Podcasts about amplified

S1E7: AI in Medical Education: Training the Next Generation, with Dr. Ronald Rodriguez On this episode, host Dr. Heather Bassett welcomes Dr. Ronald Rodriguez, professor of medical education and program director for the MD/MS in Artificial Intelligence dual degree — the nation's first dual degree of this kind — at The University of Texas at San Antonio. Dr. Rodriguez discusses his career journey from MIT, to world expert in the use of cryoablative technologies for kidney and recurrent prostate cancer ... and why he created the MD-AI dual degree program. Drs. Bassett and Rodriguez also discuss AI's evolution in healthcare, its implications for clinical workflows, and various challenges healthcare will continue to navigate, including economic considerations, legal regulations, and the need for thoughtful integration. Find all of our network podcasts on your favorite podcast platforms and be sure to subscribe and like us. Learn more at www.healthcarenowradio.com/listen/

Quaranteam - Dave In Dallas: Part 2 Lupie and Becca return from the Dallas Vax Center. Based on a post by RonanJWilkerson, in 12 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Explicit Novels. Let's review the List of characters: David Belsus (50)- adjunct professor at Eastfield College, DCCCD with a side hustle in data analysis. GuadaLupie Gutierrez (32); investment advisor, David's neighbor Esmeralda Gutierrez (9); Lupie's daughter Rebecca Sampson (18); Esme's babysitter Janice Hoppler (33); librarian, arrived to partner with Dave the same day Lupie and Becca left to get vaccinated. Shawna Cooper (36); senior meteorologist at WFAA, second woman sent to Dave outside a direct request. Olivia Barnes (21); Dave's goddaughter, horticulture major at Tarleton State University in Stephenville Melanie Ustanich (22); Livy's roommate, cybersecurity major at Tarleton. Dave smiled, a pair of events immediately coming to mind. He launched into a description of when Esme had called him up. Becca had been moping all day and Esme finally got her to admit that it was her birthday, but she hadn't heard from any family. Esme knew Becca loved meatloaf and mashed potatoes, but that was a bit out of her culinary reach. She asked Dave to help out. Well, first off, it was already after 5:30pm by the time Esme figured things out and got a hold of Dave. A meat loaf can take nearly an hour to cook, after all the ingredients are prepped and combined. But, if he made smaller portions, mini-meatloaves, it would cook faster. Oh, then He could Zoom with them and the three of them could eat together. "Wait, three?" "Yeah, in the beginning of lockdown, Lupie was stuck in New York. She's an investment manager and very good at it. She was giving a week-long training seminar when it happened." "But the lockdowns weren't big surprises. We all had some heads up to prepare, maybe unofficial, but it wasn't like they came out of the blue." "Yep, and her company choose to make sure the New York office had gotten the training Lupie had been going around doing, before they lock them away in their homes. They thought they could beat the clock. Lupie was practically climbing the walls by the third day. But that's a different discussion. We can come back to that." "Yeah, we definitely need to come back to that. I can't imagine being cut off from my kid, half a continent away from her with a major pandemic racing around." "It was rough." Dave returned to the original narrative, starting back with the moment he remembered some trick he'd seen making meatloaf cupcakes and piping mashed potatoes on top like it was icing. "You didn't. You can do that?" "I'd only seen it done before, but I managed to get it right enough." "For a teen girl mostly alone on her birthday, the attempt was probably 99% alone. Execution would be bonus points." "She was crying happy on the Zoom call. Esme is young but she's sneaky when she's planning something nice. She took delivery at the door and convinced Becca to sit at the table, not knowing what Esme was bringing over. Becca kissed the camera for the first minute after they brought up Zoom." Janice giggled. "I don't blame her." Janice made a 'lightbulb' face. "Oh, is that why she made you cupcakes for your birthday?" "Well, she might have done it anyway, but it was probably why she insisted she do it herself." In thinking along those lines, Dave remembered the letter he'd gotten yesterday. That would explain why Lupie had seemed a bit miffed that day. She'd wanted to do something special for his birthday, but had bowed to Becca's exuberant need to express her gratitude. His musing turned nearer to the moment. Janice was listening to him talk about two other women in affectionate, familiar terms, knowing full well those women would be here soon and share the bed with him as well, and she showed no signs of jealousy. Yeah, they mentioned something about it in the videos, but it was odd to see. "Okay, your turn. Tell me something about you, Janice." She winced. "Okay, first off, I'd prefer Jan in normal conversation. Janice is fine at some function outside the house, some formal setting, but when it's just family and associates." "Associates? Why not just say - " "Please don't use the same word as the title of that show." Dave was puzzled for a bit, then chortled. "Oh - " "Do. Not. Finish. That. Phrase." Janice glared. Dave nearly fell out of his chair laughing. Janice was thoroughly unamused. He forcefully collected himself. "Damn, I like that show, but I can get why you would not be happy. That character is annoying as hell." Jan stared, nonplussed. "I'll be good. Promise." He picked up her hand from the table and kissed it. Jan continued to give him half-squinty eyes. "So you were about to tell me something about you. Other than your death-ray eye superpower." "It's a good thing you're cute buster." She gave him a quick peck on the cheek. The squint was still there, but a bemused smile dangled below it. Janice proceeded to tell about the time the library put on a summer hands-on science series. One week the guide brought frogs and first red a book about frogs and their habitats. They let the kids reach in and touch some of the frogs - after rinsing their hands with deionized water first. Then they red a chapter from Frog & Toad. During the reading, one little boy wanted to touch the frogs again. He had earlier asked to hold one, but had been told the frogs had to stay inside the tub. The budding naturalist snuck behind the speaker, opened the lid, and took out a small frog. The frog of course took the chance to leap away. The startled and dismayed boy jumped back, knocking over the tub which he had not put the lid back on. Sixteen small to medium sized frogs dumped out on the floor. Startled as they were, they began hopping away, some heading through the equally startled mass of kids. Some of the children had declined to touch the frogs earlier and were now shrieking as the second Egyptian plague of Exodus blitzed outward from the tub, directly at them. Dave was holding his sides laughing as Jan continued. Obviously, story time was over. It took an hour and a half to calm the kids down, locate parents, ask a few of them to bring a change of garments for their little one - explaining the need for that took repetition of the same story to each parent, accompanied by laughter and sympathy and one angry Karen. Collecting the frog diaspora took the rest of the day, and three hours after closing. Dave was chortling and wiping tears from his eyes for a full minute after Jan finished. Jan settled into his lap, her arms draped around his neck. They kissed softly, languidly. David jarred backward. "Oh crap, I forgot to put in the order." "What order?" "I was going to order more groceries, especially snacks, and a couple of stuffed critters for Esme." "Lupie's little girl?" "Yep, she's mad about these things called Squish mallows. I could probably randomly pick one and she'd squeal happily to receive it. I held off ordering because I wanted to get your input, you know, anything special you wanted." Dave started leading her upstairs, which had Jan happy, but a bit less so when Dave made the turn for his office instead of heading straight to the bedroom. Gamely, she played along. Truth be told, she was glad to ask for a few things. She'd only been able to bring one rolling suitcase. They made the contactless pickup order for tomorrow morning and decided Dave would pick it up, with Jan remaining at the house in case Lupie, Becca, and Esme arrived while he was gone. As the order progressed though, Jan started laying soft kisses on Dave's cheek and forehead. Then she breathed soft and hot into his ear. Only a steely self-control kept him on task to finish, and Jan could see the battle warring in him. "You are so hot like this. I've never been around a guy that didn't jump me the moment I expressed the slightest interest. Sometimes before." Dave looked at her side-eyed as she wiggled her ass on his lap. His hands trembled. "Almost done. I'm just setting the pickup parameters. And I've had responsible reasons to hold back." He clicked submit on the last page, logged out of the site, and out of his computer. "I want you so bad." He turned his full attention to her, grasping her mid-torso, standing and pressing her to the nearest wall, his body pressed against her. Jan squeaked as he lifted her up, completely under his control. When he pressed her to the wall, her eyes lit up and she wrapped her arms around his neck, her legs around his waist and eagerly responded to his lips as he took hers with authority. She moaned softly. When Dave broke the kiss, they were both panting, fire flashing from eye to eye. She lowered her feet to the ground as he let off the pressure holding her to the wall. They practically raced to the bedroom, Jan in front, her left hand behind her holding his. Jan threw off the t-shirt as she crossed the bedroom threshold. Nope, no panties. Dave reached out and squeezed one butt cheek, causing Jan to let out an "eep!" and then laugh as she turned. She immediately began helping Dave strip off his clothes, walking backward the rest of the distance to the bed. Reaching the bed, Dave was now clad only in boxers, the two of them standing, Jan's legs pressed between Dave's and the bed, their bodies in loose contact. With a double-lift of his eyebrows, Dave shucked his boxers to the floor and placed two fingers of one hand gently on Jan's chest, between her soft, modest, lovely tits. He shoved lightly. Jan smiled crazily as she fell. Dave knelt at the edge of the bed, hooking her legs over his shoulders. He dropped hungry kisses on her inner thighs. Two on the left, then three on the right. One hot, suckling kiss far up her inner left thigh. Two quick kisses on her mound, then a long suckling kiss just to the right of her labia, barely out of contact with them. Emboldened by the heat and scent of arousal emanating from her, Dave sucked the full dimension of her light brown lower lips into his mouth, suckling them, massaging them with his lips wrapped over his teeth. He slipped his tongue gently past his lips, probing gently against her slit. Sliding along it. Flicking the delicate inner labia. His left hand snaked around her right leg. As it came over her hip, he let one finger trace against her skin, moving slowly, without pretense, hurry, or delay directly to her mound, adorned with a well-kempt narrow, vertical strip of curly black hair. His finger slowed to a crawl as it changed course downward. He switched to suckling the inner petals only, bringing his right hand up, one finger standing out, to her entrance. Jan moaned as he paused. Wanting, yearning. Then he slipped his finger in just as his lipped wrapped teeth pulled softly on her inner labia. "Ha! Oh fuck yeah! Fuck. Just like that you magnificent teasing bastard!" Jan's legs worked aimlessly, not gripping him, just loosely, slowly flailing, occasionally resting on the bed, but too worked up to hold still long. One finger of Dave's left hand reached Jan's now exposed clitoris. The touch alone ran through her like an electric shock and she screamed her pleasure again. Dave rubbed her clitoris gently, but firmly as he slipped a second finger into her, driving them in and out determinedly, with a mind to building her to release. Dave moved his hand away from Jan's clit, replacing it with his flicking tongue. "Oh" Jan's back arched. Her hands gripped tightly at the sheets. Her legs pulled back, lower legs dangling from tensed upper legs. Just as she uncoiled from the last wave, Dave turned his right hand over, sliding the fingers in and out in a slightly curved posture, stimulating and locating the much beloved nerve bundle on the roof of her vagina. Jan trembled again. "Fucking yeah, fucking maestro, fucking play me like a violin." Her voice shook and paused as she spoke. Her legs trembled. Dave sensed she was close. He positioned his fingers to flick against her g-spot as he flexed them in the beckoning 'come here' motion. The jolting response from that had not yet settled when Dave took her most sensitive nub in his mouth and massaged it with is lips around its edges and the tip with his tongue. Jan came unglued, shrieking and flailing as Dave pressed his joint oral and digital assault on her nethers. She gripped his head a few times, tightly, but never for more than a couple of seconds, the power of her orgasm short circuiting every ounce of her muscle control. As she collapsed to the bed, spent, awash in bliss, Dave relented and crawled up beside her on the bed. Jan lay panting, grinning like the proverbial cat. Between gasps, she relayed the metaphor. "But I'm the one that did the eating." Dave smiled wickedly. Jan laughed wildly, caught between the need for air and the hilarity of Dave's pun. Well, maybe not so hilarious, but she was certainly susceptible to granting high praise for anything he did over the next half hour or so. As her breathing calmed, Dave and Jan moved up the bed, getting their heads on the pillows and bodies fully on the mattress. With an eager, voracious look, Jan rolled over on top of Dave, slipping on leg to either side of his hips. Reaching behind her, she aligned his rigid member with her soppy wet entrance and threw herself backwards, engulfing his full length in one hungry thrust. "Fuck yes." Jan rocked her torso back and forth, parallel with Dave's, her rock-hard nipples sliding up and down his chest. Dave took to planting a kiss on her forehead at the top of each stroke. Jan placed her dainty hands on his chest and lifted her body off of his, transitioning to a rocking motion, undulating her torso and stirring his cock within her pussy. His shaft rubbed against her g-spot each stroke as her butt moved furthest backward. Her cries signified each contact. As she grew increasingly excited, Jan began riding up and down on Dave's member. He felt his own pleasure building. Dave reached one hand to Jan's tit, gently fondling the soft flesh and thumbing her nipple. His other hand reached to their point of contact, laying his thumb on her nub and gently pressing against it. Her own motions provided a rubbing motion. "Yes" Jan's head lolled back, practically limp. Dave lightly clasped her nipple between two fingers, giving a slight rolling motion. Jan rode him faster, becoming feverish, her breathing growing ragged. Dave felt the early spasms of her pending release and knew he wouldn't be far behind. He slipped both hands to her hips. At the first moment her hips seized, he grasped her firmly, pulling downward as he thrust upward. Jan exploded in a riot of flailing arms and rippling vaginal muscles. Her scream of joy echoed around the room even as it continued to issue from deep in her throat. Dave held as long as he could before allowing his own release to burst forth, erupting into her cavity and drenching her insides with his seed. Jan's body spasmed again, a second peak to her pleasure, a second, airless scream as her breath evacuated her body. Jan collapsed on Dave, rolling off immediately. The weight of her own body too taxing on her lungs attempting to replenish her much needed air supply. Dave held her close, only enough to maintain contact, yielding her space to recover. As Jan lay their breathing, she turned her eyes to Dave. She stared at him, still gasping. Her expression was unreadable, at least by Dave. Calming finally, she hugged him fiercely, kissed his jaw, and snuggled her head against him, but left her chest pulled slightly away to give her lungs full space to do their work. "God, I thought I was going to black out there. They weren't kidding about that 'when he pops' orgasm." "Better pleasure through science, baby." Jan barked a short laugh. "Science only did the last bit. The first two were all you hun." They lay quietly, enraptured by the tender intimacy of lying in each other's arms. Jan broke the silence after several minutes. "This is the one night I have you to myself. Becca and Lupie will be here tomorrow and your attention, emotional and physical will be divided between the three of us." Dave looked at her as she paused. "I should be jealous. But I'm not. I feel like that means there's something wrong with me, even though they said that was another effect of the serum. It's one thing to hear it, but totally another to feel it. Or not feel it. No, to feel it. I almost feel a sister ship with these two women I've never met. I think if you hadn't described them to me, let me feel your affection for them, your concern for the, I might be jealous now, and then it would turn off after they arrived, but the way you talk about them, it feels like they are already here, and part of us now." "I don't know how to respond to that." "I don't either, but I think it's a good thing. The fact is, we are sharing you - your bed, your life, our lives - and we have to get along for all our sakes. I don't regret it at all, it's just a little weird when you realize it's happening." Dave looked at her silently. "Just hold me David. Hold me all night." Chapter 3 – Reunited. September 20, 2020. Dave awoke to a strange sensation. Not one he was accustomed to. He felt the smooth feel of sheets against his legs and upper torso, but not between. A weight pressed down on his abdomen and a warm wetness encompassed his cock. Oh, right he has a girlfriend now. Sleeping in his bed. Well, not sleeping at the moment. Dave cracked his eyes open to see a large lump moving slowly under the sheets, over his pelvis in time with the wondrous, rhythmic feeling below his waist. He slipped a hand to Jan's back and trailed his fingertips softly along her satiny skin. Slowly, Jan slipped her head from under the sheet. "Good morning lover." Jan placed a soft, smoky kiss on his chin, her eyes locked on Dave's. "You don't have to do that every morning you know." "Of course not." Jan grinned wickedly. "The others will get their turns too. But for now, this kitty gets her morning cream." With that she slipped the sheet down his body, exposing him from the knees up, and settled her face on his organ again. Bowing to the inevitable - and loving every minute of it - Dave slipped a hand to Jan's thigh, sliding firmly, slowly, gently along the inside of her leg. He brought his hand close to her core, then slid slowly away, down to mid-thigh. Then back up. Jan hummed approvingly as he switched from his whole hand to just a single fingertip, adding swirls into the motion. He let the swirls drift closer and closer, knowing where she ached for him to brush against. But not yet. Reaching with both hands, Dave grasped the backs of Janice's thighs, lifting her lower body and rotating it towards his face, aligning their torsos, her mouth the pivot point. She squealed and giggled around his cock before clamping her lips firmly around his organ and doubling her efforts. With her hot wet sex directly in his face, Dave braced his thumbs about an inch to either side of her clitoris and moved them in unhurried circles. He lifted his face and blew hot breath at her slit. Jan's body tensed and flexed, a sign of encouragement even Dave could clearly read. Dave latched his lips on her dripping sex and nursed on her lower lips, drinking in her juices. He could feel her labia convulsing and puckering in response to his ministrations. Jan picked up her pace again. Dave wasn't sure if it was gratitude or a race, but he resolved he would not be the only one peaking this morning. Dave slipped his hands up her torso, taking her lovely pert tits into his hands, his fingers alternately groping her fleshy mounds and teasing her firm nipples. He slipped his tongue along her slit languidly before forming a firm spear of mouth muscle braced with the tip against her entrance. He plunged his tongue inside her. Jan's body seized and convulsed, her inner muscles grasping at his oral protrusion. Jan paused her worship of Dave's cock, bringing her head up to moan softly while his wet cock stood proudly in the cool air. As soon as the waves of pleasure had washed fully over her, Jan bent her head back to her self-appointed task. Dave did the same. In another minute or so, Jan brought Dave to his peak, causing him to jet gobs of the man cream she sought into her mouth as she captured it and swallowed as his balls paused between jets. The shuddering of her serum induced climax could not shake Jan's determination to consume every drop. Her first item of her morning to do list completed, Jan righted herself, then fell into bed alongside Dave. She gave him a kiss on the shoulder and snuggled in tightly with a big, satisfied smile on her face. After basking in the afterglow for several minutes, Jan spoke. "Make me breakfast and show me how?" Jan shredded cheddar while Dave cut bacon into small pieces with kitchen shears. Dave admired the small roundness of her ass pushing out his t-shirt, just a few inches above the hem. Her pokey, pert tits making small mounds to either side of the phrase "√-1 23 S p, and it was delicious." "This is not going to be authentic Mexican. It's barely recognizable as Tex-Mex, more like Messican." Jan raised an eyebrow. "A pile of food using some ingredients connected to Mexico or using flavors associated with Mexico, and so sloppy you absolutely must use a fork or spoon to eat it." Jan laughed. "Okay, Messican breakfast it is. What would this be if it were authentic?" "Migas. But we'd have to use chorizo instead of bacon and a Mexican cheese instead of cheddar. Maybe Oaxaca, that's got a great flavor for this." Dave dropped the cut-up bacon bits into the pre-heated pan hearing them sizzle immediately. "I love that sound." Jan smiled and leaned in for a kiss. Jan loved the counter play of soft eggs with the crunch of the bacon and tortilla strips. After they'd eaten, she offered to do dishes, so Dave went to his gun closet, getting out a back holster and a pistol. Now ready for yesterday's incident, Dave checked on the chickens again, finding nothing amiss this time. Other than the need to top off the food bin and water bucket. Time for the grocery pickup rapidly approached with no word from Lupie or Becca. Jan elected to remain, in case they arrived while Dave was gone. "I'll just have to suffer through sampling the library." She didn't have a poker face. "You already took a sample in the library." That got her laughing. Dave came through the door from the garage carrying a few bags with items needing refrigeration. He paused by the library door. "Hey hun, watcha readin?" Jan startled. "Oh, sorry, I didn't hear you come in. More in the car I take it?" "Yeah, can you grab the cold stuff first? I'll start stowing things in the fridge and freezer, then join you for the rest." As they were putting away groceries, Dave asked what Jan had been reading. "Baa Baa Black Sheep. By the binding and cover condition, I'm guessing you've red it already?" "Oh yeah. I loved the old TV show as a kid, so it was a treat to read about the real life guy it was based on." That started a discussion about 80's TV shows, and the re-runs playing then, and VHF and UHF stations that wound up as a general 80's slice of life retrospective. From a sci-fi nerd point of view. The discussion continued as Dave showed Jan the rest of the house, as well as the backyard and greenhouse. They had settled into the living room, sitting on the couch, on opposite ends with their lower legs tangled together, each reading, for nearly an hour when they heard a knock at the door. As Dave opened the door, Becca slammed into him. She clutched him tight, her head tucked down, pressed sideways against his chest. She was shaking. "Wow. They said the serum would make a woman aggressive. I didn't expect this though." Lupie's face made Dave quickly realize his assumption was misplaced. "Am I missing something?" "Later, David. Please" Lupie begged. "Sign here please sir." The soldier acted as if nothing unusual was going on. Lupie had a look of concern and sympathy. Dave signed quickly and ushered Lupie and Esme in while Becca shuffled along beside him, not letting go. Jan waited, standing, in the living room. "Lupie, Esme, Becca, this is Janice Hoppler, she arrived yesterday morning. She prefers Jan among family." Lupie shook Jan's hand and said hello warmly, slightly guarded. Becca refused to let go of Dave. Jan placed a reassuring hand on Becca's shoulder. Taking a closer look, Dave realized Becca's hair looked like it had been mussed and then raked back down with fingers rather than a comb or brush. On its own, he would have put that off to poor sleeping conditions in their overnight stay at the vaxx center. Other context clues were waking up a little voice in his head that something seriously wrong had happened while the ladies were away. Dave struggled to think of things that might soothe her. "Becca, I have mandarin Jarritos in the fridge and chocolate Pocky in the cupboard." Becca shook her head. "Just take me upstairs please, Dave." "Well, we need to get the three of you settled in, Bec." Becca squeezed tighter. "Please." It came out as a near whimper. Dave's face creased with concern as he looked to Lupie. "What happened?" "I'll tell you what I know before it's my turn." Lupie told him. "We should probably do this now though." "If Esme is fine with it, I can get her settled," Jan volunteered. "Which room is hers?" "Uh, you know, the one with ;” Dave said, walking awkwardly to the stairs. As Becca realized where he was going, she coordinated her movements with his, and then tried to lead the way, nearly dragging Dave the last few steps to the staircase. "Oh, oh right." Jan's look of worry only amplified Dave's concerns. He wasn't imagining then. Something had gone seriously wrong at that vax center. As Dave and Becca neared the staircase, Becca reached the arm behind Dave's back towards Lupie, beseechingly, making a grasping motion. Lupie acquiesced, following the pair up the stairs and into the master suite, and shutting the door behind the three of them. As they neared the bed, Becca began unbuttoning Dave's shirt. Dave reached to lift her shirt up, getting only partial compliance. Becca wanted Dave naked first. Dave played along, shucking his shoes and pulling off his socks. Dave stood there, stark naked, with a still clothed Becca holding tightly to him, but standing tall now, her head resting at the base of his neck. Becca slowly rubbed her whole body against him. Dave rubbed his hands along her back, hoping it would have a soothing effect. Becca began to grind her pelvis against Dave's. "Take me David. Make me yours." Becca stared into Dave's eyes, hungry and scared. "Make it so no one can take me away from you." Dave kissed her forehead, slowly moving his hands from her back to her tummy. It wasn't fast enough for Becca. She ripped her shirt over her head, then pulled her and Dave onto the bed. Taking a cue from her urgency, Dave undid her belt, button, and zipper, then grasped the hem of Becca's pants and yanked them off her. Becca and Lupie both gasped, but it didn't sound like fear, more like,; thrilled? Dave crawled back up the bed to lay beside her. He intended to get her aroused with kisses and touches, but Becca wasn't waiting. She pulled off her panties and lay with her legs apart. "Get on me David. Get in me and mark me as yours." Dave scooted closer, and sped his fingers along her side, resting softly under her lovely, small, bra-clad tit. Becca grabbed his shoulder and pulled, rolling him on top of her. "Now David Please!" her head lunged forward, capturing his lips and kissing him fiercely. Becca's arms took Dave in a bear hug. She wrapped her legs around his waist and began bucking her pelvis. "Just do it David," Lupie spoke in her softest tones. "I'll explain later, but she needs you now. I'm sure you want to give her something gentle and caring, but right now she needs the certainty and safety of being imprinted to you." Becca nodded beneath him, her eyes imploring. Taking a deep breath, Dave maneuvered himself to place the tip of his organ against her lips. He felt an abundance of wetness and felt relief. As frantic as she was, he'd expected her to be dry as a bone. That would have made consummation impossible. Feeling Dave near her entrance, Becca shoved herself downward, but faltered. Dave's cock skidded up her slit. Becca whimpered, but stilled. Dave realigned himself, working his tip past the labia before pushing firmly. Certain of his positioning, he pushed with increasing pressure. He felt something give way, and a sharp constriction as he pushed forward a few inches. "Ah!" Becca's scream, the anguish flooding her face and the knife-like pain threatening to chop off his dick brought Dave to an instant halt. He moved to pull out, but Becca's legs tightened around him, and Lupie pushed gently downward on his tailbone. Enough to signal him to hold position. Then Dave remembered, from Janice and the videos, that the first drop of pre-cum, the first encounter, would give a woman an incredible orgasm. His own arousal was swamped by his concern for Becca, leaving him firmly erect, but not leaking anything. For her sake, he had to relax himself. Well, two birds with one stone. Dave lowered his lips to Becca's. She was now lying flat on the bed beneath him, a modest gap between their torsos. Dave kissed her tenderly and she responded. He worked his way down her jawline to nibble on her earlobe. Becca's breathing caught. Dave whispered softly to her, so that not even Lupie could hear. "I'm going to show you all the love I can for the rest of my life Rebecca Sampson. I will prize your heart and your love above the delights of your body. And when I have passed, and you remain, I pray I have left you with joy and peace." Becca sobbed, clutching him close. Dave could feel a tension leave her body. There was even a tinge of joy in her crying. She began to work her hips again, slowly, the act still a delicate one for both of them due to her tightness. Dave matched her motions. With short, slow strokes, each relaxed into the union, and Dave felt his arousal rise. The first drop of precum finally leaked out of the tip of Dave's cock. Becca's body tensed, then bucked beneath him. A wild, weird part of Dave's brain wondered if Lupie had somehow hit her with a taser. "Hah" she cried out. Becca panted, trying to recover from her first ever orgasm. Dave held her gently, kissing first her cheeks, then her forehead. As she calmed, eyes reopened, looking hungry, Dave brought his mouth down to her neck, suckling lightly at her clavicle, without leaving a mark. He kissed his way down the to the slope of her tit. Recalling her earlier uncertainty about their attractiveness, Dave resolved to dispel the worry. He kissed in an inward spiral around her tit before taking her areola into his mouth and flicking her nipple with his tongue. Becca cried out, her back arching off the bed. When she settled, she took Dave's face in her hands and kissed him. "Thank you, David. Now please, finish this." Dave began working himself forward and back, slowly within her. A little more in than out, until he was fully inside her. He could see pleasure and happiness on her face, with some pain as well. He knew he couldn't eliminate the pain, but he was glad she was now getting some pleasure out of it. He kept up his steady pace, pausing if she flinched. As her pain began to subside, he gradually increased his thrusting speed and depth. Becca's legs unclenched from his waist, hanging in the air beside his hips. "Yes, David. More, please more. Keeping going, fill me up David." Her encouragement, her body rocking beneath him in harmony with his thrusting, her interspersed moans sent David over the edge. At the moment he erupted, Becca's eyes flew open and she screamed louder than before. Her whole body spasmed wildly until she collapsed like a marionette with its strings cut. "Imprinting; imprinting; imprinting ;” The oddly disturbing chant juxtaposed with the tight, satisfied grin on her face. Dave gingerly removed himself from her body and climbed off the bed. With Lupie's help, he pulled the sheets and covers from under Becca and then gently covered her. "I'll go wash up. When I come back, can you please tell me what the hell is going on?" Lupie just nodded, biting her upper lip. She followed him to bathroom, where she grabbed a washcloth, wetted it, squeezed out the excess, and went back to the bedroom. Dave followed her out once he had cleaned himself. "Sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you." "I know, David. It was a jarring time for me, and I knew what triggered this." "I would love to share in that knowledge." Lupie grinned at the dry humor. "This morning, after Rebecca and I had completed our Oracle questionnaires, a young woman approached the three of us. She greeted Becca and took her hand to lead her away. Now all three of us assumed we were being taken to you. As Esmeralda and I rose, the lady motioned for us to sit back down. When I inquired when Esme and I would be called, and how long we would be separated from Becca, the lady said she had no idea, and began to walk off again, leading Becca. Becca got upset and asked that we all go together, since we are both to be assigned to the same man. The lady argued with her for a few minutes, then noticed another official heading over. She dropped Becca's hand and took off. Becca was disturbed by the encounter and stayed close to the two of us from then on. We got our shots and returned to the holding area to wait out the medical watch period. A few minutes after our return, a man and woman in uniform took us into a separate room to talk. I think they were officers, but I don't know what part of the army they were in. They had two pistols on their right collar. My right, their left." "Military Police." Lupie looked at him questioningly. "I have a friend who served. He thought branch insignia was one of many useful things to know in a Teot Wawki scenario." "A what?" "The End Of The World As We Know It. He's a prepper & survivalist." Dave's face clouded. "I haven't heard from him in a while, but he doesn't communicate all the time. And yeah, I think this qualifies. Big time. The world is definitely changing in major ways." "Yes, it is. So these two officers questioned us for over an hour about every detail of what happened, going over each minute, each word multiple times. I actually started to think we were accused of something." Lupie slumped against Dave's chest. He wrapped his arms around her. The strange shape of the world and the problems of today did not prevent him experiencing a deep thrill at finally having her in his arms. Lupie. Beautiful, charming, enchanting Lupie. Here. on his bed, in his arms, pouring out her troubles to him. The troubles were concerning, but to be her bastion! Her comfort! Dave's heart raced. Lupie continued. "While we were in there, they seemed mostly focused on the woman's motivation. They keyed off something Becca remembered from the woman. Give me a second; the lady said 'Come with me, you can live a life of luxury, fuck a rich man once or twice a week, pop out a few babies and be waited on hand and foot lounging by a pool. None of his blondes do any work, that's for brunettes and Hispanics.' When Becca kept resisting the lady got real mad; 'do you really wanna go off to some suburban slob, washing dishes and mopping floors, and you'll still have to give him your coochie and pop out babies, you dumb bitch?' " "So they finally let us out. Esme was thirsty and Becca needed to wash her face. Becca went in while I watched Esme at the fountain. Becca had only been inside a few minutes when she shrieked and came screaming out. She said the lady was in there. She came out of one of the stalls as Becca was washing up." Lupie paused. "After that, Becca wouldn't let go of my hand. We were held in another room under guard for a while, while they searched for her again, but eventually they brought us here." Dave added a little extra squeeze to the hug and planted a loving kiss on Lupie's forehead. She looked up at him with a smile. "Do you have any idea how comforting this feels, to be able to tell you about a problem, to be held by you, as you listen?" "I know how amazing it feels to be the one you can share your troubles with. To be the arms you want to be in." Lupie sat up, leaned in and kissed Dave full on the lips. Lips meshed and moved. Tongues darted into mouths, tangling, teasing, frolicking. Hands began to roam. Dave delighted in the thrill of touching Lupie. After all this time. All that yearning. Lupie, here in his arms. Wanting him as much as he wants her. He tugged upward at the base of her shirt, pulling it out of her skirt waistband. Lupie wrapped her arms around his neck. Leaning forward, she arched her back, brushing her tits against him, with a slight side-to-side motion. Even Dave picked up that signal. All systems go for launch. Dave slid his hands under Lupie's shirt, skimming along her back. Her skin. He was touching her bare skin! Her kisses became more urgent. More than ok, his attentions were wanted. Dave brought his hands around front, outside her shirt, and began unbuttoning it. He peeled back her shirt, leaving it still draped from her shoulders, but mostly opened, revealing the center of her bra, and the middle of her tummy. She was in even better shape than Dave imagined. He had assumed all that office work and long hours - and the inevitable takeout food - had left her with a small paunch. But no. There might be enough flesh there to jiggle, but no bulge of any kind. He looked back to her eyes and saw hunger, need,; and uncertainty? Dave flung her shirt off, pressing his lips to hers, pressing her body back to the bed with his own. Lupie moaned, wrapping her arms around his torso, lightly raking her nails along his back, pulling him to her with her palms. Her body moved sinuously beneath him, enticing him. Dave slid one hand down Lupie's skirt-covered leg. To his full extension. He grasped the cloth, pulling it up to reveal her well-toned legs. Office work at her level does include a lot of walking. Her legs were masterpieces of girl next door perfection. Dave lowered himself to kiss her thighs. Lue gasped and groaned. "Oh David, please, don't tease me." She tugged on his head to draw him back. Instead, Dave grabbed hold of her panties and pulled them off in one smooth motion, neither hurried nor slow. Lupie's face brightened. Her smiled widened and lusty. Dave leaned back over Lupie. Her skirt now bunched around her waist, her legs apart. Her lovely brown, shorn lips beckoning him inside. Her inner labia fully flowered, the slightest hint of pink expressing her readiness and desire. Dave lowered himself atop her. He rested his weight on his hands and knees, aligning himself with her entrance while staring deeply into Lupie's eyes. The excitement there was unmistakable. Dave slowly pressed himself forward. Lupie brought her legs back, lifting her pelvis to him and making herself completely open to his penetration. Their mutual arousal already had a bead of precum formed on the end of Dave's organ. When he made contact with her soft petals, Lupie cried out like a banshee, her body shaking uncontrollably. She desperately clutched at Dave's torso, trying to anchor herself. When the shuddering stopped, Lupie gazed into his eyes again, the hunger undiminished. Amplified even. Dave reseated himself and thrust slowly into the woman he'd dreamed of for so long. She shook again, but not the chemically amped orgasm. The raw pleasure of being with together, of finally getting what they both wanted. Their eyes locked to one another, Dave thrust slowly, steadily while Lupie gently moved with him. Their passion built, as did the energy of their movement. Lupie clutched tightly to Dave's shoulders. He could see her pleasure building by the telltales in her expressions. He felt his own excitement building, not decreased in the slightest from having just completed the act with Becca. Lupie's body arched as she called out her ecstasy. The muscles of her passage grasped and massaged Dave's cock, kicking him over the edge as well. A second electric jolt surged through Lupie just as her natural orgasm peaked and began its decline. Her eyes rolled back and a guttural blend of cry and moan issued from deep in her chest. Lupie collapsed to the bed. "Imprinting; imprinting; imprinting" Dave held her in his arms for a long, satisfying moment. Dave did have other duties to attend. There were in fact, two other people still conscious in this house, and one was a newly arrived little girl that may need help adjusting to her new home. Dave slipped from the bed and pulled Lupie up so her head rested on a pillow. Her skirt more or less straightened itself as she moved, but Dave did add a bit of extra care, just to be sure. He pulled a light blanket from the walk-in closet, laying it over the sleeping form of his new partner. He draped her shirt over a nearby chair, where she could see it once she awakened. Then he dressed and headed downstairs. He emerged into the dining room to find Esme happily munching a corn dog, her plate also holding mac n' cheese and green beans. A very self-satisfied Jan sat at the head of the table, at an angle to Esme. "Ah, good you made her dinner." "Yep. OK, I just followed the box directions for the mac n' cheese. And the corn dogs were just heat up from frozen - but I did use the oven, not the microwave!" Jan beamed. Esme cleared her mouth, then, waving, said "Hi, Uncle Dave! Momma says we're living with you from now on? And; Jan helped me put my clothes in the dresser before making me dinner. Oh! And thank you for the kitty!" Seated in the chair beside Esme was a large squish mallow, solid black except for the crescents of its eyes. A cat tail and ears completed the appearance. Its presence at the table suggested the much desired 'new toy' love that Dave hoped would ease Esme's transition. Dave gave Jan a kiss. "You did great, babe. Thanks for looking out." Jan's victorious grin and the glow from Dave's praise did not quite hide her concern over the obvious, but yet unknown explanation of Becca's state upon arrival. Dave shifted his eyes in Esme's direction, then back to Jan and shook his head. "You two want to talk without me, Uncle Dave?" "And just what would we talk about Miss Esmeralda?" "I'm nine, Uncle Dave, not stupid. That lady was spooky, and Mom and Becca were in that room a long time talking with those military people. And then Becca shrieked pretty loud coming out of the bathroom. I may not know everything, but something pretty sketch happened." Dave kissed the crown of Esme's head and held her close to him for a moment. "Don't worry about it, Esme, it's over now. Those people are not going to hurt you, or Becca or your mom." To break the uncomfortable silence, Dave prodded Esme to pick a movie for the three of them. It was getting on into the evening, but there wasn't any school in the morning, so it wouldn't hurt to late her stay up past ten if it came to that. Dave did dishes while Jan led Esme into the living room. Esme needed no help setting things up though. She was nine years old after all. Dave rejoined them to hear 'let the storm rage on ; ' and see Esme, at one end of the couch, her head beginning to nod. Old tricks always work. After a tiring day, a hot meal and an old familiar movie work like magic, even on a nine year old. Dave waited another fifteen minutes for her to zonk out completely, but not get a crick in her neck. He scooped her in his arms and carried her up to her bed. Jan followed them with the fluffy critter. Jan pulled back the covers so Dave could lay Esme in the bed. He pulled off her shoes in socks before covering her gently. Jan placed the newly beloved toy beside her before they left. Once Dave shut the door, Jan shoved him against the wall and kissed him fervently. "You knew that would put her out didn't you?" Dave nodded. "That was so fucking awesomely domestic. My ovaries want to latch on to you and never let go. You obviously care for that little girl, and seeing it makes me giddy. Oh my god, I so want to have babies with you." "Did you just say the unspeakable three words?" "Hush," she said with a giggle, "don't harsh this yummy feeling." "Perish the thought." Dave kissed her tenderly. He took her hand and led her back down to the living room couch. There, he proceeded to fill her in on everything Lupie had told him. Janice's eyes grew wider as the grotesque nature of the attack on Becca unveiled. "Dear God, no wonder the girl was so clingy. I'm surprised she didn't mount you in the entry way." "Well, she's - was - a virgin, so I don't think she would be up for something so public." Dave face must have betrayed his mixed emotions. "What is it?" "I knew she was a virgin, that's something we had already discussed. I had planned on; being; more delicate? In my approach with her, you know, taking my time, not rushing things. But this mess happens, and she's insistent that I take her immediately, no warm-up, no gentleness. I; I wanted to do better for her. I wanted this to be a happy memory for her." "You can't control outside events, David. And you can't control her reactions to them. From the sounds of things, I completely understand her response. I think I would have done largely the same in her shoes. And as someone that's been with you for two full days now," she grinned at Dave's raised eyebrow, "I know you slipped in whatever tenderness, whatever care and concern was possible as you gave her what she asked for. What she needed." Dave sat back, taking a deep breath, trying clear his mind. Jan leaned in, whispering in his ear. "Dave, you big stud." She kissed his cheek. "Take me to bed or lose me forever." Dave barked out a laugh, then stood, reaching out his hand. "Show me the way home honey." Three new women join Dave's family. Chapter 4 – Revelation. September 21, 2020. Dave woke to find Becca curled against his left side and Lupie curled against his right, just as Jan had helped him arrange last night before the two had gone to sleep; and after Jan had gotten her turn at Dave. Jan lay beyond Lupie, on her side, facing away. Dave reached over and stroked her back. "I'm awake." Jan rolled over to face him. She gave him a drowsy smile. "Mostly. I could really use some coffee." "I got a coffee maker, grinder and a bag of whole bean coffee you asked for in the pickup order yesterday." "Yeah, but you forgot the maid to make it and carry it up here." Lupie chimed in. Dave thought he'd heard her breathing change in the last minute. "I know, right?" Jan chuckled. "How do you expect to keep a harem of horny babes if you don't give us the amenities." Feeling playful, he gave her guff right back. "Woman, you are the amenities." He kept his face neutral long enough for Lupie to raise her head and stare back at him. He busted out laughing. "Okay, I'd make a terrible dom." He paused while Lupie delivered a light peck on the lips. "Seriously, I never drank coffee. I have no idea how to make it. I got you the tools and ingredients, so if you want some, have at it." "Fine," Jan said, rising, "but I'm taking one star off my review of this hotel because of this." "Still, the room servicing was amazing." Lupie added, with little wiggle of her nude ass, having gotten out of bed as well. Jan barked a laugh and high-fived her. "We'll get some coffee and breakfast started. Why don't you lie here until Becca wakes? I think waking in your arms will do wonders for her. Might be the capstone to last night that will ease her mind." Both ladies dressed quickly, a pair of shorts from their luggage, and one of Dave's t-shirts. It seems solidarity was the theme of the day. Jan chose "Back in my day we had nine planets" while Lupie chose "That's okay Pluto, I'm not a planet either." Dave couldn't argue with that reasoning, so he lay there holding the pretty young blonde in his arms watching the receding forms of his two; girlfriends? What the hell should he call them? Teammates sounded like something for sports, or the brainchild of a particularly lame poli-sci major. The smell of coffee had whispered through the room for several minutes when the enticing aroma of chorizo warmed the air. Dave smiled. He'd bet anything Jan had mentioned the migas from the other morning and Lupie had found the chorizo he ordered. Becca stirred against him. She stretched, cat-like, arching her back. This had the effect of pressing her tits against him. Which in turn brought his presence to her attention. Her eyes flew open and her arms crossed over her chest, suddenly embarrassed she was naked in bed with a man. Further recognition passed over her face and she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him fiercely. Becca broke from the kiss beaming. Then an impish veil flitted on her face and she slipped her body atop his with a slight wince as she parted her legs to straddle over him. Dave caught her hips. "Easy there, kitten. Give yourself a little break. Smells like breakfast is ready, and we have our wholes lives ahead of us now." Becca kissed him again, slipping her tongue into his mouth briefly, tentatively. Then she hopped out of bed and dug a pair of shorts out of her bag. "Dave, could I wear one of your shirts?" "Seriously? Jan and Lupie did the same. Well, they didn't ask, they just walked into the closet and grabbed one each." Becca flashed him a smile, saying nothing as she strode to the closet. Dave enjoyed the slightest jiggle of her modest tits as her topless form walked by. "They must have coordinated while they were in there because they both came out in Pluto themed shirts." After a minute of hangers being shifted back and forth, Becca called out "Dave, how many Pluto shirts do you have?" "Just the two I think." "Damn." Said Becca, coming back out to the closet doorway, still topless and facing Dave. She leaned against the frame, thinking. Dave enjoyed the view. "Aw, hell." She walked over to her own luggage, rummaged about and pulled out a t-shirt. Once she donned it, Dave red the print on it ' hashtag justice for Pluto'. He laughed. "Nice. It fits with the other two. Why the resignation?" "Because I could either show unity with them by wearing this, or I could wear one of your shirts. First morning together, I would have liked to wear one of your shirts." "That's a big deal?" "Huge." "Then wear one of my shirts. I'm sure the others will understand. In fact, it's still solidarity, because you're all wearing one of my nerd shirts." "I like the way you think, Dave." Becca ripped off the shirt and raced back to the closet. She came out with his shirt that looks like a NASA shirt, but replaces the word NASA with SHINY, and on the swoop is the image of a spaceship from a short-lived TV show. "Madame has impeccable taste." "Mademoiselle. Madame is for married women." "In broader terms, madam is for a woman who has permanently bonded herself to a man. Just as you have. At least until the bio-freaks undo the little oddity in their mad science formula." "Well then," Jan said from just inside the bedroom door, "maybe you could get your hiney dressed and join your other two wives for the breakfast they just finished making." She looked to Becca. "Coffee's ready by the way." Neither woman left, instead taking the chance to watch Dave emerge from the covers and dress. Becca approached Jan tentatively. She did a poor job of whispering "Why does it feel so much bigger inside?" Jan chortled. "Because it is bigger when it's going inside you." Dave replied. Becca blushed, realizing she'd been too loud. "Some of us get 'compact' when there's no need for size." "But your balls are still big." Becca blushed so hard she had to look away to speak. "Yeah, those don't shrink. I guess that's one way to distinguish a winky dink from a grower." Dave came out of the closet with a t-shirt that red 'I aim to misbehave, and nothing in the verse can stop me' curved around the word 'Brown coat'. Becca grinned broadly and returned the high-five he offered before the three of them headed downstairs. "Dave?" Jan prompted "Yes dear?" All three ladies grinned at that jest. "I noticed you don't have any books for younger people. How about we see what Esme has next door, and then I order some more, you know to give her some variety." Lupie brightened at Jan's suggestion. It seems cooperation was coming naturally to the three ladies sharing his bed. Their bed. Ho. He'd been single long enough, now he had to adjust his head. Anyway, it was an auspicious start. The five of them sat around the table, still nibbling at bits of breakfast. Esme was already waiting when the trio had descended the stairs. Esme, Dave, and Becca had thanked Jan and Lupie for making breakfast. Lupie took care to point out Jan had chopped the fruit for the side and sliced the tortillas into strips while Lupie made fresh salsa and chorizo and eggs. "Oh, yeah. Check the closets first. Either in my office, or one of the bedrooms you'll find some boxes of kid's and young adult books." Dave paused for a bite. "I think you already know I'm a prepper. One thing I wanted to be sure of is to preserve knowledge and; cultural legacy maybe? So yeah, there are books in boxes right now too. We could get some more bookshelves and set up say one in each bedroom maybe." Jan looked at him with dopey eyes. "Feeling the same way you did that first morning?" Dave said with a smirk. "Less immediate, more warm and fuzzy version, but yeah." "I'll order more bookshelves then." Dave smiled warmly. "I already ordered two full beds for the two rooms that are completely empty, plus dressers for all four rooms and more sheets and towels. The sheets and towels are scheduled to arrive in a few more days. The furniture is listed as arriving in a week. We'll see." "Hey, Dave?" Becca asked. He'd have to get used to seeing her without glasses. That was probably why her 'after imprint nap' took longer than Lupie's; the regen effect repaired her eyes. She'd instinctively reached for her glasses and abruptly realized she could see better without them. That had earned her a pair of high fives from Dave and Jan before they left the bedroom. Lupie and Esme hugged her when she got downstairs and told them. Dave suppressed a smirk. "Yes dear?" Three pairs of eyes rolled, over top soft smiles. "Why don't you just get a bunch of bunk beds. There's going to be a lot more women coming. At least twelve total." "Yeah sure, I could fit two sets of bunk beds into each room. Then I can just walk down the hallway to the rooms were I 'store' my women to select the day's lays". Dave rolled his eyes to accent the sarcasm. Jan and Becca giggled, but Lupie glared. Then he remembered Esme was at the table. "Uh, yeah, sorry 'bout that. Uh;” "Oh please, I already learned about sex in health class. And I heard both of you last night, mom. Keep busting Dave's chops and I'll tell him what I hear coming from your room when I get up to get a glass of water late at night." Lupie's eyes went wide for a moment, then settled to mom-stern look. "Watch it mija, no matter what you know or think you know, I'm still your mother." Esme turned to Dave. "I hear m---" Dave put a finger to her lips. "No matter what you know or think you know, she's still your mother." September 22, 2020. "David Jeffrey Belsus!" Dave stopped in his tracks, one foot on the last step, the other hanging in mid-air in its path to the living room floor. He looked around bewildered, not sure what he'd done. "What the hell are you doing?!" Lupie's indignant voice managed not to shout, but clearly wanted to. "Uh, laundry." He had a basket on his hip, loaded with sheets from the bed. "I can see that, why are you doing laundry?" "I had sex with three women in my bed last night, these sheets need some cleanin'." Lupie's hand rubbed her face. Dave imagined this might be the same motion when Esme was being difficult. Only, he wasn't trying to and had no idea what was causing all this consternation. "David, there are four other people under this roof who can handle the laundry. Esme is quite good with regular laundry items. Not yet ready for special items. You should be working, or working out, or resting, or dosing one of us, or thinking about what changes might be necessary as more women arrive. We should be doing this sort of thing. This will be even more important as more women join the family, David. You're a manager of a small company that lives together and makes babies. Eventually." "I'm not comfortable labeling a chore as 'women's work' Lupie." Lupie snorted. "A week ago I would agree with you. The world changed." "I'm still cooking. At least sometimes. And If I see something dirty or misplaced, I'm still picking it up. And you still have your investment job. You have things to do beside playing mega housewife." "The firm is shutting down, the accounts are being taken over by another company since all our senior partners died." Lupie grimaced. "I have about a week's worth of work remaining for the hand over, and then I'm out of a job. The new organization didn't hire me. But, I still have my license. I can manage investments for the family." "Or start your own firm. Surely there are clients looking for someone new. Maybe some clients from your old firm that would prefer a familiar face." "I told you before David, I want to make family my focus. I can do some day trading and manage our investments, but I would love to spend time with you and Esme, and now Janice and Becca, and whoever else joins us. I want to do crafts and sew and garden and cook wonderful meals from scratch. I want to be involved in community projects when we have a community again. I was good at my job, but it was a job. I love family. Please, let me, let us take care of these things." Dave mixed drinks for the four of them and brought the glasses into the living room, where the ladies had spread themselves about the space. There was no tension, but everyone seemed to want a bit of space after waking up in a nude pile this morning. Lupie raised one eyebrow when Dave handed a glass to Becca. Dave mouthed the word 'light'. "Are you sure?" Becca asked. "You looked like you wanted one when I mentioned making them. And you're effectively my spouse; one of my spouses; " Dave rolled his eyes at the weirdness of the concept, "and state law allows it under that condi

Just a quick update, no more episodes are going live on Content Amplified until January of 2026, so enjoy the holidays! Text us what you think about this episode!

This week on 365 Amplified, Rob Chappell, Omar Waheed, and Stephanie Díaz de León dig into Wisconsin's latest school district report cards and ask a hard question: who actually benefits from how schools are graded? The conversation explores racial achievement gaps, how DPI weights "economically disadvantaged" students, and why some districts can earn top scores while deep racial disparities remain. The crew also reacts to the newly announced women's soccer team, Rally Madison, unpacking the name, branding, symbolism, and fan response — plus what it says about women's sports, marketing, and who teams are really built for. Later, Rob sits down with Fitchburg City Council member Donald Dantzler, who's running for re-election and for Dane County Board. Dantzler reflects on his first term, major city projects, housing and transportation challenges, and why county government plays such a critical — and often overlooked — role in people's daily lives. The episode wraps with the weekly question: if you had a warning label, what would it say?

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Successfully transitioning from university to a professional engineering career is a critical moment for any graduate, and the application process requires strategic preparation beyond just academic competence.Many students struggle to understand what employers truly seek in a new engineer and how to showcase their potential effectively.This episode unlocks the secrets to a standout graduate application, sharing direct insights on core soft skills like communication and teamwork, the role of mentorship, and the career growth trajectory within leading firms.Learn about the value of different-sized companies, from large-scale multi-office execution to a hands-on, personal approach, and the importance of professional development and diversity initiatives. Host Dusty Rhodes is joined by two exceptional industry leaders: Michelle O'Hagan, Group Graduate Recruitment Manager at PM Group, and Bill Bates, Director at DBFL.THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUTWhy graduate programs are essentialBig vs small company advantagesSoft skills employers demand nowSuccessful career progression examplesHow to make your application stand outGUEST DETAILSMichelle O'Hagan is the Group Graduate Recruitment Manager at PM Group, a leading global project management and engineering company known for delivering complex capital projects worldwide. She manages the full graduate recruitment lifecycle across PM Group's international offices, ensuring the company attracts top emerging talent. Michelle's extensive experience, including prior roles at Deloitte UK and Citi Bank, makes her an expert in understanding what drives success in early engineering careers.Bill Bates is a Director at DBFL Consulting Engineers, one of Ireland's leading civil, structural, and transportation consultancies. Bill is responsible for overseeing the Civil Engineering team and has extensive experience in the design and delivery of major infrastructure and development projects across the country. As a Director, Bill is deeply involved in DBFL's Graduate Development Programme and the career progression of their staff, making him a key resource for understanding the pathways to Chartered Engineer status and professional success within the Irish engineering sector.Connect with AMPLIFIEDWebsite: engineersireland.ieSearch podcast player: "AMPLIFIED" or "Engineers Ireland"Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and wherever you get podcastsMORE INFORMATIONLooking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/   Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland.QUOTESConfidence, talking about themselves, talking about their other aspects, their engineering career is only at the start, so they have very little to talk about in that. But I want to know what they've done to date. Tell me about themselves. - Bill BatesThe actual programme itself is a two year programme, but it runs in parallel with your job. So you're permanent from day one, you don't have to re-interview for a role on completion of the programme, which a lot of graduate programmes in our industry does. - Michelle O'Hagan Be confident in your own ability, but be able to show humility and be able to listen to all others perspectives. - Bill BatesCommunication going into project management, being a strong and effective communicator is essential. Being clear, concise and well structured  - Ena O'DriscollKEYWORDS#EngineeringGraduates #GraduateProgramme #CareerDevelopment #SoftSkills #StandoutCV

As promised after last week's grammar discussion, Rob talks through the etymology of the word "sincere" and Omar coins a new slang term. All that only after: We get updates on stories we've been following in the Sun Prairie Area School District and the Dane County Department of Human Services.' We look ahead to the CEOs of Tomorrow "Pitch and Launch" event this weekend We note a few local elected officials who announced this week that they're running again Rock County Board Supervisor Genia Stevens joins us to tell us why she's not running again, how Rock County JumpStart is expanding and what new endeavor she's launching We make note of the "Color of the Year" and the issues with this year's selection Connect: Full coverage at Madison365.org Support Local Journalism! If you appreciate our work, consider donating to keep 365 Amplified and Madison365 thriving. Visit madison365.org/donate to contribute. Every donation through the end of the year is doubled! Follow Us: Stay connected for real-time news updates and discussions on BlueSky, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads and LinkedIn

After 14 episodes of deep insights, practical tools, and real stories, Rukhsana Aziz wraps up this season with one big message: NGOs can scale smarter.From AI to smarter emailing to empowered volunteers the finale brings it all together.

Leaving Certificate students have an exciting opportunity to explore the diverse realities of an engineering career and discover practical strategies for success as they fill out their upcoming CAO forms.Ena O'Driscoll, Mechanical Engineering student at MTU Cork and Student Ambassador at PM Group, alongside Sean Ryan, Automation Engineering student at SETU and Student Engineer at Jabil, share their university experiences with host Dusty Rhodes. Early STEM encouragement, fostered through school programs and family ties, significantly influences career choices. The discussion highlights the importance of paid internships for developing real-world problem-solving skills and building an invaluable CV. Finally, it offers practical advice for creating standout applications by emphasizing leadership roles, volunteering, and project work, while also stressing the need to balance academic demands with societal involvement through networking and mentorship via groups like the Engineers Ireland Young Engineers Society. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUTEngineering career choice STEM encouragementPaid internships practical experience benefitsCV building leadership & volunteering standoutTime management balancing studies & activitiesCAO strategy Level 7 & Level 8 optionsGUEST DETAILSEna O'Driscoll is a Mechanical Engineering Student at Munster Technological University (MTU) Cork. Ena is an excellent example of maximising university studies by actively engaging with industry. She gained valuable professional experience through an internship and placement with PM Group, a leading international project delivery firm. Following her successful placement, Ena has continued her association with the company and the wider engineering community by serving as a Student Ambassador at PM Group, demonstrating a strong commitment to promoting engineering and bridging the gap between academia and professional life.Sean Ryan is an Automation Engineering Student at South East Technological University (SETU) Waterford. Sean is currently applying his technical expertise as a Student Engineer at Jabil, a global manufacturing services company. He possesses a strong academic background complemented by valuable practical experience, including previous work as a controls engineer at Integer. Sean is highly engaged within his university community, having served as a peer-to-peer mentor and senior mentor to support first-year engineering students. Sean is also Chairperson of the Young engineer society south east. Hailing from a farming background, Sean brings a unique perspective to problem-solving and engineering challenges. Outside of his studies and work, Sean is an active rugby player for both his college team and a local club.  Connect with AMPLIFIEDWebsite: engineersireland.ieSearch podcast player: "AMPLIFIED" or "Engineers Ireland"Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and wherever you get podcastsMORE INFORMATIONLooking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/   Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland.QUOTESMy secondary school was actually really good in terms of promoting STEM. Every couple of weeks we'd have different people come in and talk about different areas - Ena O'DriscollI'm on currently working as a controls and automation engineer student for Jabil healthcare, which is ideal because it's only two minutes walk from my college and I'm able to go in there part time and the hours are flexible which is amazing  - Sean RyanWe were given real work to work on from day one.  It started with helping other engineers, carried out a study. We were able to find that quadrant that was the problem and implement that change.- Sean RyanI've always enjoyed Maths, Physics, anything problem solving wise. I've always wanted to be an engineer since probably around 14. I interviewed one of my dad's best friends who's a civil engineer. I got into the mechanical side because of my godfather.  - Ena O'DriscollKEYWORDSEngineering studies, STEM promotion, student engineers, automation engineering, mechanical engineering, industry experience, internships

In this week's episode of 365 Amplified, the team dives into a busy stretch of community events, local politics, sports news, and a thoughtful conversation with the leaders of the Urban League of Greater Madison Young Professionals. Highlights Holiday Black Bazaar returns bigger than ever, featuring 50+ Black-owned vendors, performances, and community gathering space at the Hub. Profile: Percy Brown — Omar talks about the new Carey Middle School principal and his winding journey through education and DEI work. Governor's race update — Mandela Barnes enters; the crew discusses timing, name recognition, new potential candidates, and what redistricting could mean for 2026. Judo phenom — Seventh-grader Ilion Hoskins heads to Peru to represent Team USA at the Pan American Championships. Sports roundup — Badger volleyball advances in NCAA play; Forward Madison re-signs Derek Gebhard and adds veteran defender Mark Segbers; the new Madison women's team unveils its branding December 12. Milwaukee soccer stadium — Still in the works, but no ground broken yet. Feature Interview Current and incoming YP presidents Kayla Conklin and Déja Mason join the show to discuss: YP's growth and Central Region Chapter of Excellence recognition Why affinity spaces matter for young Black professionals Goals for 2026, including community service, advocacy, leadership development, and food security work

An electronic composition, sounds from various sources including Pure Data.

Do you want to finally turn your coaching genius into content that's actually you—without drowning in hours of busywork? Imagine being able to show up fully as yourself, while letting AI handle all the tedious stuff and still sound 100% like you. I've got the inside scoop on how to blend AI with your authentic voice so seamlessly that your clients will feel like you're right there with them. Stick with me, and I'll show you exactly how to make AI your secret weapon for real, human-centered impact (not robot vibes).If you want artificial intelligence to amplify who you are, you must put a deeper level of awareness and intentionality into everything you do.—Brian BogertConversation Highlights:Discover how combining AI with authenticity coaching can deepen client connections and boost genuine growth.Explore the impact of AI in coaching and consulting to unlock new levels of efficiency and insight.Learn to transform trauma into wealth-generating activities that empower both you and your clients.Amplify your personal brand authenticity using AI tools that highlight your unique voice and story.Leverage AI tools for content creation to consistently deliver authentic and engaging coaching messages.Resources:Contact Brian at brian@brianbogert.com and put Amplify AI in the subject line to receive access to his free AI process for generating high-quality content from transcripts.Test Brian's AI-powered tool by uploading a transcript to receive multiple deliverables, such as meeting narratives, recap emails, podcast-style summaries, Forbes-style articles, LinkedIn posts, and promotional emails.Use the AI process to streamline and automate the creation of educational materials, social media assets, and landing page copy for masterminds, coaching sessions, webinars, or podcasts.Leverage the AI tool to create detailed client reports and document client journeys for intensives, masterminds, or one-on-one coaching, enhancing client retention and contract renewals.Join the beta launch of Brian's AI tool by reaching out via email, as the product is currently in minimum viable product mode and open for early testers.Transform Coaching with AI Insights Integrating AI into coaching offers fresh perspectives by highlighting trends and insights often missed by the human eye. These data-driven revelations enhance decision-making and personalize coaching methods. As a result, coaches can deliver more impactful, tailored support to their clients. – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Ready to level up your marketing strategy for your podcast? On this week's episode of Podbean Amplified we invited Todd Eury, founder and host of the Pharmacy Podcast Network, the leading audio platform for pharmacy professionals.

Kate Muhwezi and Alex Kent have been Co-CEOs at Restless Development since 2021.  Brought together at a pivotal moment, Kate and Alex combine their distinct strengths — one a campaigning leader, the other an operational expert — to cover multiple executive roles with less than two full-time equivalents. Their approach shows that leadership can be both collaborative and strategically efficient. At the heart of their model is feminist leadership — a commitment to power-sharing, collective decision-making, and creating space for more voices at the table. This shift has inspired cultural change across Restless Development, with more teams exploring shared leadership and more people seeing senior roles as accessible to them. in this episode, they talk about how leading together has enabled stability and resilience in the leadership of the organisation, how embracing feminist leadership has enabled collective empowerment at all levels of the organisation and how co-leadership has enabled their path to executive leadership supporting the cross fertilisation of their skills across their partnership. To find out more about Kate & Alex's work, visit: Restless Development: www.restlessdevelopment.org Power Shifting Checklist: https://restlessdevelopment.org/power-shifting-checklist-2/ Action'Aid Feminist Leadership Principles: https://actionaid.org/feminist-leadership To find out more about jobsharing, visit: www.TheJobshareRevolution.co.uk #JobshareStories #CoLeadership #FeministLeadership #Resilience

Our first episode in this series was about infertility; today's focus is on pregnancy. Our final two installments will cover pregnancy loss and postpartum. I'm discussing how holiday expectations might not align with what's happening. The holidays can feel like a mixed bag of joy and anticipation, while a lot of stress and pressure get thrown into the mix. We can't deny our emotional truth, because that complicates everything. The bottom line is that it's no small thing to be pregnant during the holidays, and figuring out how to manage everything may be extra challenging while growing a baby.  Show Highlights: Mixed feelings: joy, excitement, and maybe a struggle to overcome nausea Amplified pressure Regulating your emotional and physical self  Expectations, boundaries, and relational stress Typical examples and reasons you need self-compassion Perinatal mental health issues may leave you with sensory fatigue, irritability, and the pressure to be perfect. Feelings of loneliness and disconnection Financial strain and holiday spending pressure It's okay to slow down and set boundaries.  Tips for navigating the holidays while pregnant: Make mindset shifts as your priorities shift and change. Prioritize intentional rest and protect your downtime. Ask for help, delegate tasks, and learn to say NO.  Plan to ensure emotional safety. “You don't have to prove that you're doing enough.” Resources: Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov. Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773.  There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services. You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms. Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/for information on the grief course.  Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!  If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

S1E6: AI in Clinical Registries, Data Abstraction with Greg Miller On this episode, host Dr. Heather Bassett welcomes Greg Miller, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for Carta Healthcare, a leading provider of clinical data management solutions. Greg has a 40-year career journey in healthcare IT. Learn why Greg "came out of retirement" for his current role, to help get more meaningful insights into the hands of those who can most rapidly improve healthcare. The catch? This first involves clinical data abstraction, a costly, manual, and often overlooked aspect of healthcare operations. Find all of our network podcasts on your favorite podcast platforms and be sure to subscribe and like us. Learn more at www.healthcarenowradio.com/listen

his week, we dive into one of the most powerful skills every creator and nonprofit leader needs today: content repurposing.In Episode 14, Rukhsana Aziz — Digital Strategist, Transformation Coach, and Nonprofit Amplifier — about how to create once and share everywhere.Learn how a single story can fuel multiple posts, formats, and platforms without burning you out.

Ready to level up your marketing strategy for your podcast? On this week's episode of Podbean Amplified we invited Mark Todd of @markizmarketing to talk about digital marketing for creators, coaches and entrepreneurs grow and scale their business. 

Want to automate your life but don't know how to start?Non-Profit amplifier Rukhsana Aziz breaks down the most practical and cost-effective AI tools to help you work faster, think clearer, and get more done with less effort.Affordable, simple, and instantly effective — this episode is your beginner-friendly guide to smarter productivity.Available on TALRAdio | Spotify | Apple Podcast...#TALRadioenglish #AI #Automate #Business #Touchaife #TALRAdio

Upscale Conference held it's annual European gathering last week in picturesque Málaga, Spain. Creativity and AI may seem strange bedfellows to some with the efficiency drive of AI bumping up against the messy organic nature of creative production. But the bubbling enthusiasm evident at Upscale Conf shows that there are plenty that believe it's an augmentation to the creative process rather than a replacement. Upscale Conf is into its third year with AI Entrepreneur Linus Ekenstam as circus master keeping the crowds energised and making sure the focus is always on the creative output rather than the intricacies of AI models. Upscale Conference 2025 reviewed The optimism evident over the talks spoke to a resilience that design was always governed by the human as editor. Marten Kuipers of Dutch design firm DEPT® proclaimed that "AI does not have taste but you do" gaining a loud cheer from the room. While the AI advancements mean that all sectors are experiencing upheaval, we would expect the stalwarts of the creative industry to be treating AI with kid gloves. Veterans Frog Design were represented by Andreas Markdalen who emphasized the importance of human creativity and collaboration in the face of AI, arguing that the ability to connect with people emotionally and create meaningful experiences remains the most crucial factor in the success of any design project. But AI is pushing barriers and breaking rules and nowhere is this more evident than viral AI video breakout stars The Dor Brothers. Ironically Yonathan Dor is the only Dor that exists, but it doesn't stop him putting out hugely popular political satires with an irreverent group of 10 employees. Given the reaction to the videos, it's maybe no surprise that the White House called him looking for more of his edgy style. Riot But the economics of the media landscape still prevail. As Yonathan Dor states, the Dor Brothers is "still a business. So sometimes we post an ad, they're like, what the fuck is this? Sorry guys, we need to make money. Yeah, you know, we're up front. I think at the end of the day what people appreciate is transparency and honesty." At the moment AI has become a lightning rod for all the controversies, anxiety and optimism swirling around society at large. But as our media landscape is changing Nacho Floristan of Google Cloud predicts that 80% of global internet traffic will be video by 2030. Whether that is dominated entirely by AI generated content remains to be seen. FreePik Spaces One of the common issues around AI generation is the parallel task to run models, compare outputs, test parameters and tweak workflows. A hodge podge of techniques might work for an individual, but has been hampering the ability for companies and groups to adopt AI into their workflows. Upscale's sponsor, the local Málaga firm, FreePik, used the conference venue to launch their solution to this problem. FreePik Spaces is an impressive blend of collaboration features and node based workflows. FreePik seems to be tackling the bugbear of most enthusiasts in this Creative AI space. What was previously only available to ComfyUI tinkerers and those comfortable with GitHub repositories is now a node or two away. Brands can stay aligned while generating work and the shared canvas means iterations and feedback can be visible to all. Freepik Spaces: The infinite canvas for creative workflows FreePik for their part sees it as becoming less noticeable even while being more integrated into our lives. Speaking to Irish Tech News, their CEO Joaquin Cuenca said that "wider society will eventually normalize AI, just like computers became commonplace. As AI becomes more integrated into products and services, it will become less noticeable and its impact will be more subtle, focusing on the value of the product itself rather than its AI capabilities." More avenues for AI Slop? The idea that AI is shovelling out slop of low quality and dubious use was not shared by most attendees. Max Ott...

In this episode of Civic Warriors, we sit down with Steve Maslin, President and CEO of the Greater Houston Community Foundation (GHCF), to explore how community foundations drive meaningful, lasting impact. Steve shares his journey to GHCF and discusses how the organization partners with local nonprofits and stewards charitable assets to strengthen the Houston region. We'll dive into the role of donor advised funds (DAFs), the importance of strategic philanthropy, and how GHCF is celebrating 30 years of inspiring generosity and community collaboration.Support the show

In today's hyperconnected world, one post can spark a PR storm in minutes. But here's the good news, every social media crisis is also a chance to show leadership, empathy, and authenticity.

In this week's special episode, Chris is joined by Bowling For Soup's Jaret Reddick to share their mutual love for the late Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne. From their personal stories of discovering Ozzy's music to a deep dive into his 1986 hit single “Shot in the Dark,” they reminisce and explore the lasting impact of one of rock's most iconic figures. Whether you're a lifelong fan or just know the hits, this episode offers a fun and insightful look back at a true music legend. Chris DeMakes A Podcast is brought to you by DistroKid, the ultimate partner for taking your music to the next level. Get 30% off your first YEAR with DistroKid by signing up at ⁠http://distrokid.com/vip/demakes For bonus episode of The After Party podcast, an extensive back catalog of past After Party episodes, early ad-free releases of new episodes of Chris DeMakes A Podcast, full video versions of episodes, and MUCH more, head to the Patreon at ⁠http://www.ChrisDeMakes.com Follow Chris DeMakes A Podcast on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/chrisdemakesapodcast/⁠ Join the Chris DeMakes A Podcast community on Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/2643961642526928/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of Podbean Amplified Shae and Ericka interview Michelle Hon of @thechillmom. She's an author and entrepreneur helping moms turn passion into purpose and profit.

Episode 374: Mind Over Magic - The Psychology of Rituals with Richard Kaczynski Episode Description We stand in the most mystical time of the year—the season when the veil between worlds grows gossamer thin. From October 31st through November 2nd, we traverse sacred ground through Halloween, Samhain, All Saints' Day, and Día de los Muertos. In this powerful episode, we shift our focus from the hands-on practice of Reiki to explore the psychology behind ritual and magic itself. Join host Terri Ann Heiman as she welcomes Richard Kaczynski, PhD, author of Mind Over Magic: The Psychology of Rituals, for a fascinating conversation about how our beliefs shape our reality and how understanding the psychological mechanisms behind spiritual practices can help us get the most out of them. Guest Bio Richard Kaczynski is a lifetime student and writer on Western Esotericism and an authority on the life and works of Aleister Crowley. He is the author of Perdurabo: The Life of Aleister Crowley and editor of Crowley's The Sword of Song. Richard holds a PhD in psychology with a minor in statistics, and his doctoral dissertation examined the structure and correlates of metaphysical beliefs. His latest book, Mind Over Magic: The Psychology of Rituals, explores how psychological research can illuminate spiritual practices across all traditions. Key Topics Discussed The Journey from Psychology to Magic •Richard's lifelong interest in alternative spiritualities and how it led him to pursue psychology •The disappointment of not finding a "grand unified theory" in graduate school •How 30 years of research revealed a jigsaw puzzle of psychological insights about spiritual practices •The intersection of social psychology, statistics, and esoteric traditions Childhood Mystical Experiences •Richard's childhood encounter with an unexplainable figure in suburban Detroit •How these experiences are actually common parts of human experience, not aberrations •The importance of normalizing conversations about unexplainable phenomena •How transformative experiences can fundamentally change personality and worldview Pattern Recognition and Discernment •Humans as pattern-seeking creatures (Gestalt psychology) •The concept of "agenticity"—seeing agency or cause behind random events •How this cuts both ways: believers may see patterns that aren't there, while skeptics miss patterns that are •Walking the middle path between accepting everything and rejecting everything •The critical importance of discernment in spiritual practice Defining Magic (with a K) •Why Richard chose to spell it "magick" (following Aleister Crowley's distinction from stage magic) •Crowley's definition: "the science and art of causing change to occur in conformity with Will" •Magic as any intentional act—from casting circles to saying grace before meals •How this broad definition encompasses practices across all spiritual traditions •The science versus the art of magical practice The Power of Mindfulness in Practice •Why being present is essential to getting benefits from any spiritual practice •The danger of going through the motions without true engagement •Examples: meditation while distracted, saying prayers automatically, greeting the sun mindlessly •How mindfulness amplifies the effectiveness of ritual work Group Ritual and Synchronous Behavior •Research on synchronous behavior and its psychological effects •How brainwave patterns synchronize when people engage in activities together •The positive evaluation of others when in sync (drum circles, group recitation, etc.) •The unique benefits of both solitary and group practice •Why the real work ultimately happens in private, individual practice= The Psychological Levers of Ritual •How various ritual elements manipulate psychological mechanisms •The role of special garments, implements (bells, wands, tarot cards), sacred space •Creating the "liminal space" where magic happens •Understanding these levers helps us access transformative states more easily •Science explaining what many practitioners have always known Evolution and Transformation •How ritual practices help us evolve into the best version of ourselves •Breaking free from fixed personality traits through transformative experiences •The importance of going within rather than surface living •Recognizing and breaking repetitive patterns •Raising consciousness creates a ripple effect that touches everyone around us The Modern Metaphysical Community •How the internet and social media have made spiritual communities more accessible •The danger of siloing within specific traditions •The importance of attending conferences and events outside your tradition •The challenge of maintaining brick-and-mortar metaphysical spaces •The growth of metaphysical awareness and openness in recent decades Science Meets Spirituality •How psychology validates spiritual practices without explaining away the mystery •The value of scientific understanding for skeptics •Why we don't need to choose between "woo" and science •Using the scientific method to evaluate your own spiritual work •Understanding enhances practice; it doesn't diminish the magic Key Quotes Richard Kaczynski: "By understanding the role of psychology in the practices that we undertake in our spirituality, we can get the most out of those practices. And to the extent to which our spirituality is aimed at inner transformation, raising our consciousness, becoming the best version of ourselves, we can do that more effectively through that understanding." "You're not stuck being who you are right now. You can actually evolve yourself through these practices, and they're transformative." "I don't claim to explain what happens in that liminal space. It's that liminal space where the magic happens. But these psychological tools give us access to that space and make it easier to get there." Terri Ann Heiman: "We each have the power to go within and facilitate our own transformation, and in doing so, we raise not only our consciousness, but create a ripple effect that touches all those around us." Astrological Context This episode airs during a particularly potent time: •The Mystical Portal: October 31st - November 2nd (Halloween, Samhain, All Saints' Day, Día de los Muertos) •Super New Moon in Taurus: November 5th (the Beaver Moon) •Themes of stability, security, grounding, and preparation •Focus on values and material comforts •Time for reflection on what you've built and letting go of what no longer serves •Amplified emotions and powerful access to inner landscape •Mercury Retrograde Shadow: Beginning November 9th through November 20th •Starts in Sagittarius, moves into Scorpio •Expect delays, communication issues, travel hiccups, tech problems •Invitation to slow down, pull energy in, and notice patterns Resources Mentioned Richard Kaczynski's Work •Book: Mind Over Magic: The Psychology of Rituals (Inner Traditions, October 7 release) •Book: Perdurabo: The Life of Aleister Crowley •Website: richardkaczynski.com •Social Media: Facebook, Instagram,  Episode Sponsor Ritual and Shelter •Location: Homewood, Alabama (also online) •Website: ritualshelter.com •Instagram: @RitualShelterShoppe •Pinterest: Ritual+Shelter •Services: Tarot sessions, Reiki, sound bowl healing, crystal healing, witch consultations •Products: Books on energy healing, crystal healing, Reiki, chakras, Akashic Records, shadow work, astrology, earth-based healing, herbal teas, tinctures, crystals, oils Upcoming Events Terri's Offerings: •Free Online Masterclass: "Past, Present, Future: The Akashic Healing Timeline Method for Breaking Cycles" •Date: Saturday, November 8th at 10:00 AM •Focus: Breaking repetitive patterns and cycles •Spiritual Upgrade Breakthrough Call •One-on-one consultation with Terri •Explore what keeps you in repetitive cycles Reiki Rays Healing Summit •Dates: November 7th - 11th •Theme: "10 Gatherings of Light: Rooted in Truth, Returning to the Self" •Format: Free online summit with daily interviews •Option to purchase full library access for $57 (early bird pricing)   Closing Reflection By understanding the psychology behind our spiritual practices, we can truly get the most out of them. When we're seeking inner transformation—raising our consciousness and evolving into the best version of ourselves—this understanding becomes essential. It allows us to engage more intentionally and effectively with the rituals and practices that serve our growth. This is especially potent during this sacred season when the veil between worlds is thin and we're more open to receiving messages, signs, and the deeper truth of our soul's journey. May this season of darkness illuminate your path inward. Thanks for listening! To your Spirit, Terri

Hosts: Rob Chappell, Stephanie Díaz de León, Omar Waheed Guest: Prenicia Clifton Episode Overview This week, the team covers the end of SNAP benefits and its impact on Wisconsin families and small businesses, the return of Madison Nonprofit Day, the growing threat of media capture, and a few lighter conversations to close the show — including conspiracy theories they wish were true. SNAP Benefits Ending Nearly 700,000 Wisconsinites are about to lose Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as of November 1. Rob, Stephanie, and Omar discuss what this means for food pantries, families, and local economies. They also highlight that federal workers are unpaid during the shutdown and that the ripple effects extend to small businesses and farmers. LOUD's New Gallery Space Omar talks with Oscar Morales, founder of Latinos Organizing for Understanding and Development (LOUD), about opening a new gallery at Next Wave Studios on Madison's east side. The first artist in residence, La Pistola from Oaxaca, led workshops and connected with Madison's growing arts scene. Media Capture and the Importance of Local News Rob discusses a recent episode of the Question Everything podcast, focusing on "media capture" — when governments or their allies take control of the media. Starting November 1, every donation to Madison365 will be doubled through the Institute for Nonprofit News' matching fund. Donate here → madison365.org/donate Madison Nonprofit Day Returns Guest: Prenicia Clifton, organizer of Madison Nonprofit Day, joins to preview the event's return on Friday, November 7 at TruStage. She explains that it's a professional development opportunity for nonprofit professionals, board members, and community leaders — with sessions on funding, collaboration, safety, and leadership transitions. "Professional development is often the last thing invested in," Clifton says. "But we need to develop ourselves to serve our communities safely and effectively." Highlights include: Opening panel with Angela Davis (Madison Community Foundation), Angela Russell (TruStage), Renée Moe (United Way of Dane County), and Shiva Bidar-Sielaff (UW Health) Workshops on fundraising, partnership, and succession planning Clifton's keynote on preventing abuse in youth-serving spaces Social Impact Happy Hour recognizing local changemakers

Endtime Prophecies Amplified by David D. CeigaAmazing and thought provoking. Down to earth informative. It gives the readers nuggets, food for thought; not to be confusing. Different from any other book on the subject matter. The Author backs it up with Biblical scriptures and historical facts. Never about believing the Author, it is the readers choice to search for the truth for themselves. God wants His "Faithful" children to know, He does not keep secrets from them. Author Bio: I am NOT a theologian! I am actually below average person. Voted least likely to succeed among six siblings. Retired military veteran @ 100% SL. I have seen the good and the bad in people and places. Madly in love with the same woman (Sara) for over 43 years. I presently have three children, 11 grandchildren, & 10 great grandchildren. A Associate's Degree in Psychology from Mid Continent University and a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work with a minor in world religion from University of Tennessee at Martinhttps://www.amazon.com/Endtime-Prophecies-Amplified-David-Ceiga/dp/B0F97C4HVShttps://www.auctoremhouse.com/http://www.bluefunkbroadcasting.com/root/twia/103025dcah.mp3   

On this week's episode of Podbean Amplified Shae and Ericka interview Got Spice? Show Podcast! Gregory Yates & Kirti Naik shares why it is important to build a structure with your partner. 

“Anachronistic d’amour” es la última entrega de Jaime Cristobal, J’aime. Este “Amor por el anacronismo” sirve para enfocar la música de este músico pamplonés que bebe de referentes del pasado manejando esas influencias con filtros más actuales. Un gran disco de pop con el que iniciamos un paseo por la huerta ibérica en busca de variopintas novedades.Playlist;J’AIME “Amplified heart”J’AIME “Distant star”J’AIME “Sweethearts and high ends”MUTAGÉNICOS “Rumore”LE GRAND MIERCOLES “Kid Chocolate”THE BUCANNAN “Confital Bay”THE BO-DEREKS “Hiroshima”EH MERTXE! “Reza al pop”JUVENTUDE “Ana mi amor”DEPRESIÓN SONORA “Sin volverme loco”RATA NEGRA “Hawai”UKELELE ZOMBIES “¡Y con mi hacha!” ANA CURRA “Amor, odio”ANA CURRA feat ÁLVARO BIZNAGA “Unidos”BIZNAGA “Máquinas blandas”JOSÉ LANOT “Conjuro” Escuchar audio

In this episode of Purpose Amplified, Rukhsana Aziz shares powerful insights on how NGOs can not only attract but retain passionate fundraisers.From building trust and motivation to creating a sense of belonging, she breaks down what truly keeps people committed to a cause — beyond just campaigns and numbers.Host: Rukhsana Aziz

In this live episode of Registry Matters, the hosts and participants explored the everyday realities and systemic challenges faced by individuals living under registration laws. The discussion delved into deeply personal experiences—such as intrusive law enforcement visits and the public exposure that can jeopardize employment—while also highlighting the power of storytelling through projects like Amplified...

Foundations of Amateur Radio The other day I saw a post by fellow amateur Gary N8DMT who mentioned an "RF circulator" and a PlutoSDR in the same sentence. Amplified by a response from a fellow Aussie Electronics Engineer, "ozeng", who helpfully added a link to a Wikipedia article about circulators, it finally twigged that I had such a gadget in my possession and for the first time I realised how I might use it. Now, before I continue, I'll preface this with a disclaimer, this is a hand-wavy description of what this very interesting device does. "ozeng" calls it "Absolute witchcraft." and that's an apt description if ever I've heard one. Imagine for a moment a radio with separate transmitter and receiver connectors, attached to the same antenna using a T-piece, as-in, there's a run of coax coming from each connector, joined together with a T-piece, which in turn is connected to an antenna. The aim of this, don't do this at home contraption, is to avoid the need for two antennas, but, and it's a big one, doing this will very likely destroy your receiver the moment you transmit for the first time, because likely half the transmission will go to the antenna, while the other half makes its way to the receiver, which is not going to be something you want to happen, unless you like the smell of magic smoke. You might think that adding an attenuator, something that reduces the power on the receive port would help. Well, yes, it would, but as a side-effect, it would also reduce the signal coming from the antenna. At that point you'll decide you need a switch. Initially you might switch this manually, but that's a pain if you're wanting to transmit and receive continuously and need to remember in which position the switch is in. The next step is to use an electronic switch, like a relay. It can trigger based on some signal from the radio when it's transmitting and turn off the receive path during a transmission. This raises an issue with delay. Do you trigger just before you hit the PTT, as-in, time-travel, or do you delay the transmitter until after the relay has switched, which will cut off the beginning of your transmission? You'll likely have heard this kind of issue when listening to a station using an external amplifier. Their signal either jumps from low power to high power after they key up, or you miss the beginning of their callsign. Not to mention that if you get the delay wrong, you blow up the receiver, fun for people watching, not so much for the equipment owner. Even if you get the timing right, you cannot transmit and receive at the same time. Of course an obvious solution is to have two antennas, but soon you'll discover that when you're transmitting and receiving on the same frequency, even using two antennas, you'll have the exact same issues. It's why the local 10m repeater here in Perth, VK6RHF, has the transmitter in one location and a receiver 12 km away, connected to each other via a 70cm radio link. Other solutions in this space are cavity filters, duplexers and diplexers. These all require that the transmit and receive frequencies are different and the equipment is generally tuned to a specific pair of frequencies. Physically cavity filters can be massive, not to mention fragile. So, solving the issue of having a transmitter and receiver together on the same frequency is one that is challenging to say the least. It's a common issue, think about mobile phones, satellites, broadcast transmitters, and even your own amateur radio station. An RF circulator is a device that solves this in an extremely elegant way. For starters, it's a passive device, which means that you don't need to power it, there's no moving parts, no switches, no delays, no external controls, it's a box, generally with three sockets or ports, though versions exist with more. At a basic level, it works like this. A signal inserted into port one, will only come out of port two. Similarly, a signal into port two, will only come out of port three and finally, a signal into port three, will only come out of port one. Think of it as a one way roundabout. How is this useful you might ask. I'll illustrate by plugging in three things, connect port one to an antenna, port two to a receiver and port three, a transmitter. When you transmit into port three, the signal only goes to the antenna, leaving the receiver safe and happy. Similarly, any antenna signal will only go to the receiver. So, how does this work? Remember, hand-wavy. Essentially, it's based on the idea that radio waves travelling in one direction combine and waves travelling in the opposite direction cancel. Different types of circulators achieve this in different ways and come in different sizes as a result. The RF circulator I have is roughly 60 mm square, 30 mm thick, weighing in at most of half a kilogram and as far as I know, intended for operation around 850 MHz. If I recall correctly, it came out of a CDMA mobile phone tower. The parameters that describe an RF circulator are the frequency range, the insertion loss, or how much signal gets lost getting from port one to port two, the isolation, or how much signal leaks between port one and port three and a couple of others. Hopefully I'll be able to use a NanoVNA, or PlutoSDR to get a sense of what these values are and confirm the frequency range. Now, if that doesn't blow your mind, wait until I tell you about the two hundred year history that accompanies it. I'm Onno VK6FLAB

Program for 10/24/25 Jim Wood: Interview with Ray Comfort, Jesus Amplified

Hosts: Rob Chappell, Stephanie Díaz de León, and Omar Waheed Guest: Nate Buescher, UW–Madison freshman and star of Disney Channel's Electric Bloom Runtime: 53:38 On this week's podcast, we catch up on a range of news stories from the week, and get acquainted with a new neighbor who's a rising Disney star.

In What Does the Lord Require of Us?, Megan J. Conner reminds us that amid the noise of modern life, God’s call to His people has always been simple: love Him and love others. Reflecting on Micah 6:8 and Matthew 22:36–39, this devotional breaks down what it truly means to live justly, practice kindness, and walk humbly with God in a world that often prioritizes self over service. Highlights The Lord’s requirements are clear: act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him. Jesus summarized the Ten Commandments into two essentials—love God and love others. True love is more than emotion; it’s a daily practice of justice, compassion, and humility. Kindness requires intentional effort, especially when distractions or pride take center stage. Walking humbly keeps our hearts aligned with God’s grace and reminds us that all are equal before Him. Join the Conversation What does it look like for you to live out Micah 6:8 today? Share how you’re practicing justice, kindness, and humility in your faith walk. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #WalkHumbly #LoveMercy #FaithInAction to join the conversation.

Send us a textJim Clash covers extreme adventure and classic rock. Over three decades of writing for Forbes, Clash, who holds an MBA from Columbia University, has penned four books, most recently Amazon bestseller “Amplified,” about ‘60s music. His first-person stories include supersonic flights in eight separate aircraft pulling up to 9 Gs and flying to 84,000 ft; driving a Bugatti at 253 mph and Indy cars at 200 mph; expeditions to the North and South Poles; summiting the Matterhorn and 23,000-ft. Aconcagua; a C-130 flight through Category V Hurricane Dorian; chasing tornadoes; riding jet skis on 60-ft waves in Portugal; a U-2 flight to the edge of space; bullfighting; being shot point-blank in a ballistics jacket, and more. Interviews include Neil Armstrong, Mario Andretti, John Glenn, Edmund Hillary, Roger Bannister, Grace Slick, Joe Frazier, Chuck Yeager and Edward Teller. For fun, Jim gives 170-mph rides at Daytona speedway. He's a former director at The Explorers Club.See more of Jim's work at Forbes and on his FaceBook pageGet Jim's books here on AmazonSupport this Podcast:  buy me a coffeeHosted by Michael J. ReinhartMichaelJReinhart.com   Whiskey and a Map:  Stories of Adventure and Exploration.  #space #JamesClash #biggestwaves #supersonicflight

S1E5: Empathetic AI in Clinical Interactions with Dr. Erin Palm On this episode, host Dr. Heather Bassett welcomes Dr. Erin Palm, the Medical Lead at Infinitus, with a focus on ensuring the highest standards of clinical quality and safety. Erin is also a trauma surgeon practicing at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, and serves as affiliated teaching faculty for the Stanford Department of Surgery. Dr. Palm discusses the balance between innovation and safety in AI, and the need for both technical expertise and empathy in patient interactions. Find all of our network podcasts on your favorite podcast platforms and be sure to subscribe and like us. Learn more at www.healthcarenowradio.com/listen

How do you know if your nonprofit is truly thriving? What should you track every month to measure real growth and community impact?In this episode, we dive into how data can guide nonprofits toward smarter decisions, better outcomes, and sustainable change.Discover: ✅ The key indicators that reveal your nonprofit's health ✅ How to collect and interpret the right data ✅ Why data-driven decisions amplify your mission

Rob and Omar kick off this week's 365 Amplified with stories making headlines across Madison365: Hmong New Year 50th Anniversary – A preview of this year's celebration marking 50 years since Hmong families began arriving in Wisconsin, emphasizing renewed connections with elders and cultural traditions. Indigenous Business Conference – Omar reports from Milwaukee's Potawatomi Casino, where hundreds of Indigenous entrepreneurs and tribal leaders gathered to discuss sovereignty, new trade opportunities, and economic independence. Funding Cuts for Nonprofits – At Madison's Progress Center for Black Women, Alder Sabrina Madison called on the community to help sustain local nonprofits as public and philanthropic support declines, citing new data on wage and health disparities affecting Black women. No Kings Rallies – A look ahead to Saturday's nationwide “No Kings” demonstrations, the difference between protests and rallies, and the importance of visible collective action in defending democracy. Main Interview: Rep. Francesca Hong The first Asian American member of the Wisconsin Assembly joins Rob to discuss her run for governor and her vision for a state grounded in community care and resistance to authoritarianism. Topics include: Why She's Running: Hong frames her campaign as a movement against fascism and a push for imagination, solidarity, and working-class power. Public Safety and Community Protection: She calls for state action to limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and urges residents to report ICE activity through community hotlines rather than social media. Economic and Care Policies: Universal child care up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level, paid leave for all, and investment in care workers to strengthen families and local economies. Public Bank Proposal: Modeled after North Dakota's public bank and Wisconsin's existing WEDC infrastructure to provide low-interest loans and grants to small businesses. Healthcare Reform: Expand BadgerCare, hold large hospital systems accountable for costs, and reduce premiums for small business employees. Movement Building: Encouraging Democrats to compete in every district and support local candidates to build lasting working-class power statewide. On Protest and Democracy: Hong calls protest “direct democracy” and urges Wisconsinites to show up in the streets as visible proof that they are not alone in fighting fascism. Connect: Full coverage at Madison365.org Support Local Journalism: If you appreciate our work, consider donating to keep 365 Amplified and Madison365 thriving. Visit madison365.org/donate to contribute. Follow Us: Stay connected for real-time news updates and discussions:

When purpose meets partnership, impact multiplies. ✨In this episode of Purpose Amplified, our expert and  transformation coach, Rukhsana, speaks about amplifying social good through strategic communication and collaboration.This week's episode “Powerful Partnerships: Grow Your Impact by Working Together” You will hear, how meaningful collaborations can take your mission further and create lasting change.Expert: Rukhsana Aziz, Transformation coach Tune in to Purpose Amplified and discover how purpose and partnerships together can redefine impact.

Send us a textWhat if “helper” never meant lesser—but capable, called, and essential? We open Proverbs 31 and discover a portrait that goes beyond checklists. Starting with a full reading, we ground the conversation in the fear of the Lord as the root that gives life to wisdom, work, and enduring peace. From there, we follow the text into enterprise and empathy: buying fields, planting vineyards, blessing the poor, and building a home where trust thrives and voices stay kind. Virtue begins to look less like performance and more like a practiced posture—a way of seeing God, ourselves, and our people.We also travel back to Genesis 2:18 in the Amplified: “a helper—one who balances him, a counterpart suitable and complementary.” Suitable as capable reframes everything. The Proverbs 31 woman does not hustle for worth; she moves from design. Submission turns from a tug-of-war into shared accountability and mutual honor. We talk frankly about speech—when silence cools the room, when to circle back, and how the “law of kindness” governs hard talks without watering down truth. The journey of becoming one is a process, not a moment. Praise at the gates isn't the aim; it's the echo of purpose lived with order and courage.You'll hear practical insights on aligning gifts with calling, finding peace in your purpose, and balancing career and home without losing either. Whether you're a wife, hope to be, or simply hungry to live with integrity and impact, this conversation invites you to recover a bigger, braver vision. If it resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review—what part challenged you most?Support the showSunday Schoolers!! Hope you enjoyed class!

Two big stories to discuss on the podcast today: first, editor-in-chief David Dahmer joins the pod to preview the opening of Bernell's, Madison's first sports bar focused on women's sports. (Don't worry, they'll show the Packers too.) Then, Omar has a recap of the Sun Prairie Area School District, where voters passed a no-confidence motion against Superintendent Brad Saron. Finally, after the requisite mentions of Forward Madison and Milwaukee Brewers, we consider: what's the sound cue you want when you enter a room? Connect: Full coverage at Madison365.org Support Local Journalism: If you appreciate our work, consider donating to keep 365 Amplified and Madison365 thriving. Visit madison365.org/donate to contribute. Follow Us: Stay connected for real-time news updates and discussions:

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Heather speaks with Madeline Reeves about the evolution of advisory services in accounting and how firms can confidently transition from transactional work to advisory relationships. Madeline shares insights from her Advisory Amplified Roadshow, a national event series designed to give accounting professionals practical tools for productizing advisory services, building stronger client connections, and leveraging AI to unlock efficiency.  About Madeline Reeves Madeline Reeves' career has centered around working with accounting firms to help elevate understanding by providing education & coaching around cloud based technology. Learn more about Madeline Reeves and Advisory Amplified at this link. Thank you to our show sponsor, CorpNet! CorpNet is the trusted leader in business formation and compliance services, offering one of the best tools for accountants, CPAs and tax professionals nationwide. The CorpNet Partner Program, 10X her firms revenue by helping clients form a business, register for payroll taxes, maintain compliance and more. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

On this week's episode of Podbean Amplified Shae and Ericka interview Traci Deforge from the Produce Your Podcast podcast! Traci shares why it is important to please your listeners first and not everyone else. New Episodes now air every other Monday on our Youtube page and all other audio podcasts platforms.

On this week's 365 Amplified, Omar and Rob talk through a tense Common Council session on a new men's homeless shelter that ended in confrontations between alders and protesters. Then, we go over a change at the University of Wisconsin, where the Office of Human Resources has eliminated its Equity, Inclusion and Employee Wellbeing Department, and what that might mean for the university's faculty and staff. Then, new Madison College President Dr. Jennifer Berne joins the show to discuss her vision for the college, how it fits into the fabric of the community, and how it can empower more students. And she notes two things about Madison that surprised her -- the second of which you will never guess. Connect: Full coverage at Madison365.org Support Local Journalism: If you appreciate our work, consider donating to keep 365 Amplified and Madison365 thriving. Visit madison365.org/donate to contribute. Follow Us: Stay connected for real-time news updates and discussions:

Today on 365 Amplified, Rob, Omar and Nick give an update on what we know -- and what we still don't know -- about who's been trying to enforce Madison parks rules with unhoused people on Madison's east side. Next, we've learned a lot about some disturbing allegations that led to the arrest of the Sun Prairie West High School Dean of Students on charges of child pornography and exploitation. There's quite a bit we still don't know -- including whether or not the dean of students ever actually applied for that job.  Then, lots of people have said during the Trump era that they want to leave the country, but not many have actually done it. Longtime Madison residents Jonathan and Karen Brown join the show from their new home in Cuenca, Ecuador, where they moved just days before the most recent inauguration. They share their reasons for deciding to leave the US, the preparations and process, how they've been settling in and why they consider themselves immigrants, not expats.  Connect: Full coverage at Madison365.org Support Local Journalism: If you appreciate our work, consider donating to keep 365 Amplified and Madison365 thriving. Visit madison365.org/donate to contribute. Follow Us: Stay connected for real-time news updates and discussions:

Well hey there, hello to ya today. Welcome to this special episode of The Burt (Not Ernie) Show, the podcast that takes God at His word, encourages listeners as they walk with the Lord, and boldly proclaims that all God's promises prove true. This is something of a re-launch of the podcast, as I have not recorded a new episode in about five months.  A lot of varying reasons for the long break, but now the show is back. So, let's jump right in!   We're living in an era when believers need a whole lot of encouragement, and when those who are considering Christianity want an honest look at what it means to be a Christian, a follower of Jesus. This episode is aimed at both of those goals. Followers and curious seekers alike. Let me read from the New Testament book of Luke, chapter 13, about four verses. Starting in verse 23, through verse 28. I'm reading from the Amplified Bible, so you can compare it to your preferred translation or read along in your Bible or in case you want to make note of different translations and versions and do some Bible study on this passage later on. All of those are really good things, by the way. Don't just take someone's word for it when it comes to what the Bible says, and of course that includes me. Read it for yourself anytime you want to, fact check me like crazy. Let God be true and every man, every woman, every person be a liar, Romans 3 verse 4 says. When it comes to teaching the Bible, we should be very comfortable having our sources checked. If anyone teaching God's word is not comfortable with that, something is very, very wrong. And in those situations, you may want to … run. (Not really kidding around with that advice.)    Here's what this passage says, verbatim, in the Amplified Bible:   Luke 13:23-27 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition 23 And someone asked Him, Lord, will only a few be saved (rescued, delivered from the penalties of the last judgment, and made partakers of the salvation by Christ)? And He said to them, 24 Strive to enter by the narrow door [force yourselves through it], for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the Master of the house gets up and closes the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door [again and again], saying, Lord, open to us! He will answer you, I do not know where [[a]what household—certainly not Mine] you come from. 26 Then you will begin to say, We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets. 27 But He will say, I tell you, I do not know where [[b]what household—certainly not Mine] you come from; depart from Me, all you wrongdoers!   Okay, so if you're not familiar with the Amplified Bible, it is wordy. Because the Greek and the Hebrew of the New and Old Testaments often carry a depth of meaning in each word that is tricky to fully convey in the English language, different translations word things differently. The Amplified basically takes all the meanings of the text in the original language and adds them, usually in parentheses, which is why what I just read to you may have sounded choppy. Also, the Amplified capitalizes words like He, Him, Mine, etc. when it is talking about the Lord. And there are a few capitalized words in the text I just read.  Were I to leave out those extra words that are in parenthesis, it would read like this: And someone asked Him (that's a capital, so someone asked Jesus this question.) Lord, will only a few be saved. And He said to them, Strive to enter by the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. When once the Master (and that is capitalized, so it's talking about the Lord) of the house gets up and closes the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, open up to us! He will answer you, I do not know where you come from. Then you will begin to say, We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets. But He will say (again, He is capitalized, so the Lord will say), I tell you I do not know where you come from; depart from Me, all you wrongdoers!    This is weighty. This is no joke. Jesus' answer to the question He was asked is heavy. This is serious stuff! “Will only a few be saved?” was the question. The ESV says, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” Kind of a yes or no question. But Jesus was so good to expound upon this, to go beyond the short answer and give us all this important information as His answer. Now, back to studying the Amplified (and yes, it does require studying. Not sure when Bible “study”, in air quotes, began to not be studious. Study, the word tells us that it takes some effort, focus, and intention. If your Bible study group is not studying the Bible, you could be a person to kind of change that, to step off the merry-go-round of quick and easy answers, making a joke instead of really digging into the text, leading a group that goes through the Bible and studies it rather than maybe a small group that gets gossipy and talks about fashion and somewhat trashy shows on streaming. Y'all know what I'm talking about, and if you are new to Christianity and are shocked that I'm saying this, that's okay. A faith that can't hold up to some examination is, well, perhaps more cult-like than faith-in-Jesus like. Women's small groups are notorious for not doing enough actual Bible studying. New believers, keep searching for groups that do real Bible study and if you can't find a group, start a group.) So as we study this text in the Amplified, we find the Greek for the word saved in verse 23 has some depth to it. Lord, will only a few be saved? Rescued, delivered from the penalties of the last judgment, made partakers of the salvation by Christ. Yeah, a lot more depth there. This is about the very end of time, the last judgment. And that day, it's coming for all of us. If we say we love Jesus but we live like we're never going to stand before Him and have our lives examined, then we're probably not living for Him in our everyday lives. And notice it says made partakers of THE salvation by Christ. That little three letter word T-H-E…there is only one salvation and it is by Christ. That is almost certainly the most important thing I will ever say on the podcast, honestly. When it says strive to enter by the narrow door, the Amplified gives added depth by saying force yourself through it. Force yourself through the narrow door, the doorway to eternal salvation. Force yourself through it! Maybe, just maybe, this concept of raising your hand from your seat during a mega-conference altar call and then never opening your Bible, spending time in prayer, following Jesus as His disciple, just maybe that is nothing like forcing yourself through the narrow door. You know, we live in the very era when Jesus' return is at hand, and forcing ourselves through the narrow door that makes us partakers of THE salvation by Christ is the clarion call for this hour. Now is the time, my friend. This decision for Jesus should not be put off until another day. It shouldn't be put off for another hour! This is the time!  In this passage, when Jesus describes them knocking at the door again and again, like they are trying to beat that door down, the same narrow door that they did not force themselves through when they had the opportunity, trying to gain entry by incessant pounding on that door…and what will He say on that day? How will He respond to their knocking again and again? He'll say He does not know where they come from - from what household, because it's certainly not His. That's repeated twice, in verses 25 & 27. And in between, in verse 26, they implore Him by stating that they ate and drank in His presence…oh this is very convicting. How often are we “in His presence” and thinking that's good enough? They'll say, “You taught in our streets.” Is it going to get Him to open the door if you remind Him that He was taught about in your local church? Think about what this passage means for your own life. Are you ready for this day? Because it's coming, ready or not. I've said before that we need to get ready, be ready, and stay ready. Force yourself through that narrow door. Be on the inside when He shuts that door tight.    Just a few more thought I'd like to share on Luke chapter 13.  Verse 23 makes it super clear that this is about where a person will spend eternity. How many people in the year 2025 never even give a single thought to their eternal destination? We've been so desensitized, so conditioned to only think about this life, the here and now, focus on immediate gains, quick fixes, the current struggle and how to make that struggle end, and our own selves and “living in the moment” that thinking about forever does not really happen for so many people. Are you living for the moment, or are you living for forever? Does anyone stand on their platform, or ask their loved ones, if they know for certain they will be rescued, delivered from the penalties of the last judgment, made partakers of the salvation by Christ? Do I do that? Lord, what do You want to change in my heart, mind and life so that my focus turns from the temporal to the eternal, and so that I speak life - eternal life - over others?    Jesus' reply here,  and He minces no words, as was His norm, is: “Strive to enter by the narrow door”. I'm hitting on this again to share something that is important. The definition of strive is to “make great efforts to achieve or obtain something” - “struggle or fight vigorously”. It implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort. Synonyms include “labor, toil, struggle, compete, exert oneself, and endeavor”.  Even a quick evaluation of those words reveals the heart behind Jesus' answer to the critically important question asked by an unidentified person in the thirteenth chapter of Luke. The Lord is telling us that getting on and remaining on the narrow road is anything but easy-street. And yet, is that what American Christianity so often teaches? Don't they make it seem as if a five-second prayer is all it takes in order to enter into eternal life with Jesus (think of those “Every head bowed and eye closed, and raise your hand and pray along with me if you want to be saved today” kinds of church moments…). But what if that's not exactly true? What if that is, say, step one of a long walk on the narrow road? And if the door itself is narrow, and we must force ourselves through it, as the Amplified says in verse 24, is that happening for most of us? Are we being discipled, are we discipling anybody else, are we students of the Word of God, are we spending time in prayer and listening for what the Holy Spirit might say to us? Have we forced ourselves through that narrow door? Have we encouraged anyone else to force themselves through the narrow door? Do we know the signs of the times well enough to recognize that there are just a few grains of sand left in the hourglass of all time?    Let me read this to you: Luke 14:25-35 New Living Translation The Cost of Being a Disciple 25 A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.  28 “But don't begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? 29 Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. 30 They would say, ‘There's the person who started that building and couldn't afford to finish it!' 31 “Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? 32 And if he can't, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. 33 So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own. 34 “Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? 35 Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!”   Have you thought of discipleship like this? That being Jesus' disciple means you hate everyone else by comparison? This is serious stuff. Far more intense than is normally spoken about by pastors or preachers or speakers or the books down at the Better Book Room (Wichitans, you remember the BBR?) Do we hate our own life in contrast to being His disciple? Thinking about these words of Jesus' is a good reset for me. Why am I so continually concerned about my issues, my fears, my life, my stuff? It's just gross, and it is not fitting for a disciple of the Lord Jesus. Because if I don't hate my own life by comparison to being His disciple, then I cannot be His disciple. Point blank frankness right there. And if I do not carry my own cross and follow Him, I cannot be His disciple. So, how am I doing at hating my own life by comparison to His discipleship and am I carrying my own cross and following Him? It's a self test we all need to take every day.  Jesus says not to begin the path of being His disciple until we count the cost. Shouldn't that be mentioned during the altar call? I don't exactly know what this should look like, in every church or at every event, but I know enough to know that most of what takes place absolutely does not fit the model Jesus laid out for us here. We're getting it all wrong! And if we tell people it's all good, you raised your hand and never forced yourself through the narrow door, never counted the cost, never hated your life, never picked up your cross to follow Him…we are lying to them! He says we cannot become His disciple without giving up everything we own. I no longer have ownership rights over my life or my stuff or my health or my money or over people. Because I've giving all that up to become His disciple. Salt is good for seasoning, Jesus says. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? How salty are you? Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil or the manure pile. Am I salty or am I not? Lord, give us ears to hear, so that we can listen and understand! Am I a student, a learner of Jesus? Do I understand that it's more than a head nod, a hand raised decision to follow Him - it's more than saying yes to His invitation. It's picking up my cross and following Him after saying yes. It's moving onward with Him, it is not standing still while He moves onward.  Think about carrying your cross. I think, maybe here in western culture, we don't exactly get the implication. It's difficult. It costs us something, every day that we carry it. But where are we carrying it to? Where is this carrying of my cross leading me? To a crucifixion, that's the only logical end point. Am I crucifying my flesh? Am I dying to myself, daily, of my own willing choice and volition, of course depending on the Spirit of the Living God within me because no one can do that on their own, but am I willing, does it ever even cross my mind? Am I picking up my cross today, carrying the heavy and thing closer and closer to my own death to self? Or am I not? Anybody that ever said Jesus' teachings were easy, well, they need to read the words in red again. Taking up our cross is a one-way journey. It's forcing ourselves through that narrow door.  Jesus carried a cross, and so do His disciples, His followers.  What kind of follower am I? Am I following but ready to peel off and go my own way when it gets uncomfortable for me personally? Have I counted the cost and decided that yes, I really can afford to follow Jesus?  In the following, the Lord does the fixing and the cleaning up of our lives. This is not Jesus saying we need to get it together before we follow Him. He says what He says, and it's not that. He simply needs His followers to know it's not the easy way out, the life of Christians. But He'll do His work of making us new as we follow Him day by day. It's costly either way, right? Follow Jesus? There's a cost. Reject Jesus? Oh, there's also a cost. That choice, well, it costs a pretty penny. Let Him become the owner of all we have. Our children, our finances, our health, all of it. It's only safe with Him anyway, so it's the best available choice, but we still need to make the choice consciously, weighing it out, understanding it. Let's not be like slimy used car salesmen who get people to pick up what we're laying down based on implications that this is the easy way to live out your days and then, wham, the bottom falls out and they feel like they got sold a lemon.  And if you say you follow Jesus, you profess to follow Him, but you lose your flavor somewhere along the way…you are no longer distinct enough to be clearly known as one of His disciples, well, that's the time you're fit for nothing but to be thrown out. A Christian should look like, think like, speak like, behave like, have the nature of Christ. Salt ought to be salty. A Christian ought to be like Christ Jesus.    The promise in Luke 13 and 14 is so worth it, though, isn't it? It's eternal life for now and forever. It's being on the inside when the door is closed. It's knowing that life, it's going to be hard at times, especially as we get nearer to the return of Jesus, it's going to get more intense, and following Him with saltiness may come with some costs that are not common to us here in America, but are becoming common at an astounding rate. But the hard life that ends in death without Jesus, that's the wide road, the wide door. The road ends somewhere for all of us. It's His promise that by picking up our cross, carrying it daily as we follow Him, staying salty all the way until the end, we get to go through the narrow door. Carry your cross today. Force yourself through the narrow door. Because He'll keep all His promises, and what's coming is going to knock your socks off. “He who endures to the end shall be saved.” Those are Jesus' words to us in Matthew 24:13. Indeed, that's a promise He's going to keep.   Thanks for joining me for this re-launch episode. I'm so grateful to be back on the podcast, and if this encouraged you or challenged you, would you share it with someone today? Lord bless you, and I'll see ya back here next time. Bye bye.

In this episode, Chris DeMakes and Chris Fafalios take a deep dive into the extraordinary career of legendary producer Roy Thomas Baker. From starting out at Decca Records at just 14 to producing era-defining tracks for Queen, The Cars, and beyond, Baker left an undeniable mark on the sound of rock music. They explore his fearless experimentation, his ability to capture each band's unique essence, and how his larger-than-life productions like "Bohemian Rhapsody" redefined what was possible in the studio. Chris DeMakes A Podcast is brought to you by DistroKid, the ultimate partner for taking your music to the next level. Get 30% off your first YEAR with DistroKid by signing up at ⁠http://distrokid.com/vip/demakes For bonus episode of The After Party podcast, an extensive back catalog of past After Party episodes, early ad-free releases of new episodes of Chris DeMakes A Podcast, full video versions of episodes, and MUCH more, head to the Patreon at ⁠http://www.ChrisDeMakes.com Follow Chris DeMakes A Podcast on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/chrisdemakesapodcast/⁠ Join the Chris DeMakes A Podcast community on Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/2643961642526928/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices