Podcasts about Africa

700 - 1610 - In this episode, we journey to the Sahel — the narrow frontier between desert and savanna where the fortunes of empires were made and lost. From its shifting landscapes emerged the Mali Empire, a realm of immense wealth and faith. Discover how geography, trade, and power shaped one of Africa's greatest civilisations.

Crypto News: JPMorgan sees Coinbase unlocking billions through its Base layer-2 network and USDC rewards overhaul and token launch. Kyrgyzstan to launch stablecoin on BNB, plans CBDC in partnership with adviser Changpeng Zhao.Brought to you by

Pete, Nate and Todd travel to “The Dark Continent” of Africa. Join the unnerving discussion on this ancient mythology, about…The Tokoloshe!!! https://www.thirteen.org/programs/monstrum/blame-the-tokoloshe-south-africas-most-notorious-goblin-jt5k6u/ https://villains.fandom.com/wiki/Tokoloshe https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokoloshe

More than 8,000 satellites orbit Earth, taking photos every day. Food security specialist and TED Fellow Catherine Nakalembe shows how she uses this imagery to help smallholder farmers across Africa prepare for floods, droughts and crop failures. Learn why real innovation isn't always about shinier technology — it's about making the tech truly fit the problem it's solving.Interested in learning more about upcoming TED events? Follow these links:TEDNext: ted.com/futureyou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On October 14th, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist D'Angelo died at the age of 51. Throughout his too short life, he made three unforgettable albums and cemented his legacy as one of the great artists of his time. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot pay tribute to D'Angelo by talking about his life, career and musical impact. They'll also revisit their classic album dissection of D'Angelo's masterpiece, Voodoo.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:D'Angelo, "Untitled (How Does It Feel)," Voodoo, Virgin, 2000The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967D'Angelo, "Brown Sugar," Brown Sugar, EMI, 1995D'Angelo, "Playa Playa," Voodoo, Virgin, 2000D'Angelo, "Chicken Grease," Voodoo, Virgin, 2000D'Angelo, "Devil's Pie," Voodoo, Virgin, 2000D'Angelo, "One Mo'gin," Voodoo, Virgin, 2000D'Angelo, "Africa," Voodoo, Virgin, 2000D'Angelo, "The Root," Voodoo, Virgin, 2000D'Angelo, "Send It On," Voodoo, Virgin, 2000D'Angelo, "Feel like Makin' Love," Voodoo, Virgin, 2000D'Angelo and the Vanguard, "Sugah Daddy," Black Messiah, RCA, 2014D'Angelo and the Vanguard, "The Charade," Black Messiah, RCA, 2014D'Angelo and the Vanguard, "1000 Deaths," Black Messiah, RCA, 2014David Bowie, "Moonage Daydream," The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, RCA, 1972See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We mark the 80th anniversary of the Fifth Pan-African Congress- a landmark event in Manchester, England that changed Africa Why people with albinism in Tanzania face rising fear ahead of electionsThe plight of Cameroon's female gold miners Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Mark Wilberforce, Stefania Okereke, Sunita Nahar and Yvette Twagiramariya in London. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Craig Kingham Editors: Sam Murunga and Maryam Abdalla.

In this episode we explore one of the most beloved star myths in history — The Pleiades, the Seven Sisters who shimmer in the night sky and in stories told across the world. From their ancient Greek origins as the daughters of Atlas and Pleione, to the legends of the Kiowa, Aboriginal Yunggarmurra, and Hindu Krittika, we trace how cultures across time have seen these same seven stars and found within them tales of love, transformation, and divine light. You will hear how Zeus placed them in the heavens to protect them from Orion's pursuit, why one sister's light mysteriously fades, and how this same story appears in the oldest human memories — perhaps even from a time before our ancestors left Africa. We will also explore the deeper symbolism of the Pleiades within witchcraft and energy work — as a constellation of remembrance, ascension, and feminine radiance — and how to connect with their celestial current through meditation and ritual. We will look at - The myth of the Seven Sisters in Greek legend The global star stories of the Pleiades (Kiowa, Aboriginal, Hindu & more) Why these tales may be humanity's oldest shared myth The Pleiadian frequency and working with the Seven Sisters in modern witchcraft Our book review is Halloween Folklore and Ghost Stories by Brice Stratford Hallowed Harvest Witch Box - https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4382208970/hallowed-harvest-a-samhain-witch-box Hallowed Harvest Zine - https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4382236667/hallowed-harvest-a-samhain-grimoire OCTOBER ON PATREON - WHISPERS AT THE VEIL As the nights lengthen and the veil thins, the voices of the ancestors stir — soft, haunting, and full of wisdom. This October inside Patreon, we will journey into Whispers at the Veil - a month of ancestral reverence, remembrance, and magick. Together we'll open the door to our kin beyond the veil, honour their gifts, release their shadows and weave their blessings into our craft. This month includes -  Guided meditation to open ancestral communion A podcast/grimoire pages on ancestral witchcraft & initiatory death rites in coven and esoteric traditions An ancestor altar + ritual kit (printables + invocation) Tarot & oracle spreads for ancestral guidance Weekly journal prompts for reflection, healing, and remembrance A closing rite of Ancestral Blessing — sealing their wisdom into your path as the wheel turns By the end of October, you will have -  Your own ancestor altar A living practice of honouring your dead Tools to heal ancestral wounds and embody ancestral blessings A rite of blessing + remembrance to carry their voices with you through the dark half of the year Join me for October's journey - https://patreon.com/TheHedgeandHollow?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Samhain is the witch's New Year — a time when the veil between worlds thins and the Old Year falls away like autumn leaves. Together we will gather in sacred circle to honour the ancestors, release what is ready to be laid to rest, and call in the magick of the year ahead. This circle will feel more festive than usual — a true witches' gathering in the spirit of Samhain. Think candlelight, divination, fire magick, and the warmth of community as we step into the New Year. What to expect - Ritual of Release + Invitation – letting go of the old, welcoming the new. Divination + Fortune-Telling – tarot, pendulum, scrying, traditional Samhain magic. Ancestor Offering – honouring those who came before us. New Year Spellwork – planting intentions for the year ahead. Bring your candles, tarot cards, and a small offering for your ancestors. The Samhain Gathering is our chance to cross the threshold together, in celebration, magick, and witchcraft. I cannot wait to share this New Year circle with you. [Thursday 30th October from 7pm GMT via Zoom - Witches Who Run With The Wolves tier https://www.patreon.com/posts/samhain-witches-139987230?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thewhitewitchpodcast?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Website - https://thewhitewitchpodcast.co.uk/ Find my book here - The White Witch's Book of Healing by Carly Rose - https://amzn.eu/d/70j3ALv Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Send us a textIn this episode, Dr. Manjari Pophale discusses her innovative global health project focused on implementing surfactant administration techniques in resource-limited NICUs across Africa. She shares insights into the project's development, the importance of mentorship, and the positive impact of the SALSA method on neonatal outcomes. The conversation highlights the challenges and successes of global health initiatives, emphasizing the need for effective training and community engagement. Support the showAs always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

Shannon Braswell and Shane Kennedy join David Gornoski to discuss the ethnic history of Nigeria, the exploitation of Africa, the path out of tribalism, the political podcasting circuit, the rise of ethnic rivalry in the 21st century, and more. Follow David Gornoski on X here. Visit aneighborschoice.com for more

Send us a textDownload study notes for this chapter.Download study notes for this entire book.**********Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ®, NIV ® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.The “NIV”, “New International Version”, “Biblica”, “International Bible Society” and the Biblica Logo are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.  Used with permission.BIBLICA, THE INTERNATIONAL BIBLE SOCIETY, provides God's Word to people through Bible translation & Bible publishing, and Bible engagement in Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America. Through its worldwide reach, Biblica engages people with God's Word so that their lives are transformed through a relationship with Jesus Christ.Support the show

The leftist podcast about Steven Soderbergh movies has finally arrived at CHE, Soderbergh's two-part biopic of (Argentine) Cuban Revolutionary hero Ernesto "Che" Guevara. Joining us to provide the kind of deep historical context you know we go crazy for is historian of Cuba and scholar of Latin American and Caribbean history Andrés Pertierra! We have never read more in preparation for an episode, folks, so we hope you dig this one as much as we did. Hasta la victoria siempre, amigos. Further Reading (direct from Andrés!): Anderson, John Lee. Che: A Revolutionary Life. Grove, 1997. "The Cuban Exodus" by Andrés Pertierra The great (Pulitzer Prize!) winning intro text:   Ferrer, Ada. Cuba: An American History. Scribner, 2021.   Some relevant books on Cuban Revolution and other countries:   Gleijeses, Piero. Conflicting Missions: Havana, Washington, and Africa, 1959-1976. University of North Carolina Press, 2002.   Schoultz, Lars. That Infernal Little Cuban Republic: The United States and the Cuban Revolution. University of North Carolina Press, 2009.   Yordanov, Radoslav. Our Comrades in Havana: Cuba, the Soviet Union, & Eastern Europe, 1959-1991. Cold War International History Project. Stanford University Press, 2024.   Key texts for context on what's happening internally:   Guerra, Lillian. Visions of Power in Cuba: Revolution, Redemption, and Resistance, 1959-1971. University of North Carolina Press, 2012.   Mesa-Lago, Carmelo. Cuba in the 1970s: Pragmatism and Institutionalization. University of New Mexico Press, 1978. Further Viewing (shout out to Andrés for these, too!): THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES (Salles, 2004) CONDUCTA IMPROPRIA (Almendros & Jiménez Leal, 1984) CHE and the Digital Cinema Revolution! Soderbergh getting heckled at Q&A FRESA Y CHOCOLATE (Gutiérrez Alea & Carlos Tabío, 1984) END OF A REVOLUTION (Moser, 1967)   Follow Andrés: https://x.com/ASPertierra https://bsky.app/profile/andrespertierra.bsky.social https://originesacubanhistorypodcast.libsyn.com/ Follow Pod Casty For Me: https://www.podcastyforme.com/ https://twitter.com/podcastyforme https://www.instagram.com/podcastyforme/ https://www.youtube.com/@podcastyforme Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PodCastyForMe Artwork by Jeremy Allison: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyallisonart      

What powers the global internet? The answer might surprise you: not satellites, but hundreds of thin cables that run along the ocean floor. They're an absolutely essential technology that's also incredibly fragile — so fragile that in the beginning, most people thought they couldn't possibly work. Today on the show: the story of a man who did think they could work… and the lengths he went to to try and connect the world.Guests:Bill Burns, former BBC broadcast engineer and founder of atlantic-cable.com Cyrus Field IV, great grandson of Cyrus FieldAllison Marsh, professor at the University of South Carolina and historian of technology Ben Roberts, strategic advisor on Subsea Cable Economics for Connectivity at UNICEF who has been building cable network in Africa for the past two decades.To access bonus episodes and listen to Throughline sponsor-free, subscribe to Throughline+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/throughline.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Katsiaryna Shmatsina, Eurasia Fellow at Lawfare, is joined by Beverly Ochieng, senior security analyst at Control Risks and non-resident expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), to examine how external powers compete for influence in Africa—and how African states are responding.They discuss the shifting priorities of the second Trump administration, including a “trade not aid” approach, stricter visa policies, and growing pressure on African governments to accept irregular migrants deported from the U.S.The conversation explores the evolving strategies of key players—the U.S., China, and Russia—alongside the rising influence of Turkey, the UAE, and the European Union's more diffuse forms of engagement.They also discuss public perceptions of foreign involvement, China's Belt and Road Initiative and its digital expansion, Russia's use of private military contractors and information operations, and the increasing role of African regional organizations in shaping the agenda.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Musicians create worlds of their own. They are sonic alchemists. This program, originally produced in 2007, surveys a wide range of artists from throughout the African diaspora, artists with this special ability to spin out their own realities. We hear classic work from Basssekou Kouyate, Habib Koite, Youssou N'Dour, Konono No 1, The Assad Brothers, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and we hear many of them speak about their work. The Malian artists are particularly poignant, as they speak from a time before the turmoil that has enveloped the country since 2012. APWW #539 Produced by Banning Eyre.

A BBC investigation uncovers dozens of social accounts using stolen identities of Somali and Muslim influencers and posting political propaganda content. We hear more about what was uncovered and who might be behind this widespread operation.Chad's parliament has overwhelmingly approved a controversial constitutional amendment removing presidential term limits. What will this mean for 41-year-old President Mahamat Idriss Deby's hold on power?And why the Kenyan Catholic Church took the decision to introduce a new brand of altar wine.Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Mark Wilberforce, Stefania Okereke, Sunita Nahar and Elphas Lagat Technical Producer: Gabriel O'Regan Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Maryam Abdalla and Sam Murunga

Send us a textDownload study notes for this chapter.Download study notes for this entire book.**********Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ®, NIV ® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.The “NIV”, “New International Version”, “Biblica”, “International Bible Society” and the Biblica Logo are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.  Used with permission.BIBLICA, THE INTERNATIONAL BIBLE SOCIETY, provides God's Word to people through Bible translation & Bible publishing, and Bible engagement in Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America. Through its worldwide reach, Biblica engages people with God's Word so that their lives are transformed through a relationship with Jesus Christ.Support the show

AOT2 and Ugochi catch up on the AWS major downtime on October 20, 2025, the DHQ's response to coup rumors, Regina Daniels and Senator Ned Nwoko, and the Senate's approval of life imprisonment for defiling minors. They also dive into fan mails, Believe It or Not, Gym Essentials, Once Upon a Time – King Jaja of Opobo, Prop and Flop of the Week, and other news that made the rounds this week.OUTLINE00:00 - Introduction03:30 - Catch up10:15 - Fan mails42:30 - Believe  it or not01:12:15 - Gym Essentials01:18:42 - Once Upon A Time - King Jaja Of Opobo01:30:00 - AWS downtime01:46:44 - Prop and flop of the week02:09:00 - Sign out

In this powerful episode, we are honored to welcome Brigadier General Roger S. Giraud, the 21st Chief of the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps (MSC), Commanding General of Medical Readiness Command–Europe, Command Surgeon for U.S. Army Europe and Africa, and Director of the Defense Health Network Europe. With a career spanning over three decades, BG Giraud brings unmatched leadership experience across tactical, operational, and strategic levels. In this episode, he shares the vision and strategy to achieve the future of the Medical Service Corps and breaks down what it takes to build, grow, and lead a world-class team of Medical Service Corps Officers and Warrant Officers.Episode Highlights:People Are the Priority: BG Giraud outlines our three strategic priorities for the Medical Service Corps. Recruit phenomenal talent, Develop it deliberately, and Retain the best to meet Army modernization demands.Talent Management: Why it's essential for officers to master their craft, advocate for their careers, and understand the flexibility of the MSC structure.The Future of Army Medicine: A candid discussion on leveraging data, artificial intelligence, and structure changes to make the MSC more adaptable and impactful.Mentorship & Leadership: Reflections from a career that spans Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, Germany, the Pentagon, and beyond. BG Giraud shares the leadership principles that shaped him and how MSC officers at all levels can apply them.Practical Advice for Officers: Whether you're just commissioning or preparing for strategic-level command, BG Giraud offers honest guidance for career growth, resilience, and staying mission ready.Call to Action: BG Giraud emphasizes staying relevant, investing in professional development, and keeping MSC officers at the forefront of the Medical Service Corps mission “conserve the fighting strength now and into the future so others may live.”About BG Roger S. Giraud. BG Giraud is a Distinguished Military Graduate of Texas A&M, with dual bachelor's degrees in Biomedical and Animal Science. He earned his Master of Health Administration from Baylor University and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. His command and staff roles include battalion, brigade, and division-level leadership; deployments to Iraq, Kosovo, and Afghanistan; and multiple executive roles at OTSG and MEDCOM HQ. His awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Expert Field Medical Badge, German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Gold), and membership in the Order of Military Medical Merit. He is also the recipient of The Surgeon General's prestigious “A” Proficiency Designator.Pro Tip: Watch alongside the MSC Strategy Map on our YouTube channel to follow BG Giraud's discussion in action.Book reference: The History of the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps by Richard V.N. Ginn, https://www.amazon.com/History-Medical-Service-Richard-2015-10-19/dp/B01K3JNXHEDisclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are the guests and host's alone and do not reflect the official position of the Medical Service Corps, the Department of Defense, or the US Government. All information discussed is unclassified approved for public release and found on open cleared sources.For more episodes listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube @ Be All You Can Be MSC For more information, suggestions, or questions please contact: beallyoucanbemsc@gmail.com

Neobanks changed how fintech thinks about money. Now, crypto builders want to do the same, without custody. In this episode, Itamar Lesuisse, CEO of Ready, and Mike Silagadze, CEO of EtherFi, argue the real shift isn't about "crypto cards," it's about who controls your assets. EtherFi's and Ready's self-custodial apps merge saving, spending, and investing. The result: faster settlement, lower fees, and more transparency, but also new challenges around compliance, credit, and security. Itamar Lesuisse and Mike Silagadze explain how layer 2 networks made crypto cards economically viable after years of failed attempts and how Africa's FX markets could become the breakthrough use case for crypto banking. Visit our website for breaking news, analysis, op-eds, articles to learn about crypto, and much more: unchainedcrypto.com Thank you to our sponsors! Mantle Binance Guests: Itamar Lesuisse, Co-founder and CEO of Ready (formerly Argent) Mike Silagadze, Founder and CEO of EtherFi, and Founder of Top Hat Links: The Block: Best crypto cards with token rewards in 2025 Bitcoin Starknet Staking Post by Ready (Formerly Argent)  Timestamps:

When the miracles fade, what's next? Brick Cliff with Nation-2-Nation Ministries reveals how to transform communities with practical love!What happens when a powerful move of God slows down? This week on Remnant Radio, Joshua Lewis engages with international ministry leader Dr. Brick Cliff on navigating revival's ebbs and flows, from his skeptical charismatic roots to witnessing undeniable miracles in Africa's unreached fields. Discover how seasons of intense spiritual gifts and signs and wonders give way to intentional seasons of love in action, equipping churches to meet real needs, foster church growth, and open hearts to the gospel. Learn how Christian theology blends with community development, relational evangelism, and biblical discernment in spiritual warfare.0:00 – Introduction1:04 – Guest Introduction and Ministry Background2:23 – Charismatic Upbringing and Disillusionment5:16 – Skepticism from Fabricated Manifestations10:09 – Transformative Miracles in Congo18:21 – Escape from Civil War in Congo25:37 – Seasons of God and Holistic Ministry33:40 – Primacy of Love in Spiritual Gifts39:39 – Spiritual Gifts and Church Growth44:18 – Clarifying Reception of the Holy Spirit49:24 – The Miracle Tree for Practical Needs53:30 – Closing Takeaway on Expressed LoveABOUT THE GUEST:https://n2nministries.org/Subscribe to The Remnant Radio newsletter and receive our FREE introduction to spiritual gifts eBook. Plus, get access to: discounts, news about upcoming shows, courses and conferences - and more. Subscribe now at TheRemnantRadio.com.Support the showABOUT THE REMNANT RADIO:

Join Marina Franklin on the latest Friends Like Us podcast with special guests Jon Laster & Marlon Nichols as they dive into the world of venture capital, diversity in tech, and the untapped potential in Africa. Don't miss this insightful episode!  Jon Laster is known for One Bedroom (2018), No More Mr Nice Guy (2018) and The 2019 ESPY Awards (2019) and check out his new series An Astute Woman Web Series. He is the Founder and C.E.O. of Blapp. Blapp is a Google-based, geo-located app that will tell you all the Black businesses that are right around you. Marlon Nichols is the co-founder and managing general partner of MaC Venture Capital, a leading seed-stage firm renowned for backing visionary founders who redefine industries. Under his leadership, MaC has grown into one of North America's largest seed-stage venture firms, surpassing $600 million in assets under management (AUM). In October 2024, the firm announced the closing of its third fund ($150 million), further solidifying its influence in the early-stage investment landscape. Marlon's portfolio includes industry-defining companies such as Airspace, Blavity, FINESSE, Gimlet Media, MongoDB, Pipe, Purestream, Thrive Market, and Shekel Mobility, among others. His keen eye for transformative opportunities has earned him widespread recognition, including consecutive placements on Los Angeles Business Journal's LA500 (2022–2025) and Business Insider's Seed 100 (Top Early-Stage Investors) for four years. Additionally, he ranks 25th on the Kauffman Fellows Fund Returners Index and has been featured in PitchBook's 25 Black Founders and VCs to Watch for six years. His expertise is frequently sought by top media outlets such as Axios, CNBC, Fortune, and more. A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, Marlon serves on the board of Kauffman Fellows, working to expand representation for underrepresented minorities in venture capital. With a unique blend of technology acumen and leadership principles shaped by his athletic background, he actively mentors CEOs, fosters strategic partnerships, and helps founders scale their businesses into market leaders. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch  

Welcome Aboard FLIGHT OSO! Buckle up! and get ready for take off as we take you on a musical journey! Amapiano Takes My Energy to Heights that are out of This Universe, Today we dive into The Heart of The Beautiful Continent of Africa! Amapiano is more than just Music, it's made with love and rhythm that take your vibes to another level. Soulful piano melodies, crazy hard hitting drums and deep basslines, this is your ultimate passport to great grooves! Somebody say “OSO WE WANNA PAAAARTY” Piano! Piano! Send Me Videos of you listening to my mix on Instagram @OSOCITY So I can Post Them

Botswana is the Africa in our heads, the one we see in nature documentaries, and think of when we say the word.  It is a vast and untempered land filled with one of the richest concentrations of wildlife on the continent. In a single game drive you could see up to 50 different species: elephant, lion, buffalo, leopard, hippos, baboons and more.  But beyond the wildlife there is something else too. Africa is our home. They call her the ‘Mother', the place we all come from. And if that's true, then Botswana is her beating heart.  Taking us there is safari guide and author Peter Allison, who has been guiding in Botswana and elsewhere in Africa for nearly 30 years. He'll tell us the story of his ultimate Botswana safari, traveling from Makgadikgadi Salt Pans to the Okavango Delta. It's an adventure filled with wildlife, wisdom and more than one of his crazy stories. Get ready for an adventure into the Africa of our dreams. Highlights include: Learning to track wild animals with the San Bushmen, one of the oldest continuously surviving cultures on Earth. Walking on the surreal landscapes of the largest salt pan in the world - three times bigger than Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni. Going on game drives in the Okavango Delta, a vast network of floodplains that draws one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. Finding out what it's like to be stalked by a lion in the pitch black of night with only a kerosene lantern for company. Discovering the story of Salvador the elephant, and one of the most magical wildlife experiences you can ever imagine. Hearing about the time a leopard walked into Peter's cabin, with him inside it. It's OK, he survived to tell the tale. FIND OUT MORE A lot of our episodes are about huge expeditions and epic adventures.This one is about something you can actually do.  We've partnered with Peter's safari company Natural Selection Safaris, and tour operator Africa Endeavours - two of the most highly regarded sustainable operators on the continent - to create our dream Botswana itinerary. And it's a trip you can actually book and do yourself. To find out more go to AfricaEndeavours.com/Armchair and you will get $500 off your next trip. Even if you're just dreaming about going one day, checking out what they do is a great way to support the show. Follow Peter on Instagram @petersonsafari FOLLOW US: Instagram: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠Facebook: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠Newsletter: ⁠armchair-explorer.com⁠ PODCAST RECOMMENDATION Check out the Smart Travel Podcast: This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel here.  CREDITS Armchair Explorer is produced by ⁠Armchair Productions⁠. Aaron Millar wrote and presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

【主播的话】整整两年之前，2023年的十月份，以色列跟巴勒斯坦之间爆发了新一轮的严重冲突，并恶化为一场旷日持久的战争、以及一场接一场的人道惨剧。那天之后，世界似乎开始了一种持续至今的撕裂。在加沙，成千上万的人每天都在受难，饥饿、暴力、失踪、流离失所、残疾、死亡。与此同时，这场战争的回声，也在战场之外的地方不断回荡——在中东邻国、在美国、在欧洲，在大学校园里，在政治辩论中，在社交媒体上。过去两年里，围绕加沙的争论几乎无处不在：抗议、辞职、取消、抓捕、撤资。它不仅是外交政策的争议，更成了一场关于身份、道德与立场的内战。对许多年轻人来说，这不仅是关于中东的问题，而是关于“我们是谁”，以及“我们还能相信什么样的正义”。今天的节目分为两个部分。第一部分，主要谈中东。我们邀请了中东观察家刘怡，来梳理加沙战争两周年的重要节点，从巴以出发，探讨它对中东局势的影响。第二部分，重点在美国。我们邀请了常驻纽约的美国观察家思骋，来解读加沙战争对美国内政外交的影响。【本期主播】王磬：微博@王磬【本期嘉宾】刘怡：前《三联生活周刊》资深主笔，全球冲突报道者思骋：美国政治观察家，常驻纽约【本期剧透】03:32 加沙战局转向虚无，冲突轨迹受特朗普决策主导，军事行动与政治目标逐渐脱节09:18 加沙正在面临怎样的人道灾难？以色列系统性制造饥荒的现状11:22 战前加沙的畸形供给体系：以色列默许哈马斯控制国际援助流通，形成“物资可进、人员禁入”的共谋式封锁17:45 开战后，加沙生存体系崩溃，黑市物价暴涨50倍19:20 外援切断，美国仅派驻4个物资救援点，平民陷入平静的绝望24:39 犹太人定居点不断增加，西岸巴控区萎缩，武装定居者与隔离墙形成“蚕食式占领”新常态29:24 以色列社会的极端化转向，右翼基本盘稳固化，政治光谱整体右移34:01 巴勒斯坦群体的立场分化：海外巴勒斯坦裔激进口号与本土民众务实诉求42:35 阿拉伯世界的“道义卸责”：亚伯拉罕协议如何改变海湾国家对巴以问题的传统立场？48:10 哈马斯与伊朗构建的宗教抵抗同盟，如何替代传统阿拉伯民族主义？52:29 西方话语道德滑坡，两年间巴勒斯坦苦难从“被忽视”到“被犯罪化”57:40 2025年夏季为舆论分水岭，特朗普政府强硬压制舆论引发民意反弹01:02:05 “以色列替西方干脏活”：战后自由主义需要暴力维系01:06:56 在西方世界，为什么对反以色列政府的言论打压，比在以色列境内还要严厉？01:12:27 美国犹太社群的代际裂变，支持以色列如何从族群共识沦为矛盾源01:18:48 反犹主义如何被定义？又如何成为政治打压的工具？01:25:24 美国民主党出现政治代沟，年轻人在巴以议题和经济前景上面临双重挫败感【相关阅读】 Alex de Waal英国人类学家、公共政策学者与人权活动家，目前于美国马萨诸塞州塔夫茨大学法与外交学院（The Fletcher School）任研究教授。他自 1980 年代起在苏丹及非洲之角（Horn of Africa）地区开展“饥荒”研究，探讨饥荒的政治、社会与人权维度。研究立场强调：现代饥荒并非单纯由自然灾害或粮食短缺引起，而往往是政策失败、冲突、封锁与权力结构所致。其在饥荒领域的重要作品包括：《Mass Starvation: The History and Future of Famine》（2018）系统地回顾现代饥荒的历史：饥荒为何在 20 世纪下半叶大幅减少；为何在近年来又出现复苏；并指出饥荒多数为“人为”而非“自然”现象。《Famine Crimes: Politics and the Disaster Relief Industry in Africa》（1997）在本书中，de Waal 批判了传统救灾机构对饥荒背后政治与权力结构的掩盖，强调饥荒中的致命性常源于战争、封锁、治理失败，而非单纯粮食供应不足。 Masha Gessen 出生于俄罗斯莫斯科、后来获得美国公民身份的记者、作家和公共知识分子。写作涉猎广泛，涵盖俄罗斯现代史、威权主义、性别与 LGBTQ 议题、美国与俄罗斯关系、乌克兰冲突等。自 2017 年起担任《The New Yorker》的正式撰稿人。其代表作包括《The Future Is History: How Totalitarianism Reclaimed Russia》（2017年获美国国家图书奖）等。她以批判权威主义、剖析自由与专制之间的张力著称。 《Trouble in the Tribe: The American Jewish Conflict over Israel》作者：Dov Waxman出版信息：Princeton University Press，2016 年Dov Waxman 为 UCLA 以色列研究教授，研究方向包括以色列政治、美国—以色列关系与美国犹太社群。Waxman 通过大量访谈与民调数据，分析近年来美国犹太社群围绕以色列问题的深刻分歧：一方面年长与更传统的群体维持强烈支持，另一方面年轻与自由派群体越来越公开批评以色列政策。书中探讨了文化、人口学、组织与政治因素如何导致“以色列不再成为团结来源、而日益成为分裂来源”的局面，对美国犹太政治与以美关系的未来提出判断。 《最后的乌托邦：历史中的人权》The Last Utopia: Human Rights in History作者：Samuel Moyn出版信息：商务印书馆，2016 年Samuel Moyn 是美国耶鲁大学（Yale University）法律与历史双聘教授，专攻现代欧洲思想史、国际法与人权史。本书提出一个颇具挑战性的观点：当今“人权”作为普遍正义话语并非源远流长，而是在1960 年代末至 1970 年代初，在全球政治与意识形态乌托邦（社会主义、民族解放运动）瓦解之后，才真正成为国际社会关注的核心。作者通过回顾冷战背景下欧洲、拉丁美洲、美国等地的个案，指出人权运动如何在旧有政治理想失败的废墟上兴起，并探讨其作为“最后的乌托邦”之意味 —— 即人权为何成为替代以往政治理想的新信仰。【特别鸣谢】蓝书屋基金会（Blaues Haus Stiftung）【本期音乐】Bleu-KomikuScreen Saver-Kevin MacLeod【节目制作】方改则【Logo设计】刘刘（ins: imjanuary)【互动方式】小红书@不合时宜微博@不合时宜TheWeirdo商务合作可发邮件至 hibuheshiyi@126.com 或微博私信会员计划咨询可添加微信：hibuheshiyi3 或发送邮件至 hibuhehsiyi@gmail.com

Subscribe to Fela Kuti: Fear No Man. In a world that's on fire, what is the role of art? What can music actually…do? Can a song save a life? Change a law? Topple a president? Get you killed? In Fela Kuti: Fear No Man, Jad Abumrad—creator of Radiolab, More Perfect, and Dolly Parton's America—tells the story of one of the great political awakenings in music: how a classically trained 'colonial boy' traveled to America, in search of Africa, only to return to Nigeria and transform his sound into a battering ram against the state—creating a new musical language of resistance called Afrobeat. For years, the world's biggest stars made pilgrimages to Nigeria to experience Fela's Shrine, the epicenter of his musical revolution. But when the mix of art and activism got too hot, the state pulled out its guns, and literally opened fire. Fela Kuti: Fear No Man is an uncategorizable mix of oral history, musicology, deep dive journalism, and cutting edge sound design that takes listeners deep inside Fela's life, music, and legacy. Drawing from over 200 interviews with Fela Kuti's family, friends, as well as scholars, activists, and luminaries like Burna Boy, Paul McCartney, Questlove, Santigold, and former President Barack Obama (just to name a few), Fela Kuti: Fear No Man journeys deep into the soul of Afrobeat to explore the transformative power of art and the role artists can play in this current moment of global unrest. An Audible Original presented by Audible and Higher Ground. Produced by Western Sound and Talkhouse. ©2025 Higher Ground, LLC (P)2025 Audible Originals, LLC.

Send us a textDownload study notes for this chapter.Download study notes for this entire book.**********Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ®, NIV ® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.The “NIV”, “New International Version”, “Biblica”, “International Bible Society” and the Biblica Logo are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.  Used with permission.BIBLICA, THE INTERNATIONAL BIBLE SOCIETY, provides God's Word to people through Bible translation & Bible publishing, and Bible engagement in Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America. Through its worldwide reach, Biblica engages people with God's Word so that their lives are transformed through a relationship with Jesus Christ.Support the show

This week we welcome Chris Erasmus, an up-and-coming country artist with a story unlike any other. Originally from Zimbabwe, Chris brings a fresh perspective to a genre rooted in American tradition.This is what we talked about in this episode:Growing up in Zimbabwe and discovering music early onEntering the world of country from outside the U.S.His background in musical theatre and performing on major stagesHow classical training influences his songwriting and soundThe experience of moving to the U.S. and working on ranchesThe growing country music scene in AfricaReflections on artists like Keith Urban and what global country music looks like todayChris's story is proof that country music isn't just an American sound but a universal language for storytelling and heart.

In today's episode, Dr. Killeen shares reflections from Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning—a book he recently read while traveling in Africa. He explores how love, purpose, and intentional choices can ground us even in life's most stressful seasons. Drawing inspiration from Frankl's idea that every decision leaves a lasting footprint, Dr. Killeen challenges us to pause and ask: What kind of mark am I leaving today?To learn more about Dr. Killeen and his two-day event in Lincoln, NE or to connect with him, check out www.AddisonKilleen.com.

Send us a textIn this episode of Soul of Travel, Season 6: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, presented by @journeywoman_original, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Karin Jones.Karin Jones is the Founder & CEO of Artisans of Safari, a bespoke safari company dedicated to creating meaningful, conservation-centered journeys across Africa. With nearly four decades of experience designing safaris since 1987, Karin has been recognized on Travel + Leisure's A-List and Condé Nast Traveler's Top Travel Specialist list for Africa in 2025. Through her deep relationships with Africa's leading conservationists, guides, and lodge owners, she connects travelers with transformative experiences that support wildlife protection, empower local communities, and rewild African tourism, using travel as a tool for positive change. Karin is also the creator and host of the Safari ChangeMakers video podcast, spotlighting Africa's conservation pioneers and tourism innovators. For Karin, a safari is never just a trip; it's a way to create impact, purpose, and lifelong connection.Christine and Karin discuss:· The magic of slow, intentional travel, being present, and embracing detours· Highlighting women guides, trackers, and lodge leaders to shape the safari story· How to design trips to combine conservation with community benefit· Traveling with empathy, awareness, and stewardshipJoin Christine for this soulful conversation with Karin Jones. 

The Axis forces in southern Tunisia retreat, the Allies follow. But miscommunication and American failures threaten Anglo-American relations, again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben opines on Akash Singh and the beautiful world of Africa, meanwhile Jace is very upset with HIV transmissions, and Devan basks in the bar culture Sirhan Sirhan once enjoyed in Los Angeles.... this week on lemonparty. bonus episodes ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/lemonparty⁠⁠ LP Tour ⁠https://www.lemonparty.life/ ⁠ Support the sponsors: ⁠https://lucy.co/lemon⁠ ⁠https://www.hellofresh.com/lemon10off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump's strategy and its limitations, why the USA needs Venezuela and South America generally, and how China is preparing for war. After Taiwan is invaded, China will be the greatest geopolitical player, risking wars in Asia, Latin America, and Africa.

From Dallas Uber Rides to Uganda Motorcycles: How One Partnership Is Transforming African MobilityJoin host Henry Kaestner as he sits down with Jared Fulks, co-founder of PureFlow, for an inspiring conversation about building Kingdom businesses in emerging markets. From four consecutive Uber drivers from different African countries in Dallas to empowering thousands of motorcycle taxi drivers in Uganda, this episode reveals how God orchestrates divine appointments in everyday moments and business ventures alike.Discover how PureFlow started with just six motorcycles and $6,000 in a small Ugandan town and has grown into a hospitality-focused finance company serving thousands. Jared shares powerful lessons about the value of partnership born from prayer, the unexpected advantages of tier-two and tier-three cities, and why sometimes the best place to test a business idea isn't Silicon Valley—it's Africa.Key Topics:Divine appointments: Four African Uber drivers in 24 hours and what they reveal about staying spiritually presentStarting with six bikes: How Colin emptied his savings and received 250 applications in 24 hoursPartnership as a "God idea": Why prayer preceded partnership and the power of detailed operating agreementsTier-two and tier-three city advantages: Building trust and community away from capital citiesHospitality over finance: Reframing PureFlow as a hospitality business that creates places people want to return toLow-cost probes in Africa: Testing 100 ideas with a fraction of what it costs in the U.S.Living remotely while building locally: Managing a Uganda-based business from Atlanta through intentional engagementThe football club strategy: Winning tournaments as customer acquisition and brand buildingPressing the gas: Why not to subsidize yourself with philanthropy too soonNotable Quotes:"Partnership is not a good idea. It's a God idea. It is woven into the fabric of how we were created. Nobody would argue that we're created for people. And so why would we assume any different?" - Jared Fulks"If the business collapsed tomorrow, and it all just failed, which I hope it doesn't, I don't think it will. But if it did, the thing that I would take away most would be not the amazing people we've been able to hire, the thousands and thousands of people we serve, but it truly is the friendship and the brotherhood that I have with him." - Jared Fulks"Start with where you are, with what you have... He lost $6,000. Like to most people listening to this podcast, it's not gonna kill you to lose $6,000." - Jared Fulks

The last ebola patient in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been released from a treatment centre in Kasai province. Can the country now be declared free of this latest outbreak?What is behind the escalating tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea over control of the Red Sea?And we hear from the Nigerian scientist, who has been recognised with a global award from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, on how her pioneering work is protecting yam and cassava crops and making them more resilient.Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Mark Wilberforce, Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke and Alfonso Daniels Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

In Episode 335, Kestrel welcomes Lisa Kibutu, the founder of Regenerative Fashion Collaborative Exchange (REFACE) and Regenerative Textile Development Institute (RTDI), to the show. A tech-led social enterprise, REFACE was created to holistically address the negative impact of the global fashion industry on climate change, biodiversity, and the environment in Africa. With RTDI, she is building a pioneering research and development institution that leverages blockchain technology, zero waste operations, and regenerative agriculture to transform agricultural waste from Indigenous grain crops into high-quality textile yarn. “You're standing in this space, the gap between what society is expecting of you and what your soul insists on you to become. And it influences all my work and my obligation to the sacrifice of our ancestors, the sacrifice that they made to the colonizers, which is why we are where we are today. I sit on ancestral intelligence, which is the blueprint and the foundation of everything that I do. A little bit more than a blueprint to me – I am actually just going to claim my inheritance from the ancestors. And that claiming of the inheritance has become my purpose.” -Lisa THEME —WHEN *REGENERATIVE* MEANS SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST A BUZZWORD The following is a very important statistic that is rarely centered in the so-called sustainability and fashion conversation — as reported by the UNEP, Africa contributes less than 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, the continent has been disproportionately impacted by the changing climate.  With this in mind, in conjunction with her knowledge in fashion, design, anthropology and regenerative agriculture – Lisa founded a powerful two-prong approach to not only address the negative impact of the global fashion industry on climate change, biodiversity, and the environment in Africa, but also – to strategically research and develop innovative textiles made from the waste of Indigenous crops, and to maintain ownership of these technologies within the continent.  Africa has a unique potential at this point in our history – especially when it comes to regenerative agriculture, with 80% of all the food production in Africa being run by smallholder farmers.  The opportunities across Africa are expansive. And as Lisa reminds us, it's not about empowerment. It's about following the blueprint from AI – that is ancestral intelligence – and focusing on enriching communities across the continent.  “You're right. Fashion is cultural. Cause you've moved from the basic need of covering according to weather patterns, and then you advance to the space where – you need to appeal to aesthetics. That's the next level. But aesthetics are particular to what you find in your environment and then it becomes artistic expression, personal expression of yourself. And I think those are the pieces now, when we talk about fast fashion – those are the pieces that are missing.” -Lisa RTDI Website Follow REFACE on Instagram

The Potecast cares if nobody else care ! This week Nevatell [@nevatell] , Jaytona [@jaytonasupreme] , and Cambino [@coastboymook] chop it on the couches about everything from to high school memories to curing PTSD w/ podding ! The guys recap some of the events from Groves High School Reunion ‘25 . The convo expands to “30 year olds @ homecoming” , “Club Capacities in Savannah” , & the upcoming homecoming of The Illustrious Savannah State University ! After a quick commercial break , we give some ‘Potecast Props' to a faithful listener/Pote Potna @Darylwithoner , as Jaytona reads an unbelievable heartfelt message from the young military veteran on air ! The crew keeps the government talking points going as they bring up the importance of Local Voting Research within our communities and Farmers Market Facts that you never knew ! Mixed in the dialogues are a variety of their unique perspectives on $200 SOLO Dates , Stream University OTW ? , Flaujae Sold Out Homecoming @ GA Southern , and so much more ! Recorded : 10/19/25

The EAH team had a chance to compare notes with an industry icon, former CEO and current board member of ACWA Power, a global leader in renewables including solar, wind, hydrogen, and desalination. He is the Vice Chairman of Zhero, focused on green hydrogen and ammonia in the US and Africa as well as X-Links, seeking to provide the United Kingdom with green electrons via undersea cables from North Africa. He is also the Chair of Datavolt, building sustainable data centers and Desolenator, which is focused on clean water. As one of the most successful green developers worldwide, we were curious to hear what he thought about hydrogen, his experience with ACWA/Neom in the past, his current involvement with Zhero and other companies utilizing clean hydrogen, as well as his vision for the future. About Paddy Padmanathan:Paddy is Co-Founder & Vice Chair of Zhero with 40+ years of industry experience in power and ancillary business. He is the former CEO and President of ACWA Power (2007-2023), transforming it from a 5-person private company to a publicly listed firm on the Saudi stock exchange with a market cap of approximately US$25 billion. ACWA Power is a leading global developer, owner, and operator of power generation and desalinated water plants, managing assets worth over US$75 billion in thirteen countries.

A Civil Engineering graduate from the University of Manchester, Paddy began his career in consulting engineering before moving on to develop privately financed power, water, and wastewater projects globally. He serves on the boards of several companies in the water and energy sectors. Before ACWA Power, he was VP and Corporate Officer at Black and Veatch for over a decade.About Zhero:Zhero is a developer of green and clean energy projects, including renewable energy, green molecules and energy storage solutions led by a world-class team in projects ideation and execution. The company was founded in 2022 by Marco Alverà, Alessandra Pasini, Paddy Padmanathan, and Enrico Vitali.In Paddy's own words: “At Zhero, we turn the vision of a clean energy future into reality while maximizing inclusive, global prosperity. By deploying large-scale solar, wind, and battery storage alongside HVDC interconnectors and green molecule production, we harness top-tier natural resources to deliver reliable, sustainable, and low cost power to demand centers worldwide.”--Links:Zhero - https://www.zhero.net/X-Links - https://xlinks.co/Datavolt - https://data-volt.com/Desolenator - http://www.desolenator.com/ACWA - http://www.acwapower.com/en/

Send us a textDownload study notes for this chapter.Download study notes for this entire book.**********Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ®, NIV ® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.The “NIV”, “New International Version”, “Biblica”, “International Bible Society” and the Biblica Logo are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.  Used with permission.BIBLICA, THE INTERNATIONAL BIBLE SOCIETY, provides God's Word to people through Bible translation & Bible publishing, and Bible engagement in Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America. Through its worldwide reach, Biblica engages people with God's Word so that their lives are transformed through a relationship with Jesus Christ.Support the show

A conversation with Justin Bruch, Cofounder-President & CEO of Clear Frontier, born and raised 5th generation Iowa farmer.  He has actively farmed on 4 continents and has spent his entire career working in agriculture across North America (USA/Canada), South America, Europe, and Africa.  Organic makes more money. This is a financial decision first. Of course, it's context-specific: we're talking about the Midwest in the US, corn, soy, and specialty crops. But a fund that has been operating for the last six years clearly shows it makes more financial sense to farm organically. Not saying it's easy, you have a lot of things to manage: crop rotation, pest management, weed pressure, manure, and all of that. But it does make more money.So now the question becomes: how do we get more farms and farmers to transition? What are the financial models? What are the investment models to unlock this transition at scale?More about this episode.==========================In Investing in Regenerative Agriculture and Food podcast show we talk to the pioneers in the regenerative food and agriculture space to learn more on how to put our money to work to regenerate soil, people, local communities and ecosystems while making an appropriate and fair return. Hosted by Koen van Seijen.==========================

What role can poetry play in public health? Henneh Kyereh Kwaku joins Jared to explore how his MFA in Creative Writing intersects with his academic background in public health and disease control. Together, they discuss how Henneh uses a poetic lens to examine issues like vaccine hesitancy. He also reflects on writing about his home country of Ghana while living in the US, drawing from non-fiction and audio storytelling through cross-genre courses, and finding lasting support from MFA faculty even after his graduation.Winner of Poetry Magazine's J. Howard and Barbara M.J. Wood Prize, Henneh Kyereh Kwaku was born in Gonasua and raised in Drobo in the Bono Region of Ghana. He has received fellowships from the Library of Africa and the African Diaspora (LOATAD), Chapman University, and the Carolyn Moore Writing Residency. He is an interdisciplinary scholar with a Bachelor of Public Health (Disease Control), an MA in Health Education, an MFA in Creative Writing, and is pursuing a PhD with an emphasis in Health and Culture. His (public) health communication scholarship explores art-based approaches to addressing medical mistrust and vaccine hesitancy in Black populations. He's the author of Revolution of the Scavengers (African Poetry Book Fund/Akashic Books, 2020) and the founder/host of the Church of Poetry. His poems/essays have appeared or are forthcoming in the Academy of American Poets' A-Poem-A-Day, Poetry Magazine, Prairie Schooner, World Literature Today, Air/Light Magazine, Tupelo Quarterly, Poetry Society of America, Lolwe, Agbowó, CGWS, Olongo Africa, 20:35 Africa, and elsewhere. He shares memes on Twitter/Instagram at @kwaku_kyereh.MFA Writers is hosted by Jared McCormack and produced by Jared McCormack and Hanamori Skoblow. New episodes are released every two weeks. You can find more MFA Writers at MFAwriters.com.BE PART OF THE SHOWDonate to the show at Buy Me a Coffee.Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.Submit an episode request. If there's a program you'd like to learn more about, contact us and we'll do our very best to find a guest who can speak to their experience.Apply to be a guest on the show by filling out our application.STAY CONNECTEDTwitter: @MFAwriterspodInstagram: @MFAwriterspodcastFacebook: MFA WritersEmail: mfawriterspodcast@gmail.com

How do you rebuild your life and create extraordinary success after everything falls apart?In this episode, I sit down with Ashley Freeman, a former tennis pro who turned the pain of divorce into the fuel for a thriving 115-property short-term rental business—all in just three years. Her journey is a testament to resilience, reinvention, and the power of daring to believe in something bigger for yourself.Ashley opens up about the pivotal moment she discovered Airbnb, transforming her four-acre property into a surprising income stream. What started as a survival strategy quickly became a passion-driven business that redefined her career and her sense of purpose.We dive into the entrepreneurial strategies that fueled her rapid growth—from scaling one unit into 115, to building a powerhouse team of predominantly women, to designing systems that keep her business thriving. Alongside the practical insights, Ashley shares the mindset shifts, faith, and intuition that became the foundation of her success.This is more than a business story—it's a masterclass in courage, vision, and personal growth. Ashley's journey will inspire you to see challenges as stepping stones, trust your intuition, and embrace the kind of bold thinking that can transform both life and business.HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:[00:56] A short introduction about our guest Ashley Freeman and her unexpected journey from tennis pro to scaling a 115-property management company in under three years[06:37] Ashley shares her mission-driven approach to short-term rentals and her passion for helping others after finding purpose again[11:28] Ashley's journey from her first client to managing 135 properties, and how she learned to grow with humility, faith, and adaptability[15:38] How surrendering control to God after Ashley's divorce transformed her life and taught her to recognize His guidance[18:48] Ashley shares how a trip to Africa ignited her mission to reach “broken women” and how she learned to trust whispers from God[25:10] Ashley's approach to starting simple and building her property management growth one step at a time[26:49] Ashley's team growth and systems that transformed her property management business[30:18] Ashley's share her intentional decision to keep cleaning in-house as part of building a trusted team and aligning hospitality with her deeper mission to serve guests with excellence[35:10] How building systems and processes early allowed Ashley's business to scale smoothly and avoid breakdowns during rapid growth[38:44] Ashley's biggest challenges as she has grown her property management company to now well over 100 units and how she navigated them[43:12] How I sustain my team by focusing on open communication, removing roadblocks, and empowering them to contribute solutions that strengthen the company[49:39] The lightning round Golden Nuggets:“I do think there's a sense of faith that you have to have in business, regardless if you believe in the Lord or not. You know you have to have faith. It's that leap of faith that you're taking to even get started.”"God is talking to each of us; we have to be willing to open our ears to listen.”“Cleaning, to me, is like the most important part of the experience, and so we've never even considered trying to go...

Broadcasting live from the Shenandoah Valley, Ghost unpacks a wild week of global developments, from Alaska to Africa, in a fast-paced, signal-heavy episode of Geopolitics with Ghost. He kicks off with Kirill Dmitriev's viral posts about the proposed “Putin–Trump Tunnel” under the Bering Strait, linking Russia and America through Elon Musk's Boring Company. Ghost connects the project to JFK's “World Peace Bridge” vision, Trump's phone call with Putin, and the quiet alignment between Moscow and Washington that's already reshaping the global order. From there, he covers Hungary's nuclear partnership with the U.S., Trump's rare earth deal with Australia, and how Africa is becoming the new frontier of sovereignty, with Ethiopia, Nigeria, and the DRC leading the charge through nuclear development and anti-globalist movements. The show closes with deep dives into Lavrov's peace negotiations, Mike Tyson's symbolic visit to Congo, and Trump's fiery warning to Colombia's president over cartel ties. Sharp, funny, and fearless, this episode captures Ghost at his analytical best, decoding the clues, connecting the dots, and revealing how the world's new alliances are forming right before our eyes.

Today, we welcome Gail Straub, author of Home Inside the Globe, her new memoir that reflects on a life of travel, activism, empowerment, and creative exploration.Gail 's Website Gail is the author of eight other acclaimed books, including the best-selling Empowerment, co-authored with her husband David Gershon, as well as The Rhythm of Compassion, Returning to My Mother's House, and The Ashokan Way. She has won multiple Nautilus and Foreword Reviews awards for her writings on feminism, nature, and healing.Beyond her books, Gail cofounded the Empowerment Institute in 1981 and later IMAGINE: A Global Initiative for the Empowerment of Women, which has impacted millions of lives across Africa, India, and the Middle East. She is considered one of the world's leading authorities on empowerment and continues to blend personal storytelling with global activism.Here's an outline of our conversation:Home and BelongingAfter a lifetime of travel across cultures and causes, what does “home” mean to you now—and how did writing Home Inside the Globe help you integrate your inner and outer journeys?Empowerment Across GenerationsSince cofounding the Empowerment Institute in 1981, how has your definition of “empowerment” evolved, particularly as you've worked with women around the world?Global Voices, Local LessonsThrough IMAGINE, you've supported women in Africa, India, and the Middle East. What have you learned from their resilience, and what lessons could Western feminism draw from those experiences?Balancing Activism and StorytellingYou've written nature meditations, feminist memoirs, and now a life-spanning reflection. How do you balance personal storytelling with activism in your work—and what role does compassion play in sustaining that balance?Legacy and Future ChangemakersWith Home Inside the Globe, what legacy do you hope to leave for readers—and what message do you want to pass on to the next generation of changemakers, especially those searching for purpose later in life? Gail, what's one piece of advice you'd give to listeners about finding both courage and compassion on their own creative and activist journeys?Thanks to our sponsor, White Cloud Coffee—fueling creative conversations everywhere. Listeners, enjoy 10% off your first order at whitecloudcoffee.comAnd don't forget to download your free e-book of Your World of Creativity when you visit mark-stinson.com.

RFM is joined by Summur Rayn and Charles (aka “Black Priesthood”) to discuss important current issues facing Black Mormons throughout the world, including Africa. You won’t want to miss this thoughtful and penetrating conversation.

This week we discuss how Forrest became interested in adventure, the time he was nearly killed by a crocodile in Africa, and an orange shark caught in Costa Rica. Enjoy! (TWT 185) Buy Battle Royale Card Game: ⁠https://wildtimes.club/brToyota: Discover your uncharted territory. Learn more at https://www.toyota.com/trucks/adventure-detours/House of Atlas: Stop wasting money and time on shaving products that don't look good, aren't effective, and cost way too much. Grab House of Atlas now at Target stores nationwide or online at https://www.target.com/Underdog: Download the app today and use promo code WILD to score A HUNDRED DOLLARS in Bonus FundsGet More Wild Times Podcast Episodes:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wildtimespod/subscribehttps://www.patreon.com/wildtimespodMore Wild Times:Instagram: http://instagram.com/wildtimespodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildtimespodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildtimespod/X: https://x.com/wildtimespodDiscord: https://discord.gg/ytzKBbC9DbWebsite: https://wildtimes.club/Merch: https://thewildtimespodcast.com/merchBattle Royale Card Game: https://wildtimes.club/brOur Favorite Products:https://www.amazon.com/shop/thewildtimespodcastMusic/Jingles by: www.soundcloud.com/mimmkeyThis video may contain paid promotion.#ad #sponsored #forrestgalante #extinctoralive #podcast

As a young man, traveling in Africa, Tim Coulson - now Professor of Zoology at the University of Oxford - became seriously ill with malaria and was told a second bout would probably kill him. Aged only 20, this brush with his own mortality led him to promise himself he would write a complete guide to science: life, the universe and everything. His aim was to understand the existence of all living things - no mean feat!Over the course of a colourful career, Tim's work has taken him all over the world: including researching wolves in Yellowstone National Park, little fish called guppies in the rivers of Trinidad and silvereye birds on Heron Island on the Great Barrier Reef. Using complicated mathematical models he builds up a picture of ecosystems seeking to explain how predators impact both evolution and ecosystems. And finally, more than thirty years after he vowed to write the book that would explain everything we know about science, he's done just that.In conversation with Professor Jim Al-Khalili, Tim talks about his journey from youthful ambition to science demystifier.Presented by Jim Al-Khalili Produced by Geraldine Fitzgerald Revised for World Service by Minnie Harrop

RFM is joined by Summur Rayn and Charles (aka “Black Priesthood”) to discuss important current issues facing Black Mormons throughout the world, including Africa. You won’t want to miss this thoughtful and penetrating conversation. The post Black Mormonism: RFM: 424 appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.

On this episode, James Nash returns to do what he does better than just about anyone in this community, and that's bring his immense curiosity to bear on a variety of topics.  You'll hear a harrowing hunting story from his first trip to Africa, his lessons learned over his elk guiding career, that to date, has resulted in roughly 150 bull elk tags cut, his perspectives on the gear that really matters, and why when push comes to shove, the best thing you can do is just get started, whether that's in hunting or some other goal you've set your sights on.    NOTABLE QUOTES:  “My best guess is that 50% - 60% of elk that are hit with arrows are not recovered and it could be higher than that. When I talk to outfitters, their experience is about 50% and that's with professional guides who are going to be looking extremely hard for those animals.”  @6ranchoutfitters   ---------------------------  DEALS & PARTNERS:  For over 100 years Leica has set the standard for premium optics. From spotting scopes to binoculars, rifle scopes and the new CRF MAX rangefinders, Leica is the choice for those who accept no compromises.  Don't miss out on Canada's best mountain hunting and conservation expo! The 2026 Wild Sheep Society of BC's Salute to Conservation Mountain Hunting Expo will sell out fast. Get your tickets now!  onX Hunt is the most powerful 3D mapping solution for hunters. Get your FREE trial today. If you're already a member, check out the exclusive offers and perks available when you upgrade to an Elite Member.   Tired of gut rotting instant coffee? Check out This Is Coffee and get yourself some great instant coffee for when you're in the backcountry or on the road.  ---------------------------  SUPPORT WILD SHEEP:  Go to Wild Sheep Foundation to find a membership option that suits your budget and commitment to wild sheep.  Go to Wild Sheep Society of BC to become a member, enter raffles, buy merch and support BC's wild sheep populations.  SUPPORT MOUNTAIN GOATS:  Go to Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance to find a membership option that suits your budget and commitment to conserving mountain goats and their habitat.   

273. Wise Living: Why to Get Outside and Travel and Read Aloud with Amber O'Neal Johnston   “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 NIV   *Transcription Below*   Amber O'Neal Johnston is an author, speaker, and Charlotte Mason homeschooling mom who blends life-giving books and a culturally rich environment for her four children and others seeking to do the same. She recommends we offer children opportunities to see themselves and others reflected in their lessons, especially throughout their books, and she's known for sharing literary “mirrors and windows” on HeritageMom.com and @heritagemomblog. Amber is also the author of Soul School: Taking Kids on a Joy-Filled Journey Through the Heart of Black American Culture and A Place to Belong, a guide for families of all backgrounds on raising kids to celebrate their heritage, community, and the world.   www.HeritageMom.com www.SoulSchoolBook.com www.APlaceToBelongBook.com www.instagram.com/heritagemomblog www.facebook.com/heritagemomblog   Thank You to Our Sponsor:  Sam Leman Eureka   Questions that We Discussed: Looking back, what would you say has helped to shape your children's character the most? What have you learned about the importance of getting our kids (and ourselves) out into nature? How do you actually make time to be a content creator and to also homeschool and travel and host?   Other Related Episodes from The Savvy Sauce: 53 Practical Life Tips with Blogger, Rach Kincaid 57 Implementing Bite-Size Habits That Will Change Your Life with Author, Blogger, Podcaster, and Speaker, Kat Lee 82 Traveling with Your Family with Katie Mueller 84 Ordering Your Priorities with Kat Lee 103 Making Family Memories with Jessica Smartt 200 Planting Seeds of Faith in Our Children with Courtney DeFeo 204 Charlotte Mason Inspired Mini-Series: A Delectable Education with Emily Kiser 207 Cultivating Character in Our Children with Cynthia Yanof 212 School Series: Benefits of Homeschooling with Jodi Mockabee 253 Low Tech Parenting with Erin Loechner   Connect with The Savvy Sauce Our Website, Instagram or Facebook    Please help us out by sharing this episode with a friend, leaving a 5-star rating and review, and subscribing to this podcast!   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV) Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”    Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”    Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”    Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”    John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”    Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”   *Transcription*   Music: (0:00 – 0:09)   Laura Dugger: (0:11 - 2:01) Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, where we have practical chats for intentional living. I'm your host, Laura Dugger, and I'm so glad you're here.   The principles of honesty and integrity that Sam Leman founded his business on continue today over 55 years later at Sam Leman Chevrolet Inc. in Eureka. Owned and operated by the Burchie family, Sam Leman's in Eureka appreciates the support they've received from their customers all over central Illinois and beyond. Visit them today at LehmanGM.com.   Amber O'Neal Johnston is my fascinating guest for today. She's an author and speaker and coach and she's just chosen to live a very wise life as a wife and mother, and I think you're going to enjoy gleaning practical tips such as the benefits of getting our children out in nature regardless of their age. She has teens and makes this super practical for things that they would enjoy too, and she shares these incredible benefits of what happens when we simply step outdoors. She's also going to share approachable ways to introduce our family to great art and other cultures, and she gives us a fabulous book list, so, make sure you stay tuned through the end of the episode so that you can see some of the top books that she recommends. Finally, if you don't have a copy of her own latest release entitled Soul School, I highly recommend you purchase that today. Here's our chat.   Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, Amber.   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (2:02 - 2:04) Thank you so much. I'm so happy to be here.   Laura Dugger: (2:04 - 2:14) Well, I'd love for you just to start us off and introduce us to your family, and will you just share a glimpse of your values and lifestyle?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (2:15 - 3:48) Absolutely. So, I live outside of Atlanta, Georgia with my husband Scott and our four children. We are just entering birthday season, but shortly they will be 16, 14, 12, and 10. The girls are the two oldest. The boys are the two youngest, and they've been homeschooled from the beginning, so, we're a homeschooling family. I'm originally from Illinois. My husband's originally from Ohio, but we met here in Atlanta at the High Museum of Art, which is really special. We are art loving, you know, fine arts loving, liberal arts loving family, and so, the idea that we met at the museum, I will just cherish that forever. I came to, before homeschooling, I was a stay-at-home mom, and prior to having children, I have an MBA, and I worked in corporate America in like marketing and advertising, and Scott comes from a similar background with the MBA, and he was doing work in that area too, so, we had that as a connection point, but I have always stayed home with the kids, and you know, our values are rooted in our Christian faith, and we're an African-American family, and so, we have values and cultural aspects that enter our home through that avenue as well. We are world travelers, so, we enjoy that as part of who we are, and I'm an author and a speaker, and I'm just a very happy homeschooler.   Laura Dugger: (3:48 - 4:12) I love that, and it sounds like such a rich and abundant life, and there's two little connections that I have to go back to. My husband and I had a date at that same museum. I love that you met your husband there. Oh wow, that's wild! And so, we met when we were in Atlanta, but live in Illinois now, so, which part of Illinois were you originally from?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (4:12 - 4:33) I'm from Elgin, Illinois. It's out past O'Hare Airport, and I was born and raised there. My parents were both public school principals there. My dad was principal of Elgin High, and there's actually an elementary school, Ron O'Neal Elementary School in Elgin, named after my father, so, that is where I'm from.   Laura Dugger: (4:33 - 4:46) Wow, okay, so, then even with that piece, your father being a principal, and then you said you've homeschooled since the beginning. Did you always anticipate you would homeschool, or what was your journey into that?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (4:47 - 7:15) Oh my gosh, never, and it's both of my parents were principals, so, that's wild. My grandfather was an elected school board official. My sister was an elected school board official, so, public school is just, you know, in my blood from the very beginning, and that's what I assumed I would do for my kids at first. Once Scott and I got married, and we had discussed it, we decided that I would stay home when they were little, and when they were old enough to go to school, I would go back to work, and my salary would pay for private Christian school tuition, and as the years, you know, months really came to fruition for my oldest, my husband started backpedaling, and he started talking this crazy talk about homeschooling. I'm like, that's a switcheroo for you. What are you talking about? I was like, that's weird. I don't want to do that. I don't feel called to do that. That does not seem like a comfortable space for me. I don't want my kids to endure that, and ultimately, I lacked confidence in that. I couldn't even articulate it. It felt scary, terrifying. Why would I take something so weighty into my own hands, and Scott was very persistent, and I can't even explain why he was so persistent about it, but I think to me, I feel like it was planted in him by the Lord, and he felt that this was the way he wanted to lead his family, and he did it so graciously because I was very resistant. He asked, would you please try it for one year, and if you are unhappy, you don't think it's right. I'll never ask you about it again, and that gave me a softer place to land where I felt like it wasn't signing up for a long-term commitment because I knew I was going to hate it, and I said, sure. I will do that, and oh, my gosh. It was the most amazing year, and I laugh now because my daughter was four, so, she's like four and turned five during that year, and so, she was so young, and people were like, well, what were you really doing, but I took it so seriously. I was doing all things, and I joined a homeschool support group, and I was reading about it, and I realized on Friday, I'm a stay-at-home mom, and on Monday, I took on this identity of a homeschooling mom, and it's just been a beautiful journey for us. I'm so thankful that the Lord led Scott in that way. He knew what was right, not just for our children, but for me, too, when I had no vision for it, and so, I'm just, you know, very grateful.   Laura Dugger: (7:16 - 7:30) I love that story. That's such an encouragement, and, okay, your oldest is turning 16, so, when you look back, what would you say has helped shape your children's character the most?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (7:32 - 9:29) Well, I think the time that we've all had to spend together, like intense amounts of time, so, not just quality time or quantity time, but both, and I think that there's nothing else I could have done that could replace that, so, I think that's one of the things. I think my own acceptance of the divine nature of me being their mother and those being my children, and really that leading me to embrace my mother's intuition, which is something that I was hesitant for at first because there are so many experts, and surely they know so much more than me, and that's not to say that that's not important. I read so widely. I'm always reading expert ideas and views, but what I realized is that those things can help me as tools. They can mentor me, but they can't master me because the master has already appointed me as the perfect mom for these children, and nobody knows them, the little tiny details of them that nobody knows more than me, and so, when I leaned into that and I'm like, yeah, this says this online, this book said that, this thing says that, I can take what I can from those, but ultimately I feel the spirit telling me and leading me in this way with these children, and when I really leaned into that, I have a right to do that. I am their mother. That revolutionized things, and I think that's what's helped shape my children's character the most is my willingness to lean into how I'm led to lead them, and so, that's been a motherhood journey for me, and I hope that it's a legacy that I leave with my children.   Laura Dugger: (9:31 - 9:53) And do you have any specific stories that come to mind that were examples of that mother's intuition, something that really I think it is such a gift from the Lord and that the Holy Spirit speaks to us in some unique way as mothers to be in tune with our kids, so, is there a time that it really benefited them when you exercised your mother's intuition?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (9:53 - 12:42) Well, there was one time with my third, my son, my oldest son, his name is Beckett, and he was in the high chair eating while I was braiding my daughter's hair, and I heard him start making like these really weird noises, and I looked over and it was like he was choking and gagging, and I run over, and but he seemed fine, but then he would do it again, and he started sweating, and you know today I really would say, you should call 9-1-1, but I didn't, I threw all the kids in the car, and I rushed to the ER, and when we got there he wasn't choking anymore, he wasn't sweating, they did his vitals and everything, and they said, well mom, whatever happened passed, he's fine, and you guys can go home, and I was like, no, he's not fine, I'm looking at him, he's not my little boy, his vitals are checking out, but he's not looking at me the way he normally looks at me, he's not interacting with me, the little funny things that I can make him smile all the time, he's not responding to them, and so, like, I know you have your tests, but like my, I'm telling you something's wrong with my little boy, so, they have a doctor, he comes in to tell me everything's fine, and he's sending me home, and so, I was like, well I'm not leaving, I'll just spend the night in the ER then with all my kids, because I know something's wrong, and the doctor, who's this older man, he turns to me, he looks me in my eyes, and he says, you know, in all my years of medical training, there's something that they never told us, but something I've learned throughout my career, never doubt a mother's intuition, and he said, we'll take him and run more tests, and they took Beckett back to run more tests, and they came back and said, you were right, he has swallowed a coin, and it's like just teetering on the precipice, and so, at times it was blocking his airway, and at times it was shifted a little bit, and we have to go in immediately and get it, and that could have choked him, if you had just gone home and put him down to bed, and so, in that story, I took away two things, one, that I am his mother, and I don't care what the test says, or what the data says, or what the news, or a book, at the end of the day, I knew that something was wrong with my boy, the other thing is the graciousness of that doctor, to see my humanity and my personhood beyond just the insurance payment, or protocol, or whatever, it let me know that like there's something powerful about letting other people know that you see them, and that you are connected to them, as another part of God's creation, like he respected me on that level, so.   Laura Dugger: (12:43 - 13:35) That is incredible, I'm so grateful that that story has a happy ending, and that you were assertive to say that, I think sometimes as women, probably especially as Christian women, we can think, oh I want to be nice, or not push back on somebody, but I love that you were assertive, it was what was in your child's best interest, and like you highlighted, that doctor's humility is admirable, but Amber, you mentioned too that you're a writer, and you contribute a lot to things like the Wild and Free bundles, and I was always struck by the way that you would be out in nature, and there's so much to learn, so, if you had to boil it down, what wisdom would you have to share from what you've learned about the importance of getting our kids and ourselves outdoors into nature?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (13:36 - 16:49) Yeah, that's so funny, I love that you asked me that, because I like to tell people I was raised in the air conditioning, and so, there is no one who began motherhood further away from nature and being outdoors than me, like, and I can look back at those early days of like, I knew you could take your kids to the playground, and I did do that, but like what else would you do outside, you know, and people would be like, oh we went hiking on this trail, and I was like, where did you get on it, like where do you find a trailhead, like I mean this is back, like this is where I was coming from, and I was just like, and then what would we do, like we just walk, and do we talk about trees, I don't know any trees, I know Christmas trees are evergreens, you know, so, it was just like coming from this very like foundational place where I didn't know anything, but I believed, right, I believed, I somehow inherently believed when I read that being outdoors was important for children, so, I'm reading Charlotte Mason's work, and she's talking about nature study, I'm reading Last Child in the Woods by Louvre, and I'm hearing about this, he calls it a nature deficit disorder, and I'm reading all of these different kind of people who really respected childhood, and personhood, and really wanted the best for children, I'm reading a Christian perspective of the joy in connecting with God's creation, first and foremost, but also this idea of encouraging natural and authentic physical activity, running, climbing, balancing, exploring, developing coordination, and confidence, and the mental health components, you know, reducing stress, and improving mood, and not just for the kids, but my friend from A Thousand Hours Outside, she talks about how the first time she like took her kids out for the whole day, it was for her, because she was going crazy with these all these little kids, and the house, and the bags, and the diaper bag, and the snacks, and she didn't know what else to do, so, she just went outside, and how healing that was, and therapeutic that was for all of them, the idea of curiosity, of fueling curiosity, and creativity, I've never seen my kids come up with the most, I mean, they come up with imaginative things in our house, but outside, the, oh my goodness, the things they come up with, the things they create, and make, and the storytelling that comes out of that, and I think the family bonds, our experiences, it's another way of memory making, I mean, we make memories when we go see plays, and musicals, and travel as well, so, it's not the only way, but it's a strong way of that shared outdoor adventures, so, like a couple weeks ago, we were all whitewater rafting, it's funny, like a lot of funny things happen when you're out there doing crazy stuff, and so, we have a lot of laughter, and we have a lot of inside jokes that come from our time together, so, I think that all of those, it's not just one thing, it's one of those rare things where there are all the pros, and there really are no cons, and so, I intentionally embrace that for my family, even though it's everything that I didn't have growing up.   Laura Dugger: (16:50 - 17:41) Wow, that is so interesting, I love how books have really inspired you to make changes that have benefited your entire family, and I'm thinking back years ago when I was in grad school, studying marriage and family therapy, there was this book that we read, Letters to a Young Therapist, I believe the author is Mary Pipher, and she said something that I found to be very true in my life, she said, from childhood when we all look back, our memories typically boil down to three categories, one is family dinners around the table, the second is traveling with our family, and the third is anytime we were outdoors, and so, I'm wondering that legacy that you're giving your kids, they're going to have an abundance of memories in all three of those buckets.   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (17:42 - 18:29) Yeah, I love that, and I had never read that, it's making me want to go and read her work, but I can't agree more, I mean that's what I've seen anecdotally, at least in my family, and it's definitely been the case for us, I can totally see that, the other thing I love about outdoors too is it's free, you know, so, there have, we've had times of plenty and times of not quite enough financially throughout our journey, due to layoffs, and you know, recessions, and all these different things, but that has been one thing that the travel hasn't always been as consistent as we wanted, but the nature, the time outside has always been accessible, even during COVID, that was accessible to us, so, I love it for that too, but yeah, that's really cool.   Laura Dugger: (18:29 - 18:41) Absolutely, okay, so, you started with, you were getting some inspiration from different books and speakers, but then when did you actually implement this? Do you remember how old your kids were?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (18:42 - 20:11) Right away, so, my oldest was like four, five years old, and we started going outside, now again, we had always been going to the park, so, they had been spending a lot of time outside, but I will say like that's like a very, you know, man-made structures, and you know, I can't think of it, like very cultivated space, so, we weren't spending time in uncultivated space until around there, so, maybe a four-year-old, two-year-old, and infant, and I know they started growing up in that way, and I had kids in an ergo on the back, and I remember hiking with a kid in an ergo on the front, and then snapped another one on the back, and you know, these are memories I have of being outdoors thoroughly by the time the boys were coming along, and I remember the story where we were at a creek, and I looked up for a moment, and just sheer panic that my little boy was gone, he wasn't in my eyesight anymore, and the girls were playing there, and I'm like, you know, and I look, and look, and look, and there's nothing, and no one, and all I can think you sees in the water, and I wasn't paying attention, and my heart's racing, and I'm like, girls, where's your brother? And my daughter says, mommy, he's sleeping on your back. And I'm like, oh my gosh, I just think, like, I was so tired during those years, and I just remember, I would just think, let's just go outside, and some days that's just the most I could come up with, but yeah, I was freaking out, and the little boy was sleeping on my back.   Laura Dugger: (20:12 - 21:50) And now a brief message from our sponsor.   Sam Leman Chevrolet in Eureka has been owned and operated by the Burchie family for over 25 years. A lot has changed in the car business since Sam and Stephen's grandfather, Sam Leman, opened his first Chevrolet dealership over 55 years ago.   If you visit their dealership today though, you'll find that not everything has changed. They still operate their dealership like their grandfather did, with honesty and integrity. Sam and Stephen understand that you have many different choices in where you buy or service your vehicle. This is why they do everything they can to make the car buying process as easy and hassle-free as possible. They are thankful for the many lasting friendships that began with a simple welcome to Sam Leman's. Their customers keep coming back because they experience something different.   I've known Sam and Stephen and their wives my entire life, and I can vouch for their character and integrity, which makes it easy to highly recommend you check them out today. Your car buying process doesn't have to be something you dread, so, come see for yourself at Sam Leman Chevrolet in Eureka. Sam and Stephen would love to see you, and they appreciate your business. Learn more at their website, LehmanEureka.com, or visit them on Facebook by searching for Sam Leman Eureka. You can also call them at 309-467-2351. Thanks for your sponsorship.   I'm wondering too, so, when you began, what did you start with? What did you do outside?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (21:51 - 24:13) So, we started with walking, and I also was very verbal about my, what I felt were my inadequacies with friends, and that's why, you know, I can't overemphasize the, I haven't brought that up yet, but the idea of community. You don't need a hundred friends, just a few people who either are doing the same thing as you, have done it, or know you personally so well. But I had a friend who was like this outdoor enthusiast, and I always admired her for that, and she'd be like, oh, I went to the hydrangeas, they're coming out today, and they're gonna bloom for four days, and you know, like, and she would be like, oh, do you want some wild blueberries? And I'd be looking at her with side eye, like, girl, I only eat blueberries from Publix, because how do I know that you know what you're doing? You know, those could be poisonous berries you identified wrong. So, we had this kind of ongoing thing, I just asked her, I was like, hey, could we go outside with you guys sometimes? And she was like, of course. So, our first hike was with her and her kids, and she showed me how to go outside and do nothing. Like, we didn't do anything, we just walked. And the kids let us, you know, they would stop and ponder things and ask questions, which she knew the answers to, but wouldn't answer. So, she was like, well, what do you think? Or that's something cool we can investigate, or whatever. So, I realized, wow, here's this expert naturalist who's not even using her expertise. I don't have any expertise, so I could do the same thing. Well, what do you think about that? So, the kids let us, we stopped when they stopped, we kept going when they kept going. We had plenty of water and snacks, which she had told me, which was important. And that was my first thing. It was a hike. And after that, I only went back to that place by myself with my kids without her, because that was the only trail I knew. I knew where to park and where to go, and I felt confident. And then lo and behold, I run into Charlotte Mason's work, where she talks about returning to the same place throughout the year, and having your kids compare what's happening their season to season. And so, different rationale for why I was doing that. But then I was like, look, there's beauty, even in the simplicity of me not knowing what else to do. So, that's kind of how we got into it. And then I started having more experience and going out and being more adventurous further away from home with my kids.   Laura Dugger: (24:14 - 24:24) Okay, so, then what other ways has it evolved? You mentioned whitewater rafting. So, you've got teens now. What does your time outdoors look like in this phase?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (24:25 - 26:02) So, lots of camping. So, you know, Memorial Day weekend, you know, we were camping in yurts with friends. This past weekend, we camped, we had a big Juneteenth celebration, and then we went camping for Juneteenth weekend. And so, I would say that kayaking, paddle boards, we have paddle boards, we take out fishing, I hate fishing personally, don't like it at all. But two of my kids enjoy fishing. So, I'm there for that. I'll just bring a book or whatever, because it's quite boring to me, but they love it. So, we moved. I mean, how much of a commitment is that we moved to a different house, when we were able to have our whole property is forest floor. So, it's completely shaded and intertwined with trees and plants and a kind of wild scape. And across the road is a lake where the boys can fish and I can call their names for lunch and they can hear me now. I have to yell it loud. It's kind of country. Other people probably like what is going on? I'm like, you know, but they can hear me right there. And so, the creek and just really everything. A lot, a lot of hiking, I will say we live near a mountain and we're in Georgia. So, the North Georgia mountains are not far from us. We have Appalachia or Appalachia, as my friend said, I mispronounce it. And yeah, there's nothing that isn't my one of my first dates with Scott was whitewater rafting. So, we've always kind of embraced that.   Laura Dugger: (26:03 - 26:37) Oh, that's a special way to tie in a married couple memory with your kids and get to pass that along. And water and mountains, those things are, they never get old. But I've heard others even say like, you don't have to take stuff other than water and snacks, like you mentioned, to go outside. But I like the practical tips that sometimes people take art supplies, and they can nature journal or a book to read aloud. Do you have any other practical tips like that, that you would encourage if somebody wanted to get started with this lifestyle?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (26:38 - 28:47) Yeah, I would say, um, we, okay, the best thing I can say is to just try it like I think that oftentimes I know my I'm like this, you want to try to be an expert at something before you actually put it into practice. And the point is, like, we're looking at someone's work or something that they're doing after years that they've been in practice. And then we're expecting to do that from the very beginning. And until we get there, we don't want to do it. So, for example, nature study, nature journaling, I always admired nature journaling. But when you look at people's nature journals that they people who are willing to share, there's usually a reason they're willing to share theirs because it looks beautiful. And mine didn't also look beautiful. But I was still willing to give it a try. And I love that. And I love my kids, what they've worked on. And I cherish all of our early beginning sketches. And quite honestly, I'm still not great. But I think having tools like watercolor pens and water pens where we can do watercolor on the go. And we've done many pictures out by the side of the creek on picnic blankets, especially like my older children while younger people are like, What do I do with these little ones like water, you know, like they love that splashing, making sandcastles and things while I'm painting or doing things watercolors with the with the older ones. And were they museum worthy? No. But there was a lot of enjoyment involved in a skill-based learning. So, I think asking questions and inquiry, using pictures, sure and painting, but also keeping track of things the the date that our cherry blossoms bloom, and our white cherry blossom blooms before the pink one every year and keeping track of that or paying trying to map all of the vegetation in our yard like we are, you know, know which trees what they're called where they come from that takes time. And those are things we've done. It's not like we're only just sitting there barefoot grounding ourselves and forest bathing. You know, we're out there learning as well. And I think that, you know, both are beautiful ways to enter into that.   Laura Dugger: (28:48 - 29:34) I love it. There's so many benefits. And you even mention grounding that helps so much going barefoot with inflammation and different body systems that are reset even by getting out and getting early morning light and the serotonin that's produced that turns into melatonin at night. So, we're happier in the day and sleepier at night, resetting systems in our eyes and like healing our body in different ways to an even how much better outdoor air is for us than indoor air. The benefits just go on and on. So, would you have any to add that either your family has experienced personally, or you've learned about just benefits of getting outdoors?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (29:34 - 31:29) Yeah, I think that one, even, you know, all the things you said, yes, and also the mental clarity. And that's why I don't like being time outdoors, being tied to a negative consequence for academic related behavior. So, the house across the road from ours, you know, I could say ironically, or just be like, God chose to gift us. It's a homeschooling family. They moved in a couple years ago, and they have some kids are some of our kids are similar ages. And our boys are just outside all the time together hours and hours and hours every single day. And I see the difference on days where the weather doesn't permit it or where one family or the other, you know, isn't available. There's a difference in terms of clarity and the work that's happening at the lesson table as well. And this came up, you know, my nephew, you know, they're not homeschooled, and his parents took him on a trip, which caused him to miss a day of school. And he missed an assignment that day, he didn't turn it in. And so, the school then when he got back to school punished him by keeping him indoors for recess. And I was helping, you know, my family craft a note that talks about two things. One, they punished a child for a decision the parents made. And that is grossly unfair, they should be talking to the parents about not missing school, if that's the important thing. And the second thing is, you took away the very thing that allows these children to have what they need to sit quietly and take in, you know, that that's not, that's not how you that's not an appropriate consequence. So, anyway, I feel that the mental clarity beyond the things I would have named the same things you already said, it would be the only other thing that I would bring in and why time outside actually helps us to achieve deeper and broader and more expansive learning when we are inside.   Laura Dugger: (31:29 - 31:54) That's good. And I love how you keep mentioning the piece of community that that's the best way to do this. So, regardless of somebody homeschools, or they don't, how can all of us actually prioritize this? And what's a good, healthy goal for getting started, even as specific as how much time outdoors, how many outdoors or how many days a week should we be outdoors?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (31:55 - 33:01) Yeah, that's, it's so different for every family, I think that you should go just past the point of comfort, you know, for most of us. So, if the point of comfort for you is like 30 minutes a week, then you would start out like aim for an hour a week, you know, 20 minutes, three days, if you're already outside for, you know, 10 hours, a couple hours each day, you know, I would say, maybe shake it up with what you're doing and see what would it be like to go on a really long outdoor excursion on a Saturday, or to take a day off or something like that. So, I don't want to say an exact number, because we're all entering in at a different place. For me, if someone had told me to spend eight hours outside with my kids, when I was first starting, and I'm used to going to playground for 20 minutes, that would have been overwhelming. And I would have been like; there's no way I'm ever gonna do it. So, I think like, just taking it, like, where do I feel most comfortable? And how can I push myself just past that point would be a great place to start and kind of a nice place to always stay? Like, what's the next thing that we can do to lean further into this?   Laura Dugger: (33:02 - 33:15) That's really good, very wise counsel. And Amber, you've mentioned that your family loves to travel. So, will you share any adventures that you've had as a family with world schooling?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (33:16 - 36:20) So, our goal, and it's just a fun thing, you know, I don't know if we'll totally do it, but I think we will, is to have children. So, for us, world schooling is where we're not on vacation, but we're actually deeply immersed in a learning stance in another country, another part of the world. And we're trying to do that on every continent, except Antarctica, before my oldest graduates. So, we have two continents left, we are going to be going to Asia in the fall. So, we'll be taking that one off of our list and for that particular feat. And then her senior year, we'll do Australia and hop over to New Zealand. That's the plan, if it's God's will for us to do that, that's what we would like to do, and that will complete our journey. And then we'll keep traveling, but that was just kind of a fun thing to help lead us, because there are so many places in the world to go, like how do you know? And so, that kind of helped us know, well, let's do this continent, let's do that continent. So, we took our first trip, we spent three months in South America, most of it spent in Bolivia. And I can tell you exactly the kids' ages, because my youngest turned two in Bolivia. So, they were two, four, six, and then one turned eight there. And so, that was, you know, diapers, I had a baby in diapers, a little one in diapers and still nursing when we went on our first trip. And I've never regretted that. People have said, why would you take kids so young? You know, they're not going to remember. And I think a couple thoughts. One, you'd be surprised, they do remember. They may not remember this artifact in some museum, but that's not what we spend most of our time doing. But they remember the people. And we've kept in touch with a lot of the people that we've met in these different countries. And we've even had visitors in our home, staying in our basement apartment that we met abroad. So, they do remember. They remember how things feel and taste more than they remember exactly, like historical markers and things like that. Also, I kind of compare it to like breastfeeding and nursing, like my kids, except for one little boy who held on way too long, but they don't remember that. But I believed that it was something good for them that was forming. It was helping to form who they were, not so much who they were personality wise, but their bodies as they were growing. And so, sometimes we do things that are foundational to our children's development, even if they don't have a conscious and direct memory of that thing. And that's how I see world travel. So, we've been to Europe, and we were in Greece when COVID hit. We were in the middle of a big trip there. So, we had the whole struggle to get back to the United States. We've been to West Africa, most spent in Ghana, England, France. We're going to Ethiopia this year. So, yeah, that's kind of, that's our thing.   Laura Dugger: (36:20 - 37:04) Wow. And those memories are incredible. Even let's say your children forget some of this, or if they're too young to remember all of it, you remember this and you get to share those stories with them and pass that along. I can't even imagine all of the learning that takes place from being immersed in those other cultures. But you also mentioned welcoming people into your basement apartment. So, you sound hospitable as a family. What does that actually look like? And I'm kind of going to throw two questions at you. What does that actually look like? And then both for world schooling and hospitality, what are tips for ways we can replicate that as well?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (37:06 - 39:52) So, one thing that's important to me to always share about world schooling, I have a whole chapter about our world schooling adventures in my first book, but one important thing that I call out there is Eli Gerzen. He's the guy who came up with the word world schooling. And he says, you know, we don't even need a passport to do it. That world schooling is really learning from the world around you. It could be your local library. It could be the internet. It could be your neighbors. And so, while I use this more global term of world schooling, because that's just what we call it in our family, the truth of the matter is it's a way of seeing the world and seeing all the opportunity to make connections right where you're sitting. And people are like, oh, you guys have so much money. I can't do that. First of all, we don't have so much money. Like, for instance, we have one car, right? So, there are sacrifices that we make that other people may choose to spend their money in a different way. So, we definitely don't have a ton of money. But more importantly, I'm thinking, yeah, you're saying that you don't have money, but how much have you explored your county? Like, what do you know about the history of your county? And have you been to your local historical society? And have you really, you know, got in? Have you been to an old the oldest cemetery within driving distance of your home? Have you gotten a tour of it to hear the stories of who's there? Like, you can have that same inquiry and curiosity without ever leaving. So, I'll say that first. And in terms of the hospitality part, it's like an it's an intention, right? You have to like, decide that you're going to do that, because it's so much easier not to have people at first view, like, oh, my house is not clean, and blah, blah, blah. And people don't just stop by the way they used to stop by, like my grandparents' house, it was so fun staying there in the summer, because people just folks just came in and out all day, just they come calling is what they call it, they come calling. And even when we read Jane Austin, people leaving the call guard, you know, when they came to visit, and you weren't there, like, there was this idea that you didn't have to have an appointment. And now you do, you have to let someone know before you're coming. So, it's a choice to be vulnerable, if you want to be hospitable in that way that people will see your, you know, dirty bones of your house. And you know that you're not always presenting this, like really sanitized version of your family and your family life. And so, I think that's intentional decision to say it's more important to us to be with other people and let them in than it is for us to always sanitize everything before they get here. And I don't mean sanitizes and clean the house that too, but I mean sanitizes and everyone's behaving the way that I want them to behave in front of people and all of that as well.   Laura Dugger: (39:53 - 41:05) When was the first time you listened to an episode of The Savvy Sauce? How did you hear about our podcast? Did a friend share it with you? Will you be willing to be that friend now and text five other friends or post on your socials anything about The Savvy Sauce that you love? If you share your favorite episodes, that is how we continue to expand our reach and get the good news of Jesus Christ in more ears across the world. So, we need your help.   Another way to help us grow is to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts. Each of these suggestions will cost you less than a minute, but it will be a great benefit to us. Thank you so much for being willing to be generous with your time and share. We appreciate you.   Well, and I think it is a biblical command for all of us and it does bless the person or the people that we are hosting, but there are also rewards for us in the process. So, if you even just could think of one reward of a way that this hospitality has blessed your family, what would you say?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (41:07 - 41:55) Well, I would say John chapter five, it says, you know, this verse we've all heard, "I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit apart from me, you can do nothing." So, you know, when we talk about hospitality, we spend a lot of time talking about what my family is doing for other people. But also, that means that my family is constantly in contact with other believers and other people who are helping us with our faith to helping us to remain connected to Jesus. And without that connection, we know that there's nothing that we can do, nothing of any spiritual significance. So, while I'm inviting those people into our lives, it also ensures that my family is not alone in what we're trying to do in our faith. So, like, that's one of a very easy benefit, I can say right off the top.   Laura Dugger: (41:56 - 42:18) Then that one is truly invaluable for our children to get to witness the way other people live out their faith, and it impacts each of us. But I'm also curious, how do you manage your time so that you can be a content creator, and you can homeschool and travel and cultivate these relationships?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (42:20 - 46:08) So, first, let me say that it's not always easy. And there are seasons where I feel like I'm doing a really good job with that. And there are seasons where I feel like I'm not doing a good job. I always prioritize my family first. And so, during the seasons where I feel like I'm not doing a good job, it's very public. People can see I did not post on Instagram for a month, or I'm not speaking as much. They're finding it harder to find opportunities to hear me speak, or I have a long lull before books are published. Those are times where I've turned inward towards my family, where I felt like I didn't have the bandwidth for everything. And so, that's something I have to deal with on a constant basis, because I know that my business or my ministry is not as rich and robust as it could be. I have ideas for days. I have ideas and the ability to bring them to fruition. But I'm not willing to sacrifice the time that it takes to do those things in this season. Because even though I don't have little kids, I definitely have more time than I did when I had little kids. It's not even just time; it's more mind clarity as well. But I don't have as much time as people with little kids would think, because I want to be fully present, even for my teens. When they want to talk to me, I want to be talkable too. I want to be available to them. And we're going to places. We're doing things. They're busy. I'm busy. And I'm trying to prepare them for young adulthood. And that's just as time-consuming as trying to prepare my young children for the next stage of their development. So, I guess it's so messy. Oh my gosh, it's messy. It's chaotic. It's a little bit crazy. But in the center of it all, I really appreciate the opportunities I do have to do the things that help refuel, help me refuel. So, I'm a writer. So, writing isn't just about creating a book. It's that I get to create a book, but really it's about the process and how cathartic it is for me to sit in silence and wonder about things and be able to write them out. And oh, lo and behold, there's a publisher who is interested in publishing those things. But the real work for me is in the process of writing. Then when I come home from a coffee shop or I emerge from my room, I come back more enthusiastic about what it is we're working on and what we're doing. The other thing that I would share is that I don't do all of that stuff by myself. So, things that people don't, just like I say, I have one car and we travel the world, people are like, oh, okay, this is not what I thought. My husband does all the laundry, every piece of laundry in this house that the teens do their own, but all the laundry that's done, he does and has done for over a decade. So, that's a thing I have to say, because you might be picturing that I'm doing all of those things. Or when I wrote one of my books, I was struggling and Scott was like, how can I help you? And he was like, what if we get help to come in with the kids like a nanny or something a few hours a week? I'm like, no, that's the last thing I want somebody to touch. So, he's like, well, what is it? So, we hired a chef, and she would prepare all of our dinners according to like what I, how I like my family to eat and lots of whole foods and good things. And she would drop them off at our house. It was very expensive, but I used part of the money from the advance from the publisher to pay for that so that I could write the book. So, I think those are things that a lot of times people don't talk about, but I have support in place. I'm not super woman any more than anyone else.   Laura Dugger: (46:08 - 46:49) Oh, I appreciate that real picture and those creative ideas because as mothers, we don't just make goals for ourselves. Like you said, we have these dreams and ideas that we could put into practice, but we consider our relationships as well and how it will impact everyone. So, I love hearing practically how that plays out for you and the trade-offs that you've chosen to make. And I know that you and I also share a passion for reading aloud. So, if we could get really practical for a moment, what are some of your most recommended read aloud for families from a variety of age groups?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (46:50 - 53:05) Well, I'm always ready for that question, but I have to say, it's almost asking me, which of my children are my favorite? It's so hard in so many ways, but for younger elementary, I picked three books that I think kind of help show how expansive I feel like I want my children's reading life to be. So, this book is called Indigo Dreaming, and it's a book about two girls, one's in North America and another one we can believe is off the coast of Africa. And they're both doing what they do in their own homes. And it's beautifully illustrated also, but they're both doing what they do in their own homes while wondering, is there another little girl in this world doing what I do, liking what I like? Well, indeed there is. And it's poetic and it has soft paintings. It's just stunning. And then another one is called The Magic Doll. It's a children's book inspired by African art. And in this book, the mother desperately wants to have a child, but she's dealing with infertility, and she turns to the use of an infertility doll. And what would I say about that? My family doesn't believe that, but it's a book that I read with my children because we were going to visit this culture. And I wanted to explain to them how we can respect something and learn about it even without adopting it. And that you can understand the yearning of a mother's heart to hold a child in her hand and the desperation that that could bring about. And I wanted them to know that we would see fertility dolls there and what they meant and things like that. And it's also beautifully illustrated, which is important to me. And then this one's just a fun book. It's called I Had a Favorite Dress, but as the dress starts getting too small, she cuts it and turns it into a skirt. And then it gets turned into this. And then the little, small piece gets turned into some socks. And then it's just a little scarf and snip, snip, sew, sew, pretty hair bow. And so, the same piece of fabric, this favorite dress she had, every time she can't use it in that way anymore, it gets moved and shifted. Into something else. And this book reminds me to just, you know, sometimes we share heavier topics with our children, even beautiful topics, but sometimes it's just joy. Like that's the whole purpose of the book is to smile and have fun. And I'll move more quickly for the older elementary books. I have this book called Schomburg. It's a nonfiction book about Arturo Schomburg and the man who built a library, which is now housed. His home library is now housed as part of the collection of the public library system in New York. And he collected books about all types of black and brown people. And it was considered one of the foremost library collections. So, as a book lover, I love that story. This one's called Heart and Soul. It's the story of America and African Americans with stunning illustrations by Kadir Nelson. So, I love visual art. I always say my family, we can't afford to buy the most exquisite art for our walls, but we have an exquisite art collection through our picture books that I've collected. And then the last one is for that group is John Henry by Julius Lester and Jerry Pinkney illustrations. So, those are two powerhouses of African American author and illustrator. Both have passed. And it is the tall tale of John Henry told in a way that you've never seen before. For older kids, like middle schoolers, I love this one Big Open Sky because it's about some black exodusters who are moving west. And it goes so well for families who love Little House on the Prairie. But, you know, Little House on the Prairie, in some ways, there's some instances that are a little disrespectful to Native Americans and black people. And this is like a redemptive story, not instead of but alongside of it to say that there were black people that were also moving westward and what was their journey. And it's written in verse, like, oh, my gosh, I can't even tell you enough about that. This book, The Angel Orphan, my friend Leah Bowden wrote this book, and it's the story of Charlotte Mason. So, in chapter book form. So, there's also a picture book that someone wrote, but this is a beautiful story about Charlotte Mason. And my family's all-time favorite on my kids read aloud is The Winged Feather Saga by Andrew Peterson. And that whole series, oh, my goodness, that cemented so much of our family lexicon, because it's filled with like made up words. And it I mean, we have jokes and talks and sayings for days coming out of that series. For our older teenagers, um, or even early elementary, early middle school and early teenage years, the Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is just like a such a classic, Mildred D. Taylor that many of us read. But she also wrote a young adult version where Cassie is entering young adulthood. So, different age audiences, but same author. And a lot of people haven't heard of the other book All the Days Past, All the Days to Come. So, for high school, I love that. And then I threw a couple things in for mama. I'm an epic story of called Homegoing about two sisters and the different paths their lives take during a time I'm part of it is told in Africa and part of its told in the United States. And the last book I have is this memoir, A Black Mother's Garden. It's called Soil. And she uses her actual real garden at her home to kind of give us this idea of life. And it's, it's, you know, it's, it's hard to explain, but it's her it's part memoir, part gardening, like learning and talking about the plants, but also how all of that can turn into kind of like the soil of your life and the people being plants, and she really focuses on wildflowers. So, it's a stunningly, like poignant and beautiful memoir. So, those are my favorite, you know, and now if you ask me tomorrow, you're going to get a different stack.   Laura Dugger: (53:07 - 53:27) I love it. What a gift to get to see all of those you and I share some of those favorites, and you've introduced me to some new ones. So, I'm very grateful and hope everybody listening feels the same. But speaking of books, you've authored more than one. But will you tell us about your most recent release entitled Soul School?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (53:28 - 55:58) Yeah, so, Soul School is it's Soul School: Taking Kids on a Joy Filled Journey Through the Heart of Black American Culture. And I know it's so hard with those. But it is a book of books. So, people who have enjoyed Honey for a Child's Heart, or The Read-Aloud Family, those types of books, which I have adored, and I have all of them, and I've highlighted them or, or Give Your Child the World is another one, highlighted them and dog eared them and have used them to check out books for the library for my children for many, many years. And, and at the same time, I was always very, you know, on my heart that the books that I spend a lot of time reading with my children that I choose and I select are never really included in most of those books.   And there was the season, you know, I'm like, frustrated, you know, I'm mad. I'm like, why? Why are they putting these books in here? And then the more I thought about it, I was like, the most you can ask for a mother to do when she's sharing these books, when it's coming from that is what she read with her children. So, am I going to be mad at her that she didn't read what I think she should read? No, do I wish that it had been more expansive? Sure, I do. But how many of us wouldn't go back and do something differently if knowing what we know today or whatever. So, I wrote a companion like the I see not to replace those books. But this book is filled with African American and black diasporic children's literature starting from preschool all the way through high school.   The first part of the book, I talk about what I'm looking for specifically in books about black American culture, and why those things are important. So, the first few chapters, first five chapters are really teaching the teacher. And then the rest of the book, which makes up most of the book are really rich annotated book lists with descriptions why I chose the book discussion questions, project ideas, and something called second helpings. Like when you think of a big soul food dinner, you go through the line the first time and you fill your plate, but then you go back for second helpings of the things that taste the very best. So, if your child likes this book, then here are two second helpings that they also would probably enjoy. And you know, the book was years in the making, I read all 300 plus books in there from cover to cover. And that's kind of my contribution to raising our children.   Laura Dugger: (56:00 - 56:40) Wow, I mean, it is a stunning piece of work. And there's so much for your family, but also for all of us. So, I think of being one of your kids, what a treasure that their mom read 300 books and put this together. But for all of us, I love books on books. And like you said, we can use it to go to the library or then once we read those and find which other ones we love, we can add it to our home collection. So, thank you for that powerhouse of work. And Amber, there's still so much more that you could share with us. Where can we go after this conversation to connect with you or to learn more?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (56:42 - 56:56) Go to heritagemom.com. And there you'll find all of my books and years' worth of blog posts and book recommendations and other things. My Instagram is @heritagemomblog and the same at Facebook.   Laura Dugger: (56:56 - 57:12) Wonderful. Okay, we will add those links to the show notes for today's episode. And you may be familiar that we're called The Savvy Sauce because savvy is synonymous with practical knowledge. And so, as my final question for you today, Amber, what is your savvy sauce?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (57:12 - 57:50) Oh, this is such a great question. I love this part of your podcast. I would say that my savvy sauce is learning to be a really great listener. Like if there's nothing else, then that's listening to my husband and the things of his heart and listening to my children and my neighbors and my friends.   But also, people I don't know, people in other places. And also, people I disagree with and being willing to be quiet and listen and take what I can from what they're sharing as well. So, that is, I think my savvy sauce is being an introspective listener.   Laura Dugger: (57:50 – 58:13) That is well said. You are such an inspiring and creative soul. And I have thoroughly enjoyed this chat. And I know I've been hearing you speak on other podcasts and reading your work for years. So, this was such a treat to get to connect with you today. And I just want to say thank you for being my guest.   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (58:14 - 58:16) Thank you so much for having me.   Laura Dugger: (58:16 - 1:01:59) One more thing before you go. Have you heard the term gospel before?   It simply means good news. And I want to share the best news with you.   But it starts with the bad news.   Every single one of us were born sinners, but Christ desires to rescue us from our sin, which is something we cannot do for ourselves.   This means there is absolutely no chance we can make it to heaven on our own.   So, for you and for me, it means we deserve death, and we can never pay back the sacrifice we owe to be saved.   We need a Savior. But God loved us so much, he made a way for his only son to willingly die in our place as the perfect substitute.   This gives us hope of life forever in right relationship with him. That is good news. Jesus lived the perfect life we could never live and died in our place for our sin.   This was God's plan to make a way to reconcile with us so that God can look at us and see Jesus.   We can be covered and justified through the work Jesus finished if we choose to receive what He has done for us.   Romans 10:9 says, “That if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”   So, would you pray with me now?   Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to take our place.   I pray someone today right now is touched and chooses to turn their life over to you. Will you clearly guide them and help them take their next step in faith to declare you as Lord of their life?   We trust you to work and change lives now for eternity. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. If you prayed that prayer, you are declaring him for me, so me for him.   You get the opportunity to live your life for him.   And at this podcast, we're called The Savvy Sauce for a reason.   We want to give you practical tools to implement the knowledge you have learned. So, you ready to get started?   First, tell someone. Say it out loud. Get a Bible.   The first day I made this decision, my parents took me to Barnes & Noble and let me choose my own Bible.   I selected the Quest NIV Bible, and I love it. You can start by reading the book of John. Also, get connected locally, which just means tell someone who's a part of a church in your community that you made a decision to follow Christ.   I'm assuming they will be thrilled to talk with you about further steps, such as going to church and getting connected to other believers to encourage you.   We want to celebrate with you too, so feel free to leave a comment for us here if you did make a decision to follow Christ.   We also have show notes including where you can read scripture that describes this process. And finally, be encouraged.   Luke 15:10 says, “In the same way I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   The heavens are praising with you for your decision today.   And if you've already received this good news, I pray you have someone to share it with. You are loved and I look forward to meeting you here next time.

3. Learning Tradecraft on the Job: Heidi August's Rise from Clerk to Operative Liza Mundy Book: The Sisterhood: The Secret History of Women at the CIA Heidi August proved her competence in Africa, learning tradecraft such as making dead drops. While working in Europe for David Whipple—an eccentric and anti-feminist mentor—she continued to develop her logistical skills, often running operations and handling people being exfiltrated from Soviet-occupied countries. Although Whipple preached against "women's lib," he recognized Heidi's capabilities. Unlike male case officers (the "fighter pilots of the CIA") who received prestigious training at "the farm," Heidi, hired as a clerk, learned her skills on the job. She eventually demonstrated the skills of a recruiter when she initiated a recruitment against Whipple's initial rejection, targeting a woman clerk from another country. She used elicitation skills to identify the target's vulnerability—a desire for revenge against her bosses—and successfully obtained critical communications technology, cementing her reputation as a capable officer.