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Our Election in Christ (1) (audio) David Eells 12/31/25 I'm going to talk to you today about our election in Christ. There is much false teaching and many misconceptions in Christianity about the doctrine of predestination, which includes calling and election, yet it's actually been a general power in my life to understand it. It's given me more faith in the Lord and more fear of the Lord. Much of the church, especially in America, rejects and even fights against it. Predestination is opposed by the Armenian doctrine or the “freewillers,” as they are called, but when you look around, you don't see the free will that people say that they have because everybody is serving something. Jesus said in (Mat.12:30) He that is not with me is against me, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. So you are either serving Him or you are serving the devil. (Psa.51:5 KJV) Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Someone who is bound in sin is not free to make a godly choice; the ability to do that comes from God Himself and it's a gift. (Joh.15:16) Ye did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit, and [that] your fruit should abide: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. Although experientially it does seem to us that we chose Him, that just lets you know how easy it is for God to put His will in you. (Joh.15:19) If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. You see, not only did He choose us, but in effect, He didn't choose someone else. Out of the whole world, He chose us. Several years ago, I heard something that has really stayed with me. I was listening to a lady talking to her adopted son, and she was trying to explain this to him. She said, “Most moms and dads don't have much of a choice. They just have to settle for what they get. But we chose you; out of all that we knew, we chose you.” That's the way it is between God and us. He didn't just settle for what came along. God knows how this universe goes on the way it does, and He foreknows the end of it. He's the God (Rom.4:17) … who giveth life to the dead, and calleth the things that are not, as though they were. And He tells us, (Isa.46:9) … for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me; (10) declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure. He chose us and He put His will in us. He chose us for what we will be; He chose us for what we will become by the grace of God. It was not the will of man that caused us to come to Jesus, it was the will of God. Paul writes (Php.2:13) … it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. And He's been doing that since before our Christian beginning. (Joh.1:12) But as many as received him, to them gave he the right (The Greek word there is exousia and it means “authority.”) to become children of God, [even] to them that believe on his name. You need to have authority to become a child of God, and only God gives authority to everyone who believes on His name because faith is a gift of God. (Joh.1:13) Who were born, not of blood (Our new birth is not like the Israelites, who had to be born into a family who made them a part of the Covenant.), nor of the will of the flesh.... Now, nothing in our flesh causes us to come to God. (Rom.8:7) Because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be. Our flesh is the enemy of God, and you would never choose to come to God, especially when you were totally bound in sin. The only One who could set you free is Jesus. (Joh.8:36) If therefore the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. Back to (Joh.1:13) Who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. This choice to come to God was no part of man; it came from God. God put a holy choice in an unholy person. If we had gone on doing our own will, our will would have always led to sin and to never serving anyone else but ourselves. It was God who reached in from the outside and put a will in us to come to Him. Romans 9 is one of the most avoided chapters in the Bible because of all the false teaching coming from the pulpits. People read Romans 9 with their preconceived ideas from their religion, so they can't understand it. If you drop all that and just read what it says, you will be able to understand it. (Rom.9:6) But [it is] not as though the word of God hath come to nought. For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel (The same thing can be said about the Church.): (7) neither, because they are Abraham's seed, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. (8) That is, it is not the children of the flesh that are children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned for a seed. (Rom.9:9) For this is a word of promise, According to this season will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. (10) And not only so; but Rebecca also having conceived by one, [even] by our father Isaac– (11) for [the children] being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth, (12) it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. (13) Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. Before any of their works Jacob was chosen. The doctrine of Arminianism says that God foreknows the future, and He predestines according to what He foreknows is going to happen or what we will do in the future. This is ridiculous when you think about it. If it was foreknown to happen anyway, why would He have to predestine it? “Predestine” or “foreordain” are two translations of the same Greek word proorizo, which means “to decide the destiny before it comes; to ordain the destiny before it comes to pass.” It doesn't mean that God looked ahead and saw what was going to happen and who would do good. Salvation would have been by works. Truly, God already knows what's going to happen because He does not dwell in time. Jacob didn't always do good but God chose him for what He would make out of him. Remember, God speaks the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). (Rom.8:29) For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained (or “predestined”) [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. That means those whom He knew before the creation, He ordained at that point, so it's not because of their works. It's not based on whether they had done anything good or bad as we just saw. I did a diligent search when I first discovered this in the Scriptures. I decided I was going to be open-minded, and I was going to see what the Bible really had to say about the subject. I wanted to see why God chose me. So I searched and I searched for the reason why God chose me above someone else and I found out, (Eph.2:3) Among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. You see, there is no reason, physically speaking, why God would choose one person over another. I discovered that one “dirt” is just as good as the next “dirt.” It's not the dirt that counts; it's what you are sowing in it. God is interested in creating the spiritual man, which has nothing to do with your old life. The new life is born-again from above and that's the spiritual man. The spiritual man, who is created in the likeness of Christ, is born of the Word. He's born from above and has nothing to do with the old nature. I was looking for a reason why God would choose me above someone else and found there is no reason. (Rom.9:21) Or hath not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? God claims the right to make whatever vessel He wants out of this same lump of clay. That means there was no difference in our natural life that caused God to choose us above anybody else. (Rom.9:14) What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. (15) For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. (16) So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that hath mercy. After we are born again, I think God spends a lot of time teaching us that it's not by our willpower. We try to save ourselves by our willpower and it doesn't work. We eventually learn that we are to walk by faith, or we won't receive what we're looking for. Some people think grace starts after you choose God, but it starts before you choose God. Otherwise, you wouldn't choose God. (Eph.2:8) For by grace (This is the Greek word charis and it means “unmerited [or unearned] favor.”) have ye been saved.... It's not that you are saved but that you have been saved. The ancient manuscripts and the Numeric text both say this, but the KJV says, “are saved.” No, you were saved, and it was by grace. (Eph.2:8) For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God. So, since we were saved by grace and it's a gift of God, that doesn't give us a reason to look down on anyone else, does it? And it doesn't give us a reason to condemn anyone in the world. It's strictly a gift from God and this gift is given to us (Eph.2:5) Even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.... When Christ was resurrected is when He “made us alive together with Christ.” (5) … (by grace have ye been saved), (6) and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly [places,] in Christ Jesus: (7) that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus (And now, we are the benefactors of this grace that was given in Christ 2,000 years ago. The people who were saved, were saved 2,000 years ago. People who are manifesting salvation now were saved then.): (8) For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God; (9) not of works, that no man should glory. Nobody will be able to brag about this salvation. We are depending upon God now as much as we were then. We have to cry out to God to give us grace to be obedient and to serve Him. He says in (Joh.15:4) Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; so neither can ye, except ye abide in me. (5) I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for apart from me ye can do nothing. (10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them. God prepared the works of His Chosen. God wrote your name in the Book of Life from before the foundation of the world (Psalm 69:28; Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5; 13:8; 20:12). Manifestly, it's being written in the Book of Life when you come to God, but your name was written from before the foundation of the world, just as God “chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.” (Eph.1:4) Even as he chose (This is the Greek verb eklego of the noun eklektos and it means “I pick out for myself, choose, elect, select.”) us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love. God chose us in Him and that means He didn't choose all. Some of you are probably asking, “But what about the ‘calling'?” I was told that God's call goes out to the whole earth to bring people to Christ. Well, that's just not true. I looked up every verse in the New Testament about “calling,” and that word is not used that way at all. (2Ti.1:9) Who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal. Notice it says here, “who saved us, and called us.” According to the doctrines of most religions, we are called and then saved; however, this invitation is to Christians only. The Greek word for “called” here is kaleo and it means “invitation.” We see in the parables of Jesus that only His people are kaleo, or “invited,” to partake of the Marriage Feast (Matthew 22:1-14; Revelation 19:9). Every place in the Bible where the word kaleo is used, everyone who was called came to Christ. They were already a Christian. When we go out and call (or invite) people through the Gospel to come to Christ, some accept and some don't, and we're finding out that those who accept are those who have His calling and the others do not. (Eph.1:18) Having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. So He saved us, then He called us and we're going to see that all the called are not necessarily going to be chosen, but all the elect will be chosen. (Mat.22:14) For many are called, but few chosen. The word “chosen” there is the same Greek word used above; it's the word eklektos, and it means “elect.” The difference between the called and the elect is that all of the elect are called, but not all of the called are the elect. Those who are saved have an invitation to partake of all of Jesus. As Christians, we are called to partake of His body and blood, which is His nature, His character and His power. The world cannot partake of that invitation; it's not even extended to them because this invitation is a Covenant offering. (Rom.10:20) And Isaiah is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I became manifest unto them that asked not of me. That shows the power of God because we did not seek Him. That shows we were not seeking Him when we found Him. It was Jesus Who came for His lost sheep. (Luk.19:10) For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost. We were the lost sheep. Think about the conversion of Apostle Paul on the Damascus road (Acts 9:1-30), You say, “God can save anybody!” God went to extremes in order to make Paul His child and His emissary to the world. Truly, God can save anybody He wants to, and He will. We didn't seek Him and the Gentiles didn't seek Him. (1Co.4:6) Now these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that in us ye might learn not [to go] beyond the things which are written; that no one of you be puffed up for the one against the other. (7) For who maketh thee to differ? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? but if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it? Why should we be puffed up about our salvation? What do we have that we didn't receive? Nothing. We think that we chose Christ. Some people look upon the lost and wonder why they cannot understand what's being said. They're thinking, “Why won't the lost be reasonable?” In a way, they're condemning the lost because they don't realize that only by the grace and mercy of God did they receive what they have. When you understand that you can't convert anybody by your works, you know to first go to God. By your works, you can fill up churches, but you can't convert anybody that way. Salvation is a gift from God. (Rom.11:35) Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? Everything comes from Him. There is nothing that God is ever going to owe anybody. (36) For of him, and through him, and unto him, are all things. To him [be] the glory for ever. Amen. Everything came from Him and everything is going back to Him. It didn't come from us and this takes away all room for pride. The first choice we made for God, the first desire we had for God, didn't come from us. It came from Him, and He can put that in anyone. This takes away all reason for pride because it's totally, 100% by God's grace. A good example is (Psa.65:4) Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach [unto thee,] That he may dwell in thy courts.... The choice comes from God first. He causes us to approach unto Him and dwell in His courts. Salvation from the curse in every form has already been given to us by faith. We need to pray to God to give us the grace to be what we need to be. (Joh.10:16) And other sheep I have which are not of this fold: them also I must bring (Notice that Jesus is talking about doing this in the future. These sheep weren't saved yet because He said, “I must bring.”), and they shall hear my voice: and they shall become one flock, one shepherd. In the days ahead, we are going to see that one flock and one shepherd, but when we study Ezekiel 34, we find that the Lord talks about how His flock was spoiled by shepherds who were doing their own will. (Eze.34:2) Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel (a type of the Church), prophesy, and say unto them, even to the shepherds, Thus saith the Lord God: Woe unto the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the sheep? (3) Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill the fatlings; but ye feed not the sheep. (4) The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought back that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with rigor have ye ruled over them. The Lord says that He is going to take all those fruitless shepherds away, and He, Himself, has promised to personally be the Shepherd of His flock. (Eze.34:11) For thus saith the Lord God: Behold, I myself, even I, will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. (12) As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered abroad, so will I seek out my sheep; and I will deliver them out of all places whither they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. (13) And I will bring them out from the peoples, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them upon the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited places of the country. (14) I will feed them with good pasture; and upon the mountains of the height of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie down in a good fold; and on fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. (15) I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord God. (16) I will seek that which was lost, and will bring back that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but the fat and the strong I will destroy; I will feed them in justice. So, the Lord is going to have physical shepherds to do this. They will be men who are vessels through whom the Spirit of the Lord is going to flow, and they will not be doing their own will. In that way, God is going to have one flock and one shepherd. But the point I want you to see here is that when Jesus says, “Other sheep I have which are not of this fold,” these are people in the future who are going to come because they were given to Him back then; you belonged to Jesus back then. (2Ti.1:9) Who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal. Some people think, “Okay, I'm predestined and there's nothing I have to worry about. I can just sit back and take it easy.” They are justifying their doctrine of “once saved, always saved.” They don't understand that God has methods to predestine. He uses those methods to predestine, and if you ignore His methods, you will not be predestined. Calvin and Luther, the people who made predestination famous, were accused of believing “once saved, always saved,” but that's not what they believed. They taught God's methods of predestination and here's one of them: Jesus said, (Joh.10:26) But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep. The people who didn't believe Jesus were not His sheep. (27) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.... Jesus' sheep have ears to hear. They hear and they follow, and the rest do not. If you teach only what Jesus taught, you will be able to recognize those who are His sheep and those who are not. Those who do not hear are the self-willed. They're going to be like the son of perdition who sits in the temple of God. (2Th.2:3) Let no man beguile you in any wise: for [it will not be,] except the falling away come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, (4) he that opposeth and exalteth himself against all that is called God or that is worshipped; so that he sitteth in the temple of God, setting himself forth as God. He is his own God for he does his own will. We've seen that here with the Unleavened Bread Bible Studies. Some people have their own ideas and as long as we adhered to the Scriptures, they just left, which needed to happen. If it wasn't that way, a little leaven would leaven the whole lump (1 Corinthians 5:6; Galatians 5:9). Jesus said, (Luk.12:51) Think ye that I am come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division. And the way He came to bring division was to use the Word like a sword. (Eph.6:17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And so He says, (Joh.10:27) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (28) and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. You probably recognize that verse the “once saved, always saved” crowd uses to justify their doctrine, but Jesus is talking about His sheep. “No one shall snatch them out of my hand” and no one can snatch them out of His hand. These are the elect; they are the chosen of God. It's not possible for them to be snatched out His hand because they hear and they follow. (Jas.1:18) Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. By His will, not our will, He brought us forth by the Word of truth. His method is to give you the gift of ears to hear the Word of truth (Deuteronomy 29:4; Matthew 13:15; Romans 11:8; etc.) In the latter days of Israel, having ears to hear is what separated those Israelites who were going into the New Testament from those who would not. And in these latter days of the Gentile Church, having ears to hear is once again separating between those who are going to go on with God and those who do not belong to God. Those who are not part of the elect are going to be drawn aside. (Joh.8:31) Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him ... (43) Why do ye not understand my speech? It's amazing to me how sometimes people just can't understand you when you are saying something very simple, but if they have ears to hear, they understand, and if they don't have ears to hear, they can't understand. Now, sometimes, because of someone's age in the Lord, their understanding may not be very deep; however, anyone who knows God should be able to understand the basic principles. (Joh.8:43) Why do ye not understand my speech? [Even] because ye cannot hear my word. They didn't have the gift of ears to hear. (44) Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father it is your will to do.... I've learned that most people have a blockage for why they don't hear. I know because it's happened to me when I was young and had a false doctrine. To the extent that someone clings to a pet doctrine, to that extent they won't hear and they won't believe anything that challenges their doctrine. Then also there can be a bigger blockage. (47) He that is of God heareth the words of God: for this cause ye hear [them] not, because ye are not of God. That's how God divides between the sheep. People who don't hear the Word of God, people who don't put the Word of God before their own thinking and their own religion, they are not of God. That's how Jesus discovered who was of God, and it's still the same today. Jesus says in (Joh.13:17) If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye do them. (18) I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen (This is again the Greek eklego, which is the verb of the noun eklektos, and it means “I pick out for myself; choose, elect.”): but that the scripture may be fulfilled: He that eateth my bread lifted up his heel against me. Jesus knew whom He had chosen, and He knew Judas was going to fall away. Judas was “called,” kaleo, but he was not “elect,” eklektos. (Joh.6:70) Jesus answered them, Did not I choose you the twelve, and one of you is a devil? (71) Now he spake of Judas [the son] of Simon Iscariot, for he it was that should betray him, [being] one of the twelve. Jesus understood that Judas was a son of the devil, yet He chose him to walk among the 12. (Joh.13:18) I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen.... He went on to explain that He was not speaking of Judas, who never had ears to hear. (Joh.6:63) It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life. (64) But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who it was that should betray him. (65) And he said, For this cause have I said unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it be given unto him of the Father. Let me point out to you that it's not who receives the call and starts out with you who is chosen; it's who is still with you at the end. (2Jn.7) For many deceivers are gone forth into the world.... John is talking about leaving Christianity. (1Jn.2:18) Little children, it is the last hour: and as ye heard that antichrist cometh, even now have there arisen many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last hour. (19) They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but [they went out,] that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us. “They” here is referring to antichrists. The Beast is antichrist in the world, but antichrist in the Church is this son of perdition. (2Jn.7) For many deceivers are gone forth into the world, [even] they that confess not that Jesus Christ cometh in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. (8) Look to yourselves, that ye lose not the things which we have wrought, but that ye receive a full reward. (9) Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son. So it's not “he who began with you” who is chosen; it's “he that abideth in the teaching.” Some people say they love the Word and seem very eager to study the Word, but there comes a point where they decide not to go any deeper, usually because it comes against their flesh. You know, lost people like knowledge. They like knowing things that other people don't know because it gives them a reason to be puffed up. The son of perdition likes knowledge, but when it comes to knowledge that demands a change in their life, that's where those people start filtering out, as the Bible says: (1Jn.2:19) They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but [they went out,] that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us. (2Jn.9) Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son. “He that abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God.” This is saying you have to be obedient to have the Father and the Son. Antichrist are those who go out from among you and are denying the Father and the Son because they are not obedient to the Word. Remember that Jesus said, (Joh.14:15) If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments. (23) Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my word: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. That's not a promise to those who are disobedient or to those who start out and don't finish the course. That's a promise to those who endure until the end. (Mat.24:13) But he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. (1Co.1:23) But we preach Christ crucified, unto Jews a stumblingblock, and unto Gentiles foolishness; (24) but unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. People who are called understand the wisdom of the Gospel, but to the rest, it's foolishness and a stumblingblock. You may preach the Gospel to somebody today, and they won't come, but they might come later on because the right foundation was finally laid and the right timing has finally come. Just because someone doesn't accept the Gospel today doesn't mean that they're forever lost but only the called are going to come. Only the called have salvation. A good example of that is, (26) For behold your calling, brethren, that not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called:].... It's not many who are called to begin with. The calling is not to all. The calling is internal; the calling is a gift from God to those who are saved. The Bible never says all are called. Everything in this world was created for the purpose of manifesting sons of God and everything that Paul did was toward that purpose. He said in (2Ti.2:10) Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. God called His Son out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1), but then He tried Him in the wilderness to find out who was going to go on to the Promised Land. Those who went on into the Promised Land were God's elect. His whole purpose was for the elect, not for those who fell away in the wilderness. You see, God's grace has been given to all those who are called, but it's the elect among the called who are going to take advantage of it and that's the difference. Paul dealt with many, but everything he did was for the few, the elect. God used Paul to fulfill His purpose. (Joh.6:37) All that which the Father giveth me shall come unto me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. You will know those who the Father gave to Jesus because they shall come to Jesus. This is very interesting because the phrase “come to me” is used many places in Scripture. Jesus told the Jews in (Joh.5:39) Ye search the scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal life; and these are they which bear witness of me; (40) and ye will not come to me, that ye may have life. That was obvious about most of the Jews then, who totally rejected everything that Jesus said. And it's obvious about those people today who reject everything that Jesus said, but did you know that some of those people who walked with Jesus, even as disciples, wouldn't come to Him? (Joh.6:66) Upon this many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Notice: 666. Only Father can cause a person to come to Jesus: (Joh.6:39) And this is the will of him that sent me, that of all that which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. (40) For this is the will of my Father, that every one that beholdeth the Son, and believeth on him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. (44) No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day. It's not possible for anyone to come unto Jesus, except the Father draws them. It is possible for them to come to church and to believe many doctrines. They can go to an altar and accept Jesus as their Savior, even though we don't see anything in the Scriptures about that. But people will not come unto Jesus unless they are drawn by God.
Welcome to SBS Armenian. In today's episode, we speak with Sebastian Majarian, Political Affairs Director of the Armenian National Committee of Australia, about key events from the past year. Topics include Advocacy Week, highlights from gala nights in Sydney and Melbourne, ongoing community advocacy, and major achievements in 2025—such as efforts to free Armenian hostages in Azerbaijan.
We'll be back soon with brand new episodes. In the meantime, we're sharing an episode from our friends at Lawless Planet, hosted by Zach Goldbaum. Lawless Planet is a podcast about the scams, crimes, and cover-ups fueling the climate crisis, and the battle between those trying to save the planet…and those cashing in on its destruction.Today's episode tells the story of the biggest biofuel scam in U.S. history. An unlikely duo – a polygamist cult leader and an Armenian mobster – spotted massive loopholes in America's clean-energy tax credits and exploited them for over one billion dollars. They thought they'd pulled off the perfect con…until the FBI and EPA caught up, aided by a young woman who escaped the cult just in time.Special thanks to: Jeff Manuel, author of Ethanol: a Hemispheric History for the Future of Biofuels.Be the first to know about Wondery's newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterListen to Scamfluencers on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/scamfluencers/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In the last year alone, IRS-CI identified more than $10 billion in financial crime executed over 1400 warrants, seized hundreds of millions of dollars in assets and maintained one of the highest conviction rates in federal law enforcement. But how do they amass these groundbreaking stats? In this episode, Matt Wilson (Director, Product Strategy, Chainalysis) speaks with Trevor McAleenan (Acting Supervisory Special Agent, IRS-CI) and he provides unique insights into the division's accomplishments and their recent Annual Report. The team discusses the evolving landscape of financial crime as cryptocurrency becomes a significant player, while shedding light on huge cases, including Armenian narcotics networks, and Chinese nationals peddling fentanyl precursors. The discussion also touches on the future of crimefighting in the world of AI and cryptocurrency, emphasizing the agency's global partnerships and strategic innovations. Minute-by-minute episode breakdown 2 | Inside IRS Criminal Investigations and Major Cryptocurrency Seizures 4 | Trevor McAleenan's Dynamic Career in IRS Criminal Investigation 7 | The Evolution of Cryptocurrency in Criminal Investigations 10 | Major Crypto Cases and Successes for IRS-CI 14 | Seizing Cryptocurrency: Challenges and Unexpected Discoveries 18 | Cracking Down on Darknet Drug Trafficking Through Cryptocurrency 23 | AI and Cryptocurrency in Modern Criminal Investigations 27 | IRS-CI's Global Impact and Career Opportunities Related resources Check out more resources provided by Chainalysis that perfectly complement this episode of the Public Key. Website: IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) serves the American public by investigating potential criminal violations of the Internal Revenue Code Publication: IRS-CI 2025 Annual Report Press Release: U.S. Attorney Announces Historic $3.36 Billion Cryptocurrency Seizure And Conviction In Connection With Silk Road Dark Web Fraud Press Release: Bitfinex hacker sentenced in money laundering conspiracy involving billions in stolen cryptocurrency Press Release: Bitcoin Fog Operator Sentenced for Money Laundering Conspiracy Blog: North Korea Drives Record $2 Billion Crypto Theft Year, Pushing All-Time Total to $6.75 Billion Blog: $35 Million in Crypto Drained in 15 Minutes: How Exchange Hacks Are Evolving and How to Prevent Them YouTube: Chainalysis YouTube page Twitter: Chainalysis Twitter: Building trust in blockchain Speakers on today's episode Matt Wilson *Host* (Director, Product Strategy, Chainalysis) Trevor McAleenan (Acting Supervisory Special Agent, IRS-CI) This website may contain links to third-party sites that are not under the control of Chainalysis, Inc. or its affiliates (collectively “Chainalysis”). Access to such information does not imply association with, endorsement of, approval of, or recommendation by Chainalysis of the site or its operators, and Chainalysis is not responsible for the products, services, or other content hosted therein. Our podcasts are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to provide legal, tax, financial, or investment advice. Listeners should consult their own advisors before making these types of decisions. Chainalysis has no responsibility or liability for any decision made or any other acts or omissions in connection with your use of this material. Chainalysis does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, suitability or validity of the information in any particular podcast and will not be responsible for any claim attributable to errors, omissions, or other inaccuracies of any part of such material. Unless stated otherwise, reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Chainalysis. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Chainalysis employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the views of the company.
It's Friday, December 26th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes written by yours truly and heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. Filling in for Adam McManus, I'm Ean Leppin. (Contact@eanvoiceit.com) Christmas for Christians Internationally Hope you and your family had a blessed Christmas Day yesterday! But in some countries celebrating Christmas is illegal and must be done in secret. Persecution.org reported what Christians in certain countries risk by acknowledging the Christmas Holiday. In Brunei, in Asia, public displays of Christmas are banned. While Christians are allowed to recognize the holiday inside their homes or churches, they can't hold any public Christmas celebrations. The nation officially banned public Christmas displays in 2014, fearing that they could lead Muslims away from Islam. Muslims found violating the ban, by wearing Santa hats or in some fashion partaking in banned Christmas festivities, could face up to five years in prison. Additionally, Christians are prohibited from spreading the gospel to Muslims. In China, they allow approved groups to hold restricted Christmas celebrations, which vary by region. Individuals younger than 18 years old are forbidden to attend Christmas church celebrations, and authorities continue their campaign to force churches to inject communism into Christian worship. In Iran, Christmas gatherings are allowed in registered churches and approved districts. Small, unregistered house-churches, particularly those of Muslim converts to Christianity, are often raided by authorities. In November 2025, two individuals who converted to Christianity from Islam began serving a two-year prison sentence for charges related to their participation in a Christian house church. In addition, all church services are forbidden to be conducted in Farsi, Iran's native language. Instead, foreign languages, such as Armenian or Assyrian, are typically used to curb the spread of Christianity to native-born Muslim-Iranians. Read about other countries in the link on our transcript at www.theworldview.com Ephesians 6:18 says "praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints" Christians Blocked from Attending Christmas Service in Indonesia Morning Star News reports that Muslims in the West Java Province, Indonesia formed a human wall to block Christians from attending a Christmas service on December 14th. Videos on social media show police officers and onlookers watching dozens of Muslim men and women holding hands to form a human chain, making anti-Christian comments. Indonesian society in recent years has adopted a more conservative Islamic character, and churches involved in evangelistic outreach are at risk of being targeted by Islamic extremist groups, according to Open Doors. Nigerian Christian Receives Full Pardon from Death Sentence A Nigerian Christian farmer who was sentenced to death after killing a Fulani radical in self-defense following an attack on his farm has been released from prison after receiving a full pardon according to the Christian Post. Christian rights advocates including US Rep. Riley M Moore of West Virginia are celebrating the release of Sunday Jackson, a student and farmer from the Demsa Local Government Area of Adamawa State, who was sentenced to death in 2021 over a 2015 confrontation on his farm. Here is Representative Riley M Moore calling attention to this issue to the US House. MOORE: “I would urge the Nigerian government to take a look at pardoning Sunday Jackson, who is an individual who was fighting for his own life, defending his life against one of these Fulani militants. That Fulani militant lost his life in that struggle, and now that person, Sunday Jackson, is facing the death penalty! Where's the justice in that? All these Fulani militants are breaking the law. They are breaking Nigerian law. And so, Sunday Jackson disarms this person with a knife, protects his own life. He's going to prison, and now faces the death penalty, and Fulani militants, just roaming bands of them, with AK-47s, and that's no problem.” Moore went on to say ‘Sunday Jackson is free! After more than a decade in prison serving a death sentence for defending himself, Sunday Jackson has been pardoned…I have been advocating for Sunday's release both in public and in private meetings, including during my recent Congressional Delegation visit to Nigeria.' Psalm 138:7 says, Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. Woman Dying of Cancer Receives Hundreds of Christmas Cards Good News Network tells of Clare Jones from Wales a mother of 3 who was told her cancer was no longer responding to treatment and given months to live made a simple request on Facebook she said, ‘After finding out last week that this is probably going to be my last Christmas. I am looking for ways to make it super special! I'm a simple person who likes simple things. I love Christmas Cards! I would love to have lots of cards this year!...when you are doing your cards could you pop an extra one for me?' That post was shared 10,000 times and her mailbox has received hundreds of cards this holiday season. Many of the cards contain show and movie tickets, vouchers for camping trips, free flights and other gifts. Jones told the BBC ‘I have many people around me who care for me. If love could cure cancer, I would be cured.' Close And that's The Worldview on this Friday, December 26th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. Filling in for Adam McManus I'm Ean Leppin (Contact@eanvoiceit.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.
Where does your field jacket actually come from? Were WWII soldiers the original hypebeasts? What is the M-43 jacket? Sol and Michael sit down with Avery Trufelman, host of Articles of Interest and 99% Invisible veteran, to break down the military origins of menswear and why everyone's suddenly obsessed with gorpcore. The trio dive deep into the history of the M-65 field jacket, how World War II military surplus shaped American fashion, the invention of layering (yes, someone had to invent it), why Special Forces operators became fashion influencers, and the complicated ethics of wearing military aesthetics as civilians. Further, Avery shares insights from her latest podcast season "Gear," explaining the connection between outdoor brands and military contracts, the decline of army surplus stores, why The Row is making combat boots now, and how Buck Mason's militaria collection tells the story of American style. They also discuss Vivienne Westwood's punk legacy, the upcoming Antwerp Six book, athleisure as health signifier, Rick Owens' influence on tactical fashion, women's gear and the "pink it and shrink it" problem, plus whether military fashion makes you complicit in something larger. Other topics include: the Parsons jacket and Supreme-style military drops, George Doria inventing venture capital AND the field jacket, challenge coins and PowerPoint patch design, Americana Pipe Dream's hunt for rare surplus, Cher and the Armenian diaspora (a future episode?), and why fashion never really goes away — it just cycles back.Want to support the podcast? Subscribe to our HeroHero for giveaways, extra episodes, and more!We hope you enjoy just as much as we did recording!Lots of love!Sol---Episode Tags: Avery Trufelman, Articles of Interest, military fashion, field jacket history, M-65 jacket, gorpcore 2025, menswear history, military surplus, tactical fashion, outdoor gear fashion, American style origins, 99% Invisible, fashion podcast, cargo pants history, Special Forces fashion, athleisure, Rick Owens menswear, The Row combat boots, Vivienne Westwood, punk fashion origins, Antwerp Six, Buck Mason, vintage military clothing, workwear fashion, heritage menswear, Americana Pipe Dream, OG-107 pants, archival fashion, techwear, Stone Island, CP Company, Helmut Lang, fashion trend forecasting, militaria collection, Patagonia military, Arc'teryx fashion, North Face history, functional fashion 2026Sol Thompson and Michael Smith explore the world and subcultures of fashion, interviewing creators, personalities, and industry insiders to highlight the new vanguard of the fashion world. Subscribe for weekly uploads of the podcast, and don't forgot to follow us on our social channels for additional content, and join our discord to access what we've dubbed “the happiest place in fashion”.Message us with Business Inquiries at pairofkingspod@gmail.comSubscribe to get early access to podcasts and videos, and participate in exclusive giveaways for $4 a month Links: Instagram TikTok Twitter/X Sol's Substack (One Size Fits All) Sol's Instagram Michael's Instagram Michael's TikTok
In EVN Report's news roundup for the week of December 26: the Armenian government is prepared to fund the rehabilitation of several strategic railway segments, currently under Russian management, should the Russian side fail to fulfill its obligations; ICRC visits all Armenians currently held in Azerbaijan; the World Bank approves a $250 million grant for immediate housing assistance to Artsakh Armenians.
In EVN Report's news roundup for the week of December 26: the Armenian government is prepared to fund the rehabilitation of several strategic railway segments, currently under Russian management, should the Russian side fail to fulfill its obligations; ICRC visits all Armenians currently held in Azerbaijan; the World Bank approves a $250 million grant for immediate housing assistance to Artsakh Armenians. The post World Bank Approves Grant to Support Refugee Housing in Armenia appeared first on EVN Report.
Mazel Morons, and Merry Christmas! Today, Santa crash-landed into the studio - except it's actually just Nick Antonyan (aka the one and only Jonah) in a full Santa suit. We get into Jewish Christmas discourse, Armenian holiday food, unhinged Christmas gifts, Hollywood manifestation, and a surprisingly sincere convo about betting on yourself and making impossible dreams happen. Plus: airline maps, childhood obesity, and why Nick goes all out for the holiday these days. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and Happy New Year! Leave us a voicemail here!Follow us on Instagram and TikTok! Sponsors:Nutrafol - For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners ten dollars off your first month's subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code GOODGUYS10.Vital Vitamins - Vital Vitamins is offering my listeners 20% of all orders with code GOODGUYS at myvitalvitamins.comFunction - Visit www.functionhealth.com/GOODGUYS or use gift code GOODGUYS25 for a $25 credit towards your membership.Hims - To get simple, online access to personalized, affordable care for ED, Hair Loss, Weight Loss, and more, visit Hims.com/GOODGUYS.Vivrelle - Go to www.vivrelle.com and apply for a membership today using code goodguys for your first month of membership FREEPlease note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this electrifying episode we welcome the fabulous Phil Stallone — celebrity psychic, tarot reader, and Armenian coffee-cup diviner — for an unforgettable mix of laughs, intuition, and a sprinkle of scandal and year end predictions. Segment 1: Meet The Psychic StalloneStill in New York, Pol' and Patrik kick things off with pure sass: “He's gay as f*** — like our T-shirt line!” Phil dives into his world of tarot, astrology, and TikTok fame, warning about online imposters and offering listeners a cheeky discount code “BILL10.” Between OnlyFans jokes, foot-pic confessions, and playful flirting, the vibe is pure entertainment. Phil recalls a decade in Hollywood's film industry before trading set design for spiritual design — swapping props for pentacles. Segment 2: Cards & CacklesArmed with tarot decks, Phil reads both hosts with flair. “Mercury's retrograde, bitch,” he warns as the cards reveal transformation and power.✨ Highlights: · Eight of Swords → Breaking free from mental limits. · The Tower → “Wake-up energy” bringing new beginnings. · Queen of Wands → Confidence and manifestation. · Queen of Pentacles → Abundance and partnership.Phil praises Pol's and Patrik's bond (“two queens slizzy-slaying together”) and lovingly includes their iconic pup Snow White 90210, saying animals heighten their good energy. Segment 3: Love, Loss & Leveling UpThe convo deepens as Phil opens up about past relationships and resilience. Between heartfelt moments, he jokes, “You don't need a husband, you need a butler!” reminding everyone that self-love is the best magic. Segment 4: Manifestation MagicThe energy rises with The Magician, Judgment, and Ace of Wands—a triple cosmic confirmation that big creative wins are ahead. Phil urges them not to sign contracts during Mercury Retrograde (“Wait till the 29th!”) and to write intentions, burn them, and manifest like queens. Yet not all is glitter: The Knight of Pentacles and Page of Swords hint at a sneaky, younger energy. “More levels, more devils,” Phil says, reminding them that haters are just background noise. Segment 5: Hollywood Tea & FarewellPhil teases connections with Julie Pacino, jokes about Staten Island winters, and dreams of L.A. sunshine. As laughter fills the studio, Patrik flips their signature line: “Usually we undress our guests—but today, we got undressed by you.” A fiery mix of psychic insight, celebrity tea, and fabulous humor, this episode proves that healing can sparkle as bright as couture. This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or the Hurrdat Media YouTube channel! Subscribe to our audio:
This was the first email response SHLTMM received from Karina stating, "my mom and I have always been really close. She has always been super supportive of me wanting to pursue music. She always knew along with her late father that I would grow up to be musical because as a baby I would hum and sing songs before I was able to speak. I've been really blessed with great parents who both attend nearly every one of my performances since I first started performing. I'm very lucky to have a very supportive and close family."If truly was effortless speaking with Norma and Karina. Norma shared stories of her mother and father, both Armenian and both very present in her life, especially before and after Karina was born. As I mentioned earlier, Karina was a preemie baby and Norma was bed ridden in the hospital for a number of weeks before her daughter was born. Norma's mother , Karina's grandmother instilled confidence in her daughter and helped her stay strong during the tough times. Again, the pediatric doctor's told Norma that her baby may not make it to certain milestones, yet Norma was confident because of her mother's endless support and wisdom. MANHATTAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC:https://www.msmnyc.edu/livestream/vartanian-2025/CLASSIC LYRICS ARTS:https://www.classiclyricarts.org/karina-vartanian-berkshiresRecent PerformancesBIO:KARINA VARTANIAN is a recent graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, where she earned her Bachelor of Music and received the Josephine C. Whitford Award, a commencement honor recognizing exceptional achievement. Her partial opera role credits include Frasquita (Carmen), Fiordiligi (Così fan tutte), Zweite Dame (Die Zauberflöte), Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni), La Contessa (Le nozze di Figaro), Zerlina (Don Giovanni), Susanna (Le nozze di Figaro), and Barbarina (Le nozze di Figaro). Karina recently participated in the Bel Canto Masterclass with Maya Sypert and performed in a concert with The Art Song Preservation Society of New York (2025). This summer, she will make her operatic role debut as Zerlina in Don Giovanni at the Winter Harbor Music Festival. In 2019, she was a solo finalist in the Armenian Youth Talent Competition at Carnegie Hall. She was invited to sing for the pontifical visit of His Holiness Aram I at the Rainbow Room (2023) and was recently invited to perform at the 40th Anniversary Banquet celebrating Archbishop Anoushavan at Terrace on the Park. Karina is a contracted soloist with The Opera Collective (2024–25) and a proud recipient of the AGBU Arts Scholarship (2023–25). At MSM, she served as Chair of Communications for the Womxn Organization, where she helped launch the school's first-ever Women's History Month series and programmed the inaugural Women's History Month Concert. She currently serves as a Board Member and Social Media Manager for The Gilbert and Sullivan Light Opera Company of Long Island.SOCIAL MEDIA:FACEBOOK:https://www.facebook.com/p/Karina-Vartanian-Soprano-100094657226530/#IG:@KARINAVARTTLINKEDIN:KARINA VARTANIANyoutube.com/@karinavartt "Should Have Listened To My Mother" is an ongoing conversation about mothers/female role models and the roles they play in our lives. Jackie's guests are open and honest and answer the question, are you who you are today because of, or in spite of, your mother and so much more. You'll be amazed at what the responses are.Gina Kunadian wrote this 5 Star review on Apple Podcast:SHLTMM TESTIMONIAL GINA KUNADIAN JUNE 18, 2024“A Heartfelt and Insightful Exploration of Maternal Love”Jackie Tantillo's “Should Have Listened To My Mother” Podcast is a treasure and it's clear why it's a 2023 People's Choice Podcast Award Nominee. This show delves into the profound impact mother and maternal role models have on our lives through personal stories and reflections.Each episode offers a chance to learn how different individuals have been shaped by their mothers' actions and words. Jackie skillfully guides these conversations, revealing why guests with similar backgrounds have forged different paths.This podcast is a collection of timeless stories that highlight the powerful role of maternal figures in our society. Whether your mother influenced you positively or you thrived despite challenges, this show resonates deeply.I highly recommend “Should Have Listened To My Mother” Podcast for its insightful, heartfelt and enriching content.Gina Kunadian"Should Have Listened To My Mother" would not be possible without the generosity, sincerity and insight from my guests. In 2018/2019, in getting ready to launch my podcast, so many were willing to give their time and share their personal stories of their relationship with their mother, for better or worse and what they learned from that maternal relationship. Some of my guests include Nationally and Internationally recognized authors, Journalists, Columbia University Professors, Health Practitioners, Scientists, Artists, Attorneys, Baritone Singer, Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist, Activists, Freighter Sea Captain, Film Production Manager, Professor of Writing Montclair State University, Attorney and family advocate @CUNY Law; NYC First Responder/NYC Firefighter, Child and Adult Special Needs Activist, Property Manager, Chefs, Self Help Advocates, therapists and so many more talented and insightful women and men.Jackie has worked in the broadcasting industry for over four decades. She has interviewed many fascinating people including musicians, celebrities, authors, activists, entrepreneurs, politicians and more.A big thank you goes to Ricky Soto, NYC based Graphic Designer, who created the logo for "Should Have Listened To My Mother".Check out the SHLTMM Podcast website for more background information: https://www.jackietantillo.com/Or more demos of what's to come at https://soundcloud.com/jackie-tantilloLink to website and show notes: https://shltmm.simplecast.com/Or Find SHLTMM Website here: https://shltmm.simplecast.com/Listen wherever you find podcasts: https://www.facebook.com/ShouldHaveListenedToMyMotherhttps://www.facebook.com/jackietantilloInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/shouldhavelistenedtomymother/https://www.instagram.com/jackietantillo7/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-tantillo/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@ShouldHaveListenedToMyMother
Again Paul answers the obvious question based on what he had just said. He said that God used the unrighteousness of man, specifically in the case of David, to show He is the one who changes the heart so that He is just when He declares a man innocent. The obvious question for those who love sin is why don't we just sin more, if God uses the sin of man to prove His faithfulness and righteousness? Should we not just pursue sin? The answer is obviously of course not. Increasing sin in the world is not a blessing, otherwise how could God judge the world. Just because our sin results in the glory of God doesn't mean that it is unjust for God to judge the sin. Because people don't understand (or don't want to understand) what Paul is saying, they pretend that he is pointing them to be greater sinners since God will use their great sin for His glory. Armenians continue to use this argument against Calvinists. If God is going to save who He is going to save, our sin doesn't matter. That is as much a lie now as it was at the time of David.
In this sparkling, soulful episode of Undressed with Pol' and Patrik, the fabulous duo welcome the radiant entrepreneur Allyse Cirillo, founder and CEO of St. Joe — a plant-based skincare brand born from heritage, heart, and hustle. From the moment she joins the New York studio, Pol' and Patrik can't stop gushing over her glowing skin and confident vibe. As the convo unfolds, Allyse opens up about naming her brand St. Jo in honor of her grandmothers (both named Josephine!) and the deep spiritual connection she felt when building something that would carry their legacy. ✨ The Glow-Up Story She shares her personal transformation, including a natural 85-pound weight loss — achieved not through shortcuts, but by embracing a back-to-basics approach: clean eating, movement, and mindset. The decision was rooted in a deep emotional turning point after years of corporate burnout and feeling disconnected from her purpose. With her husband by her side (and yes, he's “tall, dark, and handsome”), she made the leap from a 15-year corporate career into creating St. Jo, a line of skincare and wellness products that nourish from the inside out.
In 1908, the Ottoman Empire was on the brink of collapse. The despotism of Sultan Abdul Hamid II had stifled political life for decades, but a military uprising in Macedonia would soon change everything.In this episode of Explaining History, Nick explores one of the great forgotten revolutions of the 20th century: the Young Turk Revolution. Drawing on Eugene Rogan's masterful book The Fall of the Ottomans, we delve into how the Committee of Union and Progress (CUP) forced the Sultan to restore the constitution, sparking scenes of jubilation across the empire where Turks, Arabs, and Armenians briefly united as "Ottomans."But why did this moment of hope turn to disillusionment? Why did the revolutionaries leave the Sultan on the throne? And how did the failure to address deep social and economic crises pave the way for the brutal nationalism that would define the empire's final years?Key Topics:The 1908 Revolution: How junior officers forced the Sultan's hand.The Committee of Union and Progress (CUP): The secret society that seized power.Constitutional euphoria: The brief moment of multi-ethnic unity.The limits of political revolution: Why changing the constitution wasn't enough to save the empire.Books Mentioned:The Fall of the Ottomans by Eugene RoganThe Balfour Declaration by Jonathan SchneerExplaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.▸ Support the Show & Get Exclusive ContentBecome a Patron: patreon.com/explaininghistory▸ Join the Community & Continue the ConversationFacebook Group: facebook.com/groups/ExplainingHistoryPodcastSubstack: theexplaininghistorypodcast.substack.com▸ Read Articles & Go DeeperWebsite: explaininghistory.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
SUMMARY: Guest: Lara Silverman — comedic actress, jazz singer, violinist, author, Stanford Law grad; formerly a federal prosecutor. -Faith roots: Grew up in a large Romanian Christian family (with Syrian Christian heritage); accepted Christ at 7; faith deepened after her aunt's death from cancer. -Calling to law: Loved advocacy and public speaking; passed the bar after intense study; landed her dream role as a federal prosecutor in San Francisco. -Health crisis: Fell acutely ill in week two on the job with a rare, under-researched neurological vertigo disorder; tried ~30–150 therapies and ~38 medications (often worsened symptoms); bedridden for three years on a bedpan; ultimately resigned her post. -Ongoing illness: Continues to experience constant spinning sensations; multiple tentative diagnoses, no definitive cure; learned to walk again despite worsening symptoms when upright. -Spiritual wrestle: Initial confusion turned to seasons of bitterness and anger (more than depression); felt misunderstood by some believers when she sensed God calling her to accept ongoing suffering. -Acceptance and surrender: Believes God spoke that she would not be fully healed on this side of eternity; fasting exposed idols of health, marriage, and career; moved toward surrender and trust. -Meeting Matt: Church acquaintance (youth leader) who reached out during her bedridden years; he had suffered childhood cancer and was later diagnosed with terminal cancer; they formed a deep bond through shared suffering. -Marriage and loss: Married despite her illness and his terminal diagnosis; experienced “joy in grief” through ministry and creativity; Matt died a year later; Lara testifies to God's peace and preparation through the loss. -Joy amid grief: Practiced finding “sprinkles of joy” (comedy clips, music, niece's smile, devotionals); launched The Silverman Show (YouTube: comedy, music, theology); organized jazz fundraisers, including $13K raised for Haiti. -Theology of suffering: *Critiques “prosperity gospel light” in American church; calls for preparing believers to suffer well. *Emphasizes biblical themes: joy in suffering; God's intentional purposes; eternal rewards (e.g., “crown of life”); 2 Corinthians 4:17's “eternal weight of glory.” *Points to Isaiah 61 (double portion/redemption), 1 Peter 1:7 (tested faith), Job-like redemption ultimately fulfilled in eternity. *Cites Helen Roseveare's testimony about trusting God in suffering. -Identity transformation: Early identity tied to achievement and “gold stars”; illness stripped these; learned identity in Christ, not performance; challenged by Matt's loving rebukes about pride and usefulness. -Honest struggles: Jealousy when others receive “basic blessings” (marriage, children, health); wrestled with God's statement “I know what's best for you”; learning to believe God's wisdom without having micro-level reasons. -Church's role: Encourage sound theology of suffering, eternal perspective, and the call to “joy in grief”; avoid equating God's love solely with earthly blessings. -Memoir: Wrote her memoir from bed over eight months, capturing God's “receipts” (journaled answers, provisions, and lessons); aims to comfort sufferers with biblical reasons for suffering and stories of God's nearness. -Hope redefined: Realistic hope is anchored in eternity (John 11:25); freedom from fear of death empowers purposeful living now. -Key scriptures referenced: 2 Corinthians 4:17 (eternal glory) 1 Peter 1:7 (tested genuineness of faith) Isaiah 61 (redemption, double portion) Isaiah 43:19–20 (streams in the wilderness) Romans 8:29 (conformed to Christ) John 11:25 (life beyond death) -Core takeaway: God provides “streams in the desert.” Open your heart to receive and choose joy in the midst of grief; joy and sorrow can coexist, and God will redeem suffering—fully in eternity, and often with foretastes now. PODCAST INTRO: What happens when the life you planned—brilliant career, healthy body, tidy faith, marriage and children—collides with relentless suffering? For comedian, jazz singer, author, violinist, and Stanford-trained attorney Lara Silverman, that colission became a calling. Lara spent years pursuing her dream of becoming a federal prosecutor—years of academic discipline, devoted goal setting, and passionate pursuit. After graduating from Stanford, she enters the grueling vetting and elimination process of 1000 hopeful lawyers with the goal of making it to the top 3. When she learns that she made it in the top 3 her dream becomes a reality…she is standing at the pinnacle of a major goal in her life. She was accepted as a federal prosecutor and begin the task of fully stepping into that role. Until in her second week on the job, she fell violently ill with what would later be discovered as a rare, unresolved neurological condition that keeps her in a constant state of the world spinning around her. She endures that condition to this day…8 years now, 3 of which left her bedridden, on a bedpan, being cared for and nursed by her parents. Thirty-eight medications failed. Careers, plans, family timelines—all stripped away. In her personal dark valley of multi layered deaths, her testimony is that not only does God meet her there, He has never left her. True to being a trained lawyer, in her effort to make sense of her spinning, crumbling world she uses the Word/Bible to question God's goodness and His fairness demanding that He explain Himself. She's met with firm, steady, unwavering love that consistently engages her pain inviting her from striving to surrender. Through Lara's fasting, God exposed hidden idols—health, marriage, career—not to shame her, but to set her free. Because I think we all know that if we build our lives on things that will fade, change, transition, not to mention the fact that we have no guarantees on anything we risk losing ourselves into despair and ruin. Then came an unlikely gift. As Lara lay in bed, a church acquaintance—Matt Silverman, a brilliant, joy-filled believer battling terminal cancer—began calling to pray and wrestle through theology with her. Friendship became love. They married, held jazz benefit concerts for Haiti, launched a small YouTube channel, and practiced “joy in grief” as a spiritual discipline. Exactly one year later, Matt went home to Jesus. Lara's testimony is not tidy. She speaks frankly about anger, bitterness, jealousy, and the ache of unanswered prayers. Yet she clings to promises many avoid: that suffering refines faith (1 Peter 1), forges intimacy with Christ, prepares us for eternity (2 Corinthians 4), and—even here—can be met with streams in the desert (Isaiah 43). She believes God will redeem every loss, whether in the here and now or in eternity—and that the doctrine of reward, often neglected, gives sturdy hope when the nights are long. Her invitation is simple but not without surrender and therefor difficult: Look for “sprinkles of joy” each day. Refuse to waste your pain—serve others through it. Live now with eternity in view. If you're not afraid to die, you can truly live. Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing. That's Lara's way through the wilderness—and a lifeline for anyone walking it today. In her memoir, Singing Through the Fire, she chronicles all of that's happened, how God shows up, the challenges she's put before Him and vice versa. What does it look like to struggle with God ? Lara provides examples, proof that He doesn't leave even when our faith is weak and ungodly. He holds us up when our faith falters and He sustains us through the most devastating emotional, mental, physical, battles. Let's listen in and find a reason to hope again, to find joy and to be comforted in what can feel like the wilderness. Live Loved and Thrive! Sherrie Pilk CONNECT WITH LARA: Main Hub: https://linktr.ee/Larap3 Amazon link for her book: https://a.co/d/ayQyB52 Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lara.palanjian.silverman Instagram handle: @larapalanjian Youtube: https://youtu.be/TDcUeQrbVZk Watch the deeply moving BOOK trailer here: https://youtu.be/TDcUeQrbVZk Watch the second BOOK trailer here: https://youtube.com/shorts/bO34s0tLYyY?si=uTMALdhOPB6TOCnt RESOURCES PER LARA: Helen Roseveare's testimony: https://youtu.be/VJCCx-qiZ24?si=ANuKzA-A-F6kwEkt Podcast: Keep an eye/ear out for her new podcast: Singing Through Fire w/Lara Silverman BIO: Lara Silverman is a Christian author, lawyer, jazz singer, comedic actress, violinist, and songwriter. She holds a J.D. from Stanford Law School and a B.A. in both Economics and Political Science from UC Berkeley. Before falling seriously ill in 2018, Lara worked for two federal judges and practiced high stakes litigation for three years at Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP, where she specialized in intellectual property, antitrust, and contract cases of all kinds. In 2023, Lara co-founded The Silverman Show—a multifaceted comedy, music, and theology show—and released her debut jazz/pop album as her own music producer in February 2024. In September 2024, she debuted as Mrs. Serious in her solo Armenian comedy show online, amassing upwards of 300,000 views on individual videos on Instagram. Lara's writing has been featured in various respected Christian blogs, where her reflections on faith, suffering, and grace have encouraged readers across diverse audiences. Even as she remains mostly bedridden today, she anchors her unwavering hope in God.
You stopped running. I see you.The world is swirling around you,but you're still, you're silent, you're calm,you're Home,we're being Heaven on earth right now.And our work is to continue to be that Heaven,to continue to be (t)His Light,His Face.I see You everywhere.And I love You. And I bless You. And I Am blessed by You. Support the show:▶▶https://www.patreon.com/goodmornings__________________________________________Today's Quotes: "After you see the face, concerns change." - Rumi"To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides."- David Viscott"The same way we are not created to rely on yesterday's food and water for today's physical nourishment, we cannot rely on yesterday's time spent in prayer and the word for today's spiritual nourishment. You must feast daily." - @faithfulfootprints via IG"...Prayer is our primary duty. Prayer is the reason why God has placed us on earth. - Pere Jacques"See the face that was my home.My loving says, I will let go of everything for that.My soul begins to keep rhythm, as if music were playing.Mv reason says, What do you call this cypress-energy that straightens what was bent double?All things change in this presence.Armenians and Turks no longer know which is which.Soul keeps unfolding inward.The body leaves the body.A wealth you cannot imagine flows through you." - Rumi, The Big Red Book"There is something here that is somehow a part of your calling, your mission in life. It's glorifying God in your unique way. It won't always be clear, but if you continue day after day to move according to His promptings, one day you'll look back, amazed at how God used you to be a light in this world. What are you passionate about?"- Sister Mary Scholastica, O.C.D."If you're looking for an escape today, run to Jesus.And you will no longer find yourself escaping but resting."- Selah
This week, Undressed with Pol & Patrik gets raw, real, and radiant with the fabulous Guerdy Abraira — star of The Real Housewives of Miami, powerhouse event planner, breast cancer survivor, and author of the deeply personal new memoir Trauma to Trophies. From couture gowns to chemo, Guerdy opens up about her extraordinary journey of resilience, creativity, and reinvention. She joins Pol and Patrik for a candid conversation that's equal parts laughter, love, and life lessons — and yes, a little coffee reading magic too. ☕
0:00 - Introduction: Why is Israel the internet's villain?1:45 - Shift in public perception and political criticism of Israel3:00 - Online reactions to the ceasefire and continued protests5:51 - Defining Zionism: History and misunderstandings9:25 - APEC, lobbying, and Jewish influence in American politics15:24 - Rise of anti-Israel sentiment across political and religious groups17:07 - Talmud, spitting controversies, and treatment of Christians in Israel19:29 - Armenian experience in Israel and unresolved tensions22:50 - Gaza, October 7th, and the international response24:11 - Proportional comparison between October 7th and 9/1126:27 - Accusations of genocide and media manipulation in the conflict30:15 - Double standards and the misuse of scholarly consensus32:19 - Misconceptions about Israeli society and demographics34:44 - Campus antisemitism and failure to protect Jewish students
In EVN Report's news roundup for the week of December 12: Armenia and Germany sign joint declaration on a new Strategic Agenda for bilateral partnership; Yerevan and Baku begin talks on potential export of Azerbaijani fuel to Armenia; Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan proposes a joint roadmap with Azerbaijan to close two issues: the return of Armenians to Nagorno-Karabakh and Baku's so-called “Western Azerbaijan” narrative and more.
Ana Kasparian joins Bill Maher for a wild Club Random ride that swerves from Armenian moms with rolling pins and post-coital crossword puzzles to explosive debates on Israel-Gaza, trans rights, and California chaos. They spar thoughtfully on the AI job apocalypse and crime reforms gone wrong, Ana gets personal about her pandemic marriage, leaving the progressive bubble, and why she chose empathy over endless political rage. They clash hard on Israel-Gaza but never shut each other down– proving you can disagree fiercely and still respect the hell out of each other. Smart, funny, unfiltered, and surprisingly vulnerable. Subscribe to the Club Random YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/clubrandompodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Watch episodes ad-free – subscribe to Bill Maher's Substack: https://billmaher.substack.com Subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you listen: https://bit.ly/ClubRandom Support our Advertisers: Make hiring a little merrier! Try ZipRecruiter for free at https://www.ziprecruiter.com/random Head to https://www.squarespace.com/CLUBRANDOM to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CLUBRANDOM. Try Claude for free at https://www.claude.ai/clubrandom Smoke-free satisfaction at https://www.zyn.com Buy Club Random Merch: https://clubrandom.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices ABOUT CLUB RANDOM Bill Maher rewrites the rules of podcasting the way he did in television in this series of one on one, hour long conversations with a wide variety of unexpected guests in the undisclosed location called Club Random. There's a whole big world out there that isn't about politics and Bill and his guests—from Bill Burr and Jerry Seinfeld to Jordan Peterson, Quentin Tarantino and Neil DeGrasse Tyson—talk about all of it. For advertising opportunities please email: PodcastPartnerships@Studio71us.com ABOUT BILL MAHER Bill Maher was the host of “Politically Incorrect” (Comedy Central, ABC) from 1993-2002, and for the last fourteen years on HBO's “Real Time,” Maher's combination of unflinching honesty and big laughs have garnered him 40 Emmy nominations. Maher won his first Emmy in 2014 as executive producer for the HBO series, “VICE.” In October of 2008, this same combination was on display in Maher's uproarious and unprecedented swipe at organized religion, “Religulous.” Maher has written five bestsellers: “True Story,” “Does Anybody Have a Problem with That? Politically Incorrect's Greatest Hits,” “When You Ride Alone, You Ride with Bin Laden,” “New Rules: Polite Musings from a Timid Observer,” and most recently, “The New New Rules: A Funny Look at How Everybody But Me Has Their Head Up Their Ass.” FOLLOW CLUB RANDOM https://www.clubrandom.com https://www.facebook.com/Club-Random-101776489118185 https://twitter.com/clubrandom_ https://www.instagram.com/clubrandompodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@clubrandompodcast FOLLOW BILL MAHER https://www.billmaher.com https://twitter.com/billmaher https://www.instagram.com/billmaher Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Something is rotten in the state of Armenia. Many know aboutthe Armenian Genocide from the early 20th Century. Few realize that the same threats continue to loom over Armenian Christians still. In recent years, Azerbaijan ethnically cleansed over 100,000 Armenians from their ethnic homeland in Nagorno-Karabakh. Is there a pattern between these actions from the last century and today?And why are there several Armenian archbishops sitting injail right now – in Armenia? Would the Armenian government really attack the Armenian Christian Church? Joining Andy to address these and other issues is Joel Veldkamp. Joel serves with Christian Solidarity International (CSI) and provides shocking insights into the sobering situation in Armenia. If you find this episode helpful, please give us a positiverating and review wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. Also share this episode with a friend so they too can be blessed by these insights.To learn more about resources mentioned in this episode, seethe following:Christian Solidarity International (CSI) Website : https://csi-usa.org/ Link for sending a letter on behalf of Suleiman Khalil: https://www.csi-int.org/campaigns/suleiman-khalil/In Days of Darkness: A Manual for Ordinary Christians FacingUnusual Times, by Andy Coleman (Book):https://www.amazon.com/Days-Darkness-Ordinary-Christians-Unusual/dp/1636985734 Christian Emergency Alliance (Website):https://www.christianemergency.com/Christian Emergency Alliance (Twitter / X):https://x.com/ChristianEmerg1Christian Emergency Alliance (Facebook):https://www.facebook.com/christianemergencyChristian Emergency Alliance (Instagram):https://www.instagram.com/christianemergencyalliance/The Christian Emergency Podcast is a production of theChristian Emergency Alliance.Soli Deo Gloria
Vegas meets Bravo in this glittering special as the couture power couple sit down with the fabulous Margaret Josephs of The Real Housewives of New Jersey. Filmed at the luxurious Four Seasons Las Vegas, with podcast space sponsored by Scooter's Coffee, the conversation flows with laughter, candor, and plenty of caffeinated charm. Pol'—ever the non-drinker—sips rich Armenian coffee while Patrik enjoys something stronger, teasing their guest that her signature mocktail line, Soirée, could use “a splash of vodka.” Margaret laughs, explaining that Soirée celebrates inclusion and elegance: “I'm a non-judgy, non-drinker, but I want everyone to have fun together.” The trio reminisce about how they met before Margaret's RHONJ debut in 2017. She opens up about joining the show during a turbulent time marked by a $12 million lawsuit. “I came to Housewives with a business,” she reflects. “I needed to rebuild—and I did.” Pol' and Patrik celebrate her resilience: “Whether you're a housewife or not, you're a powerhouse.” From BravoCon buzz to Bravo tea, no topic is off-limits. Margaret comments on Teresa and Joe's reconciliation, celebrates Dolores's engagement, and spills the truth behind the reality: “It's not scripted. We're all Type A—real friendships, real fights.” Then comes the moment that will live in Undressed history—Margaret's “boob journey.” In her signature unfiltered style, she describes going from “cheeseburger nipples” to “Upper East Side socialite boobs” after a lift and reduction. “I went from a cheeseburger to a chicken nugget!” she jokes. Talk turns to semaglutide, weight loss, and honesty. “Don't say it's Pilates when it's Ozempic!” Pol' quips, and everyone roars. After the laughter, Pol' gently turns Margaret's cup to perform his renowned Armenian coffee cup reading—an ancient tradition that interprets a person's energy, emotions, and intentions through the shapes left in their coffee grounds. He sees symbols of strength and transformation, telling her: “You've climbed your mountain—it's time to enjoy the view.” A faint “snake” represents tension with someone once close, but Pol' assures her it signals peace and closure. When a number seven appears, Margaret beams: “Seven's always been lucky for me!” The tone turns tender as Patrik opens up about losing his mother and connects with Margaret over her legendary mom, Marge Sr. “She's more me than I am,” Margaret says affectionately. “She tells me, ‘Spend your last dollar on lipstick.'” The trio celebrate mothers, glamour, and unconditional love—the emotional heart of the episode. Naturally, fashion makes a grand return. Margaret admits to owning “a million fur coats” and invites Pol' to come take one, while praising Rago Brothers of Morristown for luxury repairs. Before wrapping, Pol' and Patrik share their big news: Season 5 of Gown and Out in Beverly Hills has launched in 68 countries. Margaret cheers them on and promises to celebrate in New Jersey—“If there's another reunion, Pol', you're doing my gown!” Brimming with glamour, laughter, and heart, this Vegas episode blends Bravo gossip, couture conversation, and authentic connection. Between honesty, humor, and an intuitive Armenian coffee reading, Undressed with Pol' Atteu & Patrik Simpson proves that friendship and fabulousness are always in style. Subscribe to our audio: linktr.ee/undressedpod Follow Pol Atteu: Instagram: @polatteu Tiktok: @polatteu Twitter: @polatteu www.polatteu.com Follow Patrik Simpson: Instagram: @patriksimpson Tiktok: @patriksimpsonbh www.patriksimpson.com Follow SnowWhite90210: Instagram: @snowwhite90210 Twitter: @SnowWhite9010 www.snowwhite90210.com Watch Gown and Out In Beverly Hills on Prime Video. www.gownandoutinbeverlyhills.com #UndressedPodcast Armenian Coffee Reading: https://polatteu.com/armenian-coffee-cup-read Buy yourSnowWhite90210 SnowBubu: https://polatteu.com/shop/ols/products/snowbubu90210 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Friday of the First Week of Advent Saint of the Day: St. John the Wonder-Worker; Eighth Century bishop of Polybatum, in Phrygia; he was a defender of sacred images in the face of the ascendancy of the Iconoclasts, which placed him in considerable danger with the Ionoclast Emperor Leo V the Armenian, but he performed so many miracles that the ruler did not dare to persecute him; he died in 750 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 12/5/25 Gospel: Matthew 9:27-31
This might meet with controversy, but I think Adam is correct. growing non-indigenous varietals, whether it be Armenia, Georgia or anywhere else, supports the chances of burgeoning wine regions to get any traction in the world of wine. It is tough out there where brand recognition is a tough battle to win, and consumers are inundated with messaging. Adam has taken, not sure I can call it the high road, but "A" road to getting his wines recognized as worthy of your attention. And he has done it by growing what otherwise would be sacreligious varietals. In this special episode, I sit down with Adam Kablanian, the visionary founder and owner of Alexandria Winery in Armenia—a man whose life has spanned the worlds of microchip design and ancient terroir, bringing together the precision of Silicon Valley and the heart of Armenian soil. Our story begins with Adam Kablanian's ambitious dream: to put Armenia on the world wine map, proving that its volcanic soils and diverse terroirs can produce wines of excellence and distinct character. Raised in physics and forged in the fires of tech entrepreneurship, Adam Kablanian isn't your typical winemaker. He talks about hiring talented minds for his tech companies and learning, through trial and success, that potential is more about people and environment than just experience. This philosophy naturally transitioned when he began examining the land, the grapes, and the possibilities in Armenia—a nation with a deep but interrupted history of winemaking. Adam Kablanian shares how he could have chosen the comfort and prestige of Napa, but instead, he was drawn to the challenge and the adventure of Armenia, where land is cheaper, and the story richer. His approach is pragmatic and inspirational; recognizing the headwinds of unfamiliar grape names and unknown regions, he decided to bridge old and new by producing international varietals alongside Armenia's indigenous grapes. His winemaking isn't just about bottles—it's about creating honest wines that echo the terroir, about blending ancient vines with modern techniques, and, most importantly, about making wine accessible. From his initial days struggling with unremarkable local wines, to witnessing Armenia's transformation as technology and global culture elevated the nation's palate, Adam Kablanian reflects on the intersection of progress and tradition. He sees his winery not just as a business—"a $10 million investment in belief"—but as a proof point that Armenia, with its elevation, volcanic soils, and unique varieties, can inspire the world. This episode invites you behind the curtain—to learn not just about wine, but about vision, persistence, and the courage to marry old roots with new dreams. Whether you're a seasoned oenophile or just wine-curious, the journey of Adam Kablanian will remind you that wine is much more than a drink; it's an expression of humanity, a link between land, culture, and the boldness it takes to create something lasting. So pour a glass, settle in, and let this story inspire your next sip and next adventure. YouTube: https://youtu.be/bJ9_r7-LYQQ #WineTalks #ArmenianWine #WinePodcast #Terroir
Artsakh, also known as Nagorno-Karabakh, is a historic Armenian area located in the Caucasus Mountains. In 2023, Azerbaijan invaded and ethnically cleansed the millennial-old Armenian population. The so-called civilized West looked the other way. Looking away has been harder to do in Gaza because of the enormity of the Israeli attack and the sheer scale of death and destruction. The Israeli goal in Gaza and the Azerbaijani goal in Artsakh is cultural and physical erasure. Both Artsakh and Gaza are reported as though they are just happening in a vacuum. By not providing context and background, journalists are guilty of media malpractice. The recording was taken from a National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR)/ Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Lecture Series on Contemporary Armenian Issues webinar, co-hosted and co-moderated by Marc A. Mamigonian, Director of Academic Affairs at NAASR, and Henry Theriault, PhD, Associate Provost at Worcester State University.
This is the third episode in a series called The Spirit-Era & Its Aftermaths in which I look at the way spiritual, technological, and occult flourishings at the turn of the 19th into 20th century are still with us today, and in fact, being echoed by our own time.The Spirit-Era is marked by occultists, paranormal investigators, and magicians... But it is also marked by performances of all kinds: stage magic, but also actual magic. Stage magic passing as real magic, real magic posing as trickery. There were the performance of spiritualism, of charismatic theologians, and of feats of incredible endurance. As in our own time, People had difficulty parsing out what was real and what was illusion. And there was no shortage of advice on how to attain magical aptitude and ability, or promises of unlimited health and vitality. Beyond this difficulty distinguishing truth from fantasy, there was a thrilling draw to the ambiguity, and whatever power might be there, in the spot in between what was and what might be. This negative space, this open area of reality, affected people all over the world, including the middle east.These tensions - between genuine and the spectacular, strengthening and the seducing, are the themes of this installment in the series - on Fakirs & Fakers with DR. RAPHAEL CORMACK, Assistant Professor in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures at Durham University, and author of the highly readable, eye-opening, and excellent book Holy Men of the Electromagnetic Age: A Forgotten History of the OccultRaphael's book, and our discussion connects us to two figures who were emblematic of their time:The performer-fakir, Tahra Bey, an Armenian performer who achieved fame in the 1920s as a man of incredible talents; not only to drive sharp objects through his skin, to be buried alive and survive, or to lie down on a bed of nails; but also to beguile huge audiences. Tahra Bey, who fooled the world into thinking he possessed both heritage and secrets from Egypt, and that he could teach anyone to do what he did.The other figure is Dr. Dahesh, Palestinian-born mystic and teacher, founder of the spiritual current known as Daheshism, which still has adherents today. Dr. Dahesh was said to be able to take off his own head, to spring back to life after execution, and to understand the workings of the cosmos. He was also an art collector, for whom a museum in New York is named. He remains a well-known figure in Lebanon where he was both celebrated and persecuted, but eventually moved to Connecticut, where he died in at the age of 74 in 1984.As Raphael says in this episode, “Writing a history of the occult is writing a history of something that doesn't quite fit into the box of history, even on its on terms.”So how do we interpret the performance from the truth? And what does it mean to desire not just the miracle because it astounds us, but the lack of miracles because it allows us to be complacent?I'm so excited to share this episode with you.8 years. 300+ episodes. All free. SUPPORT THIS SHOW: patreon.com/connerhabib
In this episode, Jason Ingber sits down with comedian Menachem Kashanian, an Iranian-Jewish storyteller with one of the most shocking true experiences you'll ever hear. Menachem reveals how a supposed Netflix casting call for the show Tehran led him into a covert Israeli operation designed to rescue 500 Jewish refugees trapped in Syria. What began as a mysterious Facebook message turned into a month of tactical training, a new identity, and a mission known internally as "Free the Flute." He explains how he was trained to pose as an introverted Armenian musician, learned to play the nay (Middle Eastern flute), infiltrated a Syrian orchestra, and used music to gather intelligence inside refugee camps, ultimately helping save hundreds of lives. Menachem also shares hilarious and unbelievable stories from his personal life, including: • His eccentric billionaire uncle Darush, a dominant figure in Beverly Hills real estate • Wild encounters with Kris Jenner, the Kardashians, and Erewhon staff • The creation of his prank series Old Blood (Hun Parol) • His docuseries Know Before Who You Stand • His friendship with Floyd Mayweather, who quietly supports Jewish communities • A chilling conversation with Mika Kubi, the woman who interrogated Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar for 180+ hours This episode blends comedy, Middle Eastern culture, real-life spy operations, and powerful Jewish storytelling, all through Menachem's unique, unfiltered voice.
AP correspondent Rica Ann Garcia reports on Pope Leo XIV's visit to Turkey and Lebanon, where he is emphasizing Christian unity and healing historical tensions.
Segment 12 — The Master Spy: Guyk Avakyan Oversees the Theft of Chemical Warfare and Rocketry Secrets — Svetlana Lokhova — Guyk Avakyan, an Armenian chemist, was dispatched to America in 1933 to supervise the espionage network, specializing in chemical warfare secrets. Avakyan systematized and scaled the intelligence operation, institutionalizing the use of both legal and clandestine operational covers. Avakyan oversaw the theft of critical scientific papers, including revolutionary research by rocketry pioneer Robert Goddard. Segment 12 — The Master Spy: Guyk Avakyan Oversees the Theft of Chemical Warfare and Rocketry Secrets — Svetlana Lokhova — Guyk Avakyan, an Armenian chemist, was dispatched to America in 1933 to supervise the espionage network, specializing in chemical warfare secrets. Avakyan systematized and scaled the intelligence operation, institutionalizing the use of both legal and clandestine operational covers. Avakyan oversaw the theft of critical scientific papers, including revolutionary research by rocketry pioneer Robert Goddard. 1934
Spy's Mate: A Conversation with Bradley W. Buchanan About Chess, Cold War Intrigue, and the Stories That Save UsAfter a few months away, I couldn't stay silent. Audio Signals is back, and I'm thrilled that this conversation marks the official return.The truth is, I tried to let it go. I thought maybe I'd hang up the mic and focus solely on my work exploring technology and society. But my passion for storytellers and storytelling—it cannot be tamed. We are made of stories, after all, and some of us choose to write them, sing them, photograph them, or bring them to life on screen. Brad Buchanan writes them, and his story brought me back.I'll admit something upfront: I'm not particularly good at chess. I love the game—the strategy, the mythology, the beautiful complexity of it all—but I'm no grandmaster. That's what made this conversation so fascinating. Brad has created an entire fictional world where chess isn't just a game; it's a matter of life and death, set against the backdrop of Cold War espionage and Soviet propaganda.His debut novel, Spy's Mate, weaves together two worlds I find endlessly intriguing: the intellectual battlefield of competitive chess and the shadow games of international espionage. But what makes this book truly compelling isn't just the plot—it's the man behind it.Brad is a retired English professor from Sacramento State, a two-time blood cancer survivor, and what he calls a "chimera"—someone whose DNA was literally altered by a stem cell transplant from his brother. He was blind for a year and a half. He nearly died multiple times. And through it all, he held onto this story, this passion for chess that manifested in literal dreams where the pieces hunted him across the board.When we spoke, what struck me most was how deeply personal this novel is beneath its spy thriller exterior. The protagonist, Yasha, is an Armenian chess prodigy whose mother teaches him the game before falling gravely ill. In a moment that breaks your heart, young Yasha asks his mother to promise she'll live long enough to see him become world chess champion—an impossible promise that drives the entire narrative.Brad wrote Spy's Mate after his own mother's death from blood cancer in 2021. When he told me he was crying while writing the final pages, I understood something essential about storytelling: we write to process what life won't let us finish. He gave Yasha the closure he wished he'd had with his own mother.But this isn't just a meditation on loss. Brad brings genuine chess expertise and meticulous historical research to create a world where the KGB manipulates tournaments, computers calculate moves at the glacial pace of one per hour, and Soviet chess dominance serves as proof of communist superiority. He recreates famous chess games with diagrams so readers can follow the battlefield. He fictionalizes Soviet leaders (his Gorbachev character is named "Ogar," his Putin figure has "the nose of a proboscis monkey") but keeps the oppressive atmosphere authentic.What I love about Brad's approach is that he wrote this novel almost like a screenplay—action and dialogue, visual and kinematic, built for the screen. Having taught Virginia Woolf while secretly wanting to write page-turning thrillers tells you everything about the tension between academic life and creative passion. Now, finally free to write full-time after early retirement due to his medical challenges, he's doing what he always wanted.We talked about the hero's journey, about Joseph Campbell's mythical structure that still works because it mirrors how our minds work. We reminisced about the 1982 World Cup and Marco Tardelli's iconic scream (we're the same generation, watching from different continents). We discussed whether characters should plot their own paths or whether writers should map everything from the beginning.As someone who writes short, magical stories with my mother, I understand the pull toward something bigger, something that requires more than 1,200 words can contain. Brad waited 55 years to publish his first novel. I'm 56 and still working up to it. There's hope for all of us yet.Spy's Mate is available now, with an audiobook coming after Thanksgiving. And yes, I can absolutely see this as a Netflix series—chess looks incredibly sexy on screen when the stakes are high and the lighting is good.Welcome back to Audio Signals. Let's keep telling stories.Learn more about Bradley and get his book: https://www.bradthechimera.comLearn more about my work and podcasts at marcociappelli.com and audiosignalspodcast.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Neoborn Caveman delivers a pro-humanity ramble on chasing implanted dreams over wholesomeness, critiques post-war institutions like the UN and EU for enabling elite abuses amid generational forgetfulness, rejects AI music as soulless algorithms threatening artists' livelihoods, warns against corporate sweeteners and fast fashion from China as true environmental culprits over animal farts, spotlights the Architects of Denial documentary on unpunished Armenian genocide setting stages for future massacres, urges collective boycotts in sanctuary cities like Chicago to reclaim power from failing leadership, and affirms listener sovereignty against inner naysayers.Music guests: Van Hechter: Boy Problems, Superhighwayman: Think About That, Sami Chohfi: Enemy, Perry Blake: Death of a Society GirlKey TakeawaysWholesomeness anchors happiness beyond shifting external goals.Implanted desires fuel endless chases for elite control.Post-war bodies like UN and EU launder power over peace.AI algorithms mimic but lack human originality in art.Corporate production pollutes more than natural emissions.Unaddressed genocides invite repeated global atrocities.Sanctuary failures demand taxpayer accountability.Resistance builds through collective economic halts.Sovereignty thrives on self-love over unloved hatred.Inner voices of doubt undermine personal uniqueness.Sound Bites"Are you on the way to be more wholesome than you were an hour ago?""There is forgetfulness, a generational forgetfulness happens in every 35 years.""97% of people can't tell if a song is made by AI or humans.""If you buy anything fast fashion, you are truly culpable, you are part of the problem.""Those responsible for genocide, were not brought to justice and confronted with the truths of their crimes, will only set the stage for more worldwide massacres in the future.""Resistance against evil starts with realizing that there's a problem. And then demanding transparency, accountability, and actions.""We are not going to work tomorrow. We are not going to pay taxes."Gather for unfiltered rambles at patreon.com/theneoborncavemanshow —free join, chats, lives.keywords: sovereignty, wholesomeness, AI music, fast fashion pollution, Armenian genocide, sanctuary cities, resistance boycotts, generational forgetfulness, streaming critiques, listener uniquenessHumanity centered satirical takes on the world & news + music - with a marble mouthed host.Free speech marinated in comedy.Supporting Purple Rabbits. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In EVN Report's news roundup for the week of November 28: A major rift erupts inside the Armenian Apostolic Church; wildfires across several regions of the country have been contained; Armenian civil society representatives visit Baku for a second round of dialogue with Azerbaijani counterparts and more.
Spy's Mate: A Conversation with Bradley W. Buchanan About Chess, Cold War Intrigue, and the Stories That Save UsAfter a few months away, I couldn't stay silent. Audio Signals is back, and I'm thrilled that this conversation marks the official return.The truth is, I tried to let it go. I thought maybe I'd hang up the mic and focus solely on my work exploring technology and society. But my passion for storytellers and storytelling—it cannot be tamed. We are made of stories, after all, and some of us choose to write them, sing them, photograph them, or bring them to life on screen. Brad Buchanan writes them, and his story brought me back.I'll admit something upfront: I'm not particularly good at chess. I love the game—the strategy, the mythology, the beautiful complexity of it all—but I'm no grandmaster. That's what made this conversation so fascinating. Brad has created an entire fictional world where chess isn't just a game; it's a matter of life and death, set against the backdrop of Cold War espionage and Soviet propaganda.His debut novel, Spy's Mate, weaves together two worlds I find endlessly intriguing: the intellectual battlefield of competitive chess and the shadow games of international espionage. But what makes this book truly compelling isn't just the plot—it's the man behind it.Brad is a retired English professor from Sacramento State, a two-time blood cancer survivor, and what he calls a "chimera"—someone whose DNA was literally altered by a stem cell transplant from his brother. He was blind for a year and a half. He nearly died multiple times. And through it all, he held onto this story, this passion for chess that manifested in literal dreams where the pieces hunted him across the board.When we spoke, what struck me most was how deeply personal this novel is beneath its spy thriller exterior. The protagonist, Yasha, is an Armenian chess prodigy whose mother teaches him the game before falling gravely ill. In a moment that breaks your heart, young Yasha asks his mother to promise she'll live long enough to see him become world chess champion—an impossible promise that drives the entire narrative.Brad wrote Spy's Mate after his own mother's death from blood cancer in 2021. When he told me he was crying while writing the final pages, I understood something essential about storytelling: we write to process what life won't let us finish. He gave Yasha the closure he wished he'd had with his own mother.But this isn't just a meditation on loss. Brad brings genuine chess expertise and meticulous historical research to create a world where the KGB manipulates tournaments, computers calculate moves at the glacial pace of one per hour, and Soviet chess dominance serves as proof of communist superiority. He recreates famous chess games with diagrams so readers can follow the battlefield. He fictionalizes Soviet leaders (his Gorbachev character is named "Ogar," his Putin figure has "the nose of a proboscis monkey") but keeps the oppressive atmosphere authentic.What I love about Brad's approach is that he wrote this novel almost like a screenplay—action and dialogue, visual and kinematic, built for the screen. Having taught Virginia Woolf while secretly wanting to write page-turning thrillers tells you everything about the tension between academic life and creative passion. Now, finally free to write full-time after early retirement due to his medical challenges, he's doing what he always wanted.We talked about the hero's journey, about Joseph Campbell's mythical structure that still works because it mirrors how our minds work. We reminisced about the 1982 World Cup and Marco Tardelli's iconic scream (we're the same generation, watching from different continents). We discussed whether characters should plot their own paths or whether writers should map everything from the beginning.As someone who writes short, magical stories with my mother, I understand the pull toward something bigger, something that requires more than 1,200 words can contain. Brad waited 55 years to publish his first novel. I'm 56 and still working up to it. There's hope for all of us yet.Spy's Mate is available now, with an audiobook coming after Thanksgiving. And yes, I can absolutely see this as a Netflix series—chess looks incredibly sexy on screen when the stakes are high and the lighting is good.Welcome back to Audio Signals. Let's keep telling stories.Learn more about Bradley and get his book: https://www.bradthechimera.comLearn more about my work and podcasts at marcociappelli.com and audiosignalspodcast.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
What if the ancient stones, mounds and temples of our planet are not monuments to the dead, but living technologies that interact with your consciousness and even awaken your pineal gland? In this powerful episode of Soul Elevation, I sit down with legendary researcher and bestselling author Freddy Silva to explore megaliths, ancient Egypt, fairies, the Anki, the Shining Ones, and the real purpose behind the world's sacred sites. Freddy shares how standing stones behave like stone age computers, why certain places on the Earth act as portals, and how these sites were designed to help us remember that we are already divine. In this conversation, we explore: Why megaliths and standing stones are "alive," how they store memory, and how they interact with your electromagnetic field The Armenian origins of megalithic culture, and the surprising links between Scotland, Sardinia and ancient tower builders Giants, "graves of the giants," and what local folklore reveals that archaeology ignores The fair folk or fairy folk, who the Tuatha de Danann really were, and how the Church turned real shining beings into "little trickster fairies" The Anki and Shining Ones as global culture bearers who rebuilt civilization after cataclysms How ancient temples were aligned to Orion, the Pleiades and other star systems, and why so many cultures point back to the Orion nebula as a cosmic origin point The hidden side of Egypt, why temples are not primarily tombs, and how they function as resurrection and consciousness technology The role of blue lotus and plant allies in near death style initiations Why certain places on Earth feel "different," how they were designed to help you access higher states, and how that can activate your own inner temple Freddy Silva is a bestselling author and leading researcher of ancient civilizations, restricted history, sacred sites and their relationship with human consciousness. He has written nine books translated into six languages, produced sixteen documentaries, and is described as perhaps the best metaphysical speaker in the world right now. For over two decades he has been an international keynote speaker, appears on Gaia TV, History Channel, BBC and more, and leads sellout tours to sacred sites across the world. ✨ Explore more with me Visit karagoodwin.com to discover: My book "Your Authentic Awakening" to deepen your spiritual journey in everyday life A growing library of free guided meditations to support your nervous system and expand your consciousness Upcoming summits and workshops where you can connect with like hearted souls and experience this work in real time Your support truly helps this mission. If this conversation lights you up, please:
Advocacy Week is an important initiative of the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU), aimed at empowering the Armenian community through political engagement and advocacy. Sebastian Majarian, the Political Affairs Director of ANC-AU, discussed with SBS Armenian the various programs designed to foster interest in politics among young Armenians.
The Dons derail the Jambos unbeaten run in a pulsating afternoon of action at Pittodrie - Gav & Graham are here to look back at that one and we look forward to the visit of Armenian champions, FC Noah, to the North East on Thursday evening. Become a paid subscriber over at abzfootballpodcast.com Follow us on our social media channels:- Twitter - @AbzPodcast Facebook - @ABZFootballPodcast Instagram - @abzfootballpodcast
THE SECOND SECTION of the Book of 1 Enoch isn't as well known as the part that deals with the fallen Watchers, but it's important for New Testament theology. The Book of Parables, chapters 37–71 of 1 Enoch, deals specifically with how the world will be purified from the sin introduced by the rebellious Watchers. To the author(s) of this section of 1 Enoch, which was probably written by Essenes in the Galilee between 25 BC and the end of the first century BC (in other words, just before the birth of Jesus), the world had been so corrupted by the fallen angels that only God's direct intervention could put things right. This week, we share the historic backdrop of the Book of Parables: The return of Jews from Babylon who found a priesthood in Jerusalem that believed the age of prophecy was over, repeated invasions by Greeks, Armenians (yes, really), Parthians, and Romans, and civil war, which only intensified a belief among the group that came to be known as Essenes that the arrival of a Savior was imminent. When he didn't come on schedule (sometime between 90 and 80 BC), the Essenes revised their timeline. After a period of civil war, followed by a Parthian invasion around 40 BC, Herod the Great, governor of Galilee, returned from Rome with the backing of the army of Mark Antony (yes, that one). When Herod drove the Parthians from Judea in 37 BC after a three-year war, many Essenes apparently thought Herod was the Anointed One—the Messiah! It didn't take long for Herod to disabuse everyone of that notion. That's the back story of the Book of Parables. It was written at a time when many Jews believed Messiah's arrival was imminent. The Book of Parables was a reminder that God's promises would be fulfilled, and the agent of God's imminent judgment was a figure called the Anointed One, the Chosen One, and, most frequently, the Son of Man. This would all be nothing more than historical interest except for an important fact: Jesus applied the title “the Son of Man” to himself 78 times in the New Testament, and that title doesn't appear in any Jewish writing prior to the Book of Parables. This week's question: Are there ranks of demons, some of which are more difficult than others to exorcise? We referenced the work of Restoration in Christ Ministries (rcm-usa.org). The study notes Derek mentioned by the founder of RCM, Dr. Tom Hawkins, are no longer available to download, but a study on the cosmic hierarchy is available here. Sharon's niece, Sarah Sachleben, has been diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer, and the medical bills are piling up. If you are led to help, please go to GilbertHouse.org/hopeforsarah. Our new book The Gates of Hell is now available in paperback, Kindle, and as an audiobook at Audible! Derek's new book Destination: Earth, co-authored with Donna Howell and Allie Anderson, is now available in paperback, Kindle, and as an audiobook at Audible! If you are looking for a text of the Book of 1 Enoch to follow our monthly study, you can try these sources: Parallel translations by R. H. Charles (1917) and Richard Laurence (1821)Modern English translation by George W. E. Nickelsburg and James VanderKam (link to book at Amazon)Book of 1 Enoch - Standard English Version by Dr. Jay Winter (link opens free PDF)Book of 1 Enoch - R. H. Charles translation (link opens free PDF) The SkyWatchTV store has a special offer on Dr. Michael Heiser's two-volume set A Companion to the Book of Enoch. Get both books, the R. H. Charles translation of 1 Enoch, and a DVD interview with Mike and Steven Bancarz for a donation of $35 plus shipping and handling. Link: https://bit.ly/heiser-enoch Follow us! • X: @gilberthouse_tv | @sharonkgilbert | @derekgilbert• Telegram: t.me/gilberthouse | t.me/sharonsroom | t.me/viewfromthebunker• YouTube: @GilbertHouse | @UnravelingRevelation | @thebiblesgreatestmysteries• Facebook.com/GilbertHouseFellowship Thank you for making our Build Barn Better project a reality! We truly appreciate your support. If you are so led, you can help out at GilbertHouse.org/donate. Get our free app! It connects you to these studies plus our weekly video programs Unraveling Revelation and A View from the Bunker, and the podcast that started this journey in 2005, P.I.D. Radio. Best of all, it bypasses the gatekeepers of Big Tech! The app is available for iOS, Android, Roku, and Apple TV. Links to the app stores are at www.gilberthouse.org/app/. Video on demand of our best teachings! Stream presentations and teachings based on our research at our new video on demand site! Gilbert House T-shirts and mugs! New to our store is a line of GHTV and Redwing Saga merch! Check it out at GilbertHouse.org/store! Think better, feel better! Our partners at Simply Clean Foods offer freeze-dried, 100% GMO-free food and delicious, vacuum-packed fair trade coffee from Honduras. Find out more at GilbertHouse.org/store. Our favorite Bible study tools! Check the links in the left-hand column at www.GilbertHouse.org.
Send us a textIn this special LIVE episode of the Ageless Glamour Girls Podcast, we gathered a fabulous panel of women 50+ for a cozy, fun, and delightfully unpredictable pre-Thanksgiving Chatfest. It's everything we love about sisterhood: food, stories, laughter, wisdom, and the beautiful traditions that shape our lives.We dived into: • our must-have Thanksgiving dishes • treasured family recipes • kitchen wins… and truly hilarious kitchen fails • cross-cultural food traditions and memories • what gratitude looks like at this stage of our livesFrom heartfelt memories to laugh-out-loud moments, this episode celebrates the flavors, stories, and connections that make the holiday season warm and meaningful. Come for the recipes and food talk - stay for the joy, wisdom, and real, lived beauty of the ageless-aging journey. Happy Thanksgiving, Luvvies!GUESTS: Torre Edwards is a woman over 50 on a mission to live with more joy, strength, and confidence. After years of struggling with bloating, stubborn weight, and hormone changes, she turned to gut health, movement, and mindset — and everything shifted. Now she shares her journey to help other women navigate perimenopause and menopause with clarity, hope, and real results.Melinda Rinzivillo is an author and retired teacher who believes joy is a choice, even in life's most challenging seasons. After weathering divorce, she's embraced a new chapter in Naples, Florida, where she finds happiness in music, dancing, comedy clubs, and her cherished cat, Pumpkin. Rooted in a deep spiritual life, Melinda reflects on her journey with honesty and optimism, inspiring others to live truthfully and joyfully.Maria Gonzalez is a 35-year television and film veteran, known for her work on the FOX News and BET channel launches, her award-winning film Coming Up Easy, and her roles as producer, director, writer, and educator. She is also an ACE Award–nominated producer, author, and voice-over artist.At 63, Antoinette Roberson is an Accountant/Project Manager, proud mom to her son Jeremy, and a woman of faith who lives each day as a gift from God. A music lover and dancer, she inspires others with her joy for life. Recently diagnosed with breast cancer, her prayers were answered when follow-up tests showed it was gone - a true testimony of faith and resilience.Lisa Bedian is an Emmy-winning communicator, long-time Lindenwood University professor, and former CBS sports broadcaster. She has served as Director of Communications for the City of St. Peters for nearly 20 years and volunteers with numerous civic and Armenian community organizations. She lives in St. CharleSupport the show https://buymeacoffee.com/agelessglamourgirls www.linkedin.com/in/marqueetacurtishaynes www.agelessglamourgirls.com https://www.shopltk.com/explore/AgelessGlamourGirls https://www.youtube.com/@agelessglamourgirls Instagram @agelessglamourgirls Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/agelessglamourgirls Private (AGG) FB Group: The Ageless Café: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theagelesscafe TikTok: @agelessglamourgirls Podcast Producers: Ageless Glamour Girls and Purple Tulip Media, LLC
It's Friday, November 21st, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Christian ethnic cleansing survivors given new homes in Armenia Several families displaced by ethnic cleansing in their ancient Christian homeland more than two years ago were given new homes and plots of land on Tuesday through a charitable initiative seeking to help revitalize a rural Armenian mountain village, reports the Christian Post. Romans 12:15 says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice.” The Tufenkian Foundation has cut the ribbon on a pilot refugee village in Svarants, completing the first 10 of 20 new homes in the upper reaches of Armenia's mountainous Tatev Municipality, which borders Iran and Azerbaijan. The new homes, which come with adjoining plots of land and a barn, were built specifically to help families rebuild their lives around the agricultural and livestock work they were doing before Azerbaijan's 2023 invasion of Nagorno-Karabakh. It's a predominantly Armenian region known affectionately to Armenians as the Republic of Artsakh. After a months-long military blockade, more than 120,000 ethnic Artsakh Armenians were forced from their homes in September 2023, and most have lived for two years throughout Armenia with what Artsakh leaders say has been inadequate social integration. Judge orders Trump to end National Guard deployment in DC On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb, a Biden appointee, ordered the Trump administration to end its monthslong deployment of National Guard troops to help police the nation's capital, reports the Associated Press. She asserted that President Donald Trump's military takeover in Washington, D.C., illegally intrudes on local officials' authority to direct law enforcement in the district. Trump had said the troops were needed to deal with rampant crime and violence in Washington and support federal immigration law enforcement efforts there. Pope Leo met with Illinois' pro-abortion, pro-perversion governor The stream of liberal clergy and scandalous public figures who are given audiences with Pope Leo XIV seemingly never comes to an end. Now comes news that pro-abortion Democratic Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker spoke with Leo for 40 minutes at the Vatican during a private meeting on Wednesday, reports LifeSiteNews.com. In the past, Pritzker has designated Illinois a “sanctuary state” for women seeking abortions, expanded access to chemical abortion pills, and approved policies sexual perversion activists have long desired. To top it off, Pritzker may sign a bill that would legalize physician-assisted suicide. According to Proverbs 6:17, one of seven things that God hates is “hands that shed innocent blood.” A Pritzker spokesman said that the audience with Leo was arranged by pro-homosexual Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich, a man with whom he has had a long friendship. Neither Trump nor Vance not invited to Dick Cheney's funeral Political figures from across the aisle gathered Thursday in Washington, DC, for the funeral of former Vice President Dick Cheney — a key figure of pre-MAGA Republican politics, reports CBS News. The funeral, which was attended by two former presidents and all living former vice presidents, was a bipartisan who's who of Washington dignitaries yet with the notable absence of two of the country's current leaders. Neither President Donald Trump nor Vice President J.D. Vance were invited to the funeral. Cheney received full military honors at the invitation-only memorial service at Washington's National Cathedral. Attendees included former Presidents Joe Biden and George W. Bush, former First Ladies Jill Biden and Laura Bush, as well as former Vice Presidents Kamala Harris, Mike Pence, Al Gore, and Dan Quayle. George W. Bush: Dick Cheney was a serious man Former President George W. Bush eulogized Dick Cheney, his former vice president, as a consummate public servant who could be relied on, and who “lifted the standards” of those around him. BUSH: “In a profession that attracts talkers, Dick Cheney was a thinker and a listener. And when he did speak up, conveying thoughts in that even tone of voice, that orderly, unexcitable manner, you knew you were getting the best of a highly disciplined mind. “No colleague, no legislator, no foreign leader who ever met Dick Cheney ever doubted that they were dealing with a serious man.” Cheney, who served as Bush's vice president from 2001 to 2009, died on November 3 at the age of 84. Prior to being elected vice president, Cheney served as defense secretary, White House chief of staff, and as a congressman representing Wyoming. Texas Governor slams judge who blocked redistricting map Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott slammed the El Paso federal judge, a 2019 Trump nominee, who once worked for Abbott, for authoring the decision that blocked the state's congressional redistricting map that President Donald Trump wanted ahead of next year's elections, reports the San Antonio Express-News. In an appearance on Fox News, Abbott said a previous redistricting decision by U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey Brown, who worked for Abbott when he was a Texas Supreme Court justice in the 1990s, was overturned last year. ABBOTT: “Judge Brown, who wrote that opinion, he was just reversed last year in a different redistricting decision. He was wrong last year. He's wrong this year. I have never seen an opinion so erroneous in its writing. That's something that the United States Supreme Court, I think, is just not going to tolerate.” Abbott said he is “confident” that the U.S. Supreme Court will side with Texas and allow the new map, which gives Republicans five more winnable seats, to be used in the 2026 midterm elections. The case has major ramifications for control of the U.S. House during the final two years of Trump's presidency. Republicans currently hold a five-seat majority in the U.S. House. If Democrats retake control of the chamber, they would have the power to stop all major legislation Trump wants passed and would be able to hold hearings to investigate the administration's policy decisions and actions. British shoe cobbler victorious in David vs. Goliath battle And finally, a British shoe cobbler in Gloucestershire, England, named Alan Macdonald, has been happily repairing shoes for thirty years at Macdonald Traditional Cobbler. MACDONALD: “Well, my father was a cobbler and my grandfather was a cobbler. So, I've been around probably since I was about five. I think my father had me doing work.” Recently, a corporate shoe repair chain wanted to open a location right across the street. Local citizens signed a petition to protect Alan McDonald, reports GoodNewsNetwork.org. The petition to reject the corporate newcomer collected 1,000 signatures from people in the area through social media, including the local Parliament member. MACDONALD: “You know, I hadn't expected this swell of support that's happened as a result of this application. I mean, I just was not expecting that.” A United Kingdom grocery chain Tesco had submitted a planning application together with another chain called Timpson, to open a new location of one of their bizarre service centers that offered combinations of dry cleaning, watch repair, key duplication, photo printing, engraving, portraiture, and shoe repair. To Macdonald's delight, when the corporate application for its new location was due to be discussed at a parish council meeting, Tesco confirmed it would not be moving forward. However, it failed to specify whether or not the petition drive led to their decision. MACDONALD: “It was quite a worry to be honest. You know, I don't make a massive amount of money. I mean, only a small amount taken away from the income that I make here would make it very difficult to survive, to be honest.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Friday, November 21st, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.
In EVN Report's news roundup for the week of November 21: U.S. approves Nvidia chip exports to Armenia for the country's first major AI data center; PM Nikol Pashinyan urges U.S. action on Armenian detainees held in Baku; Armenia and Kazakhstan to deepen ties, planning a strategic partnership and more.
This episode originally aired on October 19, 2021. If you've been moved by a story this year, text 'GIVE25' to 78679 to make a donation to The Moth today. In this hour, stories of nerves, anxiety, fear! And the courage and support that allow us to overcome. A phone call, a taxi ride, and a stranger's generosity of spirit. This episode is hosted by Catherine Burns. The Moth Radio Hour is produced by The Moth and Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media. Storytellers: Amanda Stern reaches a breaking point with her anxiety. Tim Manley's repressed feelings start to manifest themselves physically. Nervous bride-to-be Anoush Froundjian introduces her fiancé to her Armenian traditions. Cheryl Murfin forgets something important in the parking lot of the grocery story. Devan Sandiford finds the courage to talk to his mother about the family's past. Podcast # 735 To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
How can we unlock our talent, treasure, and time for the kingdom? Ruslan KD is a highly successful YouTuber, entrepreneur, and rapper. He has a new book out called "Godly Ambition." He and Sean discuss his journey to faith and how to develop a platform for Christ without falling into many dangerous traps of our social media age. Ruslan KD, a hip-hop artist, content creator, and entrepreneur of Armenian descent, was a refugee from Azerbaijan when he moved to the United States as a child. He started a YouTube channel around 2015 that has grown into a popular platform for discussions on faith, lifestyle, and music. Known for his insights on Christ-centered living, culture, and personal development, he is also a speaker, author, and advocate for godly ambition. ==========Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California. Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically. Watch video episodes at: https://bit.ly/think-biblically-video. To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.
Christine's hero is doing an interview in the lobby and Jay is denied entry. Furious that he can't walk into a space that he's employed, Jay devises a plan to test security. | DJ Lou is planning a Halloween getaway and Bobby teaches everyone what leaf peeping is. | Jay thinks he can sing the songs of TLC better than superfan Christine. A member of the Bonfire falls asleep during this show! *To hear the full show to go www.siriusxm.com/bonfire to learn more! FOLLOW THE CREW ON SOCIAL MEDIA: @thebonfiresxm @louisjohnson @christinemevans @bigjayoakerson @robertkellylive @louwitzkee @jjbwolf Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of The Bonfire ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Hi friends. Happy Wednesday. Today's episode is personal. It's painful. And it's important. We're talking about the Armenian Genocide... a chapter of history that millions experienced, yet many still deny or have never been taught. I've always known I wanted to cover this story because of my family history. But every time I tried, it never felt like the right moment. The truth is… there is no “right moment.” The right thing is to remember, to learn, and to honor those who lived through it... and those who didn't. In today's episode, we'll look at how the Armenian community in the Ottoman Empire was targeted, how the genocide was carried out under the chaos of World War I, the stories of survival and resistance, and why recognition of these events is still debated today. History isn't always pretty. But understanding it helps us recognize injustice when we see it... and stop it before it happens again. And before I go... I mention a couple sources in the episode that I wanted to link in the description box. Here they are: https://inogs.com https://www.ted.com/talks/umit_kurt_ugly_history_the_armenian_genocide ________ FOLLOW ME AROUND Tik Tok: https://bit.ly/3e3jL9v Instagram: http://bit.ly/2nbO4PR Facebook: http://bit.ly/2mdZtK6 Twitter: http://bit.ly/2yT4BLV Pinterest: http://bit.ly/2mVpXnY Youtube: http://bit.ly/1HGw3Og Goodreads: http://bit.ly/3IVnO7N Snapchat: https://bit.ly/3cC0V9d Discord: https://discord.gg/BaileySarian RECOMMEND A STORY HERE: cases4bailey@gmail.com Business Related Emails: bailey@underscoretalent.com Business Related Mail: Bailey Sarian 4400 W. Riverside Dr., Ste 110-300 Burbank, CA 91505 ________ This podcast is Executive Produced by: Bailey Sarian and Joey Scavuzzo Head Writer: Allyson Philobos Senior Writer: Katie Burris Additional Writing: Jessica Charles Research provided by: Coleen Smith Additional Research provided by: Sevag Kechichian Special thank you to our Historical Consultant: Ümit Kurt, Professor of History and an affiliated member of the Center for Study of Violence at the University of Newcastle, Australia Director: Brian Jaggers Additional Editing: Julien Perez and Maria Norris Hair: Angel Gonzalez Makeup: Roni Herrera ________ This holiday season, simplify your routine with makeup that's clean, strategic, and multifunctional. And don't miss out on their limited-edition holiday sets – they won't be here for long and once they're gone, they're gone. Also, as a treat for our listeners, you'll get a free Cool Gloss on your first purchase when you use code DARKHISTORY at checkout. Just head to Jonesroadbeauty.com and use code DARKHISTORY at checkout. After you purchase, they will ask you where you heard about them. PLEASE support our show and tell them our show sent you. Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to Zocdoc.com/DARKHISTORY to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today. That's Zocdoc.com/DARKHISTORY.
The worlds of a young Canadian immigrant, an Italian pasta-making family, and a 70-year-old survivor of the Armenian Genocide converge in this story of the San Francisco Treat.A Canadian woman, Lois DeDomenico, marries an Italian immigrant, Tom DeDomenico, whose family founded Golden Grain Macaroni in San Francisco. Just after WWII, the newlyweds rent a room from an elderly Armenian woman, Pailadzo Captanian, who teaches the young, pregnant, 18-year-old Lois how to cook — including how to make yogurt, baklava, and pilaf.During those hours in the kitchen, the old Armenian woman tells Lois the story of her life — her forced trek from Turkey to Syria, leaving her two young sons with a Greek family, her husband's murder, the birth of her baby along the way (his name means “child of pain”), the story of the genocide. Mrs. Captanian shows Lois a book she wrote shortly after her experiences — one of the only eyewitness accounts written at the time. Most survivor accounts were published 30–40 years later. Hers was published in 1919 for the Paris Peace Talks, in hopes that it would help provide context for the establishment of an Armenian state.Years after the DeDomenicos move away from Mrs. Captanian's home, Tom's brother is having dinner at the young couple's house. He looks down at the pilaf Lois made and says, “This would be good in a box.” They name it Rice-A-Roni.