Podcasts about Africa

In 1986, South African businessman Rohan Vos was sitting in the bath when he decided to pursue his passion and launch a vintage railway business. However, the venture nearly bankrupted him, and he was forced to sell his family home. But, improved economic conditions in the 1990s and a chance encounter with a travel agent in London saved the business. Rovos Rail is now regarded as one of the most luxurious trains in the world, and carries passengers all over the southern half of Africa. Rohan Vos looks back on the story with Ben Henderson.Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more. Recent episodes explore everything from the death of Adolf Hitler, the first spacewalk and the making of the movie Jaws, to celebrity tortoise Lonesome George, the Kobe earthquake and the invention of superglue. We look at the lives of some of the most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities in history, including: Eva Peron – Argentina's Evita; President Ronald Reagan and his famous ‘tear down this wall' speech; Thomas Keneally on why he wrote Schindler's List; and Jacques Derrida, France's ‘rock star' philosopher. You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the civil rights swimming protest; the disastrous D-Day rehearsal; and the death of one of the world's oldest languages.(Photo: Rohan Vos. Credit: David Lefranc/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

Once-substantial Jewish enclaves of Morocco, Algeria and other North Africa states have dwindled steadily since World War II, mostly through migration to Israel. In sub-Saharan Africa, lesser known Jewish communities provide strikingly different narratives. Guided by ethnomusicologist and Rabbi Jeffrey A. Summit of Tufts University, this program focuses on the history and music of a small but robust community of Jewish converts in Uganda, the Abayudaya. Summit's own recordings include the Abayudaya singing choral music, modified folkloric songs accompanied by local drums and harps, such as the enchanting adungu, and also ventures into pop music bring this remarkable story vividly to life. This program will also introduce history and music from a younger community of practicing Jews in Ghana. APWW #544 Produced by Banning Eyre.

How many hours a day do you spend on your smartphone? Smartphones have become essential to daily life - but concerns about overuse are growing. Research has linked smartphone addiction to depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Focus on Africa host, Nkechi Ogbonna, spoke to 27-year-old Dion Rapakgadi from Johannesburg about his past struggles with phone addiction, and to Kenyan musician Nviiri the Storyteller, who recently swapped his smartphone for a basic “dumb phone.” We also hear from Dr Ethel Obeng-Treve, a Clinical Psychologist from Ghana, who shares insights on how to have a healthier relationship with your smartphone. Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Carolyne Kiambo and Fana Weldye Senior Producer: Priya Sippy Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

As I've long noted, America—indeed, the entire first-world—is engaged in an existential war for survival.  The key weapon being used against us is biological and cultural in nature—to drown our high-IQ, high-trust, low-fraud, first-world cultures under hundreds of millions and billions of low-IQ, low-trust, high-fraud, third-world cultures. To conceal the nature of this biological and cultural warfare we are being propagandized to believe a profound lie—that all peoples across the globe are essentially identical and interchangeable widgets, that any Indian or Pakistani or Africa or Aboriginal can be plugged into a first-world nation in place of an American or Brit of German, and the recipient nation will be as innovative and productive and cohesive as if the swap had never occurred. 

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

Brent Bozell III, just confirmed in December 2025 as US Ambassador to South Africa, noted in his confirmation hearing that his major duties would be protecting Israel from criminal prosecution. It turns out that the white farmers narrative was merely a rallying cry for American defense of Israel. December 2025 also brought us confirmation that the narrative about Nigerian Christians and drug-infested Venezuela were also nothing more than propaganda campaigns on behalf of Israel, using the emotions and political views of Christians and Conservatives to justify war. Benjamin Netanyahu claims Iran is backing Venezuela and that despite his country being at the forefront of persecuting or outright killing Christians in Syria and Lebanon, among other places, he stands with the U.S. in protecting Christians in Nigeria. It is not a coincidence that Israel also became the first country to recognize a breakaway region of Somalia called Somaliland, the same day Nick Shirley released his Somalian fraud video in Minnesota. It is no coincidence that while millions in fraud were reportedly exposed for the first time, despite the story being a decade old, billions were approved with Israel for a fighter jet deal - the same week the pentagon also failed its eighth straight audit and yet kept its $1 budget for 2026. What the Nigeria, Venezuela, and Minnesota stories all have in common, besides Israeli propaganda, is the offsetting of Israeli criticism or Jewish supremacy with racial and religious divisions involving any other group, but specifically the Muslims. But what about drugs in Venezuela? The 2024 US DOJ-DEA National Drug Threat Assessment literally did not even mention Venezuela. But once again, Israel comes in to play, considering that Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico is not only Jewish, but is effectively facilitating cartel control of the country, which itself is funded and organized by Israel in part. What about Christians in Nigeria? Not only is the story half a century old, but according to the U.S. State Department and French Institute for Research in Africa there are possibly more Muslims being killed, while overall it is almost impossible to determine if religion has anything to do with the killings. *The is the FREE archive, which includes advertisements. If you want an ad-free experience, you can subscribe below underneath the show description.WEBSITEFREE ARCHIVE (w. ads)SUBSCRIPTION ARCHIVE-X / TWITTERFACEBOOKINSTAGRAMYOUTUBERUMBLE-BUY ME A COFFEECashApp: $rdgable PAYPAL: rdgable1991@gmail.comRyan's Books: https://thesecretteachings.info - EMAIL: rdgable@yahoo.com / rdgable1991@gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-secret-teachings--5328407/support.

New on Fringe Radio Network for 2026 is the latest offering from Chris White: Vine Abiders.Chris White is an American filmmaker, author, and podcaster known for his work in Christian theology, apologetics, and biblical studies.  He hosts the Bible Prophecy Talk podcast, focusing on end times news and theology and more recently, the Vine Abiders Podcast, in which he explores themes in Holiness, Wesleyan traditions and Early Church teachings. White directed the 2024 documentary film Once Saved Always Saved?, a thought-provoking examination of the doctrine of eternal security in Christianity. His broader contributions include missionary work in Africa, lecturing on topics like the occult, New Age beliefs, biblical prophecy and ancient astronaut theories.Notes:Join me for the first Vine Abiders episode 1, a livestream with Chris White, the producer of the documentary “Once Saved Always Saved?” Summary: In Matthew 5, Jesus makes it clear that anger is no small matter. He equates it with murder in the same way He equates lust with adultery.This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit https://vineabiders.substack.com/

Swiss police say dozens of people have died in a fire at the ski resort of Crans-Montana. They say more than 100 others were injured, many of them seriously. The fire broke out early in the morning in a bar packed with people celebrating the New Year. The cause is still under investigation, but the authorities don't think it was a terror attack. Also: New US travel restrictions have come into force for people from dozens of countries; more than half of them in Africa. New York City has its first Muslim and South Asian mayor as Zoran Mamdani was sworn in at midnight in the historic City Hall subway station, and how one village in China makes 80 per cent of all red lanterns for New Year celebrations. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Ballet, a centuries-old form of European dance, is flourishing in one of Africa's largest informal settlements. In Kibera, Kenya, we follow aspiring young dancers as they prepare for their biggest performance yet. Amid the pirouettes, jumps and lifts, Carolyne Kiambo discovers how ballet is helping these young Kenyans beyond the stage.

It's one of the greatest preventable mass deaths in modern history: around two people every minute of every day, day and night, week after week, soon to be year after year. Elon Musk has called USAID — the agency administering programs like George W. Bush's PEPFAR which have saved tens of millions of lives, most in Africa — “a criminal organization,” adding that it was, “Time for it to die.” Why is the world's richest man killing the world's poorest people?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Swiss police say dozens of people have died in a fire at the ski resort of Crans-Montana. More than a hundred others were injured, many seriously. The fire broke out early in the morning in a bar packed with people celebrating the New Year. We hear from the scene. Also in the programme: as the latest US visa bans and restrictions take effect in a large number of countries, mainly in Africa, we hear from the Nigerian government; plus what's behind the latest purges of China's top military officers?(IMAGE: Furniture pieces lie on the ground as an ambulance stands at the site of an explosion and fire at the "Le Constellation" bar, where several people died and others were injured after an explosion tore through a crowded New Year's Eve party, according to Swiss police, in the upscale ski resort of Crans-Montana in southwestern Switzerland, January 1, 2026, in this screen grab obtained from video / CREDIT: Valais Canton Police/Handout via REUTERS)

In the last two years, National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek traversed the Chinese countryside, marched along the Korean Demilitarized Zone and fended off grizzly bears in Alaska. Now, his expedition from Africa to the tip of South America crosses into the Western Hemisphere. Stephanie Sy reports on Salopek's adventures to date. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Phil Massaro shares some insights on the 404 Jeffery in this podcast interview, focusing on the history of the cartridge, its performance specifications, and some fascinating stories about his hunts equipped with the 404 on game like black bear, water buffalo, cape buffalo, and elephant. Sponsor: Join the Big Game Hunting Podcast tribe for the potential opportunity to have a future podcast guest answer one of your questions on the air along with access to all my bonus material at www.patreon.com/biggamehunter  Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true on a hunt in South Africa. We offer outstanding hunting safaris, simplified hunt logistics, assistance with many of the pain points associated with a hunt, and up front pricing with no extra fees. We just opened bookings for 2027 and still have a few spots remaining for 2026. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or email me at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com to learn more. Make sure to state that you're a podcast listener and I'll give you a special bonus! Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! Resources Follow Phil on Instagram @philmassaro Ep 74: Big Bore Rifles & Hunting Dangerous Game With Phil Massaro Ep 85: Phil Massaro On Hunting Plains Game In Africa Ep 157: Africa Hunting Expectations With Phil Massaro Ep 180: Double Rifles With Phil Massaro Ep 331: A Hair Raising Leopard Hunt In Zimbabwe  Ep 367: Auodad Hunting With Phil Massaro

Light heals at the deepest level. Red light therapy supercharges your cells, slashes inflammation, boosts energy production, and tackles everything from chronic pain to cancer support in ways that feel almost too good to be true. In this episode, my friend Jonathan Otto joins me to unpack the massive science behind photobiomodulation and why it's one of the most powerful tools for real healing. He shares clinical studies showing dramatic pain reduction, faster wound healing, hair regrowth, mood lifts, bone density gains, and even tumor shrinkage.  We talk about how red light drives ATP production, fixes cellular respiration, triggers stem cell activation, and helps the body detox heavy metals and toxins naturally. Jonathan explains why this therapy outperforms sunlight in key ways and how simple daily sessions create lasting changes across skin, brain, thyroid, joints, and more.   "If you go without oxygen for a few minutes, you're wrecked. And what red light is doing is it's correcting how your cells go through cellular respiration, which is the breathing of cells." ~ Jonathan Otto   In This Episode: 03:17 - Jonathan's background 05:55 - What is red light therapy 14:06 - Applications of red light therapy 23:13 - Red light therapy for healing and energy 26:12 - Improving mood with red light therapy 30:11 - Bone density improvements and sarcopenia reversal 36:58 - Red light therapy for pain relief 43:24 - Red light therapy for weight loss 50:07 - How red light therapy supports wound healing 54:24 - Red light therapy for cognitive function 1:00:09 - Jonathan's red light therapy products Products & Resources Mentioned: Puori Creatine+: Get 20% off at https://puori.com/wendy with code WENDY. Puori PW1 Whey Protein: Use code WENDY for 20% off at https://puori.com/wendy  Tru Energy Lip Peptide Treatment: Buy one get one free for listeners at https://trytruenergy.com/wendy3.  Organifi Collagen: Save 20% at https://organifi.com/myersdetox with code MYERSDETOX. Chef's Foundry P600 Cookware: Exclusive listener discount available at https://deals.chefsfoundry.com/black-friday-b?utm_term=MyersDetoxXmas  Heavy Metals Quiz: Take it at https://heavymetalsquiz.com  Jonathan's Red Light Devices: Use code MYERS25 or MYERS30 at https://myredlight.com . About Jonathan Otto: Jonathan Otto is an award-winning investigative medical journalist, filmmaker, and humanitarian whose docuseries, like Cancer Secrets and Autoimmune Secrets, have reached hundreds of millions worldwide. He collaborates with top holistic doctors and scientists to uncover natural regenerative solutions for chronic conditions while leading humanitarian work in Africa, fighting human trafficking and supporting sustainable development. Passionate about restoring health freedom, Jonathan now develops advanced red light therapy devices trusted by leading practitioners. Learn more at https://myredlight.com    Disclaimer The Myers Detox Podcast was created and hosted by Dr. Wendy Myers. This podcast is for information purposes only. Statements and views expressed on this podcast are not medical advice. This podcast, including Wendy Myers and the producers, disclaims responsibility for any possible adverse effects from using the information contained herein. The opinions of guests are their own, and this podcast does not endorse or accept responsibility for statements made by guests. This podcast does not make any representations or warranties about guests' qualifications or credibility. Individuals on this podcast may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to herein. If you think you have a medical problem, consult a licensed physician.

In this episode, the host interviews Brad Allen, an Amazon seller and entrepreneur, about his journey from eBay and retail arbitrage to building a successful Amazon FBA business. Brad shares how he sourced high-end European skincare products, overcame a major account suspension and $400,000 debt, and transitioned to private label. He highlights the importance of active business management, cash flow planning, and creativity. The episode concludes with actionable advice for Amazon sellers: stay hands-on, manage inventory and finances wisely, and innovate to stand out in the marketplace.Chapters:Introduction and Account Suspension (00:00:00)Brad is introduced; discusses his Amazon account suspension and overcoming $400K in debt.Early E-commerce Journey (00:00:33)Brad shares his start with eBay in childhood, selling household items, and his early exposure to e-commerce.Discovering Amazon FBA (00:01:11)Learns about Amazon FBA in 2012, transitions from eBay, and begins retail arbitrage with toys and other products.Corporate Career and Realization (00:02:19)Describes unfulfilling corporate jobs, getting fired, and joining a friend's epoxy flooring business in Ohio.Entrepreneurial Mindset Shift (00:03:34)Realizes he enjoys working for himself, which reignites his interest in e-commerce and Amazon.Deep Dive into Retail Arbitrage (00:04:36)Explores flipping products from eBay to Amazon, focusing on high-end skincare, and develops sourcing systems.European Skincare Arbitrage Strategy (00:06:45)Discovers sourcing high-end European skincare from overseas retailers, imports to the US, and sells on Amazon.Scaling and Living Abroad (00:08:54)Business grows; Brad moves to Buenos Aires and Africa, living a digital nomad lifestyle while running the business.Amazon Account Suspension Details (00:10:04)Explains the cause of his Amazon suspension—authenticity complaints and inability to provide manufacturer receipts.Lessons from Suspension and Financial Struggles (00:11:05)Discusses lessons learned: importance of active management, risk-taking, and not being complacent in business.Advice on Growth and Risk (00:11:48)Emphasizes reinvesting profits, financial planning, and the need for risk tolerance as an entrepreneur.Financial Intelligence and Risk Management (00:13:57)Stresses forecasting, living below means, and being prepared for the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.Three Actionable Takeaways (00:14:11)Host summarizes: 1) Active management and planning, 2) Cash flow and inventory management, 3) Creativity in the Amazon marketplace.Episode Wrap-up (00:16:43)Host thanks Brad, hints at a future episode, and closes the interview.Links and Mentions:Tools and Websites  EZSniperActionable Takeaways  Set an Annual Plan for Your Business: 00:14:11  Cash Flow Management: 00:15:04  Bring Creativity to the Amazon Marketplace: 00:16:15Transcript:Josh 00:00:00  Today I am super excited to introduce you to Brad Allen. I met him at Kevin King's, $1 Billion Seller summit, and he's going to have a lot of knowledge to share with us. I'm going to dive in like immediately to what was mentioned in your bio. You had your account suspended. You had you ran into 400 K of debt and loans, but you've kind of come out the other end and you're you're crushing it right now on Amazon. So tell me, Brad, what happened with the account suspension?Brad 00:00:33  So I, I was doing, retail arbitrage and I got, I got really into it. it it was actually kind of unique. It started off, where I was, I, I was really into eBay growing up, so I was always selling stuff, just like as a kid throughout the house, whether it was mine or not. I was grabbing, like, antiques from the basement and, like, selling stuff out of the garage. And I think that's where I got kind of, you know, introduced to e-commerce and kind of obsessed so that that kind of was always on the side.Brad 00:01:11  And I was doing that through grade school, high school, and then into college. And I learned about Amazon FBA and I think 2012. and as an eBay guy, it was like blew me away because I was, you know, the guy waiting in line at the, at the post office and having to deal with customers. So the fact that you could just send a bunch of items in and Amazon will ship it and take care of customer service was very appealing to me. So I started, I just started watching videos and the easiest way to start, which I don't know how many people really started out like this, but I'm sure some. But I was going into, you know, odd lots and Walmarts and just buying toys or whatever I could find. And essentially I was just kind of learning that process. so, you know, that was a good way to, like, get my feet wet into Amazon FBA. and then, you know, life kind of happened where that was put off to the side.Brad 00:02:19  I was in the corporate world for a while. not doing very well. I just, was not very passionate about what I was doing, and, I got a call from a buddy. I was living in South Florida. I'm from Ohio originally, and, I got fired from one job. You know, I was working for good companies. They were, like, fortune 500 companies. And I kind of noticed right away that the people that were successful were extremely passionate about the company, and they had just drank the Kool-Aid. And I just did. I just didn't care, really. I thought our products were overpriced, which is not the mentality that you want to have when you're trying to sell something. so I was just kind of, just doing enough not to get fired. And my friend, in Columbus had called me and said, hey, I just bought this epoxy coating company. So what we're doing is we're installing, like, showroom floors in garages. You know, the the garages in Columbus or the Midwest are all cracked and spoiled.Brad 00:03:34  so, you know, this was December and he was like, hey, I can't pay you that much, but, you know, this will be our company. and I'll share profits with you. So I wasn't really doing much. You know, in terms of growing personally or professionally, although I was in South Florida, which was pretty cool for for an Ohio guy. Sure. I took him up on it, and I remember it was December. I go from this cushy sales job in South Florida. Even though I didn't like it. And then all of a sudden, I am installing, garage floors in the suburbs of Columbus. In December, we're using, like, heaters to keep ourselves warm. And the funny thing was, I actually was enjoying it more, because it was ours. So that kind of, like, turned on the light that, you know, the way that I'm going to be successful is if I'm doing something for myself, like, or as a team. And that kind of drew me back to this e-commerce stuff.Brad 00:04:36  and like I was saying, I had learned about, the Amazon FBA and I had a this background in eBay. So I just kind of I remember in one of your podcasts, you were talking about how after work, you would go home and just watch videos. yeah. Because you, you know, you kind of saw that as a way out. But, you know, what you have to do is you have to put in the time. You know, even after a long day of work when most people are just watching TV or they want to decompress. I was just drawn to just scanning eBay, you know, looking at Amazon. And I was like, I was wondering if there was an opportunity for products that I could buy on eBay and flip on Amazon. And I kind of just somehow stumbled upon this, category of high end skincare. And I was noticing that there was these really, like, high end brands that were selling for, you know, almost nothing on eBay because, li...

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

Brian Johnson has been to 128 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. In this episode, I have the pleasure to speak with traveler Brian Johnson. I met Brian twice in the last two years, first at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok in November of 2024 and 12 months later in the Omo Valley as we escaped a hot zone of Marburg Virus, more on that later. Brian's stories of overlanding in Africa in the 1990s caught my attention and I realized he would be an interesting guest. And here we are … I would like to thank everyone for their support of Counting Countries, especially my Patrons. You know them, you love them! Bisa "fully nomadic" Myles, Ted Nims, Adam "one-away" Hickman, Steph "Phuket" Rowe, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ed Hotchkiss, Barry Hoffner, Katelyn Jarvis, Philippe "BC" Izedian, Gin Liutkeviciute, Sunir Joshi, Carole Southam, Sonia Zimmermann, Justine, Per Flisberg, Jorge Serpa, Sam Williams, Scott Day, Dana Mahoutchian, Mihai Dascalu and Ryan Knott for supporting this podcast. You can support this podcast by going to Patreon.com/CountingCountries. My patrons will hear the entire conversation with Brian. Please remember the next Extraordinary Travel Festival will be on October 22-25 in 2026. You can join the event and use code BANGKOK to save $110 (for a couple more days and then the discount will be reduced) for this incredibly packed event. I am excited to announce a new day experience. We have partnered with Blue Elephant who has been hosting cooking classes since the 1980s and will be setting up a special school for us at a 80 year old Thai home in a garden oasis just minutes from our event. Check out Extraordinary Adventures on the website. Consider joining our Instagram and Facebook groups and signing up for the ETF newsletter. Any questions, please let me know. I was in Chicago while Brian was in San Francisco for this recording. Please listen in and enjoy. Thank you to my Patrons - you rock!! … Bisa Myles, Ted Nims, Adam Hickman, Steph Rowe, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ed Hotchkiss, Barry Hoffner, Katelyn Jarvis, Philippe Izedian, Gin Liutkeviciute, Sunir Joshi, Carole Southam, Sonia Zimmermann, Justine, Per Flisberg, Jorge Serpa, Sam Williams, Scott Day, Dana Mahoutchian, Mihai Dascalu, and Ryan Knott. Be the first on your block to sport official Counting Countries apparel! And now you can listen to Counting Countries on Spotify! And Alexa! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts today! And write a review! More about Brian Johnson Counting Countries: Instagram Hey Brian Website And check out Thor Pedersen: The Impossible Journey (Amazon US Kindle (affiliate)): https://amzn.to/46pRuDi Other book options: Thor Pedersen | Instagram, Facebook, TikTok | Linktree About Counting Countries Counting Countries is the only podcast to bring you the stories from the dedicated few who've spent their lives on the singular quest of traveling to every country in the world. Less people have traveled to every country in the world than have been to outer space. Theme music for this podcast is Demeter's Dance, written, performed, and provided by Mundi. About GlobalGaz Ric Gazarian is the host of Counting Countries. He is the author of three books: Hit The Road: India, 7000 KM To Go, and Photos From Chernobyl. He is the producer of two travel documentaries: Hit The Road: India and Hit The Road: Cambodia. Ric is also on his own quest to visit every country in the world. You can see where he has traveled so far and keep up with his journey at GlobalGaz.com How Many Countries Are There? Well… that depends on who you ask! The United Nations states that there are 193 member states. The British Foreign and Commonwealth office states that there are 226 countries and territories. The Traveler's Century Club states that there are 329 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands. The Nomad Mania divides the world into 1301 regions. The Most Traveled Person states that there are 1500 unique parts of the world. SISO says there are 3,978 places in the world. And the video that explains it all! Me? My goal is the 193 countries that are recognized by the UN, but I am sure I will visit some other places along the way. An analysis of these lists and who is the best traveled by Kolja Spori. Disclaimer: There are affiliates in this post. Brian Johnson Counting Countries

In this episode of Worth Your Time, Dr. Rob Shumaker speaks with Mwezi “Badru” Mugerwa, the 2025 Indianapolis Prize Emerging Conservationist Award winner. Mugerwa shares his journey from growing up in Kampala, Uganda, to dedicating 15 years to studying and protecting the elusive African golden cat. The conversation explores his path into conservation, life and fieldwork in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and the patience and perseverance required to protect one of Africa's least understood animals.

NEW YEAR. NEW SEASON. SAME IDIOTS.Clark has a near-death experience after his fight with Zod, and guess what? Jor-El wishes he actually died. Lois is wondering if Clark is better than Africa. Tess gets the worst Two-Face origin story. Lex has a bunch of clones. Some random guy is torturing Oliver. Yo, wait, is that Jon Kent? Daddy?As always, enjoy the show and LEAVE THOSE FIVE STARS!

In the last two years, National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek traversed the Chinese countryside, marched along the Korean Demilitarized Zone and fended off grizzly bears in Alaska. Now, his expedition from Africa to the tip of South America crosses into the Western Hemisphere. Stephanie Sy reports on Salopek's adventures to date. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Celebrating Life at 52: Lyndon Taylor's Scorpio Squad European Birthday JauntWhen CEO and entrepreneur Lyndon Taylor turned 52 in November 2025, he proved that adventure has no age limit. Following his unforgettable Bangkok birthday celebration in 2024, Taylor and his Scorpio Squad—a group of November-born friends—embarked on a two-week European escapade that would redefine milestone celebrations. From dancing until dawn in Barcelona's legendary clubs to witnessing the Eiffel Tower's nightly sparkle and navigating London's historic streets, this journey showcased how intentional travel can transform birthday celebrations into life-affirming experiences.The Scorpio Squad tradition emerged from the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, when Taylor missed celebrating his 50th birthday—a milestone many consider significant. Determined to make up for lost time, he connected with fellow Scorpio-born friends: one from Florida who kicks off Scorpio season on October 23rd, and another whose birthday falls on November 12th. Taylor himself celebrates on November 10th."I thought, hey, why not? I'm still here with good health. Let me go explore, make some memories, and have wonderful moments," Taylor explained during his appearance on Tripcast360. The group's chemistry stems from what Taylor describes as "vibrating on the right frequency"—a connection built over more than a decade of friendship.The tradition began with Bangkok in 2024, and for 2025, the squad set their sights on Europe. After Taylor's initial vote for Africa was vetoed due to vaccination concerns, the group settled on Spain, France, and England as their destinations, choosing Barcelona and Paris as anchor cities due to their proximity and reasonable pricing.Landing in Barcelona on November 8th, 2025, Taylor's European birthday celebration started with an auspicious welcome. His taxi driver, a single mother working in transport for 17 years, became an unexpected ambassador for the city. Their conversation flowed as if they were old friends, setting a warm tone for the entire trip.The group stayed at the Hampton by Hilton Barcelona Fira Gran, where front desk associate Victoria provided what Taylor calls a "cheat sheet"—a one-page guide covering train routes, city navigation, and budget-friendly activities. This personalized service exemplified the human connections that transformed the journey from a simple vacation into a meaningful cultural exchange.Barcelona's efficient public transportation system became the squad's primary mode of travel, with trains proving both affordable and convenient compared to taxis or rideshares. The decision to use public transit reflected the group's budget-conscious approach to European travel, where costs can quickly escalate.As Taylor's philosophy states: "Every day above ground is a gift." His 52nd birthday celebration across Europe proved that with gratitude, intention, and the right energy, that gift can be unwrapped anywhere in the world—one dance floor, one train ride, one magical moment at a time.Support the showTripCast360 --- It's all about travel, lifestyle and entertainment.Web: TripCast360.com.Twit: https://twitter.com/TripCast360FB: https://www.facebook.com/TripCast360Insta: https://www.instagram.com/tripcast360/

In this Leadership Takeover Session, Stuart Miller, Director of Public Policy and Technology Research at Xero, shares what's really happening behind the scenes with MTD, AI and financial literacy – and what it all means for UK bookkeepers. If you've ever wondered who sits in the rooms with government, regulators and tech companies speaking up for small businesses and their advisers, this episode joins those dots. Stuart didn't set out to be an accountant. He fell into practice to avoid paying rent to his parents, trained through AAT, and built his career in firms where tattoos, shaved heads and “not fitting the mould” were still frowned upon. He talks about the managers who backed him, the crying client whose tax-return anxiety helped him find his purpose, and the R&D projects where better tax advice funded real-world change – like extracting myrrh oil to support schools in Africa. Today, his role at Xero spans smart data, late payments, e-invoicing, unique business identifiers, AI policy and MTD. He explains what his week actually looks like: responding to consultations, sitting on smart data groups, meeting departments like Business and Trade, and feeding the voice of accountants and bookkeepers into policy. Find out about the benefits of becoming a Xero Partner, here: https://www.xero.com/uk/partner-programme/?UTM_Source=6fb The conversation also tackles AI. Stuart sees AI as an efficiency driver, not a replacement for bookkeepers. He talks about using AI to speed up reconciliation, summarise long email newsletters and surface insights, while the real value sits in the 20% of work that is deeply human: handling ambiguity, context and emotion. A big theme is financial literacy and social mobility. Stuart is passionate about closing the gap for people who were never taught about interest rates, APR or cash flow at home or at school. He talks about Xero's financial literacy campaign, which offers bite-size guidance and mentoring for people from disadvantaged backgrounds or those starting a business with no financial training. Crucially, it's open to everyone, not just software users, and supported by accountants and bookkeepers who volunteer their time to help. ----------------------------------------------- About us We're Jo and Zoe and we help bookkeepers find clients, make more money and build profitable businesses they love. Find out about working with us in The Bookkeepers' Collective, at: 6figurebookkeeper.com/collective ----------------------------------------------- About our Sponsor This episode of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is sponsored by Xero. Get 90% off your first 6 months by visiting: https://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/6figurebookkeeper ----------------------------------------------- Promotion This video contains paid promotion. ----------------------------------------------- Disclaimer The information contained in The Bookkeepers' Podcast is provided for information purposes only. The contents of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. The 6 Figure Bookkeeper Ltd disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast.

In this episode, Loye and Fola give out awards for 2025. They select their Leader of the Year, Story of the Year, Election of the Year, Startup of the Year, “What in the World” of the Year, “Thank God That's Not Our Leader” of the Year, and finally closing with stories they're looking out for in 2026.Happy New Year you beautiful people! Time stamps02:05 Leader of the Year10:57 Story of the Year21:14 Election of the Year26:58 Startup of the Year33:40 “What's in the World” of the Year38:18 “Thank God That's Not Our Leader” of the Year 42:44 Stories for 2026https://www.instagram.com/thebrief.xyz/

Each morning, Daybreak Africa looks at the latest developments on the continent, starting with headline news and providing in-depth interviews, reports from VOA correspondents, sports news as well as listener comments.

123125 Gaza Aid Banned, Guard Plan Surrender, Africa's Reciprocal Travel Bans, New York Ball Drop by The News with Paul DeRienzo

In this episode, Tamara Bond-Williams, Executive Director of Space and Satellite Professionals International (SSPI), speaks with Josef Nemec, Technical Director of GovSat, to discuss the importance of secure satellite communications for governmental and institutional users. GovSat, a public-private partnership between the Luxembourg government and SES, operates the GovSat-1 satellite, which provides secure, non-preemptible, and assured communications with features like X-band and military Ka-band capacity and anti-jamming technology. The conversation highlights how GovSat supports national security, operational assurance, and trusted connectivity across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The episode also explores the strategic role of Luxembourg as a secure satellite hub for Europe and NATO allies, the influence of interoperability and coalition operations on GovSat's service design, and the challenges of maritime law and international coordination in satellite communications. Josef shares insights on the evolving European defense communications ecosystem, opportunities for joint procurement and shared infrastructure, and GovSat's participation in shaping the future of allied secure connectivity.

As the year draws to a close, this episode looks ahead to some of the stories and events that could likely shape 2026. We ask which warning signs are already flashing, and what might still catch the world off guard. We also examine new research suggesting AI chatbots may carry built-in bias against Africa, raising fresh questions about technology, power and representation.Presenter : Charles Gitonga Producers: Bella Twine, Blessing Aderogba Technical Producer: Terry Chege Senior Producer: Daniel Dadzie Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

When Lee Berger entered the field of palaeoanthropology there was a one in 10,000,000 chance he would discover anything 'worthwhile' digging around South Africa. But this real-life Indiana Jones kept bucking the odds.First, he found a pair of hominid teeth in southern Africa, and then after a fossil-hunting dry spell, his 9-year-old son Matthew found the jawbone of a completely new hominid species.A few years later came Lee's most extraordinary discovery yet: a nearly inaccessible cave filled with skeletons of another new hominid species, which seemed to be violating all the rules.The story of what happened in this cave revolutionises what we understand about the origins of our own human species.This episode of Conversations was produced by Meggie Morris, executive producer was Carmel Rooney.It explores human history, archaeology, Africa, caving, exploration, science, modern history, evolution, biology, bones, forensics, media, journalism, what to study, curious kids, curiosity, podcasts for kids, fascinating science, fascinating history, research, human mysteries, anthropology.To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you'll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

Is it time for you to give back? Is your heart calling you to use your talents to help others?My guest, Amina Mohamed, is here to talk about her non-profit called “Cameras for Girls” and her efforts to bring the art of photography and photojournalism to young women across Africa who likely would not otherwise have had the opportunity to explore it. In 2018, she started an initiative with a mission to teach photography and business skills to marginalized females across Africa who endeavor to become journalists. She gives each of them a camera and and has taught  129 in Uganda and has 50 enrolled for 2026, 25 in Tanzania with 10 enrolled, and 80% of our students have paid work within 6 months of completing our program!! And Cameras for Girls is launching in Kenya in 2026. Truly amazing.In addition to her volunteer efforts, Amina has spent fifteen years exploring her passion for photography while working in film and television as a producer and production manager on numerous movies and documentaries. Amina share tips onabout how to proceed when you are called to give back, and want to make the world a better place using your photography. Here are some of her tips for getting started: Figure out what you are talented atAnd which segment of society you want to helpDon't worry about registering for any “official” programsLook for places to volunteer (but be careful about “voluntourism”)Listen now to hear Amina's amazing story and find out more about tapping into your inner volunteer!And connect with Amina at:@CamerasForGirlsamina@camerasforgirls.orgwww.camerasforgirls.orgConnect with Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas: Website Email: luci@lucidumas.comInstagram FacebookYouTubeNew episodes drop every week — make sure to subscribe so you never miss an inspiring guest or a powerful solo episode designed to help you grow your photography business.

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

Listen in as we discuss the most impactful employment law regulations of 2025 and forecast what employers can expect in 2026. Subscribe to our podcast today to stay up to date on employment issues from law experts worldwide.Host: Chloë Loubser (email) (Bowmans / South Africa)Guest Speaker: Sian Gaffney (email) (Bowmans / South Africa)Support the showRegister on the ELA website here to receive email invitations to future programs.

A shy silverback gorilla discovers a place of wonders. Written especially for this podcast by Alice.  If you enjoyed this story, please do leave us a review.  And, if you'd like to suggest an animal for a future Animal Tales story, you can do so by emailing podcast@animaltales.uk. We would love to hear from you.  Animal Tales Books! Collections of Animal Tales children's stories are available to buy exclusively at Amazon. Simply search for Animal Tales Short Stories or follow this link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CLJQZ9C9?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_sirpi Become a PREMIUM Subscriber You can now enjoy Animal Tales by becoming a Premium Subscriber. This gets you:All episodes in our catalogue advert freeBonus Premium-only episodes (one per week) which will never be used on the main podcastWe guarantee to use one of your animal suggestions in a storyYou can sign up through Apple Podcasts or through Supercast and there are both monthly and yearly plans available.   Discover a brand new story every Monday, Wednesday and Friday – just for you!  You can find more Animal Tales at https://www.spreaker.com/show/animal-tales-the-kids-story-podcastA Note About The AdvertsIn order to allow us to make these stories we offer a premium subscription and run adverts. The adverts are not chosen by us, but played automatically depending on the platform you listen through (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc) and the country you live in. The adverts may even be different if you listen to the story twice.We have had a handful of instances where an advert has played that is not suitable for a family audience, despite the podcast clearly being labelled for children. If you're concerned about an advert you hear, please contact the platform you are listening to directly. Spotify, in particular, has proven problematic in the past, for both inappropriate adverts and the volume at which the adverts play. If you find this happening, please let Spotify know via their Facebook customer care page. As creators, we want your child's experience to be a pleasurable one. Running adverts is necessary to allow us to operate, but please do consider the premium subscription service as an alternative – it's advert free.

Happy New Year for 2026 from Peter and Mark at the CX Files podcast. We asked our listeners to send some thoughts about 2025 and the year ahead... If you listen to this episode you will hear messages from the Netherlands, Philippines, UK, South Africa, Australia, Canada, and Brazil... that's North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australasia all covered! Contributors listed in the order they feature on the podcast: Leo Ooms https://www.linkedin.com/in/leoooms/ Nathan Muniz https://www.linkedin.com/in/bdcoutsourcing/ Lian Rowlands https://www.linkedin.com/in/lian-rowlands-a26119/ Rod Jones https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodjonessouthafrica/ Paul O'Hara https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauloharateleperformance/ Michael Gray https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelgray7/ Anna Bessarabova https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-bessarabova/ Michael Clark https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelclarkcx/ Mike Ortegon https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeortegon/ Stephen Loynd https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenloynd/ David Neale https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-neale-08b80011b/ Peter Ryan https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-ryan-montreal/ Mark Hillary https://www.linkedin.com/in/markhillary/ ---- "All I Want for CX-mas (Is the Future)" Composed by Mark Hillary with Suno Verse 1 Snow's falling on the dashboards, Year-end reports are due, Another season of predictions, But nobody knows what's true. From São Paulo to Montreal, Different skies, same screen, Two voices cut through the noise, Talking 'bout what CX means. Pre-Chorus The year's been long, the change came fast, AI hype, then lessons learned, But now we're looking forward, To the value still to be earned. Chorus All I want for CX-mas is the future, Not the buzzwords, not the fear, Just better service, smarter choices, And a little more trust next year. From every brand to every customer, Let's build it human, let's build it right, All I want for CX-mas is the future, And the CX Files on a Wednesday night. Verse 2 Agents, bots, and blended teams, Journeys changing shape, Less about the tech itself, More about escape From broken processes, From friction no one sees, Designing moments that feel simple, Even when the systems aren't easy. Pre-Chorus We've learned that scale needs patience, And strategy beats speed, The future's not autonomous, Unless it serves a real human need. Chorus All I want for CX-mas is the future, Not another pilot that won't land, Just outcomes, empathy, and clarity, Finally working hand in hand. From every continent and culture, One community, one shared view, All I want for CX-mas is the future, And the CX Files guiding us through. Bridge From São Paulo sunshine, To Montreal snow, Two hosts, one question: "Where do we go?" Analysts, founders, leaders, friends, Four hundred stories, and still it never ends. No silver bullets, no easy claim, Just better questions changing the game. Final Chorus All I want for CX-mas is the future, Designed with care, not just code, Where trust is built in every interaction, And experience carries the load. So here's to 2026 and beyond, To curiosity, courage, and insight, All we want for CX-mas is the future, And the CX Files lighting the way each night. Outro So press play, pour a drink, Let the old year fade from view, The future of CX is being written— And it starts with me and you.

Introduction to a new comprehensive health care management course which is values-based

The Black Stars are back and bolder than ever. In this episode, we break down Ghana's high-stakes mission to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and their "Herculean" draw against England, Croatia, and Panama. We dive deep into the "Otto Addo Doctrine," exploring how a €200 million arsenal of talent—led by the brilliance of Mohammed Kudus and the veteran leadership of Jordan Ayew—aims to exercise the ghosts of 2010. Can Ghana's high-octane pressing and clinical transition speed propel them to become Africa's ultimate disruptors? Tune in to find out why you write off the Black Stars at your own peril. Ghana Black Stars, 2026 FIFA World Cup, Mohammed Kudus, World Cup Group L, African Football.

Author, inventor, and co-writer of the iconic Star Trek episode “The Tholian Web,” Chester L. Richards continues his acclaimed Treks Beyond the Great Potato memoir series with "The Trek Continues: More Memoirs of a Rocket Scientist," releasing worldwide October 7, 2025.In this second volume, Richards expands on the journey he began in From the Potato to Star Trek and Beyond, blending pulse-pounding adventure with poignant reflections on life, love, and loss. From near-death experiences with crocodiles in Africa to a white-knuckle flight back home in California, The Trek Continues dives deep into the real-life escapades of a man who helped imagine the universe onscreen—and then went out and lived it.Richards shares what it meant to survive, to grieve, and to grow. Central to the memoir is his late wife Sarah, a brilliant and spirited presence readers first glimpsed in Book 1. Responding to fan letters asking to learn more about her, Richards infuses this new collection with her voice, her stories, and the extraordinary impact she had on his life. There are also stories of eccentric animals (including cats, a dog named Hector, and a horse—almost), scientific breakthroughs in aerospace and on earth, close calls with Neolithic tribes, and the unexpected wisdom of failure.“Every story is a letter of love to Sarah,” Richards writes. “Each stand on its own. Each is an adventure. And each is true.”Known for his witty, self-deprecating style and cinematic detail, Richards proves again that memoir can be both thrilling and intimate. A scientist by training and adventurer by instinct, he invites  readers to see life not as a linear path—but as a series of treks, each one worth telling.“Adventure starts when your gut clenches and you do it anyway,” says Richards. “That's when you find out who you really are.”The Trek Continues: More Memoirs of a Rocket Scientist is published by Pawpress. The book is now available in paperback, hardcover, and eBook for pre-order on Amazon. Advanced review copies may be requested through NetGalley.    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-unplugged-totally-uncut--994165/support.

Each morning, Daybreak Africa looks at the latest developments on the continent, starting with headline news and providing in-depth interviews, reports from VOA correspondents, sports news as well as listener comments.

Empowering Gig Workers  Tamara Laine is the founder of MPWR, a fintech services platform launching in 2026 to serve the some 80 million global gig economy workers.  This isn't the first founding experience for Tamara, here she is speaking with Nasdaq in 2023 regarding an earlier experience with Card Shop Live.  MPWR will focus on providing lending and support tools to gig economy workers who up until now face significant challenges accessing the financial services that W2 workers typically take for granted.  Their reach could be vast, Tamara is focused on the domestic market but also has her eye on markets in Africa and Asia where gig economy workers proliferate.   This sector is one we've been following at the podcast for some time.  Our parent company SMGraves Associates has been advocating for support opportunities by new services providers through their accelerators and economic development programming.  Tamara also gave us her perspective on artificial intelligence beyond just its beneficial use through her work, a discussion you don't want to miss.   Connect to Tamara  In her own words 'I started my career in documentaries and journalism, which taught me so much about human behavior and intent. Every day was fast-paced, but, more importantly, it was filled with talking to people about their problems, conflicts, or solutions. I learned that unique personalities brought unique solutions to every situation. Now as a team leader, I see the value of every teammate's perspective, insights, or roadblocks and how that could be something to utilize for growth.'

Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:17532056201798502,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-9437-3289"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");pt> Click On Picture To See Larger PictureThe WSJ is predicting higher electricity costs in 2026. Trump is bringing down the cost of energy and implementing new energy sources. Electricity increased because of the the green new scam. Trump is now going after the Federal Reserve for gross incompetence, this will lead to exposing the Fed’s criminal activity. The [DS] infiltrated Congress going all the way back to 1929, the continued to present day. They made it so they have the ability to control those people they install. There are no term limits, this allows these people to stay in their positions for a very longtime. Trump is now setting the stage to return the power back to the people. This is much bigger than a few arrests. Economy Average Electricity Rates by State, What Do You Pay?  Hawaii and California have the highest rates. Idaho the lowest. Average Residential Electricity Rates by State   Electricity Cost 10 Lowest States Be Prepared to Keep Paying More for Electricity The Wall Street Journal says Be Prepared to Keep Paying More for Electricity Source:  mishtalk.com  (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:18510697282300316,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-8599-9832"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs"); https://twitter.com/ElectionWiz/status/2005964583727780156?s=20 https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/2005751158149615698?s=20  Trump claims the project has overrun by $4 billion (he mentions $4.1 billion total for “a few small buildings”), calling it the “highest price in the history of construction.” He contrasts this with his own White House ballroom project, which he says is under budget and ahead of schedule despite its cost doubling to $400 million from an earlier $200 million estimate.  Yes, discovery could occur—if the case advances past initial hurdles. This would allow Trump’s side to subpoena Fed documents, emails, financial records, and testimony related to the renovations. This could effectively let them “look into” specific aspects of what the Fed has been doing, such as budgeting, contracting, and project management for the HQ overhaul. Discovery rules under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure are broad, potentially uncovering internal Fed communications or decisions tied to the alleged incompetence.    Trump could request a GAO investigation into the HQ project overruns. Political/Rights Longtime Democrat George Clooney and His Family Ditch America, Move to France, and Secure French Citizenship Hollywood elitist and longtime Democrat activist George Clooney has officially joined the growing list of wealthy, left-wing celebrities who preach “American values” while quietly distancing themselves from the United States. Clooney, along with his wife, Amal Alamuddin Clooney, and their two children, has reportedly obtained French citizenship through a naturalization decree. The couple's 8-year-old twins, Ella and Alexander, were included in the process.  Clooney went on to explain that he feared raising his children in Los Angeles. “I was worried about raising our kids in L. A., in the culture of Hollywood. I felt like they were never going to get a fair shake at life. France—they kind of don't give a shit about fame. I don't want them to be walking around worried about paparazzi. I don't want them being compared to somebody else's famous kids.” Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/RichardGrenell/status/2005844962769064196?s=20 beliefs. Boycotting the Arts to show you support the Arts is a form of derangement syndrome. The arts are for everyone and the left is mad about it. https://twitter.com/Oilfield_Rando/status/2005834821503705445?s=20 DOGE Geopolitical New Report Appears to Confirm Covenant School Shooter Audrey Hale Bought Guns With Student Loan Money The FBI has just released more pages from the manifesto of Covenant School shooter Audrey Hale, which suggest that she bought the guns used in the 2023 shooting with money she had from a Pell Grant. Hale's parents suggested this two years ago and this report appears to confirm that. The Tennessee Star reports: Latest FBI Release of Covenant School Manifesto Files Appears to Confirm Trans-Identified Killer Bought Guns with Pell Grant Money The FBI on Monday released another 230 manifesto pages written by Audrey Elizabeth Hale, the biological female who identified as a transgender man on March 27, 2023, when the 28-year-old killed six at the Covenant School in Nashville, the Christian elementary school she once attended. This latest journal appears to have been written sometime in late 2021, and includes lengthy sections about the weapons the killer planned to use to commit a mass shooting at a school sometime that year. Following multiple pages full of weapons to purchase, the journal includes a page labeled “Account Savings Record,” which appears to reference the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It also records multiple payments received from Nossi during the period when Hale attended the Nossi College of Art and Design in Nashville. “FASFA [sic] grant checks started at $2,050.86,” wrote Hale at the top of the entry. The page then lists a series of apparent ledger entries, starting with, “$2,656.87 (x3 checks from Nossi).” The next ledger entry states, “+$530.00 (x1 check Nossi) ($3,186.87).” This reference to Hale's federal student aid, located in the writings next to her entries about guns she considered buying, appears to corroborate the claims made by her parents to Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) detectives in 2023, when they told law enforcement their child purchased the firearms using federal Pell Grant money.  Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/Noahpinion/status/2005425950306263265?s=20 War/Peace https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/2005747398614847766?s=20 https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/2005757621278761205?s=20 Trump clarifies that if Hamas do not disarm like they promised, that any number of the 59 countries who signed onto the peace deal, will completely wipe out Hamas.  Protests Erupt Across Iran As Angry People Flood Streets  The mullahs have ruled in Iran since 1979. So you had millions that went to helping to prop up the terrorist state. But the Iranians are a persistent people, it would appear, especially when you hurt them in their wallets and make it challenging to survive. We’re at another one of those moments in history where hope has sparked again in the country, and people are in the streets, calling for change. Nationwide strikes and protests by merchants continued across Iran, with shops shuttered in major commercial hubs including Tehran's Grand Bazaar, Lalehzar Street, Naser Khosrow and Istanbul Square. Demonstrators chanted anti-government slogans calling for the downfall of the ruling clerics and demanding the leadership step aside. Video circulating online showed protesters inside a major shopping complex in Tehran's Grand Bazaar chanting, “Have no fear, we are all together,” while hurling insults at security forces and calling them shameless. Source: redstate.com Crushed by inflation, soaring living costs, and a future stolen by the regime, Iranians are back in the streets to protest. In a chilling echo of Tiananmen's Tank Man, one man defiantly sits down before the riot police. Desperation has met courage. Funds have been cutoff to the Mullahs/DS. They will lose control in the end and the people will rise up and take back their country. Cyber attacks ‘tipping point' warning issued after Harrods and M&S targeted Cyber attacks surged into prominence in 2025, inflicting significant financial damage on major British businesses and exposing widespread vulnerabilities across the economy. High-profile targets included automotive giant Jaguar Land Rover, retail stalwart Marks & Spencer, and luxury department store Harrods, underscoring how firms of all sizes are susceptible to sophisticated digital threats. Andrew Bailey, governor of the Bank of England, articulated his belief that cyber attacks represent one of the most substantial threats to UK financial stability, stressing the “critically important” need for collaborative defence. He stated: “Cyber attacks are far from new, but 2025 has shown just how deeply cyber risk is intertwined with economic stability and business continuity.” Source:  uk.news.yahoo.com  President Trump Responds to the 91-Drone Attack on Putin's Residence in Novgorod region During an impromptu press availability beside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Trump responded to a question about a drone attack against the personal residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin. President Trump noted that he was informed of the attack by President Putin during an early Monday phone call between the two leaders. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has denied the accusation that Ukraine carried out this particular attack.  The attack took place while Zelenskyy was in Florida meeting with President Trump. U.S. media have said the attack on Putin may be a lie; however, with physical evidence from the defense operation, it is less likely Russia just made up the attack.  At this moment in the conflict, Putin doesn't need domestic propaganda. CONTEXT: British intelligence previously confirmed their participation in the successful Ukraine drone attack against long-range Russian bombers.  That operation, highly controversial at the time, was previously confirmed by President Trump saying the U.S. was not informed in advance. The “coalition of the willing” has also expanded.  Outside the Ukraine regime, the current group making up the “coalition of the willing” includes: the U.K, France, Germany, Canada and Australia.  It is worth noting the additions are all part of the British commonwealth (U.K, Canada, Australia).   I suspect the British did it Source: theconservativetreehouse.com https://twitter.com/KobeissiLetter/status/2005810672672624746?s=20   and utilities have materially underperformed the broader market over the last few years. This has been fueled by the outsized gains in the US technology sector. A similar pattern occurred during the 1990s, while the opposite took place during the 2008 Financial Crisis, when global defensive stocks outperformed. Defensive sectors are lagging. Medical/False Flags [DS] Agenda Soros family reportedly donated more than $71,000 to Letitia James campaigns Leftist billionaire George Soros and members of his family have donated more than $71,000 to political campaigns supporting New York Democratic Attorney General Letitia James since 2019, according to a report published Sunday by the New York Post. The report, citing campaign finance records, said the total includes $31,000 contributed toward James' 2026 reelection bid. Soros personally donated $18,000 in July 2024, while his daughter-in-law, Jennifer Soros, contributed $13,000 in May. With earlier donations included, Soros and his family have provided James with roughly $40,000 more since 2019, the Post reported. The figure does not include the indirect support James has received through left-leaning organizations backed by Soros. The report said Soros' Open Society Foundations have given more than $865,000 to the New York branch of the Working Families Party since 2018. Source:  rsbnetwork.com  https://twitter.com/SteveRob/status/2005683753432351171?s=20 https://twitter.com/mazemoore/status/2005361462580011272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2005361462580011272%7Ctwgr%5E084f3c4b7bd7fa1059f91dab99d5e9dce1ab3cec%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fredstate.com%2Fnick-arama%2F2025%2F12%2F29%2Fthis-didnt-age-well-what-tim-walz-said-about-child-care-providers-during-2024-debate-n2197568 in Minnesota.” Yes Tim, you sure did make it easy for people to open childcare businesses. They don’t even need to provide childcare to get paid. https://twitter.com/amuse/status/2005702559239946273?s=20  admitted to the scheme and was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in the underlying fraud, with nearly $48 million ordered in restitution. Separate sentencing remains pending for the bribery conviction. https://twitter.com/CollinRugg/status/2005794263091798284?s=20   in there until today. That parking lot is empty all the time, and I was under the impression that place is permanently closed,” a local said. About 20 kids were seen “streaming in and out” of the center, according to the Post. “You do realize there's supposed to be 99 children here in this building, and there's no one here?” Shirley said in his viral video. The owner’s son, Ali Ibrahim, claims Shirley came before they opened and is blaming their graphic designer for messing up the sign. “What I understand is [the owners] dealt with a graphic designer. He did it incorrectly. I guess they didn't think it was a big issue,” Ibrahim said https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/2005812805786607882?s=20   children for the cameras. https://twitter.com/libsoftiktok/status/2005766571487289395?s=20   citizens.” – MN AG Keith Ellison https://twitter.com/amuse/status/2005871452562555304?s=20  shootings the morning of Saturday June 13th at approximately 2:30am and 3:30am, in around [unclear] that I will probably be dead by the time you read this letter. I wanted to share some info with you that you might find interesting. I was trained by U.S. Military people off the books starting in college. I have been on projects since that time in Eastern Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Africa. All in the line of duty what I thought was right and in the best interest of the United States. Recently I was approached about a project that Tim Walz wanted done, and Keith [unclear] was also aware of the project. Tim wanted me to kill Amy Klobuchar and Tina [unclear]. Tim wants to be a senator and he doesn't trust [unclear] to retire as planned and this is meant to stay in the last mile with Amy & [unclear] gone. Tim would get one of the open senate seats, and [unclear] was to be VP, and Keith Ellison would be rewarded with a lucrative governing position. I told Tim I wanted nothing to do with it and that I didn't call off that plan I would go public. He said he would call it off himself if I didn't play ball. Then he set up a meeting with me and [unclear] and [unclear] to take care of me when I refused. They had some people waiting to kill me. I was able to get away by God's mercy. So I went back a short time later and shot back at [unclear]. You should notice how I didn't fire me rounds at any police officers and by God I have plenty of opportunity. Ask for the report on how many weapons and ammunition I had with me. Cops were pulling up right next to me in unmarked vehicles and I had an AK pistol across my lap. And I could have left a pile of cops dead but I did not. Short burst towards law enforcement. You can ask them. Because I snapped the police and chose not to see them hurt. But it may end up my wife and kids next time. I won't give them a pass. If you think I'm making this up just get on the phone and tell Tim you have a few questions for him. Then ask Tim Walz if he knows me and see what he says? If he says he doesn't know me, or never met me, look in the files and you will see that Tim personally approved me to be on his Governor's workforce. Bridges are the business representatives. He is probably trying to destroy that note but it is public record. Then ask Tim Walz why they kept the shots silent from the media when they first happened. Not a word in the press and I. Why? They needed to get their stories figured out. So everyone was on the same page about what happened. Tim is probably crapping bricks right now because I'm still at large and he knows what I can disclose and that I know about all the buried skeletons are. So I will be shot on sight you can bet on that. If you want me to turn myself in it need to be directly to you and then I need to be held at a military prison or in the Middle East, or at least on a ship. These guys have military backgrounds and can get to anybody. I am willing to spill all the beans. I just want my family safe. They had nothing to do with this and are totally innocent. This was a lone person https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2005811252409344411?s=20 Tim Walz is trying to bury the evidence of Somalian money laundering. His government website showing all the daycare licenses is having a mysterious “outage”. They are freaking out. https://twitter.com/feelsdesperate/status/2005736682100777121?s=20 https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/2005699538808697062?s=20 Trump fires 17 government watchdogs at various federal agencies President Donald Trump fired 17 independent watchdogs at various federal agencies late Friday, a Trump administration official confirmed to Fox News, as he continues to reshape the government at a blistering pace. Trump dismissed inspectors general at agencies within the Defense Department, State Department, Energy Department, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Department of Veterans Affairs and more, notifying them by email from the White House Presidential Personnel Office, the Washington Post first reported. “It's a widespread massacre,” one of the terminated inspectors general told the Post. “Whoever Trump puts in now will be viewed as loyalists, and that undermines the entire system.” Source: foxnews.com Trump has been in office for 11 months. The Trump US Attorney has been in control of the Minneapolis Office less than that. These are programs the Biden DOJ did not investigate — they investigated “Feeding our Future” only. So the investigations of 13 other federally funded welfare programs started from scratch.   https://twitter.com/AGPamBondi/status/2005764911427731459?s=20 THREAD https://twitter.com/Geiger_Capital/status/2005688449026908544?s=20 https://twitter.com/politico/status/2005765912167911931?s=20 https://twitter.com/StephenM/status/2005851479425310785?s=20  https://twitter.com/C_3C_3/status/2005864187575128397?s=20 President Trump's Plan https://twitter.com/WarClandestine/status/2005816218226233847?s=20 The National Guard is building a “quick reaction force” (QRF) of some 23,500 troops trained in crowd control and civil disturbance that can be ready to deploy to U.S. cities by early next year, according to a leaked memo reported by multiple outlets Wednesday.  The Oct. 8 memo, signed by National Guard Bureau Director of Operations Maj. Gen. Ronald Burkett, orders the Guard from nearly every U.S. state, Puerto Rico and Guam to train 500 service members. States with smaller populations such as Delaware will have 250 troops in its force, while Alaska will have 350 and Guam will have 100, Task & Purpose reported. Attorney General Pam Bondi Directs DOJ to Investigate Obama-Biden Era ‘Lawfare' as Ongoing Criminal Conspiracy Attorney General Pam Bondi has confirmed that the Department of Justice is actively probing what she describes as a decade-long pattern of government weaponization and “lawfare” under the Obama and Biden administrations. Bondi has directed U.S. Attorneys and federal agents to treat these actions as an “ongoing criminal conspiracy,” potentially allowing prosecutors to bypass statutes of limitations and hold high-ranking officials accountable for alleged election interference and civil rights violations. Source: thegatewaypundit.com  child-like illogic. And if you want to jump in and comment on whatever your particular axe to grind is and how disappointed you are that axe did not get ground in 11 months, please refer to the preposterous, child-like illogic mentioned above. https://twitter.com/TonySeruga/status/2005766903579701465?s=20 Look at the structure itself. 435 representatives for more than 300 million citizens. One voice per 700,000 people. The founders envisioned one per 30,000. That ratio was frozen in 1929, locked by the Permanent Apportionment Act, ensuring the number would remain manageable. Manageable for whom? One hundred senators. 535 total legislators controlling the direction of the largest economy in human history. You do not need to purchase a nation. You purchase 535 people. Or fewer. Buy the committee chairs. Fewer still. Buy the leadership. A few dozen individuals, properly leveraged through money or blackmail (it's actually both), steer everything. The bottleneck is artificial. Engineered for efficient capture. The Federal Reserve arrived in 1913, transferring monetary sovereignty from the people to a private banking cartel. That same year, the 17th Amendment removed state legislatures from Senate appointments, severing the balance between federal and state power. The intelligence apparatus emerged after World War II as a parallel government operating beyond electoral accountability. The administrative state metastasized into an unelected fourth branch writing rules with the force of law. Layer upon layer. Each generation inherits chains from contracts they never signed, bound by compromises made long before their birth. Yes, the Founding Fathers intended for the House of Representatives to expand as the population grew. The U.S. Constitution’s Article I, Section 2 established an initial apportionment ratio of no more than one representative per 30,000 inhabitants (with each state guaranteed at least one), implying that the total number would increase based on census results every ten years. the framers expected regular adjustments to maintain proportional representation as the nation expanded.  James Madison, in Federalist No. 58, directly addressed concerns that the House might not grow, arguing that the Constitution’s mechanisms—such as decennial reapportionments—would “augment the number of representatives” over time, and that political incentives (e.g., larger states pushing for increases) would ensure it happened.  This intent is further supported by the proposed (but unratified) Congressional Apportionment Amendment from the original Bill of Rights, which aimed to set a formula preventing the House from becoming too small relative to the population.  However, the House was permanently capped at 435 members by the Apportionment Act of 1929, diverging from this original vision. https://twitter.com/CynicalPublius/status/2005740095979069669?s=20   attempt instead chase smaller game, run interference, attack each other, send you down rabbit holes, and offer limited hangouts that lead nowhere. The silence is bipartisan. The silence is the tell. If your enemy acts and your ally does nothing despite holding every lever of power, you do not have two sides. WAIT… THERE'S MORE… https://twitter.com/WarClandestine/status/2005729994782466232?s=20   our walls, with Antifa and radical Islamic terrorist groups still at large, without Trump's people in position, without the public being informed of the treasonous conspiracy, without the wars around the globe being settled, without rogue Deep State elements like Iran's nuclear capabilities being shut down, all while the public are extremely emotionally charged after the election cycle and have been repeatedly brainwashed to believe that Trump is Hitler about to unleash a military dictatorship… There's levels to this shit. Many variables must be accounted for and many pieces must be in place before we can do something of this magnitude. But if you've been paying attention, you'd see that much of these things have already been taken care of over Trump's first year. I'm more optimistic than I've ever been, and frankly I don't understand how people don't see what Trump is doing. The price to pay for striking early, could result in mass civilian casualties, the entire operation will be ruined, the Republic will fall to the Deep State, and all of us will be tax/labor slaves forever. We can't afford to miss. Everything must be perfect, and Trump is putting the pieces into place to make it happen. (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:13499335648425062,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-7164-1323"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="//cdn2.customads.co/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he dives into today's top stories shaping America and the world. In this episode of The Wright Report, Bryan covers the first confirmed U.S. ground strike inside Venezuela, escalating threats between Washington and Tehran, high-stakes peace negotiations over Ukraine, and a wide-ranging listener Q&A that spans Africa, Europe, and promising medical breakthroughs. U.S. Destroys Venezuelan Port Facility: President Trump confirmed that U.S. forces destroyed a port facility used by the Maduro regime to load drug trafficking boats. Reporting from Axios and CNN indicates the strike targeted land-based infrastructure, marking a major escalation beyond maritime interdictions. Bryan explains that the CIA and U.S. Special Forces were almost certainly involved and that the attack was meant to signal to Maduro that Washington has deep intelligence access and is prepared to keep striking unless a deal is reached. Risks of Retaliation and Global Entanglement: Bryan warns that a cornered Maduro may turn to sabotage operations inside the United States using narco gangs like Tren de Aragua. He also outlines less likely but more dangerous scenarios involving Chinese or Russian support, noting that Venezuela owes Beijing roughly $70 billion. Bryan argues Trump likely holds the advantage, but the situation remains volatile. Trump Threatens New Strikes on Iran: Following talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Trump said additional U.S. airstrikes are possible if Iran advances its nuclear or ballistic missile programs. For the first time, Washington appears equally focused on Iran's missile capabilities, aligning more closely with Israel's long held concerns. Iran's president responded by declaring a full-scale war with the United States and Israel. Iranian Assassination Plot Uncovered: The FBI is investigating an Iranian Quds Force team allegedly operating inside the United States to kidnap or assassinate American officials, including President Trump. Bryan connects the threat to mounting unrest inside Iran, where currency collapse, water shortages, and street protests are pushing the regime toward desperation. Ukraine Seeks Long-Term U.S. Security Guarantees: President Zelenskyy asked for a fifty-year American security guarantee as part of any peace deal with Russia. Trump countered with an offer of fifteen years. Bryan explains why such guarantees could entangle the United States in future wars and spark backlash from Trump's America First base, especially if paired with new conflicts in Iran and Venezuela. Listener Questions and Medical Good News: Bryan answers listener questions on Somaliland, European cultural decline, and why Israel's recognition of Somaliland has ignited regional tensions. He closes with encouraging medical updates on multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes, highlighting research that links oral health, cellular energy balance, and natural sunlight exposure to improved outcomes.   "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32     Keywords: Venezuela port strike CIA Special Forces, Maduro narco boats Tren de Aragua, Trump Iran missile nuclear threats, Iranian assassination plot Quds Force FBI, Ukraine peace talks security guarantee, Zelenskyy Trump fifteen years, Somaliland Israel recognition Horn of Africa, Europe cultural decline cousin marriage, MS oral bacteria research, NAD Alzheimer's study, sunlight diabetes glucose control

2025 was a year of milestones, mourning and inspiration for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Celebratory stories included President Dallin H. Oaks becoming the 18th President of the Church, the announcement of 55 new missions opening around the world, and the 175th anniversary of the Deseret News (from which the Church News began as a section in 1931). These stories were offset by stories of loss, including the death of President Russell M. Nelson at the age of 101, a deadly attack on a Church meetinghouse in Michigan, and the death of members of the Church in an auto accident in southern Africa.  For Deseret News executive editor Doug Wilks and former Church News editor and current Deseret News editor Sarah Jane Weaver, the gospel of Jesus Christ has helped them find personal comfort as they covered the news for their readers. They join Church News editor Jon Ryan Jensen to discuss the events of 2025. The Church News podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe. Hosts Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of the Church News, and Church News reporter Mary Richards share unique views of the stories, events, and people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

Send Bidemi a Text Message!In this episode, host Bidemi Ologunde traces three fast-moving signals from the previous week: holiday-week violence in northwestern Nigeria, a surprise diplomatic recognition reshaping the Horn of Africa, and AI's infrastructure arms race. What happens when billion-dollar tech bets collide with tightening regulation? How does one diplomatic recognition redraw regional alliances?Support for The Bid Picture Podcast comes from Whole Foods Market. A healthier relationship with tech starts with taking care of the basics—like eating well—so your body and brain aren't running on empty. Whole Foods Market makes it easier to stock your kitchen with ingredients you feel good about, from fresh produce to pantry staples, so you can spend less time scrolling and more time actually living. If you're asked how you heard about Whole Foods Market, tell them The Bid Picture Podcast. Learn more at wholefoodsmarket.com.Support for The Bid Picture Podcast comes from Skylight Calendar—the family-friendly digital calendar that helps everyone stay on the same page. With a quick setup and an easy-to-read display in a shared space, Skylight makes it simple to keep track of school events, practices, appointments, and family plans—so mornings run smoother and everyone knows what's next. Make your home the place where schedules finally make sense. Skylight Calendar—because family life works better when it's shared. If you're asked how you heard about Skylight Calendar, tell them The Bid Picture Podcast. Learn more at myskylight.com.Support the show

Beyoncé has been declared a billionaire by Forbes, making her the fifth musician to join its list of the world's wealthiest people with 10 figure fortunes, including Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Bruce Springsteen and Beyoncé's husband Jay Z. Clare McDonnell speaks to Jacqueline Springer, music journalist and Curator of Africa & Diaspora: Performance at the Victoria & Albert museum, about what makes Beyoncé such a successful businesswoman, and the challenges along the way.Why can adults seem to regress to childhood or teenage behaviours at Christmas? We discuss family dynamics and the kinds of behaviour that can re-surface with everyone under the same roof again. Guardian columnist Elle Hunt shares her own experience alongside Woman's Hour listeners, and Psychotherapist Julia Samuel offers advice. Madelaine Thomas works as a professional dominatrix. When her own images were shared online without her consent, she decide to develop a tool that could allow images to be tracked, and abusers identified. Image Angel was the result, offering forensic image protection for platforms, and she's now trying to get businesses in the adult entertainment industry on board. Do we need to re-think our attitudes to ageing, as we age? As we approach 2026, we consider how to shed a negative attitude towards ageing, and embrace growing older and wiser, by revisiting an episode of the Woman's Hour Guide to Life: How to make ageing your superpower. Therapist Emma Kirkby-Geddes shares how she's been struggling to accept the passage of time. Gerontologist Dr Kerry Burnight, and Jacqueline Hooton, a personal trainer and ‘ageing well' coach, offer advice. Research tells us that girls tend to disengage from politics before the age of 16, just as boys seem to grow in confidence. Academics at Roehampton University have looked into this and have created a programme aimed at Year 9 students, in an attempt to re-engage teenage girls in issues that matter to them and boost their confidence to speak politically. Professor Bryony Hoskins has created G-EPIC (Gender Empowerment through Politics in the Classroom) and Rachel Burlton is a teacher at Mulberry School for Girls in London who has been teaching the programme.Presenter: Clare McDonnell Producer: Helen Fitzhenry

Host Jo Reed is joined by narrator Karen Murray to talk about HOW SWEET THE SOUND by Kwame Alexander, one of our picks for the Best Children and Family Audiobooks of 2025. Karen shares how she dove into this musical exploration of Black music in America, which “felt like home to her.” The experience begins with a poem as the listener is guided through the talking drums of Africa, to the blues, jazz, funk, and soul, and eventually hip-hop. Jo and Karen share why this listen is perfect for families, even down to the final, fascinating glossary.  Read AudioFile's review of the audiobook Published by Hachette Audio.  AudioFile's 2025 Best Children & Family Listening are: AND SHE WAS LOVED by Andrea Davis Pinkney, read by Andrea Davis Pinkney BAD BADGER by Maryrose Wood, read by Chris Devon MILLIE FLEUR SAVES THE NIGHT by Christy Mandin, read by Elizabeth Knowelden THE POISONED KING by Katherine Rundell, read by Sam West HOW SWEET THE SOUND by Kwame Alexander, read by Karen Murray WHALE EYES by James Robinson, read by James Robinson Explore the full list of 2025 Best Audiobooks on our website Support for our podcast comes from Dreamscape, an award-winning audiobook publisher with a catalog that includes authors L.J. Shen, Freida McFadden, and Katee Robert. Discover your next great listen at dreamscapepublishing.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Today, for our final episode of the year, I am joined by someone whose life story reads like an atlas: the actor, writer, and now podcast host, Richard E. Grant.Born in Swaziland, now known as Eswatini, in southern Africa, Richard grew up in a world of big landscapes, no television, and endless imagination. From there he moved to London in the early 1980s, and very quickly became unforgettable figure on stage and screen - from his iconic role in Withnail & I, all the way through to Gosford Park, Jackie, Star Wars, Saltburn, and his Oscar-nominated performance in Can You Ever Forgive Me?Throughout it all, running beneath the red carpets and film sets, there has been travel. He spent 33 summers at a beloved farmhouse in Provence with his late wife Joan, brocante shopping and watching the seasons change. He's had close encounters with sharks while scuba diving off Mozambique, checked into seedy hotel suites in Las Vegas, and floated on the still waters of Lake Como.And now, his travel stories telling them in a new way. Richard is the co-host, of the brilliant new podcast Hotels with History with travel pr Jules Perowne - a series that dives into the scandals, intrigue, glamour and ghosts of some of the world's most legendary hotels.So, sit back, pour something festive, and join me as we step inside the seven travel chapters of Richard E. Grant.Destination Recap:Eswatini (Formerly Swaziland) London, England MozambiqueProvence, France Masai Mara, Kenya and Tanzania Las Vegas, Nevada, USAPassalacqua, Lake Como, ItalyRitz Paris, France The Mark Hotel, Manhattan, New York, USAMkhaya Game Reserve, Safari, SwazilandIsraelGrand Egyptian Museum (GEM), Giza, Egypt SpaceRichard is co-host of the Hotels with History podcast, Season 1 out now I'll be back with a new season of the podcast in the Spring.With thanks to...Citalia - If you're dreaming of your own Italian adventure, visit Citalia.com to start planning today.Naturhotel Forsthofgut – if, like many of our guests, you're dreaming of an alpine escape rooted in harmony with nature, visit forsthofgut.at to start planning today.Beaverbrook Hotel - Escape the everyday and discover Beaverbrook for yourself, a truly indulgent country-house retreat just outside London. Find out more and book your stay at beaverbrook.co.uk.Thanks so much for listening today. If you want to be the first to find out who is joining me next time, come and follow me on Instagram I'm @hollyrubenstein, and you'll also find me on TikTok - I'd love to hear from you. And if you can't wait until then, remember there's the first 14 seasons to catch up on, that's over 165 episodes to keep you busy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Witchfinder General, Salem, Malleus Maleficarum. The world of witch-hunts and witch trials sounds archaic and fanciful, these terms relics of an unenlightened, brutal age. However, we often hear ‘witch-hunt' in today's media, and the misogyny that shaped witch trials is all too familiar. Three women were prosecuted under a version of the 1735 Witchcraft Act as recently as 2018. In Witchcraft: A History in Thirteen Trials (Simon & Schuster, 2023), Professor Marion Gibson uses thirteen significant trials to tell the global history of witchcraft and witch-hunts. As well as exploring the origins of witch-hunts through some of the most famous trials from the Middle Ages to the eighteenth century, it takes us in new and surprising directions. It shows us how witchcraft was reimagined by lawyers and radical historians in France, how suspicions of sorcery led to murder in Jazz Age Pennsylvania, the effects of colonialism and Christian missionary zeal on ‘witches' in Africa, and how even today a witch trial can come in many guises. Professor Gibson also tells the stories of the ‘witches' – mostly women like Helena Scheuberin, Anny Sampson and Joan Wright, whose stories have too often been overshadowed by those of the powerful men, such as King James I and ‘Witchfinder General' Matthew Hopkins, who hounded them. Once a tool invented by demonologists to hurt and silence their enemies, witch trials have been twisted and transformed over the course of history and the lines between witch and witch-hunter blurred. For the fortunate, a witch-hunt is just a metaphor, but, as this book makes clear, witches are truly still on trial. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose doctoral work focused on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Travel to virtually any African country and you are likely to find a Coca-Cola, often a cold one at that. Bottled asks how this carbonated drink became ubiquitous across the continent, and what this reveals about the realities of globalisation, development and capitalism. Bottled: How Coca-Cola Became African (Oxford University Press, 2023) by Dr. Sara Byala is the first assessment of the social, commercial and environmental impact of one of the planet's biggest brands and largest corporations, in Africa. Dr. Byala charts the company's century-long involvement in everything from recycling and education to the anti-apartheid struggle, showing that Africans have harnessed Coca-Cola in varied expressions of modernity and self-determination: this is not a story of American capitalism running amok, but rather of a company becoming African, bending to consumer power in ways big and small. In late capitalism, everyone's fates are bound together. A beverage in Atlanta and a beverage in Johannesburg pull us all towards the same end narrative. This story matters for more than just the local reasons, enhancing our understanding of our globalised, integrated world. Drawing on fieldwork and research in company archives, Dr. Byala asks a question for our time: does Coca-Cola's generative work offset the human and planetary costs associated with its growth in the twenty-first century? This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose forthcoming book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he dives into today's top stories shaping America and the world. In this Monday Headline Brief of The Wright Report, Bryan covers a massive FBI investigation into Somali fraud networks in Minnesota, the Trump administration's accelerating deportation and surveillance strategy, the growing political fight over prices and the Senate filibuster, improving drought conditions in the western United States, and major global developments from Africa, Latin America, China, and Australia. FBI Expands Probe into Somali Fraud Networks: FBI Director Kash Patel surged agents and resources into Minnesota following evidence of roughly nine billion dollars in suspected fraud tied to Somali-run daycare centers, Medicaid programs, food banks, and autism services. Investigators are now examining whether state officials and Democratic politicians enabled the schemes by shutting down early warnings. Bryan explains how viral footage showed dozens of fake daycare centers with no children enrolled, yet receiving massive public funds. Political Fallout and Questions for Democrats: Reports indicate that some Somali donors involved in the fraud also contributed to Democratic campaigns across multiple states. Governor Tim Walz previously halted fraud investigations after activists claimed discrimination. Bryan raises questions about whether these networks were used to generate political donations and votes, calling the potential scale of abuse "almost unimaginable." Trump Escalates Immigration Enforcement: ICE expanded highway operations targeting illegal migrant truck drivers in multiple states, while also arresting migrants at court check-ins who then skipped hearings, making them automatically deportable. The administration is deploying advanced tools, including facial recognition, license plate readers, and data from the IRS and Social Security Administration, to locate illegal migrants. Trump also increased the voluntary self-deportation bonus to $3,000, with airfare included, if migrants leave by December 31. Surveillance Tools Target Extremists: The same tracking systems are now being used to identify Antifa members and left-wing agitators under investigation for violence. DOJ officials say the effort responds to intelligence showing left-wing terrorism is now more prevalent than right-wing violence in the United States. Prices and the Filibuster Fight: President Trump warned that inflation and pricing will decide the 2026 midterms. With another government shutdown looming in January, he urged Senate Republicans to eliminate the filibuster to pass healthcare reform. A new GAO audit found widespread Obamacare fraud, including subsidies paid to deceased individuals and duplicate Social Security numbers. Western Drought Conditions Improve: California's drought has eased significantly, boosting agricultural water supplies. Lake Mead rose by three feet following recent storms, adding roughly seventy-two billion gallons of water, more than southern Nevada's projected annual usage. U.S. Strikes ISIS in Nigeria: The Pentagon launched missile strikes on ISIS training camps in northern Nigeria in coordination with the Nigerian government. Democrats criticized the strikes, while the White House rejected claims of racial motivation. Bryan warns that Islamist groups are attempting to establish a caliphate across central Africa. Trump Expands Influence in Latin America: The United States will reopen a strategic base in Manta, Ecuador, to counter narcotics trafficking and monitor Chinese influence. Conservative allies backed by Trump also won elections in Honduras, strengthening U.S. leverage across the region. China Signals Military Threats: Photos released by Chinese media show ballistic missiles concealed in cargo ship containers, a tactic that could be used to attack U.S. forces or ports during a conflict. Bryan says the images were deliberately leaked and amplified by Chinese bots as a warning to the West. Australia Downplays Islamist Attack: Australian officials claimed a recent ISIS-inspired attack on Jews was not religiously motivated, drawing sharp criticism. Bryan argues that refusing to acknowledge the crisis within Islam mirrors decades of Western denial and will lead to more violence. Listener Questions Close the Episode: Bryan answers questions on Ukraine's mineral deals, fuel supply risks tied to California refinery closures, and whether the American republic still exists. He argues the United States now functions more like a parliamentary democracy and explains why the filibuster debate reflects that deeper shift.   "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32     Keywords: FBI Somali fraud Minnesota, Kash Patel investigation, Tim Walz daycare Medicaid scandal, ICE deportation surveillance tools, self deportation bonus Trump, Antifa terrorism DOJ tracking, Obamacare fraud GAO audit, Lake Mead drought recovery, U.S. Nigeria ISIS airstrikes, Ecuador Manta base Trump, Honduras election Asfura, China cargo ship missiles, Australia ISIS attack denial, filibuster healthcare reform debate