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End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework Michele Grace Hottel sits down with Enoch Sears, founder of Business of Architecture, for a talk on what practice ownership can quietly take from you—and how it doesn't have to. Enoch shares stories from behind the "awards and accolades" and points to the hidden patterns that keep firm owners stuck, even when they love the work. From a hard truth an accountant once delivered, to why outside coaches can change the game, the conversation moves from money to meaning without turning into a lecture. They also wander through early architectural memories, a few iconic buildings, and a view of how architects could shape the next era of communities. The "one sentence" an accountant said that made a successful architect rethink everything. The unexpected reason Enoch says most firms stay trapped—even when they're busy. A small habit from studio days that reveals a bigger advantage most people miss. To learn more about Michele, visit her website: https://www.mgharchitect.com/
Stop waiting for the corporate world to be "fair" and start mastering the cognitive economics that actually drive promotional decisions. Join Dr. Grace's mentorship program to architect your career influence here: https://masteryinsights.com/mentorship-pc What is the Architecture of Promotional Bias? Promotional Bias Architecture is a framework that analyzes how human hierarchies utilize cognitive economics, which is the brain's tendency to conserve energy through mental shortcuts, to make high-stakes talent evaluations. Rather than being a system "bug," these biases represent the operating system of organizational decision-making, where leaders rely on heuristics to determine an individual's perceived trajectory and leadership readiness. Key Concepts Cognitive Fluency: A psychological mechanism where the brain equates ease of processing with truth; professionals who communicate with "low cognitive drag" are perceived as more competent and promotion-ready. Narrative Rigidity: The "stable density" of behavior that creates a fixed mental label for a professional, requiring a high-visibility Pattern Interrupt to force a systemic recategorization of their identity. Fischerian Runaway Selection: An evolutionary signaling theory applied to leadership, where individuals demonstrate "surplus capacity" through costly behaviors, such as composure in crisis, to signal they are built for the next level of pressure. The Halo of Proximity: A strategic bias that conflates physical or social presence in high-impact decision rooms with personal importance and authority. Be honest, are you spending 90% of your energy in the room where the work is done, or are you engineering your way into the room where the decisions are made? Comment "WORK" if you're the best-kept secret, or "HALO" if you're finally stepping into the proximity of power. Show notes and free resources: https://CareerRevisionist.com/episode233 Do you want to move up in executive leadership? Want to elevate your communication skills, leadership abilities and influence in the world around you? If you're ready to start leveling up in your career and you want to develop all of the skills and professional acumen that will allow you to grow into senior executive positions with confidence, apply here: https://masteryinsights.com/mentorship-pc Answer a few questions to see if you qualify for Dr. Grace's executive coaching program, then book a time to speak with a member of our team. --------- Thank You for Listening! I am truly grateful that you have chosen to tune in. Visit my Youtube channel where I release new videos weekly on executive career growth, communication, increasing income, and professional development. Please share your thoughts! Leave questions or feedback in the comments below. Leave me a review on iTunes and share my podcast with your colleagues. With Love & Wisdom, Grace
Grace is often thought of as God simply forgiving our sins. But grace does something even greater. In this message from the Choices series, Pastor Andrew Harris teaches how God's mercy doesn't just erase our past — it rebuilds our lives. Through the "architecture of mercy," we see that God is actively restoring what has been broken and shaping something beautiful out of our stories. No matter where you've been or what you've done, God's grace is still at work.
"Hôpital public, solidarités et territoires", avec François Crémieux, Directeur de l'AP-HMFrançois Crémieux est, depuis 2021, directeur de l'Assistance publique – Hôpitaux de Marseille (APHM), l'un des plus grands centres hospitaliers universitaires de France. Grande personnalité du monde de la santé, engagé dans la revue Esprit, il incarne une parole institutionnelle forte pour défendre l'hôpital public, son rôle démocratique et social, au service de la réduction des inégalités.// Les conversations d'#hopitaldufuturDe tout temps, l'architecture de l'hôpital a été à l'image de la santé de son époque. De l'hôpital pavillonnaire au monobloc, elle a accompagné les grandes ruptures médicales, scientifiques ou technologiques. Conduisant à ce paradoxe : "plus on modernise, plus vite on devient obsolète".Les hôpitaux ont aujourd'hui un cycle de vie de plus en plus court. Est-ce acceptable dans un modèle de ville durable ?Créée et animée par Groupe-6 architectes, #hopitaldufutur est une plateforme de réflexion dédiée à la compréhension des mutations de l'Hôpital. Ses conversations rassemblent les témoignages des différents usagers de l'hôpital et d'experts, afin de décrypter ses transformations.Elles sont disponibles sur le web : groupe-6/hopitaldufutur© Groupe-6 architectes - Tous droits réservés - Musique : "Rasta la vista", de René Aubry © & (p) Music Box Publishing (Extrait de l'album "Refuges")
4. A Radical Shift in Tactics LeMay secretly develops a radical plan for low-altitude night bombing using incendiaries. Tests in Utah revealed that Tokyo's dense wooden architecture was highly flammable. Believing he might be fired if he fails, LeMay prepares for a dramatic shift in strategy without seeking approval from Washington. (13)1920 TOKYO
In this episode of Top 100 Clubhouse, James and Jasper sit down with amateur golfer and golf videographer Luke Hodgetts to explore the game through the lens of a competitive amateur player. From storytelling in golf videography to filming at Royal Melbourne, Luke shares how his perspective has evolved, and how his playing style informs how much he enjoys the architecture of a course. Jasper also provides us with deep bunker insight, and briefly explores why different players might prefer strategic vs. penal designs. Top 100 Golf Courses Website
The road congestion phenomenon known as “March Madness” which hits Auckland every year has begun, with Auckland Transport estimating travel times on Motorways will increase up to 41% this month. The City Rail link is set to open later this year offering potential congestion relief in the future but Auckland Public Transport fares continue to increase, potentially offsetting this investment as a complete solution. To discuss the extent of March congestion issues and how they can be solved Producer Thomas talked to Senior Lecturer in Architecture and Planning from the University of Auckland Dr Tim Welch.
The road congestion phenomenon known as “March Madness” which hits Auckland every year has begun, with Auckland Transport estimating travel times on Motorways will increase up to 41% this month. The City Rail link is set to open later this year offering potential congestion relief in the future but Auckland Public Transport fares continue to increase, potentially offsetting this investment as a complete solution. To discuss the extent of March congestion issues and how they can be solved Producer Thomas talked to Senior Lecturer in Architecture and Planning from the University of Auckland Dr Tim Welch.
This week on the Monday Wire... For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News Director Castor spoke to MP Simon Court about New Zealand's response to the US/Israel/Iran conflict and about changes to how ACC payments interact with payments from the Ministry of Social Development. They also spoke to Senior Lecturer in Communication Studies, Gregory Treadwell, about a recent incident where Media and Communications minister Paul Goldsmith contacted a TVNZ board member about 1News coverage. And Producer Thomas spoke to Tāhono Trust member Anjum Rahmen about the recently released Select Committee report on online harm to children and its recommended solutions. He also talked to Senior Lecturer in Architecture and Planning Dr Tim Welch about Auckland's March traffic madness and how public transport might be the answer.
Buying a home is a huge investment. In today's low-inventory market, every decision impacts long-term value and livability. So how do you identify the right property, navigate zoning and permitting, and strategically transform it? In this episode, we sit down with Jonathan Wolk, AIA, founder of WOLK360, an architect-led design-build firm integrating architecture, construction, and real estate under one roof. As a licensed architect, contractor, and real estate broker, Jonathan brings more than 25 years of experience guiding owners through acquisition, design, and execution. Founded in 2016, WOLK360 delivers turnkey solutions for residential and commercial projects ranging from custom home renovations and additions to office, retail, and large-scale building renovations up to 100,000 square feet. The firm specializes in comprehensive due diligence, zoning analysis, permitting, budgeting, and construction management — minimizing surprises by building realistic contingencies into both schedule and cost… Hit play for insights into: How to make smarter buy-and-renovate decisions. Strategies for maximizing long-term value. The benefits of being creative when it comes to investing in real estate. The role that zoning plays in property acquisition. To learn more about Jonathan and his work at WOLK360, click here now!
Trump's last line of defense is war. He uses the economy. And now that we are DefCon1, Iran is in HUGE trouble. Death to AmericaUnending campaign of bloodshed, mass murder.Takeover of the US embassy. 444 days.1983; Marine barracks bombing. 231 military personnel.USS Cole[X] SB – Pres Trump explains negotiations with IranPolicy of the US that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon.Midnight HammerMake a dealMilitary professionals rarely name operations publicly before history does it for them. But inside defense circles, a phrase began circulating as events unfolded:Day One: Israel. Day Two: America.Not poetry. Not propaganda. Architecture.What the public is witnessing is not a sudden eruption of conflict but the activation of a force structure assembled deliberately over weeks, even months. The strikes now unfolding across Iran are part of a coordinated campaign following a recognizable modern doctrine: suppress detection, establish dominance, then apply decisive force.The United States and Israel have launched coordinated strikes against Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure under a joint operation described by officials as a preemptive effort to neutralize Tehran's nuclear threat, following a massive regional military buildup.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
668. We begin women's history month by talking to Marcelle Bienvenu about the history of Creole cooking. In a city known worldwide for its food, the women of New Orleans have led the way. Marcelle Bienvenu's highly anticipated new release of her timeless classic, Who's Your Mama, Are You Catholic, and Can You Make A Roux? is a treasure trove of over two hundred recipes, revised with a Foreword by Emeril Lagasse and sumptuous color photography capturing the essence of every season. Marcelle is a cookbook author and food writer who has been preparing Cajun and Creole dishes since the 1960s. She has written on Creole/Cajun Cooking for The Times Picayune, Time-Life Books, and has been featured in Garden & Gun, Food & Wine, Saveur, Southern Living, Redbook, The New York Times, Louisiana Life, and Acadiana Profile. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Grace King. "Pupasse." EVERY day, every day, it was the same overture in Madame Joubert's room in the Institut St. Denis; the strident: 'Mesdemoiselles; ' vos places! Notre P're qui est dans le ciel ' Qui a fait ce bruit?' 'It's Pupasse, madame! It's Pupasse!' The answer invariably was unanimous. 'But, Madame Joubert, ' I assure you, Madame Joubert, ' I could not help it! They know I could not help it!' By this time the fresh new fool's cap made from yesterday's 'Bee' would have been pinned on her head. 'Quelle injustice! Quelle injustice!' This last apostrophe in a high, whining nasal voice, always procured Pupasse's elevation on the tall three-legged stool in the corner. This week in Louisiana history. March 6, 1867. General Philip Sheridan arrives in New Orleans to command the Fifth Military District (Louisiana and Texas) during Reconstruction. This week in New Orleans history. Norman Treigle, born in New Orleans on March 6, 1927, made his operatic debut in 1947 with the New Orleans Opera Association, as the Duke of Verona in Rom'o et Juliette. A graduate of Loyola's College of Music, Treigle went on to receive international acclaim. He died in New Orleans on February 16, 1975. This week in Louisiana. St. Pius X Catholic Church Lenten Fish Fry 201 E. Bayou Parkway Lafayette, LA 70508 March 6, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Website: stpiusxchurch.org Email: office@stpiusxchurch.org Phone: (337) 232‑4656 Plates typically range from $10'$15, with combo options available. St. Pius X hosts one of Lafayette's most popular Lenten Fish Fries, offering quick service, generous portions, and a strong community turnout each year: Seafood Plates: Fried fish or shrimp plates with sides, plus a limited number of combo plates. Drive‑Thru Convenience: A fast, well‑organized line ideal for families on busy Friday evenings. Parish Support: Proceeds benefit school programs, youth ministries, and local outreach Postcards from Louisiana. Florida Street Blowhards at LSU. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook.
Hi, It's Michele! Send me a text with who you want as a guest!This episode was recorded at the KBIS Podcast Studio sponsored by AJ Madison and Neal Pann and Apple for Architecture.Laurinda H. Spear, FAIA, PLA, LEED AP, IIDAPrincipal of Arquitectonica As a founding principal of Arquitectonica and ArquitectonicaGEO, Ms. Spear has been active from the beginning, and has participated in the design of many projects undertaken by both firms. She studied fine arts at Brown University, received her Master of Architecture degree from Columbia University and later a Master of Landscape Architecture from Florida International University. She has taught at Harvard and the University of Miami. Ms. Spear is interested in educating others in design excellence, she has lectured around the world, and her work has been exhibited in many prestigious museums.Laurinda has designed many of the firm's signature projects, and her designs have won over a hundred design awards. Many of Ms. Spear's projects have been featured in books, as well as prominent magazines and professional journals. She was also instrumental in the expansion of Arquitectonica into design fields beyond architecture and planning. She first established the interior design practice, Arquitectonica Interiors, which earned the firm its place in the Interior Design Hall of Fame. She also created the design products group, Laurinda Spear Products, which has over 150 products on the market under dozens of global brands. In 2005, Laurinda established the landscape architecture practice ArquitectonicaGEO, focusing on environmental land planning, sustainability, innovation, and landscape design.Laurinda is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, a Registered Landscape Architect, a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects, and a LEED Accredited Professional. She is a recipient of the AIA Silver Medal, the Rome Prize in Architecture and the ULI Lifetime Achievement Award. Cecilia E. Ramos of LutronCecilia leads Architecture & Design at Lutron where she drives strategy, creative direction, and design engagement globally. She holds degrees in architecture from MIT and Princeton and has traveled the world as a lighting designer for luxury brands including Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, and Dior Parfums. A frequent international speaker and co-author of the book Architectural Lighting: Designing with Light and Space (Princeton Architectural Press, 2011) she finds creative energy though hiking the world's stunning landscapes, painting, and designing jewelry for her own brand. Link to MGHarchitect: MIchele Grace Hottel, Architect website for scheduling a consultation for an architecture and design project and guest and podcast sponsorship opportunities:https://www.mgharchitect.com/
Anatomy Primer.Based on a post by smalltitslovr, in 4 parts. Listen to the ► Podcast at Steamy Stories.This time, I was last to go, and the only people left in the room were Nicole, Ms. Sharon, and I. I stepped between Nicole’s legs, which were now quivering from all the pleasure. About half-way through, Nicole started having trouble keeping them open, so Ms. Sharon was now standing on the other side of the desk from me, near Nicole’s head, holding each of Nicole’s ankles spread about three feet apart.“Hi Nicole.” I said to her, as I approached. “I’m the last one. Before I start, I was wondering how you feel.”Nicole weakly lifted her head to look at me. She was smiling, but she also looked quite tired. “Well, My legs are a little sore from being spread for so long. Also, my cunt is a little raw from all the different fingers being rubbed in and out of it. But overall, I feel amazing. I’ve never climaxed this many times in such a short amount of time before.”“So, I take it you’re still glad I ran into you in the library?” I asked.“Oh, definitely!” she exclaimed. “If I get to experience all this on just the first day, I can’t wait for what’s in store for us for the rest of the semester.”“Wow.” I said, smiling back at her. “I don’t know if I could take all the attention and stimulation you have had today. Well, I’ll hurry up and finish this, so we can leave.”“Thank you Samantha,” she replied. “But, since you’re last, make sure it’s a good one. I don’t want to leave here on a low note. If you make it good, I promise that I’ll pay you back for it another time.”I smiled and replied, “Deal.”I then reached up with my left hand and grabbed Nicole’s right tit, lightly caressing it. Then I rubbed the outside of Nicole’s cunt until I found her clitoris. As I rubbed her clit and her boob, she started to moan lightly.After about 45 seconds, I slowly inserted my index and middle fingers into Nicole’s gaping hole. Because of all the abuse her cunt had been given in the past ten minutes or so, it was quite loose, and very wet, but also quite red. I slid my fingers in and out of her hole a few times, before inserting a third finger. Then I rubbed around inside her cunt, until I found a slightly rough patch, which was also a little warmer from all the friction from the other students fingers. I rubbed it gently, which caused Nicole to moan louder, and start squirming. As I fingered her, I also rubbed her breast and lightly pinched her small nipple.I continued rubbing and finger-fucking Nicole for about two more minutes, until Nicole started screaming “I’m cumming! I’m cumming!”, while her body writhed as much as it could with Ms. Sharon still firmly holding Nicole’s legs. I was sure that nearby classrooms would hear her screams, and the movement of the table shaking beneath her, but she apparently didn’t care, and neither did Ms. Sharon.After Nicole’s final release of ecstasy, I removed my fingers, and Ms. Sharon released her grasp on Nicole’s ankles. Nicole lowered her legs, placing her feet on the ground, but still layed on the table, with her eyes closed.Ms. Sharon started packing her things into her bag, as she said, “Good class today, you two. Samantha, I want to thank you for introducing our class to Nicole and planting the idea of attending. And Nicole, I really want to thank you for your participation today. I know it must have been a bit awkward for all of your classmates to not only see every intimate detail of your body, but feel those parts, and bring you to several orgasms.”“No, Ms. Sharon. Thank you,” replied Nicole, as she stood and slowly walked over to her pile of clothes. “That was the best sexual experience I’ve had in my life so far, and I very much look forward to having even better ones in future classes. But right now, I really just want to take a nap.”“Well, I’d offer to let you stay in here, but there’s another class coming in here soon, and I think they’re covering some very conservative topic like History of Architecture or something. I’m sure they would be quite put off by your nudity.”“That’s alright.” replied Nicole with a smile, as she pulled on her tight yoga pants, without any panties underneath. “I don’t live far from campus. I’ll just go home and take a nap.”“One more thing before you go, Nicole.” said Ms. Sharon as she was finishing packing her bag. “In the last class, I mentioned to everyone else that there’s an extra credit opportunity for anyone willing to participate in some sexual studies. I think you would be an excellent candidate for those studies. Please consider it.”“I will.” said Nicole as she pulled her sports bra on. She picked up her shirt, and looked at it “You know; I really don’t feel like wearing this. I think I’ll walk home without it.”At this point I had pulled on my clothes, so Nicole and I were dressed. The three of us departed the room together. Ms. Sharon didn’t bring any clothes, so she walked out naked, but she said her office wasn’t far, and the faculty in her department were used to it. I walked with Nicole, chatting about the experience, until we got to a place where we parted ways.I then walked back to my dorm. When I arrived, I stripped out of my clothes, and laid down on my bed, immediately putting my hand on my cunt. I imitated what I did to Nicole earlier, and rubbed my clit. With my eyes closed, I was imagining being in Nicole’s position on the table, and I imagined that my hand was one of my other classmates. In my daydream, my eyes were closed, so I didn’t know whose hand it was.After rubbing my clit for a while, I slid a finger inside my cunt, and found my own g-spot. I rubbed it as fast as I could. As I continued daydreaming about each of my classmates fingering my cunt, I came. But I wasn’t ready to be done, so I continued daydreaming and finger-fucking myself. I came a two more times, before finally deciding to stop. I was tired, so I fell asleep.Masturbation, sex toys, and orgasm.A few classes had passed since the class on the human anatomy. The next few topics were less interesting, but still very informative.First, we paired up in the same groups as before, and studied each other’s bodies closely, one on one. While interesting, if I wrote about that, it would be somewhat repetitive, so I’ll skip it.After that, we covered various measurement techniques, including shirt-sizes, pant-sizes, and especially bra-sizes. I found out during that class that I had been wearing the wrong bra-size for years. I thought I was a 34A or 32B, but really I’m more like a 28D. Bra sizes are confusing!We also covered some other important, but boring topics, such as reproduction and STDs. For a homework assignment, we were all required to get an tested for a variety of STDs, as a prerequisite for the rest of the course. That was due in three class periods.So, today’s story is about day seven of class.I was getting more comfortable with the class, so I didn’t arrive quite as early anymore, but I always arrive a bit before class, and today was no exception. I got there about five minutes before.Just like the past couple of classes, everyone that was already there had stripped to their birthday suits. I quickly found my seat, stripped off my clothes, put them in my bag, and sat down. I didn’t bother covering up anymore, because there was no real reason to. Everyone there had already seen it all, and nobody else was covering up. Thinking back on it, I’m actually somewhat surprised at how little time it took for each of us to get so comfortable in our nudity.At 7:01, Ms. Sharon walked in, with the same amount of clothes as the rest of us. I kind of wondered how early she got nude. Did she strip right before walking over to the class, or was she naked all morning? I hadn’t seen her with clothes on in so long, that I could no longer picture her wearing them.“Hello class,” she said, as she placed her bag in its usual spot on the table. “I’m glad to see you’re all comfortable being nude with your fellow classmates, because you will all be getting much more familiar with each other today. Our topic is masturbation, sex toys, and the orgasm."To start today’s class, we will discuss masturbation. Who here has masturbated before?” Almost everyone raised their hands. “Good. Those of you who say you haven’t, I don’t believe you. But in case you really haven’t, today will be the end of that."Everyone, please get in your normal masturbation positions. For those of you that say you haven’t ever done it: males generally grab their shaft and stroke it, and females either rub their clitoris or stick their fingers inside their vaginas, aka finger themselves.”We all did as Ms. Sharon said, placing our hands on our genitals, and we started to rub and stroke ourselves. I as a little hesitant at this, but once I’d seen many of my classmates (especially the boys) start in on themselves, I relaxed. I spread my legs, leaned back, put the first two fingers of my right hand on my clit, and started rubbing it in a small circle.“Good. I want you all to continue masturbating, but please save your orgasms until later. Now, I’m going to show you all several sex toys. For each toy, I will need one volunteer to demonstrate how it is used. In some cases, I will need two volunteers.”Ms. Sharon then reached into her bag, and pulled the first toy out. It was a simple, flesh-colored dildo, about 5.5 inches long, and 1.5 inches wide, with balls on the end. It looked much like some of the cocks I saw the boys holding in their hands. “This is a dildo. It is designed to simulate a male penis. Dildos come in many shapes, and sizes, and have a variety of features. This one is a simple one. Generally dildos are used by females, but some males use them as well."Now, who would like to demonstrate how this dildo is used?” Of course, nobody raised their hands. “Come on, people. This is the most basic toy I have. It only gets more complex from here.” After another moment, Sofia raised her hand.“Good, Sofia. Please come up here.” Sofia stood, walked to the front, and took a seat on the table. “Alright, Sofia. Have you used a dildo before?” She nodded. “Okay, then you know what to do. I’ve also brought some lubricant if anyone needs it. Everyone watch closely.”Sofia squirted a little lube on the dildo, opened her legs, and slid the dildo inside of her cunt. As she slid it in, she closed her eyes. She slowly slid it in and out. From her facial expressions, I could tell she was enjoying the feeling, but she was a bit embarrassed by being singled out like that. A moment later, we all heard her start moaning.After about a minute or so of Sofia fucking herself with the dildo, Ms. Sharon said, “Good, Sofia, that’s exactly right. Thank you for the demonstration. You may take your seat now.” Sofia pulled the dildo out of her cunt, and stood up. She offered it to Ms. Sharon, but she refused. “Oh, no. Please, keep it for the rest of class. That goes for everyone else who volunteers as well.”Sofia walked back to her seat, reinserted the dildo, and continued fucking herself.“Alright, next up, we have the vibrator,” said Ms. Sharon, as she pulled another dildo from her bag. This one was larger than the last; maybe 6 inches long and 2 inches wide. “This toy requires batteries, because when it’s switched on, it created a vibration throughout the rubber shaft, which most females enjoy. Additionally, this dildo has piece known as a rabbit ear, which rubs against a woman’s clitoris. Who would like to demonstrate the usage of this toy?”After a couple seconds, Latoya’s hand went up. Ms. Sharon nodded, and Latoya came to the front, taking a seat on the table.“Thank you Latoya,” said Ms. Sharon, as she passed the vibrator to Latoya. Latoya didn’t bother with the lube, since she was already quite wet on her own. She easily slid the large dildo inside her cunt. When it was all the way in, she turned a knob on it, and we all heard a buzzing sound, and saw Latoya’s head tilt back in pleasure.“Good, Latoya,” said Ms. Sharon, “Make sure you also rub the rabbit ear against your clitoris. Yes, just like that. Doesn’t that feel good?”Latoya nodded.“Alright, Latoya, you may take your seat.”Latoya took her seat, and Ms. Sharon continued, pulling the next toy out of her bag. It was about 7 inches long, with what looked like a cunt on one end. “Now, I don’t want the men in the room to feel left out, so next we have the fleshlight. This toy is designed to simulate the female vagina. Who would like to demonstrate its usage?”Tony Baker didn’t hesitate to stick his hand in the air.“Alright, Mr. Baker,” said Ms. Sharon. Tony walked to the front, and took the fleshlight from Ms. Sharon. He then placed it at the tip of his large cock, and slid himself inside it. He then jacked himself off with it, fucking the rubber vagina.“Excellent, Tony,” said Ms. Sharon. “This fleshlight also has a vibration feature. Let me switch that on for you.” She reached down, grabbing the fleshlight (and thus Tony’s cock), in her hand. She slid the toy up and down a couple times, before flipping a switch on the side of it. Instantly, Tony leaned back and started writhing in pleasure. Then she flipped it off.“Good, Tony. You may take your seat.” He did, as Ms. Sharon continued, pulling the next toy out of the bag. “This is sometimes called a magic wand. The tip of it vibrates with a much higher intensity than the dildos, and can be controlled by a switch on the handle. It is generally used by women to rub their clitoris. Who would like to volunteer to demonstrate the wand?”Nobody raised their hand, at first, but eventually Barbara volunteered. She stood, took the usual spot on the table, and spread her legs. Ms. Sharon handed her the wand, and Barbara turned it on and started rubbing it against her cunt. Ms. Sharon gave her a few tips before sending her back to her seat.“Next, we have our first two-person toy.” said Ms. Sharon, as she pulled two small, metal objects, about 2 inches long, out of her bag. “These are remote controlled vibrators. A girl inserts it into her vagina, and the remote controls the intensity of the vibration. It can be used by a single person, but today we will use it in pairs. I have two of them, so we need two females. Since our last toy also needs two females, I will ask for one female volunteer, and two males, please. I will be the other female.”Most of the boy’s hands shot up, but none of the girls. Ms. Sharon picked Filipe and Ken. After another moment, I decided to volunteer. I’d rather have this toy, than be forced into whatever the next one was.“Alright, Samantha, take a seat up here. We’ll both insert them at the same time.”I sat on the edge of the table, and spread my legs apart. Then, Ms. Sharon and I pushed the small metal devices completely into our cunts. Then we stood up.“How does that feel, Samantha?” asked Ms. Sharon.“A little cold, but fine otherwise,” I replied.“Good. Alright, Ken, you get my remote, and Filipe, you get Samantha’s.” She handed them to the students. “For the rest of today’s class, feel free to switch our toys on and off, and increase the intensity, whenever you’d like, but please refrain from making us orgasm until the end of class.”I started walking back to my seat. Both the boys looked at their remotes. Filipe asked, “Does this knob increase the intensity?” as he turned it all the way up.I lost my balance, and leaned on the table, as a loud moan escaped from my mouth. The vibration was very intense. “Yes, Ken,” I heard Ms. Sharon say, “that’s the intensity. You can see that at full blast, it’s hard for the receiver to do much of anything else.”“I see,” said Ken as he turned it down to about halfway. “Sorry about the surprise, Samantha. I just wanted to test it out.”I stood back up, and walked back to my seat, as I replied, “It’s alright.”Ms. Sharon said, “That’s exactly how it should be used: at random times, to surprise the receiver. However, please don’t disrupt the class.” She pulled the last toy from her bag. “As I said earlier, this last toy is designed to be used by two females. Since we only have two remaining, I’ll ask that Nicole and Amy please come up here now.”They were both a bit hesitant, but they didn’t have much choice. It had to be demonstrated, and there were only two cunts left that weren’t already full or being rubbed: Nicole’s and Amy’s. They both walked to the front, and waited for Ms. Sharon to give them instructions.“Thank you, both,” she said, holding up the final toy, “This is a double dildo. At either end, there is a cock-shaped rubber shaft, and in the middle there is a handle. Generally, this is used by two females, but you can use it alone as well. Both of you, please lie on the table, with your heads facing away from each other.”They did as Ms. Sharon said. The table was a bit small, so both of their heads were hanging off the ends. Once they were in position, Ms. Sharon continued.“Good. Now, please spread your legs, and scoot a little closer to each other.” They did so. “Thank you. I’ll start with Amy, and then Nicole.”Amy looked down and saw Ms. Sharon put some lube on the tip of one end, then put the tip of the dildo at the entrance of her cunt. Ms. Sharon slowly slid it inside of her.“Good. Now, I’m going to need to slide it all the way in, so I can get it to the entrance of Nicole’s hole.”I saw the dildo slide further and further into Amy’s cunt, and finally it stopped. Then Ms. Sharon put some lube on the other end, and slowly slid it into Nicole’s cunt. I heard both of them moan as it slid inside Nicole, and out of Amy.“Good.” said Ms. Sharon, “Thank you both. Now we’re ready to demonstrate. Everyone, please stand and; Oh!.” Ms. Sharon collapsed into the chair next to the desk.I looked over and Ken had a grin on his face. Then I felt my vibrator start up as well. It slowly increased, until I couldn’t take it. I started moaning again. The moans of Ms. Sharon and I continued, as Ken and Filipe both kept the vibrators at full intensity.Ken then stood and walked to the front of the class, and said, “I’ll take over for a moment, Ms. Sharon, if you don’t mind.” Ms. Sharon nodded, and put her hand on her cunt and started rubbing. “Good. I’ll tu
Anatomy Primer.Based on a post by smalltitslovr, in 4 parts. Listen to the ► Podcast at Steamy Stories.This time, I was last to go, and the only people left in the room were Nicole, Ms. Sharon, and I. I stepped between Nicole’s legs, which were now quivering from all the pleasure. About half-way through, Nicole started having trouble keeping them open, so Ms. Sharon was now standing on the other side of the desk from me, near Nicole’s head, holding each of Nicole’s ankles spread about three feet apart.“Hi Nicole.” I said to her, as I approached. “I’m the last one. Before I start, I was wondering how you feel.”Nicole weakly lifted her head to look at me. She was smiling, but she also looked quite tired. “Well, My legs are a little sore from being spread for so long. Also, my cunt is a little raw from all the different fingers being rubbed in and out of it. But overall, I feel amazing. I’ve never climaxed this many times in such a short amount of time before.”“So, I take it you’re still glad I ran into you in the library?” I asked.“Oh, definitely!” she exclaimed. “If I get to experience all this on just the first day, I can’t wait for what’s in store for us for the rest of the semester.”“Wow.” I said, smiling back at her. “I don’t know if I could take all the attention and stimulation you have had today. Well, I’ll hurry up and finish this, so we can leave.”“Thank you Samantha,” she replied. “But, since you’re last, make sure it’s a good one. I don’t want to leave here on a low note. If you make it good, I promise that I’ll pay you back for it another time.”I smiled and replied, “Deal.”I then reached up with my left hand and grabbed Nicole’s right tit, lightly caressing it. Then I rubbed the outside of Nicole’s cunt until I found her clitoris. As I rubbed her clit and her boob, she started to moan lightly.After about 45 seconds, I slowly inserted my index and middle fingers into Nicole’s gaping hole. Because of all the abuse her cunt had been given in the past ten minutes or so, it was quite loose, and very wet, but also quite red. I slid my fingers in and out of her hole a few times, before inserting a third finger. Then I rubbed around inside her cunt, until I found a slightly rough patch, which was also a little warmer from all the friction from the other students fingers. I rubbed it gently, which caused Nicole to moan louder, and start squirming. As I fingered her, I also rubbed her breast and lightly pinched her small nipple.I continued rubbing and finger-fucking Nicole for about two more minutes, until Nicole started screaming “I’m cumming! I’m cumming!”, while her body writhed as much as it could with Ms. Sharon still firmly holding Nicole’s legs. I was sure that nearby classrooms would hear her screams, and the movement of the table shaking beneath her, but she apparently didn’t care, and neither did Ms. Sharon.After Nicole’s final release of ecstasy, I removed my fingers, and Ms. Sharon released her grasp on Nicole’s ankles. Nicole lowered her legs, placing her feet on the ground, but still layed on the table, with her eyes closed.Ms. Sharon started packing her things into her bag, as she said, “Good class today, you two. Samantha, I want to thank you for introducing our class to Nicole and planting the idea of attending. And Nicole, I really want to thank you for your participation today. I know it must have been a bit awkward for all of your classmates to not only see every intimate detail of your body, but feel those parts, and bring you to several orgasms.”“No, Ms. Sharon. Thank you,” replied Nicole, as she stood and slowly walked over to her pile of clothes. “That was the best sexual experience I’ve had in my life so far, and I very much look forward to having even better ones in future classes. But right now, I really just want to take a nap.”“Well, I’d offer to let you stay in here, but there’s another class coming in here soon, and I think they’re covering some very conservative topic like History of Architecture or something. I’m sure they would be quite put off by your nudity.”“That’s alright.” replied Nicole with a smile, as she pulled on her tight yoga pants, without any panties underneath. “I don’t live far from campus. I’ll just go home and take a nap.”“One more thing before you go, Nicole.” said Ms. Sharon as she was finishing packing her bag. “In the last class, I mentioned to everyone else that there’s an extra credit opportunity for anyone willing to participate in some sexual studies. I think you would be an excellent candidate for those studies. Please consider it.”“I will.” said Nicole as she pulled her sports bra on. She picked up her shirt, and looked at it “You know; I really don’t feel like wearing this. I think I’ll walk home without it.”At this point I had pulled on my clothes, so Nicole and I were dressed. The three of us departed the room together. Ms. Sharon didn’t bring any clothes, so she walked out naked, but she said her office wasn’t far, and the faculty in her department were used to it. I walked with Nicole, chatting about the experience, until we got to a place where we parted ways.I then walked back to my dorm. When I arrived, I stripped out of my clothes, and laid down on my bed, immediately putting my hand on my cunt. I imitated what I did to Nicole earlier, and rubbed my clit. With my eyes closed, I was imagining being in Nicole’s position on the table, and I imagined that my hand was one of my other classmates. In my daydream, my eyes were closed, so I didn’t know whose hand it was.After rubbing my clit for a while, I slid a finger inside my cunt, and found my own g-spot. I rubbed it as fast as I could. As I continued daydreaming about each of my classmates fingering my cunt, I came. But I wasn’t ready to be done, so I continued daydreaming and finger-fucking myself. I came a two more times, before finally deciding to stop. I was tired, so I fell asleep.Masturbation, sex toys, and orgasm.A few classes had passed since the class on the human anatomy. The next few topics were less interesting, but still very informative.First, we paired up in the same groups as before, and studied each other’s bodies closely, one on one. While interesting, if I wrote about that, it would be somewhat repetitive, so I’ll skip it.After that, we covered various measurement techniques, including shirt-sizes, pant-sizes, and especially bra-sizes. I found out during that class that I had been wearing the wrong bra-size for years. I thought I was a 34A or 32B, but really I’m more like a 28D. Bra sizes are confusing!We also covered some other important, but boring topics, such as reproduction and STDs. For a homework assignment, we were all required to get an tested for a variety of STDs, as a prerequisite for the rest of the course. That was due in three class periods.So, today’s story is about day seven of class.I was getting more comfortable with the class, so I didn’t arrive quite as early anymore, but I always arrive a bit before class, and today was no exception. I got there about five minutes before.Just like the past couple of classes, everyone that was already there had stripped to their birthday suits. I quickly found my seat, stripped off my clothes, put them in my bag, and sat down. I didn’t bother covering up anymore, because there was no real reason to. Everyone there had already seen it all, and nobody else was covering up. Thinking back on it, I’m actually somewhat surprised at how little time it took for each of us to get so comfortable in our nudity.At 7:01, Ms. Sharon walked in, with the same amount of clothes as the rest of us. I kind of wondered how early she got nude. Did she strip right before walking over to the class, or was she naked all morning? I hadn’t seen her with clothes on in so long, that I could no longer picture her wearing them.“Hello class,” she said, as she placed her bag in its usual spot on the table. “I’m glad to see you’re all comfortable being nude with your fellow classmates, because you will all be getting much more familiar with each other today. Our topic is masturbation, sex toys, and the orgasm."To start today’s class, we will discuss masturbation. Who here has masturbated before?” Almost everyone raised their hands. “Good. Those of you who say you haven’t, I don’t believe you. But in case you really haven’t, today will be the end of that."Everyone, please get in your normal masturbation positions. For those of you that say you haven’t ever done it: males generally grab their shaft and stroke it, and females either rub their clitoris or stick their fingers inside their vaginas, aka finger themselves.”We all did as Ms. Sharon said, placing our hands on our genitals, and we started to rub and stroke ourselves. I as a little hesitant at this, but once I’d seen many of my classmates (especially the boys) start in on themselves, I relaxed. I spread my legs, leaned back, put the first two fingers of my right hand on my clit, and started rubbing it in a small circle.“Good. I want you all to continue masturbating, but please save your orgasms until later. Now, I’m going to show you all several sex toys. For each toy, I will need one volunteer to demonstrate how it is used. In some cases, I will need two volunteers.”Ms. Sharon then reached into her bag, and pulled the first toy out. It was a simple, flesh-colored dildo, about 5.5 inches long, and 1.5 inches wide, with balls on the end. It looked much like some of the cocks I saw the boys holding in their hands. “This is a dildo. It is designed to simulate a male penis. Dildos come in many shapes, and sizes, and have a variety of features. This one is a simple one. Generally dildos are used by females, but some males use them as well."Now, who would like to demonstrate how this dildo is used?” Of course, nobody raised their hands. “Come on, people. This is the most basic toy I have. It only gets more complex from here.” After another moment, Sofia raised her hand.“Good, Sofia. Please come up here.” Sofia stood, walked to the front, and took a seat on the table. “Alright, Sofia. Have you used a dildo before?” She nodded. “Okay, then you know what to do. I’ve also brought some lubricant if anyone needs it. Everyone watch closely.”Sofia squirted a little lube on the dildo, opened her legs, and slid the dildo inside of her cunt. As she slid it in, she closed her eyes. She slowly slid it in and out. From her facial expressions, I could tell she was enjoying the feeling, but she was a bit embarrassed by being singled out like that. A moment later, we all heard her start moaning.After about a minute or so of Sofia fucking herself with the dildo, Ms. Sharon said, “Good, Sofia, that’s exactly right. Thank you for the demonstration. You may take your seat now.” Sofia pulled the dildo out of her cunt, and stood up. She offered it to Ms. Sharon, but she refused. “Oh, no. Please, keep it for the rest of class. That goes for everyone else who volunteers as well.”Sofia walked back to her seat, reinserted the dildo, and continued fucking herself.“Alright, next up, we have the vibrator,” said Ms. Sharon, as she pulled another dildo from her bag. This one was larger than the last; maybe 6 inches long and 2 inches wide. “This toy requires batteries, because when it’s switched on, it created a vibration throughout the rubber shaft, which most females enjoy. Additionally, this dildo has piece known as a rabbit ear, which rubs against a woman’s clitoris. Who would like to demonstrate the usage of this toy?”After a couple seconds, Latoya’s hand went up. Ms. Sharon nodded, and Latoya came to the front, taking a seat on the table.“Thank you Latoya,” said Ms. Sharon, as she passed the vibrator to Latoya. Latoya didn’t bother with the lube, since she was already quite wet on her own. She easily slid the large dildo inside her cunt. When it was all the way in, she turned a knob on it, and we all heard a buzzing sound, and saw Latoya’s head tilt back in pleasure.“Good, Latoya,” said Ms. Sharon, “Make sure you also rub the rabbit ear against your clitoris. Yes, just like that. Doesn’t that feel good?”Latoya nodded.“Alright, Latoya, you may take your seat.”Latoya took her seat, and Ms. Sharon continued, pulling the next toy out of her bag. It was about 7 inches long, with what looked like a cunt on one end. “Now, I don’t want the men in the room to feel left out, so next we have the fleshlight. This toy is designed to simulate the female vagina. Who would like to demonstrate its usage?”Tony Baker didn’t hesitate to stick his hand in the air.“Alright, Mr. Baker,” said Ms. Sharon. Tony walked to the front, and took the fleshlight from Ms. Sharon. He then placed it at the tip of his large cock, and slid himself inside it. He then jacked himself off with it, fucking the rubber vagina.“Excellent, Tony,” said Ms. Sharon. “This fleshlight also has a vibration feature. Let me switch that on for you.” She reached down, grabbing the fleshlight (and thus Tony’s cock), in her hand. She slid the toy up and down a couple times, before flipping a switch on the side of it. Instantly, Tony leaned back and started writhing in pleasure. Then she flipped it off.“Good, Tony. You may take your seat.” He did, as Ms. Sharon continued, pulling the next toy out of the bag. “This is sometimes called a magic wand. The tip of it vibrates with a much higher intensity than the dildos, and can be controlled by a switch on the handle. It is generally used by women to rub their clitoris. Who would like to volunteer to demonstrate the wand?”Nobody raised their hand, at first, but eventually Barbara volunteered. She stood, took the usual spot on the table, and spread her legs. Ms. Sharon handed her the wand, and Barbara turned it on and started rubbing it against her cunt. Ms. Sharon gave her a few tips before sending her back to her seat.“Next, we have our first two-person toy.” said Ms. Sharon, as she pulled two small, metal objects, about 2 inches long, out of her bag. “These are remote controlled vibrators. A girl inserts it into her vagina, and the remote controls the intensity of the vibration. It can be used by a single person, but today we will use it in pairs. I have two of them, so we need two females. Since our last toy also needs two females, I will ask for one female volunteer, and two males, please. I will be the other female.”Most of the boy’s hands shot up, but none of the girls. Ms. Sharon picked Filipe and Ken. After another moment, I decided to volunteer. I’d rather have this toy, than be forced into whatever the next one was.“Alright, Samantha, take a seat up here. We’ll both insert them at the same time.”I sat on the edge of the table, and spread my legs apart. Then, Ms. Sharon and I pushed the small metal devices completely into our cunts. Then we stood up.“How does that feel, Samantha?” asked Ms. Sharon.“A little cold, but fine otherwise,” I replied.“Good. Alright, Ken, you get my remote, and Filipe, you get Samantha’s.” She handed them to the students. “For the rest of today’s class, feel free to switch our toys on and off, and increase the intensity, whenever you’d like, but please refrain from making us orgasm until the end of class.”I started walking back to my seat. Both the boys looked at their remotes. Filipe asked, “Does this knob increase the intensity?” as he turned it all the way up.I lost my balance, and leaned on the table, as a loud moan escaped from my mouth. The vibration was very intense. “Yes, Ken,” I heard Ms. Sharon say, “that’s the intensity. You can see that at full blast, it’s hard for the receiver to do much of anything else.”“I see,” said Ken as he turned it down to about halfway. “Sorry about the surprise, Samantha. I just wanted to test it out.”I stood back up, and walked back to my seat, as I replied, “It’s alright.”Ms. Sharon said, “That’s exactly how it should be used: at random times, to surprise the receiver. However, please don’t disrupt the class.” She pulled the last toy from her bag. “As I said earlier, this last toy is designed to be used by two females. Since we only have two remaining, I’ll ask that Nicole and Amy please come up here now.”They were both a bit hesitant, but they didn’t have much choice. It had to be demonstrated, and there were only two cunts left that weren’t already full or being rubbed: Nicole’s and Amy’s. They both walked to the front, and waited for Ms. Sharon to give them instructions.“Thank you, both,” she said, holding up the final toy, “This is a double dildo. At either end, there is a cock-shaped rubber shaft, and in the middle there is a handle. Generally, this is used by two females, but you can use it alone as well. Both of you, please lie on the table, with your heads facing away from each other.”They did as Ms. Sharon said. The table was a bit small, so both of their heads were hanging off the ends. Once they were in position, Ms. Sharon continued.“Good. Now, please spread your legs, and scoot a little closer to each other.” They did so. “Thank you. I’ll start with Amy, and then Nicole.”Amy looked down and saw Ms. Sharon put some lube on the tip of one end, then put the tip of the dildo at the entrance of her cunt. Ms. Sharon slowly slid it inside of her.“Good. Now, I’m going to need to slide it all the way in, so I can get it to the entrance of Nicole’s hole.”I saw the dildo slide further and further into Amy’s cunt, and finally it stopped. Then Ms. Sharon put some lube on the other end, and slowly slid it into Nicole’s cunt. I heard both of them moan as it slid inside Nicole, and out of Amy.“Good.” said Ms. Sharon, “Thank you both. Now we’re ready to demonstrate. Everyone, please stand and; Oh!.” Ms. Sharon collapsed into the chair next to the desk.I looked over and Ken had a grin on his face. Then I felt my vibrator start up as well. It slowly increased, until I couldn’t take it. I started moaning again. The moans of Ms. Sharon and I continued, as Ken and Filipe both kept the vibrators at full intensity.Ken then stood and walked to the front of the class, and said, “I’ll take over for a moment, Ms. Sharon, if you don’t mind.” Ms. Sharon nodded, and put her hand on her cunt and started rubbing. “Good. I’ll tu
Anatomy Primer.Based on a post by smalltitslovr, in 4 parts. Listen to the ► Podcast at Steamy Stories.This time, I was last to go, and the only people left in the room were Nicole, Ms. Sharon, and I. I stepped between Nicole’s legs, which were now quivering from all the pleasure. About half-way through, Nicole started having trouble keeping them open, so Ms. Sharon was now standing on the other side of the desk from me, near Nicole’s head, holding each of Nicole’s ankles spread about three feet apart.“Hi Nicole.” I said to her, as I approached. “I’m the last one. Before I start, I was wondering how you feel.”Nicole weakly lifted her head to look at me. She was smiling, but she also looked quite tired. “Well, My legs are a little sore from being spread for so long. Also, my cunt is a little raw from all the different fingers being rubbed in and out of it. But overall, I feel amazing. I’ve never climaxed this many times in such a short amount of time before.”“So, I take it you’re still glad I ran into you in the library?” I asked.“Oh, definitely!” she exclaimed. “If I get to experience all this on just the first day, I can’t wait for what’s in store for us for the rest of the semester.”“Wow.” I said, smiling back at her. “I don’t know if I could take all the attention and stimulation you have had today. Well, I’ll hurry up and finish this, so we can leave.”“Thank you Samantha,” she replied. “But, since you’re last, make sure it’s a good one. I don’t want to leave here on a low note. If you make it good, I promise that I’ll pay you back for it another time.”I smiled and replied, “Deal.”I then reached up with my left hand and grabbed Nicole’s right tit, lightly caressing it. Then I rubbed the outside of Nicole’s cunt until I found her clitoris. As I rubbed her clit and her boob, she started to moan lightly.After about 45 seconds, I slowly inserted my index and middle fingers into Nicole’s gaping hole. Because of all the abuse her cunt had been given in the past ten minutes or so, it was quite loose, and very wet, but also quite red. I slid my fingers in and out of her hole a few times, before inserting a third finger. Then I rubbed around inside her cunt, until I found a slightly rough patch, which was also a little warmer from all the friction from the other students fingers. I rubbed it gently, which caused Nicole to moan louder, and start squirming. As I fingered her, I also rubbed her breast and lightly pinched her small nipple.I continued rubbing and finger-fucking Nicole for about two more minutes, until Nicole started screaming “I’m cumming! I’m cumming!”, while her body writhed as much as it could with Ms. Sharon still firmly holding Nicole’s legs. I was sure that nearby classrooms would hear her screams, and the movement of the table shaking beneath her, but she apparently didn’t care, and neither did Ms. Sharon.After Nicole’s final release of ecstasy, I removed my fingers, and Ms. Sharon released her grasp on Nicole’s ankles. Nicole lowered her legs, placing her feet on the ground, but still layed on the table, with her eyes closed.Ms. Sharon started packing her things into her bag, as she said, “Good class today, you two. Samantha, I want to thank you for introducing our class to Nicole and planting the idea of attending. And Nicole, I really want to thank you for your participation today. I know it must have been a bit awkward for all of your classmates to not only see every intimate detail of your body, but feel those parts, and bring you to several orgasms.”“No, Ms. Sharon. Thank you,” replied Nicole, as she stood and slowly walked over to her pile of clothes. “That was the best sexual experience I’ve had in my life so far, and I very much look forward to having even better ones in future classes. But right now, I really just want to take a nap.”“Well, I’d offer to let you stay in here, but there’s another class coming in here soon, and I think they’re covering some very conservative topic like History of Architecture or something. I’m sure they would be quite put off by your nudity.”“That’s alright.” replied Nicole with a smile, as she pulled on her tight yoga pants, without any panties underneath. “I don’t live far from campus. I’ll just go home and take a nap.”“One more thing before you go, Nicole.” said Ms. Sharon as she was finishing packing her bag. “In the last class, I mentioned to everyone else that there’s an extra credit opportunity for anyone willing to participate in some sexual studies. I think you would be an excellent candidate for those studies. Please consider it.”“I will.” said Nicole as she pulled her sports bra on. She picked up her shirt, and looked at it “You know; I really don’t feel like wearing this. I think I’ll walk home without it.”At this point I had pulled on my clothes, so Nicole and I were dressed. The three of us departed the room together. Ms. Sharon didn’t bring any clothes, so she walked out naked, but she said her office wasn’t far, and the faculty in her department were used to it. I walked with Nicole, chatting about the experience, until we got to a place where we parted ways.I then walked back to my dorm. When I arrived, I stripped out of my clothes, and laid down on my bed, immediately putting my hand on my cunt. I imitated what I did to Nicole earlier, and rubbed my clit. With my eyes closed, I was imagining being in Nicole’s position on the table, and I imagined that my hand was one of my other classmates. In my daydream, my eyes were closed, so I didn’t know whose hand it was.After rubbing my clit for a while, I slid a finger inside my cunt, and found my own g-spot. I rubbed it as fast as I could. As I continued daydreaming about each of my classmates fingering my cunt, I came. But I wasn’t ready to be done, so I continued daydreaming and finger-fucking myself. I came a two more times, before finally deciding to stop. I was tired, so I fell asleep.Masturbation, sex toys, and orgasm.A few classes had passed since the class on the human anatomy. The next few topics were less interesting, but still very informative.First, we paired up in the same groups as before, and studied each other’s bodies closely, one on one. While interesting, if I wrote about that, it would be somewhat repetitive, so I’ll skip it.After that, we covered various measurement techniques, including shirt-sizes, pant-sizes, and especially bra-sizes. I found out during that class that I had been wearing the wrong bra-size for years. I thought I was a 34A or 32B, but really I’m more like a 28D. Bra sizes are confusing!We also covered some other important, but boring topics, such as reproduction and STDs. For a homework assignment, we were all required to get an tested for a variety of STDs, as a prerequisite for the rest of the course. That was due in three class periods.So, today’s story is about day seven of class.I was getting more comfortable with the class, so I didn’t arrive quite as early anymore, but I always arrive a bit before class, and today was no exception. I got there about five minutes before.Just like the past couple of classes, everyone that was already there had stripped to their birthday suits. I quickly found my seat, stripped off my clothes, put them in my bag, and sat down. I didn’t bother covering up anymore, because there was no real reason to. Everyone there had already seen it all, and nobody else was covering up. Thinking back on it, I’m actually somewhat surprised at how little time it took for each of us to get so comfortable in our nudity.At 7:01, Ms. Sharon walked in, with the same amount of clothes as the rest of us. I kind of wondered how early she got nude. Did she strip right before walking over to the class, or was she naked all morning? I hadn’t seen her with clothes on in so long, that I could no longer picture her wearing them.“Hello class,” she said, as she placed her bag in its usual spot on the table. “I’m glad to see you’re all comfortable being nude with your fellow classmates, because you will all be getting much more familiar with each other today. Our topic is masturbation, sex toys, and the orgasm."To start today’s class, we will discuss masturbation. Who here has masturbated before?” Almost everyone raised their hands. “Good. Those of you who say you haven’t, I don’t believe you. But in case you really haven’t, today will be the end of that."Everyone, please get in your normal masturbation positions. For those of you that say you haven’t ever done it: males generally grab their shaft and stroke it, and females either rub their clitoris or stick their fingers inside their vaginas, aka finger themselves.”We all did as Ms. Sharon said, placing our hands on our genitals, and we started to rub and stroke ourselves. I as a little hesitant at this, but once I’d seen many of my classmates (especially the boys) start in on themselves, I relaxed. I spread my legs, leaned back, put the first two fingers of my right hand on my clit, and started rubbing it in a small circle.“Good. I want you all to continue masturbating, but please save your orgasms until later. Now, I’m going to show you all several sex toys. For each toy, I will need one volunteer to demonstrate how it is used. In some cases, I will need two volunteers.”Ms. Sharon then reached into her bag, and pulled the first toy out. It was a simple, flesh-colored dildo, about 5.5 inches long, and 1.5 inches wide, with balls on the end. It looked much like some of the cocks I saw the boys holding in their hands. “This is a dildo. It is designed to simulate a male penis. Dildos come in many shapes, and sizes, and have a variety of features. This one is a simple one. Generally dildos are used by females, but some males use them as well."Now, who would like to demonstrate how this dildo is used?” Of course, nobody raised their hands. “Come on, people. This is the most basic toy I have. It only gets more complex from here.” After another moment, Sofia raised her hand.“Good, Sofia. Please come up here.” Sofia stood, walked to the front, and took a seat on the table. “Alright, Sofia. Have you used a dildo before?” She nodded. “Okay, then you know what to do. I’ve also brought some lubricant if anyone needs it. Everyone watch closely.”Sofia squirted a little lube on the dildo, opened her legs, and slid the dildo inside of her cunt. As she slid it in, she closed her eyes. She slowly slid it in and out. From her facial expressions, I could tell she was enjoying the feeling, but she was a bit embarrassed by being singled out like that. A moment later, we all heard her start moaning.After about a minute or so of Sofia fucking herself with the dildo, Ms. Sharon said, “Good, Sofia, that’s exactly right. Thank you for the demonstration. You may take your seat now.” Sofia pulled the dildo out of her cunt, and stood up. She offered it to Ms. Sharon, but she refused. “Oh, no. Please, keep it for the rest of class. That goes for everyone else who volunteers as well.”Sofia walked back to her seat, reinserted the dildo, and continued fucking herself.“Alright, next up, we have the vibrator,” said Ms. Sharon, as she pulled another dildo from her bag. This one was larger than the last; maybe 6 inches long and 2 inches wide. “This toy requires batteries, because when it’s switched on, it created a vibration throughout the rubber shaft, which most females enjoy. Additionally, this dildo has piece known as a rabbit ear, which rubs against a woman’s clitoris. Who would like to demonstrate the usage of this toy?”After a couple seconds, Latoya’s hand went up. Ms. Sharon nodded, and Latoya came to the front, taking a seat on the table.“Thank you Latoya,” said Ms. Sharon, as she passed the vibrator to Latoya. Latoya didn’t bother with the lube, since she was already quite wet on her own. She easily slid the large dildo inside her cunt. When it was all the way in, she turned a knob on it, and we all heard a buzzing sound, and saw Latoya’s head tilt back in pleasure.“Good, Latoya,” said Ms. Sharon, “Make sure you also rub the rabbit ear against your clitoris. Yes, just like that. Doesn’t that feel good?”Latoya nodded.“Alright, Latoya, you may take your seat.”Latoya took her seat, and Ms. Sharon continued, pulling the next toy out of her bag. It was about 7 inches long, with what looked like a cunt on one end. “Now, I don’t want the men in the room to feel left out, so next we have the fleshlight. This toy is designed to simulate the female vagina. Who would like to demonstrate its usage?”Tony Baker didn’t hesitate to stick his hand in the air.“Alright, Mr. Baker,” said Ms. Sharon. Tony walked to the front, and took the fleshlight from Ms. Sharon. He then placed it at the tip of his large cock, and slid himself inside it. He then jacked himself off with it, fucking the rubber vagina.“Excellent, Tony,” said Ms. Sharon. “This fleshlight also has a vibration feature. Let me switch that on for you.” She reached down, grabbing the fleshlight (and thus Tony’s cock), in her hand. She slid the toy up and down a couple times, before flipping a switch on the side of it. Instantly, Tony leaned back and started writhing in pleasure. Then she flipped it off.“Good, Tony. You may take your seat.” He did, as Ms. Sharon continued, pulling the next toy out of the bag. “This is sometimes called a magic wand. The tip of it vibrates with a much higher intensity than the dildos, and can be controlled by a switch on the handle. It is generally used by women to rub their clitoris. Who would like to volunteer to demonstrate the wand?”Nobody raised their hand, at first, but eventually Barbara volunteered. She stood, took the usual spot on the table, and spread her legs. Ms. Sharon handed her the wand, and Barbara turned it on and started rubbing it against her cunt. Ms. Sharon gave her a few tips before sending her back to her seat.“Next, we have our first two-person toy.” said Ms. Sharon, as she pulled two small, metal objects, about 2 inches long, out of her bag. “These are remote controlled vibrators. A girl inserts it into her vagina, and the remote controls the intensity of the vibration. It can be used by a single person, but today we will use it in pairs. I have two of them, so we need two females. Since our last toy also needs two females, I will ask for one female volunteer, and two males, please. I will be the other female.”Most of the boy’s hands shot up, but none of the girls. Ms. Sharon picked Filipe and Ken. After another moment, I decided to volunteer. I’d rather have this toy, than be forced into whatever the next one was.“Alright, Samantha, take a seat up here. We’ll both insert them at the same time.”I sat on the edge of the table, and spread my legs apart. Then, Ms. Sharon and I pushed the small metal devices completely into our cunts. Then we stood up.“How does that feel, Samantha?” asked Ms. Sharon.“A little cold, but fine otherwise,” I replied.“Good. Alright, Ken, you get my remote, and Filipe, you get Samantha’s.” She handed them to the students. “For the rest of today’s class, feel free to switch our toys on and off, and increase the intensity, whenever you’d like, but please refrain from making us orgasm until the end of class.”I started walking back to my seat. Both the boys looked at their remotes. Filipe asked, “Does this knob increase the intensity?” as he turned it all the way up.I lost my balance, and leaned on the table, as a loud moan escaped from my mouth. The vibration was very intense. “Yes, Ken,” I heard Ms. Sharon say, “that’s the intensity. You can see that at full blast, it’s hard for the receiver to do much of anything else.”“I see,” said Ken as he turned it down to about halfway. “Sorry about the surprise, Samantha. I just wanted to test it out.”I stood back up, and walked back to my seat, as I replied, “It’s alright.”Ms. Sharon said, “That’s exactly how it should be used: at random times, to surprise the receiver. However, please don’t disrupt the class.” She pulled the last toy from her bag. “As I said earlier, this last toy is designed to be used by two females. Since we only have two remaining, I’ll ask that Nicole and Amy please come up here now.”They were both a bit hesitant, but they didn’t have much choice. It had to be demonstrated, and there were only two cunts left that weren’t already full or being rubbed: Nicole’s and Amy’s. They both walked to the front, and waited for Ms. Sharon to give them instructions.“Thank you, both,” she said, holding up the final toy, “This is a double dildo. At either end, there is a cock-shaped rubber shaft, and in the middle there is a handle. Generally, this is used by two females, but you can use it alone as well. Both of you, please lie on the table, with your heads facing away from each other.”They did as Ms. Sharon said. The table was a bit small, so both of their heads were hanging off the ends. Once they were in position, Ms. Sharon continued.“Good. Now, please spread your legs, and scoot a little closer to each other.” They did so. “Thank you. I’ll start with Amy, and then Nicole.”Amy looked down and saw Ms. Sharon put some lube on the tip of one end, then put the tip of the dildo at the entrance of her cunt. Ms. Sharon slowly slid it inside of her.“Good. Now, I’m going to need to slide it all the way in, so I can get it to the entrance of Nicole’s hole.”I saw the dildo slide further and further into Amy’s cunt, and finally it stopped. Then Ms. Sharon put some lube on the other end, and slowly slid it into Nicole’s cunt. I heard both of them moan as it slid inside Nicole, and out of Amy.“Good.” said Ms. Sharon, “Thank you both. Now we’re ready to demonstrate. Everyone, please stand and; Oh!.” Ms. Sharon collapsed into the chair next to the desk.I looked over and Ken had a grin on his face. Then I felt my vibrator start up as well. It slowly increased, until I couldn’t take it. I started moaning again. The moans of Ms. Sharon and I continued, as Ken and Filipe both kept the vibrators at full intensity.Ken then stood and walked to the front of the class, and said, “I’ll take over for a moment, Ms. Sharon, if you don’t mind.” Ms. Sharon nodded, and put her hand on her cunt and started rubbing. “Good. I’ll tu
International Women's Day bonus episodeIn this special episode, Danielle Black explores something rarely named in conversations about parenting after separation: the invisible architecture of childhood.The planning.The anticipating.The emotional holding.The daily mental load of raising children that rarely appears in legal documents, mediation rooms, or parenting orders.Across decades of research, we know that primary caregivers - most often mothers - carry the majority of this invisible labour. Yet when families separate, the systems designed to determine parenting arrangements often struggle to see it.In this episode, Danielle explores:• The invisible labour that holds children's lives together• Why the "proximity illusion" can make non-primary caregivers appear equally involved• What the research actually says about caregiving and unpaid labour• Why 'equal parenting time' is NOT the same as 'equal parenting'• How post-separation economic abuse often shows up through child-related costs• The emotional reality of being the parent who provides the secure base children return toThis episode is for women at every stage of the journey: those still in difficult relationships, those navigating separation, those in family court proceedings, those with final orders who are still managing chaos, and those carrying the grief of children being turned against them.On International Women's Day, this conversation honours the work that primary caregivers do every day - even when the world fails to see it.Because the invisible architecture of childhood may be unseen by systems, but it is never invisible to the children living inside it.As always, this episode is not legal advice and not therapy.Explore the supports offered by Danielle Black CoachingThe Post-Separation Parenting Blueprint™
### Segment 6 Headline: Exploring Italy's Hidden Gems: Lecce and Otranto in the Puglia Region Summary: Lorenzo Fiori recommends visiting Lecce and Otranto to avoid over-tourism, highlighting Roman ruins, unique architecture, and the local Primitivo wine and culinary traditions. Guest: Lorenzo Fiori Number: 6 (6)1900 VENICE
This episode of First Draft Live is presented by Agora.The meteoric rise of artificial intelligence has impacted every industry, including the notoriously tech-adverse commercial real estate world.Scores of new AI-driven tools have left brokers sweating over their commissions and wondering if they will be replaced by software that can automate underwriting and surface buyers instantly. And shareholders have been ditching their brokerage stock over concerns the entire business model is at risk. Are their fears overblown, or should brokers be preparing themselves for a future where AI could take their jobs?Both can be true, Kyle Matthews, CEO of Matthews CRE, said on this week's episode.“I absolutely think there is an overreaction happening,” Matthews said. “And I think there are 100% vulnerabilities, and the nature and the shape of how these services are performed in the next three, five and 10 years, fundamentally, will change.”
Join us live: Our next live podcast, "Access Louisville: The State of Dining Out," is set for 4 p.m. April 21 at 500 West Jefferson. Three local chefs are coming on: Noam Bilitzer, of MeeshMeesh, Brittany Kelly of North of Bourbon and Lawrence Weeks of Murray's Creole Pub. We'll talk about issues facing the industry, including food costs, changing neighborhood dynamics and more. Tickets are available here.New apartment and single family home developments around town top this week's Access Louisville podcast. We start off talking about plans to renovate the Hubbuch & Co. Architecture building at 320-324 W. Main Sts. into 14 apartment units. Developers for the project include Lee Weyland, partner at CORE Real Estate Partners, Dean Wilkinson, president of Wilkinson Builders, and Bobby Bailey, founder of Louisville Geek.After that, we chat about plans for new apartments at 11501 Schlatter Road, which is the former site of Valor Traditional Academy. Six permits were filed detailing the construction of five apartment buildings and one clubhouse building at the site. The Valor building looks like a castle, which of course gets us joking around about this actual castle being listed for sale in Charlestown, Indiana.We also talk about a new 61-home development near Downtown Jeffersonville, Indiana and plans for an AirBnB development in Downtown Louisville, called the Colt Club.After a break, we chat about restaurant news, including Papa John's plans to close 300 underperforming locations around the country. We talk about some new bars around Louisville Slugger Field — that gets us on a tangent about speakeasies. And we wrap up the show with a chat about Bristol Bar & Grille, which is closing its Highlands location after nearly 50 years. Access Louisville is a weekly podcast from Louisville Business First. You can follow it on popular podcast services including Apple Podcasts and Spotify, which are linked above. You can also listen in the player above.
Renue Healthcare https://Renue.Healthcare/ToddYour journey to a better life starts at Renue Healthcare. Visit https://Renue.Healthcare/Todd Bulwark Capital https://KnowYourRiskPodcast.comBe confident in your portfolio with Bulwark! Schedule your free Know Your Risk Portfolio review. Go to KnowYourRiskPodcast.com today. Bonefrog https://BonefrogCoffee.com/ToddGet the new limited release, The Sisterhood, created to honor the extraordinary women behind the heroes. Use code TODD at checkout to receive 10% off your first purchase and 15% on subscriptions.LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE at:The Todd Herman Show - Podcast - Apple PodcastsThe Todd Herman Show | Podcast on SpotifyWATCH and SUBSCRIBE at: Todd Herman - The Todd Herman Show - YouTubeJeffrey Epstein was not just a sex trafficker who traded in access, information, and blackmail. He seems to have constructed a Pandemic Pay-to-Play model for figures like Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, and JP Morgan Chase.Episode Links:Bill Gates: "We didn't simulate this, we didn't practice." Is that so? EVENT 201 was a Corona virus pandemic simulation that took place on Oct 18, 2019. It was a collaboration between Johns Hopkins CHS, The WEF and yes, you guessed it, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.2021. After Melinda Gates let the world know that Bill's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein was something she found extremely troubling, Bill went on Anderson Cooper to do clean up. The interview was over twenty minutes. Almost all of it was discussion of vaccines and Cooper praising Gates for his global health work.BREAKING: The Epstein Files Illuminate a 20-Year Architecture Behind Pandemics as a Business Model—With Bill Gates at the Center of the Network; Inside the JPMorgan–Gates–Epstein Pipeline: Donor-Advised Funds, Vaccine Finance, and the Architecture of Pre-Positioned Profit - Part 1 of 4 PartsMelinda Gates talking about young girls being taken advantage of by Jeffrey EpsteinI don't want AI assisting doctors — I want it embedded at the core of global healthcare.” - “We're linking medical records, biometric IDs, payment systems — feeding it mass patient DATA from one system worldwide.”Bill Gates also admitted to affairs with 2 Russian women in the Jeffrey Epstein files Bill Gates says he never witnessed any criminal activity This is shocking since Epstein and a man named “Bill” were emailing about a global pandemic Saying “I hope we can pull this offMelinda Gates seemingly hated Jeffrey Epstein
In this episode, Dutch Rojas, Founder of Bliksem Health, shares his candid perspective on structural misalignment in healthcare, arguing that payment reform and site neutral policies are key to lasting change.
In this episode, Dutch Rojas, Founder of Bliksem Health, shares his candid perspective on structural misalignment in healthcare, arguing that payment reform and site neutral policies are key to lasting change.
What does it look like when a firm stops just talking about diversity and starts building a tangible pathway for the next generation of architects?In this episode of Practice Disrupted, Evelyn Lee is joined by Leah Alissa Bayer, founding principal of Architects Fora, and Gabriella Vaz de Freitas, the firm's Technology Lead and a former recipient of the "FORAship." Leah shares how her fully remote, women-owned firm moved beyond industry-wide conversations about the "pipeline problem" to create a structured, year-long scholarship and internship program. Gabriella, who moved from São Paulo to California, provides a firsthand account of how the program's financial support and intentional mentorship allowed her to transition from a student to a leader in AI-enabled design and firm technology.The conversation explores the mechanics of the FORAship, an immersive experience designed specifically for underrepresented students. Unlike traditional internships, this program integrates students into business management conversations and specialty research, ensuring they have a seat at the table from day one. Leah discusses the strategic advantage of investing in international students and entry-level talent, while Gabriella explains how she leveraged her role to spearhead the firm's adoption of generative design tools and new visualization workflows."Our profession is only as strong as those that are coming into it after us. And it's our job to make the space and support system for that to happen." - Leah Alissa BayerBeyond the logistics of the scholarship, the episode delves into the benefits of a fully remote practice for mentorship and firm culture. Leah shares her "five-year goal" of creating a cohort of small firms to rotate internships, making the process more manageable for employers and more impactful for students. For those navigating the transition to practice, especially international students requiring visa sponsorship, Gabriella's journey offers a roadmap for finding firms whose missions truly align with their personal and professional values.Guests:Leah Alissa Bayer, AIA, NOMA, NCARB is a founding principal of Architects Fora, a fully remote, women-owned firm focused almost exclusively on affordable and restorative housing design. A former local AIA component president, she is dedicated to creating better work environments where diverse populations can succeed.Gabriella Vaz de Freitas is the Technology Lead at Architects Fora and a former Fora Ship recipient. Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, she graduated from Cal Poly and now specializes in AI-enabled design processes, graphic communication, and the implementation of generative tools.This episode is especially for you if:✅ You are tired of "token gestures" and want to see how a small firm can build a legitimate program around equity and belonging.✅ You want to understand the logistics of running a combined scholarship and paid internship program.✅ You are an international student seeking advice on finding firms that support non-U.S. citizen applicants and visa sponsorship.✅ You are curious about how to manage and mentor entry-level staff effectively in a fully remote environment.✅ You want to hear how a new graduate can lead technology research and AI implementation within a firm.What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation.
Join host David Mallon and David Wilkins of TalentNeuron as they discuss modernizing job architectures to enable agile workforce planning amid a world revolutionized by AI.
In this "Blackout" session, Lex (The MadPo3t) sits down with global creativity expert Fredrik Haren to audit the "Internal Heat" of the creative mind. Moving beyond standard brainstorming, they dissect creativity as a "Lethal Spectrum" that requires both "Technical Prowess" and the courage of the iron mind.
Romance is being reclaimed at a moment when culture feels rushed, transactional, and increasingly disconnected. As social media accelerates trends and weddings risk becoming aesthetic checklists, many couples are left wondering whether they're planning a meaningful experience or performing one. In this episode, Kara Duffy sits down with Ashley Pigott, luxury wedding producer and founder of Ashley Pigott Events, to explore why excellence, intentionality, and human connection are the true foundations of unforgettable celebrations. Together, they unpack the difference between a planner and a producer, the psychology of guest experience, the invisible infrastructure that makes magic possible, and why labor, lighting, and logistics matter just as much as flowers and fashion. Ashley shares how her humble beginnings shaped her leadership style, why listening is her most important creative tool, and how she's raising daughters to use their voices in rooms that once asked women to shrink. —------------- The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms. Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think. Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com. SUPPORT OUT GUEST: Instagram: @ashleypigottevents Website: ashleypigott.com 00:00 – Producing Magic, Not Just Planning Weddings 03:00 – The Difference Between a Planner and a Producer 06:00 – Trust, Micromanagement & Creative Freedom 09:00 – Architecture, Atmosphere & Guest Psychology 13:00 – The Cultural Craving for Romance & Connection 16:00 – Finding Inspiration in the Ordinary 20:00 – Manifestation, Networking & Attracting Luxury Clients 25:00 – Social Energy, Boundaries & Prioritizing Home 28:00 – From Humble Beginnings to Global Weddings 31:00 – Imposter Syndrome & Belonging in the Room 34:00 – Listening as Leadership 36:00 – Demanding Extraordinary vs. Accepting “Good Enough” 40:00 – Building Teams That Deliver Excellence 44:00 – Raising Powerful Girls 48:00 – Building a Business in Toronto 50:00 – What's Next: Europe, Expansion & More Magic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this episode of The Other Side of Campus, hosts Jen Moon and Katie Dawson speak with Charles Di Piazza from the UT School of Architecture about his Rural Architecture Studio course. Charles takes students to Terlingua, near Big Bend National Park, where they work alongside local partners to explore sustainable design rooted in place.From earthen construction and compressed earth blocks to the design of potential teacher housing for the local school district, the studio invites students to connect ideas with material practice. Along the way, they learn how environmental constraints, traditional building knowledge, and community collaboration can shape better architecture.Professor Di Piazza describes the project as an “experiment in reciprocity,” where knowledge flows in both directions between the university and rural Texas communities. The result is a powerful model for experiential learning, sustainable design, and meaningful engagement beyond campus.The Fall 2025 class description...Earthen Grounds: Graduate Studio in West TexasIn partnership with Bob Estrin, Director of the School of Constructive Arts (SCA) in Alpine, Charles Di Piazza leads this new graduate design studio, building on the work in Marathon, Texas. Earthen Grounds brings Di Piazza's interest in vernacular architecture, massive construction, and courtyard housing and combines it with Estrin's focus on regenerative design and hands-on building practices.The studio asks students to envision new models of sustainable housing and walkable communities for dryland environments. Beginning with the study of precedents spanning nearly 9,000 years, students will explore the fundamental relationships between people, climate, space, and place before applying their research to a site in the Chihuahuan Desert near SCA. The class includes a trip to Big Bend to participate in an earthen construction workshop on the SCA campus.The studio's research and proposals aim to generate ideas for affordable housing in the Big Bend region and beyond. This work is supported by a grant from the Still Water Foundation, whose generosity makes this collaboration possible.CreditsHosts: Jen Moon & Katie DawsonMusic by various artists: "Arizona Moon" by Blue Dot Sessions, "Lyanetha" by John Bartmann, "Help Me" by Eme HacheTheme track: "Soul Sync" by KetsaExecutive Producer: Michelle Daniel
This conversation explores why generative AI is not just another automation layer but a shift into autonomy. The key idea is that we cannot retrofit AI into old procedural workflows and expect it to behave. Once autonomy is introduced, systems will drift, show emergent behaviour, and act in ways we did not explicitly script. The real architectural shift is not about controlling every step, but about defining clear boundaries. Instead of telling AI exactly how to do the work, we must define what it cannot do, what it is allowed to touch, what decisions it can make, and what goal it must achieve. Governance and design must be built together from the start, not added later. Read a transcript of this interview: https://bit.ly/4aX34GS Subscribe to the Software Architects' Newsletter for your monthly guide to the essential news and experience from industry peers on emerging patterns and technologies: https://www.infoq.com/software-architects-newsletter Upcoming Events: QCon London 2026 (March 16-19, 2026) QCon London equips senior engineers, architects, and technical leaders with trusted, practical insights to lead the change in software development. Get real-world solutions and leadership strategies from senior software practitioners defining current trends and solving today's toughest software challenges. https://qconlondon.com/ QCon AI Boston 2026 (June 1-2, 2026) Learn how real teams are accelerating the entire software lifecycle with AI. https://boston.qcon.ai QCon San Francisco 2026 (November 16-20, 2026) https://qconsf.com/ The InfoQ Podcasts: Weekly inspiration to drive innovation and build great teams from senior software leaders. Listen to all our podcasts and read interview transcripts: - The InfoQ Podcast https://www.infoq.com/podcasts/ - Engineering Culture Podcast by InfoQ https://www.infoq.com/podcasts/#engineering_culture - Generally AI: https://www.infoq.com/generally-ai-podcast/ Follow InfoQ: - Mastodon: https://techhub.social/@infoq - X: https://x.com/InfoQ?from=@ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/infoq/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InfoQdotcom# - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infoqdotcom/?hl=en - Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/infoq - Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/infoq.com Write for InfoQ: Learn and share the changes and innovations in professional software development. - Join a community of experts. - Increase your visibility. - Grow your career. https://www.infoq.com/write-for-infoq
Between The Lines Radio Newsmagazine (Broadcast-affiliate version)
Federation of Atomic Scientists' Jon B. Wolfsthal: Coming Threat of Nuclear Weapons, AI and Climate Crisis Move Doomday Clock Closer to MidnightUniversity of Pennsylvania media policy professor Victor Pickard: Trump-Aligned Oligarchs' Media Mergers Transforming Outlets into MAGA Propaganda PlatformsYale University School of Architecture's Adam Hopfer: Yale Architecture Students Design and Build Rent Free HomesBob Nixon's Under-reported News Summary• SCOTUS sets dangerous ICE racial profiling precedent—double jeopardy for blacks• African leaders push for reparations for colonization crimes• Russia and China forging an axis of Asia powered by natural gasVisit our website at BTLonline.org for more information, in-depth interviews, related links, transcripts and subscribe to our BTL Weekly Summary and/or podcasts. New episodes every Wednesday at 12 noon ET, website updated Wednesdays after 4 p.m. ETProduced by Squeaky Wheel Productions: Scott Harris, Melinda Tuhus, Bob Nixon, Anna Manzo, Susan Bramhall, Jeff Yates and Mary Hunt. Theme music by Richard Hill and Mikata.
Business development (BD) can feel like a job reserved for firm leaders or dedicated rainmakers, but in reality, it touches everyone in the AEC industry. In this conversation, Wendy Simmons sits down with Middle of Six Senior Marketing Strategist, Katy Byers, to break down how BD intersects with everyone's role.Katy, a natural-born networker and connector, unpacks common barriers—lack of permission, time, or confidence—and shares practical ways to make BD more accessible and less intimidating. With the right mindset and tools like a CRM, marketers can stop reacting to RFP "opportunities" and start pre-positioning for the next win. The big takeaway? BD isn't about selling. It's about consistency, curiosity, practice (because "practice makes progress"), and making space to develop genuine relationships with your firm's clients and project partners. CPSM CEU Credits: 0.5 | Domain: 3
Welcome How Winning Manufacturers Put Historical Data At The Center Of Their Business Transformation American manufacturing has been on a negative trajectory for the last half century. In the last 20 years alone, 30% of Americas small and midsized manufacturers have been absorbed by larger competitors or gone out of business. Trade policy alone isn't enough to save the American Manufacturer. To dominate the 21st century, American Manufacturers need to innovate faster than ever before. Fortunately a fresh crop of leading innovators in this new AI-powered era is beginning to emerge. We're here to bring you their stories. Consolidating components purchasing across a global supply chain. Speeding up DFM to get products to market faster. Enforcing reuse to avoid unnecessary duplication and carrying costs. These are just a few of the success stories that CADDi customers have pioneered over the last year. We're here to deep dive some of these for you. The CADDi team will get under the hood on approaches used by our top customers so you can deploy them in your own business. Don't miss this chance to grab the AI-enabled playbooks that are making companies like, Subaru, Kawasaki, Dairy Conveyor Corp, Denso, Ebara, and others so successful at improving QCD Brought to you by: CADDi SPEAKERS: Aaron Lober VP of Marketing CADDi Aaron Lober is an accomplished marketing executive with a foundation in product marketing at companies like Procore Technologies, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Blameless (acquired by FireHydrant). He holds an MBA from Pepperdine Graziadio Business School. Chris Cope VP of Engineering CADDi Chris Cope is a seasoned technology leader with expertise in SRE, AI, Architecture and Security. Formerly with Xometry and Laconia, Chris excels in optimizing production workflows and spearheading automation projects. He is known for driving innovation and scaling teams to enhance operational efficiency and earned a Masters in Computer Science from DePaul University. Patrick Harrigan VP of Partnerships CADDi Patrick Harrigan, VP of Partnerships at CADDi, formerly of Hexagon AB and Tulip Interfaces, fosters a partner network to expand CADDi's AI platform, driving operational efficiency, cost reduction, and knowledge democratization. Visit https://advancedmanufacturing.org/webinars for more webinars and an interactive experience with visuals.
Between The Lines Radio Newsmagazine podcast (consumer distribution)
Federation of Atomic Scientists' Jon B. Wolfsthal: Coming Threat of Nuclear Weapons, AI and Climate Crisis Move Doomday Clock Closer to MidnightUniversity of Pennsylvania media policy professor Victor Pickard: Trump-Aligned Oligarchs' Media Mergers Transforming Outlets into MAGA Propaganda PlatformsYale University School of Architecture's Adam Hopfer: Yale Architecture Students Design and Build Rent Free HomesBob Nixon's Under-reported News Summary• SCOTUS sets dangerous ICE racial profiling precedent—double jeopardy for blacks• African leaders push for reparations for colonization crimes• Russia and China forging an axis of Asia powered by natural gasVisit our website at BTLonline.org for more information, in-depth interviews, related links and transcripts and to sign up for our BTL Weekly Summary. New episodes every Wednesday at 12 noon ET, website updated Wednesdays after 4 p.m. ETProduced by Squeaky Wheel Productions: Scott Harris, Melinda Tuhus, Bob Nixon, Anna Manzo, Susan Bramhall, Jeff Yates and Mary Hunt. Theme music by Richard Hill and Mikata.
What if your school building wasn't just a place where learning happens, but one of the most powerful teachers in the room? In this episode, Mark Barga sits down with Anne Fullenkamp, Senior Director of Creative Experiences at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, to explore how thoughtfully designed spaces can spark curiosity, boost confidence, and expand what students believe is possible. From hallways that invite discovery to classrooms that adapt to every learner, Anne reveals how architecture can quietly shape mindsets, behaviors, and futures. Drawing from her accidental journey from practicing architect to museum exhibit designer—where she's spent nearly two decades living alongside her own designs—Anne shares how truly student-centered environments are built through empathy, collaboration, and treating schools like the laboratories they can be. Takeaways: Buildings as learning tools: Design schools that actively participate in learning, not just house it—every wall, hallway, and corner can tell a story Start with "what if": Center design charrettes on how spaces will look and feel, not just how many seats you need Remove barriers to curiosity: Create environments where teachers can respond in the moment without calling facilities for a work order Make movement matter: Balance gross motor and fine motor experiences throughout the day—even the hallways can serve learning Design for adaptability: Treat schools like museums—plan for environments to evolve with changing pedagogy and technology over 50+ years Budget smarter, not bigger: You don't need massive investments to start—make small bets, experiment with a corner or underused classroom first When learners thrive, communities flourish: This is the heart of radically student-centered design About Anne Fullenkamp: Anne Fullenkamp, Associate AIA, LEED AP, Senior Director of Creative Experiences, Children's Museum of Pittsburgh With more than 25 years of experience in the museum design and architectural fields, Anne is responsible for design and execution of museum experiences at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh. In her role as Senior Director of Creative Experiences, she oversees the Museum's permanent exhibits and collections, artist residencies, traveling exhibit program, design consulting and other business development programs, leading complex design teams consisting of artists, scientists and researchers. Since joining the Museum of Pittsburgh in 2006, Anne has served as lead designer, contributing to the on-going development of the Museum's Play with Real Stuff design philosophy for informal learning environments that advocates for authenticity in all museum experiences. In addition, she is leading the Museum's universal design initiative, working with cultural organizations in Pittsburgh to advise on best practices for update the physical amenities to help make the city a hub for accessibility in the arts. As part of this work, she was part of the team to coordinate the implementation of Universal Design practices on the Museum campus, that resulted in MuseumLab, a major capital project on campus, receiving isUD certification from the University at Buffalo, School of Architecture and Planning's Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDEA Center). Anne is the point person for ongoing research with the IDEA Center in the application of universal design principles on our campus. Likewise, she has received training from in the IDEA Center in the practice of universal design and continues to pursue continuing education opportunities in the discipline. In recent years, Anne's work in inclusive design practices has expanded to include her design consulting work with K-12 schools. As part of the Museum's vision to transform education, Anne serves as an experience consultant for school districts, teachers and architects to help maximize the informal learning opportunities within the formal school environment, focusing specifically on the convergence of social-emotional learning and STEAM curriculum with overall health and wellbeing of the school community. Learn More About Kay-Twelve: Website: https://kay-twelve.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kay-twelve-com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kay_twelve/ Episode 305 of the Better Learning Podcast Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com. For more information on our partners: Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/ Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/ Second Class Foundation - https://secondclassfoundation.org/ EDmarket - https://www.edmarket.org/ Catapult @ Penn GSE - https://catapult.gse.upenn.edu/ Want to be a Guest Speaker? Request on our website
In this episode of Digital Workplace Impact, DWG CEO Nancy Goebel sits down with Carolin Lücker, Principal Manager of Strategy, Design & Architecture at Vodafone, to explore how that organization is delivering AI‑enabled transformation at scale.Fresh from winning DWG's Digital Workplace of the Year Award for AI Enablement at Scale, Carolin reveals how Vodafone built the foundations for rapid, safe AI adoption across more than 20 markets. She explains how long‑term investment in standardization, compliance and employee experience paved the way for advances such as Copilot‑driven personalization, cross‑system AI integrations and early agentic use cases – from AI‑supported RFP processing to an innovative 'flight school' that helps leaders sharpen prompting skills and model new ways of working. Carolin underscores that AI transformation is ultimately a business transformation, powered by leadership commitment and a culture of curiosity and psychological safety. She also reflects on the ongoing challenges of sustaining adoption, aligning AI with business priorities and orchestrating governance to seize the 'golden windows' for change. This conversation is essential listening for digital workplace leaders and practitioners shaping the future of work through AI‑driven strategy, culture and innovation. (Show notes, links and transcript for this episode.)Guest speaker:Carolin Lücker, Principal Manager of Strategy, Design & Architecture, Vodafone Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Leidy Klotz has spent years studying a simple but overlooked phenomenon: when we try to improve something, our first instinct is to add rather than remove. He shares the Lego bridge experiment that sparked his research and explains how this additive bias scales from small design decisions to entire organizations. Over time, companies accumulate reporting lines, meetings, software, and policies without questioning what no longer serves them. Henrik and Jeremy explore how AI tools intensify this pattern. When generating ideas, launching projects, writing code, or producing content becomes effortless, the temptation to add grows stronger. The cost of producing information drops, but the cost of consuming it rises. Without guardrails, organizations risk what Leidy calls “organizational indigestion.” The discussion moves from insight to implementation. Leidy outlines practical ways to counteract additive bias, including stop-doing lists, default kill dates on projects, and designing environments that make subtraction visible and acceptable. In a world of accelerating AI output, leaders must intentionally decide what to remove, what to protect, and what truly matters. Key Takeaways: We default to adding, not subtracting When faced with a problem, our instinct is to introduce something new. Subtraction rarely occurs to us, even when removing something would improve clarity and performance. Generative AI amplifies additive bias AI makes producing content, code, and ideas easier than ever. Without constraints, this frictionless creation can accelerate complexity instead of progress. More organizations die from indigestion than starvation Over time, companies accumulate tools, processes, and policies that quietly slow them down. The real risk is often not too few ideas, but too many unexamined additions. Architecture beats willpower Rather than relying on discipline alone, leaders can design systems that encourage subtraction. Stop-doing lists and default expiration dates make removal expected instead of exceptional. Protect what matters before adding more Before introducing new tools, workflows, or AI systems, leaders must define what is already working and worth protecting. Subtraction requires clarity about what should stay, not just what should go. Subtract: amazon/Subtract-Untapped-Science-Leidy-Klotz In a Good Place: amazon/Good-Place-Spaces-Where-Thrive/ Leidy's Speaking: https://leidyklotz.com/ Clip from Bear: Subtract - this is how you do better 00:00 Intro: Our Instinct to Add00:28 Meet Leidy Klotz01:15 The Subtract Idea02:56 Organizations Get Bloated03:49 Scandinavian Design Mindset04:32 New Book: In a Good Place05:59 AI Abundance and Indigestion08:12 Curate Context, Not More11:38 Cues and Stop-Doing Lists15:00 Default Debt and Kill Dates17:10 Odysseus Contracts and Biases21:28 Reengage the Physical World29:17 Bike Shedding and Priorities36:10 Making Is Thinking49:16 The Debrief
"Dismantling the Architecture Breakdown Iran" Silk gives her thoughts. Tonight at 10pm ET on Lindell TV. #DiamondandSilk http://DiamondandSilkMedia.com Use Promo Code: DIAMOND or TRUMPWON 1. http://DiamondandSilkStore.com2. https://thedrardisshow.com/shop-all/?aff=123. http://PatchThat.com4. https://cardiomiracle.com/?ref=DIAMOND5. https://MyPillow.com/TrumpWon6. https://DrStellaMD.com7. https://www.Curativabay.com/?aff=18. http://MaskDerma.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
I have a confession to make. I'm exhausted. In the best possible way after a week in Orlando, Florida for the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show. I have so much to share with you today! My journey started on the Monday before the show began for a travel day, sound check and confirming the final details form the show. In addition to hosting the KBIS Podcast Studio again this year, moderating a panel on the NEXT Stage and recording conversations for the show, I wanted to help you prepare for the show next February in Las Vegas. But Josh, next February is like 11 months away. That's true, but here's a secret. Come a little closer, it's just us. KBIS is the essential American kitchen and bath show, full stop. It's about learning, seeing, connecting and putting all of the pieces together to understand how the American market is setting up for the next year and the trending ideas that have staying power for the next 5-10 years. Designer Resources Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise. TimberTech – Real wood beauty without the upkeep You can listen to Convo By Design for the conversations with industry insiders. If I were a designer, I would. I believe that this show tells the stories that you should really know to get a feel for directionality of the industry. Specifiers are the plus of the industry and the ideas emanating from the show this year covered the technology revolution taking place from an AI perspective, but there's more. The kitchen is in the midst of a wholesale change. And it's exciting to see it happen in real time. Learning was a key theme this year. If you were not at the show this year, you are behind the curve. I don't say this to scare you, I tell you this so you make the time to get to the show next year. All three days and plan to see as much as you can. But, I wanted to share some of the key ideas from the show this year. For additional details, check the show notes. Luxury is the measurable outcome of thoughtful design—where performance, longevity, and relevance align to support the way people actually live. Luxury is the removal of friction from daily life. Luxury is durability aligned with intent. Luxury is design that continues to perform long after the purchase is forgotten. Luxury is confidence—in function, longevity, and fit. Luxury is not what you spend. It's what you never have to rethink. The Kitchen as the Primary Investment The kitchen remains the #1 homeowner investment nationwide. Homeowners are willing to exceed budget in the kitchen more than any other space. The kitchen is the most public and social room in the home. It represents identity: “I'm a cook,” “I entertain,” “I host.” Food equals memory; appliances enable those memories. The Expanding Kitchen Ecosystem Kitchens are no longer singular spaces—they expand throughout the home. Secondary kitchens (sculleries, prep kitchens, butler's pantries) are rising. Beverage centers, bars, and wine storage are increasingly common. Coffee stations and en-suite kitchenettes are viewed as lifestyle enhancements. Outdoor kitchens are now expected in many markets. Refrigeration appears in bathrooms (skincare), offices, and guest suites. Multigenerational living drives multi-kitchen design. Post-COVID entertaining shifted bar culture into the home. Value Has Replaced Price as the Primary Decision Driver Consumers rarely regret investing more in appliances. Longevity, performance, and service support define value. Sustainability increasingly aligns with durability. Human-Centric Design Is the New Standard Appliances must be intuitive without relying on manuals. UX consistency across appliances improves adoption. Technology must solve real problems—not create new friction. Appliances Are Expanding Beyond the Kitchen Refrigeration, coffee systems, and specialty appliances now appear throughout the home. Multi-kitchen and multi-generational design is driving specification complexity. Flexibility and modular integration are essential. Practical Innovation vs Feature Saturation Most consumers use only a small percentage of available features. Simplification improves usability, adoption, and satisfaction. Innovation must solve real problems—not marketing problems. Appliances as Infrastructure for Daily Life Refrigerators open dozens of times daily, making ergonomic design critical. Dishwashers, washers, and refrigeration now integrate into behavioral routines. Appliances increasingly support lifestyle efficiency, not just task completion. Quiet Luxury: The New Definition of Premium Quiet luxury shifts focus from visual dominance to experiential excellence. Appliances integrate seamlessly into architecture. Minimal visual disruption supports design continuity. Performance becomes more important than appearance. Identity & Evolution in Design Designers must periodically redefine themselves and their work to remain relevant. Personal growth and evolving priorities shape professional identity and approach. Burnout vs Ambition Burnout is not a badge of honor; it results from overextension and emotional labor. Ambition aligns energy with superpowers and opportunities, creating sustainable growth. Setting boundaries is essential to differentiate productive ambition from harmful overwork. Emotional Labor & Client Management Design work involves managing client emotions, expectations, and second-guessing. Designers act as liaisons between clients, contractors, and teams, absorbing invisible pressures. Managing scope creep and change orders is a practical strategy to protect both energy and profitability. Social Media & Comparison Culture Social media can amplify unrealistic expectations and unhealthy competition. Designers often feel compelled to accommodate clients' desires, sometimes overextending themselves to maintain a positive perception. These core themes coming out of the show this year tell a story that cannot be ignored. The thought process is changing. More human-centric at a time when technology seems to be taking over. Interesting times. Shifting away from that, I want to share two conversations from the show. Brandon Kirschner | Azzuro Living – Control the Process, Control the Outcome: Inside Azzurro Living's Design Advantage Brandon Kirshner of Azzurro Living explains how factory ownership, material innovation, and hands-on experimentation are redefining luxury outdoor furniture—and why relationships and resilience matter more than ever. Recorded live at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show in Orlando, this conversation with Brandon Kirshner, Partner and VP of Design at Azzurro Living, explores what it means to design, manufacture, and deliver luxury outdoor furniture with complete control over the process. Kirshner shares how owning and operating their own production facility provides a rare advantage in a crowded marketplace. This vertical integration allows Azzurro Living to oversee every step—from raw material sourcing to fabrication—ensuring performance, durability, and design integrity in extreme climates. The conversation also explores the realities of modern product manufacturing: navigating global instability, breaking through to specifiers in an oversaturated marketplace, and the renewed importance of in-person relationships. At its core, this is a story about design leadership, material obsession, and maintaining optimism in a rapidly shifting industry. Vertical Integration Changes Everything Full ownership of production facility ensures quality control Ability to experiment directly with materials and fabrication Eliminates reliance on third-party manufacturing limitations Material Innovation Drives Luxury Performance Products engineered for extreme heat and harsh winters Hands-on experimentation with rope, wicker, and aluminum Performance and longevity are core to brand value Design as the Core Differentiator Industrial design roots shape product philosophy Focus on original forms rather than “me-too” furniture Design enhances lifestyle, not just aesthetics Relationships Still Drive Specification Trade shows like High Point Market remain essential Face-to-face interaction builds trust and long-term partnerships Education through sales teams and specifier outreach is critical Resilience and Optimism in a Volatile Industry Navigating tariffs, supply chains, and global uncertainty Maintaining a solution-oriented mindset Viewing disruption as part of long-term growth In luxury outdoor furniture, control isn't just an operational advantage—it's a creative one. For Brandon Kirshner, Partner and VP of Design at Azzurro Living, ownership of the manufacturing process is the foundation of everything the company does. Unlike many competitors who rely on outsourced production, Azzurro Living operates its own factory, giving Kirshner and his team direct oversight of every detail, from raw materials to finished form. This control allows for something rare in today's manufacturing environment: true experimentation. Working directly with fabricators, Kirshner explores new weaving techniques, tests material durability, and refines structural details. The result is furniture engineered not just to look refined, but to perform in punishing environments—from desert heat exceeding 115 degrees to unpredictable seasonal extremes. Kirshner's path into furniture design began with industrial design studies, where exposure to iconic modernist designers revealed furniture as both functional object and artistic expression. That perspective continues to shape his work today, where innovation isn't driven by trend cycles, but by material curiosity and structural integrity. Launching Azzurro Living in 2020 presented immediate challenges, from supply chain disruption to economic uncertainty. Yet Kirshner views volatility as inevitable rather than exceptional. Experience has taught him that adaptability—not stability—is the constant in product manufacturing. Equally important is maintaining strong relationships within the design community. Trade shows, in-person meetings, and direct engagement remain essential tools for connecting with specifiers and building trust. In an increasingly crowded marketplace, Azzurro Living's approach is clear: control the process, push material boundaries, and let design lead. The result is furniture that reflects not just luxury, but intention. “Owning our factory gives us complete control—from raw material to finished product—and that changes everything.” “Design is the reason people invest in luxury furniture. Performance just makes it last.” “You can't innovate from a distance. Being hands-on with materials is where real progress happens.” “Trade shows and face-to-face interaction still matter because this industry runs on relationships.” “No matter what challenges come—tariffs, supply chain, geopolitics—we'll figure it out. That mindset is essential.” This is Cathy Purple Cherry – Founding Principal | Purple Cherry, freshly installed in the Convo By Design Icon Registry, we caught up at KBIS for a fresh take. Human-Centered Architecture, Resilience, and the Responsibility of Design Cathy Purple Cherry reflects on architecture as a lifelong act of care—supporting people through turbulence, embracing multigenerational living, rejecting trend culture, and using design as a tool for healing, connection, and growth. Recorded live at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, this conversation with Cathy Purple Cherry of Purple Cherry Architects explores architecture not as a moment of visual impact, but as a lifelong framework for human support. Purple Cherry shares her philosophy that architecture must evolve alongside the people it serves, especially during times of societal turbulence and personal change. Her work is grounded in human-centered thinking, emotional durability, and the belief that design can create stability amid chaos. The discussion moves beyond aesthetics into deeper territory—resilience shaped by hardship, the responsibility of creatives to provide clarity and options, and the importance of giving back. Purple Cherry also addresses the rise of multigenerational living, generational shifts in work culture, and the dangers of trend-driven design thinking. At its core, this conversation reveals architecture as both a professional discipline and a personal calling—one rooted in empathy, long-term thinking, and service. Architecture as Long-Term Support, Not Momentary Expression Design must serve people across decades, not just visual moments Architecture provides emotional stability during uncertain times Human-centered design is becoming essential, not optional Growth Through Challenge and Adversity Personal and professional hardship builds resilience Lessons learned shape better architects and stronger leaders Teaching and mentoring are essential responsibilities Multigenerational Living as a Cultural Shift Economic and social changes are reshaping American housing Families are staying connected longer Architecture must adapt to evolving family dynamics The Responsibility of Creatives in Times of Tension Architects provide clarity and solutions amid chaos Design can serve as a “relief valve” for societal stress Creatives help people reimagine how they live Rejecting Trend Culture in Favor of Lasting Design Trend cycles are often superficial and misleading True architecture transcends short-term aesthetic movements Enduring design comes from purpose, not prediction Giving Back as a Core Professional and Personal Value Sharing knowledge strengthens the profession Service to others creates deeper meaning in creative work Design is both a gift and a responsibility For Cathy Purple Cherry, architecture has never been about creating a moment. It's about supporting a lifetime. As founder of Purple Cherry Architects, with offices in Annapolis, Charlottesville, and New York City, Purple Cherry has built a practice grounded in the belief that design must evolve alongside the people it serves. Architecture, she explains, is not about solving for a single moment, but about creating environments that support human life over time. That perspective feels especially relevant today. As social, economic, and cultural turbulence reshapes how people live and work, architecture has taken on a new role—not just as shelter, but as emotional infrastructure. Spaces must provide calm, clarity, and flexibility, particularly as multigenerational living becomes more common and families remain connected longer under one roof. Purple Cherry rejects the idea that architecture should chase trends. While the industry often focuses on forecasting aesthetic movements, she believes true design transcends these cycles. Lasting architecture emerges from purpose, empathy, and a deep understanding of human behavior. Her perspective is shaped not only by decades of professional experience, but by personal adversity. Hardship, she explains, builds resilience and strengthens one's ability to serve others. That philosophy extends into her commitment to mentorship, service, and giving back—values she sees as inseparable from meaningful creative work. For Purple Cherry, architecture is both discipline and calling. It is a lifelong process of learning, teaching, and refining. And in a world defined by rapid change, her message is clear: the most important role of design is not to impress, but to support the people who live within it. “Architecture isn't about solving for a moment. It's about supporting people over time.” “Through suffering, we become stronger—and that's what allows us to better serve others.” “Anything in the built environment that can calm us and organize our lives becomes essential.” “Design should never be driven by trends. It should be driven by purpose and people.” “The meaning of life is discovering your gifts. The purpose of life is sharing them.”
Looking for daily inspiration? Get a quote from the top leaders in the industry in your inbox every morning. What's your guest experience strategy? You probably have a marketing strategy, recruitment strategy, and sales strategy, but what about intentionally turning first-time visitors into loyal advocates? Liebman Leisure Group helps attractions do exactly that. From creating a culture of “wow” moments to empowering staff to recover from service failures, great experiences don't happen by accident. To schedule a consultation call, visit www.liebmanleisure.com/attractionpros. Don't leave your guest experience to chance. You should be known for creating memorable experiences… on purpose. David Contreras is the COO of Pistil Consortia. A technical architect by trade, he has practiced architecture since 2006 and is licensed in multiple states and countries, with experience spanning healthcare, hospitality, restaurants, and commercial work. Pistil launched during the height of the pandemic with his wife as majority owner, then grew quickly by earning trust as a startup and specializing in spaces built for fun, leisure, and performance. In this interview, David talks about architecture for entertainment, balancing fantasy and reality, and developing leaders. Architecture for entertainment “It's like you're designing fun.” David explains that entertainment design starts with psychology and first impressions, not just drawings. He describes how teams must consider the guest journey from arrival to check-in to how families decide what to do next, while also accounting for safety, accessibility, and operational logistics. He also shares how his healthcare background shaped his approach, since both worlds require precision around equipment, clearances, and flow, but entertainment adds the challenge of building anticipation through what guests see, hear, and feel. Balancing fantasy and reality “You do want it to be the best space that you can possibly create, but you also have the real parameters of budget constraints and money is finite.” David breaks down how “whimsy and wonder” must fit inside real constraints like budget, ceiling height, existing structure, sprinkler lines, ductwork, and the ROI math of square footage. He describes designing with a “kit of parts” mindset, weighing attraction footprints, safety clearances, party room revenue versus dead zones, and food offerings that won't trigger expensive kitchen requirements. The goal is to place dollars where they have the biggest impact on the experience, especially the arrival moment and the areas guests see most. Developing leaders “The more that I develop leaders, I feel like the better off we are as a group, as a company.” David shares how his leadership approach evolved from highly hands-on mentoring to more delegation as the firm grew. He wants emerging architects to learn by doing, make mistakes, and build decision-making tools they can own. He also frames leadership as guiding clients through an uncertain process, building confidence, and shepherding stakeholders through complex choices that affect operations, cost, and the long-term success of the venue. To learn more about the company, David recommends visiting the Pistil Consortia website, connecting on LinkedIn, or emailing him directly at david@pistilconsortia.com. This podcast wouldn't be possible without the incredible work of our faaaaaantastic team: Scheduling and correspondence by Kristen Karaliunas To connect with AttractionPros: AttractionPros.com AttractionPros@gmail.com AttractionPros on Facebook AttractionPros on LinkedIn AttractionPros on Instagram AttractionPros on Twitter (X)
In this episode of The Passive House Podcast, host Matthew Cutler interviews New Zealand building scientist and sustainability specialist Tavis Creswell-Wells of Ecolution about overheating risk, building performance, and lessons from working in the UK. Tavis describes his path from architecture to building science, early research with BRANZ on the Building Energy End Use Study, and later experience in London with large energy modeling and rating systems including BREEAM, WELL, and Part L. He argues New Zealand's H1 code overemphasizes insulation and lacks requirements to address overheating, while Part L includes lighting, hot water, mechanical systems, and checks at design and completion. The conversation covers glazing, shading, natural ventilation limitations, PHPP overheating constraints, and using TM59 for zoned overheating analysis, and previews the Reimagine Buildings Multifamily online conference.https://ecolutionsbs.com/ecolutionThank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.
Send a textMy guest today is Chanel Cleeton, author of The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes listed in the Literature category on Art In Fiction.View the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/FN2q5JDLLEkChanel's inspiration for the novel as her love letter to books and a celebration of the power of reading.Her passion for exploring more about Cuban American history and her own heritage as the child of Cuban immigrants.Use of three time periods in the novel and the role played by the Spanish-American war in 1900, particularly the cultural exchanges between the US and Cuba that took place.How the novel feels topical given the current political situation.Challenges of writing a triple time novel with three main characters.Use of suspense in the novel.Which of the three characters (Ava in 1900, Pilar in 1966 and Margo in 2024) Chanel identifies with most.Chanel's favorite book (or books)!Reading from The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes.One thing that Chanel learned from writing this novel that she didn't realize before.What Chanel is working on now.Read more about Chanel Cleeton on her website: https://www.chanelcleeton.com/Are you enjoying The Art In Fiction Podcast? Consider giving us a small donation so we can continue bringing you interviews with your favorite arts-inspired novelists. Click this link to donate: https://ko-fi.com/artinfiction.Also, check out Art In Fiction at https://www.artinfiction.com and explore 2300+ novels inspired by the arts in 11 categories: Architecture, Dance, Decorative Arts, Film, Literature, Music, Textile Arts, Theater, Visual Arts, & Other.Want to learn more about Carol Cram, the host of The Art In Fiction Podcast? She's the author of several award-winning novels, including The Towers of Tuscany, A Woman of Note, The Muse of Fire, and The Choir. Find out more on her website....
Building on last week's call to think for yourself, Wendy explores why so many of us struggle to actually hear our own intuition in an increasingly noisy world. It's common to feel like your inner voice has disappeared, especially when we are conditioned to prioritize constant optimization over presence. How do we find that voice again? Through all the noise, intuition doesn't compete for your attention; it waits for you to create the silence necessary to hear it. To move from autopilot back into your body, Wendy offers three practical, grounding questions to help untangle the noise of expectations from the truth of your own experience. She discusses why the body is often a more reliable truth-teller than a brain that is busy trying to please and perform. By slowing down the nervous system and embracing simplicity, this episode provides the groundwork for reclaiming your peace and personal agency. It is a reminder that once you start listening to yourself, you no longer need the world to validate your path.
Hey Voices from the Bench community! Jessica Love here, sending a shoutout from Utah! If you're passionate about creating natural, beautiful smiles—but want to simplify your workflow without sacrificing aesthetics—this is for you. I'm honored to be part of Ivoclar's development team introducing a powerful new stain and glaze system featuring Structure Paste, IPS e.max Ceram Art. Create stunning depth and lifelike color in as little as one firing. Let's continue to innovate, simplify, and create meaningful change—one smile at a time. Elvis actually made it down to the exhibition halls this year — and hyperDENT from FOLLOW-ME! Technology was everywhere. Booth after booth, people were talking milling strategies, templates, and workflows. It felt like a full-on CAM takeover. Their Milling Roadmap scavenger hunt had attendees bouncing between Axsys, Imagine, D.O.F., and Roland collecting stamps like responsible adults… Responsible adults chasing a bright orange folding electric hyperDENT scooter. That's what we love about the FOLLOW-ME! team — world-class CAM engineers talking microns and validation protocols one minute, then ripping around Lab Day the next. Serious about precision. Not too serious about themselves. Big shoutout for bringing the brains — and the electric horsepower. Come see and talk to Elvis and Barb at all these amazing shows in 2026* Dental Lab Association of Texas Meeting in Dallas Apr 9-11 https://members.dlat.org/ exocad Insights in Mallorca, Spain Apr 30 - May 1 https://exocad.com/insights-2026 This week, we sit down with Richard Rosas Sr — artist, entrepreneur, removable specialist, and the man behind one of the most creative workflows we've heard in a long time. Richard's journey starts in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he grew up moving between nine schools, discovered a gift for fine art, and even earned a scholarship to Tyler School of Art and Architecture — which he turned down out of fear of becoming a starving artist. After a detour into computer programming, granite engraving, and even opening a salsa dance studio with his mom (yes, there's a South Beach nightclub moment that changed everything), Richard eventually answered a tiny newspaper ad asking, “Are you an artist?” That question led him into a dental laboratory and launched a career that would blend creativity, discipline, faith, and serious removable skills. Under intense mentorship and PTC-style training, Richard sharpened his craft in removables, eventually managing a department and earning enough respect that doctors specifically requested him chairside. One large account even pulled all their cases after Richard pushed back on unrealistic deadlines — only to return weeks later with deeper respect and loyalty. That experience shaped his philosophy: honesty, communication, and quality always win long term. His path then led him to ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers, where performing four to six arches a day gave him next-level surgical and prosthetic experience. It was there that the real lightbulb went off — immediate impression evaluation, real-time patient interaction, faster turnaround, and true collaboration between surgeon, prosthodontist, and technician completely changed his view of what was possible. Now Richard has taken that high-efficiency, patient-centered model and built something entirely his own: a boutique removable lab with a fully functional, patent-pending mobile on-site dental laboratory inside a Mercedes Sprinter van. By bringing the lab directly to private practices, he combines multiple traditional appointments into streamlined visits, delivers final dentures in as little as two weeks, processes chairside in the parking lot, and markets not only to dentists but directly to patients. His mission isn't just to make dentures faster — it's to elevate the technician's role, strengthen patient connection, and show that removables can be both efficient and beautiful. Through his new YouTube channel, Mastering Removables, he's beginning to share that knowledge with others who want to rethink what a lab can be. Hey, listeners—ever wonder what Elvis is doing when he's not recording Voices from the Bench? He's a client rep for Derby Dental Laboratory, out in the field every day doing chairside visits and building relationships. His job is simple—keep doctors happy and keep them coming back. And he couldn't do it without iCortica. Right from his phone, Elvis can see sales, remake rates, account notes, risks, and cross-sell opportunities—even before he walks through the door. No spreadsheets. No surprises. Just the info he needs to grow accounts. Stop digging for data and start taking action. Head to icortica.com and schedule your demo today. Join us at exocad Insights 2026, happening April 30–May 1, 2026, on the stunning island of Mallorca, Spain. This two-day event features powerhouse keynotes, hands-on workshops, live software demos, and top-tier industry showcases—all in one unforgettable setting. Barb and Elvis will be on site bringing you exclusive interviews, plus don't miss the FIRST 5k run on the coast! And of course, cap it all off with the legendary exoGlam Night under the stars. Tickets are limited. Visit exocad.com/insights-2026 and use code VFTBPalma15 for 15% off.Special Guest: Richard Rosas Sr.
Enterprise risk leaders are currently struggling to move beyond static, episodic checklists while managing the data "fire hose" generated by continuous monitoring. In this episode, Dean Alms, Chief Product Officer, and Eric Hensley, Chief Technology Officer at Aravo, break down how AI-native orchestration transforms fragmented risk data into a holistic, board-level resilience strategy. They examine practical shifts toward exception-based monitoring, the automation of rote tasks like document ingestion, and the necessity of governing "responsible AI" practices within the vendor ecosystem. This episode is sponsored by Aravo. Learn how brands work with Emerj and other Emerj Media options at emerj.com/partner. Want to share your AI adoption story with executive peers? Click emerj.com/expert for more information and to be a potential future guest on the 'AI in Business' podcast!
Hank Koning FAIA and Julie Eizenberg FAIA (Koning Eizenberg Architecture) join host Adam Wagoner live from the 2025 AIA Conference in Keystone for a wide-ranging conversation on the “superpowers” architects can use to shape everyday life with more dignity, inclusivity, and joy.Starting with their shared origins in Melbourne, where they met on the first day of architecture school, Hank and Julie trace the winding path that brought them to Los Angeles, from early construction-site education and “half-time” pub conversations that filled gaps in design culture, to UCLA's experimental energy and the early days of design algorithms (yes, shape grammars and punch cards).They preview their AIA talk, Superpowers, unpacking how their work moves from education to housing, using density and typology as a lens, while staying grounded in humanism. That includes making spaces feel welcoming through transparency, informality, and thoughtful user experience. They also get candid about the realities of practice, including immigration constraints that pushed them to start a firm, the pressure of licensing, the value of collaboration over auteur culture, and why they're still most inspired by the buildings of everyday communities.Watch this episode on YouTube and please subscribe!Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Pandora or wherever you get podcasts!This episode is sponsored by:AIA Colorado, the Colorado Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, the voice of the architecture profession in Colorado.Pendula is an inspiring co-working studio to connect and enable architects and practitioners in related fields (engineering, planning, development, interiors, landscape, production, and design).Check out Adam's architecture firm, High Low Buffalo!This podcast is powered by The Plug Podcast Agency and Collective Culture.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
This week on Sustainability Now!, your host, Justin Mog, tackles the issue of artificial intelligence (AI) and how we might just be able to use it to reclaim our humanity. This week, we are in conversation with Jason Delambre, a Kentucky entrepreneur, sustainability consultant, and Owner of Midwest Clean Energy Enterprise. Jason is a Certified Energy Manager who holds bachelors degrees in History and Architecture, and a Masters of Community Planning. Jason lives in Frankfort, Kentucky and works with clients to maximize profitability through effective utilization of natural resources and the development of ground‐breaking energy efficiency and carbon reducing solutions. Throughout his career, Jason has developed a unique vision of the economic and energy efficiency synergies possible through innovative business, infrastructural, financial, policy, and community organizing strategies. On January 30th, we brought Jason back to campus at UofL for another conversation about AI and Sustainability, this one called "Escaping the Grind: How AI Helped Me Reclaim My Humanity." We are often told AI will replace us. But what if it can liberate us? After 20 years of "grinding" through professional obligations and administrative exhaustion, Jason took a one-year sabbatical to see if he could rebuild his life. He shared the story of how he used AI to build a "digital scaffold" around his day-to-day life—handling the organization, the planning, and the details—so he could recover the bandwidth to focus on what matters: deep connection, creativity, and being present. Shifting the "robotic" work of our modern responsibilities to a machine allowed Jason to become a more grounded human. Jason recommends these recent articles on the impacts of AI: "Researchers Studied What Happens When Workplaces Seriously Embrace AI, and the Results May Make You Nervous" (Futurism): https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/what-happens-workplaces-embrace-ai "Something big is happening in AI — and most people will be blindsided" (Fortune): https://fortune.com/2026/02/11/something-big-is-happening-ai-february-2020-moment-matt-shumer/ As always, our feature is followed by your community action calendar for the week, so get your calendars out and get ready to take action for sustainability NOW! Sustainability Now! is hosted by Dr. Justin Mog and airs on Forward Radio, 106.5fm, WFMP-LP Louisville, every Monday at 6pm and repeats Tuesdays at 12am and 10am. Find us at https://forwardradio.org The music in this podcast is courtesy of the local band Appalatin and is used by permission. Explore their delightful music at https://appalatin.com
Episode Topic: What's The Point? Building with Circularity in MindKatie Fitzhugh, director of destruction at Repurpose Savannah, explains the importance of her work with the women-led advocacy group that is establishing a sustainable future through deconstructing, salvaging, and reusing historic buildings. Featured Speakers:Katie Fitzhugh, Director of Destruction, Repurpose SavannahRead this episode's recap over on the University of Notre Dame's open online learning community platform, ThinkND: https://go.nd.edu/87ec58.This podcast is a part of the ThinkND Series titled Restoring Reason, Beauty, and Trust in Architecture. Thanks for listening! The ThinkND Podcast is brought to you by ThinkND, the University of Notre Dame's online learning community. We connect you with videos, podcasts, articles, courses, and other resources to inspire minds and spark conversations on topics that matter to you — everything from faith and politics, to science, technology, and your career. Learn more about ThinkND and register for upcoming live events at think.nd.edu. Join our LinkedIn community for updates, episode clips, and more.
667. Part 2 of our conversation with Kathleen Kass Byrd about her book on the history of Natchitoches. "Kathleen M. Byrd's Natchitoches, Louisiana, 1803–1840 is an examination of one French Creole community as it transitioned from a fur-trading and agricultural settlement under the control of Spain to a critical American outpost on the Spanish/American frontier and finally to a commercial hub and jumping-off point for those heading west. Byrd focuses on historic events in the area and the long-term French Creole residents as they adapted to the American presence. She also examines the effect of the arrival of the Americans, with their Indian trading house and Indian agency, on Native groups and considers how members of the enslaved population took advantage of opportunities for escape presented by a new international border. Byrd shows how the arrival of Americans forever changed Natchitoches, transforming it from a sleepy frontier settlement into a regional commercial center and staging point for pioneers heading into Texas" (LSU Pr.). Kathleen M. Byrd (nicknamed Kass) is a distinguished anthropologist, archaeologist, and historian specializing in the history and prehistory of Louisiana, particularly the Natchitoches region. A native of Connecticut, she earned her B.A. from Marquette University, an M.A. from LSU (focusing on coastal subsistence patterns), and a Ph.D. from the University of Florida. She served as Louisiana's state archaeologist for 15 years before joining Northwestern State University (NSU) in Natchitoches in 1994, where she later became director of the School of Social Sciences for 12 years until her retirement. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Jim Kjelgaard. Swamp Cat. Frosty's heritage, in great measure, came from his renegade father. Incapable of fearing anything, he was sufficient unto himself and he'd known that from the first day he'd opened his eyes and looked around the shed. There was not and never would be a situation with which he could not cope or a foe from whom he would run in panic. His self-confidence was almost as vast as his curiosity. He would stand alone, or with kindred spirits. Never would he place himself at the mercy of, or pay homage to, one who was not kindred. He liked the woman. She was unfailingly kind and gentle. She knew exactly how to pet him and she ' a small point ' brought his food. But he would not, as the gray kittens did, unbend so far as to met her at the door. She was not his superior. This week in Louisiana history. February 27, 1827. New Orleans kicks off its first Mardi Gras. This week in New Orleans history. Mardi Gras Day was cancelled on February 27, 1979 due to the New Orleans Police strike. Some Orleans Parish parades were rescheduled in Jefferson Parish. This week in Louisiana. Kisatchie National Forest ' Valentine Lake Recreation Area Valentine Lake Road Forest Hill, LA 71430 Open year‑round; February is ideal for cool‑weather hiking and quiet lakeside visits Website: fs.usda.gov/kisatchie Email: KNFinfo@usda.gov Phone: (318) 473‑7160 Valentine Lake is one of Kisatchie's most peaceful recreation areas, offering scenic trails, birdwatching, and lakeside relaxation during the mild late‑winter season: Valentine Lake Trail: A 3.4‑mile loop through longleaf pine forest with excellent wildlife viewing. Picnic & Day‑Use Areas: Shaded spots along the shoreline, perfect for quiet afternoons. Fishing Access: The 46‑acre lake is stocked with bass, bream, and catfish. No fee for entry. There is a small fee for camping. Postcards from Louisiana. Sporty's Brass Band. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook.
When Trust Collapses: Efficacy, Safety, and the Architecture of Deception “A fear of knowing is a fear of doing.” — Fritz Perls There is a word that runs like a current beneath this entire discussion: trust. Trust is not sentimental. It is not emotional fragility. It is a structural requirement for any functioning medical system. When you extend your arm for an injection, when you swallow a pill, when you allow a physician to advise you on behalf of your child, you are engaging in a profound act of trust. You are accepting that the person and the institution behind that recommendation have weighed the evidence honestly, disclosed the risks fully, and placed your well-being above profit, politics, or prestige. https://garynull.substack.com/p/when-trust-collapses-efficacy-safety
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