnog flavored fluids, and Christmas cloacas! Join us as we recap, "Cry for Krampus" by Aiden Pierce, "Christmas with the Monster" by Sabrina Cross, and "Kissed by the Krampus" by L Eveland.EPISODE INCLUDES SPOILERSContent warnings for the episode and books discussed: strong language, sexual content, violence, murder, gore, dub-con, and PTSD.Enjoy our recaps? Buy us a kofi!

Evidence suggests that teammates who touch each other liberally on the court -- high-fives, fist-bumps, hugs, pats and the like -- tend to do that better than players who don't.

I'm sharing my heart with this because of how much I am feeling for you when you are AFRAID TO HOPE. We have all been disappointed, and quite frankly it hurts so bad and our brains (doing their job) are trying to protect us. So when the healing starts manifesting and you are so afraid of change or the unknown...what then?? Let's walk this healing road of hope together, Mir STEPS TO TAKE TO GET STARTED TODAY!! Step 1: Join My Free FB Community to grow, heal, and become who you were meant to be!! Step 2: Purchase Audio Course 5 Steps To Connect with God and Hear From Holy Spirit Step 3: Invest In Coaching, It's time for BREAKTHROUGH, Click Here Now. Step 4: Grab your FREE Aromatherapy Wheel Gift!! Step 5: Grab your FREE Guide to Peptides I created just for YOU.

https://ontargetpodcast.caNo holiday music here, but this week's On Target delivers the perfect soundtrack for the season. Mod Marty lines up warm soul, swinging R&B, and feel-good mod cuts that fit late nights, long drives, and full rooms. It's music for unwinding, reconnecting, and moving a little closer to the people around you. Set it on and let it carry you through.-----------------------------------------------The playlist is:"Move"Jess & James with the J.J. Band- Palette"Dance What You Wanna"Jonnie Taylor- Derby"Soul Sister Brown Sugar"Sam & Dave- Atlantic"Someone Out There"Candy & The Kisses- Decca"Got Myself A Good Man"Gladys Knight & The Pips- Tamla-Motown"Hold Back Girl"Sam Baker- Sound Stage 7"I Need You"The Impressions- ABC"Sorry 'Bout That"Harold Johnson Sextet- H.M.E."Left Right Left"The Beatstalkers- Decca"I've Got Troubles"Aesop's Fables- ATCO"Another Dirty Deal"The Incredibles - Audio Arts"What More Could A Boy Ask For"The Spinners- Tamla-Motown"Buddy Ain't It A Shame"Gene Chandler- Constellation"Born To Be A Lover"Allison- King"Don't Be Afraid"Bobby Taylor- Taylor Made Soul LP"It's Not The Same"Little Anthony & The Imperials- United Artists"King Of The World"The Quik- Deram"Mo Jo Hanna"The Underdogs- Tamla Motown"Grunion Run"The Persuaders - Regency

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima talk about if it's better for Shedeur Sanders if Andrew Berry stays the general manager next season. Ken also gives his thoughts on the Browns potentially drafting a quarterback.

WATCH  ON YOUTUBE.Sometimes you just gotta reconnect with old friends at the holidays. This episode I talk shop with sometimes co-host, new Dad, and your favorite actor, Cuyle Carvin.We talk about Cuyle's latest film Mirror Life: Modern Zombies (which is actually an older film that just got released -- worth the watch as it spins a new take on the Zombie mythology). We also discuss Cuyle's upcoming film, Popeye the Slayer Man 2 (when will they recall that spoiled spinach?!), and recap a momentous 2025.You can listen or watch us on Youtube in all our humanity. Visit youtube.com/@AfraidofNothingPodcast and please subscribe. It means a lot, and only takes a second. And you will see more upcoming video podcasts there.Now on the Signal NetworkAlso check out and subscribe to the Signal Network channel to see some of my favorite curated episodes, newer content, watch the Afraid of Nothing documentary, and browse a plethora of original paranormal content from emerging creators and paracelebs like Scotty the Medium for FREE.Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.Like what you hear? Let us know.$10 Afraid of Nothing merch - and more - at the Afraid of Nothing Shopify store. Visit afraidofnothingpodcast.com or use this url:https://www.afraidofnothingpodcast.com/p/shopify-store/Never be afraid to look good and have cool merch! Support the showSUPPORT THE PODCAST NEW: SHOP OUR STORE ON SHOPIFY!Never Be Afraid to Look Good at https://383e86-d1.myshopify.com/.FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE/REVIEW...On our website at afraidofnothingpodcast.com.SUBSCRIBE...Your gracious donation here helps defray production costs. Beyond my undying gratitude, you will also will be shouted out in an upcoming episode.WATCH ON YOUTUBE...We are uploading past episodes on our Youtube channel. WATCH THE DOC… VIMEO ON DEMAND: Rent the Afraid of Nothing documentary here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/aondoc. TUBI: watch for free with ads on tubitv.com. REVIEW OUR FILM ON ROTTEN TOMATOES...Write your five-star review here.

JOIN "THE REBUILT MAN" ON SKOOL - ▶️ www.skool.com/rebootyourlife   In this Q&A episode, Coach Frank Rich is joined by Coach Arnold, Head Coach inside The Rebuilt Man Brotherhood, to answer real questions submitted by men who are actively working to break free from porn addiction and rebuild their lives.   This conversation goes far beyond tactics.   Frank and Arnold address two deeply personal struggles that silently keep many men stuck: • Trying to change others instead of changing yourself • Carrying guilt, anxiety, and responsibility for people you're no longer meant to carry   If you're growing, evolving, and starting to feel resistance from relationships around you — this episode will hit home.   Questions Answered in This Episode 1️⃣ "My partner and I watch porn together and don't see a problem with it. How should I respond?"   Frank breaks down why it's not your job to convince anyone they have a problem and how trying to do so often drains your energy and pulls you back into old patterns.   Coach Arnold adds a neuroscience-based perspective, explaining how pairing porn with intimacy can create dangerous conditioning loops in the nervous system. Over time, this can lead to dependency, sexual dysfunction, and the inability to perform without external stimulation.   Key takeaway: Real change doesn't come from arguments. It comes from identity, boundaries, and embodied transformation.     2️⃣ "How do I break free from the savior / rescuer / caretaker mentality while still serving my family?"   This question opens the door to a powerful discussion on people-pleasing, guilt, and upper-limit problems, especially with extended family.   Frank draws a clear line between: • Being a protector and provider inside your home • Being emotionally controlled by guilt outside your home   When a man commits to growth, old family dynamics can pull him back into past identities — often becoming a hidden trigger for relapse.   Coach Arnold explains how men unconsciously self-sabotage success to avoid outgrowing others, and why boundaries aren't selfish — they're necessary.   Key takeaway: You don't prove growth with words. You live it and let others respond how they choose.     Core Themes Covered • Why trying to "save" others keeps you stuck • Porn, conditioning, and nervous system wiring • Identity change vs behavior control • People-pleasing as a hidden relapse trigger • Family guilt, boundaries, and masculine leadership • Outgrowing relationships without resentment • Letting action — not arguments — lead transformation     This Episode Is For Men Who: • Feel torn between who they were and who they're becoming • Experience guilt when they start doing better than their family • Keep getting pulled back into old patterns around certain people • Want real freedom, not just short streaks • Are ready to lead their life from identity, not fear     Join the Brotherhood If you're ready to stop fighting alone and step into a container built for growth, support, and freedom:   ➡ Join The Rebuilt Man Skool Community — Free 7-Day Trial www.TheRebuiltMan.com/7dayreset   Inside you'll gain access to: Daily accountability Weekly coaching The 7-Day Reset The 12-Week "Reboot Your Life" Framework And a brotherhood of men who refuse to quit   – Follow Coach Frank: IG - https://www.instagram.com/coachfrankrich   YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@CoachFrankRich   Website - https://www.rebuiltrecovery.com/homepage

No one could have predicted that Jesus would come in the way He did. The circumstances surrounding His birth were unexpected, scandalous, and even chaotic. But every detail of His birth was all part of God's plan. The good news of Jesus' birth isn't just that He came but how He came. How Jesus came reveals why He came. The way He came reveals the true character and mission of God. Join us this Sunday for the start of the Christmas sermon series!

Various Passages

Listen on to find out how.

Where have WE been? Where have YOU been!? This week, we sipped another Winc wine as we discussed Season 2 Episode 6: “Who's Afraid of Cory Wolf?” A red blend called “Illusion” paired perfectly with an episode we…sort of wish was just an illusion. If you don't want this one to go right over your head, we recommend watching the 1941 black-and-white film, “The Wolf Man”. Having seen Edward Albee's 1962 play, “Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” won't help—and neither will having read William Golding's 1954 novel, The Lord of the Flies, though both are superficially referenced in this bewildering episode in which Cory believes he's turning into a werewolf. While it's obvious to viewers that it's all an allegory for puberty, no one in the BMW-universe seems to pick up on that… Grab the remote and get ready to be…a little confused!

The Rev. Candy Snively preaches on the fourth Sunday of Advent.

Welcome to another short but empowering episode of Monday Motivation, giving you a dose of inspiration as you head into your week. Today, we explore the powerful and slightly uncomfortable reminder from John D. Rockefeller about releasing 'comfortable' in order to create something truly meaningful: “Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.” Three key takeaways you can expect: How to recognise the areas of your life where you may be settling for good instead of what truly lights you up How to reconnect with your own definition of great without pressure or comparison How small, courageous steps can gently move you toward your dream life Listen in and reconnect with the part of you that knows you are meant for a life that feels aligned, fulfilling and deeply yours. As always, I’d LOVE to hear what resonated most with you - so please share and let’s keep the conversation going in the Dream Life Podcast Facebook Group here. …and remember, it all starts with a dream

Are you afraid to take Mary into your home?   In this Sunday Peace on Earth reflection, Fr. Jonathan Meyer invites us to slow down, rest in the Lord, and prepare our hearts for Christmas by learning in the school of Mary.   Drawing from the Gospel of Matthew (1:18–24), Father reflects on the angel's words to St. Joseph: “Do not be afraid to take Mary into your home.”   That same invitation is given to us today — not just at Christmas, but as a way of living the Christian life.   Mary shows us the pattern of discipleship: Receive. Conceive. Bring forth. Nurture.   As Christmas approaches, this reflection encourages you to: Rest and be at peace Make intentional time for Mass, prayer, and adoration Pray the Rosary, especially the Joyful Mysteries Create space for real presence with family and friends Detach from technology and rediscover true joy   Mary is not meant to be taken out for one season and put away. She is a model for every Christian, every day.   Allow today to be a peaceful day — so you can truly have a merry Christmas. ▶️ Watch the full Peace on Earth playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuie34UwUVpjiIMU5qfKh59ctB2fW2_Tv  

Series: Good News of Great JoyScripture: Luke 2:8-11December 21, 2025 - Worship Service

Matthew 1:18-25, Isaiah 41:5-10 (NRSV) The theme for the fourth week of Advent is “When you're afraid, give me your hand!” “Give me your hand” might be counter to how we usually respond to fear, but what if fear can result in connection instead of isolation? Joseph moves through his fears of rejection and shame in order to stand in solidarity with Mary, shielding her from harm. Their bond makes them each stronger. We don't live out our callings in

Rosie unpacks how self-sabotage, imposter feelings, and old conditioning can make “good things” feel unsafe. Drawing on the history of imposter phenomenon and real-life examples, she shares grounding practices and reframes so you can tell your nervous system, “It's safe to grow,” and step toward the opportunities that matter to you without abandoning who you are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Homily of Fr. Mike O'Connor from Mass December 19, 2025 at Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church in Bay St. Louis, MS. Readings Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a Lk 1:5-25 If you would like to donate to OLG and her livestream ministry, please go to https://olgchurch.net/give

In this episode of Hard Things to Bring Up in Therapy, we sit down with the questions people are often too afraid to ask out loud — the ones about love, loss, sex, shame, attachment, boredom, longing, and the quiet fear that maybe something is wrong with us. From wondering why “healthy love” feels boring after toxicity… to grieving a breakup someone else moved on from too quickly… to asking how often long-term couples should be intimate… to questioning why we attract emotionally unavailable partners… to the messy, human moments around sex, desire, loneliness, and readiness. These are the things we carry alone. This episode sets them down in the open. Why This Episode Matters These aren't just questions — they're emotional crossroads.Most people bring them into therapy last, if ever.But naming them is the beginning of healing, clarity, and choosing differently. Perfect For You If… You're in a season of confusion about love or relationships You're healing from a breakup You're dating but frustrated by your patterns You want a healthier relationship with intimacy and connection You're afraid to ask the questions that matter most Listen Now Every question in this episode is a doorway. Step through.

Fr. Patrick preached this homily on December 18, 2025. The readings are from Jeremiah 23:5-8, Psalm 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19 & Matthew 1:18-25. — Connect with us! Website: https://slakingthirsts.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCytcnEsuKXBI-xN8mv9mkfw

Conflict is inevitable in long-term relationships. Damage doesn't have to be. In this episode, we explore what actually separates fights that bring couples closer from fights that quietly turn lovers into enemies. We talk about the moment arguments go sideways, why so many conflicts feel bigger than the issue at hand, and how couples can stay on the same team even when they fundamentally disagree. Our guest, Touré Neblett, draws on decades of navigating high-stakes, contentious conversations both publicly and privately to share what he's learned about emotional regulation, repair, and conflict inside a long-term marriage. This conversation focuses on how disagreement can exist without contempt, and how learning to fight differently can fundamentally change the trajectory of a relationship. Important context for listeners: We became aware of a workplace sexual harassment allegation involving our guest, Touré Neblett, from 2017, which he has publicly acknowledged and apologized for. Given the focus of this show, we felt it was important to acknowledge that context.   Follow Touré Website → https://toure.com Toure Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/toureshow/ Instagram YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo-SwvkGbQgDt3oXfASPPJQ youtube.com Podcast → Touré Show (Apple/Spotify) Books → Who's Afraid of Post-Blackness? What It Means to Be Black Now; I Would Die 4 U: Why Prince Became an Icon; Soul City; Never Drank the Kool-Aid; The Portable Promised Land; Nothing Compares 2 U (available on Amazon and major booksellers) Want more Lover? Shan's AI trained to give you her advice → http://loversbyshan.com Receive the weekly Love Letter → http://loversbyshan.com/newsletter Join the Lovers Community → https://www.loversbyshan.com/community Explore quizzes and worksheets → http://loversbyshan.com/quizzes

Today's guest won't surprise you if you read the introduction to Rich Girl Nation, which recollected the 2018 event that made me think personal finance might not be solely for people with brown bananas and pocket protectors. Lindsey Stanberry, founding editor of Refinery29's Money Diaries turned media entrepreneur, joins me for the penultimate episode to talk about: Why most conversations about money are really about time What she learned about our culture from monitoring the Money Diaries comments section Leaving a job, even when it means sacrificing financial security for emotional security What's really driving our “obsession with FI/RE” The dark side of optimization Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://moneywithkatie.com/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get your copy of Rich Girl Nation, one of Barnes & Noble's Best Business Books of 2025:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.moneywithkatie.com/rich-girl-nation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Transcripts, show notes, resources, and credits at: https://moneywithkatie.com/the_mwk_show/lindsey-stanberry-judge-hide-admit/ — Money with Katie's mission is to be the intersection where the economic, cultural, and political meet the tactical, practical, personal finance education everyone needs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric has a modest proposal: Shouldn't the cost of the $4 part that his mechanic is replacing on his car also bear some resemblance to the cost of the labor to do the job? Afraid not, piston puss! How would mechanics ever pay for their boats if that were the case? Click and Clack expound upon various schemes- uh, theories!.. on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The guys revisit their months-long conversation about why Steve Yzerman continues to refuse to trade for a big fish.