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Send us a textThis episode features Josh Blum, Scott Williams and John Vance.Sample Roadway incident SOG: https://bshifter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Sample-Roadway-Incident-SOG-December-2025.pdfTraffic Incident Management Training HereFor Waldorf University Blue Card credit and discounts: https://www.waldorf.edu/blue-card/For free command and leadership support, check out bshifter.comSign up for the B Shifter Buckslip, our free weekly newsletter here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/fmgs92N/BuckslipShop B Shifter here: https://bshifter.myshopify.comAll of our links here: https://linktr.ee/BShifterContact Scott Williams here.We dig into why roadway incidents are an IDLH and how to protect crews with smart blocking, better PPE, and interagency alignment. Case studies from Ohio, Kentucky, Texas, and Lubbock anchor the lessons and lead to concrete steps any department can use today.• Applying a fireground risk model to highways • The Ohio near miss  • Springdale LODD, grief, and culture change • Lubbock fatalities and helmet side-impact protection • Best-practice blocking and positioning • Send more apparatus, leave together, clear quick • TIM training options and regional coordination • Breakaway ANSI vests, rescue helmets, seat belts • Assigning a lookout and marine horn alerts • Digital alerting with HAAS Alert Safety Cloud • Writing, teaching, and enforcing the roadway SOP • Accountability, buy-in, and police partnershipsAbout Scott Williams: Scott has been in the fire service for 30 years and is a certified Ohio State Fire and Emergency Service Instructor II and a Live Fire Instructor.  He is a Blue Card Instructor, a national registered paramedic, and a trained IAFF Peer Supporter.  He is the Assistant Fire Chief for the Springdale Fire Department (OH).  He has served the City of Springdale for 23 years and held the ranks of Firefighter/Paramedic, Chief Fire Inspector, and Fire Captain prior to his current position.He oversees the operations of the fire department and develops the department's standard operating guidelines.  Chief Williams is always looking to better himself and the fire service.  He believes in continuous improvement of fireground skills and operations through regular and consistent training.  He is known for his honest approach and teaching others through his first-hand experiences.

Humans bring gender biases to their interactions with Artificial Intelligence (AI), according to new research from Trinity College Dublin and Ludwig-Maximilians Universität (LMU) Munich. The study involving 402 participants found that people exploited female-labelled AI and distrusted male-labelled AI to a comparable extent as they do human partners bearing the same gender labels. Notably, in the case of female-labelled AI, the study found that exploitation in the Human-AI setting was even more prevalent than in the case of human partners with the same gender labels. This is the first study to examine the role of machine gender in human-AI collaboration using a systematic, empirical approach. The findings show that gendered expectations from human-human settings extend to human-AI cooperation. This has significant implications for how organisations design, deploy, and regulate interactive AI systems, according to the authors. The study, led by sociologists in Trinity's School of Social Sciences and Philosophy, has just been published in the journal iScience. Key findings: Patterns of exploitation and distrust toward AI agents mirrored those seen with human partners carrying the same gender labels. Participants were more likely to exploit AI agents labelled female and more likely to distrust AI agents labelled male. Assigning gender to AI agents can shape cooperation, trust, and misuse implications for product design, workplace deployment, and governance. Sepideh Bazazi, first author of the study and Visiting Research Fellow at the School of Social Sciences and Philosophy, Trinity, explained: "As AI becomes part of everyday life our findings that gendered expectations spill into human-AI cooperation underscore the importance of carefully considering gender representation in AI design, for example, to maximise people's engagement and build trust in their interactions with automated systems. "Designers of interactive AI agents should recognise and mitigate biases in human interactions to prevent reinforcing harmful gender discrimination and to create trustworthy, fair, and socially responsible AI systems." Taha Yasseri, co-author of the study and Director of the Centre for Sociology of Humans and Machines (SOHAM) at Trinity, said: "Our results show that simply assigning a gender label to an AI can change how people treat it. If organisations give AI agents human-like cues, including gender, they should anticipate downstream effects on trust and cooperation." Jurgis Karpus, co-author of the study and Postdoctoral Researcher at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, added: "This study raises an important dilemma. Giving AI agents human-like features can foster cooperation between people and AI, but it also risks transferring and reinforcing unwelcome existing gender biases from people's interactions with fellow humans." The article, 'AI's assigned gender affects human-AI cooperation' by Sepideh Bazazi (TCD); Jurgis Karpus (LMU); Taha Yasseri (TCD, TU Dublin) can be read on the journal iScience website. More about the study: In this experimental study, participants played repeated rounds of the social science experiment Prisoner's Dilemma - a classic experiment in behavioural game theory and economics to study human cooperation and defection. Partners were labelled human or AI. Each partner was further labelled male, female, non-binary, or gender-neutral. The team analysed motives for cooperation and defection, distinguishing exploitation (taking advantage of a cooperative partner) from distrust (defecting pre-emptively). Findings show that gender labelling can reproduce gendered patterns of cooperation with AI. The participants were recruited in the UK, and the experiment was conducted online. The sample size was 402 participants. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscrib...

Some gyms hit $30,000 a month and still feel stuck. What separates them from those who consistently grow?Welcome to Gym Marketing Made Simple, the show that helps boutique gyms market smarter, attract the right members, and feel confident in growing their business without the overwhelm.Episode HighlightsThis episode explores the Pinnacle mastermind, a high-level group for gym owners generating $30,000 monthly or more. We break down the benefits of in-person meetups, collaborative problem-solving, and the “rocks” system that keeps teams accountable. Plus, we reveal how gyms that do $15,000 a month can start building a foundation for growth.Episode OutlineThe Pinnacle mastermind provides exclusive support for high-revenue gym owners ($30K–$100K/month).In-person team meetups foster focus, collaboration, and big-picture problem-solving.The “Five Brutal Facts” exercise helps teams identify and solve major business challenges.Assigning “rocks” gives each team member ownership of critical goals, increasing motivation and accountability.High-level mastermind conversations showcase advanced strategies that are practical and gym-specific.Cultural fit and collaboration are key when inviting new members to high-level groups.Gyms earning $15K/month and above can benefit from tailored marketing and sales strategies to grow sustainably.Episode Chapters00:00 Intro00:05 Pinnacle Mastermind and Team Meetup03:00 Josh's Expectations and Team Dynamics07:39 Collaborative Problem-Solving and Team Rocks14:08 Pinnacle Mastermind for High-Level Gym Owners20:10 Inviting New Members to Pinnacle23:46 Expanding Support to Gyms Doing $15,000 Per MonthCall to ActionIf you're running a gym and ready to grow smarter, tune in, and learn how the Pinnacle mastermind and Lasso strategies can help. Subscribe for weekly insights and updates for gym owners at every stage.Supporting Information

On the latest edition of The Baumbastic Podcast, Andrew Ellis is joined by Cameron Green for a head-to-head draft of the Razorback pitching staff, where both men will select and assign roles for each pick! OFFICIAL MERCH: https://insidearkansas.myshopify.com/ #arkansas #razorbacks #football #basketball #baseball #sampittman #johncalipari SHOUTOUT TO OUR SPONSORS: BET SARACEN Arkansas' #1 Sports Betting App! Click link below & use code INSIDEAR so when you bet $25, get $125 BONUS! https://sportsbook.betsaracen.com/en-us/sports/mma?referrer=singular_click_id%3Dbc1b71ae-56d0-4f58-9775-c5bd8f6676e9 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- WALTER CHRISTMAS LIGHTING OF ARKANSAS IF YOU ARE IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS OR THE RIVER VALLEY, have Walter Christmas Lighting install & set up your house with professional Halloween & Christmas lighting like you've never seen before! - All materials provided - Any color, any pattern - Free maintenance throughout the holiday season If you sign up for Halloween lights you will also get your Christmas Lights for 50% off! Text our guy Brett for a free estimate at 479-459-1380 IT'S WALTER CHRISTMAS LIGHTING OF ARKANSAS…YOUR LOCAL HOLIDAY LIGHTING EXPERTS! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- OZK INSURANCE Alright Razorback fans—let's talk insurance. Nobody wants to deal with the hassle of shopping around, and that's why we use and recommend OZK Insurance. They're based right here in Arkansas, and they shop multiple carriers to find the best coverage and price for you—whether it's home, auto, business, you name it. Whether it's Saturdays at Razorback Stadium or everyday life, you want protection you can count on. So count on OZK Insurance & get a free online quote at ozkinsurance.com, or call (479) 715-4200. OZK Insurance—Protection made simple. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ALUMNI HALL 3417 N College Ave, Fayetteville, AR 72703 479-435-6352 www.insidearkansas.com/alumnihall The best and largest selection of Razorback gear Apparel for the family - mens, womens, kids, pets too Razorback apparel, accessories, hats, Yeti, gifts - Alumni Hall has it all Hall Pass Rewards - Earn points with your purchases and get rewarded! Once you've spent $150 (which is easy to do), you'll get $10 off your next purchase We know some athletes so for our friends that shop the big and tall Hogs gear - shop today at www.insidearkansas.com/alumnihall Alumni Hall - The ultimate Razorback shopping destination! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a textWe return with industry updates and a stack of field questions, then dig into failed tests, fiber versus copper, PoE planning, hospital retrofit estimating, and the QA habits that prevent rework. The throughline is simple: document, communicate, and draw a hard line at safety and code.• Saving original test files and reading diagnostics• Verifying calibration and retesting comparable links• Choosing copper or fiber based on EMI, distance, and PoE• Proposing compliant alternatives when pushed to cut corners• Breaking hospital retrofits into zones and shifts• Building bid assumptions and weekly communication plans• Pulling four‑pair and matching connectors for PoE reliability• Running dual cables for wireless capacity and resilience• Establishing a QA process with 10 percent checks and photos• Assigning work by crew with traceable sign‑offs• Scheduling postmortems to capture and share lessonsMake sure you pay attention to my feed on December 6th. I have a huge announcement coming out.Support the showKnowledge is power! Make sure to stop by the webpage to buy me a cup of coffee or support the show at https://linktr.ee/letstalkcabling . Also if you would like to be a guest on the show or have a topic for discussion send me an email at chuck@letstalkcabling.com Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH#CBRCDD #RCDD

Support the show and get 20% off your first Lucy order with code  SOTIB at https://www.lucy.co/SOTIB #coltondowling and #TwoDykesAndAMic Chapters: 0:00 – Cold Open 00:41 – Gay cruise diplomacy: Egypt rules & door decor crimes 02:58 – Religious fashion hour: hijabs, drag, and Vatican detours 05:10 – Dylan's disappearance & poop problems 07:22 – Seasonal sexualities: why fall turns everyone lesbian 09:40 – Witches, tarot, and one hauntingly accurate reading 12:03 – Posting scandals: straps, censorship & creative dildo edits 15:11 – Who listens? Discord lesbians & silent gay chaos 17:44 – Haircuts, identity shifts & the Barista Olympics 20:02 – DL culture, married women & lesbian side quests 22:51 – Sapphic terminology and the Lesbos geography lesson 25:33 – Tops, bottoms & sides across queer worlds 28:15 – High-school gay panic & early boyfriend revelations 30:44 – Sobriety, substances & "what drugs do to the menu" 33:22 – Lesbian platonic intimacy: stage kisses & business marriage 36:05 – Therapists who love you too much (and must be fired) 38:40 – Assigning everyone their Gay Man Archetype 41:12 – The final question: Dylan or Colton? The analysis begins 44:08 – Decisions made, dignity lost, results shocking Go watch Waitresses: Episode 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8ZE7IwHpeU&t=124s Episode 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XlmD8WFQhY&t=11s subscribe here and follow the show: YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@someofthisisbad Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0rIdFG1tD5NPDm9bwgd0B5 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/someofthisisbad/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@someofthisisbad Patreon - https://patreon.com/SomeofThisisBad Follow Rachel Scanlon: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rachelscanloncomedy/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@rachelscanloncomedy Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/twodykesandamic/ Follow McKenzie Goodwin: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mckgoodwin/ Film - https://www.instagram.com/meetingmarsha/ Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/twodykesandamic/ Follow Colton Dowling: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/coltondowling/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/colton_dowling TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@coltondowling

An Angel For Bishop: Part 1 When two damaged souls collide can they find salvation. In 4 parts, based on a post by BurntRedstone. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. Wednesday night before Thanksgiving, 2010 Chapter 1 The early winter storm raged and thrashed across the mountain range. It seemed especially angry with the narrow mountainside road Dan was cautiously driving his jeep on. The fierce winds fought to push the jeep across the icy road into the deep ravine below. If it wasn't for the heavy tire chains he'd installed at the base of the mountain he'd already be tumbling down that cliff. He hadn't intended on being away from his cabin at all before the winter storms arrived. He'd discovered that some of his med kit supplies had expired and needed replacing before he was snowed in for the season. It was definitely a bad idea to skimp on medical supplies when you had no access to a hospital, or doctors, for up to four months. And since he was in town anyway he'd decided to stock up on extra food as, you know, no grocery stores in his neighborhood. With the sudden arrival of what was turning out to be a monster storm he was in danger of not making it back to his neighborhood at all. He knew the road behind him was empty of cars as he'd been the last one through before the highway patrol closed the gates to the mountain road. By now the road behind would be completely impassable so there was no going back. Not that he intended to. Not when he was almost at his turn off. From the curving mountain road he'd be turning uphill, driving up a rough fire road for two miles then into an even more rugged trail for another mile through the forest to his house. If the storm picked up any more even his customized jeep with its extra clearance wouldn't make it beyond the highway and he'd have to snowshoe in the remaining distance. That was not something he was looking forward to. Dan's jeep ground its way along the snowy road getting closer and closer to the fire road. A short time later he rounded the last bend and spotted the road marker indicating his turn was just ahead. On his right side was a thin strip of trees and beyond that nothing but sky. It was a scary section of road with minimal guard rails. It paid to take extra care here. He almost missed spotting the body in the tree as he drove past. Dan's subconscious mind latched onto the image and his foot was pressing carefully on the brake before his conscious mind knew why. Once he stopped he looked back over his shoulder to confirm what he'd seen. It wasn't just an odd shadow or a clump of branches. He could clearly see a body leaning into the branches of one of the trees dangling over the edge of the cliff. He put the jeep in park with the engine still running, set the hazards on, and cranked the heat up to full. He pulled his hood up and gloves on before he stepped out of the warm cabin of his jeep into the wailing storm. He made his way to the back of the jeep and looked again at where the body was in the tree. He'd have to climb up to get it and that was going to be risky. He pulled his climbing rope out of the back hatch of the jeep and stepped into the harness. Once secured, he tied the end of the rope to the trailer hitch and quickly made his way over to the side of the road. He could see the short section of guard rail had been slammed into, bent over, and broken off. It rested precariously on the edge. There was very little evidence of skid marks as the snow was blowing very hard by this point. He cautiously stepped forward and looked over the edge. Not too far below, maybe 50 feet, he saw the remains of one of those trike motorcycles. What kind of moron would be driving a motorcycle this late in the season? Just to the left of the wrecked bike and sprawled across a broken spruce tree stretching out over the abyss was the moron. Dan could see his legs were bent at an unnatural angle. Hell, his torso was bent wrong as well. Most likely his back was broken. The blizzard was making it very difficult to see the man clearly but he thought he could make out some kind of emblem on the ripped leather jacket. It could be a Blood Brothers jacket but he wasn't sure. Christ, he hoped not. If he was from that gang he was a LONG way from home. Dan called out to see if the man was still alive but either the storm was whipping the sound of his voice away or the man was dead. He looked up at the body in the tree and realized the helmet had moved to look in his direction so this one was definitely still alive. From here he couldn't tell if it was a slim man or a woman. The baggy leathers made it impossible to tell accurately. He took a few more steps towards the tree and saw its roots were deeply entangled with the rough cliff side. He judged it to be sturdy enough to support his weight if he climbed up. Just as he prepared to step off onto the tree he heard the unmistakable sound of a gunshot followed by a feminine cry. He looked up and saw the right sleeve of the leather jacket was torn and there was blood dripping from it. Dan looked down and saw the man below was holding a gun and was struggling to hold it steady. When he saw it swing towards him he flung himself back from the edge. A second shot rang out digging through the ground where he'd just stood. "What the fuck are you doing?!?" Dan yelled over the edge. "I'm here to rescue you!" "The bitch is mine! She dies with ME!" he heard the man reply. Another shot was fired but this one hit a branch to the woman's left. The man was deranged! Dan wouldn't be able to get to her before the maniac below hit something vital. And if Dan tried to climb out there he would likely be the target of the next bullet. He'd taken enough bullets in his life. He had to stop him. Quick! He frantically looked around for a weapon, something he could use to stop the idiot with the gun. Another shot rang out and the woman's helmet snapped to the side as the bullet grazed it. The only thing Dan saw was the broken section of guard rail. He reached down and with a huge effort lifted it above his head. It was damn heavy as chunks of two posts were still attached. Dan shuffled to the cliff's edge just above where the man was. He heaved the metal beam and lumber over the edge and watched as it fell. The man squealed in terror as the plummeting chunk of steel and lumber rushed down to crash into his broken body. It tore him and most of the spruce tree from the cliff face and they all fell hundreds of feet onto the rocks below. The crushed trike, which had been braced by the tree, slowly slid off the small ledge and tumbled after its owner. Dan quickly stepped out onto the tree and climbed up to the woman. He called out but she was limp and leaning into the tree. He saw that one of the branches had pierced her shoulder, pinning her in place. It probably saved her from falling to her death. The branch hadn't gone all the way through. He strapped her to his harness then he gently pulled her loose from the branch. Luck was on her side again. There was very little blood so nothing major had been hit by the branch. She was unexpectedly light. Dan got a good grip then descended the tree with her and pulled her backwards onto the road. Once safely away from the cliff he untied her and removed his harness. He scooped her up and carried her to the passenger side of the jeep. Once the door was open he slid her limp body onto the seat and pushed the seat back into its reclined position. Closing the door he raced around the back of the jeep, dropped the rope and harness through the hatch and got back into the driver's side. His face stung from the interior heat but after a few seconds it started to feel really good. Dan reached into the back seat and grabbed one of the new packages of bandage wrap. He used his belt knife to open the package and cut a section off. He did a quick field dressing on both her arm and the puncture wound on her shoulder. He reached under her helmet and pressed his fingers to her neck. Her pulse was a little weak but it seemed steady. Her skin was so cold! Looking at the bandages he realized it was all he could do for now. He really had to get her back to his house if he was going to save her from freezing to death. Slipping back into gear Dan rolled the jeep forward out of the snow pile that had accumulated around the vehicle. Soon he was moving steadily forward and he could see the fire road just ahead. The trees sheltered it better than the open highway but there was still a fair amount of snow to drive through. Dan turned into the road and maintained a steady pace as the road climbed ever upwards. The jeep was really struggling in the drifts as he rolled over the final crest before the forest trail. He quickly glanced at his passenger then swung the jeep into the trail and surged forward. The going was especially tough here but the chains continued to grip and dig into the hard ground beneath the snow. Occasionally he had to fight the wheel as the jeep slipped sideways, threatening to pin itself between the trees. Somehow he kept the momentum going until the jeep suddenly left the forest and he faced his garage door fifty feet ahead. Dan pushed the button on the remote strapped to his visor and saw the garage door begin to climb. He rolled the jeep forward slowly until it settled on the pad inside the garage. He pressed the remote button again and the door closed behind the jeep. He rushed over to the inside door and propped it open. He went back to the passenger side, opened the door and carefully lifted the woman's body out of the jeep, keeping her helmeted head against his shoulder. He couldn't get over how light she was. She had to be at least as tall as him but she felt like nothing in his arms. As quickly and carefully as he could he carried her into the house and into the first guest bedroom. He set her on the bed and began to remove her damp clothing. The boots were first then her damp socks. The skin on her toes was the lightest shade of pink so it didn't look like she had frostbite there. The leather chaps came off fairly easily but her jeans were very damp. He unbuttoned them and slipped the zipper down. They weren't very tight but that was mostly due to how much weight she seemed to have lost. The skin on her legs almost seemed loose. She wasn't wearing panties and it looked like she kept herself completely shaved down below. A flash of gold drew his eyes to a single ring piercing her clitoral hood. He looked away, embarrassed. He dried off her legs with a thick towel he grabbed from the room's bathroom. He removed the chin strap and slid the helmet slowly and carefully upwards until he could toss it aside. Long but dull and matted platinum blond hair poured out of the helmet. It felt a bit like dry straw. He pushed it away from her face and sucked in a breath. She was exquisite! Almond shaped eyes (bruised looking and still closed), fine brows, high cheekbones, slender nose, and full, lush lips which currently looked dry and chapped. She was a true beauty, or would be if she could add on some healthy weight. Her cheeks were a little sunken. While he wanted to take a closer look at his patient he still had to remove her damp jacket and shirt. Both came off relatively easily and again Dan could see the woman was badly underfed. She wore no bra underneath her shirt and considering her obvious and rather large breast implants he was more than a little surprised by this. Those breasts had to be uncomfortable without some support. He saw more piercings, both of her nipples had small gold bars with loops. Dan dried her torso and arms with the towel then wrapped her in a thick, soft electric blanket from the room's closet and set it to a medium-high setting. He ran back to the jeep and grabbed the medical supplies he'd bought. He closed the garage door and went back to the woman. Opening the blanket to get access to her wounds he cleaned them and replaced her bandages. Aside from the grazed arm and the puncture on her shoulder there weren't any other fresh injuries he could see. Healed or healing ones though, she had plenty of scars to prove she'd born quite a lot of pain in her life. Some looked like burn marks, like someone had used her arm as an ashtray. He'd done what he could for now. He closed up the blanket and pulled the bed's quilt over her as well. Her pulse had steadied and seemed strong to him. He'd just have to wait for her to wake up so he could question her about where she might be feeling pain. He felt totally inadequate for the task of being her doctor but he was all she had as the storm continued to rage outside and showed no signs of lessening. He went back to the jeep and unloaded the food. He put most of it into the huge pantry in the kitchen but the meat went into the deep freezer in the garage. Back in the small bathroom of the guest bedroom he poured a glass of water and put it on the end table next to the bed. It was likely she'd be thirsty when she woke up. A quick look at the clock on the wall showed him it was past dinner time but he was more tired than hungry. The window in the room showed the sun must have set as all he could see was the snow that blew against the glass and blackness beyond. He sat in the room's only chair to keep vigil over his patient but shortly exhaustion pulled him down into its embrace and he was gone. Chapter 2 Bullets whizzed by his head, one taking a nip of his ear as it passed. Still he ran on. He had to get back to the house. He could hear the steady beat of the approaching copter's blades as he ran from cover to cover, popping up to fire a round through the head of the next unlucky bastard to get between him and the house. He felt the sting of a bullet passing through his calf but he put that sensation aside and continued on. He slammed into the front door of the house only this time it was locked and he had no way in. Dan gasped awake, the nightmare still raw in his mind. He could feel the familiar ache in his right calf. He leaned forward and put his head in his hands. His forehead was dripping wet. He shuddered as the reaction left his body. It was obvious to him what had triggered him this time. He hadn't been shot at in years but you never forget. Pulling his hands down he noticed the room around him. He glanced at the clock and was startled to see that he'd slept through the night. It was almost 7am. Then he felt eyes on him. Right! The woman! He looked over at her and saw she was awake and staring in his direction from behind her bangs, her gaze dull. The bed's quilt had been thrown back but she was still cocooned within the electric blanket. She had it wrapped around her head and all the way down and over her feet. Only her face showed. He stepped to the side of the bed and knelt down so he wasn't towering over her. Her eyes remained downcast, pointing somewhere in the general vicinity of his chest. He tried to get her to look into his eyes but she seemed to be avoiding this. He didn't quite know what to make of this behavior. "Hi, my name's Dan. Dan Bishop. You were in an accident out there on the mountain road. I found you and brought you to my home because the road back to town was closed by snow." He saw no response. "Can you hear me?" She nodded almost imperceptibly. "Can you tell me your name?" Nothing. "I need you to wiggle your toes." He saw a slight motion at the bottom of the blanket. "Good! How about your fingers?" The sides of the blanket moved a little as she moved her fingers. "That's excellent! Can you tell me where you might be feeling pain?" Nothing. Dan was feeling desperately out of his element. She could obviously understand what he was saying but she couldn't or wouldn't talk. Maybe she was frightened or embarrassed. I mean, she was in a strange place and a stranger had obviously removed her clothes. God! He was suddenly so embarrassed himself! While he knew it had been necessary he was still a little ashamed for having undressed her when she was unconscious. "Look, I'm terribly sorry for removing your clothes but they were wet and you were freezing to death. I'll get you something warm to wear." Dan suddenly realized there probably wasn't any woman's clothing in his house. He walked over to the dresser and checked in a few of the drawers. Nothing. "Uh, I might have something in the other rooms. I'll be right back." He rushed through the other guest rooms and again found nothing except a skimpy white bikini bathing suit. Last summer his buddy Wally visited with his latest girlfriend and she must have left it behind. She'd been petite and her tits had been much smaller than this woman's but he thought the swimsuit might be a good substitute for underwear at least. He went into his room and gathered up a flannel shirt, a thick sweater, some fleece sweat pants which had a drawstring, and a pair of warm socks. When Dan returned to the woman she hadn't moved but her eyes tracked him when he entered. "I have some clothes for you. Sorry, I don't have any woman's clothing but you can wear this stuff to keep warm until I've washed and dried the clothes you were wearing. I found a bathing suit you can use as underwear, if you want." She said nothing but continued to keep him in her view. He knelt once more beside the bed. "Can you tell me your name?" he asked gently but still got no response from the woman. "I'd feel more comfortable using a name than just saying 'Hey You'." He caught the flick of her eyes up to his face then to the doorway then back down to his chest. Was she expecting the man she was riding with to show up? Considering the scars he'd seen on her, it might explain some of her current behavior. If the asshole with the gun had been one of the Blood Brothers he'd probably treated her poorly. She seemed too frightened to talk. He rubbed his face and decided there wasn't going to be a better time to tell her. He wondered how much she recalled of her 'rescue'. That might be a good place to start. "Do you remember the accident?" he asked. She shook her head with a tiny motion. "When I found you, you were stuck in a tree on the side of the road. Your... traveling companion had fallen about 50 feet below and was very badly injured." Dan saw her eyes flick up to his face occasionally as he spoke. "I thought he was dead so I tried to get you out of the tree. But he wasn't dead. He started shooting at us. Do you have any idea why he would do that?" he asked gently. Tears were starting to well up in her eyes and she shook her head briefly. God, he wasn't ready to deal with tears. He rushed ahead. "I didn't have a choice. He kept shooting at you and managed to hit you twice. I couldn't reach him to stop him so I- I dropped a section of the guard rail on him and he fell the rest of the way to the bottom of the ravine. He didn't survive the fall. I'm so sorry! Was he your husband? A boyfriend?" Her eyes closed and the tears were forced out. A single tear rolled down each cheek. But strangely she seemed to relax a little. He heard her breathe out in a long sigh. Dan hadn't realized she was holding her breath. Then she spoke for the first time. It was almost a whispered croak. "Master." What she'd said didn't register with Dan. It had also been so quiet. "I'm sorry, what?" "Master," she said again. Dan sat back on his heels. This was way outside his area of experience. He shook his head and went back to his original question now that he got her talking. "OK, let's put that aside for now. I'd really like to know your name." Her eyes dropped back to his chest. His frustration surged and engaged his mouth before his brain regained control. "What did your Master call you?" As soon as the words left his lips he wished he could take them back. What a colossal asshole he was! This was exactly why he avoided being around people. "Whore... slut... bitch... cunt... cum-dump... fuck-hole," she immediately whispered, as if she wasn't at all disturbed by his cruel question. Dan was shocked. Then he considered the evidence of the physical abuse. Why hadn't he expected there to be mental abuse to go with it? She seemed to be having trouble with her throat. He caught her glance to the glass of water. God he was so stupid! She was parched and the glass of water was right there beside her. Full. She hadn't taken a drop though he could hear that her throat was raw. He took the glass and lifted it to her lips as he helped her sit up slightly. She sipped at first but when he didn't take it away she began to gulp at the water desperately. "Whoa, easy now. Drink slower or you'll make yourself sick," he said. She immediately stopped and dropped her eyes again. "I didn't say you should stop drinking. If you want more, please drink. Just take smaller sips. Let your stomach adjust," he said, using as calm a voice as he could. She glanced up again then she began to sip at the water. When it was almost gone she pulled back slightly so he put the glass back on the end table and allowed her to settle back on the bed. He was realizing that she wasn't going to collapse in grief with the loss of her "master" and that was a tremendous relief for Dan. She still seemed to be a little nervous but was no longer looking to the doorway every few seconds. So, he was probably right when he'd guessed she was expecting the man to arrive. That was one BIG concern out of the way, for both of them it seemed. "Look, I'm not going to use those names on you so I'd prefer your real one." Her eyes flicked up to his face once. "Do you remember your name?" he asked. She paused then shook her head. How could you not recall your own name? What the hell had been done to her? Well, he couldn't just give her a name. Assigning her a name like Mary, Joan, or Brenda just felt wrong. But a nickname might be okay. It was a friendly gesture as long as the name didn't offend. He thought about what his Mom would have said if she had been alive to meet this young woman. First thing she'd do is feed the poor dear as she was so 'willowy'. His mom loved those old genteel expressions. He smiled at the memory of his mother. He looked at the woman and decided that 'Willow' really did suit her. Gracefully slender and lithe. At least it did now with her underfed body. He'd have to be careful how he approached this. He didn't want to hurt her feelings. "Would you mind if I called you 'Willow' until you recall your real name?" he asked gently. She looked into his eyes with surprise. Even her mouth made a cute little o shape. When she realized she was keeping eye contact she quickly looked down but he could see a smile forming on her lips which she tried to hide. She gave him a little nod in agreement. It was time for him to follow his mother's 'advice' and get some food into her to begin her restoration. "OK 'Willow', I'm going to go make us some breakfast. Considering you look like you haven't eaten in a while I'm going to have you start with some warm porridge and we will see how your stomach handles that. If you are fine by lunch I will start slowly increasing your portions from that meal onwards. Is that okay with you?" She gave him another small nod though she kept her eyes down. He was getting a little exasperated by that but he wouldn't push her. "I'll just step out to the kitchen to prepare the food. You should get dressed and come meet me there when you are ready, okay? It's just down the hall to the left." He went to the kitchen and prepared breakfast for them both. Porridge for her and eggs for him. The simple act of cooking settled his nerves. Dealing with people was still very difficult for him. He always felt so uncomfortable around people and always said the wrong things. As he worked on preparing the meals he realized that it actually felt good taking care of someone other than himself. He hadn't realized how much he'd missed it with his self-imposed isolation. He hadn't heard her enter the kitchen so he jolted a little when he turned back from the fridge to find her standing topless at the end of the counter. She was wearing his socks and track pants but was holding the shirt and bikini top in her hands. He was so surprised he dropped an egg from his nerveless fingers. His eyes locked on her chest until the egg cracked on the floor at his feet. He glanced down and said "Shit!" Willow's expression froze and she dropped down before him and knelt with her forehead pressed to the floor. Her hair fell over the broken egg and soaked it in. He could see she was trembling. Grabbing some paper towels he knelt down and gently took her shoulders in his hands. She flinched deeply at his touch at first but he helped her sit back on her heels then he used the paper towels to sop up the raw egg in her hair. She'd need to wash it but first he wanted her to eat something so she wouldn't pass out in the shower. She kept her eyes down looking at the floor. He did his best to keep his eyes off her chest. "Willow, you didn't do anything wrong. Even if you had I wouldn't expect you to kneel at my feet. okay? I don't know what that guy did to you but you aren't going to be treated poorly here." Her trembling slowed to a stop as the beating she was expecting didn't happen. She cautiously glanced at his face and saw he had an uncomfortable smile. She was obviously confused and looked back down again. "Can I ask you why you are topless?" he asked gently. Willow held out the bikini top. She held it against her chest but he could see she didn't know how to tie the straps. He'd never tied one of these before either but she didn't even seem willing to try. He helped them both stand. Steeling himself to consider this as just another engineering puzzle he could help her without being embarrassed by the personal nature of the task. Standing this close to her he realized that she was actually a couple of inches taller than his 5' 8". He actually had to look up a little to look in her eyes. It was then, when he was just inches from her face that he noticed her eyes. They were the most amazing shade of green with gold flecks. Finding himself getting lost in her eyes he pulled himself back to the task at hand. He took the bikini top from her and tied the top straps together and slipped the loop over her head. Then he got behind her and pulled the bottom strings under her arms and tied it in a bow on her back. He came back around to her front to see if he'd tied it correctly. Her large breasts were straining at the fabric and spilling out of the bottoms. He realized he should have tied the lower string first to provide support under her heavy breasts then tie the top strap to lift the flesh up into a comfortable position. She stood quietly with no expression on her face while he redid the ties. Soon she was looking spectacular in the silky bikini top though it was a little small and struggled to support her bounty. The small gold rings in her nipples could easily be seen pushing against the fabric. Willow shyly looked into his eyes and he was surprised to see a little desperate need there. Like she was looking for acceptance or praise. He was a little uncomfortable but words sprung to his lips automatically. "You look truly lovely!" And she did, aside from looking like she was starving. She certainly had the frame and foundation for true beauty. If she hadn't been so neglected she would be gorgeous. Her expression underwent a strange transformation at his words. She looked shocked at first, like she'd never heard someone mention her beauty before. Then her eyes welled up with tears and she bit her lower lip. She lowered her eyes again but the smile stayed on her lips. Dan took his fleece shirt from her hand and held it out for her to place her arms into the sleeves. He turned her around once the shirt was over her shoulders so he could button up the front. He really needed to hide her amazing tits as his erection was threatening to split his jeans. Having his hands so close to them was not helping. He grabbed some more paper towel and wiped up the remains of the dropped egg. Then he turned back to their breakfast and allowed the homey activity take his thoughts away from Willow's beauty and the tightness developing in his pants. When he was finished he noted that she was still standing exactly where he'd left her. Dan raised an eyebrow and pointed to the chair at the small table by the window. She went to the chair and sat. He placed the full bowl and spoon before her and went back to get his own meal. When he returned he could see her eyes were fixed on the bowl but she hadn't moved. The scent of its rich flavor was gently rising in the steam towards her face and Dan saw a line of drool had tracked from the corner of her mouth to drop to her lap from her chin. "Willow? Willow!" Dan said, trying to get her attention. She jumped slightly then flinched, expecting a slap. "It's okay, you can eat. I made sure it's not too hot. It's safe," he said gently. She lifted the spoon awkwardly then scooped a good amount into her mouth. She froze when the porridge hit her tongue. Her eyes closed in bliss as she rolled the warm porridge across her tongue then swallowed it. She glanced at Dan from under her bangs then quickly took another scoop, then another. Accelerating. Dan reached out and gently took her hand. She froze and looked down, trembling. "Willow, it's okay. Just eat slower or you might make yourself sick. We have all the time in the world. Enjoy your meal." He released her hand after making sure she'd keep the spoon in it. She glanced at him then slowly scooped out another spoonful and slowly put it in her mouth, all the while keeping an eye on him for his approval. Dan felt ridiculous. She was a grown woman and she was asking him to show her how to eat? Before his buzzing nerves provoked him into saying something stupid again he took a deep breath and began to eat his own breakfast. Out of the corner of his eye he saw that she was matching his pace exactly. He'd lift his food to his mouth and she'd lift her spoon to her mouth. He sighed and wondered again what had happened to her to make her this way. She almost seemed desperate for his approval. Didn't she realize she was free of that moron? After breakfast they would need to have a little talk. Hmm... maybe after she showered. She was a little ripe, probably a by-product of her malnutrition. And he had to wash and mend her clothes. Soon he could hear the scrape of her spoon on the bowl as she went after the last morsels of her breakfast. He had probably given her a little too much but it was fairly easy on the stomach, very nutritious, and the extra helping of honey he'd added would start her on track to get some flesh back onto those bones. He poured her some sweet herbal tea to help warm her up and she sipped at this while he finished his own meal. He caught her eyeing a piece of bacon on the edge of his plate and she instinctively pinched her eyes shut and winced when she realized he'd seen her looking. Dan felt so helpless at seeing her fear, then it made him angry at the son-of-a-bitch who did this to her but he knew his anger would frighten her more, so he just let out a slow breath and tried to center himself. He picked up the bacon and held it out to her just before her lips. Willow's nose twitched as she smelled the bacon. Her eyes opened a little and she saw he was feeding her the piece. Something needful flared in her eyes again, making Dan uneasy, and she gently leaned forward to take the bacon into her mouth. As she closed her lips they softly kissed his fingertips. She shyly looked into his eyes again and this time he instinctively knew she was asking for something from him he was not prepared to give. Dan gave her a quick smile then gathered up the dishes and brought them over to the kitchen sink. He kept his back to her and willed his cock to relax. When her soft lips touched his fingers it felt like lightning running straight up his arm, down his spine, and straight to his groin. When he'd got his breath back he glanced over at her and saw she was still munching on the piece of bacon, getting as much enjoyment from it as she could. She glanced at him with a worried look then swallowed it. She still seemed anxious and a little lost, like she had somehow done something wrong and was looking for someone to give her the answer. Dan wished someone would give him some answers. First though, she needed a shower and he needed to fix her clothing situation. He knew that the shower in the master bathroom was where the soaps and shampoos were (he lived here alone after all). So she had better use his bathroom to clean up. He walked back to her and she glanced at his face briefly, trying to read his expression. "I think it would be good and you'll feel much better if you took a shower. You can use the one in my room. I'll get you some fresh clothes and a towel for you. okay?" Willow just nodded and stood up to follow him. He walked into the master bath and pulled a plush towel and a loofa sponge from the small linen closet. When he turned back to Willow she was completely naked and looking curiously into the big shower stall. The girl was not in the least bit self-conscious about being naked in front of him. Dan didn't scold her for being naked as he knew she would just be frightened so he kept his eyes on the shower stall as he pointed out the features and how to operate it. Once she seemed to understand the controls he continued. "Uh, um, the hot water is fed from an underground hot spring into an insulated storage tank and our cold water comes from a tank fed by a nearby stream so you won't run out of either. There are biodegradable soaps and shampoos on the rack there. Here's a new loofa scrub brush you can use as well. I'll leave you clean clothes on the counter just inside the door. I'll get these washed immediately after your shower," he said as he bent down and picked up the clothes she'd stepped out of. Dumping the dirty clothes inside and pulling the laundry bag from the hamper he turned to leave and felt a gentle tug at his sleeve. He looked back and she was standing very close, trembling slightly, looking down but stealing quick glances at his eyes. He could see that desperate need was back in her eyes. "Willow, please take your shower. You'll be fine now. We'll talk once you are done and dressed again, okay?" he said, his voice trembling slightly. God she was so beautiful but so damaged! He could really mess her up if he wasn't careful. To Be Continued in part 2, based on a post by BurntRedstone for Literotica

An Angel For Bishop: Part 1 When two damaged souls collide can they find salvation. In 4 parts, based on a post by BurntRedstone. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. Wednesday night before Thanksgiving, 2010 Chapter 1 The early winter storm raged and thrashed across the mountain range. It seemed especially angry with the narrow mountainside road Dan was cautiously driving his jeep on. The fierce winds fought to push the jeep across the icy road into the deep ravine below. If it wasn't for the heavy tire chains he'd installed at the base of the mountain he'd already be tumbling down that cliff. He hadn't intended on being away from his cabin at all before the winter storms arrived. He'd discovered that some of his med kit supplies had expired and needed replacing before he was snowed in for the season. It was definitely a bad idea to skimp on medical supplies when you had no access to a hospital, or doctors, for up to four months. And since he was in town anyway he'd decided to stock up on extra food as, you know, no grocery stores in his neighborhood. With the sudden arrival of what was turning out to be a monster storm he was in danger of not making it back to his neighborhood at all. He knew the road behind him was empty of cars as he'd been the last one through before the highway patrol closed the gates to the mountain road. By now the road behind would be completely impassable so there was no going back. Not that he intended to. Not when he was almost at his turn off. From the curving mountain road he'd be turning uphill, driving up a rough fire road for two miles then into an even more rugged trail for another mile through the forest to his house. If the storm picked up any more even his customized jeep with its extra clearance wouldn't make it beyond the highway and he'd have to snowshoe in the remaining distance. That was not something he was looking forward to. Dan's jeep ground its way along the snowy road getting closer and closer to the fire road. A short time later he rounded the last bend and spotted the road marker indicating his turn was just ahead. On his right side was a thin strip of trees and beyond that nothing but sky. It was a scary section of road with minimal guard rails. It paid to take extra care here. He almost missed spotting the body in the tree as he drove past. Dan's subconscious mind latched onto the image and his foot was pressing carefully on the brake before his conscious mind knew why. Once he stopped he looked back over his shoulder to confirm what he'd seen. It wasn't just an odd shadow or a clump of branches. He could clearly see a body leaning into the branches of one of the trees dangling over the edge of the cliff. He put the jeep in park with the engine still running, set the hazards on, and cranked the heat up to full. He pulled his hood up and gloves on before he stepped out of the warm cabin of his jeep into the wailing storm. He made his way to the back of the jeep and looked again at where the body was in the tree. He'd have to climb up to get it and that was going to be risky. He pulled his climbing rope out of the back hatch of the jeep and stepped into the harness. Once secured, he tied the end of the rope to the trailer hitch and quickly made his way over to the side of the road. He could see the short section of guard rail had been slammed into, bent over, and broken off. It rested precariously on the edge. There was very little evidence of skid marks as the snow was blowing very hard by this point. He cautiously stepped forward and looked over the edge. Not too far below, maybe 50 feet, he saw the remains of one of those trike motorcycles. What kind of moron would be driving a motorcycle this late in the season? Just to the left of the wrecked bike and sprawled across a broken spruce tree stretching out over the abyss was the moron. Dan could see his legs were bent at an unnatural angle. Hell, his torso was bent wrong as well. Most likely his back was broken. The blizzard was making it very difficult to see the man clearly but he thought he could make out some kind of emblem on the ripped leather jacket. It could be a Blood Brothers jacket but he wasn't sure. Christ, he hoped not. If he was from that gang he was a LONG way from home. Dan called out to see if the man was still alive but either the storm was whipping the sound of his voice away or the man was dead. He looked up at the body in the tree and realized the helmet had moved to look in his direction so this one was definitely still alive. From here he couldn't tell if it was a slim man or a woman. The baggy leathers made it impossible to tell accurately. He took a few more steps towards the tree and saw its roots were deeply entangled with the rough cliff side. He judged it to be sturdy enough to support his weight if he climbed up. Just as he prepared to step off onto the tree he heard the unmistakable sound of a gunshot followed by a feminine cry. He looked up and saw the right sleeve of the leather jacket was torn and there was blood dripping from it. Dan looked down and saw the man below was holding a gun and was struggling to hold it steady. When he saw it swing towards him he flung himself back from the edge. A second shot rang out digging through the ground where he'd just stood. "What the fuck are you doing?!?" Dan yelled over the edge. "I'm here to rescue you!" "The bitch is mine! She dies with ME!" he heard the man reply. Another shot was fired but this one hit a branch to the woman's left. The man was deranged! Dan wouldn't be able to get to her before the maniac below hit something vital. And if Dan tried to climb out there he would likely be the target of the next bullet. He'd taken enough bullets in his life. He had to stop him. Quick! He frantically looked around for a weapon, something he could use to stop the idiot with the gun. Another shot rang out and the woman's helmet snapped to the side as the bullet grazed it. The only thing Dan saw was the broken section of guard rail. He reached down and with a huge effort lifted it above his head. It was damn heavy as chunks of two posts were still attached. Dan shuffled to the cliff's edge just above where the man was. He heaved the metal beam and lumber over the edge and watched as it fell. The man squealed in terror as the plummeting chunk of steel and lumber rushed down to crash into his broken body. It tore him and most of the spruce tree from the cliff face and they all fell hundreds of feet onto the rocks below. The crushed trike, which had been braced by the tree, slowly slid off the small ledge and tumbled after its owner. Dan quickly stepped out onto the tree and climbed up to the woman. He called out but she was limp and leaning into the tree. He saw that one of the branches had pierced her shoulder, pinning her in place. It probably saved her from falling to her death. The branch hadn't gone all the way through. He strapped her to his harness then he gently pulled her loose from the branch. Luck was on her side again. There was very little blood so nothing major had been hit by the branch. She was unexpectedly light. Dan got a good grip then descended the tree with her and pulled her backwards onto the road. Once safely away from the cliff he untied her and removed his harness. He scooped her up and carried her to the passenger side of the jeep. Once the door was open he slid her limp body onto the seat and pushed the seat back into its reclined position. Closing the door he raced around the back of the jeep, dropped the rope and harness through the hatch and got back into the driver's side. His face stung from the interior heat but after a few seconds it started to feel really good. Dan reached into the back seat and grabbed one of the new packages of bandage wrap. He used his belt knife to open the package and cut a section off. He did a quick field dressing on both her arm and the puncture wound on her shoulder. He reached under her helmet and pressed his fingers to her neck. Her pulse was a little weak but it seemed steady. Her skin was so cold! Looking at the bandages he realized it was all he could do for now. He really had to get her back to his house if he was going to save her from freezing to death. Slipping back into gear Dan rolled the jeep forward out of the snow pile that had accumulated around the vehicle. Soon he was moving steadily forward and he could see the fire road just ahead. The trees sheltered it better than the open highway but there was still a fair amount of snow to drive through. Dan turned into the road and maintained a steady pace as the road climbed ever upwards. The jeep was really struggling in the drifts as he rolled over the final crest before the forest trail. He quickly glanced at his passenger then swung the jeep into the trail and surged forward. The going was especially tough here but the chains continued to grip and dig into the hard ground beneath the snow. Occasionally he had to fight the wheel as the jeep slipped sideways, threatening to pin itself between the trees. Somehow he kept the momentum going until the jeep suddenly left the forest and he faced his garage door fifty feet ahead. Dan pushed the button on the remote strapped to his visor and saw the garage door begin to climb. He rolled the jeep forward slowly until it settled on the pad inside the garage. He pressed the remote button again and the door closed behind the jeep. He rushed over to the inside door and propped it open. He went back to the passenger side, opened the door and carefully lifted the woman's body out of the jeep, keeping her helmeted head against his shoulder. He couldn't get over how light she was. She had to be at least as tall as him but she felt like nothing in his arms. As quickly and carefully as he could he carried her into the house and into the first guest bedroom. He set her on the bed and began to remove her damp clothing. The boots were first then her damp socks. The skin on her toes was the lightest shade of pink so it didn't look like she had frostbite there. The leather chaps came off fairly easily but her jeans were very damp. He unbuttoned them and slipped the zipper down. They weren't very tight but that was mostly due to how much weight she seemed to have lost. The skin on her legs almost seemed loose. She wasn't wearing panties and it looked like she kept herself completely shaved down below. A flash of gold drew his eyes to a single ring piercing her clitoral hood. He looked away, embarrassed. He dried off her legs with a thick towel he grabbed from the room's bathroom. He removed the chin strap and slid the helmet slowly and carefully upwards until he could toss it aside. Long but dull and matted platinum blond hair poured out of the helmet. It felt a bit like dry straw. He pushed it away from her face and sucked in a breath. She was exquisite! Almond shaped eyes (bruised looking and still closed), fine brows, high cheekbones, slender nose, and full, lush lips which currently looked dry and chapped. She was a true beauty, or would be if she could add on some healthy weight. Her cheeks were a little sunken. While he wanted to take a closer look at his patient he still had to remove her damp jacket and shirt. Both came off relatively easily and again Dan could see the woman was badly underfed. She wore no bra underneath her shirt and considering her obvious and rather large breast implants he was more than a little surprised by this. Those breasts had to be uncomfortable without some support. He saw more piercings, both of her nipples had small gold bars with loops. Dan dried her torso and arms with the towel then wrapped her in a thick, soft electric blanket from the room's closet and set it to a medium-high setting. He ran back to the jeep and grabbed the medical supplies he'd bought. He closed the garage door and went back to the woman. Opening the blanket to get access to her wounds he cleaned them and replaced her bandages. Aside from the grazed arm and the puncture on her shoulder there weren't any other fresh injuries he could see. Healed or healing ones though, she had plenty of scars to prove she'd born quite a lot of pain in her life. Some looked like burn marks, like someone had used her arm as an ashtray. He'd done what he could for now. He closed up the blanket and pulled the bed's quilt over her as well. Her pulse had steadied and seemed strong to him. He'd just have to wait for her to wake up so he could question her about where she might be feeling pain. He felt totally inadequate for the task of being her doctor but he was all she had as the storm continued to rage outside and showed no signs of lessening. He went back to the jeep and unloaded the food. He put most of it into the huge pantry in the kitchen but the meat went into the deep freezer in the garage. Back in the small bathroom of the guest bedroom he poured a glass of water and put it on the end table next to the bed. It was likely she'd be thirsty when she woke up. A quick look at the clock on the wall showed him it was past dinner time but he was more tired than hungry. The window in the room showed the sun must have set as all he could see was the snow that blew against the glass and blackness beyond. He sat in the room's only chair to keep vigil over his patient but shortly exhaustion pulled him down into its embrace and he was gone. Chapter 2 Bullets whizzed by his head, one taking a nip of his ear as it passed. Still he ran on. He had to get back to the house. He could hear the steady beat of the approaching copter's blades as he ran from cover to cover, popping up to fire a round through the head of the next unlucky bastard to get between him and the house. He felt the sting of a bullet passing through his calf but he put that sensation aside and continued on. He slammed into the front door of the house only this time it was locked and he had no way in. Dan gasped awake, the nightmare still raw in his mind. He could feel the familiar ache in his right calf. He leaned forward and put his head in his hands. His forehead was dripping wet. He shuddered as the reaction left his body. It was obvious to him what had triggered him this time. He hadn't been shot at in years but you never forget. Pulling his hands down he noticed the room around him. He glanced at the clock and was startled to see that he'd slept through the night. It was almost 7am. Then he felt eyes on him. Right! The woman! He looked over at her and saw she was awake and staring in his direction from behind her bangs, her gaze dull. The bed's quilt had been thrown back but she was still cocooned within the electric blanket. She had it wrapped around her head and all the way down and over her feet. Only her face showed. He stepped to the side of the bed and knelt down so he wasn't towering over her. Her eyes remained downcast, pointing somewhere in the general vicinity of his chest. He tried to get her to look into his eyes but she seemed to be avoiding this. He didn't quite know what to make of this behavior. "Hi, my name's Dan. Dan Bishop. You were in an accident out there on the mountain road. I found you and brought you to my home because the road back to town was closed by snow." He saw no response. "Can you hear me?" She nodded almost imperceptibly. "Can you tell me your name?" Nothing. "I need you to wiggle your toes." He saw a slight motion at the bottom of the blanket. "Good! How about your fingers?" The sides of the blanket moved a little as she moved her fingers. "That's excellent! Can you tell me where you might be feeling pain?" Nothing. Dan was feeling desperately out of his element. She could obviously understand what he was saying but she couldn't or wouldn't talk. Maybe she was frightened or embarrassed. I mean, she was in a strange place and a stranger had obviously removed her clothes. God! He was suddenly so embarrassed himself! While he knew it had been necessary he was still a little ashamed for having undressed her when she was unconscious. "Look, I'm terribly sorry for removing your clothes but they were wet and you were freezing to death. I'll get you something warm to wear." Dan suddenly realized there probably wasn't any woman's clothing in his house. He walked over to the dresser and checked in a few of the drawers. Nothing. "Uh, I might have something in the other rooms. I'll be right back." He rushed through the other guest rooms and again found nothing except a skimpy white bikini bathing suit. Last summer his buddy Wally visited with his latest girlfriend and she must have left it behind. She'd been petite and her tits had been much smaller than this woman's but he thought the swimsuit might be a good substitute for underwear at least. He went into his room and gathered up a flannel shirt, a thick sweater, some fleece sweat pants which had a drawstring, and a pair of warm socks. When Dan returned to the woman she hadn't moved but her eyes tracked him when he entered. "I have some clothes for you. Sorry, I don't have any woman's clothing but you can wear this stuff to keep warm until I've washed and dried the clothes you were wearing. I found a bathing suit you can use as underwear, if you want." She said nothing but continued to keep him in her view. He knelt once more beside the bed. "Can you tell me your name?" he asked gently but still got no response from the woman. "I'd feel more comfortable using a name than just saying 'Hey You'." He caught the flick of her eyes up to his face then to the doorway then back down to his chest. Was she expecting the man she was riding with to show up? Considering the scars he'd seen on her, it might explain some of her current behavior. If the asshole with the gun had been one of the Blood Brothers he'd probably treated her poorly. She seemed too frightened to talk. He rubbed his face and decided there wasn't going to be a better time to tell her. He wondered how much she recalled of her 'rescue'. That might be a good place to start. "Do you remember the accident?" he asked. She shook her head with a tiny motion. "When I found you, you were stuck in a tree on the side of the road. Your... traveling companion had fallen about 50 feet below and was very badly injured." Dan saw her eyes flick up to his face occasionally as he spoke. "I thought he was dead so I tried to get you out of the tree. But he wasn't dead. He started shooting at us. Do you have any idea why he would do that?" he asked gently. Tears were starting to well up in her eyes and she shook her head briefly. God, he wasn't ready to deal with tears. He rushed ahead. "I didn't have a choice. He kept shooting at you and managed to hit you twice. I couldn't reach him to stop him so I- I dropped a section of the guard rail on him and he fell the rest of the way to the bottom of the ravine. He didn't survive the fall. I'm so sorry! Was he your husband? A boyfriend?" Her eyes closed and the tears were forced out. A single tear rolled down each cheek. But strangely she seemed to relax a little. He heard her breathe out in a long sigh. Dan hadn't realized she was holding her breath. Then she spoke for the first time. It was almost a whispered croak. "Master." What she'd said didn't register with Dan. It had also been so quiet. "I'm sorry, what?" "Master," she said again. Dan sat back on his heels. This was way outside his area of experience. He shook his head and went back to his original question now that he got her talking. "OK, let's put that aside for now. I'd really like to know your name." Her eyes dropped back to his chest. His frustration surged and engaged his mouth before his brain regained control. "What did your Master call you?" As soon as the words left his lips he wished he could take them back. What a colossal asshole he was! This was exactly why he avoided being around people. "Whore... slut... bitch... cunt... cum-dump... fuck-hole," she immediately whispered, as if she wasn't at all disturbed by his cruel question. Dan was shocked. Then he considered the evidence of the physical abuse. Why hadn't he expected there to be mental abuse to go with it? She seemed to be having trouble with her throat. He caught her glance to the glass of water. God he was so stupid! She was parched and the glass of water was right there beside her. Full. She hadn't taken a drop though he could hear that her throat was raw. He took the glass and lifted it to her lips as he helped her sit up slightly. She sipped at first but when he didn't take it away she began to gulp at the water desperately. "Whoa, easy now. Drink slower or you'll make yourself sick," he said. She immediately stopped and dropped her eyes again. "I didn't say you should stop drinking. If you want more, please drink. Just take smaller sips. Let your stomach adjust," he said, using as calm a voice as he could. She glanced up again then she began to sip at the water. When it was almost gone she pulled back slightly so he put the glass back on the end table and allowed her to settle back on the bed. He was realizing that she wasn't going to collapse in grief with the loss of her "master" and that was a tremendous relief for Dan. She still seemed to be a little nervous but was no longer looking to the doorway every few seconds. So, he was probably right when he'd guessed she was expecting the man to arrive. That was one BIG concern out of the way, for both of them it seemed. "Look, I'm not going to use those names on you so I'd prefer your real one." Her eyes flicked up to his face once. "Do you remember your name?" he asked. She paused then shook her head. How could you not recall your own name? What the hell had been done to her? Well, he couldn't just give her a name. Assigning her a name like Mary, Joan, or Brenda just felt wrong. But a nickname might be okay. It was a friendly gesture as long as the name didn't offend. He thought about what his Mom would have said if she had been alive to meet this young woman. First thing she'd do is feed the poor dear as she was so 'willowy'. His mom loved those old genteel expressions. He smiled at the memory of his mother. He looked at the woman and decided that 'Willow' really did suit her. Gracefully slender and lithe. At least it did now with her underfed body. He'd have to be careful how he approached this. He didn't want to hurt her feelings. "Would you mind if I called you 'Willow' until you recall your real name?" he asked gently. She looked into his eyes with surprise. Even her mouth made a cute little o shape. When she realized she was keeping eye contact she quickly looked down but he could see a smile forming on her lips which she tried to hide. She gave him a little nod in agreement. It was time for him to follow his mother's 'advice' and get some food into her to begin her restoration. "OK 'Willow', I'm going to go make us some breakfast. Considering you look like you haven't eaten in a while I'm going to have you start with some warm porridge and we will see how your stomach handles that. If you are fine by lunch I will start slowly increasing your portions from that meal onwards. Is that okay with you?" She gave him another small nod though she kept her eyes down. He was getting a little exasperated by that but he wouldn't push her. "I'll just step out to the kitchen to prepare the food. You should get dressed and come meet me there when you are ready, okay? It's just down the hall to the left." He went to the kitchen and prepared breakfast for them both. Porridge for her and eggs for him. The simple act of cooking settled his nerves. Dealing with people was still very difficult for him. He always felt so uncomfortable around people and always said the wrong things. As he worked on preparing the meals he realized that it actually felt good taking care of someone other than himself. He hadn't realized how much he'd missed it with his self-imposed isolation. He hadn't heard her enter the kitchen so he jolted a little when he turned back from the fridge to find her standing topless at the end of the counter. She was wearing his socks and track pants but was holding the shirt and bikini top in her hands. He was so surprised he dropped an egg from his nerveless fingers. His eyes locked on her chest until the egg cracked on the floor at his feet. He glanced down and said "Shit!" Willow's expression froze and she dropped down before him and knelt with her forehead pressed to the floor. Her hair fell over the broken egg and soaked it in. He could see she was trembling. Grabbing some paper towels he knelt down and gently took her shoulders in his hands. She flinched deeply at his touch at first but he helped her sit back on her heels then he used the paper towels to sop up the raw egg in her hair. She'd need to wash it but first he wanted her to eat something so she wouldn't pass out in the shower. She kept her eyes down looking at the floor. He did his best to keep his eyes off her chest. "Willow, you didn't do anything wrong. Even if you had I wouldn't expect you to kneel at my feet. okay? I don't know what that guy did to you but you aren't going to be treated poorly here." Her trembling slowed to a stop as the beating she was expecting didn't happen. She cautiously glanced at his face and saw he had an uncomfortable smile. She was obviously confused and looked back down again. "Can I ask you why you are topless?" he asked gently. Willow held out the bikini top. She held it against her chest but he could see she didn't know how to tie the straps. He'd never tied one of these before either but she didn't even seem willing to try. He helped them both stand. Steeling himself to consider this as just another engineering puzzle he could help her without being embarrassed by the personal nature of the task. Standing this close to her he realized that she was actually a couple of inches taller than his 5' 8". He actually had to look up a little to look in her eyes. It was then, when he was just inches from her face that he noticed her eyes. They were the most amazing shade of green with gold flecks. Finding himself getting lost in her eyes he pulled himself back to the task at hand. He took the bikini top from her and tied the top straps together and slipped the loop over her head. Then he got behind her and pulled the bottom strings under her arms and tied it in a bow on her back. He came back around to her front to see if he'd tied it correctly. Her large breasts were straining at the fabric and spilling out of the bottoms. He realized he should have tied the lower string first to provide support under her heavy breasts then tie the top strap to lift the flesh up into a comfortable position. She stood quietly with no expression on her face while he redid the ties. Soon she was looking spectacular in the silky bikini top though it was a little small and struggled to support her bounty. The small gold rings in her nipples could easily be seen pushing against the fabric. Willow shyly looked into his eyes and he was surprised to see a little desperate need there. Like she was looking for acceptance or praise. He was a little uncomfortable but words sprung to his lips automatically. "You look truly lovely!" And she did, aside from looking like she was starving. She certainly had the frame and foundation for true beauty. If she hadn't been so neglected she would be gorgeous. Her expression underwent a strange transformation at his words. She looked shocked at first, like she'd never heard someone mention her beauty before. Then her eyes welled up with tears and she bit her lower lip. She lowered her eyes again but the smile stayed on her lips. Dan took his fleece shirt from her hand and held it out for her to place her arms into the sleeves. He turned her around once the shirt was over her shoulders so he could button up the front. He really needed to hide her amazing tits as his erection was threatening to split his jeans. Having his hands so close to them was not helping. He grabbed some more paper towel and wiped up the remains of the dropped egg. Then he turned back to their breakfast and allowed the homey activity take his thoughts away from Willow's beauty and the tightness developing in his pants. When he was finished he noted that she was still standing exactly where he'd left her. Dan raised an eyebrow and pointed to the chair at the small table by the window. She went to the chair and sat. He placed the full bowl and spoon before her and went back to get his own meal. When he returned he could see her eyes were fixed on the bowl but she hadn't moved. The scent of its rich flavor was gently rising in the steam towards her face and Dan saw a line of drool had tracked from the corner of her mouth to drop to her lap from her chin. "Willow? Willow!" Dan said, trying to get her attention. She jumped slightly then flinched, expecting a slap. "It's okay, you can eat. I made sure it's not too hot. It's safe," he said gently. She lifted the spoon awkwardly then scooped a good amount into her mouth. She froze when the porridge hit her tongue. Her eyes closed in bliss as she rolled the warm porridge across her tongue then swallowed it. She glanced at Dan from under her bangs then quickly took another scoop, then another. Accelerating. Dan reached out and gently took her hand. She froze and looked down, trembling. "Willow, it's okay. Just eat slower or you might make yourself sick. We have all the time in the world. Enjoy your meal." He released her hand after making sure she'd keep the spoon in it. She glanced at him then slowly scooped out another spoonful and slowly put it in her mouth, all the while keeping an eye on him for his approval. Dan felt ridiculous. She was a grown woman and she was asking him to show her how to eat? Before his buzzing nerves provoked him into saying something stupid again he took a deep breath and began to eat his own breakfast. Out of the corner of his eye he saw that she was matching his pace exactly. He'd lift his food to his mouth and she'd lift her spoon to her mouth. He sighed and wondered again what had happened to her to make her this way. She almost seemed desperate for his approval. Didn't she realize she was free of that moron? After breakfast they would need to have a little talk. Hmm... maybe after she showered. She was a little ripe, probably a by-product of her malnutrition. And he had to wash and mend her clothes. Soon he could hear the scrape of her spoon on the bowl as she went after the last morsels of her breakfast. He had probably given her a little too much but it was fairly easy on the stomach, very nutritious, and the extra helping of honey he'd added would start her on track to get some flesh back onto those bones. He poured her some sweet herbal tea to help warm her up and she sipped at this while he finished his own meal. He caught her eyeing a piece of bacon on the edge of his plate and she instinctively pinched her eyes shut and winced when she realized he'd seen her looking. Dan felt so helpless at seeing her fear, then it made him angry at the son-of-a-bitch who did this to her but he knew his anger would frighten her more, so he just let out a slow breath and tried to center himself. He picked up the bacon and held it out to her just before her lips. Willow's nose twitched as she smelled the bacon. Her eyes opened a little and she saw he was feeding her the piece. Something needful flared in her eyes again, making Dan uneasy, and she gently leaned forward to take the bacon into her mouth. As she closed her lips they softly kissed his fingertips. She shyly looked into his eyes again and this time he instinctively knew she was asking for something from him he was not prepared to give. Dan gave her a quick smile then gathered up the dishes and brought them over to the kitchen sink. He kept his back to her and willed his cock to relax. When her soft lips touched his fingers it felt like lightning running straight up his arm, down his spine, and straight to his groin. When he'd got his breath back he glanced over at her and saw she was still munching on the piece of bacon, getting as much enjoyment from it as she could. She glanced at him with a worried look then swallowed it. She still seemed anxious and a little lost, like she had somehow done something wrong and was looking for someone to give her the answer. Dan wished someone would give him some answers. First though, she needed a shower and he needed to fix her clothing situation. He knew that the shower in the master bathroom was where the soaps and shampoos were (he lived here alone after all). So she had better use his bathroom to clean up. He walked back to her and she glanced at his face briefly, trying to read his expression. "I think it would be good and you'll feel much better if you took a shower. You can use the one in my room. I'll get you some fresh clothes and a towel for you. okay?" Willow just nodded and stood up to follow him. He walked into the master bath and pulled a plush towel and a loofa sponge from the small linen closet. When he turned back to Willow she was completely naked and looking curiously into the big shower stall. The girl was not in the least bit self-conscious about being naked in front of him. Dan didn't scold her for being naked as he knew she would just be frightened so he kept his eyes on the shower stall as he pointed out the features and how to operate it. Once she seemed to understand the controls he continued. "Uh, um, the hot water is fed from an underground hot spring into an insulated storage tank and our cold water comes from a tank fed by a nearby stream so you won't run out of either. There are biodegradable soaps and shampoos on the rack there. Here's a new loofa scrub brush you can use as well. I'll leave you clean clothes on the counter just inside the door. I'll get these washed immediately after your shower," he said as he bent down and picked up the clothes she'd stepped out of. Dumping the dirty clothes inside and pulling the laundry bag from the hamper he turned to leave and felt a gentle tug at his sleeve. He looked back and she was standing very close, trembling slightly, looking down but stealing quick glances at his eyes. He could see that desperate need was back in her eyes. "Willow, please take your shower. You'll be fine now. We'll talk once you are done and dressed again, okay?" he said, his voice trembling slightly. God she was so beautiful but so damaged! He could really mess her up if he wasn't careful. To Be Continued in part 2, based on a post by BurntRedstone for Literotica

Tim Buell is a Nashville-based drummer who has toured with several artists like Michael W. Smith (three time Grammy winner, 45 Dove awards), Cody Fry (two time Grammy nominated), Gloriana, Jana Kramer, Jerrod Niemann, Remedy Drive, and many others. He also records drums for clients all over the world from his home studio and other Nashville-based studios. In 2022, Tim received his first Latin Grammy nomination for his work on the album Alfa Y Omega by Athenas. In addition to touring and recording, Tim is passionate about creating educational resources through courses and eBooks (available at his website) and maintains a roster of private students virtually through Zoom and in-person at his studio in Nashville. Tim has also spent many years transcribing drum parts from iconic songs and drum solos and his transcriptions have been featured by Zildjian, Vic Firth, Drummerworld, and the Percussive Arts Society. He has created educational resources with Benny Greb, Ash Soan, Aaron Sterling, Aaron Spears, Stanton Moore, and many others. To view his transcriptions, learn more about lessons, or download free drumming resources - visit his website: https://www.timbuellmusic.com Email - timbuellmusic@gmail.com Podcast - https://www.timbuellmusic.com/podcast Instagram/TikTok - @timbuell YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/timplaysdrums In this episode, Tim talks about:     Building community in the drumming world     Basing decisions on your own desires     Having a healthy relationship with your instrument     Graduating from drummer to musician who plays drums     The importance of communication     Learning to record yourself one mic at a time     What the term “raw tracks” really means     Assigning value to your work ⁠⁠Here's our Patreon⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Here's our Youtube⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Here's our Homepage

On today's LOADED episode of The Pod At The Palace with Curtis Wilkerson: - Arkansas' strengths and weaknesses? - Who is the Alpha Hog? - Assigning roles for Razorback rotation - Hoop Hogs minutes distribution OFFICIAL MERCH: https://insidearkansas.myshopify.com/ #arkansas #razorbacks #football #basketball #baseball #sampittman #johncalipari SHOUTOUT TO OUR SPONSORS: BET SARACEN Arkansas' #1 Sports Betting App! Click link below & use code INSIDEAR so when you bet $25, get $125 BONUS! https://sportsbook.betsaracen.com/en-us/sports/mma?referrer=singular_click_id%3Dbc1b71ae-56d0-4f58-9775-c5bd8f6676e9 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- WALTER CHRISTMAS LIGHTING OF ARKANSAS IF YOU ARE IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS OR THE RIVER VALLEY, have Walter Christmas Lighting install & set up your house with professional Halloween & Christmas lighting like you've never seen before! - All materials provided - Any color, any pattern - Free maintenance throughout the holiday season If you sign up for Halloween lights you will also get your Christmas Lights for 50% off! Text our guy Brett for a free estimate at 479-459-1380 IT'S WALTER CHRISTMAS LIGHTING OF ARKANSAS…YOUR LOCAL HOLIDAY LIGHTING EXPERTS! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- OZK INSURANCE Alright Razorback fans—let's talk insurance. Nobody wants to deal with the hassle of shopping around, and that's why we use and recommend OZK Insurance. They're based right here in Arkansas, and they shop multiple carriers to find the best coverage and price for you—whether it's home, auto, business, you name it. Whether it's Saturdays at Razorback Stadium or everyday life, you want protection you can count on. So count on OZK Insurance & get a free online quote at ozkinsurance.com, or call (479) 715-4200. OZK Insurance—Protection made simple. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maddie and Colleen join Caitlin to once again perform character analysis on horror charcters through the lens of astrology. This time, we're talking about the "big three" signs for: Kelly Anne from Red Rooms, Annie from Hereditary, Rosemary from Rosemary's Baby, Lestat from Interview with the Vampire, Owen from I Saw the TV Glow, Jigsaw from Saw, Mulder and Scully from The X Files, Maud from Saint Maud, and Elvira from The Ugly Stepsister. Tangents include: the concept of "big six," dreams with Neptune in retrograde, the end of summer and start of fall, Halloween hot takes, Christmas trees, and pets as Over the Garden Wall characters. 

The reality is that many MSPs grow through referrals and good account management. That, in itself, is not a bad thing, but when the business matures, you can find yourself in a position where a single client represents 30, 40, even 50 percent of your revenue. They may also be one of your most profitable accounts, so the dependency is even greater. If that client gets bought, merges, or decides to build an internal IT team, you are left exposed. Worse still, if they go bust, you're not only losing revenue but also carrying the burden of licences, subscriptions, and staff wages with no way to cover them. This is the sort of chain reaction that can force redundancies, damage your confidence, and undo years of hard work building your technical team. It is not only about operational pain either. From a valuation perspective, client concentration is a red flag. Any potential investor or acquirer will be put off if they see that one client represents too much of your turnover. Even if your profitability is strong, your valuation can collapse overnight if this risk is present. That's why managing concentration is so critical for an MSP that is serious about scaling and building long-term transferable value. So, what can you do about it? The first step is to track revenue concentration carefully. Aim to keep any single client below 20 to 25 percent of your total turnover. This doesn't mean you stop growing your large accounts, but it does mean you must actively nurture your smaller ones and bring in new larger clients to redress the balance. You also need to analyse profitability per client. Turnover is misleading if it is not supported by strong margins. A noisy client that consumes excessive service desk time may actually be one of your least profitable accounts, while a quieter one that steadily pays and adopts more of your stack could be a star performer. Break it down across support, subscriptions, projects, and hardware so you have a clear picture of where your profit truly sits. Building a growth plan around your client base is another powerful move. Upselling, cross-selling, and what's often called whitespace selling can transform profitability without chasing new business. List your services against each client and see where the gaps are. Many MSPs overlook this because they are too busy firefighting, yet it's one of the easiest ways to improve efficiency and increase turnover. Selling to people who already trust you will always be more effective than chasing cold prospects. Marketing plays a huge role here too. You cannot afford to stop and start your Marketing activity whenever you feel the pressure. Consistency is everything. Building a new client runway takes time and energy, and it is the only way to create predictable growth. The credibility, trust, and authority that comes with effective Marketing doesn't happen overnight, but once the engine is working it gives you resilience when a client leaves. Too many MSPs wait until they are in crisis mode to switch Marketing back on, only to find that it's far too late to plug the gap.  Account management also needs to be taken seriously. Strong client relationships not only increase revenue but also help you spot risks early. Assigning account managers means you have people acting as the eyes and ears of the business, looking for new opportunities and changes in client circumstances. Focus your attention on accounts that are profitable and likely to grow. Sometimes the small clients today are the ones that explode tomorrow, and you want to be there when they do.  Once you start putting these practices into place, the benefits compound. You sleep better at night because you're no longer reliant on one client to keep the lights on. You build predictable growth because your Marketing engine is consistent, and your client portfolio is balanced. You increase your valuation because you're spreading risk and demonstrating resilience. Most importantly, you gain the confidence to invest in your people, in automation, and even in acquisitions that can further dilute your concentration risk.  The message here is simple: don't let one client hold your business hostage. Analyse your profitability, manage your client concentration, keep your Marketing consistent, and strengthen your account management. When you do this, you protect your business, protect your team, and create the foundation to scale on your terms. This is how you build a business that works for you rather than you for it.  That's what this episode of the IT Experts Podcast is all about. It's not about fear, it's about taking control. Because the sooner you address this risk, the stronger and more valuable your MSP will become.  Make sure to check out our Ultimate MSP Growth Guide, a free guide that walks you through a proven process to take your MSP from stuck to scalable, without working even more hours. It's 44 pages rammed with advice, insights and inspiration to help you decide what support is available to you now if you want to grow and scale your business. Click HERE to get your copy.  Connect on LinkedIn HERE with Ian and also with Stuart by clicking this LINK  And when you're ready to take the next step in growing your MSP, come and take the Scale with Confidence MSP Mastery Quiz. In just three minutes, you'll get a 360-degree scan of your MSP and identify the one or two tactics that could help you find more time, engage & align your people and generate more leads.  OR   To join our amazing Facebook Group of over 400 MSPs where we are helping you Scale Up with Confidence, then click HERE  Until next time, look after yourself and I'll catch up with you soon!   

Send us a textThis episode features Josh Blum, Chris Stewart and John Vance.For Waldorf University Blue Card credit and discounts: https://www.waldorf.edu/lp/blue-card/For free command and leadership support, check out bshifter.com Sign up for the B Shifter Buckslip, our free weekly newsletter here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/fmgs92N/BuckslipShop B Shifter here: https://bshifter.myshopify.comAll of our links here: https://linktr.ee/BShifterPlease subscribe and share. Thank you for listening!We sit down at the Blue Card Hazard Zone Conference to discuss how division bosses actually make the fireground safer and calmer. We draw a hard line between tactical and strategic roles, explain NFPA 1700 updates, and show how to fix oversaturated divisions before they fail.• purpose of a division boss in type 4/5 incidents• triggers for standing up a division boss• NFPA 1700 size‑up and search insights• difference between tactical and strategic roles• why “Operations” isn't a house‑fire shortcut• span of control limits and real thresholds• pairing a division boss with a support officer• TLO assignments that reduce radio noise• managing Mayday and victim removals• splitting floors and sides to prevent overload• training company officers to think, not just do• calm, professional radio traffic and decision modelsMake sure to subscribe and tell your friends if you haven't alreadyGo to https://waldorf.edu/lp/blue-card/ for more information!

In this short AppleVis episode, host Scott Davert walks through how to bind a custom braille display command that instantly announces and brailles the current date and time on an iPhone. The motivation is simple: while the lock screen shows the time, that isn't always convenient; a dedicated braille command lets you check the time anywhere without leaving what you're doing.The conversation centers on VoiceOver's braille command customization inside iOS. Scott explains that, as of this recording, iOS does not offer an equivalent mapping for a connected QWERTY keyboard or a native touchscreen gesture; he hopes Apple adds those options later. He also points out a brief “silent” behavior in one of the command menus where speech may stop speaking; there's a quick recovery keystroke for that. Finally, he clarifies that longer braille displays can show the entire date and time on one line, while shorter displays (like 20-cell units) may require a single pan forward to reveal all details.Step-by-step: Assign a braille display command to announce the time on iOSOpen Settings on your iPhone with VoiceOver enabled.Go to Accessibility → VoiceOver → Braille.Select your connected braille display (e.g., Braille Edge) to open its command categories.Open the section for assigning Braille button commands.If speech goes quiet on this screen, press Space + dot 4 once to restore speech.Press Space + F to use Find, type time, and navigate to the Time action.Activate Assign New Braille Keys.When prompted, press your desired chord (example: Enter + T for “time”). If it doesn't register, activate Assign again and retry promptly.Test your new binding: press the chord and confirm VoiceOver speaks—and your display shows—the current date and time.On 20-cell displays, pan forward once if the full string doesn't fit.Press Space + Backspace (dots 7–8) to back out when finished.Tip: To jump quickly to the Assign New Braille Keys control when it's at the bottom of the list, try Space + dots 4-5-6.Key details and tips surfaced in the episode include that this workflow is specific to braille displays attached to iOS with VoiceOver enabled, that QWERTY keyboard mapping for the Time action isn't available yet, and that using space with dots 4-5-6 is a quick way to jump to the “Assign New Braille Keys” control if it's at the bottom of the list. Scott's suggested binding—Enter with T—keeps the command memorable and fast. The end result is a friction-free way to check the time from anywhere in iOS, without unlocking or navigating away from your current task.TranscriptDisclaimer: This transcript was generated by AI Note Taker – VoicePen, an AI-powered transcription app. It is not edited or formatted, and it may not accurately capture the speakers' names, voices, or content.Scott: Hey, everybody. It's Scott Devert back for a podcast, this time covering a quick tip, which is how to set up a Braille display command to access the time and date on your iOS device.…

Each week, the leading journalists in legal tech choose their top stories of the week to discuss with our other panelists.   This week's topics: 09:54 Harvey partners with law schools (Selected by Joe Patrice). 16:24 UChicago Law to launch AI Lab (Selected by Victor Li). 25:42 Will Clio's big moves affect legal practice? (Selected by Julie Sobowale). 37:14 Bench IQ, AI startup led by former ROSS cofounder to understand judges' decision patterns, raises $5.3M seed (Selected by Bob Ambrogi). 50:35 ChatGPT suicide case: how to assign liability for AI tragedy (Selected by Joe Patrice). 57:59 OpenAI says it's scanning users' ChatGPT conversations and reporting content to the police (Selected by Niki Black).

Something strange is happening. Casinos creating cards for players without permission. Assigning incorrect play to people. Only a matter of time before the big backoff.

Introduction The message focuses on hidden sin and the importance of dealing with it. Uses the analogy of a piece of masking tape in the sanctuary to illustrate how sin can be small, concealed, left behind, and yet still significant to God. References Psalms 69:5, James 2:10, and 1 John 1:8-9 to emphasize the omnipresence of God's knowledge of sin and the need for confession and repentance. The Futility of Hiding Sin Human nature compels people to hide things from God, but it is impossible. God knows everything, including unspoken thoughts and the contents of the heart. God knows what has been overlooked, swept under the rug, or neglected. The Masking Tape Analogy A piece of masking tape in the sanctuary serves as an analogy for hidden sin. The tape is small, and people often convince themselves that small sins don't matter. Examples: responses in prayer, reactions to others, thoughts. The tape is in plain sight, yet unnoticed by most. Illustrates how sin can be present but ignored. The Significance of "Small" Sins According to James 2:10, offending in one point of the law makes one guilty of all. Anything not of faith is sin. Sin separates individuals from fellowship and communion with God. Assigning a size to sin based on comparison to others is flawed. God did not excuse sin at Calvary but paid for it through the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. Buford's Wisdom Recollection of a conversation with Buford, who expressed that if he could do it all over again, he would preach harder on sin. People allow sin to linger in their hearts. God is holy and calls people to be holy. There is no excuse for undealt with sin. The Nature of Sin Sin is a violation of God's holiness. If God gave an inch for any sin, it would open the door to all sin. All sin was condemned in the flesh when Jesus was nailed to the cross. Even seemingly small sins were significant enough for Jesus to bear the punishment. Concealed Sin The masking tape is partially out of view, in a place where people don't typically look. Sin may seem concealed, but it is not hidden from God. God will expose sin at some point. Sin is "Left Behind" The masking tape was left behind, implying someone was involved with it and had a purpose for it. Sin is not someone else's fault; individuals are responsible for their own sin. People often repent of the symptoms of sin but leave behind the root cause, such as a broken heart, malice, jealousy, or a wrong attitude. God wants to deal with what has been left behind. Sin is in Clear View to God The masking tape is in clear view, but most people haven't noticed it. The devil wants people to forget about their sin, but God doesn't work that way. If something was sin then, it is still sin. 1 John 1:9 states that if people confess their sins, God is faithful to forgive them. The Importance of Confession Confessing sin is key to dealing with it. Sin impairs worship and hinders fellowship with God. There is nothing more important than fellowship with Christ. Individuals should ask God to search them and reveal any wicked ways. God will make sin apparent, providing an opportunity to turn away from it. There should be no shame in seeking God's help with sin. Evidence of Sin The masking tape had evidence of where it had been, including a hair and carpet fiber. Sin leaves marks and bears evidence of what is still in the flesh. The heart is extremely wicked and cannot be trusted. Sin Sticks Sin sticks and hangs on until it is dealt with. Dealing with sin requires honesty, guilt acknowledgement, repentance, and turning away from it. God casts forgiven sin as far as the east is from the west. Sin is Near the Altar The masking tape was near the altar. Sin has always been near the altar. God can deal with whatever has been said about sin. Conclusion

Questions Piotr addresses in this episode:What is FORMEL SKIN, and how does it solve dermatology's bottleneck in Germany?How did Piotr's career in analytics develop across multiple verticals?Why is ‘perfect data' a myth in mobile marketing?How do you responsibly track and aggregate users before registration?What's the difference between front-end and back-end behavioral data?How do device/user mismatches and changes create analytics headaches?What are the new challenges and gray areas in privacy (GDPR, CCPA, device fingerprinting)?Where does fraud hide in aggregated data, and how do you find it?Why does fraud persist, and what incentives make it so durable?How could success in mobile marketing be measured differently to promote collaboration and integrity?Timestamps(0:00) – Introducing FORMEL SKIN, Piotr's role, and Germany's digital dermatology(1:18) – Marketing analytics in dating, fintech, health(2:50) – Why ‘perfect data' is a myth(5:00) – Assigning pseudo-user IDs, device-based tracking(6:00) – Aggregated data, ‘chasing ghosts,' and its pitfalls(8:00) – Combining front-end and back-end data; challenges in stitching(9:36) – Device vs. user: confusion, mismatches, and noise(11:13) – Balancing privacy vs. marketing needs; legal and business conflicts(12:30) – Device fingerprinting: what's legal, what's risky, and why(14:22) – The end of one-to-one attribution; rise of aggregated, top-level analysis(16:05) – Marketing fraud: what's changed, sneaky affiliate/network tricks(19:08) – Incentives, alignment failures, and why fraud persists(21:40) – Filtering fraud: long onboarding, compliance, and technical vigilance(23:38) – ‘Success' in mobile marketing and why responsibility must be shared(32:08) – Wrap upQuotes(2:50)  “Don't expect perfect data – especially in marketing where different data sources are being combined.”(5:10)  “You try to anchor it to the device…within all the data security and the privacy setup and anchor it to this entity and create one entity.”(15:26) “We can use aggregated data for strategic decisions, like how to shift budgets from channel A to B.”Mentioned in This EpisodePiotr Prędkiewicz's LinkedinFORMEL SKIN

Send us a textIn this episode, Rick and Megan explore key metrics that matter, the significance of tracking KPIs, and the necessity of actionable data. They highlight the importance of simplicity in data tracking and the need to assign clear responsibilities to team members, ensuring accountability and driving business growth.You will learn-Measuring performance is crucial for improvement.Assigning numbers to team members fosters accountability.Simplicity in dashboards leads to better decision-making.Actionable data is more important than just collecting numbers.Avoid overcomplicating data tracking systems.Focus on metrics that truly drive business growth. Reach out to us at info@atomicstoragegroup.com

What does it take to double your practice, cut clinical hours in half, and build a team that thrives without you?This case study with Dr. Kris Arnold of Live Well Chiropractic reveals exactly how he transformed his high-performing but owner-reliant business into a scalable, system-driven practice. With guidance from The Remarkable Practice, Dr. Arnold moved from being the do-it-all doc to a confident CEO, growing from 400 weekly visits and $1M in collections to over 650 visits and $2.25M—with freedom, joy, and purpose intact.In this case study you will:Hear how Dr. Kris doubled revenue while working fewer hoursLearn the mindset shift from laborer to leaderUnderstand the difference between a caregiver and a business builder associateDiscover how he built a leadership team that runs the practiceGet insight into how data and KPIs drive decision-making and growthEpisode Highlights02:47 – Why Dr. Kris always valued coaching and how each stage brought him new growth03:54 – Where his practice was before TRP 400 visits/week $1M/year all referral-based04:40 – Dr. Stephen predicts they can double Dr. Kris is shocked but intrigued05:18 – Fast forward now at 650+ visits/week and $2.25M+ in collections05:34 – Cut clinical hours from 40+ to 15–18/week thanks to team growth06:51 – More vacations and confidence in the team to run without him07:17 – The shift to team-driven operations and letting go of doing it all07:54 – Team gratitude moment every team member said they were thankful to work there08:42 – Learning to lead instead of brute-force everything12:31 – Reframing the associate's value from “not producing” to generating $485k/year13:32 – Key lesson not every associate is wired like the owner some value stability14:47 – Custom compensation models based on associate DNA15:33 – Realizing the yin-yang dynamic made them a stronger team17:31 – Assigning roles based on natural strengths unlocked major growth18:51 – Understanding caregiver business builder entrepreneur archetypes20:00 – Shifted from “have to see patients” to “get to see patients”21:14 – Mission-driven motivation “How can we 10x the miracles?”22:28 – Most valuable TRP resource using stats and vital signs to guide business decisions24:00 – Goal-setting and leveraging data transformed planning and performance24:49 – Regular team stat reviews now drive consistent improvement25:26 – The numbers represent people data leads to better stewardship and growth26:07 – Appreciation for TRP's leadership and the example it sets for the profession26:28 - Coach Oz chats with Success Partner, Dr. Andrew Powell of Better Balance Orthotics, who shares his journey from struggling with flat feet to pioneering orthotics that truly improve posture, balance, and overall patient outcomes. Discover how these innovative orthotics go beyond traditional solutions—helping not just with foot pain but also with headaches, back issues, and fall prevention. Resources MentionedTo learn more about the REM CEO Program, please visit:  http://www.theremarkablepractice.com/rem-ceoFor more information about Better Balance please visit: https://betterbalanceorthotics.com/Schedule a Brainstorming call with Dr. PeteFollow Dr Stephen on Instagram: https://qr.me-qr.com/l/riDHVjqt  Follow Dr Pete on Instagram: https://qr.me-qr.com/I1nC7Hgg  Prefer to watch? Catch the podcast on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRemarkablePractice1To listen to more episodes visit https://theremarkablepractice.com/podcast/ or follow on your favorite podcast app.

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Should you be afraid of monorepos? Not with Nx. Tune in and learn how to scale apps without scaling pain. In this episode of React Universe On Air, Łukasz Chludziński chats with Jordan Powell from Nx to explore what it really takes to build and manage a monorepo at scale. From dependency graphs to distributed CI tasks, they break down how Nx helps teams stay fast, focused, and frustration-free. Whether you're just getting started with Yarn Workspaces or running into CI bottlenecks, this episode gives you the strategies and context to go further with less overhead. Key learnings ➡️ The difference between monorepos and monoliths ➡️ How Nx graphs improve selective builds and testing ➡️ What “ownership rules” mean for large codebases ➡️ How distributed task execution saves time in CI ➡️ Why better DX equals better business outcomes ➡️ Real-world patterns for React Native and full-stack monorepos Catch more React Universe On Air episodes

The process approach is recommended by all Management System Standards, and effective implementation is key to drive continual improvement. Processes outline the basic steps needed to complete a task or achieve a certain outcome, and serve to keep things running smoothly and consistently. For those new to ISO Standards, it can be quite daunting to understand what this means in practice. In this episode Ian Battersby explains what a process is in the context of Management systems, how to map processes and the different ways you can visualise a process for communications. You'll learn ·      What is a Process? ·      Why are processes needed in Management Systems? ·      Why should you document your processes? ·      How do you map a process? ·      How can you display a process?     Resources ·      Isologyhub ·      ISO 9004   In this episode, we talk about: [02:05] Episode Summary – Ian explains the importance of processes in Management systems, how you can effectively map processes and how you can visualise them for further communication. [03:00] Why are processes so important for Management Systems? As ISO 9004 (Quality management - Quality of an organization - Guidance to achieve sustained success) states:- “Organisations deliver value through activities connected within a network of processes. Processes often cross boundaries of functions within the organisation. Consistent and predictable results are achieved more effectively and efficiently when the network of It processes functions as a coherent system.” It doesn't propose a type of process.  All organisations are different.  But what it does say is that they should be viewed as a system rather than in isolation. It's a key principle of Quality Management and of business, allowing an organisation to manage and control the way it delivers its activities, with predictable results. [05:30] What is a process? Put simply, a process is a set of activities which achieve a specific outcome. Or, to put it another way, it's a series of detailed steps describing how to do a job. [05:40] We should you document your processes?: ·      To show how to repeat tasks consistently, getting the same result every time ·      It guides people in how to do their jobs ·      To allow you to measure that outcomes are as expected ·      To provide for a structured approach to improvement ·      To help mobilise new contracts, products services of a similar type which supports business growth. [08:15] How to map a process – There are many different ways you could do this, but a popular method is with process map or process flow. A process map is a series of boxes on a page or screen. Each box represents an activity. The activities are then linked in a sequential order, using arrows. As an example, let's say you have a process which repeats a task until you get the right outcome.  The first box would be ‘Start job', this then points to the next box called ‘Perform task'.  In turn this points to a third box, which is a question, ‘Did it achieve the desired outcome?'. This would lead to two options: yes and no.  So. there are two arrows out this time.  If no, we need to learn from it (another box).  When we learn from it, we point back to ‘Perform task'.  If yes we end the job, which would be another box. Using a diagram such as this, it makes it a lot easier to visualise and follow a process. Many processes will likely be more complicated than this example, but the principle remains the same. [11:40] Keep things simple – Ian's had experiences of companies that insist on bloated process maps that contains hundreds of boxes and arrows that end up making the whole diagram very difficult to follow. This defeats the purpose of process mapping. If you have a lot of complicated processes, it's better to break these down into manageable chunks. [12:30] Process overview: If you're struggling to start, you may want to consider a process overview. This focuses on the main steps on how you run your organisation, so this could be marketing, sales, production and delivery services. From there you can look at each area and focus on the more detailed activities which can be mapped and linked to each other. The ones dealing with the process overview include subject matter experts, departmental heads, functional leads, Senior Management ect… They will help shape the process mapping to ensure the overall delivery is in-line with the organisations' direction. [14:00] A collaborative task: Process mapping shouldn't be done by one person. One person is hardly going to know how each and every aspect of your organisation works. Don't just leave it to your Quality Manager. Leaving this task to someone who's not fully involved in the part of the organisation where the process originates will only end in disaster. They will likely not be aware of small yet vital steps, such as key communication and authorisations. So make sure you involve multiple parties, and key people involved in the areas you're mapping process for. [17:05] Process mapping across departments: Think practically about how you deliver products or services. How people actually do their jobs.  This is a very important aspect of processes.  Then visualise how each process works: draw it with pencil and paper; throw some Post It notes on a flipchart; put it on a whiteboard and take a photo; even write it out in a Word document.  Make it clear. Make it documented:  This is essential.  This unleashes the power to measure and improve.  Documenting something allows you to compare the way things are done to what you expect and to establish whether the outcome is as you expect. [12:30] How processes link with other areas of ISO Standards: Processes are very useful in helping people do their job, but they can also assist with:- Assigning roles and responsibilities. Each box (activity) can be measured for success, performance indicators can be established at individual activity level, or for a process overall. You can see if the process is successful in delivering its intended outcome. The results can then form part of your monitoring and measuring regime as required by Management System standards (clause 9 is all about evaluating performance). You can use them as a basis for audit, which is all about assessing whether you get what you expect. They are also useful in explaining how you deliver to external parties; or demanding how others should do things. Standards also specify that process performance be included in Management Review (9001 9.3.2 c) 3)) – so it really is an unavoidable step towards ISO certification! Lastly, it can also help with clause 10, which is all about improvement. What-if scenarios can be performed by moving activities, lines, adding new ones deleting and predicting the outcome of the overall process. Whichever way you wish to document your processes, by documenting them you have the power to improve them If you'd like any assistance with ISO Implementation, feel free to get in touch with us, we'd be happy to help. We'd love to hear your views and comments about the ISO Show, here's how: ●     Share the ISO Show on Twitter or Linkedin ●     Leave an honest review on iTunes or Soundcloud. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one. Subscribe to keep up-to-date with our latest episodes: Stitcher | Spotify | YouTube |iTunes | Soundcloud | Mailing List

This Pizza & Side Hugs conversation delves into the intricacies of assigning small groups in youth ministry, exploring the challenges faced, strategies for effective group assignments, and the importance of gender dynamics. The speakers share personal experiences and insights on how to create a supportive environment for youth, emphasizing the need for flexibility, intentionality, and prayer in the process.00:00 Introduction to Small Groups in Youth Ministry02:55 Challenges in Assigning Small Groups05:54 Strategies for Effective Group Assignments08:55 Gender Dynamics in Small Groups11:51 Evaluating Group Sizes and Dynamics15:01 Flexibility and Adaptation in Group Assignments17:49 The Importance of Prayer and Intentionalitypizzasidehugs@gmail.com

Electrons jumping around shouldn't tank your score. In this episode, Mike and Molly break down redox reactions so it finally clicks:- LEO goes GER – the one mnemonic you actually need- Spotting oxidizing vs. reducing agents (and why the wording trips people up)- Assigning oxidation numbers without rote memorization—yes, even the LiAlH₄ exception- How redox drives real bio: NADH/FADH₂, the ETC, cyanide poisoning, and antioxidant myths- High-yield orgo reagents: PCC vs. CrO₃/KMnO₄ for oxidation, NaBH₄ & LiAlH₄ for reductionWalk away knowing exactly which clues the MCAT drops and how to pounce on them for fast points.Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!

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Alex Kremer shares tactical leadership strategies to help sales managers build engaged teams by using breath work for presence, empowering reps, and structuring effective 1:1s that drive results.

In this episode of the Building Better Developers podcast, co-hosts Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche dig into one of the most underused but powerful tools for business improvement: retrospectives. Whether you're a startup founder, a seasoned project manager, or a solo entrepreneur, retrospectives are essential for continuous growth and team alignment. This post captures the key takeaways from the episode and the challenge they leave for listeners at the end.

Ross sits down with Kevin Indig, growth advisor and SEO strategist, to break down his groundbreaking UX study on Google's AI Overviews—and what it reveals about the fast-changing landscape of search. From disappearing clicks to trust-first decision-making, Kevin shares how the rise of AI is reshaping everything from user behavior to what actually drives conversions. They dig into why CTR is no longer the north star metric, how age and device impact search habits, and why today's SEO teams need to think far beyond blue links. Whether it's surfacing trust signals, building brand awareness across platforms, or adapting to zero-click journeys, this conversation is packed with practical takeaways for future-proofing your organic strategy. Plus: the rise of interactive content, the power of review mining, and why mediocre AI content won't cut it in 2025. Show Notes: 0:07 – Welcoming Kevin back and discussing the shift to AI Overview dominance 1:18 – Top 3 takeaways from Kevin's study 4:42 – Why younger users love AIOs—and older users don't trust them 5:37 – How brand strength is driving revenue despite declining CTRs 7:42 – Why results vary dramatically by industry (SaaS, e-comm, publishers) 9:20 – Mobile users scroll more—what that means for engagement 13:00 – Trust signals that matter: bylines, bios, disclosures & authority 16:14 – Riskier queries = higher skepticism. Assigning a “risk score” to search terms 19:18 – Why your SEO strategy must include Reddit, YouTube & non-Google channels 23:27 – New team structures: why SEOs must align with social, paid & brand 28:08 – Creating a brand health dashboard: tracking reach beyond Google 31:27 – Leveraging your existing customer base to create high-converting content 34:45 – How review mining and transcripts unlock real user needs 38:09 – AI-generated content: when it works, when it fails, and why “mediocre is invisible” 40:09 – Turning blog content into interactive tools for higher ROI and defensibility 43:34 – Mission statement generator: the surprising success story 46:43 – Final advice for SEOs in 2025: speed, adaptability, and user-first everything Show Links: Kevin's UX Study on Google's AI Overviews: [https://www.growth-memo.com/p/the-first-ever-ux-study-of-googles] Ramp's Mission Statement Generator: [https://www.ramp.com/mission-statement-generator](https://www.ramp.com/mission-statement-generator) Optiversal – Turning reviews into content: [https://www.optiversal.com](https://www.optiversal.com)Subscribe today for weekly tips: https://bit.ly/3dBM61f Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/content-and-conversation-seo-tips-from-siege-media/id1289467174 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1kiaFGXO5UcT2qXVRuXjsM Listen on Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9jT3NjUkdLeA Follow Siege on Twitter: http://twitter.com/siegemedia Follow Ross on Twitter: http://twitter.com/rosshudgens Directed by Cara Brown: https://twitter.com/cararbrown Email Ross: ross@siegemedia.com #seo | #contentmarketing

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the hosts dive deep into the often-overlooked tool of language in tabletop RPGs—how it shapes worlds, defines characters, and enhances immersion. Whether it's a dwarven curse word, a whispered draconic threat, or a gnomish pun that lands like a rock in a puddle, the power of language can turn a good campaign into an unforgettable one. The discussion explores the practical, narrative, and mechanical implications of language in TTRPGs like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. The hosts share ideas for incorporating multilingualism into your campaign setting, including how dialects, slang, coded speech, and nonverbal communication (like thieves' cant or secret signs) add flavor to your storytelling. They also delve into how languages can be used to gate knowledge, shape factions, spark conflict, and even fuel plotlines. In classic RPGBOT fashion, the conversation balances practical advice with ridiculous tangents, including misused languages at the table, accidentally offensive fantasy names, and the ever-important question: “What does Infernal really sound like when you're mad?” Create Dungeons in minutes not hours with DungeonFlow.app Check out our Best of Season 1 and Best of Season 2 playlists! dScryb – Comprehend Languages (affiliate link) RPGBOT.Podcast Episodes The Maniculum Podcast – RPGBOT.News S2E48 Other Stuff Maniculum Podcast Tuckernut Island Key Takeaways Languages Are Storytelling Tools Languages in TTRPGs are more than just flavor—they're worldbuilding elements that reflect history, culture, and power dynamics. Assigning specific languages to regions, races, or classes can deepen immersion and realism. Secret languages (like Thieves' Cant or Druidic) add intrigue and exclusivity, encouraging players to explore character backgrounds and factions. Mechanical Impacts of Language Choices Language proficiency can serve as a subtle mechanical gate to information, alliances, and plot hooks. Players fluent in a rare or ancient language may uncover hidden clues, decipher magical runes, or negotiate with forgotten factions. Spells like Comprehend Languages and Tongues are powerful narrative tools, not just utilities. In-Character Dialogue Builds World Flavor Accents, idioms, and invented slang enrich roleplay and bring authenticity to NPCs and PCs alike. Mixing real-world language quirks with fantasy cultures helps ground the audience while maintaining immersion. Overuse of “fantasy gibberish” can alienate players—balance creativity with clarity. GM Tips for Using Language Effectively Use language barriers sparingly to create tension or mystery without shutting down play. Allow PCs to learn languages over time, or treat linguistic study as a subplot or downtime activity. Develop regional dialects or jargon to distinguish cultures and classes of characters. Avoiding Pitfalls and Problematic Tropes Be mindful of real-world language and cultural analogues to avoid unintentional stereotyping. Don't overdo accents—what's fun for five minutes can be painful over five sessions. Avoid making entire plotlines hinge on a language barrier unless all players are equipped to engage with it. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It's a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the hosts dive deep into the often-overlooked tool of language in tabletop RPGs—how it shapes worlds, defines characters, and enhances immersion. Whether it's a dwarven curse word, a whispered draconic threat, or a gnomish pun that lands like a rock in a puddle, the power of language can turn a good campaign into an unforgettable one. The discussion explores the practical, narrative, and mechanical implications of language in TTRPGs like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. The hosts share ideas for incorporating multilingualism into your campaign setting, including how dialects, slang, coded speech, and nonverbal communication (like thieves' cant or secret signs) add flavor to your storytelling. They also delve into how languages can be used to gate knowledge, shape factions, spark conflict, and even fuel plotlines. In classic RPGBOT fashion, the conversation balances practical advice with ridiculous tangents, including misused languages at the table, accidentally offensive fantasy names, and the ever-important question: “What does Infernal really sound like when you're mad?” Create Dungeons in minutes not hours with DungeonFlow.app Check out our Best of Season 1 and Best of Season 2 playlists! dScryb – Comprehend Languages (affiliate link) RPGBOT.Podcast Episodes The Maniculum Podcast – RPGBOT.News S2E48 Other Stuff Maniculum Podcast Tuckernut Island Key Takeaways Languages Are Storytelling Tools Languages in TTRPGs are more than just flavor—they're worldbuilding elements that reflect history, culture, and power dynamics. Assigning specific languages to regions, races, or classes can deepen immersion and realism. Secret languages (like Thieves' Cant or Druidic) add intrigue and exclusivity, encouraging players to explore character backgrounds and factions. Mechanical Impacts of Language Choices Language proficiency can serve as a subtle mechanical gate to information, alliances, and plot hooks. Players fluent in a rare or ancient language may uncover hidden clues, decipher magical runes, or negotiate with forgotten factions. Spells like Comprehend Languages and Tongues are powerful narrative tools, not just utilities. In-Character Dialogue Builds World Flavor Accents, idioms, and invented slang enrich roleplay and bring authenticity to NPCs and PCs alike. Mixing real-world language quirks with fantasy cultures helps ground the audience while maintaining immersion. Overuse of “fantasy gibberish” can alienate players—balance creativity with clarity. GM Tips for Using Language Effectively Use language barriers sparingly to create tension or mystery without shutting down play. Allow PCs to learn languages over time, or treat linguistic study as a subplot or downtime activity. Develop regional dialects or jargon to distinguish cultures and classes of characters. Avoiding Pitfalls and Problematic Tropes Be mindful of real-world language and cultural analogues to avoid unintentional stereotyping. Don't overdo accents—what's fun for five minutes can be painful over five sessions. Avoid making entire plotlines hinge on a language barrier unless all players are equipped to engage with it. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It's a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

Are you and your partner drifting apart, despite loving each other deeply? In this episode of the Intimate Marriage Podcast, Dr. Alexandra Stockwell explores how planning and scheduling "intimacy dates" can save your relationship (and totally uplevel it!) by fostering deeper connection and closeness, especially for busy couples juggling work, family, and other responsibilities. Emphasizing that intimacy should be prioritized like any other essential activity, Dr. Alexandra shares practical strategies and insights. With decades of experience, personally and professionally, she'll show you how “intimacy dates” can revitalize your relationship, and bring back spontaneity and joy. Dispelling the myth that scheduled intimacy lacks romance, this episode shares creative ways to blend structure with spontaneity, to help you reconnect emotionally, sensually, and playfully. By keeping intimacy high on your priority list, and sharing responsibilities to reduce stress, couples can overcome disconnection and discover what fun and meaningful intimacy looks like in their unique dynamic and phase of life.   Also in this episode: Scheduling "intimacy dates" is crucial for nurturing emotional, sensual, and erotic intimacy in a relationship, particularly for busy couples. Flexibility within scheduled times allows for spontaneity and enhances enjoyment, without the pressure of obligatory sex. Setting up intimacy dates during times when both partners are relaxed and energized leads to more meaningful connections. Assigning responsibilities, such as household tasks, to allow space for relaxation and self-connection facilitates a better atmosphere for intimacy. Personalizing “intimacy date”s to include activities like games, dancing, or creative expression stokes intimacy and rekindles fun in a relationship.   Subscribe To The Intimate Marriage Podcast: Apple Podcast | YouTube | Spotify Connect With Alexandra Stockwell, MD: Website | Linkedin | Instagram   Get your copy of “Uncompromising Intimacy” by Dr. Alexandra Stockwell here: https://amzn.to/2ymI3Hl Download the first chapter of Dr Alexandra's bestselling book, “Uncompromising Intimacy,” here:  https://www.alexandrastockwell.com/book Cultivate your intimacy skills (without compromise) in Aligned & Hot Marriage, Dr. Alexandra's proven method for smart couples ready to love more fully:  www.alignedhotmarriage.com Join Dr. Alexandra's email list to stay connected. She shares inspiring stories, her latest insights and opportunities to learn with her:  https://www.alexandrastockwell.com/subscribe   This Podcast Is Produced, Engineered & Edited By:  Simplified Impact

Depending on how you're wired, you might be inclined to point the finger outward — or inward — when things go wrong, when you're startled, or when plans don't turn out as expected. And when things go right? You'll have different wiring there too — you might credit some planetary alignment, or some choices and actions you took, or something else altogether. We all express a range of beliefs and behaviours around our own agency, and these are useful to explore.In today's episode we talk about our own past and current patterns when it comes to giving credit and assigning blame, and simple ways we've found power in the compassionate discovery of our internal experiences."Like finding gold." - Alma W."The best therapy I've ever done for myself." - Sanjeev B.Join our monthly membership for LIVE calls & practice:http://bit.ly/4eF86reGet our Self-Compassionate Body-Based Toolkit:https://bit.ly/40Vnz3b************************************************************************Every episode begins and ends with a body-based self-connection practice, so you can grow your capacity to be with all that life brings. We also include self-reflection and journaling prompts each week, posted on our Instagram @wholeheartedloving. New episodes every Sunday at 10am PT.Learn more about us and how you can practice with us LIVE at wholeheartedloving.com.

In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed:  State guaranty funds  The true safety of the industry  Life insurance companies are more regulated  Assigning unused money to beneficiaries   Key Takeaways:  If you look at the state guaranty fund, each state has a specific rule in place to protect you and your money in case something happens to the carrier.  You should be buying the claims-paying ability of the life insurance company from the standpoint of safety. The true safety of the annuity industry is the industry policing itself.  Life insurance companies are not smarter than banks, they're just more regulated. The company is handcuffed from making financially stupid decisions.  You can structure an annuity so that 100% of any unused money goes to your family or beneficiaries.    "You can protect yourself and your hard-earned money in a myriad of ways. You can protect it by buying very good companies, by buying underneath the state guarantee fund within your state, and by structuring the policy so that 100% of any unused money goes to your family or beneficiaries." —  Stan The Annuity Man.    Connect with The Annuity Man:  Website: http://theannuityman.com/  Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com  Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g  Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!

In this solo episode, Alex Quin guides you through a hands-on exercise to break down your dream lifestyle—everything from the house and car to vacations, fitness, and more—and map it into a realistic monthly budget. Alex explains how to compare your current income to your dream life cost, calculate the income gap, and create a step-by-step plan to close it. This episode blends mindset, strategy, and action to help you stop guessing and start planning with precision.▶️ Pro Tip: Watch the full episode on YouTube to follow along with the spreadsheet on-screen.Access HIH 2025 Dream Life Budget [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1CGVIUTPhzK_nAxsNkUv28jC6g7jUzUwKWuNEySO75NE/edit?usp=sharing]Episode Outline[00:00:00] Intro and episode overview[00:01:05] Why visualizing your dream life matters[00:02:40] Step 1: Define your ideal lifestyle[00:06:30] Step 2: Build your dream life budget[00:10:55] Step 3: Calculate the income gap[00:13:45] Step 4: Close the gap with real strategies[00:18:40] Step 5: Set a timeline and track progress[00:21:15] Tools and spreadsheet access[00:22:30] Final thoughts and action planWisdom NuggetsDream Life Math > Daydreaming: Don't just imagine your ideal life—do the math. Assigning real costs to your dream helps turn it from fantasy into a strategic goal.Reverse Engineer Your Income Goals: Work backwards. Once you know what your dream life costs, calculate how much you need to earn daily or monthly to reach it.Build Multiple Income Streams: Relying on one income source can slow you down. Consider freelancing, digital products, or investments to boost your income.Learn Skills That Print Money: Skills like digital marketing, sales, and coding can quickly increase your income. Stay current, especially with tech and automation.Track or Stay Stuck: If you don't track your goals with a realistic timeline, you'll lose focus. Measure progress weekly or monthly to adjust your strategy.Power Quotes:“When you assign a real price tag to these things, your life stops being a fantasy.” - Alex Quin“You can't work towards something if you don't know what it actually costs.” - Alex Quin“Your dream life isn't far—it's just uncalculated.” - Alex QuinConnect With the Podcast Host Alex Quin:Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/alexquin)Twitter: (https://twitter.com/mralexquin)LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mralexquin)Website: (https://alexquin.com)TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@mralexquin)Our CommunityInstagram:(https://www.instagram.com/hustleinspireshustle)Twitter: (https://twitter.com/HustleInspires)LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/company/hustle-inspires-hustle)Website: (https://hustleinspireshustle.com)*This page may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. When you click on these links or engage with the sponsored content and make a purchase or take some other action, we may receive a commission or compensation at no additional cost to you. We only promote products or services that we genuinely believe will add value to our readers & listeners.*See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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In this episode of Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO, host Jaime Hunt sits down with enrollment marketing expert Will Patch to tackle a critical issue in higher education—summer melt. They explore the key reasons why admitted students fail to enroll in the fall and share actionable strategies to combat melt before it happens. From financial aid misunderstandings to social anxieties, they discuss how institutions can proactively support students and improve yield. If you're looking for ways to refine your enrollment marketing and retention strategies, this conversation is packed with valuable insights.Key TakeawaysSummer melt is preventable—but strategies must start early, long before June.Financial barriers are a major cause of melt, especially for first-generation and low-income students. Clear, proactive financial aid communication is crucial.Social anxieties play a significant role—helping students feel a sense of belonging early can make a difference.Parents are key influencers—providing them with resources and guidance can help reinforce their student's decision.A strong anti-melt communication flow should include personalized outreach, two-way conversations, and content that addresses student concerns.Mental health support is critical—institutions should ensure students know where and how to access resources.Data-driven strategies should guide enrollment marketing efforts, ensuring institutions focus on what truly moves the needle.What Is Summer Melt and Why Does It Happen?Summer melt refers to the phenomenon where students commit to a college (through a deposit or other means) but ultimately do not enroll in the fall. While some melt is inevitable, a large portion is preventable with the right strategies. The two biggest contributors to melt are financial challenges and social anxieties.Financially, many students and families realize too late that they are unable to afford the costs, or they misunderstand their financial aid package. Socially, students may feel uncertain about their ability to succeed, worry about fitting in, or struggle with the idea of leaving home. These fears can be exacerbated if they don't feel connected to the institution before they arrive.Additionally, intentional melt has become more common, with students placing deposits at multiple institutions to keep their options open. This makes yield forecasting more difficult and further complicates enrollment strategies.How Can Institutions Reduce Summer Melt?1. Build Early Affinity and BelongingTo prevent summer melt, institutions must start fostering a sense of community early—before a student even deposits. Strategies include:Engaging students with faculty, staff, and current students through personalized outreach and virtual meetups.Encouraging early participation in campus events, online forums, and social media groups to build connections.Assigning student mentors or ambassadors to check in and answer questions.The more "sticky" relationships a student builds with a college—whether through faculty, staff, or peers—the less likely they are to back out before the fall.2. Improve Financial Aid CommunicationFinancial uncertainty is one of the biggest drivers of summer melt. Colleges need to ensure that students and families clearly understand their financial aid packages by:Providing easy-to-read financial aid letters that differentiate between grants, loans, and scholarships.Hosting financial literacy workshops or Q&A sessions for admitted students and parents.Reaching out proactively to discuss payment plans, emergency aid, and alternative financing options.Training admissions and financial aid teams to have direct, transparent conversations about affordability.Students who feel confident about their financial situation are far less likely to melt.3. Engage Parents in the Enrollment ProcessParents are one of the most influential factors in a student's college decision. Universities can strengthen parental involvement by:Creating parent-specific communications (emails, newsletters, or social media groups) with key deadlines and resources.Providing guides on how to support their student—covering topics like homesickness, academic struggles, and roommate conflicts.Encouraging parent participation in orientation programs to ease concerns.When parents feel informed and supported, they are more likely to encourage their student to follow through with enrollment.4. Monitor Engagement and Intervene EarlyTracking student engagement over the summer can help identify those at risk of melting. Indicators include:Not registering for orientation or choosing a later session.Failing to engage with emails, texts, or calls from the admissions team.Delays in completing financial aid paperwork or housing forms.For students showing signs of disengagement, schools should reach out directly—not just with automated emails, but with personal phone calls, text messages, and invitations to one-on-one conversations.5. Address Mental Health and Well-BeingAn increasing number of students experience mental health challenges, which can make the transition to college overwhelming. Universities should:Clearly communicate available mental health resources and counseling services.Provide peer support programs to connect incoming students with those who have successfully navigated similar challenges.Offer flexible support options, such as teletherapy or online workshops, for students who may not be able to access in-person services.Proactively addressing mental health concerns can help students feel more secure in their decision to enroll.6. Use Data to Guide StrategySuccessful melt prevention strategies rely on data-driven decision-making. Institutions should:Analyze past melt trends to identify common risk factors among students who didn't enroll.Use chatbot transcripts, search console data, and social media engagement to uncover student and parent concerns.Monitor response rates and adjust communication strategies based on engagement levels.By leveraging real-time data, institutions can proactively address student concerns before they result in summer melt.Guest Name: Will Patch, CEO of Clarity EMGuest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willpatch/Guest Bio: After 9 years at Manchester University and 5 years at Niche where he developed the Enrollment Insights brand and established Niche's research and survey work Will has taken on the challenge of doing more work 1:1 with campuses. With Clarity EM Will now offers custom surveys and analysis, consulting services, and staff training to better use and understand their data. Will is a frequent conference speaker and podcast guest. He has presented at NACAC, AACRAO-SEM, AMA Higher Ed, CASE V, EduWeb, and EMA. Will's work has been featured in Forbes, Inside Higher Ed, CNBC, CNN, the LA Times, and The New York Times among other outlets. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Jaime Hunthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/https://twitter.com/JaimeHuntIMCAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you'll like other Enrollify shows too! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

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Who will the Arkansas coaching staff trust to get outs for the Razorbacks this season? On today's episode of The Baumbastic Podcast, Andrew Ellis introduces the 'Circle of Trust' to break down who will fill certain roles within the Diamond Hog pitching staff! Check out the daily Razorback Basketball Mailbag https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSMx4u4Xnwc&list=PLJiDrEgHVPu78t6p9fsFiBDu3TLuqRe3Q #arkansas #razorbacks #football #basketball #baseball #sampittman #johncalipari SHOUTOUT TO OUR SPONSORS: RHOBACK Check out the highest quality of performance hoodies, polos, quarter zips, joggers, and more with Rhoback clothing! All different types of apparel for men, women, and kids that will have you ready to take on any occasion this sports season! Visit www.rhoback.com & use promo code: HOGSBY20 for 20% off your 1st purchase! Be sure to check out their amazing Razorback game day gear in their collections section! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- FAYETTEVILLE FLY COMPANY Fayetteville Fly Company is a local small business based right here in Fayetteville. They offer apparel for outdoor enthusiasts and weekend warriors who enjoy everything NW Arkansas has to offer including fishing, hiking, biking, hunting and more. Fayetteville Fly Co carries a full line of hats, long and short sleeved shirts, outerwear, and more. Use code: HOGSBY20 for 20% off purchases at www.fflyco.com Free Shipping on all orders of $50 (5% back to local non-profits supporting nature conservation efforts) Gear up for the Holidays Check out New full zip jackets and hoodies in time for colder weather ahead! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ALUMNI HALL 3417 N College Ave, Fayetteville, AR 72703 479-435-6352 www.insidearkansas.com/alumnihall The best and largest selection of Razorback gear Apparel for the family - mens, womens, kids, pets too Razorback apparel, accessories, hats, Yeti, gifts - Alumni Hall has it all Hall Pass Rewards - Earn points with your purchases and get rewarded! Once you've spent $150 (which is easy to do), you'll get $10 off your next purchase Have the nice brands we love (for men) - Nike, Columbia, Cutter & Buck, Johnnie-O, Onward Reserve, Peter Millar, southern tide, Tommy Bahama, Turtleson. We know some athletes so for our friends that shop the big and tall Hogs gear - shop today at www.insidearkansas.com/alumnihall Alumni Hall - The ultimate Razorback shopping destination! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- BET SARACEN Arkansas' #1 Sports Betting App! Visit www.betsaracen.com to check out the latest spreads, lines, O/U, parlays, and more! BetSaracen has specials running every day that are unique to everyone here in the great, state of Arkansas! Download the BetSaracen app today on the Apple or Google Play store and get to winning big ONLY with BetSaracen…Arkansas' #1 Sports Betting App! https://apps.apple.com/us/app/saracen/id1612098207 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- BRYANT TECHNOLOGIES Whether it's structured cabling, security camera installation, digital signage, or TV mounting, Bryant Technologies has you covered. They service the entire state of Arkansas as well as all of Arkansas' bordering states! Have Bryant Technologies help you with all of your network & security needs. Give them a call at 870-883-0330 or check out their website at www.bryantstechnologies.com It's Bryant Technologies…Quality Work. Guaranteed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Maddie and Colleen are back to talk horror astrology with Caitlin. On this episode, we give charts for Patrick Bateman from American Psycho, Darcy from Oddity, Chucky from Child's Play, Clarice Starling from The Silence of the Lambs, Count Orlok and Ellen from Nosferatu, Billy and Stu from Scream, Lou and Jackie from Love Lies Bleeding, Laura Palmer from Twin Peaks, and the main cast of Bodies Bodies Bodies. As always, it's a silly, fun time. Just three dumb bitches telling each other "EXAAACTLY." Tangents include: David Lynch, Top Chef, social media, horror characters we'd embody, books, cryptid favs and FMKs, Jennifer Tilly, and D&D.

After a six-week break, we're kicking off the new year with a deep dive into business efficiency—eliminating redundant processes, optimizing workflows, and cutting unnecessary costs. Inspired by Elon Musk's continuous improvement mindset, this episode explores: ✅ Identifying and removing double-entry tasks ✅ Evaluating long-standing processes—are they still necessary? ✅ Assigning dollar values to inefficiencies and making smart cuts ✅ Balancing automation with essential human oversight Join Aaron as he breaks down how he audits his businesses every January to streamline operations and boost productivity. Are you ready to trim the fat and scale smarter? Don't forget to subscribe for more episodes of the AC Method! The AC Method is hosted by Aaron Clippinger and sponsored by SquareCoil. Go to https://www.squarecoil.com to streamline your custom industry today. Connect with Aaron and The AC Method community: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronclippinger https://www.instagram.com/theacmethod/ https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063971505812 https://www.tiktok.com/@squarecoil Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey friends, welcome to a special "Best of 2025" re-release of an insightful conversation with Matt Wolfe. This episode is one you won't want to miss again—Matt and I chat about how his strategies and extensive experiences in digital marketing and content creation and how it's built him a media empire. We delve into diverse subjects like the intricacies of music licensing, maintaining consistent content production, dealing with internet trolls, and exploring the exciting potential of AI tools. Matt walks us through his journey, emphasizing the critical role of video thumbnails, the art of managing teams, optimizing old content, and his shift from direct response to brand marketing.. So, let's dive back in!Challenges in Consistent Content CreationCreating content consistently while handling sponsorship obligations poses a significant challenge. Matt uses systems and teams to help manage this workload. He notes the struggle of meeting old sponsorship agreements as his audience grows, often facing backlash and negativity from viewers who dislike too many ads. Balancing quality content and sponsor requirements remains a critical focus.Managing and Optimizing ContentMatt shares that when it comes to managing content, it's crucial to have strong systems in place. Assigning team members specific roles helps in maintaining a smooth workflow. He notes the importance of continuously optimizing old videos. For example, he adjusted a video's thumbnail and title, which led to a massive boost in views. Click-through rates (CTR) are important, and Matt emphasizes testing different thumbnails and titles for better results.Dealing with Trolls and NegativityHandling trolls and negative comments is part of being a content creator. Matt talks about developing a thicker skin and understanding that not every viewer will appreciate the content. He explains that he now focuses more on engagement through Discord and X, where more constructive feedback happens. However, he still has team members review YouTube comments for useful feedback.Transitioning Email Marketing StrategiesMatt's transition from direct response marketing to brand marketing in emails reflects the changing landscape of digital marketing. He prioritizes providing valuable content directly within emails to achieve high open rates. He targets about 35-40% open rates, with the most important news at the top followed by sponsor content. This strategy helps ensure higher engagement and a more loyal audience.The Value of Data and AI ToolsDiscussing the value of data, Matt mentions that his website, Future Tools, receives almost a million visitors monthly through effective SEO. This has led to acquisition offers because of the valuable database of tools and related data. AI tools also play a significant role in his workflow. Matt uses tools like Claude, which can code and create video games, and looks forward to the release of Sora for one-minute videos.Building and Maintaining CommunityCommunity building remains a core part of Matt's strategy. Engaging with his audience on social media and in person helps build a more loyal community. Active participation and approachability are key. While he focuses less on YouTube comments due to negativity, other platforms like Discord and X help maintain valuable feedback and engagement.Alternative Music Licensing ApproachMatt Wolfe suggests an alternative approach to music licensing, similar to Grimes' method, where artists grant broad permissions for using their music but maintain some control to ensure it's not linked to harmful content. This makes licensing easier and could transform how music is used in various media.Future Trends in AI and IntegrationAI is evolving fast, and Matt is most excited about AI integrations in wearable tech, such as AI glasses that assist in social interactions. He also highlights...

Join Our Money Makeover Bootcamp! Budget besties, can you believe it? January 2025 is here! Shana and Vanessa are back to help you prep for a fresh financial start this month. Whether December felt like a budgeting whirlwind or a total train wreck—it's okay, we've got you. We're walking you step-by-step through closing out December and setting up your shiny new January budget.

We all have different needs for closeness and distance, for intimacy and independence. You might have heard terms like anxious or avoidant attachment to describe this, and these tendencies can create challenges - particularly when people with different needs try to relate to each other. In this episode, Dr. Rick and Forrest explore why we're drawn to people who activate our insecurities, how anxiety manifests differently in "pursuers" versus "distancers," and what we can all do to work with our natural tendencies more skillfully. They discuss common relationship patterns, why pursuers usually receive more blame than distancers, schizoid personalities, and practical ways to break free from entrenched patterns. Rick's Yearly Program: Rick's Foundations of Well-Being 2.0 is a year-long, science-backed journey through developing 12 key inner strengths like mindfulness, motivation, and confidence. It's currently on sale, and if you like Being Well we think you'll love it. Follow the link here and use coupon code beingwell20 for an additional 20% off: RickHanson.com/FWB You can watch this episode on YouTube. Key Topics: 0:00: Introduction 2:00: Key characteristics of pursuers and distancers 9:25: Demands and reassurance 13:35: Assigning blame, and gender stereotypes 20:40: Why opposites attract, the power of small wins, and changing ourselves 31:15: The distancer 40:45: Finding motivation to identify common ground with our partner 54:30: The pursuer 1:00:00: Self-consciousness and ego 1:02:10: Brave questions to ask in your relationship 1:07:00: Recap I am now writing on Substack, check out my work there.  Support the Podcast: We're now on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link. Sponsors Use promo code hanson at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual plan at incogni.com/hanson. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/beingwell.  Get 15% off OneSkin with the code BEINGWELL at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod  Join over a million people using BetterHelp, the world's largest online counseling platform. Visit betterhelp.com/beingwell for 10% off your first month! Transform your health with the ZOE Science & Nutrition podcast. Find it wherever you listen to podcasts. Connect with the show: Subscribe on iTunes Follow Forrest on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Follow Forrest on Instagram Follow Rick on Facebook Follow Forrest on Facebook Visit Forrest's website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I'd like to take you on an introspective journey inspired by a recent eye doctor appointment with my mother. When we came across a humorous sequence of letters on the vision chart, what began as a normal exam became a source of pure joy. My mom's laughter was contagious, and it reminded me of the energy we assign to the little things in life.  Some moments trigger humor, while others may bring stress—but the choice of how we perceive them is always ours. In this episode, we'll slow down for a wise walk and ask ourselves important questions to explore how we can turn triggers into opportunities for growth, laughter, and connection.  Are there situations in your life, or words or phrases, that trigger you positively or negatively? What energy are you assigning to those things? Do you have the opportunity to reevaluate and ask why they trigger you? Can you shift that energy and see them from a different perspective? Are there qualities or characteristics people call out about you? Have those comments ever triggered you negatively because they challenged your sense of normalcy? Are you still allowing their energy to define how you see those qualities? Can you thank someone for acknowledging a unique part of you and embrace it as a strength? Is there an opportunity to make peace with those qualities, assign them positive energy, and appreciate your uniqueness? Are there things, words, people, or places that once held a negative connotation for you? Is there an opportunity to see them from a different, unique perspective? Can you free yourself from past associations so they no longer hold power over you? Where can you find the positive light and assign a radiant new perspective to those things or situations? Thank you for joining me today. My wish for you as you stride forward is to hold good intentions in your heart, assign energies that uplift you, and embrace the clarity and awareness that supports your journey. I'd love to hear what resonated with you from today's episode.   I'll see you next Thursday for another Wise Walk, so be sure to tune in. Until then, prioritize fun, read the signs, direct your path, and get your stride on!   In this episode: [04:06] The different meanings or energetic values we place on things. When I was young I would get triggered when people said certain things about me, but now I embrace my differences. [05:36] We don't have to assign that energy if we don't want to. We can reframe how we think about things. [06:10] We don't have to accept other people's negative vibes as our own. I love the idea of being intentional about the energy we assign things. [09:07] We don't have to assign negative energy to things from our past. For instance, some people are triggered by flowers because of the negative connotation of receiving them when someone's apologizing. [11:25] Our state of mind can also affect how we assign energy. [12:21] Show up with a high vibration in order to receive positive messages. [13:40] Be aware of the energy that you are projecting. [16:16] Think about where we can reassign energy and meaning to things that might not be said with the right intention.   Memorable Quotes: “I love this idea of releasing energy on things or words that once triggered us and kind of seeing what else is possible.” - Mary Tess “Hold good intentions in your heart and assign energies that lift you up and help you evolve on your path.” - Mary Tess “Life is about constantly evolving and changing—embrace that and let go of what no longer serves you.” - Mary Tess   Links and Resources: Mary Tess Rooney Email Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram Heart Value  

The debate over assigning centers vs. allowing free choice is one that has long raged in the early childhood field. In our minds assigning centers makes sense - if children go to each center, they are getting everything we want them to out of center time... right? Maybe not. In this episode, let's talk about 5 specific reasons why assigning centers can backfire!Tune in!Topics Discussed:5 reasons you should consider free choice during center timeRelated Episodes or Blogposts:Episode 13: Benefits of Free PlayConnect with AshleyFollow on Instagram @lovelycommotionJoin the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook GroupMore About the Lovely Preschool Teachers PodcastAre you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives, and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way!As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher.Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com

Range Rover Sport: Start designing your Range Rover Sport today at https://www.LandRoverUSA.com Justworks - Visit https://justworks.com/podcast to join thousands of small businesses trusting Justworks for payroll, benefits, compliance, and more. Shopify: Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at https://shopify.com/ich Subscribe to Alex O'Connor @CosmicSkeptic Here! NEW: Join us at http://www.icedcoffeehour.club for premium content - Enjoy! Add us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jlsselby https://www.instagram.com/gpstephan Official Clips Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeBQ24VfikOriqSdKtomh0w For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: tmatsradio@gmail.com For Podcast Inquiries, please DM @icedcoffeehour on Instagram! Timestamps : 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:07 - Thoughts on Talk Tuah Podcast? 00:04:57 - Haley Welch's overnight success 00:07:48 - Most formidable debate opponent? 00:14:22 - Sponsor - Range Rover 00:15:26 - Have you always been a deep thinker? 00:20:20 - Importance of knowing philosophical disposition 00:21:56 - How should people find their philosophy? 00:23:58 - Are people born deep thinkers? 00:25:47 - Does wisdom come with age? 00:26:57 - Getting AI to admit its own consciousness 00:28:31 - What is consciousness? 00:34:59 - Sponsor - Justworks 00:36:17 - Ethics of conscious AI 00:43:00 - Hierarchy of value in living creatures 00:47:39 - How to improve the meat industry? 00:54:02 - Assigning value hierarchy to life 00:57:15 - Last time you changed a belief? 01:00:48 - Sponsor - Shopify 01:02:25 - Campus debate viral videos 01:10:11 - Ben Shapiro's debate tactics 01:17:48 - Thoughts on 2024 US elections? 01:19:41 - Should people take a competency test before voting? 01:23:34 - Atheist value system and finding purpose 01:34:01 - Do you gamble? 01:40:01 - Las Vegas fake architecture 01:43:46 - Are humans naturally good or evil? 01:46:19 - Do humans need bad to appreciate good? 01:50:59 - Ethical dilemmas thought experiment 02:10:21 - Book recommendations for understanding philosophy *Some of the links and other products that appear on this video are from companies which Graham Stephan will earn an affiliate commission or referral bonus. Graham Stephan is part of an affiliate network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites. The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Assigning loads vs letting athletes choose. Frequency of bike vs row workouts. How to approach accessory work. Wallballs vs Thrusters.

Thinking about wholesaling but unsure if having a real estate license will help or hinder your success? While being licensed offers some perks, many agents struggle with low 1-3% commissions and aren't familiar with wholesaling. In this episode, Brent shares 17 key steps to closing your first wholesaling deal, whether you're an agent or a complete beginner. Don't forget to check out Brent's TTP training program for more wholesaling tricks.---------Show notes:(0:58) Beginning of today's episode(8:01) Build a business that is a servant to you rather than you being a servant to it(14:53) 6% to 10% of the market is in distress at all times.(22:31) How to make contact with your target property owners(23:21) Start pre-qualifying your leads(24:46) You have to understand what the after-repair value is(28:57) Hold the escrow(30:50) Assigning the contract and a contract assignment means(32:24) The simple way to get paid----------Resources:Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert KiyosakiCashflow Quadrant by Robert KiyosakiBatchleadsDocusignTo speak with Brent or one of our other expert coaches call (281) 835-4201 or schedule your free discovery call here to learn about our mentorship programs and become part of the TribeGo to Wholesalingincgroup.com to become part of one of the fastest growing Facebook communities in the Wholesaling space. Get all of your burning Wholesaling questions answered, gain access to JV partnerships, and connect with other "success minded" Rhinos in the community.It's 100% free to join. The opportunities in this community are endless, what are you waiting for?