Podcasts about Armenian

What does it mean, three decades after the demise of the USSR, to inhabit cities built for a future that has never arrived? In pursuit of the question—what is left of the socialist city?—this book aims not only to trace the material and mnemonic remains of the socialist city,  but to show how the Soviet discourse of the city at times engendered radical ideas that challenged the narrow confines of state socialism itself. These ideas are, for instance, the efforts of Esperanto-speaking internationalists from Czechoslovakia to build the internationalist city from below in the Central Asian steppe, the quest of Armenian Futurists to root the architectural style of Soviet Armenia in the country's Persianate heritage, or a Jewish-Kyrgyz philosopher's vision of turning a science town in the hinterland of Moscow into the first ecopolis of the USSR. In an effort to rethink the life and afterlife of the Soviet city from its geographical South, The Death and Life of Southern Soviet Cities: Urban Futures and Their Afterlives (Routledge, 2026) explores the material and immaterial legacies of socialist-era urbanization in Central Asia and the Southern Caucasus. To this end, it embarks on a historical and ethnographic journey to urban sites in Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. In a quest to reconstruct competing visions of urbanity that emerged from within the Soviet South, using varied empirical sources in Armenian, Czech, Kyrgyz, and Russian, the book outlines four urban visions: bottom-up urbanity, rooted urbanity, polycentric urbanity, and ecocentric urbanity. By understanding the social vision of a "socialist city of the future" beyond the political center in its trans-local independence, the book highlights the cultural and linguistic diversity of the Soviet South and its historical embeddedness within the regional dynamics of the Global South. David Leupold is a sociologist, scholar of memory wars and research fellow in the ERC-funded research project REVENANT: Revivals of Empire. He is the author of the prize-winning book Embattled Dreamlands: The Politics of Contesting Armenian, Turkish, and Kurdish Memory (2021), the former principal investigator of the DFG-funded research project Future Images of the Past (2021–2025), and a current resource scholar for the Monterey Initiative in Russian Studies (Middlebury Institute of International Studies). He lives in Berlin.  This interview was conducted by Ernest Lee, PhD student at the University of Chicago. He researches the history of postcolonial energy through the lens of development, infrastructure and environment, with a focus on West Africa and Southeast Asia.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

What does it mean, three decades after the demise of the USSR, to inhabit cities built for a future that has never arrived? In pursuit of the question—what is left of the socialist city?—this book aims not only to trace the material and mnemonic remains of the socialist city,  but to show how the Soviet discourse of the city at times engendered radical ideas that challenged the narrow confines of state socialism itself. These ideas are, for instance, the efforts of Esperanto-speaking internationalists from Czechoslovakia to build the internationalist city from below in the Central Asian steppe, the quest of Armenian Futurists to root the architectural style of Soviet Armenia in the country's Persianate heritage, or a Jewish-Kyrgyz philosopher's vision of turning a science town in the hinterland of Moscow into the first ecopolis of the USSR. In an effort to rethink the life and afterlife of the Soviet city from its geographical South, The Death and Life of Southern Soviet Cities: Urban Futures and Their Afterlives (Routledge, 2026) explores the material and immaterial legacies of socialist-era urbanization in Central Asia and the Southern Caucasus. To this end, it embarks on a historical and ethnographic journey to urban sites in Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. In a quest to reconstruct competing visions of urbanity that emerged from within the Soviet South, using varied empirical sources in Armenian, Czech, Kyrgyz, and Russian, the book outlines four urban visions: bottom-up urbanity, rooted urbanity, polycentric urbanity, and ecocentric urbanity. By understanding the social vision of a "socialist city of the future" beyond the political center in its trans-local independence, the book highlights the cultural and linguistic diversity of the Soviet South and its historical embeddedness within the regional dynamics of the Global South. David Leupold is a sociologist, scholar of memory wars and research fellow in the ERC-funded research project REVENANT: Revivals of Empire. He is the author of the prize-winning book Embattled Dreamlands: The Politics of Contesting Armenian, Turkish, and Kurdish Memory (2021), the former principal investigator of the DFG-funded research project Future Images of the Past (2021–2025), and a current resource scholar for the Monterey Initiative in Russian Studies (Middlebury Institute of International Studies). He lives in Berlin.  This interview was conducted by Ernest Lee, PhD student at the University of Chicago. He researches the history of postcolonial energy through the lens of development, infrastructure and environment, with a focus on West Africa and Southeast Asia.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/russian-studies

This Wednesday, 17 June, tune in to listen to listen OC Media editor-in-chief Robin Fabbro, his new co-host OC Media's co-founder Mariam Nikuradze, and Armenian staff writer Arshaluys Barseghyan break down the 7 June Armenian parliamentary elections and their aftermath. Be sure to subscribe to catch the latest episodes as soon as they are out. Support our work by becoming an OC Media member for as little as €5 a month!

What does it mean, three decades after the demise of the USSR, to inhabit cities built for a future that has never arrived? In pursuit of the question—what is left of the socialist city?—this book aims not only to trace the material and mnemonic remains of the socialist city,  but to show how the Soviet discourse of the city at times engendered radical ideas that challenged the narrow confines of state socialism itself. These ideas are, for instance, the efforts of Esperanto-speaking internationalists from Czechoslovakia to build the internationalist city from below in the Central Asian steppe, the quest of Armenian Futurists to root the architectural style of Soviet Armenia in the country's Persianate heritage, or a Jewish-Kyrgyz philosopher's vision of turning a science town in the hinterland of Moscow into the first ecopolis of the USSR. In an effort to rethink the life and afterlife of the Soviet city from its geographical South, The Death and Life of Southern Soviet Cities: Urban Futures and Their Afterlives (Routledge, 2026) explores the material and immaterial legacies of socialist-era urbanization in Central Asia and the Southern Caucasus. To this end, it embarks on a historical and ethnographic journey to urban sites in Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. In a quest to reconstruct competing visions of urbanity that emerged from within the Soviet South, using varied empirical sources in Armenian, Czech, Kyrgyz, and Russian, the book outlines four urban visions: bottom-up urbanity, rooted urbanity, polycentric urbanity, and ecocentric urbanity. By understanding the social vision of a "socialist city of the future" beyond the political center in its trans-local independence, the book highlights the cultural and linguistic diversity of the Soviet South and its historical embeddedness within the regional dynamics of the Global South. David Leupold is a sociologist, scholar of memory wars and research fellow in the ERC-funded research project REVENANT: Revivals of Empire. He is the author of the prize-winning book Embattled Dreamlands: The Politics of Contesting Armenian, Turkish, and Kurdish Memory (2021), the former principal investigator of the DFG-funded research project Future Images of the Past (2021–2025), and a current resource scholar for the Monterey Initiative in Russian Studies (Middlebury Institute of International Studies). He lives in Berlin.  This interview was conducted by Ernest Lee, PhD student at the University of Chicago. He researches the history of postcolonial energy through the lens of development, infrastructure and environment, with a focus on West Africa and Southeast Asia.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/sociology

What happens when two successful entertainers reach a point where fame, success, and recognition are no longer enough? On this episode of Between the Notes, Paisan Kapitan sits down with two fascinating guests whose journeys couldn't be more different—yet somehow arrive at the same destination. First, Armenian artist Eric Shane opens up about leaving Los Angeles for Las Vegas, finding peace after years of inner turmoil, strengthening his faith, overcoming grief, and discovering a healthier perspective on life, music, and relationships. It's a candid conversation about growth, healing, and learning to let go. Then, joining us from England via "JAMS CAM', world-renowned entertainer Kev Orkian shares stories from an extraordinary career that has taken him from concert halls and West End stages to royal performances and international acclaim. Along the way, Kev discusses comedy, philanthropy, Armenia, mental health, and one behind-the-scenes allegation he volunteered about Britain's Got Talent that you'll have to hear for yourself. This episode isn't about celebrity. It's about perspective. One guest found peace. One guest found purpose. Both discovered that success means very little if you don't know who you are when the spotlight fades. In this episode: • Eric Shane on faith, healing, music, and life in Las Vegas • The personal loss that changed everything • Why peace became more important than fame • Kev Orkian on comedy, music, and performing around the world • The surprising story behind his Britain's Got Talent experience • Mental health, resilience, and life beyond the stage • Philanthropy work in Armenia and building a lasting legacy Subscribe for more conversations with artists, entrepreneurs, creators, and worldchangers! DISCLAIMER The views, opinions, statements, allegations, and personal experiences expressed by guests appearing on Between the Notes are solely those of the individual guest and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, positions, or beliefs of Chummy Inc., Hye Jams Radio, Between the Notes, its hosts, producers, sponsors, affiliates, employees, contractors, or representatives. Guests are responsible for their own statements and characterizations of events. Any references to individuals, organizations, companies, productions, events, or public figures are presented as the guest's personal recollections, opinions, or experiences. Chummy Inc., Hye Jams Radio, and Between the Notes make no independent representations regarding the accuracy, completeness, or veracity of such statements. This program is intended for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

He was born to wealthy parents in Syracuse of Sicily. He entered monastic life and in time became a priest in the service of Patriarch Nikephoros. Because of his great and well-known zeal for the holy icons, he was cruelly persecuted by a succession of iconoclast emperors. Around 815, he was sent as an ambassador to Rome on behalf of the Patriarch, who had been exiled by the Emperor Leo the Armenian. When he returned to Constantinople upon Leo's death, he was immediately exiled and imprisoned by Leo's successor, Michael the Stutterer. Upon Michael's death he was freed for a short time, but soon the Emperor Theophilus had him exiled to an island where, says the Prologue, "he spent seven years in prison with two common robbers, in damp conditions, without light and without sufficient food, as if in a grave." When the pious Empress Theodora restored the Empire to Orthodoxy, he was freed and elevated to Patriarch of Constantinople. On the Sunday of Orthodoxy, we commemorate the restoration of the Holy Icons by Theodora and Methodios. Despite many attacks by heretics while he was Patriarch, he served faithfully and reposed in peace.

Nikol Pashinyan's sweeping re-election in Armenia has raised fresh hopes that the border with Turkey could finally reopen after three decades of closure. The Armenian prime minister campaigned on restoring ties with Turkey and Azerbaijan, as well as moving Armenia closer to Europe – but constitutional reform remains a major obstacle. The vote on 7 June gave Nikol Pashinyan a clear victory over the opposition. But his success could prove bittersweet after he fell short of the parliamentary majority needed to change the constitution. Changing the constitution is part of Pashinyan's peace efforts with Azerbaijan, brokered last year by United States President Donald Trump. “This government is committed to passing what the Armenian opposition would refer to as 'the Aliyev referendum',” said Eric Hacopian, a Yerevan-based political consultant. “The problem is, now they have no votes to bring it up because you need to get a two-thirds vote to change the constitution.” Armenia PM Pashinyan wins vote, cementing pro-Western shift Constitutional hurdles On the back of the Washington peace talks, “Armenia and Azerbaijan had an understanding that, after the election in Armenia, there would be certain constitutional amendments”, explained Hikmet Hajiyev, chief foreign policy adviser to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Baku insists Armenia must remove claims to Nagorno-Karabakh from the preamble to its constitution. The two countries have clashed repeatedly over the contested territory. In 2023, Azerbaijan retook the breakaway enclave, causing more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians to flee. “We are looking forward to Armenia completely eliminating elements of its territorial claims,” Hajiyev said. “Then we will not have any stumbling blocks or hurdles on our agenda to move forward.” Constitutional reform is also seen as important for normalising Armenia's ties with Turkey, according to Hajiyev. “It's not directly linked, but indirectly,” he said. “Once the Azerbaijan-Armenia agenda is solved, then Turkey will also act in a synchronised manner, opening the borders and also establishing a closer relationship.” Armenia election: what the vote could mean for Russia, the West and Azerbaijan Border hopes Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993, siding with Azerbaijan after ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh declared independence and seized Azerbaijani lands. Efforts to restore ties are now gathering pace, said Zeynep Alemdar, an international relations professor at Dogus University in Istanbul. “They've already declared in May 2026 that the border is going to be opened up, and all the bureaucratic, paperwork-type obstacles are actually being dismantled,” Alemdar said, noting that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is believed to get on well with Pashinyan. Pashinyan's Turkey visit signals new chapter as Ankara eyes Caucasus shift But energy-rich Azerbaijan remains crucial to Ankara, Alemdar said. “Economically, comparing Azerbaijan versus Armenia for Ankara, of course Azerbaijan always wins... Of course Azerbaijan is going to be more influential,” Alemdar said. Erdogan congratulated Pashinyan on his re-election, while the Turkish foreign ministry urged Yerevan in a statement to embrace “bold reforms” – seen by many as a call for constitutional change. Cautious steps Pashinyan's lack of decisive parliamentary support and uncertainty over a possible referendum mean Ankara's role could be important in securing lasting peace, said Richard Giragosian, director of the Regional Studies Center think tank in Yerevan. “For Turkey this is a slow, gradual process of retaking the initiative with Armenia, away from Azerbaijan,” Giragosian said. “Because in many ways, at every round it's been the Azerbaijan factor that's the key determinant. And according to sources in Ankara, they only have a yellow light of caution from Azerbaijan – it's not a red light, but it's not yet a green light to proceed.” Reopening the Turkish-Armenian border would be welcomed by the European Union and Washington, as Ankara seeks to deepen its ties with both. But with Azerbaijan acting as a major investor and economic lifeline, Turkey is moving cautiously to avoid upsetting its powerful neighbour.

SPECIAL EDITION OF BETWEEN THE NOTES This week, Paisan Kapitan sits down with filmmaker Adeh Baghdasarian and special guest Z via "JAMS CAM" to discuss their upcoming film HEEVAND (Imperfect), premiering June 16. More than just a movie, HEEVAND explores the reality that life isn't always perfect—and neither are the people living it. Inspired by a deeply personal story, the film tackles themes of mental health, support systems, compassion, and the importance of standing beside those who may be struggling when life takes an unexpected turn. During this special edition conversation, Adeh shares his journey from a young storyteller inspired by The Godfather to becoming a writer, director, editor, and filmmaker determined to tell meaningful stories. Z opens up about the real-life inspiration behind the film and why its message is especially important for the Armenian community and beyond. We also discuss: The meaning behind the title HEEVAND (Imperfect) The emotional challenges of bringing the film to life The responsibility of telling stories that matter Supporting people through difficult seasons of life What Adeh and Z hope audiences take with them after the credits roll HEEVAND premieres June 16 and will later be available on YouTube. If you enjoy conversations with filmmakers, artists, entrepreneurs, and community leaders, be sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE to support independent Armenian media and help us continue bringing these stories to life. Host: Paisan Kapitan Show: Between the Notes Presented by: Hye Jams Radio #BetweenTheNotes #HyeJamsRadio #AdehBaghdasarian #HEEVAND #Imperfect #ArmenianFilm #IndependentFilm #MentalHealthAwareness #ArmenianCommunity #PaisanKapitan #FilmDirector #MoviePremiere #ArmenianCinema  

Joe explains the results of Armenia’s recent election, what it means for their relationship with Russia and the EU, and why the country’s foreign policy is in the headlines as Eve shares the incredible story of the couple who visited every RNLI lifeboat station in the UK, raising thousands of pounds for charity – and why lifeboat heroes matter. Plus, could an art gallery really be displaying paintings by a group of rats? And should there be more public toilets? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Talk Eastern Europe, we unpack major developments shaping the future of the South Caucasus and the Western Balkans.Alexandra returns from Armenia after observing the country's consequential parliamentary elections and shares what international headlines got wrong about the vote. Was this really an "East versus West" contest? How much influence did Russia have? And why did many Armenians feel they were choosing between imperfect options?We also examine Albania's largest protests in recent memory. What began as demonstrations against a controversial tourism project, linked to the Trump family and Jared Kushner, has evolved into a broader challenge to Prime Minister Edi Rama, raising difficult questions about corruption, environmental protection, and Albania's EU aspirations.Finally, we turn to Bosnia and Herzegovina, where a dispute over the next High Representative highlights growing divisions between the United States and Europe over the region's future.In the second half of the episode, we discuss our latest Deep Dive interview on Montenegro's troubled path toward EU membership and ask whether the country's 2028 accession ambitions remain realistic.Talk Eastern Europe is the podcast from New Eastern Europe magazine - your trusted source for in-depth analysis and expert perspectives on Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and the post-Soviet space. ABOUT THIS PODCASTWe publish twice weekly. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and all major platforms. Read the New Eastern Europe Magazine Bimonthly publication with exclusive long-formanalysis. https://neweasterneurope.eu/become-a-member-of-new-eastern-europe/ Support us on PatreonJoin our community for bonus content, early access, behind-the-scenes insights, and access to our exclusive WhatsApp group where we discuss the news in real-time. https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope Subscribe to the Brief Eastern Europe NewsletterWeekly briefing sent out every Monday with news updates, expert commentary, and our editorial picks - free to your inbox: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/subscribe FOLLOW USInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/neweasterneuropemag/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewEasternEurope/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-eastern-europe/

Agreement between government and parents of children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Prime Minister's admission that he is second in command to Ivanishvili, Reactions to Armenian elections, New Strategic Partnership Agreement with China, Arrest of Canadian Student for ADHD medication. Thanks for tuning in!Let us know what you think and what we can improve on by emailing us at info@rorshok.com Like what you hear? Subscribe, share, and tell your buds.Report by Georgian Young Lawyers Association - Personalized Lawmaking in Georgia as a means of unjustly restricting rights: https://admin.gyla.ge/uploads_script/publications/pdf/PERSONALIZED%20LAWMAKING%20IN%20GEORGIA%20AS%20A%20MEANS%20OF%20UNJUSTLY%20RESTRICTING%20RIGHTS.pdf Georgia Disenfranchised by Sergi Kapanadze: https://politicsgeo.com/georgia-disenfranchised/ Check out our new t-shirts: https://rorshok.store/We want to get to know you! Please fill in this mini-survey: https://forms.gle/NV3h5jN13cRDp2r66Wanna avoid ads and help us financially? Follow the link: https://bit.ly/rorshok-donate

After a triggering event we're calling Legislativegate, producer Wojciech has a bone to pick with the English language and all of its irregularities. This week, Katy arranges a therapy session for Wojciech with Rob Watts, the Berlin-based host of the wildly popular YouTube channel RobWords, to discuss the peculiarities of the English language and the joys of being a “word nerd”. We're also talking about Nikol Pashinyan's ✨pivotal✨win in Armenia's election, and whether or not we can forgive Dua Lipa for her Sicilian destination wedding.GOT A HOT TAKE ABOUT BREXIT? If you have a personal experience to share for our next episode, or just something (Brexit-related!) to get off your chest, we want to hear from you. Record a voice memo at your earliest convenience and send it to hello@europeanspodcast.com. JOIN OUR FIRST-EVER OFFICE HOUR! Next week, come hang out with Katy and Dominic, have a friendly chat, ask questions, and get to know a few more members of the Europeans family. You don't even have to be a Patreon member to join. The first Office Hour is 18 June at 9pm CET, and you'll find a link to join the call on our website and all our social media channels an hour before the event.This week in the Inspiration Station, listener Federico recommended the Free Refugee Week Film Festival.Contribute to the EUROPEANS SUMMER PLAYLIST! We're rounding up our favorite tracks that keep the summery vibes going in dozens of languages from across the continent. Special credit will go to songs by lesser-known artists that aren't in Europe's most widely spoken languages. Send your picks to hello@europeanspodcast.com or @europeanspodcast on Instagram/Mastodon. Resources for this episode:Macron's recent jam session with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan Our inaugural book club podcast (just as good as Dua Lipa's)RobWords on YouTube and his podcast Words UnravelledRobWords Live at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival “The Chaos” (poem) by Gerard Nolst TrenitéInvestigation suggesting Karapetyan had ties to Russia's FSBEVN Report – a great news source for anyone who wants to stay up to date with the Armenian election.This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it's contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. You can also donate via our website if you prefer. And finally: we'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.Co-hosts: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak Produced by Morgan ChildsMixing and mastering by Wojciech OleksiakMusic by Jim Barne and Mariska MartinaThe Europeans is proudly produced using Europe's own Hindenburg.YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack | hello@europeanspodcast.com

Armenia has long depended on Russia for just about everything, from energy to security, and even broader economic integration. However, the weekend election results in Armenia reflect a rejection of pro-Russian politics and a desire to find a new path forward. This was likely to happen anyway, as Moscow has its hands full with everything else going on, but the big question remains: who can fill Russia's shoes? Not many Armenians will like the answer... Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihan

Today you will hear my conversation with Nara Avakian of Brooklyn-based indie quartet Nara's Room. We discuss their latest album 'Tearless, thoughtless,' navigating displacement as a fourth-generation Armenian, queer survival, and turning to bubblegum pop music as a form of escape. ✨ MORE ABOUT NARA'S ROOM ✨Nara's Room is an indie quartet from Brooklyn helmed by Nara Avakian, whose childhood ruminations color the shimmery sonic landscape sculpted by bandmembers Ethan Nash (bass), Will Fisher (ambient duty, production), and Brendan Jones (drums). Their brand new album 'Tearless, thoughtless,' is out now via Mtn. Laurel. ✨ KEEP UP TO DATE WITH NARA'S ROOM ✨Website: https://www.narasroom.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/narasroom/Bandcamp: https://narasroom.bandcamp.comYouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCrL8AHea12eI81hYM6gMQgAApple Music: music.apple.com/us/artist/naras-room/1556457239Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/3HZtXP2NFVOKB6aNLCmpwW✨ CONNECT WITH IZZY ✨Blog: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://agrrrlstwosoundcents.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠youtube.com/channel/UCv6SBgiYCpYbx9BOYNefkIg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/agrrrlstwosoundcents/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitter.com/grrrlsoundcents⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

It's war in our time. After flirting with peace for a few miserable hours, the US and Iran are back to what they know best: taking uneven chunks out of each other amidst the world's prime oil pathway. This week, Iran levelled a terminal of Kuwait's airport, and attacked the Fifth Fleet in Bahrain. Then there was that mysterious Apache helicopter crash off Hormuz. Now, after the crisp kinetic strikes of the first few weeks – then the tentative tests of strength – the war is entering a new phase.One in which Iran shows that the US will not be able to achieve on the negotiating table what it did not achieve on the battlefield. Meanwhile, it's a thriving Asian tiger, the skyscraper skyline of its capital shows the bustle and optimism of the Rising East. Mobile phones. Electric cars. That's right — North Korea is this year's big economic success story, according to a new piece in the Wall Street Journal. Turns out the Hermit Kingdom is less hermetic these days. North Koreans have made good money providing weapons to Russia in Ukraine, and China has turned on the trade taps. Pyongyang no longer rations electricity to a few hours every day. So what happens when North Korea is no longer a Potemkin village but a Potemkin megalopolis? Meanwhile, lose a war, get voted back in. Three years after the catastrophe in Nagorno-Karabakh, what inspired the Armenian people to re-elect Nikol Pashinyan? Perhaps it was precisely because of how vulnerable the country feels itself to be. The strategy is to buy off and shore up: peace with Azerbaijan, EU candidacy, and normalisation with old enemy Turkey. But how low can you lie in a region that Russia sees as its backyard?Do check out our Substack if you can - https://multipolaritypod.substack.com/

We expected Vegas stories and Magic Mike secrets. We didn't expect a coffee cup to uncover a decade-old wound and leave the entire room in tears. On this Part 2 episode of Undressed with Pol' & Patrik, we sit down with Las Vegas power couple Mark Romain of Magic Mike Live and Brett Hamby of KA by Cirque du Soleil. Together, the Amazing Race fan-favorites also perform weekly in Temptation Sundays at MGM Resorts, making them one of the most recognizable couples on the Las Vegas entertainment scene. What begins as a lively conversation about Vegas entertainment, Lisa Vanderpump, celebrity residencies, Magic Mike, Cirque du Soleil, reality television, fashion, and LGBTQ+ representation quickly evolves into one of the most emotional Armenian coffee readings we've ever experienced. Along the way, we discuss our recent viral road rage attack, life as a public LGBTQ+ couple, Hollywood's changing landscape, and why authentic representation remains more important than ever. The episode takes an unexpected turn when Brett's Armenian coffee reading uncovers a powerful connection to his late mother, Christine. What follows is a raw, heartfelt, and deeply moving conversation about grief, guilt, healing, and the love we continue to carry for those we've lost. As Pol reveals messages hidden within the coffee grounds, Brett opens up about his mother's passing, creating a moment so emotional that there wasn't a dry eye in the room. Through laughter, tears, and incredible honesty, Mark stands beside Brett with the unwavering support that has made them one of the most beloved couples audiences have come to know and admire. By the end of the episode, everyone leaves feeling lighter, affirmed, and reminded that the people we love never truly leave us. It's a beautiful journey through Vegas glamour, celebrity stories, marriage, resilience, LGBTQ+ visibility, and one extraordinary coffee reading that proves the universe has a way of revealing exactly what we need to hear when we're finally ready to listen. 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: @patriksimpson 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 SnowWhite90210 SnowBubu is a Perfect gift! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're bringing back favorite episodes over the summer as encore editions. Since this episode first aired, poet Jen Siraganian won the 2026 Perugia Press Prize for her debut collection "Everything Has Been Moved, Even the Dead," which is forthcoming in September 2026. Congratulations, Jen!  Slushies, we invoke the retelling of a ghostly experience shared by Kathy and Marion at the Hotel Figueroa in California earlier this year partway into this episode. Two poems by Jen Siraganian are at the heart of our discussion, and it's the first of these that puts ghosts into our heads. This poem also causes us to consider at some length the physical form chosen by or for a poem, and how this can utterly enhance the experience of the poem when it's just right. It's also an opportunity for Jason to raise the spectre of the virgule (or slash) once again, and we even pause briefly to recall when WYSIWYG was a useful acronym. We end the episode with an ekphrastic that prompts an on-the-spot tie breaker (thanks to our sound engineer Lillie for saving the day!).   https://whitney.org/collection/works/2171 https://www.nga.gov/collection/highlights/gorky-the-artist-and-his-mother.html    At the table: Kathleen Volk Miller, Marion Wrenn, Lisa Zerkle, Jason Schneiderman, Dagne Forrest, Jodi Gahn, Derek Grebis (sound engineer)   Jen Siraganian is an Armenian-American writer, educator, and former Poet Laureate of Los Gatos, California. Her poetry has appeared or is forthcoming in AGNI, Barrow Street, Best New Poets, Cortland Review, Poetry Daily, Prairie Schooner, The Rumpus, Smartish Pace, and other journals. Her work has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and won the 2024 New Ohio Review Poetry Prize. A former managing director of Litquake: San Francisco's Literary Festival, she is a current Lucas Artist Fellow. jensiraganian.com      Social media handles:   Facebook @jen.siraganian, Instagram @jsiraganian, Bluesky @jsiraganian.bsky.social, Website   Walking into St. James Cathedral as If We Were Already Ghosts     My Father and I View Two Versions of Arshile Gorky's The Artist and his Mother   Lip corners sink, an upturned bowl dripping its contents onto the white   of her dress. Her eyes, Armenian saucers of round, outline hollows of darkness.   Sharing color only, no overlap of limbs or space, shades of pink echo his coat,   her lap, a paleness descends. My father nudges my elbow. He seldom mentions   his mothers, the one who raised him, the other who gave him away. I want him   to discuss the lack of daisies in the boy's hands, the mother's face swaddled in a cocoon of scarf.   Instead, he stands, cloud-drifts across the gallery. We bench in front of The Liver is the Cock's Comb.   He points to the ferns feuding with triangles, the thorned stems breathing blossom.  

Iran declares an end to attacks against Israel, a Philippines earthquake kills at least 32, Xi visits North Korea for the first time in seven years, Keir Starmer orders social media companies to add nudity filters for children, Central African Republic agrees to accept third-country deportees from the U.S., Zelenskyy and EU leaders set out five conditions for peace with Russia, Pashinyan claims victory in the Armenian election, Peru's presidential runoff is too close to call, a lawsuit seeks to block a UFC fight at the White House, over 1.2 million people attend Pope Leo XIV's Madrid mass, Trump becomes the first sitting US president to attend an NBA Finals game. Sources: Verity.News

“Family to me is the feeling of safety without even understanding the concept.” In this episode of Identified, Nabil Ayers sits down with Bedouine for a conversation about family, heritage, migration, and belonging. As they begin tracing her family’s history, Bedouine uncovers new details about her Armenian roots, including stories she had only learned days before the interview. They discuss generations of displacement, from the Armenian genocide and the death marches through Syria to the communities her family rebuilt in Aleppo, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and eventually the United States. Along the way, she reflects on growing up between cultures, speaking English at school and Armenian at home, and navigating the complexities of identity within the Armenian diaspora. She discusses the challenge of preserving family stories when previous generations prefer not to revisit the past, and the importance of documenting those histories before they disappear. Bedouine's latest record, Neon Summer Skin, is out now. Guest: Bedouine Host: Nabil Ayers Executive Producer: Kieron Banerji Produced by: Palm Tree IslandSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's West Coast Cookbook & Speakeasy Podcast for our especially special Daily Special, River City Hash Mondays is now available on the Spreaker Player!Starting off in the Bistro Cafe, the New York Knicks watch party outside Madison Square Garden has been cancelled for Trump's staged assassination attempt, but you can watch it at home.Then, on the rest of the menu, the MAGA DOJ has quietly wiped out election security safeguards in a ‘scary' move to steal elections; the CIA employee who was caught with $40 million of gold bars in his house had created a secret intelligence program to funnel millions of dollars from the federal government to himself; and, Trump has been ordered to remove his name from the Kennedy Center and abandon plans to close it for two years, but critics are concerned he may try to sabotage the iconic arts institution in retaliation.After the break, we move to the Chef's Table where Armenians voted in a general election Sunday under Russian pressure aimed at preventing a drift toward the West; and, Iran's World Cup players, banned from staying in the US while competing in the World Cup, arrived in Mexico wearing pins honoring the school girls and teachers blown to bits on the first day of Trump's war.All that and more, on West Coast Cookbook & Speakeasy with Chef de Cuisine Justice Putnam.Bon Appétit!The Netroots Radio Live PlayerKeep Your Resistance Radio Beaming 24/7/365!“I was never a spy. I was with the OSS organization. We had a number of women, but we were all office help.” — Julia ChildBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/west-coast-cookbook-speakeasy--2802999/support.

On this edition of Europe Today, Stefan Grobe discussed the London Summit where leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky sought to step up pressure on Moscow. Next, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan declared victory on Monday in a parliamentary ​election. Also, fears of fresh escalation as Iran and Israel exchange fire once again.Europe Today is Euronews' daily podcast hosted by Maria Tadeo and Méabh Mc Mahon, broadcasting directly from Brussels, at the heart of Europe. Every morning, we deliver the top and exclusive stories shaping the European Union (EU) and beyond.Stay ahead with the key news and insights that matter in Europe today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Israeli military has carried out deadly airstrikes on the southern districts of Lebanon's capital, claiming it is targeting Hezbollah sites. In response Iran has fired ballistic missiles towards Israel, the first attack of its kind by Tehran since the ceasefire in April.Also on the programme: Armenians vote in a general election that could determine whether the country looks to Brussels or to Moscow. And researchers test a new weight loss drug that not only suppresses appetite, but could help people burn calories faster. (Picture: The site of an Israeli airstrike in the southern suburbs of Beirut,, 07 June 2026 Credit: NNA)

The people of Armenia are voting in a parliamentary election- a test of whether the country in the Caucasus moves closer to Europe, or remains within Russia's sphere of influence. We hear from both sides.Also in the programme: How China is clamping down on exam candidates who try to get the answers from the inside of their glass lenses: and the boy who has learnt to sing like a bird.Photo: Armenian people examine voting information during parliamentary elections at a polling station in Yerevan, Armenia, 07 June 2026. Credit: Photo by Vahram Baghdasaryan Photo Lure/ EPA

In this powerful episode of Between the Notes, Paisan Kapitan sits down with two remarkable guests whose stories are built on perseverance, reinvention, faith, and the pursuit of opportunity.

The U.S. plans to use Iranian assets to repair damage caused by Iran on Gulf states. The U.S. Supreme Court weighs rulings on gun rights, transgender athletes and immigration. Armenians head to the polls with peace efforts and Russian relations in focus. And Broadway prepares for the 79th Tony Awards. Listen to the Morning Bid podcast ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠. Sign up for the Reuters Econ World newsletter ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠. Listen to the Reuters Econ World podcast ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Star-spangled superfans hope their raucous support might give U.S. soccer a home-field advantage. How long until the US team wins it all? Might be a while. Only eight countries have won the World Cup since it was first held in 1930. “The American bravado,” a former coach in the US told our reporters, “is that we should be good at everything.” Also: today's stories, including how The Stratos Project, a data center near Utah's Great Salt Lake, has scaled back its planned footprint; why Armenian voters are facing a thorny dilemma as they head to polls this Sunday, and our reviewer's take on Author Maggie O'Farrell's new book, “Land.” Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.

Prime Minister Mark Carney pitches A-I as a massive economic driver, amid mounting concerns over potential job losses.Activists and unions in Mexico City launch intense protests ahead of the World Cup to force government action on local grievances.Armenians head to the polls tomorrow for a high-stakes election that could see the country permanently break away from Russia's orbit.Three Labrador RCMP officers are suspended following allegations an Innu woman had her hair forcibly cut in custody.A Timmins, Ontario couple is celebrating a rare "Oak Anniversary" — marking eighty years of marriage.

Armenians are voting in pivotal parliamentary elections. With Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan facing pro-Russia rivals, why is the outcome being watched so closely in Brussels, Moscow and Washington? In this episode: Richard Giragosian - Director of the Regional Studies Center think-tank Kenneth Roth - Visiting Professor at the Princeton School of Public & International Affairs Chris Weafer - Chief Executive Officer of Macro-Advisory consultancy Host: Anna Burns-Francis Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

In EVN Report's news roundup for the week of June 5: Armenians head to the polls this Sunday in a crucial vote; the European Union responds to Russian trade pressure with €50 million in aid and a new support package for Armenian exports; former high-ranking officials arrested on numerous charges and more.

What does it mean to follow Jesus when governments demand your allegiance, your silence, or your fear? In this episode of The Bad Roman Project, Craig sits down with Ara Torosian, an Iranian-born Armenian pastor who grew up under the Islamic Republic of Iran, served in the underground church, and now pastors Iranian Christians in Los Angeles. Ara shares his journey from reading the Bible in Farsi as a teenager to smuggling Bibles, enduring house arrest, and witnessing the explosive growth of Christianity in Iran. He explains why many Western Christians misunderstand both Iran and the Iranian people, and why the underground church continues to thrive despite decades of persecution. The conversation also turns to the present. Ara discusses Iranian Christian asylum seekers detained by ICE, the challenges facing refugees fleeing persecution, and the responsibility Christians have to speak for those who have no voice. Along the way, Craig and Ara wrestle with difficult questions about war, government power, national loyalty, and what it means to follow Jesus when political solutions seem inadequate. At the heart of the discussion is a reminder that the Christian's ultimate citizenship is not found in America, Iran, or any earthly nation, but in the Kingdom of God. “I'm proud US citizen, but most important, I'm a heaven citizen.” — Ara Torosian Whether discussing persecution abroad or immigration policy at home, this episode calls listeners back to a simple but challenging truth: Jesus is King. Highlights & Takeaways The underground church in Iran continues to grow despite severe persecution. Iranian people should not be confused with the Iranian regime. Following Jesus often comes with a cost that Western Christians rarely consider. Christians are called to show mercy before choosing political sides. The church must resist the temptation to place political leaders above Christ. Refugees and asylum seekers are people, not political talking points. The Kingdom of God transcends every earthly nation and political movement. No King but Christ.

Join us as our pastors explain the biblical bases for Calvinist and Armenian thought in the age-old conversation about predestination and free will.Show Notes:https://crossexamined.org/free-will-or-calvinism-which-should-you-choose-with-dr-leighton-flowers/https://www.gotquestions.org/Calvinism-vs-Arminianism.html

Patrick launches into listeners' heartfelt questions about faith, anger, liturgical customs, and Catholic identity, peppering the conversations with wisdom, humor, and personal stories. One moment Patrick unfolds advice about handling irritation over “organized religion,” while the next, he responds to a Marine’s anxieties about spiritual witness among friends. Quirky banter with Cyrus seeps in between weighty reflections, all while Patrick threads practical suggestions for tithing, grappling with prayer, and recognizing unity even when church customs unexpectedly shift. Carmen (email) - Is it a sin to get angry or upset when people say they don’t like “organized” religion? (00:41) Marcin (email) - Why is everyone always beating up on Catholics? I just don’t get it, why are we so hated. (05:22) Zach - Going into the Marines Corps. with a buddy who isn’t very religious. How can I bring him to the faith? (12:33) Maria (email) - I travel a lot for work/fun, sometimes even up to 4 different dioceses per month for Sunday mass! Which parish do I give my weekly tithe to? When I encounter a situation at a parish in which the Eucharist appears to be treated illicitly (for example leavened bread or missing essential rubrics) should I still receive the communion or hold off? (18:05) Ruben (email) – Were the Armenians the first practicing Christians? (29:44) Rick (email) - If God allowed you to go back in time and be an eyewitness to any one of Jesus' many miracles, which one would you choose and why? (32:37) Paul (email) - I feel like I compartmentalize my prayer: Praying to God at church (Mass, Adoration), formal prayers at home, and my informal conversation with God throughout the day. But it feels like I’m praying to three different Gods. How do you merge these? (39:37) David - What are the differences between the new mass said now vs. the pre-Vatican II mass? (45:42)

He was born in Constantinople around 758, of pious parents: his father had been exiled under Constantine Copronymus for his steadfast veneration of the holy icons. Nikephoros served in the imperial palace as a secretary, but later renounced worldly success to struggle in monastic life near Constantinople. He built and administered a monastery which soon became filled with monks; but he himself never took the monastic habit, feeling himself unworthy. Though a layman, he took part in the Seventh Ecumenical Council at the request of the Emperor and Patriarch because of his remarkable knowledge of Holy Scripture. Much against his will, he was made Patriarch of Constantinople at the death of Patriarch Tarasios. He was made a monk, then elevated through all the priestly orders in a few days, then enthroned at St Sophia in 806.   A few years later, the Emperor Leo the Armenian took the throne. Patriarch Nikephoros, as was customary, sent him a Confession of the Orthodox Faith to sign. Leo put off signing the document until his coronation, then revealed himself to be an Iconoclast heretic. The Patriarch tried quietly to bring him back to the Orthodox faith, but to no avail. When the Emperor, in his turn, tried to make the holy Nikephoros bow to iconoclasm, the Patriarch clearly and publicly upheld the veneration of the holy Icons. For this he was deposed and driven into exile at the Monastery of St Theodore, which he himself had founded. Here he reposed, having served for nine years as Patriarch, and thirteen years in exile and privation.

Week In Review - May 31, 2026In this episode of Groong's Week in Review, hosts Hovik and Asbed examine Armenia's May 28 Independence Day parade as campaign theater, Marco Rubio's push for critical minerals deals, and the strategic risks of TRIPP in Syunik. We discuss how Pashinyan's military parade coincides with Armenian prisoners of war held hostage in Baku, the questionable financing of weapons through $8 billion in external debt, and the broader geopolitical pressures from Russia and Iran as Armenia heads into the 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election.Topics:May 28 and StatehoodParade as Campaign TheaterRubio's Armenia AgreementsMinerals Without GuaranteesTRIPP Risks in SyunikRussia and Iran PushbackElection Climate and RepressionHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 553 | Recorded: June 1, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/553VIDEO: https://youtu.be/oO5kbg6B_Q8#Armenia #May28 #MarcoRubio #TRIPP #Syunik #CriticalMinerals #ElectionFraud #RussiaArmeniaSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

In this episode, we engage with Reverend Bill Crews, who shares insights about the unveiling and blessing of an Armenian Cross Stone, or Khachkar, at the Rev. Bill Crews Foundation in Ashfield.Discover the significance of this event for the Armenian community and its broader implications for multiculturalism and compassion in Australia. Reverend Crews reflects on his journey from engineering to ministry, the importance of storytelling in bridging cultural divides, and the transformative power of love and kindness in addressing social injustices.

Conversations on Groong - June 1, 2026In this Conversations on Groong episode, Hovik and Asbed speak with Dr. Sergey Markedonov about the sharp decline in Russia-Armenia relations before Armenia's June parliamentary elections. The discussion explores whether the vote is only a domestic contest, or a broader struggle over Armenia's identity, security, and geopolitical direction after Artsakh. Topics include Pashinyan's "Real Armenia" project, TRIPP and regional balance, Russia's warnings over Armenia's EU pivot, pressure on Armenian exports and energy pricing, the role of the Armenian Church, and whether the EU offers Armenia a real strategic alternative or only short-term political support.Topics:TRIPP and Regional BalanceArmenia's Geopolitical ElectionPashinyan's "Real Armenia"Russia's Economic PressureGuest: Sergey MarkedonovHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 552 | Recorded: May 31, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/552VIDEO: https://youtu.be/5K3xqqYouKs#RussiaArmenia #SergeyMarkedonov #ArmeniaElections #Pashinyan #RealArmenia #TRIPP #EAEU #SouthCaucasusSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

What do a devout polygamist from an insular Utah sect and a shadowy Armenian tycoon from Los Angeles have in common? More than you'd think. Together, they defrauded the American government out of nearly one billion dollars. "Kingdom of Fraud," a brand new series co-produced by Novel and iHeartPodcasts, has launched.Over seven episodes, Emmy-nominated journalist, investigative reporter and host Michele McPhee traces the extraordinary and unlikely criminal partnership between Jacob Kingston and Levon Termendzhyan, a reputed Armenian crime figure known to those around him as "The Lion." Together, they built a billion dollar fraud conspiracy out of a biofuel subsidy program, and triggered the largest tax investigation in American history.McPhee travels from Salt Lake City and its outskirts where Mormon fundamentalist groups laid roots, to gritty neighborhoods in Los Angeles and beyond to understand how Jacob Kingston, one of his father's more than 100 children and a man desperate to prove his worth to his powerful polygamist clan, The Order, ended up in business with one of LA's most feared operators. And how, once their scheme started generating tens of millions of dollars, they needed to find somewhere far from Utah to hide it all.But this story isn't just about two men and their money. Around Jacob and Levon sits a web of dirty cops, political connections and transnational money launderers that reaches further than the federal agents investigating the case could have imagined.Jacob Kingston was put under unimaginable pressure as law enforcement started circling, but Levon assured him that a shadowy network known only as 'The Boys" - paid badges from the highest levels of federal law enforcement who sold their access to the highest bidder would spring into action to keep the cops at bay.Was Jacob right to put his life in The Lion's hands, or will their billion dollar biofuel empire go up in smoke?"Kingdom of Fraud" is a story about what happens when the most unlikely of alliances is corroded by greed and selfishness - a story of rampant corruption in which every American citizen was a victim.Episodes available here:https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-kingdom-of-fraud-329335210 Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-like-it-s-live--4113802/support.

What does a rising Armenian rapper with a story of redemption have in common with a Belgian-Armenian artist bringing a fresh global sound to Armenian music? One artist turned pain into purpose. Another is blending Armenian heritage with a modern international sound. In this episode of Between the Notes, Paisan Kapitan welcomes two rising artists from opposite sides of the world. Jake Balmain opens up about overcoming a troubled past, 2nd chances, and channeling life's challenges into music. Meanwhile, Monika Ani joins us from Belgium to discuss her unique blend of deep house, pop, R&B, and Armenian influences, along with her mission to introduce Armenian culture to a new generation of listeners around the globe. From faith and second chances to creativity, identity, and the future of Armenian music, this episode delivers two inspiring stories from artists determined to leave their mark.

Conversations on Groong - May 31, 2026In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Arthur Khachatryan of the Hayastan Dashinq, Armenia Alliance about the 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election scheduled for June 7. We discuss whether free and fair elections are possible given foreign interference from the West, abuse of administrative resources by the ruling Civil Contract party, media control, and competing pressures from the United States, EU, Russia, and regional actors including Turkey and Azerbaijan.Topics:Free and fair electionsPolls and opposition unityHayastan Dashinq platformTRIPP and foreign policyEconomy and Russian pressureGuest: Arthur KhachatryanHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 551 | Recorded: May 30, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/551VIDEO: https://youtu.be/uQn81n-zHcw#ArmeniaElections #ArthurKhachatryan #HayastanDashinq #ArmenianOpposition #Pashinyan #TRIPP #SouthCaucasus #GroongSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

Georgian wines have been around...well, I suppose over 6000 years. In fact, it is a disputed fact between the Armenians and the Georgians as to which country made wine first. The best analysis I can come up with is that 6100 years ago, when what is now called Areni 1 Cave located in Armenia was established, there was no Georgia and there was no Armenia, but regardless, the disageement lives on. Georgian wines have been in the US since I can remember. At least since the '80's. And back then they carried a pecular, indigenous character; earthy, ozidized and cloudy. That has all changed but the history. A politician turned wine guy is trying to change the perception of Georgian wine...Melory Tsipouria. Listen to him tell his story. When I first sat down with Mallory Zippor, I realized he wasn't just a guest—he was a force of nature. Imagine a man who's fought for his country's democracy, worked in Congress, and now deploys that same relentless spirit to put Georgian wine on the American map. Mallory Zippor doesn't just sell wine; he crafts a movement—one handshake, one tasting, one story at a time. You'll hear him lay out his vision with the same confidence he used to take four congressional delegations to Georgia, making it clear that introducing 8,000 years of winemaking tradition in a land where most people haven't even heard of his homeland is not for the faint of heart. This isn't your average wine conversation. It's a blueprint for making the future, not waiting for it. Over the course of our conversation, I watched as Mallory Zippor demystified not only the process of importing and advocating for a little-known wine region, but the uniquely personal approaches that set him apart. He's rocked 300 in-store tastings in just eight months, recruited family and friends into his passionate crew, and outmaneuvered corporate gatekeepers at every turn. He has a knack for turning an ignorant "I didn't even know Georgia was a country!" into genuine curiosity, using everything from ancient clay amphorae to vivid bottle artwork, all while keeping his wines affordable and intensely personal. As Mallory Zippor tells it, with every taste poured, a new ambassador is born—a theory he's putting to the test every single day. If you join me for this episode, here's what you'll discover, one clay pot at a time:

He entered monastic life in early youth, and in time rose to the rank of Bishop in Chalcedon. As a hierarch, he showed outstanding compassion for the poor, caring for many orphans, widows and beggars. When the Emperor Leo the Armenian attacked the holy icons, Nicetas stood against him, and was driven into exile, where he reposed after much hardship and suffering.

Anna Kasparian exposes how AIPAC CONTROLS the US government through funding and Epstein-style blackmail, and revealing how she was BLACKLISTED from CNN panels and Real Clear Investigations simply for criticizing Israeli policy. She BREAKS DOWN why Iran was ready to surrender its enriched uranium days before the war started, why Netanyahu has been LYING about Iran's nuclear weapons since the 1980s, and why the Iranian government's strategic patience on the Strait of Hormuz was nothing short of extraordinary. Anna also CALLS OUT the Armenian diaspora to stop closing businesses on April 24th and start building their own AIPAC-style lobbying machine to protect Armenia a country she says is being abandoned by a government too busy fighting Israel's wars. From Monica Lewinsky as a Mossad honeypot to Ghislaine Maxwell's sweetheart prison deal, the California homeless money laundering scheme, and why the anti-semite label has officially lost all weight... this is Anna Kasparian completely uncensored.Follow us on all Social Media: YouTube: www.youtube.com/@WiseNutsInstagram: instagram.com/wisenuts_podcastWisenuts Merchandise: https://wisenutspodcast.com/General Sponsors:Megeredchian Law

Join Jordan, Commish, Pitt Girl, Big Sky Brigit and Beth. We talk about Lacrosse Champions, Ultimate Frisbee champs, the College World Series Bracket is set and we picked our favorite regionals based on vibes and uniforms, the College Softball World Series starts this weekend, we discuss some quotes from SEC Coaches, Mike Elko a man of brevity, Sark doesn't talk sh*t this time? Does he listen to our pod? Drinkwitz tells the Big Ten to get a Punting Injunction, Jon Sumrall making quotes, Lane Kiffin is back?, Cupcake Weekend is gone? Then we go over the Nominees for the 2006 Retroactive Sickos National Championship, Did Maryland beating Purdue in 2006 Bowl Game lead to them moving to the Big Ten? what the hell was happening in the entire state of North Carolina? that Boise State year, Kent State fumbled how many times??? Oh no FIU what happened, oh no Duke not you too and oh so much, much more! Join our Patreon for just $3 or $5 a month. https://www.patreon.com/cw/SickosCommittee Buy some of our merch from https://thesickoscommittee-shop.fourthwall.com/ Check out our Linktree for all our discount codes https://linktr.ee/sickoscommittee Subscribe to our blog at https://sickos-newsletter.beehiiv.com/ Subscribe to our YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@sickoscommittee See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join host Lata Murti and her guests, Shushana Hakobyan of Shell Piano Trio and composer Dr. Deon Nielsen Price of Music for Unity, as they discuss the upcoming concert, Postcards from Armenia. The concert features work by Armenian composers and also the world premiere of Dr. Nielsen Price's composition "Conversation with Komitas."Listen to Central Coast Voices Thursdays from 1-2pm on KCBX

In this profound exploration of Matthew 22:1-14, we examine Jesus's parable of the wedding feast—one of the most theologically dense teachings in Scripture. This parable reveals the magnificent scope of God's gospel invitation extended to all humanity, the tragic reality of human rejection, and the sovereign grace that ensures God's purposes will not be thwarted. Through the imagery of a royal wedding banquet, Jesus addresses the religious leaders who challenged His authority while simultaneously unveiling timeless truths about salvation, election, and the nature of the Church. This episode unpacks the parable's layers of meaning, from the universal call of the gospel to the particular grace of election, equipping believers to understand both the urgency and the sovereignty of God's redemptive work. Key Takeaways The Universal Gospel Call Is Genuine and Urgent: God's invitation to salvation goes out indiscriminately to all people, regardless of ethnicity, social status, or moral condition. This external call is sincere, well-meant, and accompanied by genuine offers of grace. Human Rejection Is Willful and Culpable: The parable demonstrates that humanity's refusal of God's invitation is not due to insufficient information but to volitional rebellion. This rejection often progresses from indifference to active hostility against God and His messengers. God's Sovereign Purposes Cannot Be Frustrated: Despite widespread rejection, the wedding hall will be filled. God's redemptive plan includes the expansion of His covenant community beyond ethnic Israel to include Gentiles from every nation. The Wedding Garment Represents Imputed Righteousness: The garment required for the feast symbolizes the righteousness of Christ, received by faith alone, not earned through human effort. This illustrates the doctrine of justification by grace through faith. The Visible Church Contains Both Genuine and False Believers: The parable warns that not all who hear the gospel and enter the visible church possess true saving faith, distinguishing between the external call and the internal, effectual work of the Spirit. Eternal Punishment Is Real and Conscious: The parable's conclusion soberly affirms the doctrine of eternal, conscious punishment for those who reject Christ, depicted as "outer darkness" with "weeping and gnashing of teeth." "Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen": This foundational statement maintains the biblical tension between the universal external call of the gospel and the particular, effectual call of God that sovereignly draws the elect to salvation. Key Concepts The Nature of the Gospel Call: External and Effectual Reformed theology has carefully distinguished between two aspects of God's call. The external or general call is the sincere proclamation of the gospel to all without distinction, inviting everyone to faith and repentance. This call is genuine on God's part—He truly offers salvation to all who hear. However, due to total depravity, the natural person will not respond to this call on their own. The internal or effectual call is the sovereign, irresistible work of the Holy Spirit by which the elect are regenerated, have their wills renewed, and are infallibly brought to saving faith. This distinction preserves both human responsibility (we are culpable for rejecting a genuine offer) and divine sovereignty (God alone saves by His grace). The parable beautifully illustrates both realities: servants genuinely invite all they find on the highways, yet the King ultimately determines who is properly clothed for the feast. The Wedding Garment and Justification by Faith Alone The wedding garment represents one of the parable's most critical theological elements. In ancient Near Eastern culture, hosts often provided garments for wedding guests, making the lack of proper attire inexcusable. Theologically, this garment symbolizes the righteousness of Christ imputed to believers—a righteousness not produced by human effort but received through faith alone. This directly confronts any notion of works-righteousness or the idea that we can stand before God based on our own moral achievements, religious observances, or church membership. The man without the garment represents those who presume to approach God on the basis of their own righteousness rather than Christ's alien righteousness. His speechlessness before judgment illustrates that on the last day, no one will successfully argue their case on grounds of personal merit. This underscores the Reformation principle of sola gratia and sola fide—salvation is by grace alone through faith alone, clothing us in a righteousness that is entirely Christ's. The Tension Between Universal Call and Particular Election The parable's conclusion—"many are called, but few are chosen"—encapsulates one of theology's profound mysteries. This statement places two realities side by side without resolving the tension philosophically. The invitation truly goes to all (universal call), yet only some respond savingly (particular election). Reformed theology maintains this biblical tension rather than collapsing it in either direction. We don't limit the external call only to the elect (hyper-Calvinism), nor do we make the internal call dependent solely on human decision (Arminianism). Instead, we affirm that the gospel invitation is genuinely universal while the effectual drawing is sovereignly particular. This means Christians can proclaim unreservedly, "Christ has died for you" to any person, knowing the offer is sincere, while simultaneously trusting that God will infallibly save all His elect through that proclamation. Memorable Quotes "The most scandalous and tragic thing that could happen at a wedding or a wedding banquet is that nobody shows up. The guests don't come. Or in fact, not only do they not come, they don't want to come—they burn the invitations." "You don't bring anything to your salvation except the sin that made it necessary." "Many a man in this world will silence his own conscience with many a fair excuse. But in that day, there will be no excuse, no plea, no delay." - William Perkins Full Episode Transcript [00:00:58] Jesse Schwamb: Welcome to episode 493 of The Reformed Brotherhood. I'm Jesse, and this is the podcast where we will talk about every single parable. Hey, brothers and sisters. So when was the last time that you were at a wedding? I think weddings are one of the most glorious of all kinds of human events and celebrations, and I think the solemness of the vows and the promises that are exchanged between a man and a woman in marriage in that ceremony, or maybe only equaled by the joy of those same vows and promises. And of course, the whole point of coming together to celebrate a, a wedding. Is to make that joy consummate and complete by having others participate in it. The seeing the union of a man and a woman become one, the excitement of that love expressed in promise and commitment. It's an incredible thing. And I was thinking about this recently because our wedding invitation is actually framed in, in our living room because one of the guests that we invited gave that to us as a really thoughtful gift. And so our wedding ceremony and the party that followed, and it was a. Amazing and awesome party, especially thanks to my in-laws and my parents who generously made sure that that was possible was an exceptional event that we still talk about all the time. Actually, you know, in my wedding when we had this grand kind of wedding banquet afterwards, we had a friend of ours who actually performed the song that we danced to on grand piano and sang for us, which is amazing. We had a DJ in one room and we had a live jazz band in another, and I specifically recall. That when we left late in the evening, my new wife and I, that there were still people on the dance floor having a good time. And I thought, this is the way it's supposed to be. I mean, this is a wedding. This is a wedding banquet. [00:02:58] Why No One Comes [00:02:58] Jesse Schwamb: And so it also made me think recently, especially as we find ourselves in Matthew chapter 22, continuing to look at all these incredible parables that Jesus gives to us, that perhaps the most scandalous and tragic thing that could happen at a wedding or a wedding banquet is that nobody shows up. The guests don't come. Or in fact, like not only do they not come, they don't want to come, they burn the invitations. They wanna have nothing to do with the celebration or the ceremony itself. And so Jesus has been doing all of this teaching that we've been tracking, and he's been responding to these leaders in the Jewish community, the people we call the Pharisees and the scribes who have challenged his authority. And he's been progressing in the way that he's almost ratcheting up the language that he's using, the indictments that he's bringing to them. And now he's about to bring in weddings and specifically the wedding banquet. And that is where we're gonna find ourselves in a Matthew Chapter 22. Now, by the way, I should also mention that because my wife is super popular lady and super lovable. We had a pretty large wedding. I think we had over 200 guests, and so. Because my father-in-law is retired military, we were actually able to have our whole wedding banquet, our whole celebration and party on a local army base. But because of that, it meant that before you could actually get onto the base, all of our guests. Had to be searched. So it's nothing like, you know, basically just shaken down your wedding guests before they show up. So that also was super fun.  [00:04:32] Reading Matthew 22 [00:04:32] Jesse Schwamb: But let's go to the scriptures, everybody. So here's Matthew chapter 22. Uh, listen to this as we take a look at what Jesus has to say and why he brings in weddings. Actually, it might be helpful to say or to give you something, rather to listen to or listen for before you even hear me read the scriptures because. This parable of this wedding banquet, it is definitely one of the most theologically dense parables in the entire synaptic tradition. It is set like we've been saying within the final week of Jesus' ministry in Jerusalem, and it's embedded in the sequence of confrontational exchanges that he's having with the Jewish leadership because they have challenged his authority. And so as you listen to this being read, I want you to clue in, key in as they say to a couple of things. See if you can find the, like the Christological proclamation in this. There's a, a covenantal poll. I think there's some sociological instruction and there's an eschatological warning. All of this happens as is Jesus's jam in the short span of several verses where he illuminates all of these principles of the sovereign grace of God and the summons of the gospel. Total depravity and culpability of this, these rebellious people who refuse the call, the historical judgment of God upon the covenant breaking Israel. And then of course, the subsequent expansion of that covenant into the community include to include the Gentiles. All of this is happening. In this parable, and so I want you just to listen for that as we together read. Or in my case, I guess I just read, especially if you're driving, do not read the parable that begins in the first part of Matthew chapter 22. Here's the word of God. And Jesus answered and spoke to them again in parables saying The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, and he sent out his slaves to call those who had been called to the wedding feast and they were unwilling to come again. He sent out other slaves saying, tell those who have been called. Behold. I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fon livestock are all butchered and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast. But they paid no attention and went their way, one to his farm, another to his business, and the rest seized the slaves and mistreated them and killed them. But the king was enraged and he sent his armies and destroyed those murderers and set their city on fire. Then he said to his slaves, the wedding is ready, but those who were called were not worthy. Go, therefore, to the main highways and as many as you find there, call to the wedding feast. And those slaves went out into the streets and gathered together all they found both evil and good, and the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests. But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who is not dressed in wedding clothes, and he said to him, friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes? And the man was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, bind him hand and foot and throw him into the outer darkness. In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth for many are called, but few are chosen.  [00:07:50] Parable Context [00:07:50] Jesse Schwamb: Wow. So what an incredible. Story, what an incredible foundation or rubric or context in which so many rich theological concepts and pastoral concepts, doctrinal concepts are given to us from Jesus. And you'll notice that of course, chronologically here, this parable is following the parable of the two sons and the parable of the wicked tenants. Those are the vine growers that we were talking about over the last several episodes. And this one rounds everything out. It forms like a triptych of rejection parables directed against these chief priests and the Pharisees who keep coming after Jesus and his authority. And Matthew signals this kind of escalating tension. The Jewish leaders are now explicitly seeking to arrest Jesus. And Jesus responds not by treating their, not by retreating, of course, but by intensifying his indictment in this parabolic form. And here's where we arrive in Matthew 22. It's interesting to me, of course, that this is the approach that Jesus takes. He has already conveyed these two great stories, and at the end of the last one, Tony and I spoke about how this was where at least Matthew explains to us very directly that the, the Pharisees and the scribes, they understood, they discerned that Jesus was speaking about them, and yet Jesus says, I'm not done yet. I've got one more. And this is the culmination of all the things that he's been saying. And it starts again in verse one with Jesus saying, and again, he spoke to them in a parable. You know, it signals that the parable itself is still a reply. Not to a verbal question at this immediate moment, but to this ongoing posture of rejection exhibited by the religious leaders. You notice that what Matthew says here is very, I think, theologically significant in light of where Jesus explains that the parables both reveal and they conceal their instruments of divine judgment upon heart and hearts, even as they illuminate those with ears to hear. This is why I think it's just so important that as Christians. Even as we study God's word, as we participate in it, so to speak, as we let it read us, that we come with this posture of prayer, that we desperately need God's Holy, holy, holy Spirit to illuminate for us what the scriptures say, to lead us into the paths of righteousness and judgment, which are present in the scriptures, so that we may understand them with these spirit-filled eyes, with a spirit enabled brain with ears that have been unstopped by the spirit. So these parables are the mode by which Christ simultaneously honors and judges his audience. He shows indirectly what it would've been of no use to state plainly. And so the parable form itself is really part of the message here. I think that's something hopefully you picked up as we've been processing them all together, that Jesus opponents cannot arrest what they cannot fully comprehend, yet their incomprehension is itself their condemnation, right? This is, this is the mystery. Of the gospel of what God does, where there is this outward and full unbiased external call, and yet there is something that is efficacious by the power of the Holy Spirit for those whom God has chosen and called to himself so reformed to eus. Are attentive to the authorial intent in historical situatedness of each thing that Jesus says. That's one of the things I think is great about the way in which we kind of have organized our theological perspective and these parables function as a prophetic oracle of judgment. And certainly that's like in an Old Testament accent. I mean, that's the Old Testament jam. It's an Old Testament lawsuit kind of John. It's like law and order. If law and order were Moses, were doing it right. So notice that again, as Tony and I've said so many times before, what I kind of always find so phenomenal about these parables is that often we think of parables as having the main object of being a noun of some kind. It's a person, it's a place. It's a thing that is sometimes the case, but more often than not, it's one of those nouns associated with a verb.  [00:11:59] Kingdom And The King [00:11:59] Jesse Schwamb: And so we get that in verse two. The kingdom of heaven may be compared to what? To a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. And so it implies that the kingdom is being revealed and likened in a definitive act. We got verbs, loved ones. This is the classic. The ultimate, God does all the verbs because you're gonna hear her over and over again. God is going out. God is giving. God is seeking. God is going after, and these verbs are really the center of the parable itself. It's not just that it's the wedding banquet as maybe the title in your scripture gives you, but it's more about this giving of this event and it's preparing of this grand feast. And so the recurrence of this allegory seemed, I think, pretty straightforward to us. The the king is God, the Father, the Son is Christ, and the wedding banquet, which by the way in the Greek here is plural, is really emphasizing that it's a totality of an occasion. This is the Messianic feast. This is the eschatological consummation of the Covenant of Grace. And that image imagery draws like so deep from this Old Testament well and background of God as the husband and the bridegroom of Israel. Again, how lovely and amazing for Jesus and his thorough knowledge of the scriptures to draw in something that the audience would've been like, yes, I know what you're talking about. I'm totally down with that. And so the son's wedding is therefore not some kind of like incidental entertainment. It is the central event of all history, the installation of the Messianic king and the gathering of his bride. And of course, the people hearing this would've immediately gravitated toward that. I think they would've leaned in maybe even like smiled or smirked at one another, knowing that this was now all that veiled. What Christ was drawing on here was the classic presentation. Of the family of God represented in the children of Israel itself, being drawn back into consummate harmony with God the Father, where there was peace and unitedness, and a celebration of this fact that all things were now made and brought together, that God was restoring and bringing all those back to himself in his true and true kingdom that could not be thwarted. So the fact that the king gives the banquet, prepares it, sends servants, selects the guests, underscores this incredible modernistic character of salvation. I think it's impossible to miss here that God is literally doing all the verbs. The initiative at every point is divine. There's no hint here of synergism. The guests do not arrange their own invitations, literally. And so that's why in verse three, we see God, he sending out his servants. And of course that's a familiar theme. It should be to us. If you've been tracking with us the last several parables we've been speaking of because the servants represent the prophets of the Old Testament and subsequently the apostles and the ministers of the word. The invitation had already gone out to quote those who were invited. So it's this perfect passive parable in the Greek, it's, it's indicating a prior and standing invitation. This is the external or general call of the gospel going out through the preaching of the word. And notice that there is always a response. Even here, Jesus moves directly and quickly to here's what the response was. In other words, as the scripture has told us that God's word never goes out in returns void, there's always, as it were, a response here, that's illustrated for us very directly because the response is not so good.  [00:15:32] Invitation Refused [00:15:32] Jesse Schwamb: I mean, this is what would, this is horrible like wedding etiquette. They were not willing to come. And this verb I think is critical because it's volitional refusal. It's not mere ignorance. And reformed theology is insistent here against any kind of constellation that makes man's rejection of the gospel. A matter of insufficient information or circumstances we know better, right? We as people should know that we as Christians who have been changed, know that the natural man here is not natural, merely because he lacks the certain kind of information as if he could be restored or regenerated or reformed if we just knew more things. The will is in bondage to sin. And so as the Westminster Confession, faith says, man, by his fall into a state of sin, hath wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation. This is classic Jonathan Edwards, like, you don't bring anything to your salvation except the sin that made it necessary. For some reason in my head, I said that with kind of a, a weird, almost like southern attitude, which I did not mean to convey. But the point is that this refusal is total, it's willing, it's culpable, it's damnable, it's precisely that, which makes it all the more grievous. The invitation is genuine, the refusal is genuine, and the guilt here is entirely real. So the invited in verse three, represent all of Israel. I, I would say like particularly the leaders here, Tony and I have been talking about the responsibility of these, these leaders in particular to, of course, lead Shepherd, grow these people in faith and a love toward God in a way that is toward freedom and now toward more conviction around extraneous rules or heavy burdens that they set up for them that they cannot perform. And so we have these leaders who had received the covenantal promises and the prophetic witness. I mean, that's like classic Romans nine. The rejection of the servants echoes the pattern of prophetic persecution throughout all of Israel's history. So this is sad stuff. It's a sad beginning to have this grand wedding feast prepared by this king for his son set in motion with the invitations already gone out. And essentially all of those who have been invited have Ally refused.  [00:17:49] Feast Is Ready [00:17:49] Jesse Schwamb: But what's so incredible about God and his loving kindness is still represented here in verse four. The king does not relent after the first refusal, which is remarkable. I mean, this is, again, going back to our proper understanding that we love because God first loved us. That love always leads to giving. And so therefore, God so loved the world that he gave his only son. And when did he give his son? At the fullness of time when we were still at enmity, when we were enemies with him still, he sent his son for us and he sends, therefore a second embassy with an even more urgent and elaborate message that he gives them. He puts into their mouth. And the feast, again, is not merely planned. It's prepared. It's ready. The oxen and fat and calves are images of this lavish like sacrificial celebration. Everything's all slaughtered. Everything is ready to go. Now, I don't know the last time you've been to like an epic feast. I do mean like epic over the top feast. I want you to look up something for me. When you have a chance, look up, just go to your browser of choice and type in shady maples smorgasbord. Now, I don't know if you know what a smorgasbord is, but it's like a, I guess it's like a buffet, but like if you took a buffet and multiply it by a million and then only serve like rich, decadent food and more food than you could possibly really imagine and close to where I live, there's a very famous Amish style. Buffet called Shady Maple Smoker Sport. Just go look it up. 'cause it's gonna be possible for you to describe, but all I can say to you is this isn't just like your standard buffet, it's not just like a potluck where it's like, Hey, we got ham. And, um, we've got some salads and, uh, we've got that, uh, what's that? That weird stuff. You can I, the ambrosia, like we, we've got your hydrox cookies for dessert. This is the last time I was there and uh, actually I was there with my parents and my wife and they treated us. And because this was at a part of my life where my gallbladder was trying to attack me and kill me, I remember just being so ill while I was there feeling so ill, and yet just being so disappointed and bummed out that I couldn't eat all this glorious food because there was filet mignon and lobsters. And shrimp and fish and ham like glazed ham and like carving stations. And then for desserts there was like custards and pies and ice cream and cookies and whoopee pies. And it was this over the top celebration of food. And you couldn't help but just feel like, wow, this thing that we're doing right now is like incredible. I've also, I don't think ever seen my father sample so many different desserts because it was special. This was a, a lavish and incredible celebration for us, and it was prepared, it was ready to go. And we find the same thing here. And so the second sending corresponds to this ministry of the Apostles and the early churches proclamation to Israel. The urgency of the messages come now. It reflects this eschatological pressure of the gospel. A good kind of pressure as if like there's a tea kettle on the stove and it's heating up, and now it's starting to whistle and then to boil over. The kingdom has arrived. Loved ones, the feast is set, delay is inexcusable, and, and so the language of readiness, I think is this glorious language of the gospel. The atonement has accomplished. Christ has been crucified, risen, and exalted, and the feast of salvation is prepared. And what I love is that the reformed tradition consistently insists on the sufficiency of Christ's work for all and the genuine freeness of that gospel offer. I like this is what I usually go back to, is that the cannons of dort affirm this in this way. This is the quote. The promise of the gospel is that whosoever believes in Christ, crucified shall not perish, but of everlasting life. This promise together with the command to repent and believe, ought to be declared and proclaimed to all the nations. The invitation is genuine and urgent. The feast is truly ready. [00:22:01] Mission To All [00:22:01] Jesse Schwamb: The church that I attend is part of the Christian Missionary Alliance denomination, and one of the many things I love about my church is that outward and continual focus on this very thing. That the invitation is genuine. It is urgent, and the feast is truly ready, and it is for all peoples. This freeness to, as we talked about before, scatter the seed of the gospel message unreservedly and without bias to all, all in your sphere of influence. All nations, all people, all tongues, all tribe. And my church is very serious about this. In fact, one of the things our pastor loves to do is oftentimes when he's giving it this kind of proclamation, in fact, just this Lord's day, he was speaking from Matthew 28 and about the Great Commission and the essential nature of that great commission is every Christian's promise to participate in that. It is something you and I are commissioned for and we ought to regularly evaluate our, what our prayers look like. What our finances look like and what our time looks like with respect to whether we are taking seriously that commission, which God has given to us. And so in reminding us of that very fact, one of the things he'll often say from the pulpit is he'll ask out to the congregation, he'll say, what is our middle name? And everybody will respond, missionary. And, and while it's a little bit trite, it reminds us that as part of like the essential ethos in DNA of who we are as Christians, and in fact in this particular year. One of the themes that the whole Christian Missionary Alliance nomination has been focusing on is all of Jesus for All the World takes all of us. I love that all of Jesus for all the world takes all of us. And so we have embedded in this parable here, so much of this intentionality of the gospel, of going out for all people, making this, this message and this mission available. Going out and speaking and preaching and witnessing and testifying of how great God is and what he has done in setting and preparing this gospel message for all people. But in verse five, we find out that even still with all of this, they paid no attention. They went off one to his farm and another to his business. In other words, the word here suggests this kind of contemptuous indifference rather than this active hatred that that actually comes a little bit later. But worldly affairs, a farm, some converse. All this displaces the invitation. And these are not wicked activities, of course, in themselves. Their wickedness consists in their displacement of what is the ultimate. And that I think is actually like very penetrating diagnosis of the human condition. The great enemy of the gospel, at least it seems to me, is not always, as you talk to people, like some kind of dramatic philosophical rejection, some well articulated hatred toward God. It's instead like a quiet absorption in the ordinary pursuits of life. It's like what I think Augustine called being curved inward upon oneself. The world is a great enchant. It be witches our souls, it distracts us. There are so many things that can pull us away from not only meditating on this gospel message, but coming alongside and appreciating. In participating in that great commission. There's so many things to distract us. It's, it's not as if we need a list. I think if I asked each one of you or you asked me, what are some things that you find distracting that pull you away from time and prayer time, studying God's word, time spent with my wife, time spent serving in my local church. I'm not gonna be hard pressed to find those things to say to you. So this idea that we have, whether it's the farm or this business pursuit here, I suppose it could be representative to at least great earthly loves. You have the land, kind of a agrarian rooted life, and then there's trade mercantile and acquisitive life. I mean, maybe these just suggests that the rejection spans all of our social and economic classes, both within Israel at the time and for us today. And so we move both from like this kind of cold indifference, this we'll have other things to do. I'm, I'm just too busy. And, uh, how many times do we really convince ourselves that we can justify our busyness when we feel the pull of the spirit that there is a need? We feel the pull of the gospel message because there's the gospel pressure to ensure that we are speaking truth and love to those around us. That we ourselves are responding to this invitation with our wholeheartedness, our mind, soul, and spirit, everything that we are, and we convince ourselves. Well, I just, you know, I have a lot going on right now. God, there's just so much that I need to do.  [00:26:34] Indifference Turns Violent [00:26:34] Jesse Schwamb: Now we get to verse six and things shift a little bit. Verse six reads, while the rest sees the servants and treated them shamefully and killed them. Now, what's interesting to me is the indifference, kinda just that cold lackadaisical ness of verse five escalates somehow into violence. In verse six, some of them invited not only ignore the servants, but actively persecute them. And so here we have them, basically are being told they treated them outrageously, shamelessly, they killed them, and, and that's really the language of the entire prophetic tradition, the killing of the prophets. In fact, this Greek word here is ris. It's a word for arrogance. Honor, violating, assault, a sin against the honor of both the messenger and the one who sent him both. Like the one who is the emissary and the one who grants power or vouch saves authority to that emissary. And so to assault the king's servant is of course, to come against the king, and this is an act of high treason. It's against the sovereign God of the entire universe. I, I like here something that Calvin notes about this kind of inexcusable aggregation of aggravation of Israel's sin. He writes, they not only rejected the grace, which was offered to them, but added cruelty to their contempt. That's incredible. Right? That's exactly what we do. We reject God. It's, it's of course like not only just taking all the gifts he gives us and pretending as if they're under our own authority or. Have been the result of our own talents or abilities. But instead, when we do this, we add cruelty to all of our contempt. And the reformed doctrine, of course, of total depravity is not merely the claim that humans are bad. It's the claim that following humanity left to itself moves progressively from the indifference. That we saw in the previous verse, verse five, two, hostility toward the living God in his gospel messengers, which we see in verse six. In other words, unless God constrain us, loved ones, that is the natural end of man to move from this place where I do not care about God till I hate him, and then I hate all those who represent him, all those who speak on his behalf. [00:28:46] Judgment On The City [00:28:46] Jesse Schwamb: And so the king's response here, as you might imagine, is one of anger. He's angry. He sends his troops and he destroys the scriptures, say those are murderers, and he burns their city. I mean, the verse is almost certainly this kind of pro prophecy filled in its intent and its content. It's I think, probably a transparent reference to the destruction of Jerusalem by Roman armies in 80, 70. And Matthew, even if we say he's writing after that event, or in like a conservative dating with prophetic anticipation, presents Christ as foreseeing and pronouncing the divine judgment upon the city. And this King's anger, of course, is not just, it's not anger that's looking for reciprocity. It's not just anger that's saying, this has made me upset and I'm responding viscerally and emotionally. It's not petulant rage. It is holy and righteous wrath of the sovereign whose grace has been despised and whose servants have been murdered. The destruction is complete. The murderers are destroyed, the city is burned to the ground, and there are foreign tradition kind of following. A covenantal hermeneutic, I think reads 80, 70 as this terminus of the old Covenant administration in many ways, and the judgment upon Nashville Israel for his rejection, for her rejection, rather of the Messiah, you know? While all of that is true, I think what this presents for us is a reminder of how serious our God's Holiness is. And that again, every time we sin, every time that we come against God and someone would challenge his authority as it were, either directly or indirectly, we put ourselves in the place of those who reject the gospel message. And in so doing, we ought to fall on our knees and ask for the kind of repentance that is necessary because we ourselves are putting our place, we're extending among. The murderers, and in this case, the, the message that Jesus has for those is only anger and again, is a righteous kind of anger. So one might imagine as we read in like the previous parables, that Jesus could have just entirely ended there. It almost sounds like we've drawn to a close.  [00:31:04] Invitation Rejected [00:31:04] Jesse Schwamb: Listen, there's a king. He has a wedding banquet for his son. He sent out last invitations. Nobody came. He goes to confronts the guests and not only do they say we're not interested, some of them are like, yeah, we burned all the invitations. And then the people that you sent to remind us, we killed those people. And it'll be right for the king to say. That's it. Everybody's done here. I'm shutting the whole thing down. And honestly, that could have happened in the garden. That could happen at the cross. Instead, we find something totally different. The parable goes on.  [00:31:33] Feast Still Happens [00:31:33] Jesse Schwamb: In fact, verse eight reads, then he said to his servants, the wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Notice loved ones that the feast does not get canceled. I mean, Christmas doesn't get canceled. It's just redirected. The king's purposes will not, cannot be frustrated, and this is a critical sociological and eschatological claim to me, at least. What we're seeing here is the refusal of the invited guests does not leave the wedding hall empty. Praise the Lord. It occasions the wider extension of the invitation.  [00:32:07] Gospel Offer Explained [00:32:07] Jesse Schwamb: And this idea of not worthy does not introduce a prior standard of merit by which the guests were found deficient. But instead, as you know, their unworthiness consists in their refusal To refuse the gospel is to demonstrate one's unworthiness of it. And so worthiness in this context is not some kinda like moral achievement, but it's a covenantal responsiveness. It's the openness of the creature to receive what the king graciously provides. It's why when we stand before God in the kind of judgment that we rightfully deserve, and he says something to the extent of, why should I let you into my heaven? Why should I let you enjoy eternal life with me? We should rightly say, because you promised. And because by the power of your Holy Spirit, through the faith you have given and instilled in me by this imputed righteousness, I can trust you at your promise. And so I think this verse is like so critical for understanding the well meant offer of the gospel. Again, we should together affirm that the gospel is offered to all without distinction, and that those who do not come are inexcusable. God does not will. The damnation of those who reject the gospel as a bare first intention, their damnation follows from their own culpable refusal.  [00:33:31] Mission To All Roads [00:33:31] Jesse Schwamb: And so the king says, listen guys, go out everywhere. Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding piece. As many as you find. I don't know how you're envisioning. If you were listening to this story and you were like setting the actual scene, but I don't know, to me, I just find them, the, the servants or the slaves that they look at it one another and they're just like s go time and they just turn around and start going everywhere to all the places, uh, to anyone who will listen to all the like, stops that there were on the byways. All the highways, all the roads. They're just going through all the places. Wherever the road takes 'em, that's where they're going. And all along the way they're spreading this mission, this invitation, and the mission now. Is universal in scope. The main roads, literally the, the exits, the outlets of all these places. The thoroughfares, where the roads branch out of the city and the highways diverge in the countryside. This is representing, of course, like the ends of the earth, the places where any and all may be found. And the command here to as many as you find to go to those is of course, like a command of universal scope. It's for you and me, loved ones there. There's no prior qualification, rich or poor, Jewish, gentile, moral or immoral. This is the missio day, breaking through all ethnic and social boundaries, and in this loving way, in this pastoral way, it underpins the free and indiscriminate offer of the gospel. Again, like going back to the Westminster Confession and the shorter catechism, affirming this covenant of grace that is administered by the preaching of the word. And no matter where you work, like reform theology from like William Cur, David Bernard, like to the modern missionary movement, we're drawing from this mandate of precisely this kind of universal commission. You know, it's like Spurgeon, I think once said something effect of like, Christ has done more than give a general invitation. He has given an urgent, pressing, commanding invitation to all something like that. And I always remember that because when I think about what it means to step into this role of fulfilling the great commission of understanding what Jesus is saying here, it's not just as if we're saying, listen, the world is in a dire place. This is an emergency situation. And so for all of us in our sphere of influence. To bring forward this message of the indiscriminate offer of the gospel is to take God at his word and then to deliver that word to all of those, all the highways, all the byways, all the outplace, every tribe, Tong, nation. What a glorious thing that our God has given us and put us on mission in this way so that no matter who we meet, we know we might say Jesus loves you, that Jesus has died for you. This is, I think, one of the things that those who maybe are new to the reformed tradition and the theological perspective. Find a little bit interesting to parse out, or maybe sometimes if you've had conversations like I have people think that we're parsing the words too much, but there's something to be said for the death of Jesus being sufficient for all and efficacious for the elect, that we're not simply splitting words. There we're describing very discreetly, very cogently, very crisply. This indiscriminate gospel message while at the same time recognizing that it's God's sovereign choice and will to draw those whom he will to himself. And so in verse 10.  [00:36:54] Good And Bad Gathered [00:36:54] Jesse Schwamb: These servants go out to the roads and they gather all whom they found both good and bad. And so the wedding hall, guess what was filled with guests, because this is God's sovereign prerogative because he can do all these things because even those who have denied him does not remove him from power. That he does all the verbs and so the servants obey and the results are comprehensive. They gather in all of these, and Matthew's quick to say both the good and the bad, and I think like the good and the bad pairing is significant. I don't think this is necessarily meaning that there's the morally virtuous and the morally depraved, though that probably is included somewhere. But I think this, this more, this reflection that, once again, it's all kinds of people. For God's to love the world that whomsoever, all of those who believe in him should not perish, but have eternal life. The wedding hall is filled, it was filled, and it's filled by God's sovereign action through human instrumentality.  [00:37:53] Visible And Invisible Church [00:37:53] Jesse Schwamb: And there is, like I'd say, if you're tracking with this, you should notice that there is a, a kinda a tension here. It sits between verses 10 and 11, and it's going to resolve the banquet hall is full. But you'll notice that it's not all within, well, not everybody who's within it are truly saved. And we'll get to why that isn't just a second. But the filling of the hall through the universal gospel summons does produce a mixed company. We've already talked about the parable of the terrors in the wheat before, so this, this should be news if you've been listening to us for a little while, but it's precisely the condition of the visible church in this age. Again, I just think it's fantastic that when we go to the scriptures, one of the reasons we know it's true is because God tells us the truth about the way things are. And we know that this is the way that the church is today. We would call this the visible versus the invisible church. And of course there's a distinguishing between the visible church, which consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion from the invisible church, which is the totality of the elect, those who God has actually called to himself. So the hole is full. But not all in the hall are clothed. And this is fascinating how Jesus brings in this idea of dressing of not, I mean, not what you put on your salad, a smorgasbord, but like what you're actually wearing.  [00:39:07] Wedding Garment Meaning [00:39:07] Jesse Schwamb: So in verse 11, but the king came in to look at the guests and he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. So notice that the parable scene here kind of shifts dramatically all of a sudden because the king arrives suddenly. He's present. He was speaking, he was giving instructions, he was preparing, he was a character, kind of chilling in the background. But now there's this eschatological moment the king's coming to inspect. The guests corresponds to this final judgment, and what he finds is there's a man without a wedding garment. He's at the center, I think of this parables, theological climax. So what, what is this wedding garment? I would put it to you like, as you're thinking through this and maybe interpreting listening for yourself, what do you think the wedding garment is? And I would say like what most reformed interpreters have been unified on is that this really represents that imputed righteousness, the the righteousness of Christ that's credited to the believer and received by faith alone. And so by a wedding garment, I would understand this to mean the purity and the holiness of that transforms and regenerated life, which is required of all those who are brought inside the true and invisible church. And though he immediately qualifies this as like righteousness, that is inseparable from justification. It is not earned, but it is received. In fact, I think, uh, I have my Logos Bible software up as I'm talking to you, and I see that Matthew Henry comments on this by saying, the righteousness of Christ is the robe of righteousness, the garment of salvation in which true believers are closed. I mean. That's a great turn of phrase, brothers and sisters. I love this idea of what the scriptures tell us elsewhere of putting on these garments of praise or worship, the garments of Christ, of being exchanged out as it were, for what is dirty and unsuitable for something that suits the occasion that is given to you to wear by faith alone. And of course, this wedding garment is not a work that the guest has produced, but it's a garment provided, uh, presumably like the king's servants actually supplied it. Uh, I, I think that's like a detail implied by the ancient custom and the severity of the guest condemnation for lacking it. It's almost as if the king is saying. Uh, like you were, should have been provided. Why did you not put this on? Why did by faith you not accept this? And this underscores the so gratia and so fide. The righteousness by which we stand before God on the last day is not our own, but Christ, it's received through faith. And the man without the garment represents those who presume to stand before God on the basis of their own righteousness. Whether that's religious profession. Moral achievement, charitable giving, mere church membership rather. And instead of. That alien and beautiful righteousness of Christ. So the fact that this man is inside the hall, you know, he's come in through the general call confirms that the parable addresses not only those outside the church, but those within it who lack genuine saving faith. It's almost, to me, kind of like an intra ecclesial warning. It's, it's not merely a missional observation. I think that is for all of us. It's why Paul elsewhere says. Check test, confirm to see whether you yourselves are in this faith because it is by faith that we put on these wedding garments which are appropriate and suitable for this great eschatological Messianic wedding feast with the lamb. [00:42:48] Speechless Before Judgment [00:42:48] Jesse Schwamb: So in verse 12, the king says to him, friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment? And notice the man's response. I, I almost find this kind of funny because he just says, and he was speechless. Like there was, there was nothing for him, uh, to, to say it all. And of course, like this question that's posed here, this, how did you get in here without the winning government? It's not a real question, right? It's not a question of genuine puzzlement. It's the same way in which when we find God walking in the cool of the day, in the garden after the sin of Adam and E, where he says, Adam, where are you? It's not a genuine question of a quizzical nature. It's instead, this rhetorical structure is God questions through judgments. And when he says to Cain, where is Abel your brother, where is Abel, your brother? He's exposing and he's condemning. He's not merely inquiring. And so this man in response, sensing this condemnation, discerning this condemnation, this judgment that's been brought against him, I think this is why the Greek says he was muzzled. He was silenced, his mouth was shut up. He had no answer. Uh, it's not because the question was unfair. But because there was just no legitimate words that he could bring there, there was no argumentation. In other words, there's no poll mic. There was no great debate that he could have. In this moment. Every mouth will be stopped before God. I mean, that's like Romans three. The silence of the ungodly before the Divine Tribunal is a consistent biblical theme, and we find it here. Again, this is the eschatological end to those who are condemned. No one loved ones is gonna stand before God on the last day and successfully argue their case on the ground of personal merit. I love William Perkins on this topic. He was apparently really moved. I learned by this verse and by what he saw in the silence as a profound warning against false assurance. So he actually wrote many a man in this world. Silence is his own conscience. With many fair excuse. Do you hear that? I, I love that turn of phrase. So we're talking about silence. It's about being silence, but I love how he says it's very easy to, to silence, not yourself, not like somebody coming against you with debate, but your own conscience. So he writes, again, many a man in this world will silence his own conscience with many a fair excuse. But in that day, there will be no excuse, no plea, no delay. So that time of plea is now, it's in this life. It's by faith and repentance, which is why there's an urgency to this gospel message. And so the king.  [00:45:17] Outer Darkness Warning [00:45:17] Jesse Schwamb: In hearing this and knowing that this man has no excuse for his outer attire, he says to him, listen to the servants. Bind him hand and foot, cast him into outer darkness. In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. The sentence is severe. It's total. Of the command is given to the servants and attendance maybe in this parable and parabolic form, likely the angelic executors of divine judgment and it is binding. It renders the condemned utterly helpless. It's a picture of total divine control over the destiny of the ate. He has cast into this outer darkness, outside the light and warmth of the banquet hall entirely. And I think it's incumbent upon us to take a second and to grieve the repercussions of what is being said here. That the death and destruction of the ATE should make us grieve. It should compel us to go out into the highways, the byways, and to share this message. Unreservedly. One of the ways we know really the full anguish of what this entails is this phrase, weeping and gnashing of teeth, actually occurs seven times in Matthew, and it functions as this refrain, this chorus, this common language of this eschatological condemnation, it combines interestingly in this wordplay here, both the anguish of grief with the rage of frustrated pride. It's a portrait, not of this just like regret, but continuing imp penitent, hostility against God and eternal punishment. And I think if Tony were here, he would agree with me that we have consistently affirmed the doctrine of eternal conscience punishment. You know, the Westminster Confession says, the wicked who know not God and obey not the gospel of Jesus Christ shall be cast into eternal torments. In other words, this outer darkness is not annihilation. The weeping and the gnashing continues. It implies an ongoing conscious existence. It's the image of a binding stands against the notion of this kind of postmortem repentance or universalism. The severity of that verse, I think, really must be allowed to stand in its canonical context without mitigation. The, the severity of this judgment ought to fill us with fear, not theological domestication. We, we shouldn't set this aside and be saying, well, this implies that there is nothing after that time. No, there continues to be only time with God in his presence, in eternal, consummate joy and harmony and peacefulness and celebration. Or there is literally. A weeping and a gnashing of teeth, an unresolved rage and anger where that is punished by God because he's absent where there's unmitigated pain and suffering because it is absent the presence and the mediation of God himself, who even now in this world, holds us back so that while we are sinful and we are not as bad as we could or ought to be because of his great kindness, all of us, even those. Who are not believers.  [00:48:37] Called Yet Chosen [00:48:37] Jesse Schwamb: And so because of that, it ends with these very famous in stock words in in verse 14, for many are called, but few are chosen. And that concluding aphorism is, I think, the theological linchpin of this entire thing. The contrast between this idea of called and chosen, you know, this is the vocabulary that is deliberately covenantal and elective, and we shouldn't shy away from that. Of course, it's referring to this external call, the universal proclamation of the gospel to all the hearers. The call is genuine, it's earnest, it's gentile, it's sufficient as an offer. It is the call that goes to all the highways, all who hear the gospel are truly called to repentance and faith. And for me, in my own journey of understanding what this means as God has allowed me to, that has been critical. This idea that this universal call means that it is sufficient as a call to repentance and faith for all those who hear it. And then it does become the responsibility of all those who hear it to respond to it. And so this idea then of this pairing then with the chosen and the elect is referring of course to those whom God has chosen from before the foundation of the world. The elect are those who not only receive the external call, but are effectually drawn by the eternal efficacious call of the Holy Spirit. We can look to Romans eight 30, those whom he predestined, he also called, and those whom he called, he also justified. And I say, because this is a Reformed Theological podcast, and this is what you came here for, I presume, brothers and sisters. Then it behooves us to at least mention again that the reformed tradition has classically distinguished between that external or general call, the sincere well meant proclamation of the gospel to all without distinction, inviting everybody to faith and repentance. That call is genuine on God's part and God's doing the verbs in that as well. And then again, we, we set that over in next two, the internal, what we call like effectual efficacious call. It's sovereign. It's irresistible work of the Holy Spirit by which the elect regenerated, have their will renewed and are infallibly brought to saving faith. All those whom God has predestined unto life and those only he's pleased in his appointed and accepted time to affectionately call by His word and his spirit out of the state of sin and death to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ. I was thinking recently of this idea of the narrow path and somewhere between like the scriptures there and pilgrim's progress, and paths and journeys. I had this image in my mind of the road on which we walk. And in this life, the natural man on that road encounters all these like intractable boulders, these things that cannot be traversed. These just great mountainous pieces of rock, which block the path. And so prevent us from at least accomplishing the thing that we would like. Like to live forever, to have peace with God, to be at peace with ourselves, to love our brothers and our sisters as much as we love ourselves to honor something that is greater than us. And those boulders are things like sin, death in the devil, which constantly invade us, which constantly thwart us, which constantly block us. And in Christ, what he has accomplished in salvation is not just, I think to remove those boulders, though that would've been good enough of course to just get them outta the way. Instead, it's as if he's taken them and he's crushed them, and now to the softest sand between our toes and we walk over them in victory by the power of his name through the Holy Spirit into eternal life. Into that grand wedding feast spoil, which we have been invited because he has done this because he loves us. And so verse 14 places these two realities side by side without resolving the tension. Philosophically, this is one of the great mysteries of theology. Uh, reformed theology does not collapse the distinction by limiting the external call to the elect alone as like maybe kind of a hyper Calvinist model, but it doesn't make the internal call dependent on a human decision. As like Armenian theology would instead, you know, the tension is, is biblical. This is here for us. It's here for us, because I believe that God wishes for us to submit our knowledge and our reasoning to him knowing that he is far and above us. And because this tension is biblical, it has to be maintained. The invitation is genuinely universal. The effectual drawing is sovereignly particular. How great is our God loved ones? There is no one like him. And so there's so much in this that I think we could spend all of the rest of our life thinking about, and that would be a noble, I was just thinking today that, um, you know, unless the Lord Terrys like, maybe this will be the last series me and Tony ever do, because there's so much that's rich and deep in these parables and there's so many of them, and the teaching of Christ is, is so complete of course, for us because it gives us everything that we need for life and salvation and godliness that. We find that the more that we look into them, the more that we ask the Holy Spirit to bathe us in a realization that comes from the spirit of God, the more that we will find. They challenge us. They encourage us. They equip us. So I'm thinking and praying for you all as I hope that you are for Tony and I as we continue to wrestle with these things as we continue to talk them out, because I'm asking God that he would equip us as we look at the teaching of his son in these parables with a firm understanding of the truth and equip us with his promises and with his encouragement so that. As he grows us in our faith, our faith for us would be like a thousand eyes and a thousand wings that we would find ourselves moving from glory to glory. Because we see in these parables the great work of God for us. What he has accomplished through his son and how he continues to be for us and the son who is given for us is with us. That we have his Holy Spirit within us and who discerns the mind of God, accept the spirits of God. So love us. Let's continue to get after what's being said in these parables here because there's so much for us here.  [00:55:14] Living The Commission [00:55:14] Jesse Schwamb: And might I add, just to tack onto the end, there's also so much for the world. I know that we're quick to say, or like colloquially Christians have said in the past like, Jesus is the answer, but you I think cannot necessarily fault the world for sometimes asking, well, what is the question? And unless we go forward with this proper understanding that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. That all are in need of this savior and that this gospel message is for, in fact, for all people without reservation. Full stop. I guess I ask for you and I and Tony who's editing this episode, are we going out into the highways and byways? What is the proof of the pudding in the eating look like when we examine our lives, but with specifically our finances and our time and our prayer closet and our service? Aren't we in fact concerned with the great commission that is reflected here? Are we concerned with the emergence and urgent need of this gospel message, which is for all people because God so loved the world that he gave his only forgotten son. That whosoever shall believe in him will not per but have everlasting life.  [00:56:27] Community And Support [00:56:27] Jesse Schwamb: So come hang out with us. Come talk about this parable. You know where to go. But I'm gonna tell you anyway because that's what we do. If you go to your browser, type in T Me Back slash Reform Brotherhood, t Me Back slash Reform Brotherhood, that link will take you to an app called Telegram. Telegram is just a messaging app. It's like, I dunno, iMessages for Apple or whatever you Android people are using these days. And there's just a little community that we've sectioned off there. And it's a community of listeners to the Reform Brotherhood who are talking about all kinds of things. You, you wanna be in that group? It is. It is a great group. Don't, don't reject the invitation. Don't reject it. Just, just come. I know you're thinking, listen, I got land. I got commerce I gotta deal with. That's fine. Come, come and join us. So go to t.me/reform brotherhood. One last thing. I would be remiss if I didn't thank all of those who make sure that this podcast still goes out to all the highways and the byways of the internet. That there is no Jericho paywall around it because it does cost money to put out there all the subscriptions, all the distribution. It's surprising, but there are. Intense fees with a lot of that stuff, and so I wanna say thank you, thank you, thank you to those who have listened and said, you know what? I would like to make sure. That this continues to go on. I've been blessed just by the conversation. God has done something here because again, he does all the verbs. Tony and I do zero verbs, and so because of that, they've gone to patreon.com Reform Brotherhood, and they've just decided to give a little bit of the kindness of their heart and generosity to the Lord. So if you're thinking, you know what? I've been listening for a while, and I do appreciate that this just magically, as it were, pops up in my feed and I continue to listen to it. Would you please consider helping us? Uh, Tony and I and so many other listeners who give a little bit just to make sure that together we can keep this thing going strong. And again, you can just go to patreon.com/reform brotherhood. There's also a website, uh, reform brother.com and all kinds of other fun stuff. But I will leave that to you. I, I didn't even bring it up. See, I'm just so glad that you mentioned it yourself 'cause it would've been awkward otherwise.  [00:58:31] Final Blessing [00:58:31] Jesse Schwamb: So loved ones. There are still so many more parables to go. They're all so good. So I hope that you all come back and join us next time as we continue to move through these parables. But until then, there's something that you should definitely do honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. 

Inside the Wild World of Aircraft Repossessions with Carlos | Season 4 Ep. 6What happens when an airline goes bust, and someone has to take back a multi-million dollar commercial jet? In this episode, we sit down with aviation legal legend Carlos Sierra to explore the high-stakes, chaotic, and often dangerous world of aircraft leasing and hostile repossessions across Mexico and Latin America.From staring down the Armenian mafia in LA to deploying 80 riot-gear police officers on an active airfield and snatching a Russian Boeing 777 mid-sanctions in a 90-minute race against time—Carlos has done it all. If you think corporate law is just paperwork, think again.

On this explosive episode of Between the Notes, Paisan Kapitan brings together two powerhouse Armenian hip-hop artists and one of the most recognizable Armenian voices in entertainment media for a wild mix of music, culture, comedy, and real conversation. International recording artists HAK and Narek Face join the studio to talk about the evolution of Armenian urban music, balancing mainstream success with authenticity, underground rap culture, social media pressure, AI's impact on music, and the future of the Armenian entertainment scene. The chemistry between these two artists is undeniable as they break down their creative process, collaborations, and the challenges of building careers in Armenian music while staying true to themselves. The episode takes an unforgettable turn when HAK and Narek Face deliver a surprise LIVE impromptu in-studio performance of an unreleased track — putting their raw talent on full display in one of the most spontaneous moments ever featured on Between the Notes. Joining the conversation is Vanessa Ansoorian — social media personality and Chief of Staff to the President of one of the world's biggest entertainment companies, Disney Television. Vanessa dives into Armenian culture, viral Armenian sayings, preserving language and identity online, corporate entertainment culture, and gives inspiring career advice to young Armenian women looking to succeed in media and entertainment. From hilarious cultural moments to deep industry insight, this episode delivers nonstop energy, laughs, music, and authentic conversation the way only Hye Jams can.  

Send us Fan MailEpisode 250 of Nerdery & Murdery is live, and this week we flip the script with another Wife Swap episode.On the Nerdery side, Geoffrey takes over and dives into Genesis, focusing on the band's evolution after Peter Gabriel's departure. From A Trick of the Tail to Duke, Invisible Touch, and We Can't Dance, we explore how Genesis transformed from progressive rock pioneers into one of the biggest stadium acts in the world. Along the way, we talk about Phil Collins stepping into the spotlight, the shift from epic suites to chart-topping hits, and a personal memory from the 1992 Irving, Texas show during The Way We Walk tour. On the Murdery side, Zig steps into the darker side of history with the Armenian Genocide. Beginning in the spring of 1915 and continuing into 1916, the Ottoman Empire carried out a systematic campaign of deportation, violence, and mass death against the Armenian population. The events remain one of the most devastating humanitarian tragedies of the early 20th century.A band reinventing itself across decades on one side.A historical tragedy that reshaped lives and nations on the other.Just another week of the Nerd and the Murd.Support the show

Conversations on Groong - May 23, 2026This Conversations on Groong episode provides a primer on Armenia's June 7, 2026 parliamentary elections, reviewing the 17 parties and 2 alliances registered to compete. The discussion explains the election rules, thresholds, coalition process, and the "stable majority" mechanism, while stressing the uneven political environment facing opposition forces. The episode then walks through each participant, including Civil Contract, Strong Armenia, Armenia Alliance, Prosperous Armenia, Wings of Unity, Bright Armenia, ANC, Bever, Republic, DOK, Democratic Consolidation, and smaller parties with limited visibility or missing programs. The hosts compare party leaders, alliances, campaign programs, polling numbers, foreign policy orientations, and positions on major issues such as Artsakh, Russia, the West, Iran, TRIPP, CSTO, and opposition unity. The episode also introduces a geopolitical heatmap to help listeners see where the main forces stand and which parties appear most likely to enter parliament based on MPG polling.Topics:Armenia's election rulesParties and alliances competingMPG polling and thresholdsOpposition challenges and turnoutGeopolitical positions heatmapHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 548 | Recorded: May 22, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/548VIDEO: https://youtu.be/Ok-1CTqD670#Armenia #ArmenianElections #ArmenianPolitics #Artsakh #SouthCaucasus #CivilContract #StrongArmenia #HayastanDashinqSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

"This Saint was from Synnada in Phrygia of Asia Minor. In Constantinople he met Saint Theophylact (March 8); the holy Patriarch Tarasius, learning that Michael and Theophylact desired to become monks, sent them to a monastery on the Black Sea. Because of their great virtue, St Tarasius afterwards compelled them to accept consecration, Theophylact as Bishop of Nicomedia, and Michael as Bishop of his native Synnada. Because St Michael fearlessly confessed the veneration of the holy icons, he was banished by the Iconoclast Emperor Leo V the Armenian, who reigned from 813 to 820. After being driven from one place to another, in many hardships and bitter pains, St Michael died in exile." (Great Horologion)