Podcasts about as maya

Quaranteam – Book 1: Part 23 Planning Ceremonies.. Based on a post by CorruptingPower, in 25 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Explicit Novels.  As Maya, Sarah, & Emily headed into the house, Emily pulling the wheelie bag behind her, all of the luggage taken into the house, as Andy glanced over to look at Phil, as Linda moved over to stand closer to him. "You didn't have to bring her over here yourself Phil," Andy said to him. "You've got plenty of people over at the base for that kind of thing." "Not as many as I used to," he said. "You heard about this Valhalla Shores they've set up over in Pacifica?" Andy nodded. "Yeah, the other Phil called a little earlier today, told me he'd been moved into there. Why, are they taking some of your people?" "Seems like it. Maya was in the last batch of people we were doing serum injections for here in New Eden for the foreseeable future. Me and my team have been retasked, with studying the long term effects of the treatment, and with finding a way to help women survive if their male partner is killed. This thing we've got, it's kept a bunch of us alive, but the last thing I ever intended was for it to be binding men and women together." "Fucking McCallister," Linda grumbled. "Who?" Andy asked. "Don't worry about it," Phil said. "Anyway, they're using the base next to Valhalla Shores to be doing serum induction and pairing now. New Eden's mostly a closed community at this point." "Mostly?" "Nothing's ever truly completely done, so if we get special requests, or emergency needs, we'll add some more people to New Eden, but they want us focused on countering these side effects so badly that even the people who are being moved into Dos Eden are mostly going to be dosed elsewhere. There's a large facility in Oakland that's basically going to be the headquarters for serum induction, even though I told them it would probably be easier for all the Dos Eden people to just be inducted here, but the higher ups are adamant I start working some of this out." "I mean, that's probably for the best, isn't it, Phil? What happens right now if a man dies and he's partnered to multiple women? They just go insane?" "Well, no," Phil said, "but it's not pretty. We have a sort of temporary work around, but I think it's cruel, and it's certainly not anything I want to be advertising." "The hell are you talking about, Phil?" "So fairly early on in the crisis, we had to send some samples out to Washington, so they could see about getting some key people inoculated against the virus. We sent enough that all of Congress and the Joint Chiefs of Staff could've taken it if they wanted, but almost to a man they refused. The military leaders were a lot smarter about it, though, and many of them decided to have their partners take the treatment, so they would have some level of immunity from DuoHalo. The fact that General Brown, who took over for General Goldfein in August, was so proactive in making sure the top brass at the Air Force were inoculated might just be the defining action that saved this country from extinction." "Once again," Linda said with a sigh, "the black guy has to work three times as hard just to get so much as a thank you." "Well, when I have the privilege of meeting General Brown, I'm going to thank him hard enough for three people, because he's basically the only reason any of us are alive," Phil said. "He sprung into action, and made sure that we were working to get our solution, the only workable solution, out to as many people as possible, as quickly as we could. And he's the person who assigned you to me, Linda, so for that I'll be eternally grateful, because you've saved my life more than a couple of times over the past few months, in more ways than one." "I told you, the sniper was a freebie, so he doesn't count," she said, a hint of flirting layered into her voice. "So that means you only owe me, like, three or four, tops. All the emotional, mental stuff, that's all Audrey's doing. She's the one who takes care of your brain while I take care of the body." "Oh she does her share of body care too," Phil teased back. "I suppose," Linda said with a wink. "Anyway, tell Andy what you needed to." "I'm getting there, Linda, just be cool." "Pssht. Like you know anybody cooler than me." Phil looked back to Andy with a grin and a shrug. "When she's right, she's right. Did Lesser Phil say much about Valhalla Shores?" "Only that they were super strict about their quarantine rules. He was calling to tell me he didn't think he'd be able to do poker for the foreseeable future, because he couldn't come and go any more. He said that if he left the area, he had to spend a week in quarantine before he'd be allowed back in to see the rest of his family. Struck me as sort of an over reach, considering we're all basically immune to DuoHalo, as long as we're having regular contact with our partners, right?" "Theoretically, yeah, although we're still doing a lot of testing on that," he said. "Well, I guess the Air Force is doing that testing, because right now, I'm just focused on making sure we get women the ability to survive the death of their partners." "You said you had a workaround." "Not a good one," Linda interjected. "Agreed," Phil said. "So if a man dies, as long as his body isn't too badly damaged, we can harvest slightly necrotized semen from his corpse, introduce that into one of his partners, and it will act as a sort of a reset function, but the woman needs to be reimprinted almost immediately. As soon as the necrotized semen hits her system, she'll basically be in a state like the one you found Piper in, in a crude, violent frenzy." "Jesus," Andy said, "who the hell knows about this?" "The women who are staffing what few emergency rooms we have open near any induction centers, and the staff of the centers themselves, so we're keeping the loop pretty small on it, at least for the time being. It's given me a starting place on where to work on a reset serum, but I'm still quite a ways from having anything even vaguely useful." "Have you considered trying to get the serum to work on men without the need of the pairing?" Phil shot him an annoyed look. "What a great idea! Why didn't I think of that?" he said, slapping his forehead. "Yes, I fucking thought of that, but it's almost like our serum is actively fighting against pairing with immunization suspensions. We suspect we had someone sabotaging the project from the get go, so it's entirely possible the bastard had this whole thing baked in there for some other reason. God only knows what the sick motherfucker thought he was going to do with it." "If you think you had a saboteur  " "No," Linda interjected, "we know we had one. His ass fled to Russia." "Russia? Seriously?" "It's part of the reason their military and political cabinets are in so much better shape than ours, although they clearly didn't have the infrastructure to mass produce it, considering how horrible the casualties of their population are. While the Russian authorities had plenty for themselves and their generals, their population was hit harder than almost anyone else's, with close to 90% of the Russian male population dead. Putin's not anywhere near as scary when most of his military bases are staffed by corpses, and there's nobody to climb inside of his tanks." "But what about all the women of Russia? With so few men there, there's no way your system would work, would it?" Phil nodded. "I mean, DuoHalo isn't anywhere near as fatal to women as it is to men, so I think the Russian gambit is to just hope enough women survive DuoHalo naturally as to keep the country even vaguely functional, while all the important men have at least a dozen partners each, to ensure they're always completely buffered from the DuoHalo virus. I'm almost wondering if this was what the saboteur had in mind when he started tampering with my serum in its early days, trying to invent something that would enslave women to men. Christ, if he was still here, I'd shoot him myself," the Filipino American man said, scratching the back of his neck. "Get to the point, babe," Linda told him. "Our absence off base raises red flags the longer we're gone, and the last thing we want is them getting suspicious." "Suspicious?" Andy scowled at his good friend for a moment. "Phil, what the hell are you up to?" "You remember when you told me a few years ago that you thought one of your superiors was actively getting in the way of you getting promoted?" "I do remember that," Andy said, "and I also remember you telling me that I was being paranoid and that I should just forget about it." "Yeah, well, maybe I was wrong, okay, and maybe someone's actively trying to keep my project from developing a version of the serum without the sexual side effects." "Phil are you  " "Listen, will you?" Phil said, grabbing his friend's shoulder. "The military has thought overpopulation was a giant problem in the U.S. dating back thirty years, and they had all sorts of contingency plans to reduce the population, not only of our country, but of the entire world. They called it the 'die back' contingency. I know it sounds insane  " "It sounds insane, Phil, because it is insane. Our own government planning mass casualty events across the globe?" "It was all supposed to be theoretical, Andy, whitepapers and proof of concept stuff, but nobody was every supposed to have built anything, but I'm starting to think that's what DuoHalo is, somebody's die back contingency that got loose and got out of control, because the Russians acted way too quickly quarantining their people for them to have just 'gotten lucky.' They knew this was coming, long before anyone else did, so I think it's their fuckup, and they just got lucky that we had something that could counteract it, and so be it if it's got some mad scientist's project woven into it. That just gave them a foothold into getting their hands on it." "Phil, we've known each other a long time, and if there's one thing I know about you, it's that you love your secrets, so if you're telling me all this, there's got to be a very good reason for it. You wouldn't give me a peek behind the velvet rope like this without an extremely important cause. What's going on?" His friend sighed, glancing over at Linda, who simply shrugged, before he looked back at Andy. "I've doled out a lot of favors over the last several months, so now it's time for me to ask one of you, and it's kind of a big one, so if you say no, hey, I get it, but realize I need someone I can trust on this." "Talk to me, Phil." "So you know how we had someone defect to Russia?" "Yeah?" "The Russians had some defect to us." "Seriously?" "It gets funnier," Linda said, a grin on her face. "So the guy who defected from us, the one who we think caused a lot of the mess with the imprinting in our serum, his name was Adam McCallister." "Okay." "The group that defected from Russia? The person who reached out to me on their behalf was Adam's wife, Evie." "Adam and Eve?" Andy asked. "Are you putting me on?" "Wish I was," Phil sighed, leaning his back against the door of his car. "She reached out to me personally with an offer. I get her paired to some rich fella who's going to take care of her, and she's going to help us crack the unpairing/repairing problem." "Phil,” "I'm not asking you to take her, Andy, relax. I was hoping maybe you could reach out to Watkins and see if he'd be willing to take her in." "Nate said he did feel like he owed me a couple still, even with all the money he gave me." "That's not the whole of it, though." "What else,” "So Evie McCallister has with her a pair of men who are imprinted on each other." "Wait, what?" Andy said. "I thought being homosexual was like a giant taboo in Russia." "They certainly frown on it, which is why two of the scientists who were working with Adam McCallister didn't reveal they were gay until they'd devised a work around, a sort of Rosetta Stone for this whole thing. That's what let them flee." "Just give him the short and quick, hon," Linda said to Phil. "Okay, long story short  " "Too late!" both he and Phil said in unison before chuckling. "Right," Phil continued. "So one of the two men has what he describes as 'reassignment sperm,' in that his sperm isn't toxic, even to women who are imprinted already. A small amount of it will essentially reset a woman, but she'll immediately go into the state we've seen with using the necrotized sperm, which is part of the reason I believe Evie when she told me all of this." "You haven't tested it yet?" "I'm getting to that. This guy, Sergei, has a variation of our serum running through his veins, and it might eventually lead to some kind version of the serum where people don't have to be paired to one another, but we are a long way from that right now. He also claims it can pair two men together, which was a large part of the reason he and his boyfriend fled here with Evie McCallister. In Russia, they'd both have been killed, but if he's right, we could, albeit very slowly, at least start getting gay men paired up and resistant to DuoHalo. But I've been keeping this on the down low because I'm worried that if some people on the base found out, they'd try and quash it." "You can't believe that," Andy said." "Wish I didn't, but I do. They're mostly focused on making sure I can get women to survive their partner's death. There hasn't been any push on us trying to get a solution for gay men and women, so now that I may have a partial one here, I'm doing everything I can to validate it quickly and pushed out in front of as many people as possible. It's really not scalable, but at this point, I'll take what I can get, you know?" "So what do you need from me?" "We've got Evie, Sergei and Sergei's boyfriend Andrei stashed in a house over in Dos Eden. Now I can't go over there, because if I do, they're going to know I was there, and I don't want to bring her in until I've validated her claims. Do you have anyone in your family who wouldn't mind fooling around with some other guy for a bit?" "My family's all here by choice, Phil," Andy said. "What about your cook, Jenny?" Linda asked. "Didn't you say she's married to your gardener, and they're both just with you to stay healthy? Think she'd be okay to help you test this all out?" "She doesn't want to leave the family, Linda, even if she's not emotionally invested in me like my partners are." "She wouldn't leave your family, Andy. She'd just be on a very short, temporary loan, and she's not going to have to sleep with anyone she doesn't want to," Phil said. "I can talk to her about it, but lay it out for me how it's all going to work." "You take her over to the house, along with one of your male friends, Eric or Xander, whichever one Jenny wouldn't mind having one evening of fun with. You put a little bit of Sergei's cum on her skin, just to prove it doesn't have any sort of adverse reaction. If it's all good, you have her taste a little bit, and then she should go back to the imprinting state, and you let your friend imprint her. A couple of days later, you do it again, but reimprint her back to you. If Evie's telling the truth, it'll only be a few days and then everything will be back to the way it was. And if she's not, the minute Jenny touches Sergei's semen, she'll have an adverse reaction and she doesn't have to go any further." Phil sighed, shrugging a little. "I need someone I can trust on this, Andy, and I don't know who else to turn to. If you don't think she'll go for it, you don't have to bring it up, and I'll, I'll see if there's anybody else I can ask. I could ask Xander, I guess." "No," Andy sighed, shaking his head. "You ask Xander and he'll feel obligated to try and help you. I'll talk to Jenny and Katie, and I'll let them decide. Fair?" "Fair enough," Phil agreed. "Get blood samples at every stage in between. Take Niko with you, and she'll know how to do it." "What have you got that girl up to behind my back, Phil?" "Oh hell no," his friend laughed. "If you can't get her to tell you, what the hell makes you think I'm gonna tell you? She'd kick my ass if I said anything. You can ask her again." "She'll probably tell me what she told me last time,  I shouldn't worry about it." "It took a long while for Phil to trust me as well, Andy, so I wouldn't worry about it," Linda said with a smile. "You guys are so used to thinking you have to be self reliant, how you need to be tough, that it takes you a while to get used to the idea of having a woman take care of your helpless asses. But you'll learn. You all do eventually." "Well, I feel like I just got scolding by the nuns at Saint Agnes Academy again. How about you, Andy?" Phil chuckled. "I didn't go to Catholic school, Phil, but I know the sentiment. I guess we just have to trust they're doing everything they can to keep us safe." "Even when you're both being a pain in the ass about it," Linda said, just the tiniest undercurrent of genuine annoyance to her voice. "Sorry Linda," they both said in unison. "You're both forgiven, but we really gotta get back to the base, Phil, otherwise Fielder's going to get suspicious, and that's the last thing you want." "She's right," Phil said, giving Andy a hug. "Thanks for even considering it. I know it's nuts, but if you follow the instructions I gave you, worst case scenario is that Jenny gets a rash on her skin for a couple of days." "Like I said, it's their decision, not mine." "Right. Right right right. Anyway, if you decide to do it, I can give you all the instructions when we're over in a couple of days for the party." "God, that is just two days away, isn't it? Crazy how time flies." Phil let go of Andy and headed back to his car. "Stay safe, man. Niko or Lexi with you at all times if you leave this house. And don't tell anyone about this little Evie thing that you don't have to." "I'm gonna tell my family, Phil." Phil shrugged a little bit, opening the door of his car. "If it was me, I would keep it to only the very few who need to know. Anyway, your house, your call. See you in a couple of days, man." He and Linda hopped into their car and drove down the driveway and headed off into the evening air. "That's the difference between you and me, Phil," Andy said to himself. "I'm no good at keeping secrets." He walked inside to find Aisling waiting for him, a warm smile on her face as she slid her arm around his waist and saddled up next to him as they walked to the dining room. "Why the long face, Andy?" "Phil dropped a bit of a heavy thing on me, and it's a lot to think about. I'm not built for this cloak and dagger shit like he is." On the stroll to dinner, Andy explained to her everything that Phil and Linda had told him, as she peppered him with questions along the way. At the end, she suggested he wait until later in the evening to talk to Jenny and Katie about it. When they got to the dining room, Andy was pleased to find nearly everyone there, Lauren and Taylor having texted earlier that they were just going to grab dinner at the training grounds tonight and would be back late. Emily, Sarah and Maya were a couple cocktails in already, but all of them were in that pleasant space between buzzed and tipsy, talking up a storm, and as soon as Andy and Ash walked into the room, Emily immediately ushered them over to make sure that Andy was sitting next to Maya, Ash on the other side of him. Early on, the girls had tried convincing Andy to always sit at the head of the table, and he'd told them exactly what they could do with that idea, so the table seating constantly shuffled, and nobody sat at either end of the table two nights in a row, so that it was clearly established that nobody was more or less important than anyone else. It was a symbolic thing, but Andy was the first to point out that symbols have power, and their subliminal influence should never be underestimated. Dinner gave everyone a chance to take turns grilling Maya, which let Andy just sort of sit and listen. After he'd made the decision of who he would offer spots in his house, he'd talked to each of the girls over Zoom for about an hour, letting them ask him whatever questions they wanted while he'd asked them a few as well. It wasn't enough time to get to truly know each other, but it gave both him and the woman in question a chance to check for any real deal breakers that they might have overlooked, so many of the questions the girl were asking Maya were things Andy already knew the answers to, although she did have one surprise up her sleeve for him. "So what's your favorite of Andy's books," Sarah asked her. "I know you have to have read some of them right now, since I gave you all of them the last time I saw you, a few years ago." Maya tilted her head to one side, a wry grin spreading wide on her face. "You're not going to believe me." "Is it 'The Trouble With Werebears,' because if you say it is, I'm gonna have to shield you from Andy throwing a dinner roll at you," the tall redhead giggled. Maya reached into her satchel and pulled out a book, setting it down on the table. It had dozens of post it notes sticking out from it, and the cover was starting to bend back a little. Andy glanced over and then his eyes widened in surprise. "No! Really?" The book in question was easily the least popular thing he'd ever written, partially because it was so far out of his normal wheelhouse. "I think it's easily your best work, and frankly, I'm surprised nobody's ever tried to make a movie out of it, which was something I wanted to talk to you about." Emily reached over and picked up the book. "'Fatal Alliances?' This isn't a Druid Gunslinger book. I don't know that I've ever seen Sarah reading this." "Oh I read it," Sarah said. "But it's super fucking sad. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's fucking hot, and I get why maybe it was too fucking steamy for the mainstream, but it's such a fucking downer ending that it isn't something I wanted to come back to that fucking often, even as great as it is." "What's it about, love?" Emily asked him. Maya decided to answer instead. "It's a Cold War story about two spies, one American and one Soviet, and they're each sort of fatal honey traps. Anyone who either of them has sex with dies within a couple of days, from what looks like natural causes, except that their bodies are generating some kind of sexually transmitted poison. They're considered important assets, the assassins you send when you want no traces left behind. They both witness something they shouldn't one night in East Berlin, and so they flee together. After killing their respective bosses, the two decide they're done with this world, so they have sex with each other, and die in each other's arms a few days later. If you expounded upon the action sequences, fleshed them out a bit more, this could be an excellent fucking movie." She paused for a second. "It could be my excellent fucking movie. Who owns the rights to this, Andy?" Maya asked him, taking the book back from Emily. "Nobody?" he chuckled. "Well, I guess that means I still do. Nobody had that much interest in it, so I didn't worry about it. Hell, I know it's out of print, so I'm a little amazed you got that copy." "I got her everything, Andy," Sarah told him. "And you know me. What I want, I fucking get." "So I have learned," he nodded. "Yeah, I can have my agent draw up a contract to let you get the rights to it." "Soon," Maya said, "before the Druid Gunslinger film makes everyone claw at all your old work." "I barely sold fifty thousand copies of 'Fatal Alliances,' Maya, so I think you're overestimating people's interest in the property." "Believe me, Andy, I know what I'm talking about." Dinner carried on with several conversations going on and Andy drifting in between them. One of the things he'd learned early on as his family grew was that as soon as they had moved into the mansion, the family size had grown too large for there to only be one conversation at the dinner table. He'd also stressed a number of times that the girls shouldn't always stick to their usual cliques and should intermingle, making sure to spend a little time with all the other girls over the course of any given week, and it was starting to settle into cycles. When Jenny was bringing out dessert, Andy grabbed her and asked her and Katie to meet him in his office in a few hours, so he could talk to them about something. Jenny seemed a little nervous and Andy said it wasn't anything bad, and they shouldn't worry. After dinner had wrapped up, the whole family began carrying dishes into the kitchen, refusing to let Jenny and Nicolette clear the table entirely by themselves, as Andy, Maya, Emily and Sarah started walking down the hall towards Maya's room. "So whaddaya think, Maya?" Sarah asked eagerly. It was clear that the relationships between Sarah and Maya and the relationships between Emily and Maya were very different, with Sarah acting almost like Maya's eager little sister, and Emily more like Maya's old friend. "You okay with staying?" "Yeah, I think I can make all this work for me," she said. "Good people, good environment, the dogs seem happy enough, and with the shooting studios in Oakland, Marin and Pleasanton, I can definitely carve out a career here. So sure, why not? I'll pitch in with you lot and call this home." "Marvelous," Emily said, leaning in to kiss Maya on the cheek. "Sarah and I will leave you and Andrew to make your final arrangements, and we will see you tomorrow. Good night!" "Night Maya!" Sarah said, taking a turn to kiss Maya on the cheek, before she and Emily headed back up the hallway towards the stairs, Maya's bedroom on the ground floor so the dogs could easily walk right out into the back yard. Katie had even set up the fenced area so that Maya could simply slide open the deck door in her bedroom and let the dogs run straight out into it unsupervised. "This new world's pretty fuckin' crazy," Maya said, looking up at him as they reached the door to her bedroom. "You must feel like the luckiest man in the world." Andy sighed a little. "I mean, on one hand, sure. On the other, my brother and most of my oldest friends died to DuoHalo over the last few months, so a lot of times, I'm dealing with survivor's guilt, y'know? Why'd I make it and not them?" Maya took his hand in hers, shaking her head at him. "Don't get caught up in your head about it. It's too big for anyone to think about, so you just have to learn to roll with it." "Yeah, thanks. That's what everyone keeps telling me, so I'm doing what I can to not dwell on it too much. Anyway, I'm glad you've decided to join the family, and when you feel like the time is right, just let me know and we can make it official." Maya squeezed his hand a little bit, as if she thought he might be planning to pull away. "Look, I talked to Em and Sares about it while you were talking with your friend, and I decided I want our first time to be like normal people, without all the complications of imprinting tied to it, so I was thinking maybe you could come in, and I could give you a hummer to get over that whole hump, so that when we do bump uglies for the first time, we feel a little more like regular people. That cool?" Andy smiled at her. "Hey, whatever you want, Maya. We don't even have to do the imprinting now if you don't want to." She looked down, unable to look him in the eyes for the moment. "That's just it, Andy. I do want to. And we do kinda have to, because sometime in the middle of dinner, I realized it was getting harder to think clearly, and the one thing I don't ever want is to feel out of control of my own body. So is it cool if we just do this now? I'm sure you've banged, like, five or six people already today,” "Actually, it was a pretty light day today," he chuckled. "I provided for Jenny and Katie this morning, and Ash snuck in while I was writing to have a quickie as a break, to make sure I wasn't sitting all day." "Good," Maya growled at him, as she grabbed his shirt, "then you'll have a nice fat fucking load for me to swallow." She pushed him into her bedroom, and closed the door behind her. The sliding door was open just enough so that the dogs could come and go, and that made it cool inside, the evening November air chilling the room a bit. "How should I do this?" "The minute you get it,you're going to black out, so maybe I should lay down on the bed and you should just  " Maya peeled her tanktop up and over her head, revealing small tan tits with tiny brown nipples atop of them, tossing it aside. "I think I'm the most flat chested girl in this house, so I hope you're okay with that," she said, unbuckling the belt holding up her cargo pants as he crossed the room to her. She must have had some large tattoo on her back, because Andy could see what looked like a portion of a serpent's tail curving around her waist. He turned her head up suddenly and leaned down to press his lips against hers in an intense kiss, feeling her tense up for just a brief second before settling into it, relaxing. "You are absolutely fucking beautiful, Maya, and I don't ever want you to think I'm just okay with you. Got it?" Maya grinned up at him, a softening in her eyes. "Em's right. You are a magnificent and sappy bastard, but that makes you lovable. Can I finish getting naked now, or you wanna make out a bit more first?" "I wanna make out a bit more first," he said, grinning back at her. "Yeah, okay." They locked lips again, but even while they did, Andy could feel Maya's hands unbuttoning his jeans, unzipping them. He was about to shift to help her take them off, but when he did, she pulled back from the kiss, shaking her head. "Leave'em on. I like the idea of feeling like a couple of teenagers trying to get each other off quick before the parents come home." She turned them both and pushed him back onto the bed with enough sudden force that he didn't even see it coming and just fell backwards before she dropped her cargo pants down and stepped out of them, leaving her in just a large pair of cotton panties. She started climbing onto the bed next to him. "It's also that time of the month, and while Em said you aren't squeamish about playing on the field during red tide, not for our first time." Andy moved just a little bit, shifting to brace his shoulders against the pillows at the head of the bed, so he'd be able to watch her. "Whatever makes you comfortable." Maya frowned a little, her eyes narrowing at him. "Take a more active hand in this, would you? I don't even know if you're ready for this." "I don't know if you're ready for this, Maya, but you are gorgeous and I can't wait to feel you sucking my cock." She winked at him, the frown disappearing. "That's the spirit. Now let's see this mythical first contact orgasm," she said, stroking his cock, sitting on her knees alongside him. Maya moved to bend down, placing one hand against the top of the bed as the other brought his cock to her lips, a jewel of opaque white emerging from the tip of his cock to greet her. She leaned down and let her tongue swipe the dollop of precum into her mouth, and suddenly began to shake, her hand letting go of his cock to thrust down atop of the bed, keeping her up on all fours as an intense carnal moan ripped from her lungs, her face obscured from his view by that curtain of green hair. "You motherfucker," Maya eventually spat in between giggles and gasps. "You said it was gonna be strong, not, like, the strongest fucking thing I'd ever fucking felt." "The imprinting one's even stronger, everyone says." "Em said it was like being consumed by an orgasm until she blacked out," Maya said, tossing her hair out of her face to turn her brown eyes up at him. "She wasn't kidding?" "That's in line with how most of  " He was mid sentence when Maya suddenly shoved her face down onto his cock, forcing it into her throat before pulling her head up, her tongue spiraling around the head of his cock before she pushed her head back down onto it again. Over the last several months, he'd gotten more than his fair share of blowjobs, far more than he'd ever thought he would get in his lifetime, and he felt like he'd gotten familiar with most of the rhythms and styles, but there was something hungry about the way Maya was doing it, like she didn't want to pause, didn't want to break, hell, didn't even want to breathe until she got what she wanted. Her hands were gripping onto his hips, as her mouth slurped along the length of his shaft, from tip to base, trying to hold down with it engulfed for as long as she could every so often, no warning given when she was deepthroating or just quickly fucking her face onto his cock. He was along for the ride. Andy could feel himself starting to get close, when Maya popped her head off, one of her hands stroking his cock feverishly while her eyes held his gaze with her own, as he suddenly felt like a deer in the headlights, or a small animal caught under the gaze of a predator, the look on her face having total control of the situation. "You're gonna give me what I want, Andy," she growled at him, licking her lips. "And I'm gonna swallow you down and wake up a new woman, a kept woman, a bonded woman, a woman with a man who makes her cum like a fucking hurricane. You have no idea how hard I'm gonna fuck the shit out of you soon, but for now, you're gonna give me what I want. It's not your fucking cum, it's mine." She looked back down and started thrusting her face onto his cock as quickly and deeply as she could, letting spit drool from her lips all over his balls, filthy 'gluck gluck' sounds coming from the motions, until finally Andy knew his resolve was shot, but he wanted to have one stab at surprising her, so just before his balls drew up, his hands both reached down to grab her head and pushed her face down until her nose was buried in the trimmed pubic hairs of his crotch, and the first load of his cum blasted right against the back of her throat, setting her into a a fit of orgasms, at which point Andy was mostly just holding her head, while she spasmed in time with him, feeling her do her best to swallow it all before he pulled her head off of his shaft and rolled her limp body onto her side, as she whispered that word that haunted him now, "Imprinting." Andy moved to get her beneath the sheets and made sure the dogs were inside the room before he closed the outside door, so that the room would warm up. He would make a point to stop and tell Nicolette to come and open the door in the late morning so the dogs could go back out and do their business even while Maya completed the process. She looked peaceful beneath the sheets. There were a few speckles of his jizz on her cheeks, so he took one of his fingers and wiped them off, sliding the finger into her lips, which she seemed to instinctively suckle on for a moment before he pulled his finger free, having spent long enough in the room that she'd fallen silent. He moved outside of her room, and closed the door behind him, leaning his back against it with a slight smile of relief. That, he figured, would be the last person ever added to his family, if he had anything to say about it. Of course, as Emily had pointed out not so long ago, he really did have very little say about it. Chapter 40 He desperately wanted to get to bed, but there was work to be done before he could sleep, and his brain was still moving a mile a minute. It generally did, but his conversation earlier in the day had been rolling around in circles over and over again. Phil was one of the smartest people he'd ever met, but Andy knew everyone was capable of making mistakes. There was something they were missing about all the information Phil had presented to them. Phil's plan had all the things it should, but there was so much that Phil hadn't had time to tell them. He wasn't sure what he thought he might glean from it, but he decided to let it keep running on cycles in the back of his brain for the rest of the night. He hoped maybe it would just come to him. Different people in his household went to bed at different times, and typically, Piper and Sheridan went to bed not too long after dinner. He glanced at his watch, seeing it was just past 10:30, and he figured they were probably crawling into bed about now, since both were early risers. Niko was probably also heading to bed about now, so she could be up early in the morning, in case Lexi woke up before most of the house was up. Niko tended to be an early riser as well, as did Lauren and Taylor, so they were also probably also turning in for the night. Hannah and Asha were typical college students without classes, so they'd be up past midnight gossiping, and Taylor was probably more than a little sad she couldn't join them, but as she'd told Andy at dinner, she was taking her responsibilities over at 49ers HQ very seriously. Fi and Moira were trying to get adjusted to West Coast time, but the jet lag hadn't fully let go of them yet, so Andy guessed they were probably starting to get ready for bed as well. Em and Sarah kept their own schedules, but since Em planned to talk to her family in the morning, she had likely turned in also, and where Em went, Sarah usually followed, so he was fairly certain they were both snuggling up in bed, bemoaning the lack of him there, but knowing that he would join them when he was ready. Tala and Jade had formed a surprising friendship and had spent most of the day getting the pool house further converted into a workspace for the curvier woman. Jade was used to teaching, so he suspected she probably had also turned in relatively early. Aisling, however, kept her schedule in tune with his, and so he knew she'd be up, and willing to watch a bit of television before turning in for the night. He'd found that she'd never seen Farscape so as of late, they'd been making a point to watch an episode or two before bed every night, and in between they'd chat a little bit about their respective days. He was going to head down to the living room that was furthest from the bedrooms, which had sort of become the default theater room of the house, but found Ash in the kitchen, sneaking herself a pickle from the fridge, so they sat around the kitchen island to have their chat before their nightly television binge. This particular night Andy walked Ash through what Phil had asked of him, and as he talked through it, she asked pointed questions, most of which he didn't have an answer to, but eventually, she asked one that he hadn't even thought of, and it all snapped into sense for him. "So why not just use this Evie as the test case, instead of asking Jenny to do it?" she said to him. "What?" Andy asked, as if it hadn't even occurred to him. "Look, she made it here safely, right?" "Right." "That means she was imprinted, and if Evie's being asked to be imprinted to Nate, that means she was already imprinted to this McCallister prick, and you can use that to analyze her blood and the effect it's having on it. Shit, you could smear a little of McCallister's precum onto her skin at first, check that it causes a rash, then give her a little from the guy who's supposedly a de imprinter, then have Nate imprint her and take her blood again. I mean, if this Evie wants to get out from under her husband, ex husband or whatever, then she's gotta to be willing to show she believes in all of this." "I don't tell you that you're brilliant often enough, Ash," he said, leaning into to kiss her, which started tender but definitely amped up in intensity a bit before she pulled back, a wry smile on her face. "You don't, but it's okay," she said. "You say it lots, and lots is brilliant. Before we head to bed tonight, though, mister, I was given a request this morning, so we're going to go and fulfill it, you and I. The request was made to me, because they were worried you might take offense to it, but I want you to know, in advance, this is what everyone wants, they're hoping you'll lean into it, at least a little, and the safeword, should it be needed, is limoncello. Okay?" She was pulling him to his feet, that playful expression widening on her face, as he waggled his eyebrows. "You girls certainly do love testing me," he told her. "This one's not me at all, love," she said, sliding her arm around his waist. "It's more of just a thing to show you what you can be capable of when it's asked of you, and this particular play partner wants even more than you gave her last time." "Uh oh," he said. "That sounds like I'm not living up to my end of the bargain." "Stop. No," she said, squeezing his hip. "You did great, but the girls in question just want you to know you can and should go further." She led him down towards the room they'd been planning to go to anyway, the basement living room, but instead of heading for the television, Andy saw that over near where he'd usually sit, one woman was standing and another was kneeling, the room barely lit, as if the atmosphere of it was important to the ambiance of the moment. Andy's nighttime eyesight wasn't great, but as they got closer, he could make out who the two people were. The woman standing was Nicolette, but she had ditched her typical French maid's outfit for something that looked a lot more dominatrix. She wore a leather corset that was tied tight to force her tits into nearly a shelf of flesh, propped up and pushed out but still marginally covered. She also had black leather shorts, fishnet stockings and long leather high heeled boots that came up to her mid thigh. The heels were at least a few inches, because it made Nicolette look huge, her blonde hair done up in a tight bun atop her head. In her hand was the end of a long leash. At the end of the leash, on her knees, was Whitney, completely nude except for the collar around her neck, her hair done up in jetblack pigtails, her pale white flesh almost the shade of moonlight in the summer. Her arms were folded together in front of her to make her smaller tits press together, the rosy pinkness of her nipples like strawberries, her wrists resting on top of one another, as if she expected them to be bound at some point, or maybe they already were in her mind. He could see the black curls of her pubic V peeking from between her thighs. Ash took his hand and gave it a soft squeeze. "You did well with Whitney the first time, babes," she whispered to him. "But you need to know you can go further, you should go further, at least every so often, and that she doesn't just want you to do that, she's going to get off on it. I know that part of you is in there," she said, kissing his cheek. "We just need to wake the bastard up." Andy wasn't entirely surprised by all of this, if he was being honest with himself. Early on, he thought he'd given Nicolette exactly what she wanted, and then around when all the girls had presented their friends for consideration for the house, Nicolette had told him to go even harder at her. So he had. He'd been nervous out of his mind when he'd done it, almost certain that she was going to scream for him to stop, that he was being too rough, that she didn't want it. Instead, she had thanked him at the end of it, and told him that she was very glad he was learning that not all of his partners enjoyed the same kind of sex, and that that wasn't a bad thing. His first time with Whitney had been something of an eyeopener as well, as she wanted him to go at her hard. He thought he'd done enough to satiate her desires, but apparently she wanted to take him even further. He wasn't even entirely sure what that entailed. "Heya Master," Nicolette purred at him. "I think it's time you give your little porcelain slut a real go, don't you? She's been itching for round two, and it's about time you step up your game. Haven't you, slut?" She gave Whitney a nudge with her foot, and the brunette nodded. "Yes Master. Our first time was very nice, but you're capable of being stronger, harsher, more forceful," she said, not lifting her eyes. "And this slut wants to see what you're truly capable of." "I'm worried your friend's been hyping me up too much, Whitney," Andy said, stepping closer, Aisling walking along with him, as Nicolette toyed with the end of the leash idly. "I'm not entirely sure I'm capable of what you think I am." "She told your slut that you bent her over a table in the hallway and pounded her slippery cunt until your cock was slick enough to jam up her ass, and then pounded her until she came so hard her knees were shaking and she couldn't sit properly for a few days." "Well, I  " "She told your slut that you grabbed a fistful of her hair and shoved her face up against the wall and pinned her there while you had your way with her, drilling her like she was just an object for you to take your pleasure from." Ash giggled. "It certainly sounded like that from down the hallway," she said to him. "Don't you start," he replied. "She even told me you shoved her panties in her mouth to keep her from making too much noise, even though you like it when a slut uses filthy words, because you wanted to demonstrate how much control you had over her." "That wasn't  " "That was fucking hot was what it was, Master," Nicolette said, licking her lips. "I almost expected you to put your hands around my throat for a bit, and that would've just made me cum even harder. At first, he didn't even take them off, slut, he just tugged them aside, like they were an impediment that bothered him." "Your slut finds all of that very attractive, Master, and if she might be so bold," she said, turning her icy blue eyes upwards to look at him, "she very much wants to meet that man." "You can do this, Andy," Aisling whispered into his ear. "And both Nicolette and I will be right here, making sure you don't chicken out and/or go too far, whichever you're more afraid of." He inhaled a deep breath, and Whitney suddenly turned her eyes back downwards, as if she were a child caught looking at something she wasn't supposed to. "Before I start this, I want to confirm something. Aisling told me your safeword is limoncello. Is that correct, Whitney?" "It is, Master." "And you will use it if I cross a line?" "This slut does not think you're capable of that, Master." He stepped closely and reached forward, his fingertips pinching one of her nipples hard between his thumb and forefinger, seeing her wince even as she moaned a little bit. "No one knows what a man is capable of, Whitney, especially when he's pressed too much or too hard." "Yes Master," Whitney said. "Your slut apologizes Master." "Now answer my fucking question," he growled. He wasn't setting out to hurt her, but at this point, it had been made abundantly clear to him that he had a part to play, and if that was what Whitney wanted from him, it was what he intended to deliver. "If Master his slut beyond what she is capable of withstanding, Master, she will say the word and ask for relief," she said quietly, licking her tongue out over her bright red lips. "But until then, she implores you to have at her without mercy or reservation." "What limits do you have, Whitney?" he said, unbuckling his belt, grabbing the metal buckle, a simple square with a single stem in it, pulling on it to force the leather to come slowly slithering through his belt loops. "For you, Master? None at all. Your slut will do whatever it is you ask of her." He snapped the end of his belt out and then bent it in half, holding it on the ends as he pushed the belt together, forming a giant circle between two lines of leather, then yanking them apart to make a loud crack as he snapped one against the other. "You seem awfully confident of that." He wasn't sure who moaned the loudest at that motion, Whitney, Nicolette or Aisling. "She is at her best when she is fulfilling her purpose, Master," Nicolette said to him, a hint of amusement in her voice "Pleasure and pain are kissing cousins in our world." "Did I ask your fucking opinion?" he said sharply to Nicolette, and he felt like he must have done so very convincingly, because he could see her breath catch a moment, although he knew it was excitement he saw behind her eyes, not fear. "No Master. Sorry Master." He looked down at Whitney, towering over her, as she remained perfectly still. "When Nicolette came to me and asked me to bring you into my home, Whitney, she told me of your previous partner, and how the relationship you and he had was one of total dominance and submission. That you did nothing without his permission. That you enjoyed being commanded, being told exactly what you did and did have his consent to do, and that you found freedom in surrendering your own initiative." "Yes Master," Whitney said. "I can fulfill that role for you, but it will take some adaptation on your part, because as much as you may want to surrender complete and total control to someone else, I don't want complete and total control over someone else. Not all the time, anyway." He traced a fingertip along her cheek, and he could feel her leaning in towards his touch, as if she took comfort from the very contact of his skin against hers. "I'm probably capable of giving you what you want. I can push and pull you into place, slap your ass while I'm thrusting my cock into one of your holes with the kind of roughness from the more disgruntled pornography I've seen. I think I'm likely perceptive enough to know when strikes have crossed from pleasurable pain into pure pain, at least most of time. I think I can live up to my end of the bargain on this, but there are a handful of rules that are non negotiable, you understand?" "Tell your slut of your rules, Master, and she will follow them," Whitney said, pressing a kiss to his fingertip. "They aren't much, but they're important to me. The first is that you will need to be in charge of your own voice, and that if you aren't using it, I will start to doubt myself, and think I am doing something unwelcome. Nicolette told me you're unaccustomed to speaking without being ordered to speak, but this is a rule I'm afraid I'm going to have to insist upon. You will speak whenever you think is appropriate or even might be welcomed. If you think I am at all doubting my actions, and you want more instead of less, you will need to provide the carrot, understood." Whitney nodded. "She does, Master. Might you provide guidance as to how she should speak?" "The filthier the better," Nicolette said with a giggle, looking at Andy as if she was afraid he might scold her, but when she saw the smile on his face, she decided to elaborate. "I told you, Master loves dirty talk, so if you talk, whore, you should be talking dirty. Nothing clinical, only perverse. You do not have breasts, you have tits. You do not have a vagina, you have a pussy or a twat or a cunt. And although I know it goes against everything you've been taught for the last few years, you're going to have to be a little proactive here, slut." Whitney frowned a little, sighing slightly. "That, makes this slut nervous, ma'am," she said, turning to look up to Nicolette. "How will she know when it is right to remain in her place and when it is right to act unbidden?" Andy reached down and turned Whitney's head to look at him. "You'll act on instinct, much like you're entrusting me to do. And I do not expect perfection. You will make mistakes, and, frankly, I think you'll probably enjoy being punished for them, so maybe I expect some of the mistakes will be intentional and some will be accidental, but very little in this life is truly unforgivable, Whitney, and I think we'll both do well to remember that." "Yes Master," she said, looking up at him with adoring eyes. "What other rules do you have for your slut?" "When you want to see this particular stripe of me, Whitney, you will need to initiate it, you will need to ask for it, and not just subtly, but actually vocalize and express your desire for the closed fist instead of the open hand," he said. "By you regularly reminding me that you enjoy this, it will reinforce in my mind what you expect out of our arrangement." "Did, did this slut not express it well enough before, Master?" "With communication, Whitney, more is always better," he said confidently. To be continued in part 25, by CorruptingPower for Literotica.

In her upscale Chicago restaurant's hidden basement kitchen, pastry chef Maya Chen prepares for her exclusive underground supper club, where the city's elite dine in masks and anonymity reigns. But tonight's preparation is interrupted by news that notorious restaurant critic Marcus Reid has made a reservation – the same man who destroyed her father's empire. As Maya reflects on her passionate encounter with a mysterious masked stranger at last month's dinner, she realizes her dangerous game of power and pleasure is about to become more complicated. When the man in the wolf mask arrives, Maya must navigate the thin line between revenge and desire, knowing that the critic who ruined her father might be the same man who awakened something dangerous in her soul.Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!Subscribe now for exclusive shows like 'Palace Intrigue,' and get bonus content from Deep Crown (our exclusive Palace Insider!) Or get 'Daily Comedy News,' and '5 Good News Stories' with no commercials! Plans start at $4.99 per month, or save 20% with a yearly plan at $49.99. Join today and help support the show!We now have Merch!  FREE SHIPPING! Check out all the products like T-shirts, mugs, bags, jackets and more with logos and slogans from your favorite shows! Did we mention there's free shipping? Get 10% off with code NewMerch10 Go to Caloroga.comGet more info from Caloroga Shark Media and if you have any comments, suggestions, or just want to get in touch our email is info@caloroga.com

This week, I talk with Lauren Ling Brown about her debut dark academia thriller Society of Lies!  We dive into the inspiration for the idea, the moral dilemma at its core, and how her personal experiences influenced the novel.Society of Lies SynopsisMaya has returned to Princeton for her college reunion—it's been a decade since she graduated, and she is looking forward to seeing old faces and reminiscing about her time there. This visit is special because Maya will also be attending the graduation of her little sister, Naomi.But what should have been a dream weekend becomes Maya's worst nightmare when she receives the news that Naomi is dead. The police are calling it an accident, but Maya suspects that there is more to the story than they are letting on.As Maya pieces together what happened in the months leading up to her sister's death, she begins to realize how much Naomi hid from her. Despite Maya's warnings, Naomi had joined Sterling Club, the most exclusive social club on campus—the same one Maya belonged to. And if she had to guess, Naomi was likely tapped for the secret society within it.The more Maya uncovers, the more terrified she becomes that Naomi's decision to follow in her footsteps might have been what got her killed. Because Maya's time at Princeton wasn't as wonderful as she'd always made it seem—after all, her sister wasn't the first young woman to turn up dead. Now every clue is leading Maya back to the past . . . and to the secret she's kept all these years.

Marijana Savic, the Founder and Director of Atina, is this episode's guest.  Atina is a Serbia-based nonprofit that fights against human trafficking.  As Maya and Brooke discuss, not only does Atina help the transition process for trafficking victims, it also works to support the rights of women generally.  Given Maya's decades of helping these often ignored survivors, it is not surprising that she received this year's TIP HERO (Trafficking in Persons Hero) award from the U.S. Department of State.  (0:37). Website:  www.atina.org.rs

Maya Ajmera, the founder of Global Fund for Children ("GFC"), and the President and CEO of the Society for Science, joins Charity Talks.  GFC invests in community-based organizations around the world to help children and youth reach their full potential and advance their rights.  The Society for Science, which was founded in 1921, is dedicated to expanding scientific literacy, access to STEM education, and scientific research. It also runs the Regeneron Science Talent Search competition, the nation's oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors.  As Maya and Brooke discuss, GFC and the Society for Science are helping children around the world in so many important ways.  (0:24).   Websites:  https://globalfundforchildren.org/; https://www.societyforscience.org/

Grunge is dead (again). As Maya grieves the death of iconic producer Steve Albini, she and Rebecca break down whether this Gen-X's John Lennon moment, if the concept of “selling out” means anything anymore, and why edge lord humor just isn't the same as it used to be.

In this episode of Redlines, we delve into a captivating story of one architect's struggle to defend her intellectual property and creative work. Maya, a rising talent in the design world, shares a harrowing tale of a mentor-like figure who exploited her unique methods and teachings, using them for their own gain without permission or credit.As Maya navigates the complex legal waters, she confronts not only the blatant theft of her ideas but also the emotional turmoil of broken trust and self-doubt. Her journey sheds light on the often-overlooked issues of ownership, attribution, and the delicate balance between sharing knowledge and protecting one's own craft.Through Maya's experience, listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of safeguarding one's intellectual property, even within the seemingly collaborative environment of the architecture profession. This episode serves as a wake-up call, urging architects and designers to become more aware of their rights and the potential pitfalls that can arise when creative work is misused or appropriated without consent.Join us as we unpack the nuances of this dramatic story and explore the broader implications for the design community. Redlines once again gives voice to the rarely discussed challenges that plague the industry, offering valuable insights and strategies for navigating these murky waters.5 key takeaways:How an architect's unique teaching methods and workshop content can be exploited by a trusted mentor without permission or creditThe emotional toll and internal struggle faced in deciding whether to assert your rights, including feelings of guilt, shame, and self-doubtThe legal complexities around intellectual property rights, copyright, and ownership in the architecture/design field that many practitioners are unaware ofThe proactive measures the an architect's firm can take to protect their intellectual property when working with clientsThe effort to raise awareness and inspire others in the design community to speak up about similar challenges of creative work being misappropriatedQuotes“I think the main thing that I want to gain from this episode is to raise awareness because a lot of creatives and a lot of architects don't really know, or they're not aware about their rights over their own work."“ So there was all this negativity that was kind of building up and that kind of broke my veneer of trust that I had in him, otherwise I would have never Googled. That's when I got to know that,, it's been going on for years, putting his name on it.""I think it was really important to understand these certain nuanced rights. And I learned that from first doing my own research that steps that are usually taken. First you need to reach out to this person because you have a relationship with them and they're your contact and you want to talk to them in a very positive way."Relevant Links:Copyright for Academics in the Digital Age: https://www.aaup.org/article/copyright-academics-digital-ageUnderstanding copyright protection for architects: https://www.aia.org/resource-center/understanding-copyright-protection-architectsOut of Architecture website: https://www.outofarchitecture.comInformation on becoming an Out of Architecture Patreon supporter: https://www.patreon.com/outofarchitectureIf you have resources to share that you think may be helpful to what was discussed in this episode, please email us at: redlines@outofarchitecture.com  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Join us for the finale of Sustainability shapers as we engage in a compelling conversation with Maya Beyhan, Global Head of Sustainability, Index Investment Strategy at S&P Dow Jones Indices. Maya takes us on a journey from her roots in portfolio strategy to her current expertise in sustainability indices. Highlighting how running has enhanced her resilience in this role. Discover the pivotal role of natural resources, notably carbon credits, in achieving the net-zero energy transition. As Maya underscores the importance of collaboration and education in propelling sustainable investment forward. Related resources: S&P SPIVA Sustainability scorecard

Welcome back, Thrivers!In today's episode, I delve into the transformative power of personal branding with special guest Maya Elious, CEO of Built to Impact. As Maya shares her journey from agency runner to personal brand builder, a central theme emerges: the profound impact of humanizing our brand. We explore the art of relationship-building, where Maya's unique approach prioritizes connections over conventional pitching, fostering authentic collaborations and meaningful professional relationships.Our conversation extends beyond individual journeys, touching on the corporate landscape. Maya advocates for empowering employees as brand ambassadors, highlighting how personal branding within a corporate framework not only attracts diverse talent but also elevates the company's overall image. Discover how authenticity can be the key to creating genuine connections in both personal and professional aspects! Join us in this insightful episode of choosing yourself to be the master of your personal brand today. Tune in!KEY POINTS:- The pivotal role of having a personal brand - Maya's unique approach to relationship-building in business- On overcoming fears and self-doubts to build a successful personal brand- The unconventional sources of inspiration and wealth-building strategies- Ways to align value and purpose to craft an authentic personal brand - Maya's definition of a thriving individual QUOTES: "Thriving to me is like joy and fulfillment and expansion, but not in the way of just elevation... So expansion, like horizontal — if I stay the same, can I still invite more joy and fulfillment into my life? So, just a good alignment of healthy relationships, money, and overall fulfillment." — Maya Elious "We say people are our most valuable asset, but then we don't give them the space and the platform, and even the resources and the tools to be able to amplify the amazing work that they're doing, which only makes the business look better. I think it's a huge miss." — Brittany N. Cole GUEST RESOURCESMaya EliousWebsite - Maya EliousIG | @mayaeliousLinkedIn | @mayaeliousYouTube | @mayaelious RESOURCESThe Blueprint to Visibility & Influence Guide | Download your FREE The Blueprint to Visibility & Influence Guide. Hey Hey Creative | Click here and experience the Magic of Hey Hey Creative today! AB Hillsboro Village | Visit here to learn more about AB Hillsboro Village, Nashville's premiere live event and music venue.Get the Own Your Power Checklist, the ultimate guide to helping you own your personal power to drive as a leader.Love what you're hearing? Follow Brittany Cole & The Career Thrivers Podcast to share the love!Work with Brittany at Career Thrivers IG | @CareerThriversBrittany Cole IG | @BrittanyNCole LinkedIn | @BrittanyNCole Career Thrivers produced by

Wow...it is so hard to believe that we are already at the end of the first month of 2024! One of my favorite quotes, by Maya Angelou, perfectly captures this feeling: "You can't really know where you're going until you know where you have been." As promised, I'm excited to share with you what I'm celebrating from 2023 and how I'm charting the course for what lies ahead in 2024. As Maya's quote reminds us, we can't truly map our future without reflecting on our past. In this episode, I share what I am celebrating from 2023 and how I am charting the course for what lies ahead in 2024. I share where I started, celebrate my proudest moments, acknowledge the challenges I faced, and explore what I'm doing to step forward with confidence and purpose into 2024. I hope you'll join me on this introspective journey and be inspired to do the same for yourself! What are they celebrating from 2023? What are their hopes and dreams for 2024? ⁠Click here for my book Step Forward⁠ ⁠Connect with me on Facebook⁠ ⁠Join my FREE Facebook group --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/helloredlo/message

  Last time we spoke about the invasion of the Treasury Islands. The time had come to begin operations against Bougainville, but in order to do so the allies had a few tricks up their sleeves. In order to make sure the landings at Cape Torokina at Empress Augusta Bay went safely, the allies would perform raids against Choiseul and the Treasury islands. It was hoped such actions would work as a diversion and confused the Japanese as to where the real operations were aimed. The landing on Mono saw some New Zealanders and Americans annihilate a 200 strong Japanese garrison. On Choiseul Paratroopers boldly raided a force 6 times larger than them. The raid was a success and thanks to John F Kennedy the Paratroopers were grabbed off the island before the Japanese could obliterate them. In the end the landings at Cape Torokina were a success and now a battle would be unleashed.  This episode is the battle of Empress Augusta Bay Welcome to the Pacific War Podcast Week by Week, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about world war two? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on world war two and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel you can find a few videos all the way from the Opium Wars of the 1800's until the end of the Pacific War in 1945.  So last time we covered the planning behind Operation Cherryblossom, the landings at Cape Torokina. As a means of confusing the enemy, the allies also chose to invade the Treasury islands and raided Choiseul. With Operation Cherryblossom in full swing, so begins the Bougainville campaign which we are going to be diving into now. At the end of October, after successfully invading the Treasury islands and the extremely bold attack upon Choiseul where the Paratroopers were outnumbered 6-1, combined with General Kenny's 5th air force and AirSols neutralizing Rabaul and nearly every airfield on Bougainville, the landings at Cape Torokina were finally launched. In a final act to aid operation cherryblossom, Admiral Sherman's Task force 38 departed Espiritu Santo on October 28th and Admiral Merrills Task Force did the same from Florida island on November 1st. They hoped to rendezvous near the Buka Passage three days later so they could prepare an attack against the Buka and Bonis airfields.  During the morning of November 1st, Admiral Merrill's cruisers arrived to their station and began firing upon the arifields. Then Sherman's carriers arrived off Buka passage to launch two separate air strikes. The first airstrike consisting of eighteen fighters, fifteen dive bombers, and eleven torpedo bombers hit Buka just after daylight. The second consisting of fourteen fighters, twenty-one dive bombers, and eleven torpedo bombers hit Buka again at midmorning. The airstrikes managed to shoot up a number of small ships within the harbor. Meanwhile after firing 2700 5 and 6 inch shells all over Buka and Bonis's airfields, Merrils task force 39 departed the Shortlands to bombard Poporang, Ballalo and Faisi.  On November 2nd, Sherman performed air strikes against Buka and Bonis's fields before departing south for Guadalcanal. Within those two days the Americans estimated they had destroyed around 30 aircraft and several small ships at the cost of 11 aircraft lost. The attacks had rendered the two Japanese airfields closest to Empress Augusta Bay basically unusable for when the landings would be made. The Japanese were now convinced that any invasion of Bougainville would have to be countered with all the aircraft and ships available within the southern theater. Yet they could not concentrate their entire naval and air forces against the Solomons, because the American and Australian forces on New Guinea would most likely be performing a landing on New Britain at any moment. Admiral Koga also expected the Americans to attempt a landing in the Gilbert or Marshalls. Thus the two pronged allied strategy was serving to freeze the Japanese army units within the New Guinea and Solomon areas.  Meanwhile Admiral Wilkinson's task force 31 were making final preparations for transport the 3rd Marine division. The amphibious assault would be facing a landing area defended by roughly 270 men. Once they overcame them, a defense perimeter would have to be hastily made because it was certain the Japanese commander on Bougainville would hammer them hard. General Vandergrift's plan was to land the 3rd and 9th marine regiments of Colonel George McHenry and Colonel Edward Craig and the 2nd raider battalion of Lt Colonel Joseph McCaffery abreast on 11 designated beaches covering a distance of 8000 or so yards. The 3rd raider battalion lt be Lt colonel Fred Beans would land at the same time on Puruata island to overcome an estimated 70 Japanese defenders there. Wilkinson wanted to land the forces abreast as quickly as possible and to have the transport unload the supplies off the bay by nightfall because he expected a rapid Japanese response, similar to what had occurred at Savo island.  On October 28th, General Turnage's men departed the New Hebrides in 20 combat transports and cargo ships commanded by Commodore Lawrence Reifsnider. The convoy proceeded using different routes, hoping to prevent the Japanese from discovering the size of their force, the three transport divisions would rendezvous with Wilkinsons destroyers by October 31st. Once linked up they would approach Bougainville under the cover of naval PBYs and Liberators. During the morning of November 1st, Minesweepers led by the destroyer Wadsworth were sent in to clear mines from the landing areas and to determine how dangerous the shoals were. The minesweepers found no mines, but did find plenty of uncharted shoals. Wadsworth radar confirmed that Cape Torokina's position within their naval charts was misplaced. Wadsworth had a number of tasks ahead of her. In addition to helping with the fire support at a range of around 3000 yards, she was to use her radar to confirm the actual location of Cape Torokina, Puruata island and the landing beaches. The coast of Bougainville had been chartered by the German Admiralty in 1890. The Germans had placed Cape Torokina and Mutupina Point around 9 miles southwest of their actual locations. Thankfully the submarine USS Guardfish reported that the air force and naval charts had misplaced Cape Torokina by around 7 miles and this is why Wadsworth was sent to investigate. Unsexy logistical stuff, but gravely important, as you don't want to waste any time during an amphibious landing searching for a lost beach. Wilkinson decided not the land the men until after daylight when it was possible to detect the offshore shoals. Shortly before sunrise, the minesweepers and destroyers began their bombardment. The Sigourney and Wadsworth fired at ranges of 13,000 yards upon Puruata Island, while the Terry bombarded closer to the shore of Cape Torokina. As each transport passed the cape, they fired 3 inch anti-aircraft guns hoping to hit Japanese positions or at least minimize their artillery. By 6:45am the transports began arriving off the beaches around 3000 yards from the shore. At 7:10am the LCVP's began taking men ashore. Simultaneously Wilkinsons destroyers began systematically bombarding the perimeter while 31 bombers from New Georgia bombed and strafed the landing areas. Within a few minutes around 7500 troops, roughly half of the total force were scrambling ashore and unloading with great speed and smoothness. The preliminary bombardment had failed however to smash the well concealed Japanese machine gun nests located on the southern beaches. These machine gun nests unleashed their lead upon the landing craft. The landing craft bearing a third of the force had immediately come under fire from Puruata island and some pillboxes on Cape Torokina. The 3rd raiders in particular were hit by machine gun fire from Puruata. Around 4 land craft were sunk from this, 10 others were badly damaged, over 70 men would be lost in the process.  The 9th marines landed themselves on 5 beaches to the north and were lucky to find little resistance from the Japanese. Once ashore they sorted themselves out quickly and began to move inland to discover the terrain was a nightmare. The beaches where they were led straight into some impassable swamp land. Nevertheless where there is a will there is a way, the marines began using fallen logs and debris to traverse the swamp until they came across some solid ground. By midmorning they would establish a narrow perimeter and began patrolling the greater area. They would establish a strong outpost on the Laruma River by 1pm. The boat crews were experienced a lot of issues with the high surf, combined with a lock of experience amongst them. Some of the LCVPS found themselves smashing into another, some dropped their men in deep water, some did not lower their ramps properly and the marines were forced to toss themselves over the sides into waist deep water. More than 30 landing craft were wrecked during the initial phase of the operation. Around 64 LCVPS and 22 LCMS were beached, many with damage beyond repair.  The 3rd marines and 2nd raiders would have a hell of a time landing. The 3rd marines landing south of the Koromokina river, they had no issues with shoals, nor the high surf, but they had landed directly in front of the main Japanese defenses. There was roughly 300 Japanese, but they did not have permanent defenses along the beaches of Yellow 2, Blue 2, and Blue 3. As the 3rd marines landed they began fighting with some Japanese killing many and sending them fleeing into the Jungle. Patrols were quickly organized who worked alongside the 2nd raiders patrols to fan out. The raiders upon landing found tougher resistance in the form of a reinforced platoon operating out of two bunkers and trenches located 30 yards inland. Once the raiders had blasted out the bunkers, the remaining Japanese began to retreat into the jungle. Like the 9th marines they would find swamp lands ahead of Yellow 1 making it difficult to advance. By midmorning the raiders reached the Buretoni Mission Trail. The main Japanese resistance hit the men who landed at Blue 1, just adjacent to Cape Torokina. There the Japanese had constructed 25 large and small log and earthen pillboxes around the perimeter of the cape. There were trenches connecting the pillboxes, some of the larger pillboxes measuring 6 feet by 6 feet, containing 75mm field guns. Each pillbox was covered by earth and camouflaged using jungle plants. Only 3 pillboxes had been hit by the naval and aerial bombardments prior to the landings. When the Americans hit the beaches in the area they immediately were forced to charge into the enemy bunkers. The Japanese 75 mm gun at Cape Torokina caused havoc upon the attackers. It was a well placed log and sand bunker and its approaches were protected by two smaller bunkers with a series of trenches manned by numerous Japanese. Sergeant Robert Owens of A company, 3rd marines grabbed 4 marines and charged the two small bunkers directly upon the mouths of some machine guns. The marines entered an emplacement through a fire port and drove the gun crew out. The surrounded trenches concentrated their fire on the brave marines, Sergeant Owns would be found later dead riddled with bullets. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for the action. Lt Colonel Joseph McCaffery was immediately mortally struck four times in the chest as he led the marines forward, he was replaced temporarily by Major Alan Shapley for the 2nd raiders. Despite the horrible losses the Americans cleared the Japanese positions and pushed further inland to pursue and kill the fleeing defenders. It is worthy to mention over 24 Doberman Pinschers, the official dog of the USMC between 1943-1945 from the 1st marine dog platoon proved invaluable during this point of the battle. The dogs were able to point out hidden snipers concealed in underbrushed. 549 War dogs would return from the war with only 4 not being able to return to civilian life, all very good boys. The 3rd raiders landing at Puruta had nearly all their boats shot at, but it was mostly small machine gun fire and did little to no damage. The Japanese had 3 or 4 deep well sandbagged emplacement on the seaward side where their machine guns nests fired upon the raiders. It took the raiders two hours upon landing to secure their beachhead around125 yards inland. Beans committed his reserves early in the afternoon, supported by some 75mm guns borrowed from the 9th marines, they moved halfway across the island, encountering sporadic Japanese sniper fire. The Japanese were outnumbered, by 3:30pm their resistance all but ended. The marines suffered 5 deaths and 32 wounded, around 29 dead Japanese would be found. They estimated another 70 Japanese escaped to Bougainville.  Soon after all the landing craft began to pull out, the Japanese began launching air strikes. For around two hours the transports and supply ships were zigzagging for their lives to evade dive bombers and fighters coming from Rabaul. The first air strike consisted of 9 Vals and 44 Zeros, they hit at around 7:35am almost immediately after the landings were made. General Twinning's 8 Kittyhawks and 8 P-38s managed to fight them off, downing 7 Japanese aircraft. The Wedsworth received a near miss during the battle. 10 minutes later, AirSols beat off another attack taking down another 8 Japanese aircraft. During the last attack, roughly 70 Japanese aircraft came in around 1pm and were met by 34 AirSols fighters. After all three attacked, the Japanese has used around 120 aircraft and lost 26, inflicting no serious damage to allied ships nor the marines ashore. But the air attacks did result in major delays for the unloading of supplies for some hours. To try and speed up the unloading process, Wilkinson stripped some men from the assault units to help unload cargo ashore. Additionally Wilkinson employed a method of light combat loading. It would take some days for the beaches to be fully sorted out, while the naval forces departed Empress Augusta Bay before nightfall to return to Guadalcanal. Thus 14,000 men and 6200 tons of supplies had been successfully placed ashore in 8 hours. By the end of the first day the marines had contested a ⅓ sector and reached their initial objectives, digging in uncomfortably for the night under torrential rain. The divisional perimeter was established by forward landing teams, who had very little to work with for maps. To the extreme left of the perimeter would be Company G of the 9th marines, who were in a vulnerable spot along the Lrauma river. Lucky for them the Japanese were quite disorganized and many were located southeast of Cape Torokina. At dusk there was only sporadic sniper fire directed at the ⅓ in the vicinity of the cape plantation and later an attack was made against the 2nd raiders at a roadblock they established along Mission Trail. General Turnage was now the official owner of a new lodgement on Bougainville. Generals Imamura and Hyakutake were quite slow to react to the landings. They sent the Iwasa detachment led by Major General Iwasa Shun, commanding the 6th infantry group. Backing him up would be the 1st and 3rd battalions of the 23rd regiment. Their first task was to hit the new enemy beachhead. As predicted by the allies, Admirals Kusaka and Samejima mustered every naval and aerial strength they had to try and smash the invaders. As part of Operation RO, Admiral Koga had sent over 250 aircraft from the 5 carriers of Admiral Ozawa's air fleet. Koga specifically stated the bulk of these were only going to be loaned for a short time, obviously they would have to return to the main fleet. Well the invasion of Bougainville certainly upset the plans, the planes would not be coming back on schedule. As Admiral Fukudome SHigeri, Koga's Chief of staff would later note “although the planes were not originally to be used in such offensive operations, we could not just stand by and not employ them." By midday on October the 31st, the Japanese had discovered the American task force that had departed Guadalcanal en route for Bougainville. The IJN were determined to interrupt the operation. Kusaka sent a cruiser-destroyer task force led by Vice admiral Omori Sentaro. Departing Rabual Omori had the two heavy cruisers, Myoko and Haguro; two light cruisers, Sendai and Nagara; and two destroyers. Now Omori was the commander of Cruiser division 5 of the Combined fleet, not of the 8th fleet. He just happened to be at Rabaul covering the movement of the 17th division at the time, he was given command of his division and the main strength of the 8th fleet. Omori sailed out at 3pm in the direction of the Shortland islands believing that to be the allied target. Poor weather hindered his force and his search planes failed to locate any allied ships. Thus by 9am on November the 1st he was on his way back to Rabaul. Yet right as his ships were turning around, suddenly they received reports that the Americans had hit the beaches of Cape Torokina. Omori was quickly reinforced with a destroyer squadron and a destroyer transport group consisting of the Amagiri, Fumizuki, Uzuki, Yunagi and Minazuki each carrying 200 troops of a 1000 special trained raider group of the 17th division. This was the 2nd mobile raiding units from the 2nd battalion, 54th regiment led by Major Miwa Mitsuhiro. They were going to perform a counter landing against the marines at Mutupino point near the village of Toroko, due south of the marine beachhead. Within 6 hours, Omoro departed once again to hit the enemy fleet, but he lacked a real battle plan. At 6:30pm Omori rendezvoused with the transports at the St. George channel and together they proceeded towards Bougainville. At 7:20 the convoy was spotted by an american bomber who dropped a bomb nearly hitting the Sendai. Based on this Omori knew the Americans knew he was coming so he concluded a counterlanding was far too dangerous. Instead he decided to send the slower destroyer transports back to Rabaul. Omori believed the enemy transports were still in Empress Augusta Bay, thus if he could sneak in and destroy them, the marines would be stuck on the island without much of their supplies and without hope of quick rescue.  Meanwhile Merrills task force 39 had retired to the vicinity of Vella Lavella, but soon received news of Omori's incoming convoy. Halsey had to order his only naval force in the area to go out once again to protect the beachhead and intercept the enemy. Merrills crews had been at it for more than 24 hours by this point and were quite exhausted. Now Merrill's force went in very cautiously, because they were aware the Japanese would be outgunning them and of course the IJN held the dreaded long lance torpedoes. Thus Merrill chose to detach his destroyers who would go out in front to see if they could intercept Omori's forces before the long lances could be put to use. He intended to take the fight to the west of Empress Augusta Bay where he could block the enemy from the beachhead. He had his leading destroyers 3 miles ahead and deployed his forces along a north-south axis with the cruisers in the center, maintaining a range of 19,000 yards or more from the deadly IJN destroyers and their feared long lances. His plan was to exploit the offensive capabilities of his destroyers by letting them unleash their attacks before he would have his cruisers unleash their 6 inch guns. He hoped his destroyers would be able to sneak into range and hit the Japanese destroyers before they could launch their torpedo salvos. Omori was at a disadvantage intelligence wise, he had no idea about Merrills forces whereabouts. Moreover he had to rely on spotter planes because he was forewarned their radar would give away their location to the enemy if used. As Omori would later tell interrogators  “We had some modified aircraft radar sets in action but they were unreliable. I do not know whether the sets or operators were poor, but I did not have confidence in them.” Thus he had no idea of the position or size of the American flotilla, still he believed the enemy transports were in the bay, though in reality they would be nearly 40 miles south. Omori still lacking any real battle plan arrayed his force in three columns with his two heavy cruisers Myoko and Haguro in the center; Ijuins screen of light cruiser Sendai; and destroyers Shiratsuyu, Samidare and Shigure to the left and rear admiral Osugi Morikazu's screen of light cruiser Agano; and destroyers Wakatsuki, Hatsukaze and Naganami. As the Japanese approached the area, task force 39 were sailing 20 miles west of the beachhead. Merrills flagship Montpelier was the first to make radar contact with the enemy at 2:30 on November 2nd. Omori's fleet was 35,900 yards out. Merrill's changed his course to head due north then reversed south with his cruisers to find a favorable position to try and cross Omori's T. Merrill sent Commander Bernard Austins destroyed out to hit the Japanese southern flank while Captain Burke was ordered to take an intercept course that would force the Japanese to be in a vulnerable position for the destroyers to launch torpedoes into their left flank. At 2:45am a Japanese aircraft finally spotted the Americans and began dropping flares over them to allowed the light cruiser Sendai to lead the northern column over. However by this point it was all but too late for the Japanese. Burke had closed in on their left flank and launched 25 torpedoes at Ijuin's column. After launching the torpedoes Burke had his ships separate and it would be an hour before they could all be gathered again to form a full circle and return to their firing positions. The battle would be very chaotic, the US destroyers experienced a hard time trying to maintain contact with each other and several times would fire upon each other by accident. All 25 torpedoes would miss, because Omori ordered his ships to make a hard right turn. At 2:50 the Samidare launched a full salvo of 8 torpedoes which missed their main targets but a single torpedo managed to hit the destroyer USS Foote blowing up a large part of her stern. Cruiser Cleveland and destroyer Spence would accidentally run into each other doing light damage trying to avoid the damaged Foote. Merrill could no longer wait for the results of the destroyer attacks and ordered his cruisers to open fire at 2:50am. Merrills cruisers would unleash a continuous fire using their 6 inch guns while maintaining a coordinated figure 8 pattern to confuse the enemy and avoid torpedoes. The tactic had been very well rehearsed and the commanders were perfectly in tune with another. James Fahey, a sailor aboard Merrill's flagship Montpelier, described the long night illuminated by lightning, flares, star shells, and muzzle flashes. “The big eight inch salvos, throwing up great geysers of water, were hitting very close to us. Our force fired star shells in front of the Jap warships so that our destroyers could attack with torpedoes. It was like putting a bright light in front of your eyes in the dark. It was impossible to see. The noise from our guns was deafening.” The Sendai was the first to be hit taking a 6 inch shell to her rudder before it exploded near her boiler rooms. Sendai experienced a series of explosions and quickly sank. The destroyers Samidare and Shiratsuyu behind the Sendai collided with another trying to evade the naval gunfire and would end up taking positions around the stricken Sendai already sinking by this point. Merrill then shifted the focus to the other two Japanese columns forcing Osugi's column to head west running across Omori's cruisers. The Hatsukaze tried to move between two heavy cruisers and collided with the Omori's flagship Myoko at 3:07. Hatsukaze was so crippled by the collision she was much easier to hit as a result was found by Burkes reformed 45th destroyer division by 5:30am and 5 of the destroyers proceeded to batter her with shells until she sank at 5:40am. The Myoko meanwhile was hit by 6 shells, but fortunately for her 4 of them were duds, not causing enough damage to slow down the flagship. Next the USS Spence and Thatcher ran into another, but were able to carry on the fight. Both sides were having trouble running into each other, Merrills cruisers performing the 8 pattern at high speed allowed them to evade most gunfire. At 3:20 Omori opened fire with his heavy armament, both torpedoes and naval gunfire from his cruisers. The torpedoes missed, but 3 dud shells hit Denver into her forward section, causing water to slow the ship down. The other cruisers were forced to slow their speed to match her. Light cruisers Columbia received a 8 inch shell hit, luckily it also failed to explode. The Japanese fire was becoming heavier and more accurate forcing Merrill to respond with a smoke screen in front of his cruisers. Merrill made sure to keep his distance from the Japanese. When their range closed in on 13,000 yards at 326 am he ordered a 180 degree turn to the north. The radical maneuvering by Merrills cruisers made it extremely difficult to accurately fire upon them, but also for Merrills cruisers to hit Omori's. At 3:30am Omori decided to retire in the mistaken belief that his Long Lances had sunk or heavily damaged Merrill's cruisers. Omori had received a false report claiming “one torpedo hit on leading US cruiser, two torpedo hits on second US cruiser, two torpedo hits on third US cruiser. Shell fire also reported on US Force.” In the meantime Burkes destroyers had re-entered the fray of battle and began firing upon the doomed Sendai. After they pursued the Shiratsuyu and Samidare but both destroyers got extremely lucky when Commander Austin confused Burke into believing that the ship he saw turning northwards was actually the Spence. By 4:00am the Sendai was sinking taking with her 185 crew. Ijuin and 311 other survivors would later be rescued on November 3rd by Submarine RO-104. The Hatsukaze would be the last to sink at 5:40am. As dawn was breaking, Merrill urgently called for all available fighters to come to his aid as he expected the Japanese to toss the kitchen sink of air forces at him. Just before 8am a formation of 80 Zeros and 18 dive bombers arrived and began attacking his cruisers desperately performing anti-aircraft maneuvers. The allied aircraft were delayed by bad weather resulting in only 8 Hellcats, 1 marine corsair, 3 P-38s and 4 New Zealander P40s showing up. The allied pilots would claim to down 16 Japanese aircraft, though in reality it would only be 8. Merrills forces performing a defensive circular cordon would claim to down 17 further Japanese aircraft. The Japanese managed two hits, one causing minor damage to the USS Montpelier. The Japanese had lost their chance to stop the invasion of Bougainville. Merrills handling of the battle, particularly his figure 8 maneuver, had negated the dreaded super weapon of the enemy, the Type 93 long lance torpedo. It was to be the last major surface engagement of the Solomons area. Halsey would later reflect on the Japanese attempt to hit the landing forces at Cape Torokina  “was the most desperate emergency that confronted me in my entire term as COMSOPAC (Commander South Pacific).” Commodore Reifsnider was ordered to bring his transports back to Cape Torokina to resume the unloading. The unloading of the cargo would be completed by 3pm. Vice admiral Omori's force withdrew back to Rabaul. It was soon joined by four more cruisers and a number of destroyers from Truk. The reluctant Admiral Koga according to Admiral Fukudome decided to commit some of the very best units from the undamaged 2nd fleet “to cooperate with the carrier-based planes which had been sent from Vice-Admiral Ozawa's fleet in order to check the [US] Bougainville operations.” 7 heavy cruisers, the Takao, Maya, Atago, Suzuya, Mogami, Chikuma, and Chokai; a light cruiser, the Noshiro; four destroyers; and a number of service ships would depart Truk on November 3. The once dominant IJN fleet so surely footed in the early days of the war now was hesitant and indecisive. Nevertheless, Koga would unleash another attack against Empress Augusta Bay. Koga placed the new naval force under Admiral Kurita who would attempt to intercept futher American forces enroute to Bougainville. On November 4th, Wilkinson would be bringing the 21st marines aboard 8 destroyer transports and 8 LSTs. 3548 men led by Colonel Evans Ames, alongside 5000 tons of supplies and equipment escorted by destroyers Waller, Saufley, Philip, Renshaw, Eaton and Sigourney.  Halsey received word of the new Japanese force and realized the situation was critical. If Halsey did not turn back the incoming threat, his forces on Bougainville would not receive their planned reinforcements. Halsey was thus ready to take a risk, he was going to send carriers. As Halsey would later write “perhaps the success of the South Pacific War, hung on it being stopped.”. Against conventional wisdom, that carriers should not be exposed to land-based aircraft attacks, he ordered Rear Admiral Sherman's task force built around the USS Saratoga and Princeton to face a force of possibly 200 Japanese aircraft. The risks for Hasley were personal as well as professional “I sincerely expected both air groups to be cut to pieces and both carriers stricken, if not lost. (I tried not to remember my son Bill was aboard one of them), but we could not let the men at Tokorina be wiped out while we stood by and wrung our hands.” Halsey's Chief of Staff, Admiral Carney, recalled that before making the decision to attack with his carriers, his commander “suddenly looked 150 years old.” Shermans task for now designated Task Group 50.4 consisted of carrier Saratoga; light carrier Princeton; and destroyers Stack, Sterett, Wilson, Izard, Conner, Bell, Charrette, Boyd, Bradford and Cowell. He would be supported by General Twinings AirSols in any way possible. Halsey also requested MacArthur allow Kenney's 5th air force to join in on the battle. On November 5th, aided by some bad weather, a surprise air raid was performed against Rabaul. Sherman's carrier force was 230 miles away from Rabaul near Cape Torokina when they began launching aircraft at 9am. The Saratoga launched 16 Avengers and 22 Dauntless. Princeton launched 7 Avengers. The carrier aircraft were escorted by 52 hellcats making a formation of 97 aircraft in all. This was their entire payload . The aircraft flew at a low level as they approached Rabaul anti-aircraft defenses by 10:20. They kept a tight formation, flying right through the flak which prevented the 70 Zeros from intercepting them properly. As we have seen during this series, the Japanese anti-aircraft guns were honestly pretty terrible. Added to this, the American aircraft enjoyed much better armor than their Japanese counterparts, particularly the Zero fighter. Commander Henry Caldwell led the bombers towards Blanche Bay where they peeled off at 14,500 feet. The Dauntless dive bombed the targets before them as the Avengers time their approaches to hit the same targets at the same time. Within just 30 minutes the attack absolutely devastated the Japanese plans. Heavy cruiser Maya was trying to leave the harbor during the attack but took a 500 lb bomb hit to her catapult area which set off a series of explosions, blowing up her engine rooms and causing heavy casualties. As Maya was left fully disabled, the Mogami managed to clear the harbor but took a torpedo hit. Her number 1 and 2 turrets were flooded, forcing her crews to scramble to put out fires.  The Atago suffered three very near misses, which damaged her hull, armament, and machinery.  The Takao took a bomb to her starboard side, damaging her hull and machinery. TheChikuma received only slight damage and was able to depart for Truk at 20:38. The Suzuya, which was just preparing for refueling, tried to evade and was only slightly damaged. Aside from this the other light cruisers and destroyers did not receive any damage. 70 sailors died aboard the Maya, 23  died aboard the Mogami, Takao and Atago. Captain George Chandler, a P-38 fighter pilot described how “There were B-24 bombers up high and B-25 bombers attacking right down on the deck dropping ‘frag' bombs on the airplanes along the runways … we did our best work at high altitude, but we also took part in combat a thousand feet off the ground.” Taking advantage of Hasleys daring attack, General Kenney sent 27 B-24's and 67 P-38s to bomb the warehouse area on the western side of the harbor. They were challenged by only 15 Zero's who would lose two in the process. The Japanese facilities were wrecked by the attack. The Americans lost 5 bombers and 5 fighters while taking down 11 Zeros. The cautious Admiral Mineichi Koga withdrew his forces back to Truk. The Japanese Naval threat to the invasion of Bougainville was ended. A Japanese naval officer later admitted that they had given up on Bougainville mainly because of “the serious damage received by several Second Fleet cruisers at Rabaul by carrier attack …” The success of the raid on Rabaul left Halsey ecstatic. “It is real music to me and opens the stops for a funeral dirge for Tojo's Rabaul.” Sherman grabbed all of his returning places expecting a Japanese counterstrike. A Japanese scout plane discovered Sherman's task force around midafternoon and Kusaka immediately dispatched eighteen torpedo bombers after the Americans. At around dusk the Japanese discovered what they believed to be the task force and attacked. Although they later claimed a great air victory, in reality they hit at an LCI and a PT boat escorting an LCT back from Cape Torokina. A torpedo lodged in the engine room of the LCI and killed one man. That was the extent of the damage to the "task force." In return, the Japanese lost one plane. It was hardly an even exchange, and no compensation at all for the havoc wreaked earlier upon the 2nd Fleet. Halsey yet again showed what a formidable and aggressive commander he could be, his gamble paid off greatly. The Americans had secured their naval superiority in the South Pacific and it would remain that way for the rest of the war. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. Admiral Merrill performed an excellent battle against a larger IJN force. Admiral Hasley lived up to his reputation, he performed a bold gamble and it paid off big time. Now the Americans would dominate the South Pacific for the rest of the Pacific War.  

As we continue to process the far-reaching implications of the shocking verdict in the Kowalski case, we take a closer look at Maya Kowalski's testimony and what we know about her. She's emerged as a divisive figure in the case: alternately being cast as a brave heroine or as a manipulator. But given the evidence of her possible abuse and the questionable motives of the adults surrounding her, the truth is far more nuanced.    We bring in survivor Jordyn Hope and child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Mary Sanders to help unpack the impact of trauma on memory and the aftereffects of medical child abuse. As Maya continues to be thrust into the spotlight for a role she didn't choose, we grapple with the outcome of what it could all mean for her.   Munchausen Support accepts donations and volunteers at www.munhausensupport.com   If you have a story about medical child abuse that you are ready to share you can tag @andreadunlop, email hello@nobodyshouldbelieveme.com or leave us a voicemail at (484) 768-0266  Produced by Larj Media  Follow host Andrea Dunlop on Instagram for behind-the-scenes photos: @andreadunlop  Buy Andrea's books here.  Note: This episode contains sensitive content related to child abuse. Listener discretion is advised.  Download the APSAC's practice guidelines here.  ***  Sponsored by:  *Brilliant Earth   Well-made and responsibly sourced. Find beautiful, unique styles at BrilliantEarth.com.  *Better Help   To be matched with a licensed therapist, visit Betterhelp.com/BelieveMe to get 10% off your first month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maya Kowalski, the 17-year-old at the center of the popular Netflix documentary "Take Care of Maya," has filed a criminal complaint against Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg. Maya alleges sexual abuse during her hospitalization, which adds to the hospital's recent legal troubles.    Maya's attorney, Greg Anderson, confirmed that she submitted the complaint to the Pinellas County Sheriff's department, citing incidents of assault and battery that occurred between October 8 and October 13, 2016, during her stay at the hospital. This development follows a Florida jury's ruling in a medical malpractice case that found the hospital liable for a series of wrongdoings.    In the medical malpractice case, the jury determined that the hospital wrongly separated Maya from her mother, Beata Kowalski, who subsequently took her own life. As a result, the hospital is now facing substantial damages amounting to $261 million. The jury's award included compensation for multiple offenses, such as subjecting Maya to 48 hours of continuous video surveillance and having her undress down to shorts and a training bra for a photograph. Additionally, it was found that a hospital staffer engaged in misconduct by kissing 10-year-old Maya and having her sit on their lap.    Attorney Greg Anderson revealed that Maya had suppressed the memory of the alleged sexual abuse until approximately four weeks ago when she disclosed it to the psychiatrists who treated her during her time at the hospital. In response to these allegations, the hospital released a statement through its attorneys, stating, "These allegations originally arose during trial and were not admitted into the case. As soon as the hospital became aware of the allegations, and in accordance with their policies, they immediately initiated an internal investigation and contacted law enforcement last month. Federal privacy laws restrict Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital from sharing more, but the hospital takes allegations of this nature very seriously and always puts the safety of their patients above all else."   Maya Kowalski's hospitalization at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in October 2016 was prompted by her mother, Beata Kowalski, seeking treatment for her daughter's painful neurological condition known as Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome. Beata advocated for aggressive ketamine treatment, a method she believed had previously provided relief for Maya's symptoms. However, medical professionals at the hospital grew suspicious of Beata's demands, ultimately diagnosing her with Munchausen by proxy syndrome, a condition where a parent exaggerates or fabricates their child's symptoms for attention.   Throughout the trial, Maya testified that hospital staff had dismissed her condition as imaginary and had not taken her pain seriously. The hospital reported suspected child abuse to Florida child welfare authorities, leading to an investigation that resulted in Maya being made a medical ward of the state, separating her from her family. Tragically, Beata Kowalski took her own life in their family home's garage three months later.   As Maya continues to grapple with the aftermath of her experiences, her criminal complaint against the hospital adds another layer of complexity to the legal and ethical questions surrounding her treatment and the hospital's responsibilities. Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK's Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

Maya Kowalski, the 17-year-old at the center of the popular Netflix documentary "Take Care of Maya," has filed a criminal complaint against Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg. Maya alleges sexual abuse during her hospitalization, which adds to the hospital's recent legal troubles.    Maya's attorney, Greg Anderson, confirmed that she submitted the complaint to the Pinellas County Sheriff's department, citing incidents of assault and battery that occurred between October 8 and October 13, 2016, during her stay at the hospital. This development follows a Florida jury's ruling in a medical malpractice case that found the hospital liable for a series of wrongdoings.    In the medical malpractice case, the jury determined that the hospital wrongly separated Maya from her mother, Beata Kowalski, who subsequently took her own life. As a result, the hospital is now facing substantial damages amounting to $261 million. The jury's award included compensation for multiple offenses, such as subjecting Maya to 48 hours of continuous video surveillance and having her undress down to shorts and a training bra for a photograph. Additionally, it was found that a hospital staffer engaged in misconduct by kissing 10-year-old Maya and having her sit on their lap.    Attorney Greg Anderson revealed that Maya had suppressed the memory of the alleged sexual abuse until approximately four weeks ago when she disclosed it to the psychiatrists who treated her during her time at the hospital. In response to these allegations, the hospital released a statement through its attorneys, stating, "These allegations originally arose during trial and were not admitted into the case. As soon as the hospital became aware of the allegations, and in accordance with their policies, they immediately initiated an internal investigation and contacted law enforcement last month. Federal privacy laws restrict Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital from sharing more, but the hospital takes allegations of this nature very seriously and always puts the safety of their patients above all else."   Maya Kowalski's hospitalization at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in October 2016 was prompted by her mother, Beata Kowalski, seeking treatment for her daughter's painful neurological condition known as Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome. Beata advocated for aggressive ketamine treatment, a method she believed had previously provided relief for Maya's symptoms. However, medical professionals at the hospital grew suspicious of Beata's demands, ultimately diagnosing her with Munchausen by proxy syndrome, a condition where a parent exaggerates or fabricates their child's symptoms for attention.   Throughout the trial, Maya testified that hospital staff had dismissed her condition as imaginary and had not taken her pain seriously. The hospital reported suspected child abuse to Florida child welfare authorities, leading to an investigation that resulted in Maya being made a medical ward of the state, separating her from her family. Tragically, Beata Kowalski took her own life in their family home's garage three months later.   As Maya continues to grapple with the aftermath of her experiences, her criminal complaint against the hospital adds another layer of complexity to the legal and ethical questions surrounding her treatment and the hospital's responsibilities. Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK's Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

Maya Kowalski, the 17-year-old at the center of the popular Netflix documentary "Take Care of Maya," has filed a criminal complaint against Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg. Maya alleges sexual abuse during her hospitalization, which adds to the hospital's recent legal troubles.    Maya's attorney, Greg Anderson, confirmed that she submitted the complaint to the Pinellas County Sheriff's department, citing incidents of assault and battery that occurred between October 8 and October 13, 2016, during her stay at the hospital. This development follows a Florida jury's ruling in a medical malpractice case that found the hospital liable for a series of wrongdoings.    In the medical malpractice case, the jury determined that the hospital wrongly separated Maya from her mother, Beata Kowalski, who subsequently took her own life. As a result, the hospital is now facing substantial damages amounting to $261 million. The jury's award included compensation for multiple offenses, such as subjecting Maya to 48 hours of continuous video surveillance and having her undress down to shorts and a training bra for a photograph. Additionally, it was found that a hospital staffer engaged in misconduct by kissing 10-year-old Maya and having her sit on their lap.    Attorney Greg Anderson revealed that Maya had suppressed the memory of the alleged sexual abuse until approximately four weeks ago when she disclosed it to the psychiatrists who treated her during her time at the hospital. In response to these allegations, the hospital released a statement through its attorneys, stating, "These allegations originally arose during trial and were not admitted into the case. As soon as the hospital became aware of the allegations, and in accordance with their policies, they immediately initiated an internal investigation and contacted law enforcement last month. Federal privacy laws restrict Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital from sharing more, but the hospital takes allegations of this nature very seriously and always puts the safety of their patients above all else."   Maya Kowalski's hospitalization at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in October 2016 was prompted by her mother, Beata Kowalski, seeking treatment for her daughter's painful neurological condition known as Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome. Beata advocated for aggressive ketamine treatment, a method she believed had previously provided relief for Maya's symptoms. However, medical professionals at the hospital grew suspicious of Beata's demands, ultimately diagnosing her with Munchausen by proxy syndrome, a condition where a parent exaggerates or fabricates their child's symptoms for attention.   Throughout the trial, Maya testified that hospital staff had dismissed her condition as imaginary and had not taken her pain seriously. The hospital reported suspected child abuse to Florida child welfare authorities, leading to an investigation that resulted in Maya being made a medical ward of the state, separating her from her family. Tragically, Beata Kowalski took her own life in their family home's garage three months later.   As Maya continues to grapple with the aftermath of her experiences, her criminal complaint against the hospital adds another layer of complexity to the legal and ethical questions surrounding her treatment and the hospital's responsibilities. Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK's Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

In this unscripted episode of Press Publish, Erin talks with Maya Burr, whose passion for parenting and education led her to create a transformative tool: The Power of Two. Maya, a licensed clinical social worker, shares her journey of crafting a unique card game to foster problem-solving and self-regulation skills in children under six. As Maya recounts her experience in beta testing and refining the intervention, listeners gain insights into the collaborative effort that went into its development. The game, composed of solution and problem cards, was crafted to resonate with young minds. Her goal isn't merely to sell the intervention, but also to make it accessible to underserved schools and families, aligning with her mission of supporting parents and children. Through this episode, listeners witness Maya's journey from Kickstarter launch to campaign success, gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges and triumphs along the way. Join us in celebrating Maya's dedication to empowering young minds, and stay tuned for her future endeavors in creating more interventions tailored to the unique needs of children in their formative years. Support Maya and her Kickstarter campaign, The Power of Two For parenting consultation services, visit her website at mayaburr.com  Have questions about self-publishing you want me to answer on the podcast? DM your questions and suggestions to @presspublishpodcast

Get ready to go BACK! Back in time through food!? Yes! On today's episode of the podcast we welcome author Flora Ahn to the show to discuss her latest book "A Spoonful of Time".  This book will warm your heart and provide you with all the recipes you need to fill your stomach! Seriously though, Joe & Florah get into a fantastic discussion about representation, food, ancestry, and how we can continue to learn from older generations (and others) when we take the opportunity to sit down with them, over a meal, and listen. Enjoy! About Flora Ahn Flora Ahn is an attorney by day and an author and illustrator by night. Her work includes a children's chapter book series, Pug Pals (Scholastic) and an Audible Original, The Golden Orchard. Raised in California by her Korean immigrant parents, Ahn lives in Virginia with her three pugs and practices law in DC.   About 'A Spoonful of Time' Maya's grandmother, Halmunee, may be losing her memory, but there's something almost magical about the way she cooks. Whether Halmunee serves salty miyeokguk or sweet songpyeon, her stories about Korea come to life for Maya. Then one day, something extraordinary happens: a single delicious bite of patbingsu transports Maya and Halmunee back into one of Halmunee's memories. Suddenly they're in Seoul, and Halmunee is young. This is just the first of many secrets Maya will uncover: that she and her grandmother can time-travel, and they aren't the only ones with this ability. As Maya eats her way through the past, her questions multiply—until a shocking discovery transforms everything she thought she knew about family, friendship, loss, and time itself. A middle grade novel about 13-year-old Maya who discovers she can travel across time through her Halmunee's memories by cooking Korean treats. A reimagined version of The Golden Orchard.   Make sure to check out the NEW Dtalkspodcast.com website! Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload.   With toys and action figures from the 70's, 80's, 90's, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale)   Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at TheEmpireToys.com AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life!    At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care.    Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at www.selfunbound.com   The DTALKS Podcast has also been ranked #9 in the "Top 40 Detox Podcast You Must Follow in 2020" according to Feedspot.com for our work in the Cultural Detox space. Thank you so much to the Feedspot team!  https://blog.feedspot.com/detox_podcasts/

Hello, beautiful Vortex fam! Today, we're continuing our death & rebirth special with some potent magic that Maya has been fielding in her world: a big ol' return to her soul's ultimate truth and a remembrance of the work she came to this life to do. Elle reflects on her current state of affairs, too - shedding layers, releasing what no longer serves, and leaning into RADICAL trust that the next phase of the journey will present itself in perfect time. As Maya exits the womb, Elle enters it, and they create their classic soul sister yin/yang. We love to see and hold every piece of it. Thank you, sweet listener, for riding the wave with us as ALWAYS. Our signature co-led program, Meet Your Magic: A Sacred Vortex Experience begins TOMORROW, 5/28/23! We are beyond ready to open this sacred circle of love, sisterhood, connection, transmutation, and healing. In case you missed it, here's the breakdown of our 6 weeks together! Week 1: Opening ceremony & devotional practice Week 2: Subconscious reprogramming Week 3: Voice & throat chakra activation Week 4: Human Design! Week 5: Channeling your intuition, spirit guides, and source Week 6: Closing ceremony & finding magic in the mundane For the full details & to enroll, follow the link here: https://www.somedaymysoul.com/meetyourmagic If you feel compelled to take a moment to rate, review, follow, and subscribe to the pod wherever you listen, we would be eternally grateful! Follow us on Instagram for updates, outtake reels, and community: https://www.instagram.com/thesacredvortexpodcast/ Our stunning theme music was composed by Nyla Smith. Follow her at https://www.instagram.com/nylacappella/ + www.nyla-smith.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thesacredvortexpodcast/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thesacredvortexpodcast/support

Existing laws have clearly failed us, writes Mark Ruffalo in his foreword. Longtime activist Maya van Rossum therefore has an interesting proposal. A green amendment. Protect our rights in the constitutions, at a national and state level. In her provocative and interesting book, she describes the damages inflicted to communities, the extent of destruction brought in the name of the extractive capitalism and the incapability of lawmakers to protect environmental rights. Communities and people are not disposable.  And she explores as well the connection with climate justice, being poor communities of immigrants, Latinos and people of color the most affected as Kerry Evelyn Harris clearly points out in her foreword. Maya has been at the forefront of the Delaware River protection and has been the leader of the Green Amendment movement. In the book, she discusses 2 case studies of Pennsylvania and Montana, where the legislation has been enacted and has provided landmark cases. A number of states are following.  As Maya points out “Living in the United States, people don't realize that while we recognize and protect speech, property, and gun rights, we don't meaningfully recognize a right to drink clean water, breathe clean air, or live in the stable climate and healthy environments essential to supporting and sustaining healthy lives”. Is the Green Amendment a viable solution? Listen to the episode and have your say!

As Maya's literary career rises, her performance at work falls below satisfactory, so William fires her. When the publisher changes its mind, she finds herself looking for a job. Lynn has a few new jobs under her belt. Toni is having body image issues related to her pregnancy. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/antoinette-q-smith/support

Dr. Maya Shetreat is a neurologist, herbalist and astrologer who is bridging science and the sacred. Maya is a conventionally-trained pediatric neurologist but she's also an herbalist and author of The Dirt Cure and she will be the first to tell you she's weird. And if that's true then I am her kind of weird and you might be too! Maya spent her 20s getting married, having babies, and becoming a doctor. She spent her 30s building a practice and growing her family. By the time she reached her 40s, Maya had checked off all the traditional boxes of “success” and then decided to “burn it down.”  Why? Because she knew the expectations that came from being a wife and a woman in her heterosexual marriage were no longer in alignment with her soul's purpose and longings on this earth.  In our conversation we dig into what it was like to develop at an early age, what it looks like to pursue non-traditional currencies of “success” instead of money and what it looks like to exercise as a spiritual practice. As Maya is approaching her 50s she has no desire to return to her former self and is falling more in love with her body, her soul and her purpose with each passing day. Our chat touches on how you can do the same. In our time together we also discuss Maya's work with mushrooms and psychedelics (you'll also learn about my first accidental experience with psychedelics) and Maya's course on creating fun, play and spaciousness in our lives. If you need to heal from trauma, are looking to create more space in your life to pursue your true heart's desires or would like to work 1:1 with Maya, make sure you connect on  drmaya.com.  In episode 395 of the Embodied Podcast we discuss: [0:37] Maya's complicated relationship with being a doctor [2:10] Maya's relationship with God, a creative force, the unnameable [5:36] What happens when we harness ourselves to the worship of money [8:16] The types of currency that are valued in western society vs the type of currency Maya has learned to value [9:58] How Elizabeth is using peace and space to determine what she does and does not do [10:45] Maya's course on fun, play and spaciousness [12:23] The curing abilities of mushrooms and psychedelics for trauma and addiction [16:04] Finding spirituality in exercise [17:16] The 12th House and why it is referred to as “the house of undoing” [19:10] The main reason Elizabeth got back into exercising [22:22] Balancing masculine and feminine energies [24:11] Lifting as a pathway to your personal power [28:04] Blowing up narratives around femininity [32:13] Fatphobia and how it is rooted in prejudice [36:12] How Maya felt in her body when she was in relationship with a man vs. being in relationship with a woman [39:14] The expectations that came with being a wife and a woman in a heterosexual marriage [41:25] How maturing early led both Maya and Elizabeth to protect their body [43:00] Learning to love yourself as a revolutionary idea [46:16] What it looks like to peacefully end a soul agreement and how that can be celebrated [48:05] The beauty in non-traditional paths [50:14] Learning to not be attached to outcomes [52:22] Understanding that when you say yes to something you say no to something else [55:01] Connecting with the sacred through nature For full show notes and resources, head to https://untameyourself.com/podcasts/395 About the EMBODIED Podcast with Elizabeth DiAlto  If you're feeling it, subscribe to the show, and leave us a review wherever you listen from. You can also keep up with show updates and community discussion on Instagram here.

Long awaited, much anticipated, Maya and Angela touch on so many random things (rock n' roll, Bobby Flay, Etsy sex toys) while somehow predicting the future? Maya talks about her relationship with singer, rapper, and flutist, Lizzo, after watching her new show Lizzo's Big Grrls. She concludes that Lizzo is about as good as she can get for a public figure but has two strikes against her (being a "good fat" and making the god forsaken brand Yitty). Little did they know that an impending third strike was hurtling towards home plate as they spoke. There's lots of Lesbianism in this episode, at least more than usual. As Maya talks about the movie Saving Face (2004) and its casual racism in a seemingly idyllic Chinese-American Lesbian utopia (Flushing, Queens), Angela recounts watching a She-ro chef documentary and was genuinely all over the damn place. All this is followed up with a rousing and extremely Queer game of fuck, marry, kill that features celebs including Karla Souza, Ever Maynard, Gara Loning, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Sara Bareillis, and Busy Phillips. Follow Nicheties on Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok @NichetiesPod Make sure to follow this podcast, rate, and download our episodes! We appreciate you:) --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nicheties/message

Go to https://www.radicalconfidence.com to get your copy of my book Radical Confidence! When you do, you'll be getting a toolkit of 10 No-BS lessons on becoming the hero of your own life - and you'll learn how to set better boundaries, live a life that lights you up, and give you the ability to boldly stare down ANY frikin' thing that gets between you and the things you want from life! On today's Episode: Change is “wildly complex!” It's exciting, it's inspiring, it's also nerve wrecking, anxiety inducing and scary as hell. Some people do extremely well with change while others have meltdowns and can barely handle the stress of change.The thing we're diving into in this episode is not just the external side of dealing with change, but the internal state of change. Whether you're moving, taking a new job, ending a relationship, dealing with the loss of a loved one, or trying to adapt with polarized political wins and losses, your identity is being challenged at the core of everything.Maya Shankar is the host and executive producer of, Slight Change of Plans, a podcast about, “who we are and who we become in the face of a big change.” She is a former violinist that was accepted into Julliard who underwent a massive change of identity. Maya later found herself leading as the founder and lead of the White House Behavioral Science Team under President Barack Obama. Let's talk about the tactics you need to let go of the identity you're holding onto in the face of life's major changes. As Maya points out, some of the changes you experience are willing and others are unwilling changes, but in both cases the value is placed on detaching your identity from the pursuit of a specific thing, and deciding on purpose who you are in the face of change.SHOW NOTES:0:00 | Introduction to Maya Shankar0:25 | How Change Threatens Your Identity10:32 | Grieving The Loss of Identity 27:02 | Recreate Habits for a New Identity39:20 | Find Meaning In SufferingQUOTES:“In that moment, I was grieving the loss of the instrument, but actually in many ways I was grieving the loss of a huge part of myself…” [3:01] “If you can identify the things that make you happy about the things you do, and more strongly attach yourself to those things rather than the things itself, it's going to give you a more stable self-identity as you move through a world that will inevitably change.” [8:49]“Sometimes the labels or the roles that we want to occupy, or the traits that we want to embody like independence, we might want to revisit from time to time to make sure that our working mode of what that thing ought to mean really aligns with our values and our long term goals.” [24:30]“Change is wildly complex, and you not only lack control over how you might respond to all those internal changes that are happening, but you don't control how other people will respond differently to you…” [30:39]Follow Maya Shankar:Website: https://mayashankar.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MayaUmaShankar Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmayashankar/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maya.shankar.14 Podcast: https://mayashankar.com/podcast

Maya Sweiry, Vice President of Human Resources at Oktopost stops by the podcast to talk about the importance of employer branding and how Marketing and HR need to work together to differentiate the employee experience. Similar to the way organizations compete for customers by driving value of their products and services, businesses today also need to compete for talent by showcasing authentic company culture. As Maya suggests throughout the episode, an important piece to this is employer branding – the unwritten story of your organization and often, what people are saying about you when you are not in the room. Employer branding helps bring a company's culture to life and human resources cannot go at it alone. According to Maya, Marketing and HR need to partner together to play an active role in creating, building, and maintaining the organization's story and messaging as it pertains to current employees and potential candidates. Hot Topics of this Episode: - The importance of Marketing and HR working together to impact the Employer Brand - Maya's perspective on where Marketeers can lean better into Human Resources to tell the unwritten story of their organization - How to create and nurture a positive company culture that continually grows the talent you have, and attracts the talent you need

This bonus episode features our full interview with Maya Wang, the senior China researcher for Human Rights Watch. As Maya explains, a comprehensive, multi-layered surveillance system blankets much of China with one primary goal: to ensure that the Chinese communist party can rule forever. We included an excerpt of this interview in Episode 3, “The Eyes On Your Face.” But the rest of Wang's harrowing account of this surveillance system was too compelling to leave on the cutting room floor. Join us for a deeper dive into China's surveillance state. The Continuous Action is sponsored by The Project On Government Oversight. Stay tuned on the latest from POGO: pogo.org/subscribe For show notes, visit: pogo.org/series-collections/the-continuous-action/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today I talked to Sandra Cavallo Miller about her novel Where No One Should Live (U Nevada Press, 2021). Dr. Maya Summer works at Arizona Public Health, overseeing and researching a myriad of public health issues. A passionate advocate for a motorcycle helmet law, she also monitors disease-bearing mosquitoes, rabid bobcats, and the opioid epidemic--along with many other concerns. To maintain her clinical skills, she spends time at the nearby family medicine residency, seeing patients and teaching new physicians. Maya also navigates a complicated personal life: a somewhat troubled romantic relationship with a cardiologist; a retired physician-friend searching for new meaning; an undocumented neighbor raising a young son; and a cherished ailing old horse. A new danger looms when she sparks the anger of local biker gangs who want to stop her helmet campaign. As the intimidating warnings reach an unsettling highpoint, a past trauma that had been fueling her work now starts to haunt her--threatening to derail her carefully choreographed life. Dr. Alex Reddish, a faculty member at the residency, enjoys Maya's company every week. He longs to know her better but also knows she is involved with a prominent cardiologist. A former shy chess champion, Alex has worked to remake himself into a more socially engaged person, though he cannot completely shed his reclusive past. His professional life is complicated by two resident physician advisees: a depressed and poorly performing man, and a seductive woman. And now someone seems determined to harm him. Maya and Alex turn accomplices when they try to unravel a spate of unusual illnesses afflicting residency staff, and discover disturbing trends. As Maya and Alex become closer, they must also tackle their personal pasts and individual demons, and find the courage to move forward. 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

Today I talked to Sandra Cavallo Miller about her novel Where No One Should Live (U Nevada Press, 2021). Dr. Maya Summer works at Arizona Public Health, overseeing and researching a myriad of public health issues. A passionate advocate for a motorcycle helmet law, she also monitors disease-bearing mosquitoes, rabid bobcats, and the opioid epidemic--along with many other concerns. To maintain her clinical skills, she spends time at the nearby family medicine residency, seeing patients and teaching new physicians. Maya also navigates a complicated personal life: a somewhat troubled romantic relationship with a cardiologist; a retired physician-friend searching for new meaning; an undocumented neighbor raising a young son; and a cherished ailing old horse. A new danger looms when she sparks the anger of local biker gangs who want to stop her helmet campaign. As the intimidating warnings reach an unsettling highpoint, a past trauma that had been fueling her work now starts to haunt her--threatening to derail her carefully choreographed life. Dr. Alex Reddish, a faculty member at the residency, enjoys Maya's company every week. He longs to know her better but also knows she is involved with a prominent cardiologist. A former shy chess champion, Alex has worked to remake himself into a more socially engaged person, though he cannot completely shed his reclusive past. His professional life is complicated by two resident physician advisees: a depressed and poorly performing man, and a seductive woman. And now someone seems determined to harm him. Maya and Alex turn accomplices when they try to unravel a spate of unusual illnesses afflicting residency staff, and discover disturbing trends. As Maya and Alex become closer, they must also tackle their personal pasts and individual demons, and find the courage to move forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literature

The Football History Dude is part of the https://sportshistorynetwork.com/ (Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear). NETWORK SPONSORS https://sportshistorynetwork.com/row1/ (Row One) - the vintage shop for sports history fans! EPISODE SUMMARY Growing up Maya Washington didn't see her father as the world knew him to be—Michigan State University and Minnesota Viking football legend, Gene Washington—she knew him as dad. Based on Maya's award-winning documentary, https://amzn.to/34TcQvE (THROUGH THE BANKS OF THE RED CEDAR: My Father and the Team That Changed the Game )(Little A; January 1, 2022)follows her journey of uncovering just how difficult Gene's youth in segregated Texas was, and his unorthodox rise to college football stardom at MSU during the height of the Civil Rights movement. In this coming-of-age story, Maya narrates her father's experiences with racial discrimination as a Black athlete from the segregated South and how his perseverance contributed to her own limited privilege. Maya's life-altering experience of attending the funeral of Bubba Smith, her father's childhood friend and teammate, revealed to her how much the world of football shielded her from the harsh realities that her father had faced. After making the decision to learn more about her father's past, Maya set out to interview the family members, friends, coaches, and teammates at the center of Gene's story in order to learn more about the game that was so important to her father. As Maya's eyes are opened to the reality of her father's struggles with racism growing up in the south during Jim Crow, she also begins to reflect on her own experiences in her home city of Minneapolis, Minnesota and forms a deeper sense of gratitude for her parents' devotion to opening doors for her that were closed to them during their youth. Ultimately, https://amzn.to/34TcQvE (THROUGH THE BANKS OF THE RED CEDAR) expresses the growing bond between a father and his daughter, who comes to appreciate the game that changed both of their lives. Maya creates an inspiring depiction of Gene, not only as a star on the football field but also as a father to his three daughters. Maya expounds on controversial themes but expresses a sincere hope for unity. For more information visit https://www.throughthebanksoftheredcedar.com/ (www.throughthebanksoftheredcedar.com) AUTHOR BIO MAYA WASHINGTON is an award-winning narrative and documentary filmmaker (writer/director/producer), actress, writer, poet, creative director, photographer, and arts educator. She is dedicated to social-impact stories that illuminate aspects of the human experience that are untold or rarely seen or that might benefit from new approaches to issues of diversity and inclusion. THE FOOTBALL HISTORY DUDE BACKGROUND https://sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/the-football-history-dude/ (The Football History Dude) is a show dedicated to teaching NFL fans about the rich history of the game we all know and love. I'm your host, Arnie Chapman, and I'm just a regular dude that loves football and is a nerd when it comes to learning about history. I created this show to share the gridiron knowledge nuggets I gain from researching various topics about the history of the National Football League. Each episode I welcome you to climb aboard my DeLorean to travel back in time to explore the yesteryear of the gridiron, and yes, that's a reference to the Back to the Future Movies.

Legend has it that the ocean can lure children and make them fall into the depths to never return.... Martin, who has always been drawn to the ocean, moves his wife, Alexandra, and their two young children into his family's idyllic summer cottage in the picturesque island village of Orust, on the west coast of Sweden. Martin begins to cultivate a mussel farm, where he soon runs into trouble with the locals. One January weekend, when Martin is distracted by a ringing phone, he discovers that in those few moments, his young son has gone missing and his little red bucket is bobbing in the waves. Though his body is never found, it's ruled an accidental drowning. Martin's grief is all-consuming as he falls into a deep depression, withdrawing from his family and community. When former police photographer Maya Linde arrives to Orust, she learns of the little boy's disappearance and decides to do some investigating of her own. Martin and Maya grow closer as they learn the hidden truths of this town and the locals who have always mythologised the ocean. Together they make a macabre discovery: other children have tragically died in the these waves, all on the same day in January, all in the exact same spot, though decades apart. Can it really be a coincidence, or is the ocean luring the children into its depths? As Maya and Martin grapple with a threat far greater than they ever imagined, they soon realize that the truth is actually much stranger than fiction.... Set against a backdrop of the whispering ocean, Winter Water is an atmospheric and gripping suspense novel of the nature of grief and the many acts is can make us capable of.

Growing up Maya Washington didn't see her father as the world knew him to be—Michigan State University and Minnesota Viking football legend, Gene Washington—she knew him as Dad. Based on Maya's award-winning documentary, THROUGH THE BANKS OF THE RED CEDAR: My Father and the Team That Changed the Game follows her journey of uncovering just how difficult Gene's youth in segregated Texas was, and his unorthodox rise to college football stardom at MSU during the height of the Civil Rights movement. In this coming-of-age story, Maya narrates her father's experiences with racial discrimination as a Black athlete from the segregated South and how his perseverance contributed to her own limited privilege. Maya's life-altering experience of attending the funeral of Bubba Smith, her father's childhood friend and teammate, revealed to her how much the world of football shielded her from the harsh realities that her father had faced. After making the decision to learn more about her father's past, Maya set out to interview the family members, friends, coaches, and teammates at the center of Gene's story in order to learn more about the game that was so important to her father. As Maya's eyes are opened to the reality of her father's struggles with racism growing up in the South during Jim Crow, she also begins to reflect on her own experiences in her home city of Minneapolis, Minnesota and forms a deeper sense of gratitude for her parents' devotion to opening doors for her that were closed to them during their youth. Ultimately, THROUGH THE BANKS OF THE RED CEDAR expresses the growing bond between a father and his daughter, who comes to appreciate the game that changed both of their lives. Maya creates an inspiring depiction of Gene, not only as a star on the football field but also as a father to his three daughters. Maya expounds on controversial themes but expresses a sincere hope for unity. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: MAYA WASHINGTON is an award-winning narrative and documentary filmmaker (writer/director/producer), actress, writer, poet, creative director, photographer, and arts educator. She is dedicated to social-impact stories that illuminate aspects of the human experience that are untold or rarely seen or that might benefit from new approaches to issues of diversity and inclusion. For more information visit www.throughthebanksoftheredcedar.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/steve-richards/support

Welcome back fellow Defenders we're chatting about Hawkeye Episode 4 "Partners, Am I Right?" on our latest podcast. Hawkeye Episode 4 "Partners, Am I Right?" Synopsis Head Writer: Jonathan Igla Episode Written by: Erin Cancino and Heather Quinn Episode Directed By: Bert & Bertie Staff Writer: Heather Quinn Executive Story Editors: Katrina Mathewson and Tanner Bean Clint Barton and Kate Bishop manage to defuse the sword-to-the-neck situation after Jack Duquesne and Eleanor Bishop recognise him as an Avenger. But learning about their “partnership” Eleanor asks Clint to keep her daughter out of their investigation into the Tracksuit Mafia. But Clint just promises to keep her safe and leaves, sneaking the Ronin Sword with him. Later that day Eleanor leaves an urgent message to an unknown person to inform them of the situation. But Clint is suspicious and with the help of his wife Laura, he discovers that Jack is the CEO of Sloan Limited, a shell corporation that launders money for the Tracksuit Mafia. That night Kate tries to soften the blow of another night away from his family, as she throws an impromptu Christmas party for Clint, Pizza Dog and herself. As the slushy cocktails flow and the two reminisce, Kate deduces that Hawkeye took up the mantle of Ronin during The Blip. The next day after many cups of coffee Clint locates Kazi and asks him to talk down Maya Lopez out of her vendetta against Ronin, while Kate enlists the LARPERS to retrieve the trick arrows out of an NYPD lockup. In a follow-up call from Laura, she informs her husband that the Rolex watch stolen by the Tracksuit Mafia is still emitting a tracking signal from a building in downtown New York. While Hawkeye keeps watch from the roof of the building opposite, Kate goes to retrieve it, but soon discovers that the watch is located in Maya's apartment, where she also keeps notes on Clint Barton and his family. As Maya confronts and attacks Kate, Hawkeye is ambushed by a masked assassin but he manages to send a zip wire to get Kate out of Maya's apartment, where she joins him to fight both Maya and the unknown assassin. In the ensuing fight, Kate injures Maya, forcing her to retreat; Hawkeye manages to unmask his assailant and comes face to face with Yelena Belova, Natasha Rominov's sister, before she escapes. With the realisation that a Black Widow Assassin is now involved, Clint refuses to put Kate in any further danger and breaks off their partnership. Hawkeye Episode 4 Cast Jeremy Renner - Clint Barton / HawkeyeHailee Steinfeld - Kate BishopTony Dalton - Jack DuquesneVera Farmiga - Eleanor BishopFra Fee - KaziLinda Cardellini - Laura BartonAleks Paunovic - IvanPiotr Adamczyk - TomasCarlos Navarro - EnriqueBen Sakamoto - Cooper BartonAva Russo - Lila BartonCade Woodward - Nathaniel BartonAlaqua Cox - Maya LopezFra Fee - KaziDarnell Besaw - Young Maya LopezWith Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova A Return to Defending As we are returning to the Marvel TV universe we are using the format of our former Marvel podcast, Defenders TV Podcast. We discuss: - Our Top 3 Points (or Arrow Points) of the episode - Whether we each Defend the episode or not - Notes, Quotes and comic references The Hawkeye Pub Quiz During each podcast we'll ask a question about each episode in our Hawkeye Pub Quiz. You can send in your answers each week to feedback@tvpodcastindustries.com At the end of the six episode series the listeners with the most correct answers will be in with the chance of getting their hands on some Hawkeye goodies. All questions will be updated on: https://www.tvpodcastindustries.com Question 4: (a) What is written on the side of the mug that Clint Barton is drinking from? (b) What nickname does Kate give Clint Barton? Feedback for Hawkeye Once you've watched the episodes you can email us to feedback@tvpodcastindustries.com, you can message us @TVPodIndustries on Twitter or join our...

We're chatting all about Hawkeye Episode 4 "Partners, Am I Right?". We're going into full spoiler filled detail on LARPers, Rolex's, Pizza Parties and cameos in our latest Podcast. Hawkeye Episode 4 "Partners, Am I Right?" Synopsis Head Writer: Jonathan Igla Episode Written by: Erin Cancino and Heather Quinn Episode Directed By: Bert & Bertie Staff Writer: Heather Quinn Executive Story Editors: Katrina Mathewson and Tanner Bean Clint Barton and Kate Bishop manage to defuse the sword-to-the-neck situation after Jack Duquesne and Eleanor Bishop recognise him as an Avenger. But learning about their “partnership” Eleanor asks Clint to keep her daughter out of their investigation into the Tracksuit Mafia. But Clint just promises to keep her safe and leaves, sneaking the Ronin Sword with him. Later that day Eleanor leaves an urgent message to an unknown person to inform them of the situation. But Clint is suspicious and with the help of his wife Laura, he discovers that Jack is the CEO of Sloan Limited, a shell corporation that launders money for the Tracksuit Mafia. That night Kate tries to soften the blow of another night away from his family, as she throws an impromptu Christmas party for Clint, Pizza Dog and herself. As the slushy cocktails flow and the two reminisce, Kate deduces that Hawkeye took up the mantle of Ronin during The Blip. The next day after many cups of coffee Clint locates Kazi and asks him to talk down Maya Lopez out of her vendetta against Ronin, while Kate enlists the LARPERS to retrieve the trick arrows out of an NYPD lockup. In a follow-up call from Laura, she informs her husband that the Rolex watch stolen by the Tracksuit Mafia is still emitting a tracking signal from a building in downtown New York. While Hawkeye keeps watch from the roof of the building opposite, Kate goes to retrieve it, but soon discovers that the watch is located in Maya's apartment, where she also keeps notes on Clint Barton and his family. As Maya confronts and attacks Kate, Hawkeye is ambushed by a masked assassin but he manages to send a zip wire to get Kate out of Maya's apartment, where she joins him to fight both Maya and the unknown assassin. In the ensuing fight, Kate injures Maya, forcing her to retreat; Hawkeye manages to unmask his assailant and comes face to face with Yelena Belova, Natasha Rominov's sister, before she escapes. With the realisation that a Black Widow Assassin is now involved, Clint refuses to put Kate in any further danger and breaks off their partnership. Hawkeye Episode 4 Cast Jeremy Renner - Clint Barton / HawkeyeHailee Steinfeld - Kate BishopTony Dalton - Jack DuquesneVera Farmiga - Eleanor BishopFra Fee - KaziLinda Cardellini - Laura BartonAleks Paunovic - IvanPiotr Adamczyk - TomasCarlos Navarro - EnriqueBen Sakamoto - Cooper BartonAva Russo - Lila BartonCade Woodward - Nathaniel BartonAlaqua Cox - Maya LopezFra Fee - KaziDarnell Besaw - Young Maya LopezWith Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova A Return to Defending As we are returning to the Marvel TV universe we are using the format of our former Marvel podcast, Defenders TV Podcast. We discuss: - Our Top 3 Points (or Arrow Points) of the episode - Whether we each Defend the episode or not - Notes, Quotes and comic references The Hawkeye Pub Quiz During each podcast we'll ask a question about each episode in our Hawkeye Pub Quiz. You can send in your answers each week to feedback@tvpodcastindustries.com At the end of the six episode series the listeners with the most correct answers will be in with the chance of getting their hands on some Hawkeye goodies. All questions will be updated on: https://www.tvpodcastindustries.com Question 4: (a) What is written on the side of the mug that Clint Barton is drinking from? (b) What nickname does Kate give Clint Barton? Feedback for Hawkeye Once you've watched the episodes you can email us to feedback@tvpodcastindustrie...

In the months preceding the 2020 elections, NYU Professors Erica Foldy and John Gershman were concerned about voter turnout. The country continued to reckon with one crisis after another—from the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic to persistent demonstrations against racial inequity—and the ballot box would be a powerful opportunity for Americans to respond. But would voters show up on election day? And even more alarmingly, would those who want to vote even be able to? The solution, Erica and John realized, was to mobilize organizers who could educate and empower America's electorate—and who better to mobilize than their students at NYU? And so began the university's VOTE 2020 Fellowship.From the summer preceding the elections to the senatorial run-offs in January, the VOTE 2020 Fellowship partnered NYU students with grassroots organizations that champion voting rights. Erica and John secured funding from the university provost to support the students, and then, like matchmakers, paired students with organizations that could utilize their talents. In total, thirty-two fellows partnered with nearly ten organizations around the country—they taught constituents how to use mail-in ballots, advocated voting accessibility for people with disabilities, challenged the discriminatory use of A.I. intelligence, and worked to prepare election sites for the logistical challenges of a pandemic.“By the People, For the People: The VOTE 2020 Initiative'' chronicles this experimental fellowship through one student, Maya, and her two partner organizations, Mi Familia Vota and Detroit Action. As Maya encountered, the challenges to voter access are often historically complex, politically weaponized, and contrary to the principles of democracy they're meant to uphold. But just as elites can erode the foundations of democracy, so can everyday people uphold them. And “By the People, For the People” examines what happens when these everyday people—like Erica, John, Maya, and Carlos, a lifelong advocate and organizer—take ownership of their democracy.

Maya the Drag Queen is a story of Alex who has stood against the norm of society to follow his passion.Maya's journey has been one of courage of expression and tremendous self will. Alex aka Maya is deeply connected to the inner higher feminine divine energy in her soul and from that sacred space emerges this art form."Drag as an art form is about shape shifting."As Maya says “I can be anyone I chose to be.”Maya started using this art form in Sept 2014 to extend the love to perform on stage. It has been a glorious 6.5 years of being one of the pioneers of the Indian Drag Scene"Join us on this weeks episode of MoodyMo Awaaz Podcast to listen to Alex's story.Available on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, Castbox and many more...Guests Instagram: @mayathedragqueen.Website: www.moodymo.co.inPodcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1107020..

“I've always thought of myself as an adoptee…that's the main part of my identity.” – Maya Holmes Maya's birth mother was deliberate in ensuring that her adoptive parents were Black. She recognized that it was necessary for her child to see representation of herself within her family. As Maya matured and the time came time to really dig deep into what it meant to be adopted, there wasn't a community that supported that need to explore the intersections of all aspects of her identity. It left her asking “Where is the community for Black adoptees?” We feel you, Maya. We've been asking that same question!!! While some adoptees may find themselves in loving homes and raised in what may seem like the best of circumstances, this still doesn't minimize that longing of wanting to know where you came from. A search and reunion process doesn't mean that you've somehow been healed and that the elapsed time spent away from your biological family is suddenly erased. While the stopwatch begins, one can't help but to reflect on what's been lost. THIS is why Black adoptees require a space to share and support one another around our unique experiences. While Black Adoptees adopted by Black adopted parents (BABP) appear to be an anomaly, they really aren't. And while our fellow Black adoptees who have been adopted transracially have a plethora of support groups to choose from, the BABP is left to go it alone. NOT ON OUR WATCH! Listen in to S1E12 available on your favorite podcast platform right now! Reach out to us and share your ideas on how we can build our community as Black Adoptees adopted by Black Parents (BABP). SHOW NOTES CONNECT WITH US! Black to the Beginning on Instagram Black to the Beginning on Facebook Black to the Beginning on Youtube Maya Holmes on Instagram RECOMMENDED RESOURCES · Black Adoption Collective · Black Adult Adoptee Alliance · Black Adoption Matters SUPPORT BLACK TO THE BEGINNING: THE BLACK ADOPTION PODCAST Zelle: info@blacktothebeginning.com PayPal:info@blacktothebeginning.com SHOP Black to the Beginning SHARE YOUR BLACK ADOPTION STORY Podcast Guest Questionnaire #BLACKANDADOPTED #BLACKADOPTION #ADOPTIONPODCAST #BLACKPARENTS #COMMUNITY #IDENTITY #MENTALHEALTH --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/black-to-the-beginning/support

As Maya tries to piece together the fragments of her memories, she loses trust in Amina. Haunted by her traumatic past, Amina fights off vivid flashbacks but are these memories her own? Or clever tricks?

Maya Moore is a four-time WNBA Champion, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, and two-time NCAA Champion. She is one of the greatest basketball players in the history of the sport. Her wins on the court helped her realize her purpose off the court. As Maya was rising to basketball stardom, she started a non-profit called Win With Justice and now she uses her voice and platform to speak out against social injustice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices