Podcasts about Alps

Matt and Eric, in the midst of the Sean Connery Bond run, examine what's quite possibly the best Bond flick of all time, ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE - featuring one-time Bond George Lazenby, a brute of a Blofeld in Telly Savalas, and ultimate Bond love Diana Rigg.

Full Text of Readings Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent Lectionary: 244 The Saint of the day is Saint Clement Mary Hofbauer Saint Clement Mary Hofbauer's Story Saint Clement Mary Hofbauer might be called the second founder of the Redemptorists, as it was he who carried the congregation of Saint Alphonsus Liguori to the people north of the Alps. John, the name given him at Baptism, was born in Moravia into a poor family, the ninth of 12 children. Although he longed to be a priest, there was no money for studies, and he was apprenticed to a baker. But God guided the young man's fortunes. He found work in the bakery of a monastery where he was allowed to attend classes in its Latin school. After the abbot there died, John tried the life of a hermit, but when Emperor Joseph II abolished hermitages, John again returned to Vienna and to baking. One day after serving Mass at the Cathedral of St. Stephen, he called a carriage for two ladies waiting there in the rain. In their conversation they learned that he could not pursue his priestly studies because of a lack of funds. They generously offered to support both John and his friend Thaddeus, in their seminary studies. The two went to Rome, where they were drawn to Saint Alphonsus' vision of religious life and to the Redemptorists. The two young men were ordained together in 1785. Newly professed at age 34, Saint Clement Mary Hofbauer, as he was now called, and Thaddeus were sent back to Vienna. But the religious difficulties there caused them to leave and continue north to Warsaw, Poland. There they encountered numerous German-speaking Catholics who had been left priestless by the suppression of the Jesuits. At first they had to live in great poverty and preach outdoor sermons. Eventually they were given the church of St. Benno, and for the next nine years they preached five sermons a day, two in German and three in Polish, converting many to the faith. They were active in social work among the poor, founding an orphanage and then a school for boys. Drawing candidates to the congregation, they were able to send missionaries to Poland, Germany, and Switzerland. All of these foundations eventually had to be abandoned because of the political and religious tensions of the times. After 20 years of difficult work, Saint Clement Mary Hofbauer himself was imprisoned and expelled from the country. Only after another arrest was he able to reach Vienna, where he was to live and work the final 12 years of his life. He quickly became “the apostle of Vienna,” hearing the confessions of the rich and the poor, visiting the sick, acting as a counselor to the powerful, sharing his holiness with all in the city. His crowning work was the establishment of a Catholic college in his beloved city. Persecution followed Saint Clement Mary Hofbauer, and there were those in authority who were able for a while to stop him from preaching. An attempt was made at the highest levels to have him banished. But his holiness and fame protected him and prompted the growth of the Redemptorists. Due to his efforts, the congregation was firmly established north of the Alps by the time of his death in 1820. Saint Clement Mary Hofbauer was canonized in 1909. His liturgical feast is celebrated on March 15. Reflection Saint Clement Mary Hofbauer saw his life's work meet with disaster. Religious and political tensions forced him and his brothers to abandon their ministries in Germany, Poland, and Switzerland. Clement Mary himself was exiled from Poland and had to start all over again. Someone once pointed out that the followers of the crucified Jesus should see only new possibilities opening up whenever they meet failure. Clement Mary encourages us to follow his example, trusting in the Lord to guide us.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Kate Axtell is a professional alphorn artist and one of the original members of AANA's 2026 Organization of the Year, the Sierra Alphorn Players. In 2026, Kate established the Imagine Alphorns You Tube Chanel and the 30-Day Alphorn Challenge. Kate's alphorn journey is remarkable. She tells the inspirational story of how the alphorn saved her father's life and set her on her own incredible path. https://youtube.com/@thelongesthorn-alpshttp://sierrahorns.org axwoman@icloud.com #thealphornproject https://www.alphornassociation.orghttps://www.alpensong.com Imagine Alphorns “Imagine Alphorns” is a Swiss Alphorn lifestyle channel. I discovered the alphorn during Covid. I made new friends and came to rehearsals every week at the foot of the Sierra mountain range, su... We want to thank our sponsors ANNA and Alpensong

One of the things that can make a novel memorable is its atmosphere. So what do we mean, exactly, when we use that word, and how do we craft it? Guest H. M. Long joins us to attempt to answer that question amid the nebulous, numinous clouds of vibes and aesthetics. Not every author's going to interpret it the same way, but it's a bit about the mood, a bit about how the setting creates the mood, a bit about the characters' sensory experiences and their memories of those sensory experiences, a bit about what details you use to pull the reader into the character's experience of the world. It's a bit about weather, a bit about lighting, a bit about the score and soundtrack you're trying to put in a reader's head. Writers can use common shorthands, familiar references, quick sketches of setting, vocabulary choices, and other tools to hack their reader's minds and invoke a particular energy and vibrance for their story. [Transcript for Episode 176] Our Guest:  Hannah (H. M.) Long is a Canadian fantasy author. She inhabits a ramshackle cabin in Ontario with her family, but she can often be spotted snooping about museums or wandering the Alps. ​Hannah writes for Titan Books and is the author of the Four Pillars Quartet (Hall of Smoke), the Winter Sea Trilogy (Dark Water Daughter), the Entwined Duology (2026), Ashmarked (2027), and more. ​For the latest updates, follow Hannah on TikTok (@hmlongbooks), Instagram (@hmlongbooks), and Twitter (@hannah_m_long). 

Thank you for listening to Write On! Audio, the podcast for writers everywhere brought to you by Pen to Print. Our listener contribution for March comes from TAK Erzinger an American/Swiss poet and artist with a Colombian background.  She is also an alumni of Boston University.Her poetry has been featured by journals at the Latino Book Review, Indiana University, Cornell University, McMaster University, the University of Baltimore and more.  Erzinger's poetry collection At The Foot Of The Mountain, (Floricanto Press 2021), won the University of Indianapolis, Etchings Press Whirling Prize for 2021 for best nature poetry book and is a two-time finalist. Her second poetry collection Tourist (Sea Crow Press 2023) is also a two-time finalist at the International Book Awards and the Eyelands Book Awards. Erzinger was an artist-in-residence at the Art Centre Padula Residency Programme Italy, summer 2023, at Brisons Veor Residency Cornwall, fall 2024 and The Eutopia Artist Residence Greece, spring 2025. Most recently her first children's picture book, At The Queen Of The Mountain won five awards in 2025 including book of the year.  TAK's new poetry collection  A Woman Like That will be published at the end of March.   She lives in the foothills of the Alps in Switzerland with her husband and two cats.Find out more about TAK and her work by visiting her website herehttps://takerzinger.wixsite.com/poetAnd visit TAK's page at Grey Borders Books, TAK's Canadian publisher herehttps://greybordersbooks.jigsy.com/tak-erzinger All content associated with this podcast in audio and in print is protected and may not be copied or used for any purposes including generative AI/AI training. We're always delighted to read your contributions so if you'd like to see your words in Write On! or hear them on this podcast please get in touch. Please submit to: https://pentoprint.org/get-involved/submit-to-write-on/ Thank you for listening to Write On! Audio.  This edition has been presented and produced by Chris Gregory.  Write On! Audio is an Alternative Stories production for Pen to Print. This podcast is produced using public funding from Arts Council England.

Kyle is back on Trip Tales! You may remember him from a previous episode where he shared about his family's all-inclusive ski trip to Club Med Charlevoix outside Quebec City. This time, Kyle, his wife, and their two boys (ages 9 and 14) from Charlottesville, Virginia traveled in December 2025 to Germany and Austria.Their adventure included exploring Munich, visiting charming small Bavarian towns, wandering Christmas markets, and skiing in the Austrian Alps. Kyle shares why skiing in Europe can actually be easier and more affordable than a typical U.S. ski trip, plus tons of practical tips for families who want to make a trip like this happen.This episode is available to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kelseygravesIf you'd like to share about your trip on the podcast, email me at: kelsey@triptalespodcast.comBuy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygravesFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_gravesFollow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mskelseygravesJoin us in the Trip Tales Podcast Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1323687329158879Mentioned in this episode:- Flying Dulles to Munich- Erding Therme indoor pool and spa in Erding, Germany- Bad Tolz: Christmas Market, glühwein, kinderpunsch, Lake Tegernsee Christmas Markets- Neuschwanstein Castle, Hohenschwangau Castle, Schlossbrauhaus in Schwangau- Garmish-Partenkirchen: Dorint Sporthotel, Christmas Market, Zugspitze- Innsbruck, Austria- Niederau, Austria: Hotel Staffler, Skiing in Hopfgarten, Westendorf, Kitzbuhel- Munich: Dachau, Novotel Munchen City, Hofbräuhaus MünchenTrip Tales is a travel podcast sharing real vacation stories and trip itineraries for family travel, couples getaways, cruises, and all-inclusive resorts. Popular episodes feature destinations like Marco Island Florida, Costa Rica with kids, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Aulani in Hawaii, Beaches Turks & Caicos, Park City ski trips, Aruba, Italy, Ireland, Portugal's Azores, New York City, Alaska cruises, and U.S. National Parks. Listeners get real travel tips, itinerary recommendations, hotel reviews, restaurant recommendations, and inspiration for planning their next vacation, especially when traveling with kids.

What if one of the strangest mountains in Europe wasn't just a mountain?This week, we head to the border of Germany and Austria to explore the mystery of Untersberg - a massive limestone mountain looming over the city of Salzburg that has been surrounded by strange stories for centuries.At first glance, Untersberg looks like any other peak in the Alps. But beneath the cliffs and forests lies a vast underground labyrinth. More than 400 caves have been discovered inside the mountain, some plunging over a kilometer into the earth, and even today large portions of the cave system remain unexplored.And that's where the stories begin.Local folklore claims a powerful emperor sleeps somewhere inside the mountain - waiting for the day he will awaken and lead one final battle. Other legends speak of mysterious beings that live in the tunnels beneath the rock, guarding hidden chambers and ancient secrets.Then the twentieth century added an entirely new layer to the mystery.Just miles away from Untersberg, "A Famously Evil Austrian Painter" built his infamous mountain retreat, the Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle's Nest), surrounded by a network of wartime bunkers and tunnels carved into the mountainside.But the strange stories didn't end with World War II.Hikers have long reported strange experiences on the mountain... losing track of time, encountering unexplained phenomena in the caves, and sometimes disappearing entirely.And in the early 2000s, an engineer published a book claiming he had encountered something impossible beneath the mountain: a hidden world deep inside the rock.So what exactly is Untersberg?A beautiful but dangerous alpine landscape filled with caves and folklore?Or something stranger?This episode is about:A mountain filled with tunnels that stretch deep beneath the Alps. Legends of sleeping emperors and the beings said to guard them. The dark history of wartime bunkers carved into the mountainside. And the stories that continue to make people wonder what might still be hidden inside.Because for centuries, locals have had another name for this place.They call it “the mountain that eats men.”If you've ever looked at a place on a map and wondered what secrets might be hiding beneath it… this one's for you.Stay curious.Stay weird.Be Forever Rad.CONNECT WITH US

TLDR Dirty Disco 637 is a two-hour deep house and soulful house mix for 2026, curated as an emotive DJ journey rather than a playlist. The episode blends atmospheric house, modern soulful vocals, Chicago house grooves and refined late-night club energy. Key artists include Alps 2, Sean Green, Tortured Soul, [...] The post Emotive and Soulful Deep House Journey for 2026 in Dirty Disco 637 appeared first on Dirty Disco - Curated Electronic Music & more.

Daniel Fuertges is President of the Peoria Harmonie-Concordia, Music Club. Harmonie is the largest organization within the German American Central Society. The club traces its roots back to 1850. Daniel is also the Founder of the Peoria Mid-Winter Alphorn Workshop, the Manager and a performer of the Lindenhof Echoes, and the Manager and a performer of Al's Pals Polka Band.   The 2027 Peoria Mid-Winter Alphorn Workshop will be held 18-22 February. Dr. Natalie Grana will lead the event.   Daniel Fuertges' e-mail: dfuertges@yahoo.com https://www.facebook.com/groups/9480169842007158 https://www.peoriagermans.net/ https://www.alphornassociation.org/ https://www.alpensong.com/ Facebook See posts, photos and more on Facebook. We want to thank our sponsors ANNA and Alpensong

This week on Going Places with Ernie Dingo, co-host Rae Johnston takes viewers on an unforgettable journey through the Victorian Alps. From adrenaline-fueled sled rides with a pack of Siberian Huskies to meeting a traditional hat maker keeping a centuries-old craft alive, the episode is a perfect mix of adventure, culture, and breathtaking scenery.

Christian Dixon is a son, a sibling, a musician and a songwriter, and he's my guest for Episode No. 202.If you're so inclined, you can give Christian an Instagram follow at @christiandixonmusic. You can find him on Facebook and Tiktok. You can peruse his Web site, christiandixon.bandzoogle.com. You can find his EP and his singles on Apple Music and Spotify. And I'll also encourage you to check out James Carter's "You Found Music" out there on the Web; he's the guy deserving of the kudos for connecting me and Christian.During our conversation, we talked about life, growing up, family, mental health, self-discovery, service to others, and a bunch more. We also talked about a few of Christian's favorite albums, which were these:Glory, The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1989)Switchfoot's Vice Verses (2011)Vessel (2013), Twenty One PilotsPhoebe Bridgers' Stranger in the Alps (2017)Punisher (2020), Phoebe BridgersThis is a long one, and that's certainly not desirable for some of the potential viewing audience, especially for a brand that's making zero clips or short-form content, but it's worth it. Christian is sharp, personable, and full of great insight, so I do hope you'll tune in.Thank you to him for the time, and to all of you that support the program.Note: Tom Cruise. Not Tom Hanks in Magnolia. Yeesh.copyright disclaimer: I do not own the rights to any of the audio contained within this episode. They are clips from a tune entitled, "Berkeley Jam," that was spawned from a live Phish performance. I poached it from Live Phish Downloads 8.06.10 (The Greek Theatre, Berkeley, CA) from 2011, and it's available to me and you c/o Who Is She Music Inc.

Guest BioLynne Nieman is the founder of Wander Your Way, a travel planning company dedicated to helping people experience Europe with authenticity and heart. She's also the host of the Wander Your Way podcast, where she shares destination insights, planning tips, and stories that inspire listeners to explore Europe independently. With a background in photography and a passion for off-the-beaten-path destinations, Lynne has spent more than a decade crafting personalized European itineraries that emphasize meaningful travel, local connections, and slow exploration. Her journey began with a solo trip to Spain in 2005 and has since taken her across the continent — hiking in the Alps, sipping wine in Tuscany, and diving deep into the cultures of countries like Slovenia, Ireland, and France.What started as a travel blog evolved into a full-time business rooted in Lynne's belief that independent travel opens the door to transformation. In addition to custom trip planning and podcasting, she now leads small group tours through Wander Your Way Adventures, inviting others to discover the Europe she knows and loves. Her mission is simple: to help others wander in a way that's personal, purposeful, and unforgettable.Show SummaryIn this episode of the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast, host Jason Elkins speaks with Lynne about her path from government employee to full-time travel entrepreneur. She reflects on the solo trip that sparked her love for Europe and shares how that one experience led her to launch Wander Your Way — a company built on the power of independent travel.Lynne discusses the evolution of her business from blogging to professional planning and podcasting, the role of photography in how she sees the world, and the value of finding a like-minded community when pursuing big dreams. Whether you're planning your first trip abroad or starting a passion-driven business, Lynne's story is filled with practical wisdom and inspiring reminders that it's never too late to rewrite your path.Key Takeaways✓ Independent travel can lead to deep, personal transformation✓ Lynne began her journey with a simple blog and built a thriving travel business✓ Her love for maps and geography helped fuel her lifelong curiosity✓ Photography is both a creative outlet and storytelling tool for her adventures✓ Podcasting allows her to reach and inspire a global community of travelers✓ Community and mentorship are essential for entrepreneurial growth✓ Accountability partners can keep you focused and moving forward✓ Transitioning from a government job to entrepreneurship is possible at any stage of life✓ Travel can be a powerful way to inspire others to explore new paths✓ Passion projects often evolve into meaningful, sustainable careers Learn more about Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Marketing and join our private community to get episode updates, special access to our guests, and exclusive adventure travel offers on our website.

Liquid I.V. is the perfect travel companion for on-the-go hydration. Jim Hiller has been relieved of his duties as the Kings try anything to get back into the playoff picture. Mathew Schaefer is doing Bobby Orr stuff on the ice and he's only 12 years old. Mark Streit gives the boys an incredible interview from Milan, talking about his Olympic experience and winning a cup with Crosby. The boys skied the Alps and DP has a lot to say. Jim Carrey has been cloned. And the beer league hotline better be real. CHAPTERS:0:00 - Intro5:35 - Hiller Fired14:20 - Schaefer is Goated22:38 - Trade Talk39:53 - Mark Streit Interview01:34:19 - Italy Skiing2:01:03 - Beer League Hotline and Blind RankingPRESENTED by BetMGM. Download the BETMGM app and use code “NETTERS” and enjoy up to $1500 in bonus bets if you lose your first wager!Thanks to our Sponsors!BetMGM: Use bonus code NETTERS when signing up to receive up to $1500 in bonus bets if your first bet loses.Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US)877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY)1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR)21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only. Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.Find LUCY near you at lucy.co/stores, or save 20% on your first online order at lucy.co/NETTERS with promo code NETTERS.Liquid I.V. is the perfect travel companion for on-the-go hydration. Tear. Pour. Live More. Go to LIQUIDIV.com and get 20% off your first purchase with code NETTERS at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most of us move through life on autopilot—choosing stability, staying comfortable, telling ourselves “maybe someday.” This conversation with Meg is a reminder that someday is a decision.After 11 years in the corporate world, Meg chose freedom over predictability and built a life rooted in travel, community, and adventure. From a childhood in the remote wilderness of Idaho and Missouri to the fast pace of New York City, she shares how each chapter shaped her resilience, independence, and deep love of people and place.We talk about what it really looks like to pivot—traveling with kids, dreaming about Portugal in 2027, falling in love with a Bavarian village in the Alps—and how to stop waiting for perfect conditions. Meg offers practical tips for exploring Europe on a budget, building community wherever you land, and prioritizing what she calls “first life” moments instead of putting everything off for later.This episode is about choosing curiosity over comfort. About letting travel stretch you. About trusting that change might actually be the doorway to the life you've been craving.If you've been feeling the pull to shake things up—even just a little—this one's for you.

Most of us move through life on autopilot—choosing stability, staying comfortable, telling ourselves “maybe someday.” This conversation with Meg is a reminder that someday is a decision.After 11 years in the corporate world, Meg chose freedom over predictability and built a life rooted in travel, community, and adventure. From a childhood in the remote wilderness of Idaho and Missouri to the fast pace of New York City, she shares how each chapter shaped her resilience, independence, and deep love of people and place.We talk about what it really looks like to pivot—traveling with kids, dreaming about Portugal in 2027, falling in love with a Bavarian village in the Alps—and how to stop waiting for perfect conditions. Meg offers practical tips for exploring Europe on a budget, building community wherever you land, and prioritizing what she calls “first life” moments instead of putting everything off for later.This episode is about choosing curiosity over comfort. About letting travel stretch you. About trusting that change might actually be the doorway to the life you've been craving.If you've been feeling the pull to shake things up—even just a little—this one's for you.

Welcome to RIMScast. Your host is Justin Smulison, Business Content Manager at RIMS, the Risk and Insurance Management Society.   In this episode, Justin interviews Randy Nornes, the 2025 Harry and Dorothy Goodell Award Winner, about his career. They talk about uncertainty and a long-term approach to risk. Randy won the 2025 Goodell Award for his lifetime achievements. He is a problem solver. Randy advises risk professionals not to focus on what they did yesterday, but on what is happening today, and to stay current with risks such as AI and cyber risk. Randy talks about how staying with Aon for years has given him the latitude to look across the company and focus on the next risk. Listen for tips on laying the groundwork before the risks.   Key Takeaways: [:01] About RIMS and RIMScast. [:16] About this episode of RIMScast. Our guest is 2025 Goodell Award Winner Randy Nornes. We will learn all about his fascinating career and his risk philosophies. But first… [:42] RIMS Virtual Workshops. On March 10th and 11th, we have a two-day course led by John Button for the RIMS-CRMP Exam Prep. [:53] On March 17th and 18th, RIMS will align with AFERM for a two-day RIMS-CRMP-FED Exam Prep Course. [1:01] On March 4th and 5th, we have a virtual workshop, "Facilitating Risk-Based Decision Making", with Joe Milan. On April 15th, we have a virtual workshop covering "Emerging Risks", led by Joseph Mayo. [1:18] Register today and strengthen your risk knowledge. RIMS members always enjoy deep discounts on the virtual workshops. [1:26] Webinars. On March 6th, RIMS presents "Hard Hats & High Stakes: Women Leaders Shaping Construction Risk Management". We'll be joined by a Chief Risk Officer, an underwriter, and a broker. [1:40] They will explore their career paths, risk and safety philosophies, and lend some insight as to why this is the time for the next generation of leaders to rise. [1:51] For a quick preview, check out last week's episode with Cynthia Garcia. She is the Chief Risk Officer from Bernards, who will be joining us on that exciting panel. [2:00] On March 12th, Global Risk Consultants returns with "Don't Waste the Soft Market: Where to Reinvest Insurance Savings Before the Window Closes". Register for these and other webinars by visiting RIMS.org/webinars and the links in this episode's show notes. [2:20] On with the Show! Our guest today, Randy Nornes, is the 2025 Harry and Dorothy Goodel Award Winner. [2:29] Named after the first President of RIMS and his wife, the Harry and Dorothy Goodell Award honors an individual who has furthered the goals of risk management and the Society through outstanding service and lifetime achievement. [2:41] Randy Nornes exemplifies all that and more. He has been with Aon for 38-plus years. Currently, Randy is the Executive Vice President and Enterprise Client Partner for Technology, Media, and the Communications Industry. He has done some volunteer work, which we will talk about. [3:00] Randy has a fascinating career. We're going to learn about it as well as his leadership style, his risk philosophy, and how he is keeping Aon at the forefront of AI innovation. [3:09] [If you've been to RISKWORLD, you've seen Randy in the halls and the educational sessions. He has been an ever-present force there. And he is a highly-regarded member of the Chicago RIMS Chapter. Let's get to it! [3:23] Interview! 2025 Goodel Award Winner, Randy Nornes, welcome to RIMScast! [3:44] Randy is proud of that award. He wonders, after receiving a lifetime achievement award, what's next? Retirement? Should he write a book? [4:11] On the day of the award, Randy was backstage with Martha Stewart and had a chance to visit with her and discuss risk management. [4:21] Randy's wife and one of his sons were in the audience. When Martha Stewart came out and spoke, she referred to their conversation. Randy gained credibility at home that Martha Stewart listened to what he had to say! [4:52] Justin says that RISKWORLD 2025 was fantastic! Randy says he has probably attended three dozen RISKWORLD conferences. He says they get better and are different every time. You can see, decade by decade, what's important. [5:31] There is a wonderful profile on Randy Nornes, written by Russ Banham, in the special Awards edition of RIMS Risk Management Magazine. It is still available online. That's how Justin got to know Randy Nornes before this interview. [5:57] Randy always tries to link up with what the next big thing is. Since late 2025, Randy has been leading Aon's AI infrastructure efforts, from the financing of data centers, to the construction, to the development, to the operation, and to the energy attached to that.  [6:28] AI is the next big thing. Randy says that 40% of GDP is coming through the lens of building AI infrastructure. Aon has a big team for it, and that's what Randy does every day. He says it's massive, exciting, and relentless. [7:03] Randy says, Because it's coming so fast and furious, it's not something you have time to sit back and think about. He says we're seeing this thing evolve week by week. It's global. Risk management is at the center of making it all work. [7:27] Randy says there's a different lens depending on where you sit in the AI infrastructure world. Everyone is thinking about the risks of the construction, the operation, the access to power, and the climate. It's all melded into one thing. [7:48] Randy calls the Chicago RIMS Chapter big and vibrant. Chicago is unique in having representation from so many different industries. It's not highly concentrated. People have a lot of lenses to look at risks through. It makes for good conversations. [8:11] Justin notes that last year's Risk Manager of the Year, Jennifer Pack, was from Chicago. The Rising Star, Megan Smalter, was originally from Chicago. Randy has spent time on the West and East Coasts, and he finds the Chicago Chapter unique, with 25 different industries. [8:49] Justin gives a shout-out to Julie Bean, the 2024 Heart of RIMS Award Winner. Justin says Randy is in great company. The talent coming out of Chicago brings something special to RIMS. [9:27] Randy was going to be a banker. A banker manages risk around lending and projects. It's not a huge leap to get to the world of risk management from there. [9:44] In the 1980s, it was a turbulent time for banking. We had just come out of a tough inflationary period, with real estate bankruptcies and banks and savings and loans going under. His advisor told him not to go into banking. [10:18] Randy interviewed someone from Chubb. Chubb was scaling up a new product, Directors' and Officers' insurance. Randy was good at case studies in business school. Underwriting D&O insurance is a case study. Randy thought he could do that job. [10:54] Randy started at Chubb and ended where he is today. In 1987, Randy moved to Frank B. Hall, acquired by Aon in 1992. He was young and a good worker, so he was kept by the company. He says it was a trip working alongside Pat Ryan and learning the business at Chubb. [11:48] Pat Ryan took Randy and others under his wing. He is a great mentor. Randy credits him for access. Randy mentions other early supporters, Al Diamond and Skip Dunn. With Pat Ryan, Randy was always looking for the next big risk to come along or a new framework. [13:00] In the 1990s, governance, Sarbanes-Oxley, and enterprise risk frameworks came to the forefront, following bankruptcies of major companies that had appeared to be successful. [13:28] When enterprise risk became a thing, it needed frameworks. That led Randy to build one of the first enterprise-risk-focused teams to help companies think about it. This was before COSO. [13:55] Randy says a lot of the clients they dealt with in those early days were in industries where someone had already gone through some trauma, and they wanted to make sure they weren't next up. It was a lot of, "Hurry up and make sure we're OK!" [14:26] Randy says, in the 1990s, they were doing risk modeling. The reinsurance teams had risk models that ran on AS400 mainframe computers. They had to book computing time to run a scenario with a set of assumptions. They would run 10,000 simulations in a day. [14:55] If they wanted to change the assumptions, they had to book another time. [15:02] Now it's all on the laptop. The quality of data is significantly higher. They can do it in real time. Risk managers today may not recognize how lucky they are. [15:24] Randy says, We're always trying to decide what problem we're trying to solve for and what we know about that particular issue. The modeling is the entry point to know what to do or what matters. [16:10] Randy thinks risk is a terrible word. We risk professionals have a hard time communicating with people who aren't in our space when we use the word risk. Everyone has a different definition of risk. Randy says everyone can get on board with certainty and uncertainty. [16:34] Randy says, what we're doing with modeling is trying to understand what the distance between certainty and uncertainty looks like. Then, we have to decide what's comfortable and where our tolerance is. Then, decide what to do with the part that we want to get rid of. [16:48] That's at the core of risk management, and it hasn't changed in decades. The tools we have now have changed dramatically. [16:56] Justin cites Christy Kaufman from the profile article, who said that Randy is far more than a traditional broker; he is a thought partner and a problem-solver. Justin asks what allows Randy to move beyond transactional work into a strategic advisory mindset. [17:19] Randy says insurance is a complete waste of money, unless you can show how you're adding value. You can get there by showing this uncertainty spectrum and understanding it. [17:58] Randy says the mindset is, "I've parachuted in. What do we have going on?" If I did that today, I'd be looking at supply chain issues. It's amazing when you have that lens. Early on, he looked at a supply chain that was "perfect, end-to-end" on spreadsheets. [18:27] Everything was manually entered. Managers were judged on average inventory levels, and wanted to keep the levels as low as possible. To game the system, they ran inventory at the lowest level.  [18:57] They would raise the inventory at the end of the month to make it look like they were on target. It was not a real-time inventory. It looked like risk management was fine, but the chance of a stockout or a long-term impact was pretty great. [19:24] A Quick Break! RISKWORLD 2026 will be held from May 3rd through the 6th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. RISKWORLD attracts more than 10,000 risk professionals across the globe. It's time to Connect, Cultivate, and Collaborate with them. [19:43] Booth sales are open now. General registration and speaker registration are also open right now. Marketplace and hospitality badges will be available starting on March 3rd. Links are in this episode's show notes, and be sure to check out RIMS.org for more information. [20:02] Save the dates March 18th and 19th, 2026, for the RIMS Legislative Summit, which will be held in Washington, D.C.! Join us in Washington, D.C. for two days of Congressional meetings, networking, and advocating on behalf of the risk management community. [20:19] Visit RIMS.org/advocacy for more information and to register. Also, check out the prior episode of RIMScast, Episode 378, featuring RIMS General Counsel and Vice President of External Affairs, Mark Prysock, as we discuss the top priorities for RIMS in 2026 and beyond. [20:39] The Second Annual RIMS Texas Regional Conference will be held in San Antonio from August 10th through August 12th. [20:46] The call for submissions for educational sessions is open through March 18th. Check out the link in this episode's show notes and make a pitch! Hopefully, you get selected, and we'll see you in San Antonio! [20:59] Let's Return to Our Interview with 2025 Goodel Award Winner, Randy Nornes! [21:19] Justin asks how Randy delivers good or bad news to a high-level executive. Randy says he was gifted by his radio announcer father with a very calm demeanor. You're delivering what it is, based on some fact. Randy has had to deliver a lot of crazy facts over the years. [22:29] Early in his career, Randy had a financial institution client. They had some major issues. He was standing outside the boardroom, ready to go in to tell them whether they had insurance or not. They did not. He was on the phone with London, working out some coverage. [23:28] He got the message while he was in there that they had managed to land something for the client, so he could pivot. His colleagues said they couldn't believe how calm he had been, going in. [24:11] Randy says it's best to set the landscape with executives before extra risk is taken, showing alternatives and strategy, so if something happens, it was foreseen, you were just unlucky in that year. [24:53] If you hadn't done the front-end work and gotten everybody onboard to see why it was the right strategy, then the news of unanticipated issues gets a lot harder to deliver. [25:04] There's a lot of front-end work to do. To drop bad news on people without any prep is going to be a lot harder. Being transparent and on the same page, especially with finance people, makes communication easy. This flows up to the CFO and higher. Set the foundation. [25:51] Randy has 100s of people focused on data centers. They have analysts and use AI for some things. There are people from the financial institution vertical, construction, operations, cyber, AI, energy, and renewal. They gather together. It's multidisciplinary, under one umbrella. [27:05] Randy says his leadership style is collaborative. He tries to lift the whole team, orchestrating how it comes together. He lets them have the success they deserve. Randy is a strong proponent of mentorship. It's the secret to his success. [27:50] Randy has worked with some people for his entire career, as clients, colleagues, or competitors, and he stays connected with them. Hundreds of people fit that profile. [28:17] Another Quick Break! The Spencer Educational Foundation's Risk Manager on Campus application period will open on April 1st, 2026, and it will close on June 30th. Grant awardees, colleges, and universities are typically notified in September. [28:43] The Course Development Grant application deadline for Interval Number 2 will be on June 15th, 2026. Award notifications will be sent out in late July. [28:57] General Grant applications will open on May 1st, 2026, and the application deadline is July 30th. Internship Grant applications open on August 15th and close on October 15th. [29:10] Links to each of these grants are in this episode's show notes. Visit SpencerEd.org for more information. [29:18] Let's Conclude Our Interview with 2025 Goodel Award Winner, Randy Nornes. [29:39] Randy worked with Pat Ryan to lead the Risk Management and Financial Guarantee Team for Chicago's 2016 Summer Olympic bid. Randy says when Pat retired as CEO of Aon, he took on this project to head Chicago's Olympic bid. He invited Randy to the project. [30:19] In an Olympic Bid, the city has to sign a Host City Agreement that says they will take on the risks of delivering the Games. There's an effective financial guarantee. Globally, it is often done on a country level. That's not how it operates in the U.S. [30:43] Pat and Randy had to figure out how to de-risk the games so that what the city's guarantee would look like was limited because the team had built insurance and risk management. On the construction side, they had contractors take on risks. [31:03] They created a de-risking model. It was the first time anyone had done that for an Olympic Games. Chicago was not successful, but the work the team did on de-risking the Games became the model that a lot of Western cities took on for their Olympic bids. [32:03] Randy says you start with a line-item budget that the bid team puts out. A big part of it is the construction of venues, living spaces, technology, including massive broadcast bandwidth, tens of thousands of volunteers to transport and train, and secure. [32:35] Randy says they took the line-item budget and worked on each item separately, to create certainty and shrink the distance between certain and uncertain, so that when they put the umbrella guarantee on top of it, it touched a lot fewer things and had a lot more certainty. [33:01] The biggest thing the umbrella policy covered is delivering the Games on a certain date. No delays. All the costs are front-end. If, for some reason, the Games don't happen: terrorism, global war, or pandemic, you're stuck with all those front-end costs. It's the worst case. [33:39] The closer you get to the event, the more risk you have. Then you have the three or four weeks when you're delivering the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games. [33:49] Randy says it was interesting. They did a white paper on it, "How to De-risk Games." It was done to encourage cities not to be afraid to host the Games. [34:19] Randy says, over the years, when cities in North America are bidding for Winter or Summer, they reach out, and Pat and Randy give them the template. San Francisco, LA, Boston, and Calgary all asked for it. [34:51] Most of the people on the Bid Committee were on the City level. It was Mayor Daley, his staff, and 50 aldermen. Randy says, We gave them lots of transparency into what we were doing. [35:16] Randy says they provided 1,200 pages of material, in 3-ring binders, for each of the aldermen. They also put all the text on discs to search electronically. Later, an alderman called Randy, angry because he couldn't listen to the disc in his car. Randy explained it to him. [3:24] Randy thinks a city should be thankful to host the Olympic Games. They make the city sparkle. The city gets a big influx of outside money. Chicago would have gotten a lot of Federal money. The transportation system would have been upgraded. It would make the city better. [36:49] Randy describes how London and Paris were improved by hosting the Olympic Games. If you're thinking of bidding, it's worth it. Randy wishes Chicago's bid had been successful. [37:33] Justin and Randy comment on the Milan Winter Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies. The next Winter Olympics will be on the French side of the Alps. [38:01] Justin says that Chicago is known for its colorful history of notorious characters. [38:45] Justin asks Randy about Project Six. Project Six came out of the Olympic Bid. Seeing corruption in the city government, Randy and a few committee members put together Project Six, referring to the six business leaders who partnered with Elliot Ness to go after Al Capone. [39:44] They set up Project Six as a nonprofit whistleblower organization so people could come to report corruption. They got hundreds of whistleblower tips. They published things and gave information on criminal activity to Federal prosecutors. [40:07] Some things were not criminal but unethical. When the Chicago Cubs were playing in the World Series, public officials paid face value for Cubs tickets instead of the market price. Project Six brought it to the ethics committee, and they changed that practice for tickets. [41:31] Randy says they did not make a lot of friends in public office. Project Six is closed. [41:47] Randy talks about angering a bunch of people in public office. They went after Project Six because they weren't getting whistleblower tips on Republicans. There might have been one Republican commissioner in Chicago. [42:20] Randy says some of the senior people they ruffled went after donors. So it was a better idea to shut it down. It ran for three and a half years. [42:41] Randy says the biggest frustration was how slow things move. It takes years for some convictions to go through. You would like justice to happen faster. Randy hopes that when high-profile people go to prison, others pause to consider. [43:59] Randy gives his advice on what separates a good risk manager or problem solver from a great one. He says not to get too focused on what you did yesterday. Every day, step back and ask, Am I still doing the right stuff? Am I focused on the right thing? [44:26] You have a fixed amount of money to spend to solve your risk problems. You're insuring your buildings for fire, but over time, you've engineered them to be fire-resistant. There is less risk. At the same time, you have AI, cyber risk, and new things that come in. [44:48] Is it better to direct money to solve cyber risk and take on more risk for property? Don't get hung up on what you did yesterday. Stepping back and staying on top of what's happening with the business has never been more important. [45:17] Businesses are transforming before our eyes, and AI is leading the transformation. Make sure you're interacting with your business to stay current on what the business is all about. [46:02] Randy says being at Aon a long time has given him a lot of latitude to do all the things he has done. He can look for new things, cut across the towers that exist and think about risk at the broadest level. [46:40] If you move company to company, you'll step into the new role, fix a few things, and move to the next company. You won't have the latitude to experiment with new things or ask what comes next. You're there because you're needed at that time. [47:07] Randy says, That can be comfortable. But don't get too comfortable and make sure you're staying current. [47:17] We really appreciate you joining us here on the show. I want to wish you congratulations again on the Goodel Award. It's a big honor here at RIMS, and you certainly deserve it. [47:27] I look forward to meeting you in Philadelphia, from May 3rd through the 6th at RISKWORLD! Thank you so much for joining us here on RIMScast, Randy! [47:40] Special thanks again to 2025 Goodel Award Winner, Randy Nornes, for joining us here on RIMSCast! A link to his profile in RIMS Risk Management Magazine's Awards Edition 2025 is in this episode's show notes. [47:57] He's one of our men in Chicago. Check out ChicagoRIMS.org. They have a live event coming up called "Nuclear Verdicts: Live Mock Trial for Evaluating Litigation Risk and Strategy"  at the Aon Center (Chicago), on March 11th. You might see Randy there! [48:14] We've got the Chicago RIMS Annual Golf Outing on September 21st, and the 11th Annual Chicagoland Risk Forum on September 24th at the Old Post Office in Chicago. They're one of our most active and vibrant chapters, so check out those events and visit ChicagoRIMS.org. [48:34] Plug Time! You can sponsor a RIMScast episode for this, our weekly show, or a dedicated episode. Links to sponsored episodes are in the show notes. [49:02] RIMScast has a global audience of risk and insurance professionals, legal professionals, students, business leaders, C-Suite executives, and more. Let's collaborate and help you reach them! Contact pd@rims.org for more information. [49:20] Become a RIMS member and get access to the tools, thought leadership, and network you need to succeed. Visit RIMS.org/membership or email membershipdept@RIMS.org for more information. [49:37] Risk Knowledge is the RIMS searchable content library that provides relevant information for today's risk professionals. Materials include RIMS executive reports, survey findings, contributed articles, industry research, benchmarking data, and more. [49:54] For the best reporting on the profession of risk management, read Risk Management Magazine at RMMagazine.com. It is written and published by the best minds in risk management. [50:08] Justin Smulison is the Business Content Manager at RIMS. Please remember to subscribe to RIMScast on your favorite podcasting app. You can email us at Content@RIMS.org. [50:20] Practice good risk management, stay safe, and thank you again for your continuous support!   Links: RIMS Legislative Summit — March 18-19, 2026 on Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C. | Register now! RISKWORLD 2026 Registration — Open for exhibitors, members, and non-members! Reserve your booth at RISKWORLD 2026! Spencer Educational Foundation — Scholarships and Grants RIMS Texas Regional Conference 2026 Education Content Submission — Deadline March 18, 2026! RIMS-CRO Certificate Program In Advanced Enterprise Risk Management | April ‒ June 2026 Cohort | Led by James Lam RIMS Compensation Survey 2025 — Download Today RIMS Risk Management magazine | Contribute | Awards Edition 2025 RIMS Now RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP) | Insights Video Series Featuring Joe Milan! The Strategic and Enterprise Risk Center RIMS Diversity Equity Inclusion Council RIMS-CRMP Story, featuring John Button RIMScast Canada — Episodes Now Live RISK PAC | RIMS Advocacy Upcoming RIMS-CRMP Prep Virtual Workshops: RIMS-CRMP Exam PrepMarch 10‒11 | April 21‒22 | June 9‒10 RIMS-CRMP-FED Exam Prep with AFERM | March 17‒18 Full RIMS-CRMP Prep Course Schedule See the full calendar of RIMS Virtual Workshops RIMS Virtual Workshop – Facilitating Risk-Based Decision Making | March 4‒5 | Register Now Risk Appetite Management | March 25‒26 Claims Management | April 7‒8 Emerging Risks | April 15 | Register Now! Upcoming RIMS Webinars: Hard Hats & High Stakes: Women Leaders Shaping Construction Risk Management | March 6 | Presented by RIMS Don't Waste the Soft Market: Where to Reinvest Insurance Savings Before the Window Closes | March 12 | Sponsored by Global Risk Consultants RIMS.org/Webinars   Related RIMScast Episodes: "Investing In Yourself with RIMS 2026 President Manny Padilla" "RIMS 2024 Goodell Award Winner Eamonn Cunningham"   Sponsored RIMScast Episodes: Secondary Perils, Major Risks: The New Face of Weather-Related Challenges | Sponsored by AXA XL (New!) "The ART of Risk: Rethinking Risk Through Insight, Design, and Innovation" | Sponsored by Alliant "Mastering ERM: Leveraging Internal and External Risk Factors" | Sponsored by Diligent "Cyberrisk: Preparing Beyond 2025" | Sponsored by Alliant "The New Reality of Risk Engineering: From Code Compliance to Resilience" | Sponsored by AXA XL "Change Management: AI's Role in Loss Control and Property Insurance" | Sponsored by Global Risk Consultants, a TÜV SÜD Company "Demystifying Multinational Fronting Insurance Programs" | Sponsored by Zurich "Understanding Third-Party Litigation Funding" | Sponsored by Zurich "What Risk Managers Can Learn From School Shootings" | Sponsored by Merrill Herzog "Simplifying the Challenges of OSHA Recordkeeping" | Sponsored by Medcor "How Insurance Builds Resilience Against An Active Assailant Attack" | Sponsored by Merrill Herzog "Third-Party and Cyber Risk Management Tips" | Sponsored by Alliant   RIMS Publications, Content, and Links: RIMS Membership — Whether you are a new member or need to transition, be a part of the global risk management community! RIMS Virtual Workshops On-Demand Webinars RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP) RISK PAC | RIMS Advocacy RIMS Strategic & Enterprise Risk Center RIMS-CRMP Stories — Featuring RIMS President Manny Padilla!   RIMS Events, Education, and Services: RIMS Risk Maturity Model®   Sponsor RIMScast: Contact sales@rims.org or pd@rims.org for more information.   Want to Learn More? Keep up with the podcast on RIMS.org, and listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.   Have a question or suggestion? Email: Content@rims.org.   Join the Conversation! Follow @RIMSorg on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.   About our guest: Randy Nornes, at Aon   Production and engineering provided by Podfly.

This week, we're honored to welcome Andrew Delmenhorst, founder of Pygmy Elephant, a company that designs self-guided adventures for travelers around the world. Growing up with a restless curiosity and an early love of exploration, Andrew's life took a defining turn when a bungee jump in Switzerland, a leap he was terrified to take, cracked open something profound inside him and set the course for everything that followed.Andrew takes us on a journey through his transformation from corporate professional to passionate architect of life-changing travel experiences. He describes that pivotal moment standing at the edge, heart pounding, knees shaking, and ultimately jumping, and how that single act of courage made him ask: if I can do this, what else am I capable of? That question sparked a sabbatical, a 35-day solo hike across the Camino de Santiago, a bicycle journey over the Alps, and ultimately the birth of Pygmy Elephant in 2015.In this episode, we explore the profound philosophy behind the Pygmy Elephant name, the idea that small trips can have an overarching impact on your life, the unique self-guided adventures the company offers across Patagonia, the Tour du Mont Blanc, Scotland, the Dolomites, and beyond, and how Andrew's business has become a bridge between travelers and the transformative power of nature. Join us for a deep and moving conversation about finding meaning through movement, building a business from the ground up with nothing but grit and passion, and what it truly means to err on the side of adventure.

With several emissions rollbacks already taking effect, the automotive industry finds itself at a rare and timely crossroads—one that opens the door for genuinely exciting cars once again. Horsepower figures are now pushing past the 1,000 mark from multiple manufacturers, signaling that the long-running horsepower war is rapidly reaching its natural conclusion. As that race winds down, there's hope that automakers will redirect their energy toward what truly defines a great car: delivering a more engaging, rewarding, and memorable driving experience.    Speaking of memorable driving experiences, what automotive related destinations have you felt called to go back to? For us, it's clearly Moab, Idaho, Colorado, and the hidden roads of Sierra Nevada's. What place has you itching to come back and drive? The Tail of the Dragon, the Alps? Let us know!    The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!    

Jay Morton spent 14 years in the British military, including 10 Jay Morton spent 14 years in the British military, including 10 years in the SAS Special Air Service.Then one quiet moment in the Alps changed everything.In this Thursday Bite-Sized episode of Screw It Just DO It, Jay shares the exact moment he realised there was more to life than chasing promotion inside the Special Forces.Standing on a mountain ridge, eating a sandwich, he made a decision that would take him from elite military operator to two-time Mount Everest summitier and high performance expedition leader.We talk about:Leaving a high-status career without a rigid planWhy Everest became the next proving groundThe difference between physical toughness and mental resilienceWhy growth only happens when you deliberately make life hardJay reflects on summiting Everest twice, guiding clients through extreme pressure, and why he refuses to reach the end of life with regret.

Send a textColin and Russ discuss the tragic but fascinating criminal case surrounding an Austrian man who attempted to climb Grossglockner mountain with his girlfriend.  During their attempt, high winds and cold temperatures caused the girlfriend to die on the mountain after the man left her in order to get help.  Can he be criminally responsible for her death, or was this a tragic accident?  The Austrian courts have spoken, but did they get it right?  Plus a new Is This Legal and a hilarious DCOTW!

Fluent Fiction - Italian: Siblings Unite: Balancing Dreams and Heritage in the Alps Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/it/episode/2026-02-23-08-38-20-it Story Transcript:It: Il sole invernale era appena sorto, creando un'atmosfera tranquilla sopra il Santuario di Monte Sant'Angelo.En: The winter sun had just risen, creating a peaceful atmosphere over the Santuario di Monte Sant'Angelo.It: Le colline circostanti erano coperte da un manto bianco di neve.En: The surrounding hills were covered with a white blanket of snow.It: Un lieve vento gelido attraversava la piazza, ma dentro la caffetteria c'era calore e un profumo di caffè appena fatto.En: A slight chilly wind swept through the square, but inside the café, there was warmth and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.It: Luca era il primo ad arrivare.En: Luca was the first to arrive.It: Si sedette vicino alla finestra, osservando la vista.En: He sat by the window, observing the view.It: Le sue mani tremavano leggermente, più per l'emozione che per il freddo.En: His hands trembled slightly, more from emotion than from cold.It: Sentiva il peso della responsabilità sulle spalle.En: He felt the weight of responsibility on his shoulders.It: La proprietà di famiglia doveva rimanere insieme, come un ricordo duraturo dei loro genitori.En: The family property had to stay together as an enduring memory of their parents.It: Alessia entrò poco dopo, scuotendo la neve dal soprabito.En: Alessia entered shortly after, shaking the snow off her overcoat.It: "Ciao, Luca," disse con un sorriso flebile.En: "Hi, Luca," she said with a faint smile.It: Era sempre stata la più pratica tra i fratelli.En: She had always been the most practical of the siblings.It: Per lei, l'equità veniva prima di tutto.En: For her, fairness came first.It: Sergio arrivò per ultimo, con un'aria rilassata e una sciarpa variopinta attorno al collo.En: Sergio arrived last, looking relaxed with a colorful scarf around his neck.It: "Eccoci qui.En: "Here we are.It: Siamo pronti per la nostra riunione di famiglia?"En: Are we ready for our family meeting?"It: scherzò, cercando di alleggerire l'atmosfera.En: he joked, trying to lighten the mood.It: Si sedettero tutti attorno a un tavolo di legno scuro.En: They all sat around a dark wooden table.It: Ognuno con una tazza di caffè caldo tra le mani, guardarono l'un l'altro con una consapevolezza condivisa del motivo per cui erano lì.En: Each with a cup of hot coffee in their hands, they looked at each other with a shared awareness of why they were there.It: "Sergio, vuoi davvero vendere la casa?"En: "Sergio, do you really want to sell the house?"It: chiese Luca, rompendo il silenzio.En: Luca asked, breaking the silence.It: Sergio annuì.En: Sergio nodded.It: "Sì, fratello.En: "Yes, brother.It: Penso che sia la cosa giusta per me.En: I think it's the right thing for me.It: Ho sogni che voglio realizzare."En: I have dreams I want to pursue."It: Alessia li ascoltava attentamente.En: Alessia listened attentively.It: Si poteva percepire che stava ponderando ogni parola.En: You could sense she was pondering every word.It: "Capisco il tuo punto, Sergio, ma dobbiamo considerare ogni lato di questa situazione," intervenne Alessia.En: "I understand your point, Sergio, but we must consider every side of this situation," Alessia interjected.It: "Luca vuole mantenere viva la tradizione familiare."En: "Luca wants to keep the family tradition alive."It: La tensione aumentava mentre discutevano.En: The tension grew as they discussed.It: Il calore del fuoco nel camino non sembrava sufficiente a sciogliere il gelo tra loro.En: The warmth of the fire in the fireplace didn't seem enough to melt the ice between them.It: Le voci si alzavano e i toni diventavano più accesi.En: Voices were raised and tones became more heated.It: Poi Alessia fece una proposta.En: Then Alessia made a proposal.It: "E se trovassimo un compromesso?En: "What if we find a compromise?It: Luca, manteniamo una parte della proprietà intatta come ricordo dei nostri genitori, ma vendiamo il resto.En: Luca, let's keep part of the property intact as a memory of our parents, but sell the rest.It: Sergio, in questo modo potresti avere i fondi che ti servono, e Luca, tu potresti custodire la nostra eredità."En: Sergio, this way you could have the funds you need, and Luca, you could preserve our heritage."It: La sorpresa si dipinse sui volti di Luca e Sergio.En: Surprise was painted on the faces of Luca and Sergio.It: Le parole di Alessia portarono un nuovo schema nei loro pensieri.En: Alessia's words brought a new perspective to their thoughts.It: Era una soluzione che non avevano considerato.En: It was a solution they had not considered.It: Dopo alcuni momenti di silenzio, per la prima volta quella mattina, un sorriso si affacciò sul volto di Luca.En: After a few moments of silence, for the first time that morning, a smile appeared on Luca's face.It: "Credo che possiamo farlo," disse infine, sentendo un peso sollevarsi dalla sua anima.En: "I think we can do it," he finally said, feeling a weight lift from his soul.It: Così, in quella caffetteria accogliente, i tre fratelli trovarono un terreno comune.En: Thus, in that cozy café, the three siblings found common ground.It: Decisero di onorare il passato dei loro genitori, trovando allo stesso tempo una via che aprisse nuove possibilità per il futuro.En: They decided to honor their parents' past while finding a way that also opened new possibilities for the future.It: Luca capì che, a volte, lasciare andare era l'unica via per mantenere vivo ciò che veramente contava: l'unità della famiglia.En: Luca understood that sometimes, letting go was the only way to keep alive what truly mattered: the unity of the family. Vocabulary Words:atmosphere: l'atmosferachilly: gelidocafé: la caffetteriato tremble: tremareresponsibility: la responsabilitàproperty: la proprietàpractical: praticofairness: l'equitàscarf: la sciarpatable: il tavoloattentively: attentamenteto ponder: ponderaresituation: la situazionetension: la tensionefireplace: il caminotone: il tonoheated: accesocompromise: il compromessoheritage: l'ereditàsurprise: la sorpresasmile: il sorrisosoul: l'animacozy: accoglientecommon ground: un terreno comuneto honor: onorarepast: il passatofuture: il futuroto understand: capireunity: l'unitàsiblings: i fratelli

Video interview with American indie folk artist Phoebe Bridgers. FaceCulture spoke with Phoebe about Jackson Browne, her first songs, Georgia, vulnerability in writing, her darker side, working with Ryan Adams, a musical unicorn, her album Stranger in the Alps, touring with Julien Baker and Violent Femmes, the album title, expectations, and a lot more! (04/07/2017) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Brandi and Lindsey Jones are global alphorn thought leaders. They have manufactured over 200 alphorns in their shop located in Carson City Nevada. They have also written hundreds of alphorn pieces which are being performed all over the world. Their group, the Sierra Alphorn Players have recently been awarded the Alphorn Association of North America's 2026 Organization of the Year.  Silverandbrassmusic.com Silverandbrassmusic@gmail.com http://sierrahorns.org #alphornjones https://www.alphornassociation.org https://www.alpensong.com #thealphornproject We want to thank our sponsors ANNA and Alpensong

VIP members see the mini lesson https://app.swiss-german-online.com/mini-lessons/Qmpo3a0b5bNvP2dIn5XQ  Standard German https://app.german.dog/subscriptions  Swiss German app https://www.swiss-german-online.com/app.html   

We find out about the ski resorts of Isola 2000 in France - combined with a city break in Nice - and Stöten in Sweden.We also learn about ‘un/para/ld' - a new project to improve outdoor clothing for disabled people and we hear how the recent SIGB ski test went with our equipment expert, Al Morgan.Host Iain Martin was joined in the studio by Ben Nyberg, MD at Ski Scandinavia, and Alice Sainsbury, founder of ‘un/para/ld' ---------Tirol in Austria sponsors The Ski Podcast, which means this winter we're are finding out more about some of the great destinations in Tirol, and how you can connect with the Austrian way of life: ‘Lebensgefühl' – that you'll find there.---------SHOW NOTESBen Nyberg was on the show in Episode 221, discussing skiing in Sweden (1:30) Ben skied in Trysil in Norway (4:30) Tim Hudson from Inspired Italy reports Val Gardena (5:00) Jen Tsang from That's La Plagne is in La Plagne (6:40) Andy Butterworth from Kaluma Ski is in St Anton (8:20) Huw Nightingale, Charlotte Bankes, Chemmy Alcott, Graham Bell, Ed Leigh, Eddie The Eagle have all featured in our Winter Olympic Special Episodes (10:00) Chapeau to Dave Ryding – listen to Iain's interview with Dave in Episode 199 (10:45) Iain took the night train from Paris to Nice, spent a day in Nice, then went to the ski resort of Isola 2000 (11:45) Incredible views from the train on the Cote d'Azur (12:15) Caterina Prochilo speaks of the long history between Britain and Nice (13:00) After Nice Iain went to Isola 2000 (16:00) Iain was guided by Manon Degli Innocenti to the Tete Merciere (16:30) Ben is MD of Ski Scandinavia (17:00) Norway and Sweden are experiencing a surge in interest from British skiers (18:15) Ben is based in Stoten (19:00) Who's Stoten suitable for? (21:45) The transfer from the airport is only 25 minutes (22:45) Is Sweden more expensive than the Alps? (24:00) Try ‘fika'… (25:00) Alice Sainsbury is founder of 'un/para/ld' (27:30) "The outdoor clothing industry has failed disabled people. It is time for something new." Iain spoke with Heather Davies from the Re-Action Collective in Episode 255 (31:00) Working with Re-Action on a film shoot (33:30) Alice and the 'un/para/ld' project will be at the Paralympic Winter Games (34:00) How can people get support UN/PARA/LD and get involved? (35:15) Al Morgan reports from the annual SIGB (Snowsports Industries of Great Britain) ski test in Champoluc (37:40) Listen to our previous equipment special episodes  FeedbackYou can leave a comment on Spotify, Instagram or Facebook – our handle is @theskipodcast – or drop me an email to theskipodcast@gmail.com. You can also follow us on WhatsApp for exclusive material released ahead of the podcast.Glyn: "I really enjoyed your interview with Tim Wall! (Episode 299) I discovered the Ski Lodge in its first year, stayed in La Tania for the last 27 years, including many full seasons. Got to know Debbie and Tim pretty well - wonderful people and hosts!"There are now 303 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with. If you'd like to get some insight on a particular destination, listen to an interview with an athlete or find out about the latest kit, just go to theskipodcast.com, have a search around the tags and categories and you're bound to find something of interest to listen to. if you'd like to help the podcast, there are three things you can do:     -          you can follow us, or subscribe, so you never miss an episode   -          you can give us a review on Apple Podcasts or leave a comment on Spotify   -          And, if you're booking ski hire this winter, don't forget that you can get an additional discount if you use the code ‘SKIPODCAST' when you book at intersportrent.com or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied

The Devil in the Painting In the Alps, faith and fear have always lived close together. In this episode of The Devil Within, we travel to a quiet sanctuary in northern Italy — a place where generations have climbed in search of healing, protection, and answers when suffering felt too heavy to carry alone. In 1731, a woman from the surrounding region was brought to the hilltop church at Madonna di Pinè after her behavior began to change in ways her family could not understand. Sudden outbursts. Withdrawal. A voice that no longer sounded like her own. In a world without modern psychological language, her condition was understood the only way people knew how: Something had taken hold of her. What followed was a solemn ritual of exorcism — not spectacle, but prayer, command, and communal fear. Witnesses later described a moment during the rite when something dark and serpentine seemed to leave her body. Whether miracle, misinterpretation, or a psychological turning point shaped by belief, the event left a permanent mark. A small ex-voto painting inside the sanctuary still depicts the moment: a priest at prayer, a woman in distress, and a shadowed form emerging as if suffering itself had been given a shape. But this episode goes beyond the question of what happened. Because possession stories, across cultures and centuries, often reveal something deeper — a human need to separate pain from identity. To believe that darkness is something on us, not something we are. To see suffering as something that can be confronted… and expelled. In the harsh Alpine world — where avalanches, illness, and long winters reminded communities how little they controlled — that kind of narrative wasn't superstition. It was survival. As the Winter Olympics conclude and the crowds leave the mountains behind, this episode explores the older stories that still live there — stories of fear, faith, and the enduring hope that even the most invisible suffering can loosen its grip. Because sometimes the most powerful miracle isn't the disappearance of the unknown. It's the belief that healing is possible.

Hear about travel to Bern, Switzerland, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jack Baumann from Guidester and the Europe Travel 101 Podcast about a city he fell in love with early in his travels. Why should you visit Bern? Jack says, "I would say Bern epitomizes the blend mixture of natural beauty, culture, and history that Switzerland is known for. It's on the river Aare, it's surrounded by the Bern oberland, so you can get from the city center to a mountain in about 15 minutes. On a clear day, you can see the Alps." Jack's Recommended 7-Day Itinerary for Bern, SwitzerlandDays 1–2: Historic Bern (UNESCO Old Town) ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-bern-switzerland/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A former Marine infantry sergeant breaks twenty years of silence about what happened to him in the Trinity Alps Wilderness of Northern California in October 2003. He didn't want to write in. He's not a Bigfoot guy. But his teenage daughter listens to the show and finally wore him down.Mike and two lifelong hunting buddies were on a five-day backcountry elk hunt deep in the Trinity Wilderness, roughly fourteen miles from the nearest trailhead.On the third day, he picked up on something most people would've missed — the gut-level feeling of being watched and paced. Instead of panicking, he ran deliberate route changes and counter-surveillance techniques to confirm what his instincts were telling him. Something large and bipedal was tracking them from two to three hundred yards back, using terrain and timber for concealment with a discipline he'd later associate with trained military scouts.On the fourth night, it closed the distance to forty yards and stood at the edge of their camp. His buddy nearly fired. Mike stopped him — not out of compassion, but out of a cold tactical calculation that still resonates twenty years later. They packed out at first light and covered fourteen miles in a single push.Mike went on to enlist in the Marines, served two combat tours in Iraq including Fallujah, and earned a Purple Heart. He says what he experienced in the Trinity Alps scared him worse than anything he faced overseas.This episode explores why, and what his story tells us about the intelligence, patience, and capabilities of whatever's living in those mountains.This is one of the most detailed and tactically sophisticated encounter reports we've ever received on this show. You don't want to miss it.

In July 1965, a 12km tunnel dug deep beneath the Alps was opened to traffic, making it the longest vehicular tunnel in the world. Linking France and Italy, the Mont Blanc Tunnel was a remarkable feat of engineering. Franco Cuaz, a consultant on the project and the tunnel's first operations manager, spoke to Mike Lanchin in 2017 about the risks and challenges of the ambitious project.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: The Mont Blanc Tunnel. Credit: AFP via Getty Images)

⛪ The Devil Within — Episode 3: The Battle No One Sees The Winter Olympics celebrate control — bodies trained to precision, minds sharpened to the edge of physics, every movement calculated against gravity and risk. But in the shadow of those same Alpine peaks, another kind of battle has been unfolding for centuries. One without medals. Without spectators. Without a finish line. This week, The Devil Within turns inward. We travel to northern Italy, near the slopes and valleys that have long shaped both faith and folklore, to the Sanctuary of Monte Berico overlooking Vicenza. A place of prayer for generations — and, in recent years, the setting of a reported exorcism that left witnesses shaken and clergy emotionally drained. This episode explores a case that moved quietly through layers of scrutiny before a formal rite was performed. Those close to the woman at the center of the story described personality changes, emotional volatility, and distress that resisted conventional treatment. What followed inside the stone walls of the sanctuary was not spectacle, but hours of prayer, repetition, exhaustion, and uncertainty. We examine:     •    How the modern Catholic Church approaches exorcism with caution and psychological screening     •    Why Alpine communities often interpret suffering through both spiritual and folkloric lenses     •    The emotional strain on those present during prolonged religious rites     •    The thin, uneasy line between spiritual belief and mental health realities     •    What possession stories may reveal about the fragility of identity and the human need for meaning in moments of internal chaos Rather than focusing on dramatic portrayals, this episode sits with the quieter, more unsettling questions. What does it feel like when a person no longer feels at home in their own mind? Why do cultures across time describe that experience as something foreign taking hold? And how do faith, ritual, and psychology all attempt — in their own ways — to bring someone back to themselves? In a region where the mountains constantly remind people that control is never absolute, it may not be surprising that some believe struggle can come from within just as easily as from storm or avalanche. The Alps remain vast. The sanctuary remains still. And somewhere between belief and biology lies a story that resists easy answers.

If you think the worst thing that can happen while skiing is trying not to scream while the ski patrol figures out why your leg's bending that way, we have a lot to teach you about skiing. Spoiler: mountains can cook and kill people. Don't say this podcast doesn't teach you things. On today's episode:  you will learn why Frankenstein was more graceful on stolen corpse feet than you are in snowboots; you'll learn why diagonal tunnels basically act as nature's secret logistical flamethrowers; and we'll see how a $40 appliance permanently derailed a $30-million-a-year alpine operation and changed European history.And if you were listening on Patreon… you would hear about the industrial accident that unearthed the entire history of humanity in Western Europe; you would hear about all the terrible things that happened to the last King of England to die in battle before and after he actually died (spoiler: most of the injuries were after); and if you don't know the story, we'll tell you how Dionysus gave Damocles PTSD.This is one of those bad day at work/bad holiday episodes where everything that could have helped along the way was too expensive, and the one thing that was supposed to help someone was so cheap, it killed almost everybody. We're going to learn a lot about just how weird and active fire can be. Most people picture fire like this: Flames burn, heat rises, you step back. That's fine, if it's burning in a free and open space. You have no chance of being suffocated by it, and it's easy to play keep away with. In an open-air fire, heat rises and disperses, oxygen flows in from every which way, and the smoke just carries away on the breeze. In today's fire, not so much. We will be facing less of a camp fire and more of a blow torch. This episode also marks our return to the European Alps, where we will discover an entirely different way of being afraid of mountains, so that's fun! And as long as we're learning to be afraid of new things, we're also going to look at how everything around us, from the things we sit on to the clothes we wear, all break down into vaporized toxins that will absolutely make for not so good think before shutting you off for good. This is also an episode that extends our philosophy that any “vehicle” could double as a coffin, and funicular is a vehicle we've never explored before.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/doomsday-history-s-most-dangerous-podcast--4866335/support.

In this episode, I'm taking you to Switzerland and to the Valais Canton. I recently returned from a trip to three very different ski resorts: Les Marécottes, Verbier, and Bettmeralp. Each was beautiful in its own way, but it was the Aletsch Arena that truly stayed with me. It has been described as an insider's secret resort or a hidden gem. But it is well known to the Swiss and it's where they go to ski.In this episode, I'm joined by local expert David Kestens, who helps bring the Aletsch Arena to life. We talk about the car-free mountain villages of Riederalp, Bettmeralp, and Fiescheralp. David gives us an insiders guide to the insiders secret resort. I found myself deeply drawn to the Aletsch Arena, not just for its scenery, but for the feeling it creates. We also explore what the region offers throughout the year, from peaceful alpine walks in summer to skiing and snowshoeing in the winter months.The Aletsch Arena is home to the Great Aletsch Glacier, the longest glacier in the Alps, and forms part of one of Switzerland's most remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Surrounded by more than forty peaks rising over four thousand metres including the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc, and the Eiger. It's a place that naturally encourages you to slow down and take a breath.We also chat about Les Marécottes, and about what is possibly Switzerland's most famous ski resort, Verbier. A place that's very personal to me. I've visited Verbier many times over the years and it's where I first learned to ski.Join me as we explore why the Aletsch Arena, and the wider Valais region, are among the most special places to visit, from the stunning mountain villages to the wonderful train, and discover why they may just earn a place on your Switzerland bucket list.If you haven't already, I'd ask you to give me a follow on whichever platform you listen to your podcasts and you will be the first to get a new episode.Stays Marecottes - https://www.zoo-alpin.ch/fr/zoo-boutique-hotelButtmeralps - https://www.sporting-bettmeralp.ch Fergal O'Keeffe is the host of Ireland's No.1 Travel Podcast Travel Tales with Fergal which is now listened to in 140 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to sharesoul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations. Please follow me onInstagram @traveltaleswithfergalFacebook @traveltaleswithfergalTwitter @FergalTravelYouTube @traveltaleswithfergal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Further reading: I Can Has Mutant Larvae? 200-Year-Old ‘Monster Larva' Mystery Solved ‘Snakeworm' mystery yields species new to science Hearkening back to the hazelworm Show transcript: Welcome to Strange Animals Podcast. I'm your host, Kate Shaw. A few weeks ago when I was researching big eels, I remembered the mystery eel larva we talked about back in episode 49, and that led me down a fun rabbit hole about other mystery larvae. Let's start with that eel larva. Eel larvae can be extremely hard to tell apart, so as a catchall term every eel larva is called a leptocephalus. They're flattened side to side, which is properly referred to as laterally compressed, and transparent, shaped roughly like a slender leaf, with a tiny head at the front. Depending on the species, an eel may remain in its larval form for more than a year, much longer than most other fish, and when it does metamorphose into its next life stage, it usually grows much longer than its larval form. For instance, the larvae of conger eels are only about 4 inches long, or 10 cm, while an adult conger can grow up to 10 feet long, or 3 meters. On January 31, 1930, a Danish research ship caught an eel larva 900 feet deep, or about 275 meters, off the coast of South Africa. But the larva was over 6 feet long, or 1.85 meters! Scientists boggled at the thought that this larva might grow into an eel more than 50 feet long, or 15 meters, raising the possibility that this unknown eel might be the basis of many sea serpent sightings. The larva was preserved and has been studied extensively. In 1958, a similar eel larva was caught off of New Zealand. It and the 1930 specimen were determined to belong to the same species, which was named Leptocephalus giganteus. In 1966, two more of the larvae were discovered in the stomach of a western Atlantic lancet fish. They were much smaller than the others, though—only four inches and eleven inches long, or 10 cm and 28 cm respectively. Other than size, they were pretty much identical to Leptocephalus giganteus. The ichthyologist who examined them determined that the larvae were probably not true eels at all, but larvae of a fish called the spiny eel. Deep-sea spiny eels look superficially like eels but aren't closely related, and while they do have a larval form that resembles that of a true eel, they're much different in one important way. Spiny eel larvae grow larger than the adults, then shrink a little when they develop into their mature form. The six-foot eel larva was actually a spiny eel larva that was close to metamorphosing into its adult form. Not everyone agrees that Leptocephalus giganteus is a spiny eel. Some think it belongs to the genus Coloconger, also called worm eels, which are true eels but which have large larvae that only grow to the same size as adults. But worm eels don't grow much bigger than about two feet long, or 61 cm. If the mystery larvae does belong to the genus Coloconger, it's probably a new species. Until scientists identify an adult Leptocephalus giganteus, we can't know for sure. Another mystery larva is Planctosphaera pelagica, which sits all alone in its own class because the only thing it resembles are acorn worms, but scientists are pretty sure it isn't the larva of an acorn worm. It's not much to look at, since the larva is just a little barrel-shaped blob that grows about 25 mm across. This sounds small compared to the eel larva we just discussed, but it's actually quite large compared to similar larvae. Acorn worm larvae are usually only about a millimeter long. Planctosphaera has been classified as a hemichordate, which are related to echinoderms but which show bilateral symmetry instead of radial symmetry. Hemichordates are also closely related to chordates, which include all vertebrates. They're marine animals that resemble worms but aren't worms, so it's likely that Planctosphaera is also wormlike as an adult. Planctosphaera isn't encountered very often by scientists. It has limited swimming abilities and mostly floats around near the surface of the open ocean, eating tiny food particles. One suggestion is that it might actually be the larva of a known species, but one where an occasional larva just never metamorphoses into an adult. It just grows and grows until something eats it. So far, attempts to sequence DNA from a Planctosphaera hasn't succeeded and attempts to raise one to maturity in captivity hasn't worked either. Some people have estimated that an adult Planctosphaera might be a type of acorn worm that can grow nine feet long, or 2.75 meters, which isn't out of the realm of possibility. The largest species of acorn worm known is Balanoglossus gigas, which can grow almost six feet long, or 1.8 meters, and not only is it bioluminescent, its body contains a lot of iodine, so it smells like medicine. It lives in mucus-lined burrows on the sea floor. Another mystery larva is Facetotecta, which have been found in shallow areas in many oceans around the world. Unlike the other larvae we've talked about, they're genuinely tiny, measured in micrometers, and eleven species have been described. They all have a cephalic shield, meaning a little dome over the head, and scientists have been able to observe several phases of their development but not the adult form. The juvenile form was observed and it looked kind of like a tiny slug with nonfunctioning eyes and weak muscles. Scientists speculate that facetotecta may actually be the larva of an endoparasite that infests some marine animals. That would explain why no adult form has been identified. Genetic testing has confirmed that Facetotecta is related to a group of parasitic crustaceans. DNA has solved some mysteries of what larvae belong to which adults. For instance, Cerataspis monstrosa, a larval crustacean that was first described in 1828. It's over a cm long, pinkish-purple in color with stalked eyes, little swimming leg-like appendages, and neon blue horn-like structures on its head and back which act as armor. The armor doesn't help too much against big animals like dolphins and tuna, which love to eat it, and in fact that's where it was initially discovered, in the digestive tract of a dolphin. But scientists had no idea what the monstrous larva eventually grew up to be. In 2012 the mystery was solved when a team of scientists compared the monster larva's DNA to that of lots of various types of shrimp, since the larva had long been suspected to be a type of shrimp. It turns out that it's the larval form of a rare deep-sea aristeid shrimp that can grow up to 9 inches long, or 23 cm. Let's finish with another solved mystery, this one from larvae found on land. In 2007, someone sent photos and a bag of little dead worms to Derek Sikes at the University of Alaska Museum. Usually when someone sends you a bag of dead worms, they're giving you an obscure but distressing message, but Sikes was curator of the insect collection and he was happy to get a bag of mystery worms. The worms had been collected from an entire column of the creatures that had been crawling over each other so that the group looked like a garden hose on the ground. Sikes thought they were probably fly larvae but he had never heard of larvae traveling in a column. If you've listened to the hazelworm episode from August 2018, you might have an idea. The hazelworm was supposed to be a snake or even a dragon that was only seen in times of unrest. It turns out that it the larvae of some species of fungus gnat travel together in long, narrow columns that really do look like a moving snake. But that's in Europe, not Alaska. Sikes examined the larvae, but since they were dead he couldn't guess what type of insect they would grow up to be. Luckily, a few months later he got a call from a forester who had spotted a column of the same worms crossing a road. Sikes got there in time to witness the phenomenon himself. The larvae were only a few millimeters long each, but there were so many of them that the column stretched right across the road into the forest. He collected some of them carefully and took them back to the museum, where he tended them in hopes that they would pupate successfully. This they did, and the insects that emerged were a little larger than fruit flies and were black in color. Sikes identified them as fungus gnats, but when he consulted fungus gnat experts in Germany and Japan, they were excited to report that they didn't recognize the Alaskan gnats. It was a new species, which Sikes described in late 2023. His summer students helped name the species, Sciara serpens, which are better known now as snakeworm gnats. He and his co-authors think the larvae form columns when they cross surfaces like roads and rocks, to help minimize contacting the dry ground. Fungus gnats live in moist areas with lots of organic matter, like forest leaf litter and the edges of ponds. So the next time you see a huge long snake crossing the road, don't panic. It might just be a whole lot of tiny, tiny larvae looking for a new home. Thanks for your support, and thanks for listening! BONUS: here’s the Hazelworm episode too! The hazelworm today is a type of reptile, although called the slow worm, blind worm, or deaf adder. It lives in Eurasia, and while it looks like a snake, it's actually a legless lizard. It can even drop and regrow its tail like a lizard if threatened. It spends most of its time underground in burrows or underneath leaf litter or under logs. It grows almost 2 feet long, or 50 cm, and is brown. Females sometimes have blue racing stripes while males may have blue spots. It eats slugs, worms, and other small animals, so is good for the garden. But that kind of hazelworm isn't what we're talking about here. Back in the middle ages in central Europe, especially in parts of the Alps, there were stories of a big dragonlike serpent that lived in areas where hazel bushes were common. Like its slow-worm namesake, it lived most of its life underground, especially twined around the roots of the hazel. Instead of scales, it had a hairy skin and was frequently white in color. It was supposed to be the same type of snake that had tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. It had a lot of names besides hazelworm, including white worm for its color, paradise worm for its supposed history in the Garden of Eden, and even war worm. That one was because it was only supposed to show itself just before a war broke out. People really believed it existed, although stories about it sound more like folklore. For instance, anyone who ate hazelworm flesh was supposed to become immortal. It was also supposed to suck milk from dairy cows and spread poison. Some accounts said it was enormous, as big around as a man's thigh and some 18 feet long, or 5.5 meters. Sometimes it was even supposed to have feet, or have various bright colors. Sometimes drawings showed wings. There does seem to be some confusion about stories of the hazelworm and of the tatzelwurm, especially in older accounts. But unlike the tatzelwurm, the mystery of the hazelworm has been solved for a long time—long enough that knowledge of the animal has dropped out of folklore. Back in the 1770s, a physician named August C. Kuehn pointed out that hazelworm sightings matched up with a real animal…but not a snake. Not even any kind of reptile. Not a fish or a bird or a mammal. Nope, he pointed at the fungus gnat. The fungus gnat is about 8 mm long and eats decaying plant matter and fungus. You know, sort of exactly not like an 18-foot hairy white snake. But the larvae of some species of fungus gnat are called army worms. The larvae have white, gray, or brown bodies and black heads, and travel in long, wide columns that do look like a moving snake, especially if seen in poor light or in the distance. I've watched videos online of these processions and they are horrifying! They're also rare, so it's certainly possible that even people who have lived in one rural area their whole life had never seen an armyworm procession. Naturally, they'd assume they were seeing a monstrous hairy snake of some kind, because that's what it looks like. Sightings of smaller hazelworms may be due to the caterpillar of the pine processionary moth, which also travels in a line nose to tail, which looks remarkably like a long, thin, hairy snake. Don't touch those caterpillars, by the way. They look fuzzy and cute but their hairs can cause painful reactions when touched. The adult moths lay their eggs in pine trees and when the eggs hatch the larvae eat pine needles and can cause considerable damage to the trees. They overwinter in silk tents, then leave the trees in spring and travel in a snaky conga line to eat pine needles. Eventually they burrow underground to pupate. They emerge from their cocoons as adult moths, mate, lay eggs, and die, all within one day.

Fluent Fiction - Hebrew: Alpine Getaway: A Heartfelt Skating Retreat in the Alps Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/he/episode/2026-02-09-23-34-02-he Story Transcript:He: השלג ירד לאט על הפסגות הגבוהות של הרי האלפים, מכסה את הכל בלובן רך וקסום.En: The snow slowly fell on the high peaks of the alps, covering everything in a soft and magical whiteness.He: הלודג' היה מקסים, עם קמין עצים לוהט בחלל המרכזי שהפיץ חום נעים.En: The lodge was charming, with a blazing wood fireplace in the central area that spread pleasant warmth.He: אריאל נשמה עמוק.En: Ariel took a deep breath.He: היא עמדה מול חלון גדול וצפתה בנוף המרשים.En: She stood in front of a large window and looked at the impressive view.He: בראש שלה, התעופפו מחשבות על המשימה שבפניה.En: In her mind, thoughts about the task ahead of her were flying around.He: הנופש הקבוצתי היה יוזמתה. מטרה: לחזק את צוות העובדים.En: The group getaway was her initiative, with the goal of strengthening the team.He: כל חברי הצוות היו שם, כולל מרים ודניאל.En: All the team members were there, including Miriam and Daniel.He: אריאל הייתה נחושה להצליח כמנהיגה, אבל גם חלמה בסתר על יום האהבה הקרוב.En: Ariel was determined to succeed as a leader, but secretly she also dreamt about the upcoming Valentine's Day.He: בינתיים, דניאל היה שקט ומכוון בעבודתו.En: Meanwhile, Daniel was quiet and focused on his work.He: אריאל שמה לב אליו.En: Ariel noticed him.He: משהו בקלות שבה היה מדבר אליה גרם לה להרגיש אחרת.En: Something about the ease with which he spoke to her made her feel different.He: היא תהתה אם הוא מרגיש אותו דבר.En: She wondered if he felt the same way.He: אריאל תכננה את אירוע יום האהבה בלודג'.En: Ariel planned the Valentine's Day event at the lodge.He: "זה יהיה מושלם למורל הצוות," חשבה.En: "It will be perfect for team morale," she thought.He: אבל בתוך תוכה, רצתה גם ליצור רגע מיוחד עם דניאל.En: But deep down, she also wanted to create a special moment with Daniel.He: בערב האירוע, השלג פסק והקרח בגלריה החיצונית היה מושלם להחלקה.En: On the evening of the event, the snow stopped, and the ice on the outdoor gallery was perfect for skating.He: צוות העובדים יצא להפעילות.En: The team went out for the activity.He: אריאל, מלאת חששות אך גם התרגשות, הצטרפה אליהם.En: Ariel, full of both apprehension and excitement, joined them.He: היא ראתה את דניאל מחליק בחינניות והרגישה אוזלת יד.En: She saw Daniel skating gracefully and felt a sense of helplessness.He: האם עליו לדעת מה היא מרגישה?En: Should he know how she feels?He: לפתע, כשנפגשה עם מבטו של דניאל, אריאל מצאה אומץ.En: Suddenly, when her gaze met Daniel's, Ariel found courage.He: היא ניגשה אליו וצחקה, "אולי תלמד אותי להחליק היום?"En: She approached him and laughed, "Maybe you can teach me to skate today?"He: דניאל חייך והשיב, "אם את באמת רוצה." הוא הושיט לה יד.En: Daniel smiled and replied, "If you really want to." He extended his hand to her.He: בינתיים, התגלה ויכוח בין חברי הצוות בקבוצה.En: Meanwhile, an argument broke out among the team members in the group.He: המבטים התקשו, והמורל החל לרדת.En: The looks were tense, and morale began to drop.He: אריאל הבינה שחייבת לפעול.En: Ariel realized she had to take action.He: היא הכניסה את כל כישרונות הנהגתה לתוך השיחה, והצליחה להרגיע את המתחים.En: She poured all her leadership skills into the conversation and managed to calm the tensions.He: דניאל הביט בה בהערכה והם נראו קרובים מתמיד.En: Daniel looked at her with admiration, and they seemed closer than ever.He: היא למדה שכנות יכולה להיות נשק חזק.En: She learned that honesty can be a powerful weapon.He: כאשר הסתיימה הסערה הקטנה בצוות, אריאל ודניאל התקרבו זה לזו.En: When the small storm within the team passed, Ariel and Daniel got closer to each other.He: בתוך השקט, מול חום הקמין, התחושות החופשיות שלהם הפכו לסיפור אהבה מתחיל.En: In the quiet, by the warmth of the fireplace, their free feelings turned into a budding love story.He: הנופש נגמר, אבל אריאל חזרה הביתה מלאה יותר בביטחון עצמי כמי שיכולה לשלב בין קריירה לאושר אישי.En: The getaway ended, but Ariel returned home feeling more confident as someone who can combine career and personal happiness. Vocabulary Words:peaks: פסגותlodge: לודג'blazing: לוהטfireplace: קמיןimpressive: מרשיםgetaway: נופשinitative: יוזמהstrengthening: לחזקdetermined: נחושהmorale: מורלapprehension: חששותgracefully: בחינניותhelplessness: אוזלת ידcourage: אומץadmiration: הערכהhonesty: כנותtense: מתקשוstorm: סערהbudding: מתחילwhiteness: לובןbreathe: נשמהthoughts: מחשבותupcoming: הקרובplanned: תכננהgallery: גלריהice: קרחtensions: מתחיםleadership: כישרונות הנהגהcombined: לשלבcareer: קריירהBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fluent-fiction-hebrew--5818690/support.

Fluent Fiction - Danish: Surprise Snowstorm Sparks Love in the Alps Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/da/episode/2026-02-09-08-38-20-da Story Transcript:Da: Snefnug dalede stille ned fra himlen og lagde sig som et tyndt tæppe over skaren af skiløbere på det idylliske skisportssted i Alperne.En: Snowflakes drifted quietly down from the sky, settling like a thin blanket over the crowd of skiers at the idyllic alpine ski resort.Da: Det var februar, og Valentine's Day nærmede sig, en tid fyldt med romantik i luften.En: It was February, and Valentine's Day was approaching, a time filled with romance in the air.Da: I hjertet af denne vinterdrøm befandt Søren sig.En: In the heart of this winter dream was Søren.Da: Han stod op ski og kiggede ud over det snedækkede landskab.En: He stood on skis, gazing out over the snowy landscape.Da: Hans veninde Kirsten havde inviteret ham på denne grupperejse for at få ham til at glemme sit seneste forhold.En: His friend Kirsten had invited him on this group trip to help him forget his recent relationship.Da: Kirsten var en sand matchmaker og ønskede, at alle omkring hende skulle finde kærligheden.En: Kirsten was a true matchmaker and wanted everyone around her to find love.Da: Søren ønskede at nyde ferien uden komplikationer.En: Søren wanted to enjoy the vacation without complications.Da: Men dybt inde længtes han efter nogen, der kunne forstå hans frygt og håb.En: But deep inside, he longed for someone who could understand his fears and hopes.Da: Mens han tænkte, blev hans opmærksomhed fanget af Maja.En: As he pondered, his attention was caught by Maja.Da: Hun var en del af gruppen, og hendes latter kunne høres, selv over vindens susen.En: She was part of the group, and her laughter could be heard even over the rustling wind.Da: Maja gik hen til Søren, og de talte sammen for første gang.En: Maja approached Søren, and they spoke for the first time.Da: "Det her sted er magisk, er det ikke?"En: "This place is magical, isn't it?"Da: spurgte Maja med et smil.En: asked Maja with a smile.Da: Hun var her for lidt eventyr og et tiltrængt pusterum fra sin krævende karriere.En: She was there for a little adventure and a much-needed break from her demanding career.Da: Søren nikkede forsigtigt.En: Søren nodded cautiously.Da: Han følte sig tiltrukket af hendes energi, men noget holdt ham tilbage.En: He felt drawn to her energy, but something was holding him back.Da: Dagene gik, og gruppen tilbragte tiden med at suse ned ad de blanke skråninger og nyde varm chokolade i de hyggelige træhytter.En: The days passed, and the group spent their time zooming down the slick slopes and enjoying hot chocolate in the cozy wooden cabins.Da: Problemerne kom, da Søren og Maja under en skiudflugt kom på afveje fra resten af gruppen.En: Trouble came when Søren and Maja, during a ski outing, got separated from the rest of the group.Da: En pludselig snestorm tvang dem til at søge ly i en lille, afsidesliggende hytte.En: A sudden snowstorm forced them to seek shelter in a small, secluded cabin.Da: Indenfor ved pejsens varme talte Søren og Maja åbent.En: Inside, by the warmth of the fireplace, Søren and Maja spoke openly.Da: Snestormen piskede udenfor, men det blev en anledning til, at de kunne åbne deres hjerter for hinanden.En: The snowstorm raged outside, but it became an opportunity for them to open their hearts to each other.Da: Søren delte sin frygt for at blive såret igen, mens Maja talte om sin frygt for ikke at finde nogen, der kunne følge med hendes livstempo.En: Søren shared his fear of being hurt again, while Maja talked about her fear of not finding someone who could keep up with her life's pace.Da: Da stormen næste morgen stilnede af, følte Søren noget nyt inden i sig.En: When the storm abated the next morning, Søren felt something new inside him.Da: Han besluttede, at måske var det tid til at tage en chance.En: He decided that maybe it was time to take a chance.Da: Maja, smilende og i samme sindstilstand, vidste, at der var noget specielt mellem dem.En: Maja, smiling and in the same state of mind, knew that there was something special between them.Da: Tilbage hos gruppen modtog Kirsten dem med åben arme og en listig glimt i øjet.En: Back with the group, Kirsten welcomed them with open arms and a sly twinkle in her eye.Da: Søren og Maja vendte tilbage med deres nyfundne forbindelse styrket af de ærlige samtaler og den tid, de havde brugt sammen.En: Søren and Maja returned with their newfound connection strengthened by the honest conversations and the time they had spent together.Da: Den ferien i Alperne markerede ikke kun en romantisk genopdagelse for Søren, men også en for Maja, der havde fundet en, hun kunne forbinde sig dybt med midt i sin hektiske hverdag.En: That vacation in the Alps marked not only a romantic rediscovery for Søren but also for Maja, who had found someone she could connect with deeply amid her hectic everyday life.Da: Solen glimtede i sneen, og bjergene stirrede som stille vidner til begyndelsen på en ny historie om kærlighed.En: The sun glistened on the snow, and the mountains stood as silent witnesses to the beginning of a new story of love. Vocabulary Words:drifted: daledeblanket: tæppesettling: lagde sigidyllic: idylliskeromance: romantikinvite: inviteretforget: glemmematchmaker: matchmakercomplications: komplikationerpondered: tænkterustling: susensecluded: afsidesliggendeshelter: lyabated: stilnede afgaze: kiggedelaughter: lattercautiously: forsigtigtenergy: energislick: blankeslopes: skråningercozy: hyggeligefireplace: pejsrage: piskedehonest: ærligeconnect: forbindepace: livstemposly: listigtwinkle: glimtdiscovery: genopdagelsehectic: hektiske

Professor Eve McDonald explains how Hannibal, emulating the myth of Hercules, daringly marched elephants and troops across the treacherous Alps to surprise Rome with an invasion of Italy.1899 CARTHAGE

Lorenzo Fiori reports on the opening ceremony excitement, improved snow conditions in the Alps, and Prime Minister Meloni's strong leadership presence at the Milan Winter Olympics.1914 DOLOMITE ALPS

1910 CARTHAGE1.Jeff Bliss reports on allegations that Mayor Bass altered an after-action report regarding the Pacific Palisades fire to hide resource deployment failures during the disaster response in Los Angeles.2.Jeff Bliss notes Governor Newsom promotes high-speed rail despite a nearby fire and no track laid, while facing skepticism about his presidential potential and California's ongoing infrastructure struggles.3.Gene Marks discusses high small business confidence, the resilience of plumbing trades, and how new AI agents from Anthropic are rendering traditional software coding obsolete in the tech industry.4.Gene Marks warns administrative roles face AI threats while employers prioritize AI literacy, advising businesses to update Google profiles to avoid losing significant annual revenue from outdated listings.5.Henry Sokolski of the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center warns of heightened risks as the New START treaty expires without replacement, citing unchecked Russian and Chinese weapons and debates over resuming nuclear testing.6.Henry Sokolski notes amidst expired treaties, the US reintroduces extended deterrence language and recommits to the NPT, though non-proliferation enforcement remains inconsistent and challenging against determined adversaries.7.Richard Epstein of the Hoover Institution argues the proposed retroactive billionaire wealth tax is unconstitutional, economically damaging, and likely to drive wealth out of California despite strong union support.8.Richard Epstein suggests intense political polarization explains why scandals like the Epstein files or Trump'scontroversies deepen divides rather than ending careers, normalizing political deviance across the spectrum.9.Professor Eve McDonald explains how Hannibal, emulating the myth of Hercules, daringly marched elephants and troops across the treacherous Alps to surprise Rome with an invasion of Italy.10.Professor Eve McDonald describes how Hannibal utilizes superior cavalry and terrain to encircle and annihilate a larger Roman force at Cannae, though he lacks the manpower to subsequently take Rome.11.Professor Eve McDonald recounts how young Scipio Africanus adopts Hannibal's tactics, conquering Spain and invading Africa to force Hannibal's return and final defeat at the Battle of Zama.12.Professor Eve McDonald concludes that after a brutal siege and total destruction in 146 BC, Carthage is eventually refounded by Augustus, becoming a vital Roman city and Christian center.13.Lorenzo Fiori reports on the opening ceremony excitement, improved snow conditions in the Alps, and Prime Minister Meloni's strong leadership presence at the Milan Winter Olympics.14.Jim McTague notes steady but quiet business activity in Lancaster, describes local approval for a new data center, and reports on overlooked global cod shortages affecting seafood markets.15.Bob Zimmerman of Behind the Black discusses Axiom's upcoming ISS missions, various European startups, and critiques crony capitalism regarding government subsidies for Starlink's rural internet access.16.Bob Zimmerman details findings of water and organics on an interstellar comet, discusses the unknowns of space reproduction, and dismisses sensationalism regarding Jupiter's diameter measurements in recent headlines.

The Devil Within Tatzelwurm —The Thing That Watches From the Snowline High above the tree line, where oxygen thins and old superstitions thicken, something has been slithering through European folklore for centuries. This week on The Devil Within, we journey into the jagged spine of the Alps — a place of avalanches, isolation… and sightings of a creature that by all rights should not exist. It has the body of a serpent. The face of a cat. The temper of something ancient and territorial. They call it The Tatzelwurm.

This week Seth and Josh welcome Nat Faxon to the podcast! Nat talks all about living in Manchester-by-the-Sea (Sorry Seth, not “on” the sea), his time at boarding school, learning life lessons the hard way at ski school, and what he calls the “Ibiza of the Alps” — relax… if you can. He also shares memories from Singing Beach, memories from filming The Descendants and The Way Way Back, and more! Plus, Nat chats about his hit Apple TV+ series Loot, out now! Ka'Chava Go to https://kachava.com and use code TRIPS for 15% off your first order. BluelandBlueland has a special offer for listeners. Right now, get 15% off your first order by going to https://Blueland.com/TRIPS IQ BarIQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners twenty percent off all IQBAR products—including the Ultimate sampler pack—plus FREE shipping. To get your twenty percent off, text TRIPS to 64000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. Marley SpoonThis new year, fast-track your way to eating well with Marley Spoon. Head to https://MarleySpoon.com/offer/trips for 45% off your first order and free delivery. Mint MobileReady to stop paying more than you have to? New customers can make the switch today and for a limited time, get unlimited premium wireless for just $15 per month. Switch now at https://MINTMOBILE.com/TRIPSUpfront payment of: $45 for 3-months, $90 for 6-months, or $180 for 12-month plan required ($15/month equivalent.). Taxes & fees extra. Initial plan term only. Over 50GB may slow when network is busy. Capable device required. Availability, speed, & coverage varies. Additional terms apply. See https://mintmobile.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex is a qualified International Mountain Leader, Polar Guide, and a professional Photographer based in St. Moritz, Switzerland. From scaling the world's highest peaks to leading expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctica, she thrives where the wild meets the extreme. Her passion for high-altitude exploration took her on a relentless quest; climbing the highest mountain on every continent, culminating on the summit of Mt. Everest in 2018. She became the first ever Hungarian to climb the Seven Summits. This journey ignited her mission to guide others through the raw beauty of the mountains and beyond. In the winter, she guides private snowshoe and fat bike around St. Moritz; in the summer, she leads exhilarating hiking and mountain biking adventures across the Alps. Between her Alps seasons, she's found working in the Polar regions (Antarctica: guide, zodiac driver, lecturer and lead crevasse rescue guide. Arctic: guide, zodiac driver, lecturer and polar bear guard) Her expertise extends far beyond Europe, guiding bespoke expeditions across the globe. An endurance athlete at heart, Alex is always chasing the next adventure—whether Polar ski crossing, racing mountain bikes, or pushing limits in the mountains. As a professional photographer and drone pilot, she uses her lens to capture the world's most remote landscapes, advocate for environmental conservation, and document the stories of the Polar regions. Her work is deeply inspired by mountains, polar history, pioneering female explorers, and the delicate balance of nature. In her recent book: Beyond the Seven Summits: Finding Strength Where the Air is Thin, Alex shares her experiences of climbing these mountains, and she also explores the journey that shaped who she is today: all the highs and lows. I hope to bring these peaks closer to readers by including short historical notes alongside each climb and sharing everything she learned along the way. The book is also rich in photographs, helping to bring both the stories and these beautiful mountains vividly to life. First TGP episode - August 25th 2020 - Alexandra Nemeth the first Hungarian to climb the 7 summits!  ***  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Alex Being born in Hungary, but spending most of her adult life in the UK Deciding to move to the Swiss Alps to work as an International Mountain Leader Climbing the 7 Summits and becoming the first Hungarian to do so Coming on the Tough Girl Podcast - August 25th 2020  What's been the biggest changes over the past few years  Making the decision to move from the UK to Switzerland  Having a plan to live in the mountains  Waiting for the right opportunity.  Packing up her car in 2020 What life has been like in Switzerland  Being a qualified Mountain Bike Guide  The Next chapter in her life Becoming an International Mountain Leader (IML) Working 2 part time jobs to make a living  Finding a community in Switzerland  Ending up doing things on her own  Needing to prioritise herself and gaining her qualifications  Focusing on navigation  The 4 stages of the IML  Becoming a polar guide  Getting a job on an expedition ship  What is ship life like? Documenting her journey in a book! Connecting with nature can be incredible powerful Dealing with her fears, most noticeably her fear of heights Choosing to heal in nature  Turning her passion into a job Putting together expeditions to Peru Keeping it fun and exciting  Planning for adventures and expeditions  How to start and why you need to build things up Being on a ship for the next 2 months International Women's Day 8th March 2025 Free Snowshoe Tour for Women! Doing a hut to hut tour! Teaching women winter survival skills How to connect with Alex on social media  Advice who want to follow their dreams and passions Don't let excuses stop you on your way. Stay on the path, even if you have to slow down.  Live your life without excuses!    Social Media Website alex7summits.com  Instagram @alex7summits  Email: alex7summits@gmail.com Book: Beyond the Seven Summits: Finding Strength Where the Air is Thin  

Max Pearson presents a collection of the week's Witness History interviews from the BBC World Service.We travel back to Chile in 2006 where more than 600,000 schoolchildren are marching through the streets to protest about their schools. The nationwide demonstrations will become known as the "Penguin Revolution".Our guest Dr Laura Tisdall, a historian from Newcastle University, explains why this isn't the first time children have challenged authority.And we examine another protest in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, in 1979 which became a seminal moment in the country's transition to democracy.Plus, one of the most defining moments of World War Two – the liberation of Auschwitz, the Nazis' largest death camp in 1945.And the remarkable story of the 5,000-year-old mummy found frozen and perfectly preserved in Europe's Ötzal Alps in 1991. In sport, we explore the inspiring story of how rugby union came to thrive in Syria - despite mass protests and violent government crackdowns during 2011...Finally, we celebrate 100 years since a technological breakthrough that would change the world. The start of television.Contributors:Karina Delfino – one of the leaders of the Penguin Revolution.Dr Laura Tisdall - lecturer in Modern British History, Newcastle University.Yao Chia-wen – protester in the Kaohsiung Incident.General Vasily Petrenko – Soviet army commander who helped liberate Auschwitz. Konrad Spindler – archaeologist.Rainer Henn - forensic pathologist.Mohamad Jarkou – Syrian rugby union player.Iain Logie Baird – grandson of John Logie Baird, the inventor of television.(Photo: High school students in Santiago, 2006. Credit: Claudio Pozo/AFP via Getty Images)

In September 1991, two German hikers found a dead body while walking through Europe's Ötzal Alps. It turned out to be a perfectly preserved 5,000-year-old mummy. The archaeologist Konrad Spindler inspected the body along with the assemblage of items recovered from the gravesite. A person of this age had never been found before in such exceptional condition. They'd lived during the transition between the stone and copper ages, and provided a snapshot into early human culture, medicine and genetics. Hunter Charlton tells the story through archive interviews with the archaeologist Konrad Spindler and forensic pathologist Rainer Henn who were involved in recovering, analysing and preserving the mummy. An Ember production. 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: The hikers with the mummy they discovered in September 1991. Credit:Paul Hanny/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

Martin Rejmanek and his father Honza, a veteran 5-time Red Bull X-Alps competitor completed the full length of the 2003 Red Bull X-Alps course from the Dachstein to Monaco by tandem bivvy using only their wing and their feet this last year. Father and son completed the amazing journey in different segments over the course of eight summers, starting when Martin was just 8 years old. Martin is now seventeen and graduated to flying solo last year, taking on the full breadth of cross country flying, SIV training and becoming a completely independent pilot. He's flown solo from Annecy to Chamonix over the Aravis chain. He's flown at over 17,000 feet over Mt Whitney in the Sierras. Inspiring to say the least.

SHOW SCHEDULE 1-23-261935 BRUSSELSSEGMENT 1: WEST COAST CITIES IN CRISIS Guest: Jeff Bliss (Pacific Watch) Bliss surveys struggling western cities: Las Vegas grapples with $45 martinis reflecting inflation pressures, Seattle deteriorates worse than Portland, while In-N-Out Burger expands eastward seeking better markets. San Francisco's doom loop deepens as LA gangs now control homeless encampments, marking new lows in urban dysfunction.SEGMENT 2: NEWSOM'S 2028 PRESIDENTIAL AMBITIONS Guest: Jeff Bliss (Pacific Watch) Bliss examines Governor Gavin Newsom positioning for a 2028 presidential run through public sparring with Trump. Despite national media attention from these confrontations, Newsom faces weak approval ratings within California where residents experience firsthand the failures his administration struggles to address or explain away.SEGMENT 3: LISA COOK CASE DRAWS FED GIANTS TO SCOTUS Guest: Richard Epstein Epstein analyzes oral arguments in the Lisa Cook case with Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell and former Chair Ben Bernanke attending the Supreme Court proceedings. Discussion examines the legal questions at stake, implications for Federal Reserve independence and appointments, and why this case attracted such extraordinary central banking attention.SEGMENT 4: GREENLAND TARIFFS LACK LEGAL FOUNDATION Guest: Richard Epstein Epstein argues Trump's tariff threats over Greenland lack constitutional justification, representing neither genuine emergency nor legitimate tool to punish nations disagreeing with American territorial claims. Discussion covers executive overreach on trade policy, legal vulnerabilities of using economic coercion for diplomatic leverage, and likely judicial constraints ahead.SEG 5 BATCHELOR POD 012326.mp3MP3SEG 6 BATCHELOR POD 012326.mp3MP3SEG 7 BATCHELOR POD 012326.mp3MP3SEGMENT 5: ITALY'S WINTER OLYMPICS FACE SNOW CRISIS Guest: Lorenzo Fiori and Jeff Bliss Fiori and Bliss report on Cyclone Harry striking Italy while the eastern Alps suffer inadequate snowfall threatening upcoming Winter Olympics venues. Discussion covers the paradox of extreme weather alongside poor ski conditions, organizers scrambling to prepare bobsled and alpine courses, and climate uncertainties plaguing winter sports planning.SEGMENT 6: LANCASTER COUNTY POST-CHRISTMAS CALM Guest: Jim McTagueMcTague reports from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania experiencing typical post-Christmas slowdown as locals anticipate incoming snowfall with excitement rather than dread. Discussion recalls past snow panic in Alexandria, Virginia and contrasts rural Pennsylvania's practical winter preparedness with urban areas' tendency toward weather-driven hysteria and supply hoarding.SEGMENT 7: BEZOS CHALLENGES MUSK WITH SATELLITE CONSTELLATIONGuest: Bob Zimmerman Zimmerman reports Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin aims to launch a communications satellite constellation rivaling Elon Musk's Starlink dominance. Discussion covers the growing competition among private space ventures, numerous startup companies entering the market, Rocket Lab experiencing launch delays, and the commercial space race intensifying across multiple fronts.SEGMENT 8: SPACE TUG AND OUTER PLANET PROBE DISCOVERIES Guest: Bob Zimmerman Zimmerman discusses a new space tug designed to deorbit Pentagon satellites addressing orbital debris concerns. Discussion turns to Jupiter and Saturn probes returning surprising scientific results, expanding understanding of the outer solar system, and how commercial and government space programs increasingly collaborate on solving both practical and exploratory challenges.SEG 9 BATCHELOR POD 012326.mp3MP3SEG 10 BATCHELOR POD 012326.mp3MP3SEG 11 BATCHELOR POD 012326.mp3MP3SEG 12 BATCHELOR POD 012326.mp3MP3SEGMENT 9: ORIGINS OF THE CHINA LOBBY Guest: Lee Smith, Author of "The China Matrix" Smith traces the China lobby's origins to a pivotal October 1997 White House dinner with the Clintons where VIPs secured immense personal wealth through Beijing connections. Nancy Pelosi and Daniel Moynihan protested these arrangements, but the pact enriching American elites at China's service was firmly established.SEGMENT 10: NIXON, KISSINGER, AND MAO'S MURDEROUS REGIME Guest: Lee Smith Smith examines how Nixon and Kissinger flattered and empowered Mao in 1972 despite his murderous record. Tiananmen Square proved the regime's brutality, yet American leaders ushered China into the WTO anyway, prioritizing riches over human rights and enabling Beijing's rise to global economic dominance.SEGMENT 11: FEINSTEIN AND BLUM'S SHANGHAI CONNECTIONS Guest: Lee Smith Smith details how San Francisco Mayor Diane Feinstein and husband Richard Blum cultivated relationships with Shanghai's mayor and later Tiananmen dictator Deng Xiaoping, becoming apologists for the regime. These connections exemplify how American political figures enriched themselves while providing cover for China's authoritarian government.SEGMENT 12: TRUMP AIMS TO END THE CHINA LOBBY Guest: Lee Smith Smith argues China operates as marauder, thief, and killer, wrecking world trade and undermining American manufacturing while enriching the China lobby Trump calls "globalists." The Trump administration learned not to trust Xi Jinping after COVID lies shattered any remaining confidence, signaling determination to dismantle this corrupt arrangement.LL SEPARATE FILES. GUEST, HEADLINE, 50 WORD SUMMARY FOR EACH.  NUMBER 13-16....13 MIHL TCHAOTH OF CIVITAS INSTITUTE ATTENDING SCOTUS ORAL ARGUMENT OF AN ENERGY VS ENVIRONMENT DISPUTE DATING TO CLAIM BY LOIUISIANA THAT THE OIL AND GAS EXTRACTION DURING SECOND WORLD WAR DANAGED COASTLIBEAND QUALITY OF LIFE.  DEFENDING OIL GAS IS PAUL CLEMENT, FORMER SOLICITIR GENERAL  ARGUES THAT DURING WSRTIME NO LIMITS, EXISTENITSIL8:19 PMI only received information for segment 13. Could you provide the guest and topic details for segments 14, 15, and 16 so I can complete all four summaries?SEGMENT 13: SCOTUS HEARS WARTIME OIL EXTRACTION LIABILITY CASE Guest: Michael Toth (Civitas Institute) Toth reports from Supreme Court oral arguments on Louisiana's claim that World War II oil and gas extraction damaged coastlines and quality of life. Former Solicitor General Paul Clement defends energy companies, arguing wartime production faced no limits given the existential threat requiring maximum resource extraction for national survival.14  MICHAEL TOTH DNDR PF SCOTUS SYMPSATHIRC TO OIL GAS COM[ANIES THAT THEYWERE SUPPLYING HOMEFRONT CASE BELONGS IN FEDERAL COURT, NOT PUNITIVE STATE COURT.8:21 PMSEGMENT 13: SCOTUS HEARS WARTIME OIL EXTRACTION LIABILITY CASE Guest: Michael Toth (Civitas Institute) Toth reports from Supreme Court oral arguments on Louisiana's claim that World War II oil and gas extraction damaged coastlines and quality of life. Former Solicitor General Paul Clement defends energy companies, arguing wartime production faced no limits given the existential threat requiring maximum resource extraction for national survival.SEGMENT 14: SCOTUS SYMPATHETIC TO OIL AND GAS DEFENSE Guest: Michael Toth (Civitas Institute) Toth reports the Supreme Court appears sympathetic to oil and gas companies arguing they supplied the homefront during wartime under government direction. Justices signal the case belongs in federal court rather than punitive state courts where energy companies face hostile juries and politically motivated litigation against essential wartime production.Please provide guest and topic details for segments 15 and 16 to complete the schedule.CLIFF MaY OF FDD ARGUES THST POTUS IS CHASING out the dictators of caracas, havana and tehran cuba regime change i 8:34 PMSEGMENT 15: TRUMP TARGETS DICTATORS IN CARACAS, HAVANA, AND TEHRANGuest: Cliff May (FDD) May argues Trump is aggressively pursuing regime change against the dictatorships in Venezuela, Cuba, and Iran. Discussion examines the administration's maximum pressure campaigns, weakened positions of Maduro, Díaz-Canel, and Iranian leadership, and whether coordinated American pressure can finally topple these longstanding authoritarian regimes in the hemisphere and beyond.Please provide guest and topic details for segment 16 to complete the schedule.16 q6 ucstion ccenter reports on fresh ai generated data that finds geothermal success overlooked by us testing.  s prioe=ritytrmp admin to a tals fest. action..  16 henry sokolski of non proliferstion rpolcy ed8:35 PMSEGMENT 16: NON-NUCLEAR ICBM TO DESTROY UNDERGROUND BUNKERSGuest: Henry Sokolski (Nonproliferation Policy Education Center) Sokolski discusses development of a massive conventional ICBM designed to penetrate hardened underground bunkers without nuclear warheads. Discussion examines strategic rationale for this kinetic weapon against buried Iranian or North Korean facilities, technical challenges of achieving sufficient destructive force, and arms control implications of such capabilities.Please clarify: You mentioned both a geothermal/AI story and Henry Sokolski for segment 16. Should these be two separate segments, or did segment 15 include geothermal content? Let me know and I can adjust accordingly.SEGMENT 9: ORIGINS OF THE CHINA LOBBY Guest: Lee Smith, Author of "The China Matrix" Smith traces the China lobby's origins to a pivotal October 1997 White House dinner with the Clintons where VIPs secured immense personal wealth through Beijing connections. Nancy Pelosi and Daniel Moynihan protested these arrangements, but the pact enriching American elites at China's service was firmly established.SEGMENT 10: NIXON, KISSINGER, AND MAO'S MURDEROUS REGIME Guest: Lee Smith Smith examines how Nixon and Kissinger flattered and empowered Mao in 1972 despite his murderous record. Tiananmen Square proved the regime's brutality, yet American leaders ushered China into the WTO anyway, prioritizing riches over human rights and enabling Beijing's rise to global economic dominance.SEGMENT 11: FEINSTEIN AND BLUM'S SHANGHAI CONNECTIONS Guest: Lee Smith Smith details how San Francisco Mayor Diane Feinstein and husband Richard Blum cultivated relationships with Shanghai's mayor and later Tiananmen dictator Deng Xiaoping, becoming apologists for the regime. These connections exemplify how American political figures enriched themselves while providing cover for China's authoritarian government.SEGMENT 12: TRUMP AIMS TO END THE CHINA LOBBY Guest: Lee Smith Smith argues China operates as marauder, thief, and killer, wrecking world trade and undermining American manufacturing while enriching the China lobby Trump calls "globalists." The Trump administration learned not to trust Xi Jinping after COVID lies shattered any remaining confidence, signaling determination to dismantle this corrupt arrangement.SEGMENT 13: SCOTUS HEARS WARTIME OIL EXTRACTION LIABILITY CASE Guest: Michael Toth (Civitas Institute) Toth reports from Supreme Court oral arguments on Louisiana's claim that World War II oil and gas extraction damaged coastlines and quality of life. Former Solicitor General Paul Clement defends energy companies, arguing wartime production faced no limits given the existential threat requiring maximum resource extraction for national survival.SEGMENT 14: SCOTUS SYMPATHETIC TO OIL AND GAS DEFENSE Guest: Michael Toth (Civitas Institute) Toth reports the Supreme Court appears sympathetic to oil and gas companies arguing they supplied the homefront during wartime under government direction. Justices signal the case belongs in federal court rather than punitive state courts where energy companies face hostile juries and politically motivated litigation against essential wartime production.SEGMENT 15: TRUMP TARGETS DICTATORS IN CARACAS, HAVANA, AND TEHRANGuest: Cliff May (FDD) May argues Trump is aggressively pursuing regime change against the dictatorships in Venezuela, Cuba, and Iran. Discussion examines the administration's maximum pressure campaigns, weakened positions of Maduro, Díaz-Canel, and Iranian leadership, and whether coordinated American pressure can finally topple these longstanding authoritarian regimes in the hemisphere and beyond.SEGMENT 16: NON-NUCLEAR ICBM TO DESTROY UNDERGROUND BUNKERSGuest: Henry Sokolski (Nonproliferation Policy Education Center) Sokolski discusses development of a massive conventional ICBM designed to penetrate hardened underground bunkers without nuclear warheads. Discussion examines strategic rationale for this kinetic weapon against buried Iranian or North Korean facilities, technical challenges of achieving sufficient destructive force, and arms control implications of such capabilities.

SEGMENT 5: ITALY'S WINTER OLYMPICS FACE SNOW CRISIS Guest: Lorenzo Fiori and Jeff Bliss Fiori and Bliss report on Cyclone Harry striking Italy while the eastern Alps suffer inadequate snowfall threatening upcoming Winter Olympics venues. Discussion covers the paradox of extreme weather alongside poor ski conditions, organizers scrambling to prepare bobsled and alpine courses, and climate uncertainties plaguing winter sports planning.1848 FRANKFURT

Greg Jenner is joined in ancient North Africa by classicist Professor Josephine Quinn and comedian Darren Harriott to learn about Hannibal of Carthage and his war with Rome.Located in modern-day Tunisia, Carthage was once a Mediterranean superpower that rivalled Rome. In 218 BCE, the Second Punic War began between the two powers, with the Carthaginian army led by a man named Hannibal Barca. Famously, Hannibal took his forces – including a contingent of war elephants – over the Alps and into Italy, finally marching on Rome itself. But eventually the Carthaginians were beaten back, and Hannibal ended his days in exile. In this episode we explore his epic life, from his childhood in Spain, to his tactical brilliance as a general, to his post-war career as a reformist politician.This is a radio edit of the original podcast episode. For the full-length version, please look further back in the feed.Hosted by: Greg Jenner Research by: Emma Bentley Written by: Emma Bentley, Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow, Emma Nagouse, and Greg Jenner Produced by: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow and Greg Jenner Audio Producer: Steve Hankey Production Coordinator: Gill Huggett Senior Producer: Emma Nagouse Executive Editor: Philip Sellars

Videos verified by the BBC and eyewitness accounts appear to show security forces in Iran ramping up their response to protests that have spread across the country. Activists say dozens of bodies seen piled up in black bags outside a morgue near Tehran are dead protesters. US President Donald Trump says Iran's leadership is seeking to negotiate following his threat of military intervention, but warns that he "may have to act before a meeting".Also: President Trump tells Cuba to "make a deal" with Washington or face consequences, warning the flow of Venezuelan oil and money to the country will stop. The UK government has paid "substantial" compensation to a man who was tortured by the CIA before being shipped to Guantanamo Bay where he is still imprisoned. Greenland residents tell the BBC they want to be left alone, as their island becomes embroiled in a geopolitical storm. Six skiers have been killed in a series of avalanches across the Alps. Doctors say they have achieved the previously impossible - restoring sight and preventing blindness in people with a rare but dangerous eye condition. Timothée Chalamet, Jessie Buckley and Seth Rogen were among the winners at this year's Golden Globe Awards. And how soon could humanoid robots carry out our household chores?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